photographs copyright Peter Stigter

Do you remember a little while ago I mentioned I was working on something fun for an upcoming event and I needed lots of kids clothes? Here is the post for a quick recap if you need it.

The event was the last catwalk show of the Amsterdam Fashion Week. It was a special show called “A Tribute To Orange Babies” created by the incredibly talented team of agents, photographers, stylists, make-up artists and models at the styling agency I am represented by – House of Orange – in celebration of its charity department called Orange Babies which has been successfully raising funds and awareness for children in Africa for the past 10 years. The show was held last Sunday at 9pm.

And boy, was it a hit!

The tent was packed. It appeared everyone who was ‘anyone’ of the Amsterdam fashion scene was there. I even had someone remark to me that this was the place to be right now. Wow!

So what was a non-fashiony gal like me to wear to such an event? It was the first time I had even been to a fashion show. I wore my skinny black organic cotton jeans, tall(ish)black heels, a simple shoe-string strapped white singlet tucked in. And. Well, that’s it! I decided to go without accessories – that was to be my fashion statement for the night. While some of you may shriek that I went accessory-less, I promise you I did do my hair, and I wore makeup – two extraordinarily special things for me to do for any event.

The night was a great success and I walked out inspired ever more by what one can do with recycled things. You all know how passionate I am about this topic.

Anyway, each styling team for each runway creation was stunning. Some of my faves were:

The deconstruction of tailoring, by Nick Foss and Rene Vandebeld: of which 10 or so rather dazzling specimens of the opposite sex walked out in gorgeous reconstructed/deconstructed men’s suits. Beautiful.

Silhouettes, construction bound and found by Caroline Fuchs, Maarten Spruyt, and Kevin Power: 8 human-like creatures dressed in recycled baskets as hats and shoes, old lamp shades as skirts, macrame plant hangers as headpieces, recycled plastic bodices, pampas grass, old pillows… an amazing collection of recycled wares made into art fashion. It was dreamy.

photographs copyright Peter Stigter

Little Time, Little Money: a non-stop runway of models in perfectly styled second hand clothes. Totally inspiring.

Yvette and I rather loved that front number – aren’t the colours beautiful together? also the hair. and makeup – it was all gorgeous. Photograph Peter Stigter

At the end of the show there were credits on the screen, and I was chuffed to see my name up there in lights! So what did I do exactly? Well, it has nothing to do with the catwalk, but everything to do with making something fun for Orange Babies. I’ll show you in the next post…

I was wrapped when deputy editor Natalie Walton (who also writes the fab daily imprint blog) of Real Living magazine told me recently that my little book was featured in their ‘fave finds’ section of the august issue which is out now! wowsers. I never expected the book to get so much attention. It’s just a little book, after all.

Thank you Real Living!

This has nothing to do with anything I was going to post today, but I felt compelled to share this with you for a couple of reasons:

1. The colour of this orchid goes superbly with my plum and amber colour palette this week, don’t you agree?

2. There may be some of you out there who are as clueless as I am in how to look after orchids.

3. It also just happens to be a great example of how knowledgeable my current (blog)house guest is…

Zoë’s the kind of gal who knows stuff. You know, you mention your concern about something obscure in conversation (like “um, the flowers on my orchid are dropping off”) and she gives you the exact answer to your query – as well as how to fix it – in conversation. We have lots of lovely conversations like this. Although when she asks about something obscure, it’s usually followed by a long pause of silence…

So yes, my orchid flowers were dropping off and I just happened to mention it in an email to her recently. The conversation went something like this:

P: …I’m worried I’m not looking after my orchids properly – the one you gave me is suddenly losing its flowers and I don’t know why! I would hate for them to wither away, they are so beautiful.

Z: Oh don’t worry about it! Once they’re done flowering, it’s quite normal for the flowers to drop all at once. The flowers last for ages, but not forever. Plus, you don’t really know how long it’s been flowering when you buy it – they can force them to flower any time of the year in heated greenhouses, so it could have already been flowering a month prior. When it’s dropped them all, you can cut the flower stem right back to the base and then it will flower again next Spring. You will need to keep watering it the same, and it could probably get some fertiliser if you want it to really flourish (you can buy orchid fertiliser at the supermarket or hardware or flower shop sometimes, just follow the directions). If you can, keep it in the same spot too – if you don’t mind looking at it that is! Then, in winter, it will start to put out a new flower spike, and with a bit of luck, by Spring next year you’ll have a whole new flush of flowers that will last well into Summer next year. I know, it sounds complicated, but it isn’t really. Just 5 minutes of your time once or twice a week, that’s all. Some people throw them out once they’ve finished flowering – they are kinda designed to be long-lived cut flowers really, but it’s so cool if you can get them to flower again!

P: wow!!

Z: Well, I’m no expert. But just think of it as a living thing – it needs warmth and light and food and water – and it will reward you…

P: You rock!

Z: ah, no worries mate!

P: are you enjoying your stay in the (blog)house? Can I get you another champas darling?

Z: make it a mojito.

Ok I just made those last three lines up, but still, isn’t she full of wonderful advice? Thanks Zoë. I shall get you another mojito in uno momento.

xx

PS Her next post is up! And it has nothing to do with orchids. Enjoy…
PPS Dean Martin’s version of Sway is delicious. And it would go perfectly with mojitos.

a little sneak peek from my guest’s travel album.

For those of you who are new to my (blog)house, the guest quarters is a place where I invite friends to come and stay. While I strive to give them the most relaxing, enjoyable stay possible, we here in the (blog)house get a glimpse into their inspirational lives. It’s a place where they can post whatever they like – be it their own personal work, travel journal, craft ideas, or daily inspirations.

a little sneak peek from my guest’s incredible collection of blossom photographs.

So who is my mystery guest this time?

Well, let me tell you a little bit about her. She is a very dear friend, a fellow aussie expat living in Amsterdam, knows all sorts of things about flora, and is an avid traveler. She writes a personal blog which I have had the pleasure and opportunity to read since meeting her some months ago. Her writing and photographs are captivating, and I was delighted when she said yes to coming to stay here in the guest quarters.

It’s with the greatest of pleasure that I introduce you to her now…

Please click here to learn who my new guest is, say hello, and please be sure to give her a nice big warm welcome to the (blog)house!

xx

afternoons by ash of one blue wren.

blue strawberries by riley salyards of roe.

my toscana, by jenifer altman, found via paper cameras.

liivian talossa .

morning glory by tarky, on flickr.