…here is a little shop on the spui (pronounced something like “spouw” and nothing like “spew-ee”) straat, in the middle of amsterdam, decked out in all it’s festive finery. I find that reindeer rather lovely, don’t you? although I’m not usually partial to large plasticky animals, but this one does it for me.

and then, do you fancy a sweet doughy treat at the olibollen stand? it will be the perfect snack now that the day is turning to night (oh i know, it’s only 5pm but that’s the way it is round these northern parts!)

xx

PS aren’t you all just a little bit curious about my digital-to-polaroid switch? aren’t you wondering whether I’ve actually managed to tackle the polaroid (unlike you saw here and here)? aren’t you though?

Last sunday I had the pleasure of visiting the amsterdam xmas market at the Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek (which is like a big converted warehouse full of artist studios and a few lovely cafes) with my friend Danielle from The Style Files (btw, have you looked through Danielle’s archives lately? i just did as I needed to find the name of something and there is just so much inspiration there, somehow she manages to find the best interiors and homewares). There were some great stalls, and also these fabulous carollers you see above!

While Danielle and I warmed up with the help of a cup of delicious gluwiijn (sweet spiced warm red wine), we wandered through the market and checked out the goodies. Amongst the selection were some real stand out stalls, including one from Proef …

…(I bought some egg nog from them, it was delicious! and innovative), Anna Iwansson and Régis Lemberthe who specialise in sustainable design homewares, Mes Textiles (see below), and the gorgeous jewellery design of Miranda van Dijk called Puur Anders. Miranda’s pieces are quite something, take a look here. I was fascinated with her new material which is a thin soft shoe-string-like material that she carefully crochets into incredible necklaces and bracelets. Stunning.

Hmm, where shall we walk tomorrow? Let me see, perhaps we’ll take a left. no, a right…

Amsterdam is one of the most enchanting cities to be in at this time of year. With all it’s sparkling lights, markets, pop-up ice rinks and oliballen stands, I can’t help but be wowed each time I step out over the boat bridge and onto the cobblestoned streets. While the air is icy cold and the evening seems ever-present, the streets dazzle like jewels and the beautiful displays in the boutique windows beckon.

So this week I’m inviting each of you to come wander the cobblestoned streets with me here in Amsterdam. Each day I will post a picture of a street scene here in my new home town, something that tells you just a little bit more about my surroundings – it will be a special week dedicated to Amsterdam at Christmas time…

So how about it, will you join me while I wander the streets of Amsterdam this week? If so then get your mittens and warmest woollen socks on. I’ll have a cup of warm spiced wine ready for you upon your arrival. We’ll take a few sips and head out at dusk, slowly meandering through the streets to see what we can see. By the end of the week the night will have fallen as black as can be… and that’s when the magic happens. Enjoy mes chers amis…

Have you all been enjoying the holiday gift ideas thus far? I can tell you I have! I am just so wrapped with the treasures I’ve found for all of us – they are so cool and I would be wrapped if any of them landed under my tree this year. Although I have categorized them don’t let that stop you from thinking outside the square and mixing up categories (I know I am hankering for everything in my ‘for kids’ and ‘for him’ round up!!). Which reminds me of a little story from my childhood…

…one Christmas when I was not yet ten, my parents had decided to put all our goodies in big sacks instead of gift wrapping each one individually. When it was time to open the sacks I was so thrilled with everything I was finding – a walkman, a board game, a heavy duty skipping rope… but when my brother opened his sack something was not quite right -there was a doll, hair clips, a barbie boutique, a flower press… in my parent’s haste to get the sacks under the tree in time the night before my mum had accidentally put the wrong name tags on the sacks. I was gutted! But I recovered rapidly, I promise (that flower press and the barbie hat boutique very quickly became my two favourite play things in the world)…

Anyway, let’s get back to what this post is really all about! It’s all about my 2008 holiday decorations and styling ideas. Each year I come up with my holiday theme by simply looking around my home. I collect things from my inspiration board, props shelves, craft box and linen cupboard. Last year you may recall I was right into this colour combo – lots of dark browns and earthy colours – rich plum, soft greens inspired by peacocks, shells, stray buttons and found cards. But this year, I am loving white with the focus on textures – light feathers, soft fabric buttons, natural string, beautiful crochet garlands, skeleton leaves and antique cream linens.

So my holiday decorating ideas for this week will be very much inspired by my colour palette for this year, with touches of traditional colours here and there. I do hope you will enjoy it! Coming up first will be all about decorating your tabletop, and at the end of the week we will look at gift wrapping and cards. And all of it, as I’ve mentioned before will be following my styling philosophy.

To get us started, here is my holiday decorating ideas moodboard…

And when the night falls…

Enjoy…