17.4.14

Aux Merveilleux

  So close to easter and after so many days of “chocolate fasting”…the temptation was huge…and we couldn’t resist the robbery of a patisserie….
We thought naturally of the patisserie “Aux Merveilleux” in Kensington, beautiful name for a beautiful shop filled with Belgian specialities : cramiques , waffles and their famous cake “le merveilleux”.
    And what a surprise to see that the people working there are as marvellous as their cakes !! They really played the game….a huge thanks goes to my lovely victim “Betty” and her understanding manager “Yves”. Happy Easter to you all !!! Xxx S.D.














pink coat : Cos (current shop here) | skinny jeans : Citizens of Humanity | navy cashmere jumper : uniqlo |  pink shoes : Top Shop (current shop here ) | necklace : River Island (current in shops) | bag : Dior

15.4.14

10.4.14

Domestic goddess



The image of the perfect housewife who kept a spotless home, had her husband's dinner ready as soon as he walked through the door from work and single-handed raised the children - while still always managing to look fashionable and beautiful - is a well-known stereotype from the 1950s you would argue, but that is still very much alive nowadays I believe.

Aren't we still expected to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, to do the laundry and the ironing and to be equally happy to organise, each week, several exciting trips to the local shops or supermarkets? 
The idyllic picture of the perfect stay-at-home housewife who takes care of the home, raises the children, cooks nutritious meals, and provides a haven of calm for her hardworking husband when he returns at the end of his working day is very anchored in our modern society.
And we are still encouraged to look the part when our husband returns from work, ensuring we have bathed, perfumed and dressed in smart clean clothes, complete with fresh frilly apron (no…maybe we have won the battle on that ground), ready to spend a cosy and possibly romantic evening with him… in order to make him forget that he may have spent the day surrounded by some "boring" colleagues in mini-skirt.

In reality, it is impossible for women to meet this ideal unless your name is Bree Van de Kamp (from the series Desperate Housewiwes). In order to let go some steam from the pressure we undergo, we do need to go wild from time to time. Under the shiny surface lies a dark and wicked side which we will exceptionally let you have a pick at. AD















ivory cotton jumper : Primark (current) | flowery skirt : J&M Davidson (shop here similar item)| pink shoes : Topshop (current) | necklace : vintage







3.4.14

Seydou Keita's style

Ever since Sophie went to a photo exhibition of the famous african photographer, Seydou Keita, she became literally obsessed with african print fabrics. This spring, she just had to have a skirt made of such fabric. The trouble question though was : how? At the time the high street shops did not seem to foresee the coming trend. It was little brain storming for me to answer to that question, I knew I had to be brave enough to take Sophie to Shepherd's Bush market one day and that her eyes would be dazzled for hours by an overwhelming choice of african fabrics. 
The next step was to have my little couturier enter on stage and do marvels at shaping, cutting, sewing and fitting Sophie's first dreamy and unique african princess's skirt. I do not think that Sophie has ever experienced such an agonising wait with a touch of  mounting excitement while waiting for the skirt to be prepared. Would the finished product fulfil her expectations? 
Finally, it was ready, and we could not wait any longer to disclose it to you on the occasion of a trip to our local market and fishmonger. AD

























purple coton jumper : Cos (current)  | skirt : bespoke | pink suede shoes : Primark (current) | necklace : Topshop | pink clutch : Zara | fish cushion : Ikea (current) | basket : Tiger

1.4.14