The Swan Collection by Summer Tales Boutique (and open day in their store)

 

Hey there, stranger.

It's been a bumpy ride over the last year and I hadn't felt the need to write here until today (but that's a story for another time).

Yesterday, after a not so good week, I can say that I had a wonderful day surrounded by some of the amazing members of the Dutch Lolita community. We all had an appointment at one o'clock in the afternoon at the Summer Tales Boutique in Houten, a wonderful town near Utrecht. The reason for this meeting was the presentation of the new collection that Katie and her team have been preparing with care over the last few weeks: The Swan Collection.

The Threatened Swan (by Jan Asselijn c.1650, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam) is the painting that this time has been chosen for this new chapter of the Dutch Masters, a theme that STB takes up almost every year. You can't imagine how I felt when Katie revealed her painting of choice, as The Threatened Swan is one of the most impressive paintings you can see in the Rijksmuseum, maybe because it doesn't portray any human beings in it, but you can feel the emotions that he is having the swan at that moment when he feels attacked. The majesty with which it opens its wings to defend its nest showing all its strength and splendour leaves no one indifferent, in addition to the realism that Asselijn manages to print on the painting.

In the STB's own words, "This collection is all about empowerment and standing up for yourself. And at the same time embracing your dark side. It emphasizes the feeling of having to conform to certain (societal) expectations and breaking free from them".

The fabric chosen for this collection is a mix between hemp and organic cotton, but also they're working with new materials in the studio: vinyl. We can find details and amazing accessories made of this material, from a corset choker to arm warmers and a beautiful bustier that will not leave anybody indifferent (believe me, I've seen it live and everything looks better in real life than in photos).

Plus, we'll be able to purchase a wooden pin designed by the talented Lattegalaxy made especially for this release!

 

Best girls <3 Kim, Zoe, Josine & I

I love how the polaroids came out, they always have that nostalgic and a bit cursed feeling?

Anyway, in case you're wondering what she was wearing, I'll show you below! If you follow me on Instagram you will already know that I started learning to sew by myself. Here is the first piece I made about a month ago, this beautiful skirt with painted flowers. I must say that I find quite a bit of pleasure in sewing and learning from my own mistakes (but that too is a story for another time).

Shirt - HellBunny (old)

Skirt - Handmade by me

Tights - TejaJamilla

Bonnet - Hats by Issis Starlust

Shoes - Naf Naf

Accesories - Tierranegra, My Inspiration

Hope you enjoyed this post, see you next time!

PS: Don't miss the online release of the collection today at 20'00h!

Anxiety Check: Back to the Real Life

Hey there, stranger. 

It's Mental Health Awareness Week and I wanted to check back on you about how you're doing with all this COVID-19 situation. I believe that the excess of information that the media has been bombing us for more than two months is not only confusing the population but putting us all at risk.
Today, citizens are unable to interpret themselves about what type of mask is the most suitable to use, how and when to go outside or how de-escalation works. And it seems that nobody understands the fact that we are facing a new, unique situation that has not happened before.
 

(Read more here)

Nice places around Alkmaar: Sweets & Antiques

Hey there, stranger.

If there's something I miss from the "outside" world, is having coffee, some sweets and a nice chat with a friend somewhere nice. Here in Alkmaar the perfect place for that, at least for me, is Sweets & Antiques and believe me, I miss it quite a lot!

In the old town of Alkmaar, you will find the candy store of Han and Esther, a lovely little place full of curiosities and nice food that will delight those with a sweet tooth. When you enter inside, you can see yourself in an old Dutch candy store from the early XX century, surrounded by more than 200 different types of candy contained in old glass jars and vintage cans. 

(Read more)

What We Do in the Shadows

Hey there, stranger.

Since this week was released one of my favourite tv shows, What we do in the Shadows (base on the mockumentary by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement) I thought it would bee fun to show you a couple of outfits I did during this quarantine revisiting my darker side (you know, once you go black you never go back; it doesn't matter how many Emily Temple Cute dresses I have, I'm a goth at heart always).

(Read more here)

Het Kattenkabinet

One of the biggest pleasures that you can have when moving to a foreign country is to look with fresh eyes into the secrets of the cities, secrets that perhaps the locals know but have never visited because they're simply there, "and you can always visit". But now, in time of coronavirus, I keep looking to all these photos and although I haven't been a good blogger (yes, I had the time but sometimes sitting down to write it's difficult, especially when you've lost the habit), I'm gonna try to make it up to y'all.

So last summer I was really willing to visit the Kattenkabinet, a place full of curiosities, and I was lucky enough to count with my beloved friend Cassie to come with me (remember her from this previous post? She's such a lovely person, believe me!). 

(Meow more here)

Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder | Our Lord in the Attic

Hey there, stranger. 

