For a few months I have been contemplating the idea of meeting some of you next year to go shopping in Amsterdam. Would you consider it?
This is the idea: I search for fun places in Amsterdam to go shopping. Or to see fashion related stuff, like there is the bag museum. (Have a look at their collection. I have visited that museum once and it was such a joy.) Or see the Knopenwinkel (Button shop), a unique and quirky shop at Herengracht 389.
This is how I picture it.
I can take you on different shopping routes but I am also open to your suggestions. In the following months I will sometimes publish photos of fashion/shopping areas in Amsterdam I have been “scouting” for you. To give you an idea what to expect. If you missed one, just go to the tab Amsterdam in the top navigation.
I will archive them there.
In the first photo at the top of this post, you see me “at work”, haha.
You don’t have to join “the group” every day or every minute of a day. You are free to wander on your own too. You can come just for the long weekend or perhaps integrate it in a longer holiday trip. All fine by me.
I can look for restaurants where we can have lunch and/or diner. We can chat, shop, paint the town and laugh. It would be great to meet each other.
To manage expectations, especially for those who come from abroad…. I am not a full-time tour guide. Of course I can and will be of assistence with hotel suggestions and answering all sorts of questions. But I also rely on the fact you are all grown women who can take care of themselves.
Any nationality is welcome, Dutch too haha. The language we will be speaking is English.
You can choose from two (long) weekends: the first one from Thursday May 8 to Sunday May 11 and the second one from Thursday September 4 to Sunday September 7. Both periods are at the start of a new fashion season in the shops and both periods have a fair chance of nice weather. The weather can be beautiful in The Netherlands but it can also pour with rain.
If you like the idea, please tell me when you want to come. I do not expect all of you to come 😆 . My group of readers is not that big, so you and I might end up together, just the two of us, LOL.
There is no minimum number but there is a maximum. I would say 8 in May and 8 in September, otherwise it will be difficult to get a table at a restaurant.
I am very curious to see your reaction. Here are some photos as a preview of the posts I am going to publish. They are random-picked and when I do an actual post I will describe the route I have travelled and explain more about the shops.
Below: a gorgeous jewellery designer who unfortunately is going to close shop and move to Singapore.
Sylvia (40+Style)… here she comes. Be on the look-out.
Below: trying not only to capture the shops but also the pretty environment.
Below: a delightful shopping centre but unfortunately with only two or three interesting shops (IMO).
Below: this is one of the shops I liked in the shopping centre
Below: a lovely little part of Amsterdam
Below: I so wanted these plastic knitted boots by Bless, called Eram High boots. But they were the last ones in the shop and not my size.
Below: some interesting tulip brooches
Below: a small terrace at the back of a high class hotel, making a pretty picture
Below: sometimes I think I live in France or Italy, with all those outside terraces
Below: this shop sells the Swedish brand Acne and had a sweet window display
Below: watch the green bottles on the stands…
Below: as I said, outside terraces everywhere. At least when the sun it out
Below: one last canal picture
Hope you liked this little taste. Anxious to hear what you have to say about my idea.
Greetje
How I would love to do this. I’ve always wanted to visit Amsterdam. You have planted a seed and now I will see if this is possible for me.
I’m hoping to get a clean bill of health from my Dr.’s after one last scope in November and should have a better idea after that. I would come with a girlfriend. Not sure if it would be May or Sept yet.
I would definately be down for doing New York since it is close to where I live, only a 45 minute plane ride away.
bisous
Suzanne
Would love you to join. But your good health comes first. Of course. Keep in touch and let me know how you get on. You can also email me ( top of my blog in the navigation under contact).
Great idea; wish I could join you. You’d probably inspire me to actually buy something!
Yes, please let me know more about your ideas, because I want to see the Van Gogh museum, and would be very happy to have you as my guide to Amsterdam! You sound like a lovely lady, Greetje!
