beauty · Lifestyle · Tel Aviv

Foxy Ladies

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

Isn’t “girlyness” a crucial part of being a girl? From the little girl playing with Barbie dolls and wearing your mom’s make-up and high heels until the woman you become. Society has a full range of girly duties for us: shopping, manicure, pedicure, facials, waxing, make up, creams, what else? I always thought this “girlyness” wasn’t questionable for a girl. If you are a girl, you have to like it all. Until I started wondering, what if I’m not like that? Am I the only one? Is it ok? Does it make me less of a girl? No way! It took me a long time to find out I even had the right to question all these given facts, until it became too obvious: I do not like this. After following my girlfriends for so many times, while feeling bored and empty, I realized this is just not for me, this is not who I am. I have no patience and no money for any of the above activities. So I’m a natural woman. Make up and colored nail polish just don’t fit me. Waxing hurts. Shopping is boring. I’d rather improvize, find my own solutions, DIY, use old stuff, buy quickly or create with my old clothes. As long as it’s faster, cheaper and doesn’t hurt. So I finally accepted my “girlyness” could be defined in many other ways. Hence, my new slogan: “Define who you are by who you want to be and not by society and conventionality”. But for all the girly girls, there are beauty salons. Foxy is a super cool beauty salon in Tel Aviv and it recently launched its own gift store with a super cool Friday afternoon party with free drinks and music. The shop sells the top brands in beauty products for face and hands, self-designed shirts and many more gifts for the ladies.

Foxy Salon, 85 Yehuda Halevi St. 03-5662050 or visit Foxy’s Facebook page

Art · Fashion · History · Lifestyle · Uncategorized

In with the Old – Living Fashion

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

Have you ever seen a historical movie, like Marie Antoinette or Titanic or even Gone with the Wind , and drooled all over the dresses the women in it were wearing? If so, you have to visit the exhibition “Living Fashion. Women’s daily wear 1750-1950”, on display in the Antwerp Museum of Fashion (MOMU) till April 12.

“Living Fashion” presents over 100 silhouettes from the Dutch collector Jacoba de Jonge and gives an overview of the clothing worn by middle-class women between 1750 and 1950. In the 19th century, the growing social importance of the middle classes brought with it a new group of wealthy citizens who wanted to show off their status through their clothing and behavior. To illustrate this relationship between living in that time period and fashion, the exhibition shows specific sets of dresses: from domestic apparel to traveling outfits to maternity dresses, or dresses for sports and shopping. Every activity required specific apparel. In addition to the clothes these early fashionistas wore, daily organization also followed fashion trends. Mornings were for indoor activities, the afternoons for visits and ‘outdoor activities’, and each moment of the day had its own particular dress code.

Seeing all those dresses and keeping in mind how many times women changed clothes in one day, I returned home with the comforting thought that my (very full) closet is actually not that big in comparison. Time to go shopping?

A big thank you to Merrymaker Ruth for joining me in my fashionable time travel.

Talk soon,

Sien Josephine

Food · Tel Aviv

Delicatessen

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach


My ambition in this blog is not necessarily to share every TLV hotspot, neither to be the coolest chick in town. But when it comes to aesthetics, taste and lifestyle, it’s my duty to share. Especially keeping in mind the motivation behind my posts: show you how and why Tel Aviv is such a great city, as opposed to what most prejudiced minds might think. Most of you who haven’t been here wouldn’t believe this is daily life. So here it is, another proof of how hip, hot and happening this city is. It’s called “Delicatessen” and it’s the latest food concept and more by the R2M cooperation. They already have top restaurants (Brasserie, Coffee Bar), hip bars (Rothschild 12), the Bakery, an exclusive catering business and the boutique hotel “Hotel Montefiore”. Every spot they open always excels in style, design, music and smell. These places are here to stay, which is not an evidence here. “Delicatessen”, combines food and wine, groceries and bakery, breakfast and lunch, wine and spirits and all this with the R2M quality label. Enjoy an Italian cafe on the street terrace, buy some Spanish meat and Dutch cheese in the ‘deli’, eat an Israeli shakshuka in the sun; it’s all part of the experience. Enjoy…

