March 19, 2013

rotterdam.


how do i begin to talk about a country where you eat chocolate sprinkles and cake for breakfast, orange is their national colour and bikes trump cars for transport of choice? if you’re not already in love with the idea of living in holland, then read on, it’ll take you 30 seconds to be converted, promise.  i have been dying to share the last two and a bit weeks with you, but you know, life with a boy in a beautiful country that is filled with vintage and baked-good love, windmills, history and art…just kinda got in the way. my new neighbourhood is completely charming, with post office, bakery, florist, bike shop and everything a girl could need. it only took me 5 days before i had found my dream bike (a mint green gem at the most incredible price), wandered the markets, unpacked my suitcase and spent a sunny spring day in amsterdam. my relocation to rotterdam has been super smooth and made all the better with a yummy dutchman in hand. i am on the constant look out for work possibilities which is balanced beautifully with the opportunity to visit every bakery in rotterdam. of course the work/play balance is still completely out of whack, with the play part taking precedence, but with a burning desire to get screenprinting again (i found art shop heaven and could not be more inspired right now), update my big cartel store and keep a more concrete online presence… i see a more regular day to day routine in the near future. it’s been amazing having the boy take time off work and i couldn’t picture myself being in better hands than his. a proud dutchman with an impeccable knowledge for his beautiful country, i fell hard and fast for rotterdam within days of being here.  with art galleries boasting the works of koons, kusama, magritte, rembrandt and rodin…it was sure to be love at first sight. european design (not to mention the fact that eames and pastoe is everywhere I look) has my heart at bursting point. a morning spent at the market proved fruitful today when i walked away with a bike basket load of vintage goodness for under 15 euros, the place is brimming with pre-loved treasure. as i ride the streets i feel as though i’m part of something much grander, like a nationwide bike club. bicycles on every corner, lamp post and bridge, it’s impossible not to be completely enchanted by the bike culture here. i’ve already discovered several favourite bakeries, bought my annual museum card, signed up for the local supermarket’s bonus card and learnt how to say dankjewel like a true dutchie. with post it notes attached to every appliance in the kitchen, i have begun to take the language learning a little more seriously. i have spent time with some beautiful people, drank beer in a church and eaten my way through some of holland’s finest food products.  i've learnt how to live with a cat (i’m a dog girl at heart) and in turn uncover a new appreciation (ok, love) for the feline variety. in conclusion, this city has me completely under her spell. 





dutch life.


serious bike business.


market blooms.


i found heaven in art shop form.


i'm on a bike! (and deer feeding)


art, bike and a swan (bridge)


bakery and vintage love.


why would you choose fruit or cereal for breakfast over this???


reunited with kusama at boijmans.


koons love.


so much vintage goodness at the local markets (post coming soon!)

March 18, 2013

london baby!


on wednesday the 20th of february i embarked on a journey that had been in the pipeline for just over 7 months.  it was a decision that had been made the day i arrived back in australia after my 3 week holiday in europe in the summer of 2012. i left behind my british family, my two best friends and a delicious dutchman. as my plane landed in australia last year, i was immediately overcome with sadness and i knew i couldn’t wait much longer before i was reunited with them again. the moment my nanny kit told me she wished i was staying in england, i had my heart set on returning as soon as possible. nothing in the following 7 months was to change that way of thinking. as time passed and the dutchman was becoming more and more important to me, i knew i had met someone incredible and for a very good reason. taking a leap of faith and letting my heart do the talking, we both decided that me moving to rotterdam seemed to be the path to take. i felt that my life was coming to a cross road in brisbane and the time was now if i was going to embark on a daring adventure. i booked a one way ticket, quit my job and packed up my life. i filled a 27 kilo suitcase, a compact carry on case of 7 kilos and a small hand bag and off i flew to london. three flights and 24 hours later, i landed in the uk and  immediately, it felt like home. temperatures didn’t rise above 10 degrees (a much welcomed change from queensland’s humidity), i stocked up on tights in every colour i could find, hit my favourite stores (anthropologie, h&m and liberty), spent time with my family and best friend, drank tea with my nanny and had a beautiful week settling in to the european way of life. chatting to the dutchman every day and feeling more sure than ever, i was still so eager to give living in rotterdam a go. on friday the 1st of march i met him in brussels after nearly 8 months apart. that was almost 3 weeks ago and i haven’t regretted my  move for a second. i have so much to share with you and so many posts planned that include a baked good and vintage treasure tour of this beautiful city, the incredible artfilled experience that was museumnacht, my sunny spring day spent in amsterdam and  just how in love i am with the charming town of delft.  i will leave my thoughts on rotterdam for the next post, but wanted to stop in, share some london love and thank you for the overwhelming love and support many of you have shown over the past few weeks. it never goes unnoticed and deeply inspires me to share my stories. for now though, much love from holland. 













March 5, 2013

that's the way love goes.


It’s been almost 8 months since i left the Netherlands, knowing deep down that my short time spent there would change my life forever.  Sounds a bit romantic, and boy, is it. Who knew that an aussie girl and a dutch boy would make such an impact on each other’s lives after spending  only a few hours together. The beauty of technology kept us in touch, every, single, day. Morning, noon (more like 3pm australian time) and night. Phone calls often lasting an average of 3 hours were the backbone for building a relationship from  such a long distance. There were trying times, but they only reaffirmed how much we felt for each other and just how hard it was becoming to be apart. A few months after my return from Europe, I made the decision to return, indefinitely.  Firstly it was to be London to be closer to my family,  especially my nan whose dementia is so sadly setting in. Though  as time progressed and the dutchie was becoming more cemented within my future plans, I made the decision to give moving to Holland a try. I spent last week in London spending much needed time with my british family, all the while having very little doubt about my grand move for love. I trusted my heart, and I can happily say, it didn’t let me down.  It’s now my 5th day in Rotterdam and I am really warming to her.  Who knew how  strangely normal  it would feel living with a boy.  The time dedicated to building and nurturing this relationship has paid off and although the language and work situation has me often feeling a tad unnerved, the possibilities of a life with my Dutchman far exceed any of the worrying thoughts. We spent the most beautiful day in Amsterdam today, wandering the canals and vintage shops. I’ll save those photos for later in the week.  Over the past few days I’ve reacquainted myself with the amazing local market, biked the city, seen some awesome art, found art supply heaven, opshopped, been made breakfast, slept in for the first time in years, been on dates and met beautiful new people. Rotterdam is shaping up to be everything I had hoped for and then some..helped nicely along by a very patient, caring and handsome boy.




falling back in love with hagelslag.


spring is on its way.


the boy.


have always loved these two.


the amazing cube houses.


art supply heaven. many, many screenprints coming soon!


the koons delight.


i'm a happy girl on a bike.


awesome art everywhere.


found my local baking supply shop.


bedroom view.