Miscellaneous - A stationery store in Amsterdam

Being that April is the National letter writing month, I thought I show you a very lovely store I found yesterday.

But first let me tell you how I ended up here. On saturday, I received a letter from a pen pal asking me where I had found the paper from my last letter. I had bought it in London, but went looking on the internet on where to find it. I tried buying it online (as a present for her) but because it is a Japanese company the shipping was extremely expensive.  Hooray for the internet, and expensive shipping rates (if it would've been cheap, I would've never venture out in search of this store).

It is filled with treasures every where you look. Writing paper, cards, scissors, washi-tape, pens, even beautiful gardening tools.

I really loved how all the plants and cacti added to the ambience giving it a cozy feel. usually paper stores are only about paper.

They have all the popular brands like; Rifle Paper and Midori, but also the not so popular ones like; Postalco (which is what I was looking for), but also many others I've never heard about.

If you live here:
Miscellaneous is located at De Clercqstraat 130
and they are open Wed to Sun
If you don't live here you can always order online. Open 24 hours, wink, wink!

Hopefully you enjoyed this mini tour and it inspired you to get some nice paper out to write some lovely letters.
All the best,
Giova

Jessie Chorley's Shop

Last week I spent a few days at West Dean College and some other days in London. It was the perfect getaway with the weather cooperating every single day. 

I wanted to start this week by showing you the beautiful shop of Jessie Chorley. I finally had the chance to visit her magical store, which is a lot like her work, filled with the most delicate details everywhere you look. This is one of those places where you can easily spend the afternoon rummaging around, so if you are planning a trip to London make sure to add this shop to your list.

I met Jessie a bit more than 2 years ago when I did a workshop with her, you can read all about it here.
I hope you liked the glimpse of her store, it is a really inspiring store.  Just in case you live really far away, she also has a lovely online store.

Jessie's shop is located at 158a Columbia Road
Times: Thu-Fri from 12 to 6
Sat- from 12 to 4:30
Sun- from 9-4:30

See you back on thursday with more inspiration from my trip.
Have a great week ahead,
Giova

De Schoolmeester - Paper Mill in Holland

For the love of paper don't ask me why I didn't know of this place before, seriously don't. I only found about it last week when Lynne (whom I've never met) ask me on FB, if I knew were to find "zaansch bord." Of course I didn't, but loving all sorts of adventures and errands that take me "to infinity and beyond" I found myself here. 

This is seriously the most incredible place I've visited in a long time, and even if you're not crazy about paper (I couldn't think why, but OK), this place is worth the 20 mins ride from Amsterdam (by car), just to see a mill from 1692 (restored) and still running and making beautiful paper.

De Shoolmeester is the only paper mill here in Holland (there used to be 60)!! The paper they make is guaranteed that it is made from cotton, flax and water from the ditch and it air dried. Though he does not guaranteed the same colors because they vary through batches.

This mill belongs to "De Zaansche Molen" a windmill society who in 1920 rescued this and 19 other mills in the area.

**Beware there are many pictures, and not in order of how paper is made!!

I think I need to go back. I need to walk slower when I'm there, and I'm also missing some colors that for some reason I forget to buy (wink).

De Schoolmeester is locate at Guispad 3, 1551 SX Westzaan
It is open M-F from 10 to 4 and they charge 3.50euros
You can order paper by email: deschoolmeester@hetnet.nl
They ship all over the world!!

Thank you Lynne, for showing me the way!

Wishing you a weekend filled with wonderful adventures,
Giova

Pasa y Sientate

I usually don't go store searching in my city, but as it happened, this beautiful and colorful store (that I've heard so many good things from my sister) was next to an ice-cream place that I was visiting with some friends.

I couldn't waste the opportunity to have a look and meet the lovely owner. Everything in the store is either made by her or her mother with so much love, that you can't stop looking. We almost didn't leave!

From the biggest details as in the animal papier mache masks to the cutest mouse in a box of matches, everything is filled with detail and craftsmanship.

If you don't happen to have any girls (like me) you are going to wish (for an instant that is) that you had them, so you can buy their clothes and crowns, necklaces and teddy bears here.

If you ever find yourself in Cali and more precisely in the barrio el Peñon, I suggest you stop by so you can fill your suitcase with lots of colorful gifts.

If on the other hand you happen to live there I suggest you run to the store and start ordering your favors for your next party (we Colombians take our parties very seriously).

Pasa y Sientate can be found here for all opening hours and other very cute ideas!!

Have a very relaxing and crafty weekend,
Giova

Harvest and Company in Amsterdam

I thought I start this morning with a wonderful cup of coffee, but instead I have a lovely store that used to sell coffee. Oh, well!! Go with the flow right?

In a way it is like searching for your favorite perfume only to find out that it has been discontinued. You feel a "pang" of disappointment, but then you just carry on, or are you going to turn into a perfume maker or in this case a barrister? Maybe, who knows? 

I have shown many pictures of this store here, don't know how that happened since it is usually the other way around. In any case, even if there is no longer wonderful coffee it is a lovely place to look around and be inspired. Everywhere you look there is a wonderful desk, cabinet or table with amazing lamps and other vintage decorating accessories. Go if you need a lamp, or a beautiful writing desk (ahem, I saw one that is just perfection), but remember no coffee!

Harvest & Co.
Tweede Helmerstraat 96
1054 CN Amsterdam
Open Thursday through Saturday

Wishing you a lovely day,
Giova

Vlieger - A paper store in Amsterdam

If you happen to live here and love  paper (that is) chances are you have been to Vlieger (many times).    

It is one of my favorite stores here in Amsterdam, and I just needed to show it to you in case you haven't visited or heard of it.

There is paper, paper and more paper (too many kinds to list here). Lots of washi-tapes, glues and bookbinding materials, and the added bonus that the second floor is an art supply store -run by the same people.

I hope that by the pictures you get a clear idea of how paper intense the store is, and if you are visiting then this should really be on your must see list.

Vlieger is open from Monday through Saturday
Amstel 34
1017 AB Amsterdam

If you need more craft stores in Amsterdam they are here.

Have a great day and see you back here on thursday (I'll be posting 2 times per week).
Giova
P.S: Suzi, your kind of store right???

The Best Chocolate Store in Amsterdam

First let me explain that I don't use the term "best" often or do I take it lightly. If you happen to love, enjoy or are crazy about chocolate, and you happen to be here in this city, this is one place you have to visit.  Just like you would write on your list of things to see in Amsterdam; "Van Gogh Museum' or "Rijks museum', you should write Chocolátl. 

I truly hope that the day you walk in you are lucky enough to find the owner in there. He will talk and explain, and give you samples of the chocolates he thinks you will love. Then maybe, like my husband you will never want to leave.

The store has a system, sort of like a library. I don't remember if they go alphabetically or by origin, but I assure you there is a system.

I'm not a chocolate person myself but I do appreciate the wonderful packaging that chocolate goes into, I mean I would buy these just for the wrapping. My husband will eat the chocolate and I'll use the wrapping for something. A win, win situation!

Beware 1: You can sit down and order amazing hot chocolate to drink (this is according to my husband), but don't drink too much or you might turn a bit crazy (see my little one?). Just kidding, he actually doesn't need chocolate to be all energized.

Beware 2: This is a place that sells the best chocolate from around the world. They don't make their own chocolate.

If you are interested in a place that makes chocolate, then check the one I mentioned here.

Are you a chocolate person?? If so, which is your favorite?? I'm more of a snickers kind of girl (but don't tell anyone).

Have an amazing day!
Giova