For a traveler in the halls of memory, I can’t think of a better garment than the Silk Cashmere Funnel Tunic in Grey. It flows like water while calling to mind the spirit of something lighter than air, yet substantial and comforting in the way soft-edged memories often are. It is essential for ghosts of the past to be quiet, I think (there is such a space inside stillness), so our traveler would wear the stylish Grape Ballet Flat to glide softly into view. Her essentials are packed into the Ash Grey Shagreen Clutch, a sleek compartment for faded photographs and love-worn letters. Stamped Disc Vermeil Earrings paired with an Amethyst Studded Bangle and Vermeil and Amethyst Stacking Bangle (amethyst has long been revered for enhancing the memory) would complete a look elegant and timeless, perfect for walking the streets of Time. I imagine the soft clink of bangle against bangle echoing off of marble and stone, like the music ofthe golusu anklet worn by Indian women. The scent of the Terracotta Amber Ball wafts around her, calling to mind autumnal afternoons, squares of sunlight upon the floor, the spicy scent of sandalwood and satsuma.

Sometimes we travel into the past to visit old loves, the crumpled remains of desire once real yet walled (and somehow made acceptable) by time. I picture our traveler’s lost-lost partner, a man from another time. He is sharp-edged in her mind, garbed immaculately in suit & Ashford tie, secured with the Antique Watch Cufflinks (what else is more suited to a ghost than the thread and needle of Time?) and Cross Medallion Belt. He removes a cigar from his Macassar Ebony Humidor, lighting the air with the smoke and haze of days long past. She sighes and turns away, longing.

Memory and time often surface through the written word. We gulp down texts and they explode on the palate like good wine, a bottle tasted once & saved for later (corked with the Raw Amethyst Bottle Stopper, a protective charm for the integrity of flavor). A page hastily marked with an “Écaille” Bookmark in a volume of Roland Barthes leaps out and lives a life of its own in the mind: “…is not a good wine the wine whose flavor oscillates, alters, doubles, so that the mouthful swallowed does not have quite the same taste as the next mouthful taken? In the draught of good wine, as in the taking of the text, there is a torsion, a twist of degrees: it turns back, like a lock of hair.” Well-said, as we all hold within us a library and wine cellar of ancient calendars and stopped watches.

Yes, memories – text and pictorial – sustain us. The paintings of Magritte recall another passage, written by Marcel Aymé, “…his painting had become so rich, so sensitive, so solid that it afforded true nourishment not only to the spirit but to the flesh as well. The beholder had but to gaze attentively at one of his canvases for some twenty or thirty minutes and it was as though he had eaten a meal consisting (for example) of paté en croute, roast chicken and fried potatoes, camembert, crème au chocolat and assorted fruits washed down by a sound St. Emilion.” The same sense of spiritual food is found, somewhat ironically, in the Zao Wou Ki Sky & Sand Plates. Perfect serving dishes for the ghostly victuals of memory… dare I say “soul food”?

[If you can't tell, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Vivre website & was quite inspired by it.]

Amatrine Cheetah Ring by Uzca.

She loved her big rings, she jokingly said that if the conversation got boring, you could always have fun reflecting light onto people’s faces with a big ring. She was always a bit mischievous.

Black Shagreen Clutch by Genevieve Jones.

It is black and elegant, but has unique details that would have lured my Grandmother right to it.

Digital Spy Camera by Minox. and the Black “Double Happiness” Glasses by Shanghai Tang.

She loved spy movies and novels, when I was little, we’d play spy games together, stalking her cat in dark glasses and headscarves, passing empty film canisters to each other in the garden, pretending that they were filled with secrets. I loved it all.
I had many happy times in the company of my Grandmother and these items remind me of those times, giving me a bit of a warm happy feeling when I look at them.

To get the trip started off on the right foot, I’d pack the UL Trafine Cashmere travel set in gray (42152) to ensure I’d have a smooth flight.

Of course, I’d have to travel in style, starting with the Vulcan Vibre Suitcase with Wheels (42303). Inside I would pack a Janavi linen tunic (42790), perfect for lounging or having breakfast on our balcony overlooking the blue ocean. I’d accessorize that with the Messy Jilly white shell ring (38551) . . .what would be more perfect, considering the setting?

I’d need a fabulous bikini, like Michael Kors terry cloth bathing suit (39951). And, of course, some hot pink flip flops (43154) for walking on the beach, worn with Black Horn sunglasses (42960).

For more fancy daytime footwear, worn to go have tropical drinks at one of the resort’s restaurants, I’d love to wear the Matthew Williamson’s python sandals (42984). They’d go perfectly with a Metallic Allegra Tote (42227), and, for a touch of glamour, my fave, Poppy King’s Sheer Lipstick in Saint Natural (40559).

For some night time sparkle, I’d throw on the Kenneth Jay Lane Center Quartz Ring (39719).

And, last but not least, I’d need an extra-special wedding gift. My choice: the White Lined Tree Print by The Studio at Fernando Bengoechea.

Just back from a long trip, she reaches for her Stamped Croc Journal (42223) and writes down her impressions while still fresh in her memory. She lights the Marrakesh Seda Candle (39536) and its sultry scent reminds her of a recent Moroccan trip. She has an affinity for eastern designs; in fact quite a few pieces in her bedroom reflect her taste. She checks her reflection in a beautiful star-shaped Almidi Mirror (41159) and then turns to a handcrafted Almidi End Table (41102). On a table she laid out of few pieces of jewelry that she may want to wear to a dinner party she is hosting tonight. Should she wear a Serpent Pendant Necklace by Lalique (42405)? On her last vacation she wore it with her favorite black Roberto Cavalli Swimsuit (41939)… She finally decides to wear a simple yet unique Embroidered Sleeveless Jelaba dress by Muriel Brandolini (39743), her favorite Gold Sun Sandals by Michael Kors (35103) and for a statement jewelry she picks Amethyst and Lemon Quartz earrings by Asha (43255)- purple after all, is a great color for fall.

She is excited about the party- she bought her husband a surprise gift, a Leica M3 Gold Digital Camera (42564)- he loves photography. For her pregnant sister she got Angel Wing Pajamas for her baby (30894) and her mother-in-law will be impressed with a set of Silver Champagne Flutes (42605).

As she gets ready to meet her guests, she sprays Tam Dao perfume (42780) on her wrists to complete her look. Where did she find all these unique items, you may ask? No, she didn’t have to travel to the different corners of the world, she just visited Vivre website, her choice for exquisite handcrafted designs that please everyone on her gift list