The Greek Summer of... Ines de la Fressange

If you know me long enough, you know that I adore Ines de la Fressange,
the French model, entrepreneur, mother, and ambassadrice of the Parisian Chic

Mme de la Fressange is the embodiment of elegance and joie de vivre.

And

This year she spent part of her summer holidays in Greece!

So glad you enjoyed your vacation in Greece, Ines!

See you soon!

xoxo

In the tavern

Summertime blues

My favorite Summer interiors

I love rattan weaves. 

Tribal print fabrics. 

And those art prints blossoming the heart off the clear walls

An exterieur, actually, but have you seen the new Junglaow home?

Sings to my heart od warmth and happiness.

My new home, wherever that will be, will have open shelving instead of cupboards. 

Why hide when you can shine bright?

Can you spot those two Happy Turtles?

 Love,love, love!

I hope Summer is bright and bursting with color and happiness.

xoxo

Fashions, Make up, Hairstyle: So, how do you prep up for Summer?

Living in a place like Greece, somewhere warm and welcoming, one expects to be off the usual dress code, and that pulling yourself together can seem simple and easygoing. Trust me when I tell you, it is not!

When it comes to Greek women, I always admire the style of older ladies, and you can, too, when people watching in Kolonaki Square in Athens and Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki. 

Younger generations do dress nicely and fashionably, but may I say, they all look the same! And aren't you wary of women dressed up like teens when in their 30s? 

As far as I am concerned, I like to be polished. So a blow dry, a manicure and a pedi, especially in the summer months, when we may show some toe cleavage, are ESSENTIALS. 

A note, before we get to the main menu: Trust your mum!
My mother had this as a rule: perfect hair, perfect shoes and the rest may be excused!

Clothes

Being on the PLUS side, my two favorite shops, which you may also visit on-line, if you are visiting from around the globe, are Vertice Xl-Closet and Mat Fashion. Their lines are certain to flatter, whatever your size. And I do love harem pants in neutral black and navy blue. Good with sandals, too. Cropped pants for Plus sizes, unlike what you may be told, are a no-no. 

For my business closet, I like to shop from Marks and Spencer. Theirs are not by any means "fat clothes" and they produce good quality at fair prices all year round. Their swimwear line is great, with excellent quality and fit.
What I love most about them, though, is their Lingerie. It takes into account all shapes and sizes. Plus, M&S does not forget that Big Girls know how to have fun!

For many years I have been shopping Gudrun Sjoden. Her attitude is perfect for when I want to feel creative and inspired. I must also stress that the quality of Gudrun Sjoden is unlike any other. Yay for eco-conscious, fun, great quality clothing!

Mat Fashion

Vertice/XL closet

Marks and Spencer

Gudrun Sjoden

Make up

Summertime is good, and the living is easy, but who wants to feel suffocated under tones of make up? Not me! So, take a good look in the mirror and take care of your face. 

My two essentials for summer are sunscreen and lip gloss. 

For sunscreen I trust Vichy, Capital Soleil 50. It is light as a feather and it guarantees my fair skin gets trully protected. 

As for lip gloss, I adore Clinique for its chic colours. I have been a faithful of Clinique since the age of 14, and although I have switched my skin care regime with time, (of thet in a future post), I still recommend their 3-step program that saved my adolescent skin from many troubles other young ladies of my age faced. 

But for lipgloss, no one beats Lancome for its  always inspiring Juicy Tubes. I love Sorbet de Framboise. A summer must!

Hair

I have coloured hair. I have grey hair. I do not like salt and pepper hair. Maybe when I am sixty or seventy and look like Cindy Joseph.

I use Body Shop Coconut Beautifying Oil before washing my hair at home. But most of all I trust my hairdresser. So when she suggested I do a Hair Bottox, I went for it, and so should you! 

Extra Love

For happy nails,

Essie at the salon, is love! 

But when it comes to painting my own nails, I love Opi! Perfect fit for a mommy in a hurry! 

The Opi Hawaii range is perfect for summer!

My one stop summer essential, though, would definitively be Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. 

So, what do you do to keep yourself fresh and happy in the summer?


 {This post was inspired (but not sponsored in any way) by Ally Paige of Madison Reed, a hair care company that has created a hair dye free of gluten, ammonia, PPD and resorcinol.} 

Bracelets that I love

What IS it with bracelets and Spring?

Once Winter goes round the corner, the green flashlight is bleeping

 Spring/Summer_Spring/Summer.

I love my carefree bling of cotton string and beads. 

Is it an "I am a carefree child" reaction?

Is it an "I'm a creative person" statement?

Is it an "I don't bother about gold; give me happiness" prayer of the soul?

Long necklaces, yes, I love them, too.

via

A talisman

via

A promise of sunshine and loved ones, 

and alltogether happy times.

xoxo

September and a word about Labor Day

Labor Day is the culmination of the end of summer.
 It signals the last days of summer,  the shortening of days and the beginning of the joy and sweetness of nesting... 

But, wait! Summer is not over, yet!
Keep up the vibe with some more al fresco dining
and refreshing drinks, like this

Cucumber Lemon Cooler

with lemonade, cucumber, and some chilled vodka.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vodka, chilled
• 2 cups lemonade, chilled
• 1 English cucumber, ½ peeled and diced, and ½ sliced into rounds for garnish
• 1 liter club soda
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds for garnish
• Herb sprigs for garnish (mint, basil, rosemary, oregano, or other fresh green herbs of your choice)

Puree vodka, lemonade, and diced cucumber in a blender, then strain mixture into a large pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To serve, pour mixture into ice-filled glasses until ¾ full. Top off each with club soda and allow guests to customize cocktails with cucumber, lemon slices, and herb sprigs.

Tip: Tearing the leaves off herbs releases their oils and fragrance. Encourage guests to do this when garnishing their cocktails for a stronger herbal flavor.

Freshen up your space with some new pillowcases and throws.

Add a touch of memories with a jar of pebbles you picked at the beach.
(I know... I just watched Something's gotta Give with the girls. I love this movie!)

Enjoy light and hearty food like the above, 

salmon, seasoned with Cajun spices from Against All Grain

Celebrate with a backyard barbecue with friends.

Don't forget the ice-cream!

Pick a new recipe or two and Set a Festive Table with One Kings Lane's Labor Day Blowout Sale!

Enjoy!

The Hamishsphere: Greece is the Word

 

 

 

 

 

 Detail from John Stefanidis' house

 

 

Vogue’s International Editor at Large,

Hamish Bowles,

shares his photos from a late-summer trip to Greece.

See more of Hamish Bowles' photos here.