{and finally, the night before . . .}

. . . a bright and chilly afternoon, perfect for lattes and crackling fires, and things are nearly ready and carryalls packed for the countryside for a few days, but first, a quick hello to wish you a very happy night before -- hope you're somewhere cosy and surrounded by laughter and love . . .

{p.s.} holiday wishes & links to follow, and so, à bientôt / see you soon x

{images: interior design by sharon mimran via flourish design & style via encore! life // the inspiration board // photography by lorena arance, via a previous article}

{take me away № 11 | travel by train}

Imagine the anticipation of stepping on board a grand and majestic train, all aglow, as the brisk winter’s evening has just fallen.



Inside, passengers settle in for the evening, enjoying perfect touches of comfort and luxury, echoing that of a romantic, bygone era.



And as steam trails behind and the new journey commences, the heart flutters momentarily and one is not sure what to expect, but one thing is for certain, guests are abound to endless wondrous destinations, with discoveries and sights to take in at nearly every moment along the way.



Today we explore a wonderful selection of world-renowned trains and journeys, from all different points of the world.



And so, we invite to you warm a delicious cup of drinking chocolate, and please join us on an incredible railway adventure . . .

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{at the office : perfectly tailored}

. . . despite all the holiday daydreaming, making it sometimes a little difficult to get things done, and between the festive plans and mid-week brunch dates, there are still a million and one things do, and so, a glittery manicure and a bite of a cupcake wrapped in gold, and it's out the door, perfectly tailored in elegant cashmere and leather accents, and of course, an always chic, yet practical doctor's bag in one hand, and a coffee in the other . . .



{images: one // two // three // four // five via & six, céline fall 2011 rtw // seaofbirds}

{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

......................................................................................................

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

......................................................................................................

{images: all iphone photography by roséline on instagram}

{take me away № 05 | the travel file}

Perhaps the single most important of details before you depart for your trip, [besides your packing list!, of course], is taking care of the things you treasure most of all: your home and the loved ones in it, and the details of your life.



Many travel for business and/or vacation without giving much thought to possibility that something might happen to them while away, and though it is never favorable to think upon, it is important to take extra measures to ensure everything is in order, and so, today’s {take me away} column discusses some of the important details one must take care of beforehand, as well as a few other important things to take along on the voyage . . .



T H E · T R A V E L · I N F O R M A T I O N · L I S T

Each destination [as there could be multiple destinations planned for one trip] would have its own set of details [repeated for each destination] that should include the following information:

destination: be specific, i.e. London, UK

method of travel: car rental company & contact information, train or flight details, airline and contact information, etc.

destination accommodations: where you are staying, be it as a guest with family or friends, hotel, rental home, etc. along with name and address, website and/or telephone number



departure date: when you expect to arrive at the given destination
date of return: day, month, year

method of travel: which flight, with details; or car, train, etc. with details, if different from above

expected arrival time: by estimation [vital to include]



It is important to leave your emergency contact information with whomever is staying at your home while you are away -- be it a neighbor, family member, or a trusted friend. Feel free to use this list as a starting point for your own. You may wish to customize some of the notations, especially if you have numerous pets, children at home, and/or additional people living within your home.


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{style inspiration: boyish charm}

. . . yesterday, late-monday afternoon, a dress and boots and camel coat, we, [p & i] took a little time out to take in an art fair, and on the way out the door, noticed his attire, dashing as ever in a chambray shirt and grey tweed blazer, and tan leather brogues, and thought again about perfect juxtapositions -- old & new and rustic & refined, modern & traditional, and city & country -- and so, to this unabashedly romantic and feminine place, shall add a little mix of boyish charm, just for p. . . .









































{images: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten // eleven // twelve // thirteen // fourteen // fifteen // sixteen // seventeen // eighteen // nineteen // twenty // twenty-one}