Tuesday 31 May 2011

Greek summer homes

Outside
a brilliant sun warming your every bone


Inside
shady interiors


natural fibres

the breath of the soil
the pines
the olives
...
Time stops


i can feel the terrcotta tiles under my feet
the freshly washed
air dried
bedlinen


the freedom from need


the making do


colorful



or
plain white


glorious
Greek Summer

{All pictures Casa Voguw Hellas}

love, Irene

Monday 30 May 2011

A Monday Kalimera

"Kalimera"
As in "Goodmorning"

A new post will be up tonight,
but meanwhile,
let's travel somewhere nice
making nice thoughts
wild dreams
loving
and breathing

Let's just travel
to the next port
...


{ via }

 
love, Irene

Saturday 28 May 2011

Something for the weekend



This photo on a Greek newspaper stood out and I thought of you.
 Sending you warm weather and sea breeze.


love, Irene

Carla entre amies


"Is it true, dear?"


"Oh, look at you!"

These pictures of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and the wives of some of the world's most powerful leaders meeting in Dauville, France, speak almost perfectly of women's camaraderie in the face of the great miracle of Life. 
Presidents wives or ordinary folk, women will always be mothers at heart. 


Some will be perfectly stylish, too.

All the best, Madame!

All pictures Getty via Huffington Post.

P.S. I cannot help telling you how much Svetlana Medvedeva looks and poses just like my mum on photo #2 (far right). There, I told you :) 

love, Irene

Friday 27 May 2011

Friday's Fabulous Finds: Girly play

There are times...and there are times. 
Times for blues and times for pinks, times for plains and times for flowers. 
Today I choose flowers and softness and girl fun. 
Come take a look.
Work and Play


I am smitten by this French PR company, equiped with an all-women team. 
Let me join you!!!

Softness

vert cerise
Elegance

le blog de la mechante
The healing effect of home

house to home
Inspiration

doyoudoux
Generosity

culinographie

Wishing you rainbows.

love, Irene

Fashion Fridays-Le Comptoir des Cotonniers

Le Comptoir des Cotonniers is one of those companies that make fashion that normal people may wear, but manage to do so with flair and style that sets them one step forward from the rest of the pret-a-porter people.

I love Le Comptoir's trademark effortless chic style and neutral colour palette.

Another reason I always pay attention to Le Comptoir's styles is its advertising campaigns. Soon after it was founded in 1995, the campaign was set on the theme of Mothers and Daughters, having everyday mother and daughter teams showcasing the company's styles.

2005

2010
Minnie dressed by Le Comptoir de Cotonniers, to celebrate Mickey's 80th birthday!

Summer 2011
As a principal I do not think that mothers and daughters can actually wear the exact same clothes. 
We often get mother and daughter duos coming in the shop, and when they dress similarly, mothers almost always look like they made too much of an effort to look young. 
Then of course it all depends on the person's sense of style. 
I do find it fun sometimes to shop with my daughters from the same shop, especially for accessories.



All pictures, Le Comptoir des Cotonniers, apart from those signed by me.

 also has an interesting blog, Breves de Style.

I am linking my post to




I hope you enjoyed your stay here. 
See you soon!

love, Irene

Thursday 26 May 2011

Greek Architecture: La Fondation Hellenique in Paris

Last weekend we watched a documentary on TV about La Fondation Hellénique, the Greek Student Union at the International University Campus of the University of Paris. 
I had heard a lot about La Fondation through a friend who had lived in Paris in the 1970s and 1980s and had a lot of stories to tell about the works and days of the Greek students there, stories that I did not like at all.




I have a certain idea about the way a Greek person should behave, knowing that he or she carries in him the lives of such great people from Leonidas to Plato, and the way some Greek students behaved even in my times as a student did not make me proud.

Anyhow, I love the architecture of this building and seeing its details, especially after the restauration works funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
 I felt so much for its founders, wanting to offer a shelter for Greek students often of modest means, who wanted to further their education.


The Greek Foundation was created on the initiative of Nikolaos Politis, ambassador of Greece in Paris. The building was designed by the Greek architect Nikolaos Zahos.
It was financed by a collection of Greeks together with the financial support provided by the Greeks of Diaspora. The remainder was provided by the Greek government. Inaugurated on December 23, 1932, it was given to the University of Paris for lodging Greek students persuing higher education.

Other nations also have their lodgings:


Sweden, 1931


Denmark, 1932


U.S.A. 1930


Japan, 1929

I love the way every building is honouring the architectural styles of every nation.
This is true cultural diversity.



As for the Greek building, there is something noble, something peaceful about Greek architecture, something that uplifts my soul from the ordinary, something almost divine.
For more information visit the Fondation Hellénique website and The Stavros Niarchos Foundation.



love, Irene

Monday 23 May 2011

Splash of colour




{via}

Splashes of colour to start the new week with colour and cheer :)


love, Irene

Saturday 21 May 2011

Saturday Recipes

*Where I collect and share the recipes that caought my attention*




Do tell if you make one of them (I'll let you know, too!)

love, Irene

Best buys