Sinatra's Twin Palms

Happy New Year 2013

May your blessings be bountiful, your health sparkling and your love contagious.

2013 is the Magic Number, just believe. xo

Dhow House Lamu

I had a dream and it was called Dhow House in Lamu, Kenya.

Owned and designed by Katy Barker along side architect Laurent Butazoni.

How divine is the Swahili and modern combination.

One day I will post my own pictures of this beautiful home.

Photos by http://www.dhowhouse.co.uk

The Incarnations of Kimiko Yoshida

LOUIS XIV AS THE RISING SUN IN "LE BALLET DE LA NUIT" AT VERSAILLES. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY PACO RABANNE

SULTAN SALADIN THE GREAT. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY PACO RABANNE

GODDESS OF WAR ATHENA BY KLIMT. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010.   COURTESY PACO RABANNE

WISE KING MELCHIOR BY MANTEGNA. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY PACO RABANNE

THE GOLDEN BRIDE FROM FEZ, SELF-PORTRAIT 2005. COURTESY OF THE ISRAEL MUSUEM, JERUSALEM

QUEEN OF FRANCE MARIE DE' MEDICI BY RUBENS. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY PACO RABANNE

EL CONQUISTADOR HERNAN CORTES AS EL DORADO. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY PACO RABANNE

LAST SAMURAI KATSUMOTO. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

THE TORERO BRIDE WITH A BLACK SUIT OF LIGHTS , REMEMBERING PICASSO. SELF-PORTRAIT 2006.

ASSOMPTION OF VIRGIN MARY BY TINTORETTO. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

SAINT AUGUSTIN BY EL GRECO. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

WOMAN OF ALGIERS BY DELACROIX. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2007-2009

PHARAON BY GUSTAVE DORÉ, SELF-PORTRAIT, 2007-2009

SISTINE MADONNA BY RAPHAEL. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

KING OF FRANCE FRANCOIS I BY JEAN CLOUET. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010.COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

JUDITH BY CRANACH THE ELDER. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

THE CAPRICIOUS GIRL BY WATTEAU. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

ZAPATA BY DIEGO RIVERA. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

QUEEN MARIANA OF AUSTRIA BY VELASQUEZ. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

HECATE, THE GREEK GODDESS OF THE MOON AND THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD, BY WILLIAM BLAKE. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010

DON QUIXOTE BY PICASSO. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2010. COURTESY OF PACO RABANNE.

THE SILVER BERBER BRIDE, MOROCCO, EARLY XX th CENTURY. SELF-PORTRAIT 2005. COURTESY OF THE ISRAEL MUSUEM, JERUSALEM

THE MEXICAN BRIDE,  SELF PORTRAIT 2012

THE RED EGYPTIAN BRIDE (HARRY WINSTON). SELF-PORTRAIT, 2008

THE BRIDE GRAND COMMANDEUR DE LA LEGION D'HONNEUR. SELF-PORTRAIT 2006

THE RED PALESTINIAN BRIDE , EARLY XX th CENTURY. SELF-PORTRAIT 2005. COURTESY OF THE ISRAEL MUSUEM, JERUSALEM

THE MAO BRIDE RED GUARD RED. SELF-PORTRAIT, 2009

"A fundamental part of Japanese culture is linked to the notion of disappearance.

Unlike the West, in Japan we use makeup in order to disappear, to erase our identity. The basic idea behind my makeup is tied to the geisha’s traditional use of a ghostly-white makeup, called ” doran ” which leaves only the outline of her eyes and bright red lips visible. Makeup in Japan is not perceived as a way of making a woman become more beautiful, but rather as a way of transforming her into an abstraction of a woman. She becomes an “idea of a woman “, rather than an “ideal woman.” It is a way of dying." text by Barbara Oudiz

Transformation, Metamorphism, Shape Shifter. These are the words that come into my mind when I look at Kimiko Yoshida and her impacting self portraits. All the pictures use always the same setting, same subject, same lighting, same framing. She does her own make-up, lighting and design using a Hasselbald camera with no retouching or editing. 

I find these images so deep and mesmerising, the Series "Painting, Self- Portrait" where she transforms herself into people from famous historical portraits with pieces from Paco Rabanne's Haute Couture collections works of art in themselves are my personal favourites. 

Do go to her website and see her extensive portafolio of work I had a hard time not putting all her work on this post, then this would just be pages and pages long. I spent hours reading, there are also lots of in depth articles on her and great interviews, Kimiko you are a fascinating lady!

Am hoping that she will do a show in London someday soon. 

All images Via Kimiko Yoshida

Vision of Ibiza

Photo Ibiza Town via White Ibiza

Photos via Amante Beach Club

Photos Via The Giri Residence and Cafe

Photos El Chiringuito via White Ibiza

Photo Es Vedra

Photos Ibiza Beaches

On my way to Eivissa as they say in Catalan the local dialect, for a little holiday.

Hasta la Vista!

