escape

Amanjena resort Marrakech

photo from here

sweet

photo from {this is glamorous}

come rain, come shine

photo from Mochatini

The sky is grey again today. It is raining on one side of the island and on the other the sun is shining brightly. The streets are filled with water and the all the cars are dirty. I have been checking the weather forecast for Amsterdam. It will be about 17 degrees (during the day, which means 10 at night). Though this not as warm as I would prefer to have it, I can already imagine myself curled up on DR’s couch with a cup of tea, surround by fresh flowers, candles, loads of magazines (ohh and of course a bottle of champagne later on in the evening) laughing till it hurts while it is a little chilly out. I hope this goes on for all of 2 days, after which I would appreciate it if the weather people can make it 25 degrees in order for us to have a BBQ on the roof top with mojitos and a spare-rib eating contest. (with either DJ Mar or myself winning).

rainy morning

photo from here

It doesn't happen often; but some times you wake on this extremely hot island to a rainy morning; such a treat. Yes, I know, the people in Europe hate us for it. But that is why we live in the Caribbean :) In any case, this morning it's raining. The plants will be a bit greener today, everyone will take it a bit slower (even slower) and tomorrow there will be some more flowers. (Of course the roads will be a bit more damaged as well....but that is not worth remembering).

stripes

photos from here

laduree

photo from here

st. tropez

photo from here

Part of the wedding I am attending next month will take place in the lovely town of St. Tropez. Yesterday I received the invitation, activity list and instructions for this amazing wedding party. Thank you DR for this: the mail arrived in time :)

toledo

photo from here

Image by Ruben Toledo

Happy Friday

lets escape for dinner

photo from here

caprese

photo from "The party dress"

Tonight my mom is having some friends over for a card game. Theme of the night: antipasti. She started yesterday with the preparations and it looks (and tastes) delicious.

anticipation

photo from "That girl in pearls" (wonderful blog)

In about two weeks I will be traveling to Europe for 3 weeks of pure bliss, party and loads of girls’ night outs. I will be there for a wedding. It is therefore no surprise that I have been working on the wardrobe for quite some time. I wonder if I have enough suite-cases to fit all the summer dresses (the weather will hopefully be agreeable, otherwise I am bound the look like an ice-cube).

I love preparing for travel. The anticipation of the adventure is enough to keep me busy for months in advance. I research the destination (including loads of useless information), I have dresses made (yes I am old-fashioned in that way), I reserve restaurants, make dates with friends and of course (when flying to Europe) check the weather on a daily basis.

so chic

photo from here

flowers

photo from here

nasomato

photo from here

de sers

photo from here

Hotel de Sers, Paris

crosby

photos from here

Crosby Hotel, New York City

pool side

photo from own collection

simply chic

photo by Garance Dore from here

in love with books

photo from here

happy friday

photo from here

hot

photo from own collection

It is such a hot day today. All I want is a delicious home made ice tea with lemon. 

pearl

photo from here

Jewelry by Michael Michaud

I love, adore and admire pearls. I wear them every day; whether it is a necklace, bracelet or ring. This love of pearls runs in the family. When my grandma dresses up she wears an amazing long pearl necklace with a beautiful flower on it. My mother wears her necklace almost every day as well, and has recently acquired some wonderful pearl earrings. Pearls have a chicness that make you feel beautiful regardless of what ever else you are wearing. There is a mystery to them. Almost as if each pearl carries a secret.

inspire

photo from here

tiziano

photo from here

Tiziano Magni for Marie Claire Italia April 2010

adler flowers

photo from here

Arrangement by Jonathan Adler

fortitia

photo from net-a-porter.com

shoes by Christian Louboutin

as promised

Photos from my own collection.

making an entrance

                                                              photos from my own collection

It is the first impression. The one thing you will always remember. It is that first look when you know there is a connection.   These houses give such a connection. Whether it was the "welcoming" gates, the long drive ways, the palm trees, the colour or the chairs, something about all of these houses was eye-catching. 

red

photo from here

celebrating friday

photo from here

Friday is such a lovely day of the week. It marks the end of what is considered by most as "the work week" and it is the beginning of the weekend. This weekend I'll be heading to the west side of the island for some fun in the sun, diving and kayaking with the family. Hope you will be having a great weekend as well.

loveliness

photo from own collection

Life has loveliness to sell,

All beautiful and splendid things,

Blue waves whitened on a cliff,

Soaring fire that sways and sings,

And children's faces looking up

Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,

Music like a curve of gold,

Scent of pine trees in the rain,

Eyes that love you, arms that hold,

And for your spirit's still delight,

Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;

For one white singing hour of peace

Count many a year of strife well lost,

And for a breath of ecstasy

Give all you have been, or could be.

- Sara Teasdale -

exhortation of the dawn

photo from here

Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn!

Look to this Day!

For it is Life, the very Life of Life.

In its brief course lie all the

Verities and Realities of your Existence.

The Bliss of Growth,

The Glory of Action,

The Splendor of Beauty;

For Yesterday is but a Dream,

And Tomorrow is only a Vision;

But Today well lived makes

Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness,

And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope.

Look well therefore to this Day!

Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!

- Kalidasa

the unexpected tulip

Photo by Katinka Kamatson from here