CONTESSA,ASSISTANT de AXEL,AXEL himself and SALLY & Rebecca.
HELLO FOLLOWERS!
The GORGEOUS MARSHA of SPLENDEROSA has us all back from a little break over the summer and she has asked us gals BY INVITATION ONLY to write about……….
SHARING.
TO share something with YOU!An item , a place an event……………so, I thought I would share a little bit of my LIFE with you!
PLEASE POP OVER TO HER SITE FOR THE OTHER BLOG POSTS ON THIS WRITING ASSIGNMENT!After you finish reading ME of course!Don’t worry I will REMIND you again!
http://splenderosa.blogspot.com
It was a few years back………I got myself invited with my friends into one of the premiere decorators of all time Axel Vervoordt castle.
KASTEEL van’s – GRAVENWEZEL built in the 12 century and a tour of his Belgium offices.It all started by wanting to go to his OPEN HOUSE.You see he opens his castle twice a year to the public………
So,I cannot get airline tickets for the week of the OPEN CASTLE.I am beside myself………..
I have a good friend who lives there and she informs me he lives down the street from her!So, Sally suggests we go to BEERVELDE instead which is another type of GARDEN ~ ANTIQUE OPEN HOUSE an hour away………so I perk up.
Somehow, I end up calling Park van Beervelde and getting the MAN himself………..we had a lovely conversation and previous to this we had sent a few e-mails back and fourth.One thing led to another and it slipped out I had wanted to go see AXEL’s home but had to settle for his estate instead.He pipes up I know AXEL, I can get you into to see his castle!!!!!!!!!!!I am BESIDE myself with JOY!
This all came about as I had frequent flyer miles and could fly two people overseas for FREE.My dear friend at the time was having a BIG BIRTHDAY so, I called her husband to ask if I could take her to BELGIUM with me for a week.Of course, I asked the ITALIAN HUSBAND FIRST!He NEVER takes vacation but that is another story for another day!He said, “YES,INDEEDY!”
Called SALLY asked if we could reside with her and plans were made.ALL GOOD TO GO!
THE COUNT…….at PARK van Beervelde …….YES….. he was real COUNT made arrangements for all of us to visit……. the castle.As I corresponded with THE COUNT I had no idea at the time he held a TITLE………..he asked me if I was a CONTESSA!!I reply, “OH, NO……..I am a WANT~TO~BE CONTESSA………..our phone call ends and days go by.
The COUNT sends me some snail mail………….about AXEL being in the paper………..with the newspaper clipping and his stationary states that he is a COUNT not once NOT TWICE but THREE times over……………….I am MORTIFIED!Now, the reason he even asked me if I was a real Contessa was because of my e-mail address……………[email protected] of you who know me know that the HUSBAND (lets blame him)asked me a secret code name for the email set up.I said, “CONTESSA”of course and that was already taken……..so I threw a little fit stating ,”PERO IO SONO LA CONTESSA!”So, with swiftness and not quite explaining what this was to be used for he set me up for LIFE with this e-mail address!Had I known you all would be seeing that I would have been boring ELIZABETH K.So, now you know how I became known as LA CONTESSA!
Anyway,we leave the STATES…………we arrive in BELGIUM……..to a GORGEOUS GATED HOME.You see I knew SALLY from my FLORENCE DAYS……….I had to move back to the STATES and she moved on to ANTWERP.Although, she really is from NEW YORK .When I knew her in Florence she looked like CLEOPATRA a stunning BEAUTY!She still is a stunning beauty but with short hair!
Off to the offices of AXEL we go………an old MILL.We are greeted by a lovely woman and taken on a visit to all floors.We even meet THE Mrs.Vervoordt.Totally enthralled with what we were seeing and acting as if we could be paying customers!Next stop the castle………….and who is there but AXEL himself and GERMAN television taping him.He was so kind and took a moment to have a photo taken with us!This was all before DIGITAL!!Let me show you a few photos I snapped…………..I apologize as I had to snap a photo of the photo so the clarity isNOT so good in these photographs.
Carla, don’t look!
The GATES to AXEL’s Castle.
THE CASTLE
Another View of the CASTLE!
This room was GORGEOUS in the old Limonaia!
Lunch on day one.There were chandeliers everywhere!
Yes, real person dressed as MARIA……NO not a real baby!
A painting from the CATHEDRAL of our LADY in ANTWERP.
Another MASTER piece from the church.I would LOVE to own a painting like this……the colors the
outfits all the DETAIL!
THE COUNT!
The COUNT of PARK van BEERVELDE greeting us…..he was directing traffic as we arrived in the COW pasture!
Entrance to PARK van BEERVELDE.ANTIQUE & GARDEN SHOW.I highly recommend this show.
A dress made of shells and sea weed!
Another creation made from shells………
More art………
The back of the previous photo.
Perhaps my Belly Dancing attire!ALL made with shells……next to her is the BEAUTY SALLY!
