Meet Mariska Meijers, Our New Amsterdam Antiques Diva Guide

I’m delighted to introduce our new Amsterdam Antiques Diva Guide, Mariska Meijers. Mariska is not just a Diva Guide but a Dutch icon in her own right. She’s a fellow #GirlBoss and when I’m having a bad day she’s the one I call to say “Shoot Me Now”. Then – of course –  she convinces me not to jump from that ledge! For those of you who are following me on my journey as I launch a new brand – the TCH Collection – Lush Decadence Couture Jewelry line –  Mariska will also be our Amsterdam distributor for the collection. And will be participating in our TCH Collection pop-up shop in Paris this Jan 17 – March 18, 2018, at Galerie Vauclair. She’ll not only provide one of her signature custom-made kimonos for me to wear to the Vernissage January 19, but she’ll also have a special edition Diva Line of pillows for sale! What makes them Diva? Accessories of course? Anyone who knows me, knows I have a penchant for feathers, furs, glitter and more… and Mariska captures that personality in pillow form! 

Diva Line pillows by Mariska Meijers
Diva Line Pillows by Mariska Meijers, available at the TCH Collection Pop-Up Shop

Amsterdam Antiques Diva Guide, Mariska Meijers Mariska Meijers is a Dutch artist and designer, renowned for her signature vibrant colors and bold patterns. Based in Amsterdam, Mariska moved back home to Holland 15 years ago, after having lived and worked across Europe and Asia. She is an avid traveler and collector – and both inform her eye. She loves to share her hometown with visitors and introduce them to her local sources and contacts. She has grown her art and design studio into a global lifestyle brand sold through luxury department stores and small boutiques in over 30 countries. Her store/design studio in the historic city centre of Amsterdam is a hidden gem, located in the basement of a 17th century canal house on Keizersgracht 158 is filled with her own collections and art combined with original finds from all over the world, including art, antiques, vintage, lighting, jewelry and much more.

Mariska’s work has been featured in traditional and online media, including VOGUE.COM, The World of Interiors, Architectural Digest, Homes & Gardens, House & Garden, Marie Claire Maison, Domino, ELLE Decoration, ELLE DECOR, Living and others.

Mariska’s Amsterdam 

My 3 favourite vintage and antique stores in Amsterdam: 
  • Noordermarkt: an outdoor market only on Saturday and Monday.
  • Gezusters Stoop Lampshade Workshop: I have a strong love for vintage and antique lighting. This tiny store and shade atelier has a great selection and if they don’t have it, the owner Carin will source it for you. They can also build a lamp from any object you bring in and custom make a shade for it.
My favourite restaurant:
Toscanini: brilliant authentic Italian food – but you have to book weeks in advance.

 

My favourite thing to do on a Saturday afternoon in A’dam:

In summer, picnic on a boat touring the canals – but not on one of the large touristy ones. Rent a small one with a skipper. https://www.rentaboatamsterdam.com

In winter, Rijkmuseum as it is absolutely beautiful and inspiring. Cut the lines by booking online. Alternatively, visit either Cromhout Huis (styled by the talented people of  Wunderkammer Webshop) or Willet-Holthuysen Museum, both beautifully preserved 17th centre canal houses.
Book A Tour with The Antiques Diva & Co

Book an Amsterdam Antiques Diva Tour 

I personally invite you to book an Antiques Diva Amsterdam tour with Mariska and discover her Amsterdam for yourself!

Vaarwel,
Toma Clark Haines – The Antiques Diva  

Candles Stick Together-A Pop-Up Shop in Amsterdam

Dear Diva Readers,

top: 5px; float: left; color: white; background: #781300; border: 1px solid darkkhaki; font-size: 60px; line-height: 50px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 5px; font-family: times;”>I’ve got good news for you if you’ll be in Amsterdam today through 20th of December! European silver specialist Jacob J Roosjen is having a pop-up shop at the Galerie Prinsengracht, a gallery close to the Spiegelstraat and headquarters of antiques dealing in Amsterdam, which happens to be nearby the Rijksmuseum.

Candles Stick Together-A Pop-Up Shop in Amsterdam

Jacob will be hosting this pop-up shop together with Paul Klunder, a renowned decorator from Belgium. The successful theme of “Dining and Shining” during the most recent PAN Amsterdam http://www.pan.nl inspired Jacob to continue his celebration of light into the holiday season. The motto for the pop-up of “Candles Stick Together” will carry on the idea of candlelight during winter and add to the festive mood in Amsterdam as well as help usher in the New Year ahead.

