Since the whole ‘initial rage’, a piece of jewelry with Jon's initial has been high on my wish list. Meanwhile, the letters ‘J’ and ‘C’ are proudly displayed as bracelets on my wrist, and I genuinely worry whether our son's initial will fit in as well... I was still looking for a beautiful initial ring, but I find many designs too fragile or the font just not pretty enough. When I saw this beautiful initial ring from Miss Spring, I was immediately sold. It looks like a beautiful signet ring, but instead of a family crest, there is an initial in the middle. All colors of gold are possible, and your chosen initial can be set with or without diamonds. ‘Diamonds are a girl's best friend’ definitely applies to me, so I chose yellow gold with the letter ‘J’ in diamonds. But now that letter hangs around one hand quite often, so it might just be that this bracelet will be replaced by another letter in about five months... Which one that is, I will keep a secret for now :-).

For weeks, I had been counting down to this moment: finally a week away together with my husband after all the recordings and hectic holidays. Last year, I got to go to Mauritius for a LINDA. shoot (oh, I gladly volunteer for these kinds of ‘annoying’ jobs) and we stayed at Club Med: an all-inclusive resort where I had the coolest vacations as a child. But I was really curious if I would still experience the same euphoria 20 years later, as an adult. And yes, after a day of wandering around the beautiful surroundings, enjoying the delicious buffets and the service of the ultra-friendly staff, all my prejudices about all-inclusive vacations disappeared like snow in the sun. So when I saw an offer for Club Med Marrakech, I didn't hesitate for a second and texted Jon that I had booked a vacation. When he later found out that the flight would be at six in the morning while the closing party of the film ’Bella Donna's‘ would take place the night before, he was a bit less enthusiastic... But upon arrival at the resort, that short night was absolutely worth it: we made it to paradise!

Upon arrival, we were amazed: the resort is beautifully laid out, and everywhere you look, you see orange trees in bloom, gardeners hard at work keeping everything tidy, and idyllic streams with clear flowing water. At the main pool area, the staff was performing the famous Club Med choreography together with the guests (which I looked forward to every day as a child), and for a moment, I felt Jon experience a little shock. ‘No worries, love, you don't have to participate in anything!’ The staff is super friendly and not at all pushy. We discovered the beautiful zen pool where you can relax in complete peace without kids. But soon, my husband found out that various activities were organized, and so we found ourselves on the golf course the next day at nine in the morning for a ’putting‘ lesson. I'm even thinking about developing some golf skills now! On the way back to lunch, Jon spotted a game of pétanque, and we had to participate in the competition. Fully in the zone, my husband insisted that we really go horseback riding one morning this week. Pfff, this mommy-to-be is planning a relaxing day at the zen pool for tomorrow!

High on my priority list is a visit to the famous Djemaa el Fna square in the heart of Marrakech, where snake charmers, storytellers, and market vendors come together to sell their trinkets. I had no idea what to expect: it turned out to be a huge chaotic market with pushy sellers and dirty streets where you quickly lose your way. But even Jon, who visited this square 20 years ago and still had that image in his memory, was stunned: we could walk around calmly without getting a snake in our necks and without being forced to pay for anything. Furthermore, the streets were beautifully clean, and the atmosphere was friendly. We discovered the dozens of rooftop bars, of which Terasse des Épices is truly a recommendation. To top it off, we enjoyed a drink that day on the rooftop terrace of El Fenn, which is absolutely worth a visit just to take a look. This week, we will definitely plan another trip to the center!

After such a day in the city, we secretly missed our resort again... Maybe it helps that we are not in high season; everything here is so serene and relaxed. Every day we get clean towels, the sunbeds are neatly prepared for you every day, and you don't have to think about logistical problems regarding food, because the buffet runs practically all day long. And don't think of those mass bowls with overcooked meat and limp vegetables, but really culinary delights. Yesterday, we were drooling at the oyster table (where Jon could only enjoy two; poor me-who-can't-have-raw-fish-but-loves-it) and I couldn't believe my luck with ten (!) different types of tajines. Not to mention the gigantic dessert buffet, for which I can temporarily point to the little baby boy as the guilty one. I can't wait to come back next year with that little one, maybe even together with Marly and her daughter! You can bet that you will find us every morning at the poolside for the Club Med dance routine, fully learned by heart...