Fun & Famous

CAROLIEN’S FAST LANE LIFE

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

If you make me happy with something, it's with freshly painted nails. I have a DIY kit, which allows me to have my own gel manicure at home. By now, I can almost call it an obsession – much to my husband's annoyance – because as soon as a nail chips, I don't know how quickly I need to pull my UV lamp out of the closet to touch it up. But I'm not that great at a DIY pedicure yet. I prefer to go to the Soap Treatment Store for an OPI gel pedicure. Before my mother's big day, the three of us were made feet-proof. In a few months, we'll be back there, but then for my own big day!

This summer is all about denim. You can't open a magazine without finding a spread featuring denim skirts, jackets, and pants. By now, I've scored two denim suits and two jackets for this season. And today, I even added a denim accessory to my collection. The French/Moroccan clutch brand Frenchonista has launched a piece in denim, combined with blue crocodile leather. I can't wait for the next red carpet event, just need to make sure I don't make the same mistake as Britney and Justin: there's also such a thing as ‘too much of a good thing’...

Marly and I love to play true ‘market vendors’ a few times a year. We thoroughly search our closets and sell our clothes at the IJ-Hallen or the NeighbourFoo Market. Last weekend, the first edition of the LINDA.festival took place, and when the organization asked if we wanted to be at the trunk sale, we didn't have to think for a second! So there we were with our little stall: the atmosphere was great, and luckily our clothes were well received. And before noon, we had already tested a pancake, a portion of kibbeling, and a sausage roll. Well, we wanted to try everything, of course. After a very successful day, we immediately indicated that we would come back to play shop next year for both days.

Next to the trunk sale, there was a huge market hall where numerous brands presented and sold their collections. Some brands were already familiar to me, but it's always nice to check out their latest products. When I walked by Guinot, my eye immediately caught something I didn't know from their collection: an eye mask with collagen. I was kindly given a sample to take home for testing. So when I came home completely exhausted that evening, I ran the bath and created an ultimate relaxation moment with a cup of tea and two pads under my eyes. The result? An absolute recommendation, those pads! That lovely bath too, by the way.

Years ago, I met photographer Janis Ann during a photoshoot. Over the years, she would sometimes call me to take photos for her and my own portfolio: a win-win situation. Last weekend, we went back into the studio for some free work. I took care of the styling (read: a rack filled with Avelon items) and we would only shoot in black and white. We immediately noticed again that we had worked together before, which made the shoot almost run without instructions. I'm so happy with the end result! I say, let's plan something new right away, what do you think, Janis Ann?