SELF-INDULGENCE AT HOME: MONOGRAMMED BEDLINEN.

Monogrammed bedding is an excellent way to add a little bit of elegance to the bed, definitely the ultimate in a well designed bedroom. Sheet sets, pillow cases, and shams can be personalised with any of our signature monograms. In this gloomy period of recurring crisis for the world outside, I find that the best way to try not to feel overwhelmed and depleted by the events is a little of self-indulgence, to feel spoilt in the comfort of your home.

Here is my small selection of both personal and heirloom monogrammed bedlinen.

- The Chain collection by Rivolta Carmignani, entirely manufactured in Italy,  has an essential, contemporary, yet classic design. From the historic archives of the company, the refined Chain motif, once selected for the suites of the most prestigious hotels in the world, has been now revised in new colours, Pearl grey and Capri blue embroidery on luxury, pure cotton sateen white bedlinens. I chose the second colour combination, perfect for a marine-inspired holiday house bedroom.

- Bespoke Egyptian Bedding cotton 600 threads bedlinen with either "ton-sur-ton" or contrasting monogram and lace trimming, made by a French expert embroiderer and perfect for our Provençal style guest room.

- Old-style, customised cotton percale bedlinen from my mother's trousseau, whose ivory shade feels soft yet fresh and gives a relaxed feeling to her bedroom, while the delicate yet ornate monograms and décor all around the edges add elegance to the ambience.

Of course, monogrammed sheet sets can be also a wonderful and personal wedding gift, but in this case of course, when making our choice, it is better to match the monogram style to the style of the bedroom to which it is destined, either classic or modern, since there are plenty of options in both versions, as you can see in the following pictures.

4 FRENCH CLASSIC ROMANTIC SONGS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY.

Even if this may sound as a cliché, it is undeniable that the French have always been fine connoisseurs of romance, with an impressive musical repertoire to reflect their expertise. With French being the language of love, and its many legendary composers and musicians, here is a classic French Valentine's Day mini-playlist in which both sad and happy love is played (to keep things fair). Personally, I find they make great easy-listening and perfect for serenading your best someone, in spite of their sounding a bit "agées" :

1) "Ne me quitte pas" by Jacques Brel, with its intensely sad universal power, even though the author actually did not consider it a love song.

2) "La vie en rose" by Edith Piaf, expressing the joy of finding true love.

3) "Le feuilles mortes" sung by Yves Montand and written by the surrealist poet Jacques Prévert.

4) "Je veux" by Zaz, more modern and full of the lively and fresh energy of gipsy jazz.

I hope that you liked this lovely short selection. Is there a French love song that you like to listen to in your romantic moments? Let me know it in the comment section! I might update this list with new French romantic songs in the future.

MY TOP 10 OF DESIGNERS' BAGS FOR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN.

Wake up in the morning, stumble to the kitchen and grab yourself the perfect office accessory. From the daily grind to the next steps on your career ladder, it’s important to keep the essential items safe and secure. From a backpack to a sleek leather tote, there are a wide variety of styles that you can sport every day and feel like either a business woman in a U.S. TV series or an off-duty supermodel. Go from nine to five in style with the 20 best designer work bags for the professional lady.

Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Medium Tote: Take on your big workday in style, thanks to this elegant Saint Laurent bag. This tote features timeless gold accents and the iconic branding printed on the front – the craftsmanship of its high-quality leather is worth showing off. The internal envelope is ideal for your keys and cards, and the medium size is perfect for your documents and important files. With such an incredible accessory by your side, you’ll ace every meeting with grace.

Fendi Leather Tote M size: Elevate your everyday office ensemble with this sleek, edgy Fendi bag. The oversized tote boasts polished Italian black leather, and the gold double ‘FF’ logo hardware is sure to turn heads.  You can switch from hand-held to your shoulder, thanks to its adjustable strap. This tote is effortless in style, meaning you can wear it with almost any outfit and look very modern. So, take your laptop with you, keep important documents by your side and do it with a fashionable twist.

