Qasr Al Sarab

NAMASTE

     "Life is not measured by how many breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away. Maya Angelou"

  Beautiful pictures of the incredible power of yoga in our world, taken by Robert Sturman whose expansive photography shows us how Yoga heals people everywhere from our city streets to the depth of Africa to our prisons. I Just chose two examples out of hundreds named The Girl with the Ganesh Tattoo and Sunrise on The Sound. It brought me serenity straight away, and also got my ass to the yoga studio in a flash.I could picture this images in massive sizes in a yoga studio, how beautiful would that be! Come on someone do it.  

Love your work, 

To see more of Robert Sturman's photography here are the links

robertsturmanstudio.com

www.facebook.com/Artist.Photografia

Uxua Casa Hotel

Last April my brother got married in Sao Paulo to my lovely Brazilian sister in-law. Thanks to this wonderful union, we got a chance to come to beautiful Trancoso and stay at the incredible Uxua Casa Hotel where my brother and his wife got engaged.

This is not your average hotel, its an Oasis of Tropical Splendor, little casas dotted around the grounds and out on the Quadrado, Tancoso's 16th Century town green.The attention to detail is heavenly, everything is made by local artisans, the staff are warm, friendly and happy. We had most of the hotel to ourselves so it felt as we were all living there, it has such a magical and seducing quality and none of us wanted leave.

Uxua is a labor of love and you feel it, an unforgettable experience and I hope to return very soon.

All pictures via Uxua except picture 11 which is taken by me on Uxua beach.

The website is also fantastic, am sure you will be seduced,

www.uxua.com

Brazilian Chic

Aline's family home in Jau

Aline de Almeida Prado Atalla was born and brought up in the beautiful area of Jau in the State of Sao Paulo were the land is dotted by emerald green landscapes and Fazenda's (farms and plantation houses)  were they grow coffee(the best ever!), sugar cane and cattle. The land expands as far as they eye can see and at night the sky is a blanket of stars.

With a  fashion degree from Sao Paulo's Marcelina College and IED Instituto Europeo di Design in Milan, design was all ready in Aline's blood. Her career started with interior design and jewellery. This knowledge led her to put all her talents into one place in the creation of this line of handbags named Lane Prall which is a combination of letters taken from her name. Her experience in jewellery inspired the design of her ornamental handles which are made from materials such as resin and metal and are inspired by Art Noveau , Art Deco and Nature. The resin, brand identity, is first sketched by the designer. Then each piece receives special treatment, the wooden moulds are hand carved  and then the resin gain color and brightness through the painstaking work of the goldsmiths

The exotic materials which the bags are composed of come from her knowledge of using them in her interior design work. The company cares about sustainability, and therefore, all materials are free from heavy metals, as well as the exotic skins, that she uses, stingray, alligator and python-are exclusively purchased from farms that comply with rigorous rules management, and sustained, controlled by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources). Her bags are hand made, one by one, by craftsmen who carefully turn a dream into reality. Aline does not follow trends, and the main goal is to create timeless bags, following her intuition and always looking for the perfect finish and the proportion of its parts. The bags are made to order and can take around 60 days to be produced.

This only a small selection of her beautiful collection, to order or enquiry please email Aline directly on her email alinealprado@gmail.com.

Que Maravilha xo

Images via Aline de Almeida Prado Atalla and landscape pictures of Fazenda Atalla taken by Vision of Splendor.

Big In Japan : Kaikado

The History of Kaikado

Kaikado was established in 1875, shortly after Japan opened its doors to the rest of the world. With civilization came the import of tin plate from England. Tin was used for the plating of steel, and was considered a fashionable foreign-made item. In the Edo era, canisters made from tin were a commonplace means of storage for tea, as were jars made from china or earthenware. It was the company's founder, Kiyosuke, who first designed the tin tea caddy and made it into a commercially available item. His aim was to provide a well-designed, functional tea caddy capable of storing the type of tea leaves commonly sold by dealers. Showing sympathy for local traditions, Kaikado designed a product that would leave a lasting impression on the discerning Kyoto locals. A great many orders were received from tea dealers and hardware merchants alike. The tea caddies were tailor made to the requirements and needs of each and every store. In a time before the invention of the refrigerator, air tightness was key to maintaining the flavour and quality of freshly picked leaves for a period of one year.

Kaikado's tea caddies were a blessing in disguise to tea dealers, in particular in terms of their functionality. Before long, there was an increase in the number of stores supplying the tea caddies, in Kyoto and throughout Western Japan. A manufacturing process that involves anywhere between 130 to 140 steps, the hand-made tea caddies have virtually remained true to the designs established by Kaikado's founding generation. The die and mold used in the early years of the company is still in use today, whilst some shapes of tea caddy used 130 years ago are still in production today.

In 1916, the company was succeeded by Otokichi. The second generation, Otokichi was said to be the most able craftsman of all generations. The third generation, Hikojiro, successfully led the company through difficult times in which, preceding and after the 2nd World War, materials were scarce and tools also had to be sent away in the name of war. The period of economic growth that followed the war years, saw the advent of cheaply made, inexpensive tea caddies. Dissatisfied with this, the fourth generation successor, Shouchi, continued to make tea caddies in the traditional manner, at the same time developing a caddy made from copper. The fifth generation, Seiji, started producing tea caddies to sell to the general public and for this purpose introduced a portable caddy suited to the individual user. Seiji also developed a caddy made from brass. The sixth successor, Takahiro, developed a two-tiered tea caddy. He initiated the first ever collaborations with tea brands, and marketed his caddies abroad. Whilst maintaining tradition, Takahiro set his sights on the global market. Adding a new element per generation is a tradition that Kaikado has carried throughout its history.

