I am going to take a break for the month of July and dedicate the days to spending time with my family, cooking, reading and perhaps going for a trip or two.. in short, replenish my batteries. In August I'll be working on new projects. There will be no updates on the blog, which means that I can concentrate on the work (and hopefully finish it) before autumn begins.
Wishing you all a very happy and beautiful summer, and looking forward to seeing you again in September! xx
Summer Market in the South of France - Capsule wardrobe #153
I found the perfect small basket for daily grocery shopping, and a lovely large stripey one to take to the beach
I found the perfect small basket for daily grocery shopping, and a lovely large stripey one to take to the beach
Summertime, Basil time... the perfect time of year to make Pesto. Click here for the recipe
with fresh strawberries in abundance, it's the perfect time to make Rossini cocktails too (click here for the recipe)
mild onions for a leek and onion quiche (click here for the recipe)
Capsule wardrobe pieces: off white cotton trousers, cream vest and black top
Shoes: off-white canvas sneakers
Accessories: Hermès 'Quadrige' printed enamel bracelet and Picotin in Etoupe
More temptation... impossible to resist!
You might also like:
Oh my what a wonderful market - I want to go!! - everything looks divine.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break. PPx
These pictures of you are the nicest I've seen, you look perfect here, the taupe scarf with your black and white outfit looks really lovely.
ReplyDeleteDear Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteYou really deserve your break.. but we are going to miss you sooo much!!!
Enjoy the pleasures of summer we’ll be here waiting for your come back.
Warm hugs from Barcelona
Hallo,
ReplyDeletedie Körbe sind ganz zauberhaft! Das könnte ein neues Produkt für Ihren Shop sein.... ich hätte Interesse....
Ich wünsche schöne Sommerferien!
Gruss von Sabine
Have a wonderful break, Mai Tai! I love your inspiring blog and beautiful pictures and look forward to more after your holiday.
ReplyDeleteAnna
Dear MaiTai - I wish you wold start selling them in your store!
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to get new ones the last year, but it seems like it's impossible to find them outside of France. And I haven't found an online store that sells them either.
I love the ones you bought, lovely neutral colours.
/Bea
Hi Bea,
DeleteI do not know your location, but if you are in the U.S. check out The French Basketeer.
Her website has a great selection of authentic French market baskets!
Happy hunting, Trudye
Trudye, I checked out The French Basketeer and their prices are reasonable, although they are out of several baskets that I would have liked. Still, I found one to order. They are so much prettier than the ugly canvas bags I currently use at my local market! Thanks for the tip! xoxo Fifi
DeleteHappy to hear you found one to order,dear Fifi! I think her cooking classes look like fun,too! If I lived there I would sign up for sure!
DeleteLet us know how you like your basket once it arrives!
Now, off to the market you go looking ever so chic!
Big hug,
T xx
Happy Summer dear MaiTai! Thank You for another beautiful and inspiring post....
ReplyDeleteCathy Wong
Oh dear Mai Tai, it will be so long without you almost 2 monts....
ReplyDeleteSpend good vacations, rest, visit, and be happy!
I will miss you even, I read you from another part from my country....
Amities
Yikes--that last comment was from me, but I think it came through my husband's account. Oops!
ReplyDeleteDearest MaiTai -- best wishes for a wonderful summer with your family. See you in September! Meanwhile, Rossini cocktails for all!
ReplyDeleteMuch aloha,
Fifi
I will drink one just thinking of you (I could find a thousand of excuses to drink Rossinis), Have a nice summer time dear Fifi.
DeleteAs you say "Much aloha",
Catherine
Joining in on those Rossinis ladies! They are the perfect summertime treat!
DeleteNext round is on me;-)
Chin chin, T xx
Dearest Trudye and Catherine ~ in my ideal world we would get together monthly to sip cocktails and talk Hermes, MT, and life in general. Happy summer to you both!
DeleteOh dear, it's not a happy day on the swan pond at all, and we will miss you so but wish you a magical and restful summer. Of course, if you're not back in September, we'll come over and . . . HUNT YOU DOWN!
