Tag Archives: Exclusive Photos

Ski Weekend in Club Med Valmorel

It Snowed the Day Before

  

Fresh Snow!

A great way to start the year! What a pleasure to bring out my ski outfit! Let’s go to the French Alps for a weekend in Valmorel, a small village of the Tarentaise. The coming back after almost a year! I am euphoric in front of the landscape’s beauty. But also a bit perplexed: am I still able to ski?

Fortunately, no time to procrastinate: I have to pick up my equipment at the Club Med‘s very well organized ski room. Then I join Nicolas, the ESF instructor (with an infinite patience), for an intensive day of skiing. Wow, the weather is fantastic and tracks are empty! My advice, go skiing outside school holidays and / or spring (ideal conditions for beginners)!    

Some of the slopes are lined with fir trees and remind me of Méribel, one of my favorite ski resorts. Here, there is a more intimate vibe as the ski area is smaller. Apart from the sea or ocean, few landscapes can make me as happy as the snow-capped peaks. It’s just b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!

A Tour in Valmorel

Laid Back Après-Ski

In the early evening, we take the Club Med’s shuttle to the pedestrian village of Valmorel. The perfect timing for an aperitif in one of the village bars, the really cool Jimbo Lolo where I drank a hot Caipirinha (photo above).

At the Maryan bakery, I discuss chocolate with the owner and pastry chef of Celine (Dion)’s wedding cake! Below, the roses of the sands. Then back to Club Med, where we had dinner every night (photo below). 

The View From My Room

Picture above: the view from my bed! The kind of view that makes me get up at dawn to contemplate the landscape for hours. My before and apres-ski moments. 

 

Picture below: the view from Club Med’s main terrace on the ski slopes!

 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Skiing Into Spring, France MontagnesClub Med Valmorel

Related posts : LIFESTYLEDESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to France Montagnes and Club Med Valmorel for this invitation. As always these are my opinions.

My Winter Beauty Routine

Step 1 : Cleansing & Moisturizing

For over a month, I have been testing a new beauty routine, with the French brands Quiriness (sensory and spa-based), Novexpert (cosmetics devlopped with 100% natural ingredients) and Cattier (organic and sustainable). 

My focus for this season is : fighting against cold, dehydration, sagging skin and lack of radiance. Let’s start with cleansing and moisturizing. Morning and evening, I use on my face, neck and décollete: 

1. The Uriage 1st Cleansing Oil. Light, very pleasant and ultra soft for my skin more sensitive and reactive in winter. It foams in contact with water and leaves after rinsing a discreet film that softens the skin.

2. Then I apply the Quiriness Lotion Tonique Exquise (Gold Softening Toning Lotion) with the fingertips in generous quantities. Its velvety watery texture with iridescent reflections offers a great feeling of freshness! And I massage or tap my face, neck and décollete to penetrate the lotion.

3. To end this step, I spray the Novexpert Brume Magnésium (magnesium mist) that I tap, to wake up and activate my skin and blood circulation. This haze is a treat! I do not hesitate to spray again before applying my second serum, day cream or oil. 


Step 2 : Day Serums

No beauty routine without serum, thank you (lol)!

Every morning, I start with the Quiriness Anti-Aging Serum, Elixir Temps Précieux (Perfect Lifting Essence) which contains the superstar ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid, but also Microencapsulated Retinol, Peptites, Seaweed, Grape seeds, Cotton oil … Very very nice on the skin: the lovely creamy texture surprised me a little at first, because I got used to watery serums.

To fight against oxidation (especially due to pollution) and have a radiant complexion, I add a pump of the Novexpert Booster à la Vitamine C. This 100% biodegradable serum contains collagen and 25% vitamin C, the daily dose to protect the skin against free radicals (according to Truecos).

