Annecy:The sights...the views...the fondue.

So you have seen the hotel resort we stayed in....
now here are the sights:
ENJOY!

*TOWN SQUARE*

*HUSTLE AND BUSTLE*

*DREAMY*

*DIVINITY*

*SOMETHING OLD,SOMETHING NEW*

*SOMETHING BLUE*

*ON BOARD!*

*CASTLE,MY CASTLE*

*THINKING ABOUT LUNCH...*

*MOUNTAIN MAJESTY*

*HOW GREEN IS MY VALLEY*

*PRIVATE..KEEP OUT*

*SKY FLAKES*

*O' SAVOYARD*

*...ONE LAST BITE*

* THE END*

There's No Place Like...Tresoms,Annecy.

Summer has seamlessly slipped into fall here and I have yet to share my fabulous weekend at the "Picture Postcard Perfect": Les Tresoms, Lake and Spa Resort on the Lake of Annecy.

It is perched on high with a breathtaking view of the lake and mountains and tucked within the folds of a lush forest.

This stay was a Xmas gift from my sister and her husband and one we were embracing as an opportunity to get away from the crowds ,heat and unrelenting mosquito's. We were given a ground floor room which is never something I accept...but once we walked in and saw the view from of the open window onto the lawn and then further, to the lake and mountain we sank on to the bed and sighed.

*THE VIEW FROM ROOM# 6 *

Go for the spa...go for the activities ....Sports fanatics unit for all sorts of great daily escapades and then sink into the pool  and enjoy the spa facilities at your finger tips. There are 2 restaurants:La Rotonde, a gastronomic delight or La Coupole ,the brasserie and breakfast room. 

We enjoyed our gastronomic dinner but...it simply lasted too long when the wait for dessert was interminable . We tried to leave and pay the bill unsuccessfully: .."just as you try to leave...they pulled us back in..."with chocolate....those philistines!

There was a little too much liberal use of flowers and gold leaf in the dishes for our taste and we had a hard time swallowing a rare piece of langoustine...but all in all a truly lovely culinary experience.

*OUTDOOR POOL & SMALL GYM AREA*

Great room, fantastic bathroom with the biggest shower I have ever seen and believe me when I tell you how much I enjoyed using it and looking out at the distant mountain top. Heaven.

Breakfast is large and generous with everything you can think of and more, beautifully and artfully arranged all around "The Coupole" using props such as an old wooden sledge.We haven't been this spoilt for choice since our last stay at The Pulitzer in Amsterdam and breakfast there is legendary.

Staff are super friendly and more importantly,very accommodating.
We had a fabulous time and we have Les Tresoms to thank for it...a must stay.

Les Tresoms:Lake and Spa Resort
3,boulevard de la corniche-74000 Annecy
T.(0033)4 50 51 43 84
www.lestresoms.com

Shoes of Prey collaboration with Gretchen Jones @ New York fashion week.

Winner of Project Runway season 8: planet conscious Gretchen Jones has gone on to create her 70s Americana inspired ready to wear collections with great success as well as launching her own jewellery line. The Brooklyn-based designer has joined forces with the online shoe company “Shoes of Prey” for spring/summer 2013 designing a fun and versatile collection revealed during New York fashion week. The collaboration combines the sturdy appeal of a wooden wedge with the flexibility and comfort of soft leather and suede in three snappy colour combinations: fuschia/tobacco, cream/tobacco and black. This look encapsulates the hippy chick look that we all crave and yearn for once the sun starts to shine and the birds start to chirp. I know it is hard to yearn for next spring/summer 2013 wardrobe especially when we have barely scraped the surface of our new winter wardrobe...but such is the wonderful world of fashion...it keeps you on your designer shod toes.

A little about “Shoes of Prey”: this is the first online company in the world that offers you an opportunity to not only design your dream shoe but also the possibility of choosing from millions of design combinations in a myriad of colours and materials that can take you from silk to snakeskin . You can unleash your inner Manolo or Loubou by designing your own ballet flats,two tone wedges,up to a slinky 6 inch heel number from prices starting at £100.You can choose from different widths and up to a ladies European 49. And...If that wasn’t choice enough, if the pair doesn’t fit properly...Shoes of Prey will make you a new pair without hesitation.

An absolute must for every budding shoe designer who wants to stand out from the fashion forward crowd in her very own, one of a kind pair of shoes....of Prey!

www.shoesofprey.com
www.gretchenjonesnyc.com

Love Through Thick and Thin...

Couples that play together,stay together....My award for "Elderly Kooples" goes to this lovely elderly couple we met while walking in the Valmasque woods.

They both were wearing flat caps, chinos,short sleeve shirts and trainers...so totally in wardrobe sync like the Beckhams used to be !...remember them both in Gucci leather?!!
No? Better not.

"La Guerite" :Paradise found on the Isle Sainte Marguerite-Cannes

September may be upon us but summer is no where near over here...yet!
What us locals can now enjoy are the very pleasures that had our summer guest occupied during the height of the season. 

