Tag Archives: Shops

Weekend in The Hague: Shopping, Coffee & Tea Room

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Molenstraat-Shopping-Cake-du-Fortin-The-Makery-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Goedemorgen Den Haag!

After a quick and comfortable journey by Thalys to Rotterdam, I deposit my bluggage at the hotel in Hofkwartier, the Court Quarter, one of the oldest and central parts of the city.

In the Prinsestraat, the Minions make me crack for the pastry and tea room Cake du Fortin, specialized in big cakes for events (photos 1 and 2 on the above photo montage).  

In the Molenstraat, intrigued by miniature structures of wooden seats, I enter The Makery (photo 4). The owner of the workshop-boutique helps you to design your own creations. Example: on a small block of wood “with wheels”, you draw the car of your dreams that you will shape in the workshop (photo 3). Creative design …

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Noordeinde

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Art Gallery and Antique Stores

A short stop at the garden of the Parkhotel Den Haag to retrieve my umbrella (pictured above), then I continue in Noordeinde, famous for its art galleries and antique shops.

Photo montage below: 1. in a window shop, a modern wink to the famous Vermeer painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring you can see in the Mauritshuis Museum. 2. I still don’t understand the concept of mixing real shoes – fresh croissants and pasteis in the same window! Lol! 3. A very nice cafe where working with a laptop, the Coffee Company

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Molenstraat-Noordeinde-Shopping-Coffee-Company-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Denneweg

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Relaxed Chic Neighbourhood,

close to the excellent Escher in Het Paleis Museum, it feels good. I  really enjoy strolling surrounded by beautiful shops and restaurants. 

It’s more the atmosphere than shopping (strictly speaking) that I like! By taking a small street, I discovered a canal and outdoor cafe. Too bad it rains …

Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Grote Markstraat et Spuistraat

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For Shopping Addicts

In these shopping areas, you can find Gucci accessories, 7 All Mankind jeans or the giant H & M, located in a kind of Haussmann building, the former Maison de Bonneterie (2).

Photo 1: Markstraat on Grote, the Dutch deparment store De Bijenkorf, near Chinatown, the Asian district. Photo 3, De Passage built between 1882 and 1885, inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. Photo 4, an overview of the Spuistraat.

Have a fantastic shopping!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com and Thalys (www.thalys.com/be/fr/)

To go to The Hague : take the Thalys to Rotterdam Central (1h10 from Brussels-Midi), then the Dutch metro RET to Den Haag Central (more and less 30 minutes).

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & SHOP MY SELECTIONS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com and Thalys. As always these opinions are my own.

Interview of Nini Andrade Silva, Interior Designer

Interview-of-Nini-Andrade-Silva-Interior-Designer-by Mademoiselle Le K-1B-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The interview started in the car

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of Nini Andrade Silva, while we are going to one of its sites. Yes I’m in Funchal! If the famous interior designer from Madeira works with her team on several projects around the world in the same time, this one is pretty special for her.

It will be the Nini Andrade Silva Design Center, a stunning space in a heritage building, a “fortalezza” of the Funchal harbour, dedicated to her work and life (pictures above: first picture of the building facade).

– Here you will have the story of my life. There will be a shop, restaurant and my studio / atelier / office where people could dinner. The chef will do cooking classes. There will be many different things. A place where people study design too. The official opening is in October.

Interview-of-Nini-Andrade-Silva-Interior-Designer-by Mademoiselle Le K-New-Design-Center-Madeira-Portugal-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Being an Artist and a Designer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v49riT-udrQ

In this part of the interview, Nini Andrade Silva explains her vocation as an interior designer, vision of hotels, the “diva way” and her charitable commitment, “to give back“. On the pictures below, some of the hotels she did the interior design.

Always hotels?

– No. We are really wellknown for hotels. We do private houses too, but it’s private and we can’t talk about it. Only people who know we do it, call us.

What do you prefer?

– I really like to do hotels. You know when you do hotels, you do everything: shops, restaurants … An hotel is a city! 

What’s next?

– We have lots of things in Colombia, Portugal, Singapore and Asia. We are doing hotels in Malaysia, Cambodia, Lisbon, Algarve and Azores. And we’ve just opened one in Porto.

