In this picture, you see me dancing with Stefan, from Germany. I already enjoyed a few dances with Pieter, my husband. He asked me for another one and I refused, telling him I was too tired. But a that point, Stefan asked me to dance. What else can a girl do than accept? Pieters face spoke volumes: a mix of amusigness and a hint of jealousy provided him with an adorable smile. We had a good laugh afterwards about my “unfaithfulness” and danced the night away.

I’m wearing my favourite cardigan with maribou bunny tail by Moschino. Got it at Rosier 41 in Antwerp. The seamed tights are by Falke. They are sheer to waist, which is very convenient while dancing. You don’t want the spectators around you to have to look up to a very unelegant black shorts-like upper part of the dancing ladies tights, do you? The patent leather shoes are Alain Manoukian. My grandfather, being a tapdancer himself, gave them as a present, years ago. They are still one of my favourite pairs of dancing shoes.

Tis picture was taken by Arjan Massar.

I visited ‘Sculptures & Drawings. 2000-2014’ at the S.M.A.K.. , an exhibition of the work of Berlinde de Bruyckere of the past 15 years. I expected to enjoy a beautiful tribute to vulnerability and suffering, which are Berlindes chief themes.  The exhibition gave me more than I even expected, it was simply stunning. Especially the technique used to create the sculptures in wax struck me. I was so fascinated by this texture, that I accidentally touched it with the tip of my nose trying to understand what I was looking at. The presentation also includes earlier works in textile and horse skin that gained the artist her international renown.

These pictures are taken by Leen Daems, a very good friend of mine. She is Press Officer at Bozar Expo. Always fascinated by my overdressed appearance, she inspired me to start up this blog. This evening she persuaded me to strike a pose in front of her camera. Since I am not a professional model, and she is not a professional photographer, we giggled our way through the museum trying to produce a decent image. I think it took us about 20 takes to produce the “spontaneous” pictures included in this post. Off went our credibility that night amongst the other opening night visitors.

I’m wearing a jacket by Scott N.Y.C., found it at Rosier 41.  This is a second hand shop in the heart of Antwerp where Viviane and Paul sell high fashion labels at small prices. You can find all Belgian designers here, such as Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Maison Martin Margiela, Raf Simons , as well as international brands such as Jil Sander, Dior, Marni, Chloé, Rick Owens, Damir Doma,  Balenciaga and many others. Underneath I’m wearing a Karen Millen dress. Tights are Mediven Elegance compression tights. I can understand that you might find this a very unsexy item to wear, but ever so convenient at sultry exhibition openings. Shoes are by Cuplé, got them at El Corte Inglés in Barcelona. Make sure you shop at the El Corte Inglés at Plaça de Catalunya 23, they sell more streetwise collections than the department store at the other side of the square. Finally, the purse I am carrying is a gift from my husband. He bought it at Bonaventura, a second hand purse shop in Antwerp, Aalmoezenierstraat 38. Bonaventura is the place to be for second hand handbags and accessories. This cosy shop kept his vintage look and features – as it should- a well filled window. For the bargain hunters amongst us: you can even find some authentic Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Delvaux purses over there.

If you like to know how to create a dutch braid similar to the one in the picture, please have a look at my tutorial.

The chicken house in the picture is DIY, made from pine wood, which was impregnated to make it wind and water resistant. With a fretsaw, Pieter created the chicken and heart design. The roof tiles are second hand. Inside the ladies mansion, he made a wooden box to serve as a nest and a stick  from one side to the other tot sleep on. It’s very important, to put ambiose, some sort of hemp, on the floor and in the nest of the henhouse, since it doesn’t attract vermin.

The chickens in the picture are Monique and Tineke, named after my mother and my mother in law. Everyday, Lili goes out in the yard and into the henhouse, to collect the eggs and proudly bring them to us. The eggs don’t always survive this trip, since she is still a bit clumsy in the realisation of this mission. In return for the eggs, we feed the ladies a plate full of grain and kitchen left-overs. Be careful not to feed them potato skins or too much bread.

This picture was taken by Greetje Van Buggenhout  for Het Nieuwsblad Magazine of december 2013. Petra De Pauw asked me for an interview in the series “Fashionmama’s”. She was tipped by Greetje about my interest in me and my daughters styling. I’ve been working together with Greetje for  photoshoots since I think seven years now. Lili was a bit cross at the time of this shooting, so we looked for the perfect location for her to be delighted with. She loves being amongst the chickens and likes fetching their eggs, so we took advantage of that situation to get her to strike a pose in front of Greetjes camera.

Lili is wearing a dress that her grandmother bought for her at Lola, stock sale for kids, Antwerp. Her cute icebear hat is H&M. I found the black rubber boots in a little shop in Zandhoven, Belgium. The owner was an old lady who sold her sock at that moment. I suppose her store must be closed by the time I’m writing this down.

I’m wearing my favourite cardigan with maribou bunny tail by Moschino. Got it at Rosier 41 in Antwerp. The white ankle boots are in fact my wedding shoes. I wore a very fragile wedding dress -excuse me, my mothers wedding dress- so the little boots countered this fragility. I’ve been wearing these shoes ever since our marriage, because they are so comfortable and stylish. I bought them at Elsa, Antwerp. Tights are Mediven Elegance compression tights, which make your legs feel light as a cloud during the day.