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More info: http://delitlv.co.il/

Art · Crafting · Design · Tel Aviv · Uncategorized

Life on Mars

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

Welcome to Life on Mars. My creative world. What a wonderful world of hobbies: cooking, knitting, sewing, scrap-booking and even some weird freaky hobbies involving witches and miniatures. So besides being overwhelmed I tried to focus on what I’d like to do with all this material. Here’s something I bought:

And here’s the result; what I made with it, the “life on Mars colored pouches collection”

or in details:

And now I just need to sell them and make room for the arrival of a very special sewing machine from Australia, to be continued….

Antwerp · Fashion · Food · Restaurants

Catering by Caffè Internazionale

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

Carrying around a bag filled with Polish pickles was not how I imagined visiting Paris during Fashion Week. The Chinese sales girl who sold me a backpack (the paper bag broke somewhere between getting of the train in Gare du Nord and running to the subway-station) looked at me like I was some kind of pickle-maniac. “What it for?” she asked with a heavy Chinese accent. “Oh, it’s for the caterer!” I must have left that girl even more confused than she already was, at least I had a tear resistant way to transport the pickles to their destination: Rue de Saintonge, temporary home to the Ann Demeulemeester showroom.

Marco Migliore, the beloved and praised owner of Caffè Internazionale (Antwerp),  known for it’s delicious pastrami, was (once again) asked by BVBA 32, the company behind celebrated Belgian fashion designers Ann Demeulemeester and Haider Ackermann, to take care of the catering for staff, models and of course clients in both their showrooms. Marco is not new to this job, as he already had taken care of catering for the Haider showroom during the last Paris Fashion Week S/S 2012. The first time was a challenge to him. But, being able to dive right into the vibe, Marco quickly found his way around the business. People loved the food and atmosphere he created in the showroom.

This time he feels more prepared, mainly because he knows what is expected of him. Also, he thinks very highly of both Demeulemeester and Ackermann. “I’m a fan of their work. C’est la classe.” That’s why Marco finds it very important to show his love for the designers in his work as well. From the carefully selected menu to the high quality products; everything is highly finished to perfection. To even add some variety, a different “food-theme” is used everyday: Italian, French, Spanish, Jewish-Lebanese and Asian. “To me, Fashion Week is very internazionale”, Marco explains. “You feel the atmosphere of fashion everywhere, not only here in the showroom. Paris is without doubt my favorite city in the world. It’s a dream that I can work in this beautiful city for such great talents and friends, creating that what I love most. I feel truly blessed.”

For all information on catering by Caffe Internazionale:

www.caffeinternazionale.be

marco@caffeinternazionale.be

+32 (0)3 248 00 25

Art · Design · Fashion · Lifestyle · Music · Tel Aviv · Uncategorized

F . A . D . T . L . V .

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

Israel’s second city and cultural and commercial capital, Tel Aviv was named “The Mediterranean Capital of Cool” by the New York Times. It’s a city that makes you feel alive. It’s constantly changing, moving, developing itself. Only a 100 years old (which is young for a city) and still, so much to be done. Luckily we have a lot of entrepreneurs here bringing in the things a city needs to sustain its adjective “hip”. The hippest thing in Tel Aviv lately is called F.A.D. It is a 30-day curated pop-up shop of limited edition fashion, art and design.FAD2 fadd15 fadd14 fadd13 fadd8 fadd9

Created by Design Space* and Shoplifters**, this creative space is a multidisciplinary art project featuring all sorts of creative fields. A refined 1000 sqm space dedicated to Design / Contemporary Art / Fashion / Books / Music / Technology / Lectures and much more. From clothing to Art and Design, from flower shop to coffee shop, looking for products from israeli creatives, while browsing the library of magazine and art books. All aesthetic grounds are covered, from classics, to creations by young israeli designers, these girls are are precise collection fed by emotions and creativity. The space is hosting 40 industrial designers, and  18 contemporary artists – from Israel and abroad.

