I arrived in Amsterdam this week to cold rain showers, but nothing could stop me from exploring this beautiful city, umbrella in tow. Im working on a number of stories, though the main event was a special dinner celebrating the launch of a new tulip-inspired tableware collection by Zoë de Givenchy @zdgofficial @pulitzer.amsterdam 🌸 What fun we had dining over flower-strewn tables, talking about beauty, authenticity, and artisan craftsmanship with such an inspiring group, including Zoë who is as gracious as she is stylish. In the margins, I enjoyed walking & boating down the quaint canals and popping into @rijksmuseum & @vangoghmuseum … there are many others I hope to visit next time, including Anne Frank’s House which was booked out during my stay — she would’ve been 95 this week.💔 I also met many talented locals, like Lieke and Jetteke of @moonsisters and Natasja Sadi who makes the most exquisite sugar flowers @cakeatelieramsterdam 🌺 Mostly, I was struck by the modesty of the people here, so stylish & creative, yet unpretentious & down to earth. Amsterdam is a very active city, with most everyone walking or biking to and fro, and exploring unearths no shortage of treasures, from vintage clothing and blue and white Delftware, to historic Dutch architecture at every turn. The city’s preserved canal houses are centuries old relics of history and you can feel the weight of the maritime heritage as you walk by them, with their shimmering windows reflecting the water, and the old gable stones carved with whales and boats. Even the front doors are beautiful, with their deep green paint lacquered liberally in high gloss. On my last day, the sun came out and the canals sparkled as locals whizzed by on their bicycles. It’s peony season now but the country’s beloved tulips are still omnipresent. I found the city’s botanical culture to be so inspiring — everyone has a garden at home or plants outside their shops — and an appreciation for nature is deeply felt wherever you go. As always these trips are a gift, and I’m so thankful to @megconnollycomm who included me on this one. Now, it’s back to Texas to buy a bike, and perhaps paint my front door green! 😉💚