my trades

my recent trades 
(for updated list..........www.niftyshots.blogspot.com)
bought 6000ce lots  july series @ 23.35      (5 july)  @ 5792 nifty, squared @53.25 = plus 29.10
bought 6000ce lots  july series @ 41.20      (5 july)  @ 5862 nifty, squared @84.65 = plus 43.45
bought 6000ce lots  july series @ 49.00      (5 july)  @ 5882 nifty, open
bought 5900ce lots  july series @ 46.25      (3 july)  @ 5767 nifty, squared @64.90 = plus 18.65 
bought 6100ce lots  july series @ 26.25      (2 july)  @ 5890 nifty, open 
bought 5900ce lots  july series @ 52.60    (28 jun)  @ 5770 nifty, squared @93.30 = plus 40.70
bought 5600ce lots  july series @ 141.50  (27 jun)  @ 5641 nifty, squared @216.05 =  plus 74.55
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this month net = plus 28
bought 5700pe lots  july series @ 152.95 (21 jun)  @ 5634 nifty, squared @140.70 = minus 12.25
bought 5700pe lots  june series @ 38.15  (17 jun)  @ 5800 nifty, squared @85.65 = plus 47.5
bought 5600pe lots  june series @ 30.15  (12 jun)  @ 5784 nifty, squared @ 39.55 = plus 9.40
bought 5900pe lots  june series @ 102      (11 jun)  @ 5890 nifty,  squared @156.20 = plus 54.20
bought 5800ce lots  june series @ 212.90 (4 jun)  @ 5958 nifty, squared @153.35 = minus 59.55
bought 6100ce lots  june series @ 37.95 (3 jun)  @ 5925 nifty, autosquared @ 0 = minus 37.95
bought 5900pe lots  june series @ 44.25 (29 may)  @ 6097 nifty, squred @ 72.25 = plus 28 
bought 5800pe lots  june series @ 55.75 (24 may)  @ 5987 nifty, squared @ 56.30 = plus 0.55
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this month net : plus 137
bought 6100pe lots  may series @ 33.80 (20 may)  @ 6186 nifty, squared @88.80 = plus 55 
bought 6200ce lots   may series @ 38.25 (13 may)  @ 6070 nifty, squared @ 63.65 = plus 25 
bought 6200ce lots   may series @ 20.95 (3 may)  @ 5967 nifty, squared @ 63.65 = plus 43
bought 5600pe lots  may series @ 12.20 (3 may)  @ 5967 nifty, autosquared @ 0 = minus 12.20
bought 6100ce lots   may series @ 23.20 (29 apr)  @ 5877 nifty, squared @ 59.90 = plus 36.70
bought 5600pe lots  may series @ 20.70 (25 apr)  @ 5887 nifty, autosquared @ 0 = minus 20.70
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this month net : plus 54
bought 5300pe lots       apr series @ 15.90 (10 apr)  @ 5498 nifty, autosquared @0 = minus 15.90
bought 5800ce lots"      apr series @ 12.18 (5 apr)  @ 5538 nifty, squared @ 94.80 = plus 82.62
bought 5900ce lots       apr series @ 24.35 (25mar)  @ 5641 nifty, autosquared @ 11.85, = minus 12.5
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this month net : minus 48
bought 6o00ce lots       apr series @ 29.95 (19mar)  @ 5749 nifty, open, autosquared @0 = minus 29.95
bought 5700pe lots march series @ 26.85 (14mar)  @ 5850 nifty, squared @11.40 = minus 15.45
bought 6200ce lots       apr series @ 18.45 (13mar)  @ 5850 nifty, open,autosquared @0 = minus 18.45
bought 5700pe lots march series @ 13.2   (8mar)  @ 5909 nifty, squared @22.45 = plus 9.25
bought 6000ce lots march series @ 44.10 (8mar) @ 5930 nifty,autosqaured @ 0 = minus 44.10
bought 5700pe lots march series @ 28.35 (7mar)  @ 5816 nifty, squared @11.40 = minus 16.95
bought 5900ce lots march series @ 27.90 (28feb) @ 5690 nifty, squared @94.55 = plus 66.65
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this month net : plus 7
bought 5800pe lots      feb series @ 33.50 (28feb) @5810 nifty, squared @112.15 = plus 78.65 points
bought 6100ce lots march series @ 19.05 (26feb) @5778 nifty, squared @ 15.75 = minus 3.3
bought 6100ce lots march series @ 37.65 (21feb) @5895 nifty, squared @ 15.75 = minus 21.90
bought 6100ce lots      feb series @14.80 (11feb) @5892 nifty, autosquared @ 0 =minus 14.80
bought 6100ce lots      feb series @ 31.60 (6feb) @5979 nifty, autosquared @0 = minus 31.60

