The Belle of .. St Vincents

Love at first sight, that's the feeling I had when I entered St Vincents today. Opened a week ago and already very popular amongst native Antwerp population.

This ancient imprimerie is the newest hot spot to enjoy a coffee/tea  - shop clothes, interior decorations or furniture.

A must see when visiting my hometown ! 

Last Friday I booked a workshop on 'how to' apply make up the MUD-way. I have to say, I really picked up some good ideas and tricks of the trade to apply make-up for my style and age. 

As a 40-something woman, make-up needs to be applied with care and small details can really make a big difference. 

For instance, in my case, my lips are naturally full and my eyes are small. Esther showed me how to make them look brighter and bigger ..

The best thing about MUD products is they contain lots of pigment ; you actually need very few to cover your face, eyelids or lips. 

Compared to the amount of make-up I got caked on the other day*, my skin actually felt good and was still able to breathe and glow.

So if you're into personal advice and tricks on how to apply good make-up, then this workshop could be the best thing happening in 2015 in your personal beauty and skin care.

Available by appointment at the MUD stores in Antwerp and Ghent. 

Prices start from 49€

*my make up was applied by a MUA for a party a few weeks ago ; I looked like Joan Collins, but in a bad way. Not a good look

#paul

books ready to be signed

My man is THE biggest Paul Smith adept you'll ever meet. I can tell with certitude, he's wearing anything Paul Smith on a daily basis. Suits, shirts, cufflinks, shoes - you name it .. he has got it hanging in his wardrobe.

So, when staff from the Antwerp store shared a little secret Paul himself would come to visit our town, we knew an invite would drop in our mailbox pretty soon. And so it did.

Yesterday, the PS store was crowded with fans, lurkers and party crashers (I noticed at least 2 of those) and of course mr C, bringing his Led Zeppelin scarf along, hoping Mr Smith would sign it to make it even more special and rare .

Only 50 of these scarfs were exclusively made and he got hold of one.

Turned out Paul Smith is adorable and the sweetest guy you'll ever meet ; he even promised - after asking Mr C's email - to send him a picture of Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin) and himself. 

We headed home a bit starstruck but very happy ! 

the most inspirational stairway {to heaven}

amuses ! yes, we had fun too ! 

Sir Paul Smith in person, doing his thing ! 

the scarf became even more special 

Mr C and Mr S - twins ! 

#COF

Laurentine & her doggie Lilou

Today was a good day ; the weather was horrid but "rainy hair, we don't care", nothing could stop us going the grand opening of Clouds of Fashion in the Nationalestraat !! Whoa !!

Laurentine has really upgraded from a cute but tiny store to a very grown up fashion walhalla ! 

My daughter India was lucky to have a day off school, so we scheduled a shopping spree at noon at the new COF store !! She choose a cute little black shoulder bag and a palmy Summer top {weather forecast predicts 15°C next week) and mama got herself a cute silver BFF bracelet to match her Isabel Marant watch. 

Spoiled and happy we went home, coveting our newest pink COF shopping bag and freebies ! 

We wish all the best for Laurentine and her team in the new store {careful Lilou does not want to jump ship again} ;-)

I wanna STAY here forever ..

Ever since the Nationalestraat has officially reopened after restoration, fabulous new shops arise in the fashion district. Near the MoMu and Fashion Academy, STAY opened it's doors a couple of weeks ago.

This is my kind of shop : beautiful brands - a coffee space in the back of the store and pretty much everything is for sale ! 

Seriously love their concept. This boutique bar also organises workshops, tastings and a Sunday brunch. You even can 'rent' the venue for a private shopping night : enjoy an evening of shopping, tasting and relaxing with your besties ! 

Cool idea, right ?

Pop in their store when you hit Antwerpen and meet Tinne and Stéphanie Coucke yourself ; submerge in their stunning shop at the Nationalestraat 49 {and like them on Facebook too}

Me GUSTA la cena, me gustas tú

Remember that Manu Chao song ? Gusta means love and this is what Inez De Rijcker wants to share. Share the love for good food for people who have health issues with certain substances in our daily food. She's the first to open a shop that provides all kinds of these specific products in 1 space.

Speaking from her own experience {she had to run errands in 3 shops to get a complete meal}, Inez saw the opportunity in opening a shop herself that offers a complete range and give people a 1 stop place to buy all they need for the week to come. 

Follow Inez and GUSTA on Facebook 

and visit her store offline {she sells amazing chocolate too !}

Montignystraat 25, 2000 Antwerpen

Le fabuleux Marcel de Bruxelles

Le Fabuleux Marcel de Bruxelles has always been a household name for tanktops and underwear. LFMDB opened a temp pop-up shop at the Lombardenvest in Antwerp, where they will house 'till further notice. 
Designer Kaat Blommaert added some extra basics to make a complete(r) collection for this venue. 
Check it out and get a Marcelleken (we like the grey ones) before it goes !

The Kooples .. finally !

Hopland, Antwerpen (B)

Always fun to rediscover your own town after a Summer break abroad ; somehow, new shops and new collections rise up and I'm particulary thrilled to see The Kooples finally will land in Antwerpen.
I've loved this label for the longest time and only had the chance in buying their goods offline in Lille or Paris. Of course they have their online store but I still get more kicks out of feeling and trying on their collection IRL.
On top of that, don't they have the coolest ads ever ?
They manage to find the hottest couples to pose for them ; already saw this image on their website and this one really represents what The Kooples stands for.
Rock 'n Roll chic with that 'je ne said quoi' air only seen in Parisian streetstyle .. a modern version of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin.

Can't wait for this walhalla of coolness to open very soon !