Christmas Flowers France Items For French Christmas

France believes that the center of the universe of refinement, charm and distinction, and is often associated with specialties such as wine and chocolate. It is almost always thought that instead of romance, and some of these ideas can help you find the perfect gift for christmas flowers delivery france

French to please everyone on your list.

A little different spin on the idea of ​​a gift basket can start with a nice dish of olive wood, a hardwood prized for fine-grain cabinetry and furniture. Olive leaf has been considered a symbol of peace, and what better time of year to wish for world peace.Inside the small container that you can put all the memories that were found to symbolize France.

He says it's for chocolate lovers, and addition and delicious assortment of chocolates in France would be the perfect symbol for their loved ones. The French are known for their strict adherence to perfection in the kitchen, and his specialty is 100% pure chocolate cocoa.

With chocolate, you can add a bottle of Chanel perfume or famous men of Cologne. France is known for capturing the essence of the fragrant flowers of nature and the presentation to allow a person to feel rich beyond their dreams. The French have a particular understanding of fine fragrance and other gifts such as bath soap, bath additives, bath robes and even that will delight anyone on your list.

A nice little world of snow inside the Eiffel Tower could provide years of nostalgic dreams of vacation in Paris, and if you hide a pair of return tickets on the plate of your holiday gift problem may be more that giving a gift, which could provide a memory that will never end.

Maybe christmas flowers france blog is to give a gift of jewelry. Limoges boxes made in Limoges, France, and signed or initialed by the French artist, could have a special surprise inside secret place. A gift that says "I love you" in a jewelry box that can be transmitted to future generations.

To end it all until the French wrapping paper, memory book and a pretty bow on top of a French gift bag French. All you can think of France and its marvelous architecture, music, art and places related to peace and style can be found in a gift bag to hide within its container wonderful gift of christmas flowers france French.

Boutique offers a beautiful range of accessories for the life of the French Provence, French ceramic gifts, French and accessories would be really wonderful room that unique Christmas gift.

Joyous music fills hearts with sounds of the season - Christmas Flowers France

Christmas isn't Christmas without music to enrich the holiday proceedings. The questionis, which new CDs to buy? christmas flowers france recordings abound, and each offers a different style, medium or artist.

Thankfully, you can't go wrong with the three CDs that landed on my desk this year. Each will serve as pleasant background fare, and each will satisfy the most attentive listener.

The survey begins with pianist Jeffrey Biegel performing eclectic selections on "A Steinway christmas flowers france blogs Album: Piano Music for the Season." The recording is one of the first to be released on the Steinway & Sons record label, which was started last year. Steinway, the noted maker of pianos, envisions releasing four recordings a year that showcase Steinway artists, according to an online news release.

The venture is off to an auspicious start. In "A Steinway Christmas," Biegel applies a classical musician's sensibility and technical standards to one familiar tune after another.

He makes easy work of Andrew Gentile's dense and technically daunting arrangement of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," making a seemingly simple tune anything but. We hear what program notes describe as "swirls of flurries" and "a mighty shaking-off of snowflakes." Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is transformed into a grand vehicle able to embrace wholly new material.

In the middle of "A Steinway Christmas," attractive solo-piano arrangements of several "Nutcracker" selections are heard. Biegel imparts them with rhythmic vibrancy and precision. The "Russian Dance" is marked by infectious sparkle.

Biegel shows many sides of a multifaceted talent. He jazzes things up nicely in "Christmas is A-Comin'." He plays traditional carols in a way that speaks directly to the heart. And in his attractive arrangement of Ann Hampton Callaway's "Christmas Lullaby," he ornaments the melodic line in intriguing ways.

* * * * *

As you may know, Paul Anka headlined a Christmas concert this month, introducing material from "Songs of December" (Universal Music Decca).

