Catherine

A sunny Sunday spent on the Ile de Porquerolles surrounded by the contrast of modern art and nature was perfect. A full gallery of paintings and collages and then a walk through the garden where modern sculptures popped up out of nowhere. Some worked and some didn't. The bright red piece stating that "Mother Nature doesn't like you and wants to eat you," didn't quite gel with the beautiful arch of bamboo and a hedge of jasmine. However; the Asian mask hovering above wild hedges was quietly meditative. Feng Shui practice would prefer the latter!   How Does Your

It was a weekend with friends sharing food and cocktails. The sky was blue, the pool was blue and it was perfect for a blue cocktail. Simple recipe for a 1937 Darlington. Per glass: 4cl of a London dry gin 1cl calvados/apple brandy 1cl blue curaçao 2cl dry Italian or French vermouth 2cl lemon or lime juice A bit of sugar syrup to balance Shaken or stirred with ice and served up with canapés. Cheers and chin chin!

Picasso said, "Who sees the human face correctly, the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?" It is a fascinating question. Having recently been to some lovely exhibitions, it was interesting to see the different art schools' portraits. The classical two-dimensional early British paintings where even the babies look the same as the adults. The French school of noble events and various French leaders, with most seeming to point down or at something - go and have a look! Then the Dutch painters who offer a gentler and more realistic view of people, capturing wrinkles, joy and sadness. Fast forward

A friend is renovating to sell. Many of us have been there and done that. All rooms have been painted white or as a French builder calls it, l'hopital blanc! Clean and light. A friend has donated a table newly sanded and painted, we donated a sofa and the kitchen is next for tiles and wood to be painted. Even if selling, you can feel the new Chi energy coming in. Old furniture has been sold, donated or thrown away. What's left has been cleaned and renewed. Our friend feels a change of energy and a lightness in his

Life is full of rituals, historical or created. It keeps us grounded and for many, represents their culture and sense of self. Not being a fan of ‘this is the way things have always been done’, I admit to having come to appreciate an afternoon cup of tea. Mostly because of having some lovely vintage teacups rather than the drink itself! That being said, I still sing internally, ‘don’t fence me in’ when herded in to something I am made to do that makes no sense. So, I raise my cup to you!

I have no idea what is happening in the land of interior design. We seem to be stuck in the land of cream and beige and we could ask if this is a mirror of life at the moment. In Feng Shui these colours represent the Earth element which is all about grounding, foundations and stability. Hmmm, chic but honestly, for two years? A shot of a navy blue cushion, the ultimate in conservatism, looks radical! So I turned for inspiration to the land of teacups, porcelain and ceramics. At least these add life and symbolise your personality. Just

I took this photo on a car day trip helping a friend deliver ropes and non-nutritional white bread to yachts! So much to say about that sentence another time, but it got me to thinking about where we are heading. I love the quote about a ship in an harbour is safe but that is not what ships are for. So many people are moving in to new chapters of life, some through no choice of their own but then that is a new adventure. How to approach it, will it work out, what about friends, so many questions

Summer is around the corner, beach chairs have appeared and it feels as if the air is brighter and lighter. This post focuses on outdoor spaces attached to your apartment or house. These include gardens and balconies. I have plenty of posts on both but let's have another look at them. Firstly, they are part of your space even if they feel like an extension. Feng Shui practice 'pulls' these spaces in to the overall Bagua map of your area and to connect with your floorpan. Feng Shui First Determine where the balcony or garden is on the Bagua

Signs of summer are appearing and t-shirts are on, coats put away and bright colours are here. I always wonder why we don't see these lovely colours in winter when they are really needed. More orange spritzs are on tables and the atmosphere shifts to one of sunny relaxation. We have a dinner coming up and I am going to make a good old Cosmopolitan. First created in the 1980s and is all about brightness with the combination of sweet and sour. Cheers!