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No Croissant comes close...Biarritz

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:51:11 -0400

One of my favorite pictures from our trip to France is the breakfast setup at the inn in we stayed at in Biarritz, Villa Flore. For me, it brings me back to the sunny perfect mornings eating French pastries…that I just can’t seem to replicate back home. Here are some more pics from our time there, including: views from Villa Flore, its decor, and a night out when French food became to much… and we found some great Indian at Taj Mahal Biarritz :)

In this outfit, J.Crew Striped Top with clear sequins, Black sheer pants I love and were randomly found at a store in the NY Garment District (they come with inner short all in one…so fun), Sequin clutch H&M, Shoes Max Studio, “Jelly Apple” nail color Essie.

Website for the inn, if you ever find yourself in Biarritz (be prepared to speak French when you get there)…

http://www.villaflore-biarritz.com/es/

Beach scenes from Biarritz France…my next custom piece on...

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:10:11 -0400

Beach scenes from Biarritz France…my next custom piece on canvas! http://www.lovetuline.com/art.htm

Biarritz Day 2: A Mustard Yellow Story

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:10:00 -0400

Looking back at my photos from Biarritz, I realized there was a lot of a mustard yellow around:) Here are some photos of that color, and other shots from around the city. On the second day, I wore an outfit including mustard yellow, that I transformed into a nighttime look. The same day, the Beignet man was wearing it (pictured on the beach, so fun) and a woman walking with her date in a monochromatic mustard yellow look…that I absolutely loved:) She totally pulled off wearing it for each piece.

My outfits pictured here include:

Mustard Yellow top, Zara. Olive Jacket, Zara. Nude Ballet Flats, J.Crew. Blue Bag, Gap. Sheer Black pants with inner short, a very cheezy store in the NY garment district, but they work:) Sequin Clutch, H&M. Tortoise Sunglasses, Juicy. Rose Gold Necklace, H&M. Red Necklace, J.Crew sample sale.

Day 1 Biarritz France

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:18:29 -0400

My husband likes to try to find “the surf spot” of almost any place we go to, so for France we selected Biarritz. I had no idea what to expect, I had just seen some black and white photos of it from the 1930’s in Vogue. It was absolutely spectacular, and such an interesting mix of serious surfers, tourists, beach babes and very fashionable French people. The umbrellas on the beach, ( which I almost bought one from a museum) are a Biarritz tradition, and actually not that expensive to rent for the day if you can get one. In these pics, outfits are:

Norma Kamali custom safety pin-embellished bathing suit ( not suitable for water) from her collection Spring 2009

Zara printed top with Club Monaco sequin shorts.

Accessories: J.Crew Sample sale necklace red/black, H&M Rose Gold rope necklace, Black Beaded Antelope necklace I found in Durban South Africa, Feather cuff I made a few years back, Juicy Couture tortoise sunglasses, and an H&M sequins clutch I absolute wear with everything:)

I'll take the ivy house with the pool.....

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:03:57 -0500

Here are some of my final and favorite pics from St. Emilion France. I came home wanting ivy crawling up my house, it is just so picturesque. The tertiary plants on the cobblestone streets were so inspiring, I actually put six of them up my front stairwell when I got home. Touches of pale blue were everywhere, and I found some great blues in a mail drop, and a set of old doors on the street in these pics. I did manage to bring home a very pretty perfume from a shop in the little town (website below), and every morning when I walk through its spray, it takes me back to my entire trip to France. What better place to find that :)

http://www.leaudecassis.com

French country inspiration in my living room. Pillows on left...

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:50:20 -0500

French country inspiration in my living room. Pillows on left and middle…Restoration Hardware, pillow on right… A recent Homegoods trip xoxo

Exciting new product on tap for the Tuline Wraptide Collection...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:39:13 -0500

Exciting new product on tap for the Tuline Wraptide Collection Spring 2013!

Only three left of our French terry Barrel Scarves in the...

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:50:55 -0500

Only three left of our French terry Barrel Scarves in the pink/rose gold combo! Now on FINAL SALE for $20.00 on our site! http://www.lovetuline.com/largepinkrosegoldbarrelscarf.htm

Chateau Soutard

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:51:00 -0500

Enter Chateau Soutard—-pictures simply do not do it justice. The washed peach colors, mixed with grays of the doors, light marine aqua furniture, and wall murals were so inspirational for home decor. With its cement impressed walls of floral patterns, and state-of-the-art barrel room; it was classic and elegant, yet modern at the same time. My outfit seemed very fitting that day for the scenery, which was not planned :) It was just such a sight. Wine tasting here was so wonderful, I suggest it to anyone traveling to the St. Emilion area of France. Visually, I will absolutely never forget it—xo n

http://www.chateau-soutard.com

Zara top & pants, Juicy sunglasses, J.crew necklace.

A French Country Dinner Party at its best

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:29:00 -0500

One of the nights during our stay outside of St. Emilion Bordeaux, our beautiful inn (Chambres d’hotes Bordeaux St Emilion: Beau Sejour) hosted a beautiful French country dinner party. Situated in the small inn’s main dining room, we ate with our family and other guests from all over the world. Above you’ll see photos from in that room, the very French country kitchen, and of my outfit of choice for that night: A white matte sequins Joe Fresh top, a silver H&M skirt, J.Crew nude ballet flats, and gold feather cuff by Alkemie.

