Some thoughts from Buenos Aires...

I landed in Buenos Aires on Tuesday 25th, very early in the morning... The air was still full of the excitement and joy of the night before, of the sumptuous celebrations of the re-opening Gala of the Teatro Colón.

And, after many days of awful weather, the sun was shining again!

How wonderful too to be back home, with its scent and all my beloved things that have been with me this past 20 years...

But still it was a National holiday and the most important one: that of the famous May 25th of 1810.

I followed the amazing parade along the Ave. 9 de Julio, the show by Fuerza Bruta and the peaceful pleasure of watching the Argentine people (Three millions? Six millions?) pour into one of the most important avenues in the world to express their love (for once!) to this generous country that received and accepted as own many Italians, Spanish, Germans, Jews, French, etc.: Argentina.

With its virtues and flaws...

Anyway, I also witness the other side of the story on Thursday when I suffered the biggest traffic jam of my life when trying to reach the cocktail held to celebrate Editorial Perfil's Awards. Ave. 9 de Julio was closed for cleaning and restoring, as a lady after a party...

Buses and cars were stuck there... after 45 never-ending minutes to cross 10 blocks, I jumped out of my car and defying the wind, the light rain and the not-so-friendly-stare of the many employees heading to Retiro after a long day of work (Why would they stare at me with kindness? Because of my Oscar de la Renta coat or my Louboutin shoes?), I crossed the Avenue and made it to the Hotel.

On Friday I saw Argentina's National Team departing from Ezeiza's Airport to South Africa for the World Cup and I that almost made my cry... so many hopes, Maradona's promise to celebrate naked at the Obelisco if they won, the passion of the people... So Argentine, so light blue and white, with that touch of drama and nostalgia that makes Argentina so special and unique.

Brasilians, instead, were singing and dancing to samba...

And I loved the picture of the whole team in grey suits with light blue ties, in Etiqueta Negra, so handsome, elegant and united... bearers of the hopes of an entire country.

Me, Italian and with a French last name, will be "supporting" Argentina during this World Cup...

Spring in Paris...

Finally, the good weather is here...

The so-awaited spring exploded in Paris and the Sun shines in thousand shades.

The light, the flowers, the green leaves on trees and a feeling of joy, of holidays coming soon, make of Paris the best place to be around these days...

Parisians are more than happy, specially after a long (really really long) winter, and to celebrate, starting tomorrow and till Tuesday, May 25th, part of the Avenue Champs-Elysées will be transformed into a huge garden: from l'Etoile, where the Arc de Triomphe is, to the Rond-Point, three hectares of nature, from flowers to unique vegetation and small trees. Absolutely no cars on the most famous avenue in the World for 48 hours, everything organised by Nature Capitale to celebrate the International Day of Biodiversity. Of course I'll be stopping by, on foot, to take a look.

With the begining of Spring, Parisian women are starting to show the hotest trends of the season, always with their famous good taste. This year's hit look is based on a garment that used to be synonym to spending time on the beach or for sports... SHORTS.

Transformed today into an urban piece, shorts are mostly seen in denim... and if they have the lining of the pockets coming out, better still!

With what to pair them?

A jacket, long as the short, a stripped t-shirt or a tank top. Don't forget short military boots (on naked legs) or very-strappy-and high-sandals. Of course, to wear this look you must have your legs well-waxed, slightly-tanned and cellulitis-free,

Definitely a modern and young look, which I love!

The place to see and be seen this Spring in Paris is Ralph, the new restaurant on Boulevard St. Germain, on the roof-top of Ralph Lauren's new 4-floor boutique. I had lunch there the other day and it's really nice. Some of the tables are outside and others, inside, all decorated in a very American East Coast style. The menu, ranging from the salad Ralph to the burgers with fries or the lobsters, is extremely tasty. A nice and refined place that is an interesting blend between America and France.

Marrakech

Just three hours away from Paris, you'll find one of the most magical cities I know: Marrakech, in Morocco.

Europeans, specially the French, have chosen it as their favorite destination for holidays, long week-ends or for any other opportunity. It's kind of what happens in Argentina with our beloved Punta del Este, a place of peace to escape.

Except that Marrakech has no sea... but it has plenty to offer to us tourists. I've been to Marrakech several times, I love it and I've just arrived from spending a long week-end there.

Marrakech is known as the Pearl of the South, located by the Atlas mountains. The city was founded by Yusuf Ibn Tasufin, the first of the Almoravid Kings in 1062.
903.589 people live in Marrakech, in its 230 km2. It is the fourth most important city of Morocco, after Casablanca, Rabat and Fez, and it comprises both an old fortified city (the médina) and an adjacent modern city (called Gueliz). The Gueliz is the commercial area and was founded during the French Protectorate. It has a neighborhood called Palmaraie that's so beautiful and luxurious that could rival Beverly Hills. 

And at the same time, in the old city (for me the most interesting part) men use caftan and women burqas... some even wear chador. Time there seems to have stopped. The center of the old city is the busy square Jemaa El Fna, where everything can happen!! Street sellers offer tourists anything from snakes to argan oil (a typical plant of Morocco), black soap, dried fruits and nuts... There's also artists and dancers who perform their shows as they've been doing since the 11th Century.

From the square you enter the souk, a huge market where is easy to get lost and where you'll find everything... embroidered caftans, crafted jewelry, fabrics, bags... so much to look at... The smell of cumin, turmeric or paprika mingles with that of amber, musk and sandalwood... it's the smell of Marrakech!!

Another sight to highlight is the Majorelle Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in the world and where you'll find all types of cactus.

And the food! A pleasure, with the scented couscous, the tagines and the patisserie...

A place to visit and return many many times...

With a dry weather and a sun than shines 300 days a year!!!

More on fashion...

All the clothes I've been describing on previous posts are easy to match between them and can be highlighted with different accesories. If I travel somewhere hot, I always carry a bikini and a summery dress in orange or salmon pink. If it's winter and it's cold, I pack a pair of boots.

It is generally recommended that basic pieces should be bought in neutral colors, such as black, white or beige. However, each of us know which are the colors that look good on our skin. To a woman with a very pale skin type a total-black-look would probably enhance her paleness. This is why it's important to choose other elegant options in the color palette, such as brown or blue. My favorite colors are orange, emerald green and red. They work good with my skin. For more classic pieces, I prefer black or marine blue.

I feel so lucky to have enough room to keep all my clothes! I find it hard to give them away. I cherish and keep them with care and love, because each of them remind me of a special occasion, they carry part of my soul. I look after them and protect them with discipline, I brush them, pay for good dry-cleaning services (unfortunately there's no saving here...) and if they get stained at a party,  it's the first place I go the morning after. I promptly send everything that needs fixing to the tailor's for I don't keep anything in my wardrobe that is not ready to be used when I want to. I've invested in wooden hangers, with bold shoulders and I protect my dresses from dust and light by keeping them in plastic covers. I place sweaters and t-shirts on shelves, so they don't loose their shape, and in drawers I keep my underwear and bikinis. I use fragances and anti-moth methods.

A tidy and coherent wardrobe is enjoyable and speaks for yourself. It will help you decide what to wear each morning and prevent you from panic if you happen to have an event. And if you have choosen your clothes consciously and kept them with care, your wardrobe will age with you. A bad clothing choice could increase or reduce our age. What looked great in our twenties could become a disaster in our forties. An elegant woman knows what favors her age. As we always say here, in our blog, personal style has nothing to do with the years on our ID. It's a matter of attitude. When you are twenty, it's time to experiment. When you are thirty, you mature. And when you are forty, you enjoy. Dressing correctly is so much more effective than a plastic surgery!! Elegance is accepting who you are now. And if you work up to preserve your arms and legs, you'll be able to show them at any age.

Anyway, there's things I don't recommend, no matter how fit you might be... In your 40s and 50s, you have to avoid making a fool of yourself: white socks, weird ballerinas, extravagant stuff... that is, everything that looks too Paris Hilton!!

"Basic" pieces in any wardrobe...

In most books on fashion and style, there's always a chapter dedicated to the basics and must-haves in any wardrobe, what you could call a "uniform" of elegance. There are garments, such as jeans, a white shirt or the well-known little black dress, that could find their place in any wardrobe. However, it's our life and activities  thatthe ones dictate which are our basics. And it is also true that we surely possess more than just basics in our wardrobe. That's why I believe that the must-haves vary from woman to woman and to be able to name mines I must remember what I always pack when travelling...

1. A pair of jeans.

Why? Because they look good with almost everything, from a t-shirt to a sequined top. As it is such a popular garment, designers produce different variations every season to encourage constant purchase.

How? I prefer them in a classic fit, straight or slightly evaseé, in a medium rise that flatters my butt.

2. A long-sleeve white shirt.

Why? Because paired with the jeans or a black skirt you can go everywhere. The white shirt is an iconic piece of style. In spite of being so simple, it communicates freshness and sense, and its delicate color makes it very aristocratic (not conceived for activities that require getting dirty!). It's a basic available to every budget, refined and little pretentious. And will sure light up your face!

