The one in Amsterdam

A couple of weeks ago I met my friends Hans and Alyssa in Amsterdam. The three of us know each other from a language course we did in 2008 in Salamanca. Hans is from the Netherlands and Alyssa is from the United States. She was visiting some big European cities last month, and one of them was Amsterdam. It was so much fun to see them again. I see Hans about two times a year, and he likes old fashioned mail just as much as I do, so we often exchange postcards. Hans also adds the most beautiful stamps from all across the world to his mail. 

Before we met, I wanted to visit a store that sells all sorts of pretty paper and other crafty things. Been looking forward to that for some time. So I was pretty disappointed to see it was closed on sundays! I guess it must be about the only shop in Amsterdam that doesn't open its doors every day. Well, I do have a good excuse for another visit ;-)

This picture wasn't taken in a museum, but in the staircase of Zara! I didn't get to shop for things to get my DIY on, but I did treat myself to some of my favourite t-shirts from Zara :-) 

 Some of the famous canal houses

 

The seagulls are amazingly big in Amsterdam! 

There's a bar in Amsterdam named Sherlocked. Talking about Sherlock, who else can not wait for the new season to arrive? 

So, how are all of you doing? How summer in your corner of the world? Have you been on a holiday, or were any cool day trips taken? I'm curious to hear what you are up to!

The one with the things I liked this week (148)

Last week not much special happened, mainly lots and lots of work. So, today I am sharing some pictures that were taken in Amsterdam, last sunday.

enjoy the rest of the weekend!

The one with DaWanda's pop up store

Last sunday I travelled to Amsterdam with my mom. Almost two weeks ago we (me, mum and aunt M.) worked nearly non-stop to get two boxes full of printed tote bags, baby onesies, notebooks, and postcards ready in time for the pop-up store DaWanda opened this weekend. 

Sorry for the amount of pictures in this post. I guess this most be some sort of proud momma thing  :-)  I loved seeing 'my' things in a real brick and mortar shop (other than my own), everything looked really cool, and I got much inspiration on how I can display some of the items in my own shop!

Love the oxblood bag and print

 On sunday, Bobini was making personalized rings and cuffs at the shop.

The shop is located in Amsterdam, Gerard Doustraat 76. More info can be found on DaWanda's Facebookpage. Many other charming shops are close by. A pair of Chucks I haven't spotted anywhere else yet (striped, bit of a tweed-look and shiny black toes) wanted to go home with me. And who am I to say no to a pair of awesome shoes? I'm afraid I am developing a bit of a sneaker addiction.....

The one with the things I liked this week (145 & 146)

Windowshopping

Love these Christmas ornaments

Seen in Amsterdam

 Another one taken in Amsterdam

Eat cake

 Beautiful roses at my neighbours'

Sinterklaas stamp

The one in Amsterdam

Last saturday I met up with Hans in Amsterdam. We met 7 years ago in Salamanca, where we both did in Spanish language course. Every now and then we meet for lunch or dinner, and in between those meet ups, we write old fashioned postcards. If you stumble upon photos of pretty stamp on this blog, they are often ones I received from Hans. 

Amsterdam Central Station, designed by Pierre Cuypers, 

the architect who also designed the famous Rijksmuseum.

Normally, we meet in the city of Utrecht but this time we choose Amsterdam. Hans was born and raised in Amsterdam, so it was nice to go there with someone who knows the city well. For lunch I had roti from Suriname, with potatoes, string beans and spicy sauce. A dish our old neighbour used to make, and I haven't had in years. It tasted just as good as I remembered!

I think this door already appeared on this blog some time ago. But I think it's pretty enough for a second feature. It's a door of the Oude Kerk ('old church'), which is the oldest building in Amsterdam (founded in 1213, according to Wikipedia). Located in the very touristy red light district. 

I love all the pretty architectural details in Amsterdam, like this boat

De Waag (weigh house)

Loved this pair of balloons :-)

 

As a dessert, Hans treated me to a bonbon. 

(I choose dark chocolate with a mojito filling)

The one with the things I liked this week (136)

Lunch and a walk in Amsterdam with friend H. We hadn't seen eachother for a long time, so lots of catching up to do. I loved the trainride to Amsterdam, so I had some time to get some reading done.

 A happy mailbox and a hungry me! Thanks Diane :-)

 Seeing this car on my way to the mailbox. I think it gets rustier each time we meet

I managed to get one of the plants killed I got a couple of weeks ago. Poor thing. My neighbours do have green thumbs though, and I can enjoy the goodies that are on their balcony, like this one.

Made me smile, never knew that's what they were supposed to look like!

Enjoy your sunday! I'll have breakfast somewhere good, and the plan is to visit our local museum. What are your plans for today?