Saint Paul de Vence

A distant view of Saint Paul de Vence

The other day we visited the historical hill-top town of Saint Paul de Vence. It's an annual pilgrimage for us and seeing as its just a five minute drive, one that we make easily and readily. We always go for the ice-cream, although it's a joy to simply stroll through the narrow pedestrian streets which offer a mild reprieve from the oppressive heat. Admittedly, Saint Paul is riddled with tourists, which can be a bit much at times, but the history and beauty of the place more than makes up for any inconvenience. Entering the town on foot, you walk through a passage that dates back to the fourteenth century. I was trying to impress this titbit on my boys, but they only had eyes for an old canon gracing the entrance. So much for history lessons!

Anyway, here are a few pictures I took, which might entice you to make the journey, if you haven't already. It's interesting to note that Saint Paul is also the home of the famous hotel-restaurant La Colombe d'Or, which houses an impressive collection of modern art, including Fernand Léger and Chagall.

The entrance to the walled town

Even the street signs are charming!

Just checking in

My apologies for the radio silence, but we've just about survived a 14 hour car journey to the South of France, and I've been feeling extremely tired and out of it. Not a bad place to feel that way though, because this really is a slice of heaven. I really love this place so much. The sights, the sounds, the smells. I'm definitely going to share some of that goodness with you, if the internet here would just speed the heck up! In the meantime, hope you're enjoying your summer vacations. As soon as we make it out of the house, I'll post some pictures of picturesque French villages and the glamorous plages!

PS Sorry about being so mysterious about the location, but the property isn't mine, so I'm trying to respect other people's privacy!

You light up my life

Paul Raeside via Pinterest

Hey guys, I'm back again, although I don't know for how long, because I am positively melting away here. Holland is in the middle of a heatwave and even my computer has slowed down, it's so hot! I felt like writing about something non-beach-related, but wanted to stay to keep it light (forgive that incredibly lame pun, and the equally lame title, but my brain is in the first stages of full-on melt-down mode).

Anyhoo, that's why I've gone overboard with the chandelier pictures. Saying I love chandeliers is a gross understatement. I love what they do to a room, whether lit or not. It's really like home decor's equivalent of jewelry, and who doesn't love jewelry?! The rooms below (and the one above - the only example of a mirrored ceiling I have found that doesn't scream adult movies - I loooove it! ) are all perfection, but the chandeliers really do add an extra dimension. Don't you think?

Aerin Lauder's dining room

Annie Brahler via House Beautiful

Miles Redd

Versailles Hall of Mirrors - chandelier heaven!

via Centsational Girl - how awesome is this room? Check out that ceiling!

via Indulgy.com

via Mix and Chic

via ZsaZsa Bellagio - now we're talking!

via House Beautiful

via Paloma 81 - for anyone who's not into anything classical

My own little chandelier in my very humble abode! Sorry about the awful picture and the lego boxes in the background!

Girls on bikes

I love carefree, lighthearted images of stylish girls on equally stylish bicycles. The reality is not always as pretty as the pictures though. You've got to remember, I live in Holland. It rains here - A LOT! And even if the wind is howling and the rain is coming down like daggers, Dutch women will get on a bike and ride to work, school, the grocery store, the gym, etc. If they're lucky, they're wearing a big ol' rain suit to stay dry. Though stylish it ain't, it's practical - and we Dutchies are nothing if not practical!  But for aesthetic purposes, I will leave you with these slightly less-than candid, but extremely chic shots!

Aerin Lauder

Audrey Hepburn

Olivia Palermo

via The Sartoralist

via Tommy Ton

via Vogue Nippon 2010

Take a load off...

via Pinterest

You see that hammock? That's where I'd like to be round about now. My reality is, for the time being at least, as far removed from that image of serenity as is humanly possible. Tomorrow's the last day of school, the kids are frazzled and exhausted, and so am I! Starting work at six am most mornings (my day job as a fashion journalist comes with nine am deadlines!), writing this blog and also trying to get on with my book (ah yes, a whole other story altogether!) while taking full time care of two tearaways has taken its toll and I am so, so ready for vacation. Only six more days to go!! 

In the meantime, I'll be posting a little less frequently, particularly as a lot of you are away on vacation too. I'll still be checking in regularly though,  so please do too! In the meantime, enjoy the summer as much as I plan on doing!

Teal chic

The temperature is climbing, which is putting me in the mood for something refreshingly cool. The colour teal does the job perfectly. It's an darker, more moody take on turquoise, which goes well with my mood today. Nothing big, just one of those days. Enjoy!

All images via Pinterest

Hat trick

There is nothing I love more than the look and feel of a straw hat on a hot summer's day. Back when I was younger and a great deal more stupid (up to and including last summer, basically!) I would lather on the oil and low factor sunscreen and force myself to lie out in the sun in my endless quest for the perfect tan. But no longer, people. I have seen the light - or make that the shade! Now it's a battle against sun spots, and what better way to fight that one than armed with a chic, floppy straw hat? Not convinced? Take a look at these pictures. Me likey!!

All images via Pinterest.