How? 100% cotton and slightly fitted. It must be impeccable (a yellowy white would spoil it completely) and perfectly-well ironed.

3. A knee-lenght black dress.

Why? La petite robe noire, created by Coco Chanel in 1926, is the ultimate mistake-free basic. It's comfortable, sexy and flatters any body shape.

How? Simple enough to be natural, sexy without being vulgar and elegant to prove that the woman carrying it has good taste. I prefer those that are sleeveless, with round collar and no cleveage. It's so versatile that you can use it for a cocktail, a party or a funeral.

4. A black skirt

Why? Because it's a perfect match for the white shirt and together they create a perfectly elegant outfit.

How? Pencil-like or slightly evaseé, made of a fabric resistant to wrinkles. It must be over the knee, because that's a length that doesn't add extra age.

5. A black cashmere cardigan.

Why? Because it's excellent to protect you from the chill, soft, light and smooth. Cashmere is spinned from a soft layer of internal wood that a particular specie of goat, that lives in the mountains of China, Mongolia, Afganistan and Iran, uses to protect itself from the cold. It is said that between 60 and 90 grams of this wood is taken from each goat and that 250 grams of it is needed for a single woman sweater... This is why 100% cashmere sweaters are so expensive... Of course you can find less pure options for lower prices, but they'd probably won't last that much...

How? Slightly fitted to your shape.

6. A black mid-season coat.

Why? Because it's an elegant piece to bring out every outfit.

How? Not too heavy, nor to light, enough to switch comfortably between seasons and weathers when travelling...

7. A denim jacket.

Why? Because paired with the little black dress you get to have a really cool young ensamble. And used with  the black skirt and the white shirt, you create another very decontracté look...

How? Not too big, nor too short.

8. A pair of black shoes.

Why? Because high heels bring out the curves of our body and, by toughening our muscles, make our legs and ankles look thinner. To compensate the equilibrium in the new height, we tend to walk more elegantly and sexy. For many, using heels implies power and authority, because they sure are uncomfortable to use while doing hard work. They seemed to exist only for those in command.

How? I prefer slingbacks, with 8-cm-heels... But if I really want to feel glamorous, I use 14-cm-high heels... and I do pay attention while walking, fighting hard to avoid falls!!

9. A pair of shinny earrings to use at night.

Why? Because if they are not too exagerated and don't compete with our outfit, they light up our face and complement our look.

How? Not vulgar, nor tiny, good enough so they don't produce allergies. No need to be of authentic rocks. Stores as H&M have great options in good prices...

10. A pair of sunglasses for day.

Why? Because they bring instant glamour and are perfect allies to hide tired eyes after a long flight.

How? That depends on the structure of your face. You have to try them to see which ones fit you best.

Now, you tell me which are the must-haves you can't live without...

Les Saints de Glace...

Et voilà... je suis à Paris!!!

And what a cold weather (quite rare this time around) was waiting for me in Europe: 6°C minimum - 11°C maximum... this in spite of being in the middle of Spring for the northern hemisphere!

Anyway, there's plenty of trees in blossom everywhere: lilacs, roses, jasmines, and lots of very green leaves in my beloved Parc Monceau... so weird to see this with grey skies and people dressed as if it was February!

In the south of France, near Marseille, today they had 40 cm of snow...

Does this mean that the end of the World, so many times described by authors as Corman McCarthy or Ray Bradbury, has finally caught up with us?

"Not at all!," an old aunt of mine told me when she visited me yesterday, "it's Les Saints de Glace..."

What does that mean?

Les Saints de Glace are an old French legend according to which, every year, in May, it is common to have cold weather till after the three days of the Saints: that is, after the 11, 12 and 13th, when we remember Saint Mamert, Saint Pancrace and Saint Servais. Since remote pagan eras, it is believed that around these three days an odd phenomenon takes place, replacing the heat of Spring and producing great damages in crops, plants and trees already with flowers and in bloom. Farm people pray to the three Saints for mercy and ask for milder colds...

In all the years I've been spending May in Paris, I do not remember a time when we have not suffered the cold of Les Saints de Glace...

Anyway, apart from the weather, people in Paris are busy discussing the new book by philosopher Michel Onfray, "Crépuscule d'une idole," where he analyses the worst aspects and facts of Sigmund Freud's life... quite a controversy has he caused!

They are also into the unorthodox conduct of many football players of France's National Team... many of who could be left out of the World Cup in punishment...

We'll see what happens quite soon...