Even as its horizons widened, Kaikado has made the same tea caddies it has always done. Doing away with excessive detail, the caddies are based on the pursuit of function. Their simple forms are overflowing with functionality. Each time a Kaikado tea caddy is handled, it develops a unique sheen specific to the type of material from which it is made. Witnessing the changes in color that develop over time will surely bring great joy to the person wishing to nurture their caddy over time. A tea caddy that has been filled with the memories of 100 years can be passed onto the next generation to treasure. With the hand-made materials and methods that comprise Kaikado’s selection of caddies, one can enjoy the expressions unique to each and every tin caddy, or the rapidly changing appearance of copper, or the mellow changes of color that make the brass tea caddies so unique. These qualities forming an important characteristic to its tea caddies, Kaikado have selected only materials with which this can be achieved.

The precision inherent in the hand-made process of the tea caddies is also unique to Kaikado. The double-walled construction guarantees excellent air tightness and will protect tea leaves from humidity whilst helping them to maintain their scent. In addition to being used for storing tea leaves, the caddies be used to hold a wide variety of foodstuffs. They can also be used to store English or Chinese tea, as well as coffee, spices, pasta and grain. We are confident that our customers will not only enjoy the long-lasting quality of our tea caddies, and the scents that arise with each removal of the lid, but experience the difference in function between our caddies and standard containers or boxes.

Having spanned 130 years of history, it is our wish to maintain the art of and passion for our tea caddies for future generations to enjoy.

Love the story of Kaikado, wonderful craftsmanship and design, you can have them customize your logo or any design on them and combine the brass, silver and bronze together, they are also useful for to store other ingredients like herbs, pasta and coffee. For more information and ordering please visit their beautiful site. Your kitchen would look magnificent with these caddy's gleaming. 

Utsukushii xo

Pictures sourced via,

www.kaikado.jp

www.designboom.com

Happy Winter Solstice

"In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me lay an an invincible Summer"

Albert Camus           

Winter Solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere between the 21st-22nd of December depending on your time zone. This is officially the first day of Winter, it happens when the North Pole tilts 23.5 degrees away from the sun, it is the longest night of the year. On a very good note, after this event the days will slowly get longer until the Summer Solstice!

Pictures via National Geographic, Flickr, Tumblr and Pinterest,

Aman Greece

On the Peloponnese Coast of Greece on the outskirts of Porto Heli, the new Aman will be opening this Summer. Amanzoe meaning peaceful life , the Sanskrit word Aman meaning Peace and the Greek word for life Zoe (pronounced zoi).

The Amanzoe has 38 Suites, The Pool Pavillion comes with Six Meter Pools and Deluxe Pavillion with 12 Meter Pools, high ceiling big living and sleeping areas all with large terraces with lounge , sunbathing and dining areas.

Surrounded by Olive Groves and views over Spetses and the Argosaronic Gulf, this Ed Tuttle designed Aman also has bigger villas for sale, Beach Club, Spa, Dinning, Lounge and a main swimming pool.The other activities will include visits to Ancient Sites surrounding the area, boat excursions to nearby Islands on the Hotels' Wally Powerboat (see archive on a post them) or a traditional Kaiki, trekking, riding, olive picking and make your own olive oil.

Only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Athens or 2 Hour boat ride, or even if you prefer 25 minutes by helicopter, Amanzoe is perfectly situated, am sure it will be a huge success.

Am open to invitations! Hint hint.

Kalosilthate Amanzoe xo

Content via,Amanzoe , Pinterest and Flickr

The Splendor of Motu Tane

" Never before had I seen waters the color of the rainbow or like fireworks, springing right out of some maddened imagination, or from Gaugin's own palette. Waters the color of bronze, of copper, gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, pearl, jade, emeralds, moonlight or the aurora borealis. The stars themselves seemed to have fallen to the sea, scintillating brilliantly on the lagoon's surface, in bright sunlight, who could find the right words,what poet images,what painter even colors , to describe the scene? I give up."

Paul Emile Victor, a French Explorer's impression on seeing Bora Bora for the first time from the cockpit of an airplane in 1958. He retired to Bora Bora and lived in Motu Tane.

Motu Tane island lies across the channel from Bora Bora, owned by renowned french make-up artist François Nars with interiors by Christian Liagre. This stunning island can accommodate up to 20 guests and is rented to only one party of guests at a time.

The island has all that you would expect, a chef to cook divine and fresh meals, in the garden under hundreds of coconut tress, beach barbeque's, torch-lit dinners and Tahitian feasts with those incredible dance groups. Snorkeling the crystal clear waters to discover the phenomenal array of colors, local massages with the unforgettable fragrance of Monoi oil, paddle board, windsurf and even for those who can't bear to live without there is a gym and flat screen tv's in the rooms.

From the pictures you can just use your imagination on how unforgettable this place would be. I would just stare at the the beauty all day long, swim,eat, sleep and have a big perma smile all day and night. One on my list of places to see, still have not done Polynesia and this would be just perfect, anyone interested in renting it? The only shock is the price but understandably, its a trip of a lifetime, see the website for more info.

Bon Voyage xo

Resources,

www.motutaneisland.com

www.narscosmetics.com

www.vogue.com

COFFEE BREAK

Now that's what I call a Pumpkin Meringue Pie...

Source PINTEREST

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

"DEMON CHEF" ALVIN LEUNG'S X-TREME CHINESE CUISINE..

HIS TWO MICHELIN STAR HONG KONG RESTAURANT BO IS OPENING IN LONDON'S MAYFAIR IN DECEMBER. NOW THAT WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE!

VIDEO BY RYAN HOPKINSON ON NOWNESS