AN AFTERNOON IN MILAN WITH LOUIS VUITTON.

During last weekend I spent a whole afternoon of shopping in Milan, which is always a rewarding experience, since the "Quadrilatero della moda" offers such a vast choice of high-quality brands! I have always loved this city, with its international and soberly elegant urban mood and appreciated a relaxing, light-hearted stroll through the centre during the mid-season months with its atmosphere full of expectations and the smell of roasted chestnuts from the stalls under the arcade in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, as well as its cafés inviting visitors to a pleasant break.

As always, I stopped at La Rinascente. In this iconic mall they have created a multi-brand department on the mezzanine, where all internationally famous bags' brands are represented with a dedicated corner, so that you can have a look at the most trendy models of each, when you have no time to visit all the flagship stores. 

And in spite of the fact that it is always crowded with tourists, the reception is very warm and welcoming. At Louis Vuitton I was offered a glass of sparkling wine from two obliging sales-assistants, while examining some models of bags and inquiring of their availability, while at Céline, I discovered that my previously purchased Céline Mini Luggage Tote is still a most coveted model, especially by Japanese young women, a small group of which was fussing around, trying all combinations of colours; in the department store I found also a vast selection of shades of puffball charms to be matched with my Céline bag, so I chose one in the same coral shade of the cashmere poncho bought in Geneva, which provides a nice contrast with the deep black smooth leather of the bag and is so Halloween-themed! 

MY CHANEL GRAND SHOPPING TOTE.

Today I am going to talk you about my Chanel Grand Shopping Tote, or better known as the GST.

This bag, which is a favourite among celebrities in either the fashion world or among Hollywood stars, is very representative of the Chanel brand and considered one of the evergreen classic bags in fashion, since it reflects Chanel's timeless style perfectly.

As you can see, it is an elegant and versatile tote, ideal for everyday use, especially when you need to choose a look that should be adequate from morning to evening.

This stylish shopping bag is crafted of diamond-quilted caviar leather and features leather-threaded polished golden/silver chain link shoulder straps with leather shoulder pads. 

Its distinctive exterior details are a prominent quilted Chanel CC logo on the front and a flat pocket on the rear.

I chose my Chanel GST in classic black leather with golden hardware, but also the beige model is very popular and chic, especially in spring/summer.

Since I have a soft spot for stylish accessories and I like adding a personal touch to my bags, I decided to hang a bag charm to one of the chain link strap rings, so I chose a very cute black and white Karlito, made of fine raccoon fur and inspired by the iconic image of the Chanel's stylist, which 

I bought online from Hauteacorn via Etsy .

The bag is open at the top and has a partitioned black fabric interior. There is a central zippered section, which I find very useful to store my I-Phone, as well as patch pockets, where I keep the keys and some other decorative and useful items such as a Chanel N.5 Eau de Toilette spray and a Chanel lipstick. There is also a further interior small zippered pocket for documents, while the two largest open compartments can easily store an I-Pad Mini, a small make-up pouch, and my Golden Agenda MM size.

This GST is a medium size and it measures: 13" length x 9.25" height x 5" depth x 9" strap drop.

So, either if you are a fashion blogger and need to have everything spot-on and impeccably branded, or a glamorous business woman, you will find this bag very practical to carry all you need for a long day out of the house for both work and your free time...

THE TRENCH COAT, A BASIC OF FRENCH WOMEN'S CLOSET. 
Tips on how to wear it and combine it with the right accessories.

The unpredictability of weather has been presenting us with a September rich in stormy days and variable temperatures, and personally, I find that these are the most difficult conditions under which to choose my outfits. The classic trench coat is a helping solution to my doubts in this choice, during periods of foul weather. 

Perhaps, its versatility combined to elegance is the reason why also French women consider it a basic in their wardrobe, when the autumnal wind is whistling or the spring rain is pouring down. The classic trench coat is a permanent presence in my wardrobe, the ideal staple to hurry around the city with a pair of jeans and loafers when off-duty, or with an elegant dress and a pair of pumps at work as well as in the evening, and I often like to wear it open and relaxed, instead of belted for a close fit. 

 

Burberry trench coats in khaki

For any authentic fashionista investing in a classic khaki or black trench coat is a must, let alone that being at the height of fashion calls for owning more than one trench coat of various designs and shades.

The trench coat has always met with universal applause, and in the collective imagination it reminds of romantic promenades under drizzling skies along the Seine in Paris, or the glamorous Hollywood "femme fatales", travellers, investigators and gangsters who chose it as a cult-favourite piece of clothing, but certainly, this garment is essentially linked to the Anglo-Saxon fashion culture, not only because the famous English bad weather makes this country's inhabitants the best expert in rain. 

