TRAVEL ESSENTIALS - Wander-Lust

France / Travel EssentialsJune 6, 2019
Maison Suisen in Paris | The Spa that brings you to JapanWhether you’re based in Paris or just visiting, you’ll eventually find yourself caught up in the fast-paced lifestyle on the chic Parisian streets. After living in Paris for almost a year, I have just discovered the perfect way to escape all of this and it does not even require you to board a plane! Spa Maison Suisen will bring you to Japan. Maison Suisen Located in the buzzing quarter of La Marais, spa Suisen is the perfect escape from the hectic Parisian lifestyle. Sounds ironic doesn’t it, that the calmest and most relaxing spot in town is situated in the middle of the busiest part of Paris. But trust me, once you step through the door of Spa Suisen, you’re immediately transported to the faraway land of Japan. As the door closes behind you, blocking your daily stress and worries out. All-around wellness from the moment you enter Yes, Suisen is a place where you enjoy the most luxurious Japanese massages, but that’s not all of it. Here at Maison Suisen, both your physical and mental wellness will be taken care of by perfectly trained experts from the moment you step into the centre. To start your me-time right, the house offers you a perfectly brewed cup of Houjicha, a gentle and light toasted green tea imported directly from Japan to unwind you. As I took my first sip of the tea, my body immediately felt relaxed. Take your time and enjoy the tea as you prepare your mind and body for the treatment that follows. Total passion for the Japanese art of shiatsu Before being led to the second floor where the three massage rooms are, Sandra, the owner of Suisen, explained to me in detail, the concept of the centre, the different functions of each tea they offer in house, which are also available for purchase, and the differences between the four treatments they perform and have mastered the art of. As she spoke, I sense a total passion and adoration she holds for the Japanese culture which she has effectively introduced and brought over to Paris. Each treatment places an equal focus on both the mental and physical aspects of the client. Complete relaxation for the mind and the body Time to change into my Japanese outfit and lay down on the tatami, a traditional Japanese mat that is placed on the floor for sleeping or massages. These, too, are flown in directly from Japan, as well as being bio and organically made. Sandra recommended the traditional Shiatsu, which does wonders for my circulation and immune system. There are other options, such as body toning, facial treatment and full body shiatsu with aromatic old to target muscle tension.The masseuse applied pressure to all the right spots, loosening all the tensions in my body. As enjoyable as the physical massage was, I particularly loved the smell of the scented serviette that covered the top half of my face, leaving everything below my nose exposed. Each inhale smelt better than the last. It was their secret recipe of aromatic fragrances, as I was told. Further indulgence for a perfect end The hour flew by too quickly. I woke up completely relaxed and despite all the pressured applied to my body, I felt lighter. After the masseuse said her goodbye and left the room, I lazily changed back into my outfit and headed downstairs for another cup of freshly brewed tea. This time, I had Sencha, an energy-boosting green tea with vitamin C. This has a completely different taste to the Houjicha, yet both were equally delicious. My tea came with a citron macaron. You have the option of a Matcha one too! I left Suisen feeling the most relaxed I have ever been and I cannot wait to revisit it. My Verdict Aside from the massage, my daily routine had remained the same. Yet, last night, I slept so much better and woke up more rejuvenated than I have been throughout the past week. If it wasn’t the massage, I do not know what it could possibly be! Spa Suisen 7 rue de Thorigny 75003 Paris France Website / Instagram Love, Chantelle *Chantelle is one of our guest editors from Hong Kong. Graduated with a Law degree, she is now taking a break in Paris for the year as she figures out her next step in life. Always passport ready, she is an expert at traveling light and on a budget, although she still enjoys the occasional indulgence in a luxurious holiday. Follow her on Instagram. ... Read more...
Obsessions / Travel EssentialsMay 16, 2019
8 x Swimwear Trends for 2019Summer is just a few months away! Time to start with some preparations… Next to the iconic Levi’s 501 shorts, flared trousers, sandals, kaftan’s, short skirts and silk dresses, we really love to spend time finding the perfect swimwear. Where does summer take you and which bikini will suit your travel plans the most? Take a look at the Swimwear Trends for 2019. Neon Whether you like it or not, Neon is going to be the big trend this year and also on the beach. Ready to show off that bikini body? This swimwear trend is going to get you noticed. There are many colours and combinations available and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Asos, H&M and Zara are all joining team Neon this summer. Stand out on the beach Nudes We’ve always loved skin tone colours so we’re happy to say that nudes are going to be a thing on the beach and poolside this year. Monday Swimwear sells a beautiful rose piece. The girls behind Monday Swimwear might sound familiar to you. Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman are the hottest bikini girls out there and their swimwear line is really taking the leas this year. Gold & Metallic Get ready to look like you’re about to walk into a beach party, because gold and metallic is on trend. Our favorite? The swimsuits and bikini’s from Gooseberry Seaside. Shop it here. The Bandeau Bikini We’re not sure whether this is the most comfortable fit, but we like it! Go sporty with different funky designs like this Protest bandeau bikini. Printed with a multi-coloured stripe, this Postwick is ‘one-shoulder’ – a hot trend for this season. Belted Swimwear Love, love, love this swimwear trend of 2018. It is here to stay in 2019 and really compliments a women’s shape and it was the perfect swimsuit for Elke when she just became a new mum. Too insecure to wear a bikini? This might be the solution for you! The best ones are a little more pricey, but sooo worth it! Crinkled Fabric Looking around the pool after a recent press trip, we noticed that everyone was wearing a crinkled once-piece or bikini. It may look a bit strange but apparently it’s one of the most flattering styles of swimwear to date. Would you wear it? Animal Prints Animal prints have been a things for years now, and yes 2019 is no different. Get ready for summer and pick your favorite print at Triangl. Yellow An Instagram favourite is the yellow one-piece or bikini. The soft yellow is complimenting your skin, especially when tanned. Wear it on the beach, or out and about, yellow is here in 2019. Yellow is proven to suit every skin tone as seen on Marie Enjoy summer y’all! Love, Wander-Lust... Read more...
Travel Essentials / Traveling with KidsApril 22, 2019
Greentom » The stroller created out of plastic bottlesAs you might know, 2 years ago I became a new mummy to a baby boy. I couldn’t imagine it any different now, but I have thought long about becoming a mom and this is why. I worry a lot about our planet because it doesn’t look good for the next generations and I want to leave my child with a healthy planet that he can be proud of. But yes, I decided to have a child, so I want to teach him about the world so he can see all the beauty and hopefully contribute to a sustainable planet. Sustainability You’ve guessed it, sustainability is extremely important to me. I’m a vegetarian (almost vegan), I shower in less than 5 minutes and organize events about climate change to inspire and educate the younger generation. Oh, and one day I’ll own a Tesla. (yes, I can keep the dream alive!) I’m also selective about the products I buy (boycotting palm oil is a daily struggle) and especially with a baby! It’s hard and often more expensive to remain sustainable at all times. This is when I came across the Greentom, a product that was going to be a huge part of my new life as a mother. Greentom’s mission is to create 100 percent green products Greentom Greentom is a brand that has created a stroller recycled from plastic bottles. Dutch designer Bart Bost wanted to create the first truly honest stroller. It needed to be particularly practical and sustainable. Well, it has Elke written all over it. Buying baby stuff can be quite overwhelming let me tell you! With all the different brands from luxury-expensive-over the top to bad quality strollers out there, this was exactly what I was looking for. Greentom’s mission is to create 100 percent green products. The fabrics are entirely made out of recycled drinking bottles. They collect bottles all over the world. That limits the impact of shipping. It also means a stroller is made from natural and recycled sources nearby. And it stimulates local economies! Walking around in the Amsterdam Vondelpark Nature in nature My Review I decided to go for the 2-in-1 edition that most parents choose. Meaning; you use it flat for the first few months and once your child can sit up straight, you can change it into a reversible. Besides being sustainable, I think one of the best features is that it’s one of the lightest strollers out there at the moment. Light as a feather! You can easily turn it around with one hand or lift it when you need grab a few stairs. It also folds in real easy, so no need to stress when you need to get into your car. The wheels are not filled with air like most strollers so you need to be a little careful when you ride over a sidewalk, simply lift it up a little to avoid a full stop. The 3 options to convert the Greentom Always the eyecatcher I’ve seriously gotten more comments on my GreenTom than on my outfits The stroller also comes with several extra’s that you can buy online. I also got myself the rain cover (need to have one if you live in The Netherlands!), and a car seat adapter. The organic fabrics come in many different colors so you can certainly find your favorite. I picked mint green and I get so many positive comments out on the street! It’s a true eye catcher and a great conversation maker, which then results in me talking about the beauty of this product. And guess what, it’s very affordable too. You pay around 1200 euro for a stroller nowadays but the Greentom 2-in-1 is available from just €499,-! That includes the carrycot and reversible. The GreenTom is one of those brands that is making planet earth a little better and I’m totally for it. For more info and online shop visit their Website. Love, Elke... Read more...
Obsessions / Travel EssentialsApril 15, 2019
Festival trends seen at Coachella 2019Coachella Festival is the catwalk that defines the new trends for this coming festival season, and what to wear this summer.With the festival weekend one gone, we can talk about some of the outfits and festival trends for 2019! Trend » Sneakers Yep, sneakers are cool and you are allowed to bring them to the festival this year. Hailey Bieber was wearing Vans at the Levi’s party last weekend and many peeps wore the comfy shoe at Coachella. Hailey Bieber being casual Trend » Whites Even though the dust at Coachella Festival makes everything dirty, white dresses, tops and skirts were more popular than previous years. Check out Sincerly Jules, Helen Howen and Jamie Kidd in pearl white. Jamie Kidd in white Trend » Lays Flaunt it with everything lace this year, because this trend is back in 2019. Trend » Multi Color Colors are proven to make people happy, so we totally feel this one. People went crazy on colors this year. What do you think? Hair Trend » Long Braids The double parting braids we have seen for the last 2 years have vanished but long traditional braids are back in 2019! If you don’t have long hair, you can fake it with extensions and add in some colour too. We like it! Braids are back, but different Trend » Denim The Coachella trend that never fails; Denim. We saw a whole lot of it at Coachella this year. Timeless right? So which trend will you follow this festival season? Check out our Festival Guide for 2019! Love, Wander-Lust ... Read more...