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3 : Day and Eye Creams

Morning and evening, I apply a pump (for both sides) of Novexpert Contour des Yeux Anti-âge Expert which is really effective! After each application, I’ve noticed that my (slightly darker) dark circles under eyes disappear. The magic happens thanks to nacres that reflect the light. And best of all, the cream moisturizes and nourishes this very fragile area, without irritating my eyes. 

I finish my morning beauty routine with Quiriness Caresse Temps Précieux (Perfect Repair Cream). Dream texture with a very discreet scent: the comforting gesture to start the day! It gives a luminous velvety smooth finish to my skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4 : Night Treatment

I do this after the same cleansing and moisturizing step than in the morning.

If I need to remove makeup : before the cleanser, I apply a greasy substance (a vegetable oil of olive or musky rose) that I mass on the neck, face and eyes. Then I remove it with cottons rinsed with hot water and wrung out. Much less aggressive than a micellar water.

In the evening, I deeply moisterize my skin with Novexpert Sérum Booster à l’acide hyaluronique. This serum is the most concentrated hyaluronic acid in Europe. It offers the equivalent of 20 injections of hyaluronic acid (according to Truecos). Its gelled texture is a bit sticky but penetrates very quickly.

I optimise with the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+. It become one of my basic. A pot lasts me up to 5-6 months!

Last beauty gesture of my winter routine, I apply an organic vegetable oil by specific massages on the décolleté, neck and face. I change the oils according to their properties.

 

 

 

My Face Body and Hair Must Have

Dear shea butter! Organic, alone or mixed with other products (like organic vegetable oils), multifunction (make-up remover, face and body cream, or moisturizer for super dry hair)! At the moment, the odorless shea butter of  Cattier suits me very well.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Related articles : BEAUTY

Guimarães Home Fashion Week

A Portuguese Textile Fair

I was invited at the Guimarães Home Fashion Week 2017 last summer. A great opportunity for me to discover some Portuguese textile manufacturers and brands. You know my great interest for textiles, interior design and architecture. 

The trade show was held in the beautiful Pousada Mosteiro de Guimaraes. This heritage monument gave something particular to the event. The brands presented their collection in bedrooms, or in spaces decorated with Ajuleros (stunning ancient tiles).

Check out the pictures of my selection of trends and products I liked. Photomontage above: here are my favorite, the Colma Co smart textiles with ethnic inspiration. Photomontage below: 1, a set of shits and towels with a very fresh palm design by Renaitex. 2, cushions in satin fabrics by Cristina Teixeira.

Faded grey bathrobes (above) and towel set and beautiful colorful bath towels (pictures below) by Domingos de Sousa.

Photomontage above : 1, very nice colorful cushion with owl by JPS Home & Textil. 2 and 3, two beautiful fountains of the Pousada Mosteiro de Guimaraes. 4, In each bedroom, a brand exhibited its latest collection.

The MoreTextile group has the most beautiful exhibition space (photos above and below) with greenery, columns, fountain and azulejos! Amazing!

  

Exciting Visit of The Mundotextil Factory

Discovery of a Modern Production

I really enjoyed my private visit, with a Polish designer friend, at MundoTextil, the manufacturer specialized in towels.

Fascinant de découvrir les différents mode de fabrication du textile! Mes deux précédentes expériences étaient à Kyoto, avec le maître tisseur des étoffes de l’empereur Japon et un atelier de tissage en Thaïlande. 

I was completely fascinated by the different steps of textile manufacture in a modern factory! My previous two experiences were in Kyoto, with the weaver master of outstanding fabrics for the Emperor of Japan and a silk workshop in Thailand.

The Magic Starts With a Thread,

then many (photomontage above). Once woven, the fabrics are washed, “ironed” and cut into towels (photomontage below).

We followed all the different steps, from the showroom (presentation and sale of the collections) to the exciting production spaces and creative studio.

  

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Guimarães Home Fashion Week

Related articles : DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to the Guimarães Home Fashion Week for this invitation and to Mundotextil for the exciting visit of their factory. And many thanks you to Salome too. As always, these are my opinions.