Tulips from Amsterdam - taken from the gardens at the Vondelpark

May is the last month of the season for enjoying Amsterdam tulips. The stunning Keukenhof Spring Gardens are open daily from 8.00 AM to 19.30 up until May 20^th 2012.

For a bunch of fresh cut tulips, visit Gerda’s Bloemen in the Nine Streets, one of Amsterdam’s top florists.

For fresh cut tulips, visit Gerda’s Bloemen in the Nine Streets

The Keukenhof Spring Gardens are open daily until May 20th 2012.

Check them out at the Tenue de Nîmes concept store and at Tenue de Nîmes online.

Men’s Denim Bermudas from Edwin in Nashville denim, available now from Tenue de Nîmes

Cash in the attic - Amsterdammers sell off their bric a brac on Queen's Day

The most sought after pitches are on the bridges over the canals – Amsterdam is not known as a city of shop-keepers for nothing – even your average householder knows that footfall is paramount!
So more than two weeks before the day – often under the cover of darkness the Queen’s Day traders nab their pitch – if you’re new to the city – you will see the word BEZET taped out on the streets over and over again.

Bezet! Grab a pitch for Queen's Day, Amsterdam 2012

In Dutch this is not always a nice word…it means OCCUPIED and is mainly associated with the status of Amsterdam during the 2nd WW… but for this one very important day of the year – it’s now appropriated for a more positive use.
Let’s not forget this is the biggest street party of the year – anyone with a boat will take to the canals – if you have any opportunity to be on a boat, grab it with both hands, for being afloat is definitely the place to be on Queens Day…

Take to the Canals on Queen's Day in Amsterdam

Many of the city’s independent designer shops will have stalls pitched directly outside their shops and there are great bargains to be had.
Margriet Nannings, one Dutch fashion designer even ‘mans’ her own stall each year outside her shop in the Prinsenstraat, selling off samples and last year’s stock and it’s worth checking as her designs are sold at a fraction of their original price!
Here are some handy links to make your Queen’s Day special this year
Our feature page on Queen’s Day – lots of images and info…
Hire a Boat…
Free Printable Shopping Guide to Amsterdam’s independent shops…
Stay on a Houseboat… 

Pencil Sharpener Dress | Catwalk designs by Art Students Utrecht

These designer dresses have been fashioned from the obsessions of artist Pet van de Luijtgaarden. Dresses made entirely from his extensive collections of match boxes, buttons, miniature toys and even pencil sharpeners! The result is a visual concoction of colour, texture and a fair bit of tongue in cheek.

Catwalk Shows of all 20 designs will take place at VerzamelaarsJaarbeurs on 14th April 2012

Two Catwalk Fashion Shows will showcase all these fabulous designs on Saturday 14th April at 14.00 and 15.00 – don’t miss this amazing visual extravaganza…

Fashion Event at Europe's Largest Vintage Fair

The VerzamelaarsJaarbeurs has over 2000 exhibition stands displaying an amazing range of vintage, retro and antique collectibles and memorabilia.
The International Collector’s Fair takes place on Saturday 14th April from 9.00 – 17.00 and on Sunday 15th April from 10.00-17.00

Edge of Capitalism | Middas Zwaan, Golden Arrow

A Dragon on a Flat Land Is a group exhibition and artists include Hester Scheurwater, Robert Roelink, Midas Zwaan, Stephan Muis, Harold Linker and Hans van der Pas.

In 2012 – The Year of The Dragon – diplomatic relations between The Netherlands and The Peoples Republic of China have been in existence for forty years.
This exhibition ‘Edges of Capitalism’ A Dragon on a Flat Land, is a preamble of co-operation between Dutch artists – Hester Scheurwater, Robert Roelink, Midas Zwaan, Stephan Muis, Harold Linker, Hans van der Pas and Chinese artists from Chengdu, China.

