Weekend Inspiration #20

Art Nouveau in Riga

A while back I decided to visit Riga, Latvia to see what the city was all about. What surprised me the most was that Riga boasts around 800 art nouveau buildings (40% of the buildings in the centre belongs to art nouveau which is more than any other European city), the majority of which are situated in the central part of Riga around Alberta Street and the quiet centre, the embassy district, where every building deserves a look (literally - look up!!) 

So if you decide to visit remember to lift your eyes and take your time as there is some truly mind-blowing astonishing architecture there. As someone who is always on the hunt for the "right atmosphere" this surely delivered. It was as if someone had gone absolutely (wonderfully) crazy with a can of whipped cream ;-) 

In the middle of it all I stumbled upon the most carried out art nouveau café with a decor to die for - and the best coffee and croissant I'd had in a long time. From my table in front of the huge window I was able to linger a little and look out at the breathtaking blue building while leafing through beautiful picture books. 

Mansur Gavriel

This post is long overdue because everybody is talking about Mansur Gavriel. Personally, I blame Garance Doré and my love for bags which is a serious vice of mine. I'm very picky and admittedly a snob when it comes to my handbag portfolio and this is a bag of understated luxury that I'm excited to add to my rotation.

This little project actually began a year ago when I e-mailed Rachel and Floriana and curiously asked about these bags of theirs... I thought I was communicating with a huge PR-department when I realized that I was e-mailing/chatting with Rachel herself. I know many of their customers have had this pleasure.

So in the Fall I ordered their large black/ballerina clutch while still deciding if these bags really were for me...

And of course they were... The bucket bag in black/flamma is probably their most popular and will be a classic piece but when I realized that the colour combination of cammello/orange would be available as a small tote I was sold. This combination is part of their Spring line and limited so thus began a beautiful friendship between Ryan, the sales guy from Jenni Kayne in West Hollywood, and me. I quickly got on the reservation list in November (I even had the pleasure of chatting with Ryan on the phone which was a real pleasure), the bag got made in Italy, shipped back to the US and then it arrived here in Copenhagen a little more than a week ago. What's really crazy about this is that the bags are completely sold out - even before they hit the stores.

I guess the question really is what the hype is about (it's hailed as the new it-bag) For me it's about what I love the most; understated chic and that they are free of logos and hardware (for a change) Made of Italian vegetable leather the bags have a clean, minimal aesthetic that is cleverly complemented by a brightly coloured interior coating. The small scale artisanal production approach (small family owned company in Italy) also really appeals to me. 

While the design is quite structured, the leather is soft and light and every bag comes with a detachable strap wallet. 

Not only have I experienced amazing customer which speaks to me on a personal level but the whole story and idea behind these creations (how Rachel from the US and Floriana from Germany randomly met at a concert, decided to embark on this creative adventure together etc.) makes me cherish mine even more and I'm excited to start using it.  

Weekend Inspiration #19

Weekend Inspiration #18

Life in Square Format Part I

These pics from Instagram pretty much sums up the last week - my joy of strolling the cobbled streets of Christanshavn and finally getting the courage to climb the church tower and see Copenhagen from above. Enjoying my tulips - and then enjoying them a little more. Relishing in the fact that I don't have to worry about grocery shopping as I've decided to get my food delivered. And oh... my latest obsession is eating "pink lady" apples although I think they are damn expensive.  

Weekend Inspiration #17

Marilyn Walking in New York

I only have a handful of pictures of my gal Marilyn that speaks to me on a personal level which I suppose is funny since she's been in my life since I was 12.* But these two are among them. 

Marilyn moved to New York in the mid-fifties to study method acting and she enjoyed the city, the seasons and the anonymity it gave her - although her time there wasn't without problems. On my first visit to NY in 1994 I ventured out to find her apartment and spoke to a few people who lived in the same building as she did on 444, East 57th street. They told me she always felt close to the "working man", that she was very friendly and more beautiful in life than on pictures. I can imagine it must have been nice for her to wander the streets in solitude around regular people miles away from Hollywood which she found fickle. In 1962 she talked about this (the downside of fame) with tremendous gusto in an  interview with journalist Richard Meryman. Life Magazine ran the piece right before she died. I am happy to say Meryman made sure she got the final word.**

People seldom recognized her in dark glasses and a scarf around her head so the reason these photos exist is because she was befriended by a guy who also became a devoted fan. His name was James Haspiel and besides being lucky enough to sometimes run errands with her he became an expert in knowing her whereabouts, when to leave her alone (like these pictures show) or when to approach her. He also says that every time she left her apartment he noticed she would stand still for a second, touch her nose, cup her hand and cough!!*** 

She was 29 when Haspiel took these photos and he was 17. For some reason I find these images quite moving.

*I also did my thesis on her and have collected more than 100 books. My professor was also an avid fan - it was great! The reason why Marilyn has become an "academic topic" is, in my opinion, thanks to "Blonde" by Joyce Carol Oates.
**I'll talk more about this interview in another post - aren't you excited, Caroline! ;-)
***I find this information absolutely thrilling :-)

Suede Boots from Bonpoint

I've been looking for a pair of suede boots for ages but haven't been able to find any. Friday afternoon - while walking briskly to an appointment I was already late for - I stumbled across these. I didn't hesitate and within 5 minutes they were mine. The sales girl gave me 60% off (which makes me love them even more) - yeah. The boots are very light and will go perfectly with skirts and skinny jeans. When it gets warmer I intend to wear them with bare legs. 

Bonpoint is a French boutique located in inner city Copenhagen. They actually sell children's clothing but have a rack with about 8 pieces of clothes for women - but hey! they don't need to prove anything. French discreet luxury at its best.

Postscript: The first day I wore these boots I took a bad fall down my stairs when leaving my apartment. I hit my elbow and legs and also my back - but the pain in my lower back (which has bothered me for almost two years now) has gone away so I must have bumped my back in a way that sorted itself out? Anyway, I've forgotten just how much it hurts to fall like a sack of potatoes - and the sound must have been scary because my neighbour came out in her robe and asked if I was alright!! I made it to work partly limping but oh! the pleasure of dressing up and looking nice just to fall on your ass!! :-)

Weekend Inspiration #16