"La Guerite"is a restaurant/beach/haven across the bay from the Palm Beach on the lovely lush island of Sainte Marguerite (which is part of the Isles de Lerins).

The castle that looms overhead is the very one that housed the "Man in the Iron mask" but there is no sign of malevolence on this quiet,dreamy island. It is all white sand, laid back vibe and some fine food and wine.
And as the sign  indicates:...you are miles away from trouble and strife.

All the negative vibes, body issues and those pesky mozzies....are to be left on the wayside...La Guerite will sooth your soul, nourish your belly and calm your frazzled nerves.
The food is excellent only exceeded by the service which is hands on.

You can only access this little piece of paradise by boat, La Guerite actually runs a pick up service that can pick you up from the port. Call in advance ...it is well worth the short ride.

"La Guerite": Ile Sainte Marguerite- Cannes

0033.(0)4.93.43.49.30/0033.(0)6.17.74.54.94

www.laguerite.fr

London's Dover Street and its New Boutiques.

There is something about revisiting a street that was once...well,dare I say: boring...only to find that it has sprung to life with some truly decent shopping.

I am talking about: Dover Street in London, a street that runs parallel to Bond street and that was once only known for its galleries and the avantgarde shopping emporium:Dover Street Market which is at no.17-18.
Now DSM(Dover Street Market) has some pretty cool neighbours: "Vanessa Bruno" has opened its stylish doors at 1A Grafton street (a zebra crossing away from Dover) which we passed on our way to lunch at the vastly popular American brasserie: "Automat".

I recommend making a reservation and asking for a booth (see above) or to be seated in the bright,light inner sanctum which has a busy,New York vibe to it.

"Automat":33, Dover Street

0207 499 3033

Back to shopping:"Louboutin" is planning an assault on Dover Street with a shop about to open there soon as well as " McQ": Alexander McQueen's little sister label.

Another on trend French label has also opened its doors at no.30A: "Loft"... which is great for separates with a French Flava!

"Acne"is at no.13 with "APC" at no.35....hot,fun,fashion.

"John Rocha":a beloved British designer is on the corner of Dover and Stafford. His boutique is part boudoir and classy as it is chic. Gorgeous gowns,clean cut and his accessories all under one roof. 

French darlings and one of my favourites:"Marithe et Francois Girbaud" (who live by there own fashion rules) have opened on the top half of  bustling Bond Street, a stone's throw from the small and now very classy department store: "Fenwick". There has always been something appealing about their designs which come off as one part fashion ,mixed with one part architecture...funky styles that are not for everyone but true French Fashion Royalty for the diehard fans and followers.

FYI:" Fenwick's": has been spruced up and dusted off and now has a cool "Barneys" style fashion department with some great British designers such as Jonathan Saunders...a must.

The one opening that has really made some noise is...believe it or not:
"Victoria's Secrets"...also on Bond Street ,opposite "Fenwick"s where "Pringles" used to be.

Big, flashy with music that rivals A&F...but with a tad more lighting...and I underline tad !!
Surprisingly enough...all this fanfare is for something that has been around for as long as the WonderBra...and that has been a while. But HEY! if you shout loud enough people will come a runnin' and to be fair..the downstairs section which houses the "Pink"line (and is in actual daylight)...is great for sweats and stuff.
The staff are young ,extremely helpful and polite. They have the "American"approach of retail down pat..I actually felt like I was in New York.

"Have a Nice Day..and thank you for shopping with us!"

Taj Mahal me in the morning...and a Tale of the Unexpected.

I haven't seen my cousin M. for a long time now,so a massive catch up was well overdue. We sweated it out at an outdoor cafe,nursing iced teas and trying to control our excessive sweating.

She was telling me about her trip to India with her friend M.:
"Everyone was telling us that we must get a room over looking the Taj Mahal..because the view is  so beautiful when you get up in the morning."  
"Wow!" I exclaimed just a little jealous.
"Yeah...the next morning we awoke to FOG....which was practically the case every morning!!"
So much for a Room with a View.

M. was at a party in Jeddah when she struck up a conversation with a charming Italian gentleman who was there with his fiance :
" So have you been to Jeddah before?" asked M. politely.
"No,but I have spent a lot of time in Riyadh in the past" replied the Italian gentleman  amicably.
"Really?" asked M.ever the curious one. "What  business were you in?"
" I sold drugs" he replied nonchalantly.
Hiding her surprise at such a ballsy revelation she continued the conversation: "Yes...we do have a lot of problems with erm... drugs here...a lot of young people buying them....such a problem.."
"Oh, I didn't sell to any under age users" replied the somewhat blase Italian as he smiled and moved on. 
 M. beat a hasty retreat to regain some form of composure before spying her friend and host of the party and pulling her aside: 
"Are you Insane??! ...How could you invite a drug dealer to your party!!?"
"A what? Who!"
"That Italian guy over there..." as M. turned to locate him, he was looking  back at her with an almighty grin on his face.
"Oh for God's sake Mona!! He was messing with you!! Gullible much?"

Turns out Mr Italian is a respectable business man and a teller of tall tales.