Picnic Time

The village of Primrose Hill is a darling size, with just a handful of boutiques and delicious eats. In the mornings I trot down to Melrose & Morgan for a superb spread of unique delights. Everything is laid out on a fabulously large french table and your tempted to try it all. Today they are packing me a picnic and it's off to the hill to people watch and sniff the grass.

Cycle London

My favorite way to get around London is by bicycle. Though public transport systems are pretty fantastic here, a bicycle allows you freedom and a moving visual of a city like nothing else. To whiz through parks, ride along the canals or take short cuts and find unique boutiques and eats that you would otherwise miss in a cab, bus or underground.  I'm riding the new Retrovelo bike and I have to say its my new best friend!

Primrose Hill, London

I'm very excited as August will be spent in London decorating an apartment in the delightful neighbourhood of Primrose Hill. This can be quite an under-taking in a foreign city, but that just adds to the 'uncovering' fun of it. This is the hill and during summer it is filled with an assortment of folk, enjoying Londons wonderful park life!

Bye Curacao

Willemstad has two sides of town, the old and the new. I enjoyed exploring the streets of old town for unique little finds and stopping by the odd dive bar, for some true local flavour. 

The Wedding

A fairytale wedding set amongst the old buildings of Willemstad. 

You have got to love location weddings!

Carnival

If you go at the right time of year, you will be lucky enough to witness Curacao's Carnival. Music and dancing in the streets with fabulous costumes. I just love the bright colour's of Caribbean Island Life!

Lizard

.......now you do have to share the beaches with these guys. They are harmless though and fascinating to watch!

Curacao Beaches

My favorite thing to do whenever visiting an island is to hire a jeep and go explore. Its the best way to get a feel for the place and see how the locals live. Stopping off at little roadside eateries or craft markets ..... but, best of all ..... finding hidden secluded beaches!

Kura Hulanda Museum

Within the Hotel compound is an Anthropological Museum and its well worth the visit. I was very drawn to this one armed critter!

As you wander through the Hotel grounds, there are many wonderful sculptures, as well as a variety of unique works by local artists.

Kura Hulanda, Curacao

I stayed in the Kura Hulanda Hotel, a restored dutch colonial village spanning over 8 city blocks. A village within a village. Cafes, nightlife, a corner store and even a village square, its a unique compound that's a short walk to local shopping, restaurants and the ferry.

Curacao

An invite to a wedding and its off to Curacao. There are five islands in the Netherlands Antilles and Curacao is the largest. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea just north of the Venezuelan Coastline. This image is of Willemstad (the capital) and shows the delightful candy coloured dutch architecture that lines the harbour.

Go to...

Palm Springs, USA

Desert Wind

As you enter Palm Springs you are greeted by a magnificent sight. Fields and fields of wind turbines. With a baron desert backdrop it's like entering a space like sculpture garden.

As you drive away, be sure to look in your rear view mirror, these wonderful creatures will be waving goodbye.

Shop Palm Springs

With my work as a Set Designer & Decorator, finding unique props and fab furniture is part of my daily routine. Palm Springs has been a wonderful resource for discovery. If your up for the hunt Studio One 11 and Modern Way are worth a visit and you will find many more boutiques, galleries and consignment shops as you cruise along Palm Canyon Drive. Now if its Pool Side Fashion your after, be sure to stop by Trina Turk!

Viceroy

"Citrus Boutique Chic" is the flavour of the Viceroy Palm Springs. Located close to the center of town, you are able to walk to many stores & restaurants, or pop along to Melvyns piano bar for a little nostalgic fun.

This hotel gets a hopping on the weekends with crowds coming from all over the globe. The small size allows you to 'Be Seen' but for a little more privacy I recommend the Villa's with your own kitchen and bougainvillea draped courtyards. Dogs are welcome for an extra fee, but they certainly get the royal treatment from the highly attentive staff. My two K9 scamps LOVE this place!

Surrounded by superb revisited Regency Glamour, you will find yourself slipping into character as you lounge at the foot of the San Jacinto desert mountains.

ACE Hotel

If your coming to Palm Springs for a weekend and Budget is an issue, then the ACE is a great choice. This hotel chain has affordable style, using very tasteful simple furniture, that may have some of you remembering your College flatting days. Those Bohemian afternoons wearing your boyfriends t-shirt, strumming your guitar whilst swinging poolside in a rope hammock. I love the eclectic mix of vintage & modern pieces and how they have created interiors of a cool camping vibe. Rockers, Kids and Dogs really dig this Urban feeling hotel and with more concrete than grass, its super user friendly with a great 'Hose Down' ability!

