Save the Date Berlin: The Art of Entertaining
When I learned that CHEFinBERLIN was offering an “Art of Entertaining Workshop” I knew you needed to know about it!
27 September @ 13:00
You’re planning, shopping, cooking and working on the details for your perfect dinner party. Excellent table service is also an important component of entertaining. Will it be buffet or plated service, which side do you serve from, how do you place your glasses and arrange the cutlery? Learn how to set your table properly, make different napkin folds, carry more than two plates at a time and other excellent tips from Berlin’s top restaurant instructor, Robert Plucinsky. Using amusing props and a light-hearted approach he teaches service hospitality for home and business. Please join us for this unique opportunity.
►Cost: 20 €
Please email CHEFinBERLIN@me.com for registration details and address.
Ciao for now!
Diva News Network with Special Guest: Chef in Berlin – Making Tea Time Treats
Dear Diva Readers,
In this special Diva News Network I invited my good friend Jill DiGiovanni to be a special guest on DNN! Together we’re going to show you some behind the scenes details on preparing some super simple recipes for doing an Afternoon Tea Party – Diva Style! Jill is the brains and beauty behind the international cooking school (and exclusive caterer) Chef in Berlin.
What I love about Jill’s classes is how simple she makes entertaining and now – whether you’re here in Berlin or at home across the pond – you can benefit from Jill’s gourmet knowledge as she shares on DNN secret hints and tips on how to cheat in the kitchen. From preparing simple tea sandwiches to a dazzling dessert – no one would ever know it’s down-right easy to prepare!
Diva News Network with Special Guest Chef in Berlin
Happy Entertaining!
The Antiques Diva™
(Photo Credit Right: CrissCross)
PS. I’d love to see how you entertain! Send me some pictures to post on my site of your next tea party! toma@antiquesdiva.com
Treasures on Tuesdays – 21 piece Vintage Blue & White Sea-Themed German Tea Set
Sail away with me to “Tea Time at the Baltic Sea”! This “German Delft” (Deutschland’s version of Holland’s famed blue & white pottery) is a vintage set from Rugen Island with nautical and windmill theme motif and includes 21 porcelain pieces in nearly perfect condition. Set includes Tea Pot, Sugar Bowl, Cream Pitcher, 6 tea cups with 6 saucers and 6 cake plates. (Silver accessories and vases shown in picture are not included in purchase). This is a simply gorgeous set and one of my favorite pieces in our collection. Item #183
Additional Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquesdiva/4668060995/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquesdiva/4668058731/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquesdiva/4668058265/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquesdiva/4668680828/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquesdiva/4668053229/
$149 (or 121 Euro) includes international shipping
BUY this tea set and other great tea time treasures at my online brocante:
Diva News Network: Tea at the Hotel Adlon
Dear Diva Readers,
Often blog readers write and ask me for travel advice – they ask for hints and tips of diva-worthy and luxe outings to do while criss-crossing Europe. Today I thought I would share with you one of my favorite Sunday afternoon excursions when I’m at home in Berlin. I love nothing more than taking tea at the Hotel Adlon located on the famous Unter den Linden nearby Brandenburg Gate, The Jewish Memorial, a hop skip and jump away from the Reichstag and mere blocks from my Mitte alt-bau apartment. This famous 5-star hotel is rich in history!
Originally it was built in 1907 and it was one of the few buildings in the area to survive WWII having avoided the bombs and shelling that had leveled the city. Unfortunately shortly after the war the building caught fire and was left in ruins, ultimately to be torn down by the East German government just four short years before the reunification. But all’s well that ends well! After the German government reunified, restoring the Adlon to its former glory was a top priority and a building inspired by the original was designed and opened to the public, bringing back some of the old world charm of days of yore!
For tourists in Berlin, the lobby of the Hotel Adlon is an excellent place to take a break – be it for coffee, tea or cocktails – while out touring the city or as you’re entering and exiting the hotel from your room upstairs. Ensconced in luxe-surroundings you can imagine Berlin as it used to be…and people-watch indeed. You never know when you’re going to see a celebrity! Remember when I bumped into Bono at the Hotel Adlon last year? And just a few months ago I saw the entire crew from Ghost Writer as they hopped into their chauffeured cars for the Berlinale film festival! And remember that infamous scene when Michael Jackson dangled his son out one of the hotel’s windows during a visit in 2002? You never know who or what you’ll see at the Adlon! In fact, keep your eye out for me – it’s one of my favorite locale haunts!
Until next time,PS. It’s Tea week at “Treasures” by The Antiques Diva™ – See what sensational tea-themed items we have in store for you!
Dutch Mania: From Delft to Bicycles
Photo Credit: Delft Mania – Shirely Agudo, author of Bicycle Mania My good friend Shirley Agudo – an international author and photographer – happens to have a serious case of Delft Mania! Her kitchen is filled to the brim with a sensational collection of Delft that captures the essence of Holland! Of course, it should come as no surprise that she’s caught the Dutch craze for blue & white – she’s down-right addicted to all things Dutch! A long-term American expat living in Holland, she’s also captured the essence of Holland in her book Bicycle Mania – a wonderful read about the Dutch bicycle obsession!
Shirley and I met when I was living in Holland and we bonded immediately over tulips and pancakes, but now, just as I moved from Holland to Berlin, Shirley’s following suit! Okay, sadly for me, she’s not moving to Berlin, but she is here to visit me this weekend for the international launch of the 2nd edition of her book Bicycle Mania right here in Berlin!!! Shirley is going uber-international with her gallery opening this Friday night at Urban Cycle Gallery in Berlin.
