D.I.V.E.R.S.

Heard so many good things about Divers ; it just opened a week or 2 ago and I immediately fell for it's clean interior and concept. Finally a foodie bar with some healthy bowls and juices ; sometimes a girl just does not need another coffee bar in her hometown.

Today I tried the Hulk bowl filled with a healthy fix ; banana, granola, almond milk and spinach ! {flexing my biceps haha} 

Now I've tried one, I must admit they taste amazing and fill you up but in a nice way. Lately I have developed a dislike for excessive meals, too much meat and potatoes or pasta. It makes you puff up like a blowfish. So I'm changing my eating habits into healthy fixes, preferably with lots of green veggies ! Yum !

Congé

Antwerp, my hometown that is, always holds the most fantastic places to have a drink.

Recently, Congé opened their doors and it has been a {h}It {place} ever since.

Linked to the Plein Publiek events in the weekend, it has become a hot-spot for the beautiful people of my town. 

Wanted to get a decent picture ever since I've noticed their awesome typography - so today I decided to defeat the rain and headed over to the Kronenburgstraat. 

Unfortunately they close Monday's & Tuesday's but this gives me a good reason to come back to have a coffee or drink later this week. 

Meanwhile, if you're deciding on visiting my city for a weekend, make sure to include this place to your list. `

you might also check my personal Antwerp hotspot-list on Pinterest ; feel free to follow ! 

Hotel stay in Antwerp

If you're looking for a one-night stay near the Central Station in Antwerp, the Ibis Budget hotel Antwerpen Central Station, might just be the place you're looking for ! 

The rooms are small but decorated in a good way so you don't get an anguished feeling ; a separate shower and toilet are a plus.

The hotel of the Accor group is situated near the most beautiful station in the world ; worth a visit if you've got some spare time. The site is also on a walking distance from the main high street ; so I would recommend this hotel for a shopping spree in this beautiful city. Commence your morning with a light breakfast* and ask the friendly hotel staff for directions to hit the town. 

Another plus if you're addicted to your smartphone ;  WIFI is free ! 

In brief, I would recommend this hotel for a 1-night weekend stay in Antwerp, even more of you're traveling through and on a low budget.

* breakfast at 7.50€ pp 

pictures to follow soon but feel free to click through this link to get some idea and start booking. 

BANG !

just a quick #selfie update concerning my bangs !

SO glad I did it and extremely happy with Lindsey .. I discovered she's back in Antwerp after her Spanish getaway of 2 years ! 

If you live in my hometown and want these bangs, Salon Avalon is the place to be.

Does the name ring some bells ? You're not mistaking, Lindsey used to have her former salon just around the corner !! 

As you might have noticed, I'm addicted to hair, shine and a good hairdresser.

My next blog will be all about hair products, hair care and currently I'm testing 

Orofluido and l'Oréal products. If you're just like me, all about healthy hair and color, feel free to follow my blog and upcoming posts ! 

#mud

Today I will follow a make-up workshop at MUD.

Am truly excited and hope to share my experiences with you all afterwards.

Hope to shoot some pictures too so everything makes more sense.

Am even more excited and nervous about tomorrow ; my first wedding shoot is finally here !

I will be the main photographer and not the back-up this time ! 

*saying a little prayer for myself*

Have a happy weekend you all ! 

photo credit by make-up designory

#magic

my hair SOOS (straight out of salon)

Yay !

I can't believe today has finally come and has proven to be AWESOME !

After a previous visit to another hair salon in Antwerp, my hair was complete f*cked up and everyone, including myself, hated the gingery color they forced upon me. It didn't do anything for my complexion ; the color made me pale and frumpy.

After that experience, some of you guys know, I was still hunting for that perfect hairdresser who knows what he/she is doing and not gambling with someone's look or hair quality.

And may I say, I have found the guy !

Stijn is fun to be around with ; his tiny salon is quirky as is his style and he knows how color works.

He also understands what 'messy curls' or messy updo means and he's superfast when it comes to blow drying. Love the man for NOT using an ironing device on me .. how I hate this look.

Don't like slick hair, it makes me look ladylike and I hate that.

What's the point in going to the hairdresser and washing your hair again as soon as you're back at home ?

Such a shame.

I made Stijn promise, not to dissappear like my former hairdresser did - I would not survive - so I made all my appointments for June 6th over again and am happy to check another {V} off my to-do list.

Want that same hair too and you live in Belgium or Holland ?

Make your appointment here 

#underground

Last night, we had the opportunity to walk the underground by feet. Discovering a whole new world, mysterious and brightened up with some special light effects. 

These subway tunnels have been ready for more than 30 years and these tracks we walked, never been used before, until now. 

So, last night we had the chance to walk the course and enjoy something we might never do in our lifetime, ever again. Loved it. Some of my pictures have a Si-Fi feel to it ; our very own version of A Space Odyssey, down here in the caverns of Antwerp.

Officially, the tramway (8) will open April 18th. 

#Sébastien

Sébastien, Melkmarkt 46, Antwerpen

Have been looking forward to this coffee shop ; yesterday it opened and today, my son Sebastian (what's in a name) and I had some drinks and muffins after school.

The space was previously owned by Switch (Apple store) so I was really curious to see how they would change the interior ; they did a real nice job. It's clean, open and I just love the lighting hanging from the ceiling. 

Check out this and other hotspots on my Pinterest board ! 

#refreshment

Oh, shut up and drink already !

Finally tasted this homemade iced tea at Hotel National in Antwerp.

Had to order it 3 times before, when they finally said "we do" !

It was worth the wait ! So friggin' nice and refreshing.

No wonder it was always sold out ; it's just too good to leave your glass full {I ordered 2 btw}

order it here when you hit my hometown 

Spring is here and a splash of sun makes everything look just a little brighter and happier.

Here in Antwerp we have a real terrace culture as soon as the sun hits the streets of our city.

People meet up at their local bistro or café, enjoy a coffee or beer and take time to actually absorb the start of a new season. 

#starfish&coffee

Today I want to share a lovely coffee shop with you guys. Katja runs the place since 2008 and counts many coffee drinkers to her loyal customers.

My personal choice is the pepperccino ; a nice strong coffee topped off with peppers and honey. 

People with a sweet tooth can also enjoy a piece of her daily homebaked cakes and pies ; just settle down in this eclectic interior. I'm pretty sure you will feel as much as home here as you would in your own kitchen.

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 !

Baltimore flowershop

Whenever I'm giving friends a thank you gift for inviting me to dinner, I want them to have nothing but the best. When your friends invite you and they make the most of food and wines specially for you, I guess it's just customary and polite to offer them something they can enjoy for at least a week or so.

There's this wonderful flowershop, close to the Graanmarkt in Antwerpen, called Baltimore.
Every time I pass their window display or presentation in front of their shop, I can't help but stop for a while and gaze at the amazing colours and convergence of it all.

Yesterday we got invited at this luxury bbq fest at Peter's & Marise and I wanted to give something that would remind Marise of Summer. Although it's September today and Fall is peeping around the corner, I just could not help myself in picking these roses and hydrangea flowers. I guess I just need to adapt to the idea orange, browns and reds will be hitting nature pretty soon.

Baltimore is one of my favorite flowerstores in Antwerp. If you ever need a bouquet for a special occasion, this is the place to be ..
Check out their website here