UNVEILING MY NEW, STUNNING SMALL DIOR TOILE-DE-JOUY-EMBROIDERY BOOK TOTE.

When Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri introduced the Dior Book Tote, it quickly ascended the bag world into star status and promptly became a staple of the Dior aesthetic. The original size was designed to carry all daily essentials and many used it as their daily carry as well as their travel bag to contain anything and everything they needed. With the success of the Dior Book Tote, the House added two additional sizes: small and mini. One thing Dior excels at is focusing on a core group of bags and expanding on each line, offering different styles and sizes which will suit every Dior lover. The Dior Book Tote has always been a bag I’ve had my eyes set on, with new iterations each season luring me in and turning me into more of a Book Tote fan. But one pattern that I’ve obsessed over, and saved a multitude of pictures of in a folder on my laptop, is the Toile-de-Jouy print. 

Originally introduced two years ago in select European boutiques in the large size Dior Book Tote in blue, the Toile-de-Jouy print dates back to 18th-century France. This type of print features cotton or linen printed with designs of bucolic landscapes and figures that was first seen from the factory Jouy-en-Josas which was situated near Versailles in France. In 1947, Christian Dior used his own version of this motif to upholster his boutique walls at 30 Avenue Montaigne. Last year Maria Grazia Chiuri reinterpreted the Toile de Jouy with the introduction of a series of wild animals, including monkeys and tigers, set in lush vegetation. 

This fully embroidered print comes to life as it graces the entirety of the bag and across the front is the Christian Dior signature and can be personalised across the back with your own name. I chose the smaller size in a delicate light blue shade, which can still fit your daily needs, including an iPad or small laptop, but I find this bag a bit too pretty and exotic for a work bag. This smaller shape can be dressed up or worn more casually and fits over the shoulder or can be carried by hand. Dimensions are 36.5 x 28 x 17.5 cm. Each Dior Book tote takes over a day to make, in fact the Large Book Tote takes artisans more than thirty-two hours of work and over one million two hundred thousand stitches. While much of the bag is embroidered by machine, plenty of details are crafted and finalised by hand.

The new Small Dior Toile-de-Jouy-Embroidery Book Tote is available in grey, pink and light blue. There are other items that have the Toile de Jouy print, including these slides, which I love, and this scarf. Some bags are beautiful in photos but are even better in person, and the Book Tote has always fallen in that category for me. That is why I was delighted, when I made my purchase in a delicate light blue shade and had it customised with my first name, during my recent vacation in St.-Tropez, the perfect spot to wear it paired to a lurex light blue, loose, maxi slip dress to walk carelessly through its breezy marine atmosphere.

THE SILK SCARF: HOW TO STYLE THIS SEASON'S CHICEST ACCESSORY .

The classic silk scarf is getting an update this season, and if you're looking for an unexpected way to add a touch of sophistication and graphic intrigue to your ensemble this season, and you're still uncertain about which trendy pieces to invest in to update your closet, look no further than the classic silk scarf. The tried-and-true accessory, once made famous by the likes of such fashion icons as Jackie O., Brigitte Bardot, and Marilyn Monroe, has made a notable resurgence among the fashion set in recent seasons, and it appears the trend isn't going anywhere just yet.

Of course, as designers and street-style stars have demonstrated time and time again, there's more than just one way to wear this stylish add-on. Whether it's styled as a retro headwrap "à la Dior" or as a chic bracelet or belt, there is no shortage of chic styling options when it comes to this versatile accessory. To help get you started, I curated the top edit guide on how to style silk scarves for the ultimate new season update.

See and copy the best styles below! The best part of it? you don't even need to buy new pieces, it will be enough to re-invent new styles for the ones you have already in your closet.

1) The Silk Head scarf: paired with either a fitted, monochromatic blazer, or a summery slip-dress, the scarf works as a dynamic addition for a juxtaposed, edgy look. 

How-to-tie-it: Grab two diagonal corners of your scarf and fold it in half into a triangle. Next, drape it over your head, so that the long edge of the triangle is flat across your forehead. Taker the two ends back to the nape of the neck and tie them together with a knot so that the ends fall gently down your back, as shown in Dior FW 20 catwalk.

2) The Scarf-as-Hair-Accessory: combined with a feminine pleated skirt and a simple top, this easy-to-achieve look is revered and loved by the fashion set everywhere. 

