Wanderlista

City Break: Athens - Rum, in Greece?

I’ve lived and traveled in the Caribbean for a lifetime and, of course, rum and the Caribbean go hand and hand. I had the red Mount Gay cap years before they were accessible. I’ve been behind the scenes sipping from the barrels at Appleton Estate in Jamaica. I tasted Chris Blackwell’s ‘Blackwell’ rum from the beach at Goldeneye long before it ever went into a bottle with a label. And, having a gorgeous Cuban client in Mexico, have spent many nights enjoying the perfect Havana Club mojito. 

Rum and Greece never dawned on me. Do they even have it on the list? This is the land of ouzo, mastiha and tsipouro. So when I was taken to Baba Au Rum in Athens this week, I knew it would be added to my top bar list in the world (and a must for my City Break: Athens project). I was introduced to this watering hole last summer by a friend of mine, and this week, I was re-introduced to it again.

For anyone with a New York reference, think Mulberry Project meets Miss Lily’s…all poured into an a giddy, art deco cocktail with a tiki twist. It’s sexy and intimate and everything a great drinking den should be. Rums from Madagascar to Martinque share shelf space with super varied labels of high brow vodka, gin, tequila and mezcal, whisky, vermouth and brandy. A light tapas menu keeps you noshing while consuming and the outdoor ‘open window’ bar is a favorite place to perch.

So while I started #mygreeksummer with ouzo and the occasional tsipouro, I’ll end it as I ease into the winter Caribbean vibe. Rum in hand.

Provençal Style

Le week end’s agenda is the darling village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Last night, I slept in silence at the charming Hotel Gounod, named after the famed French composer known for Ave Maria and opera Romeo et Juliette. As the oldest hotel in the village, it’s steeped in history (Gounod wrote Mireille here). Their tea room is remarkable, and host to one of the most outstandingly eclectic collection of religious art I’ve ever seen. Strange to some, but it just kind of works. Rooms are lovely, service is exceptional and location is in the epicenter of the village.

Style tip: When the temp is up, embrace the bustier trend. I picked up this top from Provence’s own Souleiado (The house is famed for their ‘French Indiennes,’ gorgeous cotton-printed fabrics that landed in Marseille in 1648 and soon flourished by the high middle class and royals.) and pair it with a maxi skirt for an effortless summer look. I love the red.

Sleep in Missoni Style in Saint-Tropez

While there’s always a Missoni bikini in my holiday wardrobe, I figured why not indulge in the entire fashion house and sleep surrounded the famed zig-zag print (plus it reminds me of my TriBeCa apartment which I designed with my interior designer mother, Stella, and while I love being in Europe in the summer, New York still tugs at my soul).

This week, I’ve bedded down at Villa Marie, owned by the super-chic brand, Sibuet Hotels. On Ramatuelle’s hill, the hotel overlooks the gorgeous Bay of Pampelonne, known for its famous beaches. This season, the hotel introduces its new Missoni Suite, designed by the company’s president (and style maven), Jocelyne Sibuet.

Décor includes a baroque influence, which mixes harmoniously with classic Riviera 50’s and 60’s style and, of course, plenty of bikini-inspired prints. 

Celebrating My Heroes on the Fourth of July

I’ve spent Thanksgiving in Shanghai. Christmas in Antigua. New Year’s in Rome. This week, I’m bedding down on the Côte d’Azur for Fourth of July. While I won’t find any backyard BBQs and high school parades, I will be celebrating my favorite American expats on this day, Sara and Gerald Murphy, the creators of beach culture in this region and my absolute heroes when it comes to living well. Mention Sara and Gerald Murphy to almost anyone and they say, “Who?” Even here in the South of France, where they set up their home (aptly named Villa America), people just stare at me blankly. The Murphys were the definition of bon vivant and ‘live well’ they did. Surrounded by the icons of their time: the Hemingways, the Picassos, the Fitzgeralds, Cole Porter, and so many more, they were the leaders of the party, the ones that these people looked to when they wanted to celebrate, and celebrate properly. Here’s to many fêtes.

When Feet Need To Be Covered

Even though I’m a barefoot junkie when it comes to my holidays (I once went five days on Harbour Island without shoes; match that with 10 days in the Maldives), I’m not so keen on showing it all when you’re in a city, or on an airplane.

Nearly-bare paws are meant for soft pink sands or for strolling from your water’s edge chaise to your 5pm lunch on Mykonos. (Exceptions made for the Alaïa I had on tonight at the Trevor Live event. I’m confident that my chic city-dweller readers out there know the difference between sexy, sky-high and non-appropriate flat sandal. Read: your feet get dirty in the city, and on the plane, who wants to see your feet? Of course there’s the entire TSA thing, etc but let’s ignore that, shall we? I just flew from SJU to JFK and my travel companion remarked that I looked like a racehorse on my tip-toes going through the full body scanner). 

