Month: February 2018

28Feb

Mid-Week Motivation And Stories To Read This Week

Don't stop when you're tired.

It’s the end of February and I can’t wait for Spring.  This has been a horror winter and I think everyone who has experienced it is ready for it to end yesterday.  I know I’m eager to start enjoying my glass of rose while experiencing the sunsets late afternoons.  Do you know that the sunsets in Ohio are exceptionally beautiful?  You may not know that because there are not many people willing to say much about this middle side of the Americas, but it is.  The sunsets here, because there are not many high rise buildings, is beyond beautiful.  They tend to have the strongest and most striking colors, pinks, yellows, reds, oranges, they truly are a showstopper and they go as far in the horizon as you can see.

Talking about what you can see, have you ever looked at yourself as a leader…?  I’m pretty good at directing people.  Actually I was just joking with Evren, my husband a couple of days ago because every time I open my mouth it seems to be mostly to order something… Lucas why don’t you put on a cardigan… Lucas don’t you think it’s better to ….. so on.  Being a leader is far more than just giving people order, it has also to do with being compassionate and being transparent as well as many other qualities that this article may help you identify in you, if you have them.  Or perhaps, even encourage you to develop them.  5 Rare Signs That Prove You Were Meant to Lead People.

One of our favorite French dishes is Boullabaisse because it has all the things I always crave- seafood.  We always try to make at least one in the winter or enjoy one in Provence during our summer vacations there.  If you, like the rest of the world enjoy French food then you should give a try and learn one of these 13 Classic French Dishes You Need to Master at Home.

Hopefully no one developed a food allerg since we are all adults.  Oh no, wait.  Yes, it can happen because adults can also develop food allergies.  During this time of instant gratification everyone  wants to simply live and enjoy everything they can.  People are skeptical and rather ignore whatever it is that could potentially force them to change their lifestyle.  Well sometimes we all should, if it benefit our own health.  If you are new to this blog, I once posted about my life living without gluten and how it has changed it for the best.  Food sensitivities have far-reach consequences that people some times rather ignore.  If you want to know more about how to detect if you have developed a food intolerance, I encourage you to read this article. 9 Sings You’ve Developed A Food Allergy As An Adult.

On the Interior Design side, have you seen Elvis Presley’s home Casa Perfect is now a showroom full of beautiful modern and unique furniture. Casa Perfect is a perfect mixed of of classic California modernism and Hollywood Regency.

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27Feb

Special Deals Of The Week: Mid-Century Modern

The sleek modern lines found in Mid-Century furniture are based on its most unequivocal purpose, form and function.  The early mid-twentieth century period was based specifically on the idea of less is more and form should follow function.  As a result,  the modern furniture deriving from the mid 50’s and 60’s presents an aesthetic that is clean, simple yet still sculptural enough.  This latter characteristic is, in my opinion, what makes them so timeless and coveted.  In an attempt to depart from the ornamentation and excess of the previous  periods, European Designers from the Bauhaus movement proposed this new and simple way of living which became so appealing to its time as an antidote to the hardship of The Second World War.

mid-century modern furniture Ilse Crawford via belle vivir blog

Materials were organic and original, such as Wood, Metal, Glass, Lucite and Plastic, with the latter the most associated with the period today.  Starting with natural colors such as wood, black and white and metal, the furniture of that period slowly developed into what is known today as Mod furniture which style came towards the late time of the period and mostly in America.  This unusual name represents the bright colorful furniture from late 60’s-70’s, see the pair of Panton orange chairs below.  In this special deals of the week, we went all modern… Here are 6 Mid-Century classic chairs on sale that never go out of style.

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23Feb

Trench Coat Roundup, From Classic To Unconventional

For some inexplicable reason I keep buying coats from very warm ones for Winter to trench coat Spring-appropriate.  And the plethora of different versions of both out there does not help change the situation any easier.  Last year Spring 2018 runways offered many different versions of the classical trench coat, from the transparent plastic versions presented by Chanel and Valentino to the floral one shown by Miu Miu and even one very particular with fringes presented by Loewe.  A Spring coat is a staple in every classic woman’s closet and the unconventional more modern interpretations of it, see below, are giving the modern women valid reasons to get on the wagon on their own terms.  After the jump, a round up of the most classic of Spring coats from short versions perfect to pack on a safari to the gabardine option with a 70’s vibe.

trench coat round up 1 via belle vivir interior design blog

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21Feb

Mid-Week Motivation And Weekly Links

motivation, weekly links, john f. kennedy quote via belle vivir blog

As it turned out my wedding anniversary falls on National Random Acts Of Kindness Day… I can live with that.  I found out when I came across this encouraging list about all the different ways to spread kindness throughout the day.  It’s gratuitous to say, how much we all need more of this in present times.  20 Random Acts Of Kindness To Perform Today.