D.C. Circuit Upholds Ban On Polar Bear “Trophy” Imports

In two recent rulings, the D.C. Circuit upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) determination that polar bear “trophies” – i.e., the body parts of polar bears killed in Canada – may no longer be imported into the United States now that the species has been listed under the Endangered Species Act.  In a suit by Safari Club, the Court rejected the argument that a provision of the Marine Mammal Protection Act that had authorized these imports prior to the species’ listing somehow trumps the Act’s protections for listed species such as the polar bear.  In another suit by Conservation Force, the Court issued an unpublished decision affirming the district court’s ruling that killing and importing polar bears does not enhance the survival of the species, as the plaintiffs had argued.  We intervened in these suits on behalf of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the United States, in order to defend the FWS’s determinations.  The Court’s rulings are here and here.

René Delrieu, Jardin décoré/Decorated garden


this and the next two pictures (2006) published 
with permission of the "archives départementales du Cantal"

Above picture, courtesy of the departmental archives of Cantal, shows the decorated garden of René Delrieu (1930-2008), who lived in the small community of Ally in the Auvergne area in France.

Delrieu was a blacksmith, who later in life became a mechanic of agricultural machinery. 

Affter his retirement, around 1994, he began embellishing the garden in front of his house. He made installations and sculptures from sheet metal, and added frescoes to the exterior wall of the house, such as the scene on the picture below that depicts a shoe smith at work.



A number of his creations have been performed two-dimensional, using sheet-metal, such as the scene of a horse race, painted in lively colors and attached to the wired fence of the garden.


This small, but enjoyable ensemble can no longer be viewed in situ. After Delrieu died and his house was sold, the collection found its way to various interested parties, among whom the Musée de Veinazès, located in La Capelle-del-Fraisse.

This private museum in the Auvergne area some ten years ago has been founded by Raymond Coste in order to exhibit his collection of traditional agricultural machinery and utensils used in tradional crafts. 

His son Bernard Coste,  who partners his father in running the museum, is quite interested in folk and irregular art, so the museum recently has opened a new department with creations in this field.

It nowadays exhibits part of René Delrieu's creations. Bernard Coste also took care to make pictures of the Delrieu site (in 2006), a collection he donated to the archives of the Cantal department.


moodel of a row of traditional houses in Aurillac 

Above story shows (and is a tribute to) the potential on a regional level of private parties being active in safeguarding artistic, artisinal and traditonal heritage. 

Documentation/more pictures
* Weblog of Bruno Montpied (june 2013), with a text about the museum and a text about René Delrieu (with more pictures)

René Delrieu
Jardin décoré
Ally, Cantal, FR
no longer extant, but part of the creations exhibited in:
Musée de Veizanès
Lacaza
15120 La Capelle-del-Fraisse, Auvergne, FR

Les demeures imaginaires/Imaginary dwellings


screenprint 

All the years I have been researching documentation about outsider environments, I did not come along a referral to a movie made in 1977, entitled Les demeures imaginaires, untill some days ago I saw the announcement of an evening with open air cinema on July 6th, 2013, at the Art Brut Museum, Lausanne. 

