Today I want to share a few things with you that are beautiful and just looking at them makes my day better.
Tom Ford Foundation Stick in Alabaster: I bought this at Selfridges at the recommendation of my good friend Lady Jane Grey, and I am totally obsessed with this foundation. It is truly the best I have ever tried, and there have been plenty, believe me. It is always a problem for me to find a good color match, here in Europe most lines do not offer light enough shades (I would have a better time in Asia, I guess). Only Mac, Giorgio Armani and Bobbi Brown make shades that I can wear. This is the lightest in the Tom Ford range and it is a perfect fit. But what is so great about it is not only the color, but the wear. It looks completely imperceptible, like my skin but flawless. It holds up the entire day and I don’t even need a separate under-eye concealer (and I have dark shadows to rival any self-respecting zombie!), the foundation just makes them disappear. Very impressive. Very pricy. Highly recommended.
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in Pink Dune is a shimmery golden pink that trills “It’s springtime! Be happy!” and I obey. 
My obsession with beautiful notebooks by British luxury leather goods purveyor Smythson has extended to things to enhance my other daily companion, the iPad. Sadly, I can only dream about this gorgeous case for my iPad Air, and dreaming is just what I’ll do.
Isn’t it pretty?
Smythson of Bond Street iPad Air case in powder blue calf skin with croc embossing. 
And while we are at it, why not dream of this too… (Smythson Panama Collection tote in dove grey, sigh.)
The power of the (hand-)written word has propelled me back to writing more again and I’m very happy about that.
And finally a very pretty sight: my boys wearing “the French look” and goofing around. 
Have a wonderful Friday! What are the pretty things on your radar right now?
Olfactoria's Travels 
I have to admit that the ipad case looks pretty nice. Maybe someone at Smythson needs a new tooth. They could always contact me with a deal……
the deal offer is in fact open to most businesses on Bond Street and Savile Row
Excellent! 😀
Careful with the offers, Dr.O. – your surgery might be overrun by British suitmakers !
I will work on a first suit – first tooth basis.
Ha! Has anyone got connections with Samcam? She is still loosely involved with the business and might put in a good word? I think David could probably benefit from a spot of maxillo-wotsit tweaking.
Love the bag! (didn’t want to check the price though) 😉
And adore the boys! They are so cute together. 🙂
Thank you!
It is a very good idea not to look at the price. 😉
I thought so too. 😉
Finally ! Finally there is something positive to hear in this life (a rare occasion recently…): I helped you to find THE foundation. Our Tom is amazing, isn’t he ?
And that iPad case makes me salivate… You have lovely Goofies at home !
The pretty things on my radar right now are some scents from 777 – and a holiday starting on May 2nd…
Oh so good to hear you are getting a bit of a break soon! (I hope to see you soon too!!!!)
Thank you for the TF recommendation, perfect as you said.
Glad you like the iPad case too, but then again I know your taste is impeccable. 🙂 xxx
Love that Ipad cover!The boys are tres chic,Birgit!Happy Friday,enjoy your weekend!Off to a shop in Johannesburg that sells Ralph Lauren linen,Byredo perfumes and beautiful William Yeoward crystal…only to drool(I might give in to something Byredo….:-))
Have a great day (window) shopping in Johannesburg!
I hope you find the perfect treat.
Aren’t your boys just gorgeous!
I love stick foundations. They double as concealer, but can be blended very sheer over moisturiser, so are very flexible (often I just blend over limited areas and leave most of my face bare). Also doesn’t sit in wrinkles – not a problem for you, but an issue for me now i’m 55!. Also quick and portable. I have the Shiseido one, but will check out the TF. Also love the lipstick shade.
Just got a new mini ipad case with a built in keyboard. Not nearly as pretty but worked very well on a business trip this week where I was able to avoid taking my laptop, for the first time in about 20 years. My new toy!
Great that the iPad has liberated you! It is really a fantastic tool (and toy!). 🙂
I’ve heard good things about the Shiseido stick too, it would be a more accessible alternative for me in the future. Thanks for the tip!
