Are you a fan of travel shows? What about home improvement? How about a combo of the two? Lately I’ve been living my fantasy life, giving my mind a break from the devastating daily news and Escaping to the Château with Dick and Angel.
My Fantasy Life – Escape To The Château
Have you heard of this series?
They left their lives in the UK to live their dream and buy a fairytale castle in France.
I fell in love with the program because it’s in France (obvs!), they live in a castle and Angel is obsessed with all things vintage and antique.
Angel is a master crafter, designer and all around creative person and Dick is an an environmentalist and engineer with exceptional problem solving skills.
They up-cycle and reuse many items found on the castle grounds and often renovations include the most advanced environmentally friendly options. Their decisions value frugality and sustainability and are made with long term considerations rather than short term gratification. It is a positive view of slow living practises.
Both Angel and Dick are a pleasure to watch.
It also proves it’s never too late to start living your dream, no matter your age.
What’s not love?
When I Stayed In A French Château
Below are some photos from my scrapbook, circa 2009, when we briefly vacationed in a chateau in Bordeaux.
We stayed at Château de Mirambeau and it was even better than I’d imagined.
The note from the concierge welcomed us upon our arrival. It came with fancy homemade sweets.
To say the castle and our room was majestic would be an understatement. We really did feel like royalty.
Apparently we had just missed the French actor Gérard Depardieu who had only checked out the day before.
I believe it’s the only place in the world where you can get a massage in what was previously an 11th century dungeon with some of the original armour standing guard in the corner.
That’s me loving every minute of our horseback ride through the vineyards.
Dressing For My Fantasy Life – The Queen Of The Castle
Here I am dressed in my château uniform and pondering why my man servant hasn’t brought me my pre dinner drink and dance yet.
I drink while he dances.
Win win.
After my pre dinner drinks I need to freshen my look with some powder. I don’t know why I get all sweaty when I’m not the one dancing.
Now I’m impatiently waiting for my fashionably late dinner companion to grace me with her presence.
She claims she was late due to an engagement with her agent who is a P. I. G. His friends just call him Mr. P. Wiggly.
My date is nice but tends to overeat and have rather atrocious table manners. What do you expect from a pug peasant?
What fantasy life would you escape to if you had the chance?
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
Shybiker says
Oh, I love this! Fashion, humor and travel all rolled up into one entertaining ball. Terrific post. You look so stylish. And I applaud the environmentally-conscious choices.
My fantasy is similar — living in a bright, cheerful world where people see and relate to me as female.
Patti says
This is so charming! You look perfectly dressed and coiffed for chateau life. Your scrapbook of your own chateau stay is like a fairy tale, but true. A massage with a suit of armor nearby – very James Bond.
I must find that show – thanks for the recommendation and stay fabulous, you and that delightful dinner companion! xo
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Veronica Cooke says
I do occasionally watch this programme but I have to confess I cannot bear Dick’s moustache. It makes me feel ill looking at it; as I imagine all the items of food that get dropped/dripped and trapped in there. It’s the same since I first saw him on TV years ago in a programme series called ‘Coast’ (about the UK coast). It’s the thickness of the tache I don’t like…I know; I’m weird…
As for your chateau stay, wow – you both look like to the manor born… and your husband looks like Tom Cruise in that photo!
I loved your dress and boots; it’s a shame your companion didn’t remove her fur coat!
I think my fantasy would consist of living in a large old Rectory or Hall (with help) and swanning around in 1930s clothes. I would walk in the countryside daily with my dogs; and/or swim in my own pool. When I wasn’t walking or swimming I’d be reading and listening to music. There would be theatre trips and trips to the cinema and places of interest and exotic holidays abroad….
Taste of France says
I love your color palette! The château looks amazing. How satisfying it must be to return such a place to elegance. And how expensive!
No Fear of Fashion says
You would fit right in at the castle. Angel would love you.
Ron and I have seen this series and absolutely loved it.
Greetje
Mel says
Hahaha! To the manor born! I love the photos of your stay in France with Robert. I must tune into that show now. Never too old to follow your dreams.
