The Magical Mont Saint Michel

One of the destinations on my bucket list, was the magical, water-surrounded Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France. This conical tidal island has a rich and varied history, making it the perfect French travel destination for culture and history lovers -or if you don’t care for this, it is still a pretty fairy-tale, romantic destination!

Although it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France (2.5 million visitors per year!), we were lucky enough to be there in off season (December), so there were hardly any tourists, which gave us wonderful photo opportunities, and a quiet, pleasant visit where could really take in the beauty and atmosphere Mont Saint Michel has to ... read more here:

(I am running a new blog from my own artist website, and would still love for you to read my blogs. So pardon the link on this blog, but I will keep on publishing everything on both blogs. 

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Intertwined - French Version

“Tout au long de ma vie, j’ai été constamment émerveillé par la beauté et la complexité profonde de la nature qui m’entoure. L’objectif principal de mon travail est la prise de conscience des émotions que la nature me procure, tout en évoquant une relation plus profonde à nous-mêmes et à notre environnement. 

En tant qu’habitants de cette planète, nous ne puisons pas seulement de l’énergie dans notre environnement, mais aussi de l’inspiration. 

Notre époque moderne nous a .... read more here

Postcards from Paris

I have always loved the intricate art of folding origami, especially rabbits. The folding process forces me to be still, focus intensely and be completely in the moment. I find it both soothing and.... Read more here.

(I am running a new blog from my own artist website, and would still love for you to read my blogs. So pardon the link on this blog, but I will keep on publishing everything on both blogs. 

If you would like to stay in touch, see my latest artwork sneak peeks or launches, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter here. Hope to hear from you in the comments! )

Lapine's Paris Adventures

I have always loved the intricate art of folding origami, especially rabbits. The folding process forces me to be still, focus intensely and be completely in the moment. I find it both soothing and therapeutic.

During my stay in Paris I was struck once again by the beauty, complexity and secrets of Paris, much as is reflective of our own lives. I would like to share with you my vision, albeit only rough sketches at the moment,  of what I’m hoping to become two new series of artworks, flowing out of these ideas: Read more here.

(I am running a new blog from my own artist website, and would still love for you to read my blogs. So pardon the link on this blog, but I will keep on publishing everything on both blogs. 

If you would like to stay in touch, see my latest artwork sneak peeks or launches, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter here. Hope to hear from you in the comments! )

Reflections of Paris

I continuously draw energy and inspiration from my surroundings, so with all the rain in Paris over the past few months, the water puddle reflections of Parisian landmarks, trees and people intrigued me to such an extent, that I could not stop trying to see what I could discover in these ever changing puddle reflections...... Read more here.

(I am running a new blog from my own artist website, and would still love for you to read my blogs. So pardon the link on this blog, but I will keep on publishing everything on both blogs. 

If you would like to stay in touch, see my latest artwork sneak peeks or launches, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter here. Hope to hear from you in the comments! )

Chagall's Demons

I have always been a huge fan of the Russian-French artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985). Chagall has been described as the greatest Jewish painter of all time, and his surrealist paintings has mesmerized me since the first time I saw it. It was therefore a great honour when I got to see the roof of the Paris Opera House that was painted by ...Read more here

(I am running a new blog from my own artist website, and would still love for you to read my blogs. So pardon the link on this blog, but I will keep on publishing everything on both blogs. 

If you would like to stay in touch, see my latest artwork sneak peeks or launches, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter here. Hope to hear from you in the comments! )

Etretat - Disney World for Adults

Without any hesitation, I would say that the highlight of my stay in France was our adventure-filled road-trip to Étretat. It was during the transport strike, so we decided to rent a car and head up north to Normandy. Oh boy was it fun navigating ourselves in and out of Paris through the biggest and most daunting traffic circle we have..... Read more Here

(I am running a new blog from my own artist website, and would still love for you to read my blogs. So pardon the link on this blog, but I will keep on publishing everything on both blogs. 

If you would like to stay in touch, see my latest artwork sneak peeks or launches, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter here. Hope to hear from you in the comments! )

Travel Spot - Sorrento Charm

If you were wondering why I do "travel spots" on my blog, it is because I have been to too many overrated places while traveling and wasted a perfectly good day, while I could have seen something of much greater value that is less famous or advertised.

