Square Dancing at the Atomium

Despite spending only a day and a half in Brussels, Manbacon and I managed to cram in a whole host of activities, including a trip to the Atomium, as well as - wait for it - a square dancing session! A trip to the shiny Atomium was part of our plans, but stumbling into an international square dancing meet-up most definitely wasn't.

And stumble, we did. Coming up to the Atomium, all we saw was this rather unassuming 'Welcome' sign, and a few tourists scattered around, waiting for their tickets or taking photos of the giant silver balls. We walked around the the back, and were greeted with this sight...

About 50 middle-aged couples dressed in big skirts and loud shirts, waving to each other and twirling around. WHAT! YES! AWESOME! We had no idea what was going on, so sat down and watched as they danced to commands like 'Scoop the ocean...' and 'Reeee-cyCle!' Yeah...I have no idea either. Maybe they're keen on dancing as well as keeping Mother Nature happy?

This Dutch couple - the Stans - were happy to pose for a photo for me during one of their breaks. They also very kindly explained what was going on, and told me a little about square dancing. 

This, readers, is the reason I prefer spontaneity to a carefully planned itinerary while on holiday - if we had planned ahead, I would never have encountered this glorious sight, since the Atomium wasn't even on our 'to-see' list in the first place. RECYCLE!

Handmade Holiday

I've just returned from a short but intense week-long holiday to Belgium and France, during which I set myself a challenge to wear at least one handmade or refashioned item everyday. 

Day 1 - London to Brussels (by Eurostar, so glamourous)

Sunglasses - op-shop

Faux leather jacket - Primark

Vintage silk scarf - Wimbledon car boot

Refashioned grey dress - op-shop (originally handmade by someone else too!)

Vintage canvas bag - op-shop

Vintage Coca Cola duffel bag - op-shop

Tights - 60 denier Pretty Polly black tights from Sainsburys

Shoes - Black school plimsolls from Bata, Singapore

Day 2 - Brussels to Bruges (taken at the Atomium)

Sunglasses - op-shop

Red silk blouse - op-shop

Rust brown corduroy shorts - Handmade (finished the day before I left, and yet to be blogged, but pretty much the same pattern as these shorts, except with slanted pockets)

Canvas bag - op-shop

Day 3 - Bruges (excuse the fluffy post-wash no hairdryer/comb hair)

Sunglasses - op-shop (same again...)

Refashioned gingham dress - op-shop (also finished just before I left so as yet unblogged)

Pasty white legs and bruised knees - all mine, baby, all mine. They have seen no sun for about 5 years. Nice

Canvas bag - op-shop (it converts into a backpack too!)

Black trainers - 10 euro purchase from a random shop in Brussels because my plimsolls were hurting me. 

Day 4 - Bruges to Lille (sweating it out in front of the Frietmuseum, which we did not visit)

Sunglasses - op-shop

Blue cotton shirt - stall in Bangkok night market

Yellow shorts - handmade

Canvas bag - op-shop

Day 5 - Lille (much cooler weather so the legs went back into hiding)

Sunglasses - just kidding, didn't bring them along today!

Faux leather jacket - Primark 

Blue cotton shirt - Bangkok night market stall

Green rayon blouse - handmade 

Rust-brown corduroy shorts - handmade and as yet unblogged

Black tights - Sainsbury's Pretty Polly

Pink socks - Bangkok night market 2nd hand stall

Black trainers - 10 euro purchase from a random shop in Brussels (these were my first purchase in Belgium)

Day 6 - Lille to Calais (with special guest star Peter Falk aka Columbo)

Sunglasses - same old, same old

Faux leather jacket - Primark

Red gingham dress - Refashioned vintage dress, found in op-shop

Canvas bag - op-shop

Red belt - vintage, MVE

Black tights - Sainsburys

Shoes - random shop in Brussels

Day 7 - Calais then back to Blighty

Sunglasses - same as above

Blue cotton shirt - 2nd hand stall at Bangkok night market

Red silk blouse - op-shop

Yellow cotton shorts - handmade

Black tights - Sainsburys

Pink socks - Bangkok night market stall

Black trainers - random Brussels shoe shop

Whew! A whole week of mostly handmade, remade, vintage and secondhand! I try to pack as lightly as possible for trips, hence the constant repetition of several pieces, but I'm happy to report that my handmade items held up brilliantly throughout a very active week. 

More photos of the trip to come soon...

Bloomin' Marvellous

Limited numbers of handmade Bobbie and Lola bloomers are now available from I Heart Gallery in Sydney, Australia! Run by fabulous Sunny, the shop stocks a number of indie designers from around Australia, as well selected vintage items. Sunny also regularly organises markets and other fun events - check their Facebook page for more information. 

These bloomers are made from vintage tie fabric which was originally produced in Germany. If you're interested in getting hold of some but aren't anywhere near Sydney, feel free to get in touch via my Etsy shop and I'll be happy to make them to order! 

Undersea Myths

From top to bottom: Moray eel, sea horses and sea dragons. Underwater World, Sentosa, Singapore. January 2012.

Underworld

Jellyfish at Underwater World, Sentosa, Singapore. January 2012. 

Out/About

Some things I've seen and eaten in the last couple of weeks. 

Ron Mueck show at Hauser and Wirth

Slow-cooked miso marinated pork belly at Akasiro in Chinatown. Lovely, especially when paired with hot steamed rice.

Insanely detailed chocolate creations at Choccywoccydoodah in Fouberts Place. 

 

Be warned - enter with your sweet tooth in tow. My friend Sheree and I shared the peanut butter milkshake and chocolate sundae between us - a dastardly concoction of chocolate ice-cream, whipped cream, brownie, fudge, some kind of berry jam-like thing, as well as plenty of chocolate buttons and who knew what else. We had to admit defeat about three-quarters of the way through. The milkshake tasted like a cold, soft Snickers bar (if you like that sort of thing, which I do), and went down slightly easier, but we still left without finishing the whole thing.

St. Paul's looked lovely in the last light of day.