Tuesday 9 December 2014

Market Style

I loved discovering the Noordermarkt upon my last visit to Amsterdam. The market was filled with incredible food, great vintage clothing, wonderful people to photograph. This woman had a huge crowd waiting for her homemade jam, but she took a quick second to allow me to take her picture. You can tell that she takes pride in what she does and I love how elegantly she looks for a cold morning's full of work. All of the market vendors had unique looks perfectly complimenting their wares. I highly recommend a trip to the Noordermarkt when in Amsterdam and make sure to buy some of this woman's delicious jam.

Monday 8 December 2014

Reflections

It's been a while since my last visit with author, Alice Carey. She's been traveling back and forth from her home in Ireland working on the finishing touches to the Irish version of her book, I'll Know It When I See It.  Alice is a wonderful storyteller. I love how she is able to reflect upon her past through wonderful descriptions of her style -- each piece of clothing tells a story. Check out Alice Carey's latest thoughts below:

At some point during this photo shoot with Ari, I looked down at my kilt and remembered wearing one a long time ago.  There I am with my mother at CLEARYS, Dublin, buying a kilt quite like this one.  Yet that kilt was a girl’s.  This one is a man’s, complete with jacket that I bought at a Vintage Ireland Antique Fair.

My kilt was another reminder that I’m no longer a girl.  Yet part of me is still a girl - plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.  “The more it changes, the more it stays the same” - while the woman I am has drifted away from her.

In some ways we’re still the same.  We both wear kilts.  We both wear tweed jackets and sensible shoes.  Even though I sometimes think about buying a pair of ‘manolos’, I stick with Doc Martin.

After Ari left, I walked along the river remembering that girl.  There she is in a nice navy blazer and kilt striding along beside me.  Isn’t she the cat’s meow!  And here I am, an older woman, still I hope, the cat’s meow.     

Friday 5 December 2014

Carla Palermo Revisited

Last time I was in Amsterdam I stumbled upon a great vintage store with an even more wonderful owner, Carla Palermo. I visited Carla's shop again last week when I was in Holland for my TEDx talk. Carla looked as splendid as always and we had a very fun time looking around the store and catching up. If you happen to be in Amsterdam stop in and say hello for me:
Carla Palermo on Huidenstraat 4.

Thursday 4 December 2014

Market Style

 
I always meet the most interesting people at local markets and antique fairs. This striking gentleman was selling vintage coats when I stopped him for a photo. He told me that he used to train prize race horses in Spain. I'll have to come back to Amsterdam soon to hear the rest of his wonderful stories.

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Monday 1 December 2014

"This is my Ferrari, for now."

Last Friday I had the honor of speaking at the 2014 session of TEDxAmsterdam. It was such an incredible experience getting to meet so many fascinating people and a pleasure to hear them share their inspired stories on stage.  I was lucky to have my dear friend and muse, Debra Rapoport, accompany me on stage to share her story on aging with creativity. If you would like to watch our TEDxAmsterdam talk CLICK HERE.

I have been taking a lot of pictures while out and about in Amsterdam. This wonderful woman was sitting a booth at the Noordermarkt when I asked if I could take her photograph. After a few quick snaps she announced proudly, "This is my Ferrari, for now."