Visiting Villefranche-sur-Mer

Located just around the bend from Nice, situated next to iconic towns such as Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, is the beautiful seaside town of Villefranch-Sur-Mer in the heart of the French Riviera. August is the high season for taking a "holiday" as the Europeans call it, and with my Instagram feed filled with pictures of bloggers and jet-setters alike frolicking around the South of France, I could not help but reminisce about my recent visit in May.

Villfranche is by far one of my favorite towns on the Riviera. If you are staying in a central area such as  Nice, Villefranche is only about a 3 minute train ride! It is one stop from Nice-Riquier train station. Crossing under the hill which takes approximately 2 minutes seems to transform you back in time as you enter a sleepy, seaside village.

The bay of Villefranche is filled with fishing boats and yachts alike, with the crowds enjoying the beach, an aperitif, or people watching. There is one beach in Villefranche and it is public. I recommend getting there early during the high season as the beach can fill up quickly so you will want to get there to stake out some prime real estate. The water is calmer than the neighboring Plage de Nice as it is tucked into a bay, and thus the waves are smaller. There is a snack stand that serves food and beverages (alcohol included) should you feel the need to indulge while catching some Mediterranean rays.

If the beach is not for you, the old town of Villefranche, while small, is simply beautiful. Strolling the streets and small shops is a great way to pass the afternoon. I also recommend making your way to the top of the citadel de Villefranche as the views are simply amazing as you hover over the beach and entire bay. It is a great way to enjoy the azur blue waters for which the South of France is known.

Looking for a great way to end a relaxing day on the beach? I recommend visiting Beluga, situated right along the water, for an enjoyable afternoon cocktail and snack. The venue features plush outdoor seating to continue to enjoy the picturesque views.

Plage Beau Rivage Nice

The South of France is filled with miles and miles of beaches. From large stones to fine sand, these beaches are simply beautiful and the choices can some times seem overwhelming. I have experienced the beaches of Nice multiple times now, both public and private. 

The public beaches of Nice are great, but be prepared for the large stones as they can be quite uncomfortable after a few hours. On a recent trip to Nice, I decided to experience one of the many private beach options along the Promenade des Anglais. I had heard great things about Plage Beau Rivage and had read great reviews about the beach as well. 

Let me just say that one trip to Beau Rivage turned into 4! If you are looking for the experience a private beach has to offer, I highly recommend trying Beau Rivage. The iconic blue and white strip umbrella and chairs line this section of the beach. I opted for front row chairs which do come at a premium over the other rows, but I do recommend the unobstructed view, especially during high season. 

Visting a private beach for the day will definitely be an expense, but the comfort of the chair, the available menu, the service, and amenities all make for a very enjoyable afternoon. A chair, towel, and umbrella will run about 25 euros per person. Full details and reservation are available online.

I recommend the Greek salad for a nice afternoon meal paired with a large bottle of rosé to enjoy throughout the day. You really cannot go wrong!

What to Pack for a Trip to Cote d'Azur

I am exciting to be jetting off to the South of France to hopefully enjoy some sunny days on the riviera. The Cote d'Azur is one of my favorite places in the world as it just exudes natural beauty and truly is how Slim Aaron's depicted it in his series of photographs.

It will be an exciting to be on the riviera with the 68th Festival du Cannes commencing, however, it is also a tricky time in terms of packing. The spring season will call for more than just shorts, sunglasses, and t-shirts as the temperatures will remain mild during the day and cool in the evening.

I am one for which packing is always a dreaded task despite traveling frequently. I recently took a trip to Paris, however, the Cote d'Azur calls for a much more vibrant color palette, one to match the azur blue waters of the Mediterranean. Below are my suggestions for stylish trip to the South of France.

Sandals: Ralph Lauren // Sunglasses: Armani // Wallet: Goyard // Trunks: Lilly Pulitzer & Ralph Lauren (similar) // T-Shirt: Hanes

If you are like me, the main appeal of going to the coast will be spending days lounging on the beach, at a beach lounge, or soaking up the sun in your favorite spot. With that being said, I recommend packing daywear that centers around statement swimwear (read my recent love for statement swimwear). Great swim trunks will be perfect for the beach, but when paired with a simple white v-neck and sandals, these trunks are the basis of a great casual outfit perfect for going from beach to cafe in town. 

Shirt: Ralph Lauren // Sunglasses: Saint Laurent // Bracelet: Miansai // Cargos: Ralph Lauren (similar) // Sandals: Ralph Lauren

When transitioning for the beach & day to evening, I selected pieces that were colorful and light. Since temperatures are slightly cooler at night, I recommend light weight chinos and cargo pants for a more modern look. Pair bright hues with white for a simple, classic look. Accessorize with great sunglasses, eyewear, and a bracelet. Be sure to pack pants that match a myriad of your tops, allowing you to pack less and save room in your suitcase for anything you might pick up during your visit. 

Travel In Style with Suitsupply Race Case

Luggage- it always haunts when it comes time to pack for a trip because it seems like we never have the appropriate piece for the occasion, yet it is something for which we are reluctant to shop. With an impending trip to the French Riviera, I have packing and luggage on my mind. One of my favorite menswear brands, Suitsupply, has recently released a highly functional and versatile luggage piece dubbed the "Race Case." 

The Race Case gives us a reason to rejoice when it comes to packing and stylish luggage with its fashion forward styling and aesthetic. I have found myself with a big, clunky suitcase one too many times in the terminal as well as toppling over on the streets of Manhattan. The Race Case's suspension makes it easy and flexible to move around any setting. Additionally, this suspension frame folds up easily, making it easy to carry on. In addition to the functional design, the trolley features luxurious touches such as leather trimmed handles and face as well as nickel finished zippers.

When it comes to functionality, Suitsupply has delivered with interior pockets to keep your things and gear (up to a 15" laptop) secure and organized. I love the overall modern design of this piece- who said luggage had to be ugly or boring? I think this might just have to make a voyage to the Cote d'Azur with me!

Note: Quantities will be limited and are available for pre-order. $499

Images: Suitsupply

Galleria Victor Emmanuel Milan

Milan fashion week is underway and I have been seeing a lot of photos on street style blogs and Instagram of not only the fashion but also the city. One of my favorite locations for many shots is the Galleria Victor Emmanuel.

The Galleria Victor Emmanuel is one of the world's oldest shopping malls and was named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. The structure dates back to 1865. This galleria was at the top of my list during my visit to Milan and it did not disappoint. The structure is simply stunning with its covered, open-air design.

The shopping center serves as a central meeting point for the milanese people and has become home to designer stores and cafés. The facades of Prada and Louis Vuitton sit well next to the beautiful glass dome ceiling. It is a great place to people watch while being surrounded by gorgeous architecture. I recommend sipping on an espresso at the Gucci espresso bar.

The center is only steps away from the famed Duomo. I have written about luxury as a lifestyle in Milan previously, and the Galleria really embraces this idea with the mix of luxury stores and restaurants. Whether you are being shot for a street style photo during fashion week and shopping for your next Prada bag, the Galleria Victor Emmanuel is a must-see when visiting Milan.

*All photos are my own

Postcards from Paris

It was great to be back in the City of Lights and spend a few days immersing in everything Paris has to offer. It was a relatively short trip filled with shopping, sightseeing, and even more eating. I believe that Paris is one of those cities that speaks for itself, so here are a few of my favorite shots captured during my recent trip.

We had great weather for Paris standards thanks to the "Indian Summer" that everyone is talking about. It truly is one of the prettiest cities that I have traveled to....5 days just was not enough to see everything on my list. With a busy work schedule, I sure am missing afternoons people watching while sipping champagne!

Snapshots of Nice

The social media world seems to be filled with gorgeous pictures of travel and vacation, and I must admit, it has me a bit jealous. This summer was a bit up in the air so I did not have the opportunity to plan any big travel which was a bummer, however, all the great pictures I have been seeing made me reminisce about one of my favorite trips and favorite places: Nice, France.

Below are a few snapshots of this picturesque town on the Cote d'Azur. If you have not been, I highly recommend a visit, it truly is the gateway to the Cote d'Azur with easy access to popular neighboring cities such as Cannes, Monaco, Cap Ferrat, and the coast of Italy. Nice has a great mixture of old a new with Vieille Nice and its narrow streets and beautiful buildings and the newer construction along the Quais d'Anglais. From shopping to dinning and nightlife, Nice really does have it all. Of course my favorite part was the beautiful, deep blue waters.

Have you taken any trips this summer or have an exciting one in the works? I am always looking for new destinations and recommendations!

Celebrating July 4th in the Hamptons

This summer has turned out to be quite hectic with all the responsibilities of post-grad life. A recent vacation to the Hamptons was much appreciated and a much needed break from reality. Spending the week in East Hampton was the perfect way to to end June and celebrate the 4th of July.

The Hamptons for me represent a simplistic beauty, especially within such a close distant to the city and other surrounding areas. The tip of Long Island is absolutely stunning with sprawling beaches, vineyards, and beautiful sunsets. Enjoying the Hamptons is also about embracing the quintessential northeast coastal style, an aesthetic which was well represented in our East Hampton home.

