This is how Carolien does the partial lockdown
A new week full of new opportunities. I must say that the partial lockdown is really taking its toll again. So many people are uncertain about their jobs, all the news reports with hundreds of theories and what to do or not? For me, it works best to minimize all media (and thus the stimuli). A lot of small outings with the family to nature and seeing all the beauty that fortunately is not affected by a pandemic and of course fully immersing ourselves in our renovation.
A small silver lining: quarantine dating has started again. I find it very inspiring to see all the creative ideas from amazing restaurants to create that dining-out experience at home. My ‘old’ favorites are still on my list (Choux, Daalder, De Kas), but I love trying new restaurants. This weekend we had an amazing five-course dinner from Saldomar, which is not located in Amsterdam but travels to the capital for a special number of days for their orders. Encore by Simonis is also still on my list: the famous fish restaurant from The Hague that also comes to Amsterdam for special orders. This weekend Okura is on the menu, I am incredibly curious.
Lately, I've been quite bad at having breakfast. Hectic with the kids, in between sorting out various paperwork with Jon and going through questionnaires, getting dressed, and then leaving the house on time. With a bit of luck, a sip of coffee from my barista-at-home, but a bite of something often gets left out. For a while, I was really good at baking breakfast muffins (including banana, apple, grated carrot, oats: really top), but now I'm just happy if I have tidied up the house by the end of the day. And so this tip came just in time: the banana bread from Sunt. Gluten- and lactose-free, without added sugars and with 45 percent fruit. And you also score karma points, because this banana bread is made from bananas that would otherwise have ended up in the waste heap. With a bit of peanut butter or yogurt with fruit on top, it’s really like a little cake. Now I just need to take a moment to sit down calmly for this festive breakfast, because it’s still going to be taken on the go…
Attention: if you are sensitive to sustainable designer items AND have a hole in your hand, do not read further. For years, Salon Heleen Hülsmann has been on my favorite list when it comes to designer vintage items. Now vintage still sounds a bit stuffy to some, but this store is anything but that: a super-luxury boutique store that makes you extremely greedy. Especially when you see the prices for a beautiful Gucci pump, Dries Van Noten pants, or to-die-for Acne sweater. Especially in these times, I find it important to buy clothing items more consciously and I prefer to save for three timeless pieces at Heleen than two bags full that together cost at least as much, but certainly won't survive the KonMari round as quickly. And definitely do not follow their Instagram account, because before you know it, you’re DMing every day ‘sold’ in their Stories (for the record…).
