Shop opening: Super Goods

In Mechelen, Belgium, recently opened a new ecodesign store called „ Super Goods“. Super Goods offers a large variety of environmentally friendly and ethical products, ranging from furniture and homeware to clothing and accessories. The Super Goods shop device says it all “Good stuff for good people”: products designed by small European and international producers with respect for the environment and social rights of workers. All items are made from recycled, overstock, fair trade or otherwise sustainable materials.

Shop owners, the Belgian Finnish couple Tonny Van Bavel and Anne Hilden, started dreaming about their eco design shop in 2011 but it wasn´t until they found the perfect location in the “Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat” that they started making concrete plans. The building became available on July 1^st which meant they only had 2 months to set up their store before the big opening. Hard work, but they managed to open their doors in August and the result is stunning!

If Mechelen is too far to visit, you can also visit their online shop or follow Super Goods on facebook or on pinterest.

These are my favorite items: The flying birds necklace by Finnish designer Poola Kataryna / the second chance Laura dress / the bright green enveloppe bag by Deux Filles en Fil / the pickle pot lamp - I am waiting for the lamp to arrive and can´t wait to hang it in my kitchen.

Triangles

The aztek print is a hype ... I know and I like it. But I am also in love with more simple abstract shapes. Especially triangle prints seem to work for me lately, in clothing as well as in accessories. 

You don´t have to look long, to find beautiful things online decorated with cute triangles. 

Here are some of my favorites:

1. A neon pink triangle tote bag from Little bright studio. The tote bag is made with organic canvas and on sale at the moment. 

2. A box of 12 coloured magnets to form different shapes with from Paper plane home. This webshop has so many beautiful items for your home.

3. A peach coloured triangle patterned notebook from MintAfternoon.

4. The prettiest decorative tape in different colours can be found at Seventytree. This is also a good place to find original postcards and artwork.

5. Go extreme with a bright triangle wall as seen on the Poppytalk blogspot.

6. A cool camera needs a cool camera strap. You can find this lovely piece on Designlovefest.

Cheers,

Sarah

Shop update: moustache ring

New in my shop: the moustache ring in red and in black. The moustache is 48 mm (1.8 inch) wide ad has a double ring on it´s backside. The ring is adjustable in size.

You can find the shop here or send an email to thevintageblues@gmail.com

Home made lemonade

My balcony is full with fresh herbs, especially the mint and lemon herb grows much faster than I can use it. So I decided to make some lemonade. I´ve never done this before, but guessed it couldn´t be that hard. 

I found a recipe on the internet and this is what I did:

Make a syrup by heating 1/4 of the water (you can use still or bubbly water), 1 cup of sugar, half of the mint and lemon herb and half a lemon (organic) in a small saucepan. Wait untill the water boils. Take the saucepan of the fire and let it cool down.

When it is cooled down, poor the juice through a strainer into a a pitcher and add the juice of the rest of the lemons. You can also use lime if you wish to. Fill your pitcher with the rest of the water.

Add ice cubes and the rest of the mint and lemon herb. You can also let it rest in the fridge for a few hours so the flavours get more intense. Use more lemon or sugar if you want it more sour or sweet.

Serve your lemonade. Hmmmm

Jena Ardell

I recently discovered the beautiful work of Jena Ardell, who calls herself a "retro lifestyle photographer". Her pictures have this lovely vintage flair, which she creates by using vintage Polaroid cameras and by styling her own shoots, using her extensive collection of vintage clothing and accessories.

Her pictures take you back in time to a summer in the 60´s or the 70´s and you feel like travelling in California, visiting the beach and sleeping in retro looking drive in hotels. At least I do! 

You can discover her work here: Jena Ardell

Shop Update: Ready for summer

I updated my shop with some summer jewellery. It´s all about fresh colours and happy prints!
Now we only have to wait for the Belgian weateher to push the grey clouds away and do it´s job.

You can visit the shop here.

Cheers,

Sarah

Handmade market: Kwestie van (s)maak

To my Belgian readers ...

I want to introduce a new handmade market in Belgium: Kwestie van (s)maak. Kwestie van (s)maak, which means "It´s a matter of taste" is a unique market offering its visitors a big variety of handmade products as well as the possibility to taste local food and beverages.

All participants presenting their handmade crafts are young and creative. There is jewellery, tote bags, art, children´s books, postcards, baby t-shirts and much more to discover. A relaxed atmosphere, with DJ´s playing their old LP´s and enjoying the, hopefully, beautiful weather with a fresh Belgian beer.

The first edition of Kwestie van (s)maak will take place on 28 May from 12 pm to 6 pm.

All information on location and participants here