My Summer trip to Rhodes, Greece!

In July, I took a long overdue vacation to Greece. I’ve been to several places/islands in Greece, and this time I chose Rhodes. Several people had stated to me how fabulous Rhodes is, and they were all right on the button.

After the plan landed, I got my bags and got in the taxi that was waiting to take me to my resort. I stayed at the Lindos Grand Resort Spa which is actually located in Lindos, which is an hour away from the airport in Rhodes.

The resort was brand new and beautiful. The staff was also very friendly and helpful. Covid protocols were also strictly adhered to. I had a room with a private pool, which I HIGHLY recommend. I spent more time at my own pool than at the main pool and at the beach.

Lindos, Greece

The town of Lindos is about a 10 minute taxi ride, which costs between 10-12 Euros. There, you can walk around the picturesque town, which is full of shops, restaurants, and they also have an acropolis. You can walk up to the top or take a donkey ride for €8. But those poor donkeys looked so hot, tired, and overworked, if you can walk, then do that.

Like I stated before, the resort is brand new, so there were some minor things that weren’t fully completed. For instance, there were two light bulbs missing on my terrace. It was minor, and it didn’t bother me at all.

The beach is about a 3 minute walk from the resort. There is a direct path where you can walk, and they also offer a shuttle bus, as well. The beach has food and drink service, and lounge chairs specifically for the resort, which is cool. There are also water sports available.

I literally had a different swimsuit for each day I was there! :-)

The floor to ceiling windows were fabulous. It was very hot, but also a nice breeze. When you opened the doors, the air-conditioning automatically shut off, which was cool.

So, if you’re thinking about a planning a trip to Greece for relaxation and great weather, I would highly suggest the island of Rhodes and Lindos Grand Resort Spa.

The resort had fantastic views, and the aesthetics were great.

Let me know if you’ve ever been to Rhodes, Lindos, and/or Lindos Grand Resort Spa.

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it! XOXO

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How to get the most out of your wardrobe.

I chose the above quote for this blog because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth´s “clothing” is actually Macbeth´s new title of Thane of Cawdor. At this early stage in the play, they are thankful that they have the title and are not being greedy at this point. Let’s connect that with us literally buying our favorite pieces and caring for them so that they last and are not cast aside so quickly. (Am I reaching? Lol…just roll with me.)

Ok…we love are clothes and we want them to last. How do we do that? Let me give you a few tips on how to do exactly that.

Skirt: Gucci (about 4 years old)

READ THE LABELS:

Those labels are there for a reason. Make sure to check and see if your garment can actually be washed, or if it should be dry-cleaned. If you’ve ever washed something that should have been dry-cleaned, then you know about the possible catastrophic events that can ensue. Washing on the delicate cycle is always a safe bet, as well as mesh bags. I love mesh bags. They are perfect for delicates and anything else that may need extra tender love and care. Another thing you can do is air dry your garment. The dryer can cause shrinkage and put unnecessary heat on your clothes that may ruin them. So air drying is your best friend.

Sweater: Zara (last year) Jeans: Zara

Shoes: Miu Miu, Socks: Gucci

PROPER STORAGE:

How you store your clothes will add to their longevity . For example, hanging up your skirts and pants on proper hangers is something you should do. The right hangers can preserve the shape of your clothes, providing you hang them properly. I really like to use those special skirt hangers. You can also use velvet hangers that will prevent your dresses and shirts from slipping off the hangers, which can be really irritating. Also, keep in mind, some things should not be hung. For instance, cashmere sweaters. Hanging them might cause them to become misshapen, so I would suggest folding them.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY:

I realize that fast fashion is very tempting, and can be a good choice if you want to try a trend before investing in it. However, don’t overlook the fact that investing in quality pieces will stand the test of time. Often times, these fast fashion pieces are very inexpensive, and when you wash them, they fall apart. Threads start unraveling, hems come apart, discoloration, etc. So, what happens is, you end up wearing the item once or twice and you’re back ordering again. Contrast this with investing in a quality piece that costs more, but it will stand the test of time and you will get your cost per wear out of it….which leads me to my next point.

Boots: Alexander Mcqueen

COST PER WEAR:

Cost per wear simply means the cost of the item divided by how much you wear it. Now, don’t let the math intimidate you…lol. The basic premise is the value of the item is directly related to how much you wear it. If you follow this rule, you will be able to justify that high price tag, because you are getting the maximum amount of wear out of said item. I put this equation to the test when I purchase items that are pricey, but I know I will reach for it time and time again.

Well, those are a few of my tips. I hope I could help. Let me know some things you do, to get the most out your wardrobe.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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My Amalfi coast SUMMER Highlights

Since all of my vacation plans for 2020 were derailed because of the global pandemic a.k.a. Covid 19, I was estactic when I got the opportunity to go on a quick trip to the Amalfi coast. The Amalfi Coast was on my travel list anyway, so when this opportunity arose, I seized it.
Here are a few of the highlights and tidbits from my trip.

