accomidations – Ann Street Studio

Camellas-Lloret

August 2, 2017August 2, 2017Posted in TravelTagged accomadations, accomidations, b&b, bed & breakfast, bed and breakfast, bed&breakfast, bedandbreakfast, camellas lloret, camellaslloret, cathare, france, hotel, interiors, languedoc-roussillon, montréal, south of france, southoffrance, travel

Taking a break from Provence’s summer heat, I wanted some time to explore the Languedoc region in the South of France alongside the Pyrenees Mountains. What I found was a perfect little five bedroom- 18th-century bed and breakfast located in Cathare village of Montréal called Camellas-Lloret. It was so wonderful one day I didn’t even leave at all, just lounging in the communal living room, having rosé in the walled garden, soaking in my clawfoot tub, napping under a linen canopy. It was beautiful, peaceful, spacious… so wonderful I even stayed an extra night.

This place is the perfect example of French unrefined elegance. White washed walls, a play on textures, linen sofas, uneven terra-cotta tiles, antique sculptures next to modern photography art, stone fountains overgrown with ivy, with every door and window open letting the outside in and inside out. This place is the vision of Annie and Colin Moore, an American and a South African who fell in love on an overnight train from Paris to Rome and years later still dream and play with one another. Annie is one of those women who seems to be good at everything. Interior design, making clothing, creating the linen canopy you’ll see in photos below, making photographs, social media, and cooking. My god cooking. She was almost always in the kitchen. The “breakfast” part of bed and breakfast turned into two more home cooked meals for dinner and some plum cake for the road. I couldn’t help myself. Colin sent us off each day with a hand drawn map of the day’s destinations, to the perfect brewery, farm stand, castles, and restaurants. I felt so taken care of, it was hard to leave….

Camellaw-Lloret was featured in the new Wabi-Sabi Welcome book on organic beauty and entertaining with ease.

Camellas-Lloret is 5 bedroom, 18th-century bed and breakfast located in Cathare village of Montréal, Languedoc-Roussillon, France and offers environmentally-friendly accommodations near the historic city of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi.

Lindsay Castle

July 14, 2017July 14, 2017Posted in TravelTagged accomadations, accomidations, indian ocean, lindsay castle, lindsaycastle, noetzie, rental, south africa, southafrica, travel, vacation

I stood in my bedroom on the 2nd floor tower over looking the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean jousting with the rigid red rocks of South Africa’s shores. For sometime there was no noise in the solar powered accommodations I found myself in on location for a shoot. It was just me there, watching the waves out the window. I like to find myself alone in far of places. I like to be reminded in a world with 7 billion people you can hide… and up there for a moment in time I hide in a place called Lindsay Castle.

Practical information: Lindsay Castle is a historic home built in the 20th century as a petite castle with six bedrooms you can rent for your own vacation on a private strip of beach within the Noetzie Nature Reserve. It’s remote and quiet, the beaches are pristine and the fireplaces make for cozy nights. They have an outdoor BBQ and dining area as well. To be noted however, it is a very steep climb up and down from the parking area so not suitable for people traveling with heavy luggage or physical restraints.

Lindsay Castle, a vacation property on the coast of South Africa's Noetzie beach and nature reserve

Villa La Coste

June 20, 2017June 22, 2017Posted in Provence, TravelTagged accomidations, chateau, chateau la cost, chateaulacoste, france, hotel, provence, villa la coste, villalacoste, vineyard

When I think of Provence I typically think of gorgeous old Chateaus framed at the end of arching tree lined entrances so you can imagine how curious I was when I heard about Villa La Coste, a brand new 28 suite luxury hotel developed by Patrick McKillen. The new resort sits on top of a hill overlooking the surrounding 600-acre estate, Chateau La Coste, which is a pubic destination with an esteemed art and architecture park set amongst organic vineyards, olive orchards, wine production and amazing new restaurants.

I honestly did not know what to expect driving up. This was not the Provence I had envisioned… and what a wonderful surprise it became to discover. Winding through the vineyards up to the top of the hill, the sleek resort set into the surrounding landscape with its minimal design made from the natural materials of the region reminded me more of an Aman than a Provencal hotel. The room, OMG the room, was one of the top hotel rooms I’ve ever experienced. First, it feels like you have your very own petite house. You enter through your private fount yard (where I shot this) with an olive tree and wall of roses catching the first glimpses inside through the wall of windows. The interior is bathed in airy white furniture and linens, so chic and effortless looking that I feel as if they are redefining a new French look for the modern world. It was so beautiful I never wanted to leave… though I’ve been saying that a lot though recently. However, the main piece of art in this luxury art destination is not something created by man but the incredible panoramic view off your private terrace of the Luberon Natural Park. Watching the sunrise from bed through the floor to ceiling windows of this view was one of my greatest pleasures to date living in the South of France.

I awoke with the light, took a walk through the vineyard below, spent the day photographing, drinking rosé and toasting to the new vision for Provence that is Villa La Coste.

Practical information- This is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or special occasion especially considering the nightly rate. They have a pool, built in USB chargers throughout the room, and is an easy walk to all the restaurants, art, and activities of Chateau La Coste which the staff is more than happy to drive you to and from as well. However, if you can not stay overnight at the Villa La Coste, you can still enjoy the day at Chateau La Coste. They have a wine making tour and tasting (their sparkling rosé has since become our favorite drink of the summer!), an art and architecture tour, musical performances as well as multiple restaurants to dine in. Most recently the South American chef Francis Mallmann opened his restaurant on the property bringing his signature Asado style of cooking over an open flame to the South of France. It was incredible… everything at La Coste is incredible.

In post wearing a white linen dress by Reformation, cream handkerchief dress by DÔEN, and black button up dress by Mara Hoffman.

Villa La Coste is a luxury Provencal located in the Provencal landscape between Aix en Provence and the Luberon Nature Park in the heart of a biodynamic vineyard Château La Coste, an international destination for art, architecture and natural beauty.

Hotel Mont Blanc

February 1, 2017February 2, 2017Posted in TravelTagged accomidations, chamonix, french alps, frenchalps, hotel, hotel mont blanc, hotelmontblanc, ski, travel27 Comments

Originally built in 1849, Hotel Mont Blanc was one of the first of four hotels in the small french ski town of Chamonix nestled in the valley of the majestic Mont Blanc. Over 150 years later and after a recent extensive renovation, this boutique luxury hotel is the perfect balance of classical French design and modern flare.

We arrived late in the night under a blanket of darkness. It was one of those moonless nights where you could only see what was illuminated by the car headlights. I’ve traveled to some winter wonderlands before but nothing prepared me for the breathtaking view that emerged in that blue tinted early morning light outside our suite’s window as the blanket of darkness drew back behind the mountains. A complete vertical wall of forested, snow covered, mountains wrapped around us jetting out of the ground with magnificent force. In the valley around us, a condensed ski village with plumes of white chimney smoke smudging away the differences between man and nature.

Setting out on an adventure we took the Aiguille du Midi cable cars with their 20 minute sheer vertical climb to the top of Aiguilles de Chamonix where you stand breathless with views of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. It’s the highest point in the world that can be accessed by cable car. The air was thin and very very cold, and each step was dizzying and had an unnatural feeling to it as if, for a moment, you could experience what it must be like to be a bird looking down on all the world. Of course the skiing is amazing, and though we didn’t have time, the glacier views I hear are also not to be missed.

After setting out each day it was always a warm welcome coming back to the Hotel Mont Blanc. It’s really the kind of hotel I prefer: boutique in size, historic importance to the location, modern renovations for comfort and exceptional food. If you find yourself in Chamonix, even if you don’t stay here, you must eat at the Le Matafan. Wonderful.

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A night at the Le Bristol

November 14, 2016November 20, 2016Posted in TravelTagged accomidations, five star hotel, fivestarhotel, france, hotel, le bristol, lebristol, luxury, luxury hotel, luxuryhotel, paris, paris hotel, travel5 Comments

I was so thrilled last week to attend the book launch of fashion illustrator Megan Hess at the Le Bristol Hotel in the heart of Paris. Her new book “New York through the Fashion Eye” was a wonderful walk down memory lane for me with all the sparkle and glamour that makes New York the fashion capital it is. Flipping through the book brought back a rush of memories and made me, for a moment, homesick for the city that had become my adopted hometown. Even as I spend this extended time in France, I do still feel like a New Yorker and this book was a reminder of all the beauty she bestows.

