The Dream Family Resort - Martinhal, Portugal

Family Resort Martinhal, Portugal

As parents of two my wife and I are increasingly focused on family resorts in Europe for our next vacation. Even with plenty of family resorts to choose from (like ClubMed and other 'labels'), finding a destination that fits most of our demands, just isn't that easy. Some months ago I found a story on Martinhal in the weekend's copy of the FT, highlighting the advantages of the newly built resort on one of the outskirts of Europe.

With a variety of accomodations to choose from, services tailored to every possible sort of guest (like complimentary pampers or professional daycare) and breathtaking surroundings, I guess Martinhal is exactly what we've been looking for and we should start saving up...for next year!

Why don't you see for yourself here?

The Dream Pre-School Bike - Early Rider

Early Rider® is a British company based in Henley. Their approach to design, engineering and safety is utterly without compromise and it’s what sets them apart. They produce fantastic pre school bikes that take a fun, systematic and safe approach to teaching young children to ride.

I found them on coolhunting.com and immediately had to have one for Cost Center #3: Felippe (picture right). Turned two a month ago, it would suit him just fine so I ordered one for his birthday. I couldn't have been more jealous when the box containing the semifinished bike arrived. High quality materials, mouth-watering design and a straight A for safety. I still have to get a helmet for him though, even if that's not standard procedure in the Netherlands; nobody wears helmets here when cycling!

The Dream Dress Label - Oh la La Dress

My wife came home yesterday evening with a dress by upcoming Dutch label La Dress. As usual when having bought something to complement her wardrobe, she was smiling. She had a private shopping date at the label's HQ with a friend of hers. It basically came down to fitting dresses without the high street, Saturday afternoon bustle. A few wines and canapés later, she ended up buying this crepe de chine, silk baby doll.

It seems they have an almost unlimited variety of styles and colours to choose from.

Good Lord, she found a new fetish...again! Come to think of it, in La Dress' case (commercially one of the best labels with ditto website so far in women's apparel), they probably found my wife first.

In above picture she's wearing her Helmut Lang slippers (note the rather unusual juxtapose: a crocodile strap in front playfully combined with a rubber band back sling).

The Dream Tuna Salad - Don't Forget Ortiz

Best of the Best: Ortiz Tuna

Summer is just around the corner. Spending lazy days in the park or on the beach (is that even possible with kids?) is always something to look forward to. Trying new (beach)restaurants for lunch or going all out preparing good food and drinks at home and taking it to a park or beach. A simple Caesar salad or tuna salad on the beach complemented by a crisp wine can easily equal an unforgettable lunch experience at some uptown restaurant (which we always enjoy).

We have some sort of 'simple' signature salad we tend to make more often than not:

Lettuce, fried chestnut mushrooms, slices of freshly peeled tomatoes, grated Parmigiano cheese, croutons (dices of fresh white bread fried in aioli), a fine chopped onion, slow cooked eggs (75 min @ 64°C), crispy bacon, and most importantly: Ortiz tuna - the best canned tuna in the world! Sprinkle some vinaigrette and lemon juice before serving.

The Dream Table Lamp - Pipistrello to you too

The organically shaped Pipistrello by Gae Aulenti

I'm a sucker for Jugendstil or Art Nouveau. The floral and organic forms typical to this this form of new art combined with an artisanal approach is simply mouth-watering to me.
I first fell in love with this art form when joining the oldest student fraternity in Utrecht. At the end of the 19th century the fraternity chose August Heinrich Zinsmeister's design for their new 'home', eventually being built in 1900. Main style was similar to the Berlage's work with hints of Jugendstil.
From that day on I'm a (still) growing fan everything of the 'Amsterdam School' , Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Art deco and Bauhaus.

On one of my first walks with our English Bulldog in the green surroundings of Hilversum, where my in-laws live, I passed a stunning Bauhaus-styled villa and immediately noticed two out-of-this-world table lamps sitting on the windowsill of their living room. Since then , one of my nonnegotiable demands is to add two copies to our collection when we move into a new apartment in Amsterdam. Simply gorgeous!