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How could I not comment on the planetary phenomenon associated with the Barbie movie? Especially if you have been following me for a long time, you know that I love this fashion doll. I’ve talked about her many times on this blog, but also in my book and even more because she’s literally in the acknowledgments of my book!  It's surprising because I mentioned this excerpt from my book in March, when we weren't yet talking about the film. Excerpt from My Solo Wedding in Santorini: And of course, I took my book “My Solo Wedding in Santorini” to watch the Barbie movie. We loved the absolutely incredible sets, the very current story and also which reminded me very well of my emotional bond with her. All the actresses and actors are perfect and Margot Robbie is FANTASTIC, we couldn’t have hoped for better to embody our favorite doll! And then, the outfits… I still dream about them! Especially since several of my Barbie are represented in the film. It reminded me of the magnificent Barbie exhibition in Montreal (Canada), I invite you to check it again, hundreds of photos of Barbie in her most beautiful outfits: LINK! Read again my previous Fashion articles: But Barbie Laeti is by far my favourite, a very special edition 😉 and in addition in her favourite environment, the beach... And no, I didn't do it on purpose to be perfectly matched to the decor, that's what being a perfect Barbie is, we always match!! However, my dream is very real, I wish to have a Barbie one day in my effigy: the solo bride inspired by my Solo Wedding in Santorini. May the angels of Barbie and Mattel hear me!  Previous posts: My Solo Wedding articles on the blog: LINK My Book - extracts and order: HERE Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more fun! And also YouTube, nearly 60 videos where I talk about myself, my Solo Wedding in Santorini and the life lessons I learned. Happy August everyone!! Love & Joy, L.
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Last month, I celebrated my birthday, I told you about it in my article Happy Me. Well, if I love this day of the year so much, apart from the fact that I love celebrating myself, especially since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, it's because I don't age. Even better, I rejuvenate! That's what my friends and family keep telling me. Recently, one of my aunts, who hadn't seen me for a year, said to me, "You have to stop at some point, because you look 20 now!! » Certainly, my aunt is very generous, and I don't wish to look that young ahaha. Nevertheless, for proof a photo without filter, without editing, without makeup, just me on July 1, 2022 after my shower!  My 40th birthday (2 years ago therefore) was a turning point in my life, not that I dreaded this date, on the contrary since I had to celebrate it outrageously (but the pandemic prevented it), and obviously I was stunning (reread my article Turned 40), but on that day I chose a new challenge, to fulfill one of my wedding vows, the one that said “I would never stop being a better version of myself.” Since My Solo Wedding in Santorini, I adore myself all the time, it’s absolutely impossible for me to diminish myself. When you love yourself, it is for life! However, this time not only aging wouldn’t affect me, but I chose a new quest, that of youth. An adventure that would transform me and make me meet extraordinary people. (Pictures below of my birthdays from 2017 to 2021)  From there, I signed up for courses, seminars and other videos, I wanted to know everything about nutrition, fitness, neurology, epigenetics, energy, and I continue because I find it fascinating. Of course, as with any learning, it takes dedication, determination and discipline. But all this doesn’t work without the right motivation! And as far as I’m concerned, I had 2 essential reasons: 1/ I still want to be a mother one day and although I froze my eggs in Madrid, I don't know if I will use them or resort to other procedures or adoption. Reread Gift from Science 2/ My dearest dream is to go to the planet Mars (Read In the Air 2) and for those who have been following me for a few years, you’ve already received your invitation. For others, here it is: When I was 20, if someone had told me I’d look this fabulous, I wouldn't have believed it. It must also be said that at that time, I was overweight, insecure, trying to succeed in all areas to conform to standards and society. Today, I can say that I’ve never felt so good, not to mention the fact that I’ve never been so fit and healthy, no more glasses, no more medication or dietary supplements, no more migraines, sleep trouble nor health problem, a healthy mind in a healthy body. I’ve already shared a lot about my beauty and health routines: I encourage you to read them again: And I really don't miss my glasses... (Photos from 2011 to 2016)  Obviously when you decide to stay young, there’s no chance of not talking about exercise! I never saw myself as a sporty person, overweight from a very young age until I was 27, playing sports at school was my pet peeve and I voluntarily avoided it for a good part of my adult life. No chance of dragging me to a gym, but confinement has been good since online classes have developed and especially my passion for dance and ballet – an entire chapter is dedicated to it in my book “My Solo Wedding in Santorini" - has introduced me to Lydia Melmeth, my current fitness coach and former dancer of the Queensland Ballet. I encourage you to follow her on Instagram and her YouTube channel, she now lives in London and teaches at the Royal Ballet and in many fitness centres. Yes, remember, I talked about the Royal Ballet in my Article Happy New Year 2020! Keeping my 2 motivations in mind and my iron discipline, from 30 minutes/week in 2020, I practice today 5h/week! If I can do it, you can too! Thanks to Lydia, her energy and her very varied classes, I learned to do grand pliés as well as squats. And speaking of squats, impossible not to mention the extraordinary Pauline Adeleke, to whom I dedicate all my squats!! Pauline is 70 years YOUNG, as she likes to say (I love it!) and lives in New York. Although she has already lived several lives, 2 years ago she created her own business to help people of her age to stay in shape. She’s a real mine of information and her energy is contagious! Especially her attitude towards life is a fabulous example to follow, for her, age is just a number, and one should never limit oneself on this basis. Neither too young nor too old, anything is possible with determination. I have huge respect and admiration for her, she’s my new role model and I like to call her SuperWonder Pauline! I love this woman so much! Follow her on Instagram and on her YouTube channel Ageless Fitness Lifestyle, where she distils her fitness and nutrition tips. I can't remember which of my teachers mentioned this, but several years ago a study was conducted with a group of elderly people with all sorts of age-related symptoms and disorders: osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's, low muscle mass etc. They had them live for several weeks in a house with 70s decor, which reminded them of a past time in their lives. At the end of the experiment, their health had improved, and some symptoms had even completely disappeared, without any special diet or medication. Because of their environment, their brain believed that they were younger and their metabolism with it. Incredible but true! Like nature, if you have strong roots, the right environment, good care, you will bloom again and again... And I feel like I'm blooming better and better, year after year. But for me the absolute secret is to have fun and do what I love! Anything that makes me smile is good for my cells. Moreover, this summer I decided to regress completely and practice the activities that I loved to do as a child: horseback riding and golf. Plus, they're outdoor activities, which is a bonus. There’s no age to start something new, in fact, I took my dad for his 65th birthday to have his first golf lesson and he loved it! And last week, to relax after the launch of my book - the past 2 months have been intense to stay polite - my sister invited me to a beautiful spa. A very handsome young man, the sexiest of the 4,000m2 of aquatic space, only had eyes for me, despite the lovely young ladies in microscopic bikinis. Proof that my method works and that there’s no age to be fabulous!! Do like me, live life to the fullest so that it has no hold on you! And even more to discover about me and my life in my autobiography “My Solo Wedding in Santorini”: LINK FOR THE BOOK By the way, this article is an addition to my Superwomen Series: read here. Have a fabulous week! Love & Joy, L.  