I heart Antibes.

 

I haven't posted about my trip to the South of France yet, because it was TOO good!!  I just haven't even known where to start.  That all ends here, because I've decided to go with the beachside village of Antibes.  It was one of my favourite stops along the Côte D'Azur.  There was something quite quaint about it, with a slow and easy quality compared to some of the other bigger cities along the coast.  If you only have a day, all you need to pencil in is a trip to Picasso's studio turned museum (you immediately understand why he chose to call this place home. *keep in mind that the musée closes between 12-2pm) and then park yourself on the beach.  I would choose this spot above at Juan Les Pins; it was a gorgeous cove that was tucked away from the main coastal strip. I had the best baguette mixte (ham and cheese) of my trip in Antibes, so be sure to get yourself one of those too!

I heart San Remo.

While vacationing in the South of France, we popped over one Sunday to Italy for lunch- crazy, I know! We headed to the seaside town of San Remo, which was only about an hour from where we were staying in France- Eze Bord Du Mer.  It was amazing to watch the scenery change almost instantaneously as we crossed the border from France to Italy.  France was more manicured, clean and ritzy, whereas in Italy there seemed to be more farmland, clothes on the line, colourful buildings in muted tones; a little rough around the edges, just the way I like it.  We parked along the coast where all the kitsch little beach clubs are set up.  It was a dark and moody day, which I think almost added to the charm. I didn't catch the name of the place with the red and orange umbrellas, but I am aspiring to one day sit up on the little rooftop and look out to the Mediterranean.  I loved the colours of all the signage and the attention to detail- wrought iron gates in the shapes of clouds, sunshine (you'll see this motif a lot along the coast of France as well) and zig zagged waves? A ziga ziga ah! Because it wasn't exactly beach weather

location scouting: Sydney's beaches.

yesterday, on what was a very brisk, but beautiful and sunny winter's day in Sydney, we went on a little trip around Sydney's Eastern Suburbs beaches to check out venues for a very special future project. i loved aspects of everywhere we visited, the more quaint in details, the better. the hands down, shiver inducing, showstopper for me was

flowers and plants: italy and france.

along the coast of the south of France and into Italy (we visited San Remo for lunch one day), the plant life is in. cre. di. ble. never have i seen such huge cacti and vivid flowers in bloom. i think my favourites were the giant mother in law's tongues, but if you like bougainvillaea

i heart Istanbul.

oh Istanbul, how do I love thee? let me count the ways! i love your colourful little shops, restaurants and hotels. your rooftop terraces delight, as did your sounds and smells. i love your call to prayer, evil eyes, yogurt tubs as flower pots, carpets and textiles galore. i love remembering your crooked little streets; the simple little cafes set up on skinny sidewalks and the scrappy stray kittens that tip-toed along them. i especially love that at the end of a long day exploring your neighbourhoods, my hair would smell like...roasted chestnuts. i will most definitely be back! *click through for more pretty pictures

daydream en Provence.

i'm so glad we stumbled upon this super cute, very bohemian French provencal farmhouse homestay in Provence. hanging out in this quiet little corner of the world, full of rambling wild gardens has been bliss. at least one of us has been quite content to connect with their inner little old lady; sleeping under darned french linen and such. the owners are so lovely and the breakfast is homemade and delicious- the best part is you get to enjoy it in the fresh air amongst all this natural beauty. you can stay here too at Moulin De La Croix (make sure your french is up to scratch when you arrive). 

i heart Florence.

i'm a bit behind on organising my photos- so here are a couple from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. what a beaut!

Italy, you're just my type.

Italy was a haven for interesting fonts; many look like they are straight out of the 70's and my hunch is that filmmaker Wes Anderson has been inspired by them as well (Italian imagery in general I think). the classic go-to seems to be the one that is used in the 'biglietteria' image - you see this on many of the street signs and at all of the train stations- i love it. this is a round up of some of my favourites from in and around Rome & Tuscany.

the window boxes (and the like) of Italy.

the plant life in Italy is just incredible. this is just a small sample of the flowers and window boxes i saw around Rome and Tuscany. there were plenty we drove past that i couldn't get a photo of as well...my senses were overwhelmed by the colours, lushness and creativity behind them all. click through for more: