Bloesem

I wish you a Merry Christmas

I feel like being in a constant Christmas mood since I arrived here in the Netherlands... cozy evenings with family and friends and seeing my kids enjoying every bit of it makes me very happy. And on top of this it was really fun to visit shops here in the Netherlands like Gosto design and lifestyle in Blaricum, a village in the middle part of the Netherlands.

A portugese lady called Sonia is the owner of Gosto and I could not have asked for a nicer and more appropriate way to end this year then visiting this shop were I could see with my own eyes and feel with my own hands many of the products that I have loved writing about in 2011.

All I want for Christmas...by Tiffany

As you know - I moved into my first home this year, and with Christmas coming I have been thinking about all the little things I would love to have in it. My thoughts are of the smaller items right now, but hopefully when money stops flowing out of our house like a mad river - my husband and I can focus on the bigger things. One can dream right?

My wish list for Christmas this year is as follows ::

Find these lovelies here and here. Yes, natural wood oil can be considered lovely especially for what it does to wood and look at that handsome label. I have been drooling over Julia Rothman's Farm Anatomy for months! 

I have a blanket obsession and once winter sets in I start itching for a new one. There are eleven blankets on this page and I want eight of them...that is how sick I am. One thing you always need is a good pair of scissors, and I would recommend beautiful handcrafted ones for all your household needs. You can find these lovelies here and here. 

On my way to Amsterdam...

On my way to meet Monique de Ruiter from VT-Wonen en visit the place were they create this great magazine.... will be fun and keep you posted of course! Above some quick styling ideas for Christmas that you can find at the VT-wonen site. 

Thank you Desiree for the images above.

Nice vintage finds in the Netherlands

Oh boy am I enjoying my visit here in the Netherlands... one of my habits when being here is visiting all the second hand shops looking for vintage ceramics and else... my harvest so far: a beautiful breakfast set including coffee cups, plates and bowls by Ulla Procopé for ARABIA Finland, the Anemone Rosmarin pattern...

and more from ARABIA... two beautiful annual plates, 1978 and 1979 ... they make me super happy, such a nice little treasure!

 

some things I liked last week...

this post at the Hello!Lucky shop about Julia Kostreva...

this Kubus candle holder by Mogens Lassen via rafa-kids...

  

Gift Guide 2011: Only Handmade

Gift Ideas for My Sister: when the Etsy team invited me to curate a special gift guide, I immediately thought of my sister. We don’t see each other very often but we are getting together for Christmas this year. There is no way to properly show how much I love, respect and cherish her — but 25 presents are a good start. Here are some ideas for my sister and yours, organized by room.... Of course I have added this selection and 20 more handmade favorites to the Bloesem Gift Guide 2011 under the Only Handmade Category... Here’s to a wonderful family Christmas!