Seeing as flying has been a bit tricky these days, we actually drove from Switzerland to the Amalfi Coast. Yes, the ride was very long! Twelve hours to be exact! However, after being cooped up at home, that didn’t bother me. I was actually looking forward to it.
A little warning…once you get towards the coast…there are winding roads that you’ll have to drive through. The roads are small and have very tight turns. Couple that with tons of people on scooters!! There are several chances to take a beautiful scenic photo, but it might be a bit tricky trying to pull over to the side.

WEATHER

It was extremely hot when I arrived, around 32 degrees Celsus, and remained so the entire time. So it is highly advisable to take a sun hat with you. This hat you see in the pic was fabulous because it doubled as wind protection on the ferries to various destinations and/or islands.

ACCOMMODATION

There are plenty of places to stay while visiting the Amalfi Coast. Just keep in mind that in places like Positano you will pay much higher prices than staying in Sorrento or some place on the outskirts like that. That’s because Positano is a very touristy place, and people flock there for the beach and to take instagrammable photos. If you don’t want to pay exorbitant prices, simply stay in a nearby area, and then take the local bus to Positano. The bus is very cheap, and you must wear a mask. (By the way, masks are required on public transportaion, including ferries, all stores and restaurants, etc.)

I stayed in an area called Scala, at Palazzo Pascal , which is near Ravello. It was high in the mountains, which meant the views were outstanding. I was considering staying in Positano, however, the prices at Palazzo Pascal were half of what they were charging in Positano.

ATTIRE

Besides being extremely hot in the summer, there are thousands of steps that you will be climbing. I actually brought four pair of shoes. A pair of Valentino sandals, which I mainly wore to the pool. A pair of Alexandre Birman wedges which NEVER saw the light of day. Another pair of beautiful gold flat sandals, which I honestly forgot about…lol. And lastly, some Gucci Ace sneakers which I wore with everything. These shoes were my life savers because of all the walking that I did. So, I’d advise you to bring some comfy but stylish shoes if you visit this part of Italy.

SIGHTSEEING

Once you get to the Amalfi Coast, the beautiful scenery will blow you away. You can walk around the town of Amalfi, and then take a ferry to other destinations as well. I would highly suggest taking a ferry to Positano and exploring the beach, the town, and the restaurants. Then, you can explore other islands such as Capri by taking a ferry.

Also, if you have a chance, don’t forget Salerno. It has a different vibe than Amalfi and Positano, it’s more of a “big city” vibe, and very much worth it. Also, I just want to add that there are beautiful flowers and trees EVERYWHERE. So, make sure you stop and smell the roses…and hydrangeas…and geraniums…..and……..and…….

DINING

There are tons of restaurants to go to during your visit. I got some good recommendations from the hotel receptionist.. Of course you will find pizza and seafood to your heart’s content. I’m vegan, so I ate the Marinara pizza (make sure they don’t add anchovies), wonderful salads, scrumptious fruit, etc. Also, I had some of the best grilled veggies, and THE best tempura zucchini fries ever. (I’m currently trying to re-create them in my kitchen right now.)

All in all, I highly recommend that you visit this wonderful part of the world. I wish I had a bit longer to explore the other islands. I’ve already decided to go back and do that at a later date. It’s a beautiful place….plain snd simple. Let me know your experiences in the Amalfi Coast, or if it’s on your travel list.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

The Taming of the Corona......

What a time to be alive? I mean, I watch all of those apocalyptic movies that Hollywood churns out like there’s no tomorrow just like everyone else, but never really thought I’d see anything close to it in my lifetime. However, Covid-19 seems to have turned everything on its head, and hit the reset button.

The last time I checked the news, Switzerland was ranked number 9 on the top ten list of the countries with the most cases of Covid-19. We have put in place all of the safety measures such as social distancing, self- isolation/sheltering in place, and the closing of schools and businesses that are considered non-essential. There are tons of blogs and videos in cyberland giving tips and tricks on how to survive quarantine life, so this blog isn’t about that.

This is a short blog about my experiences while visiting the essential businesses here in Switzerland. Of course, my family and I have to eat, so I go to the grocery store when needed. And I also had to go to the post office the other day as well. The atmosphere in these two places was really strange. People were looking at each other like they were aliens, there were no smiles or laughter to be seen or heard (at least when I was there), and overall I just wanted to get in and out ASAP. Unfortunately, concerning the grocery stores, the big stores that do home deliveries are having the boom of the century, and therefore delivery dates are few and far between. Let me correct that….they’ve been non-existent.

Skirt: Gucci

My hope is that everyone doesn’t lose their sense of community because of this virus. That everyone doesn’t become so used to isolation and being isolated that we forget our humanity. So, if you happen to be out and about on essential business, it’s ok to smile at someone you don’t know (6 feet apart of course). After all, don’t forget, we’re in this together.

