Silhouettes by the ocean

[ Photographer: César Ancelle-Hansen ]

[ Photo of longboard rider found via: here. ... Beautiful air shot photo of the ocean found via here ]

[ Washed out, ocean surf photo found via here ]

Ocean images I spotted a few months back and they seem to fit well together. ….We’ve been having gorgeous summer day these past few weeks. There has been no surf, it is summer after all. So not sure why I wanted so long to try (standing up paddling). Of course i L O V E it, and I am so addicted to it that 2 hours out in the sea, makes me feel complete.

Delicious Dessert Style

Yummy desserts and pretty images, and I am loving the lemon macaroons in gentle tones — such a stylish and simple photo. { source via: Delectable Deliciousness }

It’s not often that I blog about food and recipes. But these two ladies make me want to talk about food. They don’t just post a recipe with a nice picture and voila!. Through their blogs you can find delicious recipes, stylish photos with lot of thought put into them — exqusite photos they are, that make my stomach roar and  my eyes feel dizzy!

The above and below images are from Aline Caron’s blog, My little fabric. She is a French photographer, stylist and designer — That’s probably why I spent ages browsing through her blog, admiring her use of cute illustrations and graphics added to produce rich images — so chic!

But do not worry if you can’t read French — it’s worth your time to check out my little fabric.

{ my little fabric source found via Jelanie’s blog }

Under African Skies

Twenty-five years on and Paul Simon is back into my life! He is performing tonight (as I write) in Amsterdam. Such a shame I am not there, but lucky for me, I got to the chance to watch the film on TV last night and I can not stop thinking about it… Paul Simon is now 70yrs old and still singing in tune — just like I remember.

Under African Skies, is a new documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary of Paul Simon’s beloved album, ‘Graceland’. The film is a musical journey, that reunites Paul with the original band members in South Africa. Racial and political problems tensions also plays a major role in the film.

BUT it’s the magic of the music — the collaborative effort between Paul Simon and the South African musicians — that inspired me the most. I felt bewitched by the end of the film, by the exquisite voices of the cappella group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, “Homeless” — That explains why I included the precious photo of the little girl (see above picture) praying/singing. So sooth your soul and see the documentary.

If you are located in Holland, you can watch the full length documentary here
[ Images from left to right.: via here and here ]

Moonrise Kingdom: About a girl and boy

With some films there is no need to write a movie review, except to say, “you should just see it and enjoy it”. Moonrise Kingdom is one of those films that I need to see it again because I simply love Wes Anderson´s divine world and visionary storytelling; it is very unique and he has an easily recognizable style: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001).

“I prefer stories with magic powers in them. Either in Kingdoms on earth or foreign planets. Usually, I prefer a girl heron, but not always.”  – Suzy

See it, enjoy it, step back in time – the 1960´s, relive your childhood memories and laugh a little. I hope you also fall in love with the young runaway lovers, Suzy and Sam.

[ Posters by: The Rushmore Academy, found via: Indie Wire ]

Meet The Blogger: Amsterdam

{ Above photo by: Susan Jimenez }

Meet the blogger event in Amsterdam was a full day of inspiration, meeting other creative blogger and taking part of workshops presented by successful bloggers and them sharing their tips and experience. It was fantastic experience and my head was buzzing for days with positive thoughts and inspiration from the 1 day event. … And I couldn´t not have asked for a more exquisite location that the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam.

There were quite a few guest speakers on the day but the keynote speaker, who is a hugely successful blogger, Frida Ramstedt of Swedish interior design blog Trendenser inspired me the most. Frida is an amazing business woman who has written books, done TV presentation, radio interviews, worked together with interior designer magazines, helped put out Ikea’s first catalogue for the iPad, and has recently created her own iPad magazine.

Frida talked about building your brand, finding your niche and becoming an expert at something: ‘Don’t focus on what you can’t do today. Focus on what you want to be able to do tomorrow’ and a great tip to find your passion: ‘Where does your mind go when it wanders?’.

