03Jul

Summer Inspiration: In Full Color

My favorite season is summer. I enjoy waking up in the morning and overhear the mowing of the lawns, albeit in the far background, the sound of the sprinklers watering the gardens. Wild turns beautiful in the form of wildflower fields that when driving by make me smile and wish I lived in a place where it was always summer. Yesterday I took my son to the zoo, and we were able to experience a handful of different experiences where we fed the giraffes, got sunburned one minute only to be showered by the unexpected torrential rain. Summer season is exceptional. Here is to an eternal summer attitude.

Summer inspirations

James Nares

Perfect Summer Pants

Summer inspirations

Greece Sandals

Summer inspirations

Willem de Kooning

Straw Hat

Summer inspirations

summer inspirations

Summer inspirations

summer inspirations

Summer inspirations

23May

10 Ways to Increase Your Happiness And Other Inspiring Articles

We all have different goals… priorities in life, thank God! However, there is one common purpose, call it motivation if you will. I’m referring to happiness. In the end, we all want either the things or acts that create our happiness. What if instead of chasing happiness we choose it by accepting what we can’t change, loving who we are, embracing others and stop waiting for the perfect situation that is going to bring us happiness? It’s not about forgetting our dreams but all the opposite. By embracing and accepting what we can’t change we become more focused on those things that we can achieve. 10 Ways to Increase Your Happiness is a great article to help us with that.

What you are today is the result of your habits. At least that is what many subject matter professionals say, and the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. This article points to a four-step process for making life-changing habits stick. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Transform Your Life By Transforming Your Habits.

This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, and we are leaving for New York for my niece’s graduation and other work-related meetings. I’m signing off for the rest of the weekend and come back next Tuesday. Happy Memorial Weekend!

08May

Spring 2018 Inspiration

Lately I’ve been enamored with everything that echoes old grandeur… Century-old parquet floors, old pattinated marble, gilded finishes and soft velvet… to name a few. A backdrop that feels more like a sensory experience… I imagine myself on a late afternoon driving down rolling hills feeling the warmth of the sun touching my skin through the open car enjoying the endless vineyards and being amazed by the scent of country side…

French Chateau Mireille, St-Rémy-de-Provence, France

Modigliani

The Olsen twins

Rodin

Le Corbusier

Olsen twins, two of my forever style icons

14Mar

Mid-Week Motivation And Weekly Links

The dress must follow
the body of a woman,
not he body following the shape
of the dress. Hubert de Givenchy

Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy via belle vivir blog

This is one of the most beautiful images of Audrey Hepburn dressed in a Givenchy gown. Hubert de Givenchy passed away on Monday at the age of 91 as most would know by now. Although he dressed many fashion icons as Jackeline Kennedy Onasis and Grace Kelly along with others, it was his friendship with Audrey Hepburn, his muse that helped him shine brighter. Their friendship and constant collaboration seemed to originate from a genuine friendship which both enjoyed and cherished. Unlike today where most collaborations are mainly financially motivated. Many of gowns Hubert de Givenchy designed for Hepburn were on display in 2016, at Gemeentemuseum in The Hague, a city in Netherlands in a retrospective called “To Audrey With Love.” To read more about this bona fide friendship between the designer and his muse go here.

And nothing makes fashion more interesting than when it’s linked to Museums and The Arts. Musee des Arts Decoratives, the second oldest museum in Paris, is known for its exhibitions of fashion, arts and design. In January the museum changed its name to find out more go here.

I can’t wait for the movie of the most magical love story of this time to come out on May 13, just a few days before their wedding on May 19. The love story behind Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance . I can’t wait to watch it. To get to know who is going to play the fairy-tail couple go here.

Experiences are heightened when every detail is taken under consideration, especially when it’s associated to something that can be so uplifting and inspiring as a ballet performance. Erdem created the costumes for London Royal Ballet and you can see images of the romantic result here.

01Feb

Motivational Quote and Backstage Paris Spring 18 Couture Shows

Social platforms have changed the way we live and communicate forever. Now everyone can be part, albeit virtually, of what things look like backstage. I relish on these behind the scene access whilst getting a sense of the anticipation, excitement and rush, amid all the beautiful fashion that commonly leads to every important event. I also love how the images conjure a more artistic tone.

backstage Paris Spring 18 Couture Shows Christian Dior quote via belle vivir blog

Below, Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2018 Show where black and white were the main two colors of the collection. The collection was simply breath taking. I prefer when the Haute Couture Runways take a more pragmatic approach to the way of dressing as opposed to an over the top one that is far from reality. Christian Dior new creative director is Maria Grazia Chiuri, the house’s first woman Creative Director.

backstage Paris Spring 18 Couture Shows

backstage Paris Spring 18 Couture Shows Christian Dior haute couture via belle vivir blog

backstage Paris Spring 18 Couture Shows Dior haute couture via belle vivir blog

Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2018 was spectacular. Known for his glamorous party dresses that channel modern princesses, Valli presented a collection beautifully feminine and chic.

backstage Paris Spring 18 Couture Shows giambattista valli haute couture via belle vivir blog

Last but not least Givenchy with its new Creative Director, Clare Waight Keller at the helm. Keller took inspiration from the structure and graphism that characterized Huber de Givenchy and interpreted them in a modern way by adding tight jackets and structural blazers over night shimmery gowns.

backstage Paris Spring 18 Couture Shows givenchy haute couture via belle vivir blog

All images via Vogue

24Jan

Mid-Week Motivation and Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2018

The Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2018 show on Tuesday made it difficult for those who love beauty, a.k.a. you and I, to decide what was more beautiful… the setting or the fashion. The show took place at the Grand Palais and the decoration was inspired by French Formal Gardens. A spectacular and delightful setting with English roses climbing trellis and pergolas, sandy pathways and a charming fountain. The fashion was as beautiful as always.
Chanel Houte Couture Spring 2018 chanel quotes via belle vivir Interior design blog