Hahaha, thank you Alison. Hope I can live up to such expectations. Have you seen my new post about Amsterdam this week? More ideas and stuff. Don’t think I will be doing the Van Gogh Museum, but who knows. Besides you don’t have to follow the group all the time. Don’t know who will be coming yet. I have one definite, one who said “count me in” and three maybes. We will see. Do you want to come in May or September?
It’s a great idea you’ve got. when I saw your picture galleries swelled my heart. In 96 I was a semester at Utrecht University and lived in a small apartment in the heart of Utrecht. It’s one of my best experiences I have had as an adult. I loved it. beautiful beautiful picture galleries.
Utrecht is a lovely town too. Going to university there and meeting friends… great. Cannot think of a better place (apart from Amsterdam haha).
I doubt I’ll be able to accept this fantastic invitation but I never say never. Amsterdam is certainly on my list of places to see. Oddly, a ticket to fly there is probably cheaper than a ticket to fly across my own country. The history and vibrance of your city is staggering. Great idea, Greetje.
Have a look at the rates and see whether there is a special offer coming up.
And how about an airB&B for staying? You can make that as cheap or expensive as you want and it is more fun than a hotel. I like that new phenomenon.
That’s indeed a lovely idea, Greetje! However, I really can’t say whether I could join you. For sure not in September as that time is already pre-booked but also May is difficult with my commuting back and forth with Mr C.
Annette | Lady of Style
I am sure I can book a “last minute decision” spot for you haha. You just need to want it.
But I know this idea will always come second to Mr C. And that is how it should be. LOL
Greetje, love this post! I thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse into your hometown. This is a fantastic idea, which I’ve already mentioned. I think the best part of getting together would be laughing for hours on end, who care about the shopping? (haha). If I can make this work, May would be the best for me. I’m taking a girl-friend trip (leaving on the 27th of this month) for Paris, London and Yorkshire and then Ireland. Now I just need to convince hubby I deserve another one. I would very much love to see your beautiful country and you. I love your idea of scouting around and posting these fun sights to get us more excited.
Do you ever make it to New York City? I love to head there once a year and was thinking that sometime a group of us should meet up there as well.
Oh it would be fantastic if you could come. Your trip this month sounds like fun too. You are getting places. I know your hubby does not need convincing. It is more a matter of you thinking “is this fair?”. Fortunately it is next year and not next month.
I have been to New York twice and love that city. So I am game if there is a gathering there.
In the meantime I have a perfect excuse to continue these Amsterdam posts haha.
Hi Greetja, I think April would be best for me. It’s sooner than September, but at this point, either date is OK.
Cheers,
Rosemary from
http://www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
OK, so far we have two UK ladies, you and Lorraine, as “registered”, and one keen Italian blogger who is contemplating (Dan). And an American blogger (Trina) who is looking at possibilities as well. Doing fine here. With Sylvia in the background and a few others who might get more appetite once they have seen the upcoming blogposts about Amsterdam. I hope to publish one on Monday but I am not sure yet (lots of work).
It’s a wonderful idea! I wish I could come.
What is stopping you? It is next year. Would love you to come over.
What a fabulous idea!! Thank you for your invitation, dear Greetje!
My daughter Jean and I were in New York City in August (as you know) and we met up with two other bloggers, really fun!!
If anyone is ever coming to Toronto, Canada — count me in!! I will be your tour guide! 🙂 I live an hour away and there are fabulous shops and sights to see!
I don’t think I’ll make it to Amsterdam next summer, but your photos are fantastic and I’m glad you shared them with us! I’ll be following your shopping adventure with those who are able to go.
Have a fashionable week!!
<3 carmen
There will be more posts about Amsterdam and the shopping routes I have been scouting…
And I will remember Toronto.
