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The Sweetest Spots in Amsterdam

Dutchies love desserts, and have plenty of patisseries, bakeries, cakes and shops to satisfy these sugar cravings. From traditional Dutch treats such as stroopwafels and poffertjes to more classical cakes and pastries, these dessert addresses’ specialties will make your all your saccharine dreams come true.

Ijscuypie
Speculaas ice cream
This chain of ice cream shops offer the best homemade ice cream in the city. Made with Dutch cream, Ijscuypie offers the most special flavours. Our tip: the speculaas ice cream, made out of the traditional Dutch spiced cookie.
Eerste van Helstraat 27, Prinsengracht 292, and more

Winkel 43
Apple pie
Winkel 43’s generous portions of crunchy baked apple pie is served with dollops of delicious whipped cream and is heralded as the best appletaart in the city. Just go.
Noordermarkt 43

De Laatste Kruimel
Courgette cake
“The Last Crumb” serves heavenly cakes, tarts, pies and cookies, all showcased beautifully in its whimsical window display, that visitors walking by cannot help but step inside. (See image above!) The homemade lemon poppyseed scone and the courgette cake are crowd favourites. If the weather’s nice, sit out back on the terrace with a view of the canal and boats passing by.
Langebrugsteeg 4

Patisserie Holtkamp
Champagne cake
This beloved Amsterdam institution has been around since 1886, offering the best classical cakes in town. Local favourites include flavoured chocolates, mini madeleines (almond cakes) and the lemon meringue cake. Don’t miss out on the champagne cake, it tastes as lovely as it sounds.
Vijzelgracht 15

Noordermarkt
Poffertjes
Poffertjes are like mini pancakes, but fluffier and puffier due to extra yeast on the batter. The most delicious and buttery ones are made fresh and sold on the streets. Check out the stands at Noordermarkt flea- and organic market for this traditional Dutch treat.
Noordermarkt

Blommestein
Tompouce
This bakery produces the most delicious tompoucen in Amsterdam. The tompouce is one of the most iconic (and difficult to eat) Dutch pastries; two layers of puff pastry with cream filling, topped with smooth pink icing.
Churchilllaan 26

Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkel
Traditional candy
The Old Dutch Candyshop, located in the heart of the Jordaan district, offers delightful candy made in the way our grandparents used to enjoy it. Dare to try drop (licorice) – most Dutchies’ favourite candy.
Egelantiersdwarsstraat 2

Lanskroon Banketbakkerij
Stroopwafels
Famous for their giant-sized homemade stroopwafels, this confectionary, tea room and ice cream parlour has been around for more than a hundred years, boasting four generations of master bakers. While traditional stroopwafels have caramel filling, Lanskroon offers two mouthwatering flavours: hopjes (coffee and caramel toffee) and honing (honey).
Singel 385

Drs. Koekkenbakker
Customised cakes
This lovely lady creates the most amazing customised birthday and wedding cakes. Arienne does not have a shop or bakery open to public yet, so requests are done via phone or e-mail. The chocolate cake with raspberry mousse is delicious!
drskoekenbakker.nl

Van Stapele Koekmakerij
Chocolate cookie
Hidden in a small alleyway close to Spui square lies a small cookie store selling the best kind of chocolate cookie in the world: dark chocolate cookie with melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate inside. Soft piano music fill the air, light from crystal chandeliers sparkles down on rows of delicious cookies that are made fresh every 20 minutes. A must-try!
Heisteeg 4

Betty Blue*
Banana cake with Nutella and peanut butter frosting
This hidden gem (smack in the middle of the busiest part of town, close to Nieuwmarkt) combines the prettiest location – pink walls, concrete floors, neon lights and vintage furniture – with the most delicious homemade cakes and pastries. The best of the bunch? The delectable banana cake with Nutella and peanut butter frosting, which comes in extra huge slices. Enjoy!
Snoekjessteeg 1-3

Image: De Laatste Kruimel

This article was originally published on a special issue of the Amsterdam Magazine, A-Mag Mini: EU Presidency Edition.

* New addresses added!

