It was the trending topic in glossy magazine land (or as some sourpusses call it; ‘the girls’ internet'); who will be the new editor-in-chief of ELLE? After wild speculations (is it Rinke Tjepkema, the deputy of Vogue or will Cécile Narinx join in) the news came from an unexpected corner. Edine Russel, editor-in-chief of ELLE Eten and ELLE Decoration is moving into an office.

Edine, congratulations. Were you secretly laughing when you heard all those wild speculations?

Laughing? I thought: those people are going to have a rolling! Luckily, I've only received cool responses.

Some call it unexpected, but actually it is oh so logical. You know ELLE, you know the publishing house and you must have gotten drunk with the editorial team at some point.

I've secretly been hanging around there at Koningsplein for a while. All ELLE editorial teams are together on the work floor so even though I never worked for ELLE itself, I already feel connected to the editorial team. It's high time for a good drink at the offices by the way.

Anyway, I can imagine it’s been a turbulent week.

What time does your Thank God It’s Friday moment start?

Thursday night?

And then there’s probably something in your glass and as editor-in-chief of ELLE Eten, I also expect an extensive snack platter.

That’s quite disappointing at the moment. I’m on a health kick – which I of course will never maintain – and I’m trying to drink as little as possible.

On the evenings when it doesn’t work out, I prefer to fill my glass with a cocktail, whisky or rum. I don’t eat meat, so on that snack board there’s a mountain of crudités with lemon-tahini sauce. Or stinky cheese.

By the way, is it true that beer is becoming the new gin and tonic?

Yes, we’re still going to continue a little on your old profession. Mmm, those craft beers and gin and tonics are here to stay. There are whispers that mezcal and pisco are going to make it big. That could take years, but then you would be the first.

And further… What does the weekend of the new editor-in-chief of ELLE look like?

Saturday a bit of exercising and then discussing life with a good friend. On Sunday I’m typing. I’m in the middle of a manuscript guidance, which of course is a timing of likemevestje with my new job. But I want to finish it.

Are you now also going to shop for a new suit?

Duh.

You probably don’t spend Saturday night on the couch…

I’m usually out and about indeed. But I also like to hang in the hammock. I recently no longer have a couch.

And Sunday, does it look different than Saturday?

Sunday is mine. No social obligations, just me, myself and the laptop.

If civil matters like time, money, time difference and jet lag didn’t matter, what would your weekend look like?

I think still the same? Or do you mean oeufs florentine in Le Marais, then a bit of shopping in Shoreditch, and a massage on Koh Chang?

What do you read and listen to on the weekend?

Right now I’m reading ‘We are all completely beside ourselves’ by Karen Joy Fowler. I like listening to 22tracks, and then the playlists of Titia van Beckum. Or I play records.

Finally, what time does the alarm go off on Monday?

At 6 o'clock. First meditate, otherwise I won’t get through the day, and then the ELLE life will begin.