In fact, it was notoriously used by the British troops during the World War I, after Tom Burberry, the founder of the eponymous brand, invented a water-resistant tightly woven fabric called gabardine and created a garment which allowed the officers to move easily, while its khaki shades helped them to blend into the environment.

I must admit that I am an indisputable"Burberrian", since when I saw Audrey Hepburn wearing a whitish trench coat in the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and laying the foundation for the appearance of feminine trench coats in different styles and colours, under the tutelage of cult-classic Burberry. I am always invariably fascinated, whenever I admire the details of my classic Burberry trench coat, which have all a specifically aimed function due to their being designed for military activities, rather than just being stylish solutions, and of course, I am fond of the check lining, matching with my monogram scarf of the same brand.

Every spring/fall, a range of other brands offer us a wide choice of fresh new styles and shades, so nowadays it is easy for every single woman to find her ideal trench coat that will match both her body shape and complexion. Personally, I chose a Burberry trench coat medium length (above the knee), which befit to every body shape and height, and in a khaki shade which definitely matches any complexion, but I must admit that, especially when falls come, I am tempted to buy a new black model: this would go with either all shades of beige/silver grey of my so-called transitional pieces to create a very fresh and soft look, or with a black and white combination, which is the embodiment of elegance, especially if paired with a dark burgundy bag, or with denim pieces, a universal option which makes you gratified every time you are in a hurry and need to slip into something trendy and practical. 

Burberry trench coat in black

Trench coats can double their glamour, if complemented with the right accessories.  

Like many trench-coat fancy ladies, I sometimes face some difficulties while trying to find the best shoe-style to be matched with it. This is not such a difficult task as it might seem at first sight, since almost all styles of footwear can somehow create a lovely ensemble, except for sneakers that may work only in the hands of an expert fashionista or in the street-style outfits worn by slender, tall models.

My Burberry trench coat

I usually wear my trench with pumps, loafers, or medium-heeled knee-high boots, while I try to avoid more trendy looks pairing it with ankle boots, as they may visually shorten the legs, and I am not so tall...

As for other accessories, scarves and chiffon shawls romantically tied around the neck may create a look worth for sauntering among autumnal crunching leaves, but of course,  it is necessary to match the shade of the scarf to that of the trench. Both handbags and shoulder bags will look equally cool whether worn with a trench: among my favourites, a Mulberry Lily or Bayswater bag will be perfect for an overall English-style, while a Stella McCartney Falabella will suit a more glam-rock solution.

Now that you have read my tips on how to wear a trench coat in style, do not hesitate to own this iconic piece and, if you have already bought one, I have one last tip for you: always try to experiment new combinations that suit your own type!

Burberry trench coat in movies

LONGCHAMP “LE PLIAGE” BAG: 
 A BASIC ACCESSORY LOVED BY FRENCH WOMEN AND AN ICONIC OBJECT WORLDWIDE.

Longchamp Le Pliage Nylon bag

I have always been incredibly fascinated by the fashion sense of French women, standing out from the mediocrity of aesthetic excesses so very welcome by our era. 

One of the basic accessories which represent the flair for elegance and style possessed by French women is the famous Longchamp – Le Pliage Nylon bag.

Without throwing out a big stereotype, it is undeniable that at least every third woman in France owns a Longchamp tote, since, as a French brand, it obviously gets special support within the French communities. But it is also true that this model is an affordable, simple and practical option featuring on shoulders of many women all over the world. 

When creating Le Pliage, Longchamp drew its inspiration from origami, and the result was a light, foldaway bag, that has since become a cult object worldwide thanks to the fact that it is ideal for everyday use.

The line comes in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colours. 

Personally, I bought Le Pliage in two basic colours and sizes and accessorised both of them with matching pouches:

the Black Small model, which I mainly use as a travel / gym bag to keep all essentials close at hand; 
the White Medium model, which I mainly use as a beach bag, since I find that it adds extra-elegance to my beachwear, especially when worn with a pair of matching mules; not to mention that the possibility of folding it away to a smaller size allows me to store it in the front pocket of my LV trolley and to save space inside my full luggage.

My Longchamp Le Pliage Nylon bags 

Original Club Organizer
for Longchamp Le Pliage S

Unfortunately, the nylon body, in spite of being water-resistant, should not be cleaned in any way, since it is trimmed with embossed leather handles and a press-fastened flap for classic contrast. 
So, to optimise the interior of both models and avoid either messiness or spillage of liquids that could leave permanent stains on the delicate interior, but also to keep the bags in shape, I bought seven-compartmented organisers from Original Club in matching colours and sizes, which beside being functional, enhance the essential elegant lines of the bags.

