My first meat pie

I was always scared of pastries, cakes and anything to do with oven baking.. until I saw others making them (my mum wasn't into that kind of thing, probably something to do with being Japanese and them not eating these kind of things) - then I decided to give it a try and.. it seems to have worked! First was the carrot cakes and banana loaf - which worked out with a 10/10 (if I may say so). And now this yummy pie!! Success!! YES!!

(before and after)

(and banana cake & banana loaf)

Amsterdam

Went to Amsterdam as a treat in the first long weekend of May. Not only visited Amsterdam but also Utretch, which is only 30 min away on the train and as lovely! We were so lucky - we stayed in this cool place decorated retro style.



And even though we've been there before, we managed to discover new areas a bit out of the tourists' track.

(typical house in Jordaan, with the bike at the front and the bench to sit down for people watching. They don't usually have courtains so you can see the cool interior design of the trendy "jordaanites")

Jordaan, the oldest neighbourhood that had modest background has become trendy and cool. That has brought cool chic boutiques and restaurants and there I discovered this a&c shop for babies that made me think of all of you, craft lovers.

(really liked this shop with retro style lamps in all shapes)
(if you have EUR 150 spare, you may want to buy this wonderful "tulip bag" - winner of many design awards. I totally fell in love with it, much better in reality than in this picture)

I also was so lucky to be walking around town on the day of the fabric markets. Yes, an entire flea market dedicated to fabric and sewing materials!! No wool though :-(

(in Holland they celebrate the births of a baby
decorating windows and the front of the house.
I saw many wonderful flowers, balloons and gifts
in display in various houses - I love the idea!)

Weather was also fantastic and there were plenty of flowers. I missed going to the flower massive place because, to be honest, I couldn't be bothered to organise myself to get the bus to get there.. and I truly enjoyed just walking around town. All worth it!

(click to enlarge)
(the city is full of exquisite Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings)

Got myself some fabric, some new clothes and shoes! Lucky me.. and afterwards we stayed at the Hilton 5* where John Lennon and Yoko Ono made their interview from bed :-) The hotel was fantastic (obviously) - and we enjoyed chilling at the back garden, by the yatch marina of the hotel, where I started a knitting project. The hotel even had a soap menu in the bathroom - apart from the traditional pillow menu. Basically you could order a hand-soap of your taste for 17 EUR the piece....