The Parker

I've been coming to Palm Springs for 10 years now and its been really exciting to watch the neighbourhoods take on change, as well as many of the  hotels. The Parker hotel sits on 13 acres of fabulously landscaped grounds and deliciously lux interiors by Jonathan Adler. I always feel like Alice in Wonderland when I trot around the little walkways, that lead me to all sorts of play areas. The Lemonade stand, Petanque (Boules) Courts, Croquet Lawn, A Large Chess Game, Fire Pit, Clay Tennis Courts, Two pools and a transporting Spa P.S.Y.C. 

The swank of this former Givenchy Resort & Spa remains, with modern twists of complete magical fun. Pull on the Muu Muu, clink your G&T's and you will feel like your guests at "Mr and Mrs Parker's" private estate!

Palm Springs

Living in Los Angeles I am always looking for quick escapes to recharge and be inspired. One of my favorite weekend destinations is Palm Springs. With the weather being 25-40 C (80-105 F) in April, its the perfect month to head to the desert. Its only 117kms (111 Miles) inland, east of LA and has an assortment of desert and mountain activities: Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Horseback Riding, Hiking, Mountain Biking.... and if you need to recover or just chill, there are numerous Spa Hotels.

This Desert Community is noted for having the largest collection of Mid-Century houses anywhere on the planet. Just drive the neighbourhoods and you will see the effects of the 1947-1965 Property development boom, lead by Alexander developers, who created the popular 'Post & Beam' homes. Throughout the town there are many wonderful examples of the great Architects of this time, like Donald Wexler and Albert Frey.  

The 'New Hollywood' set made this their Weekend Playground, turning up in Cocktail Attire to sip martini's and listen to their favorite crooners. With stars like Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire  & Bob Hope entertaining in their swanky modern digs,  the town was alive with Hollywood energy and Rat-Pack regulars.

In the late 90's the appreciation of Mid-Century Design was again unearthed and these houses began being snatched up by young enthusiasts eager to restore them to their former Modern Glam Glory. A lot of these homes are now available for nightly rental rates which is a fun alternative to a hotel should you go with a group of friends, or family. With 354 days of sunshine and a 'New International' set, your guaranteed a Pool Side good time!

Go To...

South Island, New Zealand

Oamaru, Blue Penguins

Venture past the Historical Precinct toward the ocean. Its only 50 yards or so, before your pleasantly surprised to see who else calls this town home. The smallest penguin in the world, The Blue Penguin.  I will be posting many more unique NZ spots in the future, but for now, March was South Island month.

Oamaru, New Zealand

I love to go off the beaten track and find surprising little pockets to a country. No matter how many times I drive the two large Islands of NZ (11 times to be exact), I find more and more surprises. Oamaru….Who Knew? Well this just looked like any other small NZ town when I stopped in search of a 'Hokey Pokey' ice-cream (A flavour you must try). Wandering the quiet streets, I spotted some beautiful Victorian Stone buildings and was eager to know more. I had found the preserved community of the ‘Historical Precinct’. 

In any major city, this would  be prime real estate for retail and loft living. Not here! It's just a fabulous tribute to, 'What Was'. Now unlike other villages I have been to throughout the world, where they try to preserve the yesteryear by wearing period dress and rein act the various wars to several hundred tourists, this is just local folk, keeping the heritage, peacefully and intriguingly, to the odd passer by. The Penny Farthing race (photo courtesy of the Otago Times) is a yearly event and these fantastic bicycles, are manufactured right here in Oamaru. I did not get to see the race, but I am certainly going to try and get back for it!

Akaroa, New Zealand

One of my favorite places in New Zealand is Akaroa. Its a small town located on Banks Peninsula, half way down the South Island on the East Coast. I spent many summers here as a teenager and fell in love with the dramatic landscape formed by this once volcano. If you're passing through the city of Christchurch, I highly recommend the one hour drive. 

The French first settled in this angelic spot and the locals have helped preserve this small slice of NZ history. Street names are still in french and quaint Victorian villas dot the hillside overlooking the harbour. You can take a boat trip out to the heads to swim with the dolphins, watch penguins and seals, or simply walk the tranquil bay to the lighthouse. (photo taken on a chilly winters day, best to explore NZ in its summer months of Jan, Feb, March) There is a handful of wonderful restaurants, galleries and B&B's should you decide to stay the night. Restaurant of choice "C'est la Vie" for an authentic, rich in flavour, French experience. A romantic spot of candlelight and shoulder-rubbing seating. Or call into Barry's Bay Cheese, for outstanding cheeses & wines and then pick your endless spots to picnic.