Up in the Alps...

Although yes I love Switzerland [hello Swiss Palatial Living visitors!],and adore this Swiss Chalet perched up in the mountains of ski resort - Verbier [Switzerland] - built by scratch in the past decade & owned by Belgian collector, designer & aesthete Axel Vervoordt.  It's peering out of the pages of my recently delivered Vogue Living Australia - which I have been 'breathing in' for a week or so now! This post is really for my sister & brother-in-law who really really love all things Swiss! Even though they are based in London - they find any and all excuse to get there...mys sister l studied international law & lived at the University of  Bern for 6months, they have skied there [lucky ducks!] and my brother-in-law proposed there! So it's very close to there hearts as you can imagine.

Well maybe this post it is a little for me too - we all love to ski in our family and as it's warming up here in Sydney [again after the wild weather we've had] somehow when it's the season you're in - sometime you tend to think about the opposite season - a bit of 'grass greener' or 'snow whiter'!

Do you have a favourite season, why? Drop me a line I'd love to hear from you x

images via Vogue Living Australia Nov/Dec 2010 issue

A New Hue for Me - Shades of Lilac...

Emma Watson in Burbery 2009 Fall campaign,
for Teen Vogue August 2009 cover.

mini | Natalia Grosner

Since my receiving my recent issue of Australian Vogue Living & US Elle Decor I'm experiencing a new affinity with hues of Lilacs and Purples... It's on the feminine side of blue for me - and one I might not have explored as much as now. It's a fabulous colour to mix greys, greens, blues, blacks & whites, and neutral taupes with. It can look cool, calm, serene, regent, elegant and masculine all at once! What do you think?

The grand Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, Switzerland
& it's recent makeover. 'The Pavillon restaurant is now operational
year-round and has been given an airy new look by designer
Pierre-Yves Rochon, who has infused the room with elegant flourishes
and a color scheme straight from a spring garden'

 Elle Decor. visit bauraulac.ch..

A sleek new hotel - with it's rooftop infinity-edge pool,
and an 8,000-square-foot spa. Tempo Miami, views over the
Biscayne Bay in Miami. Elle Decor. visit tempomiami.rockresorts.com.

Nate Berkus' Apartment - Living & Dining Room
Canadian House & Home - Design Blogs

Images & subtext via Visualise.us, Flickr, Elle Decor, Canadian House & Home, Coastal Living & Teen Vogue.

It's Christmas Eve...

Hope you have made it on the 'nice' list, or redeemed yourself in time to make it onto Santa's good list! It's Christmas Eve, and as many of us are preparing to visit family, and friends - some are travelling to their loved ones and some are away from them... my sister, Felic & [future] brother-in-law, Alex, who are based in London are heading to Switzerland for Christmas, and we wish them & all who are making their way by car, bike, plane, train , or boat - safe travelling & happy trails to their destination...

It's also at this time we think of [and pray for]those who are less fortunate either without family and friends, or without a warm place to stay and something to eat. If you are in a position to give a donation of time or money to help someone less fortunate than yourself - I encourage you do to please do so - be it inviting neighbour/s [elderly or otherwise] to your home for some Christmas cheer & company, dropping in on someone you know that may be by themselves over this holiday time, giving time to help at a shelter or to a food van, or giving to your local church drive or community pledge... anything you can do always helps.

So tonight I hope that you all keep well, that the milk & cookies, and carrots are out, and that little eyes fall asleep and are kept tight whilst Santa makes his annual visit... May your Christmas morning be a truly happy one!

Take care & Best Wishes, Sarah x

Image from John Dolan photography

Bon Voyage... see you soon!

Today I'm heading off on an exciting holiday to Europe! A belated birthday trip - where I will also be visiting my sister & [future] brother-in-law in London, then travelling through Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France, back to London for a short stay again and then through to Bangkok for a summery stopover before hitting home...

The image I have posted is from a 'Happy Travelling' card from my Mum & Dad - too cute.

I 'm off for several weeks but hope to post blogs on Palatial Living where & when I can especially all the little interior haunts and galleries I'll be checking out! So please stay tuned and I will see you very shortly - til then take care & have fun with colour & style! S xxx

Image from Hallmark - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions.