Shoe Embassy, I'm your Belgian Ambassador!

When I visited London this fall, I discovered a new shoe brand at the heart of Camden Town.
I had been looking for the perfect oxfords for over a year, but couldn't find that one pair I really wanted. When I walked into the Shoe Embassy store at Camden Town, my heart skipped a beat! The most beautiful full leather pair of oxfords were screaming "Take me home with you...?!". I tried them on and, my gosh, they fit like a glove! But I just couldn't fit them into my suitcase anymore, what a disaster! The shop assistant saw that I was drooling over them and felt bad I couldn't take them, so she offered me a voucher to win back the delivery costs when I bought them at the online store. Guess what I did as soon as I got home? I ordered them, DUH!

Shoe Embassy totally stole my heart! I just love their whole collection (check out the men's as well!), their service and even the way they packed my order. As a marketing assistant, I'm a fool for little details, like when you order, you receive a lovely guide about how to treat your beloved shoes nicely. 

I haven't regretted my purchase and these Brick Lane shoes are the best buy ever! 
I have never bought such excellent quality and comfort for my feet for sooo little money. To my opinion, they should increase their prices to measure up with the quality they offer. 
I don't think there's a way to find them at a Belgian shop yet. Too bad, but you can always order online :-) at www.shoeembassy.com . They don't fit wide or small, they fit like they should to your true size.

I will definitely buy another pair soon, but first I put these on my Christmas list: the King's Road Chocolate Chip Low Ankle Boots for though cookies like me! Finger's crossed my boyfriend will get the hint...

L. Space

I'm counting down to the Christmas holidays, because I have refurnishing plans.

Because of our move to a smaller apartment in my parent's backyard last year, I didn't have enough space to sew. My mom offered me to use my old room for a while.
Question: Should I 'borrow' this from her? It's my old room, so it means it's mine, right? She claimed it as a 'Everything I don't need, I'll put in here-room'. 
Anyway, she 'lend' me my old room and gave me a liiittle desk in the corner and lucky for me, next to the window. It's not a pleasant experience sewing there, because I don't have enough space to even move, so I'm obliged to make the most out of my evening sewing classes on Wednesdays.

I got so sick of feeling frustrated every time I entered that room with the urge to sew, that I burst out and demanded my room back. I ended up fighting with my mom, but we came to a mutual agreement to start 'renovating' the room.

We'll throw out all the junk we don't need (or give it to charity), place some extra cabinets and a pattern table and of course a desk for my mom, because that was the agreement.

I'm so excited and I can't wait until we are finished. We are starting this weekend, so I can start sewing during the holidays. It's only a temporary sewing room until we find a house ourselves, so it's not going to be big, but I already gathered a few ideas on Pinterest:

A movable pattern cutting table on wheels, so it can easily be put aside. I can build that with little cabinets from IKEA. 

A jar storage shelf:

And I'm going to need a moodboard:

La Maison Victor: DIY Fashion Fair

Two weekends ago, I went to visit the very first edition of the DIY Fashion Fair, by La Maison Victor. La Maison Victor is the newest DIY/Sewing magazine from Sanoma. Only four editions of the magazine were published and they're selling like candy! The DIY hype keeps standing and La Maison Victor sure knows how to keep people busy and interested by designing modern patterns and organizing a fair like this.

The DIY Fashion Fair had a few readings and workshops to offer next to some booths with fabrics, accessories, etc.
I attended readings about labeling clothing, fall/winter trends and body shape styling, where I found out I have the most wanted X (hourglass) shape.

It was hard to choose which workshops to attend, but I went with 'Textile Design' and 'Photography Styling'.
Textile Design was quite interesting and fun! Lotte Martens from 'Textile with a Concept' explained how to cut out a shape out of an eraser and then print it on a linen tote bag. Easy to do at home and even to keep the kids busy on a rainy afternoon. I would really recommend one of her workshops!
At the Photo Styling session I immediately tried out to capture my own designed bag on photo. The lighting was pretty bad, but with a VSCO touchup it turned out quite OK. 

After all those creative try-outs, I strolled around to see the other booths, couldn't help myself buying some fabric again, and found the magnificent Annamarieke. She had the most impressive collection of retro patterns, all well preserved and for sale! I didn't really had the time to dig into her collection, but I will certainly pay a visit to her shop soon! She also offers workshops, sewing supplies and fabrics.

I really think this was a fun day out! I do think, though, that it was smaller than people expected it to be. I was looking for a zipper for one of my new sewing projects, but could only find booths with fabrics and ribbon. The hostesses at the entrance weren't well informed about the event and the workshops as well. But of course, this was only the first edition of the event and it will probably expand, depending on success. 
This was a well organised event, well done!

Mind Security

I love those moments when a damn great idea pops into my head, but after some time I just forget about it. But what if that idea could have changed my life? If not now, maybe later? 