The fashionable event was held at the historic Le Bristol Paris, a five star luxury hotel in operation since 1925 and is one of my absolute favorite Parisian hotels. The hotel is part of the Oetker Collection which has announced the Australian born illustrator as their ongoing artist in residence and will be traveling the world to all Oetker properties creating exclusive fashion and lifestyle illustrations for the luxury brand.

After the event I checked into my room on the 8th floor. Always breathtaking, the Le Bristol is classically French from the linens and drapes to the Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture and of course, the Eiffel Tower views her windows gaze out upon. What The Carlyle Hotel is to New York, the Le Bristol is to Paris…. that perfectly Parisian dream.

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Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

June 2, 2016June 6, 2016Posted in TravelTagged A Four Seasons Hotel, accomidations, cote d'azur, cotedazur, ferrat, four seasons, fourseasons, france, grand hotel, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, grandhotel, hotel du cap, luxury, personal-favorite-hotel, south of france, southoffrance, travel8 Comments

There can’t possibly be anything more glamorous than checking in to a chic white hotel perched on the edge of rocky cliffs cascading down into the emerald Mediterranean Sea. The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons hotel, is one of those truly perfect classic icons that keeps the French Riviera sparkling, and for me, a dream destination.

This hotels ranks as one of my personal favorites. It’s so timeless in design from the marble bath and crown moldings to the french windows that over look manicured gardens and sweeping sea views. I loved dining on Niçoise salad in my room with a glass of rosé, windows open playing along in a slow dance with the floor-to-ceiling sheer white curtains. I loved the crisp white palette with elements of French design revealing themselves through a blue linen chair or gilded mirror. From movie stars to royalty, writers to artists, this property has housed some of the most amazing talent and minds in the world who come for peace and solitude in the must luxurious comforts.

When I dream of the Cote d’Azur, I dream of this….

Above, traveling in an outfit by St. John, which I love, along with this brand because they do not wrinkle. Shoes by Stuart Weitzman, luggage by SteamLine (OBSESSED), bag by CHANEL.

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Algodon Wine Estate

January 26, 2016February 1, 2016Posted in TravelTagged accomidations, Argentina, botique, mendoza, only in south america, onlyinsouthamerica, san raefel, sanraefel, travel, vinyard, wine, wine country, wine estate, winecountry, winery5 Comments

When you live in one of the biggest cities in the world, sometimes the only true escape from that life is heading to the country. As much as I loved the culture of Buenos Aires, I was happy to find myself in Argentina’s wine region at a new and beautiful estate called Algodon. Having just visited the fields of Dom Pérignon during harvest, it was a lovely contrast to see a vineyard in spring, the first buds of the season reaching out of the bark in perfect rows. I spent the first afternoon quietly swinging on my porch hammock, watching the light dance in the trees and feeling the cool spring breeze on my face. The quiet was an escape I had been longing for, and being surrounded by spring made me feel ready for a creative rebirth.

Algodon in Spanish means cotton. The estate was named after the Cotton Club in New York City for its sophistication, elegance, and distinction—and the club lifestyle certainly made its way here. You can play golf, ride bikes, play tennis, go horseback riding, have a massage, or enjoy wine tastings throughout the day. Though the main farm house was built in the 1920s, the property did not become a winery until 2002, with the first bottles of wine ready in 2005.

The original La Casona, or villa, has three petite rooms with original wood floors, fireplaces, and French doors opening to a wraparound porch. So charming and romantic! I loved the simplicity of the room, which quieted my mind and complimented the natural beauty waiting just outside. More recently, a second villa was built in a similar style with larger suites, stove-pipe fireplaces and a stunning main room wrapped in window light.

One of the highlights from Algodon was of course the winemaker’s Mauro Nosenzo’s tour through the vineyard and winery. They produce everything from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and my favorite, “Pima”, which is the star wine of the property, aged 24 months in French oak barrels. This special blend is named after the finest cotton in the world, produced in Peru and known world-wide as the smoothest variety. I loved it so much I bought a case and I look forward to the warm memories of the winemaker filling my glass straight from the barrel on this peaceful spring day.

After our tours, a tasting, and a beautiful lunch at the property’s restaurant in front of a roaring fire, we set out for the rest of the afternoon to explore the Argentinean countryside on horseback. I love horseback riding in South America, it compliments my romantic sensibilities and gives you a greater connection to the land, to the power of nature that defines it. For a few hours I galloped through the rows of vineyards, around the apricot orchard and through the olive trees, over the streams until I was out in the wild countryside gazing upon an endless horizon of wildflowers dancing below a purple mountain sky. It was heaven on earth….