I've enjoyed becoming better acquainted with this recording, which shows the famed singer-songwriter at the top of his game, reveling in introspection and contentment. If Anka's artistry sometimes recalls that of the late Frank Sinatra, this amounts to the highest compliment you can pay a singer of popular music. Each line is phrased with class, and each word rings out with pristine clarity. The orchestral arrangements glow with an attractive subtlety.

Some highlights: "Let It Snow" becomes a vivid ballad in which the warmth and coziness of sitting with a loved one by the fire becomes the perfect antidote to a frightfully cold and stormy night. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" swings along in easy-going fashion, punctuated by slidelike piano.

And "Silent Night," despite its nonsilent beginning, brings the recording to a satisfying close. During Anka's rendition, the familiar tune transitions occasionally into "A Cradle In Bethlehem," giving it a welcome new dimension.

* * * * *

For those who like music arranged for vocal ensemble, the nine virtuoso male singers on "Christmas with Cantus" (Cantus Recordings) deliver an international feast for the ears. This begins in England ("Nowell! Nowell! This is the Salutation") and ends firmly in the United States.

Along the way, there are stops in such places as Slovenia, Russia and France. Throughout it all, the Cantus singers demonstrate a daunting command of styles and languages. Invariably, their singing is marked by impeccable intonation and the finest musical instincts.

Although Cantus is known for singing without accompaniment, percussion instruments establish a subtle-yet-effective presence in several selections on "Christmas." For example, bells ring softly through Vladimir Morosan's stirring arrangement of Sergei Rachmaninov's "Priidite Poklonimsya" and through "Carol of the Bells." Drums enliven "Pat-A-Drummer" in a way that makes the music sound surprisingly African in character.

The last of the album's 16 tracks is Michael Engelhardt's arrangement of the spiritual "Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow!" The tight harmonies, spiced up with the snapping of fingers, provide a swinging foundation for the soaring solo of Aaron Humble. I adored every note.

ABTA reveals numbers for the great festive getaway - Christmas Flowers france

ABTA - The Travel Association estimates that 4.25 million Britons will be heading overseas this Christmas and New Year period [16 December – 3 January], compared to just under 4 million twelve months ago, with the peak travel days predicted to be 22 and 23 December.

Christmas and New Year is traditionally one of the peak getaway periods, this year sees an increase in the number of people looking to get away to relax and have fun with loved ones.

Many are looking for a traditional white christmas flowers france experience and despite a dry start to the season, much welcome snow has begun to fall in Europe. Ski resorts in France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy have all sold well with the week around the New Year traditionally the busiest of the season. Many lucky children are having the ultimate early Christmas present, a trip to Lapland to see Father Christmas and the Northern Lights, which are predicted to be especially active this winter due to increased solar activity.

For many however, sun is the priority, and travel companies are reporting they will be heading to destinations such as the Canary Islands, Cuba the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Other lucky travellers will be flying south to Australia and New Zealand for christmas flowers france blogs  and New Year on the beach.

Others will also be enjoying the beautiful wintery UK scenes staying in country hotels and cottages.

CONTINUES BELOW

Popular for New Year’s Eve breaks are the cities of Paris, Reykjavik, Rome, Dublin and New York.

Millions of people will be leaving the country through the major airports, which include Heathrow where 1.7 million will be leaving, Stansted 425,000, Gatwick 750,000, Luton 210,000 and Glasgow 120,000. In addition 340,000 will leave from Manchester, 165,000 from Birmingham and 120,000 from Glasgow.

In addition many hundreds of thousands will travel across the English Channel by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel.

Mark Tanzer ABTA Chief Executive said: “Christmas and the New Year are amongst the busiest times of the year for the travel industry and I am delighted that millions of our customers are taking advantage of time off. With all the doom and gloom of the economy it looks like people are keen to escape for a break, whether they are visiting friends and family or looking to enjoy winter sun or guaranteed snow.”

