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Sunday, August 13, 2023

Summer

 Summer has been blissful this year; it's been less hot than in previous years, and we even had a couple of weeks of cooler temperatures at the beginning of the month ... something I've never experienced in August before!



I found this pretty wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg in London in June, and I just love how fresh and summery it looks. 


Accessorising with my MTC pendant necklace in ivory (very few still available here)


I often combine florist-bought flowers with berries and foliage I find on my walks with the dogs, and I love the texture and homemade look it adds to a flower arrangement.


What a joy to discover how perfectly the new dress goes with my emerald green Superga sneakers and Kelly Double Tour bracelet in Bamboo


I came across this spectacular sunflower field last weekend, and it was magical to see how the wind made them dance and sway in the breeze (you can see a video of this on my Instagram here)



When family comes over in the summer, we have dinner on a big table, and fun, long evenings. In previous years I've been throwing away mountains of paper napkins at the end of each meal, which seemed so wasteful. A couple of months ago, I found vintage French Damast napkins dyed in pink at a local textile market and embroidered each with a different colored star. Everyone loved having their own napkin, and I perfected my satin and chain stitches in the process! 




The new vegetable patch has been my absolute joy; it has grown abundantly and is a source of constant wonder: Within two weeks, the young courgette plant has grown in leaps and bounds and produced its first flower:



In less than six weeks, it has grown into this ...


... and produced its first courgette a couple of days later!


It sounds like a cliché when people say there is no comparison between homegrown and shop-bought fruit and vegetables, but it is true. You can't get fresher, tastier and more beautiful vegetables than those from your garden: I pick them just before making dinner when they are still warm from the sun they've been soaking in all day. 


with some pasta and parmesan, fried with onions and garlic. Bon appetit!


 
In addition to the courgettes, we also have lettuces, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers ...

... which makes for a lovely lunch:


and aubergines, too!


I came across this fabulous recipe of baked sweet potatoes, roasted chickpeas and tzatziki by @powerplantblog on Instagram (here). It's packed with nutrition and flavors and is quick and easy to make. What a lovely and colorful dish to inaugurate my new Tall Trees dinner plates with! The plates feature Melissa White's Tall Trees design for Kit Kemp (here)


You might remember the Tall Trees wallpaper in my bedroom that I blogged about last year (here). It makes me happy every time I enter the room ... it is such a serenely beautiful design. I'm so thrilled that it has now become available as dinnerware.


A picture of my workspace that I posted on Instagram a couple of weeks ago ...


... is featured on Andrew Martin's "In Real Homes" gallery on their website. I was so happy to find it there and could not be more thrilled.



I hope you are enjoying a happy and beautiful summer, and have a wonderful remaining August!
xx




As always, there is no sponsored content, and I don't have any affiliation with any of the brands mentioned.  Here all relevant links in case you are interested in more details:

Diane von Furstenberg Abigail Dress here
Kelly Double Tour bracelet in Bamboo here
MaiTai Collection pendant necklace here
Tall Trees porcelain here
Tall Trees wallpaper here
Andrew Martin "Real Homes" gallery here



23 comments:

  1. This morning I was thinking, I wish there were more posts by MaiTai and here is one! Thank you.
    I love the new dress and also wonder about where you found the dress you wore in the last post about attending the Chelsea Flower Show. It is delightful and festive. Any information you care to share about that one?
    Please keep the colorful pictures and happy posts coming.
    Kind regards,
    CC

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely comment, dear CC! You were quite right to wonder ... I've been so busy in July that I missed a post. The dress I wore at the Chelsea Flower show is by La Double J and the style is called Artemis. It comes in many different colors and the one I have is still available (although the price seems to have gone up quite a bit!): https://www.ladoublej.com/en/ready-to-wear/our-categories/dresses/artemis-dress-%28placee%29-patchwork-occhi-placee-DRE0201FAI002PAT0002.html I'll include the link in the original post, thanks so much for letting me know that it wasn't there. Wishing you a happy and lovely rest of the summer! Best, Tai

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    2. Gorgeous, nearly bought that dress, now I really wish I had! Thank you for sharing

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    3. As far as I can see it is still available ... run, don't walk 😉 🤗

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  2. Saludos desde México 🇲🇽. Aquí comemos las "Flores de calabaza". En una sopa que se llama "Caldo Xochitl", o "Sopa de milpa", o en quesadillas con queso Oaxaca o queso manchego y salsa verde.
    Saben deliciosas.

