Category Archives: Travel & Places

PLACES TO GO | SANTA CATALINA BY SALVA LOPEZ

15 October 2014

OMG, I was so excited when I came across this gorgeous photo series of Santa Catalina – a neighbourhood in Palma de Mallorca – by Salva Lopéz. [Thank you, thank you lovely Victoria from SFGirlByBay.]

As you might know I’ve got a bit of a crush on Palma and with this dark damp autumn weather I find myself daydreaming about warmer climes and sunshine. The photo series was commissioned by Monocle magazine and you’ll have to buy the issue or subscribe online to find out where all these gorgeous shops, bars and restaurants are to be found.

We’ve visited Palma and Santa Catalina for the first time back in 2010 and have since been back a few times enjoying the laid back Mediterranean vibe, fabulous Spanish tapas bars and restaurants as well as all the hip and quirky little shops. The mix of traditional architecture and modern renovations still gives me a buzz and I love exploring all the little alley ways and back roads. It is this essence and flavour that Salva captured so beautifully in his series.

To me Santa Catalina is an organically evolving neighbourhood that serves the needs of locals and students as well as expats by offering the diversity that I crave.

For more tips on where to go and what to do in Santa Catalina check out my previous post here.

MORE INFORMATION | Monocle
PHOTOGRAPHY | Salva Lopéz

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PLACES TO GO | FRANCO MANCA LONDON

13 October 2014

I’ve never been to Naples – arguably the birthplace of what we now refer to as pizza – but on one of my recent ventures into town I discovered Franco Manca. A pizzeria as close to the real thing as you can get without hopping on a plane to southern Italy.

It’s a small independent chain of pizza restaurants started in 2008 and passion for their product is at the heart of it. From branding to interior design – it’s all about simplicity, no fuss and good honest, quality ingredients.

The secret is in the slow-rising sourdough base (a minimum of 20hrs) which is baked in a wood burning ‘tufae’ brick oven made on site by specialised artisans from Naples producing a heat of about 500C (930F) – the oven (!) not the artisans. This blast-cooking method locks in the flour’s natural aroma and moisture producing a soft, easily digestible crust.

I had a simple Margarita which I watched the chefs prepare and have to say I was amazed at the difference to any other pizza I’ve tasted in the past. It was perfect! The texture, the subtle smoky flavour of some burnt dough ‘blisters’ and the combination of tomato, mozzarella and basil. Heaven is a good pizza – why has nobody made a poster or t-shirt with that slogan yet!?

Their simple and honest concept also translates into their branding which is monochrome handwritten typography and a childlike logo squiggle of what could be interpreted as a pizza, or pizza throwing or a planetary system. Like all good concepts there is total cohesion between the product, branding and interior design which is simple and clean with a few rustic elements giving the wood burning oven pride of place at the centre of the space.

I loved the ‘ouch’ sign on my way to the restrooms, a simple detail that made me feel warm and fuzzy – discarding my natural cynicism for a minute and making me believe that somebody cares for my well-being, or at least wants to avoid a law suit.

A fabulous experience which was made even better when the bill arrived. In case you want proof I’ve included a shot of it below. Just leaves me to mention that sadly you can’t book but don’t worry they turn the tables around pretty swiftly so I hear there’s never a very long wait. Only problem is I can’t go back to our local now I’ve tasted the real deal. #modernproblems

NOTE: Check out Franco Manca’s website to read more about their passionate sourcing of ingredients.

MORE INFORMATION | Franco Mancha
PHOTOGRAPHY | all iPhone by yours truely 😉

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PLACES TO GO | BRUECKE 49, VALS

3 October 2014

Now I’ve written about Bruecke 49 before – the beautiful boutique B&B – nestled in a small valley in Switzerland but their new photography and a chat with the owners has inspired me to feature them again.

I’m always impressed if people leave their career paths to follow their dreams and restoring Bruecke 49 into an intimate yet luxurious and contemporary B&B has been the life-long ambition of Ruth Kramer and Thomas Schacht.

The Swiss/Danish couple opened in December 2011 and as Thomas tells me they have been lucky to attract some wonderful guests who all share the same passions for design, art, literature, music and of course nature. He says:

At our breakfast table we have met rock-stars, some of the most wealthy people in the world, designers, architects, marketeers, artists, writers … and they have met each other. Friendships have been started and contacts made in our small “breakfast club”.