Spots / Travel EssentialsApril 13, 2019
7 x Must Visit Vintage Stores in RotterdamBig cues, everyone having the same T-shirt, and the unsustainable waste produced by fast fashion? Forget the high-street chains and get ready to rummage! From cheap and cheerful thrift shops to more high-end vintage stores, there’s something for everyone when it comes to second-hand and vintage stores in Rotterdam! 1. Dearhunter Vintage, Eendrachtsweg 55A My first experience with Dearhunter was love at first sight. It’s definitely my favourite vintage store in Rotterdam. Instead of all racks being completely stuffed, they have made a selection of only the most beautiful items. The owner selects with her eye for colour, shape, prints and material, a collection of unique vintage items that makes every fashion person happy. All items are cleaned and steamed before being hanged in the trendy and well-arranged shop. When you plan to visit the shop, be aware that you are going to spend money. In fact, you would like to take home every item hanging in the store (especially when you look at the price tag). For only 50 euros I came home with a leather brown pants, a red belt and a leopard top. You won’t leave the Dearhunter empty-handed! 2. Sweet Rebel, Schiedamse Vest 89B Sweet Rebel is a small, but definitely must-visit vintage shop in Rotterdam. The prices are low and you can find real affordable gems. The shop has a wide selection of regularly renewed and incredible vintage items, as well as a selection of carefully curated designer items. All their vintage clothes have been carefully selected for style, quality and comfort. Here I scored an oversized denim cowboy-ish blouse with suede patches and sturdy studs for 17 euros. 3. Cheap Fashion, Meent 25 This one is for the real treasure hunters who love to dig through mountains of clothing. They have 2 floors stuffed with all kinds of clothes and accessories; leather jackets, skirts, blouses, boots, sunglasses, shawls.. If you are a fan of ‘hunting’ then you should definitely visit this store! It is is also the place to go to score outfits for theme parties. They have for example hysterical ski-suits and crazy disco outfits. 4. Episode, Witte de Withstraat 19A Episode is a chain with stores in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Antwerp, London and Paris. They have an extensive collection of second-hand and vintage clothing that emphasize on the 70s and 80s. You can find all kinds of styles from casual to nightwear. There is also a large selection of vintage shoes, bags and accessories such as hats, belts, sunglasses and jewellery. Tip: for a good vintage levi’s jeans you should definitely visit Episode! 5. Margootje Vintage, Zwaanshals 276B The store is owned by, guess who, Margot. She offers all her special finds for sale in the shop. You will mainly find clothes and shoes, but on the wall and in the cupboards you will also find other special trinkets, such as old school plates, stuffed animals and jewellery. The old records on the wall, the rugs on the floor and the small, special trinkets in the old-fashioned closets make the shop very atmospheric. Margootje Vintage also organizes a Garage Sale in the back garden every last Saturday of the month. 6. Ruby Lee and the Vintage Factoy, Nieuwe Binnenweg 206A Ruby Lee is a cozy vintage store with handpicked items. The owner used to work as a fashion designer, but her love for vintage took over eventually, so she opened Ruby Lee and the Vintage Factory. The shop has a mixed collection of ruffled blouses, leather skirts, Japanese kimonos, woolen coats, crazy jackets and much more. In addition, they sell all kinds of fun gadgets, such as notebooks made from old, recycled books. 7. SeventiesDesign, Schietbaanlaan 45G SeventiesDesign buys and sells vintage furniture from the 50’s-60’s & 70’s. In the store you will find a very nice collection of chairs, benches, lamps, umbrella stands, cupboards, ottomans, glassware, art, coat racks and more. All these items are from the bigger names among the interior designers, making it a slightly expensive collection. If you are at home in the world of design this is a must-visit shop for sure. Overall, I don’t mind hunting through overfull racks in vintage stores in order to find some treasure pieces, but it does take quite some time. What I noticed in Rotterdam is that many vintage stores, such as dearhunter, sweet rebel, margootje vintage, and Ruby Lee, have a pretty good selection of vintage pieces already sorted out what is saving you a lot of time going through ‘junk’. Visiting Rotterdam is a must for every vintage lover! Love, Iris *Iris is one of our guest editors from The Netherlands. She’s got a big interest in photography, fashion, spirituality and traveling. She was 3 months old when she was on the plane for the first time and has been to every continent in the meantime. You can follow iris on Instagram.... Read more...
Travel Essentials / Travel TipsJanuary 10, 2019
Shoot Amazing Drone Photo’s Without Experience!Recently we travelled through Malaysia & Thailand and wanted to shoot extraordinary photo’s. Because we don’t own a drone we hired one without needing a flying course. So did we manage to shoot some good footage? You’ll be the judge. I had never flown a drone before, or even held one. But damn, you can take the most amazing shots with them and drone photography inspires the hell out of me, so it was time to put my skills to the test. I was planning a trip to Asia, which meant tons of drone photo opportunities with beaches, palmtrees and crystal clear water. Things you should know before flying a drone: No flying after dark or within 5 miles of an airport (unless you can get authorization) Near people’s heads, moving cars, a sports stadium. If you travel abroad, you should check the rules that apply for that country. For some you are required to register your drone and pay a small fee in order to bring it through customs. However, Thailand officially required such a document, but because I was traveling per boat to Koh Lipe, I took my chances and didn’t apply. Getting the document can take up to a few months and I was too late with that. It’s a small risk I was willing to take. Rules about drones change fast and regularly so always check what rules may apply to your country of choice. Rent a drone Because I didn’t own a drone, I came across a business in the Netherlands that hires drones without a pilot. You rent the drone per day and you pay a small deposit for safety reasons. The drone includes 2 batteries, charger and extra propellors. Me and my boyfriend opted for the DJ1 Mavic Pro, which is compact enough to fold up and pack. First Flight Our first opportunity and go was at Koh Adang, a Thai island across from the more popular Koh Lipe. In the beginning it’s a bit scary to fly because you are scared your drone will crash in the water, or the wind will take it down. This is the result of our first ever drone shot, not bad right? My boyfriend Jesse flew most of the time because I wanted to be in the picture. (such a diva!) Our first ever drone shot! After that more followed. We also shot some video. Maybe I should work on my heart drawing skills a bit more though..? This next shot was taken on Koh Lipe where we found a sandbank that was free of people, in order to take that perfect shot! Koh Lipe Pretending that I was on a deserted island in Malaysia. Truth is that 2 meters away there was a beach bar 😉 Verdict; Hiring a drone is such a good idea! As you can see, the images turned out pretty good (if you don’t mind us saying so ;-)). We hired our drone at www.dronehurenzonderpiloot.nl in the Netherlands and we can really recommend it. You just pick up your drone, and you will get an explanation how to use your drone. You need to figure out your color and ISO settings yourself so we advise you to watch a couple of YouTube video’s in order to get the best results. For all cost per drone check their cost sheet. Are you ready to take your travel photography to the next level? Love, Elke... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Spots / Travel EssentialsNovember 12, 2018
Create our own organic skin products at DIY SoapHello winter equals hello to dry skin. For me at least. As soon as the heating at home goes up, and the leaves are starting to fall down the trees, my skin reacts as if it knows it needs some extra attention. There are sooo many products and brands out there that promise you a soft skin but I’m not a big fan of all the chemicals that are added. Gladly I discovered this briljant store called DIY Soap, a shop in Amsterdam where you can create your own scrubs and creams made out of natural and organic ingredients. Pure Ingredients At DIY Soap you can shop in two ways; you can buy a ready-made scrub or cream, or create your own from scratch. The last option is more fun so that’s exactly what I did! In the store you can find a rack where you can find cans of oils to create your product with (coconut, almond, olive). Next to that you have a table where you can find salts, sugars, coffee and concentrated oils such as lavender, orange or roses. Pimp your product with some flowers, dried fruits or lavender pieces. Every product is vegan except the honey. (but rest assured it comes from a local and organic beekeeper). The corner of ingredients! Adding some oil Final touch Sustainable Packaging One of the great things about creating your own product, is that you can bring your own packing materials. DIY Soap highly encourages to re-use your old shampoo bottles or cream containers. The packaging at DIY Soap is made out of glass and is always re-usable. This way, you only need to come back for the ingredients! You can also buy sustainable products like re-usable make-up removal pads. If you don’t live in Amsterdam, you can shop the products online (www.diysoap.nl) and in several stores across The Netherlands and Belgium (concept store Hutspot being one of those). Trying my DIY Wanderlust Coffee Scrub The people behind the product besides the ingredients and packaging, they also have a great behind-the-scenes-story. The people who make the ready-to-buy products are created by people with a minor mental disability, at the Gemiva centre in the city of Leiden. How beautiful is that! Elke DIY Soap Van Woustraat 48, Amsterdam Website... Read more...