If you would like to join in the experience, be sure to stop in to Galerie Prinsengracht at Prinsengracht 795 in Amsterdam from 16-20 December from 14:00-19:00 and tell Paul Klunder or Jacob Roosjen that The Antiques Diva sent you!

Happy holidays,

The Antiques Diva®

Anouk Beerents

Dear Diva Readers,

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, who’s the fairest of them all?  Anouk Beerents Antiek Spiegels, that’s who!  For 25 years when international circles start discussing the finest antique mirrors, Anouk Beerents Prinsengracht shop inevitably is the first name that comes to mind

Perhaps the most magical shop in Amsterdam, Anouk Beerents Antiek Spiegels is a warehouse filled with over 300 mirrors from the 18th and 19th Centuries.  Specializing in gilt frames from France and Italy, Anouk painstakingly restores each piece in an artist process that requires the skills of Michelangelo to come up with the amazing results she yields.  Using traditional techniques, Anouk always preserves the original mirror, letting the age of the piece dance amongst the reflections

While Anouk’s shop is indeed a beauty, the vendor herself is equally lovely with long blond hair and an easy smile that welcomes visitors into her atelier. Often the door to the shop is locked but by ringing the buzzer you can be let into one of Amsterdam’s greatest secrets – Anouk Beerents Antiek Spiegels!

Anouk Beerents
Antique Mirrors
Prinsengracht 467
NL-1016 HP Amsterdam

Until next time,
The Antiques Diva®

Amsterdam Open Door Days

Dear Diva Readers,

top: 5px; float: left; color: white; background: #781300; border: 1px solid darkkhaki; font-size: 100px; line-height: 90px; padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 5px; font-family: times;”>This time of year is my favorite – brocanting is in full swing across Europe!!!  And Amsterdam is no exception – but in typical Dutch fashion they put their own twist on the antique season. Rather than spreading the antiques and vintage finds across the streets, several savvy antique dealers in the Jordaan have joined together to promote The Open Door Days!!

This weekend and next in Amsterdam several antique dealers are inviting you “chez them” – into their private residence to antique shop in their chic surroundings!!! Two of my favorite Dutch dealers are participating in the Open Door Days – Annette Brederode and Johan de Feijters. 

Where:
Chez Annette Brederode
Lijnbaangracht 56D
1015 GS Amsterdam
27th – 29th May 11am to 6pm

And also:
Chez Johan de Feijters
Bloemgracht 58
1015 TL Amsterdam
20 – 22 May, 2011
27 – 29 May 2011
from 12:00 to 8pm

While visiting Annette & Johan ask about where you can find other dealers participating in this weekend event! They’ll be happy to direct you to additional secret addresses open these few days only!


Read past Antiques Diva blog posts on this special weekend to see some sights from former sales and visit Johan’s online store!

Happy Shopping,
The Antiques Diva®

Diva-scovery: Gavelers Auction House

Dear Diva Readers,

There’s a new kid on the block… the auction block, that is. Enter Amsterdam-based Gavelers Auctioneers, the newest and hottest auction house to hit Europe.

Gavelers has introduced a new way of facilitating auctions – with their innovative platform, specialists play the leading roles, choreographing special sales in their area of expertise. With a roll call of heavy-hitters in the auction world, such as Silver Expert Jacob Roosjen and Modern & Contemporary Art, 20th Century Decorative Art & Design Expert Marcel Brouwer, their auction house is attracting a wealth of buyers and sellers. And while long-term auction-goers familiar with the auction process are loving this new house, Gavelers is also attracting newcomers to the buyer field with their online guide explaining “How to bid and buy at Gavelers”, making it simple for auction-virgins to learn the basics before bidding. Go behind the scenes with Gavelers with this video-clip of their inaugural auction.

Diva-scovery: Gavelers Auctioneers
www.gavelers.com

Going, going, gone!

The Antiques Diva®

June Open Door Dates – Dutch Dates

to 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TAdoBZlHI-I/AAAAAAAAE2g/KojQ9I8xgno/s400/Herschaalde_kopie_van_IMG_6956%5B1%5D.jpg” border=”0″ />Dear Diva Readers,

Get ready, get set, mark your calendars – some of my favorite Dutch antique dealers are opening their doors for special fetes this June and you’re invited to shop your heart out diva-style all around Amsterdam!

