GIFT IDEAS: VILLEROY & BOCH

#SHOPPING My moms birthday was last weekend and I was struggling hard with my brother, what to give to her as a present – to a woman who has everything and is so picky when it comes to anything. Luckily I suddenly remembered that she wanted to get rid of her old collection of crystal champagne glasses and wanted to replace them with new ones at some point. What made this idea for a gift even better, was the fact that I totally remembered what it was she wanted: Octavie collection by Villeroy & Boch. A beautifully designed glasses with tiny but dominant detailing.
What's great about this brand is that when you register yourself to their webpage, you are able to discover all the collection, check the ones you collect – and if some things are getting out of production you'll be notified a year ahead so you're able to supplement your collection.
As my brother bought one glass, she now has two already and I think we are going to buy her the rest of the glasses for Christmas. I needed to be sure this was the collection line she wanted – and quite frankly it is stylish and glam. Find your own Villeroy & Boch store near to you or shop online here.
Villeroy & Boch Octavie champagne glass around 30,- (€)

"ART RULES" LAST TWO WEEKS LEFT: ART EXHIBITION IN TALLINN – EUROPEAN MASTERS OF 15TH–17TH CENTURIES

Photo from ArtRules.ee / J. Boets / Allegory of the Senses of Sight and Smell

#CULTURE #ART The women of Rubens are always curvy and you seriously need a good 15 minutes at least to get a grip of how amazingly detailed the Allegory of the Senses of Sight and Smell by J. Boets painting is (and it's huge too 135x200cm, oil on canvas). It was my first time in historic Tallinn Town Hall and luckily my friend took me there to see an exhibition Art Rules. It contains 90 works of art from private collections.

What and where? Art Rules exhibition; artworks from private collections by European masters of the 15th – 17th centuries. Tallinn Town Hall, Raekoja 1, Tallinn Estonia. From June 5 – October 5, 2015 (last 2 weeks now).

How to get most out of it? I would read a little bit about every artist before visiting the exhibition – or just google them at the same time viewing the paintings. Listen to music if you are anything like me and other people talking or coughing is disturbing your zen moment. Reserve time, ideally 1,5 to 2 hours.

Who: Abraham Danielsz Hondius, Adriaen Thomansz Key, Aelbrecht Bouts, Albrecht Dürer, Anthonie van Brossom, Batholomäus Sarburg, Batholomeus van Bassen, Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp, Carl Borromäus Andreas Ruthart, Clara Peeters, Cornelis Saftleven, Cornelius van Bellekin, David Rijckaert II, Edwaert Collier Breda, Frans Snyders, Herman Saftleven II, Jacob van Hulsdonck, Jan Abrahamsz van Beerstraten, Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen, Jan Massys, Jan van Kessel, Jan Wellens de Cock, Laurens Craen, Marcellus Coffermans, Marten van Valckenborch, Paulus Bor, Pieter de Bloot, Pieter Huys, Pieter Paul Rubens, Willem Cornelisz Duyster, William Scrots, Adriaen van Overbeke and his workshop, Adriaen van Stalbemt/Jan Brueghel the Elder, Boets J., Egbert van Heemskerck the Elder, Frans Francken the Younger, Hendrik van Steenwyck the Younger, Jacob Savery the Elder, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Jan Brueghel the Younger, Jan del Uyl the Elder, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Lucas Cranach the Younger, Marten de Vos the Elder, Osias Beert the Elder, Pieter Brueghel the Younger, Willem van Herp the Elder. 

"The exhibition presents original artworks from the great European masters of the 15th – 17th centuries. Works come from private collections from all over the world." – ArtRules.ee

Photo from ArtRules.ee / Jan Massys / Allegory of Charity

I have a dainty (picky) taste when it comes to art – while I'm only starting to learn about it, I instantly know if I like the painters style and do I find the artwork interesting and pleasing for my eye or not. This was maybe the second time I was truly amazed by the technique and detailing – and would honestly say to people that you really (really) need to see these paintings with your own eyes, close. Pictures do not capture the realness nor take your breath away in the same way. I am beginning to understand people who are art pilgrims and travel distant places only to see one particular piece of art. This was amazingly eyeopening experience – and truly once in a life time chance to see these paintings so close, without masses of people breathing down on your neck.

Photo from ArtRules.ee / Marten de Vos the Elder / The Last Judgement

EMBRACE YOURSELF, BALMAIN IS COMING AGAIN

#TRENDS Balmain is one of the hottest fashion houses right now and it's been that for a while now. Balmain was founded in France, 1946 by Pierre Balmain releasing the first collection in 1945. He was quickly to become a pioneer in haute couture and french fashion – having customers like Brigitte Bardot and Ava Gardner.
Balmain fashion house has also been led by Oscar de la Renta as head designer in 1993-2002. Now, a new era of style and direction from Balmain is in the hands of Oliver Rousteing – as he has paired up with H&M and releasing #HMBalmaination aka collaboration collection this fall, available in November 2015 worldwide in H&M stores and online.

"I want to talk to my generation: this is my main aim as a designer. H&M allows me the unique possibility of bringing everyone into the world of Balmain get a piece of the dream and create a global #HMBalmaination: a movement of togetherness, fueled on a hashtag. The collaboration felt extremely natural to me: H&M is a brand that everybody connects to. It calls for unity, and I am all for it" Olivier Rousteing, H&M.com

It seems like the collection has pieces that capture the essence of what Balmain is today and trends that it has been promoting during the last years. The junky blazers that made everyone go crazy, combined with satin like bold colored items, wide belts and knee high sexy boots. I really thought I might be over the Balmain fuss already, but now when I think about it – to feel sexy, strong and powerful – that never goes out of style. Can't wait to see what else is on this menu!