GOODBYE TO THE WINTER
Exactly a year ago, I said my goodbyes to Café Restaurant Amsterdam. I’d worked there for seven years (with here and there an internship abroad). I’ve been raised there by Milène, the boss supreme. She taught me how to best prepare a steak tartare and how to take a reservation — always ask them to spell their name. Even if someone’s called Jansen. Because it looks so stupid to have spelled their name incorrectly on the list of reservations. And if guests arrived on Christmas without having made reservations then give them the best table there is because it takes a lot of guts to do so. I’d always buy Milène gifts from Agnes B. towards the end of the year. She sent me a picture some time ago in which she wore the blouse I’d given her seven years back. It still looked fabulous.
When I told her about my transition to Amayzine.com, she said I was right for wanting it. She wouldn’t ever advise anyone to spend their entire life in the hospitality industry. Because children, a social life… forget about it. I still dream of it sometimes though. My own business.
At Amayzine, I’m learning all other kinds of things. Which words to use or not and how to make the best out of my spelling (I’m dyslectic and disorganised, a killing combination). I’ve always loved fashion, but I didn’t know any names. I really didn’t know who Haider, Phoebe, Diane or Frida were. Now, I do.
But now my bags are packed. Just for a while though, not yet another big transition. Perhaps a good moment to just take some time off, with all those end of the year pieces that have got to be written. I’m really looking forward to leaving behind the winter for a second. Shorts, strappy tops, skirts, bikini (several of course), something fun for at night, flip flops, sun lotion, hat, a lot of books and music. You don’t really need much more. Oh, and a yoga mat. Because I’m going to Thailand for some yoga. And a detox. I’m going to do the entire cleansing package. For the mind and body. I’ll let you know whether it’s a success. I’ve been checking my iPhone every hour to see what the weather is like on Koh Samui. I think I can’t complain. If all goes right, I’m summery blonde and really tanned at our Christmas dinner.