ReplyDeleteUn bel été pour vous,
Jerrine
Jerrine, un très bel été à vous aussi, vous m'avez caché vos talents en français ;-) Waiting to read your comments in french in September.
DeleteAmitiés,
Catherine
Catherine, mon chere, merci beaucoup, mais je sais seulemont - comment dit-ton en français - pleasantries/greetings, menu French, and Hermès French, bien sûr!
DeleteI would so love to master French, but I keep mixing in bits of Italian I studied before attempting to learn French; years of college Spanish, and four years of high school Latin. It turns into one big messy stew - a veritable bouillabaisse of language, for sure.
Les futurs commentaires en français? Non! I would hate to insult a beautiful language.
Best,
Jerrine
Wishing you a lovely, restful holiday dear MaiTai. xx
ReplyDeleteWe all will await your return with great anticipation! These market posts are some of my faves....the small bag!! Oh how I wish I could find one exactly like it! Do they have raffia pom poms, also? I love to dangle them from my summer straws, but can rarely find them in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteYou look ravishing in your new scarf, and I fully intend to place my order when you resume business!
My thoughts will turn to you when I'm in Paris in August~ Have a soul nourishing July, mon ami!
Well .... we are all supposed to have two months’ MT addiction rehab!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice time away and be sure, we won’t be detoxified in September!
Que cet été soit riche en moments partagés et en nouvelles créations.
Warm addicted hugs,
Catherine
Chere Catherine, I couldn't agree more with you, dear Catherine.
DeleteIt will be difficult to live without the Mai Tai's Picture Book for 2 months.
Un bon été pour vous! Bises, Manuela
Chère Manuela, je vous souhaite un été reposant et joyeux, avec beaucoup de soleil et de chaleur dans les coeurs!
DeleteBises amicales,
C.
Wishing you a wonderful and well deserved break. We will dearly miss you.
ReplyDeleteSee you in September! Simone xx
I wish I had a market like this nearby...plus the Shopping basket and you to open my eyes for all the little details that one passes without even noticing. I really love your way of capturing things with your camera- I can almost smell the soap and cheese and the colourful veggies. I was planning to make a strawberry cake- but here they go....straight into the blender! Shame that I have to wait till they are chilled... Chin chin!
ReplyDeleteDearest MaiTai, you will be missed over the summer, but as there are new things to look forward to...I hope that you can recharge your batteries to the brim and come back with lots energy for your new projects!
Einen wunderschönen, erholsamen Sommer und bis bald,
Katja
Oh so do I, Katja. Prowling through the charming markets is one of my favorite things to do in France, and MT's locale has hundreds of them - you can hit a different one every day of the week. Everything is so fresh and so beautifully and lovingly arranged. The people are so friendly, and it turns into a big social event - kind of like a big food party.
DeleteWhen I return to the US and have to hit the supermarket and all the shrink wrap, I'm really quite grumpy.
And, as far as being able to smell the soap and the cheeses, MaiTai has promised to add "Smell-a-Vision" to her blog upon her return!
A lovely summer to you,
Jerrine
Ha ha, Smell-a-Vision! Love it. It sounds so retro and futuristic at the same time!
DeleteHappy summer, dear Katja and Jerrine!
Thank you for making the Blogosphere a beautiful place.....for all the time and consideration you put into each of your posts and for all the inspiration you share with the world!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful holiday with your family!
Constance
Have a wonderful summer break! Wishing only the best of times for you and yours!
ReplyDeleteWe will have a lot to catch up about upon your return as will all the swans in Le Salon! Until then...dance like there is no one watching !
Chin,chin to Summer fun for all!
Mwahs,T xx
A fabulous Summer to you too, dear Trudye! Mwahs, Manuela xx
DeleteNothing can make you feel happy and free more than dancing like there is no one watching, at any age!
DeleteHave a nice summer dear Trudye and see rendez-vous in September!
Catherine
Wishing you the very same dearest Manuela, thank you! I will see you over on Pinterest in the meantime;-) Hugs, T xx
DeleteTrudye et al : I was in the Swan bar at Maison Assouline in London last night and thought how perfect it would be for a meet up!
DeleteSaw your pics on IG. It does look like the perfect spot for a swan meet and greet!
DeletePut my name on a place card. I am in!
Yes, Catherine, that and unabandoned laughter are just the best! Cheers to a summer filled with both!
DeleteConga line starts here!
Oh ladies, please count me in for dancing, singing, and conga-ing like it's 1999! The Swan bar will never be the same after we descend on it!
DeleteMuch aloha to all,
Fifi
Let me know when you all plan to meet...I'll fly over!!
DeleteEine gute Erholung und genieße die Zeit mit Deiner Familie. Violetta
ReplyDeleteDear MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteLove these market pictures wish I could be there with you.
Have a wonderful relaxing time off with the family you deserve it and I will look forward to your return with I am sure some lovely new surprises.
Best as always Jane x
You look so stunning and carefree here - ah holidays!
ReplyDeleteThe bag insert for my Kelly arrived today, thank you, it is so utterly perfect, I shall snap it for Instagram and send you a pic for your next collage.
Wishing you a lovely time, fabulous finds, and the bliss of sinking into summer!
ReplyDeleteKristen
Dearest MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteCome back rested and inspired. Here's to a restorative summer full of beauty and laughter!
All good wishes,
Azalie
Dearest Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteThis is a most beautiful post! I love your taupe stole with black.
I will miss you a lot during these next 2 months but wish you a most wonderful and well deserved holiday with your family.
Rest and enjoy life! We will all be here waiting when you are back. Love, Manuela
P.S. I'm so sorry but my y two first comments didn't seem to come through.
Manuela, I agree. The taupe shawl is gorgeous with black (and it's very chic with white, as well). It's too hot here to even think about wearing mine, but I'm so glad that I decided to order one. I definitely didn't need it, but I certainly do love it.
DeleteHappy summer to you,
Jerrine
Dear Jerrine,
DeleteMy first choice was the grey ombré but I may change my mind and order the taupe instead.:-) Thanks for the feedback.
I have been lucky with the weather so far. It is nice and sunny but not too hot. However it seems that the heat is on its way...
Have a wonderful Summer!
Cool air hugs, Manuela xx
Passez un bel ete avec famile et amis. Vous allez nous manquer!!
ReplyDeleteDear MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteYou are greatly missed.... I have gone back and re-read the whole blog.... went through the tabs...practised the knots.... watched your YouTube videos....checked in case there IS a surprise post :-) I am glad that you have given your family "a gift of time", but I am counting days till your return! Have the loveliest time!
Aneta
Aneta, I'm glad that I'm not alone! I have to admit to sneaking back here a few times, too, for a MaiTai "fix."
DeleteI don't think I have MT withdrawal quite as badly as you do, as I haven't practiced even one knot, but I've certainly looked at many of the wonderful photos again and re-read some of my favorite posts.
Life is just not the same without her, is it? But, we'll appreciate her all the more when she does come back to us, and I'm betting that she'll have some lovely things to show us and some wonderful tales to tell.
And, you know what? I'm betting that we're not the only two who have returned here a few times in her absence. Okay, Salon Swans, fess up. Are you guilty, too?
Half way to September,
Jerrine
Joining you ladies and counting the days to September as well.:-)
DeleteI check the blog everyday just to see if there's something new...
You're absolutely right, dear Jerrine! The days are not the same without our dearest Mai Tai. I do look forward to seeing her again too and I am sure that her future projects will be as successful as the previous ones.
Hope all the Swans are enjoying a lovely Summer. Sunshine hugs, Manuela xx
Guilty as charged,Jerrine! Also, must confess that I have not practiced my knotting skills,either! But, I do find my self wandering back into Le Salon from time to time to see who has checked in!
DeleteJoining all in counting the days until our fearless leader returns refreshed and ready to take on all of her rowdy little swans;-)
Mwahs to all,
T xx
Well, I have to say, I'm glad I'm not the only one who checks in from time to time! I keep hoping for a surprise post from our fearless leader.
DeleteMissing all of you lovely swans and hoping your're enjoying your summer!
Simone
That's funny! Here I am, back for a sneak peek and a bit of elegant cheer. Naughty me, haven't practiced my knots either. Hugs and much aloha to my sisters in swandom!
