Contribute to a movie with T-Mobile

I’m a crazy movie fan. And I won’t even deny that, when I was a little kid (ok, and an old kid), I had visions of myself being discovered as an actress and live a glamorous life of Oscars, dress ups and travelling the world. Well, that didn’t exactly happen. But now I, and you, get to contribute to an international movie anyway… 

T-Mobile has put together an cool, international cast and crew to create a road movie, and is looking for your creative input. They will be travelling Europe to film, and want to know your tips for locations, sights, special restaurants, movie music and so on. So if you’ve got a movie worthy spot in your city, know a thing or two about music or photographed some gorgeous sights on your last holiday, share them on www.move-on-film.nl where you can also keep track of idea's used. And your creative idea might be featured a movie with Mad Mikkelsen! (Yes, that guy from James Bonds and Clash of the Titans). 

They're doing this to show us exactly how much fun it is and how easy it should be to share 'on the go' moments (I'm a huge internet-freak, also abroad). Because their new concept makes sharing your travel moments and pictures easier to share, all over Europe. They’ve come up with a low budget internet pass for a day or a week that’s easy to activate. Enter: the T-Mobile Travel & Surf pass. I for sure need to try this out because I'm a total slave to my Wifi and constantly want to keep you updated when I'm at Fashion Week or on another fun trip.

PS. A little bird whispered in my ear that they’re still looking for a female lead role… So don't hesitate to contribute! ;) 

Top 5 home to do's

Top 5 things I want in my home:


1. World map wall

A place in my home to daydream of adventure. The world map is such a familiar sight that, when it's blown up in to wall paper, it becomes more of a background print.

2. Big and small rugs

Let's fluff things up! I want one big (wool or cotton?) rug in my living room, a smaller fluffy one next to my bed and small sheep skin rugs in my lucite ghost chairs. I guess I just want very room to be a soft, comfy place.

3. Chalk board paint

To jot down 'to do' lists, a line from a favorite song, new recipes or hidden messages from friends. It's either this or a magnet paint wall or surface.

4. Large mirror

A big mirror opens up the space and - not completely unimportant - gives you a full outfit perspective. I had a baroque style one, in gold, and am now looking for a more clean feel.

5.  Mood board

Not at all original for a fashion office, but still I'd like to create a little place to collect beautiful images, happy notes and random scraps along the way.

Last week I gave you a little home tour tour and I'm glad you guys liked it! As I said, there's still a lot to be done to make it more complete and my own. I've made a top 5 of things I want to create in my apartment, with inspiration pictures to visualize them. 

images via tumblr, desiretoinspire, decorpad, thecoveteur, honestlywtf

Milan Men's Fashion Week, here I come!

On Monday I'm headed out for two days in Milan during Men's Fashion Week! Pretty exciting, for obvious reasons. Firstly because I'll be there to do an interview with a huge fashion house and witness their show and press presentation. And secondly because being at a Men's FW suddenly multiplies my chances of bumping in to model crush Jon Kortajarena by a million. (Oh, and I hear Ed Westwick is there too!)

A little home tour

As my returning readers know, I'm in the midst - or can you say 'in the midst' if it's an ongoing thing for half a year? - of a home (re)decoration. Since my twin brother moved out last winter, I had an extra (small) bedroom to fill and a new style to create with consistently throughout the entire house. It takes a lot of time, motivation (I often don't get past the 'inspiration moldboard' phase) and money (oops, all spent on clothes, food and traveling) to find the right pieces. So I'm taking it slow. However. Weeks ago I purchased Philippe Starck's Ghost chairs - a total design classic that can easily be transformed to fit different styles. Starck is a great interior designer (I became a fan after sleeping in the a-mazing Sanderson Hotel in London during a press trip. It has little tree stump stools and all). I bought one Ghost chair with and one without arm rests, for a twist, and they reside in my home office and bedroom. Once I started taking pictures of those new lucite lovers I decided to snap some more apartment spots. Decoration disclaimer: it's nowhere near done - will it ever be, though? - but still it's fun to share :) 

Let me know how you decorated your room/home, if you have any decoration tips, and what your dream interior would look like!


What are you looking at?

