Bonjour Paris

I've always wanted to see Paris, one of my many dreams is to go one day. I'd sing Bonjour Paris like Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire did in Funny Face, and dance around the streets in happiness.

There is something about Paris that has always intrigued me, and it seems like the most wonderful and beautiful place. It's no better that many of the films I adore are set in Paris. Funny Face, An American in Paris, Amélie, A Midnight in Paris and An Education (one scene, the best scene, is in Paris). If you've seen An Education you know that Carey Mulligan's character Jenny is as enthusiastic about Paris as I am. She, as well as I, want to consume everything that has anything to do with Paris. At one point in the film she says: "And I'm going to Paris, and I'm going to smoke and wear black, and listen to Jacques Brel, and I won't speak. Ever. C'est plus chic comme ça."
Don't smoke though. Smoking kills, one cigarette is enough for potentially harmful genetic changes (more on that in another post). Be smart - don't smoke.

It is unfortunate that the 1960's Paris is the where and when that I would most like to visit. I want to get swept away by avant garde culture and listen to chanson singers and great philosophers in cafés. Regrettably I don't have a time machine or a Tardis. Anyway, "I know I will go one day", but for now this Miss Patina dress makes me feel like a Parisienne in the 60's. C'est tres chic.

Outfit:

Dress - Miss Patina (sold out in navy, but available here and here in other colours)

Beret - ModCloth (sold out, similar by Larmoni here)

The origin of my style

Blouse: ModCloth (sold out)

I have recently been thinking about style, and where it comes from. Some time ago ModCloth announced a competition (details: here) where you were to post an outfit inspired by a woman in your life (e.g. mother) in time for Mother's Day. This got me thinking about where my style comes from, and how much of it has been influenced by my mother.

My Mum in yellow with her friends some time in the 70's.

Instantly I knew what outfit I could submit for the competition. I already had everything in my closet, and I didn't even need to search for an appropriate picture of my Mum and her outfits, I knew exactly which one to use!

Blouse: ModCloth (sold out)

Skirt: H&M (very old)

I could have my Mother go into a clothes shop and choose one single item, and the likelihood that it would be the same as I've chosen is big. For some reason when it comes to clothes and style my Mother and I often agree. Is that because I've grown up seeing what my Mother wears?
Maybe, but as any scientific experiment using siblings, I have a sister to compare with, and she does not share our style. So it got me thinking, how much of our tastes are intrinsic and how much is developed?

Like much else clothes, style, fashion and more, are probably a mixture of intrinsic and developed tastes. For me, my major inspirations when it comes to style have been ladies during the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's. I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to clothes, and so is my Mother. And thus we end up liking the same things. I'm just lucky my Mum and I aren't the same age, because we would surely fight over clothes.

Where does your style come from? And how inspired have you been by your mother or other ladies in your life?

Life with a Dash of Whimsy

Print: Sara's etsy shop

I've met many great people through instagram, I've made friends that I consider to be really close to me. One of the friends I've found is the illustrator Sara (@sararrocha) from Lisbon. She is the sweetest and kindest lovely lady you'll ever come by, and her art mixes real life with fantasy. I have personally added some of Sara's amazing art to my wall at home, and I am also the owner of four lovely brooches made by Sara, through her etsy shop.

Brooch: Sara

Dress: Zalando (sold out)

I first got into contact with Sara because of our mutual love for the film Amélie. Sara makes the most darling Amélie brooches (that I am wearing in a photo below), and I knew the second I saw it that I needed it. That's when I also saw the rest of her astounding work. Sara turned out to also be a complete sweetheart, and I am now happy to be able to call her my friend.

Amélie Poulain by Sara.

Brooch: Sara

Cardigan: ModCloth

I recently got some new pretties from Sara, that have gone up on the wall and on my shirts. Her brooches add the right amount of whimsy to any outfit.

A wandering Alice.

Brooches and print from Sara's etsy shop.

Brooch: Sara

Scarf: Knitted

Blouse: ModCloth (sold out)

Print from Sara's etsy shop.