Delete~Fifi
Manuela & Simone - hi! I can't say that I'm truly enjoying summer, as I'm not, but I hope you are. Someone should!
DeleteThese hot horrid temperatures are making me quite grumpy, but all I'll need are a couple of days of cool autumnal breezes, and my mood will adjust. That might happen here in November!
Until then,
Jerrine
Hi Jerrine- I can sympathize with you. Here in North Carolina we've had hot humid weather as well. The only thing to do is stay is stay inside and enjoy the air conditioning. We went to Sullivan's Island and the water was like bath water. Really wasn't enjoyable at all. Here's to cooler weather!
DeleteSimone
I'm sorry to hear about the extremely hot and humid weather dear Jerrine, Trudye and Simone. In Denmark the temperature today is around 18-20 degrees. You can still wear scarves but I wouldn't mind to have some warmer days. After all it's Summer! ☀️⛵️
DeleteHugs to all of you! Manuela xx
I'm sorry to hear about the extremely hot and humid weather dear Jerrine, Trudye and Simone. In Denmark the temperature today is around 18-20 degrees. You can still wear scarves but I wouldn't mind to have some warmer days. After all it's Summer! ☀️⛵️
DeleteHugs to all of you! Manuela xx
Watch out dearest Manuela! We all might show up at your front door wearing our H shawls and scarves;-) Your Summer sounds perfect to me!
DeleteI have a friend that is visiting Oslo at the moment and she keeps posting pics wearing heavy cashmere! Sigh.
Wishing you warm breezes to fill your sails,
T xx
Ohhhh....I had NO idea that WE could still meet here in dear MaiTai's absence...very glad that I checked today - getting a little desperate here, with so many new scarves of FW in the online shop (haven't been to the store lately, 35 degrees calls for vitual Window Shopping:)....and hardly anyone to marvel at them with me:)
DeleteThanks for your nice comments, Jerrine and Fifi- my next girlfriends' outing will have to go to France and markets...
Can't offer a cool breeze, Germany is boiling, too- but a glass of chilled wine! Cheers!
Sorry, that was me, Katja (wrong alias:)
DeleteI thought I recognized you, Katja! I'll take that glass of chilled wine!
Delete~ Fifi
Alias, huh? I think our Katja might be a double agent. From now on, I'm addressing her as 00K.
DeleteIt's hot in Germany, too? Oh, dear. I read that it had been 102 in Paris, so apparently it's hot all over the world - 97 here again today . . . ugh.
Best regards and cooling breezes,
00J
Simone, please join Trudye and me on an "escape the heat" jaunt to Manuela's house. We are leaving Saturday on Air France 2212, flying into Paris for a bit of H shopping first and then on to Manuela's to cool down.
DeleteI think she's the only swan who is not sweating to death in her feathers!
See you at the gate,
Jerrine
00K is checking in with you:) just found out that London has agreeable temperatures, too...Mayer a stopover? After converting into Fahrenheit...they only have around 70! If we are lucky, the bedroom cools down to 77 - no A/C at all, ahhhh! Thank God the H shop has one, so I spent some time there this afternoon for a cool-down:)
DeleteWaiting for rain while packing my suitcase...
Okay, 00K, we can hit London, too. Let me call Air France. A nice cold London drizzle would be most welcome at this point!
DeleteIn the meantime, maybe H, would let you camp out in a fitting room over night? How much fun would that be!
This heat has got to end sometime,
Jerrine
PS - Manuela, do you have our rooms ready? Should we bring champagne?
Dear Jerrine,
DeleteI should never have complained about the moderate temperatures up here because now I'm fighting against the heat as well. You are all very welcome but you don't need to bring your scarves and shawls. We will chat at the beach and drink champagne. Big hugs to all of you:-) Manuela
You know, Fifi, MT just might throw a knot-tying pop quiz at us come September. We will fail it for sure!
ReplyDeleteHappy summer, and I hope your weather isn't as hot and nasty as mine and Trudye's. (Trudye's is even worse than mine. I didn't think that was possible . . . )
Hoping for cool breezes,
Jerrine
Yes, dear swans, we are melting here in H-town!