How-to-tie-it: if you're working with a square scarf, start by taking one corner of your scarf and folding it in diagonally, until you're left with. along skinny silhouette. take both ends and wrap the scarf underneath your ponytail or around your bun and gently secure it with a knot. For extra hold, secure the sides of the scar with hair pins where needed.

3) The Scarf-as-a-Necklace: this chic way to wear a silk scarf is wonderful in Spring, if combined with a neutral-toned suede jacket and trousers for the ultimate contemporary suiting option to wear during the workweek and even beyond. 

How-to-tie-it: drape the scarf around your neck with one end extended farther over one shoulder. Wrap the longer end around your neck twice before jauntily tying the two ends together, letting the extra fabric fall loosely for a hint of insouciant luxury.

4) The Silk Scarf Belt: this way of wearing the silk scarf in place of a traditional belt, is an unexpected way to elevate your daily edit. Teamed with your favourite, go-to pair of off-duty denim, a transitional, evergreen trench, a basic, white tee, and stylish hat, consider another new edgy outfit. 

How-to-tie-it: tie the scarf (a long, skinny or rectangular style is best) around your waist or gently thread it through the belt loops of your pants. leave the ends untied to add a relaxed yet polished finish to everyday looks.

5) The Silk Scarf Bracelet: a silk scarf featuring a long, slim body, finished edges can be worn as a bracelet around the wrist for the perfect pop of colour against the skin, especially if combined with a denim top and fitted trousers for a look that is nothing short of thrès chic. 

How-to-tie-it: using a small square scarf, start by folding it diagonally into a long, skinny rectangle. Taking both ends, wrap the scarf around the top of your wrist so that both ends are equal in length. Next, take one end and wrap it once around your wrist. Repeat using the other end going in the opposite direction. Secure it with a knot and voilà!

6) The Nouveau Scarf Top: choose a graphic, or monogram silk scarf as a top paired with minimalist accessories and loungewear/cargo pants for a street-style maven-approved look. 

How-to-tie-it: for a quick and easy option, take a large square scarf and fold it in half diagonally. wrap the long end of the scarf aound your chest and secure it in back with a knot.

7) The scarf-as-Bag Strap: that's no better way to elevate your everyday, understated bag with an eye-catching pop of colour and print, for days when you just need an extra "je ne sais quoi". 

How-to-tie-it: add a sinuous sense of dimension to your tried-and-true bag by winding your silk scarf evenly around the handle or tying it around just one end of the strap. Let the fabric hang down dramatically for a fluid finishing touch.

Now it's up to you to try the best style that suits you...

HOW HOTELS USE SCENT TO CREATE ATMOSPHERE

Hotels use the power of smell to help tell a story. The smell is closely connected to the brain’s limbic system, where emotional processing takes place. It should be no surprise then that many hotels around the world have in recent years sought to harness the power of smell by creating their own signature scents that “represent their identity". Whenever a guest arrives at their building, it is the business’s job to make their hotel more than just a building. Even if it is just for a night, they want that building to make their guests feel happy and comfortable. So, by scent and fragrance, the hotels can now directly monitor how they are perceived and remembered in the eye of their guests. Different hotels have different vibes they want to give their guests. Some want to come off as old, elegant buildings fit for the wealthy. They want their guests to feel pampered during their stay. Others, want to give off the feeling of homey comfort, as if you were arriving home, rather than out spending the night in an unknown city. Hotels use specific scents to help create the atmosphere they’re seeking to convey, as decoration convey a particular feelings. An artfully placed display of fruit or the right bouquet of flowers goes a long way in communicating to guests. However, just as important as those visual touches, the hotel scent goes a long way in determining whether or not a hotel can portray the vibe they are going for. If, for example, they want you to feel at home in their hotel, they might use a soft mix of the scents of roses and tobacco. Whatever the scent is, it is often used in candles or sprays to scent the air, as well as in soaps and lotions. Their goal is not to overpower you with the hotel scent, but to subtly use it to convey a message– a message you will hopefully remember and connect with next time you’re thinking about booking a hotel. 

Taking the idea further, some hotels even offer products featuring their signature scents such as home fragrances, room sprays and candles which guests can purchase for their own use and thus, further connect with guests, even when they are at home. With staycations, more and more people are willing to purchase products to renovate their house or room in order to turn it into a hotel so that they can feel like they are travelling and staying at their favorite hotel. Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking pleasurable and memorable experiences that are unique and authentic, which led to a new term of “experiential marketing”. In the tourism field, experiential marketers seek to create “direct and valuable connections between organizations and their guests”, for instance by providing sensory experiences that trigger positive emotions. Using ambient scent may be a way for hotels to create “memorable experiences for guests” while also building brand loyalty. So, I you want the feelings those hotel scents convey without hefting the cost of a room for a night, you can turn your own home into a luxury staycation! You can purchase a hotel scent to spritz around your house, making it smell just like the fancy Weston Hotels or the luxuriously homey St. Regis. 

Personally, my favourite hotel-signature scent is one bought at the "Hotel Le Petit Palais", a beautiful Belle-Époque hotel on the Cimiez hill in Nice,

belonging to the Authentic Hotels. This hotel collection acquired an exclusive olfactory signature by Pierre Bourdon, one of the greatest perfumers in the world, an original "tailor-made" fragrance which is worthy of the luxury universe inspired by these hotels, a wonderful evocation of Grasse's flower fields fragrance, with the freshness of sea breeze and bathing sunshine. And in such an uncertain period for any travel projects, I can at least profit of this exclusive ambience scent to pleasantly dream about some of my favourite destinations by means of sophisticated olfactory suggestions... waiting for better days to come!

A CLOSE LOOK AT MY BRAND NEW CÉLINE TRIOMPHE BAG, THE QUINTESSENCE OF PARISIAN "ALLURE".

Here is one more post dedicated to a French bag. It's been almost three years since the Céline Triomphe Bag popped up on Celine’s website along with the rest of Hedi Slimane’s debut collection for the brand. In that time the bag has slowly, but steadily found its way into the hands of several style stars, who have been spotted with the Triomphe bag in tow. When these VIP ladies take notice, so do we, and while this isn't the first Céline by Hedi Slimane bag we’ve lusted after, it also likely won’t be the last. 

The Triomphe logo is rooted in Celine’s history and the story goes a little something like this: Céline Vipiana’s car broke down in Paris, right in front of the Arc de Triomphe, and she was inspired by the chain that surrounds the iconic monument. The inside of the double links represent two Cs and Celine’s founder immediately adopted it as a house emblem, using it on bags, jewelry, in prints and on shoes. The iconic house motif was adopted and reimagined by new creative director Hedi Slimane, appearing as the finishing touch on a classic silhouette, which we now know as the Triomphe Bag. Lined in lambskin, both sizes of the Triomphe bag contain a separated interior for maximum organization, as well two interior pockets—a slit pocket and a zippered pocket. The strap is designed to be worn either over the shoulder or crossbody as it’s adjustable. 

The larger size is the less eligible, 24.5 cm L x 18.5 cm H x 7.5 cm D.

The medium size works well for the everyday, though it's a bit on the smaller end for an everyday bag with overall dimensions of  22.5 cm L x 16.5 cm H x 7.5 cm D. 

The teen size is perfect for the mini-bag lover with dimensions of 18.5 cm L x 14 cm H x 6 cm D.

The Nano size is 16.5 cm L x 11.5 H cm x 5 cm D. 

As for the colour and leather type selections, I chose the medium version of the bag, in classic black, smooth calfskin leather, but the model is available also in beautiful neutral, pastel, or vibrant shades, as well as in exotic skins or Triomphe logo canvas + tan leather. 

Anyway, what I like most of this bag is its quintessential Parisian "allure", which inspires me unexpected, imaginary journeys to the "Ville Lumière", in a period of so many travel restrictions.

YSL SUNSET BAG, A CROSSBODY WITH MANY PLUS POINTS.

The YSL Sunset bag is one of the most beautiful bags designed by Saint Laurent, and a favourite  one in my closet too. During this pandemic year, with alternative periods of social-distancing and smart-working, I've been prone to set aside large, roomy totes in favour of smaller crossbody bags, which I find perfect combined to sneakers, when I go out temporarily for errands, then go back to my home-office. 

1) YSL SUNSET BAG'S PLUS POINTS:

A plus point of the YSL Sunset bag, compared to other crossbody bags, is the fact that it is pretty spacey. This is due to the gussets at the side which also add a nice touch to the overall design of the bag, and to the fact that, on the inside, it is made up of two compartments – one open central pocket and a smaller slot pocket at the front; there is also an external slot pocket at the back of the bag, on the outside. The bag is closed via a magnetic snap on the flap, and features the standard interlaced YSL initials on the front in metal hardware, as well as a leather encased keyring on the side. The Sunset bag has an extremely sleek and elegant feel to it. It has a chain and leather shoulder strap, which is adjustable, thus allowing it to be worn in multiple ways – as a long shoulder bag, a crossbody bag, or doubled up as a shorter handbag. Carriers of the YSL Sunset have confirmed its high durability with no visible scratches after several months of use. It is worth keeping in mind, however, that the larger size of the bag can get pretty heavy due to the chain strap and the amount of items that the bag can hold – but that really depends on what you plan on carrying.

2) YSL SUNSET BAG AVAILABLE COLOURS AND MATERIALS.

When it comes to colours and materials, the Saint Laurent Sunset collection certainly has a lot to choose from. Aside from the classic smooth calfskin leather version, the Sunset bag has been released in a range of finishes and materials including shiny patent leather, velvet, metallic laminated and crocodile embossed. You can also take your pick when it comes to the metal finishing of the chain strap and YSL initial hardware. The YSL Sunset bag is available in an array of colours, from neutral black, white and beige to more playful colours like red and green. Personally, I chose a chic medium version in black crocodile embossed with edgy silver hardware, which perfectly matches with my go-to black and silver star sneakers.

3) YSL SIZES AND DIMESIONS.

The Saint Laurent Sunset bag is available in small, medium and large sizes. The dimensions of each version are as follows:

YSL Sunset Small: 19 cm x 13 cm x 9 cm - Strap drop: unfolded 51cm; folded: 28 cm

YSL Sunset Medium: 22 cm x 16 cm x 8 cm - Strap drop: unfolded: 51 cm; folded: 28 cm

YSL Sunset Large: 27 cm x 18 cm x 8 cm - Strap drop: unfolded: 42 cm; folded: 24 cm

Overall, the YSL Sunset is a great go-to bag. It’s got a beautiful design which will add a touch of chic to any outfit. It is versatile, stores a good amount of items and is a standard price for this kind of designer bag. I think it is definitely worth the investment!

GLAM VALENTINE'S GIFT: DIOR TRIBALES EARRINGS

Hello dear readers. How was your Valentine's Day? 

As anticipated in my Instagram post, in which I described our celebrations, I'm going to write a short post about the present I received on the occasion: Dior Tribales earrings.

This bold model offers a new variation on an iconic style of the House. The white resin pearls suspend the signature letter charms 'D.I.O.R.' in gold-finish metal, with the letter 'O' paved with crystals. The clasp is integrated on the pearl, for a glam tribal effect.

Giving a romantic gift is all about knowing your partner. My sweetheart, even if he has known me for several years, and also my tastes pretty damn well, can still surprise me and strike the right chord without being overly cheesy. 

After all finesse is required, whether your relationship is brand spanking new or in its golden years...💕💘

HOW CELEBRITIES & FASHION PEOPLE STYLE THEIR FACE MASKS.

It would be an understatement to say that street style in 2020-2021 looks very different, if compared to previous years. This is, of course, due to the pandemic and its restrictions, including wear a face mask when you're among people. Naturally, stylish A-listers adapted to the safety rules and donned the newest must-have accessory with their chic looks. So, forget an It-shoe/ handbag, this year the style set wants a face mask to match their personal style.

We applaud these fashionable celebs for keeping themselves, and others, safe by wearing a face mask. And we can also rely on these sartorial stars to prove that you can make any face mask look stylish with the right outfit. From ultra-cool models' / actresses' off-duty ensembles to Royal celebrities' and it-girls effortless chic outfits, you'll definitely be inspired by your favourite stars' glam ways of dressing up a mask, especially because we are all certainly be wearing this accessory for long. And these examples are not enough glam for you, you can opt for facemasks to either match your dress or by A-list luxury brand, to make this protective gear the latest way to make a fashion statement.

Ahead see how a few celebrities style their face masks.

Olivia Palermo (It-girl)

Ana de Armas (Actress)

Duchess of Cambridge

Kaya Gerber (Model)

Letizia, Queen of Spain

Angelina Jolie (Actress)

Hailey Baldwin (Model)