Every time I visit Amsterdam, I fall more in love with the city. The gabled houses along the canals are full of beautiful character. And the cobbled streets and brick buildings are gorgeously atmospheric. It’s simply divine. But as much as I appreciate old, picturesque places, it’s hands down the hip and modern elements of the city and its inhabitants that does it for me. The historical architecture and rich culture contrasts beautifully with super modern interiors and very fashionably dressed people of all ages.

The country’s capital was packed with locals and tourists. We spent our time doing what we like to do best – soaking up the ambiance of the city. So we walked along the canals, browsed through streets and stores, snacked at cafes and ate some of our favourite Dutch food.

Amsterdam is much bigger than Arnhem which makes the shopping more diverse. Mainstream brands are concentrated in popular shopping streets like Kalverstraat (pictured below). Most European and international brands are present, alongside local Dutch stores that are quite affordable. You’ll find all the high end brands on P. C. Hooftstraat. And quirky boutiques in areas like De Negen Straatjes.

The stores in Amsterdam had everything I saw in Arnhem and then some. They’re overflowing with military inspired clothing, safari colours, harem pants, tunics, boyfriend blazers, white jeans and denim shirts. Dresses and pastels are scarce. The denim on denim trend is fierce. Bershka, Zara’s sister brand, devoted their entire display window to denim.

Other big trends: strong shouldered jackets, stripes, low heeled shoes, low-waisted drawstring blouses and printed leggings. I made one purchase, finally finding the right strong shouldered jacket and can’t wait to wear it. It’s going to come out to play on this trip so stay tuned.

With respect to footwear, it is all about flat white, dove grey and tan boots. High heeled clogs, heeled sneaker pumps, pink boots and cage heels are in abundance too.

The streets are full of the same practical yet stylish Dutch uniform: skinnies or leggings tucked into flat or low heeled boots with tunic, cropped jacket, statement scarf and cross-body bag. Some are in short wool coats or trenches, while others sport biker jackets. This look was worn across all age groups, from pre schoolers to ladies well into their sixties and seventies.

More ladies in gorgeous white skinnies with tall chestnut boots. KILLER. Arty skirts worn with rugged boots and cropped jackets are pretty popular too. Much to my delight, I saw lots of people wear colour. Barely a high heel or bootie in sight though. If I saw five gals wear high heels and booties it was a lot. I guess stiletto heels don’t work that well when walking on cobbled streets and commuting by bicycle. But I don’t have an explanation for the lack of booties.

I was struck by how fabulous the kids looked running around in their great little casual trench coats, bright scarves and tough-looking mid-calf boots. Surprisingly, I haven’t seen a little girl in sneakers yet.

On the first day here I wore bootcut jeans with apple green cowboy boots, red animal print tunic and black trench coat. I definitely stood out wearing wider cut jeans, ankle boots and no scarf. On the second day, I was back to wearing wearing the Dutch uniform of skinnies with boots, tunic, scarf and trench.

Amsterdam’s gastronomic delights were “pannekoeken” (pancakes) and “haring” (herring). Dutch pannekoeken are huge, doughy and thick, so unlike a French crepe or American stack of pancakes. I like my pannekoek with apple and Greg likes his with bacon. Drench the lot in syrup, wash it down with “chocomel” (chocolate milk) and you’re in heaven.

Dutch herring is an acquired taste because it’s served raw with chopped onion. It’s not Greg’s favourite but I adore the delicacy. Chewing minty gum after eating raw haring is a good idea.

We’re on an early morning flight to Brussels tomorrow and on to Antwerp the next day. Goodbye pancakes, hello waffles.

Fabulous Chicago based forum member and writer Laura recently interviewed Veteran Beauty Editor Charla Krupp about her new book. I asked Laura if she’d like to share some of her interview insights with us, so over to her for the scoop.

Okay, I’ll admit it: I bought Charla Krupp’s 2008 bestseller, How Not to Look Old. Having crossed the line into my 40s, suddenly the topic seemed not only relevant but urgent. Now, Charla is back, and better than ever, with a book that will appeal to any woman who’s ever asked: Does this make me look fat?

Since I write for a magazine, Make it Better, that’s based in Charla’s hometown, I had the good fortune to interview Charla about her new book, How to Never Look Fat Again. Charla, who’s been on the Today show over 100 times as a fashion and beauty expert, was just as fabulous and full of helpful ideas as I’d hoped. When we spoke by phone from the Manhattan apartment she shares with her husband, Time Magazine editor Richard Zoglin, it felt like I was talking to a girlfriend – we had a blast!

Charla  thinks that women care more about not looking fat than they do about anything else — looking trendy, or looking good, for example — and that women get messed up by trying to follow the trends and wind up buying things they think are cute but are actually “fattening.” Throughout the book, Charla talks about “no-fat” and “high-fat” clothing, a concept based on what she found in her kitchen pantry. While Charla’s husband is blessed with the ability to eat a sleeve of cookies every night and not gain an ounce, Charla is not. She realized they had the full-fat and no-fat versions of all sorts of foods in their house – milk, peanut butter, ice cream. And the idea occurred that this could be a metaphor for clothing. For example: clingy orange lycra minidress, high fat. Sleek black sheath dress with skinny belt, no fat.

