This  classified French monument historique has been in the Beauvau-Craon family since it was completed in 1732. The current proprietor, Princess Minnie de Beauvau-Craon, is a direct descendant of Prince Marc de Beauvau-Craon who in 1720 commissioned the architect Germain Boffrand to build it in the remote countryside near the Moselle and Meurthe rivers. A while back I was invited by the Princess’ daughter  to visit the chateau and be a guest at the opening of the old school couture Givenchy, Venet and Balenciaga exhibit.  Apart from meeting the chic Princess and having a feast for my eyes whilst walking around  I had the immense pleasure of meeting Hubert Givenchy himself. I am rarely star struck. But I skipped a breath when I met him. He is tall, handsome and a very elegant man. And there is the association of course to his muse Audrey Hepburn. I think that today we sadly only rarely  have the pleasure of meeting men and women that are  elegant in character, manners and appearance. Why? Is it because our pop culture is selling  us their packaged version of “fast-food” idols? And thus the youth thinks this to be model of lifestyle to aspire to? It’s as if there is a general consensus that Madame Hepburn or Monsiuer Givenchy types are not sellable? Is vulgarity cashing in nowdays?  Is it because our lifestyle is becoming busier and faster and people don’t have time to stop, think , observe and appreciate subtlety? Is there way too much information and lots of people are getting lost or have lost identity? Is our civilisation evolving or regressing to cave men esthetics?(ie. Kardashians)  I could go on and on with questions. Let’s leave at this and the beautiful history and tradition that Chateau d’Haroue brings with it into our century.

http://www.chateaudeharoue.fr/

I was invited to Kiev Fashion week a while back and have such treasured memories from this trip. Here is what my partner in crime Natalie Joos and I managed to get up to in our very limited free time.

Above and below images from Natalie Joos’ blog  www.talesofendearment.com

St Michael’s cathedral above and St. Vladmir’s cathedral below. Stunning Orthodox heritage

Picture above from Natalie Joos’blog www.talesofendearment.com , Trussardi croc bag

Being babushkas in my room at Fairmont Hotel (the best hotel in Kiev) below

Eating caviar at the Fairmont Hotel, Dannijo necklace and Issa dress

Natalie at traditional Ukrainian restaurant

Borscht soup, pancakes, beetroot and walnuts above. The Kiev diner interior below

Method acting: Being a lamp

The old and the new successfully mixing

Represent! Roksanda Ilincic in Kiev all the way

Marni shoes and bag, Matthew Williamson coat, Club Monaco trousers and Bimba and Lola sweater

Above- view of the hotel from the Promenade in Gstaad. Opened in 1913, the Palace has mock-fortified corner towers  and a neomedieval facade . Perfect setting for the Rapunzel fairy tale! That was the determining factor in the choice of hotel of course.

The hotel hosted characters such as  Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sophia Loren, Roger Moore, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and  the return of the Pink Panther (1975) with Peter Sellers was also filmed here. The designer, Valentino, called the architecture a ‘brutal Sleeping Beauty castle’. It really is a fairy tale. One of the nicest hotels I have stayed at.  Really. It is managed now by the third generation of the Scherz Family, the initial and only owners of the hotel. This is what gives the hotel  special touch and makes it very authentic-there is a feeling of tradition, heritage but of a very warm and homey feeling as well. I felt like I was back Swiss boarding school. Back in the little bubble that it was.

Doing the purple Rapunzel vibe on the terrace (it’s freezing) whilst waiting for my hair to grow a touch more.

Stay true to oneself- still blogging at 1050 metres above sea level. Falke beanie, Toujouri jumpsuit, Brunello Cuccinelli sweater, Zara shoes

And having a VERY important conversation. Are those Milan shows going well? They are looking great on style.com

Rag & Bone hat, Toujouri jumsuit, Zara shoes, Amanda Wakeley fur gilet, Brunello Cuccinelli sweater

The lovely room and check out the 80′s snow leopard vibe of this Bogner ski helmet.

Loving the black and white images in the lobby- here are a couple from back in the day.

One thing that was missing…is this Each X Other T shirt. Next time I might make it my Palace outfit per excellence.

T shirt: Each X Other

I recently became a member of the ESPA state of the art spa and gym at the Corinthia Hotel in London. It is one of the most spectacular spas in London and voted one of the best. It is also located in such a stunning hotel which is quite convenient for a nibble in the lobby after a workout.  All products are by ESPA, the only natural, sustainable with ethically sourced ingredients  beauty line. Watch out- everyone will tell you their products are natural nowdays. This here is THE real deal.  It’s holistic in its approach and derives on Eastern therapy traditions. And it is not tested on animals! Ticks all my boxes. Every day I am using the energising body lotion and shower gel that contains shea butter and almond oil and once in a while the exfoliating body polish that contains refined apricot seed kernels. Girlie bliss! If you like to bathe in seaweed (yes there are some of us out there that actually pay for this at thalassotherapies worldwide) , known for its detoxifying qualities , you should go for the Detoxyfying seaweed bath oil. Not a great sight but does wonders for your body. Last but not least-if you would like your home to smell as if you are baking brownies you should buy their Gijanuja hot chocolate candle- it gives me the munchies everytime I light it!  There is also a very special hairdresser- Daniel Galvin at the spa so for ladies that blow dry their hair you have it all in one spot, no need to rush around town! http://www.espalifeatcorinthia.com/

http://www.marivanna.co.uk/

http://www.davidcollins.com/ The man responsible for the beauty of The Wolseley restaurant http://www.thewolseley.com/, The Connaught Hotel http://www.the-connaught.co.uk/, Bob Bob Ricard restaurant http://www.bobbobricard.com/ in London and many more.

My favourite restaurant in Paris http://www.caviarkaspia.com/english/ Andre designed the packaging for the Caviar

Why? To look plettttttty…. Still buzzing off the decoration- love it. http://david-mallett.com/

Percy the Pig and pals (Marks and Spencer) attempt to come to Paris…their last moments on the Eurostar…

Dre Dre and me in St Barths channeling our inner cats
Get the look:
Dolce & Gabbana swimsuit
Dolce & Gabbana bikini
Dolce & Gabbana bikini bottom
Dolce & Gabbana swimsuit
Roberto Cavalli dress

Torre di Pisa,  Via Fiori Chiari, 21, 20121 Milan, Italy,02 874877

Head to this lovely restaurant in Brera for some delicious Tuscan cuisine. Always packed and always great quality food. Read more

Societe- 4 Place Saint-Germain des Prés,75006 , 01 53 63 60 60, http://www.restaurantlasociete.com/
Stunning restaurant by Jean Louis Costes with interior signed by Christian Liaigre. Classic Costes restaurant menu. Read more

Pizza East- Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London E16JJ, 02077291888 http://www.pizzaeast.com/

Really cool industrial looking restaurant in East London. The pizzas are really good since they are made in wood burning ovens. There is also a selection of good antipasti. Read more

BALTHAZAR- 80 Spring Street, NY 10012, (212) 965 1414, www.balthazarnyc.com

Brasserie downtown- perfect spot for breakfasts and lunches Read more