David Bowie - The Return.....

David Bowie is one of those singers I grew up listening to. He is one of a kind... with is never changing style floating from androgynous to space age rock suits, he is unique in style and music.

And now finally after 10 long years he is releasing a new album "The Next Day"in March 12, a new song was released recently "Where Are We Now"in the day he celebrated he's 66th anniversary and announced is return.  A new song, the second single from his album, just came out "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)"and the video clip is like Bowie...artistic!

The video stars the singer and actor Tilda Swinton, where Bowie and her pretend to be a normal suburban couple. Then they're haunted by new noisy, freaky, androgynous pop stars neighbors, a celebrity couple played by the models Andrej Pejic (Gautier's favorite) and Saskia De Brauw a Burberry model..

Saskia De Brauw, Tilda Swinton, David Bowie, Andrej Pejic in the video to The Stars (Are out Tonight). Photograph: Floria Sigismondi

Directed by Floria Sigismondi and shot by Jeff Cronenweth, the video is intriguing and funny, filming the happy couple in their normal routines, suddenly disrupted by this crazy celebrity couple, who drug them and try to take over their lives. 

Can't wait for the album to come out!!!... Take a look at the video...

Karl Lagerfeld for Melissa

Karl Lagerfeld just teamed up with the famous Brazilian eco-friendly shoe brand Melissa. 

Melissa have had many successful partnership's in the past with names like Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gautier, Jason Wu, Gareth Pugh, Pedro Laurenco and Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrósio, but this tie-up is for sure the most exciting one.

The Brazilian footwear designer, Melissa is known for creating  recycled bright jelly bubblegum-scented footwear for the last 25 years. The brand has deep ecologic concerns and produce shoes with "zero waste ethos" recycling 99.9% of the factory water waste and their overstocked shoes, which is something remarkable!

Lagerfeld and Melissa will launch a unique and limited edition shoe collection with only 4 different styles for women embracing a mix between Brazilian fun and luxury.

Melissa excitement to work with Lagerfeld is clear in their words:

"In one of the most exciting collaborations the company has seen, Karl Lagerfeld the most iconic designers of the 21st Century, has extended his fashion reign into our world of Melissa,' (...)  'Karl's design talent synonymous with couture has been translated into footwear, bridging the gap between high-end and commercial, extending our customer base and making his name accessible for all." Paulo Pedó, Melissa CEO

Lagerfeld signed up for the next four seasons and will have the official launch to unveil the first range and a photo exhibition with the presence of Lagerfeld in March 26 at the Galeria Melissa in New York for the Autumn/ Winter Collection.

Can't wait to see see the final result! Exciting without any doubt....

Hermès - “Long Live Sport”

Maison Hermès just unveiled four cute and funny mini fashion films to celebrate their new S/S 2013 collection, with accessories and tableware as protagonists of outdoor sport activities. The campaign  "Long Live Sport" is a way to honor their high-end sportswear heritage. 

The stop-motion films were directed by Simon Cahn that captured perfectly the sport spirit for 2013 collection. Tableware, ties, bags, shoes, come alive in these smalls clips, where all these accessories are unexpectedly engaging in different sport activities in the open air.

Shoes playing leapfrog and ending up parachuting with the help of a foulard, neck ties roll out  in the field playing cricket match. Luxury bags attending a ping pong game where tableware and ceramic dishes are hitting up.

The films are very creative and with nice audio effects that adds a cool and positive atmosphere...check it out!

Long Live Sport and Long Live Hermès!!!

Chac'Late - Katara

There's a new Chocolaterie in Doha that you should not miss.... Its  the Chac'Late.

Located in building 15 at Katara this Chocolate house, a paradise... for chocolate lovers like me, this boutique adorned with 24- katart gold leafing, offers you a unique experience in the chocolate world with the latest trends in the market but with an Arabic twist.

Created under Aspire Katara Hospitality, now Qatar has their own signature chocolate spot, with homemade chocolates with Arabic and other original and different flavors. The chocolates are a creation of the Spanish Chef Javier Martinez, who has more than 13 years experience in this field and that comes from a family of known chocolate makers.

You can also find the world best imported premium chocolate brands like Laderach, Rococo , Enric Rovina and others

Two gorgeous lion-head fountains adorn one of the interior walls of the store and guess what...paradise.....instead of water, dark and white chocolate flows out from their mouths...

 

In the menú you also will find a great variety of premium teas, hot chocolate, coffee and delicious homemade cakes.

The décor is beautiful, inspired in the classical French and Italian boutiques, the high ceiling is adorned with 24 Karat gold leafing and with these gorgeous exquisite chandeliers imported from Spain. 

The ambiance is great, the experience will be unique, a place to go...definitely!!!

Blue Favorite #3 Clarisonic

We girls all know that a clean skin looks smother and radiant and it's the first step towards a healthier and beautiful skin!

I saw many times Clarisonic in Spa's for facial treatments usage. I always wondered if I could get one of those miracle devices for my personal use. 

Guess what?! My beautiful blue Clarisonic is living happily with me now, so I can pamper my skin everyday.... How perfect is that?

Clarisonic is actually recommended by Spas and dermatologists and uses a patented sonic brush with a frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean and remove 's gently 6x more makeup and 2x more dirt and oil than regular cleansing products.

I'm in love with it! It's so easy to use, Clarisonic recommends you to spend 20 seconds on your forehead, 20 seconds on your nose/chin and 10 seconds on each cheek. One minute is perfectly enough.

You can take it with you while traveling and even (like me) use it in the shower since it's water proof, besides, it comes in really nice cute colors.

The results are amazing!!! It cleans, clarifies and stimulates the skin.

- Skin much smoother

- When you apply your daily MakeUp, the skin response is much better, even the MakeUp looks fresher through out the day 

- All skin products, like your daily cream penetrates deeper

- Significant reduction of dark spots (I would say that they disappear)

- Blemish reduction

Its so easy to use, with great results. It comes with a brush that should be changed each 4-6 months because of bacterial build up and the bristles can wear down. Clarisonic also has different types of brushes for the different type of skins.

I'm sure if you try it you will not get disappointed! I'm addicted....

Kronenhalle - Zurich

Zurich has an amazing variety of good places to eat, but there is one you really have to go, the famous Kronenhalle.

Located in the old part of the city,  this brasserie style establishment is known for its fine cuisine, friendly, highly attentive and impeccably mannered waiters and especially for its fabulous art collection with originals from Chagall, Miró, Matisse, Picasso, Paul Klee, Bonnard, Albert and Diego Giacometti and many others...

I immediately fall for Kronenhalle's charms, walking in the magnificent rooms with white tablecloths, dark oak paneling, muted colors, softy lightning, a magnificent decoration and of course the fact that you feel amazed eating in such artistic scenario suiting an old world feeling.

The story of Kronenhalle start's when Gottleib and Hulda Zumsteg purchased it in 1925. During the World War II the restaurant was the gathering place for many European artists who sought refuge from the Nazis, so this way they started to display art on the restaurant walls.

Later, Zumesteg's son Gustave started to built the art collection in the restaurant. He came to know couturiers like Channel, Dior, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Givenchy and through them the doors where open to became friend with artists like Chagall, Miró, Giacomettis and many others.

Each art work was acquired, inexpensively, Gustav managed to persuade Chagall to design the stained glass window on the outside wall, Picasso to donate several of his sketches, Giacomettis to design the tables and lamps.

The food is superb, regional specialities are served on a trolley by the hand of their old Europe school waiters. 
I went for a quick lunch and tried the very popular and famous Sliced veal "Kronenhalle", rösti, accompanied by a superb Burgundy. Followed by a incredibly tasty chocolate mousse as a desert. Next time... i will go for a full indulgence dinner and try as well the Ladykiller a specialty  of Kronenhalle Bar.

This is a  very special place to go where, while dining on fine cuisine, you are surrounded by exquisite and authentic treasures works of art of some of the most renowned artist in the world. It is a memorable experience, serves your appetite and soul.

Photos: the blue chic

This Doha of Mine # 3

Photos: the blue chic

Miu Miu: New Short Film 'The Door'

Fashion World has evolved in a more communicative way, not only through fashion shows or advertisements. We are in a new fashion Era!

Miu Miu has been a perfect example, showing that film making is a perfect way to tell stories and analyze reality in a fashionable and artistic way, highlighting some of the brand's clothing collection.

Over the past two years Miu Miu has been producing and releasing a collection of short films "The Women's Tales" series, continuing its path towards talking about women through the lenses of renowned female film directors across the world.

