Mon Chambre @ Musee Carnevalet

French baroque par excellence can
be fully indulged in at the Musée
Carnavalet in Marais -- the heart of
Paris. Discover creme de la creme
Louis XVI pieces, learn about Paris'
history and meet the movers and
shakers of its past. Artifacts testify
that the city of love and light has
always been a magical place of pure
delight and great debauchery, with
an ultimate sense of exuberant
esthetics and an luxurious lifestyle.

23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris, France

Les Plafonds du Louvre

Attention art-lovers: Come here
for a rendezvous with art par
excellence!
At the formidable Louvre Palais
which houses the legendary
Musee du Louvre, not only walls
are plastered with artistical
grandeur: Awe-inspiring high
ceilings, opulently ornamented
with baroque gilded panels,
open up new dimensions above
visitor's heads. Martial, divine,
emotional and vigorous scenes
picture beautiful creatures and
transcendental esthetics.

Magnifique!

Savoir Vivre Française

Locals turn up their nose while out of towners are delighted by this gilded piece of history: Le Procope
is the oldest dining establishment tucked away in the heart of Paris. Wether you are a foodie or you like to see and be seen Le Procope will serve you up with delicate French cuisine and Parisian glamour. Dali, Voltaire, B. Franklin, Napoleon and the likes used to breath the air and enchant their sophisitcated palates on Crêpes Flambéed in Grande Marnier. A creme de la creme service along with a sexy amount of French savoir vivre round up this exclusive dining experience.

Azienda Valentino

Who new that Piazza Mignanelli -- in the
heart of the eternal city -- is home to one
of Italians most celebrated fashion moguls:
Tucked away behind imposing wooden
doors one enters an impressive yard
surrounded by classy architecture and an
awe-inspiring sculpture. The fashion
emperor's fantasies of glamour linger in
the air. Soak up the mystery, the
peacefulness and breath the cool air at
the fashion emperor's azienda.









Photo:Carrie Wick

A Tale of a Café

Nestled at the buzzing corner of Boulevard

Saint-Germain and Rue St. Benoit is Cafe
de Flore, since 1980 one of the oldest,
most fashionable and exclusive
coffeehouses in the City Of Lights.
Acclaimed for its famous clientele, its
first regulars were French intellectuals
such as writers and artists like Jean-Paul
Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus,
and other famous thinkers of the 1940s
and 1950s. Design-loving mavens flock
here to ogle at the historic Art Deco
interior featuring all red seating, mahogany,
posh ceiling lights, and mirrors lining the
walls. A cosmopolitan vibe stirred up by
a smart set pervades the cafe's exclusive
interior. Chink flutes with French
Champagne while nibbling on delicate
macaroons and crème de la crème éclairs.
Voilà!

Eterna Roma

Soak up a scenic vista from Rome's major
circus and central hub at Piazza Venezia.
Climp up the steps to the stately palazzo
'Altare della Patria' and walk around this
impressive monument. Also visit the
adjacent church 'Santa Maria in Aracoeli'
at the Capitoline Hill. Finish off the tour
paying visit to the Capitoline Museums at
Piazza del Campidoglio. Bellissima Roma! 

Vacanze Romane

May I introduce you to the tower of Santa

Maria in Cosmedin: The basilica and bell
tower --  the tallest medieval belfry in
Rome -- is located at the Piazza della
Bocca della Verita, in Rome's beautiful
district (rione) Ripa. Built in the 8th
century, it is worth visiting primarily for
its exceptionally well preserved early
medieval choir enclosure and its very
fine Cosmatesque pavement.

Place your hand in the mouth of the
infamous marble sculpture 'La Bocca
Della Verità' -- carved from Pavonazzo
marble -- situated on the wall in the
portico in front of this awe-inspiring
example of Roman antiquity. Romans
believe that the 'Bocca' represents the
ancient god of the river Tiber.





Photo:Carrie Wick

Renaissance Romance

This picturesque medieval and renaissance
hill town in the heart of southern Tuscany,
Italy is world-wide famous for its production
of excellent (red) wines made from the
Montepulciano grape. Perched on a 605
meter limestone ridge, it is also renowed for
gourmet cheese, 'pici' pasta and varieties of
honey. Soak up romantic sun sets over the
scenic Tuscan countryside while sipping one
of the country's best wines. Walk sedate little
paths and yards, kiss under an old olive tree...

Ghiottoneria Italiana @ Piazza Navona

Tucked away only a few steps from the
beautiful Piazza Navona is this promised
land of pasta, an Epicurean's Mecca,
where local and visiting noodle
aficionados flock to. Come here to stock
up on de luxe Italian oils and one-of-
kind artisan noodle creations. It goes
without saying that these artistic pasta
designs are handmade and oils sourced
from independent boutique producers.

Buon Appetito!

Pastateca
Via della Vite 44/45
00187 Roma






Photo:Carrie Wick

Haute Floraison

These flourishing pieces of poetry and romance
evoke spring fever par excellence. Inspired by
Monsieur Dior's sumptuous gardens in Milly-la-Forêt,
France these little gems – assembled and painted by
hand – are sparkling pieces of art for hand, heart,
and all senses.
I love Dior's botanical twists from bud to blossom
and the créateur's artistic savoir-faire!

Which is your favorite bouquet?

309 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA

J'adore La Belle Époque

This restaurant's doorway design is a magnificent

example of a truly beautiful handicraft movement
prevailing all over Europe in the 30s. The artistic
fassade is a feast for the eyes for aestheticians
and a culinary enticement of gourmet's palate
(check out the thoroughly French menu!).The
design's floral forms and swinging lines are
signature features of Art Nouveau, symbolizing
the advent of an entirely rejuvenated and a
flourishing, vivacious Zeitgeist of that particular
era. Find stunning beautiful artifacts of this
blooming design all over Paris.

J'adoreLa Belle Époque!