Spots / Travel EssentialsJuly 6, 2018
The Treatwell Series » CuppingRemember the time when Gwyneth Paltrow was photographed with red circles on her back? This was the time when cupping made it’s entrance in the wide world. Nobody had ever heard of it before. Or at least, not many. Since then Jennifer Aniston, Justin Bieber and even athletes like Michael Phelps have used cupping. I had never tried it, but cupping is suppose to have many health benefits. Time to find out why ancient trend is so good for you! What is Cupping Even though it might not sound so familiar, cupping is an ancient method used by Egyptians and later found it’s way into Chinese Alternative Medicine and practises. Traditionally, glass cups are placed on your skin (mostly on your back and legs) and heated with fire to suck the air out of the cups, creating suction. This can be quite risky because of the heat, so most salons use other materials like silicone and suck the air out with a special device. By cupping, it’s believed that problems such as headache, muscle and join pain are relieved. It’s also suppose to stimulate your blood circulation and smoothes out your skin. The Art of Massage Time to find out! I booked my first cupping treatment with Art of Massage, run by Cerise. After a holiday in Thailand, Cerise gained an interest in massages and wanted to explore more than just the traditional Thai massages we all know. She decided to explore the world of cupping. She tells me that because this is my first ever cupping treatment, she won’t go all the way. Cupping can be quite intense. She starts with a short massage to find out if I have any knots in my muscles. After that, she is ready to place the cups. My pain barrier is pretty high, but when she applied the first cup on my back..HELLO! You definitely feel it!Because the power of cupping is more intense than a deep tissue massage, it might feel a bit uncomfortable at first. After a few moments, the feeling does get less intense and you are able to breath it away. She applies the cups at the places where I felt most tense, and she also decides to include my legs. And then starts to move them around, like giving a massage. HELLO 2.0! She leaves the cups there for about 10 minutes or so, and then starts to move them around, like giving a massage. HELLO 2.0! My shoulder area is fine, but when she does this around my weak spot, the hips, I have a difficult time to breath at a normal pace. Something is seriously going on and I ask her to take a picture. It looks pretty weird and shocking at the same time, but wow, can you imagine what this does to your blood circulation! Especially if you’re walking around with an old injury or you just can’t seem to loosen up, this will do the trick! Alien or Elke? 😉 My Verdict: By far the most pain I experienced during the Treatwell Series, but nothing I could not handle. My knots were gone, and my legs felt like the received an intense massage I think I could only benefit from. Looking at the pictures you might feel a bit cautious, but remember, cupping is very safe. It wouldn’t be around for ages if it wasn’t. And best of all, after the treatment I looked exactly like Gwyneth Paltrow! (Ok, minus the blond hair, long legs and flat tummy) Oh, and my circles disappeared after about 5 days. Cerise tells me that you can’t get a 100% result immediately and she advises people to come for at least 3 to 4 treatments. Her regular customers don’t really feel the pain anymore when they return for their 2nd or 3rd session, meaning that you’re body is actually un-tightening. I’m curious to see who of you have tried cupping before and what was your experience? If you are curious yourself, you can book my treatment here. For all other treatments visit Treatwell and book online! Love, Elke... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Spots / Travel EssentialsJune 12, 2018
14 x Vintage Stores in Amsterdam you must check outVintage is hot and we love it! First of all, it’s sustainable, and such a great excuse to wear something that was also cool a few seasons ago. Let’s check out the 14 best vintage stores in Amsterdam at the moment. The Thriftshop Albert Cuypstraat 187 The new kid on the blog! The Thriftshop is run by PR lady Tedje Fliers and her companion Dina El Basri. Did you know that women only use about 10% of their closets? Crazy right? Well, the main thing we love about this store, is that you can bring your clothes that are just hanging there, so you can make someone else happy with it. Whatever is sold, you get 30% from the profits! (yes, I also brought my old Levi’s!) They only opened yesterday, so all the good items are still there (but hurry). Facebook / Instagram Source: The Thriftshop We Are Vintage Kinkerstraat 193 & Eerste v Swindenstraat 43 We love this store because it’s such a nice layout! You can easily spend more than an hour in this store without realising. Denim dungarees, floral dresses, cowboy boots, hats, men & women, it’s all here! Instagram Jutka & Riska Here they sell vintage combined with a new collection. Clever! At Jutka & Riska you will find bold and funky colours, the latest styles, and many cute accessories. They also have an online shop, which is great for the lazy shopper. There are 2 stores in Amsterdam, one in Haarlem and one in Antwerp. www.jutkaenriska.com Episode 4 locations in Amsterdam This vintage store has been around for a while and has several locations in Europe from Amsterdam to Copenhagen. It’s the one vintage store in Amsterdam that everybody knows. It’s amazing to find army jackets, vintage Levi’s, tropical shirts from the eighties, and many many accessories. Find one of the 4 locations in Amsterdam on their website. www.episode.eu Zipper They sell some of the best trousers in our opinion! Baggy comfortable trousers you wear on a Sunday…or every day for that matter. (guilty!) Also check out their jewelry, watches, sunglasses and hats! www.zipperstore.nl Source: Zipper Marbles Vintage 3 locations in Amsterdam This store scores well with vintage lovers throughout Amsterdam. Why? Because there are real treasures to be found! Both men and women can shop here, and they have a great selection of leather handbags and shoes. They have a total of 3 locations in Amsterdam so get yourself to it! Facebook I love Vintage Prinsengracht 201 This retro style vintage shop is perfect for those Bettie Page summer dresses and if your looking to wear something for a special occasion. They sell all the way back from the twenties up until the eighties. Check out the online shop where you can also check if they have your favorite item in stock. Easy peasy Vintage! www.ilovevintage.com Kilo Shop Waterloopplein 189 Instead of buying your items at a set price, you add your items on the scale and pay per weight! This can be super affordable if you choose your items the right way. Prices are ranged in different color and style categories. The Kilo Shop imports their clothes from all over the world and sells brands from London, Paris, and Tokyo. www.kiloshop.nl Bij Ons Vintage Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 150 / Reestraat 13 If you want to go festival shopping, this store is your spot! Men can go crazy on tropical shirts, while the women can go for jumpsuits or cool summer dresses. New arrivals everyday! www.bijons-vintage.nl Photo by Kirsten van Santen Klein Berlijn Middenweg 36 I used to work with the lovely owner of this cute store. She had the idea years ago, and even used her home to host a few vintage sales back then. Her cool style never seemed to fade because she’s been running Klein Berlijn ever since. Okok, the clothes are not real vintage and old, but they have a cool vintage look, and that’s why Klein Berlijn belongs in our list. www.kleinberlijn.com For Kids Kids grow fast AF. I know, because I’m a mother of a baby boy and don’t want to buy brand new clothes each time around. I never knew that vintage shopping for your child could be such a bargain! Sometimes I buy 4 items for just 12 euro! (and this includes jeans, jumpers, shoes and high end brands). Secondly, it’s super sustainable! Here are some of my faves; Old West De Clercqstraat By far my favorite vintage clothing store for kids! The concept is great; I bring my son’s old clothes to them, they check, and you get a code. Each time when I return, they can check how much I’ve sold and use that money to buy new items in the store! They only take on clothing that is in tiptop condition and they prefer good brands like Impf & Elfs and Le Petit Batau. All the clothing is divided into size and colours, and moms and dads all over Amsterdam bring in new stuff on a daily basis. Friends Floortje and Sofie run this fantastic store that also sells some new items for a great price. www.oldwestamsterdam.nl JunJun De Clercqstraat 97 Situated in the same street as Old West, you can find another great vintage store for kids with the same concept. You can find clothes, toys, baby stuff, strolers, baby seats and more. www.junjun.nl Wollepop Bosboom Toussaintstraat 49 Another great kids store with high quality clothing, toys and children accessories. Sustainability is key here and besides the concept, they also provide led lighting and better isolation. www.wollepop.nl Kids & Queens Rietwijkerstraat 32 If you are looking for high end kids brands such as Vingino, DNKY, Burberry, Tumble & Dry, you should definitely visit Kids & Queens. Their sizes go from 50cm until 140cm. Prices are (understandably) a bit higher than the above mentioned kids vintage stores in Amsterdam, but nevertheless, it’s nice to spoil you’re kid now and then! www.kidsandqueens.nl Enjoy your shopping peeps! Love, Elke ... Read more...
Travel EssentialsMay 7, 2018
Shop all your favorite (travel) bags here!We all know, that any traveler is in need of a travel bag, suitcases or just something pretty to walk around with and put all your stuff in. There are plenty of options and brands, but wouldn’t it be great if you could find everything into one place? Duifhuizen Tassen & Koffers is a store and webshop from The Netherlands where you can find the best brands when it comes to bags and suitcases. The company was founded back in 1953 and has 26 locations around the country. Not having experienced the online platform before, it was time to purchase our first “online” suitcase. Whatever your pick.. Duifhuizen has it! We love the pastel colours and 50’s retro feel of SUITSUIT, and because Sarah was traveling to Coachella, we decided to purchase one of their suitcases. Mind you, there is plenty of choice, so don’t limit yourself! From Fjälraven, Eastpak and The North Face, to Samsonite or Delsey. They have it all! Ordering was easy peasy, and there were no shipping costs involved. Sarah’s suitcase was delivered the next day, which was awesome because it was a last minute thing. (Last-Minute-Girl is Sarah’s nickname). They can even deliver your purchase in the evening slot for free! Want to send it as a gift? Wrapping it, is also free. Ok! This saves you a lot of hassle, let me tell you. Sarah in LA with her SUITSUIT suitcase Not traveling and still in need of a quirky handbag of some sort? What about this must have festival pouch! The good thing about buying your travel essentials here, is because you know the quality is solid and you always have a great return policy. Shopping online for travel bags has never been so easy! The musthave for this festival season! (source: Duifhuizen) We’re curious if you have ever shopped online for your travel purchases, what was your experience? Happy travels! Elke Duifhuizen Koffers & Tassen Website / Facebook *This article was written in collaboration with Duifhuizen. We only collaborate with brands and organisations that we believe in and offer a good product, so we can tip it to you, our readers in an honest way.... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Travel EssentialsApril 5, 2018
The Treatwell Series » MicrodermabrasionLast week I found my first grey hair. I panicked just a little. Being in my thirties, I’m confronted with the fact that I’m getting older, and it’s literally the first time that I started to look for ways to slow down the process. Not that there is anything wrong with getting older, but I would like to do it gracefully and the time has come to give that little extra attention to..well, me! In collaboration with Treatwell, I’m going to spend the next few months testing different treatments that are suppose to make me feel and look better on the in and outside. Starting on the outside and on order to tackle my wrinkles and blemishes, I decided to have a Microdermabrasion treatment. It’s perfect for those that have skin with a few imperfections What is Microdermabrasion? If you chop the word into 3 parts, you can easily find out what it actually means. Micro = small, Derma = Skin, Brasion = scraping. Sounds a bit weird? Well, it’s basically a peeling, an exfoliation 3.0, but not chemical. It’s perfect for those that have skin with a few imperfections that we all have. (except Doutzen Kroes, I envy you) Tiny crystals remove all the dead skin and your body is triggered to produce new skin. (this already happens on a regular basis, but when you get older, it happens less frequently and slower). Time to put it to the test! Sanne Swinkels Skincare I decided to get my first Microdermabrasion treatment at Sanne Swinkels Skincare in Amsterdam. She set up her own beauty salon a few years ago, after working for one of the most successful beauty clinics in the Netherlands. She is specialised in skincare and your treatment is always tailor made. Before we start, Sanne wants to know everything about my skin. What are my worries, complaints and problems? We find out that my skin is dehydrated. I don’t drink enough water and I should use a good cleansing product instead of just cleansing with water. (shame on me) Sanne Swinkels Skincare After a load of information about what she is going to do, we start the treatment. Sanne tells me that it’s not going to be a relaxing feeling, and that I am definitely going to feel it. The machine she is using looks interesting and you could compare it to a small vacum for your face. Inside a tube, tiny aluminiumoxide crystals are being blown onto your skin and by circular movements, the dead skin cells are being removed. Does it hurt? Well, it doesn’t feel like the best thing in the world, but I could handle it. She also includes my chest area and the collarbone area is a little sensitive. After the treatment, the relaxing part starts. Finally! Sanne massages my skin to get the blood flowing and 3 important steps follow; Tone, Hydrate and moisturise. Where the Microdermabrasion magic happens The Result Now, don’t expect your skin to start glowing immediately. Your skin just had a rough session and needs to recover. It will look red and will feel sensitive. Do not apply any make-up for at least one day and avoid the sunshine. Because the top layer of your skin has been removed, it will produce new, fresh skin but this takes a few days. After about 2 days, your skin will start to peel, so moisture is key here! After 6 days my skin really looked refreshed, tighter and glowy. Sanne says that ideally, you come for a treatment every 4 to 6 weeks, but once every season is also a good option. Good to know: with 1 peeling you are not there BUT it’s a good start.. A series of 6-10 treatments is usually recommended for the best results, with 2 weeks / 10 days in between for skin to recover. Looking pretty good for someone who has just had their skin cells vacuumed off their face My verdict: What I liked a lot, is that you can have it done during your lunch hour and go straight back to work looking pretty good for someone who has just had their skin cells vacuumed off their face. I do feel like my skin looked better after 1 week, and my blemishes had disappeared. Mind you, I do think you should go for a Microdermabrasion treatment more often if you have a problem skin. Did it make me feel any younger? In a way it did, because it’s a first step into the greater care I want to give my skin, especially because I am seeing the sun often during my travels. To book the same Microdermabrasion treatment I had, visit the Sanne Swinkels Skincare page on the Treatwell website. Love, Elke Follow our adventures on our Instagram Stories!... Read more...
