Easter Sunday

My easter bunny from my boss!

 

Easter Sunday got off to an amazing and surreal start when a marching band stopped in the square outside our flat and started playing!

 

 

The best part was when a little man walked over and gave us free chocolate! We think that it was the Salvation Army, and I definitely feel salvaged now I'm full of bunny goodness.

 

According to Cass the Easter bunny is pooing eggs!

 

 Next up we decorated eggs. Turns out blowing the egg crap out is much harder than it looks, I got a bit dizzy and left the hard labour to Dan (surprise)

 

 

 

 

 

 We've since had some casualties, sadly we lost Pikachu. But he's sitting next to the TV with a hairline crack so I think he's in a better place, really.

After that we went to have a proper walk around Oosterpark and it is beautiful in there! Here are a couple of scenic shots...

 

 

 

We picked some flowers (naughty!) while we were there and took them home to decorate the table for the Easter feast I was making - a traditional Dutch dish called Stamppot. I highly recommend it, we are two satisfied customers!

 

 

 

 

 Stamppot: Tastes better than it looks.

 

 I learnt a fun fact that I will share with you all - Bratwurst is German sausage but the Dutch version is called Braadworst, although they basically taste the same. YOU. ARE. WELCOME.

 

All in all it's been a great Easter Sunday!

 

Sunday list...

 

Bunch of flowers in the supermarket

 

I am stealing this from another blog- writing a list once a week of everything good that's happened, or everything I'm grateful for. It's also a good way to clear out some of those photos that don't fit anywhere :)

 

Don't even know what this is - I just liked their eyebrows

 

1. Being here!

It's still so surreal to be in Amsterdam, doing the washing and making dinner and mundane chores just in a different country. I still get happy every time I look out the window

 

The Dappermarket, near our apartment

 

2. Doing well at work

 

It's only been a couple of weeks so it's a presumptuous statement but so far I really like it there and they all seem to really like me, and the feedback I've got so far is positive so I feel proud of myself!

 

 Big fat bunny!

 

3. Walking everywhere

 

I was genuinely worried about how much I would miss my car, but I'm really enjoying that we walk everywhere. Every time we go out I see something new or take a picture of something that catches my eye (and tone my legs at the same time -win!)

 

Our new coasters :)

 

4. Another package from my mum!

This time containing a little set of coasters depicting Amsterdam scenes. I look forward to my post whenever she tells me she's sent it, I feel so special!

 

Smurfs! Memories of Brighton

 

5. Free pick and mix with my deodorant

The best thing that happened to me all week was when Dan I walked into the Kruidvat and saw a sign saying any two Dove products and 500g of pick and mix free! It was a no brainer and also the weirdest special offer I've ever seen!

 

And there we go :) The final one, although I'm not putting it in the list, is the fact that Dan's here with me. Coming home to him after work puts a spring my step! Although leaving him all tucked up in a warm bed every morning at 7.45 is not quite as jolly.

 

 

The Funfare!

 

Welkom to the fun fare!

The girls at work invited me to the circus this week and Dan and I eagerly went along...to find a fun fare! Still amazing, just a bit of a language mix up!

 

Sorry for the picture overhaul which is about to occur...

 

Boobytrap!

 

 

It was an amazing evening and filled with laughs and new friends, despite the freezing cold weather!

Saving the best bit for last, I (of course) had to have a go on the Hook A Duck and won myself a SEAHORSE!

 

 

 

 

 

Star for a day

 

Today I tried out my Miss Selfridge star hairband for the first time!

 

I picked it up in the Christmas sales and popped it in my Amsterdam pile straight away - it's really fragile and I'm basically counting down until I break it!

 

 

I LOVE it though - and it led to my colleagues calling me a "the star" for the whole day. It's a great ego boost and I would highly recommend it!

 

 

Here's my best "I'm not sure about this outfit" face. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Work

This is my little space at work! It's considerably more messy now as I took this last week, but the basic surroundings are all the same.

 

I have a nice view of the window and of the stairs so I can nose at who's coming or going, which is all you can ask for really!

 

The more I'm working there the more I love it, everyone is friendly and so far (touch wood!) I'm doing well at everything they've asked of me. Today I was described as "indispensable" which is a nice compliment!

 

This is what I wore today... and my best pouty face!

I love the pattern of this shirt so much. I promise I own and wear more clothes than this one blue dress! I'll try and mix it up in the future.

Pin City Wall Map

I've just found these amazing Pin City Wall maps from Palomar and it's TOP of my wishlist! It's a city map printed on felt, which means you can pin photos, postcards, receipts or whatever you want to it!

 

When I saw they had one of Amsterdam I had to resist pressing buy...Hopefully I can recreate this with a large map and a cork board?! We'll have to see...

 

Saturday

 

On Saturday we had planned to go to the Kitsch Kitchen warehouse sale to (hopefully) pick up some bits for the house. Lots of stuff was tat but we managed to get some gems, and it was nice to browse around!

 These doves were only €2.50! Dan didn't let me get one...(can't think why)

 

On the walk home we saw some flags and went over to explore. We found an amazing little food festival! Lots of free samples...yum. and a little Americano and warme chocolade to pep us up. (They were very impressed with my "Mag ik")

Rude not to sample the local delicacy...

We went to a few more shops and to the market to get some fresh vegetables for the week and ended up with a nice haul!

 

(L-R) A giant flower for €1 from Kitsch Kitchen, a peeler, a grater, a vase reduced to €2 at the market (it looks great in our bathroom!) a scone chocolade, a mini piñata from Kitsch Kitchen for €2.50...I couldn't resist!, a hanger set (for my necklaces), a kitchen knife and finally a chilli (free from food fair).

 

All in all a great Saturday :)