In this Pride Month, I wanted to talk to you about this immense French designer who left us at the start of the year, on January 23, 2022. Manfred Thierry Mugler, was born in 1948 in Strasbourg (France), a classical dancer from an early age, but he also studied interior design, at the end of the 1960s he moved to Paris, and naturally became a fashion designer, then an independent stylist. A magnificent exhibition “Thierry Mugler: Couturissime” took place at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris from September 30, 2021, to April 24, 2022. I had the pleasure of going there several times, so amazed and fascinated by his work. Nearly 140 outfits on display, not to mention accessories, costumes, drawings, videos, photos... Follow me into his extraordinary universe! (and as usual, all photos are mine!) Creations for the theatre, the Cirque du Soleil and many other shows at the end of his career, his imagination and creativity continued to reveal themselves fully. A universe he discovered as a child as a dancer – he joined the Opéra du Rhin at the age of 14 – and which gave him this passion for the stage and costumes. No wonder then that its Haute-Couture and Ready-to-wear shows reflected this theatrical inspiration. Extravagance, including in its Ready-to-Wear collections, no wonder why celebrities love him! Everything inspires him, nature, legends, modernity, the future... Extraordinary fabrics, textures, materials, crystals, horsehair, scales, nothing stops this genius with an overflowing imagination, and creations that captivate and which impossible to feel indifferent about. In addition, attention to detail pushed to the extreme, shoes, gloves, accessories, headpieces, nothing is left to chance. Perfect harmony of the silhouette which becomes the personification of his talent. Renowned photographers who use his creations to create art: Helmut Newton, Jean-Paul Goude, David LaChapelle, Karl Lagerfeld, Herb Ritts, Ellen von Unwerth, Guy Bourdin, Dominique Issermann… And stars, models, who make the show! But Thierry Mugler is also a renowned photographer, and some of his photos have become legendary. Jerry Hall and Iman are his muses. Architecture and nature its playgrounds. His universe is fully represented. Once again, he stretches the limits of aesthetics through amazing combinations. Did you pay attention to Jerry Hall in the dunes with a bottle of perfume? Thierry Mugler is an undeniable visionary, shaking up traditional codes by integrating food fragrances, he creates the first so-called "gourmand" perfume, after nearly 13 years of research to obtain what will be his signature: Angel. Other perfumes will follow, and once again the couturier leaves nothing to chance, from the design of the bottle to the ad, including the dress and the accessories, everything is meticulously orchestrated. And as a showman, no suprise that in 1984, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his brand, he organised a fashion show at the Zénith de Paris in front of 6,000 people! For the finale, Pat Cleveland descends from the sky as a Madonna and pregnant. His work & sketches are the testimony of an incredible and avant-garde artist. A fitted waist, big shoulders, enhanced curves, he knew how to sublimate the woman like no one else, and very honestly, I would love to wear most of his creations! But also, sexy creations because the female body is a work of art... Thierry Mugler leaves us an incredible legacy and certainly an immense source of inspiration for generations to come... "I'm not trendy. I'm not ‘in fashion’. I am simply a positive human being who has a positive outlook on life." Thierry Mugler Previous posts:
Have a fantastic week! Love & Joy, L. Some of you may have detoxified your body in January, after the holiday season. And as spring approaches, no doubt you plan to clean up and declutter your house. In my case, I have a much more holistic approach that I practice every month, right after the new moon, which is a good time for regeneration and renewal. After My Solo Wedding in Santorini, I chose to harmonise myself with the lunar cycle to benefit from her energetic influence. Very judicious since my zodiac sign is Cancer and the Moon is my planet ... (I took the photo below from France – Blue Moon - October 31, 2020)  Your body To feel good, nothing better than taking care of your body. For the occasion, a full body and face scrub, manicure, pedicure, we cleanse ourselves from head to toe, and for those who can, a bath to relax, a sauna or hammam even better ... With the sanitary restrictions, not everyone has the opportunity to go in nature, but of course being able to walk in a park, a forest or on the beach is extremely beneficial. A tip I use, I watch relaxation videos with the sounds of nature, and more specifically of the ocean, with a little imagination, we can feel good easily! (Video later in the article). A specific exercise is a plus, before I’d have told you swimming, with the pools closed, today I prefer dancing, first of all because that's my passion, then because my whole body works and it helps eliminate water retention. And to detoxify from the inside, vary your food for a few days, avoid fatty and sugary food, consume beetroot which is an excellent cleanser, and drink a lemon squeezed in lukewarm water as soon as you wake up. If your eating habits are hard to change, try having a smoothie a day, it's easier to add new food than to take them out, and at least you'll get plenty of fruits and veggies without realising it. And obviously sangria doesn’t count hahaha. My favourite detox: spinach leaves, beetroot, kiwi. Variation: salad, cucumber, lemon, honey. Above all, drink a lot of water to help eliminate toxins. Obviously, you can apply all this several times a month, listen to your body. Your Environment Once a month, check your cupboards, or even alternate, a different one every month: clothes, medicine, freezer, children's toys ... Tidy up, clean, recycle, resell or give away, lots of websites, apps and organisations, give new life to your objects, you’re doing a good deed for our world and for the planet! To benefit even more from the positive effects of energies, you can apply Feng Shui. Marie Diamond is the high priestess of this practice, she looked after the house of Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates etc. and on her website you can get a free personalised report, full of information: link. And if we added a plant here, we removed this broken lamp we’ll never repair, maybe some curtains, really it's not that complicated ... Watch again my video to enhance your place: Your Mind I keep telling you about the benefits of meditation, and yes again, this is a great opportunity to clear your head & to prepare it to receive more. Any form of relaxation to calm your mind and get rid of the superfluous is welcome. For my part, I use:
Detoxifying your mind also means not using your phone, the internet or TV for a day! And why not going to the beach, remember my video: Your Life Precisely, sorting out your everyday life, like cleaning your phone! Save your photos of the month, erase those that are unnecessary, for example all the screenshots that are no longer useful... Do the same with apps and emails. Don’t forget to unsubscribe from ads and promos you never check. Delete all unnecessary cookies. Think to cancel subscriptions you no longer need. And exit toxic people from your contact list and/or social media. When you do this once a month, it doesn't take too long, and you quickly get used to doing it without it being a chore. If necessary, set yourself a reminder, for example every first Saturday of the month. I invite you to watch my video on recharging your energy: My last tip: You pick a task from your to-do list - you know the one that keeps growing with lots of stuff you postpone - and you stick to it. You’ll feel so liberated afterwards that your energy will be boosted for several days. And very often, doing this task is much less painful than you think. Previous Articles: Access to all my Videos: Link.  After my last article Women in Space, I told myself that a little tour of the moon would be nice (video at the end) ... Happy regeneration and a Happy New Moon! Have a very good week! Love & Joy, L.  Youhouhhhh!! Finally, here it is 2021, a new decade begins, with new expectations, hopes, dreams and interaction to come ... I wish you all a magical, bright & wonderful year!! I hope you had a great holiday season. I spent NYE with my parents, and last time was in 2015. They came to see me in Australia, and we were outside the Sydney Opera House for the gigantic fireworks. An absolutely unforgettable memory. I put the full video of this year's Sydney fireworks at the end of the article 😊 What a year 2020! We’ve been through a lot, definitely a very interesting and demanding period. It drove us into a corner and pushed us to question ourselves about the meaning of our lives. In my articles Happy New Year 2020 and 2019 to 2020, I said, among other things: My resolutions for 2020: to sustain my momentum, not to plan anything and to live driven by opportunities, new people, and of course to continue to realise old dreams and create new ones.  I definitely had a good intuition by not planning anything, I was unable to travel abroad in 2020, but I took you with me on my previous adventures: However, in 2020, I had a wonderful Honeymoon 2 in the most beautiful city in the world: And I still have a lot to tell you ... In 2020, I talked a lot about myself again lol: My quarantine articles obviously:
