Friday, June 28, 2013

Paris Photo Journal: Part Deux

Mes Photos de Paris

This is not by any means a tourist guide, they are not even good pictures. At the pace my husband drags me around town I couldn't squeeze a good shot in there even if I wanted to. I am missing so many iconic sites in Paris (what, no tower?!) For that we will always have Paris...and DK Eyewitness Guides! Hope you enjoy this journey as much as I am. 
Love from Paris.
XO

I wish I could lock myself to is city!
Found this Alain Ducasse J'Aime Paris Book at a Secco Café, feat. His fave stos, spots and anecdotes, beautifully illustrated makes a wonderful Coffee Table Book or a piece of decor by its own
Loved these Lalique Vitrines

Hôtel Costes, Rue Saint-Honoré
Setting up of The Glory of Water, Lagerfeld's photo expo along the Seine under these black domes
 Italian and French Fashion Power Houses gorgeous façades

Peonies Wall at the Mandarin Oriental Paris, Rue Saint-Honoré
Maison Georges Larnicol

L'original Steak & Frites @ Le Relais de l'Entrecôte
Amorino Gelati
 Le Choc Mont Blanc @ Angelina
Café Saint-Régis, île Saint-Louis

Fauchon Heaven!

Just in time for Half-Yearly Soldes! A people watching and window shopping spectacle by itself!

 Historic Cafe de Flore, opposite to equally iconic Les Deux Magots and Brasserie Lipp

 A rare and beautiful site: a ghostly Paris Métro

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Paris Photo Journal: The Parisian Vintage Chic Home





Waking up to this city every morning is invigorating. The vibe of this town is exhilarating. I'm not a morning person, trust me I start functioning at noon, here however, I wake up revitalized with this smile on my face that just makes me look stupid...stupid happy.

The following is a brief photo journal of Paris through my eyes and why not as cheesy as it may sound, my heart! Many of the spots you'll recognize, others are everyday moments in the life of Parisians, some have been captured without them even knowing it, and of course you'll see fashion
And  my very own weakness: food.

This first feature showcases my favorite spots of a vintage chic parisian apartment.

When I first arrived to our building's blue door I feet like Hugh Grant was about to open it for me, then I realized some minor details: I wasn't Julia Roberts, I wasn't in a film and I was in the wrong country. Everytime I cross this ble door, whether out to discover the city or in to the place I now call 'home' my hearts fills with joy, the kind of joy you feel when you walk into target...okay, or disneyland (target does it for me).

I love everything about this place, the flooring, art, fabrics, vintage furniture, the way it combines the old with the new, the views, light fixtures, it is small and cozy yet comfortable enough for a family of four, and of course location, location, location!


The Parisian Home


Vintage Trunks serve as side tables and Night Stands


I love the way areas have been defined by the strategic placing of rugs!




 Parisian Vintage mixes beautifully with clean white modern kitchen cabinets
























Ofi Bella - New Collection July 2nd!

Just in time for the summer! 

Yesterday I got the most exciting news from Ofi Bella, their new collection featuring Designers Zariin, Hula Hoops Maui and Tiffany Chou is coming soon...very soon! I even got to buy some pieces for myself, can't wait to get my hands on these babies!!!















Monday, June 17, 2013

Designer with a Heart of Gold - MIELLE By Alexandra Brugal

100% Cotton, Organic, Delicate, Exquisite Panties
(Somebody is making good use of her thesaurus...)


I was lucky enough to meet Ale through her work at the National Cancer League. I was invited to work with this cause I carry very close to my heart by a mutual friend. I joined her efforts to form a Youth Committee to raise funds and awareness for this wonderful cause. More than two years later, I have been blessed with probably the most gratifying experience of my life and some very special new friends, among them Ale, probably the most generous, selfless person I have ever met. If you are lucky enough to know her background you will understand these qualities run in her family, her mother, sister and grandfather are also devoted to this magnificent cause. The love and hard work they put into it without ever expecting something in return is a rare, inspiring and admirable act of kindness we randomly get to witness in the world we live today.

Ale is full of life, love, creativity, initiatives and energy she channels into whatever she sets her heart on. Whether helping others battling this terrible disease or designing her very own line of lingerie, I admire the passion she puts into everything she does. Her young, fresh, energetic vibe is just contagious. She is a classic beauty, the kind who can wear a vintage dress and pearls like no one else can and own it. 

As soon as you walk into her office you understand this girl means business and loves what she does. You'll get a glimpse of her inspiration boards, and will try to make your way through fabric and lace swatches, drying dye samples, panty prototypes, color formulas, and cats...lots of cats.  This is were MIELLE was born, and where Ale puts all her talent and energy to work every day, creating beautiful pieces, experimenting with colors, fabrics and designs.

Lovely Talented Designer Alexandra Brugal

Fresh out of SCAD, Ale worked in retail, styling, editorials, but deep down she always knew design was her thing. Lingerie was the natural and smart option for her and her partner and sister, Bea. Every woman wears and needs it yet it is so hard to find comfortable intimates made of quality fabrics and cotton blends, with beautiful and sexy details at accessible prices. It really is a basic, and may I say a segment that has been overlooked for too long by designers and retailers in this town. It has been quite a ride for Ale. You can trust her with the designing part but she has had to learn about the manufacturing part of the process from the very basics, even sewing her first prototype herself!

Her inspiration is seasonal. Her most recent Valentine's Day inspired collection features gorgeous sexy red and black detailing, but her initial Oliva and Bluet collection featured beautiful organic natural earth tones, delicate hues of pink, white, beige, and pastel blues and greens...just dreamy. She'll also find her inspiration in sunny spring or summer days, and where else of course, Pinterest!

This fellow Pinner practices Yoga in her free time to relax and release some stress. When she's not pinning fellow Dominican Oscar de la Renta or Elie Saab designs for inspiration, she'll hang out with hey boyfriend, or she'll knit. Ale has to occupy her hands on anything she confesses, she gifted my daughter with the coolest braided bracelet made by none other than herself!

Mielle is as feminine and sophisticated as the designer herself, but what I love the most about this brand is Ale's passion for and attention to beautiful details. Delicate hand-dyed lace adorns each panty, and the 100% cotton fabric and linings are just so comfortable and feel so natural against your body. You feel beautiful and sexy yet you are not sacrificing comfort or hygiene. Mielle offers a variety of fits: bikinis, boyshorts and thongs in sizes small, medium and large, all in 100% natural breathable cotton.

Up Next? Cotton Tees, PJ's, and loungewear. You had me at cotton!!!

Mielle's Sexy Inspiration Board

Gorgeous Lace and Ribbon Details

Mielle's First Prototype

Feeling Sexy? Go for the Lace Stella!

Ale loves experimenting and creating her own color formulas
Aren't these Panty Pockets the cutest???


Mielle Lingerie is available at Kala's Bridal Boutique, Calle La Mascota, Colonia Maquilishuat #985