Henri Biva (French, 1848-1928)

Amaridian

Amaridian is the symbolic combination of two words, the Zulu word " Amadlozi" meaning "Ancestral Spirit" and the word "Meridian" the imaginary lines that traverse the Globe.

This wonderfully named Gallery by South Africans Mary Slack and Fraser Conlon is based in New York city. Their vision  educates us on the immense talent of the African Continent, very tribal yet modern at the same time.

Anyone who has ever been to Africa falls in love with the place, the magic, the people, the colours, the animals, the music and now you can also fall in love with these artists thanks to Amaridian.

Thank you Africa for all your wonderful gifts. xo

All Photos  and more information on all the artists via,                   www.amaridianusa.com

Cuixmala

This stunning and vast estate of 25,000 acres of land, beaches , lagoons was the private home of the late Sir James Goldsmith. Set on the Mexican Pacific coast near Careyes Cuixmala is a special place. The land is dotted with  villas , casitas and bungalows all in different locations and sizes.

With an incredible range of activities from horse riding, mountain biking , tennis , volley ball , kayaking, fishing , surfing to name just a few. The most interesting is that Cuixmala is set on nature reserve , home to 270 types of birds, wild boar , deer , foxes , crocodiles and the endangered Jaguar. Not to leave out the Zebras and the Turtle Protection Programme, the giant sea turtle comes to lay their eggs every year were the staff gathered them to protect them from predators and poachers until they hatch and then are returned to the sea. Guests are able to assist with the guidance of biologists, have look at the wonderful Eco Cuixmala Foundation Website for more information.

There is also a club house and a boutique and of course spa services. At Cuixmala you can rent individual rooms at the various locations or rent the whole estate for a big party or wedding. How amazing would that be.

So wish I was there right now, missing the sun and nature.

Que padre x

www.cuixmala.com

www.ecocuixmala.org

All photos via Cuixmala

Photo by victor Liu.

Leonardo da Vinci

"Leonardo da Vinci :Painter of the Court of Milan is the most comlete display of rare surviving paintings ever held. This unprecedented exhibition, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, brings together sensational loans never seen before in the UK"

                                                                                                        The National Gallery

I am so excited to see this show, London Culture at its best. GO NOW, but make sure you buy tickets in advance they are giving time slots, I presume so it does not get overcrowded. The website explains everything so prepare before you go.

Enjoy!

The National Gallery

Trafalgar Square

London

WC2 5DN

www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Video on the exhibition

www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/leonardo-live

Most photos via The National Gallery and Taschen

Guido Mocafico

Lampropeltis getula nigrita

Roses

Boiga dendrophila melanota

Nature Morte aux Huîtres

Vipera Wagneri

Audemars Piguet Tourbillon répétition minutes squelette

Dendroaspis viridis

Salmopoeus irminia

Naja nigricollis

Bouquet de tulipes

Vipera aspis

Smith & Wesson 44 magnum

Vipera Ammodytes

Snakes, Guns, Spiders are not my favourite things in the world. Would not want to be at close range with any of these things. Flowers, food and watches on the other hand  are always part of my life. Guido Mocafico does convert my terrified view into one of beauty and awe, nature dangerous as it may be is designed to perfection just as a gun can be admired of its incredible craftsmanship. Not sure if I would hang some of these images in my bedroom but anywhere else the visual impact they make is mesmerizing.

Hypnotic xo

GUIDO MOCAFICO Italian, born in Switzerland in 1962, lives in Switzerland and works in Paris. Guido Mocafico studied Photography at Vevey school in Switzerland. Specialized in still life photography, his most recent images are published in magazines such as Numéro, Numéro Homme, Paradis, V Mag, Vogue US, Vogue France, Men’s Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The Face, Wallpaper He works for major brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Clarins, Shiseido, YSL, Clinique, Dior, Bvlgari, Armani, Hermès. Alongside his commercial and advertising activities, Guido Mocafico has developed a series of long-term personal projects, destined to be published in books and shown as exhibitions.

His work can be found at the following Galleries,

Hamiltons Gallery 13 Carlos place London W1 K 2 EU U.K. T / 020 7499 9493/4 www.hamiltonsgallery.com

BERNHEIMER FINE OLD MASTERS E.K. BU Fine Art Photography Brienner Str. 7 80333 Munich Germany T / +49-89-226672 www.bernheimer.com

All photos sourced via,

www.guidomocafico.com

INTERMISSION

Le Smoking

YSL AD

YSL Cigarettes

Classic S T Dupont Lighter

Michael Caine via Like a Doll

Vintage St. Moritz Cigarettes

Delfina Delettrez Apartment via Harper's Bazaar

YSL Smoking via Helmut Newton

Love this photo but can't find the credit!

Carmen Kass via Vogue Espagna

Continental via Vintage Cigarettes

Jean-loup Sieff

YSL Vintage Cigarettes

Pierre Cardin Smoking set via Talisman

Josh Brolin by Hedi Slimane

Black and Gold S T Dupont Lighter

Nat Sherman Cigarillos

Paul Newman

Jennifer Connelly

Cartier 18Carat Gold Cigarette Case via Christies

Marlon Brando via Getty Images

The Stork Club 1950's Smoking , Elegance and fun allowed.

www.christies.com

www.ysl.com

www.helmutnewton.com

Gem Palace

Gem Palace Showroom

Diamond, Emerald and Gold Bib Necklace Magnifique

Mughal Sarpesh. 72 Carats of Emeralds, 110 Carats of Diamonds with a cluster of South Sea Pearls.

The back view of the Sarpesh is just as incredible as the front. Gold-Silver Lacework pattern with little diamond flowers.

Gold and Gem set Flower Bracelet Gem Palace via Harry Fane

Ancient Egyptian Inlaid Lotus Earrings with Turquoise Drops and Lapis Lotus Blossoms , with handcarved Carnelian Cabochon stones.

Gold and Rose Cut Diamond Bib Necklace Gem Palace Via Harry Fane.

Cabochon Spinel  ring mounted on Platinum and Diamonds. Gem Palace Via Harry Fane.

Diamond, Emerald and Pearl Lariat Necklace Circa 1930's

Indian Jewellery is one my greatest passions. These are from Gem Palace in Jaipur that was established by the Kasliwal Family in 1852. I hope never to be let loose in there as I may never leave.

http://www.gempalacejaipur.com

http://www.harryfane.com

Sinatra's Twin Palms

One fine day in May 1947 Frank Sinatra walked into the office of Architect E. Stewart Williams  and stated that he wanted him to build him a house but it had to be done by Christmas, and wanted to be done in a Georgian Style. This style was not suited to the Palm Springs climate, so Stewart Williams presented him with two designs one in the Georgian style he had requested and another more modern, low built, that blended in with the Desert surroundings and colours.

Thankfully Sinatra choose this design and incredibly Williams built the House in time for Christmas, it was the family run firm Williams, Williams & Williams first private home commission and would become the house to set the trend for architecture in Palm Springs.

What a great history, would have loved to have been at one of Sinatra's Legendary parties in that house, as we all know that Dean Martin, Ava Gardner and all of Old Hollywood would come and stay, he would cut some of his records there using the wonderfully named Valentino Electronics of Hollywood.

The Twin Palms Estate as it was named can be rented, shame Frank Sinatra and friends don't come with the house, those were the days.

That's Life, xo

Sources via,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avU2aarQUiU

www.sinatrahouse.com

www.beaumondevillas.com/california/palm-springs/twin-palms/index.html

www.flickr.com

www.wikipedia.org