Ordinary Sundays

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Anna Denise - 21 comments

God, I love the Internet. The way it can bring people together, connect folks from around the world, inspire us, allows us to share things - it really is something, people.

I know I sound like an old lady, but I remember when we first got our Internet connection back in 1994 and I was able to chat with complete strangers and build friendships - it was amazing. Addicting and amazing. And yes, I used the word 'friendship'. I have built real friendships over the Internet, met people I was corresponding with via e-mail and all sorts of social media, and just have that connection. I know this is kind of a long intro, but I met Jenny Kan this way - years ago, via our blogs, commenting away. We've since met multiple times and I now consider her a friend.


Well, my friend, Jenny Kan, happens to be an amazing accessories designer. Based in Amsterdam, she set up a scarf label, called 'Ordinary Sundays'. The label and the scarfs are just gorgeous. I myself own a few and they're unique, luxurious, pretty but cool. LOVE her brand, LOVE her work. So I figured it's about time I turn the spotlight onto this wonderful and talented lady. Go get her scarfs. It's very much worth every penny.




Links: Website | Shop | Facebook | Twitter


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Guest Post on Turtlewings' Think About Paper

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Anna Denise - 150 comments
I'm honored to let you know the first guest post I've written for the new Turtlewings 'Think About' Blog has just been published online. This month, we're thinking about paper and I used this opportunity to delve a bit into paper fashion.

Read all about it here.


Images: Matthew Brodie and Fred Butler


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Ice cream colored goodness

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Anna Denise - 21 comments
By Anna Denise
Summer's (almost?) here and I was trying out some hot little bikinis this week and looking in the mirror, I figured I should probably lay off the ice cream for a bit right now. Instead of eating ice cream, though, I don't think looking at ice cream colors can do much harm to those saggy hips of mine, can it?

This baby sloth by Kaya is just so adorable, I wish she would put it on a t-shirt. Links: Blog | Flickr

This t-shirt dress from RHLS reminds me of growing up in the 90s. I think I still own the socks and hairbands to color-coordinate this baby. Yeah! Links: Website | Blog | Etsy Shop


And finally, this collage by Dutch artist Louise van Terheijden caught my eye because it's so simple and colorful - it would fit anywhere in my house. Links: Website | Etsy Shop


Have a good Thursday everyone!


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Teepee Treasures

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Anna Denise - 99 comments
When I was little we would sometimes set up our little teepee in the living room and we'd be allowed to camp out there. I think we even had 'Indian outfits' to dress up in as well. Ah, fond memories. That's why when I saw an image of a teepee flash by on Pinterest this week, I thought I'd find some teepee treasures for you to enjoy! So enjoy! ENJOY dammit!


Am loving this teepee shirt from LineaCarta in Berkeley, California. This would be the perfect shirt to take on a camping trip. If you should decide to go camping, that is (you fools!). Links: Website | Blog | Etsy Shop


Our cat Meneertje ('little Mister') sleeps in an igloo, but I am sure he would adore this teepee from ModCloth as well. It's so badass. Perhaps I should get this for his birthday in August (hey! celebrating cat birthdays is so ok). Link: ModCloth


How cute and modern is this necklace from ROUND Designs? Jewel maker Lila Rice who's based in Brooklyn, New York, really knows how to handcraft some very pretty necklaces, so be sure to check out her website. This teepee necklace has to be my favorite, though. Links: Website | Blog | Shop


Should you still want to go camping, though (despite my objections), please take this handprinted teepee tea towel from Indobay Inc. with you. You'll be the star of the dishwashing area. Links: Blog | Shop


And finally, the teepee that all started it. By Moozlehome, via DutchHandmade. Links: Blog | Etsy Shop


Enjoy your Wednesday and see you back here tomorrow!
♥ Anna Denise


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Etsy Treasury: Overwhaleming

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Anna Denise - One comment
By Anna Denise
Yes, I am so good with the word jokes. It's genetic, really. My dad can do it, too. Click on the image to see my whale-themed treasury on Etsy! Such a fun tool to play around with...


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Oui oui, bon bon!

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Anna Denise - Seventeen comments
It's finally warm here in Brussels and since the windows in our office don't open (and the airco is too old and scary to turn on), I'm often reminded of the holidays of my childhood. Long drives to the south of France. Sitting on the Route de Soleil in our old Volvo, t-shirts and teatowels clamped in the windows to protect us from the sizzling hot sun. It would seem forever until we arrived, but once we did there would always be croissants and lots of French speaking strangers (that's what you get for going to France, I suppose). So, to make a long story short - here are some French-ish beauties I favorited this week, in my holiday spirit.


Am loving this great Bonjour tote by Poketo! Since 'Bonjour' is the only French word I can pronounce correctly, I think I should have this. Links: Shop | Blog


And how about this slouchy beret by Tortillagirl? Ok, perhaps I wouldn't necessarily wear this in summer, but it's cute and the color red is just phenomenal. Link: Etsy Shop


I've been kind of in babyland these past few months, with my sister-in-law expecting a little one (any day now) as well as a good friend who I work with every day getting pregnant, so I'm keeping my eye out for cute baby stuff. These little hats from the Fine Little Shop are just adorable. Link: Fine Little Shop


Bon bon! Oui oui! More words I know! Amazing cards by Darling Clementine. I so adore their work. Links: Website | Shop


Where did you go on holiday when you were little? France too, or something more exotic?


