JOHN GALLIANO SPLENDOUR AT PARIS FASHION WEEK SPRING/SUMMER 2010 “READY-TO-WEAR”

By:DarioVDL It is a dark and rainy night in Paris. Although inside my cozy apartment it is warm and full of candle light in true Swedish Style. The wonderful magic sounds of Chopin vibrate in the air and my wall clock starts to announce boom sk-aka boom boom boom… eight. A flashback came to me of a show in October last year …

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FLYING WITH STYLE… JUST ADD CHAMPAGNE!

By:DarioVLD When I was anangelic 7 year-old child, I dreamed of flying to the moon as an astronaut. Today, our delightful Norma invited me to visit our partners in the skies. It was a sunnyautumn day in Paris with wonderful colors and a gentle breeze.  Suddenly my inner-child came out with exaltation and happiness- I love …

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BRIGITTE BARDOT … THE « CAREFREE » YEARS

By: DarioVDL I had the great pleasure of attending the opening ceremony near Paris of the exhibit dedicated to Brigitte Bardot – in honour of her 75th Birthday.   She became an feminist icon and idol during her heyday, later … a SYMBOL of defense and protection againt the atrocities being carried out with defenseless domestic …

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PRINCE’S CONCERTS – MONACO

By BobP The idea of re-instating concerts open to the public in the fabulous Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Residence, a tradition from the 18th Century, was reinstated by Prince Rainier (Prince Albert’s father) in 1959. These are unique opportunities to see the inner courtyards of the Principality Palace and to mingle with royalty.  Albert, …

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ALEXANDER CALDER EXHIBIT – GEORGES POMPIDOU CENTER

by Marie-Lys D.  This firstSunday of July in Paris is to my liking. The City is quiet and turned over tolovers of “promenade” and discovery. The weather is ideal, sunny and not toohot. We have decided this morning to visit the Calder exhibition that runs untilJuly 20th at the Centre Georges Pompidou located in the very …

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PERCHED VILLAGES OF PROVENCE

Since moving down to the Cote d’Azur and opening our satellite office, one of our favorite pastimes has been discovering the numerous perched villages in the arriere pays (or back country of Provence). Near Nice and Cannes: Tourrettes sur Loup is a beautiful medieval village perched on a narrow spur of land extending from very rocky hills, with the …

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ISTANBUL – OLD CITY CHARM

By BobP Even more magical and a lot cleaner than I remembered from my last visit 12 years ago, Istanbul is enchanting.  The Old City remains much as it was.  Must-sees are the World Heritage sites – Saint Sophıa, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Built in only 5 years (532-537 AD) …

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CAPPADOCIA – TURKEY BIZARRE

By BobP Otherworldly, historical and moving – these are the adjectives that come to mind after my trip to Cappadocia.  We landed at a rather dull military airport and city with a lovelymountain as a backdrop.  After a 40 minute drive, the scenery changedradically with valley after valley of strange rock formations. Created over 100,000 …

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