One Fine Spring Day

View of Hyde Park from inside Kensington Palace.

On a sunny day with clear blue skies in London last Spring,  we ventured towards my favourite Hyde Park to visit the newly renovated Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria and former home to the late Princess Diana and Princess Margaret. The Palace is still home to some other members of the Royal Family with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge about to move in this coming July.  It was a one fine day to stroll around Hyde Park, visit the palace, its colourful gardens and also have lunch at the Orangery Restaurant  near the Palace gardens. Visiting London in the Spring was truly magical.

Kensington Palace was purchased in 1689 by King William III (the statue above). King William III and his Queen Mary preferred to live at Kensington Palace instead at their official residence at Whitehall Palace near the Thames River. The King and Queen asked renowned English Architect Christopher Wren, who also built St. Paul's Cathedral, to renovate and expand the Palace. On 24 May 1819, Princess Victoria was born at Kensington Palace. Inside, we saw the Queen's rooms including the room where she was born.

Across Canada is our long weekend celebrating Queen Victoria Day. It is celebrated on the third Monday of May before May 24th in honour of the Queen. It is also considered the Sovereign's Official Birthday in Canada.

Another famous former resident at Kensington Palace was Princess Diana. On the left was a photo by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair Magazine. In the Palace, there was a display of Princess Diana's gowns and this wallpaper depicting  Princess Diana's life from her Engagement, her wedding, being a young mother  and her modern Princess life.

The late Princess Margaret, photographed by her former husband Lord Snowdon, was a former resident at Kensington Palace. The new residents will be the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, photo by Mario Testino, coincidentally will be occupying the late Princess Margaret's apartments in the Palace. Hopefully,  the Duke and Duchess will move in July together with their newborn baby.

The view from inside the Palace.

I'm fascinated by these lanterns topped with crowns.

The two photos above were not filtered photos.
These were original photos I photographed from inside the Palace.

The Kensington Palace Gardens in the Spring time.

A perfect harmony of different Spring flowers and colours.

That's me and my Aunt who lives in London. We had a delicious lunch inside the Orangery which was built by Queen Anne during the 18th Century in the Kensington Palace Gardens. It is a restaurant now offering delicious British food for lunch and their famous Afternoon Tea. We were lucky that there was no line up. After we were seated, there were many people that arrived which caused a long line up outside this beautiful building. After our visit there and a stroll in Hyde Park, my Aunt took me shopping at Regent Street to show me her favourite store, Ted Baker.

They say no Sovereign was more loved 
than I am. 
- Queen Victoria.


Canada will celebrate Queen Victoria Day with fireworks across the nation.

May you all have a lovely Spring Weekend!

The Iris Match

Iris flowers from our Garden. 

For many, many years, I have been searching and testing different perfumes.  When Prada launched their Infusion D'Iris perfume, I immediately tested it myself and finally found my perfect match in perfumes. In the beginning, I was attracted to the new Prada perfume because of its mint green colour and the packaging looked so simple and clean. The key ingredient in the Prada perfume is the Iris flower which has a powdery effect that is refreshing and not too heavy to wear. Spraying it on reminded me of the fresh smell of Baby Powder when we were children. It is a good thing too that the Iris is one of my favourite spring flowers. Now I know that the Iris based perfumes works well for me and does not cause any allergic reactions. This type of perfume from the Iris flower will be something I will use forever. 

Here are the four perfumes that can be used in any season and have similar characteristics of being powdery (Iris), woody (cedar), balmy,  floral(Iris, Jasmine and Rose) and citrus (mandarin, Orange and Orange blossom):

• Prada Infusion D' Iris - Introduced by Prada in 2007, this is my favourite together with the Chanel No. 19. Just like the Prada brand, it is modern and elegant but at the same time a very discreet scent. Not too overpowering.
• Chanel No. 19 -  Launched by Chanel in 1970 to commemorate Coco Chanel's birthday on August 19th.  I interchange using the Prada and the Chanel during the week. One thing I love about this perfume is that it stays longer during the day. No need to re-touch too much and still smell refreshingly good.
• Acqua Di Parma Iris Nobile -  Created in 2004 to celebrate the nobility and classic elegance of the Iris combined with the woody elements of cedar and fruity orange blossoms common in Italian gardens. I have tested this perfume only. It is also very fragrant and definitely an epitome of Italian elegance. 
• Frederic Malle Iris Poudre - This I would say is the Haute Couture of the Iris perfumes. Also the most expensive among the group. But this perfume definitely stands out. When I asked my mother to try it last weekend, during Mother's Day, she said it is different. The Nose for this perfume was Pierre Bourdon who was a French Diplomat turned Perfumer. The fragrance has tonka bean, vanilla, vetiver, musk, sandalwood and the Iris. I use this perfume for special occasions only especially on weekends. 

Have you found your perfect match in perfumes? How did you find it?
Which perfume is your perfect match? 

A Spring Florals Celebration

Spring is finally here in Toronto! To celebrate the arrival of Spring in the City, the Gardiner Museum had a special exhibit last weekend only from May 3 to 5 titled Spring Awakening: Gardiner In Bloom. The Top 10 Floral Designers in the City were invited to create their special floral creations inspired by the Ceramic Collections in the Museum. The Gardiner Museum is the only Museum in Canada dedicated to the exhibition of Ceramics from all over the World. They have ceramic collections there from the Aztec, England, European,  Ancient Chinese and Japanese among others. On a lovely, sunny and warm Saturday morning, we ventured over to the Museum to view these spectacular floral  installations alongside Ceramic Art objects from the Museum.  

1. Ball and Wedge by Bruno Duarte
Fresh Florals Creations

A ball of carnations inspired by the Art Balls on the main entrance of the Museum.

Inspiration is around us at all times, even in the simplest of ways. 
We just need to open ourselves to it.
- Bruno Duarte

2. Exotic orchids designed by Bella Jackson from Floral Fetish was inspired by the Aztec statues displayed in the Museum. 

3. Margaret Taylor and Sue Clarkson from the The Garden Club of Toronto were inspired by this ceramic object titled Septet 4. Their floral design used calla lillies, Carnations, orchids and Baby's Breath. 

4. This is a mother and daughter team: Phyllis Lill & Marilyn Lill  from the Lilium Floral Studio. 

Their Floral Creation was titled Temptation with Fruit & Flowers inspired by this Ceramic plate depicting Adam & Eve with the Temptation Tree. They used green apples, Yellow chrysanthemums and yellow roses to complete their creation. 

5. This piece was titled The Tree of Life by Michael Renaud from Horticultural Design Inc. He used exotic orchids here in purple which he formed into balls with the smiling Buddha in the middle.

Michael was inspired by the Oriental Jar with flower pom poms in purple, red and orange in this Floral creation.

6. Rosemary Little Jeffares of Quince Flowers called her floral creation Paper Cup Tower For a Spring Tea Party which was inspired by the colours  of the Meissen Tea and Coffee Service above.

7. Lidia Tacconelli from Fiori Floral Design called her Floral creation Optimism which was inspired by an English porcelain vase with yellow, white, brown and gold colours depicting a Pastoral scene.

 The wonderful yellows reflect the yellows that are prominent in the English Gardens during spring. 
Yellow being a symbol of enlightenment, happiness and promise of a positive future. 
- Lidia Tacconelli

8. Bert Browne from EarthWork Floral Design created these Floral Arrangements located in the Rotunda surrounded by the display of Harlequin ceramic statues.

The Harlequin ceramic statue circa 1770-1780 was created by William Duesbury. Bert was inspired by the colourful costume of the Harlequin and its comedic pose to create these Floral Arrangements.

9. Lastly, Joseph Delarge of Ecostems, proudly calls itself Toronto's only environmentally and socially sustainable Flower Shop created this floral masterpiece. This piece was inspired by the White Ceramic nest (above) created by Cheryl Ann Thomas.  As you can see from the photo above, the nest was filled with hydrangeas and freesias.
 
Joseph's Flower Shop sell all of these flowers and floral arrangements grown locally and organically from Toronto. In this piece, he used hydrangeas, freesias, orchids, branches, dead wood, barks and vines. Only when broken apart that we see its true beauty.

Joseph Delarge described this piece and Spring in Toronto the best:
Gatherings of spring flowers that represent the colourful eggs of spring 
that can be found in the nests of wild birds all over Toronto this time of year.

Thank you for joining me on this Floral Spring Tour in our City of Toronto.

Here in North America, we are celebrating Mother's Day this weekend!


Happy Mother's Day to all the dearest Mums! 

Nature's Wonders

I was preparing for dinner the other night when I caught a quick glimpse through our kitchen's windows overlooking our garden a delightful surprise of our tulips finally blooming. In my excitement, I immediately ran to grab my camera to take some photos. This for me is the perfect time to capture the blooming of our tulips. This is the stage that they are preparing to show us their beauty into full flowers. The anticipation of our flowers blooming is one of the joys of Spring.

During this Spring time, the season for renewal, I have reflected on some things about nature:  

• Patience pays off. Let nature take its own course. We will eventually be rewarded with our blooming flowers.
• Change is constant and good. We experience changing Seasons, changing colours, growth and expansion.
• We do not have to venture too far to find Beauty. Only if we will look for it and find it right in front of us, exactly where we are. 

• Find beauty in the imperfections. There is one tulip in these photos that is out of line. I tried to fix it but it won't let me. So I just left it instead of breaking it apart. It is where it wants it to be. Just let it be.
• Lastly, let nature surprise us in its own way! I am excited now on what else will bloom in our garden next. 

May everyone have a wonderful week! 

Enchanting Gardens of La Alhambra

Let us enter the enchanting gardens of the La Alhambra full of arabesque influences from the former Muslim Rulers of Southern Spain. Located on top of a mountain overlooking the City of Granada, the Muslim Emirs in Spain built it as a fortress in 889 then converted to a Royal Palace in the 1300s. La Alhambra is a testament to Islamic genius in Architecture, design, gardening and engineering during the Moorish era in Spain. It is now preserved for everyone to discover and appreciate. It is designated as a  UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although we visited last October during the Fall, the gardens are timeless as you will discover in our mini-tour here.

We discovered nooks with splendid views of pools and of Andalusian buildings with Islamic influences. 

Moorish poets described La Alhambra as  a pearl set in emeralds for all of the white buildings and green woods around it.
Everywhere was just so lush, refreshing and so full of different colours from the flowers and plants. 

Whilst wandering around, we heard cascading water from the fountains.
The water from the fountains sparkles under the sun.

Just wander around, don't be afraid to get lost and you will discover wonderful gardens and great views of Granada. 

 The Moors planted Orange trees, roses and myrtles.
The Duke of Wellington donated English Elm trees in 1812 planted all around the palace complex creating a dense wood park.  

Islamic influences are carved all around the walls and ceilings of the Palaces.
Look into any door and window, there is always a surrounding view of the White buildings of Granada. 

The huge hanging tree on the left side has a tale about it. In the story, one of the reigning Sultan's wife was caught with her lover in this part of the palace gardens. They kept this tree branch because it was the only witness to the lovers' rendezvous in the garden. 

A perfect design of a typical Andalusian Building painted in White with arched balconies and a water garden completing the whole scene.

Don't you think this is a perfect symmetry of design?
With the green hedges on each side, the emerald pool in the middle reflecting the Islamic Building around it. 

The Court of the Lions Fountain distributing water on all four corners of the Palace that helps to cool down the around the palace. 

The Rose Garden with the view of white buildings of Granada, the clear blue skies and Andalusia.

Everywhere in the La Alhambra was so fragrant and refreshing.
It's a place full of beauty.
With the mixture of all the elements of Islamic design, Spanish influence, cascading water fountains
and lush gardens all around it.
Truly enchanting in every way.

I wish you all a sparkling weekend with lots of sunshine!