{Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly; "True Love" 1956}

Wonderful song played by Bing Crosby and absolutly beutiful Grace Kelly in the film "High Society" (USA 1956). "True Love" song was composed by Cole Porter and it is part of the film´s original soundtrack. This film also was the last one that Grace made. In that year she married with the Prince Rainier of Monaco.

Click in this link if you can not see the player.


"Suntanned, windblown
Honeymooners at last alone
Feeling far above par
Oh, how lucky we are

While I give to you and you give to me
True love, true love
So on and on it will always be
True love, true love

For you and I have a guardian angel
On high, with nothing to do
But to give to you and to give to me
Love forever, true

For you and I have a guardian angel
On high, with nothing to do
But to give to you and to give to me
Love forever, true

Love forever, ...true"




 

{Interesting pictorial document of 60s Interior Design}

{Source Credits: Summer Mix Tape}

{Welcome to the Masquerade Ball!}

The idea of a Masquerade Ball or Masked party goes back to late medieval court life, originally designed to celebrate a marriage or mark a point in a royal dynasty.

    The guests would wear both a costume and their masquerade mask, and, as you can imagine, the anonymity this provided to a class that were governed by the strictest etiquette and constricting rules of behaviour was irresistible..

    Masquerade balls grew into semi public events by the time of the Renaissance, enabling ( in theory..)the nobleman and the servant to interact, under the cloak of disguise - their popularity was very much about the freedom wearing a mask gave you..

    The intricate and exquisite masquerade masks were set against the backdrop of the time, with all its stunning Renaissance architecture and art, just an incredibly creative time when Beauty was paramount in everything, and creativity and innovation was everywhere.

From the 17th Century they were popular throughout mainland Europe and reached London by the early 18th century, courtesy of the Swiss count John Heidegger, who brought the first one to the Haymarket Opera House..

    For the rest of the 18th century these remained popular, spreading from England across to Colonial America, they also became more lighthearted, as guests tried to guess the identity of the person behind the masks

    And so through to today, where they remain a hugely popular choice with event organisers of corporate and charity events, and countless private parties around the world - we’re particularly excited about the burgeoning trend for Masquerade weddings and University Graduation Balls, and you’d be surprised how many 18th, 21st and beyond birthday parties we supply. So no matter how big or small your event is, as you walk in and see everyone in their masquerade masks, just remember you´re all keeping alive a tradition that goes black centuries and long may it continue.

  

{Interesting Link: About Truman Capote´s Masquerade Ball in the 60s}

{Birdy & Me, Fashion Sense, Style Redux}

{Downtown Abbey Decor}

{Lost Splendor}

Photographer: Gates Sheldor. c. 1922.

{"Elizabeth and her German Garden" by Elizabeth Von Arnim}

"I love my garden".

So begins this remarkable novel by Mary Annette Beauchamps, a writer who borned in Australia in 1866 and was educated in England. At age 24 she married the Baron von Arnim, who adopted the surname. With him, she moved to his mansion in the Germanic regions of Pomerania, an area situated almost in the Baltic coast. Throughout her life she published more than twenty novels and an autobiography, among others, "Enchanted April" or "All the dogs of my life." E. Von Arnim was also a cousin of the writer Katherine Mansfield.

{An original first copy of the book}

Pomerania is the environment in which "Elizabeth and her German garden" develops, the first novel by the author who once had twenty-one reissues in 1898, when it was published. Its 198 pages are a cheerful and simple description of happiness as a daily articulated autobiographical. Although written with care, the ideas latent in the book were groundbreaking at the time. Von Arnim makes a subtle critique of the strict social norms of the time, and a clear call for freedom. References to the Prussian figure of her husband as "the angry man" is a proof. Surrounded by the vegetation of the different seasons, Elizabeth feels free, she plays with her three daughters, maintains pleasant conversations with her ​​guests... The book makes to contemplate, to reflect, and to have happy reading.

{A view of Viollin Park, in Pomerania Province in the Baltic Sea}

The writter contrasts the love of nature, embodied in a garden surrounded by cornfields and meadows to the rigidity of some customs and artificial world. Throughout the book she learns to care for their prized flowers, giving personality to the different species.

              "I like more than any other tulips flower of spring, are the epitome of the happy and jovial pure grace, and with a hyacinth look like a freshly bathed healthy girl next to a fat lady that every move will leave patchouli permeated the air ... .. / are said to be arrogant and ostentatious, but I seem to be the incarnation of grace more modest, always so willing to enjoy life as much as possible and without fear of facing the sun looking or Culqui anything higher than them. "

I think it is an unpretentious book, but nice to read, original in its approach and the ideas that the author slips, very gently, between descriptions of sunflowers, poppies and lilac bushes. Very appropriate reading suggestions for further comfort that the spring is about to appear.

This paragraph constitutes much of the philosophy of life of Elizabeth von Arnim:

         "We had tea on the grass, the sun, and when it started to get late and the girls went to bed, and all the little anemones were closed for the night , I was wandering through the green paths with hearts full of gratitude. "

{If you are interested in to buy the book, here you have a link from amazon.com, and if you also want to know more about the author, here you can read about her life}

{A Chic Saloon in the Heart of Paris}

David Mallett is a great hairstyler from Paris, France. I have never been in his saloon but, honestly, the decoration of each areas is amazing. I would love to be attended one day in a place like that.

{The next pictures were taken by the wonderful blogger Heather Clawson for her blog Habitually Chic. I absolutly recommend it.}

David Mallett: Official Website.

{The Gentleman Guide Part I; The Shave}

Firstly, you may be wondering why you would want to wet shave in the first place?

As you are probably already aware, there are a number of high-tech electric razors on the market these days, so this would seem like a fairly understandable question to ask yourself.

But the answer is a very simple one. If you are looking for a more effective shave that also offers you better looking and healthier skin, then traditional wet shaving is your only viable option.

But how do you get that perfect wet shave? Well simply follow these FIVE top tips to find out.

1.) The key to a quality wet shave is to use plenty of warm water before shaving. Either have a bath, shower or use a hot flannel to soften the bristles and open up the pores of the skin. For gentlemen with sensitive skin or heavy beards, you should lubricate your whiskers with a small amount of pre-shave oil before lathering.

2.) Make sure you massage your chosen shaving cream or soap thoroughly into your stubble or beard. Make sure you use your fingers or a decent shaving brush.

3.) Slowly, and using short strokes, shave with the grain (in the same direction as the hair growth). Failure to do so can cause razor burn, redness and even rashes. Be especially careful around the neck areas, as these can be particularly sensitive.

4.) Whilst wet shaving, rinse your razor regularly in hot water.

5.) When you have finished your shave, rinse the shaved area thoroughly with cool water.

1. Silver Badger Brush.
(John Lewis)

2. Razor.
According to Tom Trueman, the face of British shaving firm the Shaving Shack, using a high quality razor with the sharpest possible blades is essential.
“As soon as you notice the blade is not performing then replace it, otherwise you’ll end up with an uneven shave and cause irritation to your face and neck.”
Check back regularly for more information about mens shaving from the experts at Shaving Shack

Electric One by Phillip.
3. Or if you prefer the classic Steinless there´re many options too.

(Parker 31R)

4. Eton College Bath Soap by Taylor of Bond Street.
(in Amazon)

5. Shaving Cream.
( Dr. H. Marlborough)

6. Afthershave Lotion
(Taylor of Bond Street).

7. Aluminium Bars. Usefull for skin cuts.
(Avaiable in every pharmacy).

Sources {Ape to Gentleman, "The Gentleman" by B. Roetzel}