A Mini Break At The Deep Nature Spa

November 9, 2014 • Brussels • Travel • Wellness

it’s all happening, and it’s all happening at the same time. life is pretty good right now – my husband and i are expecting our first baby, we moved to a pretty new apartment in switzerland, my book was well-received in belgium and this blog just won a WEEKEND BLOG AWARD. i couldn’t be more grateful for all these exciting things, and i’m super thankful to all of you out there. you guys have been so supportive, so kind, so enthusiastic and so rocking awesome about pretty much everything – i know it’s a sky high cliché, but i feel pretty blessed for all of it.

that said, life can sometimes feel a little overwhelming lately. i feel like i’m pulled in all kinds of directions and it’s all so much fun, but it can also be exhausting. ever since announcing my pregnancy, i’ve received all kinds of advice from people, but i really believe the most important piece of advice there is, is to take it easy on yourself. i’m so used to stepping on the gas and going for what i want, it’s strange to feel my body react negatively to that right now. if i don’t take a breather from time to time, physically as well as mentally, i sometimes feel like i hit a wall that forces me to take a step back.

so after a week of meetings with cool new clients (more on that later, for sure!), giving workshops and lectures, signing books and attending press events, i gratefully accepted the opportunity to try out the brand new DEEP NATURE SPA in brussels. they offered me their very special ko bi do anti-ageing facial, inspired by japanese massage techniques and comprising a full 80 minutes of deeply relaxing and rejuvenating treatment, using the wonderful CINQ MONDES products.

as you know, i’m not a beauty blogger or specialist, but i do know when i’m in heaven. and for 80 minutes, the deep nature spa certainly felt a lot like that. the beauticians here are experts in what they do, and – very importantly – they are also deeply kind and caring. when asked what i expected from my treatment, i replied ‘total relaxation’, so my beautician didn’t bother me with explanations or product information during the massage, instead she made sure i was super comfortable all the way through (hello, pregnancy back aches!)

i couldn’t stick around to enjoy the wonderful spa afterwards, but i’m already making plans to go back and enjoy the hammam, sensory showers, jacuzzi and beautiful, beautiful pool some time next year. additionally, i’m seriously considering switching my beauty routine to all-cinq-mondes-all-the-way, as my skin hasn’t felt this nourished and soft for months now (hello, pregnancy hormonal mess!)

i’m curious to hear your thoughts on spas in and outside of belgium – have you been to deep nature yet? what are your favorite treatments? and any recommendations for moms-to-be? i’d love to make this kind of experience a monthly affaire during the remainder of my pregnancy!

all photos by stephanie duval

Blogging Workshop At Levis Ambiance House

April 2, 2014 • Brussels • Collab • Design • Interior

today is the opening of the LEVIS AMBIANCE HOUSE in brussels. for those of you who aren’t familiar with levis – it’s a belgian company that has been making interior paint since 1831. i dare you to find a house in belgium that hasn’t at least one wall covered in levis, but what i’ve personally always loved about the brand is that they have never been afraid to push the envelope. they are almost like a fashion label, releasing new collections of modern colors all the time.

that’s why it makes total sense for them to collaborate with actual fashion designers, who expand their vision from clothes to interior design through personal capsule collections of paint. after stints by christophe coppens and veronique branquinho, the latest belgian designer to be tapped by the interior brand is bruno pieters. i’ve always admired his minimalistic aesthetic, and if his eco-friendly label HONEST BY wouldn’t be so prohibitively expensive, i’d have all of it hanging in my closet. the images above show bruno pieters’ four colors for levis – bed time, morning, stillness and bliss. even the names exude timeless class.

so back to my original point – to celebrate the launch of their bruno pieters collection and four other new color palettes, levis is opening their temporary LEVIS AMBIANCE HOUSE in brussels. it’s a space devoted to experience and expression, where you can drop in until may 31 to get inspired by beautiful room sets, listen to talks by style experts, enjoy a cup of coffee in the vascobello coffee bar or get some work done in the inspiring environment of the creative co-working hub.

but that’s not all. since levis and i share a special interest in self-expression and interior design, they have asked me to give a workshop about creative blogging at the levis ambiance house on saturday april 12 from 2 to 4 pm. i will be talking about how you can use your blog to develop your skills and interests, and how it can grow from a hobby into so much more. the workshop is limited to 15 participants, but the good news is – all you have to do to score a ticket is SEND ME AN EMAIL with a bit of information about yourself (who you are, what you do, where and why you blog, why you want to attend the workshop). all entries will be thrown in a hat from which 15 names will be drawn out next week on wednesday.

i’m looking forward to meeting some new faces on april 12 – ~~so SHOOT ME THAT EMAIL right now!~~ all participants have been notified via email.

photos by LEVIS