new beginnings

That was one helloffa retraite I took there... Sabbatical 2.0 if you like. My mother passed away, I got stuck in an major depression and my businness SALM couln't be saved at that time. Flatliner. Bieeeeeeeep. Sadness. Silence was the result. At this blog, and in general my life was on a slow pace. I've had therapy, medication and I have been cooking a lot. My saving goeroe is mother earth. I love gardening and I can't wait for the season to start. Digging in the earth, working outside and growing my own food has done more for me that I can describe. Things are so much beter now and I have learned some important things about myself. I wanted too much, too fast. I discovered that i am a 'one thing at the time' type of girl. Making and selling my work, network, being part of the homemade/etsy community, blog, taking care of my child and socialise with new friends on the internet was WAY out of my league. A new day, a new start and some loose ends to tie up ( you know who you are).

Thursday jam: not a happy song

R.I.P. in de eeuwige jachtvelden

dress to impress

, originally uploaded by ilfautmanger.

My son picks his own outfits in the weekend. Since his likings are mostly not so practical I do not incorporate this habit during schooldays.

This lederhose i bought once in Berlin, never imagined he would love it so much.. The cap is embroidered with the logo of a Dutch sockerclub called FC Twente, a big hit because we live in competitive area. hahaha.

I am looking forward to what he will wear tomorrow!

also: happy weekend! and for yall americanas happy 4th of july!

When I was studying architecture this song had a revival and was everywhere. I love how music can bring you back to places in the past.

back by dope demand

Together with all the artist and craftspeople in the collective downstairs I participated at the apotheose of 'the week of sustainability' that was held on the 11th of june. Several workshops with a recycle-theme, exhibitions, music, free organic drinks and cake, a mobile garden project and artstudents selling handmade tees for a good cause made the day absolutly succesfull and fun. We closed the deal with a (veggie) BBQ and drinks.

So I tributed with a 'make your own awesome bracelet' thing. It wasn't even a real workshop. Basicly I just provided the tools, leather bits and pieces, rivets and snaps and some assistants. Further it was up to ones own what to make of it. Whoohoo what a blast! My table was full and busy the whole day and I hadn't even time to think. People really enjoyed it and made the most stunning cuffs and bracelets. Because of all the enthousiasm i am now planning on doing this more often!

***sawwy for the crappy iphonepictures***

Craft Talk

OMG. hahahahaha thank you Leslie Hall for saving the day. Infinite love.

Free shipping on Etsy: Happy Mothersday!!

to the beach!, originally uploaded by ilfautmanger.

**** picture taken by my son <3


My 4th mothersday!! Breakfast in bed and much more kisses and hugs today then usual, yay!! For all mothers and children to celebrate life I am having a free shipping coupon on Etsy today! just enter code : mothersday at the checkout.

The Butterfly Effect

Or, how I ruined my favorite jacket. Boohoo I have learned the lesson in a hard way, never will I be too lazy to go to the drycleaners again. Ah well, i thought. What could go wrong if I just put it in my washingmachine and use the wool/handwash programm?

This beautiful jacket with gorgious butterlfies and versace-esk ornaments came out and the black had bleed. NO no no!

Since I refuse to cry about material things I decided i could use my secret devistation and turn the power into a recycling project!





vintage silk, vintage cotton, remnents from Kalla and the butterflies are now cute little coinpurses.

Je t'aime my vintage ballet flats from Liza Zain

Finally the weather gives the right mis en scene to wear my perfect ballet flats I bought from Liza Zain on etsy in fall last year. hurray. she has an amazing shop with vintage shoes and regular updates!

mini shop update!

Happy Queensday 15% discount on Etsy!!

Today we celebrate the Queens birthday. Thrifting, eating, drinking and talking with long lost friends, strangers and in general having a blast. Do I think of the queen? not really, it's just a traditional, crazy fun day off.

And because were all queens in our own universe I will have 15% off all items in my shop today! just enter the code 'queenforaday ' at the check out:)

Homemade Sriracha is Heaven

Altough I am a fan of spicy sauce I do not like it hot hot heat. The famous Sriracha sauce is a bit too hot for me and thai sweet chili sauce too sweet. So I tried to make something in between. And boy I really succeed, this sauce is my new love, addiction and eat it with everything.


Puff pastry filled with beets and lentils, a salad with cilantro and ailoli plus a generous amount of my Sriracha


Mashed potatoes, baked tempeh ,cauliflower and....sriracha


First I put a whole bulb of peeled garlic cloves in an empty jar with two red and one green long pepper, a piece of fresh ginger , theespoon of salt and apple vinegar. I let it sit for 24 hours and then put it on the stove with two tablespoons of sucanat(whole cane sugar)for an hour.
After a spin in the kitchenmachine it was too thin and a bit tasteless so I added a tablespoon of agavesirop, a tablespoon homemade gingersirop and let it simmer until the right thickness. Holy Mackarel this stuff is heaven!! A bit spicy, not too sweet and major garlicy just the way I like it.

Vegan Potpourri

A few of my own vegan concoctions I have tried recently....

1-sushi with avocado, carrot and cucumber; pickled ginger and tamari
2-whole wheat/spelt bread with nuts, seeds and dried fruit
3-vegan minced meat filo pastry pie
4-pumkin, potato, veg meat named corn, soy and sellery gratin
5-chickpea salad
6-tosti vegan cheezly and fresh herb soycream. also; mega ultra amount of garlic.
7-dutch andijvie stampot with oatcream, mushrooms, a drizzle olive oil and lots of black pepper

FRONT PAGE

One of my cardholders was on the FP at etsy.com tonight. A crazy beautifull treasury made by Tree & Kimball. ( check out her fab lace jewellery!!) I sold the cardholder, recieved a skyhigh amount of hearts yeah! After I got back on my feet I tweeted to T&K to thank her and she told me she got a cardholder for christmas... The whole scene rolled out for my eyes and i saw a room with gifts and santa claus and people and food and wrappingpaper. Something I made was also present? In Philadelphia ?! There goes the distance. I feel a script is waiting to be written. Something between Dr.Who, the Big lebowki and Blue in the face.

Well, Goodnight yall.. one more herbal tea and I am off to, almost sure to be a generous and crafty dreamland.