It is no easy task to apply makeup that looks simple and beautiful at the same time.  Although we can all concede that a good make up application can do wonders, even if you were blessed with a beauty like Angelina’s, we can all look our best thanks to make up.  Secrets From a Makeup Artist: 10 Items You Need From Sephora.

There are so many places I’d like to travel to. From India to Madagascar to Australia, my list is endless.  Not to mention that I’ve been itching to go back to London soon.  If money and time weren’t the problem I would be traveling nonstop.  But then again, who wouldn’t?  If you are planning a vacation this year, here are the Best New Hotels in the World – It List 2018.

And if you are still deciding where to go, I don’t blame you, so many inspiring places to choose. Here is a list of 10 Otherworldly Places to Travel in 2018.  Magical places for the adventure seeker that will make you feel in another planet.

I usually give Lucas, my son organic blueberries and string cheese for snack after school.  I learned that blueberries are one of the best antioxidants there is and it’s great for cleaning your body and brain from heavy metal toxicity.  Heavy metal toxicity is believed to be the source of many undiagnosed illness.  Ever since I learned that I always keep them in our fridge and eat a small bowl almost every day.  For when creativity for afternoon snack runs dry, here are good suggestions given by qualified nutritionists.  Healthiest office snacks, as chosen by nutritionists.

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20Feb

Get Me A Gray Kitchen: Beautiful And Functional Kitchen

We all agree that the kitchen is the most important room in a home… the heart of the home.  It’s the space where we cook our best and worst meals and where we create our best memories together.  It’s also the room where most of the money in a remodeling goes to.  So much to think about when remodeling this room, functionality, flow, durability and ultimately design.  A gray kitchen can greatly help or enhance the latter since gray is perhaps one of the most forgiving and sophisticated color options available.  Having a functional kitchen is the priority but taking time on deciding the color of your cabinets is paramount if you are deciding to live for a long time in your home.  Gray is warmer than the color white and easier to live with than dark bold hues.
gray kitchen functional kitchen with marble covered vent via belle vivir blog

A beautiful juxtaposition between the traditional light gray cabinets and the clean line of the carrara marble island and range hood.   The brass simple scones and reeded glass on the cabinets lend elegance to the design.

gray kitchen, functional kitchen with white subway tiles via belle vivir blog

A small gray kitchen with a more down to earth and approachable design.  Floor to ceiling traditional white subway tiles and brass flush mount ceiling lights give a more custom look to the overall design.

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16Feb

Dress Like An Olympic Champion: Chloe Kim, Her Inspiring Story

Dress Like An Olympic Champion

dress like an olympic champion, Chloe Kim via belle vivir blog

I’m sure many people around the world have fallen in love with the sweet and cute Olympic Champion Snowboarder Chloe Kim, her amazing performance, and the inspiring story behind her success.  Her parents came to this country from South Korea with $800 dollars in their pockets and an English to Korean dictionary, her father gave up his job when she was 10 years old to dedicate himself entirely to Chloe so she can pursue her dreams.  In Kim’s own words, he cooked, he put sunscreen on her face, he took her to practices.  Just by seeing her father cheering for her in the crowd, we could feel his pride and joy.  That is what dreams are made of.  According to Olympics Wire which listed fun facts about Chloe Kim, she peaks three languages, English, Korean and French, pretty impressive for a 17 year old.  The youngest American ever to win an Olympic snowboarding medal.  It’s all about attentive and hands on parenting… When I saw her scoring 93.75 I was criticizing the judges, like I knew anything about the sport, on what else would someone need to do to score over 98 … Until Chloe came and did her last amazing round and exceptionally scored exactly 98.25… It was beyond exiting and inspiring. So I’ve been enjoying The Winter Olympics, especially Female halfpipe.  It’s pretty extraordinary to watch such talented athletes perform in almost super human ways.

I hope you got to spend a lovely Valentine’s Day.  Today is our Anniversary, as i mentioned before and it’s the day where we do the usual stuff couples do, go out for diner, share more cards, tell each other that everyday is for love and all those things that we all say each other all the time, but that are essentially important.   Happy Friday y’all.  After the jump, the pieces that can make you look like an Olympic Champion, off duty though.

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