I absolutely loved the walls, the old floors, and especially that fireplace :) xoxo N

Sometimes the best business meetings are just over drinks:)

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:03:30 -0500

Sometimes the best business meetings are just over drinks:)

Bordeaux, continued

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:50:03 -0500

For the next three days in Bordeaux, we ventured to our reservations at several wineries, for tastings and tours throughout their vast underground cellars and grounds. One of my favorites was Chateau Pinchon Longueville Baron, pictured towards the bottom of the post. It’s amazing castle structure overlooked a man-made pool under which stored all of the winerie’s product. When underground, the pool of water was above your head separated by a glass ceiling, letting in all of the light to the cellar. It was absolutely extraordinary.

I also love in the photo below the color blue in the doors of the some of the small village buildings. Such a great washed teal color. For my outfit that day, I borrowed a look from my ever so fashionable sister, who restored my faith in Forever 21 when she found those floral sheer pants. Love them. The stripe top is from Zara, bag Alexander Wang. Note to self—-giant heels on gravel vineyards in France… not smart!

Loving beads right now for thenew Wraptide Product coming soon!

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:23:38 -0500

Loving beads right now for thenew Wraptide Product coming soon!

Bordeaux, France...First days in St. Emilion

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 21:00:18 -0500

Collect Instead is getting ready to become Collect Instead by Tuline, a transformation from outfits for travel and souvenirs, to all things that inspire me for my new Women’s brand I have recently started…. www.lovetuline.com.

But first, I will finish my fashion blogging with the trip that challenged me so much; making outfits for the most fashionable place on Earth….France. My travel wishes came true this past summer, when I finally had the chance to go—-and it was everything I thought it would be. Here we are in St. Emilion, in the Bordeaux region on our first night. The French Country look was absolutely unbelievable. It was so perfectly aged, the colors gorgeous, and it confirmed with its beauty why so many people try to recreate it in their own homes everyday. I did my best to capture it (which you will see in the upcoming posts.) But first, an outfit to dinner…. I am absolutely loving mono-chromatic fashion!!!

Juicy Sunglasses, Equipment blouse, H&M Skirt and sequin clutch, Mango Bracelet, Zara Shoes.

My latest Big Sur piece, a life-size canvas commissioned by my...

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:52:28 -0500

My latest Big Sur piece, a life-size canvas commissioned by my friend Mark. Looks great in his new house!

Farewell Taiwan

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:00:02 -0500

Here are some of my last photos from Taiwan:) The last night of my trip I realized how difficult it really is to do blog photos on your own. Taking photos of my own outfits in the mirror poses a challenge, but here I am in my favorite Zara dress, with an H&M sequins clutch on the way to our final client dinner. Below it are some photos of the fun activewear at my manufacturer’s showroom in Taipei, and the man I saw in the airport on the way home. Loved his saffron outfit:) xoxo Nora

Happy Holidays! Up to 20% off now on select Tuline Barrel Scarf...

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:11:08 -0500

Happy Holidays! Up to 20% off now on select Tuline Barrel Scarf Styles! Www.lovetuline.com

Taipei Pottery Region (Yingee)

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:09:27 -0500

For the first time, I visited the Taipei Pottery region named Yingee, and I absolutely scored with the most beautiful tiles, wind chimes, small table accessories, door stops and jewelry. Here are some shots of my trip there, I would have done anything to have brought home the big vases… but what I did carry home was heavy enough! The tiles pictured in the third to last photo were my prize. I am still figuring out what to do with the 20 or so of them that I hand carried home with me, but I will soon figure out some way to incorporate them into my house! The lady who sold them to me (also pictured below waving) thought I was absolutely nuts for bringing them back to the US. Gotta love first class :) Here’s a look at the and shops I found there, and sifted through all afternoon. Top Forever 21, peplum skirt and rose gold necklace H&M, bag The Gap.

The one thing about traveling alone is that its very hard to do...

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:53:00 -0400

The one thing about traveling alone is that its very hard to do blog posts about outfits when you don’t have someone to snap a shot. So, I think I’ve mastered the backwards Iphone camera tool in this post… to show one of my favorite blue silk Forever 21 tops, and a J.Crew sample necklace I acquired a while back from some friends. Really love the primary colors together…and especially that beautiful walk in front of Taipei 101 in Taiwan, one of the most beautiful city skyscrapers ever.

In the middle of my trip to Taiwan, I took a high speed train to...

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:26:00 -0400

In the middle of my trip to Taiwan, I took a high speed train to Kenting, which is in the south. It is known for its beautiful beaches, however of course I went the weekend that it down poured. Needless to say, it was still very fun and here are some cool shots of what a beach town looks like in Taiwan. Because of the weather, it was pretty hard to look nice, but the fun hoodie I’m wearing on the trip is from Monrow…super comfy and cute.

http://monrowattire.com