Hotel V Amsterdam-a life inspiration story

Looking for a cheap but stylish stay in Amsterdam? Than maybe Hotel V can be at your service.
Do not expect high luxury standards, you'll be disappointed. Luxury is space, and this a 'small' problem at Hotel V.
Standard rooms are really small, so please do take that small 'upgrade' of 20 euro's a night for a bigger one. It's worth every penny.
The nice part of this hotel?
First of all the very welcoming fire place in the lobby. Arriving late after a city diner or party, it's cosy to jump into the huge sofa with other guests for a night cap.
Bedlinnen is fresh, soft and crispy black (Black sheets). Always a plus. 
Breakfast is ok. Good coffee. Also a plus.
And, there is definitely a great rock n'roll vibe, hanging in the hotel.
The light bulb 'V' is 'kitch', and my means very rock n'roll. We like.

http://www.hotelv.nl

Hotel V
Weteringschans 136  
1017 XV Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 662 3233

Starts from 69-139 euro/a room, but do take the bigger ones 
in the back building-the rooftop rooms.(Nr° 34: no elevator, 
nasty steps, but room is perfect!)

Food of the week-a life inspiration series

I may seem like it, but I do not always eat out.

I love to cook, when there is time, and it needs to be tasty, healthy and quick to make.

This is one of my favorites I make in 10 minutes at home. Just for me, between an evening job.

I call it spaghetti pomodoro e cappers e buffalo mozzarella. Use a lot of first quality olive oil, tomatoes, olives, garlic and cappers. Poor over the al dente cooked spaghetti, add fresh mozzarella and basil leaves. Bon appétit.

I had some fashion photo shoots this month in Amsterdam, so one evening we found this lovely tapas bar called 'Pata Negra'.
Very simple but honest food, and the nicest part is, you feel like being transported to the heart of Spain in a blink of the eye. Remeber : Pata Negra = an authentic cosy little resto with Spanish speaking staff and typical Spanish tapas like grilled green asparagus, 'gambas à la plancha' and obligatory some thin slices of the beloved Pata negra ham.
You can leave a comment or a love thought of the walls.
Pata negra, Utrechtstraat, 124, Amsterdam City

http://www.pata-negra.nl

At 'Studio Ernstige zaken', a studio complex just outside the center of Amsterdam, we shot 2 fashion catalogues with Dutch photographer Wendelien Daan (http://www.wendeliendaan.nl/fashion) - great fashion photographer, a true professional ànd lovely rock n'roll lady to work with.
The studio is for rent and we stayed there 3 x 2 days.
Food is made 'in da house' and one of the reasons to frequently visit this great places.
Fresh, organic food, loads of veggies but everytime a suprise dish like Moroccan meatballs with coriander, grilled gamba's or caesar salad (as long as it is allowed to put on the menu). And, don't believe the hype: models and fashion crowd DO EAT!

Studio Ernstige zaken studio 5

Goat cheese salad

The Xandres shoot team at lunch.

Morrocan meatballs with fresh coriander

Grilled veggies.

Models & crew breakfast at Studio Ernstige Zaken: traditional strawberry jam, real butter, some croissants and organic bread.

Top model Tanga Moreau and make up artist Liesbeth.

Another home grilled vegetables salad.

The caesar salad style 'Ernstige Zaken'

Quiche, half eaten, half still to be eaten.

Crusty pizza bread with herbs.

Ater lunch, ready for work.

Another top we shot with: model Ilonka at Tjarda Models Amsterdam

Spice up your work space-a life inspiration story

Inspiring offices are always a delight to see. It gives hope. The fact that there's still energy and financial juice to invest in a work place where people feel good, can not be encouraged enough.
We all know how much time we spend at our office, and how much more energy you get by living and breathing some much needed creativity while you work your a** off.
Check out these JWT Amsterdam office, an advertising firm who understands the drill.

The office plan was arranged around three sections - 'Think', 'Do' and 'Make' - with bold graphics defining each section while fulfilling the remake's motto to 'seriously surprise'.

There's certainly plenty to love here - from a greenhouse-style meeting room stuffed with plants, to giant robots that double as cupboards, tree sculptures and a pop-art panorama. Watch the time-lapse video http://vimeo.com/59565077 

Other fun touches include giant, face-shaped 'Nemo' chairs by Driade, an oversized cardboard bunny (for holding awards) and walls emblazoned with the agency's motto. 
There also lots of places to get away, from corners and cabins for meetings to a a cafe.

May this be a wake-up call for all managers: Make sure that the spaces people work in, are as aspirational, as you want them to be aspirational in their work.

The JWT Amsterdam office, graphically touched by: Kamp Horst, Sieger Duinkerken, Anders Rockum,Jeroen de Boorder.

Concept/Design: http://www.alrik.nl 
http://www.rjw-elsinga.com

Music by Vacationer, iTunes link: http://goo.gl/0FQH2

More information via: http://www.jwtamsterdam.nl