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Enjoying a lovely long weekend in Sussex, a guest at a beautiful home  in the heart of the English countryside; rolling green hills in all shades of green, massive stands of pine at the ends of barley fields, and hedgerows bursting with an astounding array of  plants, bushes, vines and flowers acting as fencing for fields of baying lambs!These photos are of wild flowers from our morning walk on paths maintained by the National Trust.

From Kim:

Pictured above is a luscious Lotus Essence, housed in a precious glass vial. The scent is dreamy on everyone who wears it.  Just arrived from Cairo, it is pure and enchanting. The plants are pressed to release the essence; there are no other ingredients.    

The lotus is one the most revered flowers in all the world. Its beauty, colors and life have been of huge inspiration in art, philosophy, religion, cuisine and culture for eons.  

We are lucky to have our own Lotus Land, Ganna Walska's beloved gardens and estate in Montecito.  As much as I enjoy a great lap pool, I love that the swimming pool of the estate, built in the 1920's, was later utilized as a home for numerous varieties of the namesake lotus flowers.

Pictured to the left, somewhere in Ho Chi Minh City, float artfully worked lotus flowers, drifting in a huge brass pot. While the flowers are used decoratively, the roots are used in cooking.  One of the most refreshing and delicious salads I've ever had in my life was a lotus root salad in Hanoi. There are so many aspects to this amazing plant! While I've not tried this recipe for lotus-root-salad, it sounds délicieux!

From Kim:

The lovely tree lined Place des États-Unis (of the 16th arrondissement) is not on the main tourist track but definitely worth the trip while in Paris. Here, two of my favorite Parisian retailers have teamed up to create the most extraordinary exhibit.  ”Plus Vrai Que Nature” – Truer Than Real Life – is presented at Maison de Baccarat in the former mansion of art patron Marie-Laure de Noailles who used to entertain the likes of Man Ray, Cocteau and Dali. 

Seemingly, the spirit of these surrealists lives on here. Philippe Starck created the interior design and is a master at conserving the grand historical aspects of the building, while interjecting his trademark flair of theatrical decor, elegance and unexpected chic.

Musée Baccarat’s show highlights the incredible range and virtuosity of Baccarat’s crystal creations inspired by nature, in concert with numerous birds, butterflies and creatures from Deyrolle. The blue morpho butterfly poised on the lip of a hand cut, hand painted turn of the century Baccarat vase is a breathtaking example of both man and nature’s most sophisticated and beautiful creations. Take the time to book ahead for lunch or tea in the Cristal Room housed in a fantastic salon of contrast; raw brick walls, crystal chandeliers, pale pink banquettes – it is fantastique!