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    Replies
    1. Thank goodness for Google Translate! I particularly like the sound of the "Sopa de Milpa", as it doesn't seem to involve batter to cook the courgette flowers. And, Manchego cheese is one of the best! Warm greetings from France to Mexico 🇫🇷

      Google translate:
      Gracias a Dios por Google Translate! Me gusta especialmente el sonido de la "Sopa de Milpa", ya que no parece que lleve masa para cocer las flores de calabacín. ¡Y el queso manchego es uno de los mejores! Saludos cordiales desde Francia a México 🇫🇷

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    2. Many years ago,when Luciano Pavarotti offered a concert, in the city. He asked for the zucchini flower soup recipe. I like to prepare them as quesadillas. ( Corn Tortilla with melted cheese and zucchini flowers, onion, garlic and tomato). Delicious!

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  3. lovely dress glad you had a good summer.

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    1. Thanks so much! Hope you are having a good summer too! ☀️

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  4. Wonderful summer impressions! Just looking at it conveys a holiday feeling, pleasure and joie de vivre! Thank you for always taking us with you on these wonderful picture journeys! Warmest regards from Stuttgart - Bettina

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    1. Dearest Bettina, - so glad you enjoyed the postcard! I heard that the weather in Germany was not so great this summer, but hope that August will make up for it, followed by a glorious Indian Summer! If not, then perhaps compensate with another trip to France? 😉 😁 🤗 Ganz liebe Grüsse xx

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  5. love the dress. I used to buy DVF wrap dresses way back in the early 70's. they were
    $12.00 at Marshall Fields in Chicago. of course they were above the knee back then, now they can be found in vintage clothing shops. looks beautiful on you.

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    1. I didn't know they were above the knee in the 70's, but it makes perfect sense. I am grateful though that longer versions are available too! Have you kept any of yours? I do love the big collars they used to have.

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  6. You and your DVF dress look fresh plucked from your verdant garden!
    Amazing to see how your garden has grown in the last few months. The trip to bountiful is not far, indeed!
    I am afraid that in our Texas heat, there would not be any flourishing,only frying!!
    Enjoy your bounty, darling Tai!
    Stay hydrated! Mwahs, T xx


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    1. I could have never imagined how much fun the vegetable garden is, I always thought it's difficult and labor intensive. Maybe it is just beginner's luck, but I'll definitely do it again next year! It gets pretty hot here in the summer too (90 to 105), and yet some of the commercial growers have their crop exposed to the full sun all day. Tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and courgettes seem to love it. You need an automated watering system though ... we all need to stay hydrated! Have a wonderful remaining August! Mwahs xx

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  7. YOU BETTER BOUNCE OVER TO MY NEW POST AS I HAVE ZUCCHINI ON IT TOO WITH A RECIPE!
    HOW GORGEOUS YOU LOOK IN YOUR DVF DRESS!I RECALL THOSE DAYS VERY WELL AND WHAT A SIMPLE CHIC DESIGN IT IS!
    https://thevintagecontessa.blog
    GIVING YOU THE LINK HERE AS I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET MY NAME TO SHOW ON THESE COMMENTS SECTIONS..........SORRY!
    EVERYTHING IS SO DIFFICULT THESE DAYS AND TOO MANY STEPS!
    LA CONTESSA
    BIG HUG

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    1. Dearest Contessa, thanks so much for sharing the link to your blog post! I loved the tour through your beautiful garden and your vegetable garden is just stunning. The courgette recipe looks mouthwatering and your basil harvest and pesto production is so impressive! Much love and have a happy remaining summer xxx

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  8. Your dress is so pretty -- as you say, perfect for summer. Your napkins remind me of my mother, who made her own napkins and embroidered them. We also each had our own design.I'm going to make your pasta dish tonight -- looks so delicious! Thank you as always for your lovely posts.

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Cynthia! I love that this post triggered such precious and happy memories; there is something so special about hand-embroidery. I hope your pasta dish was a success, and wishing you a happy remaining August!

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  9. Gorgeous as always. Lovely dress, especially with sneakers. I use cloth napkins as well. Not only is it more sustainable, it also gives instant chique to the table. Mine are ivory embroidered by my mum. The colour of yours is super. Thanks for another feast for the eyes.

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    1. Dear Hilde, - thanks so much for the kind comment! It is just wonderful to hear all these stories of hand-embroidery by our mothers, and how much cherished these napkins are. So nice to know that you like the combination of dresses and sneakers, I love it too <3

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  10. What a beautiful summery post, darling Tai! Love your dress, your embroidered napkins and your work place! The wall paper is so elegant and exquisite as are the pillows and the bed linen. So pretty and neat!
    Thank you for sharing your new dishes. They look so yummy!
    Great to read your posts, as always. Sending much love, Mxx

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  11. Beautiful dress! Also love all the pictures you took for this blog. Thank you!

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