inspiration: cafe de flore – paris, france

After a long week, I needed some inspirational photos to help escape “mentally” at least from the every day norms. My favorite place to hang out - Cafe De Flore in Paris (of course), France.

I have a strange appreciation for cafe photos and here are some of my favorites Cafe de Flore to share with you. Have a great weekend and remember think happy thoughts no matter how hard life can be.

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{photos: courtesy google search cafe de flore – various artists}

wedding gowns for the woman over 40

Selecting the right gown for a second marriage or “renewal of vows” is probably the most challenging for women over 40. But, if tastefully chosen, it can be the most rewarding experience ever.

With that said, now is the perfect time to consider the options for a spring, summer and even fall weddings or “renewal of vows” ceremony. In my research I have come across some amazing gowns to consider and yes they are all from Oscar de la Renta. Enjoy!

 

valentino shoes for spring 2011

Designer shoes are not only inspirational but in essence have a way of making  a woman feel sexy no matter how emotionally unstable she may be on the inside. (Ladies, I say that with love).

In light of this subject, I can honestly say I am not partial to any particular designer, I am however particular to the actual design and functionality of a shoe.  So, here we go, first stop Valentino Shoes and since I seem to have trouble with choosing just a few pairs of  the Valentino shoe collection  for Spring 2011, I have decided to include some of my absolute favorites and offer you a link to the website here, just in case you want to go crazy.

2010 in a nutshell and happy new years

With a blink of an eye, 2010 comes to an end. This year was the most eventful for me because I celebrated a milestone birthday, lost a job, sold a house, lost a family member, rekindled relations with extended family as well  as travelled to some interesting destinations and some not so interesting. I admit I experienced too much and from it learned alot in the course of  365 days.

One thing I must say, thanks to maturity and an unexplainable sense of self-control (which I think is associated with maturity),  I was able to cope with the “personal” events which unfolded during  the course of the year  and in a way survived the outcome(s) with minimal damage to my mental health .

As I result of 2010,  I have decided to pass up on making New Years  resolutions altogether so that I am not too disappointed in myself, should I not be able to uphold the commitment.  Instead,  I have set some flexible goals for myself, which I am going to do everything in my power to reach throughout 2011, no matter what destiny has in store for me.

So, with that said, Happy New Year everyone!!! Have a safe and wonderful celebration no matter how you plan on ringing in the New year. Remember the basics, don’t drink and drive, take a moment to remember all our troops abroad and if there is room in your life, adopt a pet  from a shelter and if not, consider  planting a tree in memory of someone very special to you.

new years eve appetizer and dessert ideas

Although there are many parties or events happening around the world, in my opinion, there is nothing more rewarding than celebrating New Year’s Eve with loved ones and  close friends, gathered in someone’s home.

What I also like is when everyone is asked to bring a dish for the pot luck style dining. I think this is the only night I find myself munching into the wee hours of the morning (providing I am able to stay up that late anymore). So for this joyous occasion or celebration, I have included some quick appetizer and dessert ideas to consider, just in case you are either hosting a party or are invited to one where you are asked to bring a dish.

Above photo: Antipasto sausage skewers, click here for the recipe

Above: S’mores.  Recipe:  Graham crackers, chocolate piece, marshmellow and sprinkled with toasted coconut

Above: Cupcakes in Fancy cups: Dark Chocolate cupcakes are recommended, white icing and silver or gold hard candy drizzled on top.

Above: Various cheese and crackers  and dried fruits displayed on a fancy cheeseboard with decorative silver knives. Recommended cheese board, marble or wood. Visit a gourmet deli to select quality international cheeses.

thanksgiving table setting ideas

Most Americans take great pride in setting up the dinner table for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. Why not? After all it is probably the most and sometimes the only time a woman has the chance to gather her family and friends around the table to eat at the same time.

I am one of those individuals who take pride in setting up my Thanksgiving dinner table and would consider a different theme each year just for the fun of it. Since Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated during the  Fall, I have no trouble incorporating nature throughout the table decor.

Just in case you are wondering what I am  going to do this year and even if you are not , I am getting my table decor inspiration from the following photos and plan to include a bit of something from each suggestion to create an eclectic feel.  Let me know what you think?

i want what monica bellucci is having please

I have always appreciated foreign actors more so than the ones in LALALand. I’ll tell you why. Talent,” natural” beauty, more talent, minimal drama and much more talent. However, some foreign actors (actresses) just to make myself perfectly clear, I appreciate for their physical attributions and outlook on life more so than their creative talents.

