please click here for this post’s soundtrack, and enjoy…

Thank you to Jacques Brel for singing this perfect song. Stay tuned for part two of this sunday stroll…

it was fleeting. so fleeting in fact, that i only had a chance to capture it through the window late this afternoon and not on the street like i had hoped. but beautiful none the less. oh sun i miss you! sigh.

there is always tomorrow…

i was hoping to get out to try my new lense today, with further hope to share with you some nice spring pics of amsterdam. but the dull dreary weather has been totally uninspiring. today there was not even a glimpse that perhaps a sun does exist as a light source. so i’ve been continuing with chores and errands, ticking things off the list, and looking out the window hoping to have an excuse to dash out and take some photos. but alas, it did not happen. instead, this is all i was able to capture – the top of the rijks museum from my kitchen window. have a look at that sky!

but if you can, imagine this tower chiming away at sunset, to a tune similar to this. enjoy. and let’s all wish for some sun this weekend!!

UPDATE: having listened to the above bells this morning i have realised the rijks museum bells sound NOTHING like it! the bells of the rijks museum actually sound more like this, even though these are from the zuiderkerk. and if you are wondering, the sky is still the same grey as in the photograph. oh woe.

Amsterdam is an overwhelming, overflowing creative melting pot. And whenever I get the chance I like to give the pot a bit of a mix and see what surfaces. Then I carefully extract it, analysing and scrutinising this new found beauty for all our benefit, right here under the roof of the (blog)house. So what have I found for us today? The very fresh, very funky, and very very hip, MIR jewellery range…

You’ve all guessed why I love it so – designer Mirjam de Haan takes her inspiration from nature. And with this new range she has looked to the sea, with cuff bracelets that look like silver-dipped coral, pendants in delicate leaf shapes, starfish and seahorses.

“In a world where mass production is the norm, MIR prefers to retain the delicacy and sensitivity of handcrafted pieces. MIR jewellery is handcrafted to the highest standards.” Designer Mirjam de Haan

There are two ranges, the prêt à porter which includes the gorgeous coral piece you see above, and haute joaillerie which includes one-of-a-kind designs like this exquisite smokey quarts pendant on smokey quarts bead chain, featured below…

The range includes chunks of amber set on delicate bead chains, a jaspis pendant which I adore, turquoise rings and cute charm bracelets. Click here to view the full range on the just launched website.

This new range from MIR is so fresh on the scene that it has barely hit the Dutch docks. It has been featured on fashion shoots for Gala and La Vie En Rose (above), and I have no doubt you will be seeing these stunning pieces in more of your favourite magazines throughout the year, all over the world. I myself will be featuring some of the range in a shoot next week and will be sure to show you what we create. That’s if I can remove it from my own neck and arms and ears. Habit of occupation. I love my job!

All images courtesy of MIR . For stockists, click here.

that was today – not to mention the wind. And each time I was out on my bike I unintentionally synchronized to ride when it was shining, which makes me feel blessed for the day. I managed to snap a few shots in between outings on the canal, I hope you like…

ooh that was almost a snowflake heart non?

all images by pia jane bijkerk.

Next Up: FINALLY a handy hint post! I know it is well overdue, but with this blog I write my own deadlines, which means I have none. I just go with the flow of my life, which contrary to my efforts, may appear as chaotic as it is in reality. But this next post I am going to have a blast putting together, I really love this item I am about to showcase!

PS and if you are following the My Heart Wanders project and are keen to know what is happening, I will announce it after the next post.