I hope you’ll keep some good habits like dancing every day!!  I did my best to inspire you more this year:
I couldn't attend any new ballet, but I did watch some on the internet! This period definitely made me more interested in the options available online, then I met incredible people and attended some amazing world conferences ... My Resolutions for 2021: Recently a friend told me why stop something that is working? So, let's continue: the blog, the videos, my social media... And if there’s anything you want me to talk about or improve, please tell me: here. Obviously, publishing my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini, or How It Saved My Life is still relevant today, but I'm also working on the next one: After… My Solo Wedding in Santorini, or How My Healing Became A Mission… I promise to tell you more soon ... However, this year, I intend to travel, find where to put my bags for good and may be even find love ... 😊 “I was born to inspire people to be themselves! "L.  And thank you again for your support & unconditional love, I wouldn't have so much fun creating and writing without you! No article next week, I'll be busy writing my greetings cards & meditating to charge my energy for the New Year. Take the opportunity to catch up with the articles you haven't read 😉 And don't worry, I’ll stay active on social media: Happy New Year again, I believe in you and your magic, and as I said on my photo at the beginning: leave sparkles wherever you go ... Be confident, be yourself and shine like a thousand fireworks! Love & Joy, L. Last week I told you about Gratitude and how it’s a great exercise to be happy, this week I want to be grateful for the month of December because this is my favourite & for shoes!! For those who follow me for a long time, you know how addicted I am to luxury shoes, with more than 130 pairs in my closet, you can also re-read my previous articles full of photos:
You also know that my shoes for My Solo Wedding in Santorini were Louboutin!  During my 2nd Honeymoon in Paris, I had the chance to visit his exhibition at the Palais de la Porte Dorée: L’Exhibition [niste]. It’ll be accessible again from December 15, 2020 to January 3, 2021, online reservation is of course mandatory: LINK. All the following photos of the exhibition are mine, as always in each of my articles :D Follow me to discover 30 years of creation and inspiration ... A designer is above all an artist, and Christian Louboutin has his own universe. From the 80s, in his tiny room, he explored genres, whimsical and funny, made of waste material and a lot of DIY ... Some meetings were decisive like with Roger Vivier, and in 1991, he created his own brand. The stained glass windows were designed by the designer and made by the Maison du Vitrail in Paris, they refer to the world of Christian Louboutin such as travel, theatre, couture, art, craft, Parisian women, innovation and sexuality. Obviously, when we think of Louboutin we think of luxury and magic. Precious materials, original, timeless and inimitable designs ... My favourites, the fuchsia obviously in crepe de chine, satin and cock feathers! Exceptional and meticulous work, some models have Swarovski crystals which are placed one by one by hand... To respect the model's arch, each shoe size has its own heel height to maintain the same silhouette. There’s also a workshop for "special orders", custom-made, and many personalities use it: Mika, Victoria Beckham, Kylie Minogue, Dita Von Teese ... And celebrities who loved his creations from his debut such as Madonna, Princess Caroline, or Anna Wintour who published an article in Vogue at the very beginning. More recently, we can’t forget Beyoncé for the 2018 Super Bowl or Blake Lively, stunning on the red carpet of the 2018 MET ball, alongside Christian Louboutin who had made for her an exclusive model for the occasion! But these stars also inspire him since some models are called: Mika, Dita ... Obviously dance and music have always been great sources of inspiration for him. My favourites are the fringed boots inspired by Tina Turner called For Evertina, and the So Baker, for Josephine Baker (remember, she’s mentioned in my article Proud to be a woman). Louboutin, it’s also an erotic and fetishistic universe, dear to the creator. The invention of nude in 2009, a revolution ... Designed to adapt to any type of skin tone, it’s about further lengthening the silhouette by making the shoe disappear. Today there are 8 shades of nude. His inspiration is endless and comes from multiple worlds, which he was kind enough to share in this exhibition. You will no doubt recognise Andy Warhol's painting Flowers (rediscover my article Andy Warhol), which inspired Louboutin's very identifiable Pensée model. His calling happened when he was a child, because of a sign that prohibited heels to preserve the mosaic floor of the Palais de la Porte Dorée, everything starts with a drawing and any drawing is the source of a creation ... As a kid from the neighbourhood, he often came here, this is the reason why he chose to exhibit in this building. Thank you very much Mr. Christian Louboutin for inviting us into your world, your life, your creation ... But the Louboutin brand is also perfume, lipstick and nail polish, I even got some as a gift for My Solo Wedding in Santorini! Every day until Christmas, I put in my stories on Instagram, dreamy things to give you gift ideas, also take the opportunity to reread my article from last year Letter to Santa. (Photo Credit: Alexander Hadji) In the meantime, I’ll do as Jennifer Lopez in the song at the end of the article, I’ll throw on my Louboutins and write to Santa! By the way, the Palais de la Porte Dorée is absolutely magnificent, an Art Deco building built in 1931 (but I'll talk more about it another time, don't worry). My favourite period, I'm sure I lived at that time in another life: I drink whiskey, smoke cigars, love parties, art and short hair, I dance Argentine tango, foxtrot, quickstep, and I love pearls! Pearls that will be in the spotlight on December 9 and 10 at the School of Jewelry Art (Van Cleef and Arpels), during their free online conference "Pearl merchants: the forgotten history of a trade between the Gulf and France ”. I highly recommend you to register, it only lasts an hour and it’s always absolutely fascinating!! Link Till then, I’ll do as Jennifer Lopez in the song at the end of the article, I’ll throw on my Louboutin and write to Santa!  Have a great week!! Love & Joy, L. A few girls asked me what my beauty routine was, so I thought I should reveal some of my secrets... Even if I look pretty the way I am when I wake up, I do a few things to look even prettier before to go out, and when I want extra confidence I apply makeup, but it’s optional for me especially during summer. With the videos now (read Happiness Activist), I even need to give extra attention to my skin. I’m not going to lie, I use lots of skin care products, but it takes only a few minutes and it’s worth it, especially when people think I’m 10 years younger than my age!  Morning:
Let’s use visualisation to explain you the difference between a serum and a cream. Take a bed, you have a bed base and a mattress, the base underneath is the serum, and the mattress is the cream. You need both to have a maximum comfort and result.
Night:
Weekly: For this special day, I use a beauty device with a combination of accessories: brushes, sponges and a rolling massager, to clean, exfoliate and improve blood circulation.
