Chinese Splendor

Saluti da Capri

Arrivo!! Photo via Google

Ave Ceasar Photo Vision of Splendor

Il Mare Slim Aarons

Love the signs...One of these is my Hotel.. photo via Tumblr.

Capri Style 1970's by Slim Aarons

Pink Heaven photo via Tumblr

Mama Mia the best plate of Pasta in the world! Photo by Vision of Splendor

Long beautiful walk to Marina Piccola Via Krupp..

Nothing to do with Capri...but David Gandy looks Italian and dresses beautifully like the men did in the past..and basically no need to explain. Bello

A room with a view, blue and green...photo by Vision of Splendor

Bella Marisa in Capri 1970's by Slim Aarons. This is how I wish I looked on the beach.

Capri Traditional "gozzi"...me on this very soon.

Arrivederci London! On my way to the magic of Capri sun, sea, beauty, Amore and mangare mangare and mangare. xo

Midnight at The Oasis

Sunrise on The Great Sand Sea

Meet the Flintstones 21st Century

Bedroom Adrere Amellal

Siwi Man Photo by C. Stamba-Badial 

Drinks by the Salt lake 

This was were I stayed in Adrere Amellal view of the lake all around

Drinks at the Fire pit 

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Temple Amon

Adrere Amellal Bedroom

Dunes of The Great Sand Sea

Date Palms at Siwa

One of the many lounging nooks in Adrere Amellal

Locally  handmade Kaftans by the Siwi Women

The natural spring pool at Adrere Amellal

Illuminated "Kershef " Wall  a mix of rock salt & mud

Dinning under the palms Adrere Amelall

Sweet water oasis in the middle of the desert

Riding the dunes in the Great Sand Sea

Dinner in the middle of the desert

Dusk at Adrere Amelall

Magic dinning locations dotted around the property

Candle lit bed time

Sun setting over the dunes

“Oh that the desert were my dwelling place,

With only one fair spirit for my minster.

That I might forget the human race,

And hating no one, love her only.”

Lord Byron

In the  magical Great Sand Sea of Egypt's western Sahara on the boarder to Libya lies a diamond named Siwa. An Oasis filled with history and legends,such as the Temple  of the Oracle of Amun~ RA. Were Alexander The Great consulted the oracle in order to seek confirmation that he was the son of Zeus and the rightful ruler of Egypt. Or something like that.

I was invited  about 8 years ago to a wedding in Cairo by dear friends of mine. Included was a trip to Siwa a couple of days  before the wedding, staying at the amazing eco lodge Adrere Amellal. The love project of  visionary Dr Mounir Neamatalla a very elegant egyptian environmentalist. The words eco lodge dont always make me jump with joy, but a trip to the Egyptian desert I could not miss . 

When we arrived we all had a big smile on our faces as we took in the scene before us. The sacred white mountain towers over the property with views on  a vast salt lake , date palms  and in the distance the dunes of the great sand sea. Dotted around this setting are traditional buildings made by combining rock salt and mud called "Kershef", 40 rooms all furnished in locally artisanal furnishing, beds made out of palm with Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy pillows. Bedouin carpets and beeswax candles everywhere  there is no electricity, no phones, no air conditioning or wifi.

Really a place to give in to the mystical call of the desert, at night they light up all the pathways with candles and dinner is served in the most amazing locations all over the property with the light of the stars as company. Date souffle served on silver plates and wine drank out of crystal glasses, the food was amazing, all the staff are local Siwi whose origins are Berber. On one night they came and played traditional Bedouin music , they danced like mad and so did we! When ready to retire, A member of staff would accompany you with a lantern to your room that glowed with candles, I would slip myself into the soft sheets with the breeze of the desert lulling me to sleep. 

Morning starts with a delicious breakfast over looking the lake and then preparation for a ride on 4 X 4 in to the Sand Sea so called because it was actually a sea, you can see fossils everywhere, as you ride over the dunes driven to mad perfection by the charming and hilarious locals its an exhilarating experience. They would stop and give you a board to surf the dunes if you wished or just sit and take in the unforgettable experience, everyday they planned a new surprise in the desert, which I would not give away as these surprises are truly special.

Once back at the lodge there are many more things to do, you can float on the lake or swim in the natural green pool under the palms, or for some you can go riding in the desert. There was also a trip into town to meet the local women whose embroidery is magnificent all supported by  Mounir Neamatalla and his also very elegant sister Laila, they produce kaftans, home furnishings and jewellery done by the local community. There is also a lot of history in the area and again I will not divulge too much here as to make you want to go and see for yourself but one of things is have swim in Cleopatra's Bath. 

 Thank you Dr Mounir for creating such a wonderful place and thank you my dear friends for letting be part of such an amazing journey. When are we going back?

  Adrere Amellal

Siwa

Photos via above websites & Flickr.

MUSICAL INTERMISSION

DAFT PUNK GET LUCKY Ft PHARRELL WILLIAMS (Live Performance )

Happy Summer feeling song, perfect for this Sunny Friday in London! Pharrell is feeling it too! 

Via www.theinspiration.com

Read All About It

I love books, it would be so wonderful to have my own library but with a built in database that curates your books according to the choices you put in and of course then delivers them to you onto your coffee table with a butler to make you drinks.

Back to reality, I have selected a variety of choices all of them which intrigue me for different reasons, some for its images others for their design aspects, others to learn something and some are from my favorite Authors. There are so many to choose from so am sure I will do several of these postings.

All books are available at the following sellers,

www.amazon.com

www.rizzoliusa.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Farewell Oscar Niemeyer

"When you have a large space to conquer, the curve is the natural solution, I once wrote a poem about the curve. The curve I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuousness of its rivers, in the waves of the ocean and on the body of the beloved woman."