I guess that was a flash dance. Hahaha! Yeah, I can get hot and sweaty just looking at gum on the sidewalk, it’s that bad. How our standards change! !!! – more exclamation marks for good measure.
Great post. Love it. Love it. The fantasy, I mean real, scenario is perfect. The hair in a top bun is tres chic and I don’t have words for how much I love the gown.
Ann says
I’ve heard of, but not seen Escape to the Chateau, I wouldn’t mind escaping to a chateau myself, or what about a crumbiing English manor house? Love seeing your scrapbook photos of your own stay at the chateau. How lovely to get that welcome note! And can I tell you how delightful that dress is you’re wearing while waiting to be waited upon? And danced for! And your hair in a bun, so unexpectedly gorgeous! But here’s the thing about owning a chateau, crumbling or not, you need an army of footmen and parlour maids, or whatever they’re called, to keep it up and keep you entertained. xxx
Señora Allnut says
mwhaha, this series has got me totally hooked and I’m looking forward to watch the last season (still not aired!). Actually, one of the things I’ve loved more about this series is how they are true to themselves, recycling, loving vintage and working hard!. And I love Angel’s kimonos!. I think she’s really talented and creative which is something I admire!.
Lovely to see your pictures of your own escape to the chateau, so luxurious!. And you look particularly fabulous in your floral dress and magnificent hairstyle!, Gorgeous and Fantastic!
I’m also a huge fan of ‘Salvage Hunters’, which is another british tv programme about antiques searchers and restorers. It makes me wonder why anybody would want to buy new things!
besos
jodie filogomo says
I think the only disadvantage of living in a castle would be the drafts. Or is that urban myth?? The colors of that dress just have me dreaming of spring. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.
XOXO
Jodie
Nancy says
Oh the details! That phone! I can get thrilled over details like that and you look stunning! I watch a lot of Escape to the country on BBC! Because I would love to live in the UK! I know that Guy, Dick, from another BBC programme.
beate says
you look gorgeous in your gown!
of cause i do have fantasies about an escape – sometimes a castle, sometimes a mountain hut…..
xxxx
Shelley@ForestCityFashionista says
That is definitely a perfect outfit for a fantasy escape to a Chateau in the French countryside. The only travel show I’ve watched is Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown”, which is more about grit than glamour. Whenever I’ve had a travel escape fantasy it’s always been to spend six months in New York with enough money to have a little apartment and be able to take advantage of all of the things the city has to offer. I’m not much of a country girl!
Allie Mackin says
No I had not heard of this series. I will have to try to find it. I do indeed need a break from the news. And love your dress and boots here. Tres chic!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Theresa Campbell says
That show sounds so fun. I’ve ditched my cable provider so I’m going to have to see if I can find a way to stream it. That is soooo cool you stayed in an actual chateau. How glamorous. Love the idea of a dungeon massage room. And, your fabulous look reminds me of a 1960s jetsetting socialite! Great colors in the print that go well with your hair. Am jealous of your eyeliner. It looks perfect and I’ve yet to master it. Any tips?
Theresa
jess jannenga says
Wow, first of all, that dress is DREAMY! besautiful on you with your hair color. This sounds like a wonderful show , somcething I would watch. Do you know if it is on BBC?
What an amazing trip you guys had. If I can ever geto ff my medication, we want to travel to Europe. The chateu you went too looked very regal and sounds amazing. I’ve never been to a castle or chalet!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Vix says
Loving every inch the 1960s socialite with your top knot and wild dress and of course, Zoe, the cutest lap pup!
How fab is your journal and the description of the chateau you stayed at. Massage parlour in the dungeon? Brilliant!
I love books about people buying old ruins in Europe, their struggles to do them up and get integrated into local society but can’t get into that chateau programme even though it’s a dram to look at. Back in the noughties, Dick used to host a series called It’s Not Easy Going Green with his previous family, all about seeking a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle – I liked his first wife and his other kids, it feels disloyal watching up setting up home with a younger version! xxx
Emma Peach says
Me and my husband love this programme – in fact we love anything that involves selling up and moving abroad! A Place in the Sun is another favourite. I love your dress!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Lovely says
How beautiful is your dress! Love the colors and you look fab!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com