Images- White Collar

(Garance Dore)

Images- Color Blaze

(Vogue.com)

Music- 'A New Beginning' SoundCloud

A New Beginning by daliric

Images- Men and Gelato

Italian men have this unbelievable ability to be macho and have time for some GELATO

yumm...

With Love,

Minou

Fashion- Unique Sunglasses

I strongly believe that the eyes are the windows to one's soul... but on occasions like the summertime a pair of sunglasses is what stands between one's soul and strong summer rays.

Sunglasses, like a hat are can be use as a reflection of one's personality. I often like to research unique pieces that are more than a mere purchase, but whose production and creator are has creative and interesting as the final product.

One of the  interesting shops I have discovered is Silver Lining, where you won’t see current designer frames, at least since Luxottica bought them. Sure, you’ll find vintage Persols back from when they were independently held (including some original folding frames from the Arabic market designed by Ratti, who was to Persol what Pininfarina was to Ferrari), and the Ray-Bans you’ll find were made in upstate New York by Bausch & Lomb. Silver and Sacher source the vintage finds from former distributors, every piece you’ll find in the store are completely unworn, a rarity in the vintage eyeglass game.

Sitting next to the cases of vintage glasses are dozens of modern pieces from brands like RBS, BI strongly believe that the eyes are the windows to one's soul... but on occasions like the summertime a pair of sunglasses is what stands between one's soul and strong summer rays.

Sunglasses, like a hat are can be use as a reflection of one's personality. I often like to research unique pieces that are more than a mere purchase, but whose production and creator are has creative and interesting as the final product.

One of the  interesting shops I have discovered is Silver Lining, where you won’t see current designer frames, at least since Luxottica bought them. Sure, you’ll find vintage Persols back from when they were independently held (including some original folding frames from the Arabic market designed by Ratti, who was to Persol what Pininfarina was to Ferrari), and the Ray-Bans you’ll find were made in upstate New York by Bausch & Lomb. Silver and Sacher source the vintage finds from former distributors, every piece you’ll find in the store are completely unworn, a rarity in the vintage eyeglass game.

Sitting next to the cases of vintage glasses are dozens of modern pieces from brands like RBS, Barton Perreira and VUE DC, all of which are completely independent from Luxottica and manufactured without any licensing at all. Silver and Sacher have also launched their own line of independently crafted frames inspired by some of the classics, that all are handmade in Germany.

Owners Jordan Silver and Erik Sacher

Other independent sunglasses producer include SUPER,  By RetroSuperFuture®, Ignited The Phenomenon Of Acetate Sunglasses. They Are Made In Multiple Color Graduations, Which Has Generated A Big Trend Starting In 2007. Super  Is On Of The 1Rst Brand To Produce A Complete Range Of Colorful Fashion Sunglasses Combining These Characteristics Together With A Very High Quality Manufacturing Process. Super Sunglasses Are Made To The Highest Possible Standards, Hand Made In Italy By The Best Manufacturers And With The Best Materials. For This Reason, Super Also Decided To Adopt Zeiss Lenses, Which Guarantee An Extremely High Level Of Protection To The Eyes In All Conditions.arton Perreira and VUE DC, all of which are completely independent from Luxottica and manufactured without any licensing at all. Silver and Sacher have also launched their own line of independently crafted frames inspired by some of the classics, that all are handmade in Germany.

Other independent sunglasses producer include SUPER,  By RetroSuperFuture® has ignited a revolution for quality acetate sunglasses. Daniel and Simon Beckerman are the creators of SUPER and are also publishers of PIG Magazine and PIG Radio based in Italy. The business strategy, if there was one, became to give people something that was the best quality product at the most reasonable price.Their multiple color graduations has generated a big trend starting In 2007.  SUPER sunglasses are handmade in Italy by high standard manufacturers and produced with high standard materials. For this reason, SUPER also decided to adopt Zeiss Lenses, which guarantee an extremely high level of protection to the eyes in all condition.



Offcially launched in spring 2007, SUPER is today currently distributed in over 350 SHOPS worldwide. You can find them in some of the most infuential trend leaders STORES such as Colette in Paris, Barneys New York, 10 Corso Como in Milan, Bodega in Boston, Fred Segal in Los Angeles, Steven Alan, Paris Texas in Denmark, Caliroots in Sweden and many others.

For more information about Silver Lining Optician go to- http://silverliningopticians.com/
Address: 92 Thompson Street New York, NY 10012

Super Sunglasses

For more information visit- http://store.retrosuperfuture.com/

Enjoy the Summer and keep these BEAUTIFUL gates to your SOUL protected!

With Love,

Minou

Music- 'Gravity' Sara Bareilles

Images- Bold New Men Accessories

Pointed toes- (Tommy Ton)

Color to a Classic Watch- (Tommy Ton)

Patterned Comfort- (Tommy Ton)

Hazy Outlook- (Tommy Ton)

Beaded Loafers

A Leg Up- (Tommy Ton)

Music- 'Call Your Girlfriend' Robyn

Images- Plaid Mix

(Hanneli)

Images- Side Sweep

(Hanneli)

Images- Beige and Blues

(Hanneli)

Journal- Simply "Happy"

I am Happy
SIMPLY HAPPY
My heart does not thug for the yearning of another life than the one I have
My mind does not waltz in the MEMORY of another day
But my WHOLE spirit, mind and body
is PRESENT and rejoices in
Being Happy, SIMPLY HAPPY

With Love,

Minou

Images- Glasses

(The Sartorialist)

Images- Afrocool

(Hanneli)

Images- Wrinkled Summer Blazer

(The Sartorialist)

Journal- Flickering Lights

I lay down on the bed
Waiting and anticipating your arrival
The candle light FLICKERING at the corner of my eye
Sweet delicious smell
I can already TASTE you
Feel the smoothness of your skin TICKLE my fantasies
I watch as the doorknob WABBLES and turns
Each TWIST leaves shivers down my SPINE
The door opens slightly
and the FLICKERING LIGHTS of the night enters the bedroom
I see your FRAME waltz through the door
And my heart SINKS
"I'M IN LOVE"

With Love,

Minou

Music- 'Crave You' Flight Facilities ft. Giselle

Let the Summer Lovin' Begin!

With Love,

Minou

Images- My Summer Style

Shirt Dress- (The Sartorialist)

Ripped Jeans, Stilettos, and a T- (The Sartorialist)

Flowing Dress-(The Sartorialist)

Scarf and RED- (The Sartorialist)

Journal- Blog Finder

Salute to my fellow bloggers,

I recently stumbled on a new blog, that is quickly becoming one of my favorite go to websites.

When it comes to fashion, my style is very ECLECTIC; I dress depending on how I feel and what makes me comfortable. I also enjoy incorporating vintage pieces into my wardrobe whether clothing or accessories. However, for all vintage hunters, it is not always easy to have great finds.

Nevertheless, I have recently discovered the TUULA BLOG by Jessica May Stein, whose personal style is a true INSPIRATION and one I can relate to.

The following are some images of some of my favorite pictures of her style:

Her eye for vintage pieces and custom jewelry is impeccable.

Thank you for sharing and keep up the amazing work.

Hope you all find inspiration as well!

With Love,

Minou

Food- Homemade Pizza

Summer weather often brings new adventures, and there is nothing I enjoy more than trying new recipes to bring friends together for great food, company and drinks.

I recently came across a great idea on Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle website, GOOP. The recent newsletter on how to make homemade pizzas and having a wood burning oven installed at home, felt like an ideal summer plan.

I will stick with just the recipe for now until I have my own backyard to install the oven, but I thought it was a great idea to share with everyone.

The following is the link to the newsletter:

http://goop.com/newsletter/132/en/

Enjoy and share with those you love!

With Love,

Minou

Images- Red Boots

(The Sartorialist)

Images- Ethereal

(The Sartorialist)

Images- Lucky Stripes

(The Sartorialist)

Lifestyle- Unconventional Workout

To each their own, but going to the gym is not on the top of my list of favorite things to do. When I do make the effort to go exercise, I feel that I am wasting time using the machines incorrectly, have a short attention span with the routines offered in group classes, and notice that most gym class instructors could care less if I can keep up with them or use the equipment properly. I often find myself more frustrated leaving the gym than when I came in.

I have had more success staying in shape leading an active lifestyle, then needing pearls of sweat as proof that I am making an healthy effort and choices in my life. The gym and eating right go hand and hand, but for me they are not the only things to focus on, people need spiritual, conscious, physical balance and harmony... aka a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. The focus needs to be on all aspects and activities in one's LIFE.

So for me, I went through many trials and errors to find the right workout FOR ME and MY BODY. I was a ballerina for most of my youth and early teens. When I stopped, my body completely transformed and it took me a while to regain the same figure and balance; there were not many options at the time that offered a COMPLETE body work out that elongated the muscles like ballet does.

That is until recently, as the different forms of yoga and pilates continue to EVOLVE, there are many new studios offering INNOVATIVE excercises that incorporate the different principles of the former two with ballet, that simply leave students with the ability to DEFY their own capabilities and at times gravity, but also a new BODY & MIND CONSCIOUSNESS.

These are some of my favorite new studios and alternative work out programs:

THE BARI STUDIO

The workouts at The Bari Studio include a mix of barre work, suspension bands, small weights, and intensive abdominal work that has already inspired a following in Tribeca. The studio was founded by Alexandra Perez,  who took exercise classes across the globe, including Lotte Berke in London, resistance band classes in Holland, and ballet barre workouts in New York. The 25-year-old Venezuela native was inspired to establish her own fitness facility when she could not find a good workout that combined cardio, weight training, and yoga. So she opened the doors to her two-story, 3,000-square-foot space, Bari Studio, on Leonard Street in New York last month.

The philosophy behind the studio is, while the body is important, they hope to build more than just a fitness studio, but create a space that benefits the community and encourages total WELL-BEING. The space includes an in-house nutritionists, two large classrooms with exposed brick walls, lockers made from recycled wood, walls are adorned with a collection of work from local artists, a kitchen with fermented kombucha and fresh Joulebody Kickstart Cleanse juices, and an indoor Zen garden. Students can have a shot of concentrated green tea before class, and fill up their steel Bari Method bottles with filtered or lemon water. There are classes for mothers with children, and a map hangs on the wall that features local spots to find healthy food in the neighborhood.

Classes start at $35

For more information please visit their website at- http://www.thebaristudio.com/

BALLET BEAUTIFUL

Learn the techniques that earned Natalie Portman the best actress Oscar, in this online class taught by her Black Swan ballet trainer. Mary Helen Bowers, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet, is revolutionizing the fitness industry by making a ballerina body accessible to everyone. The Ballet Beautiful workout is grounded in the rigorous principles of professional ballet training, but modified to provide non-dancers with the techniques to quickly build and maintain the beauty, grace and strength of a ballet dancer's impeccable form. Ballet Beautiful is offered live, online in real time, from anywhere in the world.

Founder Mary Helen Bowers

A Studio will be open in Soho, NY soon.


Classes start at $30


For more information go to their website at- http://www.balletbeautiful.com/

However, you choose to work out and be physically active, remember to listen to your body and do what's best for you; create a lifestyle that brings you balance and most of all, JOY. Sports, eating and resting should be something you enjoy and look forward to.

A LA VIE!

Notes:

What type of exercise do you enjoy?

With Love,

Minou

Music- 'Lights On' Katy B ft. Ms. Dynamite

Summer Joy,

With Love,

Minou