Colour Show Off

There is a time, a day, a moment, to keep your outfits simple and let your surroundings do the show. 

That time might be around just now and I went for dark blue denim, black and white. When the trees of Paris take on their autumn hues, ranging from green, to yellow, orange and maroon, walking around and taking it all in seems like and evidence. Sadly, there are not many red trees (no maples?) and the colours are not that spectacular, but hey, that's the only kind of autumn we get here, so I decided to be happy with it as it is. We can't all live in New England, it's as simple as that.

Outfit photos copyright Vincent

Jardin des Tuileries, packed as always, but still so beautiful. There is a modern art exhibit going on as well. If you're in Paris, go check out the trees (and the art, of course). If you get cold, or hungry, or have a sweet tooth, there is always Angelina - the best hot chocolate in Paris, just around the corner.

Outfit

Jacket - a very very old inherited piece

Shirt - Mango

Jeans - and old (and sadly torn) Levi's

Bag - gift, beautiful leather

Shoes - Agnes b., gift too

Autumn Love

The other day, someone told me they hate autumn. Ever since that day, I've been thinking about a my favourite season (positive attitude, right!). And the answer definitely is, I love them all. I like the never ending cycle of winter-spring-summer-autumn-winter-spring-summer-autumn-winter-spring and so on. I guess I need change. By the end of each season, I am really looking forward to the next one and there is something I love about each season. And thinking of it, there are no things I hate in a season. 

English Rose

Here you go with my favourite things about AUTUMN

• Air gets crispy and when the sun comes out, it's still warm and lovely.
• Rain falls often. Soft, misty, hard... it has so many different faces. I probably mentioned this alreadym but I love walking in the rain. All I need is a nice umbrella, a warm coat, shoes that don't get wet in 5minutes and I am ready to set off. 
• Warm socks, soft plaid and a hot cup of tea with a book on the sofa. (Can I get a fireplace, for Chrismas this year, please?)
• Foliage. For several years now, I've been dreaming of going to see fall season in New England. Not on the agenda this year, though. Thank you Pinterest for all the beautiful foliage pictures you provide.
• Walking around the city in the dark, when the sun starts to set earlier.
• Autumn is a great excuse for sitting around in warm cafes.
• Fruits - pears and plums and all these yums.
• It also means the festive season is one step closer. 

Fontainebleau Forest

Do you like autumn?

Time for a Sweater

Independently of seasons, there are days when the only thing on my mind is keeping it cosy. But autumn makes the frequency of the "cosy days" hit new hights. Keeping warm (and dry) seems to be an every day battle. Cosy doesn't necessarilly mean ugly or out of style. High heels make the big old sweater seem like fashion again. I'd venture to say the bigger the sweater, the higher the heels you need... What do you say?

Fern earrings seem to channel the cosy autumn feelings as well. I still need to find myself a fireplace, to make autumn the perfect season, though. One day, maybe, who knows...

Have a cosy day, too.

Welcome, Mr Autumn

Well, I guess it's official. Indian summer is a goner and it's Mr Autumn's turn to keep us company. 

If you've been reading this blog since spring, you might remember I love to hear the "seasons' click". There is no denying it, the seasons have just clicked here alright. Woolen sweaters and scarves, foggy mornings, the air gorged with rain and the foliage that begins to change colours accordingly.

Hello, Mr Autumn.

I'm taking out my woolen socks and keeping to my oranges + tea to avoid getting sick as everyone around me!

Are You Photoshopped, Mr Cloud?

 

Paris has a special sky. It knows very well, how to be gray and heavy with rain, there is no doubt about it. But it also has moments when the light is so surreal and the clouds so spectacular, that you would think they are either photoshopped or painted by Michelangelo, Rubens or maybe Turner. It might be that the sky here got inspired by what it sees in the Louvre...

Most of the time, this kind of sky spectacle happens when I am walking from work (or basically at any given moment when I don't have my camera with me). Last weekend though, I decided it was a beautiful day and that taking my camera for a walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg might be a good idea. I am not saying more, you can see the result for yourselves...

Can I go and play, too??

Starry Nights

There is something refreshing about the end of August, about late summer. The nights and mornings get cooler, in a very pleasant way and the days are still warm and very sunny. This weather reminds me of my childhood / early teenage summer camps when we'd melt like ice creams running around during the hot days then freeze our little butts off during the cold nights. 

How we loved the roaring fire and the warmth of our sleeping bags and hated to walk around in the silent and cold camp when it was our turn to be "on guard". Even though I am still scared as hell when I think about it, these were the moments I learned to appreciate the pure beauty of a sparkling, star dusted sky. So many stars it was impossible to take them all in. Everytime now, when I see a really beautiful starry sky, when the night is so black you can even see the Milky Way, those childhood memories get back to me and I stand again on the cold damp soil, surrounded by nothing but deep forests and a canopy so beautiful it takes my breath away.

I might have replaced the stars by flowers in today's outfit, but it made my day anyway. Oh, and the stars landed in millions on my shoes.

 

 

In my early teenage years, I watched those starry canopies from forests my grandparents and parents couldn't set their feet in for over 40 years, just because they were too close to "the capitalist West". I am so glad we can go there, and further around for over 20 years now. Don't forget history, don't forget that 45 years ago Czechoslovakia was invaded by Soviet tanks, but look forward and enjoy every day, that's what our ancestors asked for but couldn't really do. Let's enjoy starry nights and the immensity of the universe, let's dream every day!

Côte d'Azur, Côte d'Amour

Leaving everything behind, taking just your husband and friends, your swimsuit, your sandals, your sunscreen, your hat and sunglasses, some sundresses, shorts and tops. Thinking only about what kind of beautiful place you will go to the next day, what beach with turquoise waters you will be spending your time at and what ice cream flavour to pick next. That's my idea of a relaxing holiday.

And it's exactly what happened to me last week. Lucky girl, huh?

Starting your holidays with a beautiful wedding weekend probably gives it the right kick off, too. Most people start their holidays with stress while packing (have you packed your toothbrush!?!), being late at the airport, at the train station or stuck in a traffic jam. I guess starting them with a happy feeling is a much better option.

I was a bit worried the happy feeling would go away with the wedding over, but it didn't happen. It stayed with me all week. I couldn't believe all these shades of blue were true, in front of my very own eyes, in the Mediterranean, so close to several big cities. Waters so clear I could see my feet perfectly and at one point, even the fish swimming very deep below me. Without a tuba and a mask, just watching through several meters of water!

The best thing about St Tropez are not the bling yachts, it's the sunset.

We stayed not very far from the city of Hyères. When I discovered it was in Hyères that the name Côte d'Azur was born in the 19th century, I could completely understand why. I might be a colour freak, but as well as I couldn't help but marvel at all the different shades and hues of green in the Lake District this spring, this time I couldn't believe the different shades of blue the sea had up its sleeve. Azure, of course, but also baby blue, cyan and cobalt, teal, sapphire, turquoise, sky blue and deep marine blue. Some of those blues were so strange, they didn't even seem natural. But they were! With no filters, no sunglasses on, my head just above the water in one of the Calanques, the sea had a Smurf colour.

 

 

 

 

 

Fish!

Grand Site des Gorges du Verdon.

 

Vulture 

Moustiers

Lavender Fields.

And in this water we walked, jumped in the waves, swam, had fun, ate ice cream, talked, dived and windsurfed. Yes we did!