There will be special events including an exclusive private Wallpaper evening. In short: if you’re hip and you’re in Tel Aviv, you’ll visit F.A.D. Whether you shop till you drop, get inspired, do your nails, read a book, drink, eat, “mingle” or just be amazed and look around. Thank you girls – Nitsan, Anat, Gilat, Salome and Emmy.

Come visit: F.A.D. –  Elfassy street 15 – Everyday: 11h-21h, Friday: 10h-18h

Photography Solal Fakiel. High production.

*about Design Space: Design Space was established in 2010 to encourage artistic innovation and provide a platform for progressive art of all media, featuring both emerging and established artists’ work. The Gallery is presenting various fields of design, ranging from furniture and industrial products to diverse art exhibitions of newcomer artists and designers. Through collaborations with various creative sectors, Design Space produces projects and initiatives, extending its vision internationally.
As a gallery, design space organizes solo, collective, and group exhibitions, alongside presenting special projects and events conceived by outside curators.

**about Shoplifters: Unique conceptual Fashion Events – Aesthetic chaos

my photos:

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Antwerp · Entertainment

Working in the entertainment sector: a peek behind the casting curtain

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

I remember when I was a teenager I wanted to write a movie script. The public library in my hometown had this book about the movie industry, filled with tips & tricks. I think i read it about 10 times (let’s be honest – for a book, that’s a lot). I never finished the script however and I went on to study law (mostly because of movies like The Firm and – of course – Legally Blonde and Erin Brockovich).

I stayed on the left brain track in college, but was still fascinated by the world of film and video. After graduating and working as an intern lawyer for a couple of years, I soon realised that if I wanted to stand out as an individual, I’d have to leave the legal world. Having a legal background is (thank God) not very unusual for the film industry. And having some knowledge of entertainment law is always a big plus. So I started working in casting as a production assistant.

Shoot for Petronas Malaysia: YOUTUBE

In the film and TV business, you meet new people all the time. That’s why you need to know the industry and what is happening in it, which – for an (ex)entertainment lawyer – was quite easy. It’s a whole other level of communication however: everybody is your “best friend”. It’s a “small talk”-world, that’s for sure. A nice break from all the formalities and heavy words used in the legal world, but you also have to be careful not to get familiar.

So, what is it I  do exactly, you wonder? I work for a casting agency called Dagcasting. We are hired by producers to cast their feature films or TV-commercials. Our  goal is to service the director’s vision. We set up auditions, read scripts, select actors out of our huge database and we basically try to make everyone happy. As a production assistant for a casting agency you really are in between directors, producers and actors. It’s a very interesting world. You should always be aware that the role of casting directors is changing as the market changes. Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out how to be able to do the job we love without compromising the quality of our work. But i think we’re doing a pretty good job on that.

Have a look at some of our work and behind the scenes material (don’t forget to check out the links on Youtube to see the full commercial):

Shoot for Mobistar Care: YOUTUBE guitar & YOUTUBE piano

Shoot for Che Magazine: YOUTUBE (bad quality)

Shoot for AXA insurances: YOUTUBE

Antwerp

Architectural Antwerp pt. 1: Southern contrasts

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

I woke up this morning with a bright little sun, reluctantly (and hopefully) announcing the beginning of Spring: my favorite season. I decided to spend the day outside, even though i was still recovering from a nasty cold which had kept me in bed for a few days. I started my day with some breakfast and family time (real family this time) at Caffè Internazionale (where else?) and from there I started the Tour d’Anvers. Camera at the ready, I rediscovered the South (or ‘t Zuid), coeur artistique d’Anvers.

I have walked the streets of this part of Antwerp over and over again, but the architectural variety never seizes to amaze me. It is said that the original street plan of the Antwerp South was inspired by Haussmann, a French civic planner whose name is associated with the rebuilding of Paris. The South quickly got the nickname “Le Petit Paris”. The neoclassical Royal Museum of Fine Arts was completed in 1894. It was primarily built as a “Temple to fine art” for the 1894 Antwerp World Exposition. On top of the building are two bronze figures of Fame with horse-drawn chariots by sculptor Thomas Vincotte, separated by four monumental sculptures representing Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, and Graphics.

