Fun & Famous

CAROLIEN’S FAST LANE LIFE

Yes, another fresh weekly diary from our Carolien. Because you know: she never sits still.

For a few weeks now, I've been feeling quite low on energy: now 70% of the Dutch population has been struck down by the flu, so thank God I'm still standing upright. But that flu-like feeling is definitely in the air: time to do something about it! Years ago, I once did a Koan Float session where you float weightlessly in a kind of crazy “egg” on a layer of very salty water. One of the biggest benefits is boosting your immune system, so I immediately booked a session including a cranio-sacral “massage”: a kind of healing method that works on the bone and membrane structure (ideal for people with migraines, like me). Two hours later, I emerged from the building into a completely different world. In the next appointment, I found myself struggling to find my words multiple times, which is quite unique... I haven't felt this relaxed and “zen” in ages. I say: a punch card for these cold, flu-ridden months please.

Every now and then, it's that time again: with tears in my eyes, I sift through my closets because there's really nothing left that fits. In the end, I feel a lot relieved because I have space again to see everything neatly and store it away. To tackle this cycle even more thoroughly, my husband gave me the decluttering bible of the moment: “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo. This Japanese lady helps you throw away an average of 20 garbage bags with her theory! From paperwork to clothing and from your pantry to “komono” (read: various items like cords, coins, and other knick-knacks): you go through everything with a gigantic broom. The best part about this method: you then learn to think of a fixed place for everything, so you'll never have clutter again! In theory, at least…

I just got back from Mauritius and we're already on the plane to the film festival in Berlin. Together with half of acting Netherlands, we stayed at the fantastic Michelberger Hotel on the east side. In the hallways, you can enjoy “The Big Lebowski” 24/7, there's always a DJ in the evening, and they serve their own brand of coconut water in the café. Besides a few official moments and appointments, there was mainly a lot of time to explore the city and eat a lot of delicious food… and drink. Big tip: restaurant Cookies Cream, where they serve the most delicious vegan dishes. And of course, I couldn't leave Berlin without shopping for a nice souvenir: it became this lovely limited edition tracksuit from Adidas.

On the last day in Berlin, Jon and I were ready for a serious detox. I'm already a fan of discovering spas abroad, but now I had Jon on board to join me. Online, I found Vabali Spa ranked number 1: fully Eastern-oriented, complete with delicious incense and large Buddhas. The spa was gigantic: inside they have two floors and outside is a huge garden with various saunas overlooking the forest. Jon prefers steam baths, but I eventually got him into the ‘entry sauna’ at 70 degrees. After a lovely massage, we had lunch with a giant quinoa burger and sweet potato fries, and then it was already time to board the plane fully rested. Note to self: schedule a spa day together once a month.

We have now lived in West for a year and I find it the best neighborhood in Amsterdam. Every week, there's a new bar, restaurant, or pop-up store opening. Three weeks ago, restaurant Mook opened its doors and the concept immediately appealed to me: healthy pancakes in all shapes and sizes, me like! Yesterday, I tested the lunch menu with a friend: she had the pancakes with homemade chocolate sauce and I chose the savory version with avocado, hummus, and grilled vegetables. The pancakes are made from oat or spelt flour and fill you up like crazy. But we couldn't stop eating, so in the end, our plates were cleared to the last crumb and we decided to skip dinner last night…