{hope you've had a beautiful weekend & a few lovely links}

. . . this weekend was one of chignons & pearls and romantic sunday walks along the water; pastel-coloured petals falling on golden coffee tables and afternoons soaked in sunlight; there were cut-crystal glasses of sparkling wine for two, and that certain feeling of feverish restlessness that comes just before the arrival of spring, and also before the final realisation of dreams . . .

hope you had a stunning march weekend, and that it's beautiful where you are, —roséline xo

[a few lovely links below] x

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{take me away № 18 | a glamorous guide to champagne, part 2}

Some say there is an indescribable magic and poetry in the very experience and effervescence—the way the delicious bubbles gracefully float within the flute, almost like a theatrical dance . . . a dance in celebration of new memories and old; for future moments that captivate, for new marriages just beginning, for an exciting graduation, for a touching anniversary, for the promise of a fresh, new year. They remind of the beautiful joys in life to cherish and hold onto, always. A champagne occasion relies on feeling and experience, and for one to revel and linger in the moment for as long as possible.



And as we celebrate love in all of its essence this Valentine's Day—be it love for dear friends and family, or your significant other—our hearts overflow with happiness for the simple and wonderful opportunity to love and be loved.



And so, today, let's discover how this beautiful golden elixir came about, explore its fascinating history, and tour three unforgettable wineries, as well as look at tips & ideas on how best to enjoy a glass . . .


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{travel | château de vaux-le-vicomte, maincy, france}

. . . just 55 kilometres southeast of paris, near melun, and in maincy, lies a baroque french château, vaux-le-vicomte, one of the places shall always love best; a favourite parisian cousin drove us there one magnificently cloudy day, past tree-lined and winding country roads, old stone churches and fields of crimson poppies, past tiny cafés in picturesque villages, and when we finally arrived, it was utterly breathtaking . . .



[as always, more below] x

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{take me away № 17 | the most beautiful rose gardens around the world}

To bury one's nose in a heavenly array of petals seems to overtake the mind and soul, almost instantaneously, like great winds upon sails. Memories of dreams and hopes may spring to mind -- of possibilities, of receiving your first red rose and kiss, of candlelit pathways, sweet notes read time and time again, and warm embraces; of the words, "I love you". Such fond memories, words and feelings are truly a matter of the heart; the very deepest matter of all.



Yesterday, today and tomorrow, we celebrate roses, as their ever-returning connection to Valentine's Day and love is deeply woven in history. According to number of sources, roses are representative of love in all its forms, and more so became a popular Valentine’s Day flower during the 17th century. It all seems to stem back to the simple belief that a red rose was the favorite flower of Venus -- the Roman Goddess of beauty and love.



Hence, the rose has been claimed as the single flower of love and passion. And just who grows these delicate flowers? There are specialists throughout the world, who devote their time, expertise, passion and pursuit of continuing the tradition of growing and maintaining a beautiful part of our history. Today, we take a dip into romance, as we explore ideas on how to use, preserve and give roses, as well as three wondrous and fascinating rose gardens across the globe . . .

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{décor inspiration : relaxed & refined in normandy}

. . . first came across this centuries-old home in normandy last november, and immediately fell head over heels, and so, was utterly thrilled to happen across it again, in the current issue of veranda; and while one is impossibly drawn to the allure of the leopard silk velvet canapé, there are still a myriad of beautiful things to captivate -- the floors, [always, the floors], the gilded picture frames and cashmere throws, the antique bergères in stroheim suede, the grand chandeliers and palest shades of gray, and most of all, that perfect mix of relaxed & refined . . .

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{how to : iphone photography & favourite apps}

. . . it has been said that the best camera is the one you have with you, and with all the running around these days, and always so many lovely things to capture while traipsing about, often the only camera on hand is my iphone, which have come to rely on more and more for so many things, but especially the camera; and since joining instagram some time ago, have been having the loveliest time sharing little glimpses here and there, of everyday life, and have been asked, time and again, about the photographs in my stream -- how to split images into frames, how to get that dreamy, romantic sparkle, and so on -- and so, thought it might be fun to share a few favourite apps along the way . . .

{p.s.} for those not using iphones & apps, you can view the photographs online with: instagrid // heroku // followgram


lyon in the rain // instagram with toaster filter





"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever . . . it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."

~ Aaron Siskind

above, instagram filters : early bird & toaster


T W E L V E F A V O U R I T E A P P S

. . . normally only use two or three apps other than instagram, but p prefers to play around with a broader range, and so, a few of our favourites:

1. accu camera : to steady shots
2. shake it : for polaroid-like effects
3. ps express : for cropping & rotating images
4. snapspeed : a powerful app for selective photo edits & filters
5. instagram : for filters & sharing
6. pro hdr : for combining two of the same images to extend the dynamic range
7. picfx : for filters & favourite {this is glamorous} bokeh effects
8. lens flare : for a large collection of amazing lens flare effects
9. pic frame : to split images into separate frames & create collages
10. toy slr : for creating focus & blur
11. picture show : fun exposures & mirror filters
12. dramatic black & white : for converting images to black & white and adding sharpness

chandelier // apps used: instagram with toaster filter, picframe & picfx




a few favourite things // intsagram with toaster filter


light effects of image on the right, created with picfx


door in geneva // apps used: instagram, picframe & picfx




the window seat of an airplane // instagram with early bird filter, no light effects, only the magical reflection of the sun's golden rays . . .
morning latte // apps used: instagram, picframe & picfx



self-portrait: vintage necklace & french dots //instagram with toaster filter



iOS 5 : new & updated features

1. press the up volume button to take a photo
2. access the camera from the lock screen by double tapping the home screen and touching the camera icon
3. when taking a picture, touch on the screen where you want the exposure and focus to be measured from
4. turn on the grid from the options tab, which can help with composition and to keep your image straight
5. use two fingers to pinch the screen to access the zoom feature

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. . . and may have missed a few -- would love to know the favourite apps you're currently using?

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{images: all iphone photography by roséline on instagram}