June 4 – 6 June and 11-13 June from 12-8pm

to 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TAdoBtZ1d6I/AAAAAAAAE2o/JZMRDjtrLfY/s400/Herschaalde_kopie_van_IMG_6976%5B1%5D.jpg” border=”0″ />Join Johan de Feijter for his special theme “Viva La France” at his shop Chambre des Amies! While I’ve written frequently about de Feijters sensational shop, I recently discovered that he’s also been in Travel+Leisure magazine and I simply have to share what T+L had to say about Chambre des Amies:

Owner Johan de Feijter founded Chambre d’Amis by accident. “I used to fill my house with things I’d find at flea and Belgium,” he says. “A few years ago there was an art fair in my neighborhood, and someone asked if she could show her paintings in my house. As they walked through, people kept asking to buy my things, and I thought, Maybe I should go into business.” These days, in his front room, kitchen, and courtyard garden, you’ll find all the flea-market treasures you’ve been too impatient to hunt for — vintage mercury-glass bowls ($190) and candlesticks ($125), creamy ceramic French, Belgian, and Dutch tableware from the 1800’s, turn-of-the-century photographs. Since the exquisitely edited store is a sideline for de Feijter (he’s a sexologist), he keeps eccentric hours — usually Thursday through Saturday, noon to six.

Chambre d’Amis
58 Bloemgracht
Amsterdam
By appt +31-20 623 6204.
June 4-6, 2010 from 11am – 6pm

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TAdoA2tACEI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/x0q7BwZFwe0/s400/an+brederode.jpg” border=”0″ />Next up, is another all-time Amsterdam favorite – Brederode Kunst & Antiek – ran by the effervescent Annette Brederode in her own home! When you arrive at the address Lijnbaansgracht 56 D in Amsterdam’s Jordaan you might think I’ve lead you astray for you’ll find yourself standing in front of an apartment building rather than a typical antique shop. Never fear, ring the buzzer marked Brederode and mount the stairs to step into a typical French brocante! You must click around my blog to read more about this sensational shop and to see more pics of the type of inventory Brederode specializes in! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Brederode Kunst Antiek
Lijnbaansgracht 56D
Amsterdam
By appt + 31 20 6236 236

June 12-13, 19-20 from 11am-19:00

to 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/TAdoCPX05aI/AAAAAAAAE2w/hEYP4fm0yHQ/s400/robert+schreuder2.jpg” border=”0″ />Speaking of things guaranteed to impress, I can’t gush enough about Robert Schreuder AntiquairRobert hosts a fascinating collection of antiques that are not only of special artistic or art-historical value but also very decorative, gracing modern as well as classical interiors. One of his specialties is Grand Tour souvenirs, with their echoes of the journeys of travelers from the 18th & 19th C. Meanwhile his collection of library accessories is down-right diva worthy dotted with a variety of writing boxes, inkwells and paperweights. Throw in tea caddies and tea boxes, sewing boxes, specially shaped thermometers and miniature portraits as well as an interesting period perfect collection of furniture and you might never want to leave chez lui! Join Robert’s Open Door Days June 12 & 13 and June 19 & 20 from 11am – 7pm or make an appointment to view his collection!

Robert Schreduer Antiquair
Ceintuurbaan 368
Amsterdam
By Appt + 31 6 2428 9550

Happy Shopping!

The Antiques Diva

Think Outside the Decorating Box

to 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgG33l7ZI/AAAAAAAADxQ/L3s89WeP6wg/s400/urbanmarketwagon.jpg” border=”0″ />Dear Diva Readers,

top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>You might remember a couple months ago I did a blog post on ton-usa-edition.html” target=”_blank”>The Urban Market’s November 8 antiques fair in Houston. On that post I included a picture of a darling wagon, calling it “the Find of the Day” and claiming it would make a sensational, eclectic coffee table for those who are interested in using fun finds in unique and interesting ways as home décor!

to 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgGRbdOSI/AAAAAAAADxA/9uf0bJvqBTY/s400/antiques+diva+elle+decor+aug+july+2009.jpg” border=”0″ />Just a few days after posting that picture I stumbled upon a picture in the July/August 2009 Elle Décor magazine featuring a similar wagon just as I described this one’s potential! Needless to say, I had to share it with you to help you visualize how one might turn a wagon into a coffee table!