The Count’s Family Home…..
A Leaf Dress………….
AN URN FOR SALE……YES,had I had the muscle I would have carried HER home!
The COUNTS FOLLY!That looks out on a pond.
Do you like my HAT?Taking a rest…….a quick rest from shopping!
This is a TENT people…..with the lady in RED as being the proprietress.
Better view of the TENT!Where your Contessa sipped champagne with the COUNT!Not one time a COUNT but THREE!!
I’d like to call this the BRIDGE of SIGHS but I’m in the wrong COUNTRY!
MY Girlfriend Rebecca, THE COUNT and Gorgeous Sally.
The Count invited us to the most exquisite antique tent for a glass of champagne with him at the end of our day.
Note the full bags on the ground………Most of that was mine to bring HOME!The Count was a gorgeous man very embarrassed for us to see him in his WELLIES in the cow paddies directing traffic .I recognized him right away and yelled out the car window…….”IT’s the CONTESSA from CALIFORNIA!You can imagine how embarrassed my friends were!
I have to say to date this trip was one of the HI~LIGHTS of my travels………….it was so fun to see SALLY in the land of TULIPANI (tulips) and her beautiful home.To be welcomed inside the home of AXEL and his wife and to be so graciously greeted by THE COUNT in the cow pasture…….(I loved that!).The COUNT and I have corresponded through Facebook as he has the same birthday as my MOTHER’s!It would be worth planning YOUR trip around this event if YOU are lucky enough to be traveling to BELGIUM!Do remind him of me…………..he may even have the photo of my baby chicks still up in his office as I told him I would name one after HIM!
So, there you have the little story about AXEL the COUNT and ME!
One last note to SHARE.I do not use the normal photo album to keep my treasured photos.Instead I use old books!With beautiful ribbon to cinch them closed.Take a look………
Antique Book for photos!
You can see how they doNOT close after the addition of photos!
MY HELPER.He assisted in the PHOTO SHOOT TOO!
This works for me!Maybe it will work for YOU as well!
Now head over to MARSHA’s for other tales and sharing……………..DON’T FORGET!
Click on the LINK BELOW!
http://splenderosa.blogspot.com
La Pouyette - Karin says
Your interesting and charming post brings back memories to me when I’ve visited Axel Vervoordt Chateau in the 1990’s together with 2 friends. It was the time when he has just started with the kind of ‘rough’, natural wood furniture. I was at the peak of my antique business and looked for a special country table for a client.
We were at that day the only visitor and spent hours walking through all the wonderful rooms. A memorable day!
So, thank you for sharing your Event with us! Lovely post!
***karin
Catherine says
A lovely story, Elizabeth about you, the Count and Axel…it sounds wonderful..thank you for sharing 😉
Thanks for popping by…keep laughing! xx
Jacqueline says
WOW Elizabeth …… what a wonderful time you all must have had. Your images are glorious. XXXX
Jennifer says
What an amazing experience, and yes I adore your hat. That dress made from seashells and seaweed is amazing!! You do lead an amazing life styled to perfection!
xoJennifer
Jeanne McKay Hartmann says
Wow! What a fun post. And such an amazing experience. So much beauty – I don’t know if I would have survived. Might have decided on the spot that it couldn’t get any better than that. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures – I feel a bit more glamorous just reading about it! XOXO
D. A. Wolf says
Oh Elizabeth – What fun! (The shell dresses! The leaf dress! Your fantabulous hat! And that gorgeous castle.)
You bring me back to some scrumptious memories of friends and family in Belgium, once upon a time. Despite the dreadful rain that drones on so often, I still adore it, and my sons return routinely to see cousins and other relatives.
Thank you for this share. Quel plaisir.
xo
French Basketeer says
Stories Stories Stories I love Stories and I want to hear more about your fascinating life!! I love your hat and your joie de vivre. I would be cheering you on as you called out the window to the Count x3. Look forward to seeing you in a few weeks….
Heather in Arles says
Oh my! This was amaaaaaazing! All of it. I love hearing of your adventures and of the many fascinating people that you have met. Of course they are all nice to you – how could they not be?
Gros Bisous,
Heather
Loree says
You lead a charmed life, dear Contessa. I do not think anyone else would have pulled this one off :)So glad you shared your adventures with us.
simone says
What an incredible home, I really enjoyed reading this post!
Thank you so much for your kind comment at my blog today, so nice of you 🙂
Karena says
Dear Elizabeth,
I cannot thank you enough for sharing such an exciting and once in a lifetime story. What an adventure and you have amazing photographs always as a reminder of this serendipitous trip!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
NIta says
OMG!!!Always wanted to know the full story!!! Wow…you took me on a little vacation with this post 🙂
sarah says
Great story Elizabeth…had a few giggles reading through it too. Love the gates and pics of the costumes and the handsome Count!! Lovely memories to have and share.
Sarah xx
Piedmont Pembroke Parent says
Contessa,
Ooolalah! Yours is a wonderful story with a handsome count, a fairytale castle and lovely friends including beautiful Sally! Also beaucoup intimate details about the origins of you name! Just fabulous! Surely,you know the old saying, “Those who seek pearls, must dive into the sea”…mais non?
Tu, ma chere Contessa, dive in head first and come up with pearls galore to share and enrich my day!
Superb!
Merci beaucoup!
PPP
glamour drops says
What a hoot of a story Elizabeth, and do you think they would make the leaf dress in my size?
Anita Rivera says
Dear, dear CONTESSA!
First of all dear and beautiful friend, I need to announce to everyone that I am extremely LATE in visiting everyone because SCHOOL has been very busy! I hardly have time to do anything other than drive to school, teach, drive back, cook, eat, fall asleep! Oh how I was so thrilled to finally read my comments page to see you came by! THANK YOU! And I agree, these email notifications for blog posts do come very late.
WHAT A DREAM of a visit you had here! And with a count? A castle? ANTIQUES? You are such a delight. You seem to manage to find yourself and bring us into a world of fairytales. I adore you for this, and MORE!
This is the world I love. In addition, I love the European country life but the two seem to meld…..country life and elegance. That is what makes the Italian, French and other Euro décor styles so appealing!
My friend, you are stunning. LOVE YOUR HAT!
Big hugs, Anita
Marsha @ Splenderosa says
I am also very late in visiting, yesterday was AWFUL! Except for our “By Invitation Only” post I could have missed the entire day doing silly errands.
Good Lord, Elizabeth, what a splendid event and vacation you had. A once-in-a-lifetime event to be certain. The Count is quite handsome, isn’t he? And, I would recognize you anywhere, with your iconic looks and fabulous hats. Sending love …..
Tone on Tone Loi Thai says
Those dresses!! What wondrous creations! Divine! Thank you for sharing your visit with Axel. I’d love to visit his magnificent castle and estate one day. I have all his books. Cheers~
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners says
Wow, Contessa, what a wonderous adventure and you tell it in a way that had me sitting on the edge of my seat! And the castle – swoons. The Count seems as though he is so genuine and down to earth. Thanks for sharing!
Anita@letshavelunch says
Good morning Elizabeth,
What a wonderful story filled with wonderful photos.
Loved how people were streaming out of the castle with bags filled and plants in hand.
You must be getting ready for your Paris trip.
I’m sure you’ll take many snaps and bring back tales of what will be an exciting time.
Bon voyage et bon chance
xx Anita
Faded Velvet says
La Contessa~
I’d rather read your blog than go to the movies!!! What a virtual trip you took us on; I felt as if I were there!
First off….WHAT DID YOU BUY? What all did they have to sell? Did you get another champagne bucket?
Secondly, your HAT! LOVE, LOVE LOVE it. I imagine you and your friends cut quite a swath as you shopped. People probably thought YOU were royalty.
Lastly, you are the ONLY person that SHRIEKS at a 3X COUNT and then gets invited to drink champagne in his tent. I cannot wait to shop with YOU!
Once again, a SUPERB blog my friend! Thank you for sharing a snippet of your enchanted life!
Donna~Faded Velvet
Linda T says
As always, an amazing post about an enchanted life!
Jacqueline says
Hi again Elizabeth,
I just had to come back to apologise for calling you Mona on my blog !!!!! I had just replied to Mona’s comment on my post and then went on to reply to your comment !!!!!
I’m so sorry Elizabeth …… I know exactly who you are and just got my names muddled !!!!
Have a wonderful weekend. XXXX
Tamera Beardsley says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip my dear … most spectacular and inspiring!
xox
Tamera
Jo Ann Hartley says
Oh my God, Elizabeth you are hysterical! Your blog posting was a perfect ending to a mediocre afternoon, Lifted my sprits and I laughed out loud, heartily. Please remember I am always up for one of your adventures anytime you want to get out of the country!
Linda says
Hello Elizabeth, what an interesting life you have led. Your post makes great reading and transports us all away.
Karena says
Elizabeth I spoke with Andrea the other day and I understand she is having another dinner party…I wish so much that I could meet you and the other ladies that did not make it when I was in Laguna Beach!Of course I look forward to hearing all about it! come visit soon!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Mary Jo says
Elizabeth, I love this story! It made me smile, especially the part about you leaning out the window to say that the Contessa from California had arrived! Lol! And that room in the old Limonia is beyond gorgeous…the whole thing is like a fairytale! I know you are off for another one soon, can’t wait to hear about it!
xoxo Mary Jo
Nancy Case says
Only you could make this happen Contessa! I love hearing about all of the delicious details. The pictures are amazing.. Love it all!! And you 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your story…
xo FancyNancy
Jody Brettkelly says
Wowwowwow! I am speechless – this was the most amazing experience and the castle was like a storybook one so perfect. You have really lived the life Elizabeth! Heading over now to read others…