Why Don't You.............?

Diane von Furstenberg is celebrating the 40th anniversary of her iconic wrap dress - I personally own three!  She was recently interviewed for Harper's Bazaar's page The Inspiration and Why Don't You? on the art of being happy.  Here is what she had to say:

Why don't you......?

1.  Smile and wink at yourself in the mirror?  I do it all the time.  I smile and say hi to myself.  The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.  Nurture it.

2.  Tell the truth?  This is harder then it sounds.  Tell the truth to yourself.  Tell the truth to others.  In everything you do.  Really challenge yourself to find clarity and incredible things will happen.

3.  Take an exotic trip alone?  I love to travel by myself.  There are few things more freeing than that feeling of walking through the airport, passport in hand, an exciting adventure ahead.

4.  Wear sunglasses all the time?  It is one of the most glamorous things you can do.

5.  Celebrate something that has made you who you are?  For me, this year is all about the wrap dress.  I created it when I was 26 and its success allowed me to become the woman I wanted to be.

6.  Go wild with animal prints?  Don't be shy.  Wear more than just one.

7.  Dare to push your limits?  I love the question "what would you do if you were not afraid?"  Whatever it is, do it and remember fear is not an option.

8.  Buy yourself a piece of jewellery?  Make it expensive.  Make it meaningful.  Make no apologies.

9.  Memorise your favourite poem?  Words are powerful, use them carefully.  I love these words from Lao Tzu: "Watch your thoughts; they become words.  Watch your words; they become actions.  Watch your actions; they become habit.  Watch your habits; they become character.  Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."

10.  Pack lightly?  This is true for travelling and also it is a metaphor for life.  If you know how to pack, you know how to live.  Don't carry too much around with you.  Let things go.  Be light and go for it.

11.  Document your journey?  Keep a journal.  Take photographs.  Having a dialogue with yourself is so important.  This past year I have been writing a book and reading old journals.  It has been interesting to discover that I have always felt I am at a turning point.  That life is a constant revolution.  Don't let it pass you by.

Diane von Furstenberg photo via Vogue France

Cheers,

Deb xx

Following on from YSL and Le Smoking Suit............

Katherine Hepburn 

Two of my favourite style icons are Katherine Hepburn and Diane Keaton.  I love the perfect balance in dressing, between masculine and feminine, sexy and strong - classic with a twist.  The pant suit is just that and should be a staple of every modern woman's closet.  It has gone from just office wear, to nights out, formal events, the runway, red carpet events, even weddings - Carolina Herrera designed the first bridal pant suit.  Slim fitting and elegant, yet professional, the pant suit is a crucial part of any female wardrobe.

I do like the new shorter, ankle length for the pants (Giorgio Armani and Donna Karan), however, I prefer to wear my pants very long and usually a bit slouchy - I believe it elongates the body.  It is the perfect day to evening outfit - add a sexy pair of sling backs or strappy heel sandals and some over the top bling and you are ready for anyone and anything!

Angenlina Jolie in YSL "Smoking Suit"

Armani A/W 14

Diane Keaton

Donna Karan S/S 15

Jennifer Aniston

Penelope Cruz

Ralph Lauren A/W 14

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Kim Kardashian

Carolina Herrera's Bridal Pant Suit

All photos via Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Pinterest and Tumblr

Cheers,

Deb xx

Faded beauty...........

Dutch photographer, Niki Feijen travels the world looking for crumbling beauty in long forgotten buildings such as mansions, churches, movie theatres, theme parks and hotels.  These pictures are from his new book titled, "Frozen" and features 184 pages of stunning interiors of abandoned buildings - mostly from Poland, France and Italy.  He uses no props whatsoever and takes the photo of the structure as it is.  And although the interiors have been ravaged by time, the architecture and aesthetic beauty remains.

Frozen is due for release on 17 September 2014.

A ballroom of a hotel 

A theme park

An old movie theatre

A church

All pictures by Niki Feijen

Cheers,

Deb xx

Solstice...............

The 21st of June is the official day of the Summer Solstice (longest day of the year) in the Northern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year) in the Southern hemisphere.  For 6 days during the Summer and Winter Solstice, the sun rises and sets in visibly the same location.

The Solstice is a time of celebration and rebirth.  It is a time to state intentions and to call on your angels, spirit guides or past ancestors to assist you on your path.  Start off by watching the first Solstice sunset and sunrise.  Use candles to light your home and decorate with found items of nature - twigs, berries, flowers, pinecones, stones, shells or herbs - rosemary is particularly good as it is the "herb of the sun."

Lastly, write a wish on a piece of paper for something you want to invite or banish from your life and then burn it.

Wishing you all a happy Solstice in whichever hemisphere you happen to be located.

Cheers,

Deb xx

p.s.  More babies are conceived during the Winter Solstice - you are one if your star sign is Virgo or Libra!

Sunlight or Full Sunlight
The Most Beautiful
Holiday Homes

This is what the cover of the latest French Elle Decoration translates to (mostly).  The most recent issue features "rustic", "farm", "country", "beach shacks" from around the world.  I couldn't decide between the one on Mykonos or the one in Provence, therefore I will show you both and let you decide.

There is another "farmhouse" in Puglia, Italy that was just beautiful too, but I will save those pictures for another time.  Or you could just buy the issue yourself and enjoy them all!

Above pictures of home on Mykonos

Above pictures of home in Provence

All pictures via Elle Decoration France

Cheers,

Deb xx