Lovely idea Greetje. Of course I will be ready for one of your private tours in July or even in December when I’m over as well. I’m not sure if I can make it at your suggested times, but if you do get a few of my favorite ladies together then I may just have to join you all and just hop on a flight…
Good idea. And of course you get a private tour, although I don’t have to point you the way. LOL
Greetje, this is such a fabulous idea. You have planted a seed and there is a possibility that it could grow. In the meantime I will continue to be inspired by your posts. I’ve always wanted to see Amsterdam and meeting you would be wonderful.
Wouldn’t I love to have you over…!! Indeed, this post is the seed. And I will post more pictures and stories to seduce you all. LOL
Great post and initiative, Greetje! You know my life. No clue where I will be when. But if I am around I hope to join in;-).
New York would be great too. Otherwise let’s make it Singapore, hahaha!
Hope some gathering will work out with your blogging friends.
In the meantime I get to write nice articles.
Absolutely!! I would love to come!! I have been to Amsterdam several times and I love it. It would be a wonderful holiday for me, to be with other “fashion nuts” and shop/poke around interesting shops. Tentatively, I’d LOVE TO COME!!!
Thanks for the idea, Greetja!
Cheers from England,
Rosemary from
http://www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
Oh how nice. April or September?… Tentatively haha. No pressure. You can decide later. If it gets really crowded (yeah right …haha), I will let you know.
Wow. What a FANTASTIC idea! I would love to see the posts and see who joins you- I truly wish I could! Perhaps someday!
It is still far away.. Who knows?? Something might change in your life? Opportunity sometimes presents itself in the most unexpected ways and/or moments. I would love to see you.
I am supporting you all the way but unfortunately not participating. I think it is a great idea, and ladies if there is one person who is totally capable of organising a trip like this it is Greetje, so ladies go for it, if there ever is a possibility.
Hahaha…thanks Marianne.
I would to to come, and will for certain one day, but looking for houses and trying to sell ours plus the baby coming in a few weeks leaves me no choice.
Wonderful pics, dear Grretje.
Ohh… Sacramento, it is only next year April or September. By that time the baby is born, your house will be sold and you will have settled into your new home. For sure.
such fabulous photos
thanks for sharing
brett
It is my pleasure entirely. Believe me.
I really enjoyed your today post since I like seeing photos of towns all around the world! Amsterdam seems to be a wonderful city and I am planning a journey there ( even if I don’t know when! )
You are very cute going around and taking photos! A different version of you!!
I find your idea soooo nice and I would like to say yes! right now, but there are many things I shoud have to check before ( problems as a direct flight from Torino or my job! ) … a bag museum? Wow, I would love that!!
And now a silly question:is that your car, the red I10 next to you?
I am so glad you like the post. There is still lots of time to decide. I don’t think there will be hundreds of readers registering, do you? Haha.
I would love you to come in April or September. But if you come at another time, you are welcome too. Of course. And I will be glad to show you around.
The red car is not mine. Parking in Amsterdam is an expensive hobby. I came by bus or train. My car is Italian haha: a black Alfa Romeo 147 diesel (6 years old).
Great idea; wish I could join you. You’d probably inspire me to actually buy something!
Yes, please let me know more about your ideas, because I want to see the Van Gogh museum, and would be very happy to have you as my guide to Amsterdam! You sound like a lovely lady, Greetje!
Hahaha, thank you Alison. Hope I can live up to such expectations. Have you seen my new post about Amsterdam this week? More ideas and stuff. Don’t think I will be doing the Van Gogh Museum, but who knows. Besides you don’t have to follow the group all the time. Don’t know who will be coming yet. I have one definite, one who said “count me in” and three maybes. We will see. Do you want to come in May or September?
How I would love to do this. I’ve always wanted to visit Amsterdam. You have planted a seed and now I will see if this is possible for me.
I’m hoping to get a clean bill of health from my Dr.’s after one last scope in November and should have a better idea after that. I would come with a girlfriend. Not sure if it would be May or Sept yet.
I would definately be down for doing New York since it is close to where I live, only a 45 minute plane ride away.
bisous
Suzanne
Would love you to join. But your good health comes first. Of course. Keep in touch and let me know how you get on. You can also email me ( top of my blog in the navigation under contact).
What a fabulous idea!! Thank you for your invitation, dear Greetje!
My daughter Jean and I were in New York City in August (as you know) and we met up with two other bloggers, really fun!!
If anyone is ever coming to Toronto, Canada — count me in!! I will be your tour guide! 🙂 I live an hour away and there are fabulous shops and sights to see!
I don’t think I’ll make it to Amsterdam next summer, but your photos are fantastic and I’m glad you shared them with us! I’ll be following your shopping adventure with those who are able to go.
Have a fashionable week!!
<3 carmen
There will be more posts about Amsterdam and the shopping routes I have been scouting…
And I will remember Toronto.
Great post and initiative, Greetje! You know my life. No clue where I will be when. But if I am around I hope to join in;-).
New York would be great too. Otherwise let’s make it Singapore, hahaha!
Hope some gathering will work out with your blogging friends.
In the meantime I get to write nice articles.
I doubt I’ll be able to accept this fantastic invitation but I never say never. Amsterdam is certainly on my list of places to see. Oddly, a ticket to fly there is probably cheaper than a ticket to fly across my own country. The history and vibrance of your city is staggering. Great idea, Greetje.
Have a look at the rates and see whether there is a special offer coming up.
And how about an airB&B for staying? You can make that as cheap or expensive as you want and it is more fun than a hotel. I like that new phenomenon.
Hi Greetja, I think April would be best for me. It’s sooner than September, but at this point, either date is OK.
Cheers,
Rosemary from
http://www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
OK, so far we have two UK ladies, you and Lorraine, as “registered”, and one keen Italian blogger who is contemplating (Dan). And an American blogger (Trina) who is looking at possibilities as well. Doing fine here. With Sylvia in the background and a few others who might get more appetite once they have seen the upcoming blogposts about Amsterdam. I hope to publish one on Monday but I am not sure yet (lots of work).
Lovely idea Greetje. Of course I will be ready for one of your private tours in July or even in December when I’m over as well. I’m not sure if I can make it at your suggested times, but if you do get a few of my favorite ladies together then I may just have to join you all and just hop on a flight…
Good idea. And of course you get a private tour, although I don’t have to point you the way. LOL
It’s a great idea you’ve got. when I saw your picture galleries swelled my heart. In 96 I was a semester at Utrecht University and lived in a small apartment in the heart of Utrecht. It’s one of my best experiences I have had as an adult. I loved it. beautiful beautiful picture galleries.
Utrecht is a lovely town too. Going to university there and meeting friends… great. Cannot think of a better place (apart from Amsterdam haha).
Greetje, this is such a fabulous idea. You have planted a seed and there is a possibility that it could grow. In the meantime I will continue to be inspired by your posts. I’ve always wanted to see Amsterdam and meeting you would be wonderful.
Wouldn’t I love to have you over…!! Indeed, this post is the seed. And I will post more pictures and stories to seduce you all. LOL
I would to to come, and will for certain one day, but looking for houses and trying to sell ours plus the baby coming in a few weeks leaves me no choice.
Wonderful pics, dear Grretje.
Ohh… Sacramento, it is only next year April or September. By that time the baby is born, your house will be sold and you will have settled into your new home. For sure.
That’s indeed a lovely idea, Greetje! However, I really can’t say whether I could join you. For sure not in September as that time is already pre-booked but also May is difficult with my commuting back and forth with Mr C.
Annette | Lady of Style
I am sure I can book a “last minute decision” spot for you haha. You just need to want it.
But I know this idea will always come second to Mr C. And that is how it should be. LOL
I am supporting you all the way but unfortunately not participating. I think it is a great idea, and ladies if there is one person who is totally capable of organising a trip like this it is Greetje, so ladies go for it, if there ever is a possibility.
Hahaha…thanks Marianne.
Absolutely!! I would love to come!! I have been to Amsterdam several times and I love it. It would be a wonderful holiday for me, to be with other “fashion nuts” and shop/poke around interesting shops. Tentatively, I’d LOVE TO COME!!!
Thanks for the idea, Greetja!
Cheers from England,
Rosemary from
http://www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
Oh how nice. April or September?… Tentatively haha. No pressure. You can decide later. If it gets really crowded (yeah right …haha), I will let you know.
It’s a wonderful idea! I wish I could come.
What is stopping you? It is next year. Would love you to come over.
Now this is a fun idea! I would enjoy meeting Trina, Dan and of course you. I have only traveled in the US. Sadly I don’t think I could do a trip like this now because of my responsibility as a caregiver to my dad.
I am enjoying this post, seeing you out and about taking pictures for us to see. Looks like some fun places and what a beautiful country. If I ever get to Europe, I will come see you!
blue hue wonderland
Ah.. your dad comes first, of course. In the meantime I will post some articles just to see it then. I will try and make the story with the photos as fun as possible. And I will take you up on it..: if you ever do get to Europe, see me.
such fabulous photos
thanks for sharing
brett
It is my pleasure entirely. Believe me.
Now this is a fun idea! I would enjoy meeting Trina, Dan and of course you. I have only traveled in the US. Sadly I don’t think I could do a trip like this now because of my responsibility as a caregiver to my dad.
I am enjoying this post, seeing you out and about taking pictures for us to see. Looks like some fun places and what a beautiful country. If I ever get to Europe, I will come see you!
blue hue wonderland
Ah.. your dad comes first, of course. In the meantime I will post some articles just to see it then. I will try and make the story with the photos as fun as possible. And I will take you up on it..: if you ever do get to Europe, see me.
Greetje, love this post! I thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse into your hometown. This is a fantastic idea, which I’ve already mentioned. I think the best part of getting together would be laughing for hours on end, who care about the shopping? (haha). If I can make this work, May would be the best for me. I’m taking a girl-friend trip (leaving on the 27th of this month) for Paris, London and Yorkshire and then Ireland. Now I just need to convince hubby I deserve another one. I would very much love to see your beautiful country and you. I love your idea of scouting around and posting these fun sights to get us more excited.
Do you ever make it to New York City? I love to head there once a year and was thinking that sometime a group of us should meet up there as well.
Oh it would be fantastic if you could come. Your trip this month sounds like fun too. You are getting places. I know your hubby does not need convincing. It is more a matter of you thinking “is this fair?”. Fortunately it is next year and not next month.
I have been to New York twice and love that city. So I am game if there is a gathering there.
In the meantime I have a perfect excuse to continue these Amsterdam posts haha.
I really enjoyed your today post since I like seeing photos of towns all around the world! Amsterdam seems to be a wonderful city and I am planning a journey there ( even if I don’t know when! )
You are very cute going around and taking photos! A different version of you!!
I find your idea soooo nice and I would like to say yes! right now, but there are many things I shoud have to check before ( problems as a direct flight from Torino or my job! ) … a bag museum? Wow, I would love that!!
And now a silly question:is that your car, the red I10 next to you?
I am so glad you like the post. There is still lots of time to decide. I don’t think there will be hundreds of readers registering, do you? Haha.
I would love you to come in April or September. But if you come at another time, you are welcome too. Of course. And I will be glad to show you around.
The red car is not mine. Parking in Amsterdam is an expensive hobby. I came by bus or train. My car is Italian haha: a black Alfa Romeo 147 diesel (6 years old).
Wow. What a FANTASTIC idea! I would love to see the posts and see who joins you- I truly wish I could! Perhaps someday!
It is still far away.. Who knows?? Something might change in your life? Opportunity sometimes presents itself in the most unexpected ways and/or moments. I would love to see you.