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but let’s start at the beginning, because i know you guys are smart, critical readers and perhaps you’ve had it with bloggers throwing one endorsement after the other at your heads. i get it, i do. but as usual, this partnership was not some random match-making fluke between a business and an influencer (oh, the thousand ways in which i hate that word). i discovered margareta while i was chasing the perfect summer dress from danish brand munthe. i’d seen the dress worn by some stylish people on instagram and i had decided it was the one thing standing between me and complete happiness – as one does. so i browsed the web until i found out who distributes the brand in belgium (because whenever possible, i like to support the home team) and then i emailed them to ask which shops had bought it. so one fateful afternoon, i got in touch with greet VIA INSTAGRAM, and she was just the nicest. we messaged back and forth to discuss the color and the fit, she ended up tracking down the last one in my size and then sent it all the way to france for me. i know everyone is always talking about shopping small for the excellent service you receive, and even though unfortunately that’s not always the case, it definitely rang true for my first experience with margareta.
i started following MARGARETA ON INSTAGRAM and soon decided our long distance relationship wasn’t enough for me, so i ended up driving to puurs one day and spending such a lovely free afternoon with greet. she is as nice in real life as she is on instagram, and i loved discovering all the little wonders she has gathered in her beautiful boutique. i wish every shopping experience could be like this. isn’t it a shame we are all always so busy? because the only way to shop right, in my opinion, is spending a couple of hours browsing, trying on, browsing some more, having a cup of coffee (or a glass of cava), browsing some more and basically trying on half of what’s on the racks. i discovered so many brands i didn’t know before, tried on things that i normally wouldn’t wear, and fell in love with the prettiest items that i am so happy with (and can’t wait to show you).
greet has a great sense of style – equal parts classic-iconic and fun-and-daring – and she reminded me why offline shopping is so much better than online. she was honest with me, told me what she thought worked on me and what did not, helped me find fun combinations and dared me to think a bit outside of my comfort zone. it was all good fun and i went home realizing i understood my own sense of style a little bit better than before. so in tina fey’s eternal words – ‘i want to go to there’ and you should, too. go there for the great dresses, the super soft sweaters, the excellent products of belgian natural cosmetics brand likami or the beautiful selection of pillows, ceramics, bracelets, watches and scented candles. treat yo’self, and all. and tell greet i said hi, she might even give you a little discount if you do (insert all the high fives).
photos by stephanie duval