Fun & Famous

Carolien’s Fast Lane Life

Just a little throwback to New Year's Eve: together with Jon at a VIP table at the W London NYE’s party, including dancers in large cocktail glasses, the perfect dance music, and for Jon a whole bottle of champagne just for him... When the clock struck twelve and the party really got started, mom had to go home again. I had promised myself not to become that ‘boring pregnant’ person who would definitely make it to the end of the evening on two bottles of water and a tomato juice. But I’m afraid this was the last ‘wild’ party I will experience in the coming months. And now I hear all the mothers of two or more children thinking: just wait until they are born, then you really only want to go to bed at 8:00 PM. Dear May-Britt, how do you manage all this? I have never caught you in a ‘fashion faux pas’, you run a successful online platform, your first magazine is coming out soon, and you don’t miss a champagne party. When I grow up, I hope to be just a tiny bit like ‘mama May’...

Yep, I really have to face it: the first maternity pants need to be purchased... Last week I still tried to squeeze myself into my beautiful Avelon skirt at all costs, but by the end of the day that ‘freak hook’ was non-stop open because I had outgrown it. The search for nice maternity clothes is harder than I thought. The only thing I have been able to find are lovely ‘9 months-panties’ from Falke, which I am now only wearing with an oversized dress over it. But all the jeans with elastic waistbands that I can find are not exactly made of the nicest denim fabric, and besides, you only have a wide range of ‘mommy joggers’ to choose from. If anyone has the golden tip for a nice and also fashionable mama clothing brand: send it my way!

Yesterday I actually got the shock of my life: I received an email stating that my absolute favorite brand Avelon, the pride of the Netherlands in fashion, is going to stop. I let that pregnancy emotion take over and wiped away a tear. For six years I have practically devoured all their designs. Whether it was a premiere, a press presentation, or just a casual Monday: you could often picture me from head to toe in Avelon. But yesterday will go down in my history books as a black day. For the record: there is no bankruptcy involved, designer Erik Frenken has decided to stop on his own. And I am sure he will come up with a brilliant new idea soon. But for now: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’. Dear Avelon team, thanks for everything!

Jon, just like me, truly cannot wait for the little one to arrive... I can’t wish for a better father already! Vacuuming, doing laundry, carrying groceries: it took some getting used to for someone who can never sit still, but man oh man, what a party this is! As soon as my husband reads something that could be good for the baby, it must and will be applied. So when he heard that classical music would be good for its development, we immediately ordered tickets for the Concertgebouw. Last Sunday we enjoyed the Philharmonic Orchestra performing Strauss and Dvorák while sipping on a glass of hot chocolate. What a beautiful concert! At the end, I felt again that music can really touch me the most of all cultural disciplines. Hereby I have created a new resolution for 2017: visit classical concerts more often!

Tomorrow it’s finally happening: the new KPN series ‘Brussel’ will premiere! Last week my schedule was packed with interviews and photoshoots to promote this series. I am so curious what the viewers will think! The series is an exciting mix of political and personal dramas of the main characters. The city of Brussels forms the arena where all the different storylines come together at the end, and that’s going to be quite exciting. The series is in any case different in every way from all the series that have been made in the Netherlands so far. Now that my belly keeps growing, I only have premiere stress for the first time... But luckily I found two beautiful options at By Malene Birger, so I’m safe for now. For those who will watch the series starting January 20: let me know what you think!