Cattle Call: This week in quirky aviation news: stolen first class items, airline Christmas videos -

Tis the season to be jolly and buy expensive bottles of wine, or at least that is the message from French airport operator Aeroports de Paris (AdP). A shopper "from the far east" spent EUR50,000 on six bottles of wine: a bottle of Romanee Conti 1995, a Chateau Margaux 2003, two bottles of Chateau Lafitte 1982 and two bottles of Petrus 1980. AdP said passengers annually purchase one million bottles of wine and 400,000 bottles of champagne, but high quality wine "sold better at the end of the year".

Paris was also host to some unconventional sales. A 28-year-old photographer based in Canada reportedly made over EUR10,000 selling on the internet items from Air France's first class cabins, including napkins, plates and blankets. Authorities apprehended him in Reunion after a tip from Air France, and discovered more pilfered goods in his luggage. Investigators are now looking into whether this man was "part of a larger ring". Virgin Atlantic has supported in-flight looting by stamping the bottom of its airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers with the statement "Pinched from Virgin Atlantic".

christmas flowers france blogs You might soon notice something else missing from your flight: Alec Baldwin. Following an incident earlier this month in which Mr Baldwin was removed from an American Airlines (AA) flight, the US Association of Professional Flight Attendants has called for Mr Baldwin to not only be banned from flying AA but that the carrier should also remove Baldwin's TV show 30 Rock from their in-flight entertainment (IFE) lineup.

But do not fear, IFE fans, because airBaltic starting 16-Dec-2011 will sell Mini Coopers on board its flights, giving the Latvian carrier bragging rights as the world's first – and so far only – carrier to do so. The Mini Coopers feature a custom paint job resembling the airline's livery.

Source: airBaltic

This is not the first odd sale for airBaltic. Earlier this year the carrier ran an advertising campaign featuring various shoe styles (high heels, work shoes and beach footwear) sporting the airline's livery. After receiving enough inquiries about if the shoes could be bought, the carrier decided to manufacture one design, below. You can see the rest of the designs here.

Source: airBaltic

Should you happen to buy the shoes (EUR55) or a Mini Cooper (EUR24,699) as a gift and need them wrapped, head over to Virgin Atlantic boarding gates at London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports where "Virgin airport elves" will wrap presents this month in exchange for a charity donation.

For a present that is really out of this world, consider sending a loved one's ashes into space. Best of all, it may be tax deductible in the US state of Virginia, where a pending bill would provide USD8000 in tax credits for ashes sent into space (outside of Earth or in lunar orbit), but only if the ashes lift off from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island in Virginia. The pending bill aims to help foster a commercial space industry in Virginia. If passed, the tax break will be available to Virginia residents between 2013 and 2021, so plan your death accordingly.

One person who missed out on the space ash offer is Rico, Air New Zealand's affable, if foul-mouthed, sloth-like-thing that was "killed" earlier this month. Out of the death Air New Zealand made an online game where Rico fans could try to solve his murder. The culprit was revealed this week as Richard Simmons. Rico, apparently, managed to do 55 more jumping jacks than the "Fit to Fly" safety video star. Good thing Air New Zealand recently auctioned off Simmons' Swarvorski diamond-studded singlet – Simmons will not need that in the slammer.

Speaking of Air New Zealand, we are still a fan of their IT department's holiday video from last year in which office lights are synchronised to Carol of the Bells, but startup carrier Scoot is starting the festive airline video season with an unusual submission showing management heads popping out of an aircraft window and bobbing along to Deck the Halls. It has a novelty factor – or perhaps what they call "Scootitude".

These videos may be fun and games for the airlines, but Santa Clause is taking no risk to when it comes to his multitude of flights on christmas flowers france Eve. He recently visited Airservices Australia's Melbourne air traffic management complex to ensure everything was in order for his flights.

Air Zimbabwe is also ensuring everything is in order, but is doing so by cancelling flights. The carrier has suspended services to Johannesburg because the creditor of its Boeing 737-200, Bid Air Services, announced plans to seize the aircraft at their next opportunity due to a USD500,000 debt from Air Zimbabwe. The aircraft, The Independent reports, was "nearly" impounded at Johannesburg last week. Perhaps Air Zimbabwe could pop over to Reunion and ask the detained photographer for tips on selling first class goods on the internet.

