Paintings by Nicole Carvajal

These beautiful paintings by Nicole Carvajal came to my attention by accidence, can you imagine? But... this is how things go with art (and life)... when you least expect it, you find the most wonderful things! I got captivated by them immediately!

Nicole Carvajal is a Chilean painter, who escaped from Chile after the military coup in 1973. She traveled through the Andes to Argentina, took the boat to Italy and finally came to The Netherlands, where she would enroll in the famous Rietveld Academy.

She studied at some of the most prestigious art academies on both sides of the Atlantic: the Facultad de Artes Aplicadas and the Facultad de Bellas Artes at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago (Chile); at the Escuela de Arte in Malaga (Spain) and at the Accademia San Marco in Florence (Italy). The list of her exhibitions is just as impressive!

Nicole Carvajal's inspiration by famous painters like Fernando Botero and Johannes Vermeer is clearly visible, especially in the pose of the women. Look for example at Helpless Odalisk and Girl without a pearl.

In her most recent works, Carvajal is inspired by flora and fauna. Carvajal: ‘Nature is a symbol for fertility, but for me it is also a symbol for the unpredictable’.

I absolutely love her paintings! The colours, the themes, the underlying messages.... Hmm.... I'll put one of her works on my Christmas-wishlist!

For more information, please visit: http://www.nicolecarvajal.nl/welcome.html

List of exhibitions: http://www.nicolecarvajal.nl/CV.html

Photos courtesy of Nicole Carvajal.

Polka or tango?

Polka dots… at once there everywhere! All the big fashion brands are using them this season (Marc Jacobs, Prada, Gucci, Marni). While in the past it were mainly flamenco dancers who wore this pattern. Funny how a trend can arise so quickly! Last year it was stripes, remember?

Polka dots or 'pois' may look nice on the runways, but are probably not suitable for everyone. It's a pretty bold statement to wear, let's say, a polka dot blouse or dress. If you're not that courageous, why not go for polka dot shoes?

These tango shoes by Comme il Faut are simply adorable!

For more information & to order: https://www.lisadore.com

For my earlier blog on Comme il Faut / Lisadore, please visit: http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2011/02/comme-il-faut-shoes.html

Photos courtesy of Lisadore.

Beachclub Doen, Scheveningen

Hurry! You still have 7 weeks to check out this marvelous beachclub in Scheveningen, The Netherlands. Because Beachclub Doen will close on october 23rd... Otherwise you will have to wait until next summer!

It's one of my favourite places along the Dutch coast. The white-washed floors and furniture give it a that Mediterranean look and feel; the great menu as well as the extended winelist make it stand out from all the other beachclubs. Salads, sandwiches, pizza for the kids, a good old steak, lobster, Surf & Turf..... Doen has it all.

So if you just want to have a latte in front of the fireplace (Dutch summers are a little unpredictable) or a bottle of Moët Ice Impérial out on the deck.... it doesn't matter, you'll always feel welcome. Manager Sander and his kind staff will take care of that.

Some people like the place so much, they have their wedding reception at Doen! In fact, there is a separate area for parties and (business) events.

Doen's location is perfect: close to the harbour and far away from all the tourist joints. If you come early, you can even park right in front of the entrance!

If all this hasn't convinced you... I don't know what will!

For more information please visit: http://www.younghoreca.nl/locaties/doen.html

People... at the Salone del Mobile, part 2

Colours, colours, colours! That was key at the Salone del Mobile 2011. Whether ton-sur-ton or multicolour.... flowers, stripes or paisley patterns....there was no escape....there were colours everywhere!

New oversized sunglasses

Chanel sunglasses # 1

Chanel sunglasses # 2

Prada sunglasses

Hmm... I want to buy new oversized sunglasses.... but what's it gonna be? Prada or Chanel? I tried on so many pairs and it finally came down to these three. I think I will opt for Prada!
But the mirrored sunglasses by Italia Independent are cute too.... don't you think?

Italia Independent Sunglasses

Photos taken at Hofstede Optiek with a Samsung Galaxy S phone.

For more information please visit:
Hofstede Optiek http://www.hofstede-optiek.nl/
Chanel http://www.chanel.com/
Prada http://www.prada.com/en
Italia Independent http://www.italiaindependent.com/

People... Nikkie Plessen

Nikkie Plessen, TV hostess, VJ, actress, colomnist, fashionista and... believe it or not... mother!

Nikkie is dressed by Danie Bles Styling and I think she always looks stunning! Her appearance gained her yet another best dressed list entry in Jackie magazine.

The photos shown here were taken at the Jackie Best Dressed List Party. I absolutely love her outfit; it's sexy but also sophisticated. The shorts are longer in the back than in the front, giving them that little extra edge. Oh and the shoes... don't get me started on the shoes..... they're sizzling hot, don't you think?

Nikkie's outft:
Shorts by H&M
Top by Marc Jacobs
Shoes by Charlotte Olympia
Bag by Chanel (vintage)

For more information please visit:
Nikkie Plessen: http://www.nikkieplessen.nl/
Danie Bles Styling: www.danieblesstyling.com
Jackie magazine: http://www.jackieonline.nl/site

H&M: http://www.hm.com/
Marc Jacobs: http://www.marcjacobs.com/
Charlotte Olympia: http://www.charlotteolympia.com/
Chanel: http://www.chanel.com/
Designer Vintage: http://www.designer-vintage.com/