"My crazes" Personal Page by ATLC

I've adored hats since I was 18 and my collection is quite big. But it's an expensive hobby, so in general, not more than 1 or 2 hats per year.

This is my latest made by designer Herma de Jong from Baarn.

A few more hat photo's can be seen in a special travelogue on my Netherlands page.

syllybabe advises on her Hong Kong page to pay COD (Care of Daddy). But I think more often than not it's CRAB (Can't Really Afford Buying !)

ATLC BIRTHDAY 2002

My birthday in 2002 was on the same day that our Crown Prince married. Our national colour is orange.
And orange is a bright, cheerful colour.
Anything orange catches my eye and I can hardly resist to buy it. Be it statonary, clothes, shoes, kitchenware...

My orange wardrobe is ever expanding. hahaha.

VOLVO

Did you notice that no American or British film seems to be without having either the main character or at least SOMEONE driving a VOLVO stationcar?
In my opinion, it's a real car: no frills, just space and getting from A to B.
I love it.
I've been driving one since 1990.

TREASURES FROM BURGUNDY

I would NOT call myself an expert at wine. Far from it. But I enjoy reading wine books, visiting wine farms, mostly in France, and tasting.
There was a wine forum posting on Oct. 2nd 2002 and this is what I contributed:
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I agree: Madeira is great stuff.
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And instead of expensive Champagne, I prefer the much cheaper and as tasty Crémant, made of Chardonnay grape with exactly the same procedure but not made IN Champagne region, thus not allowed to be called champagne.
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For white I prefer the Chardonnay grape. I love a Chablis, or a Pouilly Fuissé (south Bourgogne). And the Alsace Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Edelzwicker and such.
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For red I like a Pomerol or a lovely Burgundy (pricey but good bargains to be had if you study and visit various winefarms in the region).
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And I particularly enjoy a late-pick: Spätlese (German) or Vendange Tardive (French) when the grapes are picked at the exact moment that a specific rotting process starts. A heavy, sweet dessert wine. Sauternes is the most famous example.
--
For budget I like South African wines, Chilean, and white wine from New Zealand (Marlborough, I believe).
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Photo: a winetasting party at my home in the order of tasting.
More on that on my Bourgogne (France) page.

FROM THE NET

Actually not shopping itself (can be a bore) but buying something new quite lifts the mood sometimes!

Have a look at my shopping tips on Dutch products on my Netherlands page.

RED RIBBON IS SYMBOL FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS

I've worked as a volunteer at the Ron Wichmanhuis in Rotterdam for a number of years and this will always be my main charity close to my heart.

I hope that more and more people will be convinced that this is hugely important.
Please give donations to your local Aids funds, educate your children and above all: Safe Sex!

HOLDING HANDS

Need I say more?

This photo is copyrighted by Corbis.com

CHANEL NO. 5

Elegance is the art of doing the same thing differently. - E. van der Steen

When in the gutter, the only way to look is up. - Oscar Wilde

Fashion passes, style remains - Coco Chanel

Culture is like jam..the more you spread it, the thinner it is -
Deus_ultima

in a civilized exchange of views, victory isn't the point. - dnwitte