It must be such a satisfying and wonderful feeling to be able to give like minded guests this special blend of contemporary luxury and timeless beauty in a place you love.

The small village of Vals sits at the end of the Vals valley and consists of a small community of only 950 people most of them working in farming or as artisan craftsmen and guests are able to enjoy and buy some of the local products at Bruecke 49.

Surrounded by mountains it’s a hikers paradise but don’t forget to check out the famous Therme – built by Peter Zumthor who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize for his design in 2009 – for some relaxing spa time.

I’m delighted about Ruth and Thomas’ success, a large part of which has to be attributed to Ruth’s skills as an interior designer decorating the place with Danish design classics and eclectic local finds, giving it a warm homely feel.

Seasoned travellers themselves they know what a difference small details make. Individually styled bedrooms, a large living area with design classics inviting you to relax, a library with plenty of books, magazines and newspapers to browse, an outdoor fireplace and BBQ, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a healthy organic breakfast with freshly brewed coffee and of course the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning.

Ah… my kind of heaven.

ABOVE | The owners Ruth Kramer and Thomas Schacht

MORE INFORMATION | Bruecke 49
PHOTOGRAPHY | Martin Kaufmann with kind permission by Bruecke 49

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PLACES TO GO | VILLA KALOS, ITHACA

8 August 2014

From Mykonos to Villa Kalos, Ithaca – it’s Greek island hopping with Stylejuicer this week. 😉

This stunning villa was an abandoned ruin just over four years ago when South African photographers Gerda Genis and Robbert Koene fell in love with it. The breathtaking views of the Aegan Sea and the peaceful surrounding countryside with almond trees and olive groves make this a prime spot to relax and recharge with a deliberate choice of no technology (scary, but necessary every once in a while).

The couple restored the property with much love and care and lots of help from the locals converting it into an understated boutique villa with 4 bedrooms and 4 en-suite bathrooms, a salt-water pool, terraced gardens and 6,000 sqm of land to get lost in.

I have to say that I’ve fallen in love with the interior which is a competent mix of old and new and I like that they kept some of the old stone walls and juxtaposed them with polished concrete floors and exquisite furnishings and fabrics. Everything is kept in a luxurious neutral colour palette of whites, greys and browns which puts even more emphasis on the external beauty of the turquoise sea, bright blue sky and green rolling countryside.

What a perfect place to spend some quality time with friends and family and simply: just be.

Wishing you all a happy weekend!

MORE INFORMATION | Villa Kalos
PHOTOGRAPHY | Robbert Koene & Gerda Genis

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PLACES TO GO | SAN GIORGIO MYKONOS

5 August 2014

If you’re a big pinner and/or blog follower chances are you will have already drooled over these gorgeous images of the San Giorgio Mykonos as quite a few famous bloggers seemed to have checked it out on a PR jolly. I’m speaking with envy and purely speculating here of course as my invitation seemed to have got ‘lost in the post’ – not that I’m bitter, I was busy that week anyway.

So… I’m not going to tell you about the perfect location, the picturesque small Greek island or the luxury boutique service the San Giorgio is offering as I haven’t actually been. What I can tell you about is the fabulous interior design and styling by Annabell Kutucu and Michael Schickinger who kindly let me use these images.

They describe the look and feel of the San Giorgio Mykonos “like visiting your coolest friend, who whips up a feast for eyes and palate with as much ease and grace as he throws the islands most talked about fête.”

Wow! What a great description and I sure would like an invite to that fête.

I love how the couple kept the interior design and style simple with a sense of history and heritage. Enormous skill and subtlety clearly went into the choice of textures, fabrics and furnishings that tell of an exotic place or a local story and mostly stay within a neutral colour palette. There is a deliberate emphasis on origin and craftsmanship and each carefully selected piece is organic in form or source creating a harmonious whole.

The place feels quite bohemian though contemporary, light and airy at the same time. A space where you can feel at ease and start enjoying your holiday before you’ve even unpacked your suitcase and a future holiday destination for yours truly.

MORE INFORMATION | San Giorgio Mykonos
INTERIOR DESIGN | Annabell Kutucu & Michael Schickinger with kind permission

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