The photos are key to the success of her book and they work marvelously to illustrate the concept. (Charla hired plus-size models to represent real women in sizes 8 and 10!). From swimming suits to workout gear to denim and dresses, Charla shows what clothing makes us look thinner. Some of Charla’s recommendations will be familiar to YLFers – start with a bra fitting. Charla told me that women will go through seven bra sizes in their life! I had no idea! Other recommendations, like an emphasis on the daily wearing of shapewear – well, Angie doesn’t promote that, I don’t find it comfortable either, so we can agree to disagree with Charla while happily adopting some of her other ideas.

Charla is launching a nationwide book tour, and in Chicago, where I live, she’ll be at Bloomingdale’s on Michigan Avenue on April 1, and at Bloomingdale’s at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie on April 3. She’s also going to be in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York. Check out her website for more dates nationwide.

Velp is my father’s hometown, and where he lives again today after 40 years of living abroad in Hong Kong, Japan and South Africa. Just a few miles away  from Velp is Arnhem, a charming little city on the Eastern side of the Netherlands and very close to the German border. It is home to the well known Arnhem Fashion Design School, where famous Dutch pret a porter designers Viktor & Rolf graduated in 1992.

Amsterdam is hands down my favorite city in the Netherlands, but I also love Arnhem because it’s safer, smaller and more quaint. Typical of the Netherlands, the bicycle is a preferred mode of transport for people of all ages.

In true Dutch style, today’s adventure started off with coffee (tea for me) and a biscuit before taking the bus to downtown Arnhem. It’s all about spending quality time with my Papa when we visit Velp, but I did steal a wonderful hour to browse the shops and check out street fashion while the boys were reading and computing in a café.

On the street the number one look BY FAR is skinnies or leggings worn with flat or low heeled, mid-high or knee-high light grey, cream, tan and chestnut boots. Both slouchy and sleek. This was topped with a sweater, cropped leather jacket or trench coat and a statement scarf. Almost everyone is wearing a scarf – blokes too. Cross-body bags and flat shoulder totes were the order of the day.

If people aren’t in skinnies or leggings , it’s all about the skirt.

I saw quite a few people in white or off-white jeans with tan or chestnut boots. Some with denim shirts and tunic cardigans. Delicious! I’m definitely copying that look when I get home. And I just realised that tan boots (lighter than chestnut and darker than cream) are next on my boots shopping list. So fresh!

Lots of people were wearing trenches, in many different styles – from classic belted black and fun tomato red styles, to voluminous crinkle sateens in mushrooms and white. Not surprising given that they are perfect for the weather right now.

One surprise for me though: far fewer people in booties than I expected to see.

In the stores I saw a dominance of neutrally toned palettes, denim everything and one to two inch heels. In fact, the Netherlands is shoe heaven. I could have come home with 10 pairs of gorgeously fashionable and comfy shoes, but by summoning all my willpower I managed to limit myself to one pair. I opted for an eccentric looking black and purple studded kitten heel almond toed pump. They are going to be 8-hour city shoes for sure.

In addition to the neutrals, citron, coral and turquoise are strong colors. Styles that stand out are cropped pants, harem pants, camouflage, strong shoulders and tunic blouses.

So far I’m loving the fashion, but food is also shaping up to be a highlight of this trip. We had a fabulous Indonesian lunch (Indonesian food has virtually become the national food of the Netherlands), and finished off the day with tea and freshly made stroopwafels. Directly translated, “stroopwafel” means “syrup waffle”, and that’s exactly what they are: wafer thin waffles glued together with hot caramel syrup. A typical Dutch treat and one of my favourites.

Spring had sprung in Arnhem so although it wasn’t cold, it certainly wasn’t warm either. So out came one of my Springtime FFBO’s – skinnies, light coloured boots, military blazer and bright accessories. Greg and Papa couldn’t miss me with my bright new L.A.M.B. bag (in YLF colours, of course).

Most fashion and style loving ladies have a thing for either handbags or shoes, or both. There are many, many wardrobe items to have heart palpitations over. Why then do so many of us have a weakness for shoes and handbags? They aren’t even clothes.

Perhaps it is because shoes and handbags are instantly noticeable statement pieces. More often than not, especially as we get older, shoes and handbags also become investment pieces. And sometimes even status symbols.

I too have a thing for shoes and handbags. But as much as I love looking at fabulous shoes, appreciating their design and their power to improve an outfit, I am a Bag Lady at heart. My handbag collection is far more impressive than my footwear collection and I enjoy looking and shopping for handbags more than I enjoy looking and shopping for shoes. I swap out my handbags very frequently and I am hopelessly devoted to each little darling that accompanies my outfits.

Are you a Shoe Lady, or Bag lady? Try not to say that you’re both (I know it’s hard). Perhaps you’re neither?  And if that’s the case, tell us why shoes and bags don’t light your fire.