All posts tagged: paris

September’s Camera Roll

Published by

September has been such a busy and exciting month that my camera roll was more bloated than usual! Watching Autumn start on two continents, Hong Kong and Europe and experiencing their total differences, exploring more of my new home city – tram rides, beach trips and indoor evening swims. Packing for a two week trip to France to celebrate my gorgeous Mama’s 30×2 birthday in the serene french countryside, catching up with family and friends and even enjoying the brilliant blue, sunny skies poolside! Sightseeing old medieval villages and ruins and long days watching my boys play in the green lush garden of an exquisitely restored mill. Then heading north to Paris on the train (4 hours to enjoy my favourite magazines, bliss!) Visiting our favourite cafés in our old neighbourhood, shopping the best Parisian streets and spending evenings with friends (while wearing my new feather bangles and lace shirt). It’s been an amazing month. Stay updated and follow me on Instagram and Facebook, I’d love to hear from you so drop me a note too! PLUS! …

We’ll always have Paris

Published by

It’s been 6 weeks since my husband, two boys and I left Paris and made a new home in Hong Kong. This weekend I saw a Facebook post from an ex-colleague who was visiting Paris and she’d attached a funny image of a quintessentially French moment – a baguette neatly tucked into a briefcase after the ‘statutory’ visit to the local boulangerie. This photo, and its Parisian symbolism made me nostalgic for the city we’ve called ‘home’ for the last three years, flooding my head with many fun, amazing, colourful and romantic memories and knowing that we’ll always have Paris. The thing about this life is that nothing is permanent and change is inevitable in one form or another, the Buddhist notion of impermanence reminds me that, without exception, everything we know in this world is transient and all we can do to make it last longer is to stay as present, in this moment, as possible to soak up each and every minute – and that includes eating as much baguette and pastries when …

Reflecting white

Published by

Just before heading east to Hong Kong, I managed a few more shoots in the beautiful city of Paris. With the backdrop of such an architecturally rich city it inspires one to “up ones game” and look chic even if in a pair of denims (did I mention how much I love a pair of denims?) I also love this summer’s all-white trend and I’ve longingly looked at the white denims in store and lusted after a pair, but each time I’ve slipped them on, they just don’t look right on me. So, instead I’ve found myself a light grey pair that I’m more comfortable in and works with summer’s lights ‘n whites – with the added help of these voguish Spartan sandals from IRO of course (totally obsessed with them). I’ve been able to mix and match these denims with almost everything and cheat on the all-white look too. So, if like me, you love the idea of summer whites but can’t bring yourself to wear an actual pair of white denims, then go for the …

Golden summer days

Published by

Paris is the most beautiful city. You don’t have to search very far to find something that charms the eye and it has spoilt me forever. Each time I step out of my apartment I’m greeted by something breath-taking which reminds me not to take each of these moments for granted. The only problem for me is deciding which of the many impressive landmarks is my favourite, and I often hear myself telling whoever is in earshot that “this is my favourite building in Paris” and it’s never the same one – it’s just so hard to decide! In all my shoots I’ve specifically chosen places where a landmark or special place is shown and this look is no different – and yes, ‘It’s my favourite’! The glimmering coupole of the Hôtel des Invalides is truly magnificent and lucky for me around the corner from where I live. The final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte, but commisioned by Louis XIV back in 1670, and is home to the Musee d’Armee (the military museum). It’s impeccably manicured gardens provide a calm place to …

Pimp your normcore sneakers

Published by

Normcore is here to stay, you know the unisex fashion trend that has taken the last few seasons by storm and dressed even the most fashionable fashionistas and celebs in unpretentious and average-looking clothing so they can distinguish themselves and be unique? !?! Whether for convenience, laziness, pure comfort or stand-out appeal, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast, and so if like me, you’ve purchased that obligatory pair of white, non-descript, unpretentious pair of ‘tennis shoes’ but are feeling like they could do with a little “dressing up”, then you’re in luck! Check out these cute and easy concepts that I spotted at Le Bon Marche – jewels, coloured laces, stars, pom-poms, the list goes on. If you haven’t got yourself a pair then perhaps here’s the perfect reason to get them now, you can create a new pair of shoes with an easy accessory! Bling those snow-white sneaks with these ideas, and if you haven’t visited the new shoe department at Le Bon Marche yet then get to it – you won’t be disappointed!  

Locking your love this V-day

Published by

Happy Valentine’s day! As a prelude to this global day of love, I took a stroll through the Instagram hashtag Lovelocks and I loved what I saw. While Paris is obviously famous for being The Origonal City de l’amour and the Pont de l’Archevêché and Pont des Arts are as notorious for being where lovers can place a padlock on the bridges as a symbol of, well, their eternal love – the key gets thrown into the river therefore bonding the couple forever. It was awesome to see where else all over the globe lovers are locking their affections – and so, here is a mini gallery of instagrammers who’ve #lovelocked the world over. I hope you find your special spot!    

Diving into art deco splendour

Published by

Built in 1929 and situated in the prestigious 16th arrondisement of Paris, this Olympic-sized swimming pool was THE place to be seen and had its fair share of glamour up until the 80’s. A place where the who’s who could dip their feet in one of two pools and cool off while watching fashion shows and theatrical performances. It was used for film shoots and it was here that Louis Réard, the automobile engineer turned fashion designer, unveiled the soon-to-be famous bikini in 1946. It is also after this Parisian icon that the hero of the 2001 novel “Life of Pi” was named. Abandoned in 1989 this symbol of glamour became a dilapidated canvas for graffiti artists and was even the host of a rave in which 5 000 people attended. Now, in it’s new rebirth, the Piscine Molitor has been restored to much of it’s original splendor and now a 124-room MGallery hotel – excellent for a weekend stay-cation. Much of the original design, by Lucian Pollet, who’s vision was to create a ocean-liner …

Liberté d’expression – a sad day for Paris.

Published by

Freedom of speech. Liberté d’expression. I have taken this for granted. In the aftermath of the shooting at Charlie Hebdo in the 11th arrondissement in Paris yesterday morning it has left every person I speak to in shock. The turn out in support last night at Place de la Republic was amazing and I’m very proud to call Paris my adopted home. As a South African I am sensitive to how the freedom of our fellow patriots can be taken away, we have a long, sad and well documented history that we have overcome where freedom of speech is respected and each person has a right to their opinion and to be heard. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ and as I write this blog I am able to have opinions and express myself freely – this can never be taken away from us or our children. My thoughts are with the families of Charlie Hebdo – this could have happened in any media room I have worked in and to any journalist I know. A sad day …