Travel EssentialsFebruary 27, 2018
Fed up with Algorithms? Vero is the new social platform we have been waiting forBloggers, influencers and businesses can’t stop complaining about the algorithms on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Like us, we’ve seen a big shift in numbers, likes and engagement. You are trying your hardest to post beautiful or creative content but at least half of your followers won’t even see it. Time for something new? People have been wondering whether someone would create a new platform where algorithms would be a thing of the past and where you could make your own decisions. Well, we have news for you, Vero. Vero has been around for a little while but more and more people and blogs are talking about it. Time to figure out what this new social media app is all about. They created a platform that is free of advertisement and has no annoying algorithms to worry about. Meaning; posts will show up chronologically. Yes, this is how Facebook and Instagram used to be (remember those good times?). Vero calls themselves the “True Social” How does it work? Like most social platforms, you will have a profile, people can follow you, you can connect with people and you can post content. Nothing new here. There are some features that are worth mentioning: Connections You can choose to connect with people as friends or acquaintances. Obviously, acquaintances will see less of your content. You can change this into your settings. Music, Books, Movies & Places Show more about your preferences. Add your favourite songs, movies or places. This reminds us a little bit of Myspace, where you have a page full of all your favourite things. Chat You can only chat with people you are connected with. Just following someone though, isn’t enough to be able to chat with them on the app. Share what you want So how will they earn money? Well, the idea is that you pay a “small annual fee”. How much this will be hasn’t been communicated yet. However, the first 1 million users have a free membership, for life. They have around 500.000 downloads right now so hurry up if you want to benefit! The Bad Because the app is relatively small and gained so much popularity over the last weeks, they have become a victim of their own success. The app is unable to handle so many new subscribers and is crashing more than it should do. Another bad thing is that it’s slow…very slow. These days, we want our user experience to be fast because we have no time to waste. Vero really needs to step up it’s game if they want to join the big players. But, these are all things that can be solved. Conclusion Will it be as popular as Instagram or Facebook? No. We don’t think so. Mainly because they want to keep out the big companies and marketing giants. Companies can post content, but they are only allowed to add links or a button. No advertising will be allowed (for now). Vero claims to be authentic and social, for the people. But let’s be honest, we are happy that at least there is someone out there that took the time to invest in a new app that is all we have been waiting for. And for that, we thank you Vero! Vero is available for IOS and the Playstore. We’ve singed up as Wander-Lust! Sign up here. See you there? Wander-Lust... Read more...
Packing Guide / Travel Essentials / Travel TipsFebruary 16, 2018
6 x Essential Backpacking TipsWhen you have the travelbug, a city trip or a 2 week holiday doesn’t cure it. So what do you do? You take the plunge, quit your job and book a plane ticket to your first backpacking destinations. In Jill’s case this was Asia. How do you prepare for such a long trip? Here are some backpacking tips and tricks that will make your backpacker life somewhat easier. Like planning your trip, you need to plan your packing Saying goodbye to my job and pay for the ticket was the easy part. Leave half of your luggage at home I’ve learned the hard way, carrying a heavy backpack or suitcase is not fun at all. Many people told me to leave half of the stuff I wanted to take at home. I did not listen. The result is a bag full of clothes I probably won’t wear, toiletries that weigh me down and other small somethings that were thrown in five seconds before leaving. There is much more fun in buying new clothes during your travels and having space for awesome souvenirs. And be honest, do you really need that nail polish remover? Solid shampoo This is such a good backpacking tip you must use! In the process of making my bag lighter, I discovered something awesome. Shampoo and conditioner bars from Lush. They look like soap bars and weigh hardly anything. Major plus: the shampoo and conditioner are heavily concentrated so you don’t need much to lather up. Meaning, you can use these babies for a long time. Also very convenient when you are traveling with just a carry-on bag. Best thing, they smell amazing and are plastic free! Buy them here! Ziplock bags Some say they are lifesavers. I tend to agree. About 50 ziplock bags cost about one euro at your local supermarket, but their value while traveling is priceless. It’s an easy way to categorise and keep you stuff together (remember those little somethings). Also, they protect your bag from (potentially) leaking liquids. Bag-in-bag We all know what our suitcases or backpacks look like after two days (or even less): a total mess! Clothes everywhere, you never seem to be able to locate that one awesome pair of shorts. Fear no more, the solution is here! Bag-in-bags give you the opportunity to organize your stuff and keep it neat for the remainder of your travels. There are several shops where you can buy these (some even in nice, bright colours), I got mine at Decathlon for a very backpacker-friendly price. Since i didn’t listen to the advise to dump half of my belongings, these bags help me stay sane. Skin so Soft Nobody likes mosquito’s, period. But when you are traveling to a tropical country you have to be extra aware to not get bitten by those little buggers. Tropical diseases like Dengue, Malaria and Zika are easily transferred by mosquito’s. Many people use insect repellent with DEET in it, but here is the thing, DEET is really bad for your skin. It doesn’t really smell good either. I discovered a bottle of Skin so Soft from Avon. A dry oil spray that hydrates your skin, and even better, keeps the mosquito’s away! That’s what I call a win-win situation (not for the mozzies). Lifesaver Source Proof Of Onward Travel Last but not least: if you are going on a multiple country trip, make sure to check if your airline requires Proof Of Onward Travel. Say what? Yes, proof that you are indeed leaving the country you are flying into. Otherwise, you risk being denied access to your flight. This is not a commonly known requirement, which is very odd if you ask me. Not all airlines ask for it, but ours (Qatar airways) sure did. Luckily I booked a cheap train ticket from Vietnam to Cambodia to proof that I was indeed ‘ traveling onward’. Another solution is ‘renting’ a ticket. You can do this at FlyOnward and it costs about 10 to 17 euro. www.flyonward.com Now you are ready to conquer that itch yourself, in a comfortable way. If you have any essential tips, do tell! Love from, Jill More Travel and Backpacking Tips?... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Spots / Travel EssentialsJanuary 25, 2018
Kindred Spirits » The store inspired by TravelIt’s been a while since we’ve highlighted a store in Amsterdam. Well, the time has come and this time it’s a store with a travel story; Kindred Spirits. The Story Kindred Spirits is a lifestyle brand that describes itself as “encouraged by the desire to explore the world”. Founders Martijn & Jovanna combined their love for travel and garments and were particularly inspired by countries like Morocco, Turkey and South Africa. When they returned to Amsterdam, they decided they wanted to create a brand that would bring those worlds together, yet be authentic and of high quality. It all started with the famous Kiboot, this unmissable festival boot created from old recycled rugs, was the item that every girl wanted. The brand eventually evolved into Kindred Spirits and the story continues.. When you enter the store, you will see a large wall, covered with the most amazing boots. The famous Kiboots lined up The Store The flagship store opened back in 2015 and sells much more than just their famous boots. Here you can find colourful rugs, pillows, bags, accessories and gift ideas. All products are of high quality and . You can tell that all the items are inspired by travel. When you enter the store, you will see a large wall, covered with the most amazing boots. All different colors and sizes, because every pair is unique. When I arrived to pick up my ordered boots, the girls who worked there were just unpacking a huge order that they’ve received just after Christmas. Great to see that this boot never goes out of style. If your heading to Coachella this year, be sure to get a pair! Pretty cushions to pimp your living area Photo: Styled by Sabine They also sell these (very) comfy knitted socks that will keep you warm during those cold days! Like what you see? They are having some items on SALE at the moment! *Their wonderful lammy boots are on SALE with 25% discount. From 199,95 to 149,95 euro. *This whole February you get a pair of knitted socks (like the picture above), when you spend 75 euro or more! Kindred Spirits Utrechtsestraat 47, Amsterdam Website Love, Elke... Read more...