Tell me about your experiences during this time.

Thank you for stopping by!

XOXO

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Get your clout up- CLOUT CHASIN‘

“Authority has always attracted the lower elements in the human race. They will submit to any indignity, perform any vile act, do anything to achieve power.“

P.J. O‘Rourke, Parliament of Whores

Photo credit: Yours truly

This is the word of the moment. I even think being a clout-chaser is an actual occupation these days. Correction: I know it is. I mean, look at the stats. If you achieve any amount of significant clout (this is a grey area, based on one‘s perspective…like most things), you are guaranteed anywhere from a modicum of money, respect, and power, to cascading throngs of it.

Necklace: Dylanlex (Gilded Phoenix)

Swag, courtesy of me

And isn‘t that what the majority of us humans seem to be socially engineered to crave. Attention. Attention which leads to likes and followers, which you pray to the social media gods will lead you to the Promised Land of Clout. What is causing people from all walks of life to de-value the low-profile aspects of our lives? Does everything need to be seen? Does everything need to be filtered through your Instagram lense? This filtered lense is quickly becoming part of our DNA. We don our filter/template that society has offered us without hesitation. As a matter of fact, we demand it. And heaven forbid if you show up without it. There are quite a few to choose from, too. Which one are you sporting today? I‘m wearing my 80‘s gold chain wearing rapper one today. The aesthetic is cool. I‘m feelin‘ it.

May get „some gold teeth and dance like Michael.“ At least that template is slightly rarer…;-) Hey, in the end, I know this post is ironic to say the least…maybe even sardonic in nature. The irony isn‘t lost on me. But just to put it out there…I‘m not clout-chasing…I‘m just soliloquizing…:-)

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO

Comment something nice below…:-)

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Do you want to be comfy and stylish? Try this trend.

“Love comforteth like sunshine after rain”

— Venus and Adonis by Shakespeare

Not only does love comforteth, but so do these stylish gym shoes! Ok granted, they are not made for hiking treks on the rock of Gibraltar (where I actually wore these Gucci gym shoes), but they are comfy for regular jaunts around town.

Location: Rock of Gibraltar

PC: BT

Outfit details: Gucci Ace Gym Shoes, Fendi iKan bag, Gucci palm cuff

There was a time in my life, over 20 years ago, when I didn’t even own a pair of gym shoes. I literally wore heels every time I went out. (I mean, back then I was in my twenties…..so, that age range alone is enough to justify why I chose that modality of footwear…lol.)

Nowadays, I still wear heels every now and then, but since the explosion of the gym shoe trend that has taken over the last couple of years, I’ve been hooked.

Balenciaga shirt, Gucci skirt, Gucci belt bag, Gucci gym shoes

Location: Seville, Spain

PC: BT

I love mixing metallics or sequins, or anything else deemed “dressy”, and dressing them down with a pair of high end sneakers. Also, if you’re wearing some jeans and a white shirt, and throw on a pair of Dolce and Gabbana gym shoes, for instance, you’ve just elevated your style 1000%.

Dolce and Gabbana Super Queen leather sneakers (Still available as of date of this blog post.)

Give it a try! Be comfy and cute simultaneously! You don‘t have to sacrifice your comfort for style. Just like love…this upscale sneaker trend (which I think is here to stay) will comfort you like sunshine after the rain.

Let me know how you rock this trend!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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Fakin’ the Funk: My winter blues…

“How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December’s bareness every where! ”

— Sonnet 97 (Shakespeare)

I didn’t want to succomb to it. Succomb to the blah feeling, the feeling of zero energy, the feeling of wanting to stay in my pyjamas and pretend that I’m the star of that Twilight Zone episode where I’m, mysteriously, the only person left on this plane(t)…as well as Netflix…:-) I honestly DID NOT. I wanted to embrace this winter season in all of its fluffy white snow, beautiful snow-filled landscapes, imbibe the chilly, crisp air into my lungs….and look stylish all the while doing it. That was my honest-to-goodness plan. Well, it’s already February…and my zealousness has definitely waned….and I’m being very generous with that statement.

My stylish factor, though, has remained high through this loooooong winter, because I believe in that tried but true statement: FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT. For me, I find that if my mood isn’t as fabulous as what I look like, looking fab gives my mood a chance to catch up.

Outside of checking my favorite online stores for the new Spring/Summer/Cruise collections that are flooding my inbox, and yes, getting doorbell rings with packages that contain lovely boxes tied with ribbon that contain clothes and maybe shoes from the aforementioned collections, I realize the most important thing: Life is literally a sine wave. It dips….it fluctuactes…it regenerates….it resurrects…it revives…it recharges. Everything is always in motion. Everything. And in that…we can all take comfort in knowing that said funk will be gone!

Bern, Switzerland (PC: my bestie…S.S.)

I’m a tad bit late…but HAPPY “NEW YEAR!” (Snapchat filter)

Thank you for stopping by…..:-)