Bal Masqué

Special News: I'm about to move to my new appartment in Antwerp and will be throughing a small "pré-decoration" party.. 
Theme: Bal Masqué
Dresscode: be sexy, be masked
When: 10th of november, from 8pm
Location: Antwerp
Atmosphere: get a first acquaintance with my apartment and meet some new people 'incognito' in a candle lighted atmosphere..


Made my personal mood bord through Polyvore.. to give you some inspiration..

Bal Masqué by k_is.smore featuring a black dress

Black Strapless Marilyn Dress by Manoush
378 GBP - my-wardrobe.com
Black dress »

Yolanda 120 patent pump
$660 - shopsavannahs.com
Peep toe pump »

Chanel Vintage Classic 2.55 Quilted Bag
bagborroworsteal.com
Chanel handbags »

bat print scarf
180 GBP - harveynichols.com
Print scarves »

Lucia Italian Mask Collection Mask
maskitalia.com

SASHA sexy hot couple my album sensual 550x452 Bookmarks #396848 -...
picfor.me

Someone's Obsessed
msnerdslayouts.com

Natalia Vodianova - Masquerade Photo (9132985) - Fanpop
fanpop.com

Snuggle Friendly*

For Someone who loves to snuggle & adores to cuddle, I absolutely loved the idea of this pillow.. A Snuggle friendly pillow for two from slaapaap The design is so cool & fresh.. and I'm a major fan of long pillows instead of squared. 

So this one just ended up on my wish list*

The other day I also crossed the news of snuggle-friendly airline seats with Air New Zealand, I would definately sign for that with the right person next to me* and guess how they call it "cuddle class" LoVe it*

Fair Trade Week 2010

This week (29th of September till 9th of October) is Fair Trade Week people.. 

You have seen me writing about charity and recession topics before, so I won't let you miss about this one.. 
pend it, and if you want to make a difference, please do invest in fair trade products. 


So wherever you come from, please do check the fairtrade section in your supermarket, visit an Oxfam shop once in a while, or if you cross a fairtrade product, you might find it worth while buying and see the price won't be so different from an other similar product.

Fairytale is one of the 'cool' fairtrade initiatives I've crossed this week, it has received the be fair award this year, so it must count for something. They offer 'suikerbonen' in several ways to support children in third world countries.


For the record, summer has come to an end, fall is slowly entering my environment, and I long for positive vibes around me. So that's why all those indian summer pictures end up in this post*

Greek Inspiration Dionyssos*

Something crossed my eye for new inspiration, while I was visiting yatzer ..

 

All Pictures © Vangelis Paterakis

Residence in Dionyssos by Nikos Koukourakis and associates

 If only..*

Sky High

It's an other sunday, a day of cleaning out my closet (because I'll be moving soon), doing my laundry, a day of writing my blog offcourse and a date* 
As usual I'll be posting something that crossed my eye recently, which I feel like sharing with you today.. 

"You make me High, just like the Sky, like the 4th of July" - Kelis

If you feel like seeing more pictures like this, Aqua bumps parades images of waves, surfers (good and bad), hot morning joggers and stunning beaches in Australia. 

Wish me LUCK*

Valencia*

My last summer trip was to Valencia, Spain, because it was time to discover a new spanish city. My mum accompanied me in our 2year mother-daughter trip.


Barcélo Valencia was our hotel during our 4 nights stay and definately worth recommending. Situated in a modern area, with a view on the Ciudat de las Artes y Ciencas, it's an affordable hotel, with modern designed rooms including a super king size beds and last but not least full continental breakfast.

Katleen Engelen ©

Ciudat de las Artes y Ciencas, designed by Santiago Calatrava is a Must See! It's a beautiful modern centre, located in Les Jardines de Turia. The place is amazing and especially childfriendly with it's exhibitions and Océanographic, which is like a paradise on it's own whether you're interested in science, sealife, arts or modern architecture. This place will keep you fascinated for days.. Les Jardines de Turia are the most beautiful, green, well maintained gardens you could possibly imagine. The city centre is easily accessed through the gardens if you're up for a walk. 

Katleen Engelen ©

Around the Calle Conde Altea you'll find more than enough affordable, cosy restaurants to have lunch or dinner. Whatever you're choice is: tapas, pinxos or an affordable menu, everything is possible. Gran Via del Marquès de Turia will give you a nice promenade before entering the city centre, passing La Arena and Placa de Ayuntamente.