I decided to create my idea book. Sketchy thoughts, ideas for greatness and plans for the future far ahead will be scribbled down on paper and I will lock it in a safe. No one will ever steal my beloved babynames, awfully inventive and creative designs and mad illusions!

Try it, maybe it will come in handy someday!

Although you won't be taking a peek at my magnificent notebook, my pinterest account is always open for public ;-)...

Take a look at what's been occupying me at L.Exploring Life on Pinterest.

Update. About time!

Ok, so, there's been radio silence for a while. Sorry for that! After a year of posting EVERY day, I got a bit sick of it. BUT, a lot of positive things have happened to me these last few months...

Léon the Australian
A few days after New Year we got in contact with my boyfriend's diving buddy we met at Big Blue Diving Koh Tao (Thailand). He was coming to Brussels, so we invited him to stay at our place for a few days. Léon is an Australian guy, who moved to the UK for his new girlfriend (and to see the world). Because she had to go abroad for work, he thought "Who not visit Brussels while she's away?". And so he ended up spending a few days with us. I introduced him to my family and planned a few 'typical Belgian' things to do. We visited the Atomium, Flanders Fields and of course we went out drinking one night. Glad that last one ended well, because that man can drink...
It was such fun having him around, although I have to be honest that I was a bit uncomfortable going to the bathroom when he was walking around. But we'll sure meet up again!

My new job
I started my new job. I still have to get used to it, because it's totally different from my other one.

5 years of kissing
5 years passed since I kissed my boyfriend for the first time. It happened to be on Valentines Day. But that wasn't really the intention, since we were both drunk. About a month later we became a couple. 
I planned him a surprise dinner, which was funny, because he was a 100% sure we were driving to a certain restaurant we often go to and he was totally wrong.

Road Bike
Finally, I got on the road bike. I found my new passion! I still have to work out how to look good on the bike though. I feel so manly everytime... I already ordered my own bike wear so I don't have to use my boyfriend's stuff. Of course, how could you have guessed!? There's pink in it...

Finishline

The End

The end of 2013 is near, which means my challenge has come to its end.
2013 has brought me a lot of food, a lot of moments where I peed my pants, and a wonderful challenge and therefore a lot of opportunities. Some days it was really hard to write something, because although it seems my year was all rays of sunshine, there were days I cried my eyeballs out. But those days where the days I needed this challenge the most! I was obligated to search for something that cheered me up and often that was food, our kitty or TV. My boyfriend, friends and family also contributed in making this year awesome!
I can't say I'm cured from my negativity YET, but I'm on my way to become a positivist!

Sequel?

I will certainly continue with my writing, but not on such a regular base. Sometimes it was more a burden than something that would help me.

• My boyfriend sometimes had to wake me up in the middle of the night, because I forgot about it.
• In Thailand I got uptight because internet didn't work properly and I couldn't post. I got over this and just wrote updates of our day when I had the time and posted these when we got internet connection.
• Sometimes my day was sooo boring, I just had nothing to write about. But this is also good, because nothing isn't something bad either!

Top 2013

When I look back I sure am glad that I did this. I got to know myself a bit better and I had a lot of fun.
Here's a list of my favourite L. Exploring Life 2013 events and while looking at this (very long) list I realized I had a f*cking great year!

Challenges

• A sad day: the day my grandpartents house was sold
• The day I overcame my fear of hights on our weekend trip with work
• I got sporty in 2013 by starting spinning class

'Fieldtrips'

• Our trip to Thailand
• Our Wallonie Trip with 'De Stevige Stappers'
• My day-out to Maastricht with my grandmother
• Oyster fishing in Yrseke
• Moving my boyfriend's sister's stuff was kind of a field trip where I peed my pants

Food

• Every time I ate sushi
• Every other time I ate or cooked something good. Food is my life!

Stuff

• My best sale buys ever: Wouters & Hendrix Jewelry
• The day I won my Noiselles 

Other

• My first time on a race bike. This will become my new passion (my boyfriend hopes it too, because than he can buy a new bike with me)
• The shawl collar victory
• Grumpy Cat made me laugh every time!
• Wedfest: Best party of the year!
• I saved a few road kills this year from being smashed apart.
• Playing dress-up with our dog
• My white tights
• The Condom Prank
• Thanksgiving
• I remember that time our kitty cat had to take a poo

New year, new challenge?

2014 will not be a major challenge, at least not in the way of writing a blog. I think my challenge hasn't ended on becoming positive. I will still have to work on that, but I'm on my way. 
My new challenge of 2014 will definitely be my new job. I'm starting on the 6th of January and I'm going to kick ass!


Have a Happy New Year everyone and thanks for sticking with me!

A Compliment a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

I got a compliment from a customer today. She visited our shop together with her husband, because he needed some pants, a shirt and a sweater. 
Like always, I was trying my best to satisfy their needs and out of the blue, she complimented me. She said I was a very nice person and that I was very good at my job. She said that it was very hard to find people with patience and enthusiasm for the customer.
I turned red.