Mieke Willems

I have been reading this blog for the past few years, marveling at the beautiful things these two girls have collected, made and discovered. Their images have inspired some of my sewing projects, and I decided I had to go to Antwerp to see the shop they opened a while back. With no online store, it seemed like they were beckoning me: come, shop, explore. I like specialty stores that only exist in one place - it's a destination, a sight to be seen.

So I booked a flight, and got to see the shop and buy some lovely handmade things. And when I got home - poof! - they opened a webshop so everyone can buy their wares. I think it was a bit of magic - if the shop had opened sooner, I might not have discovered all sorts of other nice things in Antwerp.

Hyggelig Places: Trader Joe's

I have to admit, I haven't been faithful to Trader Joe's. I used to live a couple of blocks away from one, and I'd go there a couple of times a week during my lunchbreak to buy a few measly groceries and eye the cute checkout guy. I just saw this video and I think it pretty much sums up my relationship with TJ's. I miss it all of a sudden. Maybe I should go get some couscous or something.

Omnivore Books and Peter Pauper Press

Yesterday Mom and I headed down to Omnivore, the amazing cookbook store down on Cesar Chavez. We spent a while there, just basking in the treasures we found and admiring the cozy space, and finally we whittled down our stacks to the essentials. I got a small book from Peter Pauper Press - the recipes are so simple, and the illustrations are so beautiful.

Here are some examples of their 1950s graphic covers:

via radlibrary

via tinstars

Hyggelig Places: The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire

I just got back from the Alameda Antique Faire and wow! there was lots of great stuff. A friend and I got beautiful cast iron pans, and the vendor told us a little about their history and maintenance while we rooted through his selection. I eyed a lot of old toys and tools, rooted through vintage textiles and despaired at the prices of handsome baskets. The market happens once a month, on the first Sunday. You'll probably see me there.

Hyggelig Places: Slovenia

Kranj

Piran

Last week, we spent a few days in Slovenia. It was probably the best part of the trip - relaxing, scenic, and hyggelig. We wandered through narrow medieval city streets and breathed in the fresh autumn air, sat out by the seaside and ate dinner in cozy cafes. It felt strangely perfect in Slovenia - kind of like Swiss and German towns, but without the crowds. After the craziness of Istanbul, it felt like we were absolutely alone in this beautiful nation. In Ljubljana, I saw a restaurant with all of its tables set with glittery glass and tablecloths...but the place was empty. It could've been sad, but I thought it was magical - like maybe if we ate there we'd be doted on, or like all of the tables were just set for us to enjoy as we passed by the big windows.

We went to a flea market in Ljubljana on Sunday - people set up their tables along the bridge and the outer edge of the Old Town - and most of the junk there was AMAZING. We saw:

an old fashioned deep-sea diving helmet (the brass and glass kind)
rusty tins from the Eastern Bloc
funny 19th century mantle sets - clocks with candlesticks
soviet army uniforms and pins
skeleton keys and big padlock keys from the late 1800s
big apple baskets
old leather suitcases with destination labels
midcentury brooches and earrings
fox pelts
navigational tools
footed metal jewelery boxes with tiny keys

Not exactly the kind of stuff you want to lug through the airport, but fun to look at.