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FAENA

January 22, 2016February 2, 2016Posted in TravelTagged accomidations, Argentina, buenos aires, buenosaires, Faena, faena buenos aires, faenabuenosaires, hotel, only in south america, onlyinsouthamerica, travel3 Comments

I was excited to experience FAENA Buenos Aires after first experiencing their Miami property under construction last December. Faena is genius, always transforming locations into hip new areas with their interesting design, surprising flourishes, and their impressive arts programs. The Faena areas turn into cultural districts, going above and beyond simply contemporary accommodations. But… accommodations they do have. There is a modern grandness to Faena you instantly feel as you walk through the red carpet entrance of this turn-of-the-20th-century grain warehouse turned stylish Buenos Aires hot spot. I loved the contrast of the old industrial brick building to the sleek glamour of Faena. Accented in red and white, I couldn’t help but think of the creator of this “universe” as they call it, Alan Faena. One of the most stylish men in the world, he is always in white and surrounded in red roses. I can see so much of him personally in this space and I like the intimacy of his specific identity and vision showing through.

Walking into the guest room, I was charmed by how they positioned the bed: floating in the center at a diagonal angle, covered in fantastic crisp white bedding that was a dream to sleep on. The best part for me though was the extra-large soaking bathtub. It was the perfect medicine to ease the pain of my last night out in Buenos Aires (if you saw my snap story you know what I mean…).

Knowing Alan and his style, it was to no surprise to find a completely white formal dining room adorned with white unicorns and an exquisite tasting menu. The wine cellar, directly below the restaurant underground, is another example of the balance between old industrial and new design. It was here we had a romantic tasting of all Argentinean wines, my favorite being the organic biodynamic option from Patagonia.

They say you can’t go to Buenos Aires and not see a tango show—so here we were, at Faena, with what has been declared the best and least touristy show in the city and I have to say, it was fabulous… but now I’m slightly obsessed with tango, too. The club was a perfect little cabaret size, with a live band and gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous dancers. Afterwards, outside the bustling Library Lounge, we sat on red cushions around the pool adorned in a golden crown fountain and reflected on this amazing city, so rich in culture and life and felt grateful to dance into other people’s worlds so far away from our own.

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Alvear Palace Hotel

January 11, 2016January 13, 2016Posted in TravelTagged accomidations, alvear palace, alvear palace hotel, alvearpalace, alvearpalacehotel, Argentina, Buenos Aries, buenos arires argentina, buenosaires, hotel, luxury, only in south america, onlyinsouthamerica, south america, travel16 Comments

Like a sparkling jewel atop the crown of the Parisian influenced Buenos Aires neighborhood of Recoleta sits the regal Alvear Palace Hotel. This Leading Hotels of the World palace was built in the Louis XV style in 1932 out of materials brought from France making the property feel fit for a princess. As a luxury meeting point for the Buenos Aires elite, it was even more heightened when the President of Argentina decided to come to the hotel for dinner during our stay, filling the lobby with press, security, onlookers all vying for her attention. It is to say, this hotel with its cozy Champagne Bar and elegant restaurants is a place to see and be seen.

I felt like Pretty Woman, sleeping under crystal chandeliers, running around in white terrycloth robes, eating dulce de leche chocolates from a silver tray (a daily treat from the hotel) and soaking in a golden fixture bathtub. It didn’t hurt that every room of the suite was adorned in red roses as if waiting to be brought to life in a tango dance. We dined at the hotel’s French restaurant La Bourgogne where I had the opourtunity to try frog legs for the first time, and yes, they taste like chicken. There is also fish from Patagonia, table side sautéed steak in a cognac and my favorite french restaurant trick in the book: the cheese cart.

Everyone told me before this trip that Buenos Aires was the Paris of the south and after a few nights at Alvear Palace with the city’s elegant residential district of Recoleta waiting proudly outside the swinging doors to be discovered, I have to say… it did.