Along with other monuments and cultural attractions (such as the Hippodroom-theatre, build in 1903), it made the South a fashionable place to live. After the V-bomb attacks during the Second World War, the area went into a long period of decline. The closing of the Southern Docks and the demolition of the Hippodrome in 1972 turned the South into a forgotten area, full of faded charm. With its revival mid 1980’s it became once again the fashionable heart of Antwerp. The opening of the Museum for Modern Art (MUKHA) in 1987 brought the South back to its artistic and cultural destination. More recently, the development of the large law courts complex on the former South Station site, labeled the Antwerp South’s architectural importance. This award-winning project, designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership in association with VKStudio and Ove Arup & Partners, opened in 2007.

The South of Antwerp is an area of contrasts. It’s a mixture of old glory and new modernism. A good example is the “Boathouse” in the Schilderstraat. This typical art nouvau-house was built for P. Poels, who owned a famous ship repairing company. It also reminds us of the primary economic activity of Antwerp: the harbor. A modern counterpart of the Boathouse is the gable of the Hoopnatie-building, which looks a bit like the bow of a cruise-ship.

This short but rich history gives the South its special feel. I like spending time here, especially in Summer when the terraces are filled with people or when i can enjoy the sunset on the stairs of the Royal Museum with friends while listening to some poetry and music at the Zuiderzinnen-festival (more on that later).

I finish my walk with a nice cup of tea, with the promise of taking you with me on a tour through my beloved Antwerp again soon.

Sien Josephine

 

Antwerp · Food · Restaurants

Nostalgia in the North

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

One thing I love about Antwerp, besides Elixir d’Anvers, is the fact that – wherever you find yourself walking – it surprises you with little cosy places like this one. The “Caravan” (translated: the trailer) is a lunch bar in the north of Antwerp, very close to the Park Spoor Noord, which makes it a number one destination in Summer (in high season you can even have a picnic basket to go).

The area, better known by locals as “Den Dam”, is quite isolated from other areas in town and was recently renovated. For example the Park Spoor Noord, which used to be a large terrain that was owned by the Belgian Railroads for repairing and maintenance of trains, is now renovated into a new green lung of the city. It didn’t take long for restaurants and bars to emerge in this part of town, once economically revolved around old abattoirs (or slaughterhouses).

“Caravan” is decorated with secondhand and vintage-furniture, which gives customers the feeling of being at home. Chairs and tables of different styles and sizes, a cupboard that could’ve been owned by my grandmother, an old armchair, even the tableware makes me feel all nostalgic. The menu offers breakfast formulas with a twist, such as the “hangover breakfast”: a strong breakfast with some aspirin on the side. Lunch also looks delicious: from country food to world kitchen. And everything is as fresh as morning’s dew! “Caravan” obviously deserves a place in my top 5 of favorite breakfast & lunch bars. Oh and did I mention they have cheesecake?

“She graduated high school I bought her a trailer
In a little park by the side of the road
I could’ve had the Army
I could’ve had the Navy
But no I had to go for a mobile home”

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Trailer

De Caravan, Damplein 17, 2060 Antwerpen, T: +32 (0)3 297 68 52.

Open every Monday to Sunday between 10pm and 9am, closed on Tuesday.

Uncategorized

Shabbat Shalom

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

While most of Europe is freezing in these horrible winter temperatures, we had a day of Spring today. Today is Saturday and Saturday is Shabbat; the 7th day of the Jewish week and the Jewish day of rest. On Shabbat, Jews recall the Biblical Creation account in Genesis in which God created the Heavens and the Earth in six days and rests on the seventh. That’s why weekends here in Israel are Fridays and Saturdays. So today, everybody just went out. Walking around the streets of Tel Aviv, there’s always so much to discover and to photograph. In days when blogs attract attention mostly by photos and less by words, I’ll just post this picture of Rothschild Boulevard hoping you’ll understand the sunny day and happy vibe in town.

