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…

A little while ago, Clayton West, creator of the über stylish Australian Edge website which showcases Australian creativity, asked if I would answer a few questions in an interview. I said yes of course! And so here it is, I hope you enjoy it. The photograph of me at the beginning of the interview was taken by photographer + friend David Finato, just the other day. Thanks again Davo! I am a bit more smiley here you see, I am getting better at it I think.

……………………………………….

PS the above image has nothing to do with anything, i just felt like doing a little doodling, I was hoping it might make you smile.

PPS also in an attempt to bring a smile to your face, I am going to give you a sneak peak in my next post of what I have installed for you here in the (blog)house next week, it’s going to be fun!

Do you remember back in June I wrote about a beautiful book that was in the making, written about my Tibetan friend Tenpa and his family? Well, I’m so so pleased to announce that this very special book titled Our Tibet, has just been published and is now available to all…

It is filled with stunning images of Tibet taken by my friend Sophie Bouris, who accompanied Tenpa and his family on their very precarious trip back to Tibet last year. I was not able to accompany them on the journey but Tenpa, our good friend Leona who also traveled with them, and Sophie all kept in contact with me for the duration of the journey to let me know they were each safe along the way. There were many a dangerous time, and my heart skipped a beat whenever i received an email from Tenpa giving me a quick run down of events. I was more than relieved to hear of their safe return, and when I went back to Sydney in August last year, we shared a lovely dinner at Leona’s place, reviewing all the fabulous photos and discussing the possibilities of Sophie creating a book. So it’s with absolute delight for me to tell you the book is now complete and available for you to buy. Read more about it here, and click here to purchase.

For those of my readers who emailed me and expressed interest in the book back in June, please follow the links above to purchase Our Tibet – international orders are accepted. And for every copy of Our Tibet sold, a donation is made to the Tibetan community. The key project is funding schools in the region of Kham, within Tibet which is something that Sophie and I have been striving to do since we first met 5 years ago. By purchasing this book you are helping me toward my dream too. I thank you.

……………………………………………………….

…and while on the topic of Tibet I must take this opp to mention Australian Lara Damiani’s film called Cry For Freedom (I gave you a little snippet of it here). I was able to watch Cry For Freedom at a special screening hosted by Tenpa in August of this year when I was in Sydney, it is a wonderful production, I highly recommend it. Lara has a special offer available as noted in the above pic, click here to read more about the film, watch the trailer, and purchase the DVD.

xx

PS if you are interested in stocking the book Our Tibet in your store, please be sure to contact sophie directly (or you can tell me and I will pass on your message!). x