All smiles for our annual family Manhattan Beach vacation. Took a day trip into the city to walk around Melrose Place where I grabbed a little refresher from Alfred’s Tea Room. My go-to order is their iced vanilla earl grey milk tea. Style update: I have been living in light weight Reformation dresses and these thin Dior wire framed sunglasses all summer long.
Summer in Provence
After spending the week in Paris, Patrick and I hopped on a train and headed to the south of France. I have been to the Provence region in the past, but never had a chance to explore Gordes which is where we rented a house for our stay. From there we spent each day exploring different towns and even made a trip over to the French Riviera.
Where to Shop
Each day in Provence there is a different market in a different town, which is always a fun excuse to do some shopping. We planned our days around where the market was going to be, picking up fresh produce for dinner while keeping our eyes out for pretty linens and homemade jams. The market in Aix-en-Provence had the best selection of billowy eyelet and printed dresses in my opinion and one of my favorite market days was in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue which is known for its antique shopping.
Where to Eat
Our first meal of the trip was at Clover, a new restaurant at La Bastide de Gorde which has an amazing view looking out over their lush vineyards. Each dish was so fresh and unique, I ordered the “puff” pizza which came out looking like a savory pastry dish. For lunch one day we went to their Italian spot La Bastide de Pierres just around the corner where Patrick and I split a pizza and a pasta dish.
Where to Explore
One of our more adventurous days we headed to the Côte d'Azur where we spent the morning walking around Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the oldest Medieval towns in France. Its windy cobblestone pathways are charmingly filled with art galleries, boutiques and perfumeries. Just a short drive from there is Antibes where we visited the Musée Picasso, and then on to Cannes where we ate lunch on the beach.
Postcards from Paris
Patrick and I decided to celebrate us both turning 30 this summer by taking a trip to Paris where we met up with my Sweet & Spark Co-Founder, Jillian, who was also celebrating her birthday. Summer babies gotta stick together!
Where to Shop
The two most infamous shopping malls have to be Le Bon Marché and Galeries Lafayette where you can find just about anything, I especially love the abundance of perfume selections at Parisian department stores. For a more intimate shopping experience try exploring the quaint boutique lined streets of Le Marais where you can find the Japan based Vintage Paris store filled with heritage finds from Chanel, Dior and Hermès. I also picked up a few breezy clothing items for the south of France at L'Appartement Sézane.
Where to Eat
Tucked away in the gardens of the Palais Royal is the iconic Café Kitsuné which is the perfect spot to sip on a coffee and people watch underneath their shaded tables. I ordered the hot chocolate along with a sablé cookie. For breakfast visit the Aussie owned restaurant Hardware Société inside the charming Montmartre neighborhood. Patrick and I split a sweet and a savory dish there; the fried brioche with fruit and the scrambled egg sandwich with salsa. If you’re in the mood for a traditional stack of pancakes Hollybelly is also a great option, bonus points to them for serving breakfast all day. Spend a long evening sipping wine and trying new cheeses at the Monbleu fromagerie, their radish and butter appetizer was also delicious. For macarons go to Pierre Hermé and for delicate pastries go to Lenôtre, both make great on-the-go dessert options.
Where to Explore
I love to end the day with a picnic and a view. Pick up a bottle of wine, some cheese, pastries and a baguette while exploring the city and head to the Jardin des Tuileries or Le Jardin de Luxembourg to watch the sunset.
A Weekend Home
Patrick and I spent a long weekend in Dallas for a friend’s wedding as well as helping my parents move into their new house. I simply adore the pink room my Mom designed for me complete with the perfect chinoiserie wallpaper in the bathroom. In a splurge of the moment, I also picked up the ballet pink Chanel flats I’ve had my eye on since February along with a white pair for our upcoming wedding events.
Summertime in Manhattan Beach
Spent our annual family vacation at one of my favorite beach towns in Los Angeles: Manhattan Beach. We've been coming here since I was little, and it's remained a very nostalgic destination for me. The warm sunshine and sandy beaches greeted us, and I got to indulge in multiple frozen chai boba teas from Urth Cafe.
S H O P T H E L O O K