Longchamp Boutique

Longchamp Le Pliage Nylon bags

I hope that this week's post will be inspirational for your sometimes difficult search of the right accessories, and if you are, like me, fond of classic simple style inspired by French women, let's join millions of fans worldwide and make Longchamp's iconic Le Pliage tote your trusty on-the-go companion! 

MY NEW CUSTOMISED TREASURE.

A short post to celebrate a present my partner has just given to me for our engagement anniversary: a personalised treasure bought at Merci Maman Boutique, which, in spite of the French name due to the origin of its founder, is a British brand headquartered in London and selling online, which has recently been awarded "The Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade Category".

The necklace is gold-plated and inspired by the brand creation that the Duchess of Cambridge received from her sister after Prince George's birth. 

My customised treasure is made with a flat golden disc engraved by hand with the dedication "Love and Love again" on the front side and the date of our engagement on the reverse, accessorised with two tiny heart-shaped charms bearing our own initials. 

This present, with such a precious meaning was packed in a lovely Merci Maman signature orange gift box with a white bow and an interior protective velvet cushion and delivered to me on the special day as a token of our mutual feelings.

Thank you, darling! This lovely, lovely necklace is the prettiest little thing on earth, and I am going to wear it for long...

Merci Maman signature gift box

My customised necklace by Merci Maman

My customised necklace by Merci Maman

FRENCH-STYLE JEWELLERY, THE LAST ECHO OF SUMMER...

During these last weeks of summer, when the fashion world is already focused on fall trends and more sombre colours, I would like to indulge on a category of accessories I am fond of: summer jewellery. 
I identify summer jewellery mainly with French jewellery, since I find that it better embodies the carefree, colourful, boho-chic inspiration which is the quintessence of heated up days, when more is a must on bared skins and ornamental choices become more distinct and personal.

Hand-made jewels from the French Riviera's markets

These range from dainty anklets, gold hoops, ethnic-style earrings, layered necklaces, piled up bracelets that tell a story. Personally, I think it is better to be bling-wise and size down in scale, without cutting back on quantity, since I believe in investing in pieces that can be worn everyday for several years. 

So my collection of summer jewels increases every year with purchases at mono-brand shops such as Gas Bijoux in St-Tropez, whose jewellery is the embodiment of a refined bohemian spirit, and Satellite Bijoux in Cannes, whose pieces reflect a more ethnic glamour.

And it is cool to mix and match these refined jewels with other cute findings from the numerous summer markets, offering more affordable, original, hand-made merchandise that still possesses that ineffable French chic I like so much, and is reminiscent of an "invitation to the voyage" towards exotic destinations...

Earrings & bracelet by Gas Bijoux

Earrings & bracelet by Gas Bijoux

Lively coloured bracelets by Gas Bijoux

Ethnic-style necklace & earrings by Satellite

ST.-TROPEZ, MON AMOUR!

St-Tropez - The old centre and the harbour

Some places belong to the heart more than others and St.-Tropez, certainly, belongs to mine.

For several years, my partner and I have been spending our summer holidays there, in a wonderful neo-classical villa, a secluded spot surrounded by pine trees, palms and oleanders, representing for us a familiar refuge from daily stress, a special, relaxing cocoon from which admire the wonderful view of the bay and the old fishing port with its pastel-coloured clock tower and houses varying their shade of colour at every hour of the day.

Certainly, St-Tropez has all the ingredients of an exclusive seaside resort: the series of wonderful beaches along Pampelonne Bay, the turquoise and sapphire blue sea, the luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation, the glamorous nightlife, but it possesses also a special timeless quality that 

St-Tropez - Landscape

I have always appreciated and is expressed in an impalpable carefree attitude pervading lifestyle and fashion, a French "joie de vivre" indissolubly linked to the marine vocation of the place.

In fashion, this attitude is expressed by an effortless and legendary "Boho chic" style I find so flatteringly becoming and the embodiment "my holiday style".

St-Tropez - Loulou's evening "Boho chic" style

St-Tropez - VIP's Boho chic style by Pinterest

St-Tropez - VIP's Boho chic style by Pinterest

French Riviera - VIP's Boho chic style by Pinterest

Whenever I go shopping through the alleys of St-Tropez, I am invariably surprised at the refinement of clothes and accessories in the shop windows, among which my favourites are jewels by Gas Bijoux, silk tunics, rompers and long lace dresses, to be worn with flat sandals and straw hats or other stylish findings that can be bought in the picturesque market held in Place des Lices on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

St-Tropez - Gas Bijoux 

Of course, shopping in St-Tropez evokes images of designer boutiques and celebrities strolling with their bags through the narrow cobblestone streets and shaded squares of this legendary fishing-village-style seaside resort. Doing it in the mesmerising mornings, when the seagulls fly above your heads from La Ponche towards the open sea is certainly an exciting experience, and when in need of a break, you can always grab some exquisite sweet delicacies by La Tarte Tropézienne or other refined "pâtisseries".

