Aged and Gilded (Palazzo-Interiors & Gardens)

Happy Fourth of July!

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. 

Jimi Hendrix

I spend a lot of time on this blog about the glories of Europe. However, tomorrow is the weekend that we will celebrate ourselves. We are far from perfect, but I still believe in the greatness of this nation. We may be down, but we are never out. What makes Americans both revered and reviled is that indomitable spirit and unwaveringly belief in self. Is it arrogance or confidence? It all depends on how we wield our power. This weekend I wish you peace.



1. American Flags, 2. DC Fireworks, 3. American Flag

Eau d'Italie

If you've never heard of Le Sirenuse, it is absolutely the most romantic hotel in Positano, Italy situated along the Amalfi Coast. This is the hotel that inspired a fragrance and what an inspiration it must have been.  How do you capture the most beautiful place on earth and put it in a package?  I wouldn't begin to know, but Eau d'Italie seems to have accomplished just that. These luxurious toiletries are the very ones that Le Sirenuse stocks in their hotel rooms. That being reason enough to check in. These aren't gargantuan bars of soap or massive bottles of shower gel--you just might overdose on the sheer decadence of it all. No, these are packaged in doses small enough to indulge without exaggeration. We wouldn't want to be accused of spoiling ourselves while the world is trying to recover now would we? There's even a box of three soaps sized for travel or for guests. (But, why would you want to share?) Eau d'Italie smells like the casual chic of yachting on the Riviera and summers in Capri. Can't make it to Amalfi this year? Or perhaps, feeling as if you shouldn't? Not to worry--Palazzo now stocks Eau d'Italie in all of its beautiful variations--soap, perfume, shower gel, and bath salt.

 

Photography as Art/Tim Irving

A painter captures his image with paint and brush. His discretion in the treatment of subject matter is broad in range and he interprets it through the use of color, composition and brush stroke. I think for the photographer, the task is so much more difficult. Art is not merely the relaying of information. A true artist must include a part of himself as he interprets what he sees through the context of his relationship to the world. I marvel at the knowledge required to take a good photograph, let alone produce a work of art. Terminology like shutter speed, aperture and refraction make my head spin. I've always had a natural love of paintings, but my very first love affair with photography began with an exhibition at the museum I worked for in another life. Josef Sudek was the artist. His sepia toned images were so simple and beautiful that years later whenever I visited a gallery I was sure to inquire if his work was represented.

These days, I think it is really wonderful that art has become so accessible. I don't think I could live without it. And since a Matisse doesn't appear to be in my near future, I'm not at all above purchasing a fine print. Everyone knows that Etsy is a great resource for the handcrafted, but it's also a great place to discover new artists as well. I happily discovered photographer Tim Irving there. Not only is his etsy shop, Opart, full of lovely images for your walls, but shipping is free all over the world and if you find something you like (and you will) he can customize the size for you.

These are a few of my favorites.

The quintessential image of bicycles and baskets always reminds me of long country roads in France.

Provence, France 1999

Ripe Red

I love the mood of this photograph. I imagine this dress waiting to come to life on the dancer.

 

Vintage Spanish Fiesta/Flamenco Girls Dress

I love the simplicity of this shot that captures the intricacy of bead work and gold passementerie against that pale beautiful pink.

Suit of Light - Spain

This one is almost like a beautiful watercolor with it's transparent sepia tones.

High Tide

When Tim is not off on some colorful locale photographing, he's writing his blog, Stylemed, about living in Europe and the style of his surroundings. You'll read about the rustic charm of a village in Andalucia, Spain, gaze over the rooftops of Paris or browse a market in Marseille without ever having to board a plane.

Panzanella: Bread and Tomatoes

When I was living in Italy, I discovered a dish that quickly became a favorite--panzanella, a simple salad of bread and tomatoes. Don't let the thought of soggy bread deter you, it's not. It's deliciously easy to prepare and I've included the recipe for you to try. I guarantee it will become a staple for your summer repertoire of recipes.

1 clove of garlic (finely crushed)
6 cups crusty peasant bread (stale is good)
2 sm red onions (finely sliced)
1 lb or fresh, ripe tomatoes (cut in chunks) ( I love Roma)
3/4 cucumber (cut in chunks)
4 tb extra virgin olive oil
2 tb white wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
fresh basil

Mix the first 8 ingredients together in a large bowl. Tear fresh basil on top. That's it--and a bottle of wine.

