When OtterBox asked me to be one of their ambassadors I couldn’t think of a collaboration that would suit me better. I mean, think of me and my phone like we are one, and you get the feeling! Yes, I cannot ever use the excuse I didn’t see a message or an email.. I admit I am that kind who always walks with my phone in my hands, risk my life daily when crossing the street too busy replying a WhatsApp message, never miss a day to update my socials. And if you are thinking of dining and wining with me, it gets odd sometimes.. you have to wait to start eating your food until I took at least a dozen of photos (the first one is never perfect) and if we try to have coffee? That’s really my thing, you can forget a fuming hot cappuccino, especially if we sit where they serve some coffee art. Finally, my 6 months old daughter is probably one of the most photographed of the world wide web! My boyfriend calls it ‘a bit’ annoying, I call it creating memories, and of course, work! If there is something you can trust me, besides shopping, is when I talk phone cases.

Since I always love to try all the hot places in town, I have decided of showing you my very favourite spot in Amsterdam!

I am taking you to the Conservatorium hotel. On my top list favourite places in the city. Mix of historical building and new design, high glass topped lobby, 5 stars service with still a very friendly staff, one of the best cappuccinos and lunch spot in town, impeccable service.. Loads of good natural light, wifi, yup! That’s sounds perfect to me! And getting to shoot in this location was a real treat.

When it comes to what I wear, details are always the most important to me. I could wear the same ripped denim for weeks but the accessories must always be on point, and my phone being my thing, it must be ‘dressed’ accordingly.

What I love about the OtterBox Symmetry Series Clear case, it is the fully clear back. It shows the rose gold colour of my I-phone and most important, since it did happen to me with other brands in the past, this case doesn’t create a shade around the phone camera. This way I can still take great pictures without compromising in quality! Moreover, protection is at the heart of the brand and I love to know that everything that is inside my phone – emails, thousands of photos, all my apps. – are always safe! A stylish yet protective phone case. Just the way I like it.

I loved starting my day with a delicious cappuccino, which tasted as good as its pretty look in the picture, while I was checking my emails.. and of course taking photos of it! We did a three hours shooting, which sometimes can be very tiring so a yummy lunch was impossible to resist. We hoovered a way too high quantity of french fries but with such a location, every excuse is good enough to stay a little longer.

The great news is that this is only the first episode! Yep, I want to show you more of this OtterBox case and my favourite spots in this city.. We are now planning the second shooting coming to the blog the first weekend of March. New location to discover, same case, different colour.. and hopefully, equally good cappuccino!!

Inside Out the Look:

Coat: Zara | Jeans: Dricoper | Knit: All Saints | Shoes: Celine | Bag: Lancaster | Rings: H&M | Watch: Christian Paul | Symmetry Series Clear Case: OtterBox

The Symmetry Series Clear case is also sold across these stores in Europe, as well as OtterBox.com: France (FNAC, DARTY, Carrefour, Boulanger & Amazon), Benelux (MM NL, Coolblue, Bol.com), Italy (Mediaworld & Amazon), Spain (MM, Top APRs, Rosseli, GoldenMac, Macnificos & Amazon), Germany (MSH, Amazon and Vodafone).

Created in collaboration with OtterBox. Story, styling and creative direction my own. Photography Alessia Ballardini.

   

Emma’s fifth month has been so full of milestones! She started to communicate with us.. in her own way! Our days are filled with screams and laughter. Most of all, last weekend, when she was exactly 5 month and a half, she sat up by herself! (and I am so proud of myself for being camera ready!!). So now she sits up right for longer than 30 seconds.. we reached a good 10 minutes! I am still a bit cautious so I constantly surround her with pillows ahah!

One of her favourite games is, of course, trying to grab anything that is ‘forbidden’! A glass, a knife, computer cables.. Everything seems to be more interesting then her own toys! So typical! Last but not least, she sleeps through the night.. After her last feed between 11:30/12 she sleeps all the way until 8 o’clock in the morning! We are in for a treat!!

I am also having more fun dressing her, and here it comes my favourite part 😉 hey! I couldn’t wait to start playing with her hair accessories (not much hair there yet ooopss!..) and her package from BANABEAN couldn’t arrive at a most perfect timing! Isn’t it the dream of every little girl new mom to have a box of beautiful hair accessories delivered to you monthly? The site is launching soon but you can already sign up on the waiting list and tell a friend for the chance to win a free month!! Have fun with your little fashionistas! 😉

Emma is wearing:

Hair band: Baby Bling via BANABEAN | Cardigan: The White Company |

25.12.15 Emma’s first Christmas 26.11.15 Emma Maaike -16 weeks These days Emma is obsessed with trying to sit up and look around the room. She is getting so stronger but of course it’s too early. It’s her favourite thing to do.. together with sucking and biting anything that comes close to her. My favourite thing to do with her is our afternoon nap.. The longest the better! She never napped before for more than 20 minutes so I am really enjoying this new moment that we share together daily. I realise that they are babies for such a short time, I am trying to enjoy each stage of development, because they pass so quickly..