Scandinavia Dreaming

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I am very happy and proud to present Scandinavia Dreaming: Nordic Homes, Interiors & Design, a book I have been working on for the past months with my dream publisher, Gestalten. It explores everything I love about Scandinavian design: dazzling interiors, architecture, and products that show the richness, variety, and intensity of contemporary Nordic spaces.

I enjoyed every moment working on the book: doing research, looking for the most inspiring projects and images, and writing the words to tell the story. Delving into this exquisite world characteristic of gorgeous aesthetics, warm materials, a gentle co-existence with nature, and that one-of-a-kind Nordic light made me remember all the special things about the region, and why I love it so much in the first place. As most of you already know, Scandinavia was/is my greatest dream – it was my goal in life to live in Sweden (which I did!) – and of course, the design aesthetic of the region is one of the things that inspired me the most. So this book is like coming full circle, a dream come true; literally Scandinavia Dreaming.

Nordic design has an evolving story: one that is equal parts elegance, function, and tradition. There is something truly special and specific about design in the North – the love for light, airy spaces, which are not just limited to minimal and whitewashed designs, but is truly creative and dynamic. This dual personality shows on one side the open, light and minimal constituent. And, on the other hand, it’s moody counterpart: sleek and sophisticated; timeless and traditional; and deeply rooted in the sensations of nature. There is a seamless pairing of the aesthetic and the historical within this iconic tale of design.

So let me show you what it is exactly that I love; let me lead you inside the homes and the true heart of the Scandinavian soul, and let you experience what makes it so exceptional. The places that make you dream, and thrive, and live.

Scandinavia Dreaming is out today in Europe, and 29 September for the rest of the world. You can now order copies here.

Take a peek inside the book:

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180 Amsterdammers

35 Filipijnen Angel

180 Amsterdammers is an inspiring project celebrating the unique diversity of the city – 180 nationalities live here, including yours truly, your favourite Filipina! 😁💕✨ 🇵🇭🇳🇱

I’m super happy to be representing the Philippines in this amazing city I now call home. My portrait, by Dutch photographer Michiel van Nieuwkerk, was featured (on a full page spread!) on one of the biggest dailies in the country, Het Parool, last 30 March. You can read the interview here.

A video interview is also online, where I tell a little bit of where I came from (Manila!) and how I feel about my new home, Amsterdam. Yay!

Later in the year, the campaign will show our portraits on bus and tram stops all over Amsterdam. (Crazy!) There will also be a video interview series, a book and an exhibition. Can’t wait to share all these with you in the upcoming months!

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My year in review

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Happy holidays! I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

I’m looking forward to sharing new creative adventures with you in the upcoming year. Stay connected and keep updated: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to Angel Magazine. 😉

2015 was a fantastic year for me in terms of creative pursuits and projects.
Here’s a few highlights of the new adventures I had in 2015:

Angel Magazine
A personal newsletter which comes out every other Wednesday, straight to your mailbox. A curation of the world’s most sparkling trends and a sort of a diary of the things that I currently like: art and design, architecture, current projects and collaborations, playlists, travels, and events in Amsterdam and beyond. Things that inspire me, and make my heart beat faster.

If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so here.
You can also read the back issues here.

De Vorm x POD Sessions
An interview series commissioned by Dutch interior design company De Vorm during What Design Can Do for their POD sessions. I chatted with designer Stefan Sagmeister, chef Alex Atala, architect Ole Scheeren and many more. You can watch the interviews here.

CITIx60 Stockholm Guide
I am honoured to have been the Contributing Editor for Viction:ary’s beautiful Stockholm city guide. Featuring tips from 60 local creatives, the CITIx60 city guide points you to 60 hangouts covering architecture, art spaces, shops and markets, eating and entertainment. Order your copy here.

Happinez Magazine
“Positive, wise and loving life” is the motto of Happinez magazine. I worked as a contributing final editor and proofreader for their second international issue, available here. I love working with their wonderful editorial team, which is a true embodiment of Happinez and what it stands for. 🙂

The Green Gallery
A gorgeous online magazine celebrating the beauty of plants and flowers. For the 2nd issue, I had the pleasure of creating Green Treasures – a collection of plant-inspired art, design, fashion, interiors and more – and interviewing food artist Eva Kosmas Flores for The Gathering.