Katleen Engelen ©

If you're up for some shopping, the area around Mercado Colon is a nice option. Though I personally don't consider Valencia a shopping city. I did cross 2 shops worth mentioning: Elva, with exclusive jewellery & accessories & La Vispateresa, with feminine clothes designed by young Valencian designers, both situated in Calle Grabador Esteve. You will find all the high street labels like zara and mango in Valencia, but not many new discoveries. 

 Katleen Engelen ©

Barrio del Carmen was a bit of a disappointment to me. Though it has nice "Plazas" and the Torres, Catedral, La Lonya and Mercado Central are all worth a visit, I expected more from this area. Maybe because many places were closed due to their annual holiday. This city area which is recommended by many, didn't live upto my expectations. 
But as far as I can say, Les Jardines de Turia made up for it. Though affordable food is mostly found in town. The area around our hotel, is upcoming and has new modern bars and restaurants. If you're into Valencia Nightlife, you'll find a good start here, even inside the ciudat. 

Katleen Engelen ©

Last but not least, I should mention, Valencia is also known for it's puerto & playa. So if you're up for a beach holiday, you can always fill a few days at the beach. Even if your trip is short, a late afternoon at the beach is perfect, because many valencians stay late at the beach and the weather allows you to enjoy the sun quite late. Besides this beach you'll find the Passeig Maritim, where you'll find plenty of restaurant & bar choices. The price is a bit higher, but yet affordable. 

Katleen Engelen ©

When you walk towards El Puerto, you'll find a nice "going out" scene, with bars, restaurants and clubs with a view on the puerto & Veles e Vents. A modern building designed by David Chipperfield, for Port America's Cup. El Puerto is a modern but pleasant environment, with a salsa bar, where everyone is dancing in the open air during the early to late evening. Personal recommendation: Bamboo el Mar. 

Katleen Engelen ©

3 to 4 days would be fair enough to get to know Valencia, but you can always extend at the beach or combine with other areas or cities across the Spanish Coast..


All pictures are Copyright© Protected.

Got Back To The Chase..

Sorry to those who have been waiting for more posts the last 3 months. I've just been so busy with travelling, brainstorming and enjoying Summer in Belgium* And as long as summer is still lasting, a summary of what has been happening and crossing my senses this summer will appear here in this blog again.


Patriotic, would not be the right word for me.. But when longer abroad or when hearing people talk of my country and it's time to defend, I do feel belgian and some kind of love for the place I was born and end up coming back to.. So it's about time I talk a bit more about this small european country and it's qualities, besides me*


Summer in Antwerp*, my city and of course the things I've discovered during my work in Brussels. But I wouldn't be myself if I didn't mention a bit of my adventures abroad aswel so I won't spare you*


Because I love sharing the things I cross, for now I'll share this architectural inspiration

I just came across The Mooramie House by Tobias Partners & ‘45 Faber Park’ by Ong & Ong Architects today on the trendhunter website

Dreamy Photography*

Not so long ago my eyes crossed a dreamy photography shoot* And by surprise my friend made a suggestion to make a photoshoot together.. To give you a glimpse of the result I'll share this picture with you for now..

© K_is.sMore Photography

Lazy Sunday

Average Sundays in my life are Lazy Sundays* If not I end up on cultural afternoons, teaparties, adventural outs or photoshoots* 

Today I ended up on a lazy sunday picnic with "pistolekes" totally Little Red* Riding Hood with my picnic basket. Sundays like these are perfect.. coping after a late saturday night and enjoying nature's beauty..

* * *

An other cool sunday, is that one in this sunday shoot. Check it out, it makes lazy sundays look so COOL..

Let me know what is happening on your lazy sundays..!!

Lady Sunday Shoots - The Dace Hot Spring 2010 Campaign is a Calm Morning Affair (GALLERY)

Earth Month

Being Green has often been a political, cultural, religious or trend sensitive subject. I will never call myself a green person, but for what it's worth I do have some kind of green-attitude. The green-attitude that I mention here is a global issue. Cause it effects both you and me, our world, our planet, our home..