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A Bandage for the world: JOJO

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Anna Denise - 46 comments
By Anna Denise
A couple of days ago, as I was dozing off on the bus home as usual, I noticed these words painted on the window of one of my favorite neighborhood café's, Delecta.

Of course I waited until April 4th to look up what the deal actually was, missing another awesome pop up store (yes, I have missed a couple before, and those were right on my street). Fortunately, the JOJO project, is much more than a pop up store and the project really grabbed my attention. So, let me tell you about it.



PART SHOE, PART BANDAGE

Matthieu and Christoph are two friends from Brussels and they sell shoes. Well, of course they don't just sell shoes. The shoes, based on a simple trainer they came across on heir travels through South America, are part shoe and part bandage, as they say on their website. Concerned with the overwhelming amount of issues our world is facing right now, Chris and Matt wanted to create a product that would be good and do good. Fix things, like a bandage, even if it's just on a small scale.


HOW DOES IT WORK?

Matt and Chris responsibly produced a light canvas shoe that you can buy. They've got all different kinds of colors, all with the distinctive 'bandage' laces. When purchasing your pair, you can pick one of two NGOs JOJO partnered up with to receive your donation. Would you like your money to go towards planting a tree in Dosso, Niger, or would you like to contribute to building water pumps in Sierra Leone? After purchasing your shoe (and feeling pretty darn good about yourself), you can then go online and check in to see how the project you supported is doing. Consequently, you will feel even better about yourself.



TALK TO THE SHOE?

JOJO isn't just about making you feel good about yourself, though. What drew me into their project (besides the cute shoes), is their understanding of the concern most people of our generation have for the global issues at stake, and turning this (passive) awareness into a tangible, wearable, positive message for each consumer to convey. We're such an individualistic generation and society, focused on expressing ourselves and our values through what we purchase - why not actually turn these abstract values into doing good?

I think however pragmatic, Chris and Matt understand the way our spoiled happy little generation thinks and I really hope their bandages will turn out to help fix some of the problems our world will have to face sooner or later.


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Blogger Spotlight: Kendi Lea

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Anna Denise - 46 comments
One of the reasons for starting this blog is because I'm a self-confessed blog junkie, spending hours on the web, checking out blogs, artists and shops I love. In the Blogger Spotlight section of this blog, I will interview those bloggers that have been and continue to be a huge inspiration to me. Who are they?

I am so happy and honored to introduce you to Kendi of Kendi Everyday today. She's one of the awesome-est style bloggers out there. She has a great sense of humor and her impeccable, relaxed-chic style is a huge source of inspiration to me. When I'm not feeling too inspired by the contents of my wardrobe in the morning, I will actually open up Kendi's blog in the morning while having my cup of coffee to see what she's wearing and usually I'll find a style I can copy. So THANK YOU Kendi for being so awesome and for answering my questions!

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog?
Hi, I'm Kendi and I write the blog Kendi Everyday. My blog is a style blog of sorts -- I moved to a small town a few years ago and got extremely bored with the town, myself and my wardrobe. After convincing my husband to take my photos, I started my little place on the internet that I like to call home. I post outfit photos about 4-5x a week and once per season I host a challenge called "30 for 30 Remix" where it challenges readers to make 30 outfits out of 30 items.


What made you start blogging and what expectations did you have when you started?
After reading so many fashion and style blogs, I knew that I wanted to contribute as a blogger and not just as a reader. I had absolutely NO expectations when i started. I simply wanted to find my style and have something to do in this little town of mine. I'm not sure if I would have had the guts to start had I known what I know now, so I think the no expectations was the best approach!



You followed your husband from a bigger city to a small town. Has it been hard to adjust?
It was pretty hard at first to adjust -- I left a city with my family and friends to town 6 hours away. Aside from leaving my family, I think culturally it was a hard adjustment. We went from the culture and night life of a metropolitan area to every restaurant closing at 8 pm. Quite the adjustment!


How do you see your blog evolving over time? A book?
I think that slowly my blog evolves, just as my life does. I see how my style has evolved since first starting out, I see my writing evolving, even my marriage evolving through my blog. I think that is the best part of blogging -- my life for the past year and a half has been documented with words and photos. So honestly, I feel like my blog will continue to evolve as I change and as my life changes. And do I see a book in the future? Only if someone has an agent ready to sign me!



Of course we see your pretty face and your outfits on your blog every day, but how much of 'you' do show online and is this an issue for you? Are there things you refuse to write about?
A lot of what I write about is pure silliness of my day or what I'm wearing. Don't get me wrong -- fashion has a very important place in culture, but I prefer taking it on a lighter note. As far as my voice goes online, I would be willing to say that it's the exact voice I have in real life. I share with my readers the fun, edited parts of my life. So yes, there are things that I don't write about (e.g. a family member's illness, personal problems, fights with my husband, etc). Not as a steadfast rule, but just because I choose to keep my blog a happy and fun place.


What post that you wrote are you particularly proud of?
This past January, I wrote a post called Fearless that I love. I had no idea when I wrote that post that I would actually be facing a lot of my fears this year, sometimes I have to go back to it and remind myself that I can be fearless, no matter what the situation.



What blogs do you yourself read daily?
Too many to count! I swear my Google Reader is going to rebel against me one day because of all of the blogs I add to it daily. It seems that everyday I discover a new great read. I am continually amazed and inspired by so many style blogs and the women behind them.


Link: Kendi Everyday


Thank you, Kendi!


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