DeleteWe bow and genuflect at our ac each time we pass it! I don't know what we would do without it as the heat index is 107 F today!
DH and I are loading our squirt guns with icy margaritas and getting ready for a duel;-)
Chin chin to cooler days ahead,
xx
Well I can't complain about 90 when you're enduring 107! And yet, I still do.... It's gone down to 80s this week, so Willie and I can move back into the bedroom. I'm tired of sleeping on the loveseat next to the open balcony door! Stay cool everyone!
DeleteAir hugs,
Fifi
Hello Ladies! I am so very glad I was not the only one checking in here... and yes, I practised the knots, thankfully the weather allowed for it. Not quite ready for a quiz, though ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe good news is, we are almost there, let the countdown begin! It was so lovely to read the new comments from "Les Swans". Le Salon feels like such a lively and welcoming place, a community. Thank you, dearest MT.
Happiness is being in Barcelona in August and finding great sales at Massimo Dutti! Thank you, Mai Tai for introducing me to their fabulous things. The sales at Zara rock, too. Now, how to hide these things from the husband!
ReplyDeleteNo way, it does not want to leave......
ReplyDeleteGuess we are all counting the days till you return to your impatiently waiting swans, dearest MaiTai. And yet- I also took the time to read your older posts and very much enjoyed them. Even better- I wandered on your footsteps through London today, thanks to your resourceful travelogue from last summer. It was fantastic to be in non-tourist areas and - as I used your advice for the science museum where I dropped off DH plus DS and DD - I could steal away for a few hours just by myself:)) What a treat! Cannot thank you enough....your travel entries beat any "lonely" Planet - the only ones you could meet in those places would be other MT addicts:))
ReplyDeleteHope you still enjoy your time off!
Katja aka 00K
Dear Katja,
ReplyDeleteYou are right! The same happened with me last time I was in Paris. I'm counting the days too.., hugs, Manuela
Well, its really long 2 months without you dear Mai Tai.
ReplyDeleteWhen you will return, we will be away for 15 days, which makes longer to find you back and all the nice swans waiting for you! Hope you enjoyed very much your "vacations " or life without us........
Amities
Have you all seen the delightful little videos on the Hermes website? The one about M. Hermes's cane collection is enchanting.
ReplyDeletehttp://lesailes.hermes.com/us/en/?&xtor=EPR-26463
Can't believe August is almost over!
Much aloha to all,
Fifi
Thanks Fifi- I hadn't seen that yet and it is indeed a very enchanting little story. Never thought I would show any interest in walking canes at my age, but there you go:) Knowing all about them now makes me wish I had bought the "les Cannes" scarf a few years back...
DeleteCountdown is on 3- have a great "la rentrée", dear MaiTai!
Katja
Hello, Katja -- I think my favorite is the cane with the articles de toilette right in the handle. How convenient!
DeleteYou know what ? On August 31 midnight 001 we will all be plugged into MTPB !
ReplyDeleteReady?
Catherine
Making the rounds and giving everyone a shout out to say "howdy"!
ReplyDeleteI am sure that everyone that has been basking in the bright Summer glare is enjoying the softening of the light and shortening of the shadows. I know I am!
Look forward to seeing everyone back when our fearless leader in Provence returns bathed in sepia tones!
Until then sending love to all of Le Salon swans, T xx
Joining all of you, dear Ladies, in welcoming our dearest Mai Tai very soon. These have been two looong months. Hope everyone has enjoyed lovely Summer holidays. Warm hugs to all of you, Manuela
ReplyDeleteOh no... no 01 Sep reopening, and so the countdown continues. I am giddy with anticipation to see the new shop and tutorials! Thank you MT for undertaking this Herculean task, I can only imagine the amount of effort it requires. Patiently looking forward to the unveiling and new posts. With kindest regards, and greetings to all Le Salon Swans, Aneta
ReplyDeleteTrès chére Maitai il est vrai que tu nous manque mais prend ton temps et reviens nous avec tes nouveautés quand tu pourra
ReplyDeleteBonne rentrée je t'embrasse et bises a toutes ces charmantes dames du si confortable salon
Myriam
Dearest Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice to read your words this morning and to hear that you had a lovely Summer! I fully agree with Myriam. Don't stress and take your time. We will be here waiting for you! Big hugs and kisses, Manuela
P.S. Should you receive this comment twice, you can just delete one of them:-)
Dearest MaiTai -
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update - you have to be one of the busiest people I know! I am so glad you had a lovely vacation, and look forward to seeing the new shop and tutorials when they are unveiled. Some things just cannot be rushed and are worth the wait. Carry on, dear MT! Ladies, see you at the unveiling party - champers for everyone!
