Merry Christmas

 
 
To me the last weeks up to Christmas are often among the happiest of the year. I love to decorate our house and the Christmas tree with the girls, do a spot of baking, work my way through a pile of cookery books and magazines on my bedside table, and visit one or two Christmas fairs. It's the jolly songs on the radio too, the magical window displays in the city centre and the lights in the trees and houses, that catch my attention as I cycle through town.

Last Thursday morning, when on my way to the station at six thirty, to catch my train to work, a bearded young man on a bicycle, headphones on, passed me by, singing Rudolph the red nose reindeer at the top of his voice. A moment later I could hear the distinctive sound of sleigh bells ringing..... A broad smile appeared on my face. It's small things like this, that bring happiness, and make the start of a day and the weeks up to Christmas special.

And now, on Christmas Eve, with a Bundt cake in the oven, a mushroom soup simmering on the stove and the girls in front of the telly watching a film, I sit behind my laptop writing this post to you. Before tomorrow's celebrations start and we will all be busy,  I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you will have a wonderful time with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog too and for  leaving such sweet comments, both here and on Instagram. I very much appreciate it.

Love, Peace and Joy,

Madelief x

Photo's 1, 2 & 3 were taken in Bruges, photo 4 and 5 at the Exhibit 'With love to Audrey' at the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague, photo 6 to/incl. 12 at the Marienwaerdt Christmas fair. The other photo's were taken at my home. 

 

Vintiguing in Antwerp

This post is long overdue. Sorry you had to wait such a long time for it to appear. I have been on a short holiday with my parents, and on a long weekend to Antwerp, one of my favourite towns in the Benelux.  It's only an hours drive from Rotterdam, and such a different world. It's hip, it's classy, the food is better, the clothes are finer and the people much more relaxed. My late husband and I used to visit regularly, to see an exhibition, do some shopping or just walk around town and enjoy the good life.

It was four years ago since I visited last. I thought it would be difficult being there, but somehow the town got me in it's grip. I enjoyed it just as much as I did before. It helped that I was in the company of two sweet friends who live in Antwerp during the weekend and showed me around town.

As they are just as keen on vintage clothing as I am, and now the best shops in town, I came home with two new winter outfits: an amazing turquoise jacket, two sweet hats, a copper sunburst necklace and an antique priests stole, which I use as a belt. I customized the jacket and belt a little, but furthermore the outfits are ok and look fab. 

For those of you who are interested  in the names of the shops I discovered my treasures: Think twice, the Kringwinkel and the Oxfam store. 

My photo's were taken around Antwerp, near the MAS/het Eilandje, in the city centre and my favourite B&B Bed, bad & brood.

Are you a vintage shopper and did you find any treasures recently?

Have a good week ahead!

Love,

Madelief x 


Thank you Marianne and Henny for a fabulous weekend! X

Sun, Sea and Salty air

 

 

Hi everyone,

After a delightful week at the seaside and a few relaxing days at home, I feel happy being back again. It's amazing what a bit of sun, sea and salty air can do for you :-) My head is clear once more, the 'hurried pace' of busy city left me, and I am full of ideas. I even managed to read a book or two. How I missed it!

We spend a week in a beautifully renovated old farmhouse in Zeeuws Vlaanderen, the lowest island in the province of Zeeland, which is situated in the south west of our country, close to the Belgian border.

The house is surrounded by wide open fields. The only thing you can hear is the sound of the wind and the voices of people working on the land. Now and then a seagull passes and makes screeching noises. 

We cycled along the Westerschelde, had dinner at BAZ, a lovely beach club in Breskens with amazing views and spend a few hours window shopping and soaking in the atmosphere in Knokke. Off course we ate a big plate of mussels and French fries. A dish you simply have to try when you are at the Dutch or Belgian seaside :-)!

Next time I will show you the old farmhouse we stayed in.

Have your summer holiday's already started? Will you be staying at home or going abroad? Wishing you all a good time!

Happy weekend! I am off to the garden soon to make everything ready for an afternoon tea.

Love,

Madelief x