Your weekly guide to Houston: Spanish carols, a French icon and a winter (solstice) wonderland - Christmas Flowers France

If there's such a thing as too much talent, it would resemble the Glassell School of Art studio sale over the weekend. Think of wall after wall filled with paintings, prints, mixed media and photographs crafted by accomplished students, flanking tables of sculpture, pottery, jewlery and more art.

Picking pieces wasn't easy — blame that on the overwhelming task of poring through each work of art.

The Thursday night preview opened the doors to Art Crowd members, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's young professionals group. On Friday and Saturday, it was a buzzing free-for-all, as the annual sale was moved to holiday time rather than end of spring as it has been in previous years.

And that was a very good idea.

One could find the same lively energy at Momentum Audi as Sideline Soiree co-chairs Michael Coppens and Kimberly Rawson, alongside Kimberli Bowman, hosted the 2011 Bowl Selections Soiree as a kick-off to the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas set for Dec. 31.

Getting sporty in the crowd were Paul Pettie, Heather Pray, Melissa Seuffert and Kevin Gilbert, Tyson Dunn, Sidney Short, Beth and Carole McGarry, football coach Max Bowman and his wife Beverly and Courtney Pemberton.

A festive and feel-good scene it was, heightened by nibbles courtesy of Don Carlos, Haven, Palazzo's, Pink's Pizza, Sushi King and Nothing Bundt Cakesby and knowing the beneficiary was DePelchin Children's Center thanks to the Sideline Soiree Committee and the American Cancer Society's Victory Gentlemen's Committee.

As a first timer to Lights in the Heights, I can best describe the experience as shock and awe. Hard to tell whether this was an all-out frat party or a holiday street fest, perhaps a little bit of both. Family-friendly at first, filled with genteel strolling, street carolers and costumed pooches, morphing into a risqué after-dark bacchanal.

At least that was the ambiance at Bill Shirley's house, where the afterparty has been an institution for a couple of decades. For admission, a quirky hat was required. Rumor has it that garage band Bubba Coltrane and the Trainwrecks came down from Austin and jammed for a bottle of Jägermeister and perhaps a shot of two from the ice luge.

There, we spotted James Phelan, James Glassman, Karl Lin, Brian Block, Brey Tucker and Chris Boyd amidst Santas on roller skates.

What's on tap for next week? Read on.

CultureMap's Mixers on the Map with Young Texans Againts Cancer (YTAC) and Young Professionals in Energy (YPE) at BlackFinn American Grille

If you haven't yet attended a CultureMap Mixers on the Map, I'd encourage you to check out this double-feature social. These series of happy hours highlight young professional groups, the movers and shakers that support an organization or a cause. This time around, both Young Texans Against Cancer and Young Professionals in Energy join hands to toast the season. Usually on the third Tuesday of the month, the December gathering is on Thursday at 7 p.m.

In the spirit of good doing, monetary donations for Adopt a Family with Candlelighters for christmas flowers france will be accepted. The initiative helps families of children diagnosed with cancer or those who recently lost a child to cancer during challenging times.

Premiere Screening of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

It was after MFAH's film schedule went to print that Gainsbourg: Vie héroïque became available for the premiere Houston screening. Winning Best Actor and Best First Film at the 2011 Cesar Awards and Best Actor at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, it was the vision of comic-book artist cum-director Joann Sfar, alongside actor Eric Elmosnino as French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, that gives the film its pseudo-surrealist spunk.

The film tackles the legendary musician, from his early days in Nazi-occupied Paris, his rise as a jazz musician to reaching super stardom, with a soundtrack including many of his most beloved tunes.

On Friday, the screening will also include the short film Gainsbourg: Exterior Night (Gainsbourg: Extérieur Nuit) directed by Patrice Vanoni, cultural attaché at the Consulate General of France in Houston, who will be in attendance, followed by a reception in the galleries. Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life also shows on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Houston Grand Opera Studio Recital at Rienzi

The lovely, tucked-away former home of Caroll and Harris Masterson — now the home of MFAH's European decorative arts collection — is the backdrop for Houston Grand Opera Studio recitals, an opportunity to get to know rising stars in the opera scene. Think of Rienzi's exquisite parquet floors, delicate porcelain, delicious period architecture and breathtaking art surrounding you while you enjoy the music of Liszt, Duparc, Marx and Tosti in an ode to the free spirit of the gypsies, passionate love and the mystery of the night.

The studio has produced such stars as Albina Shagimuratova, Joyce DiDonato and Scott Hendricks, so opera's next diva just might emerge from the program. Post-concert guests can indulge in a wine and sweets reception in the main gathering areas. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Winter Solstice Wine and Cheese Night Hike christmas flowers france blogs

With the hectic nature of the gift-giving season, a night off to regain sanity is sometimes in order. There's no better place to do so than in Houston's urban wilderness. In the heart of the city you'll find the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, a 155-acre nature sanctuary that makes anyone who walks its trails forget that you are in the midst of inner loop action.

At the Winter Solstice Wine and Cheese Night Hike on Saturday, nature lovers will head to the meadow deck, which borders the pond. After warming up with a little cheese and wine, Tai Chi instructor Dale Napier will discuss cultural traditions celebrating the solstice. He might also let you try a hand at ritualistic Tai Chi movements appropriate for the time of year.

Foundation for Modern Music An Afternoon of Spanish and Latin Carols and Dance at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Who says Christmas has to be so holy, so well behaved? Why not infuse a little rhythm and dance action in the celebration? At Foundation for Modern Music's first presentation at MFAH, the music presenter partners with Flamárt — a fiery performance troupe that spotlights European and African influences on Latin American and Spanish musical genres — to put a little skip on that Christmas step.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., "Navidad Latina" mingles all things saucy and high energy found in the musics and dances of Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean with performers Solero Flamenco (cante y toque), percussionist Jorge "Cro-Cro" Orta and baritone Raúl Orlando Edwards, among others.

Houston explorer and CultureMap's adorably awesome Whitney Radley's pick: Discovery Green Flea

Whitney says: "Another year, another holiday shopping procrastination. I hope to prevent impending panic by picking up one-of-a-kind treasures and locally-crafted goods for my loved ones at the Discovery Green Flea on Saturday afternoon."

Arts smarty pants and beer lovin' lovable Dancehunter Nancy Wozny's pick: Beyond Useful & Beautiful: Rethinking Domestic Craft and Soundforge at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Nancy says: "Usually, I'm the last person to be handed a hammer, but the wonderful folks at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft offered me several as part of Soundforge, an installation piece by metal artist and former artist in residence Gabriel Craig and Michael Remson, artistic director of American Festival for the Arts. Metal is all about sound, according to these two guys, hence hammers are left for you to play.

"While you are there, also stop in to see Beyond Useful & Beautiful: Rethinking Domestic Craft, inspired by Arts & Crafts Movement founder William Morris' famous words, 'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.' I especially loved Lauren Mayer's porcelain slips in Between What I Say and What I Keep Silent and Alison Owen's wallpaper sprinkled throughout the exhibition. Both shows remain open until Jan. 8."

Arts and architecture savant and all around awesome guy Tyler Rudick's pick: Houston Arboretum's Winter Holiday Shrub and Tree Sale

Tyler says: "The drought has done a number of my gardening attempts, so I'm definitely hitting up the Houston Arboretum's Winter Holiday Shrub and Tree Sale which runs through Sunday.

"With scores of native plants as well as reasonably-price organic compose and mulch, the sale is historically a wonderful place to stock up for any winter green-thumb efforts. All proceeds go to the education and conservation programs at the Arboretum, which itself needs some serious love in light of our recent dry spell."

