Since I want to look somewhat appealing during my maternity period, I have crazily scheduled some beauty appointments: the hairdresser, an eyebrow fix, a pedicure, and a wax treatment. If you also want to hit a beauty wash street and prefer to do everything in one day, then the Treatwell Beauty Route on June 1st is the perfect event.

Although I don't have complete control over the arrival of our little one (or rather: not at all...), I am trying to prepare as well as possible for the delivery. When a friend excitedly told me about acupuncture that ‘opens’ everything up (well, I can't phrase it any other way...) and prepares your body for delivery, I immediately called my midwifery practice Femme. Fortunately, they have the best acupuncturist in this field, and the first appointment was quickly made. Oops, I forgot that I am TOTALLY afraid of needles. With sweaty armpits, I took my place, but luckily I became completely zen thanks to Daniela, and all the needles were painlessly in place in no time. Then I got to drift away during a lovely meditation that prepares you for delivery, and voilà: an hour later, I stood outside feeling enlightened. My second, third, and fourth appointments are already scheduled!

I know, I really shouldn't buy any more baby clothes. The drawers are now filled to the brim with - folded in KonMari style - newborn outfits that he probably won't even wear all of. But with these tropical temperatures, I panicked a bit when I saw that drawer full of long-sleeved bodysuits... So when the invite for the PINC kids sale appeared in my mailbox last week, I thought I could justify going to look for airy summer outfits. Maybe I'll get Marly to come along, my eternal shopping partner in crime, so she can stock up for the little one as well. That makes me feel a bit less guilty.

When I saw that we were expecting tropical temperatures on Saturday, I didn't hesitate to call my girlfriends for a date by the pool. The only place in the heart of Amsterdam where you can find some cooling is on the WET deck of W Amsterdam, so I gathered Marly and Evelyne for an afternoon of splashing around. What I totally didn't expect was that these ladies had been organizing a bizarrely large baby shower at the same location for months! Telepathy exists, I would say... So I was unsuspectingly overwhelmed by my twenty best girlfriends who suddenly stood by the pool, and they took me to the Wow Suite where a gigantic party awaited me. The room was filled with delicious snacks, beautiful gifts, and everyone could enjoy a mani-pedi, eyebrow treatment, and a makeup session. It was truly an afternoon to never forget.

Marly and I were raised by our mothers with the message that it is very important to cleanse your face twice a day. Given my dear mother's incredibly beautiful skin, I took this to heart and will never go to bed without properly cleaning my face. Now it turns out that not all ladies strive for this, and one in three women hardly cleans her face. To change this, Marly and I are this week ambassadors of the ‘Clean Faces Week’. Hopefully, we will inspire many ladies (and gentlemen, of course) to expand their beauty ritual with at least as good a cleansing ritual.