So what do I wear traveling to these destinations? Forever an Italian shoe fan, I just picked up these gorgeous Sergio Rossi Perforated Lace-Up Leather Spectators in bianco. Amazing with skinny white jeans (another summer travel staple) and t-shirt, this is your shoe-go-to when you’re boarding the plane in Milan for the one-way ticket to Mykonos. Oh, yes, I also bought that today. These lovely shoes will go into my hotel room closet at Kivotos and won’t come out until I’m off to my next locale. 

Travel tip: When going through TSA, always put your shoes, scarf, blazer, jewelry in your first plastic bin so you can get dressed right away while waiting for your carry-on to come through. Saves time and toe-stands!

The Rise of the Caftan

If anyone has seen my summer beach wardrobe, then they know I love to rock the caftan. The perfect staple from beach to street in an instant, (and easy to pack), caftans should be an effortless part of your summer wardrobe. However, I’ve noticed many women ask how to buy the right ones. Which work well and which don’t? And, as a slim, 38-year-old woman, why do I feel the need to cover? Step into my closet…

In a recent interview, I was asked how I describe my personal style. I answered, “a bohemian Audrey Hepburn.” I certainly have my share of fitted sheath dresses perfect for work or a Milanese aperitivo, but even Holly Golightly is quick to grab that super dreamy drape of fabric that ever so perfectly wafts around her lithe figure on a sultry summer evening. While a caftan might not work for a New York power lunch, it works rooftop at Soho House, and, most importantly, works in all of your summer hot spots.

Now I’ll share all my faves and why. Each shot in gorgeous locales by the fabulous Peter Wesley Brown.

I’ve long been a fan of Missoni Mare, the famed Italian fashion house’s beachwear line. I would typically skip using the seaside cover-up in the day and transform it to dress at night with flat sandals. I have this gorgeous webbed silver one that I practically lived in two summers ago. The sash added a bit of definition and I wore it with and without a slip underneath, depending where I was. We also featured it with the Dea Rosa SS12 evening bag in lizard and satin.

Last year, I met designer, Miguelina Gambaccini at a party in New York and we were fast friends. Her white, Rachel Caftan led me all the way through my Grecian odyssey last summer (and was the centerpiece for the Dea Rosa Spring/Summer Collection). Daytime over a bikini, the Rachel worked as well as when paired with a slip underneath at night. Sometimes I’d add a skinny python belt to cinch it up a bit. Flat sandals or wedges complimented it perfectly. Now, I’m so obsessed with Miguelina’s entire line, that my suitcase is usually filled with her caftans and airy dresses; peppered with my Missoni staples I’m ready to tackle any resort location.

My other caftan go-to is Vicente Ganesha’s line in Ibiza. Made in India, the prints stand apart and the light cotton works absolutely everywhere. They typically run about 150 Euro or so, so if you’re not heading to Ibiza this summer, but know someone that is, tell them to snatch-up a few for you. Last summer, I actually flew to Ibiza from Athens for just under 40 hours of caftan shopping and some beach time with friends. Trust me, they are well worth it.

So how do you know what’s right for you?

*Choose fabric that breathes since you’re going to be wearing a lot of it; skip the polyester or blends. Silk works, but at night only as you don’t want suntan lotions to stain.

*Buy a size down. Most women don’t buy clothes that fit them. Trust me on this: you’re smaller than you think.

*Pick one that has a slit up the front to show your bronzed gams – just a hint of skin is enough.

*Invest in a great skinny belt and leave it in your suitcase – it skinnies you up in no time!

*Channel Jade Jagger…pile on the bracelets, big rings, chunky necklaces. I love vintage jewelry from House of Lavande.

*Pack two pairs of flat sandals. One super simple in a solid metallic and then something with a bit of bling. I’m loving the Flat Slingback Thong Sandal from K Jacques and the Lanvin Toe-Ring Wedge Sandal.

Email me for more tips on how to embrace your inner caftan!

Water water everywhere

I don’t usually post about my PR clients unless they’re part of my round-ups that focus on various trend and style, but I was SO excited about this property re-opening in San Juan, that I had to share it with all of you who didn’t just get the normal press release.

I stayed here once back in 2003 and hosted a party on the hotel’s rooftop for a client launching a new travel company. We all love a good rooftop and The Water Club had it - super great music (I still have the playlist in my iTunes and gave the CD to everyone I know…it was called Water Down tempo) amazing views and gorgeous food.

