Julie & Ev Launches Signature Linen Collection

Beautifully designed by Julie Paulino, our hand block printed linen collection is made to celebrate being together again.

Our Floret linen collection as seen here in Villa Mahal in the Turkish Riviera.

It’s been a long time coming and our Julie & Ev signature linen collection is finally available. Our hand block tablecloths, placemats, and napkins are printed on 100% cotton by artisans in Jaipur, India. With three different design styles that range from blue and white to pink and neutrals, Julie & Ev hand block print linen collection is sure to delight everyone around the table.

At the table is when we pass our values to our children, share with them our most valuable advice, and celebrate our joyous moments. This linen collection was made to celebrate amongst our loved ones and friends. Whether it is a promptus Sunday brunch, a formal dinner, or a solo dine-in at home, the designs of this Julie & Ev new linen collection is an appreciation of good life.

27Mar

Hotel Mama in Mallorca by Jacques Grange

On my three visits to Spain, I did not get to visit Palma de Mallorca, which is on my bucket list. But then again, so is Croatia and Sveti Stefan and I can’t keep track at this point. I wonder if there is ever anyone who can ever complete his or her bucket list? Now that I learned Jacques Grange has designed Hotel Mama in Mallorca, it only reinforces my desire to visit that part of the world and lose myself in enjoying fresh grilled gambas and drinking cortaditos after. Among Jacques Grange’s luxury hospitality portfolio are The Mark Hotel in New York City and Palazzo Margherita in Italy. The designer’s latest hotel project is housed in a 19th-century building in a style that combines, French, Italian and American furniture. The hotel also has a Japanese restaurant. Sounds like a good idea. Images via Hotel Mama. Hotel Mama in Mallorca by Jacques Grange via belle vivir

Hotel Mama in Mallorca by Jacques Grange via belle vivir

26Mar

Deals of the Week: Spring or Easter Tableware

Spring or Easter tableware

Next Sunday will be Easter and every piece in this week’s special deals of the week covers all you need, regarding table decor, for either brunch or dinner. Green and yellow is always a great combination for Spring or Easter tableware and all the table setting pieces here included can be seamlessly transitioned into the outdoors, if you are lucky enough to live in warmer temperatures. No need to hop around like an Easter bunny, after purchasing these table setting options all you’ll need is the food and flowers. The egg hunting and the chocolate bunnies are on you… The mood of your table will be a balanced combination between Country Frenchy Chic with a touch of American effortless elegance.

Lovely round scalloped placemant, yellow plate, pretty garden floral napkins, set of 4, twig flatware, the always classic cabbage bowl, sisal bunny figure, lotus napkin ring.

23Mar

15 Floral Dresses For Spring Under $500 You Will Wish To Wear

I know, flower for Spring, not too creative… but often the most obvious and the simplest options are the most rewarding ones. They never disappoint… particularly in this case these floral dresses for Spring will not only help in brighten up our days amid the wait for warmer days but they come with very forgiven price tag without sacrificing style. It’s officially Spring although, technically it still doesn’t feel like it… Spring weather is nothing if not unpredictable… yet who says that we can’t think ahead about flowery, colorful dresses…

Flirty dresses which are also refereed to as layered dresses are presently my favorites. Their bouncy ruffles can be worn with either sneakers for daily errands or stylish mules and a clutch for a cocktail after work. Sometimes it can be intimidating to think about wearing very patterned clothes such as floral dresses, but the result can be so stunning. If you look at my Instagram account you’ll notice my love for wearing black and neutrals although, for evening clothes I tend to prefer more colorful and bolder choices. The shift may even turn out to be a bit of a surprise factor. To easy the transition here are this pretty floral dresses for Spring under $500.