Off the Beaten Track / Travel EssentialsDecember 18, 2017
Bye Bye Unwanted Hormones, We Tested The LadycompWhen you are a young woman growing up, one of the first things you learn about is anti-contraceptives. When you start to be sexually active, you are told to protect yourself agains unwanted pregnancy. Very good, of course. But what the hell are we actually putting into our bodies? Elke tested the Ladycomp, a tiny computer that’s going to save you from unwanted hormones and discomfort. Let’s start by saying that there are many options out there to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy; The Pill, The Spiral(s), The Nuva Ring, The Condom. Most of these offer something that is uncomfortable and gives your body unwanted extra hormones. I was fed up with it and taking these extra hormones wasn’t an option for me anymore. I felt tired, bloated and stopped using birth control pills. I heard about The Ladycomp a few years ago but didn’t dig into it until now. Side affects from birth control pills Source What is the Ladycomp? It’s a small round shaped computer that fit’s into your pocket, that you can take everywhere. It does several things but the most important thing it does, it measuring your body’s temperature. Not like thermometer that you use to check if you have a fever, no this little computer does it so precise that it knows exactly when you are ovulating or not. It basically calculates your fertility status in less than a minute per day with 99,3{8b669be72a7f340f9ef2d6d852585cd40ddf0e79ccf763f3ea93c1234c3d888b} reliability. Pretty damn save if you ask me! I needed to test this, obviously. My first 3 months using the Ladycomp I received the Ladycomp basic but there are 5 different computers available so check on the website which suits your needs the most. You start using the Ladycomp by charging the batteries and entering the right date and time. Ok, that was simple. Now you need to enter the dates of the start of your menstruating cycle (if you remember the exact date) and you can do this as far back as 3 months. Now, this is where I got totally confused. I had the instructions booklet where it tells you what to do but somehow I didn’t manage to do it right. And because it only works if you do it right, I needed to call the helpdesk to guide me through it, just to be sure. With all the little options in the menu, it can look quite overwhelming at first so I advise you to read the instructions a few times. The Ladycomp needs a couple of months to get to know your body. The more period dates you have entered, the quicker it learns. I remembered my last 2, so I hoped this would speed up the process. Red means: hold up, no unsafe sex! Unless you want a baby of course.. How to Use It Measuring your temperature is the simplest thing. When you wake up in the morning, you grab the Ladycomp (leave it next to your bed), you grab the little thermometer attached to the Ladycomp and put it underneath your tongue for about 30 – 60 seconds until you hear a beep. You will now see a red, orange or green button which tells you if you are fertile or not. Red means: hold up, no unsafe sex! (unless you want a baby), Green means: Put on something sexy and go for it girl! Orange means: hmm, not sure, better safe than sorrow so use protection. Wait For The Green Light I was surprised to see a green light after only 2-3 weeks but I was too scared to take the leap of faith so early on. It’s still a computer you need to put your trust in, so I guess I needed some more time. After a few days green, it popped back to red n it has stayed red or orange for the rest of the month. When you are about to menstruate, you will see a blinking M. If you are not yet bleeding, just ignore the blinking M. If you started to menstruate, confirm M for at least 3 days in a row. Around the 10th of each new month, I got a green light, also in my third month so the Ladycomp must know my body a little bit right? I listened and so far so good! No unwanted pregnancy and I’m feeling good about this new way of protecting myself. Compact & Easy to Bring The Ladycomp is very small in size and fit’s into your toiletry-bag, no problem! If you travel a lot, this is a must because you don’t want to carry to much weight with you. When you buy it, it comes with a colourful cover to keep it save. When you order, you receive this cover so it’s easy to bring Christmas Discount! Ladycomp is celebrating Christmas and offers a 12{8b669be72a7f340f9ef2d6d852585cd40ddf0e79ccf763f3ea93c1234c3d888b} discount until the 21st of December! Besides this, they are also hosting a advent calendar where they will announce a new winner every day! For this you need to keep an eye out on their Facebook Page. Are you ready for a change in anti-contraceptive? For more detailed info and prices visit the Ladycomp Website. Love, Wander-Lust... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Spots / Travel EssentialsDecember 14, 2017
All we want for Christmas is.. this new hair treatment by The ColorGoing to the hairdressers is something we all do on a regular basis right? Euhm, well, I didn’t. I used to cut my hair twice a year because I was afraid it would be too short, so ignored the split ends and everything that comes along with it. What I did do however, is to freshen up my look with a new color. Getting a new “shade” for your hair has never been more popular and even the brightest of colors are walking around in Amsterdam. One of the best colouring salons in Amsterdam, The Color, is a leader in the pack when it comes to the latest hair colouring trends. They now offer something called …. I went to try it out. The Color Founded in 2016, The Color (first known as Colorista) first opened in De Pijp district and another location followed soon after. Color specialists can turn your dull hair into something funky or pretty like it’s magic. Color is their focus but you can also get your hair cut as they are all trained hairdressers. Besides the hair treatments, The Color is also a college for trainees that want to learn the magic of new hair colouring techniques. Back in February when The Color turned my dark brown hair into a grey/blond tone Source The Magic Treatment! At the Color they keep on developing and explore new hair concepts. One of those is the Cellophanes treatment. The Cello what? You can describe it as a lipgloss for your hair and is also known as a semi permanent coloring method. Good to know is, that Cellophanes is made out of natural ingredients and therefore free from ammonia, alcohol and peroxide. It also strengthens hair, preserves natural moisture balance and protects against UV. I needed to try this and last week I booked my first Cellophane treatment. After a conversation with my Color specialist, we decided to go for a little bit champagne gloss and after a wash, the Cellophane was applied and heated with a blower around my head. This way your hair cuticles open up and absorb everything better. After about 20 minutes and another wash, I was outside the door with extremely shiny, healthy hair. Shine bright like a diamond! The color and shine will fade gradually overtime but you can enjoy it for at least 3 months. Just in time for Christmas girls! The Color Van Woutsraat 121 / Bilderdijstraat 207, Amsterdam Wesbite ... Read more...
Travel EssentialsDecember 9, 2017
11 x Wanderlust Christmas Gift Ideas 2017We always love writing these kind of articles because it get’s me right into the Christmas spirit! Whether you’re looking for a gift for him or her, these Wanderlust Christmas gifts are all you need if you’re a frequent traveler, or not. Carry-On Suitcase by Thule We have gone through a bunch of suitcases in our lives but it wasn’t until we got this suitcase at a travel related press, when we realized we just found the best carry-on suitcase ever. It’s stylish and perfect for a business trip or weekend break. Why do we love it so much? Well, it has different compartments so you can easily pack your shoes or dirty laundry. The divided compartment can be removed or you can change it in height, which is super easy and a real plus for us. It’s also light, compact and has a piggyback strap where you can easily hang an extra bag onto. It’s not cheap but believe us, it’s worth the €259,-. Find out where you can buy yours at www.thule.com It may look like nothing special but think again! The New Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III It’s not a secret that we stick by Olympus for the best travel content. If you are a beginning photographer that wants to take things a little more serious, this camera is going to be the Christmas present you really want to get in your stockings. Why is the new Olympus OM-D so great? These are some of the features: UHD 4K video capture (3820 x 2160 resolution) 16MP image sensor (same as previous OMD), but with updated processor TruePic VIII, the same processor used in E-M1 Mark II Improved image stabilisation (which was already spot on) New Cluster AF points selection Simplified menu and shortcuts Viewfinder, and tilted screen for perfect photo’s from above As easy to use as a smartphone Enough reason to tell Santa you’ve been good this year! The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is available for €799,-. Loving the new Olympus OM-D! Kindred Spirits Socks Wanna stay warm this winter and bring a bit of color in your life? These winter socks from Kindred Spirits are your musthave. Pick your favorite because the socks have various colored traditional patterns. One size fits all and every pair is handmade! Never get cold feet again. Get them for €19,95,- at www.thekindreds.com Anywhere Travel Guide This is a funny gift for anyone that is a traveler. Perfect for that friend who is going away for a couple of months and seeking new adventure. With these card, they get assignments and set new travel goals. The Anywhere Travel Guide is a unique mix of concrete actions and whimsical prompts—from ”Ask the next person you meet where his/her favorite street is. Go there” to ”Write down what you like about this city on a small piece of paper. Leave it where someone else will find it later”—Anywhere encourages users to see things differently while discovering both new and familiar places. It’s also not too expensive, for €12,- it’s yours. DIY Soap Scrub or Cream Dry skin and winter go hand in hand, unfortunately. Thank god for scrubs and body cream’s! At DIY Soap you can create your own scrub with coffee, salt, or sugar. Add some almond or coconut oil and top it with the most amazing scents like lavender, roses or cinnamon. No time to pass by the store in Amsterdam? You can buy several hand-created scrubs and creams online. Another nice fact: all the ingredients are organic and natural! To learn more about DIY Soap, check this article. Order a product at the webshop until the 31st of December and receive a 10{8b669be72a7f340f9ef2d6d852585cd40ddf0e79ccf763f3ea93c1234c3d888b} discount if you use code: DIYCHRISTMAS. www.diysoap.nl Atelier Des Femmes If you are on Instagram, you must have seen the insta-famous velvet bandeau pass by. Ateliers des Femmes has become extremely on demand these last couple of months and we love it too! Well, new Christmas colors have arrived and 2 new item designs for the holidays; The French Beret and Le Manchons to complete your look. Shop it here or pass by the store in Amsterdam. The musthaves for this season! Noise Canceling Headphones by AGK There are a few annoying things you can experience on planes but one of them is screaming kids or a snoring person near your seat. The AKG noise-cancelling headphones are the solution. Or you can use it for the gym, or not. Whatever, they are great and plus a great gift for your (boy)friend! www.akg.com Vondels Christmas Decorations Pimping your Christmas Tree 3.0? With the decorations from Vondels, your Christmas Tree is one of a kind. Vondels is actually an Amsterdam-based Christmas brand and it was founded in 2015 and now sells to more than 20 countries worldwide! Donuts, candy, pineapples, coffee cups, birds and many more sparkling options are available. A perfect gift for the holidays if you ask us! www.vondels.com How cute are these! Book tip: Thuisblijven is duurder by Jelmer de Boer This book isn’t out yet but we already know it’s going to be briljant. Jelmer de Boer is a guy that doesn’t take life or himself too serious and he thinks you shouldn’t either! He wrote a book about eating cake and having a sixpack once, but this book is all about travel. In this book he’s going to tell you exactly how to score the cheapest flights. He flew to Bali for free, to Hawaï for 409 euro and the list goes on. Learn the secret and pre-order the book here for when it comes out on the 31st of January! Luxury Sheets by JOARZ Eco-friendly, honest, luxurious and yet very affordable, that’s what JOARZ stands for. New on the market but already taking it by storm. What makes JOARZ extra special? While most luxury cotton is created with a thread density of 200 per inch: a softer and finer cotton product than “normal” cotton, their products are made of eco-friendly cotton with a wire density of 300 per inch! The difference between standard cotton and JOARZ cotton is very tangible: more ‘crisp’ and softer like sleeping in a luxury hotel bed. www.joarz.com Personalized Sweater by Believe the Hype It’s one of the coolest jumpers to wear right now. Even Doutzen Kroes has been spotted wearing one! We’ve had 2 Wander-Lust jumpers made and we’ll be snuggling in front of the fireplace with these Also check out their Christmas sweaters, now online! Shop Merry Fu*king Christmas y’all Love, Wander-Lust... Read more...