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Meet Jasmine Poulton

September 24, 2014November 18, 2014Posted in Fashion EditorialTagged accomidations, ann street studio, annstreetstudio, ashlee glazer, ashleeglazer, chopard, collection, diamond, diamonds, donna karan, donnakaran, fall 2014, fashion, fashion editorial, fashioneditorial, gown, hotel, jamie beck, jamiebeck, jasmine, jasmine poulton, jasminepoulton, jennifer macdougall, jennifermacdougall, L'Oreal, L'Oreal Professional, mandarin oriental, mandarinoriental, MO, model, new york, wihelmina2 Comments

Yesterday we played out one of my personal fantasies of glamour and fashion high atop the city skyline in a Mandarin Oriental suite with our British Wilhelmina model Jasmine Poulton. We were talking about dreams, the way so many come to New York to find them or fulfill them. I asked Jasmine about her own life, what brought her to our city, a place where it seems everyone is from somewhere, and how she ended up on this beautiful fall day in front of my lens…

New York is a city of dreams…my New York dream is….

Leaving every other weekend.

When I model I….

Act.

The reason I moved to New York is…

To be free.

I am most inspired by…

Nature, music, love, a mind’s endless ideas.

Fashion is…

More than what’s current.

Women are…

One of nature’s greatest beauties & powers.

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Mandarin Oriental Dreams

September 23, 2014November 18, 2014Posted in Fashion EditorialTagged accomidations, ann street studio, annstreetstudio, ashlee glazer, ashleeglazer, chopard, collection, diamond, diamonds, donna karan, donnakaran, editorial, fall 2014, fashion, fashion editorial, fashioneditorial, gown, hotel, jamie beck, jamiebeck, jasmine, jasmine poulton, jasminepoulton, jennifer macdougall, jennifermacdougall, L'Oreal, L'Oreal Professional, l'oreal professionnel, l'orealprofessionnel, mandarin oriental, mandarin oriental new york, mandarinoriental, MO, model, new york, New York City, nyc, oriental suite, wihelmina, wilhelmina2 Comments

High atop Manhattan’s skyline, overlooking Central Park and the Hudson River sits the proud Mandarin Oriental, glittering in the golden setting sun of an early autumn day. I love New York this time of year, I love the fantasy of glamour, a world where fashion, culture, business and design all collide into spectacular moments. When I was young and I dreamed of New York it was always like this – overlooking that powerful skyline that still mesmerizes me, in diamonds and designer gowns. Here, model and artist Jasmine Poulton brings my dreams to life in the Mandarin Oriental’s Oriental Suite in Donna Karan‘s very special 30th anniversary fall 2014 collection (remember when I took you backstage…) and Chopard diamonds from the high jewelry collection…

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Les Costans Hotel

September 18, 2014September 22, 2014Posted in TravelTagged accomidations, botique, brittany, Côtes d’Armor, france, hotel, les costans, lescostns, Perros-Guirec, perrosguirec, travel7 Comments

I am expanding my reach in France beyond my beloved Paris these days, first with Cannes then to Normandy. When we signed up for the Origins project that sent us around the world, I was thrilled to learn we would be going to the Côtes d’Armor region of France to a charming little town called Perros-Guirec, where we would find the natural origin of the Origins ingredient Crithmum. In between shooting on the Brittany coast and culture about town, we laid our heads down in this perfect little luxury boutique hotel with its rich history of being a school, a hospital, occupied by the Germans in WWII and back to being a hotel again, where the most important thing to do is sip your wine as you watch the sunset over the bay. Les Costans will forever remain as beautiful a memory as the roses in the garden…

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Tierra Patagonia Hotel

January 15, 2014June 2, 2016Posted in TravelTagged accomidations, chile, only in south america, onlyinsouthamerica, patagonia, personal-favorite-hotel, south america, southamerica, Tierra Patagonia, Tierra Patagonia Hotel, Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Torres del Paine, Torres del Paine National Park, travel11 Comments

As you drive up to the Tierra Patagonia Hotel, your first impression is unlike any other resort experience. The hotel looms, skeletal and prehistoric looking, like a fossil slowly coming back to life half buried into the curvature of the earth. As you draw closer, however, you realize how remarkable the building is – constructed almost entirely from native lenga wood, the curves of the building allow for seamless blending from one room to the next while providing extraordinary views of Torres del Paine National Park through floor-to-ceiling windows.

What a dream to be here amid the warmth and hospitality of the hotel and yet feel as though you are a part of the glorious natural landscape occurring just outside…a dream that can be found #onlyinsouthamerica…

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