Customised portrait by Sara.

Blue Persian by Sara.

Because it is fun to know more about the artist behind the art I asked Sara some questions, and you can read her answers below:

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I have a passion for little pleasures that make me happy, like drawing overtime in the company of my boyfriend (who's also an artist) and my cat. I also have a passion for cakes, dresses and shoes. And I love to research for new art supplies, new books and films. Drawing and painting are some of my ways to express myself and to make people smile.

Q: Have you always illustrated and where did you learn to illustrate?
A: I have always loved drawing and sketching - ever since I was little! I started working more enthusiastically in the last few years. I learned to illustrate on my own. I'm a self-taught artist.

Q: Did you always want to be an illustrator?
A: I have always been creative. Since I was a child I have been obsessed with drawing. But apart from illustration I'm also a professional lawyer, it allows me to afford my art work.

Q: You have a very special and unique drawing style, when and how did you develop it?
A: I have developed my main style all my life. I don't stop creating, I wish I could spend more time drawing and giving life to all the projects I have in mind.

Q: Where does the inspiration behind your art come from?
A: Everywhere. A lot comes from my daily life, cinema and literature.

Q: When did you start your etsy shop, and how come you opened a shop?
A: I started my etsy shop last year. I had been thinking about starting this project for a while but the support I have found in my boyfriend, family, friends and the amazing community from the social media was very important for me taking the step.

Q: What are your goals for your art?
A: I hope to continue to show my artwork to a wide range of people and to be part of wonderful projects such as doing an exhibition and publishing a book illustrated by me, someday.

Illustration by Sara.

Marie Antoinette by Sara.

Sara's art reflects a colourful and charming world that is slightly brighter and slightly quainter than reality. Her unique and sweet art embellishes the world, and brings a creative and fanciful flair to any day.

Comfort food #1

Brownies are my number one comfort food. There is not much that a piece of brownie cannot fix in my book. Having a bad day - brownie. Having a good day - brownie. Any day - brownie!

The definition of comfort food is that it's generally supposed to have a high level of carbohydrates and have a simple preparation. This applies well to brownies, but I always just thought that comfort food should be food (or desserts) that make you happy. That gives you that little bit of warmth on the inside. So brownies and a cup of tea (that I like to think is a warm hug in a cup) brightens any day.

These brownies also have a layer of silky smooth chocolate ganache on top. You can find the recipe for chocolate ganache here.

Anything chocolatey has the potential of being comfort food for me, because chocolate is my favourite. Other chocolatey things on my list of comfort foods are chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate and chocolate ice cream. Basically chocolate makes me happy, and there may be a very scientific reason behind that. What makes chocolate what it is, is the molecule theobromine, which gets its name from the cocoa plant Theobroma cacao. Theobroma in turn comes from the greek words theo and broma, together meaning "food of the gods". In one study from 2008 it was found that older men with a better psychological well-being (feelings of happiness and lower scores on a depression scale) ate more chocolate [1]. The reason could be that the theobromine in chocolate is linked to the production of serotonin in the human brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (chemicals that act as signals between brain cells). Serotonin is important for regulation of the mood, and disorders like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder are often related to a lack of serotonin in the brain. The research is yet inconclusive, there are both benefits and negative effects of chocolate. Chocolate is high in fat and sugar, but it also contains minerals, flavonols and stimulants. There are many studies on chocolate and it appears to reduce blood pressure and cholesterols, as well as increasing insulin sensitivity [2].  Having said all this, there are also negative effects. So moderation is key. Or as we say in Swedish, eat "lagom" of chocolate.

It is obvious that we don't know everything about the science behind why chocolate is so deliciously magnificent, but I certainly know that it makes everything a little bit better, just as comfort foods should.

What are some of your comfort foods? And what do you define as a "comfort food"?

References:
[1] Strandberg T.E. et al. (2008). Chocolate, well-being and health among elderly men. Eur J Clin Nutr 62: 247-53.
[2] Balboa-Castillo T. et al. (2015). Chocolate and health-related quality of life: a prospective study. PLoS One 10.