Over the weekend I traveled to a little village in Germany to celebrate the 50th birthday of my friend Menusch. Her guests were local friends and family as well as others who traveled from Zurich and Berlin. I’ve been reflecting about how nice it is to be able to maintain friendships for decades even while living in faraway places. Menusch is now living and running a business in her hometown village but she’s also lived in Berlin, Zurich, and New York City, where I met her.

Maintaining a little “network” of relationships around the world requires effort but is much easier in the digital age. Inexpensive webcams and software such as iChat and Skype allow for cheap or free web video conferencing or simply talking with sound only or text chatting. We can share photos easily of important events in our lives, and this helps give the feeling of actually sharing in the event. Even buying gifts to celebrate that milestone from afar is easy nowadays. Just click away and have it shipped directly to the right corner of the earth.

You can’t hug through the computer though, and luckily that means a combination of travel and hosting visitors is necessary. Now that I live in the “destination city” of Amsterdam, I’m anticipating quite a few visitors this year. This month I will see my good friends Anja and Tetsu in both Berlin and Amsterdam, and then my sister and her husband will come to Amsterdam. Later in the summer we will connect with another friend in Ireland, and then several more visitors will come to Amsterdam.

Many of my vacations in the last 10 or 15 years have been centered around visiting friends and family in other cities, like LA, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Kampala, Uganda and Andros, Greece. By doing this, hopefully by the time I reach 50, and beyond to 60, 70, and so on, I will still have the same amazing group of lifelong friends I have now, and also some new ones. After a great bonding weekend in the countryside with Menusch and her “network”, I think I can count some new ones already. -Jill Woodward

Today is Queen’s Day in the Netherlands; in Dutch, Koninginnedag. As far as I have gathered, it is the one day of the year when the normally intellectual, industrious, and law-abiding Dutch citizens hit the streets with abandon. They trade their practical clothes for neon orange-wear from head to toe, a recognition of the national royal color. Other than that, the holiday appears to have little to do with Her Majesty, Her Majesty’s birthday, or being regal. The main point seems to be to go out, see-and-be-seen, drink on the streets, and oddly, take advantage of the one-day opportunity to sell goods on the street without a license. The end result I guess is something like a huge national flea market, combined with a floating Mardi Gras and a dash of Gay Pride.

I use the words “I guess”, because this will be my first Queen’s Day Experience. I am, however, very experienced with Mardi Gras and other “dress up” holidays. For ten years straight I made the pilgrimage to New Orleans for Mardi Gras—that city’s version of the annual day (or days) to Let Your Hair Down. After my second or third year, I discovered that wearing a purple wig or funky leopard coat would garner more attention, and therefore more fun! After that, each year I would try to top the previous year’s outfit. In retrospect, the real goal was actually to spot and impress others like myself—those who’d put effort into a creative, clever, or fabulous costume. Here’s a photo of my pal Emily at Mardi Gras several years ago. I was thrilled to discover the incredible St. Anne’s Costume Parade on Fat Tuesday. These imaginative people create an amazing feast for the eyes, all in one place. Eventually the annual New Orleans trip wasn’t enough to satiate my reawakened costume nature. I sought out other dress-up events: Brooklyn’s Coney Island Mermaid Parade, Manhattan’s Wigstock, theme parties. I found an organized network of people devoted to promoting costume culture. I even asked my wedding guests to dress in a theme, vintage wear from any decade. Somehow though, I never made it to Burning Man.

Why this mini obsession with dressing up? I’m sure it harks back to early childhood when hours of fun could be had trying on Mom’s clothes from the “fifties” or prancing around in tutus. But I realize that there two kinds of people in this world, Those Who Costume, and Those Who Hate Costuming. The latter group tends to not want much attention drawn to themselves. Perhaps they embarrass easily. But this is actually the main point—to step outside yourself, wear something crazy, let your hair down. A visit to the Beauty and the Bead: From Madonna to the Maasai exhibit at the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam suggests that many cultures around the world have been doing this for centuries. So I say keep up the tradition–at least for one day. Let us hear about your favorite national festival or party via the comments below. And finally, a special birthday shout-out to my buddy Paul Beard, who, unlike the Queen, actually has his birthday today. Happy Queen’s Day everyone! -Jill Woodward

Here’s a fun idea for a practical and social evening: weed out your closet of clothes and accessories that don’t fit anymore, that you’re tired of, or that you bought but just never wear. Bring your discarded items and a bottle of wine to an appointed hostess’s apartment and pile everything on the floor or sofa. Then, go shopping, or swapping! I’ve been doing this with friends for years in New York City—about once a season. The guests have an evening of exploring different styles, making silly pairings, and enjoying each other’s company. Usually we’d make an effort to include new friends in order to expand both our social circle and our pool of potential fashion finds. Ours were very informal; we’d take what we wanted, squirrel it away to a *safe* area (always put the shoes you came with in a *safe* area), and the clothes left behind at the end of the evening would go to charity. According to my friend Anja, New York closet space is at such a premium, that we actually needed these events to clear some space for any new items.

Friday night my friend Lauren here in Amsterdam hosted a clothing swap where I met people who’ve done the same thing in places as far flung as Hawaii & Belgrade. Of course, the method varies. The parties can be limited to only women, a tightly knit social group, or it could encompass an entire community. A woman I know in New York was awarded a grant in order to throw a giant swap–complete with rented space, hired seamstresses, and sessions on how to put your personal stamp on a t-shirt. I love this personalization idea, making an ordinary item unique. For example last year I came across an orange 100% cashmere sweater that no one wanted. The neckline looked dowdy and was too tight for comfort. But the material, so soft! I grabbed some scissors and cut out the icky neck, leaving a generous opening that slides off the shoulder ala “Flashdance”. Instant 80’s look which served me all winter.

My favorite swaps are the really inclusive ones, with all sizes, styles, and both genders. Guys can have great t-shirts and other items for gals, and some men can really pull off women’s hip huggers. I’ve seen it happen. And all that diversity breeds inspiration. Pair off your friend’s skirt with a shirt of your own and maybe a new scarf and now you have something “new” to wear tomorrow! Perhaps the most pleasurable part of the experience, though, is seeing one of your items transformed on someone else. For whatever reason, it wasn’t right for you anymore–but you still get to enjoy it vicariously whenever you see your friend wearing it. Just don’t be jealous if she—or he—looks better in it than you did. -Jill Woodward

There’s a new world out there, what with the globalization and the new-found attention East-European countries have acquired for the past 10 years. It is Romania’s turn to assert itself in all fields - fashion included - on the international market, and this time do it as a E.U. member. Incredible how being a full-fledged member of a given organization makes us visible all of a sudden. How many people know that some of the greatest collections ever, including Gaultier or Versace have once found inspiration in Romanian folklore. Everything Eastern is now fashionable, regardless of what country once gave birth to it. Russian, Romania, Hungarian folk traditions inspire the West. Things seem to return to their roots. The West may not be aware of it, but it has finally come to validate Eastern culture. More to come about Romanian designers. Diana P.

The stores for next SS 07 look set for a range of collections that have been inspired through a history of fashion. One of the major influences will be styles from the 80’s era! Expect to see hints of sport, skin tight dresses, off-the-shoulder tops and abstract patterns combined with funky futuristic designs. Styles will also portray a hip –hop image with stone-washed jeans, chunky sport shoes and bright T-shirts. So keep your chunky jewellery polished for the spring to create a splash of 80’s bling bling!

Dinky clutch bags are still a poular choice for evening wear.  But somehting else that has recently crept into the fashion scene has cuaght my eye  – the minaudières.  In other words tiny decorative cases or boxes used  like a hadbag for women to carry around their lipsticks and tissues.  They come in luxurious materielas like pearl and leather with numerous lavish  designs. However they do appear somwhat impracitcal with no straps or handles and unlike cluthces they are not soft enough to hold under your armpit! I’ve seen a picture of Jennifer Anniston and Drew Barrymore pulling them off very well.  But would you buy one? Or do you think they are too impractical?

Tights are currently a huge part of fashion and no matter what trendy style you choose to wear, the chances are that you will need a pair of tights to complete the outfit.  If you are unsure as to which shoes to wear with tights, here are some tips.  With normal hose, most chunky heeled shoes look good; try trendy platforms, long boots or ankle length boots. However for footless tights and leggings try to avoid higher heeled shoes and instead where them with pretty ballet flats or moccasins. Experimenting with shoes that have different colours and textures to the tights can look trendy and fun, but to create a longer looking leg length choose matching tights and shoes.

Long length gloves are the hottest most stylish gloves around to warm your hands this winter season.  What’s more is that they are not only practical they also create a very chic look.  Many of the trendy jackets and coats around have three-quarter-length sleeves, so the extra-long gloves will be a welcoming match to cover up the bare skin and create a classy style.  Tip for choosing your long gloves; go for gloves made of cashmere, leather or suede because they are chic materials but still good for keeping out the cold.  Choose a pair of satin gloves to go with more glamorous outfits.

Sweaters have been around forever so what else is there to say about them!  Well this winter offers knitted sweaters not only to keep you warm but also to make you look stylish and sexy too. There is a large variety to choose from enabling us to create different looks.  Here are my top 3.  The slouchy sweater; it may sound like a lounging around item, but team it with skimpy jeans or pencil skirts and it creates a sexy look (not to mention that you have room to cover those extra pounds gained from the Christmas puddings). Cropped or mid-length sweaters trimmed with ruffles or fur are the most chic styled sweaters, and opting for a cropped length allows you to play around with layers to get different looks. My favourite is the long, lean sweater.  It can be worn very casually but still create a sophisticated look even when worn with jeans. I wear my long sweater with a leather belt to make the look even more chic.

Bold, gold colours are everywhere at the moment. We should be taking advantage of this trend especially for the festive season when we want to glimmer and shimmer on the dance floor. The easiest way to add gold to your outfit is with gold jewellery and accessories. With silver being the more popular jewellery colour in recent years, the new gold trend gives us a great excuse to shop for new jewellery accessories. But are people willing to swap their subtle, sophisticated silver earrings and necklaces for a bolder, gold collection?