End of summer

· Fashion

It might sound a bit early to write this title because summer will technically finish at the end of this month, but all the signs already foresee summer as a memory.

I was really into winter outfits (as I loved wearing different layers not so long ago!) but I now really enjoy wearing summer clothes: loose pants, shirts, culottes, flowing and long dresses. Everything is much more simple.

 

… or indian summer?

So here is a basic outfit for the end of this summer with a mix of old stuffs that I still treasure (this Pharrel Williams x Uniqlo shirt and black sandals, with the same shape as my leopard ones) and new stuffs (these very comfortable high rise linen pants, which fit the safari jacket I wore here and my summer Balinese bag).

I must admit, I haven’t started looking for fall outfit inspirations yet. Maybe an Indian Summer will give me some time to start thinking about it? (English translation by Quiterie)


My Outfit

Tee-shirt Pharrell Williams x Uniqlo (2014)
High rise linen pants  Close
Sandals La Redoute (2014)
Bag brought from Ubud market, Bali (similar here)

Bracelets Dinh Van, Thomas Sabo, Louis Vuitton
Ring Papyrus Atelier B
Earrings Soko
Necklace Minetta Jewellery
Watch Cluse

Eyelashes extension « Volume russe » Les cils de Marie (already seen here)
Eyebrow crayon Brow Drama Pomade « Châtain » Maybelline NY
Lipstick Lip Paint Lacquer “105 Red fiction” L’Oréal Paris

 

Temples in Bali

· Travel

Our balinese trip is coming to an end – my summer saga hehe – with the visit of the temples – of which you will find a great number all over the island of Bali.

Some will say that “when you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all”. However, each “Pura” has its own specificity : here are a select few that we visited during our stay.

 

The rules

Know that various religions cohabit on Bali, but the majority of the inhabitants are hindu. Which means there are a number of beliefs and traditions that can be foreign to us. The most recurring rules to respect when entering temples will be indicated at the entrance :

Decent wear (as in every place of worship)

-Cover your legs with a sarong (sold at the entrance, on markets or in our case, provided by our chauffeur)

-For women, do not visit the temple if you are pregnant, have just given birth or are menstruating – it is considered religiously unpure. (of course no one will be checking, but rules are rules I guess!)

Don’t settle above a priest who is conducting a ceremony (so no climbing on the wall to get that amazing Instagram picture)

 

The “Canang Sari” offerings

According to the hindu religion, these daily offerings are meant for the Gods of the Mountains, as a token of gratitude.

You will find them not only in the temples, but also in front of shops, houses on the sidewalks (mind your step!).

Each family will devote a moment of their day to making these little flowered boxes out of palm leaves.

During our stay, we took part in a workshop in our hotel, and learned to make them.

This DIY was very interesting – we learned about the codification that goes into the making of these offerings, in respect with the balinese religious tradition.

Which Canang Sari is the prettiest?

 

Each flower color has a meaning : once the flowers are set up with care, you add little biscuits, a bit of incense etc. I did pretty good, don’t you think?

 

Pura Goa Gajah
(Elephant cave temple)

This temple hosts the elephant cave. It’s possible to go inside and see the hindu god statuettes, amongst which one of Ganesh, the elephant-headed protecting god.

Once you exit the cave, you can choose to continue on a path with stairs that will bring you deeper in the jungle.

 

Pura Gunung Kawi
(Rocky temple)

After walking down a road lined with souvenir shops, you’ll find yourself in front of this Indiana Jones worthy temple.

Keep on walking, the road is absolutely amazing : lush greenery, rice fields, a river : is this the way to heaven?

 

Pura Tirta Empul
(Holy spring water temple)

Located in Tampaksiring, this temple has pools filled with holy water where you can bathe to purify, and make offerings to divinities. .

I didn’t go for a dip, but know that if you feel like it, you can purify your soul by stepping in.

 

… and the others !

If you are feeling spiritual (or adventurous), here are other temples that might be worth a visit :

Besakih temple : the largest temple in Bali (with the number of tourists visiting, it is apparently recommended to beware of tourist traps in the area)

Goa Lawah temple (the bats temple) : not sure I would have been quite at ease, but if the spirit of Batman is with you, why not.

Pura Ulun Danu Batur temple : a floating temple dedicated to the water godess.

 

Here we are, our Bali trip ends here! I hope you enjoyed our time together there, even if we didn’t go crazy on the visits and stayed with the more classical options.

It was a wonderful change of scenery, and it did me quite a lot of good. I would highly recommend this destination to whoever is looking for some peace and quiet, it’s an atmosphere you will find there (although maybe not as much in south Bali).

Have a great weekend, we’ll talk soon! (English translation by Marine)

 

PS: To (re)discover my whole trip in Bali, click here !

Dépôt Légal by Christophe Adam

· Fashion, Food

As I was telling you earlier, I don’t mind spending my summer in Paris because I can discover the capital with a more relaxing point of view.

I found this address on a Saturday night, early August. My SO and me were walking once again in my favorite neighbourhood, Sainte Anne street/Palais Royal.

Once will not hurt, we didn’t want to eat Japanese food that night and decide to try out this Dépôt légal. We enjoyed our time there so much that we ended up going back there 3 times in a month… that says it all!

 

Christophe Adam’s canteen

I found out later that this place was inaugurated last May by the famous pastry Chef Christophe Adam, well-know for his “éclairs de génie”(= genius éclairs).

Every time I went there, I had a warm welcoming from waiters and waitresses, effective and smily. I was worried the ambiance could be too “Parisian” in a stilted/snobbish way but not at all.

This mix between “brasserie/coffee/tearoom/pastry/tapas bar/grocery store” is comfortable, no matter if you seat inside or outside on the small patio/terrace on the Petits Champs street.

The decoration has been designated with elegance and conviviality.

Everything is home made with fresh products and “made with love” as written on the single newspaper sheet used as menu.

 

4-times treat

By opening this place, Christophe Adam aimed to bring this place to life from morning to night, 7 days a week while following 4 key food times of the day. Challenge was successfully reached as I went back to discover each time’s speciality!

As I said at the beginning of this article, we found this place at night in a “tapas/win bar” ambiance: dished served (ceviche, croque Vivienne made with cream cheese and truffle, creamy Burrata, etc..) convinced us thanks to their freshness and the delicate harmony of savours.

Cream cheese and truffle Croques, creamy Burrata et ceviche for the evening

 

But the “final knock out” came with the dessert: chocolate mousse with on top a chocolate-chestnut shortbread biscuit with its salty butter caramel ice cream, a divine assortment of textures as I love. A real true moment of pleasure.

The following time I stopped by for teatime to enjoy a Genmaicha tea perfectly served with a yummy pistachio and raspberry barlette (=long shortbread tart).

“Éclairs de génie” anytime during the day

 

The third time was for a Sunday brunch that I will describe more in details at the end of this post.

Then, last Saturday, we got tempted to try the lunch: a pokebowl with fresh tuna, sticky rice, avocado, mango, ginger and coriander dressing for me and a toasted sandwich with curry chicken for my dear love.

Curry chicken toasted sandwich & Pokebowl for lunch

 

He was left a bit hungry but on my side, in line with my green/healhty mood since my return from Bali, I really appreciated this bowl full of freshness. However, I would prefer warn you if you have a big appetite, you might be a bit disappointed during lunch time.

 

Sunday brunch

On Sunday, early-birds can experience “Happy morning” until 10:30am: salty or sweet toasts, viennoiseries, smoothies bowls are offered on the menu.

As we were a bit lazy, we opted for brunch starting from 11:00am.

A complete brunch

 

For 29€, it includes hot drink (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate), fresh squeezed juice (green apple juice was delicious), sweet bites (croissant roll, Maison Bordier toasts with butter or waffles), one salty or sweet bowl, one toast or one “croque” and to perfectly finish one “éclair du jour” or dessert from the menu (add-on 2€).

 Quinoa feta bowl & avocado mimosa egg “tartine”

 

A good way to combine the “Best of” of the Dépôt légal cuisine. I always preferred brunches without buffet as with buffet it’s usually more about quantity rather than quality. Therefore I appreciated this one served at our table and prepared with love.

Waffles  & Chocolate croissant roll

 

The sweet touch remains the strong part of this place with this “1000 feuilles mouillettes” made of “caramelised crapotes” soak into this smooth vanilla praline and pecan nuts cream. Divinely good.

1000 feuilles mouillettes and caramelized crapotes

 

The yuzu and coco éclair defended itself quite fairly as well (yes I tasted the 2 desserts on these pictures (and IRL)… for the blog of course, hehe).

 Yuzu coco Éclair

 

To sum up

This Dépôt légal by Christophe Adam is a beautiful discovery, which mixes freshness love and desserts perfectly prepared. I particularly enjoyed the brunch aspect and tapas at night but each moment of the day as its own charm and quality remains the same.

The menu is supposed to change along the seasons: so I will be very pleased to go again (… hoping the chocolate mousse and 1000 feuilles will still be available!). (English translation by Quiterie)

 
DÉPÔT LÉGAL
by Christophe Adam

2 rue Vivienne
75002 PARIS
(Métro Bourse)


My Outfit

Jacket Close
Tee shirt ASOS
Pants Samsøe Samsøe (-45%)
Sandals Nomadic State of Mind
Straw tote bag brought from Ubud, Bali

Bracelets Dinh Van, Thomas Sabo, Mya Bay, Louis Vuitton
Ring Papyrus Atelier B
Earrings Mango
Necklace Minetta Jewellery
Watch Cluse

Eyelashes extension « Volume russe » Les cils de Marie (already seen here)
Eyebrow crayon Brow Drama Pomade « Châtain » Maybelline NY
Lipsticks « 986 Melted Chocolate Mat » Maybelline NY
+ Color riche « Dahlia Insolent 135 » L’Oréal Paris
Nailpolish Color Show Preppy Woman « 470 Runway Rose » Maybelline NY

 

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