Spots / Travel EssentialsNovember 27, 2017
These are the Best Giftshops in UtrechtThe festive season is just around the corner. Sinterklaasavond (a Dutch celebration for kids) and Christmas eve are only a couple of weeks ahead and everybody’s getting ready to have family gatherings full of gifts.. Oh boy, the stress! Thankfully you can find many cosy giftshops in Utrecht where you can get everything you need. If you are in in Utrecht, be sure to check this perfect guide to find lovely presents. Paperbird Conceptstore, Oudkerkhof 40 If you are looking for various accessories and clothing, this is the place you should go to. They have a lot of glittery fashion items, which will be perfect for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. There are also many beauty products and home decorations for sale. Run by two boss ladies, this concept store deserves a mention in the best giftshops in Utrecht. Fashion and accessories at Paperbird Pracht, Oudegracht 133 Pracht is a little jewellery shop at a corner at the busy Oudegracht. You can find various jewellery, bags and accessories there in different price ranges. Atelier Ohlala, Kintgenshaven 1A This hidden shop is close to the cozy Neude. The shop is very mini, but they have a nice assortment varying from golden rings to cute coffee cups and baby goodies. Ready for the festive season, Atelier Oelala It’s a Present, Lijnmarkt 16 If you go to It’s a Present, you will be sure to buy something. The store has so many things and you will probably buy something that you didn’t think you would ever need. Choose from a variety of cacti, (animal) coffee cups, postcards and many other knick knacks. Just in time for the holidays! Keck & Lisa, Zadelstraat 38 Keck & Lisa is the place if you need anything for the kitchen or just a fun gift for your friends. It’s full of wanna-haves and you can walk around here for hours. The whole store is fully stuffed with amazing gifts and tools. It will be hard to leave this store empty handed! Source WAAR, Lijnmarkt 21 WAAR has a wide range of sustainable goodies. You can buy fairtrade food and drinks, but also special soap, candles, beauty products and home decorations. All the Luck in the World, Zadelstraat 15 This store made it to our list of Coolest Concept Stores in Amsterdam so it’s a must visit if you are looking for giftstores in Utrecht. Another nice and cozy shop is All the Luck in the World. They sell many jewellery items, but also cute home accessories and postcards plus you can grab a nice coffee while you’re at it! So what are you waiting for, get yourself some gifts right in time for the holidays! Love, Merel More Utrecht? Check out this recently opened hotspot!... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Spots / Travel EssentialsNovember 21, 2017
These Are The Coolest Concept Stores in AmsterdamFashion and apparel concept stores are popping up all over the world, so is Amsterdam. A great experience where you find a combination of fashion, food, furniture, books, art, all-in one! It involves more than just shopping, inspiring places where you can wander around and discover new and secondhand stuff where it’s hard to leave empty handed. Find out where to look for the coolest Concept Stores in Amsterdam: T.I.T.S A cute little store in West where you will find a selected mix of funky new brands. T.I.T.S stands for ‘This Is The Shit’, and they live up to the name! Most of the brands in store are yet unknown and these are all very special pieces for affordable prices. I bought an amazing hat of Brixton for only 60 euros. They also have a little coffee corner in the back where they serve excellent coffees and when it’s sunny you can drink your coffee in their beautiful garden. COFFEE, FASHION De Clerqstraat 78 www.tits-store.com Sukha This amazing store is located in one of our favorite streets in Amsterdam. The Haarlemmerstraat. Full of boutique shops and eateries, this place is kinda special and different from other concept stores in Amsterdam. All items are handmade with a focus on nature. You can find warm scarves and cardigans, handcrafted jewellery, decorations, paper goods and kitchenware. The store is also a big fan of sustainability and therefore prefers to sell as many local goods as possible. Did you know Sukha means “joy of life” in Sanskrit? No wonder, this store will make you smile. FASHION – DECORATIONS – ACCESSORIES Haarlemmerstraat 110 www.sukha.nl Amazing Suhka Source Hutspot Four young owners started Hutspot in Amsterdam to provide a platform for creativity that enables ideas, products and people to become easily accessible. You can shop for clothing, accessories, art, housewares, plants and furniture at Hustspot. They started a second shop after their first great success – Van Woustraat and Rozengracht. More important to mention is that you will find unique brands that use sustainable materials and secure the rights of marginalised producers and workers. There’s a cafe where you can read magazines, drink a very nice cup of coffee and have some healthy salads and sandwiches or meet up with friends. Also the ultimate place to work from. FASHION – FOOD & COFFEE – ART – FURNITURE Rozengracht 204-210 – Van Woustraat 4 www.hutspotamsterdam.com Gekaapt They started their journey at the Kinkerstraat and now they are back again after pop-up stores on the Bilderdijkstraat and Magna Plaza. Their motto is “Work like a captain, Play like a Pirate. Young entrepreneurs and creatives showcase their sustainable and natural products including Gekaapt their own goods. They offer the most cool travel essentials ever and next to that you will also find some very nice plants, handpicked cactus plants of Cabloom They also have a nice coffee corner where you can sit down and enjoy your organic coffee en some homemade cakes and sandwiches. They hijack space and create huzz & buzz! What is not to like up here? They recently opened a kids Gekaapt next door which we love! FASHION – FOOD & COFFEE – ART – FURNITURE – PLANTS Kinkerstaat 320 Amsterdam www.gekaapt.nu Concept Stores are super happening right now! Cottoncake We’ve already highlighted this amazing concept store in a previous blogpost and I will do it again since it’s worth sharing again. I fell in love immediately, what about you? This is probably my favorite lunch spot in Amsterdam. Their food is incredible healthy and so tasty. They switch their menu once a while so you will never get bored. A few of our favorites: Roasted Pumpkin sandwich with fresh rosemary, goat cheese, toasted on organic spelt bread, Quinoa salad with avocado, almonds, goat & sheep feta cheese, apricots, fresh mint and lemon. Next the food you will find lovely handmade jewelry of Mimi et Toi & Monocraft, organic creams of La Bruket, lovely basic shirts of Samsøe & Samsøe and beautiful knits of Sita Murt. FASHION – FOOD & COFFEE – JEWELRY 1e van der Helststraat 76-hs http://cottoncake.nl All The Luck In The World Love, love love this store in East Amsterdam! It’s so beautifully set up and every corner is a feast for your eyes. They have 3 locations in Amsterdam and one in Utrecht. You can drink a coffee, have some cake and tick away on your laptop. The interior is to die for and you want to buy everything! FASHION – FOOD & COFFEE – FURNITURE – JEWELRY Linnaeustraat 20H – Gerard Doustraat 86h – Berenstraat 2 www.alltheluckintheworld.nl Just one part of All The Luck in the World Doordeweeks We received an email of the one of the owners who was a little disappointing not to see Doordeweeks in our list. And she was absolutely right! This store is so cool! Founded by two creative girls, Suzy Beemsterboer and Jildou Fleur, Doordeweeks gives new twist to the concept of concept stores by providing a make-up bar and an experience during your visit to the store. They serve coffee from White Label and they sell edgy clothes, accessories, furniture and art. FASHION – FOOD & COFFEE – ART– FURNITURE Eerste van Swinden straat 22 www.doordeweeks.com Wildernis On a mission – Make Amsterdam greener! This is one of the greenest concept stores in town! Always wanted to know how to make a macramé plant hanger? Wildernes organizes workshops where you will learn how to pimp your place with plants! Inside you’ll find the ultimate urban wilderness – you will find yourself in jungle paradise. You can also sit down and relax, order coffee and seriously nice cakes. COFFEE & PLANTS Bilderdijkstraat 165 F www.wildernisamsterdam.nl ANNA + NINA This is one of our favorite stores when looking for a fantastic original gift. What many people probably don’t know is that Anna en Nina founded their namesake agency in 2012, back then they were only specialized in jewelry and accessories. After that Anna and Nina opened their first store in Amsterdam in 2013 with a second following in the same city in June 2014, where they sell a variety of super cool brands. They already have 3 locations at the moment! They sell funny and super nice jewelries, accessories, gifts and beautiful interior items. ACCESSORIES AND MORE Kloveniersburgwal 44 & Gerard Doustraat 94 & Reguliersgracht Website Circle of Trust This concept store started in 2005 as a fashion brand for men, women and kids. In 2014 they opened their first concept store in the Pijp, located on the Ferdinand Bolstraat around the corner from Albert Cuypstraat. The men, women and children collections from Circle of Trust are represented including a nice mix of wanna-have lifestyle, care products, vintage and contemporary furniture, fashion and plants. CIRCLE OF TRUST Ferdinand Bolstraat 47 www.circleoftrust.nl Hartje Oost This small, but uber cute concept store is selling great coffee and wonderful fashion. Oh, they also have a few great items on sale for your house like special lights, plates or plants. COFFEE – FOOD – FASHION Javastraat 23 www.hartjeoost.nl Photo by simonevanreesphotography Things I like, Things I Love This store is super cute. You can find a few racks of beautiful clothes here plus things to decorate your home with. We also love the small earrings they sell and bought a few! They also have a popup store in the Gasthuismolensteeg 10! CLOTHES, INTERIOR & ACCESSORIES Jan Evertsenstraat 106 & Ceintuurbaan 69 www.thingsilikethingsilove.com Sissy Boy Okok, we all know this one. Nevertheless, it’s so worth mentioning Sissy Boy because it’s one of the best concept stores in Amsterdam and The Netherlands. It seems that they are getting better every year with new upgrades on style, furniture and musthaves. When we walk past a Sissy Boy store, we can’t help it but take a peek inside and before we know it, our bank account has lost a little funding, oops! There are too many locations to mention so take a look at the website to find your nearest store. Sissy Boy may close its stores because bankruptcy, such a shame! Vingers crossed that they will make it. CLOTHES – LUNCH – INTERIOR & ACCESSORIES www.sissy-boy.com Which Concept Store is your favorite? Love, Wander-Lust... Read more...
Travel EssentialsOctober 16, 2017
O’Neill launches sustainable active wearLast week I was invited to take part in a special yoga sup session in the most beautiful swimming pool of the world, The Noorderparkbad. Together with 19 other (fit)girls, I managed to squeeze myself in a short top and leggings that felt surprisingly comfortable. Relaxing music, tropical plants, healthy snacks and drinks.. The new Sustainable Active Wear collection was being celebrated in full O’Neill style. Sup yoga at the Noorderparkbad Noorderparkbad O’Neill picked the special location for the Active Wear launch with good reason. This swimming pool is a real must see! Last year the swimming pool was voted the most beautiful swimming pool in the world. Located in the Northern part of Amsterdam, the swimming pool is also fully sustainable, because the rainwater is collected and then filtered and used in the swimming pool. This was an ideal fit with O’Neill’s sustainable active wear collection, which is made out of recycled ocean plastic. Wearing the new Active Wear collection The collection was inspired by the American Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is renowned for its cool waters and beautiful mountain scenery. Hiking and water sports go hand in hand with this magical place. O’Neill has designed the active wear collection in a way that is both suitable for water and on land. When I was wearing it, it felt soft, flexible (believe me, I have tried to do some heavy yoga moves) comfortable, so it’s hard to imagine that the fabric is recycled out of plastic waste! O’Neill Blue Last year O’Neill presented O’Neill Blue, an initiative that creates surf-related products, all made out of recycled beach plastic. The O’Neill Blue Active Wear collection consists of various surf / yoga leggings and tops that are recognized by the blue Bionic label. The Blue line is simplistic and clean, with eclectic and mountain prints. By recycling beach and ocean plastic, doesn’t mean the plastic problem in the ocean is being solved but O’Neill hopes that the program will inspire consumers and businesses, operating in the surf industry, to raise awareness when it comes to polluted oceans. Experience the new Sustainable Active Wear from O’Neill and let me know what you think of it! Do you want to try some SUP yoga? You can contact the ladies from M&M Stand Up Paddling Amsterdam. Love, Elke *All images were shot by Jan Bijl... Read more...
