Keep calm & Freak out

Sometimes you just need both....:)

TASCHEN

I have previously proclaimed my infatuation with TASCHEN's books HERE. I simply love their illustrations and they always pick the most stylish spots.
Well, now in addition to the glamorous coffee table city guides, TASCHEN has published a selection of miniature ones - for my all-time favorite cities of Berlin, New York, London and Paris! The set includes 12 books in total, with the overall guide being divided into a shop, restaurant and hotel sections per metropole.
Isn't this just the perfect gift for any upcoming holiday for someone who wants to travel en vogue?!

Find them HERE

The Sound of the Day

It's a windy, rainy, grey Sunday afternoon - time to calm down, relax, drink tea and enjoy some good music. 
A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure to witness Randy Crawford live on stage - this lady has an absolutely amazing repertoire and a serious vocal talent. So happy I just found her album "No Regrets" - this is just the right sound for today!

Truffaut and Hitchcock

If you are into Hitchcock's cinema, just as I am - my all-time favorites include Rear Window and Birds - then you will most certainly love the Definitive Study of Alfred Hitchcock by a french fellow filmmaker, actor and critic Francois Truffaut. Truffaut has conducted a series of extensive interviews with the genius of suspence, the result of which is a masterpiece of journalistic work providing truly interesting insights into Hitchcock's art, interests and personality.

I would love to have witnessed some of the dialogues - I can only imagine how enthralling they must have been!

www.amazon.com

Quote of the day

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast."

Ernest Hemingway

Sound of Paris

Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain is another favorite of mine. Okay, okay, I won't elaborate on how this is an absolute must-see /-watch/-adore movie for any lady. I won't elucidate how this film lead to the discovery of one of the most adorable, enchanting french actresses - the personification of french femininity, fragility and elegance - Audrey Tautou.

Let me just mention, that my firm belief is that one of the most significant success factors of this movie is most certainly its musical accompaniment.

When I studied French in Nice, I remember waking up to my "host brother's" piano performances of Comptine d'un autre été (Track Number 4) across the wall - which rendered any morning marvellous. Till now, I think these are some of my most memorable experiences of the french culture - the reason I fell head over heels for it.

The impeccable Yann Tiersen - a composer from Bretagne - has accomplished a soundtrack so very divine; at times dominant, at times subtle yet always carrying the mood of each and every scene in the most enriching manner.

It's a mixture of folk music, chanson, musette and pop and is the perfect setting to contemplate Paris. If Paris had its own sound, this is what I would hear.

www.amazon.com

Great cinema

One of my favorite film directors is most certainly the famous spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. I had watched a couple of his films a very long time ago but only came to appreciate his art after having discovered Volver 4-5 years ago.

Ever since, I have watched a large number of his films and even possess a rather significant collection of DVDs. 

His films are melodramatic and expressive narrations of human nature and the nature of human relationships. His characters are highly complex; the protagonists nearly always vulnerable yet strong at the same time. The moods, the settings, the contents, the emotions of his works are very forceful. To me, Almodóvar challenges the boundaries of social tolerance and outlines extraordinary stories in extraordinary ways.

What I love about his works is that each one of them is striking; provoking; shocking; moving in a consistent way. I love how he salutes to female strength and admits male shortcomings. Finally, I love how the red color accompanies the viewer across his films, symbolizing "humanity"  - as he comments himself.

Some of my favorites are Tacones lejanos, Volver, La mala educación as well as Los ambrasos rotos.

all available on www.amazon.com

A good book

I have already made a couple of posts about the most impressive literary experiences of mine. Somehow, the last one is a already a while ago - I have tried several new books lately but none seemed to have captivated my attention for longer than some 20-25 pages. I must admit - sort of shamelessly - that I do not belong to the ones who always finish the books they start. As much as I love reading, there are books that simply do not work for me and I do not hesitate and put them aside, to look for something truly inspiring.

After having absolutely adored "Atonement" of Ian McEwan, I decided to get to know this English novelist and screenwriter better and went on to "On Chesil Beach". Frankly speaking, the plot of the story was very much unorthodox - taking place in a hotel on the beach, between a young just married couple deeply in love on the eve of their wedding night. Both of them are anxious about their first night to be spent together; however, anxious - in different ways. While the bride is drowning in inner panic, the groom is nervous and impatient about the eagerly expected consumption of the young marriage.

What follows is a beautiful, subtle story of two young hearts, having grown up in distinct backgrounds which  - despite true and sincere love - fail to overcome fear, forget the pain of the past, show courage and wisdom and, as a consequence, unfortuntaly let go their true love.

"On Chesil Beach" is one my truly greatest literary experiences on so many levels - linguistic, emotional and artistic at once.

P.S. I especially loved the ending - the last paragraph so poetic and sorrowful - and could read it over and over again.

Take a trip with TASCHEN

Oh I just love these lazy Sunday afternoons for their peace and stillness. I love having no engagements and I  have never anything close to a stressing "to do"- list on such an afternoon. The reason is because this precious spot of my week is respectfully reserved for my most beloved routine - which involves   three   crucial if not indespensable elements: a home made café latte, a piece of pie and - what else - a great book.And while on most such occassions, I typically enjoy reading a great novel, once in a while I long for a book that can take me to a whole new world. This is why I fell absolutely  head over heels for this genious edition of TASCHEN which includes tomes about the most thrilling and glamorous cities in the world - Berlin, London, New York and - naturally - Paris.

Let me warn you, however. These are not typical pocket travel guides you can drop in your purse to accompany you on a stroll on the Champs-Elysées or to the Times Square. Nor do these guides include such trivial places of interest. No - no. These books are compilations of the hottest, coolest and most desired spots you need to pay a visit to when travelling to these cities. So do not consult them if you have never been to the above mentioned places. Look inside when you are ready to experience them as a native NewYorker or Parisian. They will take you to the most stylish hotels; restaurants only known to natives or insiders; and to shops you will not dare forget.

Beautifully designed and illustrated, these books will be your loyal friend on a coffee table, in your home office, your bathroom or next to your bed - and make you want to leave that comfy couch to buy a ticket for the next train to .....

See for yourself:

http://www.taschen.com/

 

Gone with the wind

One of the brightest, most festive and glamorous memories of my childhood is most certainly the day my mom brought me to a beautiful movie theater to see "Gone With the Wind".

This movie theater was one of those from the older days: the red velvet curtain disguised the screen; the almost decadent stucco on the ceiling gave the space grace and majesty; the beautiful golden chandeliers on the walls complemented the room with elegance.

Even now, more than 20 years later I reminisce about that feeling of pure excitement and impatient anticipation. Sitting in that comfortable chair, thrilled to see those curtains part at last and watch one of the most classic and classy; colorful and dramatic motion pictures of all times.

Thanks to this memory, "Gone With the Wind" - along with its pitoresque costumes; Scarlett's coquettish and spoiled ways and Rhett's passionate cynicism - will remain one of my all-time favorites.

I might want to re-watch this one tomorrow night!

Rear Window

One of my favorite movies of all times is most definitely "Rear Window" by Hitchcock. It's amazing how a film, shot within a smallest space, can be as captivating and fascinating as this one. I know the dialogues almost by heart and certainly, the major reason for my admiration is the divine Grace Kelly. Her timeless elegance and everlasting beauty coupled with wit and esprit qualify her to be one of Hollywood's most fabulous divas.

Ever since I watched the film for the first time (and believe me, I have done it many many times again!:), I could not stop thinking about the exquisite outfits Grace wears in it. Here a few of my favorite ones and a modest attempt to re-create them in a contemporary way.

Literary

I have seldom seen a film based on a novel which has impressed me quite as much as the book itself has. Luckily, every rule has its exception!

I discovered Philip Roth a while ago and have come to appreciate his often very explicit, cynical, sometimes rude yet always ingenious style of writing.

"The Dying Animal" is a piece of work about an ageing literature professor, who engages in a liaison with an attractive student, and due to his utter inability to commit in an emotional way - decides to end the relationship. The story - which on its surface may appear  as banal and fullfilling a cliché - is enriched with an incredible depth of the characters and addresses fear of senescence, lust overruled by undecisiveness, fear of being ridiculed and mortality and vulnerability of the human being, irrespective of age.

The movie "Elegy", starring Ben Kingsley and Penélope Cruz, is an exceptional work by Isabel Coixet, a Spanish Catalan film director who did an amazing job interpreting the novel and bringing it to our screens with stunningly beautiful scenes of a human relationship.

I would recommend to read the book first and watch the movie subsequently.

Both are available on http://www.amazon.com/

The beauty of the french ladies

To me, a Parisienne is the epitome of eternal grace, pure elegance and vibrant yet discreet beauty. Having grown up with the french cinema, I always admired the french actresses for their impeccable sense of style.

Ever since I had the honor to live in Paris and observe their divine charme, I came to the conclusion that this notorious elegance runs in their blood.

To me, these actresses are the most mythical représentates of what I consider parisian chic.

The impeccable Anouk Aimée. "Une femme et un homme" of Claude Lelouch is a must-see if you enjoy excellent classic french cinema.

The incomparable Catherine Deneuve. Watch "Belle du Jour", "8 Femmes" and "Les parapluies de Cherbourg" and you will fall in love.

The divine Audrey Tautou, most famous for "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain" and "Coco avant Chanel".

The marvelous Marion Cotillard, whose performace in "La vie en rose" was honoured with an Academy Award.

Literary

Next to Bernhard Schlink, whom I have learned to admire lately, I absolutely fell in love with the French genius Romain Gary. His emotional Promesse de l'aube has become one of my favorite novels of all times. In this book, Romain tells the story of his childhood, which was reigned by his jewish mother's overwhelming love and faith in her offspring's great future. To live up to her dreams, Romain has made sure to realize all of her prophecies, including becoming a World War II aviator, film director, diplomat and above all, novelist. Beautifully written, touching piece of art.

Literary inspiration

I love driving back home from work and being excited about having a fascinating book that's waiting patiently for me on my night table. Lately, I have been reading a lot of Bernhard Schlink. Having gained much appraisal for his famous  "The Reader", he is among his other works also author of two brilliant collections of short stories. After "Liebesfluchten", the latest one is called "Summer lies" or "Sommerlügen" in original German and is a compilation of seven incredibly moving short stories about reality and illusion; past and present; relentless hope and love given up a long time ago. A perfect piece of reading for a rainy evening at home. With a cup of this:

Pink state of mind

It's finally springtime here - here a collection of beautiful pink things I am loving these days. Enjoy!



Delicious candles by www.dyptique.com



Beautiful lamps from www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/




Rose green tea from Kusmi - check out their new boutique in the Rue des Rosiers in Paris!
www.kusmitea.com

 

Pink poster from www.keepcalmgallery.com

Fresh cupcakes from http://www.sugarbird-cupcakes.de/

Rose marseille savon de www.compagniedeprovence.com

Beautiful bridal bouquet from www.projectwedding.com

Fabulous pink bag from www.katespade.com