1) Dainty jewelry storage 2) Balcony view from my bed 3) Self Service in my home office 4) Living room corner 5) Fresh fruits 6) Another jewelry display 7) Custom wooden living room table and bench 8) New Ghost chair in my bedroom

Graduation day

Yesterday really marked the end of an era: it was my graduation day! My friends and parents (glowing with pride, I must add. Meet my mom in the last pic!) finally got to meet and we spent the hours after the ceremony just eating and talking. Hearing my thesis counselor sum up my time at university, speak highly about my research and make jokes about my deadline drama was just the icing on the cake. (remember that? My goodness...) I'm cracking up about that in the second picture :P I had hardly slept the night before, due to both excitement and nostalgia for closing off such a big chapter. I'm staring at my diploma right now, my Master is in Corporate communication, and it's absurd to see myself referred to as a Master of Science. Which mostly sounds more like something out of a science fiction movie and that makes it all the cooler ;)

Be the face of Martini and win endless Louboutins?

I have a huge announcement to make that involves a glamorous trip to Ibiza, a modelling break for , 150.000 euro's and uhm… a year of Christian Louboutin shoes.

 The Martini Royale Casting, named after the Martini Royale Cocktail, is looking for their new face. A woman with optimism and charm, that takes life in to her own hands. ‘Luck is an attitude’, as Martini spot on says. And being told what the winner of this modelling competition will get, I would most definitely take matters into my own hands… The prize is 150.000 euros cash and a leading role in the new Martini commercial. And Martini is amping it up a notch (sure, why not?!) by adding 12 pairs of Louboutin shoes and 12 designer outfits from Net-a-porter. Can I get a holy moly? 

How it works:

•  Castings end worldwide on July 9th. If you’re 25 or up, enter simply by uploading a short film on the Martini Royale Casting Facebookpage that shows why you’d perfectly embody the Martini slogan ‘Luck is an attitude’. 
• In July, each of the 27 participating countries has a local finale with 25 women. There, one finalist per country will be chosen to go to the big final competition on Ibiza. 
•  Shoe god Christian Louboutin, last years winner Yuri Buzzi (hot, much?) and Arnaud Meysselle (Martini’s Global brand director) make up the jury and I’m excited to see (perhaps on tv?) which girl wins. How cool would it be if the winner is one of my readers?! If so: it’s only reasonable to donate one of those 12 pairs of Loubs to yours truely ;) Surf to Facebookpage to see entries, vote or to sign up. Let me know if you’re entering, I’d love to see your video!

Clothing rack revisited

What exactly hangs on my clothing rack varies from time to time. It almost functions as a little boutique that displays my favorite items or newest buys to give me a feeling of the look I'm going for that season. Right now I'm just being functional; I've hung my most worn dresses and jackets since those take up so much closet space. Next I'll use it to prepare for Miami packing. I'll hang some items up and see which holiday looks I can create with them so I'll bring only the necessary and most versatile pieces.

A precious present

The past few days I've been celebrating one of the best birthdays ever. With friends, family, food, happiness and some presents. This super subtle Wouters & Hendrix necklace was given to me by my boyfriend to celebrate my birthday and graduation and I think it's one of those items that I'll wear for years. The silver dots are tiny and so is the necklace, it's really the perfect dainty piece. Can't wait to show it to you when I have it on!

It's my birthday!

Morning sweeties! Overly excited to be celebrating my 23nd birthday today! I'm still in a wine coma from last night though, so that might also explain why things are all fuzzy and happy. My twin brother Milan and I celebrated at midnight with his friends and tonight I'm hosting an Italian style dinner with five girlfriends. Tiramisu, anyone? I must say; the past year has gone by so fast and that's kind of scary because I liked it so much!  It was packed with defining (and just super exciting) experiences, like graduating at uni, travelling and working full-time at ELLE and This chick's got style. Hopefully this one will be just as great and happy. And I hope you have a great day too... sending you some of my birthday happiness! Love, Yara

Meet the Olympus pen

After I did the 'What's in my bag: festival essentials', I got quite a few questions about that camera. I've become rather attached to it, and since I often get asked which cameras I use, it's time to properly introduce you to: my Olympus Pen. If you have any more questions, leave them in the comments!


Next to my big equipment - the Canon 550D used with a 30mm/1.4 lens - I need a handbag friendly option that won't let me down on snap-worthy situations. Enter the Olympus Pen, pictured here. I use mine with a 14-42/3.5 lens and am looking to expand with a portrait one. (As with DSLR's, the lenses are interchangeable, everything is just smaller). After researching photography blogs and trying it out myself I fell in love and no, it's not just it's adorable vintage looks that seduced me. The quality, even just with my standard lens, is up to DSLR-standards, it has a touch screen and the filters are the best. (Admittedly, I'm a massive Instagram-addict so any easy way to subtly upgrade pictures is welcomed with open arms!). Anyway, this is the one camera that's always with me on the go because it's so lightweight and actually fits in my PS11. Quite an achievement on it's own. Festival looks, food pics and other Fashion Journal material most likely comes from my good old Pen pal.

