When Lisa heard that I was planning a trip to Amsterdam, she made sure I learned about Hester van Eeghen’s bags, colourful, clean-lined, sculptural, elegant AND well-priced. What’s not to love?
I’ve recently maxed out my handbag budget for the year having bought a new M0851 knot bag, then a clutch, AND a wallet recently, so I was able to resist, but much temptation here. . . And there’s also a shoe shop, which Lisa hadn’t warned me against. . . Again, I’ve done some damage at Fluevog lately, and wasn’t especially in the market for shoes, but there is ample temptation here. I could see Lisa in the flat loafer-ish shoe above, but especially in this gorgeous spectator, below, the olive and navy, suede/polish contrast a challenge to her preference for subtlety, but I’ve noticed she’s mixing it up a bit lately, right, Lisa?
And, mmmmm, the windows! Don’t you just love that font?!
But oh, Amsterdam, while you tempted me with Hester Van Eeghen’s bags and shoes, you were wrongly protective of my wallet when you withheld the most scrumptious caramel flat ankle boots from me. Two Daniele Dentici stores I tried, but neither had my size in these thick-leather-soled, sumptuously buttery-leather with equally yummy lining, beautifully handbuilt, guaranteed to wear into the most comfortable, gorgeously-patina’d foot-coddlers ever. Classic but just enough street funk . . . damn, I’m working myself into desolation again thinking of being so close . . . I do, however, by my own twisted economics, now have a nice little parcel of “savings” to spend in Paris . . . .
Oh, and look where we hung out this afternoon, thanks (again) to my blog-buddy Kristen for the recommendation:
We stopped into the bar at the Dylan Hotel for a pot of tea and a peek at these discreetly luxurious, very hip digs . . .
Very impressed by the warmth with which the doorman greeted us, although we were clearly not hotel guests.
Nor will we be, in this lifetime, unless we give up several years’ travel in favour of one luxurious week every few years. But checking out how the lottery-winners live, one pot of tea at a time, will keep me happy enough for now. And it was very good tea . . .
Just so you know, we aren’t just shopping and eating. We’ve put in some serious walking time and checked out some great exhibitions. But it’s eating time again, somehow, and we’re heading back out for Indonesian. . .
Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing the photos. Makes me feel like I got to come along. I'm definitely mixing it up a bit, so much so that I like the sandal next to the slipper. And that hotel bar! Gorgeous. Were the wood floors unfinished?
Ah, you're observant. Yes, they were, and they contributed exactly the right note. They're actually very similar to the floors my GF has in their beach place on a wild West Coast island, wide, thick, planks with just enough space between for a slightly rustic but still comfortable effect. They give a tacit permission to relax, despite the other cues that one is in a polished environment. With the rich earthy colours — isn't the ochre great? — the leather, the fireplace, one could happily spend hours here. Not sure how much I'd get out into Amsterdam if we stayed here . . .
You must be having a fabulous time mater. It's so wonderful that fellow bloggers can share their favourite shops and spots with us. Kristin and Lisa are two bloggers who are in the know, and good to know.
Your afternoon tea at the Dylan Hotel looks and sounds perfect, rather like the Empress with it's old world charm.
Disappointing about those boots but you've still got that nest egg.
Paris will surely have something to tempt you…
Thanks Lesley — we are having a great time and it really is great to have bloggers direct us to "the good stuff".
The Dylan does share an old world charm with the Empress, but it's otherwise quite different, being much more discreet and intimate — and rather more hip than that grand old dame (much as we love her)
Eeek again! How I WISH I were there! You have to have the chocolate milkshake made with mascarpone. So awesome.
missed the milkshake but will def. be remembering this place and hoping for a future visit — note that Vivian, posting just below you here, stayed there for a 40th anniv. . . . an inspiration. . . .
We celebrated our 40th anniversary last year with a two night stay at the Dylan. How wonderful to see the pictures and relive those memories. Their rooms are exquisite and the dinner we had in the hotel restaurant one night was outstanding! Enjoy Amsterdam!
That hotel would be a perfect spot to celebrate an anniversary (and, hmmm, I'm thinking, we have a 40th coming up, 2014) — how lucky you were! Kristin, the blogger posting just above you, has been hoping one of her readers would, as she put it, "take the hit" (on the pocketbook) and stay there just to report back to her
Oh, what an awesome way to celebrate 40 years! (Or anything, actually.) Congratulations on a long-standing relationship that could be enjoyed in such exquisite surroundings!
So far you've hit all the high points for me. It's been years since I was in Amsterdam, but there was a time when it was quite familiar to me -once bought a VW Westfalia right off the street corner there. If it weren't for my September trip (ticket bought!) I'd be pathetically envious – as it is, I'm drooling over shoes, street scapes and tea-in-the-lobby.
Really? That VW van story sounds rather blog-worthy, hint, hint. And the road miles it must have clocked . . .
How clever of you to have a trip booked after a decent post-wedding recovery period. . . the nuptials are getting very close now, aren't they?!
Oh, it looks like you are having such a wonderful trip! There's nothing more tragic than losing out on the perfect boots, but I approve of your twisted economics. Soothe your pain with some Paris shopping! And keep enjoying your trip.
Yes, it's wonderful, and I've already shrugged off the loss of the boots . . . with the help of some twisted economics
😉
Those colours are delicious! Do not worry, delights await you in Paris!
Aren't they?! And yes, I suspect I will find a compensation or two in Paris . . .
I am SO going to have a cup of teas there too in a couple of weeks, thank you for scouting out some places. As for shoes, welcome to my world, I see so many delicious pairs only to be told that no way would they EVER go up to my size.
Oh, you'll love it! Not sure how much family you're travelling with, but this is a lovely place to share and could also be a delightful escape for an hour or two . . . And thank you for the reminder that I'm relatively lucky, shoe-wise — you must find it so frustrating to shop for shoes.