floral dresses for Spring under $500 via belle vivir blog

21Mar

Weekly Read Links, Motivation And Technology

weekly read links via belle vivir blog motivational quote

On technology I vote for less cellphone software updates… it doesn’t serve much purpose anyway. Give us these software updates every six months and we’ll be fine. It’s not impacting positivity the phones storage or the camera capacity, which is what we all want anyway. I love technology, however I feel that the world is great as is. Who needs autonomous cars? Or self-flying planes… and why? Flying is terrifying for many people as is… Besides if you’ve been paying attention this artificial intelligent is proving not to work more than the opposite. Sadly this time at the cost of an innocent female civilian who was killed by one of Uber’s silly self-driven cars. Furthermore I think all this investing and researches should be directed towards more meaningful causes as how to cure cancer.

motivation, wednesday links

Not all is ill with technology. On the positive side, social media has brought a great deal of opportunities, awareness and exposure when it’s not used for negativity such as body shaming. This latter one only adds to the lack of self-confidence that we, women, historically have struggled with. Women are known for having a lower appreciation for themselves than men. We have our entire past of patriarchal culture to blame for that. ‘Confidence takes root in childhood but also can be internalized in adulthood, through experience, hard work or practice. “It requires really paying attention to the small wins and not being so quick to overlook, downplay, dismiss and diminish your accomplishments,” ‘ says Aimee Cohen, a Denver career coach and author. To learn more about how to overcome this sense of limitation go here.

CNN recently wrote an article about The Kennedy’s “curse”. We are all familiar with the family’s sad history of accidents and tragedies. Of course I don’t believe in curses or anything of that sort. If that was the case then anyone could have the potential to intervene in other person’s life’s purpose and that is senseless. Having said that, I remember growing up where the elders around me shared the belief that the patriarch of the Kennedy family had done some sort of evil contract with the dark side in order to acquire success and prestige. Now, these are part of Caribbean tales, but if there is someone who can potentially intervene in our own life, it is none other than ourselves. By our own doing and choice not because someone else decides our destiny.

20Mar

Palm Springs Style Via Michael S. Smith: From Modern to Eccentric

I’ve never been to Palm Springs, however it is on my national travel bucket list. The desert town has a history of glamour linked to the 50’s and 60’s when a lot of the Hollywood stars owned vacation homes that makes it irresistible. I love to look at the pictures of Palm Springs with its Palm trees and open landscape. Interior Designer Michael S. Smith has a ranch there and has recently helped two friends to revamp their 1960 mid-century Modern home into a modernized Palm Spring Style residence. The house is situated In Coachella Valley, the same area where the popular Coachella festival happens every year. Michael S. Smith told Milieu that the house is situated high up, allowing a great view of the landscape… I think that would make up for the loud days during the festival. “Because anything can be defined as ‘a style’, I developed the interiors in the context of what living in a desert means.” Michael. Smith avoided the traditional look that defines some mid-century design and rather made a home comfortable and inviting with beautiful abstract work and Picasso porcelain that can be seen throughout the house. The first two images were taken by me of Milieu Magazine spread, where the house is featured for the Spring issue. If you didn’t know about this new magazine you should check it out. In the current issue you’ll find a very insightful interview with the amazing and uber talented Philippe Starck.

Palm Springs Style via Michael S. Smith blue and white rugh via belle vivir

Palm Springs Style via Michael S. Smith living room via belle vivir blog

Below, pictures of Smith’s own 1970’s ranch in Palm Springs as featured in AD last year. Besides the open plan of the Interior Architecture Rancho Mirage feels inviting and cozy. The use of upholstered furniture, area rugs and neutral tones has a lot to do with the overall feeling of warm.

19Mar

Deals of The Week

Now that we are moved into our newly renovated home there is so much we (need) want to make use of empty spaces. Dining tables, mirrors, art and so on. I usually take a longer time than normal to buy things for our home, but this time I’m determined to do it rather quickly. I don’t want to spend my weekends rushing and hustling. Soon it will be summer. If you are in the same boat as me, I hope you can find something interesting in this week’s deals to ease your search.

Shavon Wall Mirror. Marble Desk Lamp. Wicker Lantern. Moscow Mule Mug.