Visionofsplendor - Vision Of Splendor

Uxua Casa Hotel

Last April my brother got married in Sao Paulo to my lovely Brazilian sister in-law. Thanks to this wonderful union, we got a chance to come to beautiful Trancoso and stay at the incredible Uxua Casa Hotel where my brother and his wife got engaged.

This is not your average hotel, its an Oasis of Tropical Splendor, little casas dotted around the grounds and out on the Quadrado, Tancoso's 16th Century town green.The attention to detail is heavenly, everything is made by local artisans, the staff are warm, friendly and happy. We had most of the hotel to ourselves so it felt as we were all living there, it has such a magical and seducing quality and none of us wanted leave.

Uxua is a labor of love and you feel it, an unforgettable experience and I hope to return very soon.

All pictures via Uxua except picture 11 which is taken by me on Uxua beach.

The website is also fantastic, am sure you will be seduced,

www.uxua.com

Food is Art III

Quails Egg | Egg

Sweet Jelly | Limoncello

Chocolate | Cheese with Pears

Pumpkin Soup | Soup

Chiacchiere | Cherries

Sea Bass | Sushi

Mullet | Tripe

Octopus | Meatballs

Steak | Bonbons

Asparagus | Basmati Rice

Bread | Pepper

Sea Urchin | Spiedini

Yoghurt with Figs | Foots

Eye | Oysters

Snails | Muricidae

The Dark side of Food Photography. Silvia Badalotti's striking compositions are are a little disturbing and intense to look at but the light, background and contrasts makes them mesmerizing. Taken from the forthcoming Black Food Book, cannot wait to see the rest of these images.

All images via,

www.finedininglovers.com

www.silviabadalotti.it

http://player.vimeo.com/video/37876758

INTERMISSION: CHAI BREAK

Masala Chai is perfect for a cold winters day.

Video by High Beam Media

Via Fine Dining Lovers

Michael Aram

Fan Coral Sculpture

Tortoiseshell Shell Candle Holder

Fig Leaf Serving Bowl

Pomgranate Nut Bowl

Honey Pot with Spoon

All Photos from Neiman Marcus

We could do with a Michael Aram Shop in London. Love his work and they make great gifts.

http://www.michaelaram.com

Dora Daar

This is Not A Hippie Bag

 One day a lovely friend of mine walked in carrying an incredibly beautiful piece of work, a handbag with such beautiful fabric and detail that I had to ask her where in the world she found this, from a designer in LA she said, you have to look at her collection you won't know which one to pick. Am not a big handbag person, but am into craftsmanship and unique pieces that have a story.

Fast as flash I looked her up, Simone Harouche a wardrobe stylist had been over the years collecting 19th  dowry textiles, to antique tribal costumes, wall hangings, beading, coins, Afghan bridal jewellery and more from countries such as Nepal, India, Morocco, Peru, Pakistan and Egypt.  With such a exquisite collection she was inspired to create for herself a handbag made out of some of these findings, the bag was so eye catching that a friend saw it and commissioned one for herself and from there the orders started to come in, thus the line Simone Camille was born. 

All the bags are handmade and unique so you will not see anyone wearing the exact same one as you they come in different shapes and sizes, I always stopped when I wear mine, these are not your average Hippie Market bag, more like luxury Bohemian.

Have a look at the Website on where to buy and a huge array of choices, perfect for the summer,

I Just love xo

Photos via ,

www.simonecamille.com

www.c-a-n-o-p-y.tumblr.com

www.sisterhimalaya.tumblr.com

www.earth-age.blogspot.co.uk

Saluti da Capri

Arrivo!! Photo via Google

Ave Ceasar Photo Vision of Splendor

Il Mare Slim Aarons

Love the signs...One of these is my Hotel.. photo via Tumblr.

Capri Style 1970's by Slim Aarons

Pink Heaven photo via Tumblr

Mama Mia the best plate of Pasta in the world! Photo by Vision of Splendor

Long beautiful walk to Marina Piccola Via Krupp..

Nothing to do with Capri...but David Gandy looks Italian and dresses beautifully like the men did in the past..and basically no need to explain. Bello

A room with a view, blue and green...photo by Vision of Splendor

Bella Marisa in Capri 1970's by Slim Aarons. This is how I wish I looked on the beach.

Capri Traditional "gozzi"...me on this very soon.

Arrivederci London! On my way to the magic of Capri sun, sea, beauty, Amore and mangare mangare and mangare. xo

The Wapping Project

All Pictures taken by Vision Of Splendor on an Iphone.

Last night to celebrate a friends birthday I finally got to go dinner to The Wapping Project based in an old Hydraulic Power Station with constantly changing Art Exhibitions.

We were luckily to have booked on  a night that "Yohji Making Waves" Installation was on, by Yohji Yamamoto. Set in the 1890's Boiler Room filled with water you are taken around in a small wooden boat by their version of a Gondoliere as Yohji's Wedding dress Installation hangs Illuminated from the ceiling.There is such an ethereal ambiance that you feel enveloped in its cocoon, we so enjoyed that little trip.

Even if you are having dinner in a industrial space they manage to make you feel at home with their very warm service and the visual feast of architecture meets art. On old Tv's dotted around the vast dinning space Yohji Yamamoto's catwalk show video's were shown to tie in with Exhibition.

Outside there in a little patch of green sits a Garden Shed turned Bookshop where every Thursday evening an artist, author or poet is invited to give a reading or a performance.

There were other areas to explore but wanted to save it for a next time, where am sure it will be different again.

I loved every minute of it and will certainly return.

http://www.thewappingproject.com/

http://thewappingprojectbookshop.com/

http://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/

Photographer:  Prabuddha Dasgupta Model:  Kamai Sidhu

  INTERMISSION

David Bowie is back, and cool as ever! My previous post I mentioned his Exhibition at the V&A  here is his first single since 10 years. 

David Bowie's The Stars (Are out Tonight)

Starring no other than Tilda Swinton, perfect casting.