The text on the feature photo reads:

to 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgG5OqZjI/AAAAAAAADxI/zZpEHc0wBQM/s400/scan0117.jpg” border=”0″ />“The living area of the barn turned guest cottage of Dan MacDonald and Gregg Kaminsky’s Long Island New York retreat, Cow Pond Farm, which was decorated by Kathleen Clements, has vintage photographs and subway sign displayed above a Chesterfield sofa from Mecox Gardens. The pillows are made from old grain sacks and an antique bellman’s car serves as a cocktail table. The rug is by Lauren, Ralph Lauren Home.”

to 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgHX67ldI/AAAAAAAADxg/LXCySWPmEJ8/s400/Diva+Tours+-+Chatou.JPG” border=”0″ />Recently, while at Antiek d’ Eglantier Amsterdam, I stumbled upon these charming potato sacks and think they would go perfect with the décor in the room above!

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SvbgHNIFAyI/AAAAAAAADxY/zix2ZtJF4sE/s400/Diva+Tours.JPG” border=”0″ />Meanwhile I might just use them for a “Do-It-Yourself-Diva” project to make footstools similar to this pair of footstools recovered with La Post bags which I found on my to-join-two-special-antiques.html” target=”_blank”>Fall French Flea Market Extravaganza!

Until next time, think outside the decorating box!

The Antiques Diva ™

Calendar Alert for Amsterdam – Kunst & Antiekbeurs Verzamelen In Stijl

to 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SrUJRyJ-NgI/AAAAAAAADjs/YOGueCJzIp8/s400/Krasnapolsky.jpg” border=”0″ />top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>The Kunst & Antiekbeurs Verzamelen in Stijl is back in town for 2 days only – Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2009.

to 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SrUIUWjsw3I/AAAAAAAADjc/IpBfHRGpqsg/s400/verzamelin+in+stijl2.gif” border=”0″ />Entry is FREE this year and this dazzling art and antiques fair specializing in Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Jugendstil will take place in one of A’dams most centrally located hotels – Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky on Dam Square. Stay for lunch in their gorgeous Brasserie Reflet, with its Belle Epoque interior dating back to the 1880’s.

About forty exhibitors will show their collections in this wonderful, large, monumental glasshouse building which was built in 1880. The exhibitors will share tidbits about their products and passions, expounding upon the various style periods and more!

to 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SrUIUGxZtTI/AAAAAAAADjU/zXjAdaxkZmM/s400/verzamelin+in+stijl.jpg” border=”0″ />NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
Dam 9,
1012 JS Amsterdam

A must shop antiques event in Amsterdam! Hope to see you there!

The Antiques Diva™

Amsterdam – Secret Sale Days

top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>Long-term Diva Readers have heard me time and again divulge details on Amsterdam’s best kept secrets: The Open Door Days of Annette Brederode and Johan de Feijter.

to 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SfSsrXMzflI/AAAAAAAAC7I/ZE-JDO9k7HE/s320/brocante_2007_1155.jpg” border=”0″ />

Mark your calendars for a sensational weekend of Antiques Shopping in Amsterdam!

June 5, 6 and 7, 2009
11am to 6pm.

To read more about past sales, click on the names of each vendor and get all the diva-licious details and pics!

Annette Brederode
Lijnbaansgracht #56D
Amsterdam

The sale takes place on the 3rd floor in an inconspicuous building.. ring the buzzer and climb the stairs for shopping paradise!

Then pop a few blocks over for another Secret Sale!

Johan de Feijter
Bloemgracht 58
Amsterdam

As always, Happy Shopping!

The Antiques Diva™

P.S. The photo at right was taken the night of our good friend Harry’s 50th birthday dinner at De Jonge Dikkert (a restaraunt just outside of Amsterdam in the city of Amstelveen). The restaurant is among our favorite Dutch treats, partially due to the historic ambiance inside a Dutch windmill built in 1672 and also owing to the sensational modern French Mediterranean cuisine done with a Dutch touch!

It’s Queen’s Day Darling…

to 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SfmIx_N0krI/AAAAAAAAC8A/oiJVMaFFZp0/s320/043.JPG” border=”0″ />Dearest Diva’s,

top:2px;padding-right:5px;font-family:times;”>It’s Queen’s Day Darling – the most important holiday of the year in The Netherlands! And at times like these I regret that I’m not back in Holland dressed head-to-toe in Orange celebrating my favorite Queen’s birthday in Amsterdam! While most countries prefer a more staid pomp and circumstance when it comes to their royal’s special days, the Dutch, in typical Dutch fashion, break the mold in coming up with bizarre party ideas to help their Queen celebrate growing another year older. Shannon McAllister of Amsterdam’s Travel Blog writes, “New Orleans has Mardi Gras. Munich serves up Oktoberfest. Pamplona parties with bulls. When it comes to the world’s best parties, Amsterdam holds its own special spot with Queen’s Day.”

