Archive for juni, 2010

This is the result of my market shopping. Pasta Vongole and steamed arthichoke with vinaigrette dip on the side! So easy and so yummy! I have a small red recipe book where I keep all the best meals; recipes found in magazines, recipes I got from others and recipes I ‘invented’ myself. The book starts to bulge now with notes and papers. ( Just found this amazing recipe box over at the Style Files. It would be a perfect replacement!) Here this recipe to share with you;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

➔ Pasta Vongole (2 persons)

…Vongole (1 kg)
…Pasta (200gr)
…Shallot (1-2 pieces)
…Garlic (3 cloves)
…Parsley ( 2 tablespoons)
…Red pepper (1 small)
…White wine (one glass)
…Cream (a dash)
…Olive oil (or red pepper/garlic oil)

Cook the pasta. Chop the shallot and the red pepper in tiny pieces. Press the cloves of garlic. Bake these together softly in the oil. Add the vongole and the white wine. As soon as the vongole are open they are ready. Add some cream and stir. Mix with the pasta and garnish with the parsley.

When you are finished it is delicious to dip the  broth with some bread!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

To get to the biggest market from Rotterdam I just need to cross one street. I feel blessed. Every Tuesday and Saturday you will find me here for fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and flowers. After a while you get your favourite market stalls and you get to know the vendors.

Discussing what color peony to choose (I adore the bright pink, see below) , how to best preserve mint for my tea or how to prepare your tuna fish. And of course enjoying the seasonal products, at this moment you see cherries, strawberries and melons galore.

It is summer in the city! It is not that I haven’t had enough sun this year (skipping winter in Asia!) but still the city is so much more fun when the sun in shining. Everywhere in Rotterdam things are happening!

Last friday and sunday we went to ‘De Parade’ a traveling summer festival set up in an old fashioned fair theme! I always love the atmosphere; cosy and laidback with lots of rose wine and ice-cream. It is the place to meet and greet people you have not seen for a while. De Parade is finished in Rotterdam but will visit The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam in the following weeks.

♥ De Parade: ➔ Site

And we did some sunbathing in the park near the Euromast. Also here was a lot going on! Huge picknicks with party tent, live music and art performances! Let these sunny days continue,…

These necklaces from Alas del Sur by New York based Constanza Fuentes are simply gorgeous!

A few months ago my home was featured at Bloesem in her ‘Lets get personal’-posts. I love these sneakpeaks in other peoples’ inspirational homes!

Here are some photos of my place that did not get published over at Bloesem. Take a look at my ‘Lets get personal’ post over at Bloesem!

This weekend I went to the special ‘Wander in Amsterdam tour‘ with stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk to promote her new book ‘Amsterdam: Made by hand.

We started at the van Rossum bookstore , where Pia handed out these really cute little booklets with a handdrawn map. From there we went with a small group , approximately 15 people to ‘De Pijp’ and wandered there to little ceramic ateliers, artshops and small boutiques. I bought this colorfull towel from ‘De draad‘ to brighten up my kitchen!

At the end we had a lovely high tea in the backyard from the bookstore. A white tent decorated with Pia’s handmade garlands sheltered us from the rain while we were enjoying the yummiest tart and cake. It was a great day! Thanks Pia!

So when visiting Amsterdam don’t forget to take this inspiring book ‘Amsterdam: Made by hand’ to get you to the best spots for your special one of a kind treasures!

I have seen this resort over at the Selby now for over a dozen times. Coqui Coqui spa has several resorts in Mexico. It looks like a place to dream away. I love the colors and styling.

After our 100 day travel to Asia we made a top 10 wishlist of citytrips & places to travel. Unfortunately Mexico is not on this wishlist so it will have to wait a while! Here a nice interview about Coqui Coqui.

This is just the perfect crockery. I could just only stare at it instead of spoiling the beauty by filling the plates and bowls with food. It is made by Digna Kosse. It was one of her projects called ‘the human size’. On every bowl, cup and dish an engravement is placed, that says which part of the body and which volume fit into it.

This was just a lovely weekend! We celebrated our 2 year anniversary. After I got suprised with a dress from Humanoid! (me oh so happy!) and a lovely breakfast in the small garden from ‘Mangiare’ we went by ferry with the scooter to Dordrecht to explore the old town and visit Villa Augustus. The sun was shining and the kitchen garden was beautiful!