12 Days of Christmas Gifts: Day Seven—the Connoisseur - Christmas Flowers France

It seems like saying "Buy Local" has become the in thing to do, but for small businesses in our area, there is nothing new about shopping locally. For the next 12 days, we're going to post an item each day showcasing some of the great businesses in Edgewater and Davidsonville.

Day Seven: Today we went shopping for a wine connoisseur. This is a person who selects the wine for each meal, co-mingling the flavors so that the wine harmonizes with the food. Or maybe this person has a taste for wine, but not the budget to consistently buy themselves really nice wine. Or maybe you're looking to buy a case of wine to give out as hostess gifts at all of holiday parties you'll be attending.

Whatever your reason for needing to buy wine this holiday season, we got the lowdown on the high-end wines available at Edgewater Liquors. We also found some bargains.

Grape growing is undergoing a change. As the globe heats up, the places that were on the periphery of making great wines are beginning to produce top quality wines, said Russell Stone, a wine expert at Edgewater Liquors.

He has his eye on some areas of France that are now coming into their own as wine producing regions. He's not talking Burgundy, Bordeaux or Champagne these days. He's talking a little further north, in the LeDuc-Frouin area.

He offers a 2009 Chateau De La Negly white for $45.

"This was once a backwater area, but now they are making fantastic wines that rival the old vines from the established areas," Stone said.

The importer that goes for these wines, Jeffrey Davies, is an importer/distributor to watch because Davies finds unusual wines from small artisan wineries and imports them, Stone said.

On this side of the pond, the Napa area of California has been a go-to for Cabernet Savignon, although they are often priced out of reach, Stone said.

"These wines are $80 to $100 and up to $200 and more for a bottle of wine—whatever the market will bear," Stone said.

Stone feels the price is ridiculous.

"At most, it can cost $10 to get a wine to market, but seeing a 200 percent or more markup is just greed and keeps good wines off the table," he said.

The magic is finding a wine that has the properties of those pricey wines but is more reasonably priced.

Stone says he has found that wine. It's a red, from Mount Eden Vineyards, in the Santa Cruz mountain area. For $35, the Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon is a value, especially after being rated a 90 by Food and Wine magazine.

Mount Eden also has a slightly pricier Estate Cabernet at $65.99, but Stone suggests that the wine at half the price is one that will beat out a lot of other wines. Both are 2007 vintage.

Stone suggests decanting these Cabernets before drinking.

For a good value hostess gift, Stone suggests Prosecco, a white sparkling wine that, at $14.99 is a great deal.

Stone said that a lot has happened in France, between a steep estate tax, or death tax, and climate changes that hurt the old vine areas, including Champagne. Prosecco is a decent sparkling wine, especially when Champagne from the Champagne region has priced itself out of reach for most at $100, $200 or even up to $2,000.

So talk to your favorite wine store expert and give them a price range. They'll help you find something terrific to give, or even just to buy for yourself to serve with christmas flowers france dinner.

Happy shopping!

christmas flowers france blogs

Kristina Dragomir Hats

Artistic hats are executed on frames made by the renowned UK Royal House specialists, with the finest and most exotic materials purchased in London, where the designer actually learned her craft: this is a fantasy world where women have no limits. A meeting for a unique hat made by Kristina Dragomir and a chance to hear her styling advice is available by appointment only from 18.30-21.00, Monday to Friday.

Mihail Kogalniceanu 51, 2nd floor, access code 11.

Madame Briolette

A window full of heads wearing hats, berets and caps on Magheru Boulevard heralds a store with modest interior design, but this means little given the shelves of hats waiting to be tested. Besides fur hats made in Poland or Ukraine, the multitude of felt options and classical models in many colors are created in Romania. Hand-knitted hats and shawls from Hunedoara villages and plenty of colorful leather gloves are among the many other accessories. And all at very affordable prices.

