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When your friends organize the best (sun)days. Today we spent the afternoon with a group of lovely ladies at Koraal and 8 The Experience - cause cocktails and self-care go well together ;)
Gaby and I are taking this very serious.
Picture by K. De Freitas
Perfect Aveda gifts to take home.
The sound of the “pagara’s” echo around me. It is only the 28th, but it being Friday, many people seem keen on getting the celebrations started. This is the sound of New Years. The sound of reflection, of memories and of goals yet to be made. It is somehow also the sound of new beginnings, of better intentions and renewed hope. 2018 was full of travel, surprises and unexpected opportunities - let’s see what 2019 will bring.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Photo from own collection. Earring by Beck Jewels.
Lovely to see that Curacao is the inspiration for a few Summer pieces of the Zimmermann collection.
Image via Net-a-Porter: "Named after the idyllic Dutch Caribbean island, Zimmerman's 'Curacao' playsuit is cut from cream silk-chiffon and printed with delicate blue and lilac florals".
This iconic Australian brand has stayed true to its original vision: sophisticated femininity, a passion for detail and a love of colour and print. Sisters Nicky and Simone ZIMMERMANN founded their namesake brand in Sydney in 1991. - From their website.
Image via Net-a-Porter: "Named after the Caribbean island, Zimmermann's 'Curacao' blouse is a light and breezy choice for your next getaway".
Image via Net-a-Porter: "Zimmermann's breezy 'Curacao' dress is perfect for outdoor events, but we also like it for staying comfortable and cool while exploring markets on vacation".
One of our favorite restaurants on the island is Kome. We're there at least once a week savoring the creations of Chef Dave and the desserts by Susan (see image below). In the evenings their special always includes a risotto - and I end up ordering that quite often. Other favorites are the "peppered hanger steak" and the "octupus ala plancha".
Try their tapas night on Wednesday - don't forget to order the sangria with that. It is worth it, trust me.
We featured Kome in the Curacao: Banda Ariba book as well.
Photo by Danny. Dessert by Susan. Chef Dave in the Kitchen with his crew.
Yesterday, after work, we went for a ride on The Saint, my father's beautiful boat. It reminded me of how lucky we are to live on a Caribbean island - where all the stresses of the day can be washed away by taking the boat out for spin on Spanish Water.
Yesterday on The Saint with my father, uncle and cousin. The Tafelberg in the distance.
Whether you live here or know someone who is traveling to the island soon, Curacao: Banda Ariba is a great holiday gift. It is colorful, chic and small enough to carry with you on your trip to the island.
The book is available here or in the bookshops in Curacao.
A lovely surprise this morning at the office from my colleagues. Now let's get cooking!
Image taken with my iPhone.
The dark clouds loomed over the island from the moment I woke up this morning at 6.30am. Another rainy day on the island has started, but it feels cozy and winter like (I know - if you live anywhere considered the "north" you find my concept of winter outrageous - and you may even want to come down to the island, despite the rain, purely for the warmer temperatures). I love this time of year in Curacao. It is less warm, the island is covered by a lush green color and I can wear my long sleeved white shirts again.
Image via {this is glamorous}.
Image via Dustjacket Attic
This is the public library in Curacao. With its eye-catching design I can't help but steel a glimpse every time I drive passed it.
Photo taken with Camera+ (via the iPhone photo course with Eef Ouwehand).
One of the lovely things about living in Curacao, or any small island I imagine, is that when you order items you love from abroad (and they usually take a while to arrive), you appreciate them so much more. For me this is especially so for magazines. I would love to have a Curacao version of an Athenaeum Bookshop (Amsterdam), Tsustaya (Tokyo) or Do you Read Me (Berlin) on the island. The next best thing is ordering my favourite magazines straight from these vendors. And then waiting months for them to arrive (if ever - I am sure the local post office staff loves my taste in magazines, as it often happens that I never see the actual magazines I ordered. I hope they enjoy them as well).
The other great thing is that when you live somewhere with a 365-day summer people love to visit. And so this month two of my favourite things were combined. My cousin and her daughter flew to Curacao for a little summer pleasure and brought me a magazine. :) Yay - bliss.
We were on the boat often. So lovely. This was a beautiful day on The Saint. It rained all morning. But in the afternoon we were happy to see the sun come out again.
My afternoon espresso, mini cupcake and magazine (the Saturday afternoon after siesta moment).
This weekend we enjoyed a sunset cruise. It was absolutely lovely.
Photo by Krystle.
The book is now for sale in Curaçao bookshops. You can find them at Mensing's Caminada and Bruna Zuikertuintje.
At Mensing's Caminada.
Ready to celebrate that it is Friday? I am! Another wonderful weekend in the Caribbean is waiting for you. And to make it easier for you to enjoy the Caribbean, and especially Curacao, I thought I'd share some companies that showcase the island with you.
There is an indescribable pleasure in owning a travel book. It is such a great way to dream about a destination. So before Curacao Banda Ariba comes out in stores you might want to start adding the first two additions to you collection - Curacao and Curacao Banda Abou.
Both books can be purchased via the website of Divas Publishing.
Now that you have the book it's time to download some Caribbean music on your iPod and dance the night away. For this you should head to Skempi - the streaming service focused on Caribbean music. An absolute delight.
There is of course no better way to explore a destination than with a personal concierge who will take you beyond the touristic areas to the heart of the island you are visiting. Check out the beautiful website and blog of Sand and Stilettos for your Caribbean holiday concierge.
So as the Autumn winds approach, start booking your flight to this paradise island.
Have a great weekend. xx
Photo by Kara Rosenlund via Pinterest.
Yesterday Eef Ouwehand and Elodie Slagter recieved the first copies of the book Curacao Banda Ariba in Amsterdam. So exciting. I can't wait for the book to reach the shores of Curacao.
Visit the Divas Publishing Facebook page for more images of the book and to stay up to date on all the amazing projects Kristel Slagter and Eef Ouwehand develop.
There will be a book give-a-way on the Facebook page as well- so head over there, like it and then book your flight to our beautiful island.
We will let you know soon where the book will be sold.
Have a colourful day. xx Pris
Image via Divas Publishing - please do not copy without consent.
For more information on the book visit its page on Concept 43.
Last week we hosted a party to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Front Shore (the company I work for) and a book launch. The book is called The Cayman Edge- how to set up a Cayman fund and was written by Gordon Casey (also known as the founder of Front Shore).
We thought a theme would be a great idea for the party. And being a somewhat of an "out of the ordinary" type of company we choose 'hipster' as our theme. After some debate on what that exactly means (thank you to our friends in Hamburg for contributing to this) we made some difficult decisions (yeah...) and got the hipster party going.
We held the party at our office, The Triangle, which is an awesome party location (if we say so ourselves). Thelma and Louise (who also go by the name Wild Cooking) helped us out with all the catering and decorations.
So I welcome you to a sneak peak into my office life. Welcome to Front Shore.
The book display table
The book cover and display table
The Thelma & Louise work station.
We had flowers. Isn't it lovely.
Our photo-booth (with Polaroid camera) was a great success.
Our reading table.
The props that made all the guests hipsters. (or so we'd like to think)
Even the food cards got funky.
The lounge on the balcony.
The reading table with fireplace
The desserts were created by La Vie en Rose.
The Front Shore team.
Pictures taken by Hans van der Post and myself. If you like them and want to use them please let us know first. Thanks!
This is the fifth year we are proud, happy and so excited to have the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival on the island again. It is a spectacular event. We are so privileged to have a range of incredible musicians visit Curacao, wow us with their music and leave us dancing till the early hours of the morning. The organizers of the jazz festival out do themselves every year.
This whole week concerts, events and jam sessions have been organized at a variety of locations on the island. And tonight we'll head to the premise where the festival is held for a night featuring the Metropole Orkest for a tribute to Doble R. The concert will include among others Izaline Calister, Giovanca, Ompie Stefania and Randal Corsen.
This weekend we'll enjoy the musical delights of Joss Stone, Smokey Robinson, Bruno Mars and Chaka Khan just to name a few. I have my dancing shoes ready......do you?
For more information check out The Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival website.
Both images via here.
Images via here.
A gorgeous picture by Jan de Graaf.
Playa Lagun, Curacao. Picture via here.
Curacao has about 38 beaches. Some are tiny coves only accessible if you hike there, others are popular weekend destinations for tourists and locals alike and one is located of the main island on what is called Klein Curacao.
One of my favourite aspects of living on the island is going on the boat to a beach every weekend. It is an absolute luxury. One that I missed terrible while living abroad and now thoroughly enjoy and appreciate every time we go out on the water.
The beaches are something we all share. Each of them unique in their own way. Some of them a famous dive spots, others deserted and quiet. Each week I will take you to another beach. Hopefully reaching all 38 - if indeed I can find them all.
Today just a few photos to get you started.
This is the famous Grote Knip.
Image via here.
Image via here.
And this is the beautiful Klein Curacao.
Image via here.
So I am back on la isla bonita. Wonderful to be home, but of course savoring the memories of the trip.
It is officially summer and weekend. Get out those summer dresses, sandals and sunscreen. Have an amazing, laughter-filled weekend.
Thank you for visiting xx
A few pictures of Curacao. :)
Kura Hulanda Hotel
Fuikbaai
Spanish Waters
At the end of the year Divas Publishing will once again publish a colorful and fun book about Curacao, this time focused on the Banda Ariba. I was of course beyond excited when Kristel and Eef asked me to write some of the text for their new book and got started on this project right away. Yesterday the final cover was presented. I love it. Especially the bright yellow color. And I look forward to sharing all the wonderful locations Curacao has to offer with you.
The books focuses on cozy places to stay, delicious restaurants on the island and must-see locations on the island. So whether you live there or if you are visiting, the book will surely be a great island guide. We hope you will enjoy it and the locations it features.
“Our aim is to capture and share the islands hidden treasures”
For more information on this book and of course the previous two books visit Divas Publishing. The books, and other great items can be purchased from this website. And you can find their blog on the website as well.
When we have more information on the launch date of the book and other great news I will be posting it.