Join international author and photographer Shirley Agudo this Friday night in Berlin at
Urban Cycle Gallery
Fehrebellinerstrasse 17
10119 Berlin
Photography Gallery Opening
June 11 – 7-10pm
Never fear, should you miss the fete this Friday, you can still see the exhibit! It’s on from June 11-26 and is a guaranteed good time!
Until next time,
(seen right with author/photographer Shirley Agudo in Berlin last month)
June Open Door Dates – Dutch Dates
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
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.
58 Bloemgracht
Amsterdam
By appt +31-20 623 6204.
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
Speaking of things guaranteed to impress, I can’t gush enough about Robert Schreuder Antiquair – Robert 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
The Better To See You With – Part Deux
Photo Courtesy of the Hollister Hovey blogLest you think I’m suggesting a bit of culture in Amsterdam sans shopping opportunity, shame on you! In the BrilMuseum (or National Museum of Spectacles) you can get culture and BUY the museum exhibits at the same time! Select from over 100 years worth of unworn eye attire in a reconstructed 1930’s optical shop with help from manager Mike Teunissen, a 4th generation specialist in glasses.
Whether your man’s looking for some authentic Buddy Holly frames or if you’ve thought you’d look quite the sexy librarian with some of the timeless century-old Schubert spectacles, this is the place for all your antique optical needs.
For those of you who don’t have a trip to Amsterdam planned but have been bitten by the antique or vintage spectacle bug, never fear: the BrilMuseum also sells online! Of course, buying in person is always more fun… as I’m always looking for an opportunity to chat about my travels, I must add that this is one of those perfect opportunities to share details about your trip. Inevitably people will comment on your new frames and when they do you can waylay them with the purse-sized scrapbook of your trip you made just to bore – I mean entertain – unsuspecting inquirers.
Diva-scovery: Brilmuseum Amsterdam
Gasthuismolensteeg # 7
1016 AM Amsterdam
Phone/Fax: 0031 (0)20-4212414
Web: www.brilmuseumamsterdam.nl
Email: brilmuseum.brillenwinkle@worldmail.nl
Hours: Wed – Fri 12pm to 5:30pm and Sat from 12pm – 5pm
Seeing is Believing,
The Antiques Diva™
P.S. Father’s Day is just around the corner. Why don’t you look at the Mantiques available at my online Brocante “Treasures” by The Antiques Diva and SEE what you can find?!
Diva-scovery: Bric-a-Brac in Prague
The Diva in Prague – wearing my “new” vintage Moravian scarf purchased at Bric-a-Brac My darling husband surprised me with a trip to Prague so he & I could have a little R&R; and1-on-1 time after I’d been out of town for an extended period during my Antiques Diva tours. We went to Prague to take long walks holding hands, to drink copious quantities of Czech beer (his intent, not mine, as even living in Germany has not converted me to being a beer drinker) and to nibble our way through the winding streets of Prague.
You can see The Wine Guy already ahead of me stepping into the courtyard where we found our favorite Prague antiques shop – Bric-a-Brac located at Tynska # 7. Won’t you join me on a quick tour?
Can’t you just see the room overflowing with potential?
The deeper you dig, the more interesting the finds!
Perhaps one of these is the key to my heart?
Something you may not know is that my husband, The Wine Guy (the man who could be called The Antiques Guy), could also be called The Pilot. For when he’s not crunching numbers as a CFO, he’s a private pilot flying the friendly skies and thus has an avid interest in anything aviation!
And of course there was a little something for me! Vintage bags, baubles and beads!
The tables were laden with Czech glass and porcelain!
These antique canes caught my attention – reminding me that I’m dying to do a post on Antique Canes of Amsterdam!
My husband and the Bric-a-Brac vendor in deep conversation! The vendor was a delight, answering questions and chatting with each and every customer who walked through the door!Diva-scovery:
Bric a Brac
Týnská 7, Prague 1
Phone: (+420) 222 326 484
Metro: Staromĕstská (line A) or Námĕstí Republiky (line B)
Until next time,
The Decorating Diva Style Maker Look Book
The Decorating Diva, LLC writes:
“‘Style Maker‘ Toma Clark Haines, founder of The Antiques Diva Tours and editor of the fabulously divine European antiques shopping and lifestyle blog, “The Antiques Diva”, shares her dream living room decor with The Decorating Diva, LLC readers via her elegant, refined and beautiful style and design look book compilation!”
See more details of The Antiques Diva™ Style Maker Look Book and other great Style Makers Look Books by visiting The Decorating Diva, LLC today!
And stay tuned! While above I show you my dream living room, over the next few months – via The Diva News Network videos – I’ll take you on a tour of my real life living room at home in Berlin!
Thanks Decorating Diva, LLC for the shout out!
Yours,
The Antiques Diva™
Diva News Network: Today’s Episode – Vintage Fur
Spring is in the air, the snow has melted and the sun is shining! While there might still be a nip in the air, the birds are singing and after a long, dark and dreary winter I’m ready to strip off my winter clothes and pull out bright and festive colors for spring – and, before long, summer!
So why then is today’s blog post about Vintage Fur just as we’re wanting to shed our coats in hopes of warmer days? Because the prices on vintage fur are dropping by the day – consider it sale season at the flea markets around the world!
While I wouldn’t buy a new fur coat, propagating the current supply chain, I’m gaga over vintage fur – and the best time to buy vintage fur is not in the brrrr of winter when prices are at a high and people have coats on the mind, but rather when everyone else is thinking thoughts of warmer days. Just like in the stores when inventory changes from one season to the next, vintage fur vendors at flea markets want to sell their winter inventory and prices are being slashed by the week!
Of course, why read about vintage fur shopping when you can watch another exciting episode of the Diva News Network on The Antiques Diva’s YouTube Channel!
Happy Viewing!
The Antiques Diva™
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