Hello friends!
How have your weekends been? I have just returned home from a 2-day trip to visit & catch up with my friend (who I haven't seen in the longest time) on her property. I am sunburnt all over but feeling so incredibly rejuvenated!! The last 2 days were wonderful and much-needed after spending all day at home working and feeling miserable because of this cold weather. The change felt so great -- to breathe in the freshest of fresh air, to wake up every morning to birds singing and then to lay in the meadows eating cupcakes as if we had no worries in the world. I so wasn't ready to come home!!

I am just about to go make myself some dinner to eat, but will be back soon with updates!

welcome.to.the.farmhouse

Stay happy,

aujourd'hui je rêve de Paris...

Today, I dream of Paris

Images by JC Roldán

scenes.of.parisian.life

live.in.the.sunshine

I Dream of Shoes

As mentioned previously in my posts, one of my favourite high-end fashion designers is Azzedine Alaïa who is among the most influential and talented designers of the last twenty years. He is best known for being one of the last great couturiers of the modern era, ranking high among the architects of fashion for introducing high hemlines, corseted waists and for mastering and perfecting skin-tight scupltural silhouettes, which were a phenomenon in the 1980s. He is a classicist; the designer who best understands a woman's anatomy; the one who possesses total understanding of how to drape and of how to use materials.

I adore Alaïa for the incredible shoes that he designs; the fine construction, cuts & simplicity of his pieces (dresses in particular) and his outlook on fashion & style. For one, he delivers a collection when he is ready, not when the schedule says he has to. His refusal to follow traditional fashion schedules shows he would rather destroy his own business than compromise his standards. He also insists on personally constructing each protytpe himself in his Paris studio from paper pattern to finished garment (including sewing) rathering than relying on the help of design assistants. Together, it has made him a legend of perfection albeit off-the-radar, for he doesn't believe in the concept of designing for 'seasons'. Alaïa designs for the body.

It seems the less Azzedine Alaïa deigns to be involved in the fashion system, the more his influence grows. To me, inspiration comes from the fact that he continually reinvents himself, always perfecting and improving on what he has already done so brilliantly for a lifetime. I have such tremendous respect for him, for I think he is a true master, one of the few that really lives and breathes what he does.

His designs are generally made in black or dark solid colours and his dresses are typically tight and unforgiving, showing off every curve of the woman's body. Many of them also feature a deeply scooped back. His pieces are favourites of Victoria Beckham, Naomi Campbell and Stephanie Seymour.

Images from fashionologie

In his shoe collection, I am most fascinated by this pair... in my eyes the style and colour are perfect and I would give anything to own them one day! So unique and perfect for every occasion... they are my favourite ever!!

Images from matchesfashion

I loved them so much that I decided to draw inspiration from Alaïa today and make a Polyvore set with his shoes, combining my two favourite things in the world.

when.i.dream, i.dream.of.shoes

I have also uploaded an old editorial that I love for those who wish to read more about him:

The New Yorker; November 7, 1994. The Outsider by Ingrid Sischy

Until tomorrow,

1: littlesilverboxes; 2: ash-lip

the heavy leaf
on the silent windless day ...
falls of its own will

the.dawn.is.not.distant, nor.is.the.night.starless

Afternoon Musings

On a Sunday... what better time than to look at beautiful pictures! I have chosen a select few that I love & hope they bring as much inspiration to you as they did for me!

1-2: Catherine Gratwicke; 3: Tiago Lima; 4: Harpers Bazaar (Australia)

As you can probably tell, I really wished to be at the beach today swimming in the sea and getting some sunshine on my skin. This winter weather is unfortunately getting too cold for my liking, as much as I enjoy snuggling up in bed with some hot chocolate!

Why, oh why, is it that weekends are never long enough to be satisfying...?

Until tomorrow,

My Idea of Saturday morning Perfection

Every Saturday morning, I opt out of a home-made breakfast and instead visited the local patisserie for a pastry and cup of coffee. It is something I've done for the past two years and I always look forward to it because it gives me a chance to relax after the hectic week.

One morning a short while back, I was on my way to what I call my Heaven on Earth when I spotted an adorable girl not a day over 5 nibbling on a delicate pink macaroon with an orange pastry cream filling as she was being led out of the store by her mother. I had never seen a macaroon look so pretty & mouthwatering in my entire life! So I went into the shop, took my usual seat and made sure to order for myself one of those rose and orange-blossom macaroons sitting behind the glass cabinet. It was undeniably the most delicious treat I had ever tasted in my entire life and also the moment my adoration of French pastries began.

1: S. Gin Photography; 2: organicpixel; 3: Celine S.; 4: Kristybee

On my best friend's trip to Paris last year, she was lucky enough to visit the French patisserie Laduree at the Champs Elysees and taste a selection of their famous creations. I was so envious! But to my delight she brought this home for me!! I can't wait to go there myself one day :) For now, I order 3 macaroons as a treat to start my weekend off beautifully. Today, I picked the rose & orange-blossom (as always!), coconut and hazelnut praline. It was yummy! xx

My Everlasting Escape

Images: feels just like home; sorairo; duetramonti; simply photo

where.the.heart.lies

Happy weekend! xx