Many have a highly glamourous image in their minds when they think about the Hamptons, however, there is also a casual vibe an aspect at the same time. I love being able to run around town in swim trunks straight from the beach, or grab coffee after a morning workout. It is not always about the all-white outfits and designer bags. What I enjoyed about my most recent trip out east was venturing into Amagansett and Montauk, two neighboring towns which I had not previously visited. I have to say, our dinner at Ruschmeyer's was probably my favorite!

It was a bummer to miss the annual fireworks in Southampton because of the hurricane, but mother nature made up with a beautiful day on Saturday. Simply the perfect beach day!

Stylish Luggage: WANT Les Essentiels de La Vie

For the person that loves to travel, luggage is almost as important as the trip. Luggage can say a lot about your personality and your style. There are so many options when it comes to luggage and travel bags these days. WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie caught my eye a few seasons ago with their simple, understated totes and bags. I loved their totes, so when they launched a trolley luggage set, I instantly fell in love.

The company's logo is a running man, suggesting that they are always in motion. I love the simplicity and sleek aesthetic of the new rolling, carry-on luggage made in collaboration for the 4th edition of Le Cabinet de Curiosités of Thomas Erber. The new line of luggage was inspired by the first bag the co-founders created, the Trudeau Briefcase. The DeGaulle S4 Trolley embodies all the same things, namely function, subtle luxury, and sustainability. 

I also loved the inspiration drawn from Paris, as it is one of my favorite cities. The co-founders also described the bag as the perfect carry on for the flight from Charles de Gaulle to JFK....who would not want to be taking that flight? :)

The trolly features an interior card pocket, padded laptop pocket, mesh pocket, and an exterior clip for extra bags, making it perfect for those of us that always tend to pack on the heavier side. The Italian and French calf leather truly give it a sense of luxury. 

I would not mind receiving one of these trolleys as a holiday gift. Luggage makes a great gift option for either men or women...definitely adding to the list! It can be purchased at Maison Kitsuné at the stylish NoMad Hotel in NYC or via online.

Spa Day: Ritz-Carlton Westchester

The Thanksgiving holiday was the perfect opportunity to enjoy for pure relaxation, taking a break from the books for the weekend. Instead of heading to the malls and stores and standing in long lines on Black Friday, myself and a few friends had a spa day at the Ritz-Cartlton in Westchester. 

Located within a short train ride to the city or the perfect go-to location when in the suburbs, the spa at the Ritz in White Plains offers a space of luxury and serenity to step away from the busy lives we lead.  The day spa features a rooftop indoor pool, multiple massage rooms, salon, shop filled with high-end products. 

The spa offers an array of services including skin, touch therapy, massages, facials, and body treatments. The full menu can be viewed on their website. I received a 60-minute full body massage. From the minute I stepped into the spa, I was in a serene environment from the plush robs, to the scents of lavender, to the relaxation room while I waited for my massage therapist to arrive. 

Swedish massages start at $85 for 30 minutes and range to $200 for 90 minutes. Other options such as stone therapy are also available. I think I found an excellent place to escape the bustle of the city while not going to far from home. 

Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Westerchester

3 Renaissance Square

White Plains, NY 10601

Milan Memories

Instagram Travel Thursday at Skimbaco Lifestyle prompted me to start thinking about memories from my end of summer vacation across Europe. I recently saw someone post a photo from the La Bar Rinascente in Milan, and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed the Italian city while visiting. 

This week for Instagram Travel Thursday, I am having memories of Milan. It was filled with gelato, amazing architecture, picturesque beauty, and of course, amazing shopping and fashion. 

Have you visited Milan Before?

I would love to return to the city during men's fashion week or in the winter. I heard it is a lot busier than the time in August when I visited. Most Europeans go to the coast during this time, but return to the city with the start of fall. 

Meet other bloggers with a passion for travel through Instagram Travel Thrusday!

Hosted at Skimbaco

Reflecting on the Riviera

In August, I concluded summer in the Riviera- in my eyes one of the best ways to end the summer before a year of hard work ahead. The French Riviera is one of my favorite places in the world. Everywhere you look it is just picture perfect. 

I've found myself sitting in class or at work reminiscing a lot of about the Azur waters of the Mediterranean and the French wine. I think another vacation is in store. I invite you, too, to reflect on the Riviera as I share some of my favorite Instagram pictures from Nice, Monaco, and Villefranche. 

The colors along the Mediterranean are just breathtaking. I could put hundreds of photos up, but I think these Instagram shots I captured do it good justice. Have you traveled to the South of France before? If so, what was your favorite town?

I am excited to be participating in "Instagram Travel Thursday" this week, started by Katja Presnal of Skimbaco Lifestyle. Join other travels and get an inside look into some amazing photos around the world. This week, I am linking up at Hines Sight Blog. Happy traveling!