Ecology has been shown in a trendy or even fashionable way, and in a way to use our expenses wiser. To approach all sorts of people, for all kinds of motives. It is a trend, everyone wants to be green now, because it's trendy. But it's not just a trend, it is a real problem and I hope all these fashionable contributions won't just end once the trend is over. Eventually it's all about the same problem: Global Warming and the health of our Earth. As an average person I can only make small environmentall-friendly steps. But small steps can make a difference, if we do them all together.

We all choose our way or have our reasons to contribute to the environmental health. Perhaps with buying clothes in bio-cotton, becoming a vegetarian or include a vegetarian day in our weekly diet, reduce our water use, use solar paneling, buy an ecofriendly car or build an ecohouse. Check this site on how we can reduce or CO2 emissions. The best ways I believe are things we do/use in our daily life, not just donating money, but actually buying products which are better for our earth or contribute to charity projects.

For instance when it comes to beauty products, I've always liked brands with a good phylosophy. Brands which could be eco or organic brands, like Ren or Aveda. Aveda is a company that works with certified organic ingredients and is an official ecofriendly brand. Every year Aveda joins Earth Month to raise funds for grassroots organizations that protect biodiversity and address environmental issues around the world. The Earth Month campaign focuses on a specified environmental topic each year, helping to raise awareness around the issue, cultivate and educate supporters, and contribute funds to dedicated non-profit conservation organizations. This year they are helping through Aveda Earth Month to raise funds for global and local clean water projects. 

Aveda offers a Light the Way Candle made with certified organic French lavender, 100% of the proceeds go to support Global Greengrants Fund's (GGF) water-related projects. I've mentioned the awareness for clean water before in this blog. 1 in 7 lacks the access to clean water. So you can see I'm not just mentioning nonsense..

The other week I was reading this article in DM Magazine about the Earth Challenge Project°. Michel De Maegd a belgian journalist is crossing the world with his self-made ULM-plane and a 7headed team of Pilotes Sans Frontières supported by WWF and the belgian institute for Space-Astronomy; to capture and photograph the effects of the global warming on the Earth. Real images have shown the results are disastrous..!! As for instance, several islands in Australasia are being engulfed by cyclones. The ocean water is getting warmer and threatens for instance the great barrier reef. The images they have captured shows beautiful images on first sight, but when you look closer you can see the damage.

Unfortunately we still think it's not really our problem. Maybe we don't really see direct effects in our neighbourhood, probably because global warming has been an older problem even before they've mentioned it, and we don't know any better. If you look closer, you can see changes and there is no good in closing our eyes for these problems just to reassure ourselves. Look how we treat our own habitat, the only planet on which we could possibly live.. We belong to this world and have possessed and treated it with shame.. For the real truth is: the world does not belong to us, but it belongs to our children and do we want our children to end up in a world which we have destroyed?


"Today is Earth Day and should be a start for you to think about our habitat, environment and realise we only have one Earth. If we destroy this one, our children won't have an other one"


We can all help to reduce our effects and slow the process of global warming.

A Woman's Right To Shoes

Maybe I'm running behind on the trends, but sometimes you find trends from last season which can look great any year through..

My first acquaintance with these pair was in august VOGUE Spain edition.. 6 months later I saw them worn by 2 stylish girls in the sub in London.. Since then, they have tortured my mind!! I need I want.. Well, maybe we don't always need but what we want.. But I will love these pair as if they were new boyfriend* The original pair are from Isabel Marant, but you can find these lovely pair from Rosegold more affordable at Shop The Shoebox New York. 


Unfortunately or though fortunately for my wallet, I'm not someone who makes reckless buys, so they were out of stock before I decided to buy them.. But who knows they may end up in my closet some day*

I found Myself in Wonderland*

The other week I saw the new movie Alice in Wonderland. Unfortunately it disappointed me a bit, it didn't live up to the expectations. The story itself was not that special in this movie. The special effects, costumes made up for it, but my imagination was wild compared to the result of this movie. It could be due to the fact, we all know the Alice in Wonderland story and the marketing of the whole concept has overblown the movie. 


If you are fashionable in some way, I'm sure you've been influenced by the whole Alice in Wonderland hype. The fashion world has been engulfed by this movie. Colleen Atwood who design the costumes in the movie as done a fabulous job!! But also designers like Zac Posen and Donatella Versace have used the concept in their collection. 

