Paris Loft, Perugia, Italy

A great store in the historical centre of Perugia!

Paris Loft belongs to the "chain" of fashion stores owned by Paris Ricci, all located in the Perugia area.

(Il Bandito; Il Bandito donna; Paris Ricci).

They sell everything from party frocks to jeans, from modern business suits to bags and shoes. Oh and did I mention those lovely necklaces and other jewelry made especially for them?

Brands include Patrizia Pepe, Carla G., Pinko, Dondup and Custo Barcelona. But Paris Loft also sells still rather unknown brands, that are really special and therefore... make you the belle of the ball!

Whenever you're in Umbria, for summer or winter holidays, or for the Umbria Jazz festival.... make sure you stop by this store!

Overwhelmed by all the choices? Can't make up your mind? Then ask shop manager Maurilio for help. He truly has an eye for fashion!

Paris Loft

7, Via Guglielmo Oberdan

06121 Perugia, Italy

Tel: +39 075 5734489
Website: http://www.parisricci.it/

Longing for a cappuccino in the mountains!

How sweet it is to have a steaming hot cappuccino
(or glühwein for that matter), after a day on the slopes?!

Leopard print sweater by Conte of Florence:
http://www.conteofflorence.com/

Also available through: http://www.skihut.nl/

Villa Waldkönigin, South Tyrol, Italy

You like the mountains? Check.
You like Tyrol? Check.
You're a minimalist? Check.
You like to be spoilt? Check.
But you don't like traditional surroundings?
Then this is the place for you!

Whether you go for skiing, snowboarding or hiking in spring/summer, this modern and luxurious hotel is open all year long! Located in the woods, it has a pool, spa, bar, terrace and a great restaurant.

Owner Daniela and her husband will make sure you'll feel pampered all day long!

One warning though... don't expect any dirndls, antlers or tradional decorations here. It's truly a different kind of winter holidays!

For more information please contact:

Hotel - Residence Villa Waldkönigin
Fam. Punt-Licata
Waldweg 17
39027 St. Valentin auf der Haide

South Tyrol, Italy
Tel.: +39 0473 634559
Website: www.waldkoenigin.com

Photos courtesy of Markus Moriggl & Villa Waldkönigin.

Valentino Garavani.... A Grand Italian Epic

I just bought this book about Valentino Garavani, one of the most gifted couturiers of our time!

It's not only the perfect coffee table book.... but also a reference work about Valentino's designs and about fashion in the sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties.

Furthermore, you get a sneak peek in his luxurious life... and that of his famous friends!

Already in the sixties he dressed the rich and famous, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, her sister, Lee Radziwill, as well as many royals....Queen Paola of Belgium, Princess Margaret and on and on.

But still today young royals love to wear his designs. Crown Princess Maxima of The Netherlands wore Valentino on her wedding day in 2002.... leaving not only the Dutch, but also the rest of the world in awe.

In July 2007 the 45th anniversary of Valentino's career was celebrated with an exhibition at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome, Italy..... a gala dinner, several big parties, a fashion show for 1000 guests.... and this wonderful book.

Unfortunately, Valentino showed his last Haute-Couture show January 23rd, 2008 and retired fully from the world stage.

He was succeeded by former Gucci designer Alessandra Facchinetti, who had big shoes to fill... and failed! She was fired less than a year later. Facchinetti was then replaced by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, two loyal employees.

For more information on Valentino Garavani, his designs and the book, please visit:

http://www.valentino.com/

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/fashion/all/00325/facts.valentino_garavani_una_grande_storia_italiana.htm

Missoni metallic zigzag scarf

Oh do I love Missoni....! This beautiful "stola" is just perfect to throw over a flimsy summer dress!
But for now, it will take you (and your wardrobe) easily from winter into spring!

For more information, please visit: http://www.missoni.com/

Great fashion buy..... golden tango shoes

Shoes by Comme il Faut, available through Lisadore: http://www.lisadore.com/

Spring is in the air!

Although it's still cold outside and last night it even snowed a little bit.... you can feel that spring is in the air!
Flowers are blooming, birds begin singing again....
The spring-summer collections have hit the stores...
I can't wait for the sun to come out and the temperature to go up!

Until then, it's waiting..... so I treated myself to these beautiful flowers!

Valentine Shopping in Düsseldorf, Germany

Last week I was in Düsseldorf, Germany, on a business trip and fortunately, I managed to do some Valentine shopping as well!

Düsseldorf is a great place for shopping, with all the big names

(Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss) and more.

What I liked best though, were the small stores selling chocolates, sweets and other delicious temptations.

For more information on shopping in Düsseldorf, visit one of these websites:

http://www.koenigsallee-duesseldorf.de/index.php/en

http://www.duesseldorf.de/en/index.shtml

Valentine's Day.... green… not red

You woke up…looked at your calendar…. or switched on the radio… and realised it's Valentine's Day….
But you didn't buy anything yet for your sweetheart? This (very) last minute buy might just be your salvation!

And it's green…  not red. Huh?

Yeah, I'm talking about POP Earth Champagne.

This wonderful & very hip Champagne is made from sustainably farmed grapes. Furthermore, the bottle weighs less than usual, causing less pollution when shipped & the label is made from recycled paper.

Now that's a great, green way to celebrate Valentine's Day
(and night)!

For more information, please visit: http://www.pommery.com/

Comme il Faut shoes

Where do I start when I talk about Come il Faut shoes...? Last saturday I visited the local store in The Hague and was completely smitten! The shoes are presented as sweet little delicacies... that no woman will be able to resist!

Comme il Faut shoes are hand made in Buenos Aires, Argentina and were originally meant for tango dancing. But over the years their collections have become more luxurious and are therefore perfect for other uses as well. Clients buy Comme il Faut shoes to wear them to weddings, cocktail parties, gala dinners, special dates, etc.

Of every model there are only 60 pairs....worldwide that is! The advantage of this exclusiveness is that you won't find anyone wearing the same shoes as you.

The disadvantage though, is that if they don't have a certain model in your size, they won't be able to (re)order them for you.

But hey... it won't be difficult to fall in love with another pair! These shoes are just to die for...

One of the two owners of the store in The Hague (called Lisadore) told me : "Men don't realise how happy they can make a woman, simply by buying her a pair of these shoes"!

So gentlemen, take this wise man's advice..!

Comme il Faut shoes come in various types, materials and colours, stiletto heels as well as platforms. Sizes range from 34 up to 41. The store in The Hague, The Netherlands ships worldwide.

For more information, please visit: https://www.lisadore.com/

Lisadore
Noordeinde 184,
2514 GR, The Hague

The Netherlands

People... Lovely in Brown

I love her look! Brown is not an easy colour to stand out in... but Stephanie pulls it off. With "masculine" details that fit in with the "boyfriend dressing" trend. Simple but elegant.

Dusseldorf, Germany, february 2011.

Jamie J., The Hague, The Netherlands

One of my all-time favourite stores…selling all the "right" brands:
Antik Batik, 7 for all mankind, J.Brand, Malene Birger, Reminiscence, Gas Bijoux, Style & Butter, Joe Taft, Maliparmi…. ahhhhh!

From romantic dresses, to sexy jeans and tops, from embroidered pashminas to golden bangles, Jamie J. has it all. There's no way you'll walk out of here without any new clothes, jewelry, bag or shoes… but then again owner Jeanine has such good taste!

To my male readers: All I can say is, if you really don't know what to choose here… Jamie J. also sells gift vouchers. No doubt in my mind that the lucky lady will be very grateful.

Jamie J. can be found in one of nicest area's of The Hague ("Buurtschap 2005") close to the Denneweg, Hotel Des Indes & the Hilton Hotel.

For more information, please visit: http://www.jamie-j.nl/index.html