Catherine

Since 2004, we have been moving. First Penang, then Geneva, New York, Berlin and finally the South of France. Over those years we have been to various meet-up groups, forum nights and various getting-to-know-people events. We realise that most of our friends have been found more by default than design. We elbow-bumped Belgians in a New York French restaurant and eight years later we meet once a year. We have our New York boys, one of whom I worked with, and we connected immediately to find we were born in the same year but two days apart. Another was

Kandinsky said, "orange is red brought nearer to humanity by yellow". As an expressionist and colourful artist, he would have known! Orange, mandarin, tangerine, all shades that throw right back to memories of the 1970s with lava lamps, daisies and ugly Tupperware. It isn't a colour you see often these days and takes some courage to use with hues leaning to red or yellow tones. In some cultures, orange represents creativity and fertility and then, in the USA, it is the colour of prisoners. On a different note, bright orange with hints of gold is a quick marketing technique

There is something about a ginger jar that makes you want to at least touch it if not put it under your arm. The soft contours and roundness are an interior designer's delight. Originally just jars, or as in Chinese, guans, the Western world used them for exporting spices such as ginger. Blue and white Asian patterns are the most popular but they are made in a range of colours and sizes, highly patterned or plain. A temple jar is taller and was originally used for ashes and with its higher shoulders and more ornate lids, they make a

Tolkien stated, "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." The last week has been a series of small and wonderful dining moments. It started with a planned but surprise menu with a wonderful new friend in Cannes. Each choice had been careful selected and champagne was served. A Friday night spur of the moment beach drinks ended up with four of us snacking on tapas, good wine and with a lovely sea breeze as the tide came in. The weekend finished with good food, wine and song

I was going to write about last night's electric storm that cracked across the sea but there is so much gloom at the moment my mind turned to cake and tea. Just re-read this and it rhymes! Being more a coffee and chocolate biscuit person, making tea is a slower process and requires some thought. A cafe was found with mismatching china, plenty of butter icing and dollops of cream. English breakfast with a spoonful of honey is perfect to cut through a bite of sugar and butter. Set the table, use the best cups and treat yourself to

John Masefield wrote, "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, and all I ask is a tall ship a star to steer her by..." We spent a Friday night dinner on a friend's yacht which didn't leave the harbour. Due to a lack of wind, we stayed put but it was wonderful to watch the sun set and 4 of the 5 of us sang our hearts out at the top of our lungs all being passionate about a song. Saturday was spent recovering on a beach in the first day

The Farmer's Almanac - yes, I read some strange things, states that this Easter has the first full moon, a Pink Moon, based on the start of pink blossom and the perfume of spring. Other cultures call it the Egg Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon or Paschal Moon and the druids looked at it as an opportunity to refresh and set new year resolutions and new beginnings. So wherever you are on April 16th, send out your wishes, it can't hurt! So many different traditions, hens, rabbits and eggs. In our home country, France, chocolate bells are the symbol of

Love the idea that Dolce & Gabanna are in to chocolate! Considering they make skinny clothes for tiny women, there may be a disconnect or some subtle psychological longing. Chocolate is such an emotional eating experience for many and just when it can't be possible for a new range, someone decides that it has to happen. It is such a chemical process to create something that for most, is an intense and instant delight, hot or cold. I love that it has some nutritional value, 100-grams of milk chocolate offers 19% of the daily requirement of riboflavin, vitamin B12,

Spring is around the corner, shots of bright coloured flowerbeds are appearing. There is a sense of renewal for those of us fortunate enough to take advantage of it and move forward. Visiting friends in another city was refreshing and relaxing. One friend is starting a new job and stepping out on her own. Another is reflecting on a lost opportunity and how to look ahead. We are all seeking internal harmony. Feng Shui First The shops are still full of blankets, slippers and comfortable interiors in beiges and cream. Decor still seems stuck in cocooning and having visited

A Sahara storm hovers over parts of Europe presenting a strange inversion cloud that hangs low over the horizon and dulls all the colour. There isn't a great drive to go outside and be part of the world and the apartment becomes a cocoon once again. So we headed off to Cannes for a Saturday lunch and in spite of the wind, we wandered around a different market, shops and the long promenade. We found a lovely cafe that caught my attention immediately. It had two of my favourite things, lots of aqua decor and beautiful chocolate for sale.