Organizing my closet

Organizing my clothing rack and closet as we speak. I have three suitcases full of things that I'm not sure if I should get rid of or keep... Houses in Amsterdam aren't that big so I have absolutely no storage space in my apartment. So I'm making some drastic wardrobe edits :P Keep you posted on how it goes and I'll do an updated closet post once I'm done!

Leather peter pan collar DIY

I have this group of super creative friends that comes up with the most genius self made presents. So when it was time to celebrate my childhood friend Jes' birthday, we wanted to do something with peter pan collars since she wears those all the time. We made 7 in different materials: one for each day of the week. Ssshtt.. she left this printed leather one at my house so I'm stealing it for today! ;). 

It's insanely easy, even for someone as impatient as myself. (I'll fess up though. Nicole, who made this collar, helped me out on the hand sowing). For instructions with pictures, visit the inspirational honestlywtf.

How to diy a peter pan collar:

1) Cut out the pattern below (preferably on thick paper or felt) and then proceed to cut that shape out of your fabric of choice. Rich materials such as leather, felt and velvet look great.

2) Sew the bottom ends together using a tiny button. You can get a simple black one or make it a focus point by choosing a neon color, glitter, a little rose bud, whatever you like.

3) Sow on a ribbon or strap on each of the smaller ends and that's it... you did it!

Monster headaches

Having one of those monster headaches that even my favorite sick food won't cure (Yikes! Eating it anyway...). One of those that literally blocks all my ability to think. Right now some Advil is keeping me up and running but I figured I'd give myself the afternoon off because staring at a computer screen makes it worse times nine. Bed please! Do you ever have those draining headaches and what do you do to make them less bad?


image via tumblr

Big Amsterdam hotspots post and feature in Flair!

A while ago I got approached by Belgian Flair magazine to share my favorite, mostly affordable, new hotspots in Amsterdam. Off we went, me and a photographer, to capture those Amsterdam gems and this is the result! It's a mix of fashion, interior and lifestyle stores. The feature is in Dutch, but here I've listed my hotspots with a short English description. (There are many more hotspots - my city has so much to offer! - these are the ones featured in Flair)

Amsterdam hotspots 

Rika 

With effortless Scandinavian style at it's best, Rika sells leather biker jackets, mohair jumpers, printed pants and perfect basic tees and party dresses. Even just looking through the window I can feel my credit card melting a bit.

Options 

This concept store is stacked with goodies, big and small, like golden notebooks, funny magnets, interior design and clothing. Everyting in little design warehouse is carefully selected with a great sense of style and uniqueness. Fun fact: it's located in the new, trendy Exchange hotel.

Eye

Just opened and a welcome addition to the city: Eye. In a spectacular, abstract building located next to the IJ-waters, you'll find a cultural meeting point where a cinema, work spaces, a film museum and cozy restaurant come together brilliantly.

Hout & Nieuw 

Old, characteristic wooden furniture is hot - as we're all well aware. Same goes for the founder of this shop, who recently opened the first 'real life' store after running a successful online shop. You'll find industrial lamps, pretty old wooden tables and other furniture with a special story behind it.

Taschen 

After Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Londen and New York, the pleasure is ours. Super glamorous publisher Taschen recently opened it's doors to a fab flagship store, packed with extraordinary books about art, fashion, photography, music and more. Legendary Philippe Starck did the interior design, so reading a book (or just browsing pictures) is done in style.

REM eiland

Amsterdam is off to REM-eiland en masse and it's for a reason. This is where you'll eat and drink on a former flight deck while spectacularly overlooking the Amsterdam IJ waters. It doesn't get any more exciting, location wise. And with affordable menus, good service and a industrial feel REM is rightfully listed as a new hotspot.

Labels

Labels is a cozy boutique in one of the finest streets Amsterdam has to offer: the Utrechtsestraat. Each brand stocks just a few items so that adds up to a great mix of pretty jackets, dresses, jeans and tops. Go here for mostly European brands with a decent price tag such as Gestuz, Cheap Monday, Minimum and Mina UK.

What's in my bag: festival essentials

 By now I'd say I've mastered the art of putting together my little black handbag with festival essentials. It's a mix of what I normally carry around, without work stuff like an organizer, and with some first aid and beauty extra's. Let me know if you carry different items in your festival handbag!

• Band aids: painful feet keep you from dancing and that's the last thing we want. These animal printed ones help ease the pain with their cuteness. Gel bad aids for blisters are great too.
• A small pouch: For money and only the essential bank and ID cards.
• A lightweight camera: Not an essential for everyone, the iPhone works well too, but I just love taking pictures when I'm on the go, in the sun, with friends. This one (the Olympus Pen) is my obsession because it has great quality - and Instagram-y filters, yay! - but is light as a feather.
• Lip balm/ 8 hour cream: This one by Elizabeth Arden is an instant lip repair and also works wonders on dry patches and mild sunburns.
• Sun screen: You might not notice the heat when you're moving and walking around outside all day, which is tricky. I've had my shoulders burnt on countless occasions and now I come prepared with one that isn't too sticky.
• Mini hand sanitizer gel: Things can get quite messy at festivals so before I eat something, or just to feel clean again, this is ideal.
• Chewing gum: I especially stock up on this spicy cinnamon gum called Big Red whenever I'm in the US and my friends are always trying to steal them from me.
• Hair ties: To pull it back when it gets too hot, to switch up your hair style and just for comfort.
• Poncho: Don't let a rain drop ruin your festival mood and bring a cute, colorful poncho (perhaps one for two, so you can share the space with a special someone ;) or a girlfriend).
• Face powder: For some t-zone touch ups if I feel like it.
• Sunglasses: Obviously a necessity all summer and a nice addition to your festival look.
• Pocket size tissues: To use as napkins, to clean yourself up, or in case the ladies room runs out of toilet paper.
• Phone: Obviously. To keep track of your friends and perhaps air some festival Instagrams.

A Sunday ritual

Not sure if you can legitmiately call something a ritual if you've only been doing it for two weeks. Either way, I've made it a reoccurring thing to start my Sunday with homemade lemonade, magazines and some music on my balcony. This one is forrest fruit lemonade, crushed ice, mint leaves, freshly cut lemons and some brown sugar. For drinking aged approved readers: it's even better with some vodka in it on an afternoon with friends ;) After this perfect start to the day, I now moved myself to a restaurant a block from my street where I'm working a bit, outside, in the shade, on a stretched wooden picknick table. Life is good...

Party time!

My stylist friend Nicole and I got invited by River Island to be party guests at the Pacha festival today, with some other press. And who are we to say no when duty calls! (Hoping to dance off some of the things I had at the food festival - the chocolate crepes were legendary!). Right now we're getting dressed - this is my living room behind me. Party time!

Right now

Give me some fresh magazines, endless supplies of chocolate chip cookies blueberries and tea and I'm a happy camper. A less joyous magazine moment was when I bought all these issues at Nice airport and then proceeded to leave them in the airplane seat in front of me. Ughh... Bought them for the second time yesterday and I'm thinking that means I'll have double the fun flipping through them, no? I just finished Company magazine and Self service and I'm currently in the ELLE US Spring issue that's all about women in music, while listening to the playlist I posted yesterday. (Does that make me one of those cool 'women in music' as well? I sure hope so.)

I'm in... Monaco!

Postcard greetings from the fascinating city of Monaco. I flew in yesterday for a great work event (I know, tough life) and it's my first time here. So with fun and fascination I'm observing everything that goes on around me in this decadent, interesting place. Keep you posted!


ps. thanks for your comments about Rio, I had no idea about the misinformation of the previous picture! Wanted to change it right away but couldn't since I had no laptop while I was there. Either way; Rio looks breathtaking too! ;)

image via tumblr

Going to Miami!

Being utterly obsessed by American culture - and traveling in general - it doesn't take me long to come up with a summer plan. After our West coast road trip two years back I immediately started dreaming of future USA adventures. Weeks of debate followed and we decided to go just for it. Justified by the very philosophic motto that the best thing to spend money on is traveling the world ;) The result: two weeks in Miami (and probably the Keys). YEAH BABY! Going for it apparently also meant that we'll be staying at the most insane hotel in Coconot grove with a pool that overlooks the boats in the bay. (Rates for Miami aren't exactly favorable for July and since we were never gonna pull this one off low budget, this was a really good option). If you have any Miami tips to eat, go out, shop, sun and sightsee, please let me know. I'd appreciate it :D

First things first, though: preselecting my bikini's while listening to Will Smith's nineties classic Welcome to Miami on full volume. (The less classy I'm in Miami bitch does the trick as well).