During my holiday in Monte Carlo I managed to steal a few culture dedicated moments and have a look at some photographs of Serge Gainsbourg, part of the exposition “Serge Gainsbourg et caetera”.
The images are taken by Tony Frank and represent some of the most significant events of Gainsbourg’s vie héroique. They capture the intimate aspect of the artist’s life, as well as career: working in his studio or performing on scene, but also his wedding day and random snapshots with his wife and daughter. The exhibition also marks the biopic film, coming out this month Vie Héroique. All the things that cannot be captured on photo are present in the film, including the fresh on screen performance of Laetitia Casta as Bridgette Bardot.
Summer is not over yet. Nevertheless, my summer moments would soon come to an end. For a change, this year I am not looking back to these past months with sadness or regret. Yes, there is melancholy in the lost warm evenings and days full of warm sunshine. But as autumn’s falling leaves are inevitable, so is my melancholy. Actually, the presence of melancholy is a sure indicator of the sweet emotions, which fulfilled my summer.
If I had to define these past few weeks in three words, then they would be: eat, pray, love. That does not mean that I spent an entire summertime reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoires, but I sure have the book in mind. If you haven’t heard about the best-seller, then it is very unlikely you are aware of the film, based on Gilbert’s self-help book. If that still doesn’t evoke anything, then maybe Julia Roberts in the leading role might do…that’s right, that’s the one I am talking about. What captured me in the film, however, was not the actress’ brilliant performance (but that counts, too). I fell in love with the conception of a woman scouring the world, looking for the meaning of life.
My spiritual quest does not go further than South of France or Bulgaria (my home country) and I have captured it in the few photos posted here.
The film shows Julia Roberts’ character feed her body in Rome, while trying not to feel guilty about a portion or two of carbs. I am convinced that a real holiday means deleting the word dieting from your dictionary. I don’t know about Italy, but France is no less than the gourmet’s heaven and a paradise for a croissant/cheese/rosé lover like me.
Time to feed my soul . . .
The cathedral where the Grace Kelly got married. Doesn’t it look like the décor from a fairy tale?
What makes French and Italian cuisine so amazingly delicious is that they bring passion to every single aspect of life: from cooking to loving.
And so this is what my summer brought me: amazing memories that will keep me warm this winter. It also brought me back the love towards my family and closest friends, which I greatly miss while away from them. I am still dreaming of a romantic fantasy, just like the one presented by Robert’s character in the film: a liberated, mature and successful heroin and a day dreamer by heart. One day I shall undertake another globetrotting challenge, just like hers. Unlike her, however, I’m hoping to be crossing the globe not in search of my soul mate, but accompanied by the one I would have already found.
PS I promise the next post would be a more fashion devoted one. A spiritual quest means shaking off all unnecessary materialistic ideas. At least I tried!
Located in the centre of Monte Carlo, just opposite the casino and conveniently neighboring with Monaco’s bespoke shopping centre Le Metropole (they share the same name), l’hôtel Metropole is one of the hotels that everyone has heard about. And I was lucky enough to be convinced myself in the bespoke renoméof one of the finest accommodations out there. It is one of the places you wish you could move in. The service is absolutely impeccable; the atmosphere is so intoxicating you almost forget you are staying at a hotel. Yet at some point the bubble breaks and all you could do on your way to the airport is stop next door and buy yourself the magic perfume they spray at Metropole. A small bottle that shall remind you of the once in a lifetime experience that a stay at Metropole represents.
Work, work, work I cannot leave home.
Cheers to more lovely lunches like this yet to come! To more magical moments like this one: sunny, timeless, yet unforgettable!
On a first glance you wouldn’t necessarily recognize the diplomat in her. More similar to the Bruni-Sarkozy type, this stylish Romanian managed to fool me two years ago. Don’t be prejudiced by her pretty looks, though. As a year of living together proved, brain and good looks do come together sometimes. While not at the Halston department in Selfridges or Massimo Dutti, my stylish flat mate is one of the most studious and brightest 20-years old I know. My only worry is she might be too much of a distraction in the UN Parliament. Who says that beauty cannot save the world?
Cycling has been a favorite activity of mine ever since I was five; long before I knew about the global warming or had an idea about how stylish a French girl could look on a bicycle (back at the day I associated it with bruises and the lightest, most comfortable clothes I set my eyes on). So, now that I am aware of all of the above, plus London’s new project based on the example of the creative French people, as well as the lovely bike I received from my boyfriend for my birthday, I am absolutely mad about cycling. I might as well be mad to get on a bike taking into consideration my driving skills and the fact that I can only manage on the right side of the road. But that shall not stop me. My love for cycling encourages me to overtake my fears and to think about new ways how to adapt my wardrobe with this fun, environmentally friendly way of getting around town. Here are some tried and tested tips for chic riding (not such an expert on the safe side, though):
1.Shoes are one of the main obstacles that could lead us to get the tube instead of a bike. My suggestion would be opting for flats (they could be versatile, as well as a neutral addition to your look). Before you get to work simply replace flats with heels et voila! a magic transformation!
2.While riding, shades could work not only as a stylish accessory, but quite useful one, too. You just never know what could fly in your eye when speeding.
3.Another chic and practical tip: get your bike fitted with a removable basket, where you can put your handbag while riding. Did someone say back pack?!
4.Apart from clothing, another way to move at speed in style is to personalize your bike’s equipment: vintage racers, seats, you name it.
5.And finally, for those of you who don’t own their own bicycle to paint in pink, I suggest taking advantage of Barclays cycle. Nothing more stylish than becoming a pioneer in caring about the Earth. Here’s the link.
A boat trip from Monte Carlo led me to Saint Tropez and from there a stroll down the streets of the beautifully fashionable Mediterranean village and I was in front of Chanel’s new boutique. Or should I say La Maison Chanel, as the brand’s new space is more like a dream villa than a shop.
The 18th century mansion offers so much more than the clothes and accessories from the Paris – Shanghai collection (which if you could afford, is actually more than enough). Yet if you don’t have the cash to throw on a quilted bag, you can just rest in the shade that the picturesque garden offers. Or you can simply pretend materialistic goods don’t represent a temptation and ignore the Shopping Fever feverish thoughts and swing around like a kid. The ephemeral boutique is open till October 3rd, a must stop if you happen to be in South of France this summer.
