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Chasing the sun.

There is something about the sun. Everything slows just a little. Conversations meander, crowds linger and breakfast turns into lunch turns into dinner…. We all need a little heat and relaxation in our lives. While the local beach or river can do the trick, and sneaky weekends away are divine… there is nothing quite like escaping to a resort island to completely unwind and refresh.

Malaysia offers a myriad of stunning summer escapes, particularly during dry season (December to February). Langkawi Permata Kedah is a jewel. The sparkling sapphire and turquoise oceans, white sands, islands to explore, tall palms, fragrant tropical flowers and fresh fruits of Langkawi will certainly hit the spot. And if you happen to have a rush of adrenaline and manage to drag yourself away from languid days by the ocean (sigh) … the local markets, famed Malaysian cuisine and forests are a fine diversion.

For those who aren’t able to steal away for an indulgent escape this season, our heavenly selection of JW photographs give you a taste.

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Everybody needs a little sugar … Oh la la Laduree!

Nestled in the glamour and glitz of the Avenue des Champes-Élysées is the divine Laduree. Wander through the iconic doorway to find luscious pastries, cakes and exquisite interiors …. J’Adore!!

The magic began in the southwest of France in 1862 when Mr. Louis Ernest and Mrs. Jeanne Laduree, passionate intellectuals, bastions of free speech and social progress, and millers, established a bakery.

It was an era of fierce intellectualism, new architecture and Baron Hausmann leading the “new face” of Paris… The Laduree bakery was a destroyed in a (suspect) fire. In response to this slight, the Laduree family forged brave social and culinary innovation.

The famous artist Jules Cheret was commissioned and designed the celadon green, brass and gold detailing. Jeanne’s proposal to combine a traditional Parisian cafe and Patisserie with a Salon de The was unprecedented. In a time where women were prohibited from cafes, Jeanne’s Salon de The provided a exquisite (and instantly popular) meeting place for women intellectuals, artists and innovators.

In the 1930s, the next generation of the Laduree family produced the double layered macaron. The young Mr. Pierre Desfontaines took the 18th century macaron recipe, formed two shell of macaron and filled the perfectly formed shells with ganache.

This signature delicacy quickly gained fame throughout Europe and continues to be the beloved jewel of the Laduree…

C’est le paradis sur terre!

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Ever irreverent Mr. Jean Paul Gaultier.

His iconic designs for Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour that brought him international renown was only 8 years after he established his own design house.

JPG falls into step with other designers who combined creativity with a dedication for social justice – intuitively determined to break ground. Namely his fight against aids and being made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur for pushing creative and process boundaries.

Determined to redress gender discrimination through his chosen craft, “only happy when there is no discrimination”…. His touring exhibit gives us a retrospective insight into how he has influenced and continues to influence mainstream fashion over the past three decades.

Enjoy.

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My island home and yours.

Beaches, national parks and hiking trails…. Australia is truly an island that spoils us with natural wonders and spectacular beauty. And it’s home.

The decision this month to award native title to almost seventy percent of the Eyre Peninsula is significant for the Barngarla people, South Australia and everyone who calls this island home. The decision was long overdue and followed almost 20 years of establishing evidence to support the claim, consideration and argument.

The idea that a connection to land can be proven to be extinguished astonishes and challenges. A sigh of relief was apparently heard when the implications of the decision became clear: the connection has not been extinguished, “we can still call this place of our heart and history ours…”

The anthropological and international significance of the culture, history and contribution of the traditional owners of this island home is remarkable.

It’s been a clumsy road, fraught with difficulty… But this decision opens a way for co-habitation to be acknowledged without undermining claim to native title. It’s one more step in the right direction. Hopefully the next one won’t be so overdue.

Jen and Willa

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Chasing the sun.

Everybody needs a little sugar … Oh la la Laduree!

Ever irreverent Mr. Jean Paul Gaultier.

My island home and yours.