Tuesday 31 January 2012

Sweet french clichés


Useful french phrases:

Je voudrais une chambre avec vue, s´il vous plaît.
I´d like a room with a view, please

C`est où Chanel?
Where`s Chanel?

Un thé et deux macarons s´il vous plaît.
I´d like a cup of tea and two macarons, please.

Avez-vous ces Louboutins dans ma pointure?
Do you have these Louboutins in my size?

Un verre de champagne, s´il vous plaît.
Can I have a glass of champagne?

Taxi!
Taxi!

Monday 30 January 2012

Red cedarwood


The other day my husband received these red cedarwood shoe trees. They are so beautiful and smell lovely. I want them. They´re too big for my shoes. Too bad. 

Saturday 28 January 2012

Saturday night pleasures


A few drops of this soft amber coloured liquid with this song playing in the background.

Simplicity


"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance."

- Coco Chanel

Friday 27 January 2012

Classic


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on this day, the 27th January, in 1756. Whether you listen to classical music or not you´re probably familiar with his name and his story. Mozart was the most famous child prodigy, composer and performer in musical history and his work is still played, performed and recorded today. Mozart began touring Europe at the age of six, and published his first work, four piano sonatas, before his tenth birthday. He was only thirty when his famous opera The Marriage of Figaro debuted, but despite his genious his decadent  rock-star-like lifestyle plunged him into debt, and illness. He died on 5 December 1791 and was buried in an unmarked grave aged only thirty-five.

In his life he composed over 600 works, including 21 for stage and opera, 15 masses, 41 symphonies, 25 piano concertos, 12 violin concertos, 27 concert arias, 17 piano sonatas and 26 string quartets. 

To listen to one of Mozart´s pieces Click here.

Thursday 26 January 2012

Scents


It´s amazing how scents can transport you in time and place. A special scent can reawaken a transitory, half-remembered world where memory and nostalgia, hopes and dreams all intermingle.    

Most fragrances are categorized as belonging to one of six different fragrance families: Oriental, Chypre, Fougère, Floral, Citrus and Ozonic. My all time favourites are the chypres. They have this dryness about them and are understated, pared-downed formulas, which gives them elegance and sophistication. Chypres are based around oak moss aided by cedar wood, vetiver and patchouli counterpointed by citrus notes. Great chypres, to my humble nose, are Gucci by Gucci and Vetivert and Mitsouko both by Guerlain. 

Do you have a favourite scent?  

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Age with Grace

(picture by Ari Seth Cohen, from the beautiful blog Advanced Style)

Whatever true beauty may be, to me it´s all about ageing gracefully - don´t fight it.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Orange


(picture from the Martha Stewart homepage)

An orange hallway with black details? It reminds me of a giant Hermès-box. Why not? It´s very stylish. In fact, I really like it.

Monday 23 January 2012

Coffee break


Five good reasons for getting that cup of coffee:
            1. Gives improved alertness, concentration and energy
            2. A great source of antioxidants 
            3. Lowers the risk for type II diabetes, heart diseases and strokes
            4. The nice homey smell
            5. Gives you a reason to take a short break

Friday 13 January 2012

Hotels




 I love hotels. For me it´s the attention to the small details that makes a hotel special. Large fluffy towels, a lovely soft bathrobe and fine creamy soap and I´m in hotel heaven. 

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Eating out




A couple of grilled hot dogs in the garden - family life at its best.

Friday 6 January 2012

Tempted


"I can resist everything except temptation."

- Oscar Wilde

Thursday 5 January 2012

Wednesday 4 January 2012

2012








New Year Eve at our place with lots of love and food, the essentials in life. I hope your 2012 has started out well and wish you all the best for the rest of this new exciting year.

The New Year`s Menu

Gimlet Cocktail

Bleak roe toast and lobster

Beef tenderloin with roasted potatoes and elderflower sauce

Mousse au chocolat with raspberries