NEW SPOT: BAR BAARSCH AMSTERDAM

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you’re in the area called de Baarsjes.
2. For lunch or dinner – inside or on their terrace.
3. To bring your kids.

Check out: www.barbaarsch.nl

(Images made by Gino van Meenen)

TO GO: THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES ARNHEM

In the Netherlands there’s only one Fashion Academy which delivers names like Viktor & Rolf and Spijkers & Spijkers and that one is located in Arnhem – of all places. Arnhem is a city full of fashion (see stores like Humanoid and Coming Soon) so it isn’t strange at all to host a mayor exhibition of Spijkers & Spijkers. It not only captures all the collections of the sisters, but it also gives you rare behind the scenes information. If you love fashion, you can’t miss it. Till August 21, 2011

Check out: www.mmkarnhem.nl

(Image made by Marc Deurloo)

TO GO: VT WONEN POP UP STORE AMSTERDAM

If you’re in Amsterdam or planning to go there, you need to focus your trip around the Haarlemmerdijk. Dutch magazine VT Wonen opened a temporarily shop last week. Huh, a magazine opening a shop? Yes. VT Wonen thought: our readers can get inspiration out of our magazine, but in our store they can actually buy the things the stylists of the magazine like. Why turn your magazine into an iPad app, while you can make it into a real life hotspot. I love it. Open till May 8th.

Check out: www.vtwonen.nl

(More images on Vosges Paris – an interior blog worth following)

NEW SPOT: DE LINDENHOF SOEST

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you like Villa Augustus I think you’ll like this atmosphere as well.
2. For lunch or dinner.
3. To try this dessert: chocolatecake (warm) with gorgonzola and pear

Check out: www.grandcafedelindenhof.nl

TO DO: BUITENGEWOON

Some weeks ago I discovered Buitengewoon. And I was like: I wanna do that sometime this summer. I like following blogs like Style Me Pretty which is mainly about weddings, but quite often I see that they use large simple tables out in the open (I thought: only in America because in the Netherlands you don’t get a grip on the weather) where family and friends come together. Now Buitengewoon stands up in the Netherlands to do the same. Follow them to get the inside scoop on where and when the dinners take place.

Check out: www.buitengewooninhetland.nl

(Images: Willem from Ztrdg)

 

NEW SPOT: SUKHA AMSTERDAM

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you like concept stores (who doesn’t?)
2. If you like the idea that one family works together to make this shop so fantastic.
3. If you like products from India, Indonesia and Nepal – but also from the Netherlands.

Check out: www.sukha-amsterdam.nl

TRIED & TESTED: BOERDERIJLODGES TWENTE

Most striking feature:

I don’t have kids, but if I had them there is only one place to go in the Netherlands for a week of fun (and design of course) in summer: Boerderijlodges in Twente. There are several farms turned into design lodges. Kids can play outside and pretend they run a farm. They can chase chickens or cuddle with a kitten. And meanwhile the mother can relax in the designtub inside. Follow a yoga lesson. Or just read a book. Get some homemade cheese or bread at a nearby farmer and you can start preparing dinner. This sounds like an advert for starting a big and happy family doesn’t? I only want to say: skip Port Zélande and other massive resorts and start relaxing in a cool environment. 

From 99 euro. Check out: www.boerderijlodges.nl

TO GO: NIJNTJE IN DE MODE UTRECHT

Nijntje, also known as Miffy, is born in Utrecht. There’s a Dick Bruna House dedicated to her and because of their 5th anniversary the Centraal Museum next door is hosting a huge exposition about the sweet comic hero. Several fashion designers like Jan Taminiau and Anrealage (see picture) designed a special dress for Nijntje. And you can see them all till December 31.

Check out: www.centraalmuseum.nl

TRIED & TESTED: ROSA & RITA AMSTERDAM

Most striking feature:

Pizza and steak. Their menu is all about those two dishes. I tried the Pizza with mozzarella and basil. Just like my sister who compared it with a pizza we tasted in Italy. So it is as if you’re in Italy and that’s a good sign. I’m not a food connaisseur but if Johannes van Dam (the restaurant reviewer from the Netherlands) gives this place a 9, well: then it’s good. The interior is simple but fantastic. It’s located in an old warehouse and you see still see the old beams when you look up. Because it was sunny yesterday we sat outside their terrace with picknick tables. Oh, and it’s really affordable as well (I tried the most expensive pizza which costs 11 euro).

Check out: www.rosaenrita.nl

NEW SPOT: SCHOREM ROTTERDAM

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you wanna feel that Portland atmosphere in Rotterdam. Mix a lot of tattoo’s with vintage and fashionable glasses.
2. If you’re a man and need a haircut.
3. If you’re a man who don’t want to see women for an hour or so: this is a women free zone.

Check out: www.schorembarbier.nl