Travel EssentialsOctober 9, 2017
Review » The new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIThere are sooo many camera’s out there at the moment and when you live in the year 2017, you know you are in need of one. In my profession, a good camera is pretty much unmissable. But because I’m always on the go, I don’t want to walk around with a huge camera that breaks my back. I decided to buy the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II camera a few years ago. One of my better decisions in life I tell you. This camera has been strapped around my neck on every presstrip and holiday since then. You can imagine that I was stoked to hear that Olympus released their new version of the camera this September. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III. Let’s review this baby! How does it look? The body is available in silver and black and apart from the color, it looks pretty much the same as the previous OM-D version. Some buttons have change position like the ON/OFF switch. The hand grip is also slightly different than the previous OM-D, but that’s about it. I guess there is no point in changing a good look and that’s exactly what Olympus must have been thinking. Hello you! Important Improvements There are a few highlights to the new OM-D E-M10 Mark III that are worth mentioning. UHD 4K video capture (3820 x 2160 resolution) 16MP image sensor (same as previous OMD), but with updated processor TruePic VIII, the same processor used in E-M1 Mark II Improved image stabilization New Cluster AF points selection Simplified menu and shortcuts Images, Anywhere, Anytime Thanks to the combination of the latest TruePic VIll image processor, which I already knew about the OM-D E-M1 Mark II top model, and Olympus’ leading 5-axis image stabilization system, photographers can now take even more beautiful and sharper photos than ever before. Colors are extremely vivid. You need to play around with the settings of the camera to find the right balance for every photo opportunity but the easy menu makes this possible. Anne Frank, captured in Amsterdam Video We all know that video has become a very important tool for journalists and influencers over the last 2 years. One thing Olympus does pretty damn good is the build-in camera stabilization. When you move or the road is a bit bumpy, your frame will still looks amazingly steady, especially with video. Another great feature is, that you have the option to capture a video in 4K format. This means you can use the video on every platform, from Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. It’s also the highest quality format. I am really happy the way it films and I also love the slow motion setting! Baywatch run, here I come! Scenes and Art settings The Olympus OM-D has a lot of options to be creative. You can use the scene section for close ups (there is even a setting for shooting close up documents), movement or better sunsets. You can use the Art section to create your photo’s into something more dramatic. There are 30 different art settings! While I was in Berlin to test the camera, I captured a girl on skates to really test the movement and I also played around with the art dramatic tone. The first picture is shot with the movement setting in the Scene menu and the second is shot with the Art setting. These photo’s have not been edited besides using the Scene and Art Settings. Other handy functions Build in WIFI so you can connect your camera to your phone and download images Viewfinder which is great for when it’s sunny Contrast Detection AF system Self timer Touch screen Sleep mode to save battery You can fit many different lenses onto this camera (even from other brands!) Verdict: The OM-D E-M10 Mark III is a stylish compact system camera for beginners and hobby photographers that are looking to be a little more creative. Having said that, pro photographers would also love this camera as a second to hand. It’s extremely lightweight so when it’s impossible to travel with a lot of gear, this is the camera you should have. It’s one of the better compact camera’s out there in my opinion and although I am far from being a professional photographer, I seem to be taking some pretty good pictures and video’s and I can’t take all the credit myself right? Buy the new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III for €799,- at stores worldwide. All images were taken with the E-m10 Mark III Love, Elke Do you want to know how to take travel photo’s like a boss? Click on the picture! ... Read more...
Travel EssentialsSeptember 26, 2017
Protest comes with a brand new SUP CollectionNormally I take you on food bucket list proof tours in Amsterdam or surroundings. But surprise surprise, this time I had to burn some calories! Protest invited Wander-Lust for their launch of the Spring / Summer collection SS18 and I was one of the first people to try & test it! To celebrate this happening, Protest organised a fun SUP clinic through the charming canals of Amsterdam with healthy snacks and fresh juices. The Protest SS18 collection in a nutshell Let’s zoom in on the background of the colorful Spring / Summer collection. It’s a return to nature, freedom and above all living life. Expect a combination of great designs, styles and fashion trends that highlights the real passion of sun, fun and active sports with a sprinkling of spiritualism. During the presentation of the new collection for 2018 they impressed me with the number of trends they take into account. For example, take the women street- and swimwear. Expect high necks, ruffles, knotted details and exciting designs. I’ve seen really unique items. Also check the Mix & Match swimwear with mixed & matching patterns. These great combinations will certainly not bore you, believe me. To be honest, I wasn’t that much aware of the Protest collections before the recently organised event. They really surprised me with their trendy SUP, spring and summer collection! And nice to know: the high quality items are all reasonably priced. In no time I had my hands full of pretty items. Especially loved the diversity in styles, colors and fittings. Are you more a type for sexy, exciting Brazilian fits, do you prefer the classic, elegant Northern European styles or are you a real fit girl? Protest has the right fit for you! Click here and get inspired. Brand new SUP collection Last year Protest had a fantastic start with the first SUP wear collection, which is why they’re expanding it with at least one year. Because the SUP board collaboration with Lokahi boards was such a success, they’re extending it. They’ve designed a very colorful limited edition inflatable Protest Air SUP board that you’ll steal the SUP show with. Trying to stay on the SUP Board I can’t wait to show off my new SUP suit as much as possible! Love, Sharmaine Click here to shop the new Protest collection. *Sharmaine is one of our guest bloggers from the Netherlands with a sweet tooth. The sweeter, the better! She no kitchen princess so she’s always in search for the best hotspots in Amsterdam! You can expect an article from her once a month! Check her out on @sharriefromsandmountains!... Read more...
Spots / Travel EssentialsSeptember 13, 2017
Total relaxation at hidden SpaMika in LondonKnown for it’s amazing Westfield shopping centre and the one place in London where you can find a decent roti wrap. Right at the areas focal point lies the Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel with hidden gem SpaMika. The Dorsett Shepherds Bush has that amazing Great Gatsby and Art Deco vibe, which completes a perfect London feel. Maybe it’s the fact that the building used to be a cinema, built in 1923 that gives you that royal 20’s luxury feeling. Tucked away in this beautiful 8-story hotel you will find SpaMika, where you enter a world of luxury and tranquility. The Dorsett Shepherds Bush Time to Relax SpaMika is the perfect place to get away from all the noise of the city and hear yourself think again in the sauna, steam room or in one of the four therapy suites. There’s even a room for a couples massage, is it Valentine’s day yet? After a good sweat and steam I chilled in the relaxation room. I might have enjoyed this one the most, it’s so lovely and light and you can just relax on a sofa bed and think about how good life is in that moment. And after I had my zen-moment and cup of English tea I enjoyed the Elemis facial. Elemis is known for their luxury products all sourced from nature but with a scientific proven result. Time to relax! Me Time at SpaMika Every girl needs a me-day every now and then, I know I do! This is my new go-to spa spot in the city to unwind and treat myself. Although, maybe next time I’ll bring a friend as the afternoon tea looked AMAZING 😉 *The Dorsett Spa Taster and Afternoon Tea Package is £84.00 per person and includes a 25 minute treatment, up to 1-hour access to the heated facilities and viewpoint relaxation lounge and refreshments. The facilities include changing rooms with amenities with access to the Eucalyptus Finish sauna and Aroma steam rooms before your treatment. Classic Afternoon Tea serviced at the Dorsett Atrium Jin Bar. SpaMika at Dorsett Shepherds Bush 58 Shepherd’s Bush Green, London Website Love, Jantine... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Spots / Travel EssentialsSeptember 4, 2017
Hudson’s Bay is open and this is what you can expect!After the closing of shopping warehouse V&D, a big empty hole was pierced into the shopping street of Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. People lost their jobs and we, the consumers, were left wondering where we could go next. And there it was, Hudson’s Bay, a new shopping warehouse that originated in Canada, was going to give us a whole new shopping experience. With the first warehouse opening in Amsterdam today, we want to give you the scoop on what you can expect. Which Brands? Hudson’s Bay will offer a mix of national and international (premium) brands. Brands like TOPSHOP and TOPMAN, CK Jeans, Nike, HUGO, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Rika, Love Stories, MAC, Chanel, Aveda, Dyson, Vedder & Vedder, Vitra, HAY and Samsonite are all here to be found. In addition to more than 100 Dutch brands, there are several national and international brands that have exclusively developed Hudson’s Bay limited editions. These products are offered under the name ‘The Limiteds’. STUDIOS Concept At any Hudson’s Bay store there are some STUDIOS to be found. It is the place where you will find exclusive product launches, instore events, unique partnerships and temporary collections. Food In the large flagship store in Amsterdam, renowned restaurant owner and chef Ron Blauw has opened Nacarat back in May. A restaurant with Middle Eastern influences where you can indulge your taste buds. It’s located on the top floor where you can go for lunch and dinner while enjoying the view of Amsterdam. At night, when Hudson’s Bay closes, make sure you walk into the small alley to find the entrance. Online With the Amsterdam store open, Hudson Bay will also be going live online! All the collections will be available on www.hudsonsbay.nl Hudson’s Bay will basically be more accessible and affordable than the Bijenkorf which is of course a wahalla for those who seek a new Chanel bag but a little frustrating for people that just want to shop on a monthly, even weekly basis. Opening dates are: 7th Sept: Den Haag & Rotterdam 12th Sept: Leiden & Breda 14th Sept: Maastricht 20th Sept: Zwolle & Almere 21st Sept: Den Bosch & Tilburg Love, Elke... Read more...
Obsessions / Travel EssentialsJune 23, 2017
Summer Trend » The Slogan Beach HatYou may have seen them in your Instagram feed. The beautiful straw hats with various words written on them. The Slogan Beach Hat is the musthave for this summer! Large beachy straw hats are both practical and fashionable. Nobody wants a burned face right? You can now order your personalized hat with the words of your choice. All the way from Lebanon, we feel the best customized slogan hats are made by @bitsandpiecestogo. Just have a look at their Instagram account! We ordered one and can’t wait to show it off. The Slogan Beach Hat with Wanderlust. Photo by @bitsandpiecestogo On a Safari. Photo by @theblondmacaron You will really stand out with this musthave summer essential. If you live in the Netherlands, you can also order this one at Modemusthaves.com for €24,95. Love, Elke More Essentials? Check here! ... Read more...