Hermès Birkin bag 30 cm: If you are not afraid of looking too "deluxe style" and want to take your outfit ensemble to the next level, this stunning, iconic handbag is perfect for you. It features an outstanding construction with beautiful details such as the "tirets, lock, and clochette" and is available in many leather / colour versions.  It’s medium in size, meaning you can carry your tablet, papers, water bottle, and any other important files needed for a productive day at work.

LV On-the-go Tote PM: For an iconic and fashionable work ensemble, this Louis Vuitton tote will be the perfect companion, as suggested by its name and it is also a favourite of mine. Large in size and timeless in design, you can dress it up or down. It will be an ideal accessory for your next big meeting. The leather construction features a modern giant, discreet, iconic "empreinte" monogram. The beauty behind this bag is its versatility: thanks to its double handles it can be worn both as a handbag and a shoulder bag, as well as either at the office or in your business trips, according to your needs.

Mulberry Bayswater zipped Tote: Take your everyday essentials with you wherever you go, and do it in British classic style. This Mulberry tote is roomy so that you can fit a small laptop or tablet, files, and plenty of other documents. The calfskin leather is soft to the touch, and the zip + fastened closure keeps the belongings safe and secure. It’s the perfect accessory for your daily routine and is sure to garner a compliment or two, especially in this oxblood leather shade.

Prada Double Bag: Instantly elevate your daily outfits, from the office to an important meeting with your clients. This Prada Double bag offers a timeless design, and the stunning powder pink Saffiano leather will last for years to come. If you often wear dark shades, this is the best way to add a pop of color. You can fit a small laptop or tablet in here, with plenty of room for extra items to help you along your way.

Dior St-Honoré bag, M size: A timeless, elegant handbag designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and named in homage to the emblematic, Parisian fashion district, for a businesswoman who strizza l'occhio to the very French style and wants a sophisticated investment bag she won't regret. Personally i love the iconic macro-cannage motif by Dior , which is so French-style , but there is also of course there are also a version in grained calfskin in lovely pastel shades, perfect for Spring.

Tory Burch Perry Leather Tote: This is one of the totes that are most seen on women in career from American TV series. You can go from the office to dinner with friends without having to change your bag in a very sober style. The timeless design is lightweight, with a rich pebbled leather finish and a stunning red pop of color. The size is suitable for a 13″ laptop, and the long strap sits perfectly on your shoulder. It also features a flat base, so you can easily store some of your important documents inside.

Senrève Maestra Bag M size: The Maestra’s appeal is simple: a stylish, functional bag with both a convertible strap that effortlessly transforms a satchel to a backpack and very well designed interior compartments. That is why I consider one of my favourite office bag in both Winter and Spring colour palettes.

Céline Belt bag, L size: The ladylike top-handle bag  is as modern and timeless as you can get when it comes to bag models. This original bag with both handle and strap, adds instant polish to absolutely any ensemble, thanks to its striking, structured silhouette and will soon become one of your most prized possessions.

A GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE BEST CHRISTMAS TREE FOR YOUR HOME

December has just started and we are all thinking about decorating our homes for Christmas, with a special attention to the Christmas tree.

In the collective imagination inspired by seasonal movies, the lovestruck couple wearing matching bobble hats, trudge through snow-covered New York streets  pulling a plump Christmas tree behind them. They arrive to their cute apartment, where they spend joyful hours decorating the tree with heirloom baubles in beteween sips of marshmallow-filled hot chocolate. The reality, for most of us, is far form an American fairytale and a bit more like a nightmare of the fairy lights as we haul boxes down from the attic, ob the top off the tree because it's too big, and berate ourselves, once again, for not doing a better job with the decorations. But this year, with some advice, we can all end up with a beautiful-looking specimen that blends perfectly with our décor and living situation. Of course, choosing between a real or artificial tree is the first step, considering if you prefer the picture-perfect tree which will not droop throughout the season or the smell and memories which can be made when choosing one.

Anyway, the ten top Christmas tree tips according to famous interior design experts are the following:

1) When deciding between a real or artificial tree consider room temperature and whether you want picture-perfect symmetry or natural shapes and pine scent.

2) Measure the space and allow at least 15 cm between the top of the tree and the ceiling.

3) If you're keeping it real look for a tree with good colour, shape and scent that is not too densely branched and has a straight trunk, and water it regularly. If going artificial, make sure you have enough space to store the tree when festivities are over.