Now, that rooftop could tell some stories. And finally, once again (thanks to new ownership and management), it’s the hottest address with the coolest look: with a $2.5M renovation well underway, the San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel is ready to take its rightful place as the local Mecca of hip, with music designed by international DJs, lively parties and celebrity stopovers (I am personally looking forward to the new playlist!)

Located on the  corner of famous Isla Verde beach, the hotel takes its cues from the sapphire-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and incorporates them into its chic décor. Mist, the rooftop bar and resto boasts ‘socializers’—small plates you can share—prepared with fresh, locally grown ingredients. And the hotel even has this cool new “Tu Deseo” (My Wish List) wish board mounted in each guest room. From extra towels, a sunrise aqua yoga session, to local fruit with their room service breakfast, “Tu Deseo” allows you to have just about anything you want.

San Juan is less than four hours from NY - daily flights on JetBlue make it fun too. Go now!

An Oasis on the Bund

How Style Defines a Sense of Place

“Ah, love your necklace. Sayulita, right?” he said to me, and then lifted the cuff on his shirt to show me what was obviously the brother bracelet to my necklace.  “Yes,” I nodded.  Years later, a woman said, “Oh, look (as she pointed to the Tahitian pearls strung on lithe leather around my neck)…Saint-Barth,” she said fondly.

These exclamations of familiarity might not sound like much, but if you’ve been to Sayulita or Saint-Barth, you know what I’m referring to: the iconic necklace worn by many wanderlistas around the world. A necklace so easily worn surfing in Sayulita and lunching at La Plage.

The idea of “destination-specific” jewelry—a carefully crafted accessory that reflects where you have been— isn’t exactly original. An evil eye from Greece. A jade bracelet from Shanghai. A coral horn from Naples. There are so many. But what it means to you is what really counts. I purchased my Mignot sister pearl necklace from one (of the three) sisters in Sayulita almost 10 years ago. I remember her tanned, surfer physique, her La Perla bikini top (I owned the same one), and her free-spirited aura. We chatted about life and our travels. She showed me an article in Elle that featured her and her sisters and Pachmama, their now famed boutique. I loved my pearls. They reminded me of a very distinct time in my life: when I launched my third (and hopefully final!) PR agency, while living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They symbolized a sense of freedom and a sense of place.

On my recent trip to Trancoso in Bahia, Brazil, I ran across what very much could be the next iconic piece of jewelry: a necklace by Cristina Pessoa. If you’ve read my entries about Trancoso then you’ll understand that it’s a resort town frequented by the Brazilian elite peppered with in-the-know Americans, a handful of supermodels, some film stars, all the while wearing the same Havaianas and mixing just fine with the surfer/cabana set.

I was heading to dinner one night and popping in and out of the shops that lined the perimeter of the town’s Quadraro and  wandered into the atelier of Cristina Pessoa. Pessoa is Brazilian jewelry designer who studied in Paris, Florence and London and splits her time between Barcelona, Brasilia and Trancoso. She even lived in Boston when she was eight years old (so did I!) and she and I immediately took to one another. We started the, “Oh, you’ve lived there! I love it there…” and “Wow, have you been to….” and, “Oh, you should meet my friend…” It went on and on. Like soul sisters, we spoke of art, style, fashion, travel and design jumping easily from one topic to the next. We exchanged information. We vowed to stay in touch.

I was taken to her collection of jewelry because, in addition to the gorgeous rings, bracelets and other creations (all manufactured in Brazil and made with Brazilian stones), she does this amazing line of tiny charms—a church and two little houses, made in gold and silver. The church is a tiny replica of the famed igreja that sits at the end of the Quadraro and the houses represent the many homes that line the grassy square and have become a symbol of Trancoso.

I have a gold chain that belonged to my grandmother, Rose, and on it sits many trinkets from my travels: an evil eye, a Thai Buddha, Rose’s Egyptian Nefertiti. Cristina’s church was a perfect addition to always remind me of my trip to Trancoso.

Ranging in price based on size and metal (small, large, gold, silver), the churches and houses are strung on a colored cotton cord, tucked into darling pouches and tied with a rainbow of ribbon; the perfect gift or keepsake of your time here.

Naturally, I’m adding my igreja charm to my “wanderlista necklace.” I’ll wear it proudly as it mixes well with the other baubles from my global wanderings, each of which transcend me back to the person or place that they represent.

Christina’s atelier in Trancoso…

I added the gold church pendant to my “Wanderlista” necklace that I wear everyday.

One of Pessoa’s rings. She uses all Brazilian gemstones and manufactures in Brazil.