• photography yasmine mubark / shot on Lumix in Nice, Franc

    48 hours on the French Riviera

    Written by Jahwanna Berglund

    Expect the unexpected, such as delayed trains and flights, and even though things may not always go as you planned, be in the moment. Soak up the positive energies around you, have a glass of Chablis before lunch and know that there’s nowhere else to be and nothing else to do but being right here, right now.

    When arriving in Nice in early May you can feel the vibrating essence of the Riviera. It’s a certain light energy with a touch of elegance. There’s an excitement about the Cote d’Azur, that probably stems from old movies and the romantic scenes that have been played out there, both on and off screens since way back.
    Since our base for the next three days was going to be Antibes, we jumped on the train from Nice to Antibes, which is a short train ride away, going towards Cannes.

    Antibes is a charming gem with just the right amount of everything you need, like restaurants, cafés, culture, beautiful surroundings and of course, the alluring Mediterranean.
    We checked in at the Hotel Le Ponteil, which is a small private owned hotel only a few blocks from the beaches of Antibes. In this beautifully restored house, the owners, Efva and Martin, have created a magical sanctuary that feels like your home away from home. The hotel has individually furnished rooms with lots of charm and character.


    To eat breakfast outdoors in the morning sun, listening to the birds singing, watching a squirrel running up and down a tree trunk while the house cat is sunbathing in front of the kitchen door is incredibly peaceful. I don’t know if it’s because of the surroundings, the fact that you’re staying at the most charming hotel or simply that your breakfast is made out of the finest quality foods, but the breakfast here tastes amazing!

    Depending on how you enjoy spending your days, there’s truly something for everyone in Antibes.
    The beach is only a few minutes away – whether you prefer a beach club or the public beach. Bring a paperback or your favourite Spotify playlist in your headphones and soak up the sun! Or if you’re really on vacation to fulltime relax, you can easily spend the afternoon in the garden sofa, reading a book or sipping on your favourite wine. Enjoy the peacefulness and have a little meditative moment with your own thoughts.

    If you enjoy a bit more activity, you mustn’t miss the stunning hiking trail around Cap d’Antibes, Sentier de Tirepoil. Make sure to wear your sneakers or other comfortable shoes since parts of the trail are narrow with steeps towards the ocean.
    Along the path you pass beautiful villas, and on the waterfront side the setting is constantly changing, depending on the nature. All along the route you smell the different types of flowers in bloom for the season. Prepare for a 2-hour walk, bring a bottle of water and perhaps even your swimsuit if you feel for a dip in the blue. It is easy to understand why artists such as Picasso and Monet found inspiration in Antibes. The environment, the light and the energy are delicate, and you can imagine the spark of creativity that it generates.

    Pablo Picasso spent six months in Antibes in 1947, and later donated a number of paintings and drawings that are now on display at the Musée Picasso, that you find in the Château Grimaldi in Antibes. The creativity is blooming to this day and you’ll find a lot of small galleries in the old part of the town.

    There’s plenty of choices when it comes to eating and drinking in Antibes. Whether you enjoy seafood (did anyone say oysters?), steaks or vegetarian dishes, there’s something for everyone. The old town of Antibes is very charming with narrow alleys, lots of bars, coffee shops and restaurants.
    We were spontaneous when we noticed the beautiful courtyard of La Guinguette. Walk through the indoor part of the restaurant to the romantic courtyard, decorated with bird cages, lamp shades and other colourful items. Here they serve a “Mediterranean menu” inspired of both Italy and southern France. To sit at the table, enjoying the food, while watching the rest of the tables fill up with excited dinner guests is delightful!

    Thanks to the regional train company, SNCF, it’s easy to travel between the cities and villages on the Riviera. You can be spontaneous and jump on a train and discover something completely different, only a short train ride away. We made excursions to Nice, to get more of a city feeling, and to Monaco. Nice is a good option if you’re craving a bit more action than the calmer vibes of Antibes. Here you’ll find more shopping, more restaurants, and of course bigger crowds. Monaco is in our opinion overrated but hey – we wouldn’t know unless we hadn’t visited. Of course, you do get a bit curious about this tiny principality that attracts wealthy people, gamblers and Formula 1 enthusiasts. However, there’s plenty of other stops along the train line, and it’s really about how much time you have to kill. We got a recommendation to visit Menton, and since Italy is nearby, you can even take the train to Ventimiglia!

