Autumn Wreath DIY

The days are getting shorter and colder and autumn is just around the corner. We were lucky to have a great summer with loads of sunshine, especially during our holidays. Something I am super grateful for!

But with the days getting colder and wetter the urge to create and keep myself busy inside is growing stronger!
I have been searching the web for awesome autumn projects and kept seeing these beautiful wreaths. Autumn colours are gorgeous and bringing them inside makes the upcoming autumn feel less worse:)

So today I decided to go to one of my favourite thrift stores (Vraag en Aanbod in Wijchen) to see what I could score to create my little project. I chose to thrift the items I needed because the silk flowers needed to create the wreath are so expensive! And I am all about saving money and spending as little as possible to create something beautiful!

The items I used to create my wreath are:

- Silk Flowers, leaves and/or berries in autumn colours
- Foam wreath form
- Scissors
- Glue

First off I cut off all the berries from the stems, leaving about 4 cm. over to stick into the foam.

Then I simply started sticking the ends into the foam until I had the entire shape covered in berries. Because the berries were cut off into quite big bunches I found I had patches between the flowers where you could see the foam popping out from underneath. To fix this is I simply glued some left over berries ontop and inbetween the other ones to fill the gaps.  

When finished the wreath should look like the above picture! It's so simple and easy to make. It took me about 15 minutes to create, and that's including the time I spent trying to keep my cats from eating the berries! So imagine how much quicker you could do it!:)

Our wreath looks beautiful in the livingroom and I can't wait to add some more autumn into the house with more flower arrangements!

Thanks for letting me share and happ DIY'ing!

Xox Elena

*Listening to Bruno Mars, Unorthodox Jukebox

New Layout & Logo

When I started my blog, only a few weeks ago, I hadn't the slightest clue how to work this page and create a page that oozes me. After starting the blog I have been searching and trying out new tips and tricks to make the blog more me. It took me a while, because I am simply not an internet person. I knew what I wanted in my mind, but to make the computer to create this was on a whole other level!

But I finally got the jist and have created a simple page that is more like me than the previous layout was.
You may have noticed that I have changed and added a logo. I am very excited to tell you guys that I am finally in the proces of starting my very own webshop to go with my blog.

I love collecting vintage and retro and my house has gotten to that point where I can simply not afford to buy any more items without us having to move out to create more space! It's very tragic!

So my dream is finally becoming real and as soon as the shop is up and running I will let all of you know!

But for now, it's just the logo:)

Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated!

Xox Elena

Vintage in Antwerp

Vintage in Antwerp

This holiday has been all about (re)visiting and (re)discovering places in Holland and also abroad. 

In the holidays we visited Antwerp. My boyfriends brother used to live there so we have been quite a few times already. But it is definitely a place worth visiting more than once! They have a zoo in the middle of the city. Awesome? I think so! But besides the fact that they have a Starbucks, a Zoo, the people speak Flemish(didn't pay much attention in French lessons), waffles(Yum!) and it's just a beautiful city, it also has an enormous amount of second hand and vintage shops!

And that brings us round to the reason of this post! Vintage. Vintage vintage vintage. Love it! 
Now I have visited many times and been to most of the shops I want to share with you today. 

Unfortunately I don't have any 'inside pics' for you. Reason? The shops are nearly all shut on a monday. Something we didn't take into consideration the day we went. Stupid?Yes. Now I am not going to include all the vintage shops that Antwerp has to offer. I handpicked a few that I find to be the best that the city has to offer.

*Nice&Cheap
**Spend a bit more for something gorgeous
***Dig Deep, these babies don't come cheap

Clothes and Furniture

***Belchique
Now this second hand shop is the place to be for unique vintage designer items. You can't go into this shop and expect to find a shirt or skirt for a few euros, it's just not how they roll. And the owner of the shop doesn't only have high-end vintage from all the well known designers, she also includes designs by young designers. This is the place to be if you have a love for high-end fashion, looking for a one of a kind item and most importantly have some money to spend.
Kloosterstraat 177, 2000 Antwerp

***Cheap Thrills
Walking past this shop you will find it oozes retro and vintage. In Cheap Thrills you will be able to find vintage and designer boots. It is also an outlet for the shop Zappa that can be found in the Kammenstraat. Be sure to bring enough money if you actually want to take something home with you. The boots come at a high price!
Sint-Antoniusstraat 4, Antwerp

*My Ohm
Stepping into this vintage shop is like taking a time machine back to the 80's. Debbie Harry everywhere! It's impossible to miss this shop as the hats & accessories are part of the ouside decoration of the shop. And they do a great job of attracting the shoppers may I add! In this lovely shop you will find worn but fashionable boots, pumps and sandals. All one of a kind and they come at a nice price! Clothes, bags and accessories are also available in the shop and will have you scouring for quite a while trying to find that perfect buy.
Vrijdagmarkt 14, 2000 Antwerp

**Jutka & Riska

Jutka & Riska sell vintage items, dead-stock and also new designs by up and coming artists. They have their own collection and their designs can be found in magazines as they also rent their designs and collection to fashion editors for editorials. And if you don't have the time to go over to one of their shops in Holland or Belgium, they have a webshop where you can load up on as many items as you fancy! It's a unique vintage shop and well worth a visit when in Antwerp!
Nationalestraat 87, 2000 Antwerp
**Sussies Vintage
If you love vintage then Sussies Vintage is the place to be! Not only do they sell vintage clothes and accessories, you can also find retro and vintage furniture in the shop. And for a great price! They have recently opened an online shop to make it that much easier to purchase some of their gorgeous items. But beware, the clothing may have those thrift store prices but the furniture doesn't! You will have to dig deep into your pockets to purchase a vintage item for your home! Check out their site for more information on online buying and visiting the stores in Holland and Antwerp.
www.sussiesvintage.nl
Oude Koornmarkt 69, 2000 Antwerp

*Think Twice
Now, Thinktwice is the first shop I go to when in Antwerp. The clothes and accessories are to die for and the prices are just right. Make sure to visit the shop when you have enough time because the amount of items they have is mindblowing. I spend at least 1 1/2-2 hours (maybe more) in here just trying on item after item. The shop has that retro look and can be spotted from a mile off.
If you are planning to go to Antwerp, and ofcourse to ThinkTwice, make sure to check out their website beforehand. Every once in a while they have sales in the shop. Usually when the old stock goes out and the new stock comes in. All the prices coincide with the day of the month. So everything is on sale for 1,2 or 3 euros! Can it get any better?!
Lange Klarenstraat 21, 2000 Antwerp

***Kings and QueensKings and Queens have everything a Rockabilly could dream of. The shoes, the accessories, the clothes. Everything reminds you of the 50's! Now the items are all new, so no vintage buys here. But it is definitely a store you want to pop into. Even just for the feel of stepping into the 50's :)
Vleminckstraat 8, Antwerp

**LxpAnd now for a different twist. Did you ever have a gala or party that you just couldn't find the right dress for? And on top of that you don't have enough money to buy a new fabulous dress that you will probabky only wear once? Then Lxp is the answer for you! This shop rents clothes and accessories for a reasonable price for just one day. The shop looks chique and it gives you the feel that you are at a photoshoot trying on all the dresses! It's a great place to find a dress and accessories for just one day or evening, the only downside is you have to bring everything back after a day!
Hopland 53, 2000 Antwerp

**Little VintageLittle Vintage is the cutest store of all! It sells the cutest vintage outfits for your mini-me's! Vintage outfits from the 50's to 90's, deadstock and secondhand can be found at this store. The owner, a mother of 4, didn't want her children to be dressed in H&M like all the other kids so she decided to open up shop especially for the kids! The shop looks just like a childrens room way back then. She has included vintage childrens toys as decoration that will seriously have you reminiscing about the good ol' days!
Even if you don't have any kids, it's just the cutest little shop to check out, if only for a peek in the window!
Aalmoezenierstraat 3, 2000 Antwerp

***Tante brocanteWant to spice up your livingroom with a smidge of vintage? Then this is the address for you! Tante brocante have a huge collection of vintage items for sale. Anything from tiles to dressers to hats. From vases to lamps to paintings. You name it, they have it! And if you have a request which you can't find in the shop. The owners probably know where to find it for you.
The prices are up there, but the shop apparently attracts people from all over so it's worth a visit!
Kloosterstraat 53, 2000 Antwerp

*Tipi'sTipi's is one of those vintage stores where you have to dig to find something in your size and colour. The way vintage shops used to be! It may take you a little while to sort through all the clothes and items they have but you will always find something worth your while and for a great price.
Tipi's also let's you sell your own items in the shop. You show the items you want to sell, they hang them in the shop and all you have to do is pop in once in a while to collect your winnings. Most of the time you just end up buying something new out of the shop again but hey, the concept is great!
It's not so great if you are on a short trip as you can't pop in once in a while to collect your money. This is more of an option when you're on a long holiday in Belgium! Oh and the window displays are amazing!
Nationalestraat 160, Antwerp

**Foxhole 
This shop is great because of the neatness of it. Now in my opinion vintage stores should be messy and finding an item you like has taken you an hour to to find by digging through a massive pile of clothes! But neatness can be handy as you can simply scan the racks to find your item of choice. Every week they add 100 new items to, their already booming, collection of clothes and accessories. The shop is also found in Brussels.
Reyndersstraat 10, 2000 Antwerp

Books & Music

Coffee & VinylCoffee & Vinyl is a coffeshop, record store and art gallery all rolled up into one. Here you will be able to find all the lp's and cd's you want while enjoying coffe and delish cakes and sweets. Once in a while they have art exhibitions as well. For more information you can check out their website www.coffeeandvinyl.com.
Volkstraat 45, 2000 Antwerp

Harry's boekenbak
Make sure to bring a hankerchief when entering the shop. It's and old place with old books which equals dust! But whether you are seeking modern literature, horror, comic, documentaries, science fiction, thriller or any other book, Harry's Boekenbak will provide it for you. Oh and games, they have lots of games:)
www.harrysboekenbak.be for more information.


Now this is just a small peek of the vintage stores in Antwerp, but these are my faves. Be sure to check out Antwerp on the internet as they have many more sights and shops to visit. And make sure to eat a waffle, they are amazing, just saying.


Thanks for letting me share.

Xox Elena

Lets talk food! Spaghetti w/turkey in mascarpone&tomato saus

So, food, one of my favourite things! As I mentioned in previous posts I love cooking and especially trying out new recipies. Well I have hit the jackpot with this recipe! It combines everything I love in a dish; pasta, tomatoes, cheese and turkey! What more could a gal wish for!?

It's also a quick recipe to make, handy for when you haven't got that much time. It's simple to make so also ideal for cooking for a bunch of people!

Ingredients for 4 people

400 grams spaghetti
3 tablespoons of olive oil
500 grams turkey filets
2 cloves of garlic
400 ml of  sieved tomatoes
1 tablespoon freshly chopped rosemary
250 grams mascarpone
75 grams rocket
Cook the spaghetti following the instructions on the packet. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan and add the turkey to the pan.
Sprinkle with some salt and pepper and cook until the pieces are golden brown.
Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan and add the garlic, tomatoes and rosemary.

Cook these ingredients for about five minutes until the ingredients and flavours have blended and are warm. Add the mascarpone bit by bit until all is added to the pan. Stir well and add salt and pepper to your liking. Drain the cooked spaghetti and divide evenly onto the plates. Add the mascarpone/tomato saus over the spaghetti and add the rocket as garnish.
You can always replace the mascarpone for cream cheese to make the dish budget friendly. It's also possible to replace the turkey for any other meat (or non meat!) you like. 
Buon Appetito!

 Xox Elena

*Listening to The Beatles, Abbey Road