Emma is wearing:

Top: Petit Bateau (similar here on sale!) | Pants: Feetje (here)

    16.11.15 Emma Maaike -15 weeks – 3 months old I have decided to start this page to share the best moments of Emma’s life captured in pictures. I am not in the position of giving tips about babies, not just yet.. I am learning day by day. Everything is a discovery and an experiment really. This space will be more like a photo album to follow Emma’s growth and milestones, to share baby outfits, reviews of baby products and experiences with other mommies and mommies-to-be. One of the reasons I wanted a dedicated part of my blog to Emma is because she is now great part of my every day life and time is absolutely flying by. I feel like yesterday when she was born and now she is able to grab her toys.. and try to eat all of them.. yes, anything she catches goes straight to her mouth! She laugh first thing in the morning and when she is happy screams the funniest noises and immediately after pulls a very surprised face, she’s the funniest! She loves to touch my face, hold my hand and watch baby songs on youtube with daddy. I’ve spent the most incredible 15 weeks, I have laughed, I have cried, I have learnt to do anything with one hand, I have taken more photos an entire pc memory can sustain, I have spent more money on Emma’s clothes than mine, I have made up any kind of tricks to make her sleep or smile, I have been googling anything concerning babies, I have loved but also had any bad experience about breastfeeding and have no problem to admit I found relief in the formula milk (I am still breastfeeding at nights and mornings). Having a baby and immediately after moving to a new country have been harder than expected but Emma is making me the happiest person I ever thought possible and I still can’t believe how much my life has changed. I can’t certainly stop the time but I can stop every day to take pictures and videos of her and write as much as I can with the hope she will enjoy reading it one day.

My obsession with casual wear continues. If you meet me around, most days of the week, you would see me in ripped jeans, sneakers and oversized sweater! Instead, when it comes to the accessories, I always like to add some glam with designer pieces.

I like to stick to my guns because, I can assure you, when you are able to find a look that reflects your personal style your life (the sartorial side at least) becomes much easier! I mean, no piles of clothes to be tried on in front of the mirror and last minute decisions! Especially, no hours to be spent to tidy everything back in your closet the following days!!

I prefer quality over quantities so a statement sweater that I can mix and match and the  perfect fit denim are life savers.. Always sartorially speaking!

This is how I do it. Usually I tend to go for a regular colour palette. My closet is build up in black, white, grey, beige and denim with a splash of colour here and there. Once you know your colours it becomes much easier to put an outfit together.

Finally, this way you can get loads of wear out of your buys and your shopping becomes much more justified.. So the sense of guilt is gone.. Or, at least, you have a perfect excuse!! #girlstalk 😉

Photos: Alessia Ballardini – Styling and Writing by myself.

Inside Out The Look:

Sweater: Calvin Klein | Jeans: Topshop | Shoes: Adidas | Rings: Givenchy and H&M | Watch: Christian Paul | Coat: Zadig & Voltaire | Bag: Chanel

Possibly one of the most comfortable outfit we ever shot, yet I love the chic touch of this Chloe cape. As a new mom, comfort is becoming a every day must but I don’t want to compromise on style.

As soon as I hear the word ‘snow’ there is nothing else I want to wear but my UGG boots and a light as possible colour palette. When I put together a total look of the same colour shade I always pay attention to mixing up textures in a soft way. This time, the outfit was built around the cape and I created this look mixing up several shades of white, beige and grey for an overall light look. It is an easy one to try, especially because you can ‘fish’ white pieces from your summer wardrobe and mix and match them with heavier pieces like I did with the cape and Ugg boots.

I think it’s going to snow soon! I can’t wait so see Amsterdam all white and take Emma out to see her first snow!

Inside Out the Look:

Cape: See by Chloe | Top: Uniqlo | Jeans: Zadig & Voltaire | Boots: UGG | Hat: Ted Baker | Bag: Balenciaga

I would assign the skinny scarf trend into one of the most versatile. I am just loving its ability to go from day to night and I am pretty sure we will take it into the next summer too. I can already see it over white boohoo dresses or rocking it on a white tank top paired with distressed denim shorts. Just – Cool! I say, buy one in black, like this one from Zara which is currently on sale, and style it either with a white shirt like I did here or a V neck sweater. I am planning to show this option soon because I just love it. The skinny scarf is an easy touch that will add chicness to your outfit and you won’t need to splash the cash, it’s ultra affordable. Such a keeper!

Inside Out the Look:

Shirt dress: COS | Blazer: Zara | Thin scarf: Zara | Denim: Topshop | Shoes: Frau | Clutch: Valentino | Sunglesses: Celine