Holland.com
For NBTC (Holland.com), I did research and wrote articles about various art and design museums in Holland. Curious about visting Holland soon and discovering its many artistic and cultural treasures? Explore the endless possibilities.

See you in 2016!

With love,
Angel

Angel Magazine

Hi! I just started a weekly newsletter called Angel Magazine.

It comes out every Wednesday straight to your inbox, and includes tidbits of very “Angel” things. It is a sort of diary of the things I’ve seen, places I’ve been to and dreamt of (whether online or in “real life”). Art and design, architecture, current projects and collaborations, trends, playlists, new music, travels and events in Amsterdam and beyond.

Things that inspire me, and make my heart beat faster.

Subscribe and read issues here: ANGEL MAGAZINE

I saw her on the cover of a magazine

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Extra, extra! Read all about it!

A couple of months ago, The Filipino Expat Magazine contacted me and asked me to be the cover girl of their Spring Issue. They approached me through Instagram, and was curious about my European dream story, thinking it would be an inspiring story for expats around the world. How can I say no?! And so, we met up for a photo shoot at the beautiful Lloyd Hotel in Amsterdam, riding bikes despite the rain and hail, all smiles and purple lipstick. I am so honoured to be representing the Filipino expat community, and sharing my story to dreamers everywhere.

At the interview, I talked about my dream of living in Europe, Swedish indie music as an inspiration (the spark that started it all), perseverance (with the help of a loving support system and fika) and not giving up. I also gave some travel tips on my favourite places to visit in the cities I have lived in: Stockholm, Bilbao and Amsterdam.

Read all about it here:

Go fellow expats! Never give up your dream and don’t let anyone stop you! :p

Love,

Angel

My love for Future Islands part II

 

I’m floating on a post-gig dream cloud! I saw Future Islands again last night, and I’m still dreaming about it today. Listening to their songs, and playing the scenes from last night over and over in my head, smiling. The first time I saw them was in Le Guess Who May Day in Utrecht earlier this year, it was fantastic. But this time around was even better! (Didn’t know it was possible!)

Highlights:

1. Their opening act, Celebration also from dream-music city Baltimore (where Beach House is also from), was amazing!

2. Everyone was singing and shouting the lyrics to Future Islands’ songs. Everyone there was just so passionate about them, and that makes the experience even more intense! I was dancing like crazy, smiling and bumping around strangers, looking at each other and exclaiming, “This is so amazing!”

3. They played Tin Man, Balance, Spirit, Back in the Tall Grace, Seasons and all my favourite songs.

4. The best part: Climbing the stage (well, the front row practically threw me up the stage) to dance with Samuel Herring during the finale! EXHILARATING! Have you seen the Melkweg Max packed to the max (hehe) from the stage?! With everyone around you dancing and jumping like whackos? I did!

5. IT’S FUTURE ISLANDS! <3 Like I told M, they're just so positive and full of good energy, the crowd can just feel it. Their songs are so powerful and empowering, with the most beautiful, poetic lyrics. Like a post-it that you want to keep in your mind forever. I once saw an article about their song-writing, the writer said he would like to make kitchen tiles out of Future Islands lyrics. I can totally relate. 🙂 See you again soon, Future Islands. We love you!

To See: Summer Dreams at Het Nieuwe Instituut

F.A. Warner House by the Sea

Summer Dreams is a trip to the whimsical Dutch summers of the last century. Het Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam presents paintings, drawings, photographs and other art works from their archive, depicting how the Dutch spends their leisure time in the last century:

From designs for swimming pools, summerhouses and luxury holiday resorts, to travel sketches and drawings of all that grows and blossoms. The exhibition features the Sporthuis Centrum summerhouses by Jaap Bakema, the beach house by F.A. Warners, and a garden design by Romke de Vries, but also a lazy beach scene by Koen Limperg, the frivolous bathing caps by Henry Wijdeveld, and a drawing of the faint light of a summer evening by Michel de Klerk.

