“Quid new posts?”

Hey people! Kate here.

You might have wondered what happened the last couple of months, as my (I know…) quite irregular, but dedicated blogposts didn’t appear in your Bloglovin’ mailbox anymore.

I have a very good explanation for this not so loyal, but temporary behaviour…

Two months ago I moved!! Yes, we moved to a new house,. Out of our much beloved loft in the city to find a perfect spot for some much needed ‘no noise’ space.

After the move, we left for a 3 week Ibiza holiday (my favourite spots over there will be posted soon, don’t worry) and once back home decoration of the new space started. Besides loads of professional work off course, a kick off of a new innovation bachelor course, where I teach and you understand why I’ve been so absent this last months.

But the good news is, I’m back. In full force with great new Squid Stories on food, design, fashion, travel and trends.

And some new insights I like to share with you on brand new topics.

And hey, there is more! The second explanation for the lack of new updates: we’ve been busy! Why? We also moved the Squid Stories!

It was about time.

You’ll see: it’s easier to navigate, easier on the browser and really easy on the eyes. Don’t worry: we moved also the entire content.

Some stuff we kept as it was, because it was good. The content, the writer, my curated view on todays world.

I write about contemporary culture, and I hope you like it.

So, check out the brand new posts at the new blogspot www.thesquidstories.com.  Make sure you subscribe the new address on Bloglovin and I see you over there!

Kate

Nr°44_IMAGE OF THE DAY

Last weekend I was in London with my daughter Maui and I absolutely wanted to visit The Beauty Project at London’s trendiest megastore Selfridges.

The Beauty Project is a mind-provoking and multi layered exploration of the definition of beauty and what it means in today's society.

 The first thing you notice is a total takeover of the store's famous window displays. Statements are made about ‘letting your hair grow’, thoughts on science versus nature, ‘ eat yourself beautiful food, an open window fragrance lab and questions about what is beauty (and what not)

Un-retouched images of unknown faces will appear all over London in a new campaign shot by Norbert Schoerner, whilst debates in the store's ‘Salon’ focus upon challenging topics such as The History of Beauty and Ugliness and the relationship between beauty and youth.

The point of The Beauty Project is to define many versions of beauty: mature ladies, colored girls, pink hair or all over tattoos. The idea is that when we have a wider range of ideals to look at, so women can feel better about the way they look and do not need to be disappointed not looking like the lipstick advert girls in a magazine.

Fun workshops are be inn organized like a face gym (a workout for the face that uses collagen-boosting finger moves), skin analysis, a Dove self-esteem workshop for mothers and daughters, hair straightening demonstrations and yoga. 

There is also a GREAT Fragrance Lab (London only) which I visited off course, but I tell you more about this in the next post.

Founder Harry Selfridge was the first to introduce a fully-fledged beauty fragrance and make up department at the centre of its London store back in 1910. With the The Beauty Project Selfridges sets again the trend tone, after the very remarked ’Silence room of last year’, by putting topics around beauty issues close to their heart on the agenda.

Business need to run to, so the big brands join in as well: Chanel customizes nails, Nars offers one-to-one blush consultations and Mac gives advice on the perfect shades as Tom Ford offers manicures with private cosmetics consultations. For the guys, a pop-up barber shop provides traditional shaves.

But hurry! The Beauty Project only runs until June 12 at all Selfridges stores, but the one in London has the most allure and events.

http://www.selfridges.com/en/StaticPage/the-beauty-project-hello-beautiful

Join the #beautyproject. I did.

Nhow hotel Rotterdam_a life inspiration story

When traveling and staying in Rotterdam, for me there was just one option, to be honest. I know, I lost my heart on Hotel New York, and if you're looking for a cosy, warm and historical family hotel, it is still a great option. But, hey, we need to check out new things, and when I got an invitation to stay at the brand new Nhow hotel in Rotterdam (after our inspirational bike tour with Eastpak), I took this chance to explore new beds in Rotterdam.

I arrived by watertaxi, so I got already a good view on the building from the riverside. The impressive wall of glass of the magnificent skyline building gives Rotterdam another stunning beacon next to the famous Erasmus bridge. I could already imagine the view from (each) room on the Maas and the vibrant city....

I stayed in a basic urban room at the back of the hotel, overviewing the industrial side of the city. Luckily, because of the huge floor to ceiling windows, every room has nice day and night views, even if you stay in the more basic ones. Although,  the view in the sunset rooms or suites is better (inside tip!), as you overlook Rotterdam city and the Mentioned Erasmus bridge for the front row.

I was friendly welcomed with a personal note, some chocolates and bottled water. The urban room is very spacious, quite light with a undeniable industrial feel. If you like minimal straight fit rooms, this is your place. Bathroom and bedroom are divided by a printed glass wall and the Tv is hidden behind a glas wall. All to get rid of cluttered details like wires and closets. Everything is there, as it should be: room & bed good, clean & crisp, friendly staff, a more than correct breakfast buffet and some nice funny graphic details to find your way back to your floor or room.

For me, Nhow is a more business visitor oriented hotel, but with a touch of art, some creativity and a very alive entertainment program. The hotel really wants to become a vibrant part of Rotterdam's city life and therefor it is an excellent starting point to explore the city.

Nhow Rotterdam is part of the Nhow group and has hotels in Berlin, Milan and recently in Rotterdam. The stunning skyline hotel opened its doors beginning 2014 and is designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas of OMA. Nhow is not your average ' just sleep-over-hotel' but a place to re-set your mind by the in-house art exhibitions, product launches, concerts and conferences that become part of the best R'Dam urban culture has to offer.

©ALL photos by Kate Stockman_THE SQUID STORIES, except image from hotel skyline is by Events.nl