Urban Aphrodite of the Month: Corry Gorter-Meessen

Corry Gorter-Meessen never expected to run the Communications Division of an 11^th century castle, but  today, when I met her in the gorgeous medieval surroundings of the Muiderslot castle just outside Muiden, North Holland, this Urban Aphrodite was taking it all in stride.

I met Corry at a Golden Key mixer at the newly refurbished Gassan Jewelry Gallery in The Dam. (Golden Key is an elite international organization that qualifying four and five star hotel concierges are encouraged to join.)  I remember noticing Corry when she won an incredible timepiece after her name was drawn from the huge fishbowl of business cards the planners collected as we entered.

After teasing her incessantly about her winning watch, she invited me to visit her at the castle so we could talk turkey about some collaborative  touring ideas.  Four days later, I was at the Weesp Station in Noord Holland riding my bike to the castle.  It was an incredible ride.

Corry met me at the front gate with a smile as big as Texas.  Her confidence and warmth were stunning to me-glowing and a bit breathy after the 20 minute pleasure cruise.  She whisked me away to the castle grounds for an awe-inspiring walk through the ivy-laden archway and into the vibrant colors of the herb and flower gardens…as we walked, she told me all I wanted to know about the property’s history and 9 hundred year legacy.  We even had the chance to meet and chat with the castle falconer, and her truly inspiring and gorgeous Birds of Prey.

What I like about Corry is that she is a real lady.  She started working as a volunteer in the castle after a brief stint as a PR entrepreneur.  The birth of her daughter helped to create her choice to be at home during her daughter’s infancy…and then her son came along, and like many women, Corry told me that she committed to motherhood fully and left the work-a-day world behind.

But as her nest emptied, Corry “got bored”.  She lives in close proximity of Muiderslot Castle and decided that she would ask to be a  volunteer at the gift shop a few days a week.  Six years later, the “Lady of the Castle” is in charge of communication with the media, sales and rentals, departmental oversight and much more.  She even has an intern of her own!

Corry is an Urban Aphrodite because she has a confidence that is natural and welcoming.  She is graceful and beautiful inside and out.  Corry has huge responsibilities and handles it all with style.

Come with us to the Muiderslot Castle.  It definitely has this “woman’s touch”!

Take a Bite Out of Spring...Buy Orange!

The new season is upon us!  After a cold and somewhat dreary winter pass, Amsterdam is beginning to wake with a burst of one of my favorite colors...ORANGE.

The fashion gurus on high have predicted that orange is THE color of spring and summer 2011. Lucky for the small sea country of The Netherlands because this vibrant splash of tone is the official color of the Oranje Royal line. But why? The colors of the official flag are red, white and blue...!

As quoted from writer Shannon Mc Allister, "Orange is the color of the Dutch Royal Family. The lineage of the current dynasty -- the House of Oranje-Nassau -- dates back to Willem van Oranje (William of Orange). But while the color orange has royal roots in the Netherlands, today it symbolizes a broader pride in the country and in being Dutch." 

So what can you do the incorporate this bold color into your spring wardrobe?

Take a cue from the fresh new slimline look of Diva Jennifer Hudson, hot off the red carpet at this year's Oscar's celebration...she flaunts it all in this eye-catching number!  The paparazzi certainly could not let this "Tangerine Dream" go by unnoticed!  (Photo courtesy Jason Merritt/Getty Images.)

If you can't take the plunge this far (and this little Versace number was a bit heavy on the pocketbook), shoes and bags are where I think you can make the most impact.  If you are a conservative dresser stay safe with choices like these:

You might want to delve into the wonderously sunset-golden tones of the precious substance AMBER as well.  I have always loved the way this soft and sun-filled prehistoric tree sap has the ability to make me feel luxurious:

You can also decorate your space with this attention-getting tone...try flowers for an easy fix...right now there are many varieties on show in your local flower shop or garden outlet!  Grab a bunch and see how quickly your home becomes more inviting and a little more outrageous...

You may want to delve into the Mixology of Orange as well...try this powerful punch of a cocktail from About.com...

The Derelik:

2-3 Orange Slices to be muddled
Lots of ice
2 oz of great Kentucky bourbon
1 oz of Cointreau...mmm!
Splash of Ginger Ale

First add the Cointreau to the orange slices in a glass.
Muddle enough to allow the oils from the orange skin to be released.
Add 2 oz of bourbon
Fill the glass up with ice, and shake!
Strain the golden liquid into a Tom Collins-style glass and fill almost to the top with fresh ice.
Top it off with a splash of Ginger Ale, and stir.
Serve with a garnish of orange slices and cherries...

Take a sip, and Bring On the Spring!

This Urban Aphrodite wonders, hmm...is your public ready for this after such a long and winter-white past?  All answers point to yes!  GO for it and get tuned in to ORANGE...

You will be glad you did!



Western Chic? It can happen!

Ralph Lauren has done it again.  Through the grueling hours of design and re-design, a phoenix has risen.  The Spring 2011 line is inspired.  I love the way he mixes glittering metallics with the rough-and-ready silhouette of the American Wild West.  This line shimmers as much as it soothes; delivering surprising combinations of leather, lace, fringe and metallic beadwork.

The themes are universal.  He triggers the adventurer in us, and also the savvy city dweller.  He celebrates the way leather should be worn.  His accessories fall well in line to accent the lines and themes of this collection,  The leather bags are luxuriously large and look as though they could be thrown across a saddle before striking off into the great unknown.  The rich tones of chocolate and cinnamon run through everything from the shoes to the jewelry and beyond.  And I love the Navajo influence.  At the preview of Ralph's Fall 2011 line tonight (Ralph Lauren PC Hooftstraat), I saw some of this spring line up close and personal.  In one word, exquisite!

I am ready to head back into Spring!  I was able to pick up a dazzling cinnamon leather coat today on Albert Cuyp and one of my Network shops and I tell you, it made an impact...did I get it right?

Check out the Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 Fashion Show...

Yours in Fashion, Urban Aphrodite

Why a Wedding Planner has a tough road in Amsterdam...

In the beginning there was the wedding ceremony.  Well, maybe I am going a bit too far, but I am sure Adam and Eve did not have a wedding planner, so why does the modern American bride depend so heavily on one?  If you asked a Dutch person this question, they would probably look at you right in the eye and exclaim most gently, "We don't see them as necessary here in the Netherlands."

I was recently interviewed in the grand lounge of the First Klas Restaurant in Amsterdam's famous Central Station.  As munchers greedily chomped down on delicious sandwiches and cocktails nearby, these two bright college girls settled in to grill me about the wedding planning process across the waters.  What was so interesting to me was their marketing assignment to find out why Wedding Planning fails miserably here in Holland.  We discovered much about each other's cultures, and even more about ourselves in this interview.

The general consensus after tossing around a few facts about cost, time and energy to put on a Dutch wedding (which incidentally is not a really big deal in Holland for most people), we discovered the Rogue Element: The Mistress of Ceremonies.  The name does sound fancy, and the position is fought over by all a girl's besties. But, while it is considered a position of honor in Dutch culture, I found this position to be more a job of serfdom than actual celebrity.

From what the girls told me, this woman, whomever she is, is soley responsible for making sure everyone has a great time and that the bride and her new hubby have a successful wedding day. She orders everything from cake to DJ, and eveything in between.  She communicates the bride's wishes, even to the groom at times, and expects to be followed to the strictest rule of law.  In the end, I was told that most MOC's end the night drunk and exhausted singing to themselves in a corner of the reception, but everyone understands why!

As Americans, we spend so much on the ritual before beginning a new life with someone.  Most young American couples carry their wedding debt around for a few years.  Some poor souls end up carrying the debt even past the divorce!  What a world, what a world...

In the end I learned more about the not-quick-to-wed Dutch.  They are just more relaxed about it. They save their money for the life ahead, and just get on with the beginning.  Dutch marriages last much longer than American ones in general. Another reason to admire the Dutch sensibility, and take a hard look at the pomp of the American Wedding. 

To throw a fantastic Bachelorette Party for your friends and family, Click here!   Urban Aphrodite