New York, New York

by Kelly on May 12, 2013

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

nyc

My brother’s in New York for the week and his photos on Facebook got me reminiscing about our trip during the summer of 2010. I browsed through my Lightroom catalogue and created a selection of my favorite photos of our stay. Too bad these make me crave a new NYC-trip even more…

Asparagus

by Kelly on May 6, 2013

asparagus

asparagus

asparagus

asparagus

asparagus

The asparagus season is full on which means asparagus dishes make it on our plate on a weekly base. I try to do something new with them now and then (tonight we had them with zucchini and soy sauce), but my favorite recipe never disappoints: asparagus with linguine and ganda ham.

Preparation:
Peel the asparagus and cook them for 8-10 minutes.
Cook the linguine and drain.
Add the cream to the asparagus and the linguine and toss until well combined. I also tend to add a bit of the cooking water of the asparagus as it adds to the overall taste.
Cut the Ganda Ham into strips and add it to the pasta and asparagus.
Finish with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

Ingredients (serves 4):
- 1kg asparagus
- 250g linguine
- 200g Ganda Ham
- 125ml cream (light)
- 50g parmesan cheese

The tea towel featured in the last photo is by Hay (one can never own too many tea towels).
For more information on Ganda Ham, please visit their website by clicking here.

One

by Kelly on May 3, 2013

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Hiro

Today marks the first anniversary of Hiro joining our little family. I can’t believe it’s already been a year since we got him. Last night I browsed through my Lightroom catalog and picked ten of my favorite photos of Hiro from this past year. Enjoy!

Weekend Blog Awards

by Kelly on April 30, 2013

Weekend Blog Awards

I had to pinch myself this afternoon when I found out that I was nominated for the second edition of Weekend Knack’s annual Blog Awards. I had to seriously pinch myself.

I remember nominating a couple of blogs myself, but to see myself among those other nominees left me speechless. It’s truly an honor to even think about the fact that someone out there (well, a lot of someone’s as it turns out to be) thought about submitting my url to the Blog Awards jury. Of course, I also have to thank the jury for including me in their Photography top ten.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have known where to put myself, but since I use a lot of images in my posts and the visuals are more important than words, I understand how I ended up in the photography category. The fact that I recently earned a degree in photography and now this, is the best motivation I could’ve asked for.

When reading comments about how someone loves my photography or travel tip, I’m a happy camper. Really, conversation is what it’s all about and I love starting one, whether it be via the comments on the posts here or an email or a Facebook message.

I promise I’ll keep up the posting here and share new experiences with you. I might even add a bit more about photography, the technical stuff, you know, because I still get a lot of questions about taking photographs.
I’d also love to hear from you what you would like to see on here in the future, so please don’t be a stranger and leave your feedback in the comments section below.

But, first things first! Eternal gratitude will find its way to you if you could spare two seconds and vote for me. You don’t have to vote in every category (although it would be nice for the other bloggers), but when you decide to cast your vote in one or more categories, you have to cast not just one, but two votes. You do have to click away until the end and provide your details, otherwise your vote doesn’t count. Please do check out the other nominees as well, I’m pretty sure you’ll find some new favorites among them.

Ycono

by Kelly on April 25, 2013

ycono

ycono

ycono

ycono

ycono

ycono

ycono

ycono

We visited Ghent over the weekend which lent the perfect opportunity to visit a few places on my bucket list.

One of them was Ycono. Located next to the red-light district, this concept bar offers a mix of coffee, art & design. The coffee list is endless with a number of creative outlets such as the Spread Hazel we had (think latte macchiato x nutella x whipped cream x cacao x noisettes and I’m in heaven). Besides coffee, breakfast and lunch are also served in this petite bar.
If you’re looking for something new on the home decor front, Ycono sells a selection of design brands as well.
The place also serves as a (temporary) art gallery. Every now and then a new artist is featured.

You probably know by now that I adore coffee, art and design, so Ycono is on top of my Ghent list from now on! If you happen to like the same mix, then do pay a visit to Ycono on your next visit to Ghent.

Record Store Day

by Kelly on April 23, 2013

Record Store Day

Record Store Day

Record Store Day

Record Store Day

Record Store Day

 Record Store Day

Record Store Day

Record Store Day

Last Saturday was the annual edition of Record Store Day. Record Store Day was founded back in 2007 as a day to celebrate the art of music. It is now celebrated all over the world, including Belgium. Festivities on Record Store Day include artists performing at various locations and the issuing of limited edition vinyl and CD releases. To mark this year’s Record Store Day, Belgian band The Van Jets released a limited edition vinyl of their hit song Broken Bones. To accompany the release, they played a short 15-minute set at the Vooruit in Ghent on Record Store Day. Only 200 numbered copies of this vinyl are available and number 59 is displayed in my living room as of Saturday. The band happily signed the vinyl for the occasion (check those signatures!) and also “scarred” all 200 vinyl sleeves themselves. If you want to know how The Van Jets interpret this scarring for life, check their Facebook for a video of the Broken Bones vinyl assembly line.

Aller Retour

by Kelly on April 12, 2013

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

Aller Retour

A couple of weeks ago, we visited the Aller Retour exhibition in Kortrijk. Organised by the Kortrijk-based Broelmuseum, this exhibition showcases the work of three photographers. All three of them were born in Kortrijk and are part of three different generations. Three talented people, each of them with a different take on photography.

