THE NICEST LUNCH OF THE YEAR

I celebrate my birthdays in the smallest possible company and with a little wind at my back, I skip them. If there’s work to be done somewhere, I go all out. The launch of a new magazine deserves a party. So we rented the Amsterdam Westerkerk for our first issue, invited a rough 130 people for a seated dinner, and asked Jan Versteegh to host the whole thing.

The second issue, themed Paris, hit the stores during my vacation. That was a bit too quiet for me. So I pulled Theo Bakana (you know, this sweetheart) by his jacket and asked him to organize a lunch for our industry friends. In two weeks' time. That should be enough, as we kept it small and intimate. A third of the people you invite can’t make it anyway, so no worries. Arrange the location, a bit of entertainment, and oh yes, a personalized menu, specially designed thank-you cards, and the thickest goodie bag. Did I mention that there were only two weeks for that?

Theo and his angel Annabelle shot up into the air and colleague Annick bent over the goodie bag. I heard her say ‘bingo’ seven times a day. Sisley donated her beautiful Izia perfume and included a travel case with a small version of the products. Scotch & Soda donated a marinière sweater, Reina Organics gave a lipstick, Skins donated my favorite scented candle from Diptyque in the scent Gardenia and a facial cleanser, Hei Poa also joined in (you know, that incredibly cute little pharmacy brand with an oil from Tahiti that has recently become available in the Netherlands ), Deblon Sports from Céline Brinkgreve packaged a voucher worth such an amazing pair of pants and so on.

Music. That was a must. Harry the accordionist came to play French chansons. We chose Café de Paris as the location. Theo and Annabelle donned striped shirts with a beret in French style. Now let’s hope everyone would come, because the location was great, but a nightmare to reach by car. I especially experienced that, as I arrived ten minutes after the start time.

Time for lunch. Now let’s hope everyone would come. Lieke with baby Zef, Jetteke van Lexmond, Renate Verbaan, Danie Bles, photographer Liselore Chevalier, our magazine's art director Lucia Pieters, the editors themselves of course, my where-would-I-be-without-her partner Daniëlle Heerkens, Belinda Glöckler from Glow PR, my friends Roos and Valerie from boutique OU., our Peggy Weijergang and artist-stylist and most original Marije Goekoop, Céline and Marjolein from Deblon Sports, Micha Emmering from Micha Models, Yfke Sturm, Freek Koster and his right-hand Marjan, our valued contact Inge and Annemiek from IWC, our editor-in-chief Adeline and drum roll, finally we managed to sit together at the table with a filled glass; Manon Meijers from whom I received the most wonderful gift. More on that later. All equally lovely and dear. The glasses were filled (with Fleur de l’Amaurigue, delicious) and there were three types of fries.

It was Friday afternoon, the sun was shining through the raindrops, the conversations were good, there was an overdose of Chanel bags, there was laughter and kissing, and I believe no one went back to their desk afterwards.