Briolette du Cinema, Magheru 29, corner with Biserica Amzei; Briolette Boutique, Ion Campineanu 12.

Musette

A classic feminine look and comfort, designed by an Italian team, is what characterizes the Romanian-based footwear brand Musette. Bags, clutches and belts, defined by color and style, are also produced under the same name. Cristhelen B is Musette’s premium brand for woman, an exclusive line produced in limited editions. For men, the Giannini line of shoes and accessories are made to the same high standards of quality and affordable prices.

Calea Victoriei 114, Baneasa Shopping City, Bucuresti-Ploiesti 26, Bucuresti Mall, Calea Vitan 55-59, Unirea Shopping Center, Piata Unirii 1, Cotroceni Park, Bd. Vasile Milea 4. office@musettegroup.ro.

Nissa

A one hundred percent Romanian apparel brand for women with a modern-classical style in keeping with the latest international trends, but a very good price/quality ratio. There is a network of shops, most of them in malls, but also a flagship store close to Piata Romana (B-dul Dacia 39, Mon-Sat 9.00-20.00, Sun 10.00-18.00).

Unirea Shopping Center, AFI Palace Cotroceni, Cora Pantelimon, Centrul Comercial Feeria-Baneasa, Centrul Comercial Orhideea.

Pierrot

Interior and garden decorations, gift ideas and Christmas decorations all under one roof. This store stocks beautiful objects, carefully put together and inspired by various traditions. They bear the names of famous interior design companies from Italy and Germany such as Wald, Shan, Hoff Interieur and Drescher, found exclusively at Pierrot. The product range is wide, from items such as porcelain from the exclusive Villar collection, inspired by the Italian baroque, to affordable products, both contemporary and traditional. The store is a rich source of gift ideas from scented candles and Swarovski crystals, to traditional Christmas decorations.

Intr. Biserica Alba 1.

Sepala

The footwear brand Sepala, Mihaela Glavan’s high-end line, embraces minimalism. Shoes are simple, with well-defined cuts and cutouts. The must-have of the A/W collection are the over-the-knee boots and high platform shoes going for a sexy look in parallel with the low biker-inspired boots. Sepala Kids and RSM for men make the shopping experience one for the

family.

Benjamin Franklin 9, (Atheneum area). Mon-Fri 10.00-22.00, Sat 10.00-17.00.

The Place Concept Store

The first fashion concept store in Romania is a versatile space mixing luxury and avant-garde fashion collections with the hottest music labels, modern art exhibitions, high-tech gadgets and chic events. The on-trend labels found here include Azzedine Alaia, Oscar de la Renta, Rick Owns, Gareth Pugh, Jil Sanders, Alexander Wang and Sonia Rykiel.

Calea Dorobantilor 102-110. Mon-Fri 10.00-20.00, Sat 10.00-18.00.

Trend’s by Adina Buzatu

A touch of refinement and an interwar atmosphere grace the first boutique covering mainly men’s apparel. Shoes from Ortigni, Magnanni and Bensimon, Albert Thurston braces, Borsalino hats, an impressive collection of cufflinks and ties are all on offer. From the classic casual and elegant designs of Messagerie to the progressive Babette Wasserman, the pieces are versatile and easy to match. But if you are not sure, do not hesitate to ask the owner, who is always pleased to help style you.

Calea Victoriei 83-85 (Downtown boutique), Baneasa Shopping City, ground floor.

www.adinabuzatu.ro.

Venera Arapu

A mono-brand store with a distinctive signature on the interior design, fashion designer Venera Arapu brings a range of clothing from evening gowns to shirts and coats, all dedicated to strong and non-conformist women, yet endowed with refinement and elegance. A special surprise comes from the Vitrina pieces created and manufactured under the designer’s direct supervision by students of the Bucharest Fashion Design Faculty. 

Banu Antonache 59.

The dark heart of a European Christmas - Christmas Flowers France

The etymological root of the word Europe is the Phoenician ereb, the darkness after the sun has gone down. Here in France light leaves us early and the darkest time of the year is before christmas flowers france .