    When to go:

    -early May is a perfect time if you want to avoid the crowds that arrive during the peak of the summer
    -“Jazz à Juan-les-Pins” takes place between the 12th and 21st of July so if you’re a jazz fan – hit it!
    -July/August – expect lot’s of people and a more intense vibe since this is when the Riviera gets invaded by tourists and the crowd with summer homes here.
    -Cannes Yachting Festival from the 10th -15th of September – still a beautiful time to visit but not as energetic as July or August.

  • Step Into Monet’s Garden in the Middle off Stockholm

    Written by Natalia Muntean by Natalia Muntean

    After successful visits to cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna or New York, “Monet's Garden - The Immersive Experience” has come to Stockholm. An immersive experience created by screens, large projections, interactive installations, scents, and atmospheric music, the Monet's Garden exhibition shows the Impressionist pioneer's work in a completely new light. The show includes three experience rooms: the studio, the artist's mythical Normandy garden, and the exhibition room. Claude Monet's works are brought to life thanks to the imagination of Dr. Nepomuk Schessl, the producer and brains behind the immersive experience.
    Created by Swiss creative lab Immersive Art AG in collaboration with Alegria Konzert GmbH, the exhibition will be open in Stockholm until January 21st, moving to Malmö afterwards. We sat down with Dr. Nepomuk Schessl to find out more about the inspiration and mechanics behind the initiative.

    What inspired the creation of Monet's Garden – The Immersive Experience, and how was the concept developed?
    JNS: When producing a dance show in Kyiv in 2019/2020, we collaborated with video artists on the scenery. The dance show never premiered due to Covid, however the possibilities that the video artists showed us got stuck in our heads. And in the midst of the Covid depression, when we had to reschedule or cancel most of our concerts we were looking for a positive, productive project. When my father found a book he had bought in New York 30 years earlier with the title “Monet's Garden”, these elements came together inspiring the production of “Monet's Garden – The Immersive Experience”.

    How did you incorporate Claude Monet's revolutionary painting style into the technological aspects of the exhibit?
    JNS: We incorporate several ways of storytelling into the exhibition. Many of them are interactive, where we encourage our guests to engage and sometimes even dance with Monet's art. Each of those installations, though in an entertaining way, explains another aspect of Monet´s revolutionary style.

    Could you elaborate on how the exhibit balances being both ornamental and educational, catering to visitors with varying levels of art knowledge?
    JNS: If you want to convey any kind of knowledge or fascination, today the main challenge is to keep your guests engaged and undistracted for some time. Therefore, our idea is to take everyone by hand and let them experience Monet's art. Whether they are young or old, a Monet beginner or a Monet expert. The Monet expert will experience their favourite artist in a new way and might be able to comprehend Monet in a new way, while the Monet beginner does not have to bring any prior knowledge, while interest will be helpful.

    In what ways did Monet's Garden serve as the catalyst for the entire project, guiding the production process?
    JNS: For Monet himself, his garden, but before the garden nature in general, sort of was his artistic gravitational point. From the center of this point you can see his artistic and individual exploration of his surroundings. The garden therefore is a natural point of departure for exploring his art as well.

    What do you see as the potential and challenges of using technology to bring classical art to life, and how do you maintain the artistic integrity of Monet's works?
    JNS: Whenever presenting any artist's work in a new way, be that a musician, composer or a painter, there will always be a question regarding the artist's integrity. However the question is what would the artist have done for himself or herself given the same means? In Monet's case this is easy to answer. If you look at his water lily paintings, he himself already wrote that he painted them in such a large format and without the perspective of a horizon so that the spectator would fully immerse themselves in the painting. Therefore, making his art immersive in the modern sense seems to be very close to what Monet himself wanted to achieve with his art.

    How is the narrative approach incorporated throughout the show, and how does it enhance the visitor's journey?
    JNS: In understanding an artist's art it is always important to understand the context of it. Be that the historical context or even the very private personal context of the artist himself. Being able to see a painting while understanding the context is what makes this experience almost intimate.

