Couple of years ago I was lucky enough to be in the same room with Luigi, the main tailor at Versace. Everything he put his hands on turned into something magically special, it was like witnessing art taking shape before my eyes. As simple as that. He and his team could put together a dress in 24h, but not just a dress… stunning evening gowns to walk the red carpet for the Academy Awards.

Comparing fashion to cooking would probably sound a little weird to the most of you… but I do have a point. Tailoring require precision, mastery, incredible knowledge, time and passion. Lots of passion. I believe cooking is the same… I will never forget Luigi, pretty much like I will never forget Jean Michel.

At 9am on a sunny Sunday morning, 8 girls met in front of Baroque Bistro in the Rocks. For those who have never eaten there before, I would highly recommend it. Food is great, staff is lovely and that is good enough reasons to go back every week. The mission? Create perfect, rounded, footed, colourful and tasty macarons… with Jean Michel guiding us step by step. Enjoy the pics!

Le Baroque Bistro…

… Le Ganache et Le Caramel au beurre salé…

… Le mélange…

… Les Macarons!

The pictures at the top is my favourite, which is why is the first one you see… There are sixty more from today, but I thought this for now would do. It has been a wonderful day, learnt a lot, laughed a lot and surprisingly enough the macarons I brought back with me are still in the fridge, untouched. You see, apparently they have to set for a day or two… let’s hope I resist till Wednesday!

Stay tuned for the recipe and more pics!

For more information on how to join a Masterclass, visit Baroque Bistro website.

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After weeks of craziness I am finally going back to my normal routine… reading blogs and magazine is one of them, and considering my google reader is exploding of news I haven’t had the time to ready, a slightly different approach was needed. Instead of going through each news, I started looking at the blogs I know would never disappoint me. Decor8 is one of them!

To me, the highlight of the last few weeks was Mimou working with Amelie Hegardt. One step at the time: Mimou is a Swedish company, they make beautiful bedlinen, cushions, wallpaper and accessories. For the latest 2010/2011 collection, they worked together with the talented Amelie, well known for her bleeding ink and splashes of water colour. The result is simply breathtaking.

What I particularly adore in their latest collection is the love transpiring from every single picture, and that is probably why I would buy their products. Doesn’t make you feel better when you know, or feel, that behind something you like or want there is a lot more than just industrial and mechanic work? Like someone really cares about it, devotes time, effort and passion to create something special… To me, it makes a huge difference and I truly hope I’m not alone!

Photo courtesy of Mimou via Decor8

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I believe that most of our creativity and inspiration come by watching, observing and understanding what is around us. Not everyone can, not everyone is able to convey a message into what has created.

Heather Moore is the exquisite designer behind Skinny LaMinx, the lovely creations you see here. She lives in Cape Town and maybe you can see, as well I do, how much the surrounding environment and wildlife seem to have influenced her work with little pieces of Africa trying to escape each cushion, tea towel, armchair and fabric.

Their simplicity is what makes them special, likeable and easy to imagine in every room. The full collection is available on Etsy, and from Etsy it can get wherever you are.

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Last night I was visiting Tracie Ellis’ Aura Home website, one of my favourite bedlinen designer I have now mentioned quite a few times… Look here, look there… well, I couldn’t help myself and my bedroom is just about to have a brand new look!

You may think that was Sienna, right? well, for a very long time I though the same… but I am not sure what happened, I moved away from that beautiful set and landed into a new love, that maybe it’s more me. You have seen this before as well in one of our Photography Inspiration, it’s the one above… Flight Rainbow.

I know it is silly to be so ecstatic for a bedlinen set (it might be the excitement of having a really good job after such a long time) but I am, and the next step is going to Ikea and buy all those large pillows that I don’t have, to create the perfect  bedroom!

Stay tuned!

Photo courtesy of Aura Home

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Sometimes, life gets in the way and there is not much you can do… just stop and watch, and maybe try to capture those moments that you might be able to cherish in the future. I know it is a very cryptic concept, but it is also very true that this blog wasn’t created to explain why life sometimes can be challenging. What Lilac & Yellow wanted to do, is to showcase all those things that can put a smile back on your face. Colour, creativity, inspiration, light and why not, a good shopping session I am just about to share with you all!

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