How are you coping with all the coronavirus situation these days? By the time you read this, the Dutch government would have made new announcements let's see what they say this time... 

But while we wait on that, let me take you with me to one of the most fascinating places I've visited so far here in The Netherlands.

I wanted to write about Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder for a long time now since is my favourite museum in Amsterdam and a must if you come by and want to see something different. 

(Read more here)

Discovering Egmond aan Zee

Hey there, stranger. 

I think since we have quite some time, we could catch up little by little, don't you think? Maybe this way I can seduce you to visit The Netherlands and discover little places around the country. I'm still on it, of course, but seeing the photos from our past adventures makes me want more! This one belongs to 2018 but is still worth it.

(Read more)

The 'Dutch Kremlin' and Museum 'de Turfschuur'

Hey there, stranger.

When I moved to The Netherlands I never thought I could visit the Kremlin. Of course, it's not the Russian one (although I hope to see that one in the future) but the one located in the little village of Winkel. 

The Dutch Kremlin only open its doors four times per year (June 7, July 12, August 16 and September 13 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm), but if you're around, it's worth visiting.

(Read more)

Anxiety check

Hey there, stranger. 

How are you doing? For some of you, this would have been the first week at home quarantine. For some other, maybe less, maybe more. And I can imagine how hard it is, being stuck in a place while you could be enjoying outside. We don't value things until we lose them, I think that this freedom that we usually have will be much appreciated it once this has passed, right? I hope so. 

I'm not gonna give you a list of things to do while being at home. I believe everyone should do what thinks it's best, and not force themselves to do anything productive if they don't feel like it. But I wanna know how are you handling the anxiety that may be generated these days in which you cannot escape from home, and offer you help. 

You see, I've written about anxiety before here, here, here and here (in Spanish, but you can use the translate button on the sidebar, no worries!), and as I said before, we should totally talk about this more often, because believe me, you're not alone, and the voices of others who may have passed the same situation in which you're at the moment may help. 

People always say that you must confront the source of your anxiety and they're right, but in a situation like the one we are living nowadays it can be very complicated, so please, don't feel guilty if you don't do this immediately. The most important thing is to stay calm and as healthier as possible (physically and mentally), if that means that you should avoid whatever disruptive thoughts that may lead to a panic attack, do it, and don't feel guilty about it. There will come other times in which you can confront it (and get over it, of course!), but don't force yourself into this road since we know is not a nice one.

I'm at home with my boyfriend, and although sharing the same space all the time might be a tricky situation, we're doing quite well. I don't mind to be at home at all, when we moved to the Netherlands I spent quite a lot of time by myself here, since he was working and I wasn't, but I enjoyed my time by myself quite a lot. I had (and still have) my routine for when he's not around; having a routine in situations like this is quite important, so you won't lose track of time and think you've done nothing (even if you just need to catch up with that tv show, do it within a routine!). Now with the two of us here at home, I try to keep that routine every day too: waking up at a decent time, shower, dress, have breakfast, tidy the house, etc. It may be sunny outside, but we stay home. 

Sometimes I get anxious due to how the situation is developing in Spain. You see, my granny is quite old, and I worry about her. "Call her", you may say; and I do, of course, but still I cannot help to worry a lot about it. In those moments that I feel I cannot stop my thoughts, I breathe, as deeply as I can, and listen to music that won't let me think (like Kvelektar, for example). And hey, it takes a while but it fades while I focus myself in some other tasks to do. I may bite my nails still, but at least I can control the panic attacks most of the time like this. Exercise, plan meals, read a book, clean your wardrobe, craft, make a TikTok post... I know, I said I was not giving you a list of things to do, and you don't need to do any of these things but the ones that work for you to stay safe. 

Because in the end, that is the important thing. Stay healthy, stay safe. After this has ended, there will be more battles to fight. 

But I will talk about those battles some other day. And about my anxiety to talk on the phone, which I have may discover the origins just recently. Life still amazes me sometimes.

Visiting the Schuttersgalerij at Kalverstraat

Hey there, stranger; 

How are you doing? I hope you're safe at home, taking care of yourself and the ones you love. Seems that we are gonna be stuck together for a while, and although I don't wanna spend my days in front of the laptop, I'm gonna try to update this a little bit more frequently with nice places I've been discovering around The Netherlands, so you have something to read and look forward when all the quarantines end.

A couple of weeks ago, before all the madness started in Europe, I met my beloved Cassie for a treat to ourselves having some delicious brunch and a nice walk around Amsterdam. 

A quite Monday

 Hey there, stranger. 

Yesterday was a nice and relax Monday for me, and I wish all Mondays could be like this. We woke up around half-past eight, had coffee, bacon and eggs on the bed and chill for a while before we started tidying up the house and running a couple of laundries. While Thijs went to the supermarket, I finished organizing the house and then we went for a little walk under the rain and a nice coffee.