St-Tropez - La Tarte Tropezienne

The rest of the day is to be spent on the beach, until late afternoon, when the air is full of an awareness of night long before evening falls. So the hours glide effortlessly towards dinner time, when it is pleasant to be surrounded by the legendary golden and rosy light of sunset fading into a promising twilight.

Nightlife in St-Tropez is sparkling and offers a wide choice of glamorous restaurants and lounge-bars. Spending the night in one of the the famous places in the harbour area with a view on the luxury yachts is certainly a must, but I advice you to take also the opportunity of discovering some alternative chic spots such as the lounge-bar of the Hotel White 1921 or the Dior Café, where if you are lucky enough, you can assist to refined live concerts that will accompany your happy memories during the long winter months...

St-Tropez - Concert at lounge bar of Hotel White 1921

St-Tropez - Lounge bar of Hotel White 1921

St-Tropez - Dior Café

HOLIDAYING ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA.

I’ve been attracted by the French Riviera since my first reading of the novels by F.S. Fitzgerald, with his refined descriptions of the vivid landscapes and the narration of the life lead by glamorous American expatriates during the Roaring Twenties. When I first holidayed there many years ago, it was love at first glance, and I have never been disappointed since then. The Riviera is a chain of enchanting resorts, like a long string of pearls, and I am going to write about my favourites, which I visit often, whenever I spend some days there.

Nice - Promenade des Anglais

Nice is generally my first stop, since I like wandering through the alleys of the old town, whose ochre buildings are enhanced by the exceptionally clear sky and the summer glare. And what to say of the lively coloured Flower-Market, or the Sunday’s "Marché aux Puces", or the magnificent palaces adorned with sumptuous iron-wrought decorations and reminiscent of a glorious past. 

Shopping in Nice is never disappointing: whenever I stop there, I like buying home accessories at La Chaise Bleue, new items for my collection of Lampes Berger at the Home department of the Galeries Lafayette, chocolates at one of the numerous "Maîtres chocolatiers", olive products at Alziari's,  clothes and accessories at French mono-brand shops. Of course, also internationally famous brands have their flagship store in the shopping area, so I also enjoy visiting the shops of French luxury brands to plunge into their universe of opulence.

At lunch, I like having either a light meal based on the "Cuisine Niçoise” dishes, or a brunch based on lemon crêpes and fruit juice in the restaurants and the cafés of the market area, before strolling along the Promenade des Anglais, feeling the balmy breeze in my hair, with an eye on the moresque cupola of the Negresco. 

But the most exalting experience of the day is to admire the enchanting golden sunset from the quiet neighborhood of Cimiez, where I always sojourn, when in Nice, and wait until it glides slowly into a late twilight.

Nice - Old center

Nice - Cimiez

The following stop is at Grasse, a lovely sunny village inland, surrounded by a landscape made of olive trees, cypresses, oleanders, bougainvilleas, and the flower fields that have contributed to its fame and its prospering perfume industry. Because the main reason for my visiting the place is the purchase of perfumes in the world's perfume capital. Several excellent local "parfumeries" have their headquarters there, bearing the names of the respective founders; my favourite supplier is Fragonard, with its delicate unique perfumes for woman & man, or home fragrances unmistakably suggestive of holiday-making on the Riviera. Their alluring, refined southern French style pervades the shop, factory and museum, which certainly deserve a visit.

Grasse - The village and its surroundings

Grasse - Fragonard Parfumerie

Then the itinerary leads up toward Cannes, set like a jewel inside the bay of the same name, with its creamy old fortifications and its magnificent hotels, among which my favourite is the luxurious Carlton Intercontinental, unforgettable set of "To Catch a Thief", starring Grace Kelly and Cary Grant.  Useless to say, shopping in Cannes is a treat I never give up: I generally buy bijoux at Satellite, macarons at Ladurée, whose pastel old-style confectionery shop is the epitome of French taste, but there are so many shops for any type of goods in Rue d'Antibes and adjacent streets, that it is almost impossible to choose which ones to visit, not to mention the most famous French and Italian brands as well as jewellers' shops, with their sparkling windows on the Croisette.

Cannes - La Croisette

Cannes - Going on shopping

Cannes - Going on shopping

Cannes - Hotel Carlton Intercontinental

Our final destination is St.-Tropez, to which I'm going to dedicate my next post. There, I generally spend a fortnight each year with my partner, but not before enjoying both the dramatic landscape offered by driving along the Provençale" highway, admiring the vivid red of the Estérel rocks enhanced by the surrounding greenery, as you journey back through time, as well as the winding road along the low range of Maures towards the littoral, still intact and densely forested with cork oaks and chestnut groves.