French art critic and expert of art brut Laurent Danchin will host the evening and he sure will have interesting details to share, both about the makers of the films and the creators of environments portrayed in these films.

Les demeures imaginaires is a remarkable production, presenting the Watts Towers by Simon Rodia, the Junker Haus of Karl Junker and the Maison Picassiette by Raymond Isidore


The film, composed in 1975, probably has been shot on 16 mm color film, which makes it for our nowadays eyes, used as we have become to digital processing, a bit blurry and old-fashioned. It has an introduction with elements (children being creatively active, the facade of the Mercery castle) that are only partly relevant to its main story. Of course, these are just matters of form.

What makes the film really remarkable, in my opinion, is the circumstance that all contributions to it have been made by psychiatrists.

Three psychiatrists contributing

The part about Simon Rodia (starting at 4'00") has been provided by Irene Jakab (1919-2011), a psychiatrist of Pittsburgh University, cofounder of SIPE, the Société Internationale de Psychopathologie de l'Expression et d´art-thérapie. In this field she has published Drawings and printings of mental patients, Budapest, 1956, later re-edited as Pictorial Expression in Psychiatry, Budapest, 1998.

I came along a note saying that Jakab in 1971 presented a film about the Watts Towers. It is unclear to me if the part in Les demeures imaginaires is equal to this one.

The part about Karl Junker (starting at 8'28") has been provided by Kurt Behrends, a german psychiatrist from Dùsseldorf. The film has been sponsored by the Psychiatrische Abteilung des Institutes fùr Lebensberatung Stadt Dùsseldorf  (Psychiatric department of the institute for counseling in existential questions). I couldn't trace any info about some special relation of dr Behrend with Karl Junker's creation.

The third part, about Raymond Isidore (starting at 17'30") has been provided by Gaston Ferdière (1907-1990) who in the film is credited as the one who proposed the concept of the film.

Ferdière was a psychiatrist, who liked the arts, wrote poetry and participated in surrealist circles in the Paris of the nineteen thirties, later to  become doctor at the psychiatric hospital in Rodez in southern France. One of his patients was Antonin Artaud, and the way Ferdière treated him raised a lot of controversy.

screenprint

Changing role of psychiatry

In the late 18th and early 19th century western psychiatrists like Lombroso, Morgenthaler, Prinzhorn, Meunier and Marie have been important in identifying and studying creative talents of inmates of their institutions. By collecting their works and publishing books about them, they laid a foundation on which after WWII Dubuffet established his realm of art brut.   

But the times they are achanging. In the nineteen seventies new medicines became available for psychiatric patients and large psychiatric institutions were closed, patients henceforth living in small units or getting care by outpatient treatment. Nowadays small scale studios provide an opportunity for psychiatric patients to be creatively active.   

Am I wrong in supposing that above developments implicate that contemporary psychiatry no longer is present with regard to discussing developments in outsider art and outsider environments, and correspondently. also no longer is seen as an interesting interlocutor by those who nowadays lead the debate (art historians, curators, social scientists) ? 

If so, this could explain why during all those years I never saw a referral to the Les demeures imaginaires movie.

What I consider as a pity. Because this film by Eric Duvivier, dated in its design as it may be, has quite instructive scenes of some outstanding outsider environments. And also because, in retrospect, this film might be seen as a last tribute to a bygone era, a landmark that underscores the departure of psychiatry from the discussion about outsider art/outsider environments.

Les demeures imaginaires (1975, 28'59")
Edited by Eric Duvivier
Laboratoire Sandoz, Basel, Switzerland

Hampton Holiday House White Gala Opening...

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Via Holiday House & Hamptons Cottages and Gardens
On Saturday, June 22nd Holiday House and Hamptons Cottages and Gardens had their inaugural White Gala soiree for the opening of the first Hamptons Designer Show House located in Bridgehampton, NY. Let's just say Sean (P.Diddy) Combs could have taken notes on how to throw a stylish white party. This event showcase some incredible work via 22 elite interior designers in our industry.

