Lucky

A couple of weeks ago I got awfully  lucky at the Galleries Lafayette in Berlin and got these ultra-Parisian, extremely feminine, simply gorgeous ballerinas with studded bows at half price. Aren't they fabulous?!!

http://www.sandro-paris.fr/

Keep calm

I absolutely adore prints from the Keep Calm Gallery on www.keepcalmgallery.com. Especially these Russian Dolls are so much fun!

Papeterie

Before discovering my passion for ballerinas, dresses and beauty products, which took place in my 20s, I fell in love with beautiful stationary products back at the age of 7.

Having no artistic gift whatsoever, I nonetheless adored colorful feltpens; beautiful notebooks; and any other stationery. I literally dreamed of spending all week-end - each week-end! - at a stationary store and looking for new writing or drawing supplies. Of course, this was not quite possible but I never gave up my hope each time my parents and I passed my favorite stationary store.

These days, this love translated into fascination with fine papeterie, which I re-discovered when looking for a wedding papeterie supplier online. Here a couple of images I find lovely:

these are from http://www.honeybird.de/

and these from http://www.sugarpaper.com/

and these from http://www.walnutpaperie.com/

Other favorites of mine include http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/ and http://www.majestypaper.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!

Lighten up

How about a somewhat decadent, sometimes capricious, always dominant yet endlessly fabulous piece of lighting for your living room?or your bedroom? or your kitchen? or even bathroom?

Chandeliers are so chique, timesless and elegant and have the talent of lightening up (!) any space, in any decor of any style. 

Below the ones I simply L-O-V-E!

http://www.car-moebel.de/



http://www.flamant.com/



http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/

http://www.impressionen.de/

http://www.impressionen.de/

Home sweet home

I always say that the best part about business trips is coming back home. I love returning to my cozy apartment; going grocery shopping with the sweet anticipation of preparing a home-made meal; enjoying a long bath with a scented candle; appreciating my very own week-end beauty ritual and finally, sleeping in my comfy bed with freshly mangled bed linen.

This week-end, after having spent an entire week away, I am excited about being home and experimenting with a new pastry book. Possibly, its fruitful result will one day be served on a pretty etagère like this:

To be admired and purchased on http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Solid color

I have already confessed that I love fine food - finely packaged - naturally.

I must admit, I am a pretty spoiled lady having grown up with always good-quality, freshly cooked food - thank you, mommy! Just to be clear, though - good quality and freshness do not equal decadence - we never spent too much on food, but always made sure we prepared everything ourselves and used no artificial products. I still follow this tradition - of which I am notoriously proud - in my own household.

When it comes to setting the table, however, I came to appreciate its importance just a couple of years ago - thanks to my lovely Mr K who taught me so much about a tasteful home!
Today, I love a big oval or round table with a pretty tablecloth, colorful china and candles in corresponding colors. And while I adore the french savoir-vivre when it comes to loyalty to really good products, I must say I do prefer German tradition as far as china goes.

Dibbern is a fine bavarian manufacturer of china, whose solid color collection I absolutely adore. The selection of over 30 beautiful colors - which can be combined in the most simple, classic or unexpected ways, is a guarantee for a cozy yet elegant table - for a long unhurried Saturday morning breakfast; a quick practical lunch during a working day; a romantic dinner with your loved one or a long one with friends and family.

Check this out and start mixing and matching!