With that said and in light of this blog’s theme, I  want to introduce one actress, who I think has not only aged gracefully, but  in my opinion is one to be admired for her efforts to remain true to herself no matter how demanding her career and lifestyle may be. She is none other than the Italian actress, Monica Bellucci, who at 46 just recently (May 2010)  had her second child with husband Vincent Cassel.

I can honestly go as far as  comparing her beauty and gusto to that of Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch, and just by understanding her attitude through personal quotes and interview, I know that her core make up has contributed to her flawless outer appearance and beauty. She is well-known and admired throughout Europe and even when at her worst (her fluctuating weight) she has looked her very best. She is a true inspiration for the voluptuous woman and an individual  to reflect upon when one’s self esteem is  tested.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Monica Bellucci which keep me inspired and focused:

“My body is so important to me… my face, my arms, my legs, my hands, my eyes, everything. I use everything I have.”

“Beauty becomes alive and interesting when it’s habited.”

“The human intelligence has progressed at the technological level; not at the level of feelings.”

“It is a handicap if you’re stupid, but not if you are intelligent and know how to use your beauty.”

“I feel fine and comfortable with myself, but not because I’m beautiful. I know many beautiful people and their lives are just so terrible. They feel so uncomfortable with themselves. Being comfortable is not about what you look like, but how you feel. I’m a lucky person because I’ve been loved a lot. I have a great family.”

“[Talking about why she will not move to Hollywood to further her film career]: “I could never live there. They are obsessed with youth and beauty even more than us. There is this thing in America where actresses reach 40 and go mad. The film industry wants all these young people. They also like a different sort of woman (to me). I will never be skinny. I also had a child a year ago, and I have been lazy. I love to eat. Who cares? I am natural.”

Have a nice weekend everybody!!!

hotel pick – petit ermitage – los angeles

Los Angeles is my playground and I frequent this particular destination about six to seven times a year. The fun thing about Los Angeles is that, you can never get bored, I mean while looking to  experience something new and different – such as a  hotel or a restaurant or a cafe, even designer boutiques and beauty salons. It is forever changing and just when you think you have a list of your favorites down, think again, the next time you visit, it may not be there or better yet, it has been revamped, redone or remastered just to entice  the visitors and locals alike.

So, in light of this wonderful entry, I have included a bohemian themed boutique hotel so nicely named, in my opinion, Petit Ermitage located in West Hollywood.  A great escape from all the norms of hotel luxury. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

admiring haute couture

Now here is another topic I have difficulty incorporating into my everyday life and conversation – haute couture –  best described by fashionera.com as being a  French phrase for high fashion.  Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments.  The purchase of a haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house.  A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer’s measurements and body stance.  The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client.

A haute couture could cost anywhere from 20K to whatever the price may be for the exclusively created masterpieces by the best of the best fashion designers. I have included a slideshow of some of the most interesting of styles for 2010  from the likes of Christian Dior, J. Galliano, Chanel, John Paul Gultier and more. Enjoy!

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oh stop it halle berry

I am not a jealous woman nor envious but sometimes I just want to say, STOP IT “celebrity” you’re making me look and feel bad about myself. Yes, you might think this is childish but reality is that most women in their 40s have as much insecurities as teenage and girls in their 20′s.

It’s that whole, body deciding what shape it should be, sometimes no matter how much you exercise or diet, and then there are the wrinkles and the gray hairs sneaking up on you and the pre-menopausal state taking over. Shall I go on?

So, when we pick up a magazine or look online and see, in this case, Halle Berry, in all her beauty, we tend to second guess ourselves, physically that is because God knows what her personal life is like, and suddenly become sad (at least in my case).

I am not sure if she has had plastic surgery or a nip tuck or whatever and frankly I don’t care. I do appreciate the end result and in my own twisted way, use her physical appearance as my gage to try and look better, so that I could feel better about myself.

In the meantime, I always wonder why some women look their age and others don’t, and I also wonder why some women who have had children look like mothers and others don’t. I know its part genetic and no matter how many makeover shows and guidelines there are on TV or in magazines, the division is forever obvious between motherly women and the Halle Berry’s of the world.

So, I have no idea why I wrote this entry but I suppose a recent photo of hers online triggered it and I would love to hear your thoughts on this, if you have a few minutes to yourself today between taking kids to soccer or ballet and juggling laundry and grocery shopping while your husbands golf or watch sports on TV.