Quarterly: Professional beauty treatment: deep cleansing + appropriate treatment (depends of my skin at this period) This routine works at any age, you just need to adapt the right products for your skin, your needs and expectations. Some want to prevent aging, even if they’re 20, others only look for comfort…Everything is available on the market. Just try and create your own perfect beauty! It works for guys too!! I haven’t used yet any cosmetic surgery or fillers, and I’m trying to postpone this step for as long as I can with this beauty routine. Don’t forget the basic rules: food & sleep!! They are for sure essential for your skin. And confidence really, since my solo wedding in Santorini, I gained a lot of it, and I totally embrace who I am without artifice. Self-love, the best way to increase your inner beauty… Being beautiful is firstly in your mind, if you feel beautiful, people will see you beautiful! Put some nice messages on your mirror: you are beautiful, you are lovable, you are enough… Reading them every day will increase your self-esteem, I talk more about positive thinking in my article Be Positive, go and read it again. And I share positive vibes on Instagram, every day in my stories, to help people and me, to go through the day. Watch it!  My previous beauty articles: Watch Shakira (43) & J.Lo (50) at the end of the article, to see how to be stunning at any age!! Let your natural beauty shine! Love & Care, L. I insisted a lot last week on the importance of loving yourself in my Letter to Cupid. And loving yourself also means taking care of yourself, listening to yourself and taking time for yourself. I know perfectly how to take care of myself. You already know that I love to travel, but you don't know that I take advantage of my stays, to visit the most luxurious spas in the world. Disconnecting from the world and being pampered, this is my anti-stress and anti-aging secret! As Helena Rubinstein said: "Beauty is nothing without taking care of the body" (read Article). Today, I’ll make you dream, travel and relax by making you discover my Top 5.  It’s at the top of the list, and before it changes, it’ll take time ... The Qua Baths & Spa at the Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas! When we say that everything is excessive in the United States, and even more in Las Vegas, it’s not an exaggeration. There are countless luxury spas out there but I chose this one for a very specific reason: there’s a cabin where it snows!! Yes, yes, you read that right. After the sauna, you’ll relax in this unique room in the world, called the Artic Ice Room, where the snowflakes and obviously the temperature, calmly drop your body by a few degrees. It's magical! I don’t know how long I’ve been in, but I may have the record hahaha. 50,000-square-foot of amenities, enough to quickly make you forget how many dollars you lost at the casino. The Roman Baths, that's how they call them, consist in 3 pools at 3 different temperatures. In addition, there's a huge hot tub, sauna, hammam and a beautiful relaxation room with a nice buffet with snacks and drinks. You don’t need to stay at the hotel to make an appointment, however you’ll be asked to pay at the reservation. I'm going to stay in the U.S. for a moment, to tell you about the spa of another very prestigious hotel, the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. I admit that already when we arrive, we feel transported into another universe, so mythical ... The spa isn’t big, but it’s one of the best body treatments I’ve had in the world. And for good reason it was made with vodka. This alcohol is as good inside as outside hahaha. It was a few years ago, and the treatments change regularly. However, I’ll definitely go back, they’re cutting edge of skincare. And I love the huge dressing tables in the locker room that make us think we are Hollywood stars! Remember, I said in my last article (Letter to Cupid) I liked having my hair washed, I love having my body washed too hahaha. I wonder if I wasn’t Cleopatra in a previous life?? Then, follow me at the Banyan Tree Spa in Singapore. No need to stay at the Marina Bay Sands hotel, the spa is completely independent and located on the 55th floor of Tower 1. Here, I’m always treated like a Queen, what I love about skincare in Asia is, that the therapists systematically clean our feet, in a pretty bowl of warm water with fresh flowers and soap, before any treatment. My favourite treatment in this spa lasts half a day, cleansing, scrub, massage from head to toe without forgetting the bath with fresh flowers, overlooking the bay. Given the specifics of this treatment, I was entitled to a suite, with a living room, a dressing room and a bathroom. You end up believing yourself at home… In all Banyan Tree spas, the traditional Asian decor and furnishings are always exquisite, with lots of texture and neutral, warm tones. In the relaxation room, with a panoramic view of the city and the gardens, we are served tea, yogurt and fresh fruits. Or how to gently reconnect to the world… The Banyan Tree and I have a long love story that started in Thailand, country of this institution and brand. You can find their hotels all over the world (one of the last opened in Morocco, video at the end of the article) and I’m taking you to discover another of my favourite spas from the Banyan Tree group, but this time in Vietnam! It’s here I came to recover before my Solo Wedding in Santorini, needed to isolate myself from the world and get some energy back, the Banyan Tree Lang Co was the perfect place and here I was staying in a villa with a private pool, view on the vegetation and the mountains. My haven of peace… I had 2 to 3 treatments a day, which occupied a good part of my days. What I particularly like about their spas is that they use their own products and incense. And as a regular, I can quickly recognise their scents. Not to mention that everything is done to pamper yourself, from the bathrobe to the slippers, but also all the products available in the bathroom. Since we're in the fragrance, let me finish this article with the spa that uses my favourite skincare products: Pure Fiji. Made with coconut oil and milk, and enriched with flower extracts, this local brand provides the most luxurious spas on the island. My favourite scent: the frangipani flower… As the name suggests, we’re talking about Fiji! In addition to the products used, what I love about this spa is the small half-sheltered pool, nestled between the steam room and the sauna, with a view of the sky, when it rains, it's even more relaxing!! The space is very large and quiet, in a big independent villa in the centre of the hotel. Again, I was staying on site, at the Intercontinental Resort and Spa. A hotel paradise on a paradise island. This is the only place where my bathtub was on the terrace, I loved it! Obviously, there was no vis-à-vis and a curtain could always protect me from prying eyes hahaha. And if after all that I was still not relaxed, there were the breathtaking sunsets on the beach! (Check Sunsets) I hope I’ve relaxed you with this article. I still have a lot to show you and I have even more to visit, some dreams never stop ... It's good for your health and mood, so don’t hesitate, there are spas all over the world, with offers at all prices! Have a lovely week! Love & Spa, L. How not to speak of this woman who created my obsession for this word: empire! A few years ago, when I was developing a personal business project, it was Helena's journey that inspired me and made me want more. The executive summary of my business started with this introduction: Helena Rubinstein moved from Poland to Australia in 1896, with no money and little English. Today, thanks to the magnificent exhibition "The Adventure of Beauty" which took place in Paris in 2019 at the MAJH, I’ll make you discover her story and why she's a great source of inspiration for me. Believe me Helena Rubinstein is a woman to know… A complex and determined woman, she’s undoubtedly one of the pioneers of feminism. Born Chaja Rubinstein in Cracow (Poland) in 1872 in a modest Jewish family, she refused an arranged marriage and the life they wanted to impose on her. In 1896, at the age of 24, she took the boat alone for Australia. In 1902, she created her first Valaze face cream, and a year later opened her first beauty salon in Melbourne (Australia). Passionate about fashion, she dressed in Chanel, Poiret, Worth, Dior, Balanciaga, Rodriguez, essential according to her as an ambassador of a beauty brand. Collecting art from 1908, she was friends with the greatest artists: Chagall, Dali, Picasso, Marcoussis… An exhibition with her collection of African art is currently in Paris at the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac till June 28, 2020. I put a video at the end of the article for you (sorry it's in French but you can enjoy the images). She also contributed to many museums and was also the model of many works of art. In 1914, she left Europe to open her first beauty salon in New York. She therefore collaborated with the greatest architects, interior designers and artists. All her life, art was an important part of her creativity. Famous names were in charge of her salons, shops, adverts but also of her residences. With great attention to detail and innovative, she never stopped inventing, among other things, she’s responsible for the classification of skin (dry, normal and oily), sunscreen, mascara in a tube and beauty salons... Between 1915 and 1918, her business expanded in the United States with the opening of a factory and the first school of beauticians. In 1939, thanks to the collaboration with the inventor of the first waterproof mascara, Helena created the event by organising a nautical ballet to introduce the product. Huge success. A year later, this is the opening of a male beauty salon in New York! For Helena, beauty was a weapon in the fight to make women equal to men. By feeling beautiful in her body, a woman gains self-confidence, she feels bold and becomes emancipated. "Beauty is nothing without taking care of the body." Helena Rubinstein Taking care of the body, so obvious for her, not only facials, but also massages, dietetics, breathing and physical exercise. She even created her own gym class “Rubinstein Rhythmics”. Science serving beauty, essential to innovate, be credible and listened to, she visited her factories in white coat. Above all, she understood how to use the image in the service of business: marketing! But Helena was also a philanthropist, in addition to Art, in 1953, she created a foundation for the education of disadvantaged girls. She loved beautiful things, fashion, jewellery, art and science. She travelled a lot, set up her salons and left her legacy in Melbourne, Sydney, Vienna, Paris, New York, London, Tel Aviv ... A citizen of the world, a superwoman. Married, mother of two, divorced and remarried to a man 23 years younger, she didn’t forget to be a woman behind the business woman. She died in New York at the age of 93. The Helena Rubinstein brand was officially created in 1920. 100 years old this year! Had the young Chaja ever imagined such an adventure and such a heritage? We can only respect her audacity, her decadence and her perseverance! Read again my other articles from the Superwomen Series. I don't have an empire yet, but I'm working on it more than ever, and My Solo Wedding in Santorini will certainly leave my mark in the memory of many people. Good week everyone, take care of yourself! Love & Beauty, L. This blog was created in February 2018, a year after my ex-fiancé left me during our wedding’s preparation. My name is Laëtitia, that's why the blog is called "Blog About L.". I am French mixed Vietnamese, but I lived in many countries abroad, for the past two years I travel in search of my new homeland, and almost all the photos of the blog are mine. I've created it completely by myself with Weebly app, and I'm the only one to manage it for now. To discover or rediscover why I created this blog, click here. With nearly 70 posts in a year and a half - I usually publish a new article every Saturday - and new readers every week, I thought a little guide to explain more would be useful. At the top right, you have access to the different pages: home, blog, media, about me, contact and French.  Blog page This is the page you are currently on. All posts are saved here, in chronological order from most recent to oldest. In the Archives on the right you can also search by monthly publication, category or keyword. At the end of each article, you can like on Facebook and Twitter, and leave a comment, just click on comment and a form appears. Media page A collection of TV and press interviews from around the world. Yes, my story went viral everywhere ... About Me page Find out who I am ... Contact page You can send me a message, ask me questions, leave me comments, everything you think about! I answer in a few days, but I always reply. Français Page This is the access to the blog in French, I write all posts in French and English myself. Home page Here, you have the last article posted online, just click on the Read More button and you are automatically redirected to the blog page.  You then find a search box that allows you to seek by keyword.  Featured Categories My Solo Wedding All the details of my wedding are explained, from the dress to the shoes, through the ceremony and the dinner, or the wines.  Beauty (and fashion) When, how and why I want to be beautiful? But also, the designers and brands that inspire me. Lifestyle My lifestyle and the ones of others because open-mindedness leads to more tolerance ... Travel All my adventures on our beautiful planet! Art The World of Art and Design of yesterday and today.  My favourite articles 1st Anniversary: my first wedding anniversary. Gift from Science: and how in June 2018, 10 of my oocytes were frozen in Madrid. 1st TV Interview – Behind the scenes: it's been just a year since I participated in my first TV show in Greece.  Then comes the form for the Newsletter, and for those who have not subscribed yet, go for it! I send you an email for each new post. Don’t forget to follow me on social media, links at the bottom of every page.  As a reminder I’ve also created some series that I’ll continue to complete: Superwomen London Crete Christmas Happiness Rainy day Here the Articles with extracts from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini (that will be published in 2022): Once upon a time My Wedding Gown Music Some of your favourite posts: Single Coffee Addict In the air Versailles Many thanks to all the people who accompany me in this adventure, your support is immensely valuable. Have a nice weekend and happy Halloween! Love & Blog, L. I've always liked to stand out and I like it even more when people remember me, so yes, my dress style sticks to my personality, nothing is left to chance, and all occasions are good to show off. Of course, I was able to enjoy a lot at my Solo Wedding in Santorini, well, enjoy is almost a swear word given the circumstances of the time - my ex-fiancé deserted 3 months before our wedding – let’s say that my ceremony allowed me to reveal myself in all my splendour and my authenticity reinforced by beads, rhinestones and lace. Although I can hardly compete now, Miss Spectacular (nickname given by my friends) resurfaced from time to time, often rather in fact, check my previous articles My Birthday in Paris and My Birthday in London, or even Hat Designer. Queen one day, forever a Queen ...  My dress was found at Brides of Brisbane, in Brisbane, Australia, where I lived for 7 years. This is an Atelier Pronovias, a Spanish brand well known to all brides and brides to be. I’ve tried it randomly, it was far from the style I was looking for and yet we found each other. The delicacy of the lace, the fragility of embroidery, all the little beads and rhinestones sewn by hand, the femininity of the cut and the size of its train, that's what made me fall in love with this dress. A meeting that was going to change my life... I couldn’t wait to wear it ... and even more after deciding to marry myself. We know about retail therapy, but being sublime in a dress is also a good therapy! In my article Thank you I speak of the importance of thanking people, then once again a huge thank you to the talented Alexander Hadji who took these beautiful shots (website https://hadjiphoto.com/). The list of all providers in my article 1st Anniversary and find all the articles of my solo ceremony here: Solo Wedding. I’m currently looking for a literary agent and a publisher but exclusively here is an excerpt from the chapter My Dress from my book "My Solo Wedding in Santorini": My Dress  Believe in yourself, love yourself! You're stronger than what you think... Next article on August 24th! Love & Style, L. This is another year, time flies, not so long ago I was just a little girl looking for fun and discovery ... In fact, I haven’t changed! Last year I happily celebrated my birthday in Santorini and talked about the stressful journey I had just experienced to freeze my eggs (Read again Article Gift from Science). I am a July’s baby, so summer and the beach are necessarily my elements. However, this year I chose two European capitals to blow my candles with dignity: Paris and London! Why twice? And why not?? Who said that it was necessary to stick to a single party, I celebrate my birthday as many times as my friends wish to celebrate, and I have lots of amazing friends!!  So, for this new unforgettable evening, my friends have chosen a fancy place, beautiful and terribly romantic: the Bubble Bar with its terrace on the roof of the famous Moulin Rouge! By the way, remember I already told you about it in my article Christmas in Paris. Ambiance guaranteed, the perfect place to quench your thirst and dream in good company. When I'm in Paris, I like to walk around aimlessly and enjoy the magic and romantic atmosphere that only exists here. There are always incredible exhibitions in Paris, and there are 3 at the moment that I liked a lot: • Tutankhamun - The Pharaoh's Treasure, until September 15, 2019 at the Grande Halle de la Villette • Helena Rubinstein - The Adventure of Beauty, until August 25, 2019 at MAHJ • Maison Van Cleef & Arpels - Bird Paradise at the Ecole des Arts Joailliers Tomorrow July 14 will be the French national day, and my article last year paid tribute to the firefighters and especially to the firewomen (Read Article Superwomen). There will be many fireworks organised everywhere in France, and I love that, so I give you at the end of the article the Paris fireworks 2018. No article next week, during the summer holidays, I publish only twice a month, but believe me I'm preparing a very exciting article with my birthday in London! Next article: Saturday, July 27 Love & Freedom, L. It was the International Day of Happiness on March 20th, so I hope you are happy! And for those who seek some advice, read again my article Happiness. Me, if there is anything that fills me with joy, it’s shoes