{fashion inspiration: classic neutrals}

. . . with plans to spend the summer in nothing but fluttery summer dresses and billowy pleated skirts the colour of champagne, instantly fell head over heels for the washed silk charmeuse dresses and pretty pencil skirts of this recent collection by edelweiss by sarah, infused with pure 1940's hollywood glamour and a wonderfully modern approach to vintage style, every piece is perfect for a day at the office and a date afterward . . .


{images: edelweiss by sarah fall 2011 via greedy girl}

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copyright © 2007-2011 {this is glamorous} all rights reserved

{décor inspiration: french chic}

. . . soaring ceilings and chevron floors, juliet balconies and a luxuriously grand and perfectly ornate gilt mirror, and most of all, the dusky, smokey, sexy french-ness of it all . . .


{image: south of market}

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{photographer: patric shaw}

. . . positivity enchanted with these photographs by fashion photographer, patric shaw . . . the softness of light with its dreamy cast on every billowy pleat and ruche of delicate tulle, turning bare shoulders and cheekbones into gold, the insanely lovely pinkish lavender walls and the utterly perfect play of light and shadow . . .

{p.s.} the first dress is j.mendel & the second is chloé


{roza gough by patric shaw for vogue russia brides, S/S 2011 via oh fashion models}

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Rose Hill Mansion, Geneva, NY

When we were in Geneva, NY, last month, I spotted a beautiful old Greek Revival mansion along Route 69A, overlooking Seneca Lake. It's so enchanting! We stopped so I could snap a few photos.





I did a little digging, and Rose Hill is technically in Fayette, NY. It was built in 1837. It's listed on the National Historic Landmark Register.

One of the finest examples of the Greek Revival Style in the United States. Built (1837-39) on a monumental scale, it reflects the prosperity of Western New York as a result of the Erie Canal.

I walked up to the front portico and peeked inside the front door.



Everything is covered up for the season.



Apparently, there are tours here. They house opens May 1st. Maybe I can go again!


I walked around the house a little. The architecture for even the BACK and side doors is so lovely.





By then, I was huffing and puffing from the exertion and the intense lake winds blasting me back. The winds were so fierce, I thought I was going to lose my camera.

Apparently, no one knows exactly who built the house (that I have seen, anyway). Wikipedia suggests it was local craftsmen who drew the pattern from the famous Minard Lafever's book, The Beauties of Modern Architecture. WOW! Can you imagine, a bunch of local carpenters and craftsmen, cracking open a book and just building a mansion from it?!

This is why I love old houses-- they have mystery and they have quality. Average people did such monumental things. :)

I've GOT to go there someday. I need to keep posting about sensa weight loss reviews so I can save up for gas (ugh) to drive out to Geneva again!

Do you have any glorious mansions in your area? Do you know who built them, and how old they are?

Tiki-Toki - Web-Based Timeline Construction Tool

Beautiful web-based timeline software

This looks like a really nice tool for students to build historical time lines. The graphics are, as they say, beautiful. A basic account is free. I do not know what the paid acct costs.

The French wines explained by Rick Steves

From Chicago Tribune:

Terroir is a French concept. Terroir is "somewhere-ness," a combination of the macro- and micro-climate, soil, geology and culture. The French don't call a wine by the grape's name - 2 wines can be made of the same grape but be of different character because of their terroir.

Grapevines are creepers, with roots going through the topsoil and into the geology layers deep down, commonly 150 feet. A vintner can influence the topsoil but he cannot change the deep geology layers. This gives the wine a distinct character. The French do not allow irrigation, thus forcing the grapes to search deep for water.

There are 2 kinds of wine in the world: that of big growers and that of little growers. Big business works better for wine in places such as Argentina and Australia (where 3 companies dominate the wine industry). Most French wine still is made by thousands of small, independent vintners.

The French are not enthusiastic about the oaky taste of American wine. "I don't like oak shaping my wine", said one French vintner.

Because of global climate change and higher temperature, the grapes become sweet many days before the tannin level is ready (they used to "mature" at the same time). The average wine was 11% alcohol in the past; now it's 13% because of the higher sugar content.

References:
Put a cork in intimidation over French wine. Rick Steves, Tribune Media, 02/2011.

Posted at Hit the Road - See America and the World. Stay updated and subscribe, or follow me on Twitter.

Random Photo: Hanoi

Hanoi turns 1001 this year. Let's hear it for Hanoi!

Travel Inflation > Inflation

Anyone think that travel's not a savvy business?

Today, I read Ryan Air is levying passengers a couple pounds to pay for the airline's costs during snow storms last year. (I do love the word 'levy' though.) Of course airlines are making new fees into a critical part of their business plan. Last year, they made more for baggage and change fees (about $6 billion) than their overall profits ($5 billion).

A recent Northwest Herald article, though, noted the average cost for a travel day in 1950 as $13, including rooms and meals, which rose to $164 by 2008. That's a jump of 1161.5%, compared with a 794.6% rise in inflation over the same period. A imbalance of 46%.

Man.

Veiling

As I said, I will post more photos of the same outfit which I wore in the previous post, but with different angles. Under the artist eyes of the talented photographer, QC. I must say that his photos are always impressive.

Yes, I adore this top; Maison Martin Margiela. You can see that I had too much fun playing with it. It's definitely one of my favorite pieces in my closet. This Fleet Ilya belt is perfect to complement the look.

Photographer: QC at XO Photography.

Make-up: Nancy Lam.

Thank you everyone for visiting and comment! Have a wonderful day ahead!xo...Hanh :)