My purpose is to highlight the less "touristy" places, where I was able to enjoy myself, take in breathtaking scenery, saw something worth remembering and enjoy the places less visited.

Italy will always be one of my favourite spots, especially the south of Italy. That is where I visited the absolutely breathtaking city of Sorrento. Although this is not exactly a "hidden gem", it is still quieter than for example Rome or Venice, and in close proximity of many wonderful destinations. It's location makes Sorrento a perfect base to stay, while exploring the south of Italy.

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Smartie Pants

People often ask me for travelling advice before they leave on a trip. I guess they think I have debugged my travelling program because I travel so much, but the truth is quite far from it...

Unbeknownst to them, I still battle with jet lag, packing too many items and not being able to sleep on a plane (but that's because of the movies ;-). I once woke up in my bed after returning from a 40 hour flight, to find that I cut my hair off in a jet lag / sleepwalking haze. Not a pretty sight!

Travel Spot 2 - Blausee

Another gem I discovered during my travels, was the Blue Lake, in Switserland. Thanks to its very special colour and the crystal-clear water, Blausee is one of the best-known mountain lakes in Switzerland. Located in the midst of a small nature park, with a landscape formed by a rock slide that led to the creation of the lake, it was a perfect spot to visit with my family. 

Travel Spot 8 - Germany's Castles

A Fairy-tale Holiday: Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who dreamed of far off places, magical castles, daring sword fights and mermaids. It was therefore no surprise then that the first place I wanted to travel to "one day when I'm big” was Disney world. Well, when the time came, it wasn't exactly Disney world, but it was so much better! It was truly the far off place with magical castles and mermaids I always believed existed. I just didn't know it existed in Germany!

I was sixteen when I first went to Europe. Everything was so new and wonderful, that I was completely swept away into this enchanting new world. I have since been back a few times and it is still just as magical as that first encounter I had. 

Travel Spot 3 - Joshua Tree National Park

"In the desert a fountain is springing, In the wide waste there still is a tree, And a bird in the solitude singing, Which speaks to my spirit of Thee." - Lord Byron

It was probably the coldest, most windy day of the year when we visited the Joshua Tree National Park in America. We were on our way from Las Vegas to Palm Springs, when we came across this beautiful, surrealistic - yes it looks like a Dali painting - desert park.

Travelspot: How Alaska stole my Heart!

"To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world." - John Muir

I have travelled to a lot of very different places over the years. After each trip, I have a coffee table book printed with all the photographs of the holiday, and it is amazing when I look through these albums every few years, to see how many beautiful places I was fortunate enough to explore.

Generally I am a city girl. When I land in Rome, London or New York, I feel at home right away. It is just something inside of you that starts tingling, and make a smile appear on your face. Over the years, some of my favourite places have become like a person, whom I miss fondly from time to time, and yearn to visit again. 

Life is short - Travel!

Pushing the Boundaries

If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking.  Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.  ~Raymond Inmon

It has been years since I went hiking. Even though I used to love it when I was younger, it is just something that unfortunately fell by the wayside. This weekend however, we were invited to go hiking with friends.  I grabbed the opportunity with both hands, but it is my legs I should have asked permission for ...

City Lights or Roaring Lions?

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page."  St. Augustine

Our whole family enjoys to travel the world. It broadens your horizons and stirs something inside of you. Of course, if you refuse to try their food, ignore the customs or avoid the people, you might just as well stay home. New adventures give perspective to our ordinary lives.  It is more than just seeing the sights, it is a change that happens, deep and lasting in our daily living.

Travel Spot: Makalai Game Lodge

Freezing! Unfortunately this is what I remember most about the weekend. Not the wonderful animal sightings, which we had, or the annoying guests, which there were, or the wonderful, spacious, romantic room with a fireplace and sightseeing deck. Just the cold...

Other than that, it was an enjoyable, unique adventure for us city-light creatures. No phones, no television, no radio (unless you count the incessant two-way radio chats between the rangers, which I suggested they syndicate out and sell as a full-time radio station), and no civilisation for miles!