Saturday also means free time for creations to me. Before reaching the textile and the yarn, I decided to make some Lokshenkügel. Say what? Kugel is a yiddish word and its definition is: “an Ashkenazi Jewish pudding or casserole, similar to a pie, most commonly made from egg noodles or potatoes, though at times made of zucchini, apples, spinach, broccoli, cranberry, or sweet potato. It is usually served as a side dish on Shabbat and”. Didn’t know that but hey, fits my shabbes. It’s not a very common dish and not for everyday but once in a while you can really crave for it. I like the pasta tasting sweet. My recipe is a combination of others: first of all, cook about half a kilo of pasta, not necessarily egg noodles, but small ones. In a bowl, mix 4 eggs, +- 250 grams of sour cream (some people add cottage and/or cream cheese too), 1 cup of sugar (I combine brown and white), 4 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Once the pastas are cooked (max. 5 minutes) and drained, add them to the bowl and stir. Meanwhile prepare the topping, and here’s when you can use your fantasy: I used Kellogg’s Special K, oatmeal, walnuts, some melted butter and a tablespoon of cinnamon. Then just put it in the oven for maximum an hour, on 180°C. Let it cool for 10 minutes when done and mmmmmm…

And now to the crafty part, I’ve just finished this beautiful worsted cotton raspberry scarf for a friend and I’m about to start a new one on demand – the color is called graphite. So maybe I should go do my sewing class homework? Not now. I’ll quickly finish this little pouch for someone first. And why do I always see something to clean, something to rearrange, something to do? Will I ever be able to relax in my own house on Shabbat?

Antwerp · Lifestyle · Shopping

The Story of Pola & Charles

Posted on by Marilyn Ambach

It reads like a fairytale. Pola, a loving grandmother who lived in Antwerp, met Charles, who moved to New York after World War II. They fell madly in love with each other, and Pola followed her heart all the way to the Big Apple. Now, almost 20 years later, their granddaughter (and pride) Laurence Lapa runs a multibrand boutique, named after her two biggest inspirations in life.

Almost 1 year ago Laurence opened the Pola&Charles-store in the Nationalestraat in Antwerp. The interior is based on the city she came to love: that of a typical New York boutique. It’s probably best described as cosy with a raw edge.

“This place used to be a little dark shoe-shop, ran by a very old lady. By opening up the whole first and second floor and by using elements of a more industrial nature (for example the metal stair), we created a more lofty-feel to the place.” It’s true, despite the fact that the shop is quite small, you have a feeling of openness and light. The mixture of raw elements and soft clothes give the store a special attitude.

The cosiness isn’t limited to the interior of the store. It can also be found in the philosophy behind Pola&Charles. It’s all about individuality and personality. This reflects in the clothes, handpicked by Laurence herself, based on her personal choice. Laurence travels back and forth between New York and Paris to find those special brands that stand out. My personal favorite? Gat Rimon!

Gat Rimon was founded by three friends who went to Israel, sat themselves down in a street called Gat Rimon in Tel Aviv and decided to leave their jobs and dedicate their life to fashion. It’s safe to say that Stéphanie Mardokh, Yaël Benhini en Cynthia Pariente have succeeded as well as Laurence Lapa to make their dream come true.

Perfect fits and soft materials make this little store the reference for “basic chic”. New addition is the home collection, expected to arrive mid-february!

Visit Pola & Charles – Nationalestraat 21 – 2000 Antwerp 

Mon – Sat: 10.30 am- 6.00pm

Brands: Vince – James Perse – Band of Outsiders – Gat Rimon – 7d – Swildens – Wren – Resin – Fine Collection – Current/Elliott – Brooklyn We Go Hard – My Pant’s – Sundek – Le Fabuleux Marcel – Jane Carr – Ela Stone – LnA – Veja – A Peace Treaty – Petite Mendigote – Officine Creative