In honour of the movie, several designers have created special "alice-dresses" for the showcases of the Parisian department store Printemps. Printemps even created an "Alice-tea-room"in collaboration with Ladurée and the London based department store Selfridges had it's own Alice corner. And also O.P.I. created a collection of nailpolishes which colors are based on the characters in the movie.


For I myself have been inspired by the whole wonderland concept ever since I knew the movie was coming. Perhaps a reason why I got disappointed, because I already made a whole image of expectations about how I saw the whole concept inside my imagination. My Creative Fantasy World is currently working on a wonderland concept. I've had a few photoshoot trials, but intend to develop the whole thing in something rather professional within the next weeks. I'm still looking for collaborators, make up artists, photography assistents and characters* So if you feel inspired, please let me know..

Back to Black*

This season the power is back to Black* It has been most of the time, when it concerns me.. Not just when it comes to my fashion favourites*,

but also when it comes to Design*, for instance I LOVE this 

two-tops secretary of Marcel Wanders, it's definately on my wishing list!

when it comes to Culture*, look at my love for Kenya and it's Blessings*

and I also love black and white Photography*

So no surprise, the perfect expression made for me: 

"White on the Outside, Black on the Inside"

Now isn't it Ironic*, of all the years I've been dressing in black, I've decided to stop buying black outfits, right before Black became the IT (non-)color again* Even MOMU (= Mode Museum Antwerp) is organizing an exhibition "ZWART/BLACK" these days.

For sure you know I won't be able to never buy black anymore, but let's say I try to upgrade my color use + combine Black with White this Spring, as 
Black and White are always Right*

* * *

World Water Day 2010

Did you ever ask yourself the question, What is Luxury? Well, I have, several times. It started 3 years ago when I was in Kenya, experiencing the real life Less is More experiment, to discover what I really needed and what luxury meant to me..


We all have a different definiton of luxury. But I believe we all have the same basic needs. Things most of us take for granted or don't even realise how important and necessary they are in our lives.. Things like daily food, a roof above our head, a bed, water or personal hygiene. Would you be able to live without? I wouldn't. And I've exprienced that need for real.. 

John Stanmeyer, VII, © National Geographic

The first basic need I realised I had, was WATER..!! You have no idea, how necessary it is to us, untill you don't have it. How we are used to tab water for basically everything! To wash ourselves, do our laundry, our dishes, to clean, to flush the toilet and last but not least to drink! Maybe you're not used to drinking from a tab, but clean tab water to drink is a luxury!! And yet billions of people in this world don't have this basic need!!


For us in West Europe, it's normal to have water all the time. But please realize, on this World Water Day, that clean water is luxury, and we should not take it for granted!!


I have experienced the less is more life, and try to always remember and use that adventage, to appreciate everything I have. From basic water, to tasty food up to the luxury to have everything you want..


Make Every Day Count*

Citizen Kate*

Once I get overwhelmed by the urge for adventure, I'm unstoppable. So when B* suggested to celebrate my second birthday weekend on a secret unknown destination, I didn't need much pursuasion*

Some would call it a challenge, 2 city trips in a row.. For me it was a new and improved way of travelling and celebrating my birthday* Yeah, an other excuse, an other celebration. From London to Amsterdam..Where London was a weekend of Fashion and Party, Amsterdam became a weekend of Design. B* and I are all about Design..and no better place to stay in than a design hotel right? Honestly, I don't think there could have been a better place to stay at than Citizen M Amsterdam Seriously!! This hotel is the Best!! It was soooo cool!! The whole concept was so trendy and ultimate design!! According to Tripadvisor I'm not the only one who thinks so, as 15 million travellers voted it to be The Most Trendy Hotel in The World of 2009!! 

The rooms are small, but functional as they have a kingsize bed, flatscreen and a rainshower. The whole room works on domotica, you can choose any mood lighting thanks to the colored LED's, up to the wake up alarm with jungle sounds*

A lovely location, a lovely hotel, the only thing we needed was our 100%design guide to guide us through Amsterdam. We walked from South Amsterdam to the Historic City Centre towards the Eastern Docklands OHG and Ijoevers with it's modern architecture and finished with a lovely lunch experience @Fifteen in Pakhuis Amsterdam. The restaurant is based on the same concept like Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in London. Definately worth a visit, together with Pakhuis Amsterdam for several cultural events.