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‘Summer Dreams’ is the first in series of changing presentations of objects and documents from the archive and library, curated by archivist Alfred Marks. Based on various themes, he selects drawings, photographs, objects and models from the collection in an associative manner, with special attention to more autonomous drawings and the personal documents of architects and urban planners.

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From 08/07 until 21/09
Het Nieuwe Instituut
Museumpark 25, Rotterdam

Ask Me Anything: Childhood memories, Filipino poetry and magical Dutch paintings

Ask Me Anything is a series of questions given by my friends and answered by me, Angel! If you have any questions that you would like me to answer, or if you’re just plain curious about me (because I am such a superstar), feel free to send me a message!

 

1. What’s the strongest image you have from your childhood?

I have a way of remembering memories that my closest friends would know – it’s like remembering a capsule of time complete with the colour of light, the feel of the air, the smell (and when I “see” that stamp of memory again in some future time, I will remember the old memory so crisply and almost painfully, because I can almost touch it but it’s not there..)

One of the strongest pockets of memory I have in my childhood is the rain in Manila, particularly the strong stormy ones, the kind that make the schools call off classes and send everyone home. Of course being children, this is one of the best things that can happen to us! I distinctly remember that feeling of anticipation – waiting in our classrooms looking outside, desperately wishing that they call off classes already.

In high school, we sometimes hang out for a little bit in the school canteen when classes are called off. I remember the chocolate granita I used to buy there all the time! Now when it rains heavily, I wish for that chocolate granita..

What’s even better is when I wake up to a grey, dark morning with the heavy raindrops crashing on the roof and secretly smiling to myself because more often than not, it means there are no classes for that day! I love snuggling back in the covers and enjoying the cool air from the rain. Later in the day, I’ll watch cartoons on TV – Cedie, or Heidi or The Little Princess. My grandparents still had their small carinderia downstairs then, so I’ll just go down and get a bowl of warm goto (rice porridge with meat) or sopas (creamy chicken noodle soup). It was so cozy.

 

2. With which famous personality would you most identify with?

I never really thought about it! Maybe a mixture of Kirsten Dunst, Julian Casablancas and Victoria LeGrand? And the talent of Vincent Van Gogh (but not his anxieties and luck haha). And of course, the woman who I share my birthday with: Amelia Earhart.

Amelia

In addition to being an aviation pioneer and the first aviatrix to fly across the Atlantic, she is a true women’s rights advocate. She worked with coaching women in their careers, and inspired them with her passion. She said:

Life really begins when you have discovered that you can do anything you want.
– Amelia Earhart

Amen!

3. What’s the nicest poem in Filipino and how would you translate it?

I don’t really have a favourite one, so I did some research. I came across a really nice poem from Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. It’s called Awit ng Manlalakbay (The Song of the Traveler). You can hear me reciting it here, and you can read the text of the English translation further down. 🙂

Awit Ng Manlalakbay

Kagaya ng dahong nalanta, nalagas,
Sinisiklut-siklot ng hanging marahas;
Abang manlalakbay ay wala nang liyag,
Layuin, kalulwa’t bayang matatawag.

Hinahabul-habol yaong kapalarang
Mailap at hindi masunggab-sunggaban;
Magandang pag-asa’y kung nanlalabo man,
Siya’y patuloy ring patungo kung saan!

Sa udyok ng hindi nakikitang lakas,
Silanga’t Kanlura’y kanyang nililipad,
Mga minamahal ay napapangarap,
Gayon din ang araw ng pamamanatag.

Sa pusod ng isang disyertong mapanglaw,
Siya’y maaaring doon na mamatay,
Limot ng daigdig at sariling bayan,
Kamtan nawa niya ang kapayapaan!

Dami ng sa kanya ay nangaiinggit,
Ibong naglalakaby sa buong daigdig,
Hindi nila tanto ang laki ng hapis
Na sa kanyang puso ay lumiligalig.

