Summer recap and new MaiTai Collection items

With July and August and their scorching temperatures well behind us, we are now in the best part of summer. I just love the soft light, warm days, and cooler evenings. As long as the temperature doesn't climb above 30 degrees Celsius, I am happy! 

Keeping the plants alive has been one of the challenging aspects of summer. I could sympathize with them, as the heat made me feel wilted as well. Even the dogs were barely moving during the day.

Another challenge was dinner ... when it is still hot outside at 9pm, cooked food is just not appealing. A firm favorite during July and August is a gazpacho or cucumber soup with garlic bread, or a tomato and mozzarella salad. 

A couple of weeks ago, I launched a bag pillow collection for Picotin bags. Since the bag is unlined, it can be prone to losing its shape quite quickly, depending on the leather. The Sanguine bag pictured below has been pretty much a puddle from day one, whereas my Rubis keeps its shape with just the help of a bag insert.

I tested the pillows for a couple of years before launching them, and to my surprise, the Sanguine Picotin actually gained structure while being stored with one. While I don’t believe pillows are suitable for every type of bag, I’ve found that for the Picotin, there’s no better storage solution to help maintain its shape.

Available here for sizes 18, 22 and 26.

Roley is waiting for his evening treat

The miracle of a kitchen garden 

I make pesto once a year (just finished this year's batch) and keep it in the freezer; it is so handy for giving an extra flavour to a tomato mozzarella salad or a bowl of pasta.

Wiener is on a mission!

In other MaiTai Collection news, the long-awaited Goyard Saint Louis PM inserts are finally here

They ar available in six colors here

Earlier this month, I went on a short trip to London

As usual, I stayed at Number Sixteen. It always makes me happy to be here. The rooms are frequently redecorated, and I’ve rarely seen the same decor twice. I loved the combination of blues, greys, and warm terracotta tones in the one I stayed in this time.

The throw cushions were a happy surprise, as they featured a panel of the "Wild Geese" fabric by Mulberry, which I recently launched for my inserts. The fabric is 100% linen and works beautifully in both use cases. For the inserts, I lined the interior with a luxurious, sage-colored cotton fabric by Manuel Canovas.  Available here

There is so much attention paid to details, and it all comes together beautifully. (You can also see that the wallcovering is fabric, which adds a warm and joyful atmosphere to the room.)

Perfect bed skirt pleats

A little tour of the garden - a haven of beauty and tranquility

Such a romantic spot

God bless the Queen 🇬🇧

As I was born in 1963, my Chinese zodiac sign is the Rabbit. I’ll have to visit this restaurant one day, with DS’s girlfriend, who is a Rabbit too! 

Ever since shopping in a London supermarket as a young teenager, I’ve loved English packaging design. I still go to grocery stores and bring things back simply because they’re so pretty. One day, I’ll dedicate an entire blog post to it! 

Jewel-like raindrops, and just as precious after the long, hot summer we've had.

Dinner for two

The warm glow of late summer days

August and September are harvest season for the vines. I love how the sign for this Sauvignon Blanc just hangs off the tree, instead of sitting on a pole in the field.

Grapes being hand-picked ... quite a rare sight these days

In the height of summer, I love using fresh blue tablecloths paired with pink or white flowers. But as the evenings grow cooler, I find myself drawn to warmer, richer tones..

I discovered the beautiful linen fabric below in London last autumn (you might remember I mentioned it on the blog at the time). I loved the pattern and hand-painted feel, and couldn't get it out of my head. Over the summer, I made a couple of tests to see if it would work as an insert, and I’m so thrilled with the result.

There were many different colors to choose from, and I decided on three CWs for the Tribal Frond design. I also added another pattern in a pretty pink color.

The new collection is already available in select bag styles and sizes, and will be offered in most sizes in October. If you'd like to pre-order, please send an email to tai@maitaicollection.com

The Battenburg in Rose/Miel and Tribal Frond in Flame

The Tribal Frond in Azur/Ciel and Indigo/Gold

With the heat gone, Wiener and Roley have re-found their energy - one, two, three ...

... off we go!

Two weeks before my due date, on September 10, 2000:

25 September 2025 - Happy 25th birthday to DS! 

Links to the new MTC items:

Picotin bag pillows

Goyard Saint Louis PM inserts

Linwood collection:

Battenburg rose/miel

Tribal Frond flame 

Tribal Frond azur/ciel

Tribal Frond indigo/gold

Wild Geese Mulberry inserts

Also new: inserts for the Garden Party 23