Mosaic Monday: Pretty Parisian

1. Final Paris Cafe Time, 2. Cafe de Flore, Paris, 3. Parisian Hotel, 4. Old Parisian building, 5. Parisian Street, 6. my paris apartment ..., 7. Paris Flea Market, 8. DSC09720 - Paris - Vintage... confort peut être mais moderne pas l'enseigne en tout cas, 9. Vintage Vespa, Paris, France, 10. A classic vintage Paris Metro station canopy, 11. Vintage Paris, 12. Vintage Lifestyle

Friday Farewell

 
French Home/Josephine Ryan

Yesterday, was a very strange day. This morning when we wake, there are two empty spaces. Farrah Fawcett was iconic for the 70s. Both men and women alike were seduced by that tousled, golden mane and that high wattage smile of hers. She was fresh and sexy in a natural, athletic way. Didn't we all envy her just a little bit in that famous red swimsuit? Her sex appeal never seemed to wane and she posed for Playboy well into her 40's. But she was comfortable with herself and that was her real appeal.

Michael Jackson was, of course, legendary in the music industry. It was impossible to hear his music and not feel an overwhelming compulsion to get up and move. He changed the rules to the game. Now they are gone. They quietly slipped out the back door before we even knew what happened.

In the coming weeks, there will most probably be stories and lurid allegations the truth of which I do not know and will not speculate upon. I hope we will remember them at their very best and brightest.

Lost at Sea

Eternity begins and ends with the ocean's tides.   Anonymous

  

...it's always ourselves we find in the sea.  E.E. Cummings

Paestum Rose

Despite the fact that I adore roses, I would never have considered wearing a rose perfume. Or so, I thought. The very idea of it seems cliche and worse still--old ladyish. But this...this is different. And I like different. In fact, this fragrance is unisex, a concept I find quite interesting--the ability to please both sexes without being engendered by either. It works because the floral aspect is completely tempered by a dark velvetiness. Before I bought this for the shop, I had reservations. Perfume is a risky proposition that can be hit or miss. But I had read the wonderful reviews and was intrigued. In fact, I read lots of reviews and couldn't find a single negative. When it arrived, I was more than pleasantly surprised. My first instinct was to call it sexy. But no, that is much too garish. This fragrance is more like a slow reveal.  A better description would be hauntingly seductive. A scent of longing for your lover but not quite knowing why. Eau d'Italie's Paestum Rose starts off on the skin as woody, almost like bark or perhaps tobacco and then develops into a smoky, musky layer. Then gradually, the rose unfolds with a whisper, an echo, the mere memory of what a beautiful rose should smell like. This perfume is elegant, refined and practically screams old money without the pretentiousness. It somehow manages to be both utterly classic and yet strangely contemporary at the same time. It is intellectual, complicated and textured like the woman (or man) who would choose to wear it. I'm in love with it (can you tell?) and quite honestly considered hoarding it all for myself. But that just wouldn't be fair.

 

Whirling notes of davana, cinnamon, amber, black and pink pepper, coriander, myrrh, patchouli, white musk and exotic woods surrounding the deeply velvet scent of Turkish rose. A warm and sensual fragrance that wears beautifully on both men and women. (100 ml/$125 and worth every last penny!) Hurry, purchase it now at Palazzo.

Italian Holiday

A few posts ago, I alluded to a destination spot that the new collection at Palazzo is inspired by. I attached a couple of photos for clues as well. Were you able to guess? If you said Italy's Amalfi coast you were right!  This breathtaking spot is all about summer, Italian Riviera style, only better--casual and relaxed, yet still utterly chic. Take a peek at the Palazzo Newsletter to read all about this ideal getaway. It's loaded with beautiful photographs and the most wonderful places to stay if you're lucky enough to visit. Then when you finish, stop on over at the store and see what's new.

As a post script, I'd just like to say thank you to Claudia over at the paris apartment for mentioning me in her beautiful blog. She's one of my favorite reads due to her always interesting commentary about all things French, her wonderful resources and generous spirit. If you haven't done so already, please visit her blog--you'll enjoy it.

Mosaic Monday: By the Sea

1. Stage Harbor Light and Ennis Skiff, 2. Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, 3. mother of pearl, 4. redrock beach, 5. korora pebbles, 6. Sunset Beach, 7. shell Fish, 8. Monstone beach pebble pool, 9. Schoolhouse beach pebble texture, 10. Old boats, 11. driftwood, 12. Driftwood, 13. Seashell, 14. seashell with distant friend, 15. "she sells seashells on the seaside", 16. Seashells