Like you I am very fair, and find Asian brands are a good bet for suitable shades – most other brands’ idea of ‘fair’ just don’t work (despite energetic attempts of sales assistants to persuade me they are a good match)
So true!
Love the bag.
I can’t complain about a lack of beautiful things around me right now, found the powder blue bag I was lusting after, and a vintage mirror for my dressing table, and some delightful ceramic objects, and some perfumes of course (we had a bit of a spree, I guess). But I am now wishing for a pair of Chie Mihara summer shoes. Good job that I can’t chose which ones, saves a lot of money.
So glad you are surrounded by beautiful things, Sabine.
The bag is so pretty. Such great leather. Sigh.
You are right, just looking at something beautiful can make you very happy indeed. Oh my, that IPad case and bag are gorgeous! Once I was blisfully unaware of Smythson, Not anymore….
Ha, I know the feeling.
I was once unaware of their beauties too…
Haha, such cute little boys! And the Smythson bag…ooooh…classy….Smythson-people, my offer is “Bag for Lieder-Abend”. I will come over, rape some Schubert and leave witha a bag. OK? At the moment what I want the most is a lovely bracelet. Preferably silver. And a pretty summer dress. Probably have 30 dresses already, but beein a dress-wearing girl, there’s always room for one more. Or two. And the perfect pink nailpolish is also on my list.
Maybe they go for the Liederabend. 😉
Love your list of pretty things.
Fingers crossed! I’ll hypnotize them with my rendition of ” Erlkönig” or something like that(and I’ll grab a bag for you too on my way out) 😀
I loved seeing your writing in your journal – nice broad nib (and yes, I made it to the end – it’s perfectly legible). Your boys are so cute, and the caps are to die for. What is coming (in fact or fantasy) in my life? Well, I don’t know that I need it, but I have my eye on a hair conditioner (had a sample) that works well – B&B Quenching – but it’s pricey, so I’m still dithering. The odds are that I will eventually indulge myself. Sadly, I’m pretty reliable that way.
Thank you for the compliments – both writing and boys!. 🙂
Go for the good conditioner!
I can’t look! I have too many obsessions already. 🙂 say hi to the men from us. Xo
Okay, you are exempted this time. (But sooner or later you will succumb…) 😉
It is amazing how just looking at beautiful things is uplifting, even if you can’t have them.
Your boys look just so joyful in that pic. I’m glad they still like wearing matching outfits (and Dad too!). Too cute.
That foundation stick sounds amazing. I will try it next time I’m at Harrods. I won’t look at the price yet but it’s got to be cheaper than Smythson for sure!
Now I want a pretty pink lip colour for spring too.
The Italian guy at Tom Ford Selfridges is extremely nice, if you are in the area, go to him. I wish I could think of his name right now, maybe it’ll come to me. He was really lovely and knowledgable.
The boys totally love their coordinated outfits, M had to change his shirt to comply with their wishes. 😉
Oh too sweet! Good on M. You may have to worry though if they start eyeing your outfits as well 🙂
Thanks for the Selfridges tip.
😀
That handbag is absolutely gorgeous, and the perfect shade of grey 🙂 My favorite part has to be the last picture, though-your boys radiate so much joy that it is positively contagious. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, nemo! 🙂
That is a great shade of grey indeed. Ah, what a bag!
When you said Tom Ford, I thought you were getting into the perfume. Thats a whole other blog post.
It is indeed. I hope you are not too disappointed.
(There are a few Tom Ford perfume reviews on the blog though, should you want to take a look… 🙂 )
Nice! That handbag is seriously lovely (just looked it up and it comes in a gorgeous coral colour too, very summery). Enjoyed looking at the pictures, though obviously the most worthwhile objects are the three lovely boys wearing red trousers! You are an extremely bad influence by the way (… heads off to Tom Ford counter….)
Yes, there are several colours of the bag I wouldn’t say no to…
I relish my bad influence (BTW are you happy with your new lipstick?). 🙂
Oh dear. It’s bad enough someone is always recommending yet another perfume I want to try. (My list is endless! Of course, I could just avoid the perfume blogs but what fun is that?) But I’m a sucker for pretty makeup. I usually manage by just avoiding the makeup departments of any high-end store. But now you’ve brought a new recommendation on make-up and lipstick right to my desktop. And I’ve been searching for a great foundation and new lipstick color for awhile now. I may have to put my perfume spending on hold for a little while to try these 🙂 The pic of your family is great! Thanks for sharing and have a nice weekend!
I’m sorry for leading you into temptation. 😉
I hope you like the Tom Ford stuff, I think it is really good quality.
Have a nice weekend too.
I like all three of your men : -)
Luckily, I’m immune to the charm of the most leather goods (my tastes are too strange and usually do not go along with either trendy or even classic bags everybody else wants) but Tom Ford’s items you highlighted got my ears perked up: I should check out that foundation stick!
Beauty in my life… Recently I saw a great rainbow from the window of my office. It was wonderful!
Hi Undina,
glad to hear I’ve perked your interest with the foundation.
A rainbow – beautiful!
My 15 yo son just cooked dinner while I sat with a glass of wine. That was beautiful. 🙂 One day, sooner than you realize right now, your boys will be doing that for you.
I’ve never owned a stick foundation so I’m curious to know how you apply it? I use a very inexpensive BB cream which works beautifully for me. But it doesn’t help to know what’s out there, right? 🙂
That is beautiful!
If my son inherits my cooking skills the future looks bleak… 😉
I apply the stick by dotting a bit here and there and blend with my fingers. Very easy.
The Ipad case really is gorgeous! Luckily I don’t use cosmetics so one less temptation, it’s enough that this blog is responsible for my new addiction to Hermes scarfs 🙂 I just got the package yesterday with my latest one, a pink Kachinas Maxi-Twilly 🙂
Congratulations on your Maxi-Twilly! It is such a versatile piece. I’m very proud I managed to instill the Hermès bug in you! 😉
Now what about a little Smythson? 😉
Love the foundation stick and the lippie! Very uplifting as Tara says. I seem to come out as a ‘Honey’ whenever I get my foundation matched – the last time by Clarins. I am sure in the past it was ‘Almond’. I am evidently working up to being the full Toblerone.
Oh, and the grey bag is the next key acquisition, I think. Powder blue always makes me think of Man City.
Cute family photo! Whatever did The Husband mean about being overweight? He is as trim as anything.
The full Toblerone! I’m having a giggly fit. You are too funny, V! 😀
Glad to hear you think the grey bag should be the next key acquisition, I’m all for it. Danke für die moralische Unterstützung. 😉
The Husband will be happy to hear his figure complimented on. He had a bit of a midlife moment I guess… 😉
Nichts zu danken. ;). Also I meant to say your family looks very ‘BCBG’, as the French say…
They do! 😉
Love your ensemble of beautiful things … especially those snazzily dressed men!
Thank you, Suz! xx
Your boys make me smile; I love the red trousers, the joyful faces… And there is nothing like a beautiful notebook and the hand-written word. I have a friend who lives in Amsterdam and we always send each other postcards and notes in the post. I love nothing more than seeing an envelope with her handwriting on it in my mailbox. And last year for my birthday, my husband bought me a beautiful fountain pen, which has made writing letters and scribbles even more enjoyable. Otherwise some of the most recent pretty things on my radar include Le Muguet 2014 by you-know-who and also just being back in the countryside of Sweden after several months in Cologne. Both are equally good for the soul.
Hugs to you.
Glad to hear you are safely back in beautiful Sweden.
Enjoy Muguet in the spring sun!
Those boys are the BOMB!!
Portia xx
😀
Ahh, the boys in matching attire is just too much! They look awesome.
The Tom Ford products look good too. I am literally obsessed with his men’s skincare range, it’s unreal. The moisturiser and face mask are holy grail products for me.
Hehe, thank you! From stylish you, this means a lot!
Glad you found your holy grails in good old Tom’s line up.