Edges of Capitalism | Robert Roelink, In The Garden of Life Between Life and Death

Diplomatic co-operation has many facets not least of which is the pursuit of economic growth on both sides, the emergence of close international links is part of the impact of ‘borders’ disappearing worldwide. Although Communism still monopolizes the conversation in China – we also see how the country has been so rapidly seduced by capitalism.

As the title of the exhibition indicates, these Dutch artists want to highlight the sharp edges of Capitalism – the chasm between rich and poor, the loss of standards and values in society and the destruction of individuality and cultural identity – as the cost of globalisation.

Edges of Capitalism | Harold Linker, Masters of the Universe | Hester Scheurwater, Shooting Back

After initial contact via the Internet the artists will spend 20 days co-operating on a project in The Netherlands and then 20 days in Chengdu China.
Forty days in total – one day for each year.

The resulting synergy will be exhibited both in The Netherlands and in China…

More Info on Galerie Brandt
Printable Location map and link for Google maps for Galerie Brandt

Happy summer shoes from Square Feet

Square Feet presents the Summer Collection 2012

Usher summer in with a pair of happy and vibrant Square Feet designer shoes from their Square Feet Summer collection. The shoes and sandals are from the in-house brand of Square Feet, and are of an excellent quality, are comfortable and unique. Choose from a wide range of hot summer colours and styles.

Marie José van den Boom, a Dutch shoe designer started her shoe label Square Feet a few years ago, offering top quality footwear at a reasonable price. Square Feet is now synonymous with originality, colour and comfort.

Don’t Miss the Square Feet Special Offer for Mother’s Day!

When you buy a pair of these fabulous Square Feet shoes on Saturday 12th or on Sunday 13th of May 2012, Square Feet will pay half the price of a matching bag as a gift for all mothers!

Fabulous Square Feet shoes and a matching bag

Square Feet is located in Amsterdam’s lively Prinsheerlijk district.
How to get there – Square Feet, Link to Google maps,  contact details and location map.

House of Bols Experience, Paulus Potterstraat 14, just opposite the Van Gogh Museum!

Join us at the House of Bols Birthday Party Sunday April 1st 2012

Nico Heilijgers "Groen drieluik met venkel", 2012 Oil on Board 24 x 24 cm

New Dutch Realism specialist, Amsterdam’s Galerie Mokum presents the new collection of oil paintings by Dutch contemporary artists Nico Heilijgers & Erik Tierolf.
The exhibition opens on 24th March and continues until April 21st 2012.
The official exhibition opening takes place between 16.00 and 18.00 on March 24.

Erik Tierolf, "Bos", 2012 Oil on Canvas, 24 x 50 cm

More on Galerie Mokum
Galerie Mokum – Location map & contact details
More Amsterdam Art Galleries & Artists

The magnificent Keukenhof tulip gardens are open from March 22nd 2012

Finally, Spring 2012 has arrived and with it, the opening of the celebrated Keukenhof Tulip Gardens in Lisse.This year, these magnificent tulip gardens open to the public from March 22^nd and remain open for 2 months until May 22^nd during which time magnificent floral displays will be on show. Don’t miss it!

Opening times – daily from 8.00 to 19.30.

Keukenhof Gardens 2012 – more information, history, how to get there…

The Keukenhof Tulip Gardens are now open - until May 22nd 2012.

The hot Current/Elliot floral jeans

Current/Elliot floral jeans are designed after Current/Elliot’s Stiletto low-rise skinny jeans fit. In keeping with the fashion label’s love of timeless vintage denim pieces, the floral jeans sport spring’s colours – pink, mint, muted mustard and dusty peach – that are easy on the eyes. Pair them with a pair of nude stilettos or black booties.

Buise Fashion Boutique is a fashion haven for women where you can get everything under one roof – casual, business and formal designer clothing and accessories . Buise fashion brands include Current/Elliot (and their floral jeans) Isabel Marant, Paul & Joe, Baum und Pferdgarten, 7 for all mankind, By Malene Birger, Antik Batik and Sarah Lou.

Buise Fashion Amsterdam – more information and contact details.