Since Hilmar on June 1st moved her office chair from Hoofddorp to Amsterdam's Koningsplein to reside at the ELLE offices, so she can bike to the office every day. A godsend. Since this week she is allowed to make the bike ride again because after three wonderful weeks island hopping in Greece, it's now all about text, fashion, and deadlines. This morning we spoke to her and asked about the ups and downs of the week and weekend.

The holiday fun is over, but let's look back for a moment. What have you done?

“We started in Athens and after a day and a half of art, culture, and old stones, we booked a boat to Mykonos. Very jetset and popular, but once you're there, you understand why. There are no high buildings or other nuisances, and you only see those little white houses and the bright blue sea; all those Greek islands are actually like that. Sifnos was also a highlight. It's a slightly less known island but just as beautiful, a bit greener, and there are very few Dutch people. Lots of nice Greek restaurants where it doesn't cost a dime to eat out and those cocktail bars that are authentic and still fun. We wrapped it up in Santorini, which was also just so, so beautiful. I actually want to go back immediately. Without kids and with my husband, a bit romantically staring at the sea. We were there in Oia, in a cave house with a terrace that juts out and looks directly at the sea. Every evening, everyone goes to watch the sunset, and when it finally sets, there is applause, like a kind of performance by Mother Nature.‘

And now back at the office. When does your weekend start today?

“Friday late afternoon, and now during the holidays, a bottle pops open more often in the editorial office than when we are not in that holiday mood. I don't have any plans for tonight yet, but given the weather forecasts, I suspect that there will be a barbecue in our postage stamp garden.  After a work week, I prefer to flop on the couch with my boys and give in to our series addiction. We are now in the first season of Homeland.” 

And what will this weekend bring you further?

“The Parade is back in town and I would love to go. I find the Parade incredibly fun, my husband doesn't, by the way. He really hates it, thinks it's just semi-bohemian rosé-drinking nonsense. But in the end, he will go along with fresh reluctance, and my youngest son of 13 still thinks the carousel is amazing. Shows I would like to see include Buurman and Buurman and Hendrick-Jan the Stuntman.”

And without the Parade, what is a typical weekend at the Mulder household?

“On Friday, I crash on the couch with my boys, one of 13 and one of 16, and we binge-watch one series after another. Saturday morning is for groceries, yes that has to happen too. And walking the dog, of course. Furthermore, there is often a trip to the Albert Cuyp for fish, cheese, and tasty things. But actually, we are quite sloppy with grocery shopping; we live 50 meters from an Albert Heijn, and we call it ‘the fridge.’ If something is missing, you just walk to the fridge.”

Do you still hang out until deep into the night on Saturday evenings?

“With my work, I am often out three to four times a week during the week, so on Saturday I don't have a huge desire to hang out deep into the night at the Jimmy Woo. I'd rather hang out in my own postage stamp garden, or take the dog out. I live on the Weesperzijde in Amsterdam, and there are so many nice eateries in our neighborhood. Rijsel, Aan de Amstel, Baut, Volkshotel. In terms of food, my favorite is Aan de Amstel and Rijsel; for a drink in the evening sun, we like to sit at Hesp.”

Favorite spot for the weekend?

“My postage stamp garden. It's not big, but I can be very busy with it. I am a huge fan of hostas, a bit of shifting and a bit of caring. To say that I have green fingers is going too far, but I am proud of my hostas.”

Finally, do you have a weekend tip?

“I can wholeheartedly recommend the Weesperzijde to everyone. Everything in East is really nice. That's my tip, discover East! Start at Bukowski, then an ice cream at the IJsboefje and then you roll on to a nice terrace further on.”