Travel EssentialsJune 6, 2017
Best Travel Gadgets of 2017Ooh how we love travel gadgets! We can’t wait to show you what’s new and more importantly, what’s handy! Check out our favorite selection of Travel Gadgets 2017! The Secrid Wallet Have you heard of paying without entering your pincode? Well, it’s a new paying method introduced in The Netherlands recently which makes your grocery shopping about 5 seconds quicker but that doesn’t always mean it’s safe. When your card has one of those chips, skimmers can easily walk past you and skim your card without even stealing it. Yep, it has happened. The Secrid wallet is made out of a aluminium material which blocks this. And that’s just the safety part. The Secrid Wallet is also ultra thin so easily fits into your pocket and comes in several stylish designs. Bonus: your cards will pop up in an instance and make you look, well, pretty cool if you ask us. (Bond girl 3.0?) www.secrid.com Smart Padlocks If you’re bringing a padlock on your travels, you might lose the key (yes, it has happened to us!) The lock tracks who has unlocked it, where and when. Just connect with NFC or Bluetooth and you are the only one that get’s access. Get it at www.egeetouch.com Solar chargers Go green is what it’s all about these days and solar chargers are huge in travel land. We own a Waka Waka charger but there are many more chargers to choose from. News site The Independent wrote an article about the 8 best solar chargers on the market. Check it here. Source Inflatable bubble tent OMG, this is something we all want to own! Maybe it’s a good investment for you and your friends. I’m sure you can charge people to sleep here ;-). Buy it from Amazone from eh..900 dollars. (still worth it!) Blue Ridge Camping Hammock It’s he best camping hammock out there in our opinion. You can safely sleep here, even if the surface on the ground isn’t suitable to put up a tent, you just tie this hammock in between 2 trees and you’re good. Get yours for 199 dollars at www.lawsonhammock.com Source Stylish passport holders It’s the one thing you can’t travel without. Your passport. You might as well keep it in a stylish looking pasport holder right? We love the one from Rituals (header photo) . but there are soooo many out there. What’s your favorite? Selfie drone The selfie stick is soooo 2015. Make way for the selfie drone! It’s tiny, it’s social and it’s cool. BUT (yes, there is a but) it’s not cheap folks. At £399 it’s a pretty high investment but eh, you’re gonna be the coolest traveler on the planet! www.us.yuneec.com Picture by @davefrenchfry Flexsafe We’ve all had this issue before..you want to go for a swim but you don’t want to leave your stuff unattended. One of your friends or partner has to stay behind to look after your belongings. Flexsafe is the solution! It’s water resistant and you can attach it to chairs, poles or your bicycle. You can buy it for less than €40,-. Source: Flexsafe So what’s your favorite? Love, Elke... Read more...
Travel EssentialsJune 1, 2017
Topics » a new way of reading newspapersRemember those days that everybody bought a newspaper? Well, those days have long changed. News travels fast and most people don’t want to carry that chunky bit of news around with them. So newspapers became digital. Good for the planet and it also saves you getting your vingers stained. But with so many newspapers and so much news, it’s difficult to find the one news feed that suits all your needs. Topics can help you with that cluster. It’s a new way of reading papers. Newspapers, a thing of the past? So what is Topics? Topics is an app that gives you access to 13 different Belgium & Dutch newspapers where you can select the “topics” that interest you the most. Sounds interesting? Well, it does to us, so that’s why we will try the Topics App for one whole month where we pick and share the articles that interest us onto our Facebook Page. What will we be looking for? Lifestyle, Amsterdam and sustainability has our interest. Oh, and let’s not forget about the latest travel news of course! It’s available for your smartphone, laptop and tablet and you can choose between 15.000 different articles. Over the next month we will be posting our favorite articles onto our Facebook Page and we will let you know what we think about this new way of reading newspapers! Wanna try for yourself? Topics is now giving away 30 days of free reading so you can see if you like it. Get it here. Love, Wander-Lust... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Obsessions / Spots / Travel EssentialsMarch 29, 2017
Body Sugaring, and why we love this new trendI am all for trying new things and when it comes to getting my skin smooth and ready for a holiday, I’m first in line. So when I got invited to try a Body Sugaring treatment, I thought it would involve eating something sweet because then hell yeah, count me in! Nope, this was a new waxing method and I was going to test it at Amsterdam based salon Sweet & Smooth. The Sweet & Smooth salon is situated in Amsterdam West, near Mercatorsquare. This is somewhat surprising because you would expect that most award winning salons are based near the city center. Yes, you’ve read it correctly, Sweet & Smooth is award winning. It’s officially the best waxing salon of The Netherlands, voted by Treatwell customers. When entering the salon I noticed that it’s quite small and it doesn’t look like your typical beautysalon. Owner Nicoleta tells me: “I don’t like those hospital white walls and floors, I’m a retro kind of girl who likes jazz and authenticity.” She immediately makes me feel comfortable, something that is quite nice before you’re about to experience something rather unpleasant. Nicoleta explains that sugaring is already popular in Scandinavian countries as well as in Eastern Europe. Proud and well deserved, Nicoleta with her award So What Is Sugaring? Sugaring might be new to you but it’s an acient Egyptian beauty method used all over the world, including Europe. The natural ingredients (sugar and lime) are kind to your skin and less painful. The difference to waxing with strips is that the body sugaring paste will be applied against the direction of the hair growth, but the hair will be removed in the direction of the hair growth. The result is that hair almost never breaks, it reduces ingrown hair. So back at my treatment. Nicoleta grabs a lump of warm sugar and twists and turns it before rubbing it onto my skin. She is using the same sugar for my entire treatment and adds some new sugar now and then to keep it warm and smooth. I’m realizing that this sugaring is quite sustainable as you don’t need any waxing strips and a lot of wax. That’s a bonus! It’s not completely painless (let’s be real girls) but the Treatwell voters didn’t lie, it’s seriously a lot less painful than any other hair removal treatments I’ve experienced! And I have to admit that my skin feels all mighty soft without a trace of a rash. And even after a few days, my skin feels like it has had a much needed peel. This sugaring is definitely something I can get used to, especially when it’s time to wear that bikini again. This salon might be smaller and less luxurious than you might be used to, this treatment combined with Nicoleta’s comfortable service is definitely worth coming for. Sweet & Smooth is available for bookings via Treatwell. Hondiusstraat 10HS, Amsterdam Website Love, Elke... Read more...
Amsterdam Guide / Obsessions / Spots / Travel EssentialsFebruary 24, 2017
The Building GreenDutch, A Sustainable Hair SalonGetting your hair done and feeling guilt free is the new cool. The Building GreenDutch is the new sister of hair salon The Building and is now open! Going Green At The Building GreenDutch they combine the love for our planet, hairdressing and styling business. When you enter this new spot, you will find that all the things you see are from Dutch origin. From the organic (stroop) waffles to the shampoo bottles. They swear by the oneliner: clean and green! They like to keep it local too and for this reason they only work with Keune, a traditional Dutch hairdressers brand with a green product: Pure, completely vegan-friendly and made from 100{8b669be72a7f340f9ef2d6d852585cd40ddf0e79ccf763f3ea93c1234c3d888b} pure plant extracts. Step into our salon knowing that not only your hair looks great, but you have also contributed for a better and more beautiful world. More than hair You can visit The Building GreenDutch for a wonderful coupe and stick around for traditional farm-fresh goodies, organic juices (made from fruits and vegetables from local farmers) or a good coffee. Prices vary from 55 euro for a ladies cut, to highlights and coloring starting from 70 euro. Come to this special hair salon but let it be good for the environment, with a relaxed atmosphere. The Building GreenDutch Haarlemmerdijk 156, Amsterdam T: 020 7371211 Website... Read more...
Travel Essentials / Travel TipsAugust 24, 2016
How to take travel photo’s like a bossAs travel bloggers, it’s extremely important to have a sense of photography skills. Right? Well let us tell you a secret. We are anything but professional photographers! (Although we still have a dream to become National Geographic photographers one day..). If you look at our website and Instagram account, you will see that we are very much focused on visuals. From nature, portraits to food and buildings. You won’t even realize how much we discuss sometimes about getting the perfect image. If the color isn’t right of the light doesn’t quite do it for us, we won’t post it. But I think over the years we have managed to improve our skills a great deal to the point that people ask us: So how do we do it? Creating that perfect image doesn’t need to take a million settings or hours editing. No, it all starts with a good camera. At Wander-Lust we work with Olympus and even though we used to own a Canon and Sony before, we have shifted to Olympus for several reasons; We needed a compact digital camera that we could bring everywhere The Olympus OMD and PEN are one of the best compact SLR camera’s out there You can fit different lenses onto the Olympus OMD and PEN camera’s for better visual performance Shot with the Olympus OMD So once we got our new camera’s, we needed to learn a few things. For us there are a few things of importance when we shoot travel photo’s; light (ISO) saturation (color) settings, wifi and video. Something that our newly bought camera’s have. Don’t think we are professionals, we are far from it, but that’s the great thing about having a easy to use camera, you can pretend to be a pro without anyone noticing it! These are the settings we think you should know about when starting your photography: ISO (light) Diafragma (Blurry fore or background) Different scenes setting Setting P: brightens the picture even it’s it’s darker outside Capturing movement is no problem with the OMD I decided to buy the Olympus OMD E-M10 and Sarah got the Olympus PEN E-PL7. Both are now available for €499,- in selected stores or online. Let’s put the 2 camera’s next to each other and compare a few things. Advantages of the Olympus E-M10 Has a viewfinder Yes vs No Higher resolution screen Around 40% higher resolution screen Better color depth Slightly better image quality 73.0 vs 72.0 Almost the same Built-in flash Yes vs No Advantages of the Olympus E-PL7 Supports 24p Yes vs No You can make awesome selfies or vlogs Takes 3D photos Combines multiple photos into a 3D image Smaller Size, thinner and lighter One of the great things that both camera’s have, is the build-in stabilisator which you really notice when making a video. Plus blurry travel photo’s are a thing of the past! Both camera’s have an Art setting where you can edit your picture to create a dramatic look like Sarah did on the picture below that she made in Malaysia. Another great feature is the WIFI so you can transfer pictures to your photo in an instance. Once you buy yourself an Olympus, download the Olympus Share App to be able to share. You can even use you phone as a remote if you want to shoot a clear picture of yourself without having to use the timer. Set your camera on ART and see what happens! You can also change your color settings to what you would like. I personally love it when colors are vivid and pop out so I put my saturation up one notch in the setting menu. The result? The bluest water and skies without any effort! Clear, colorful pictures So there you have it, no need to buy a camera for thousands of euros, next time you’re on a trip, you can become a pro, shooting the best travel photo’s without even knowing it! For more info about our camera’s visit Olympus.com or check out the reviews via google. Love,Elke... Read more...