I’ve been meaning to post this look earlier, shot
from the Andaz Amsterdam – even though I’m running slightly behind and its
already week 18!
I picked up this Zara dress on my last
night in Switzerland. I think this will
be my go-to pregnancy look from now on – think long, flowy, kaftan-like dresses
with exotic patterns and prints. Oh, and
I am in love with structured blazers too, particularly ones cut with an
asymmetrical hem in the front (like the smoking tux or the cusp blazer from Helmut Lang). If I had to invest in anything right now
wardrobe-wise, this would be it!
For my final nights in Europe, I stayed at the eye-popping design hotel Andaz along
the Prinsengracht canal. Newly renovated
and contemporary to the core, it was unlike any of the other places I’ve stayed
at recently (who knew that it was a Hyatt!). For me, it was the perfect
final stop, with a conceptually modern and design-conscious style which I found
refreshing.
Usually, when I stay somewhere too hip, I tend to get
frustrated all too easily. Call me
old-fashioned, but I often find that these state of the art gadgets, while cool
to look at, don’t tend to function properly (and the staff don’t seem to be
much help either).
However, the Andaz surprised me in many ways, and deviated
from such stereotypes. Check in with an
iPad while sipping your morning coffee?
Presto! Instant check-out with
your e-folio delivered straight to your mailbox? But of course! It was also handy that the staff were always
on-hand to help, and I love that they press a little button and “Bing!” a taxi
shows up. They take credit cards too!!!
The space was renovated from an old public library,
redesigned with the vision of the Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. Both the rooms and the hotel space offered so
much eye-candy that it was sometimes tough to leave! (I don’t say this lightly, as I normally get “Shawshank”
syndrome, as hubby calls it, and can’t wait to disembark once I check in somewhere). My favorite bits were the one-of-a kind
touches, like my psychedelic bathroom sink, the awesome wallpaper inside the
bathroom (which offered not a shortage of Dutch cultural references), and of
course – the beautiful view of the Prinsengracht canal from my window.
As I gazed out onto the water and those traditional canal houses
(many dating back to the 17th century), I couldn’t help but marvel
at the dynamic juxtaposition between the old and new. To me, the merging of the dual spirits embodies
one of the reasons why I am so fond of Amsterdam.
Oh – and wouldn’t you know, as I flipped through the March
Elle magazine during my flight, who do I come across but the Hotel Andaz! Natch.
I spent the last two days of my trip overseas in Amsterdam –
where I had a chance to decompress, catch up on sleep, and see some
friends. It was the perfect ending to a
long and action-packed week, and I was glad to have done so in this very city.
Amsterdam holds a special place in my heart, as it was the
first place where hubby and I had met up after spending considerable time
apart. It was 2009, and we were, by most
accounts, still newlyweds. For one
reason or another, we had to be separated due to work, and a trip to Amsterdam marked our first reunion after some three to four months apart.
Of course, that was in August, when the weather was gorgeous
and I could get about in a sundress.
Yet, even in the dreary rain – bundled up under multiple layers and kit, I still
felt this undeniable sense of calm and sheer content as I meandered up and
down the Jordann, gazing at the pretty canals and row houses.
A friend of mine once said, “It’s amazing how your own
experience shapes your entire perception of a place.” She was so right.
August, 2009
March, 2013
August, 2009 -- summers are great for canal-side cafes
March, 2013 – shopping on the nine streets, 'De Negen Straatjes'
August, 2009
March, 2013
About Me
Based in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Rock Shic is an excerpt taken from my personal lookbook of real people around the world. It is a combination of aesthetics, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I also offer personalized Lookbook Consulting and Styling upon request. Please contact me at rockshic (at) gmail (dot) com. Services include: Wardrobe Analysis, Closet Organization, and Personal Shopping.