Farewell to the legendary Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer, "The Concrete Poet " what a poet he was. Thank you for bringing our world such unforgettable monuments.

Sources via Flickr, Pinterest & Tumblr

In the Mind of Siggi Eggertsson

Iceland

Iceland Detail

Stamp Mural Reykjavik

Iceland

"The Master" Little White Lies Magazine

Control

100 Pieces of Havana

Iceland Detail

Berlin

Brummel Eco Issue

Brock

Brock Close up

Peter & The Wolf

Some Type of Wonderful Poster

Iceland

Icelandic Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Typographer & Artist Siggi Eggerssson's work makes me smile, not only is he extremely talented, but his work is fun and imaginative. Love his repetitive geometry but softened with rounded shape, you could think that his work was vintage in some aspects but yet the colours are so vibrant and modern that makes it all come together to such a great effect.

One to watch xo

siggieggertsson.com

Carribbean Chic

New Designer Alert!

Haitian -Italian Stella Jean has truly marinaded both of her unique cultures to create a very individual collection. The Italian blood shows in masculine pinstripe and jean shirts and the Creole side comes in the choice of fabrics and patterns. Then these are taken to another level with the impeccable tailoring and the fun and elegant accessories which include the hair scarf's (would love to wear them like that) topped off with hats and  some fun jewellery that was also created by Stella Jean. The formula works wonders, so could wear this in the summer but this is last years collection. But I loved it so much that I had to share who cares what season it is or what year it is.

In the meantime enjoy the Caribbean via Italia! xo

Moda Operandi had a trunk  show of her pieces , I think Matches  London will be stocking her this year too. Browse her site for stockists and video of the show.

All images via,

STELLA JEAN

Masterpiece Fair London 2012

Carpenters Workshop Gallery: Citylight LED Chandelier by Studio Molen, Taj Mahal Table by Studio Job and Fragile Future by Gordijn & Nauta.

Hamiltons Gallery: Dahomey 1967 Irving Penn

Made By Meta : Diamond's Are A girls Best Friend I by Matali Crasset, Brass and Steel Side tables by Gabriella Crespi, Diamon's A Girls Best Friend I Scones by Matali Crasset.

Masterpiece Interiors

Based Upon : Westminster & London on Liquid Metals and Resins.

Swarovski : Iris & Tord Boontje Blossom Chandelier.

Masterpiece Fair

Masterpiece is London's most spectacular Fair now in it's third year, here Traditional, Ancient, Contemporary and Modern meet. Showcasing the best of craftsmanship and culture. The Exhibitor's create incredible stands from a vast selection of Art, to Metalwork, Decoration, Photography, Jewellery, Classic Cars and more. Not only is  there such a large amount of variety but the actual exhibition space  is beautifully put together.

A Big Tent that actually looks like you entering a beautiful mansions, with high airy ceilings, cream coloured carpet, massive flower arrangements. Urban Caprice catering from some of my favourite London Restaurants, Harry's Bar, Scott's, Mount Street Deli and Le Caprice where my Sister and I could not get a table get a table for lunch as it was fully booked with a 1 hour wait!! Amazing but we had plenty of other choice only at Masterpiece could you find this. I choose just a few images of some of the work at the Fair that really stood out. I will do more posts on each one as they have such incredible talent in their books.

London knows how to put on a good Fair and Masterpiece is the most elegant in the world followed closely by PAD in October but that's another story. You will have to wait till June 26th 2013 for the next Fair so plenty of time if you want to visit or maybe try and get a space to exhibit.

Bravo London xo

All photos taken by Vision of Splendor except image 12 and last image sourced via Masterpiece.

More info on these links,

www.carpentersworkshopgallery.com

www.basedupon.com

www.masterpiecefair.com

www.madebymeta.com

www.hamiltonsgallery.com

Totally Crazy for Elise Dray

Bo Goia Dragon Earring in White gold, White, Grey & Black diamonds.

Bo Aigle Earrings, White Gold and White & Black Diamonds.

Hypocampe Ring , Black gold, Grey & Black Diamonds.

Bracelet Black Leaf, White Gold , White Diamonds & Onyx.

Bague Siamoise, Black Gold, White & Black Diamonds & Blue Sapphires.

Bracelet Peace Flower, White Gold & Black Diamonds.

Bague Hibou, Black Gold , Onyx , Black Diamonds & Rubies.

Bague Muguet, Black Gold , Black Diamonds & Red Sapphires.

Collier Aigle. Yellow Gold, Black & White Diamonds.

Bo Feuille de Latanier Earrings, Yellow Gold, Tigers Eye and White Diamonds.

Bague Serpentine, Rose Golds and Brown & Black Diamonds.

Bo Leaf Earrings, Yellow Gold, Malachite & White Diamonds.

Bague Papillion, Rose Gold & White Diamonds.

Bague Hippie Croix , Yellow Gold & White Diamonds.

As I was browsing for jewellery to drool over I stumbled upon a piece that made me blink a couple of times in rapid succession. What was this ? A Dragon Earring made of Black and White Diamonds.

I quickly researched this genius designer and fell totally in love with the world of Elise Day. Dragons, Wings, Leafs, Serpents, the Mythical World,  are some of her subjects for her pieces, yes we have seen some of these used before but the design is done in such a clever and beautiful way that I had such a hard time picking a few to chose for this post.

Based out of Paris her shop is located in 7 Rue de La Paix, How come I never saw it before! How wonderful to find someone as unique as her. Can't believe no one stocks her here in London and only one shop in the US.

Get on her website to see even more choice,

J'Adore Elise Dray xo

All Photos via www.elisedray.com