Good Neighbours

 

We have been blessed with good great neighbours. Even before we moved in, our neighbours came out to meet us as we scoped the house out just after we bought it. They've put up with the construction noise and dust, many Bobcat back hoes on the front lawn and our constant chatter about the renovation plans. 

On our first night in the house back in May, our neighbours came over with a bottle of champagne to celebrate our new home. What a nice welcome. They are good people who's company we really enjoy. 

AND a bonus - they have two cats who would wreck havoc on fresh flowers brought in from the garden. What a bonus for me! My neighbour offered some of their hydrangea blooms that are changing colour with the fall weather. It turns out that the sweet little felines would bat the blooms around and make a big mess. Of course I was happy to oblige and bring a few pom poms in. 

I have other hydrangea blooms that I've savoured and protected for about 7 or 8 years. Not kidding.  So it's nice to have some new blooms to dry that are just tipping in to the rich fall colours. The pom poms are big ..... honestly I didn't cut that many. I keep moving the dish around taking pictures in several spots because the colours are like jewels.

We are grateful for wonderful neighbours and thankful that the cats have no appreciation of flowers. Thanks Hilde for sharing the blooms with me. Hugs, K.

The Elegance of Oscar

Oscar de la Renta                                          via Vogue

Sadly it was announced today that fashion designer Oscar de la Renta died at the age of 82 from a re-occurring cancer. With over 50 years of designs crediting his name, Mr. de la Renta's style was legendary.

1956 coming out party in Madrid. Oscar de la Renta designs for Beatrice Lodge, daughter of U.S. Ambassador.

Oscar taking Beatrice, and his first dress for a spin.

“Real beauty is not what you project with your physique, but what you project with your mind.”    

Oscar de la Renta

 
Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Penelope Cruz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Oprah, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Amal Alamuddin, the list just goes on, and on, and on. The long list of women who created a stir when they walked into a room wearing the Oscar de la Renta label.

At the young age of 18, Oscar Aristides Renta Fiallo left his home in the Dominican Republic to study painting in Spain. He abandoned painting to pursue an interest in fashion and apprenticed with Cristobal Balenciaga, assisting at Lanvin. Fifty years later, his designs make women swoon at the glance of a de la Renta gown.

The elegance that Oscar de la Renta injected into his creations is the same elegance that he wore in his own persona. 

"Elegance is a discipline of life".

                                                                                              Oscar de la Renta

The bridal creations from Oscar de la Renta filled the romantic dreams of so many brides over the years. He understood how a woman wanted to feel in a dress - feminine, confident, elegant, soft, and oh so special.

Oscar de la Renta - the Sultan of Suave

There are hundreds of images on the net of early creations {some of my all time favourites}, bridal collections, day wear, resort wear, and exquisite gowns. It would be so easy to fill this post with all of the de la Renta designs that I love. But I will share one of my favourite gowns that Oscar designed and his comment that evokes the level of confidence he wanted a woman to feel.

"Walk like you have three men walking behind you".  Oscar de la Renta

The elegance of Oscar de la Renta

A New Glass Slipper.

When you are one of the most famous ladies in the world, 38 million dollars for a face lift is a drop in the bucket. Yes, the biggest celebrity of all time - Eiffel Tower, has just unveiled her new face. I am happy to say that she really hasn't changed from the sexy silhouette and sleek curved lines that she first debut in 1889.

Can you believe that only 300 workers constructed the 18,038 pieces of wrought iron with 2.5 million rivets for this 10,000 ton, 984.25 foot lady.
So when you turn 125 years old what is a lady to do? For this well sculpted beauty she catches her breath from years of wear, a staggering number of pictures she posed for, war{s}, weather, and the ever changing environment. Then you get fitted for a new glass slipper.
Miss Eiffel started her 38 million dollar transition in 2012 and just this week revealed her 'face lift' that includes a glass floor at the first observation level.

Eiffel Tower green floor is charged up with wind and solar power.

during the face lift

When your facelift is 38 million dollars it can't be all just smoke and mirrors. The two year project includes a green floor that this charged up with wind and solar power, a new reception area, a 200 seat multipurpose theatre, a new conference room, the new visitor center, and an open air Museographic path that leads around the new setting.

And when you have your peak-a-view look on - well, the world of selfie photographers just can't contain themselves.

So beautiful is the lady that we cannot resist standing next to her for proof that we were there..........

My 50th birthday in Paris.

The view from the first observation deck prior to the new glass enclosure. via Glamour Begins At Home

Miss Eiffel is the one to wake up next too.....

Shangri la Hotel, Paris.

Fashion photo shoots, engagements, and tango dancing - this lovely lady has inspired us for 125 years.

via theonlinephotographer.typepad.com

Hauntingly beautiful .....................

via Glamour Begins At Home

Paris is always calling my name and this new glass slipper is a reason to celebrate.