bocci love

Who said you always have to re-invent the wheel?! Sometimes a little glowing sphere is all you need. These Bocci globes always make me happy… like chicken soup for your soul, you know.

watch beautiful story behind them here

<images via www.bocci.ca>

my kind of darkness

I always have mixed emotions when it comes to Halloween. I’m all for playing dress up and distorting the reality for a day (just a trip to the Grocery store on that day is a treat with all the characters down the isles) but some people need to take it to the NEXT level. The kind of level that makes you want to close you eyes and erase the memory.

We are all here for boo-tiful and tasteful kind of darkness so let me present you Vivienda En La Finca by Spanish architecture and design studio A-CERO.

The design team created quite a unique setting which could totally be the dwelling of a modern-day Dracula. All elements are there: strong interplay of light and dark, seductive art curiosities and luring Gothic volumes. Everything is so well though-through, it give me the designer goose bums.

There is something forbidden but very tempting at the same time. Would you dare to come in?

<images via here and here>

new vibe

Hello lovelies, I promised not to leave you alone for too long so here am I again. This time I have something very very special. That is a little sneak preview of a highly anticipated fresh press – Kelly Wearstler’s “RHAPSODY“.

Officially on sale October 23rd, the book has a lot eye-candy for Kelly’s fans. Everything we love about her vibe: daring scale interplay, brave color mixes and curious vintage finds. Did I mention a LOT of creative inspiration?

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!

All rights reserved: 2012 Rizzoli International Publications.

Photography by G.Crawford; F.Halard; A.Schlechter

a dolder moment

Oh NO! I could swear that it’s bee only a few weeks since my last post here. How this abyss of a gap happen?

Well, it’s been quite a bumpy ride (literary actually) with a few late working nights for a hotel presentation in China (or should I say early mornings?). BUT don’t be too sad for this girl quite yet. Though I found myself trying to catch up on life well too often that I’d like to, I still managed to squeeze some new adventures and fun outings. And I can’t wait to share.

For starters, my new HOTEL LOVE.  Magnificently historic Dolder Grand 5-star luxury baby in all its re-freshed beauty.

No words needed. Just submerge yourself in this serenity.

Architecture by: Foster + Partners

Interiors by: United Designers

images via here, here and here.

italian summer

Something about this summer and nostalgic 50s fashion that’s been calling my name lately. Or may be it’s Bianca Balti in her latest Dolce & Gabbana editorials, looking so fashionably lazy in the sun with that Bridgette Bardoe make-up and hair.

Don’t you just want to wind-off on the unplanned voyage to visit some forgotten Italian relatives right about now? Let me know if you have any, ‘coz I don’t)))

And you if you still not entirely convinced, watch this video and I guarantee you’ll get that traveling bug.

<images via here and here>

i’m back

Hello lovelies! Guess what? This work-aholic girl of yours has returned from the vacation! As part of this year’s resolution list, I swore to let “The Planner” in me loose and be spontaneous. So far that resulted in an overnight trip to Vegas (so not like me), a crash of a party (TOTALLY not me) and this last-minute trip to Mexico.

So while I’m trying to pull myself off the sofa unpack, I leave you with this dreamy editorial showcasing exactly what I was doing for the past 5 days…that is NOTHING!

 

<images via here>

the new chanel

All this recent retail design developments at work left me in the particularly dangerous shopping mood. And how can you not give in, when the Peter Marino is at his best with the new Chanel Store on Avenue Montaigne. With his off-the-wall biker looks, he knows how to hit all the right spots when it comes to retail seduction.

He had me at the first string of pearls at the staircase…and Chanel tweed wallcovering in soft gold, seriously? The man is a genius in my book. Just look at the details!

<images via www.petermarinoarchitect.com>

do you see what i see?

All I see is cobalt blue skinny jeans and a red scarf with a white tee…being in my shopaholic mode lately :)

What about you?

<image via UnprobableView>

mental strength

It’s been 3 days since I had my last chocolate and I’m…..feeling FINE! Surprisingly, I’m still alive and haven’t destroyed anything in the rage of  chocolate-obsessed anger. On the opposite, I’m buddah-calm and very positive! You’d ask “why do you, poor little thing, torture yourself?” (and knowing me, you’d be totally right). However, not only I’ve decided to support my family in the Great Lent (where you become vegan for 40 days), moreover I want to practice my mental strength in restrain of something I desire the most. Somehow I feel more in control now, I don’t need to eat sweets to improve my mood or feel better.

I’m a super-human! And to prove that, I’m posting this incredibly saliva-secreting video which I watched a few times together with other mind-boggling dessert recipes (watch at your own risk!).

dream vacay: part 2

May be because I’m still under the charms of the recent “hearts’ day” or may be it’s the unlimited bubblie with today’s lovely brunch that I really want to share another part of that “Grand Voyage” all the way back in September. This part is the most dear to my heart and I guess I was saving it to a special day.

After leaving the city of lights, we drove to Loire Valley where we allowed ourselves to submerge into the good days of chivalry and romanticism of the Golden Era of France back in 16-17th centuries. Our first stop on that discovery was the magnificent Chateau de l’Epinay, privately owned B&B with history going back to the 13th century.

With the mixture of Gothic and Early French Renaissance architecture, this secluded castle captured my heart instantly.

Not touristy polished, it gives you that dreamy authentic experience so worthy of the side trip.

Me, letting the chair down and dancing in the sun. Dream moments captured forever.

Fresh flowers with home made breakfast.

Being the only guests that night we got the luxury of having the chateau all to our own even only for a day.

Here’s what sold me to make this side trip in an instant. This blue bedroom with the set of caned bed and wardrobe. I just HAD to see this pair! And the authentic terracotta tile so soft on the bare feet.

To explore the magic Chateau de l’Epinay for yourself, click here.

<images via moi>