STOP & SMELL THE ROSES ...

Stop and smell the roses!

Inhale...

Exhale...

Relax.

*VIVE LE FRANCE*

Interesting fact: Those historians inclined to reject the less defined techniques of the Italian balletto as the historical root of ballet, might consider the performance of the Ballet Comique de la Reine at the Palais du Petit Bourbon in Paris as the true birth of ballet.

 

The Côte d'Azur, often known in English as the French Riviera is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France, also including the sovereign state of Monaco. This coastline was one of the first modern resort areas. It began as a winter health resort for the British upper class. With the arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century, it became the playground and vacation spot of British, Russian, and other aristocrats, such as Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. It was frequented by artists and writers, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Edith Wharton as well as wealthy Americans and Europeans. Many celebrities, such as Elton John and Brigitte Bardot,have homes in the region.

 

 

Menton is known for wonderfully fragrant citrus. I picked-up some citrus soaps, teas, and perfumes for my girlfriends.

 

 

Menton

Forget Hollywood...Monaco here I come! Everything Glamour.

 

Glamourous Nightclubs

 

 

Incredible Beaches

 

Oh yes... Lots of TOYS!!!

Vive le France!!!

MEDITERRANEAN DIET *** YUM ***

Everyday here in Ventimiglia, there is a market in town where all the local farmers sell delicious, and incredibly fresh produce. I mean fresh! Eggs just hatched from the chickens, tomatoes just pulled from their vines, peaches from heaven! It was my pleasure to take a 15 min walk down to town to buy these nourishing treats and practice my Italian!

 FIGS 

 LEMON & AVOCADO

TOMATO MOZZARELLA BASIL
A staple in almost every meal.

 PROSCIUTTO MELONE
 Traditional Northern Italian Appetizer  

 A LIL* PROTEIN 

In Italy, meat is completely natural, no hormones, no antibiotics, no worries.

WILD AGAVE grows all over this part of Italy.

GELATO!!!

It is a sin that Gelato doesn't exist in the U.S. I know there are some places that sell "Gelato" but trust me!!! it's not the same. There is something truly magical about Gelato in Italy and France. Maybe it's the cows, their diets, their strong Mediterranean genes? I don't know what it is, but I cannot wait to eat it again next summer. 

SOAKING UP ITALY~ AHHHH

I am on vacation in Italy, on the Ligurian Coast in a very small town called Ventimiglia. It is perfectly placed for extremely easy access to the posh French Rivera cities of  Nice, Monaco, and Cannes, and the Italian city of San Remo. Ventimiglia is my Italian home.

  This is the the view I wake up to every morning. France is just over those mountains. I could stare at this all day, it never gets old.

This is the trail I hike down each afternoon to get to the beach. It is a breeze on the way down but extremely cardiovascular on the way up!

This is Calandre beach. One of the only sand beaches on the Ligurian Coast. It's tiny but very special because most beaches in this area are stone. Although there are many sights to see in this part of the world, this year I want to relax as much as possible, so I have spent the majority of my time laying on this beach and swimming in this magical sea.

The healing properties of the Mediterranean Sea are vast, and I am soaking them up all day everyday in this amazing water! 

SUMMER BOHEMIAN LOOKS by ADORN BOUTIQUE

Nothing says summertime like curly beach hair, and shimmery stones! 

Every time I wear my hair curly my parents tell me "you look so bohemian". With some convincing from my BF, this summer I decided to go all natural and bohemian. This look happens to complement some super cute and trendy designs by Sarah Lewis at ADORN BOUTIQUE. Check out Adorn Boutique

Shimmery Stones!

Can't get enough turquoise 

Love this horseshoe necklace

Visit Adorn Boutique on Frankford Ave in Fishtown and pick up some of these stylish bohemian looks by my friend and Sculpere addict Sarah Lewis.