MODEinOOSTENDE #2

About three weeks ago, Belmodo had its second edition of MODEinOOSTENDE. Last year was a blast, so this year I expected the shopping weekend to be even more fabulous. I was invited to the private afterparty hosted by Belmodo for the partners who cooperated in this event, so I asked my friend Marie to join me for a day of shopping and a night of partying. We started the Belmodo-parcours in the late afternoon which was really fun because shopping for clothes after 6 PM is not something that you can do every day. We enjoyed some fashion shows in Lily and Ferm and got spoiled with a Lady White in Pied de Poule and gin based cocktails in Ferm, made by the best bartender in Belgium, Jurgen Nobels. Of course, I couldn't resist buying something but that I will share with you guys later. From 8 o'clock onwards we spent our night in Beausite - one of my favorite places in Ostend - for the after party. As a conclusion, I could say this edition of MODEinOOSTENDE was again a wonderful event to show all the things that Ostend has to offer (and that is a lot!) so…. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!  

Meadowhall student shopping night

On the first Wednesday evening of my new life in the UK, my erasmus friends and I went shopping at Meadowhall. It's a huge shoppingcentre - really the biggest thing I've ever seen - just outside the city centre. To 'celebrate' the beginning of the new academic year, they organized a student night where you could shop until you drop with a reduction of 20 %… So heaven can actually be a place on earth?! And I have to admit, we really shopped and dropped. We went from one store to another, with only a 15 minute (fast-food) lunch break, and even with this tight schedule we didn't have the chance to see all the shops: this place is just massive! The shop that impressed me the most, was Victoria Secret. In Belgium we don't have one - or maybe in the airport, I'm not sure - so it is always a new experience when I enter this VS madness. Although it is always über fluffy and pink, it's a fun shop and concept (but I have to admit that I still stick with the Belgian brands on this one!). For a list of all the shops, check http://www.meadowhall.co.uk/stores.aspx and definitely plan a trip to this shopping walhalla if you're in the neighborhood. 

#MODEinOOSTENDE @ Belmodo

People who follow my wordsfromthewest account on instagram have definitely noticed that I spend a lot of my time in Ostend, also called 'the queen of the Belgian seaside'. So I was absolutely over the moon when I saw that Belmodo had launched a hotspot tour here. What does it entail (for the fashionistas who don't know about it yet) -> Belmodo did a search for the most hip and trendy stores, hotels, restaurants... in Ostend and made a little magazine about it, that you can find in all the participating places 2 be. For every address you can find a little description accompanied with a map that you can find in the hart of the magazine - here all the places are indicated. I'm very happy that Belmodo chose Ostend as the fashioncity of the summer, because I think Ostend is really underestimated. Most of the time, it seems that Knokke is always running away with the fashion prize (don't get me wrong: I love Knokke as it is my hometown and I always love coming back!). But this summer the time to turn the tide has come. Everybody should pay a visit to Ostend because you can find everything over here. I already knew a lot of addresses pictured by Belmodo, but now the list got much bigger! Ostend is still growing but has already developed a lot in the past few years when it comes to fashion. A lot new shops made their appearance, so now I can find my all time favorite brands also over here (so special visits to Brussels and Antwerp aren't needed anymore... although?!:p) -> definitely worth a visit is Pied de Poule where you can find Paul and Joe Sister, Filles à Papa, Equipment, Ba&sh, See by Chloé, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Iro, Vanessa Bruno, Le Mont St.-Michel... Also Brutus + Femme is still one of my favorites (read my earlier post) with brands like Essentiel, M Missoni, Tods... For more addresses, come to Ostend - get the Belmodo magazine - and enjoy!!! 

Pied de Poule, Rogierlaan 62 (will be moving to Van Iseghemlaan 88 in January)
Brutus + Femme, Leopold II-laan 25 

It's Christmas time...

For me the upcoming period is definitely the most beautiful time of the year. I'm over the moon with everything that's linked to Christmas: the tree, the cosy moments of being together with your loved ones, the good food, the presents... Also the Christmas songs are absolutely super essential when it comes to the month December (non stop on my iPod). 

Last year, during this period, I was in the most amazing city in the world: London! Ok, for me this city never can do wrong, but last year it seemed that also in Christmas setting London is thé most beautiful place on earth. And on top of that, for a shopping freak like me, an extreme walhalla! Can't wait to be back!!! 

Here some images to show you guys what I mean... And don't forget to shake it up, because it's Christmas time! Are you guys going on some special Christmas shopping trips? 

Picture 1 Covent Garden - Picture 2 Covent Garden - Picture 3 Camden Town - Picture 4 Oxford Street - Picture 5 Piccadilly Circus - Picture 6 Big Ben - Picture 7 Buckingham Palace - Picture 8 London Eye - Picture 9 Carnaby Street 

Tommy Hilfiger NY Line X Feeling

Yesterday, Feeling hosted an exclusive shopping night at the Tommy Hilfiger store in Antwerp. It was their way to introduce the New York line. Tommy is known for its preppy, college-inspired kind of clothes. Since I was a little kid, I've been a fan of this brand. Also because it never abjures were it stands for. At Tommy, you always know what to expect and they stay true to their initial ideas (and that seems to work every season, over and over again). 

We also had the chance to shop with a 20 percent reduction... How awesome is that? Marie and I fitted a lot of stuff, followed by the decision-making part. I fell in love with the green bomber jacket. Especially the leather sleeves, that gave the jacket that edgy touch. Eventually Marie bought a cute beanie and scarf, so adorable! But what did I buy? That will be a surprise until the next blogpost...