to 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SfmIxpWM9SI/AAAAAAAAC74/_I_74b_ydnE/s320/Queen+Waving.jpg” border=”0″ />to 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SfmRCYTG06I/AAAAAAAAC8w/e7MzLAuNpeE/s320/Prince+Willam+and+daughter.jpg” border=”0″ />Queens Day, known as Koninginnedag in Dutch, is a national Dutch holiday celebrating the birthday of the Queen. But here’s the catch – it’s not celebrating the current Queen Beatrix’s special day but rather that of her mother, Juliana. When Queen Bea took over from Juliana in 1980, she decided that rather than having the national holiday changed to her actual birthdate of Jan 31, she’d instead bow to tradition and celebrate on her mum’s birthday as well. Perhaps she made this decision because January’s in Holland are bleak bleak bleak and known as the “dark days of winter” when the sun barely shines, the rain never stop and clouds loom ominously. Given that the Queens Day celebrations take place outdoors, a January Queens Day Celebration would have been a disaster.

to 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SfmI3e9aUEI/AAAAAAAAC8g/95yLVz1lwSI/s320/queens+day+5.jpg” border=”0″ />But “How does the Dutch Queen and her nation celebrate Beatrix’ jarig?” you ask… by throwing a country-wide yard sale of course! Well, that and drinking copious quantities of Dutch beer, and covering their tos/ig/Photos–Queen-s-Day/” target=”_blank”>body head to toe in Orange in honor of the Dutch royal house of Orange. Given that I’m a flea marketing queen, it’s the country-wide yard sale element that catches my attention. Expatica explains: “This is the one day a year that ordinary folk are allowed to set up shop on the sidewalk without a trading licence. Traditionally in the days running up to Queen’s Day, strange boxes are sectioned off on pavements around the country and marked with the word ‘Bezet’, or occupied. To the uninitiated, these markings in chalk or tape may appear to be some kind of bizarre crop circles. They are not, they are just an example of the assertiveness of the Dutch – if you want to sell items on Queen’s Day you have to mark out your territory well in advance.” Of course, as Expatica continues to say, The Dutch are “not so interested in tidying up afterwards, so that the ‘Bezet’ markings tend to linger on long after Queen’s Day and for months after that.”

to 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SfmIyA5gh9I/AAAAAAAAC8Q/VmezVjp_XNg/s320/queens+day+2.jpg” border=”0″ />
Similar to Lille’s Grand Braderie (a town wide garage sale in France held the first weekend in Sept) but sadly not as stylish, residents empty the contents of their zolders (attics) and dump both trash and treasures. Though as an antiquer I’ll be the first to say that, like the Amsterdam flea markets, this special Queens Day sale is heavy on the fleas. Used toys and forgotten VCR tapes of your favorite movies and TV shows are piled judiciously next to old running shoes, sandals with broken clasps and ties with stains. Shopping on Queens Day is sort of like shopping at the Goodwill would be if they didn’t have someone sorting through the crap in advance. That said, amidst the rubble there is almost always a jewel. I’ve bought cds of my favorite 80 bands, a myriad of faux delft to crush up and use in a mosaic project, and cut-glass serving platters galore. It’s the latter kitchen goods and entertaining table ware that are the true bargain du jour – picking up a Wedgewood plate for 1E or a 1960’s glass “Lazy Susan” for 1.50E have been my big catches.

to 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center” alt=”” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcTb8DnPVW4/SfmIyYqx3BI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/Lfa1T9eLabk/s320/queens+day+3.jpg” border=”0″ />
Truth be told, I don’t do Queens Day for the sales. I do Queens Day for the excitement of raising my hands over my head, singing national anthems and humming along to Johnny Jordaan – for taking part in the party and dancing in the street with strangers. I do Queens Day as an excuse to drape myself head to toe in Orange (a color in my personal color wheel but am often ridiculed for wearing). And I do Queens Day to celebrate my surrogate Queen… moving to Holland for me 4 years ago was a treat – I finally had a Queen to call my own!

Long Live The Queen!

The Antiques Diva ™

(Seen right with dear friend Cindy T – Cindy was my first friend in Paris and has known me since the day I wore denim overalls in Paris –– and she loved me anyway. Now that, dear diva readers, is a friend!)