Blogloving: Posts I read you wouldn't want to miss!

1. 

In a post called "Seasons at the village", one of my favorite Greek celebrity people, cook, writer and TV person, Heleni Psychouli, writes about the home she and her partner created among the olive trees. electricity-free.

(Use google translate or another service, if you can;t read Greek. It is worth it).

2. 

Favorite stylish mama blogger Travelling Mama posts about the colour brown as a new trend in interior walls.

See it also here, in Martha Stewart's Main home library.

 Warm and inviting, I think. 

But then you may wish to paint blanc. But then, why not?

3.

Another trend I have in mind is pink. 

Read what

Holly Becker of decor8 

writes about planning on painting her home office pink.

4.

Read this interesting post about sprucing up your rental home for cheap.

Improvements suggested include door knobs, light switches and wall decals. 

Worth it!

xoxo

What to eat in France: Dessert

Parce qu' on peut resister a tout, sauf a la tentation!...

xoxo

Eating out in France

Eating at a French bistrot is charming, though not my best experience in eating out. 

I love the charm of the places more than the food they serve. Which is delicious, but nothing terribly special that you have never tasted before. 

So,

if you may,

get an invitation for a brunch at home. 

It surprises me how French women do not really cook. They rely more on cheese, crudites, and different kinds of bread and perhaps an ice cream to cup it all up. And that's it!

I'm going to adopt this technique. Happy lady of the manor, happy guests!

xoxo

What to eat in France: Street Food

There is something very tempting about street food. 

Something that makes me carefree. 

A surprise.

A delight.

Happiness in every bite.

xoxo

"His husband". Why gay men make interesting homes

At first, it was quitely spoken. Softly. 

As in "his life-long partner", when speaking of Christian Dior and Marc Bohan. 

Hush! 

Then came Tom Ford. He is married to a journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Hommes and they have a son. 

As time passes, same-sex men-couples are openly dispalying their relationships. What is more, they are redefining the meaning of household. And they are good at it. 

It is not an exageration to say that the most homey looking homes I find in interior design magazines are made by men-couples. 

They are elegant. But that's to be expected. Alot of gay men are of an exquisite and accute taste. 

What is more, however, is that they create homey homes. 

Is it that women grew too indefferent, too busy, too tired of home life or work/home (im)balance?

Is it because men really know what they expect from a home?

Is it that making a home comes from the deepest depths of the soul, and same-sex male-couples have done their soul work alot in order to get to where they are?

Featured in the September issue of Architectural Digest, there are three same-sex men-couples and their respective homes. Every one of them a delight in its own style and right. 

Quite interestingly, there are two man-woman couples' homes featured, too. 

Watch the body language of those couples. 

Then compare with the men-couples above.

"Scary like a man eating crow". How to describe what this image of a  relationship communicates?

Cramed as they are in this narrow corridor, they couldn't be further apart...

 In a way, that comparisson may answer my rhetoric questions I asked above. 

"Traditional", -read conventional-, doesn't rhyme with "Happy" anymore. 

I am falling for these homes and wish their owners happiness every step of the way. 

Happiness comes in all shapes and forms. 

If it glorifies Love and Creation, then let it be blessed for all.

xoxo

What to eat in France: Le pain

Le Pain is a blessing.

I know people will advise you not to eat bread, but unless you have a serious reason not to eat bread, it is imperative that you try bread in France. 

A simple delight that will put a smile on your face.

Breakfast, lunch, simply there,

a smile of the Earth, a blessing of the Gods and Goddesses

Thankful.

xoxo

What to eat in France: Part I: The Health Conscious

Happiness is a decision we make. A trip we take. The people we meet. 

I'll get you started though, with the food that we eat. 

Fuel for the journey.

It is happy if it makes us happy.

Is it good for me?

I bet!

Let's get started with a good breakfast.
My best friend who has the graceful body of a professional dancer, tells me that we do not actually need breakfast. Our bodies put every morning an hormone into good use, helping us move into our day without the need for any heavy breakfast as is usually suggested. What is more, milk (protein) and corn flakes make for a deadly combination for our stomach!
OK!
But when I am staying in a hotel, well, I kind of like having breakfast. And then make(perhpas) a few wise choices.

I did say "maybe"! That pain was delicious!

Cheese and fruit, delicious!

My French friend is a Raw expert. I used to cook raw myself, one and a half decade ago. It is the best, believe me. And you may try a softer approach, if it makes you scared of the total no-no. Believe me, you will be just fine!

With a little tossing in olive oil, and some olive pate, perhaps?

Those colours! Add a delicious sauce with some garlic and thyme.

Occasionally some saucissons are not a bad idea!

Or perhaps one is a sea person
...
And now I shall leave you waiting for the dessert!

xoxo

New watch, anyone?

With Autumn and going back to school, for those of us still on the school run, a brand new and stylish watch is kind of an exciting enticement. A chic look at a chic watch? Yes, mama!
One of my favorite mamas is offering right now a promo code for a lovely watch by Daniel Wellington  that will have you drooling for autumn school runs. Head to TravellingMama here to get the code!

xoxo

$295 backpack giveaway

Just in time for school, this amazingly cheerful backpack by Will Leather Goods makes my heart sing for travel and adventure. A book and travel notebook included!
There is a giveaway right here (CLOSES TUESDAY)  and you may view of Will Leather Goods here.

France (Yes, I travelled to France!)

After many many years of talking about it, I made it to France this year. 

Is it worth it?

Oh firends!

Every penny and every inch of the way.

Every journey starts at an aeroport. Or a port. Or your own car.
I love airports.

There signs I am welcome here

And promises I am going to see the places I long to see...

And enjoy the places I'll go

...

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