Take your time dearest MT! We are not going anywhere and all look forward to your return when the time is right! All swan wings flapping in agreement here;-)
ReplyDeletexx
Dear MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteAs the other Swans have said take your time we are all waiting patiently looking forward to the grand reveal, also glad your summer went well. xx
Good things are worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, well, I'm trying to remain patient, as I know how wonderful the new "place" will be and how much blood, sweat and tears it's taken to put it all together for us, but . . . boo hoo, I miss it; I miss the glimpses of Provence; I miss the markets; I miss the travelogues; I miss the lovely blonde with the sparkling blue eyes, and I miss my weekly dose of chic. I'm reverting to my lazy, slovenly ways, which involve wearing no H. scarf at all. I need rehab!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've said it, and I'm pouting like any two year old who has had her favorite toy taken away. MT, hurry . . . hurry!
Love,
Jerrine
PS - And, I've missed all of you, too! I will be so happy when the swan sisterhood re-convenes. Big sloppy swan hugs to all.
Jerrine, only you can make us laugh like this ;)
ReplyDeleteWe all need rehab and I'm so happy to have impatients boo hoo swan sisters !
Big big sloppy hugs to you .
Catherine
Honk . . . honk, Catherine. I've missed you!
ReplyDeleteErrrr, honking doesn't seem a very gracious way for one Salon Swan to greet another, does it? I wonder what "elegant" swans say to one another?
What do French swans say! (I figure you're a good one to ask.)
See you in rehab,
Jerrine
Missed you too! Well, french swans would greet you with a kind of Tut tut , I'm not sure it would be more elegant than a honk honk ! But with a gracious leap "entrechat" it would change everything :-))))
DeleteAvec amitié et tendresse pour tous les cygnes du Salon !
C.
Ah, Catherine, I knew you'd come up with it. A nice soft tut, tut does seem more genteel and civilized than a loud blatant honk (we Americans are more honkers, I'm afraid, but in our exuberance, we mean well!)
DeleteTut, tut,
Jerrine
Jerrine, I am trying to imagine how a swan would hug, especially a sloppy swan! I came out here to look up some knots so I can drum up a photo for the next collage. But it's so warm today I don't feel like tying anything around my neck, waaah! I will be so happy for autumn to arrive. Meanwhile, keep the Rossinis coming!
ReplyDeleteWhat's that old saying, Fifi . . . very carefully? Maybe they just intertwine necks like their pretty pink flamingo cousins. That might avoid a lot of ruffled feathers.
DeleteSee you on the pond soon,
Jerrine
Dear MaiTai, I am looking forward to see and hear you again! Good luck with your project!
ReplyDeleteIsabel
Dear MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteI think we are all looking forward to your return! I confess to having checked in periodically (kudos for truly staying away!), but didn't check the comments - what fun everyone's had!
In the meantime, I wanted to thank you for the treasure trove of resources on this site. Not only is it a pleasure to read the new posts, but in planning a trip to Paris your postcards have been instrumental in mapping out some lovely stops; and your beautiful photography and descriptions have been a joy to re-visit while collecting the suggestions! You have enhanced a journey in many ways :)
Kristen
At this time it looks like Expression Engine is the top blogging platform out there
ReplyDeleteright now. (from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?
Here is my blog post ... make oem parts
I'm not sure why but this weblog is loading indredibly slow for me.
ReplyDeleteIs ahyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
I'll check back later annd see if the problem stipl exists.
My weblog :: advokatska kancelarija (lookmop.blogspot.Com)