Gift ideas

Timree Gold is an artist from Newport Beach who offers a variety of custom designed gift ideas on her homepage www.timree.com.

I fell in love with the cute little hand painted dishes - aren't they a perfect gift for a special (girl:)-friend?

I Coloniali

Week-end is only a night away and one of my most cherished rituals for a couple of truly balanced and restorative days is taking care of my inner and outer beauty. While inner beauty can be nurtured by a fascinating book; a philosophical conversation; a touching movie; a cozy evening with a beloved partner, family or friends, I am a firm believer into investing some time and effort  into releasing the physical stress of an exhausting week.

I discovered I Coloniali a couple of years ago - a brand which goes back to a perfumerie lead by two brothers in London - James and Edward Atkinsons - at the end of XVIII century. 

I adore the fact that they use only natural ingredients and produce cosmetics with oriental notes of white lily, myrrh, rice bran oil, japanese juzu and many others, which render any bathing experience truly extraordinary. Hopefully, one day the most progressive technology will allow me to transport scents via internet; until then, displaying the beautiful nostalgic packaging will have to suffice to convince you to try this brand.

a

www.atkinsons.it

Divine

I have already proclaimed my love for the beautiful site of www.bhldn.com in previous posts, but today I found one of the most enchanting pieces of jewelry ever! This delicate, subtle, bow-shaped - obviously - petite necklace is a perfect accessory for any classy lady - a true must-have!

www.bhldn.com

It's bath time

It's been almost a year now that I have been looking for a very special accessory for a very special space in my place, in which I spend quite some time. Usually, these occassions take place during the time of the day at which I am either very sleepy - in the morning (I think Mr K will add "moody" as I am sure most of you, ladies, will understand) or exhausted after a long working day. And despite the fact that this space is full of my numerous beauty products - which certainly add an aesthetic touch to my bath time experience- it still misses that certain something - a girly element which screams: "this is a ladies bathroom, no male invasion is welcome!". Something that will cheer me up at any time and remind me of the beauty and joy of being a lady.

Well, thank you, Urban Outfitters! I think I might have found what I had been looking for and - almost - given up hope.

Hard to decide, but there's a subtle feeling the bow will win again.




www.urbanoutfitters.com

 

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/

 

Rendez-vous en France

I think I just had the most tranquil and soothing drive back home from work ever! All thanks to a beautiful CD called "Rendez-vous en France" which is a compilation of French and à la french music pieces performed by various artists. The extraordinary aspect of this collection is the fact that in between the songs international francophiles speak about what they love about France the most - in many different languages. I think I might have found a lot of new friends!

available on http://www.amazon.com/, where else :)

Musical chairs

This is most likely one of the finest, most beautiful china collection I have ever seen!

"Designer Barbara Barry's Musical Chairs collection for Wedgwood uses signature silhouettes of her most famous furniture as a minimalist motif to decorate an elegant fine bone china Cream Jug. With each individual plate listing an iconic design number and illustration, they come together to make a truly unique yet infinitely practical collection." (www.ukwwrd.com).
I can only imagine what it would be like to have elegant tea parties with friends with such extraordinarily simple yet divine china.

S-U-B-L-I-M-E!