Thursday, September 25, 2025

Summer recap and new MaiTai Collection items

With July and August and their scorching temperatures well behind us, we are now in the best part of summer. I just love the soft light, warm days, and cooler evenings. As long as the temperature doesn't climb above 30 degrees Celsius, I am happy! 



Keeping the plants alive has been one of the challenging aspects of summer. I could sympathize with them, as the heat made me feel wilted as well. Even the dogs were barely moving during the day.


Another challenge was dinner ... when it is still hot outside at 9pm, cooked food is just not appealing. A firm favorite during July and August is a gazpacho or cucumber soup with garlic bread, or a tomato and mozzarella salad. 


A couple of weeks ago, I launched a bag pillow collection for Picotin bags. Since the bag is unlined, it can be prone to losing its shape quite quickly, depending on the leather. The Sanguine bag pictured below has been pretty much a puddle from day one, whereas my Rubis keeps its shape with just the help of a bag insert.

I tested the pillows for a couple of years before launching them, and to my surprise, the Sanguine Picotin actually gained structure while being stored with one. While I don’t believe pillows are suitable for every type of bag, I’ve found that for the Picotin, there’s no better storage solution to help maintain its shape.



Roley is waiting for his evening treat


The miracle of a kitchen garden 


I make pesto once a year (just finished this year's batch) and keep it in the freezer; it is so handy for giving an extra flavour to a tomato mozzarella salad or a bowl of pasta.


Wiener is on a mission!



In other MaiTai Collection news, the long-awaited Goyard Saint Louis PM inserts are finally here



They ar available in six colors here


Earlier this month, I went on a short trip to London


As usual, I stayed at Number Sixteen. It always makes me happy to be here. The rooms are frequently redecorated, and I’ve rarely seen the same decor twice. I loved the combination of blues, greys, and warm terracotta tones in the one I stayed in this time.


The throw cushions were a happy surprise, as they featured a panel of the "Wild Geese" fabric by Mulberry, which I recently launched for my inserts. The fabric is 100% linen and works beautifully in both use cases. For the inserts, I lined the interior with a luxurious, sage-colored cotton fabric by Manuel Canovas.  Available here



There is so much attention paid to details, and it all comes together beautifully. (You can also see that the wallcovering is fabric, which adds a warm and joyful atmosphere to the room.)


Perfect bed skirt pleats


A little tour of the garden - a haven of beauty and tranquility


Such a romantic spot


God bless the Queen 🇬🇧


As I was born in 1963, my Chinese zodiac sign is the Rabbit. I’ll have to visit this restaurant one day, with DS’s girlfriend, who is a Rabbit too! 



Ever since shopping in a London supermarket as a young teenager, I’ve loved English packaging design. I still go to grocery stores and bring things back simply because they’re so pretty. One day, I’ll dedicate an entire blog post to it! 


Jewel-like raindrops, and just as precious after the long, hot summer we've had.


Dinner for two


The warm glow of late summer days


August and September are harvest season for the vines. I love how the sign for this Sauvignon Blanc just hangs off the tree, instead of sitting on a pole in the field.


Grapes being hand-picked ... quite a rare sight these days


In the height of summer, I love using fresh blue tablecloths paired with pink or white flowers. But as the evenings grow cooler, I find myself drawn to warmer, richer tones..


I discovered the beautiful linen fabric below in London last autumn (you might remember I mentioned it on the blog at the time). I loved the pattern and hand-painted feel, and couldn't get it out of my head. Over the summer, I made a couple of tests to see if it would work as an insert, and I’m so thrilled with the result.

There were many different colors to choose from, and I decided on three CWs for the Tribal Frond design. I also added another pattern in a pretty pink color.

The new collection is already available in select bag styles and sizes, and will be offered in most sizes in October. If you'd like to pre-order, please send an email to tai@maitaicollection.com


The Battenburg in Rose/Miel and Tribal Frond in Flame


The Tribal Frond in Azur/Ciel and Indigo/Gold


With the heat gone, Wiener and Roley have re-found their energy - one, two, three ...


... off we go!


Two weeks before my due date, on September 10, 2000:


25 September 2025 - Happy 25th birthday to DS! 


Links to the new MTC items:





Also new: inserts for the Garden Party 23

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Road trip to Italy

 Earlier this month, we went on a road trip to Italy. At first, the boys were a little apprehensive watching the preparations, but quickly got excited when they realised they were coming along, too.



With Portofino as our final destination, we stopped halfway along the way for the night at Alassio, Italy. 




I recently bought a Goyard St. Louis tote, and it was perfect for carrying dog paraphernalia. I love the bright blue colour and how ultra-lightweight it is (an insert is in the making!)


A very short and strong Italian espresso


Loved the vintage-style postcards


The second day, we arrived in Portofino. The picturesque harbour is lined with colourful buildings in terracotta, coral, warm pinks and yellows, and pastel blues and greens. The colours are rooted in Ligurian tradition, historically helping fishermen identify their homes from the sea. Most houses have deep green shutters, and many feature decorative painted elements, such as trompe l'oeil arches, windows and balconies.



We had lovely and memorable meals at the DaV Mare, part of the Splendido Mare hotel.


The detail to attention was amazing, and included an offering of sausage treats to our boys. It is fair to say that the DaV Mare has become Wiener and Roley's favourite restaurant!


In the mornings and evenings, I took the boys for long walks and we explored the surroundings. A small path led us up to the hills above Portofino, from where you could walk along the coast with spectacular views. Below the Villa Valdameri Mondadori, nestling above a small swimming cove called Baia Cannone and only accessible on foot or by boat.




Breakfast at the Splendido Mare


The tower of San Martino Church


Can anyone spot Roley?

Taina Dundas


Trompe l'oeil details


A lovely dinner at Ristoranti Strainer with superb fresh pasta con porcini e tartufo.


The harbour, a sparkling jewel at night.


On the way back, we stopped in Villefranche-sur-Mer, a small and picturesque fishing village that remains authentic to this day. It is located between Nice and Monaco, but the architecture and colours make you think you are still in Italy (Villefranche was for many centuries part of what is today known as Italy).


The Chapelle Saint Pierre, often called the "Cocteau Chapel", is an absolute highlight to visit. The chapel has deep roots in Villefranche's fishing community. It served as a place of worship for the local fishermen and later as a storage space for their fishing nets. The artist Jean-Cocteau frequently stayed at the Hotel Welcome opposite the harbour, and befriended the fishermen during his many visits. As a sign of this friendship, he decorated the chapel's interior and exterior in 1957. The frescoes inside are painted with chalk in soft colours and depict Mediterranean life and episodes of the life of Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. The decorations blend spirituality, local culture and Cocteau's artistic handwriting, making it a wonderful and memorable feast for the eyes.
(No photography allowed inside)


Upon return from the sea, the fishermen sell their daily catch right by the quai.


Villefranche's fortress 


The bay of Villefranche with St Jean Cap Ferrat in the background




It's been a fun trip, and the boys were on their best behaviour!


Back home, I started a new appliqué flower (work in progress below), but it wasn't until I sat down to put this blog together that I realised how much the colour choices reflected the Ligurian coast.



The towns and places mentioned above:

Alassio: 
Portofino:
Villefranche-sur-Mer: