Lobster Roll Pop-up Shop

 

This weekend at Luna & Curious, an amazing boutique tucked into one of the many nooks & crannies surrounding Shoreditch High Street, you can have your lobster roll & eat it too. {See the July UK Elle Decoration spread below for more detail on this fabulous area...}

 

Hint #2

What's New?

I'm returning to the U.S. on 4th of July week-end with something new. Here's a little hint.

Can you possibly guess?

Selfridges & Anya Hindmarch Bespoke

While I love things, I'm not partial to shopping. But there is one retail establishment where I've been known to spend an entire Sunday afternoon. And I think a few others must too, since it's impossible to shake a stick in London without hitting one of its carrier bags...

Selfridges is famous for many things, but what I love most are its incredible pop-up shops -- like the current installation of Anya Hindmarch Bespoke. The tiny space reminds me of a posh 1940's cobbler dropped smack in the midst of Balenciaga & Prada. The staff {shout out to Karen, you will be missed!} is amazing and -- if you love the classics -- the selection is heavenly. Anya's archetypical styles are custom crafted of fine skins {lizard, box calf, croc} in beautiful colors, with endless options for personalization in block type or your own handwriting.

Although we agonized over size & color & style for ages {taking a break in the middle of the decision-making process for a pomegranate bellini @ Hix}, my cousin and I finally settled on twin Ebury handbags -- hers in a rich tan French box calf, mine in deep chocolate -- with a handwritten inscription embossed within to memorialize our time together in London. 

While Anya's Selfridges pop-up won't last forever, her Bespoke Shop in Pont Street, Belgravia will {I hope} remain for the ages.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Amazing weather at this year's sell-out show on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (which has hosted the show since 1913) ensured a crazy crowd, and crowded it was.  My cousin and I were there in the afternoon, and the gardens were fabulous (if a bit wilted from the heat). We wove our way around the grounds until just before closing, and then headed over to the Bluebird Cafe for dinner. A wonderful day all 'round...

Lisa in Lonny

A friend of mine (I'm happy to say), the terrifically talented Lisa Sherry (of Lisa Sherry Interieurs) is featured in the latest Lonny. Although based in North Carolina (you may know her from her amazing pop-up shop in Charlotte, Mixology), her style is out of this world fabulous.

How To Capri

Stay

A bit beyond the center of the little town of Capri, but well worth the 15-minute stroll on a jasmine-scented street, Punta Tragara is perched on the Mediterranean high above the iconic Faraglioni. Located at the end of Via Tragara, the hotel was originally a villa designed in the 1920's by Le Corbusier. The location, which served as the headquarters for the American Command and hosted Eisenhower & Churchill, is dramatic and the views are unparalleled. My room {upgraded from a garden view} overlooked Marina Piccola and a host of large yachts anchored just off the coast. The staff was extremely attentive but unobtrusive, the interiors {especially the baths} fabulous, and the views amazing.

Also on Via Tragera is the tiny but beautiful La Scalinatella {its owners, the Morgano family, also own Casa Morgano & the Quisisana}. Each of the 30 rooms has a unique design, but all are quintessentially Capri with bold patterns and bright colors. Private terraces directly overlook the Mediterranean Sea. If you're in Capri for a bit of peace, La S is much more quiet & subdued than Punta Tragara {in front of which tourists congregate to view La Faraglioni}. Families with children are better served at Casa Morgano next door. And while there is no in-house restaurant, the town of Capri is only a 10-minute walk away.

Eat

Have you ever been to Club Méditerranée? Franco is Edode's chef de village, and you won't be able to resist him, the wait staff, or the food / wine at this fabulous restaurant. Situated at the opposite end of Via Camerelle from the Quisisana, guests of Casa Morgano, La Scalinatella & Punta Tragara will pass it on their way into the center of Capri. Although I admit it was the chic decor that initially drew me in, the amazing food & friendly staff made the meal memorable. I was in the mood for aglio e olio, which wasn't on the menu. But when Franco took my order and said anything you want, I ordered it and it was fantastic. The couple next to me had the Ravioli Caprese and a beef dish, and they loved theirs too. Loads of other offerings, as well as some beautiful desserts {but whatever you do, don't forget an icy limoncello to finish}.

While some prefer Buonocore, I found the best gelato at Bar Embassy, also on the Via Camerelle.  It's the perfect place to pick up a scoop in the evening after a drink on the patio of the Quisisana or on a stroll to the Piazetta {love the pistachio}

Shop
Costanzo, grandson of Amadeo, will very likely be the one behind the counter greeting 'buongiorno' as you enter Canfora. His mother & aunt are the 'hands' behind the operation, continuing to craft sandals as their father did starting in 1946, but Costanzo is likely the one who will help you find the perfect pair, and the perfect fit. As you pursue your jeweled treasure in the piles of sandals heaped throughout the tiny shop, you'll quickly see why the style hall of fame {Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Caroline of Hanover, Elle Macpherson} have worn & loved his family's creations. Although available online, I think a personal fitting by Costanzo in the Via Camerelle storefront is best.

Carthusia is a boutique perfumery based on Capri. According to legend, in the late 1940's the prior of the Carthusian Monastery of San Giacomo discovered certain ancient perfume formulas originating from as far back as 1380 and, with the Pope's permission, revealed them to a chemist from Turin. The original scents were subsequently produced from the small laboratory named "Carthusia". Laura Tonatto continues the monks tradition and, using similar limited production methods, has reworked the fragrances based on the original formulas. The ladies in the shop on Via Camerelle, well armed with paper sticks & coffee beans, will help select the one perfect for you. I loved both Via Camerelle & Corallium, their 1st 'new' fragrance in 300 years.

See also:  Simon Doonan's Guide to Capri for Travel + Leisure; Pamela Fiore's In the Spirit of Capri

Sarah's Revenge

Next time just invite her, ok?

Perfection

A Tad Cynical?

Perhaps, but I'm loving Kate Middleton For The Win and here's why

Happy Royal Wedding!

India, ironic

India Hicks is covering The Wedding for ITV & ABC (dressed in Posh), talking to Barbara & Oprah, and exec producing a show running all week on TLC about her experience as a Royal Bridesmaid in The Other Wedding. Reese Witherspoon went on Ellen DeGeneres and said she was more excited about this wedding than her own. The BBC is believed to have over 1,000 employees focused on its televised coverage.

What about you? Are you loving every minute of Will-Kat mania? Savoring paparazzi shots of the future queen in the Daily Mail, Hello! & People? Or are you going about your business, walking the dog or folding laundry, and thinking honestly, what's all the fuss about?

Harry's Bar

Last night I arrived in Venice and my first stop was Harry's Bar, for a Bellini + ham & cheese (fried in olive oil). Fabulous.

The New Cinquecento

After seeing this little euro-chic thing all over London, Paris & Rome, I think I'm in love.

Roman Knockers

No knob, just multiple locks and 2 fabulous pulls {that work double-time as knockers} on each of the wooden double doors fronting apartment homes throughout the city.  And just inside?  Usually a large vestibule sharing a very worn marble staircase and a very old elevator.

My favorite, 3rd from the bottom, adorns the battered gray doors of Belstaff on the Via del Babuino.