    Considering the success in other locations, how do you anticipate the Swedish audience's response?
    JNS: We surely hope that the Swedish audience will also learn more and get to love Monet as many others did before.

    Are there plans to take Monet's Garden to other locations after Sweden, and do you have any future projects or ideas in the realm of immersive art experiences that you're excited about?
    JNS: As a producer and promoter there is always the next project around the corner. This is one of the great privileges of our profession, but nothing to be released just yet.

  • THE ESSENTIALS FOR A HYDRATING SEPTEMBER

    Written by Yasmine M

    Beauty Monday, means new inspiring products. Here are the heroes of September a set of restarting product for our hair, body and mind. 

    Maria Nila, Coils & Curls Co-Wash
    This Co-Wash is my September savior. With one use, your hair detangles smoothly while in the shower, while gently cleansing and moisturize the hair. The conditioning wash has lowered its pH and gentle ingredients for anyone with curly hair – waves, curls or coils so there is no need to finish with conditioner. Use it as a shampoo and thoroughly massage the entire scalp in circular motions to get the scalp and hair clean while adding water. Use fingertips in combination with Co-Wash to dissolve dirt and product build-up. For extra moisture, follow up with the Finishing Treatment. Find it here.

    R.E.M beauty eyeshadow palette 
    This spaceship looking palette, is not only really minimalistic and cute. But has a great mix of colors for you to create your own vivid illusions with this mix of six mattes and shimmers that you can wear from daylight to midnight. It’s inspired by Ariana Grandes own signature eye looks. And gives a creamy, smooth application that delivers optimal wear. Our beauty editor Elva also describes it as a perfect palette with cold matte shades with shimmery options. Find it at Sephora.

    ZO SKIN HEALTH Exfoliating Polish A good exfoliation is key. However, there are more exfoliators that sugar scrubs and scrubbing your face with harsh products. The ZO Skin Health is instead using magnesium crystals to provide exfoliation benefits that don’t harsh your skin. With the magnesium crystals it’s used to smoother the texture and give a cellular renewal. With Vitamin C, A, and E to deliver antioxidant protection for glowing skin. After cleansing, wet your face with lukewarm water and use a small amount of the product onto your fingertips. Gently massage the polish into your skin, using circular motions to help loosen and remove any dead skin cells and rinse. Find it here.

    NOBE Nordic Beauty Cooling Care De-Puffing Eye Patches
    The new nordic brand NOBE, have created a hydrating eye patch to use whenever you feel a bit dry, puffy or just want to calm down. We love that it’s 30 pairs, so you can really use the product any other day without feeling that you are running out. The Eye patches are soaked with product, almost dripping as you take them out of the package. As a part of the COOLING CARE line's the eye patches includes a refreshing FAZER XYLITOL® moisturizes and strengthens the skin's protective barrier. Not to mention, Soothing Cooler® which is a blend of extracts from aloe vera, kelp, yam, elm root and violet. All good things for September, when the weather is starting to get a bit cooler for us in Scandinavia. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Gently massage the remaining serum into the skin. Find it here.

    MILK Makeup, KUSH Waterproof Mascara
    A vegan waterproof mascara for volume lashes from root to tip, great if it just starts raining this September and you don't want to look like a panda. The mascara is infused with conditioning hemp seed oil for softer, healthier-looking lashes. And as always with MILK the product is vegan, clean, cruelty-free and paraben-free. Buy the full size, or why not start with the mini-mascara - to see for yourself. A tip is to layer to your desired intensity. The conditioning formula help to to dry or stiff, so you can easily add more throughout the day. Find it at here.


    BIOpH Footcare Bath Give some love to your feeth by a footbath with a medical technology foot bath that exfoliates & deep cleanses. Mix the granules with water and you have a medicinal foot bath for you with your dry feet. Also suitable for those who want to maintain good foot health over time. Highly significant results i clinical studies already after one week of treatment. Combine it with the brands Inflatable foot bath and your are all set for fall. Find it here.

    Odalisque Magazine Issue

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