Carl De Keyzer presents his series Moments before the flood. Truly remarkable landscapes that are in fact a visual research into how we will handle a possible flood. The resolution of the photographs is stunning. Part of the photographs were used in a project by students from Howest Kortrijk. These digital manipulations leave you wondering about the reality in the photos.

Stephan Vanfleteren is famous for his black and white photography (and portraits), but during Aller Retour he presents new work (in color!): Façades & Vitrines. The photographs of a bricked front door or a curtain drawn in a shop window make this a rather melancholic portrait of abandoned shops, closed pubs and vanishing buildings.

Back in 2010, Bieke Depoorter won the Magnum Expression Award, the prelude to a beautiful career in photography, if you ask me. Her exhibition at Aller Retour showcases photographs of people in America, Russia or Egypt photographed at their homes. This daily life series is catching in its intimacy.

The exhibition is hosted at the Budafabriek in Kortrijk, which is worth a visit even if you’re not into photography. I absolutely love this building. After your visit to the exhibition, you can enjoy a cup of coffee in the cafe or browse the selection of books offered at the Theoria pop-up shop.

Aller Retour
Budafabriek, Kortrijk
09/03/2013 > 09/06/2013

Dior at Harrods

by Kelly on April 9, 2013

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

So Dior

When I first read about the So Dior exhibition taking place at Harrods over on Style Bubble, I knew I had to see it. Lucky me, I was able to visit it as I spent three days in London last week. My friend Frances came along and little did we know, but we were in for a treat…
Upon our arrival we first visited a couple of the shop windows and purchased the limited edition Dior nail polish in Windsor Grey (it’s exclusive to Harrods and the exhibition). Because we purchased three items, the two of us were treated to a manicure by a Dior nail artist. My friend opted for some stylish nail art, I kept it simple and chose the ‘Dune’ hue. Having a manicure at the Dior counter in Harrods is quite the experience, certainly when one of the Dior guys pops open a bottle of Moët & Chandon. Manicure x champagne = j’adore! I admit, that last sentence was way too cheesy.
Up next was the visit to the exhibition, which was amazing. It turned out to emphasize on the history of Dior and its bond with London (Britain). I loved every single detail of it, from the collection of perfume bottles to a silver sequined dress once worn by Audrey Hepburn. And I haven’t even mentioned the J’adore installation featuring the gowns, which Charlize Theron wore for the campaign.
If you want to round off your visit in style, make sure to grab a bite at the adjacent Dior Café. The menu at the café offers a selection of Dior’s cookbook favorites.
If you want to experience So Dior yourself, you’d better hurry because the exhibition closes next Monday (April 16th).

London Calling

by Kelly on April 7, 2013

A couple of years ago the ladies and I decided to go on a trip when we’d be turning 30. Fast forward to 2013, when we found ourselves in London over the Easter weekend to celebrate our 30th birthday.
We had a wonderful time in London, some of us did the tourist thing, others visited exhibitions and we all indulged in great food, be it at Jamie’s Italian (best Turkey Milanese ever!) or The Breakfast Club (go for the All American, you won’t be disappointed).
Because The Clash & co can describe London so much better than me, I included a LDN playlist at the end of this post. Enjoy!

London Calling

Our friend Carmen provided us with these appropriate buttons. Everyone continued to wish us a happy birthday as well when wearing this.

London Calling

Some were dressed for the occasion. The luggage of seven women (ahem).

London Calling

Reflection at our new home, Pret A Manger.

London Calling

Look back, don’t stare.

London Calling

Notting Hill neighbourhood.

London Calling

Pretty bike at Portobello Road.

London Calling

The Shard.

London Calling

Lichtenstein at the Tate Modern.

London Calling

The view at the 6th floor restaurant of the Tate Modern.

London Calling

Dinner at Jamie’s Italian (Covent Garden).

London Calling

Cheers (at The Breakfast Club, Spitalfields).

London Calling

Vintage fair at the Old Spitalfields market.

London Calling

Photobooth fun at Rough Trade East.

London Calling

Man Ray exhibition at National Portrait Gallery.

London Calling

Trafalgar Square.

London Calling

6 out of 7 girls (I’m behind the camera, of course).

London Calling

Dior exhibition at Harrods.

London Calling

Louboutin world at Selfridges.

London Calling

Tired feet.

London Calling

See you soon, London!

Gent-Wevelgem

by Kelly on March 29, 2013

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

Gent-Wevelgem

I think that by now you know that I’m into cycling. If not, then you probably will after reading this post. Last week I entered competition number 5654648 in order to stand a chance and win the VIP treatment at one of the Belgian races, Gent-Wevelgem. Surprisingly, I did win that invite for two! Since the hubby isn’t into cycling at all, I took my dad as my plus-one. Think food, food, food, cycling, drinks, some more cycling and even more food. We had lunch at a beautiful location (Landhuis ‘t Molenhof), up on the Baneberg. The food was good, but it was the location that blew my socks off. From where we were seated in the restaurant we had a beautiful view overlooking the landscape and we could also see the riders pass by. However, when the male cyclists hit the Baneberg twice, I went outside to have a better look and take some photos. I was surprised to see that there were still a few great spots to watch the race. I’m so happy I was able to be part of this for once and so was my dad (look for him in photo number 10). Oh, and kudos to my dad for photo number 9, can you spot me?