After an up speed rythme in the morning, and because I didn't wear the most comfortable walking shoes* we spent our late afternoon slow down rythme around the Jordaan, with some nice shops like Papabubble. I'm not out for the obvious places as you can see, I prefer the hidden treasures, but as this was my first visit to Amsterdam I did have a first late afternoon acquaintance with departement store de Bijenkorf and they have got some nice Caramel Latte Macchiato. 


Sunday started with a late Pancake breakfast @Pancakes What's in a Name* Enough day-drink-stop-overs during a adventure walk in "het vondelpark" and ended on our train back to Antwerp to finish the evening with the perfect friendly birthday dinner @El Medi, a new mediterranean tapas restaurant in Antwerp.

For once, I left everything up to Bertology*, so my advice is limited. But I have photographic memory and we saw the largest part of Amsterdam so this will get you started..


After 2 AMAZING city trips, 3 official birthday dinners, one in London with some of my international friends, one in Antwerp with my home friends and the official last one *this year that is* today in Lier, my birthtown with my birthparents* I guess I can kiss both hands for such a Special Birthday. And Yeah, It's official: I have aged a day*

Start Your Birthday With a Big Bang*

There is one time every year I allow myself to focus on ME* That time is My Birthday* Though it's still 5 days ahead I've already been celebrating for 5days* The Start was in London. Which was more Fabulous than Words!! I've found a new city I really like and I could see us getting to know each other better*

Normally I would plan the whole trip in advance, do research, get to know the hidden treasures before I make my way there. But as this trip came out of a sudden urge for adventure, I didn't find the time to research and experienced this city as the mystery of a white page. Which was quite refreshing for a change*

What can I say about London? for the locals Lundun Yeah*. Well, the way I experienced it, it definately had surprises around every corner!! My first evening I lost my way to the hotel, but discovered that could actually be a good thing, as all of a sudden, in the dark unknown streets of London I saw the London Eye rise behind the other buildings and walked my way close to the Thames and discovered The Houses of Parliament and it's Big Ben* were only 5steps away from our hotel. My lovely friend Miss M and I agreed on meeting at our hotel. With our first Room Party that night, including Room Service and catching up about the drama, love and crime in our lives, we fell a sleep with a smile on our face, cause we were in London of all places*

The next day, after knocking down an English* Breakfast, we found ourselves discovering shopping WALHALLAH. Seriously, I entered just this one shop in London and I fell instantly IN LOVE.. A Shop which is called TOPSHOP of all names. What's in a Name?* A TOP shop, definately!!

London is a hectic large city it's not so easy to see the people you agreed to meet, even if they are standing right in front of you in the middle of the street* It must be desorientation for sure, blame the whole left/right situation yeah* In London you can even have traffic jamm for pedestrians, but I must say quite a few Londoners are dressed smart, even in the subs!!

The perfect First* Birthday dinner happened to be @Cielo in Mayfair. Lucky to be in this new hotspot in town, we set off with lovely tasty food, a surprise-detailed-with-angel-birthday-cake. Followed by a continuous playing Night in the downstair club Luxx with-not-our-first-choice-kind-of-music, though great dj as mixing fabulous!! Ending a late night date with mister cab driver, dreaming of how fabulous everything was!!

Sunday turned out to be the perfect day for CAMDEN Town & Market, an other hidden treasure inside London. A whole different kind of London, which I love so much about this city!! It's all about the subcultures, you'll probably find them ALL here..And for a belgian girl who is used to nothing-to-do-as-everything-is-closed-sundays, this was SO FUN!! So fun I barely missed my eurostar back to the motherland, if it wasn't for my road runner speedy action moves and knocking down a new world record of turbo walking*

The few things I've seen are definately worth visiting, including the department store Selfridges & Co for all its exclusive brands, u can't find in Belgium and it's great manicure O.P.I stand. Consider it one of the coolest of all the departement stores in London. Though I didn't have enough time to get inside the London Eye it's definately worth a visit on a lovely bright sunny day, you get the best view over London in here. Buy your ticket online so you don't have to queue, or wait untill the early evening around 6pm so it won't be too crowded.

As you can see I still have loads to discover about London. But as every long lasting relationship we are taking every step at a time to make it last forever*


Note: I'll be updating my city tips frequently. If you want extra inside information or advice on my destinations, you can always contact me.