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Holiday House Founder and Cancer Survivor, Iris Dankner and I
Holiday House Founder, Iris Dankner has been raising the bar on pulling off Show Houses in NYC and incorporating her near and dear charity to heart, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She has taken it to a whole other level by bringing it to the Hamptons. Starting with the selection of the builder, Villadom Corp.

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Holiday House Show House Model "Gambrel" via Villadom Corp.
So let's dish on some incredible design. Check out my favorite rooms, coincidentally some happen to be clients and great friends, but most importantly they are true scene stealers. 

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Interior Designer, Ally Coulter Designs a Sexy Master Bedroom and Bath 

When walking into Ally's boudoir, you would think you should be listening to Justin Timberlake's "I'm Bringing Sexy Back". White, glamorous and fierce comes to mind when entering. Take a sharp look around as the author of 50 Shades of Gray can come up with new ideas from this room alone. Filled with luxurious furnishings from Niedermaier, Ralph Lauren, Baccarat and closets lined with Badgley Mischka couture gowns, luck be a lady in this fabulous master bedroom suite.
 
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Interior Designer, Guillaume Gentet Lower Level Media Room
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My personal favorite room via Guillaume Gentet






















This room literally was delicious. Interior Designer, Guillaume Gentet created a modern day scene right from the film, Marie Antoinette for us to marvel at. From pink champagne filled glasses, decadent desserts and 18th century brightly colored furniture to diamond poured dishes and a mirrored television screen. A lady can easily make this her "cave" a man would be jealous of. I had the hardest time leaving it. J'adore this space and savored every moment in it.   
Guillaume Gentet Lower Level Media Room
How I felt in Guillaume Gentet Lower Level Media Room
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Seriously, do I need to say anymore? Interiors via the one and only Thom Filicia
Okay so I have to add a little note here. Thom is one of my best friends I hang out with all the time. I get to have dinner at his stunning lake house and he comes to my place to make fun of my 4000sqft renovation nightmare. Now when I say friends, I mean "Friend in My Head". Thom is one of those designers that his work speaks for itself, but when you are around him you feel comfortable like the rooms he designs. In my case just a little too comfortable where I think we are best buds and can chat about anything as mentally he is a great friend in my head. What I have to remember every time I see him is that he has no clue who the heck I am so I must reel in the honest talk and just smile and nod. (Thanks Thom for getting me.)

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My Super Star Client and Amazing Designer Friend, Libby Langdon
Check out those runners and I am not talking about her gorgeous legs. Libby brought in the transitional chic and deck the halls in her rug collection and wall covering lines. The wallpaper is phenomenal as it is a peel and stick application. You can actually roll the paper off your walls for a change in look, but keep the old wall covering for up to five years for reuse! She is just beyond and I adore her so.
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Andra Dubois, CBS News Anchor, Maurice Dubois, Iris Dankner and Mystery Guy 
 
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 Interior Designer, Inson Wood and I
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Interior Designer and Owner of Old Town Crossing, Judy Hadlock

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Interior Designer of My Favorite Room, Guillaume Gentet
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Moi, Real Housewives of New Jersey & Host of HGTV's Dina's Party, Dina Manzo and My Bestie (In My Head) Designer, Thom Filicia
All who attended kept to the dress code which was crisp and stylish white. The Show House was filled to the max with celebrities, designers, press and more all there to show their support for a wonderful cause. I was honored to be invited and share my support. I certainly hope you will too. Take a trip this summer to the Hamptons and pay a visit to the Hamptons Holiday House Show House now open Sunday June 23rd- Sunday July 21st at 4 Fair Hills Lane, Bridgehampton, NY. CLICK HERE for more details. Share you favorite rooms with us! 