hahaha. I already told you about my passion for shoes, and the ones I wore for my solo wedding in Santorini in my article Shoes Forever. So, you aren’t surprised that today I’ll tell you about one of the most renowned designers: Manolo Blahnik. His shoes are all handmade in Italy and require 50 different steps. Manuel Blahnik Rodríguez, a 76 years old Spanish stylist, was born and raised in the Canary Islands, in Santa Cruz de la Palma, before studying in Switzerland and Paris, then settling in England . The Art of Shoes (El arte del zapato) in association with Vogue Spain, at the Museum of Decorative Arts of Madrid, traced its career, its major creations and its various collaborations, with 212 shoes and 80 original drawings from the personal collection from Manolo Blahnik. I attended a lot of exhibitions in Madrid last year, as I already mentioned several times on the blog: This exhibition is without a doubt one of my favourites because it highlights all the genius and inspiration of this designer with unparalleled imagination. Whether materials, textures, shapes or colours, everything invites to travel and to a universe without limit ... He’s also very inspired by nature, corals, flowers, fruits. The model Ivy drew attention in 1973, green sandals created for the fashion show of the English designer Ossie Clark. Shortly after, Manolo Blahnik opened his first store in London. There’s a word that transpires in all these creations, this is elegance. No wonder he's one of my favourite designers. And when shoes become jewels ... It’s therefore not surprising that he collaborated with Sofia Coppola for her movie Marie Antoinette. And yes, the beautiful shoes of the Queen, it's him! You’ll find the video at the end of the article. Feel free to change shoes to get off to a good start! 😉 Have a good week! Love & Shoes, L.  One of my friends has just had laser vision correction, so it reminded me of memories, and I congratulate her!! I travel for lots of reasons and you’ve already read a lot about it, especially with the article My Favourite Animals. However, the reason why I’ve been to Montreal is very different. In the past 2 years, I’ve been dedicated to accomplishing personal goals. Too many things that I left unfinished for lack of time or motivation. The laser eye surgery to get rid of my myopia was on my list and it was done in 2017. Friends advised me to go to a well-known clinic, Lasik MD which is everywhere in Canada including Montreal. I had never been to Canada before, and I really wanted to discover this country. With cheaper surgery rates than in Europe, the difference allowed me to pay a week's holiday there. I didn’t need more to make me cross an ocean... From my first phone call for information, then to making appointments and tests, and finally to surgery, everything was perfect. The staff at Lasik MD Montreal was very friendly and professional, they almost made me forget that I was there for a laser procedure, especially when the surgeon hugged me after the surgery to tell me that everything had gone well. An impeccable organisation thanks to a very accessible team, which allowed me to complete everything in four days! My preoperative consultation took place on Tuesday, the laser correction on Wednesday, a last check on Friday and on Saturday I could fly back to Europe. Hard to be more efficient. I had already consulted before but like many people I was a bit afraid, and I kept postponing. I regret not having done it earlier, there was no fear to have, the operation only lasts a few minutes, and the world is so much more beautiful without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Between us, I didn’t find the operation pleasant, let's be clear, it's a bit like going to the dentist, it doesn’t necessarily hurt but it's uncomfortable. The two hours that followed were painful for me, a burning sensation that prevented me from opening my eyes but that's it. I had no other inconvenience or complication. It’s definitely worth doing. The next day, I saw life as I hadn’t seen it for 25 years, and I had already forgotten what I looked like with eyeglasses!  The icing on the cake was obviously to discover Montreal, a cosmopolitan city, vibrant and friendly, with a hundred festivals a year, many exhibitions and great museums ... Remember, I already told you about this city for Jean-Paul Gaultier's exhibition and Barbie Exhibition. I enjoyed my stay there, a cross between the United States and Europe, a mix of history and modernity, but where they speak both English and French. Montreal is part of the province of Quebec where French is the official language. It’s the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. Last week I told you that you couldn’t die of thirst in Santorini (Article Wine in Santorini), actually in Montreal either, given the number of bars, pubs and clubs in the city. But above all, you can’t starve! I highly recommend trying poutine, a typical Québécois specialty prepared with French fries, cheese curds and a brown gravy. This is the classic recipe, but many restaurants have created more, such as La Banquise which now serves about 30 different recipes ... The smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz’s, an institution in Montreal, created in 1928. Expect to queue in the street before to get a table. Don’t forget pancakes and maple syrup!! Some shops offer maple syrup tasting, take the opportunity to discover the different kinds. And many more, bagels, crêpes… After so much food, a walk is recommended, again the choice is not lacking, whether in the beautiful park of Mount Royal or along the St. Lawrence River. This city was discovered by Jacques Cartier in 1535, a mountain he named Mont-Royal, that's where Montreal comes from. It is now Canadian second biggest city after Toronto, with more than 1.7 million people. Here time stops, we relax, we breathe and we enjoy! Montreal was a wonderful experience, as much as one from a personal and cultural point of view. This city is full of energy, no wonder it was voted the best student city in the world in 2017. Shortly after, I took the plane to realise an even bigger dream, the freezing of my eggs in Madrid. Now your turn to make your dreams come true... Have a good week! Love & Dream, L. Haute Couture fashion week has just ended in Paris, I was obviously very inspired for this new article. Last week, I spoke about Jean-Paul Gaultier's exhibition Love is Love, a retrospective of these bridal outfits (Link to the Article) which started in Montreal (Canada). Montreal which is full of fantastic museums, a city that I’ll show you soon. However, for today, back to childhood, something that everybody knows but with a little twist. I would like to dedicate this article to my youngest follower, Olivia, who will turn 10 years old this year. This is the largest permanent Barbie Haute Couture collection, more than 1,000 dolls dressed by the greatest designers in the world: Barbie Expo, in the heart of Montreal. And let's start with the brides, who knows maybe my solo wedding in Santorini will inspire Barbie one day ... Barbie will be celebrating her 60th birthday in March, I would like to age as well as she does. And yes since 1959, the famous doll inspired millions of children. She also inspired brands, Barbie, 11½-inch tall is surely the smallest fashion model in the world. But also, movies, shows and celebrities inspired her. Many designers have created unique outfits for her, including me and not always to her advantage hahaha. This great exhibition reminds us of history and geography too: Barbie is all about a magical world where imagination has no limit ... Note that this exhibition is completely free and that all donations are donated to the Association Make a Wish Quebec. And to discover more, here is the website of Barbie expo: expobarbie.ca/en/ Short story: a girlfriend offered me my first Barbie for my 6th birthday, and a very special one, Barbie Dream Glow, whose stars on her dress shine in the dark. One of my best memories. It's as if today my friends offered me a pair of Louboutin! The lesson that I learnt then, choose well your friends! Lesson I have obviously forgotten on the way, since no one offered me some Louboutin hahaha.  