avril dans le vase

Thursdays are for flowers. Every week we have fresh flowers at Villa Augustus. My florist day is my favorite workday and these are some bouquets I made last Thursday.

december traditions

Thursday 22nd of December

It always remains a convivial tradition, decorating the big colorful Christmas tree in the restaurant at work, also for the fifteenth time hahaha...

there's a new place outside town

Friday 11th of March.

This afternoon we went to the opening party at De Zuileshoeve, a new place outside town created by our old friends Hans & Lia Hilkmann.

Hidden among the greenery of De Biesbosch National Park, the Zuileshoeve is located on the water side.
A quiet place near an old orchard. A barn that has been restored and transformed into a bed & breakfast with four rooms with a view. It's is all about peace, nature and hospitality. It's a perfect stopover during a walk or bike ride through the area, to enjoy a drink or lunch on the terrace or in the restaurant.

And soon you can also book a room.

j a j j a h - h a j j a j

Jajjah is an immersion in the universe of the king of popart in Marrakech through various experiences. It's the newest place to be, created by Hassan Hajjaj, a concept store with cafe-restaurant, art gallery and boutique.

Hassan Hajjaj is a contemporary artist who lives and works between London and Marrakech and is known as the 'Andy Warhol of Marrakech'.

In 2015 I discoverd his work at Riad Yima, hidden in the narrow alleys of the Medina in Marrakech. And over the years I brought the best souvenirs from Yima, like an pouf, a dress from hand-painted fabric, a fez and some bags.

In J A J J A H you can find the Hassan Hajjaj touch is everywhere!

On the Marvelous Marrakech studio tour we visited the recently opened Jajjah with an exhibition gallery, that will make you discover the artistic favorites of Hassan. It is a stage for talented Moroccan photographers.

We had some drinks in the colorful and inspiring salon de thé . The tradition of tea is sacred for the Anglo-Moroccan artist, who launches his own range of teas.

And it's simply impossible to leave the JAJJAH building empty-handed while strolling through the boutique, where you can find all kind of pop art creations in Moroccan sauce.

augustus sleepover with pippa

Another mother-daughter weekend we both have been looking forward to. Probably one of the last getaways together before Pippa becomes a mother. She is 31 weeks pregnant.

Sunday afternoon we checked in at Villa Augustus. We booked a room with a view on the vegetable garden. We bought some cookies in the market and had a lazy afternoon with lots of wonderful conversations in the room. We even made her birth plan.

Dinner in the restaurant in the evening and we took a long bath.

On Monday we had breakfast in the restaurant and went to Ikea Breda and did some baby room shopping.

Being two days together was great and we always have fun and can't stop talking! Love my girl!

This sleepover with my pregnant daughter Pippa was extra special and we both enjoyed it so much just being together.

In the evening I went back to Villa Augustus to pick up my (once again) forgotten iPhone charger.

lunch in marseille

Marseille - 28th of July

Mediterranean lunch at Marseille with Henk, Minne, Souf & Wes.

Marseille is a rough southern French eatery on the quay in Rotterdam. Casual atmosphere, French vibe, pure food, decor and design are just right.

And because I like the Marseille house style with arabic punctuation so much, Henk surprised me with an early birthday present. The friendly owner agreed to sell 4 Marseille dinner plates (high exception).

We will definitely come back for a breakfast, apéro or dinner. Au revoir.

at work @villa_augustus

Snapped during the making of an instagram post for the official Villa Augustus account.

Most of you followers might know, I've been working at Villa Augustus since the opening in June 2007 and I've made many, many pictures on my workplace in all those years.

You could find them on my blogposts about Villa Augustus and later on my own @woodwoolstool instamgram account.

I have been taking so many photos at Villa Augustus since the beginning, especially during my weekly flower days, but also pictures of the gardens, the interior, restaurant, market and the hotel.
And after all those years, I still love my workplace, it's such a special and inspiring place.

Since April 2017, I am responsible for the official @villa_augustus instagram account, photography and management.

Photography in my workplace with unlimited possibilities to shoot and I can 'legally' post workspace pictures, every day...

And since I post a photo every day, you might find less 'at work' posts on my blog.