A moment ago, while I was zooming back from the fabulously quaint English Bookshop, I thought it might be nice to give a little blog shout out to the local bookstores who have all been helping to publicise the release of my new book this month.  Each of these stores have offered their windows to display my book as well as allow the use of their beautiful book-filled spaces to accommodate Amsterdam: Made by Hand enthusiasts for exclusive events. I am very grateful. As all new authors know, it’s a tough slog to get your book out there.

So, thank you to the American Book Center, The English Bookshop, and boekhandel van Rossum for your time, support and assistance in getting my book “out there on the streets”.

And thank you  to all the bookstores and boutiques around the world who continue to stock Paris: Made by Hand as well as place orders for Amsterdam: Made by Hand.

You’re. all. awesome.

xx

PS I’ll be sharing details of the next event with you momentarily…
PPS I have a strong urge for producing black & white images all of a sudden.

I am in the midst of preparing for the book launch which will be here, in Amsterdam at the American Book Center (Spui 12) on Saturday June 5th at 3pm. Will you be coming? Oh, I hope so. If you live in or near Amsterdam, or will be traveling to Amsterdam at that time, please come along. It is open for all, you can read more about it here, or click here to join the facebook event page…

I’m also making an Amsterdam: Made by Hand window display at the American Book Center. They have gigantic windows though – if I thought the WH Smith window display in Paris was a challenge last year, well, what can I say, this one is a bigger challenge! It’s over 4 meters long, and you know, it’s just a little book so I’m going to have to think of something to fill that space! Luckily I’ve got some ideas (which I’m busy writing about in the first photo above). Also my friend Leslie let me raid her wallpaper stash the other day for inspiration and material (evidence is also above in the first photo, on the chair).

I’m planning to put the display up on June 1st to mark the official arrival of the books in stores around the world. I have heard a few of you have already received your pre-ordered copies, is that right?

photo above taken by the lovely irene from bloesem.

I also want to say a big thank you to Irene from Bloesem and Holly from Decor8 for their awesome reviews posted today! Click here to read Holly’s review, and here to read Irene’s review. I really like their photos of the book. Thank you so much Holly and Irene!

At my impromptu booksigning in Sydney at the beginning of the year, the lovely Stef from newspaper taxi brought me a sweet little parcel. One sniff and I knew it was delicious soap so I kept it wrapped up, brought it in my suitcase and have not opened it until this morning. Why, you might ask? Because I like to savour things. I’ve been like this since I was a little girl – while friends and family around me wondered in june how it was possible I still had christmas candy to devour, or hadn’t yet spent my pocket money, or why I hadn’t already tossed away an old, tattered dress, the answer was always the same – I like everything to last as long as possible.

And even more so when I am faraway. Here in my little boat I have a collection of treats that I brought with me from Australia that are yet to be opened – Stef’s soap being one of them. This morning, we were out of soap and so it became the perfect time to open this special parcel. While I watched the swans clean themselves in the canal outside my window, I unwrapped the package and was delighted when I saw that the soap was handmade & handcut… it is the colour of the sea and in the shape of a beautiful rolling ocean wave, about to break onto shore –  it was a little piece of sydney. Thank you Stef! I will enjoy it immensely and think about the beautiful sydney seaside each time it lathers up.

xx

Yesterday my lovely friend Rani and I went on a food-lovers treasure hunt, looking for the location of the first Dutch underground farmer’s market. It wasn’t too hard to find (thank goodness), all the clues were on the talkin’ food twitter account in the lead up to the event, and when we arrived in the general vicinity of the hidden market we spotted little signs pointing the way. Set up inside a non-descriptive building in downtown Amsterdam was where we struck gold. It was quite a sight really – an Amsterdam artist’s studio filled to the brim with artisanal goodies from all over the country, food enthusiasts, farmers, coffee makers, tea drinkers, and even a few gorgeous hens…

There were dozens of microproducers with some amazingly innovative foods to showcase and share. After a first wander of the space, chatting with some of the producers and spying their delectables, Rani and I embarked on a second round, this time with intention to eat our way around the space. We started at the Moroccan ‘cafe’ where we drank authentic Moroccan mint tea (as opposed to just mint leaves plonked in a cup of hot water) and Moroccan sweets. Then we selected little nibbles from each stall and chatted some more with the producers.

Among them were Jason Hartley (who I call ‘the brunch man’, known to us expats for his fabulous pop up brunches throughout the city, I wrote about it here) who was offering delicious pies and his famous bejewelled New York cheesecake; by m.e. black potato chips and chocolate coated black olives (they were super yum); an ex-butcher who made amazing patés and dipping oils and who also gave us a sip of his incredible homemade lemon infused gin; Stumptown coffee makers; and my favourite, formocha tea…

I was also wrapped to find someone offering nettle leaves! So I bought a bunch and haven’t yet decided what I’ll make with them but I’m excited about it. All in all the event was a great success. Congratulations to all the stall owners and to Marjan Ippel for creating such a great market, I can’t wait for the next one!

artwork by selwyn

While working quietly this morning, I had the distinct feeling that I was being watched. I turned around to find this young mum at my window. She has been at my window alot lately, even when it’s open she doesn’t hesitate to pop her head in. I’m not sure why she suddenly feels the need to come so close, have I been feeding her and her little ones too much from the kitchen window and now she expects more? There is a silent rule between me and the water creatures that I will only give when I can, not when they want. And of course when there are little ones around I will give a little extra – you know, instead of just the left over stale slices of bread I might throw in a fresh slice.

But this one doesn’t seem to understand the boundaries. She has been shooed off a number of times but still, she persists.  She looks at me in a way that makes me feel guilty for not having food for her when she needs it, and some times I cave in and give her the only piece of bread left, the very slice I was about to eat. Then I see other canal dwellers like myself throw great bundles of bread out for her and her family and I say to her, “you see? Not only do you live in an already incredibly bountiful environment, you are also given so much on a regular basis, much much more than is given to those around you. You have more than enough so be happy with what you have, don’t wish for more”.

But still, she stares at me through my window. It’s become clear that we don’t understand each other and that perhaps I have given too much. I’ve decided it’s time I stop.

xx

PS I am going to announce the giveaway winner tomorrow! I hope the suspense does not drive you mad before then…