Miu Miu, surprises with the debut of it's fifth short film under the theme "The Door". This film is a fresh and surreal interpretation from the brand's S/S 2013 collection, directed by Ava Duvernay, the first African American woman to win the Best Director Prize at Sundance Film Festival.

"The Door" because it focuses in the film protagonist home entrance, like a symbol. The film is a celebration of the power of feminine bonds, it a story that all women can relate to, a life change and the magic of those special friendships and relations among women that can change situations.

Staring Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye and singer and songwritter Goapele.
Nine amazing, groundbreaking minutes....

I just love the film, its luminous, artistic, simple, sensitive in the way the women character is been shown, building her self back from a pre-nuptial break up, through the comfort of friendship and social situations. 

Miu Miu S/S 2013 collection is showed in such elegant way trough the storyline, and effortless, rich and exquisite collection.

I believe what Miu Miu is doing is incredible, its quite of significance to cast black women and have also one directing this film as a support for the talent of female filmmakers.

Also interesting this video behind the scenes....

Photos: miumiu.com

Happy Valentine's Day....

Photo: the blue chic

Souq Waqif’s annual spring festival #2- Schedule

For those who were asking for the Souq Waqif's Spring Festival 2013 schedule.... no more reasons to worry and not to have fun, i got it!
Take a look!


Activities:

Location:

Don't miss it! And have fun!!!...

Source: I love Qatar

Qatar National Sport Day in pictures....

Ready to walk all around the city in this beautiful day, it was amazing to see so many people out in this National Sport Day....

I started at MIA Park...where i had a very healthy breakfast.

MIA Park was crowded and full of fun activities....

Walking along the Corniche and the parks beside, was incredible to feel the relaxing and fun atmosphere. Families getting into the spirit and practicing sport all together, friends jogging,  people from all nationalities embracing the spirit.

Also a The Oryx Cup, a hydroplane boat race for the UIM World Championship final toke place today in the Corniche....

What a awesome day and to end it, a walk in Katara.... I love Katara...besides the sport activities...couldn't resist and went to see some new exhibitions there. 

Qatar National Sport Day

The National Sport Day is a very recent holiday in Qatar, the Emir in 2011, declared that in each second Tuesday of February this day would be an official holiday were private and public companies to observe the day.

It is a brilliant idea, considering that Qataris are known as some of the fattest people on earth. This initiative stimulates the population to have a culture for sport improving the community health life quality.

This year there are new mascots for National Sport Day, designed by Majid al-Maadeed. Khazaz and Odaynah, names related to the Qatari tradition. They are two cute wild and energetic desert bunnies that inhabit the Qatari Desert.

These bunnies represent the spirit and customs of Qatari traditions and that also love sports and they are inviting everyone to join them in this day ...

So everyone is invited to go out and embrace this initiative, dedicating the day to sport and outdoor activities. There are lots of activities and and fun things to do all around the city.
Check it out here.

I accepted the invitation so I'm out.....see you later with some photos of the day!

Cabaret Voltaire - Zurich

Zurich is a city where you will never feel bored...being one of the major art trade center in the world, culture is the second name of Zurich! It's a small but very exciting city where you can enjoy a vast and mixed variety of attractions, from museums and art galleries, different kind and type of designers shops and amazing night life. Besides, it has a spectacular view on the Uetliberg mountain.

One place, culturally speaking, you should not miss is The Cabaret Voltaire or Dada Haus! Not only for the place itself but specially for it's story.

The so called Dada movement was born at the Cabaret Voltaire, house founded on the February 5, 1916,  by Hugo Ball and it's companion Emmy Hennings, as a cabaret for artistic and political purposes.

The Dada art movement, or anarchic art movement, was to be an expression, a "protest against the madness of the time" and proved to be crucial on it's foundlings. The soirees were full of cultural events with artists, musicians, dancers, poetry, were the art being exhibited was often chaotic or even brutal.

The building which housed Cabaret Voltaire fell into disrepair in the recent years, but a new Dada Era marked a new begging. A group of artist so called neo-Dadaist, illegally occupied the cabaret to protest against its closure, this was a signal that a new generation of artist wanted to revive Dada and its cultural and artistic movement.

Today, Cabaret Voltaire, houses many exhibitions and events, a bar and a small specialized library, a good place to visit even if just for a coffee while you read a book in their cozy bar.

Photos: the blue chic