For more design biz tips and design watch updates feel free to contact Viteri Style Management. Every Monday we aim to share our practical solutions to interior designers running a boutique style business. Stay connected.
 
XOXO
Barbara V.

Mustique Travel and Holiday Report - Part 4 Cotton House

The Cotton House Hotel is a special place. Why? It is not that easy to explain but I will have a try. Descriptions such as relaxed and informal come to mind but equally so does elegant and luxury which is weird as the first two rarely link seamlessly with the the last! Maybe because it only has 17 rooms, but on the other hand they are in a huge acreage which has a big and beautiful spa. Like all hotels it has a pool and beach….but where have all the people gone. I hope you are getting my drift.

The rooms vary greatly. The entry level are called ‘cottages’ and are pretty enough for anyone. The next up are the Grenadine Suites which are in a block of four with the ground level rooms having plunge pools. We stayed once on the first floor and, whilst modern and gorgeous made me jealous of not having the pool below our balcony. None of the rooms have a sea view and look over the extensive manicured grounds instead.


The sea view rooms are in the Coutenout House. There are 5 rooms here and they are all different in design and layout. We have stayed in three. They are all on one level and all have decking and plunge pools except for one. This is the Tower Room which is, as you may imagine, in a little tower above the other four. This room has a fabulous view, its own veranda overlooking the beach and is very private. Great for honeymooners!

 Out of the other rooms we have two favourites.  The Orchid Room is tucked to one side and is very peaceful. It has a separate lounge (unlike the others) and a very attractive glass ceilinged bathroom. Star watching whilst soaking is a great experience. This room is well sound insulated from the others, has a nice little pool and great for skinny dipping if you had the desire to do so! The bed is FANTASTIC. The best I have ever slept in.


Finally we stayed in the Sunset Room. Probably named after the superb views of the beach and the sunsets you get out there. It has a big deck and pool which is stuck out towards the bay which stops it being overlooked whilst allowing any sea breezes to blow through. We loved it there even though there is a hatch from bathroom to bedroom so you can see the view from the loo. Unfortunately the same works in reverse and can result in your partner yelling at you!


Finally there are some duplex suites which are large, spacious and usually two storied. They too have plunge pools and also have two bedrooms which make them good for children. They are lovely but we still prefer the Coutenout rooms. At the top of a little hill next to reception they have a 2 bedroom villa. This is pretty good realty because it is private and secluded yet you can enjoy all the services and amenities the hotel has to offer whilst living a villa lifestyle. Nope, still Coutenout for us!

The hotel has its own little beach. On it they have top quality wooden sun loungers with a towel covered mattress and sun umbrellas. There is a beach attendant/drink getter a few paces onto the grass. On the grass they have lounge settees sheltered under the trees so you can flop out and read or sleep if you want. On one side of the beach is a pier and water sports centre which has got just about anything you can imagine and also runs diving trips. Snorkel stuff and sail boats are free to guests.

At the other end of the beach is a bar/café and it is here they serve lunch. It is not that cheap but the food is usually pretty good and the portions huge. Very often we shared one meal between us but, if you didn’t then be prepared to spend around US$65 (including a drink) between the two of you. The staff are lovely and the sea breeze cooling. Like most places in the Caribbean you do get the occasional bird showing too much interest in your food so they lend you little water pistols to discourage them! P.s. a thrill for me was I could get a pizza without cheese there!

 It is usually shut in the evenings which is a bit of a shame although they try to hold their barbecue night there when the can. This meal is not to be missed but don’t get mad when they weigh your choice of meat in front of you as it is not to charge you extra for a big lobster. Or, like I had, Lobster, Prawn, Steak and Lamb! My own interpretation of ‘Surf and Turf’.

Dinners are served in their ‘fine dining’ Veranda  restaurant that circles around the Great House where reception and the main bar and lounge is. As you can imagine this is not cheap but most hotel rates you get do include breakfast and dinner. Some people  complain about the variety of the food as the printed menu rarely changes but what I think they forget is the the chefs are willing to adapt any dish to your own taste. Bearing in mind there is always at least four different kinds of meat as well a two fish that isn't at all bad.

Then you have two other sources of food. The ‘all day dining’ menu in your room has kiddies and adult food like spaghetti Bolognese, BLT  and fish fingers which is good eating on your  patio under the stars. Also they have a good Tapas menu in the lounge/bar. Unfortunately I only found out about it on our last day as the menu is behind the cocktail list which I never looked at. So is it Michelin standard? Of course it isn't. Is it good Caribbean standard? Yes I think it is.


What about the rest of the hotel? As you can gather I think the pool, beach and spa areas are great. The grounds are extensive and contain plenty of relaxation and exercise areas from running trails (did not use) and tennis (what on holiday?!). Everything is well groomed and maintained although there was a very short spell when power and water was lost.


 We loved it all but it appeals perhaps to only certain types of holidaymaker. I think you have to be comfortable enough with your partner to spend time in each other’s company. The island is ‘laid back’ and not that  regular a haunt of celebrities, chavs and royals. We met nice people but, apart from Basil’s or Lisa’s bar there were not many places to go and have a wild time. However, if you want beauty, relaxation, peace and laid back enjoyment we find it unbeatable.

We really enjoyed our holiday:

and so did they.......!

Certificate awarded by Hon CPMG in connection with PSDNASHIK .BLOGSPOT

Hon. CPMG awarded certificate to Shri M.S.Ahirrao SP PSD Nashik and Shri N.R Pandav Sys. Admin  for outstanding performance of psdsnashik.blogspot at A.S.Club Aurangabad on 08.06.2013

Photo of journey towards excellence at Powai Mumbai 27/28.04.2013


Sourcing Colors for Your Calendar...

Viteri Style Managment
Thom Filicia Color Stories for Kravet
I always try to add elements of interior design practices when it comes to helping my designer clients manage their business. Mainly because it's how a designer's creative brain will stay focus on the boring management side of their company. So when working with designers on managing their calendars, I created a concept I think many designers would benefit from.

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Sourcing Color for Your Calendar
Designers are constantly sourcing; furniture, fabric and sometimes inspiration. They are in sourcing mode more times then they would like to admit, but the common thread would be their connection to color. There is an emotional connection I think designers can tie into when managing their calendars. The key is to keep the color story simple. Meaning no more than 3 to 4 colors for each categorize event. 

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Outlook's "Pantone" Color Selections
Think of sourcing colors for your calendar. Try to connect a color that will evoke a sense of feeling for the 3 to 4 categorized events that make up your day. Here are my simple suggestions:
  • Meetings: Meetings are a given in this industry and always presents a sense of urgency. You may want to select colors that are vibrant and will pop off your calendar. RED/ORANGE/YELLOW are great selections for this.
  • Design Work: Sourcing, shopping, drawing, etc. I would think allotting time for this is pure pleasure for designers, so pick cool fun colors like BLUE/PURPLE/GRAY for these events.
  • Billing/Office Work: Lets face it, you will need to block time for this. This is the portion of your job that brings in the money. You can only imagine the color I would choose for this event. Pick any shade of GREEN.
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Sample Calendar Combining Both Personal and Work Schedules
The goal is to manage your calendar by connecting your sense of color for optimum balance. I like using Outlook as I can categorize each of these events by overlapping the color calendar I created for them. Having 3 to 4 color options for this is easily manageable. The forth color option can be to incorporate your personal calendar. I'm still puzzled why many designers would opt to keep these calendars separated when, let's face it they are blendable. Also don't forget you can use this technique with employee calendars for an optimize company calendar. Your employees can use the same concept and you have remote access to view it anytime at a glance. 
 
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Paint Can Color Schemes
So pull out your color wheels or paint charts and start sourcing for a color scheme. See if your online calendar offers a similar dye lot and start categorizing the events on your calendar. Ensure you can narrow it down to no more than 3 to 4 and select the colors that you can emotionally connect with to each event. You will be amazed how effective it can be and not to mention how stylish your day to day will look.


For more design biz tips feel free to contact Viteri Style Management. Every Monday we aim to share our practical solutions to interior designers running a boutique style business. Stay connected.


XOXO
Barbara V.

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Mustique Travel and Holiday Report - Part 3 The Island


It really is a very pretty island with a number of amazing unspoiled, often empty beaches to enjoy. The best thing to do is jump into your ‘Mule’ and explore in order to get your bearings and then plan your stay.


Probably the best place to find is Macaroni Beach . This beach is everything most people want. It has pure white sand, it is clean and the water is crystal clear. It has waves but nothing to be too afraid of as the currents are usually very benign. All along this small beach are tropical trees for shade and under these are all sorts of amenities from volleyball courts to picnic spots. The latter can be booked in advance and you can even order a picnic and have it delivered to your chosen spot. Nobody tries to pinch your place or your belongings. Remarkable in the modern Caribbean!


There are other equally beautiful beaches. Lagoon beach is terrific although it can get a bit sea weedy in some seasons. Some of the other beaches on the Atlantic side are pretty wild yet beautiful and swimming is not recommended here. All of these are within 10 minutes from where you are staying. Snorkeling is good by Caribbean standards and one of the better places is just off the Cotton House Hotel beach. You can get a great lunch there too which will set you back around US$60/70 for two with a drink.


The island is a great place for activities particularly on and under the sea. There is a dive centre too on Cotton House beach with great tuition and a strong safety ethic. You can rent all kinds of snorkeling and diving gear from them as well as catamarans, sailboats and windsurfers. Next to the tiny airport is the sports area where they play cricket and base their Equestrian centre. The island is great for riding and trekking with lots of paths and fitness trails for those that enjoy that sort of thing. Some people complain that there is not much to do but I don’t get that.


OK, so what about the social side? This just might be an area where some folk enjoy perhaps more than they think Mustique can offer, and they may be right. There are only four places most people will find for a drink. They are The Cotton House, The Firefly, the famous Basil’s Bar and a new place called Lisa’s overlooking the harbour.

 You have to know where you are going to find Lisa’s.  You go to Lovells Village where most of the workers live and it is almost immediately on the left as you go in. I have heard Lisa and her husband are a great and hospitable couple and the bar is open to both locals from the village and guests from anywhere. You can just turn up, get cheaper drinks, enjoy the view and eat great local cuisine.

The Firefly is a very small but chic hotel with 5 rooms (I think) and a very nice bar and restaurant area. We did not go this time because we heard mixed reports about the food and what it cost. Words like over-priced and sub-standard were used by one couple we spoke to. In saying that it was just one or two opinions and it reminds me of the term ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’. Some people think it a fabulous place. It is built on the side of a steep slope the other side of the bay to Lisa’s and the rooms are very pretty and chic.





Right down in the port/yacht harbour you will find Basil’s. It is built on its own pier sticking out into the bay and is quite an experience. We went there most nights for a sun downer or two, or three and enjoyed the relaxed ambiance of this unique setting. They have a ‘jump up’ night on Wednesdays and often feature Jazz on Sunday lunch time. Sometimes it can get quite wild (in a fun sense) especially if something is being celebrated at the time. I have heard people who didn't like it say they were glad they went on one of these nights. It was hear that I got introduced to a lethal cool looking cocktail called a T Punch which I enjoyed a holiday romance with!



The last place I want to talk about is The Cotton House which is the only larger (17 rooms!) hotel on the island. This is where we stayed and we loved it. Would you? I don’t know. Some people expecting a ‘Chav Fest’ of glamour, celebrities and parties might have been disappointed. We found it a masterpiece of what I call ‘relaxed luxury’ or ‘understated elegance’. I will tell you about it in my next update.
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