The landscape out my window looks dirty. Northern skies are grey, any sun that dares come through the clouds is weak and the place seems tired out by summer frivolity and autumn trauma. The economic woes of the continent reflect on my window where naked trees wait for a giant white dump from the skies to cover everything in sight.

Nietzsche said only money could unite Europe and in 2010 Angela Merkel stated, 'If the euro fails, so will the idea of the European Union.'

Europe is the home of universalism. It's also known for imperialism, nationalism and utopian projects. It's the land on the hunt for transcendental light. The European obsession with universalism justified its colonial ambition, wrought havoc across the globe, and established Europe's wealth.

The EU was a panacea for Europe's nationalist and imperial history. Europe's universalist tendencies were vested in the experiment with an internationalist supra-national body, and all hope was pinned on the common currency as the saviour able to transcend internal differences within the continent.

The 'idea' of Europe has baffled philosophers and commentators for centuries and the question wasn't going to vanish because global markets ordered it to. The emphasis on the euro as the forerunner in the race towards EU unity was at the cost of the hard work of governance and grappling with difference — the real work of politics. Now the grand visions and optimism about the EU lie in debt fragments and the same question returns to haunt — What is Europe?

The idea that economic unity, without difficult political engagement, can magically create equality and community has served to reveal, not only the racism that persists against immigrants from outside Europe, but also the hold France and Germany have upon the 'peripheral' EU nations.

Perhaps Europe, following neo-liberal fashions, ran too hard towards fiscal unity and neglected its divided history. Underlying this is a suspicion that some elements of European thought contain a constant temptation towards hubris that requires an 'other' to support it's superiority complex — the imperial tendencies haven't magically vanished but are manifest within Europe's borders.

Roberto Dainotto argued in 2007 that 'the idea of the defective Europeanness of the south has shaped the policies of a two-tiered Europe' and that the Eurocentrism of nations like France and Germany occurred within the margins of Europe itself. Attempts to homogenise Europe would never succeed unless the balance between north and south was structurally and culturally addressed.

From the beginning of the EU the southern nations have been known as PIGS: Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain. Dainotto argues that the inability of their northern cousins to integrate the 'peripheral' nations into the 'idea of Europe' meant the southern nations persisted as European in theory only.

In 2011 this divide manifests fiscally and the north points the blame at the south, very easy to do with men like Berlusconi, and in neo-liberal economic terms this accusation makes sense, but denies larger, more haunting questions.

The problem of the impending failure of the eurozone is that the unspoken hierarchy, where the 'hot', 'passionate' and 'irresponsible' south is culturally inferior to the 'cool', 'reasonable' and 'restrained' north, might have been entrenched in EU governance structures. No common currency could eradicate this systemic bias without the support of a more inclusive notion of EU citizenship and slower fiscal policies.

Now some commentators and politicians have called for the formalisation of a two-tiered EU, saying it is necessary to save the 'whole' continent, as well as the 'idea' of Europe. The EU is a grand experiment in a new kind of citizenship as well as an attempt at economic unity. Citizenship and economics are not synonyms. Economics might try to run ahead but the slow questioning citizen, regardless of origin, is the true barometer of unity.

As christmas flowers france blogs approaches, the air in France feels fragile. Winter will be frugal. Europe is a complicated place and the threat of death and disintegration are constantly on the European mind. Not natural optimists, they cling to grand projects in order not to fall backwards into a bloody nationalist history.

Face to face with failure, nations like France and Germany will be tested as to whether their commitment to universalism and visionary projects transcends neo-liberal economics.

It's the darkest time of the year and by afternoon our windows are black. The trickle-down unification fails with the light, but when the snow falls everything seems equal. Landscape covered in white creates the illusion of unity.

Speaking as an Antipodean, snow might look pretty, but it's a trick. Living with it requires sheer hard work performed by a slow and humble shovel.