Kung sa mga tanging minahal sa buhay
Siya’y magbalik pa pagdating ng araw,
Makikita niya’y mga guho lamang
At puntod ng kanyang mga kaibigan.

Abang manlalakbay! Huwag nang magbalik,
Sa sariling baya’y wala kang katalik;
Bayaang ang puso ng iba’y umawit,
Lumaboy kang muli sa buong daigdig.

Abang manlalakbay! Bakit babalik pa?
Ang luhang inyukol sa iyo’y tuyo na;
Abang manlalakbay! Limutin ang dusa,
Sa hapis ng tao, mundo’y nagtatawa.

Here’s the English translation:

The Song Of The Traveler

A withered leaf which flies uncertainly
And hurled about by furious hurricanes,
So goes the traveler about the world,
No guide, no hope, no fatherland, no love.

Anxiously he seeks a better fortune
And fickle fortune always takes to flight;
A shadow vain that mocks at his desire!
For her the wanderer has plowed the seas.

Driven on by hands invisible,
Wandering from land to weary land,
Only memories to keep him company,
Of loved ones and of bygone happier days.

A tomb perhaps upon the desert
Calls him–refuge sweet of peace,–
Where, by his country and the world forgotten,
Tranquil he may sleep who knew such pain.

And if they envy this sad traveler
When he speeds so swiftly round the world,
Ah, little do they know that in his soul
Exist an aching void for want of love.

Should the wanderer turn back to his country,
And to his home, it may be, make his way,
He would find but snow and ruins everywhere,
All love destroyed, and sepulchres,–no more.

On, then, traveler, pursue your journey,
Stranger to the land where you were born.
Letting others sing their songs of love
And feel their joys, you fare on again.

And traveler, as you go, do not turn back,
For none will shed a tear to say farewell,
Go, pilgrim, try to drown your sorrow,
Because the world but scoffs when strangers grieve.

 

4. What causes instant happiness?

A Phoenix song!

Particularly this one (especially, this video!) :


Phoenix – 1901 – A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

If this won’t make you smile just a little bit, I don’t know what will! 🙂

 

5. If you were a painter, what would end up on your canvas?

I wish I could paint! Right now, I’m very attracted to Dutch Golden Age paintings, especially still life with vibrant flowers against a dark background.

Master of the Veneration of Maria 1625 - Lilies and thornless Roses in a Glass VaseMaster of the Veneration of Maria, Lilies and Thornless Roses in a Glass Vase

Abraham Mignon Still Life with Squirrel and GoldfinchAbraham Mignon, Still Life with Squirrel and Goldfinch

abraham-mignon-the-nature-as-a-symbol-of-vanitas-oil-on-canvas-79-x-99-cmAbraham Mignon, The Nature as a Symbol of Vanitas

Lille_Hospice_Comt_MarrelJacob Marrel

Jacob MarrelJacob Marrel

Jacob MarelJacob Marrel

Flowers in a glass vase, Jacob van WalscapelleJacob van Walscapelle, Flowers in a Glass Vase

800px-Jacob_van_Walscapelle_-_A_Swag_of_Flowers_-_WGA25434Jacob van Walscapelle, A Swag of Flowers

Bouquet with cat and mousetrapAbraham Mignon, Bouquet with Cat and Mouse Trap

In contrast to still life’s solid and vivid compositions, I would also paint a dreamy, almost-fading-away piece like those of contemporary Dutch painter (my favourite!) Chris Berens‘ works. I’ve never seen anything like his work before.

I interviewed him for Arts Holland a couple of years back. These photos are from his Amsterdam series. You can read the interview here and see more of his amazing paintings here.

December5thbChris Berens, December 5th

(Rendesvous At) Brug 36bChris Berens, (Rendesvous At) Brug 36

AemstelredammebChris Berens, Aemstelredamme

PolderbChris Berens, Polder

the Spinsters of OudeschansbChris Berens, The Spinsters of Oudeschans

 
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This set of questions is brought to you by my good friend Mario de Vries. Mario is a talented interior and design artist who works at Moooi Amsterdam. He loves bonfires, dreams of living in Norway someday and believes he was a sailor in his past life.