Lunch in Aix-en-Provence ~ Brasserie Les Deux Garçons

Yesterday we went 'en famille' to Aix-en-Provence, mainly to get jeans for DS, as Aix is our nearest place that has a Gap kids store. No visit to Aix would be complete though without a lunch in our favorite brasserie, 'Les Deux Garçons'. It is a place rich in history, beautiful in decor and with delicious, yet simple food and has been an 'Aixoise institution' since the beginning of the 19th Century.

Les Deux Garçons, 53 Cours Mirabeau, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, + 33 (4) 42 52 58 74

Although the weather was sunny and the sky deep blue, there was an icy wind blowing at the same time, and it was definitely too cold to sit outside. The decor of the inviting interior dining is from the epoque consulaire (early 19th-century) and is listed as a 'monument historique'. The gilded and olive-painted salon with it's beautiful mirrors, neoclassical reliefs, and elegant ceilings is truly a feast for the eyes.

 

.. nevertheless we were drawn to lunch in the Orangerie, to benefit from the beautiful sunshine, streaming in through the big glass windows

featured scarf Les Clés Pointu and enamel bracelet Grand Apparat

On the way back home we could not resist stopping at Riederer,

which is also located on the Court Mirabeau, just a few meters from the Deux Garçons..

 

..how I love their beautiful mini pâtisseries!

Pâtissier Riederer, 67 Cours Mirabeau, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, +33 (4) 42 38 19 69 

Wishing everyone a good week ahead! :-)

Hacking knot - how to

Fold your scarf/GM in the basic bias, then place around your neck as shown. Put one hand through the loop you have created and pull one scarf end through.

Please click images to enlarge

Open up the loop and put your hand through (from underneath). Then take the other scarf end and pull it through.

Tighten and voilà!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Scarf profile ~ La Femme aux Semelles de Vent

Todays profile is one of my favorite scarves, issued in 2009, the 'Year of Travel'. It pays homage to Alexandra David-Neel (1868-1969), a french/belgian explorer, spiritualist and writer, who was a true 'femme aux semelles de vent' (a woman with wind for her soles).
Designed by Aline Honoré, orig. issue AW2009

I call it my chameleon scarf, as it always seem to pick up on the color I am wearing. I love the rich and amazing corner details, each one different from one another.. this scarf ties like a dream!

The center scene depicts Alexandra David-Neel and her companion, Lama Yongden, heading towards Lhasa, the forbidden capital of Tibet. She reached Lhasa in 1924, and this amazing feat made her famous throughout the world. To read more about this remarkable woman, please click here.


The title of the scarf, please click on the image to enlarge

Another gorgeous corner

The artist's signature

Copyright

in a double knot


About the design, from the Hermès scarf booklet:
Like the rugs and clothing of these regions [Central Asia and the Far East], the carré is bordered with fur bands, here printed on the silk, and embroidered braids, mixing ethnic, geometric or floral patterns, interspersed with pieces of gold-work, charms, and earrings of silver, coral and turquoise.
other CWs of this scarf include [all pics from hermes.com]:

02

06

07

09

03 left, 01 & 04 right [from the AW2009 Scarf Booklet]

Chez le coiffeur

After days and days of gloomy weather, I could not have picked a better day to go to the hairdresser and run errands.

Now, this is how I love my hair! Blow dried to perfection by Laurence, only that it never stays like that for long, my hair is determined to be straight.. usually I don't even make it home in time to take a pic, so I snapped one right at the coiffeur..

Wearing my Capitales Twilly in a tie knot

With the fabulous blue sky and warm sunshine it felt as if spring is just around the corner..

and looking at this little square it could even be summer..

H's window display was just in the same spring like mood..there was the new Constance wallet in the SS2010 color 'pink' and a 'Le 24' coin purse (behind the watch) in the new 'Bouganvillia'. I've been looking forward to seeing the wallet, but decided against it, as it does not fold open, which means the bills need folding in order to fit. The coin purse however is amazing, it holds tons of change. Mine is black (I know, I know) and I love it.

Winter tristesse

The weather has been gloomy for days, and it puts me in the mood to wear black and brown, which is actually one of my favorite color combinations. Love the way the somber and subdued Dip Dye Carré matches the melancholic scenery outside the window :-)

• Brides de Gala Dip Dye 90 Carré
• Chaine d'Ancre horn scarf ring
• Kelly in Ebene

Pyjama party ~ part two

As promised, here's part two of yesterdays Fur and PJ/lounge wear Theme Party! Wearing a cotton PJ in a toile de jouy pattern and throwing on a fur collar and scarf before enjoying my coffee by the computer. Weekend morning bliss!

Fur it up/H it up/Cosy it up

• Vif Argent Gavroche
• Grey fox fur collar
• the indispensable fingerless gloves



The Toile de Jouy pattern is named after the "Manufacture Royale de Jouy", a factory opened in 1759 by Oberkampf, in Jouy-en-Josas, a small town southwest of Paris. Toile is french for canvas or cloth, and Jouy represents the abbreviated name of the town.

Typical toile motifs often tell a story, with isolated vignettes of historical figures, pastoral images or rural landscapes, and are usually printed in red, blue, brown or green on white cotton.

Pyjama party ~ part one

This Fridays styling theme day (or better said 'challenge') is 'Fur and PJ/Loungewear'. Kicking off with my winter 'lazy weekend morning/lounging all day at home uniform' (last time on Jan 1st, the whole day I mean), consisting of leggings (these ones are thermal), long and cozy woollen top and cashmere socks, all glam'ed and cozy-ed up with a fur collar and Twilly. As long as the feet, hands and neck are warm, everything is fine. When at the computer, I often wear fingerless gloves, as my hands get freezing cold in winter. I only 'discovered' them last year, and now I couldn't do without them. If I feel brave enough, I'll post a jammy and fur pic later ;-)

Scarf profile ~ Châle Damier

Today's profile is the Damier Cashmere shawl, my favorite GM. The Damier was introduced in the AW2008 collection, the Year of India. Although the cashmere/silk mix is identical to the regular GMs, the Damier is lightweight and has a very fine weave, it is almost see through. At the beginning I was anxious that it might be more fragile than the regular GMs, but it has proved to be an absolute star, no pulls, snags or piling. I was hoping that this type of shawl would have been offered again as part of the AW2009 collection, but sadly it has not. It makes me cherish the one I have got even more. It will also always remind me of a fun and wonderful afternoon, spend in fabulous company (they turned out to be ace enablers too)


Apart from the wonderful texture, I love the soft pastel colors of the paisley pattern and the contrast of the stronger colors that form the border, they remind me of spice markets in India. The Hermes gift ribbon (bolduc) divides the border from the pain part of the shawl, providing a perfect frame and wonderful structure.


Cashmere GM (Grand Model) 140 x 140cm
65% cashmere, 35%silk
AW2008 collection

Snow!

It hardly ever snows in the South of France, and when it does, it usually melts away within a few hours. All the more surprising to wake up to a winter wonderland! Every shape looks as if it has been decorated with icing sugar..

it is so very pretty, and hopefully the lavender will survive

Keeping warm with my La Danse du Cheval Marwari cashmere GM

Trying to navigate the slippery ground on my way to the mail box,

which is at the church square

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Jumping boots ~ part one

DH was kind enough to snap a few street action pics, finally a chance to have my Jumping boots in the frame too. Wearing all black (again!), apart from the scarf, which is storm grey (thank you for the wonderful color description, s-a-m) with gold, black and cream accents.

Fur collar by MaiTai Collection

Outside the restaurant where we had lunch, we were greeted by a 'flower hostess', love the the simplicity and creativity of this beautiful display

featured scarf La Presentation de Chevaux, tied in an Ascot knot. Click here for a how to video.