No article next week, I'll be travelling to find other interesting topics for you. And for those who are not fashion fans, I promise, the next article will be on a very mouthwatering topic! But I don't tell you more ... Have a lovely week end! Love & Joy, L. Change of scenery this week, after making you travelled in Crete, I’m going to amaze you with the exceptional haute couture creations of two great French names please, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Balmain. The French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier collaborated again in 2017 with the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, to create a remarkable exhibition, which I had the chance to visit in Montreal (Canada). This is a retrospective of Jean-Paul Gaultier's incredible wedding outfits from 1990 to 2017, 36 dresses and wedding clothes spread over and around a gigantic wedding cake. My solo wedding in Santorini had already taken place when I discovered this exhibition, but it definitely gives me some inspiration for a possible next time, who knows? This exhibition called LOVE IS LOVE, inspired by the speech of Barak Obama of June 26, 2015 during the legalisation of same-sex marriage in all the American States, is a new demonstration of the commitment of Jean-Paul Gaultier in favour of marriage for all. Commitment that I share, read or reread my article on marriage and parenting for all. In this continuity, in 2018, the Centro Cultural Kirchner of Buenos Aires (Argentina) had the chance to display this exhibition. Argentina was the first country in Latin America to recognise same-sex marriage in 2010. Hope that in a near future this exhibition will be in your country ... In the meantime, you will notice all the incredible details of these sartorial wonders. For those who want to know more about Jean-Paul Gaultier, don’t miss Fashion Freak Show at the Folies Bergères in Paris, show imagined by the fashion designer and which traces his life. Note the exceptional participation of Dita Von Teese from 22 to 27 January 2019. After making women dream, another exhibition that should be more interesting to these gentlemen. The Victoria's Secret exhibition of the 2017 Punk Angel show with the collaboration of Olivier Rousteing, Artistic Director of Balmain since 2011. To feel really good about yourself, a comfortable or a sexy lingerie (even both), is essential. And when all this is highlighted by a renowned fashion designer, we feel like an angel ... Here again a lot of details in the accessories. One wonders where these creators find so much inspiration ... I hope you liked this fashion article, Good weekend to all! Love & Joy, L  Meta ta Mesanyxta 'After Midnight' with Eleonora Meleti on Alpha TV, Athens Three years ago, when my ex-fiancé and I chose Greece to celebrate our wedding, I never thought how important this place would be to my heart. From now on, this country is associated with my solo wedding in Santorini and my rebirth (Read previous article 1st Anniversary) A few days ago, I was invited to a TV show on the biggest Greek channel. On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, thousands of viewers discovered me. I wanted to share this special moment of my life, so here is this extraordinary day told step by step: 1 / I am not a morning person and waking up early is a torture. Nevertheless, I can get up without being grumpy for 2 reasons, whether I travel or work on my blog. This time, I get up at dawn for these 2 reasons! 2 / Head in the clouds, I fly to Athens. Athens, which means the city of Athena, Goddess of Reason, Prudence, Military Strategy and Wisdom. What a highly symbolic place for my first TV show! I couldn’t wish a better place. 3 / I’ve asked what I had to wear for the occasion and was told: something comfortable for a late night show. Obviously, I’m very used to this kind of event, I do this every day, I knew immediately what to wear (ironic) - finally, after having tried all my wardrobe! I finally opted for a romantic, elegant and feminine outfit. Dress and belt: Promod Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. by Elsa Peretti Hairstyle: Un Brin de Jenny 4 / I am picked up at my hotel to go to the studio. Very different from French studios which are very accessible in the middle of cities. This Alpha studio is very isolated and well guarded. I go directly to makeup where other guests are already there, and also the translator for my interview. A matte base, zero shine and nervousness that starts to rise even if my smile doesn’t show anything ... 5 / That's it, it's time, I discover the studio set  Many people, cameras, screens, and Eleonora, the host, who sees me and immediately comes to meet me. She is charming and very smiling, she puts me at ease instantly. Eleonora Meleti is a well-known and popular journalist in Greece. Everyone on the set is adorable, they come to greet me, support me. There is even a half Greek Frenchman. The atmosphere is very relaxed. They explain the process, install me and adjust my microphone, I take a deep breath and concentrate. Making my first TV appearance was certainly not something I was prepared for. Especially when it comes to 30 minutes of interview. And to make the exercise worse, because as you know I don’t like when it’s simple, Eleonora was addressing me in Greek, the translation was given to me in English, so I answered in English making sure I was looking at my hostess, while the translator translated into Greek instantly. You’ve followed?? Because even me, I’m lost hahaha. So, in summary, my brain heard Greek and English at the same time and I had to try to answer without always remembering the questions! But I think that watching the video doesn’t need any comment, my interview starts from the 36th minute, unfortunately it’s in Greek, the subtitles are not yet available, however there is a nice video at the beginning (Photo Credit: Alexander Hadji).  Click on the photo to watch the video You can find all the videos of the show on Alpha TV website: www.alphatv.gr/?vtype=generic&vid=34809&categoryId=4&showId=923 Greece, the country of my solo wedding, and where so many people have shown so much interest, support and love for my story. I feel good in Greece... I’ve received even more sympathy after the show, and some people recognised me in the streets of Athens. Thanks again to Eleonora Meleti, Sotiris Skouloudis, the whole team of Meta ta Mesanyxta and Alpha TV. 6 / Return to the hotel and I admit that it’s difficult to regain my senses. So much excitement and emotions in such a short time ... 7 / Of course I couldn’t leave Athens without going for a walk and relaxing with my friends. Above all, I couldn’t let you without having made you discover this beautiful city! And all my favourite addresses will be in a future article dedicated to this city. To conclude, a song by P!nk that I particularly like, and which says: I will never surrender, there is nothing but a victory! Well, it could be Athena's words, couldn't it? Love, L. Some people dream of a wall of shoes, my dream is to have hats and fascinators displayed in a glass cabinet! I’ve already talked about my shoe collection but another of my addictions concerns headpieces. I’m not talking about casual headgear but about these works of art made by hand in delicate fabrics, those that we see at royal weddings, at racecourses and other official ceremonies. I lived a long time in Australia and I liked to attend horse races, in particular the most famous of them: the Melbourne Cup. Every year, the spectators compete with daring creativity on their heads and for me unthinkable not to wear a creation of Arturo Rios! Arturo is a Los Angeles designer, he creates for American stars (Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Rihanna ...) but also European Princesses and other celebrities. His work is pure art, he always selects vintage materials, delicate and rare, and transcend them in amazing fascinators. I’m fortunate to own 3 of his creations: Kate (red), Chanel (blue) and Faith (pink). Arturo helped me pick the red and the blue one for the 2013 and 2015 Melbourne Cup. These fascinators gave me the opportunity to be officially photographed for the event and selected for the fashion competition. Initially, I wanted to wear the blue hat at my wedding, but when I decided to do a solo wedding I changed for something different. I’ve had the pink fascinator a few months ago, I wore it for my sister’s wedding in Champagne (France). What excitement to open the box arriving directly from Los Angeles. I was scared to take it out of the box because it seemed so delicate.  It's like that, it's my thing, I don’t know where it really comes from, except that I always like to stand out and I’m also attracted to beautiful things ... What is certain is that with the creations of Arturo Rios, we never go unnoticed!! Thank you, Arturo, you’re more than a hat designer, you’re a dream maker! In September, I’m invited to a wedding in Paris. It will be an unforgettable moment and I need your help. Tell me below or on social media, which of my 3 fascinators do you want me to wear: red, blue or pink? Finally, a sexy song that everyone knows "You can leave your hat on", and no matter the circumstances, I will keep a fascinator on my head! 😉 I haven’t talked about my solo wedding for quite a while, so here is a new article about it, and a subject which will please girls! If obviously the dress was my first concern, the shoes came immediately after. I have a real addiction for shoes! I must have about 130 pairs of shoes from all brands: Louboutin, Marc Jacobs, Celine, Nicholas Kirkwood, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, Stuart Weitzman, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Michael Kors, Kurt Geiger ... In psychology we call it Cinderella syndrome, we don’t stop buying shoes because we haven’t found the one! Knowing that I married myself and that I no longer look for Prince Charming, I risk collecting shoes for a long time! Hahaha And my friends know me well because they’ve given me very personal birthday cards: I display my shoes as pieces of art because for me they are more than accessories to walk. Depending on my mood and who I want to be for the day, I will choose a specific pair. Shoes give me confidence, they connect me to the ground and make me sexy when it's necessary. And to be a superwoman, as in my last article Superwomen, we need great shoes and designers are not lacking in this area. Sometimes I can spend a whole day wearing different models at home just for fun ... One of my little pleasures. I even have some pairs that I’ve never worn but just to have them in my closet boosts my ego. Moreover, Freud said that foot is the symbol of power for a woman. Obviously, for my wedding I had to do very thorough research and surf hours and hours on the internet. I sifted all the designers: Oscar de la Renta, Ralph & Russo, Giuseppe Zanotti, Emmy London, Dolce & Gabbana, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, Roger Vivier, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, Sophia Webster, Tamara Mellon, Gucci, Nicholas Kirkwood, Jimmy Choo, Kurt Geiger London, Aquazurra, Freya Rose, and many more ... I needed the perfect pair for my big day! And nothing better than my best man to accompany me to the Parisian shops. Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Givenchy, Ferragamo, Louboutin ... I don’t know how many pairs I’ve tried! But I really enjoyed it! Finally, Cinderella smiled, she found the right one: I couldn’t imagine a better pair than this one. A delicate fabric like my fragility, my favourite colour, bright and feminine in the theme of my flowers, a stiletto heel very sexy but not too high to be able to perform the 3 choreographies of my evening. And that red sole that all women cherish and that makes men blush. In addition, I have the chance to buy them in the famous shop of Rue Faubourg Saint Honoré in Paris, that's magical. Being beautiful from head to toe, to start the first day of my new life and celebrate my rebirth. Good in my head and on my high heels! Wear your favourite shoes, be confident and dance on this hit of 1966: Some men believe they have a monopoly of the broken heart, and don’t hesitate to tell you that they have suffered so much in the past, that they are bulletproof, and no one can make them suffer again. How lucky they are!! Despite the countless times I’ve been dumped, I continue to suffer every time a guy breaks up with me. What is the secret of titanium heart, impenetrable metal to heartbreak, to love criticism, to solitary despair? In fact, I believe that these men decided to stop loving, they closed their hearts. But again, how do they realise this sleight of hand? Should we have an unfailing motivation as we stop smoking? Or to repeat it every morning as a mantra, use hypnosis...We wake up one morning and we say it's decided I'll never love again. Is it really a good thing not to love? For sure it’s easier to close oneself to others to avoid suffering again. However, I believe that life is nothing without love, feeling my heart beating, that's what makes me feel alive and enjoy life! One of my favourite movies is "Meet Joe Black", there's a passage that moved me, this is when Bill (Antony Hopkins) addresses his daughter Susan (Claire Forlani), the tirade says that without love, life is worthwhile, and so you should try hard to find it. I followed to his words to the letter, I tried a lot and therefore lived a lot! And too bad if my heart is broken. Being in love is worth all the happiness of the world ... Unfortunately, there are consequences to this risk taking. I am the designer of my own catastrophe, to mention a quote I found recently. When a man breaks my heart, first, I eat, or rather I stuff myself with food, with a preference for ice cream. No, it's not a myth, girls eat ice cream to console themselves. If it's not enough, it all depends on how attached I was to the man in question, I drink (responsibly of course). Then, if I was in love and moving on is difficult and painful, I cut my hair! Whenever I tell people that I had long hair in the past, nobody believes me. Well I missed luck in my life and many men disappointed me. It's been ten years now that I have a short haircut, many different styles and well, the shorter my hair is, sexier I am! Let's see if it still applies, I'm back at Un Brin de Jenny in Reims and we're going to drastically shorten my hair. I believe that each time I cut my hair, I also eliminate my sadness and disappointment. I get rid of these men/ millstones who pull me down and prevent me from rising. It’s also a way to assert myself more and regain some androgynous (male?) confidence. A sexy woman with a man mind. So, the more I am dumped, the more I cut my hair ... I must choose my next boyfriend carefully, because at this pace, I will soon be fully shaved! Something that will eventually happen in one way or another because I really want to see what I look like without hair, madness when you hold me! Well, result in a moment. “Every heartbreak makes it hard to keep the faith” (as Lady Gaga says in the song to follow), despite that I prefer my tender heart to titanium heart and it's a good excuse to change my hairstyle! Spread love around you and love yourself, you are amazing!! For 10 years, every important stage of my life I offer myself a ring, it's my 5th. I admit that this time, this ring represents a very unusual event of my life. You notice that I’m talking about a ring and not a wedding band. From my vision of sologamy, I wanted a ring that affirms my personality, not a band that would repel potential suitors. Initially, I wanted a pearl, a diamond even a black diamond or a pink gem. These elements fit me pretty well, I like it when it's elegant with character. I was looking for something really special and I found it in a shop that sells antique jewellery in Brisbane (Australia). This is a cameo circa 1900 made in the United States, depicting a portrait of a woman, with yellow gold and a diamond. I always wanted a cameo. It's historical, timeless, it's passed down from generation to generation. A miniature work of art, hand carved from a technique dating back to Ancient Egypt. Cameos were very popular in Rome and Ancient Greece, then during the Renaissance and the 19th Century. While France, England, the United States and Germany have produced many cameos, Italy remains unquestionably the major place. Moreover, the word Cameo comes from Italian meaning "to engrave", which would come from the ancient Arabic "khamea" for amulet. Some of my friends like to call me Lady L. because of my good manners and elegance, so I wanted something that looks like me. When I saw this ring in the window it was obvious. A woman to celebrate another woman. My previous acquisitions were modern, I wanted an antique to lead me to a better future thanks to its past vibes. I imagine that this ring belonged before to a woman with temperament and a very sure taste. I was therefore a legitimate heiress. In addition, the colours and style of the ring went perfectly with my skin tone, my Renaissance style dress, my accessories and even the theme of the wedding. I’ve decided to wear it on the left middle finger. Several years ago, when I bought my 3rd ring, I went to Chanel Joaillerie, Place Vendôme in Paris. The shop’s manager who looked after me, told me to avoid the ring finger to always give the chance to a new lover. I continue to follow her advice... Finally, a ring made in the United States, bought in Australia for a ceremony in Greece. It seems that this lady likes to travel exactly like me!! To conclude, my guests took place on this song, which already set the tone for the ceremony: Superwoman - Alicia Keys You like my article, click on the links below and/or add a comment:
When a woman feels depressed, she goes to the hairdresser. As if to see herself in the mirror with eyes puffed up by tears, dark circles of fatigue, dull complexion for lack of sun will give her a smile. To be honest we rather want to cry even more. I don’t understand why we see so much of our flaws in the hairdresser’s mirror. Do you have the same impression as me? The poor eyebrows, that huge black spot on the cheek that I had never seen before, and when did this deep wrinkle next to the right eye appear? And how many more white hair since the last time?? I'm sitting in this terrible chair because of course I'm depressed; winter is not my thing, the cold, the slippery sidewalks, the overheated shops. It's not for nothing that I lived in Queensland! During winter time, 7 degrees in the morning and it did not last more than two months. Anyway, I need a boost, an exciting thing to cheer me up, I like to be very sophisticated in the winter because with all these layers of clothing I find it hard to express myself. And since I do not work for the moment, I have the right to all the eccentricities. So today it will be a colour and a very special one: navy! My hairdresser is Jenny from Un Brin de Jenny in Reims, France. She’s my hairdresser for almost a year now. She’s great, very professional and answers to all my current whims. For the technical part, she will apply a blue-black colour base all over the head, and a few blue highlights to boost everything and to give relief to my haircut. First, bleaching, 2 precisely, my hair must be very white because as Jenny told me, if we mix blue with yellow, the result gives green! You obviously knew it. However today, I do not feel the soul of Shrek or Bob Razowski so I am blonde for a few minutes… For sure now I will have to pay attention to what I wear, all the colours will not necessarily go, clothes and makeup, I will have to adapt. Better to avoid turning Gothic wearing too many dark colours for example. At the same time, I could be spotted for the musical The Addams Family! Small bracket, this show was terrific! Finally, after 3h of care, I’m looking forward to seeing the result. Magnificent!! Yes I’m shining, that’s why we go to the hairdresser. I feel good, a more sparkling me. I look very sophisticated, be careful gentlemen I'm going to use a horsewhip hahaha. Can’t wait to have reaction of people and your comments… Message of the day: be true, be you, be colourful! Song of the day: a beautiful old song, True colors by Cindy Lauper. |
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