Fun & Famous
CAROLIEN’S FAST LANE LIFE
Yes, another fresh weekday diary from our Carolien. Because you know: she never sits still...
Since I was little, I have always been happy with mail. From letters to packages: everywhere my name is printed feels like a gift. Although there have been a few less pleasant letters as I've grown older, the ‘nice’ letters and packages still win in number. So when Jon, now experienced, handed me a package last week filled with products from the new skincare brand Paula’s Choice, my day was made. Based on my skin type, they have put together a special package and step-by-step plan, so I immediately got to work with the new products. Now, two weeks later, I notice that my skin feels less tight and dehydrated. I can no longer do without their Skin Recovery Antioxidant Serum. I will definitely reorder online, so I can expect another package in the mail: only this time I do know what the contents are...
I no longer keep track of which new bars and restaurants open every week in Amsterdam; they are all equally innovative and inviting. Upon seeing this invite, I was immediately triggered: the opening of the new ‘custom cocktail bar’: The Tailor in the Krasnapolsky Hotel. The cocktails are all made to measure and, just like a tailored suit, fully adapted to your taste. It immediately reminded me of a cool ‘hidden’ cocktail bar in Chinatown, New York: all cocktails were served there with a twist, like the smoky bacon variant (also highly recommended!). The chic warm ambiance of the bar makes you feel welcome right away, and the cocktails immediately invite you to order a second one. Well, again in a different ‘tailored suit’, of course.
I have been dreaming of my own Rimowa luggage set my whole life: those beautiful, classic flight cases that you see all models, business people, and super trendy families flying with. For now, this dream remains wishful thinking, as you have to shell out a hefty sum for such a set. But during the opening of the Rimowa store on PC Hooftstraat, I got to see, touch, and take photos with the collection together with Abbey. I was completely focused on the gigantic ‘luggage cake’, which also tasted divine. We drooled over the Bossa Nova collection in emerald green and had ourselves portrayed by the super talented illustrator Petra Lunenburg. “Just an ordinary Tuesday in Amsterdam...”
It literally feels like yesterday that we started filming the second season of Zwarte Tulp. And before I knew it, I was already playing the last Ben-and-Kat scenes last week. For two years, that alter ego has been so ingrained in my system that I sometimes catch myself at home with a Kat accent! I will intensely miss all those velvety jogging suits that I practically lived in. At the end of April, the new season will start on Videoland, and I can't wait to see all the episodes myself: during filming, you don't get to see anything of the other storylines, so I'm just as curious about how this season unfolds as all the die-hard viewers!
Every now and then, I need to pay tribute to my favorite Dutch designer Avelon. Every time the new season is launched, I don't know how quickly I should go to see, feel, and try on all those beautiful designs. Especially the fabrics are always a surprise: designer Erik Frenken uses leather, wool, silk, and woven prints every season. I become so happy when I get to wear those designs that when I wake up in the morning and only feel like wearing a jogging suit, I sometimes force myself into an Avelon design. This way, I can literally switch my mood to the right side. I firmly believe: ’clothes make the man‘, uhh, ’woman‘ in this case.