Interview-of-Nini-Andrade-Silva-Interior-Designer-by Mademoiselle Le K-Hotels-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Traveler Interior Designer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAIvTbDwWm8

Here Nini Andrade Silva speaks about her strong connection to Madeira, her inspiration and way to work abroad or not. Pictures below: the ocean and harbour from the points of view of the Nini Andrade Silva Design Center. 

Interview-of-Nini-Andrade-Silva-Interior-Designer-by Mademoiselle Le K-New-Design-Center-Madeira-Portugal-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KInterview-of-Nini-Andrade-Silva-Interior-Designer-by Mademoiselle Le K-New-Design-Center-Madeira-Portugal-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés. The two videos and some of the pictures were shot with my smartphone Acer.   

Many thanks to Nini Andrade Silva and her team. And special thanks to Marta : ))

Informations   

Nini Andrade SilvaVisit Madeira, Visit Portugal & TAP

Related posts : INTERVIEWSHOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Thessaloniki, Greece: Shopping, Creative Tour and Outdoor Cafes

Shopping & Creative Tour

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Glam shopping in Proxenou Koromila Street

and its surroundings. To help, the street behind the Daios hotel (located in the waterfront). A mixture of a myriad of trendy cafes and posh shops. There you find international brands (like Vuitton, Tod’s, Dolce & Gabbana …) and multi-brand shops and local designers. Above picture : necklace of Marina Konstantinou. Hippie chic Tunic in the showcase of Lou. And the famous Lefas hairdresser (hair salon with a L.A. vibe).

Thessaloniki-Greece-Koupni Coffe & Crafts-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Drink An Iced Coffee While Making Your Souvenir Bag

DIY! Yes, I did it (above picture): the painted and sequined designs represent the iconic monuments of Thessaloniki! In the old town, opposite the ruins of the Greek agora and the Roman forum, Koumpi Coffe & Crafts is a cafe with a creative workshop. You can have different iced coffees (a Greek specialty), while choosing a creative kit. Really fun: my buddies and I had big laughs and even the boys made jewelery! And the result is far nicer than those cheap souvenirs made in China! 

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Discover the creative Thessaloniki

If you have little time and want to discover another side of the city (insider spots), do not hesitate to book a tour with Handpeak. After the Koumpi Coffe & Crafts: the visit of a new contemporary art gallery, the Nitra Gallery. Photo above (courtesy of the Nitra Gallery): an installation of Yorgos Maraziotis (Neon, 150×40 cm). Then we continue through several workshops shops.

My favourite :  Object2Repair, a deco vintage shop that also repairs furniture and lighting (below picture of the lighting). Margaritarenies, a small shop of jewelry made by two designers with the same first name Margarita (below picture of the hand). And if your boyfriend and you are a kind of wannabe rockstars, have a look at the guitar repair and manufacturing shop: Alfa Handcrafted Guitars. And you may come back from Thessaloniki with your guitar (lol)!

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Outdoor Cafes

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The Culture of Outdoor Cafes

Outdoors cafes are absolutely everywhere! Often full. Morning by the seniors and then by everyone. Thessaloniki is a student city, with lively and busy streets until late at night. Above pictured: the terrace of Navona Restaurantopen from 9:30 am to 2 am, where I relaxed much of the afternoon facing the sea, with an excellent fresh orange juice ; ) 

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Lovely View of The Bei Hamam’s Rooftops

This outdoor café and bar offers a unique view on the roofs of the old Turkish baths, built by Sultan Murad II in 1444 (above pictures). Unfortunately you can not visit this historic monument, but you can admire the roofs with a drink at the To Palio Hamam Cafe-Bar. Too bad I didn’t have time to return at night (I was too busy, too much to see!)!

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Near The Seafront-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Going to the statue of Alexander the Great, 

I discovered Dentrospito (Tree House): this bar under the trees, has a very nice atmosphere. Really cool spot, with a seaview (above photo montage)! As it was full, we walked on Nikis Avenue, munching Greek traditional pastry (forget diet baby!)..

The other place I’d have liked to taste some veggie sushi, is the Roots. The only vegetarian restaurant in Thessaloniki that also serves cocktails in the evening (below pictures)!

And you, what are your favorite outdoor cafes, shopping and activities in Thessaloniki? 

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Roots-Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant-Bar-Cocktails-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association & Ryanair

From Ryanair flies to Thessaloniki and ten other destinations in Greece including Athens and Santorini.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOW TO PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL  

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association and Ryanair. As always these are my opinions.