Have you spotted me by now?
Later on the day I sat through two workshops; Blog Styling by Pippa Jameson and Product Photography by Yvonne Eijkenduijn. Both of them had something very good tips to share on improving your blog and photography styling. What makes a good picture? Every picture tells a story.

{ Bloggers from left to right: Frida Ramstedt, Pippa Jameson, Danielle de Lange and Yvonne Eijkenduijn }

{ Photographer: Jurriaan Hoefsmit – see the rest of the photos by meet the blogger: here }

More than twist in my sobriety

“More than twist in my sobriety” by Tanita Tikaram (1988)

………………………………….
In the morning I wipe my brow
Wipe the miles away
I like to think I can be so willed
And never do what you say
I’ll never hear you
And never do what you say
………………………………….
Cup of tea, take time to think, yea
Time to risk a life, a life, a life
Sweet and handsome
Soft and porky
You pig out ’til you’ve seen the light
Pig out ’til you’ve seen the light

Half the people read the papers
Read them good and well
Pretty people, nervous people
People have got to sell
News you have to sell

Look my eyes are just holograms
Look your love has drawn red from my hands
From my hands you know you’ll never be
More than twist in my sobriety

Beautiful nostalgic song from the 80′s. One that I had completely forgotten about till today. The combination of the song lyrics with the video clip is what makes it hauntingly intriguing. I love the photography with sepia tone, and the way the shots are well thought out. The children in the video are beautiful. Video set in a rural village in the Bolivian Altiplano. Directed by Gerard de Thame.

bold and round

Sometime without searching for it, you ran into a few images that fit together – like a colour block puzzle.  Just a couple of weeks, we were canoeing around the canals, closer to nature and nesting birds. We didn’t look as pretty or cute as the couple on the rowing boat but it was just as cosy…. The bold colour, circle bag would probably get wet on the boat, though it should fit heaps of goodies inside it. Fancy bag designed by Meredith Wendell.

This stunning girl in yellow shorts make me want to feel summer! Such a natural, refreshingly chic look, great colour combination too – but it’s the head wrap that makes it super cool picture – i need to start wearing head wraps again!. A great shot taken in Miami by photographer Scott Schuman.

cold air

We are having beautiful clear blue skies BUT It‘s getting colder here! So when I heading outside, because I need to, I look like I am heading to Alaska. Pretty shoes, cute skirts and dresses are forgotten clothes…However, there is only one good thing about this extreme cold weather – there is HOPE to go ice skating across frozen lakes and canals!!!

In the mean time, here is a photo by Anne He to help you stay warm. Xx

My Night with Marilyn

I was so excited to see “My Week With Marilyn,” starring Michelle Williams as the forever iconic Marilyn Monroe. The movie was OK. I wish i could say i loved it but i didn’t it. However, it’s worth seeing the movie to see what life was for Marilyn Monroe and to see Michelle Williams performance. Although i had my doubts her playing this role, i mean, those are some BIG shoes to fill. She did manage to capture Marilyn Monroe’s mannerisms and she also has the sweet demeanor needed for this role. Overall, Michelle Williams was fantastic so i wouldn’t be surprised if she wins an Oscar.

I love Marilyn, i love her smile and energy. She has always been unbelievably gorgeous, mysterious witty and interesting to me. She such a screen goddess that had a way of outshining everything around her. In a way, Michelle Williams managed to also still the show in the movie.

I don’t think you need helping guessing who is who, but just in case Marilyn Monroe is the one on the right, the hotter one here – even in a woolen turtle neck!

{ images of Michelle Williams found via: vogue magazine and images of Marilyn Monroe found via pinterest}

Heading out

Finally, I made the effort to head out and catch some nice rides today. Sure it was busy out  in the surf, the swell was good and everyone always wants to be at the right spot – in hope to catch the perfect wave. But that was no distraction for me to enjoy the sun  in my face while been in the water again. Eventually, I paddled my way to a quitter spot where it felt like I had the sea to myself … love that feeling! Getting washed in the waves, having sore arms (from the paddling)  or jumping into the cold water is ALWAYS worth it!

{Photos by Dane Peterson,  David Greg & Keegan Gibbs}