My Birthday – a fairytale whirlwind of jewels and joie de vivre
By Tania Shortt Wittmann
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Dear readers,
My birthday this year was a whirlwind of exquisite experiences, a delicious concoction of fine dining and Italian flair.
It all began at the legendary La Paix in Brussels, a gastronomic temple where the food is as much an art form as a culinary delight.
The adventure
Restaurant La Paix Brussels
Let me tell you, the anticipation was almost unbearable. I envisioned myself elegantly perched on a bamboo bar stool in the middle of the Caribbean, a crystal flute of champagne sparkling in my hand, as the symphony of flavors unfolded before me. Reality, however, had other plans.
First, getting to the restaurant was an adventure. With the usual Belgian traffic and bad weather, La Paix seemed determined to remain unreachable. I almost resigned myself to dining on a bag of chips, convinced I’d stumbled upon a secret society rather than a restaurant.
Finally, I saw the familiar face of the doorman and thankfully handed him the keys of the car. Anderlecht is not the safest place to be wandering around at 7:30 PM. Hope surged through me. I pushed open the heavy door and was warmly greeted by the familiar face of Nathalie and her team. Once inside, my heartbeat found its normal pace – everything was beautiful! We had the entire restaurant just for Arnaud, the children, and me.
And then, the food arrived.
Oh, the food!
We had the entire restaurant just for Arnaud, the children, and me.
However, my carefully constructed image of refined elegance crumbled faster than a poorly baked soufflé when Sacha and Inès (our children) arrived singing at the top of their heads, “Happy 56th birthday!” Oh, that dreaded age… must remember to tell them that past 50, one does not disclose figures…
And then, the food arrived.
Oh, the food!
culinary orgasm
a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss
I leave it up to you, dear reader, to discover for yourself the succulent flavors. It was a culinary orgasm, a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss.
I recommend you try La Paix to celebrate a special occasion or if you just wish to satisfy your taste buds.
I left the restaurant feeling thoroughly spoiled, my belly full and my heart overflowing with gratitude. A special thanks to Arnaud, my husband, for organizing this unforgettable feast. It was a birthday dinner I won't soon forget.
But the festivities were far from over. My birthday journey continued with a trip to Italy, the land of la dolce vita, for the VicenzaOro International Jewellery Fair.
Venice
VicenzaOro
Our early flight to Venice was delayed (not surprisingly) due to fog.
But after hanging around the VIP lounge, we finally boarded the airplane, only to disembark just as quickly due to a malfunction in the engine’s fire detector. To cut a long story short, we arrived in Venice at 3 PM with a 4-hour delay!
Now, VicenzaOro is not your average trade show. It’s a dazzling spectacle, a whirlwind of creativity and craftsmanship where the world’s most exquisite jewels and gemstones are showcased. Think glittering diamonds, shimmering gemstones, and designs that would make even the most jaded fashionista gasp.
Our first stop was with Vhernier. As always, their collection was breathtaking. Sleek, modern, and utterly captivating, their pieces were a testament to the power of minimalist design. I was particularly drawn to their new Mon Jeu necklace, in rose gold and ebony.
That evening, for the second time, we feasted my birthday with Vhernier!
feeling energized and inspired
a celebration of creativity
You can imagine, dear reader, that at my age, we don't recover that quickly from feasting. However, the following day, I was quickly put back in shape as we visited our gem supplier, Brieuc Taymans. His stand was a kaleidoscope of beautiful multicolored gems from all over the world!
That evening, for the first time, we… went to bed early!
I left VicenzaOro feeling energized and inspired, my mind buzzing with new ideas for collections that Arnaud and I will be developing throughout the year.
My birthday journey was a testament to the power of beautiful jewelry, good food, great company, and a healthy dose of Italian flair. It was a celebration of creativity, a reminder of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us.
And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good birthday story, even if it involves a slightly chaotic departure, jewels galore, and a healthy dose of unexpected laughter?