4) Decide a theme and colour scheme on your decorations if you wish, matching with the interior colour scheme of the room where it is placed, without forgetting the children. Personally I've sticked to gold, which I find an everlasting classic.

5) Place the tree in a low-traffic area for safety reasons to avoid bumping and toppling it over.

6) It's a great idea to invest in some beautiful pieces and add to the collection every year as they can be passed through the family and make great gifts for the next generation.

7) If your tree is not pre-lit, add lights first, 100 for every 90 cm of tree height, starting from the top, and draping them in a circle, front and back, layer by layer until you reach the bottom and trying to hide cables behind the branches. Moreover, if you need to use a multi-socket extension lead run it down the centre of the tree, so it will not be seen when the tree is decorated.

8) Position the tree topper then weave garlands, bows and ribbons  down the tree if you're using them.

9) Add focal points with big, oversized baubles decorations.

10) Fill in with ornaments and balls, remembering to place the larger ones towards the bottom, medium in the middle and smaller ones on top.

Now, it's up to you to create you ideal Christmas tree, and perhaps, the selection of beautiful Christmas trees I chose for you will stimulate your creativity.

Rustic inspiration

Pastel tones

Silver & blue combo

White & golden inspo

                            

FALL DÉCOR YOU CAN KEEP UP TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Although fall is one of the shorter seasons, it has some of the most noteworthy decorations and symbols such as pumpkins, leaves, natural materials, and orange & brown or neutral color schemes. I love Fall décor, which can give us a warm and comforting feeling, as the weather gets chilly and we look for comfort & relax in our homes.

While Thanksgiving is closer to American culture than to European one, its aesthetic matches with Fall and is perfect also for worldwide interiors. We don’t have to take down our fall decor at the end of October, but there are plenty of ways to make it work and a variety of fall decorations that you can display all the way up to the Holiday season.

• Pumpkin Decor : Pumpkins are the biggest symbol of Fall and they can still be relevant through the whole season. Pumpkin pie is also a traditional dessert for the season, so pumpkin décor can still match with our table setting, but also displayed indoor and in outdoor decorations. Pumpkins can be a part of our Fall decor as long as they aren’t Halloween themed or have spooky designs on them, so as to get either a glam-rustic or refined urban style, according to our home mood.

• Fall Flowers and Wreaths: The Fall season reflects nature and natural elements through leaves, foliage, pines and seasonal flowers. These elements work because of the warm color schemes that bring comfort to the table. With sunflowers, orange and yellow leaves, and touches of burgundy, combined with matching candles these Fall decorations and wreaths are general enough stay up through all your fall days.

• Lanterns: Fall is such a warm and cozy time of year and to celebrate the season, why not decorate your home with lanterns and tea-lights, both indoors and out.

SIX BAG TRENDS FOR FALL 2021/2022 TO LOOK OUT FOR.

Far from fading into the background, bags were even bigger—quite literally–on the fall and winter runways. This trend comes as a relief, as we finally re-started our old routines, being out and about, longing for more than just cute micro bags, perfect only for glam night-out. Whether you're looking for something shiny and new like a fabulous chain-link bag, or simply need a back-to-work accessory boost (maybe a very polished single strap shoulder bag?), I've broken down the biggest winter bag trends for you. 

1) Extra-large geometric totes Is bigger actually better? These bags will argue yes. For winter, ditch your multiple carrying vessels for an extra-large tote that can handle your laptop, an extra pair of shoes, and so much more.

2) Chunky chain-link bags More posh than punky, chunky chain-link bags are still trending. Choose the season's "it" bag with either a gold or silver metal to suit your style. 

3) Soft Shearling and faux-fur bags won't just live on winter jackets this season. They're leaving their huggable mark on handbags too.

4) Lock bags The Chloé Paddington bag was once the talk of the town and all fashionable girls possessed one. This winter, locks are having their moment yet again. There's no better way to secure your goods than with one of these padlock-adorned purses.

5) Single-strap shoulder bags A bit retro and undeniably-sleek, these single strap shoulder bags can be handheld or conveniently cradled under your arm.

6) Coin-purse-closure bags the traditional coin purse got a stylish, modern revamp.