Al Fresco

Photo Via Architectural Digest House in Pebble Beach California

Photo via Elle Decor Courtney Cox in Malibu California

Photo via Elle Decor Courtney Cox

Photo Via Elle Decor House in Capetown South Africa

Photo via Elle Decor Southampton Long Island

Photo via AD house in Bodrum Turkey

Photo Via AD Silicon Valley California House

Photo via House Beautiful Farmhouse St Helena California

Photo via Elle Decor Hamptons Long Island

Photo Via Elle decor Cottage in the Bahamas

Photo via Elle Decor Brookhaven Hamlet New York

Photo via Elle Decor Amagansett Hamptons Long Island

Photo via Elle Decor David Adjaye Designed Denver Colorado

Photo Via Elle Decor  House of Rose Anne De Pampelonne Paris France

Photo via AD Robert Zemecki's house in Tuscany

Photo via Elle Decor Kevin Carrigan & Tim Furzer Home Hamptons Long Island

Now that summer is here, wouldn't be lovely to dine Al Fresco in any of these splendid locations. Bliss.

www.elledecor.com

www.architecturaldigest.com

www.housebeautiful.com

Guido Mocafico

Lampropeltis getula nigrita

Roses

Boiga dendrophila melanota

Nature Morte aux Huîtres

Vipera Wagneri

Audemars Piguet Tourbillon répétition minutes squelette

Dendroaspis viridis

Salmopoeus irminia

Naja nigricollis

Bouquet de tulipes

Vipera aspis

Smith & Wesson 44 magnum

Vipera Ammodytes

Snakes, Guns, Spiders are not my favourite things in the world. Would not want to be at close range with any of these things. Flowers, food and watches on the other hand  are always part of my life. Guido Mocafico does convert my terrified view into one of beauty and awe, nature dangerous as it may be is designed to perfection just as a gun can be admired of its incredible craftsmanship. Not sure if I would hang some of these images in my bedroom but anywhere else the visual impact they make is mesmerizing.

Hypnotic xo

GUIDO MOCAFICO Italian, born in Switzerland in 1962, lives in Switzerland and works in Paris. Guido Mocafico studied Photography at Vevey school in Switzerland. Specialized in still life photography, his most recent images are published in magazines such as Numéro, Numéro Homme, Paradis, V Mag, Vogue US, Vogue France, Men’s Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The Face, Wallpaper He works for major brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Clarins, Shiseido, YSL, Clinique, Dior, Bvlgari, Armani, Hermès. Alongside his commercial and advertising activities, Guido Mocafico has developed a series of long-term personal projects, destined to be published in books and shown as exhibitions.

His work can be found at the following Galleries,

Hamiltons Gallery 13 Carlos place London W1 K 2 EU U.K. T / 020 7499 9493/4 www.hamiltonsgallery.com

BERNHEIMER FINE OLD MASTERS E.K. BU Fine Art Photography Brienner Str. 7 80333 Munich Germany T / +49-89-226672 www.bernheimer.com

All photos sourced via,

www.guidomocafico.com

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

Nour El Nil

Nour El Nil " Light of The Nile" , just the name on its own makes you want to run and book one of these beautifully decorated Dahabiyas , which were historically built to carry Royal families . I was doing research on Nile Cruises for the perfect boat for a private party and stumbled upon this gem of a fleet.

Nour El Nil has a choice of 4 Dahabiyas, Meroe , Malouka , El Nil and Assouan. They are similarly decorated but are of different sizes and cabins. You sail at a slow pace lounging on one of those elegantly stripped cushioned beds on the upper deck watching the Nile unfold before you, visiting the magnificent temples and docking on beaches for a swim.

Am sure with the renowned Egyptian Hospitality a trip with Nour El Nil would never be forgotten.Enjoy exploring their site , as they say in Egypt Inshallah (god willing) you will be soon voyaging on the splendor of the Nile.

NB. The owner of Nour al Nil is an accomplished writer whose wonderfully titled book "A Winter on The Nile: Florence Nightingale, Gustave Flaubert and The Temptations of Egypt" Would be a great companion on your journey or at home.

All pictures via www.nourelnil.com

Mechanical Splendor

1956 Jaguar DType

1960 Sebring Winning "Rat Race" Corvette

1931 Brough Superior SS80

1931 Duesenberg Model JLong-Wheelbase Coupe

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet

1947 Italian Championship -winning 1933 Alfa Romeo 8c 2300 Monza

Selection of Beauties for Gooding Auctions

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

1995 MacLaren F1

1955 Austin Healey 100s DSC3

1927 BMW R47

Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa

1957 BMW 507 Roadster

1955 Bentley

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Cabriolet

1954 Jaguar XK120 SE

1954 Mercedes Gullwing

I got my love of cars from my father, he was mostly a Mercedes Fan and drove like he was in a Formula 1 racetrack much to the horror of most people, even more when he would put one of his children on his lap while flooring it. Us the kids we loved it, we would drive all over Europe and get to our destination in no time.

  To me there is nothing like the beauty of Classic Cars, beautiful and elegant. There are so many that it took my days to do this post as I got completely engulfed into the world of classic cars it was so hard to narrow it down. It all started as I read about the famous Car Collector Auction House of Gooding & Company Amelia Island Sales that were a staggering $38 Million! The other well known of these Auctions are held at Pebble Beach and Scottsdale where they sold a 1955 Mercedes Benz 300Sl Alloy Gullwing for a record $4.6 Million.

Its fascinating and wonderful to see how many people still collect and appreciate the incredible history and craftsmanship of these classic cars and motorcycles. Just be aware once you jump in you may never be the same again.

Now which one should I bid on? 

Sources and Images via,

Gooding, Sports Car Digest, Luxist, Driven Urban Daddy and TopSpeed

The Great David Hockney

The Royal Academy of Arts in London presents David Hockney's The Bigger Picture, featuring very Large scale paintings inspired by the East Yorkshire Landscape, these works were made especially for the galleries of The Royal Academy. What a lovely marriage, I cannot wait to see David Hockney's brilliance in such a way.

Am not going to compete with Art Critics in writing something very clever and intellectual, for me his work visually says it all, so here are some resources if you want to know more on David Hockney...

Cheerio xo

Click on the video on Royal Academy link below

http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/hockney/

http://www.vintageseekers.com/vantage-point/vs-reviews-hockney-at-the-royal-academy?image=5

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/exhibition-in-focus/9026080/Exhibition-in-focus-David-Hockney-RA-A-Bigger-Picture-Royal-Academy-of-Arts.html