Category: Inspiring Women & Men

February 25, 2015

Fantastical Fornasetti

The whimsical world of eclectic Italian designer & artist Piero Fornasetti

“I don’t limit myself, and nothing is too esoteric to be used as inspiration. I want to free my inspiration from the limitations of the usual”.

UmbrellaStand“Greek Busts” Umbrella Stand

To the proverbial question: “what object would you save if your house caught fire?”, the answer without a doubt would be: this umbrella stand! It adorns my hallway and is one of my most prized possesions, a present from a very special person, who understands my love for all things Fornasetti…

Read the rest of this entry »

2 Comments
February 22, 2015

Candy Store

Cocktail? Get out your Rings!

I once arrived in Cannes for the Film Festival and my friend Claudia, seeing my collection of cocktail rings, exclaimed: “Wow, it’s like a candy store!”

Rings2Part of my own collection of cocktail rings

I started collecting vintage cocktail rings many years ago, mainly in the early years of Ebay. Cocktail rings were NOT in fashion at the time, but I have always loved the power of the “statement” ring. These rings are definitely “more is more” and often a subject for conversation! Now they are coming abck in fashion in a big way. Look below for “Create the Look”.

Read the rest of this entry »

1 Comment
February 20, 2015

Palais Royal Perfumer

The Mystical World of Serge Lutens, Make-up Artist & Perfumer Extraordinaire

Serge Lutens is a Grand Master of Maquillage, he created some of the most unforgettable make-up advertisements for Shiseido and Dior. Each “look” he ever created is a work of art, a Surrealist portrait, with every minute detail controlled to create a total atmosphere of rarity and mystery. Below you will find a “Create the look” tutorial.

SL2

Read the rest of this entry »

1 Comment
February 19, 2015

Music Genius vs. Nazi Ideologie

How the composer Richard Strauss waged his own war against the Nazi’s

“I consider the Goebbels Jew-baiting as a disgrace to German honor, as evidence of incompetence—the basest weapon of untalented, lazy mediocrity against a higher intelligence and greater talent.” 

In 1933, in the beginning stage of the Nazi regime, the composer Richard Strauss wrote this in his private notebook about the mounting anti-semitism in Germany.

richardsreaussRichard Strauss (1864 – 1949)

Read the rest of this entry »

Leave a comment
February 18, 2015

My Personal Top 10 Female Singers – No 5

…in no particular order & with my favorite recording…

Number Five: Gundula Janowitz

Richard Strauss: “Four Last Songs”, with Herbert von Karajan directing the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

GundulaGundula Janowitz

Perhaps it is often the first version you hear of an iconic piece of music, that becomes your favorite! In my case it is this particular recording of “The Four Last Songs” by Richard Strauss, sung by Gundula Janowitz and directed by Herbert von Karajan. (Sorry fans of Elisabeth Schwartzkopf)

Read the rest of this entry »

Leave a comment