If you’ve walked down Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris in the past few years, you might have noticed a renovation project happening by Chopard. It was actually for their newly polished gem, 1 Place Vendôme, a five-star hotel located in an 18th-century six-story mansion that was originally designed for Louis XIV’s secretary Pierre Perrin. Paris-based architecture […]
The temperature has finally turned cold this week in New York which means I’m swathed from head to toe in grey cashmere and wool. Grey is always my go to color for late fall and winter since it’s the perfect complement for my hair color and doesn’t show lint like black. It also pairs well […]
I’m often asked what someone should wear in NYC or Paris in a particular month of the year. This is virtually impossible to answer due to climate change. I need to have three seasons of clothing available in my closet at all times since the temperature vacillates so wildly from week to week. I was […]
The Saint James and Relais Christine hotels in Paris are beloved by guests and now the group behind them have just opened a new hotel, Hôtel Norman. Billed as “open, vibrant, lively”, the hotel which opened today has a younger and more contemporary look for its 37 rooms and suites located at 9 rue Balzac […]
I reposted a meme this weekend that asked, “Before Instagram, were people always on vacation?”. It has felt like people have been away all summer but right now it’s compounded by the fact that most Europeans are on holiday for two weeks or even the whole month of August. So if you can’t beat ’em, […]
One of the more special things I did in Paris in April was stay at Le Grand Contrôle Airelles Château de Versailles hotel which included private after hour tours of Versailles. There are two different tours that are possible for the first evening of your stay, the King’s Apartments or the Queen’s Apartments, and depend […]
If you search for Cravan bar in Paris, the first one that will probably come up is the original location in the 16th arrondissement. But recently Franck Audoux, the co-founder of Le Chateaubriand and Cravan owner, has partnered with Moët Hennessy on a second larger Cravan location in the heart of Saint-Germain. The French who […]
The Dries Van Noten store on Quai Malaquais is one of my favorite places in Paris. I always tell people to go inside to look around even if they can’t afford anything since the flowers, fashion, and interior design is infinitely inspiring. Down the way at 9 Quai Malaquais is the equally impressive men’s store […]
I don’t recommend ever visiting NYC in July but August can often be quite pleasant. Not the whole month mind you. I’m sure we’ll get another oppressive heat wave at some point but the weather this week has been delightful. The light in August also starts to get lower and warmer and you can feel […]
Most of the questions I’m asked each week inevitably end up being travel related. I started this travel advice post months ago but I got sidetracked so this felt like a good time to finally post it so you can navigate your summer trips with ease. I also might come back and make updates and […]
This is always a quiet time for shopping as I anxiously await fall fashions to arrive in stores and online. The things I’m eyeing, buying, and trying right now need to be able to transition to September and October when it can still be quite hot. It’s now that I start choosing pieces that are […]
I love following actress Melissa George who lives between Paris and Provence to give me my fix of France when I’m back in the US. Her 17th-century hôtel particulier, Callemant d’Autane, was renovated and restored with architectural designer Diego Delgado-Elias who wrote on Instagram, “We have carefully preserved original features such as frescoes and moldings. […]
Nondescript hotel decor that doesn’t reflect the city in which you are staying is anathema to me. Luckily, that definitely does not describe the J.K. Hotel Paris. I’ve been aware of the hotel since before it opened but I’m so glad I stopped by to see my friend Callie Stanton who was staying at the […]
I love the magazine How to Spend It, although, they just had an unfortunate rebrand to just HTSI. I’m sure this acronym means nothing people who are not familiar with the magazine included in the weekend edition of the Financial Times. They have a regular interview feature that was also called How to Spend It […]
There is nothing more exciting than finding a beautiful chateau in France that is also available to rent. Chateau d’Hebertot is an enchanting place in the heart of Normandy. A property rich in history, the first part of which was built by the family of the Knights of Nollent in the 17th century. This exceptional […]
While I was in Paris in April, my friend Andrew and I were invited by Ralph Lauren Home to dine at Ralph’s at the Ralph Lauren store in Saint Germain. We were lucky to enjoy lunch at the restaurant before they closed for a month for refreshing. They have just reopened and enjoying a meal […]
If yesterday’s airport travel outfit doesn’t work for you, I have a few other options for you today. I’m currently trying to get my ducks in a row for my next trip the Hamptons and my July trip to London so these are some of the things I’ve been eyeing, buying, and trying for May […]