The Luxe Chronicles

New Year's Wishes For A Brilliant 2012!

Dear Readers:

Here we are once again on the cusp of a brand new year. I know the current outlook seems bleak for many but a new year brings hope of something better and that deserves to be celebrated. May 2012 bring you all the love, joy, health and happiness you deserve. I wish you nothing less.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

All I Want For Christmas This Year ...

Dear Readers:

The world seems like an increasingly harsh place right now. The holidays are going to be painful for a great many people as Western economies continue to stagnate and austerity measures begin to bite in earnest. To be honest, I'm finding it rather difficult to enjoy my good fortune when there is so much misery around me. This year, as you prepare to spend the Christmas holidays warm and safe amongst friends and loved ones, please have a kind thought or prayer for those less fortunate. Better yet, make a contribution to your favorite charity. It doesn't matter what worthy cause you ultimately choose to give to or the size of your contribution so much as the act of giving itself. I wish you all a merry Christmas and all the very best for the new year ahead. Don't forget to count your blessings.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

I Just Don't Get It.

Am I a little conflicted about moving to a country that would elect as "Woman of the Year" Anne Sinclair, wife of disgraced IMF head and serial sleezeball Dominique Strauss-Kahn, for standing by her man over Christine Lagarde, the woman who took over his post at the IMF? Hell yes. I foresee many socially awkward moments in my future.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Time To Come Clean ...

Bonjour Paris!

It's finally time to come clean with you dear readers. As you may have noticed over the past few weeks, I haven't had a lot of time to dedicate to The Luxe Chronicles and it shows. My postings have been sporadic and in some instances rather brief. For this I offer you my most sincere apology. The truth is that I'm about to uproot myself once again and the process has been rather overwhelming at times.

Time To Slow Down.

I've been burning the candle at both ends these past few weeks and it's starting to catch up with me. I look forward to this weekend to just sit back and reflect on the upcoming months. My life is about to change significantly in 2012 and I need to have my head in the right place. I'll let you in on the details in a little bit. I wish you all a lovely, relaxing weekend dear readers.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Martell: The Art of Marketing A Heritage Brand.

One of the aspects I value most about my recent trip to Cognac for the House of Martell is the opportunity to learn more about the cognac industry. Too often, luxury brands shroud themselves in mystery. Cultivating a certain reserve can obviously be a useful way of managing a brand's image and in some instances can even enhance it. As a consumer however, I find that my affection or admiration for a brand is often enhanced by being offered a glimpse behind the scenes.

Luxury: Introducing Martell's "Chanteloup Perspective".

Imagine a cold, crisp winter's night. The stars are twinkling overhead and the deer are gently grazing on the grounds of the Chateau de Chanteloup, once the home of the Martell family and now the heart and soul of the historic cognac house. As our lively little group of bloggers and writers are led up a softly lit path to the belvedere overlooking Chanteloup's graceful grounds, the excitement is palpable.

Gastronomy: The House Of Martell Embarks Upon An Audacious Culinary Adventure.

It takes a certain audacity to cast aside generations of tradition and plot a radically new course.  Cognac, a drink long associated with the antiquated post-dinner ritual where men withdrew to the library for cigars and serious discussion while women stayed amongst themselves for coffee and light banter, is being rebranded as a total culinary experience.  The move is all the more audacious when you consider that it is the work of France's oldest cognac house, Martell, founded in 1715.

Luxury: The Haute Couture Family Has Lost A Master.

Even those with nothing more than a passing interest in the world of haute couture will most likely be familiar with the House of Lesage so inextricably interwoven is the work of the legendary embroiderer with those of the great couture masters. And with good reason. The House of Lesage has been providing exquisite embroideries for couture creations since the birth of haute couture itself starting with Charles Frederick Worth. It is with great sorrow therefore that the world of fashion learned of the death of François Lesage at age 82 late last week.

It Was A Wonderful Week ...

Every once in a while, life offers you a rare opportunity to experience something truly special. As a guest of historic cognac house Martell, I had just such an opportunity this week. Comfortably esconced in the enchanting Chateau de Chanteloup just outside of Cognac, I was offered, along with a small group of food and spirits bloggers, a taste of French art de vivre and gastronomy at its very best. We toured, we ate and we drank. Alas, you'll have to wait until next week to hear all about it because simply put, I'm exhausted! But happily so.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles