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Monday, April 30, 2012

People... on Queen's Day









On the 30th of April, the day The Netherlands celebrate the birthday of their Queen, people dress traditionally in orange, red, white and blue (the colours of the flag). Here are some of the partygoers I encountered. I love how they all dressed up! Either very extravagant, or with just a small orange accessory.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Preparing for the Queen's Birthday






I'm preparing for Queen's Day, or Koninginnedag as it's called in The Netherlands. So I pulled out all my orange clothes and accessories. Now all I have to do is choose.

For those of you who are Dutch and will be celebrating the Queen's birthday: fijne Koninginnedag en -nacht!

For all my other readers: enjoy the first International Jazz Day tomorrow! For more information, please visit http://jazzday.com

Ps. William & Kate: Happy Anniversary!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Fashion jewelry finds






A great way to update your look is by adding some fashion jewelry. Here are some of my latest buys. I fell completely in love with the miniature food rings!!! Oh and then the friendship bracelets are part of my jewelry staples. I can't seem to stop buying them...

Happy Cloud Rainbow Feather Earrings,  ASOS
http://www.asos.com

Miniature cake ring, Wini Vintage
http://www.winivintage.nl 

Miniature teacup ring, Wini Vintage
http://www.winivintage.nl 

Multicoloured Rhinestone Friendship Bracelet,  ASOS
http://www.asos.com

Friendship bracelet pink / blue, with heart bangle, O’Mara
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2011/02/omara-hague-netherlands.html

Bracelet, golden flower, Gas Bijoux
http://www.gasbijoux.com

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Tara's Reading List: "Love Poems" by Pablo Neruda



A couple of weeks ago I came across this cute little book, “Love Poems” by Pablo Neruda and I couldn’t resist buying it. Small, attractive, inexpensive and… intriguing!

These “Love Poems” are so beautiful, they make the perfect gift, either for a lover or yourself.

Pablo Neruda (1904 – 1973) was a Nobel prize winning author from Chile, who died before I was even born… His real name was Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto, but he became famous under his self-chosen pseudonym.

Between 1927 and 1943 he was a diplomat, the reason for which he traveled and lived all over the world. The majority of the poems in this collection were written in my (and probably his) beloved Italy, on the island of Capri! Ah what Italy can do…

The poems are very romantic, but never cheesy (even though the way we communicate nowadays has changed immensely)!

Juan Luis Guerra used two of Neruda’s phrases from the book “Libro de las preguntas” in his world famous song “Bachata Rosa”. So without knowing it, young people all over the world dance the bachata to Neruda’s words, funny don’t you think?

To give you an idea what the “Love Poems” are like… I’ll quote some phrases of “El viento en la isla”.

El viento es un caballo:
óyelo cómo corre
por el mar, por el cielo.

Quiere llevarme: escucha
cómo recorre el mundo
para llevarme lejos.

Escóndeme en tus brazos
por esta noche sola,
mientras la lluvia rompe
contra el mar y la tierra
su boca innumerable.


The wind is a horse:
Hear how he runs
through the sea, through the sky.

He wants to take me: listen
how he roves the world
to take me far away.

Hide me in your arms
just for this night,
while the rain breaks
against sea and earth
its innumerable mouth.


To learn more about Pablo Neruda, please visit:
http://neruda.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Restaurante El Patio, Havana, Cuba


















Restaurante El Patio is a colonial style restaurant in the old centre of Havana, or to be more precise, it's located on one of the most beautiful squares in town, Plaza de la Catedral. The building itself, an 18th century mansion, and the interiors are so lovely... it really took my breath away...

Whether you sit outside on the square, or in the famous patio, or even upstairs in the Salón del Marqués, you'll feel so special. Just like the Spanish marquis must have felt centuries ago.

Black and white tiles, beamed ceilings in "Havana blue", antique furniture...  Restaurante El Patio looks as if nothing has ever changed! As you can see, it's a fancy place, so put on your sexy summer dress or best linen suit, sit back and enjoy.

The cathedral square right in front of you is like a movie scene, there's usually live music, fortune-tellers, Cubans (and some tourists) dancing, children playing... pure bliss! Especially if you're drinking a mojito and smoking a Cuban cigar!

El Patio serves gazpacho, mixed salads, a mixed grill, seafood such as lobster and various local dishes, all accompanied by pretty good wine. I have to say, the food was okay but not memorable. For children or vegetarians there's not much choice... the surroundings however are so stunning, it makes every visit worthwhile!

Restaurante El Patio
Calle San Ignacio No. 54,
Plaza de la Catedral,
Havana,
Cuba
Tel. (+53 7) 867-1034 - 867-1035

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Orange delight!

















Orange… for some it’s a fashion colour, for others it represents the colour of their team and for the Dutch Royal family it’s their last name! And you know what? You can be just as classy as the Dutch royals with these fashionable orange items! Buy them now and you’ll be just in time for Queen’s Day or "Koninginnedag". On the 30th of April the Dutch celebrate the birthday of Queen Beatrix and the whole country is 'covered' in orange! Book your trip to Amsterdam while you still can!

Cocktail by 10 Corso Como:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2011/04/10-corso-como-milan-italy.html
Leather jacket by Goosecraft:
http://www.goosecraft.nl
T-shirt by Braez:
http://www.braez.nl
Skirt by Rinascimento:
http://www.rinascimento.com
Striped t-shirt by Set:
http://www.set-fashion.com
Bikini by H&M:
http://www.hm.com
Strapless top by Elisabetta Franchi:
http://www.elisabettafranchi.it/en/index.html
Trousers by Met Jeans:
http://www.dfgfashion.com & http://www.metonweb.com
Flip-flops by TKEES:
http://www.tkees.com
Bikini by H&M:
http://www.hm.com
Coat by H&M:
http://www.hm.com

Photos H&M items: courtesy of H&M.
Photos all other items: courtesy of SO PR.
http://www.so-pr.com

Monday, April 23, 2012

Small treats...
















Small treats...

A rose
A handwritten letter in your mailbox
A gift on your pillow
A glass of Champagne
A box of Turkish delight
A boiled egg for breakfast
A new pair of shoes
Forget-me-nots
Strawberries
Chocolate
French fries
Pasta alle zucchine
The latest Vogue...

French fries by Beachclub Wij:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2012/04/beachclub-wij-scheveningen.html
Vintage gift by Pitti Vintage:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2010/12/pitti-vintage.html
Icecream with viola by Restaurant de Kas:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2010/11/restaurant-de-kas-amsterdam-netherlands.html
Pasta alle zucchine by Trattoria dell'Orso:
Via della Misericordia, 18, 05018 Orvieto, Italy
Shoe by Comme il Faut for Lisadore:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2011/02/comme-il-faut-shoes.html
Champagne by Beachclub Wij:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2012/04/beachclub-wij-scheveningen.html