A 2nd Taste of Spain?

Ophelia, Hostal de la Gavina - I am so planning a weekend there this summer! Do you know that I have only been to la Costa Brava twice!! I was there a few years back visiting some family friends, and it is clearly one of the most beautiful regions of Spain: lush, rich, relaxing!

I quickly wanted to recommend one other weekend destination that could appeal to you…

As you know I head to the Balearics each summer…a family ritual that precedes me (my mum and dad are secretly Formenteran hippies since way back when!!)…Mallorca, Formentera, Menorca (on some occasion Ibiza), each of these spectacular Mediterranean islands have formed my upbringing, personality…and yes personal style…

Now the secret about the Balearics is to never go in the heart of August. Should one decide to take this perilous risk, one does indeed risk a summer aside pale skinned northern folks who lunch at noon, dine at 5pm and pass out at 11pm from one too many Bratwursts and beer…

The key to the Balearics is to get away from this, far far away…One can do so by strategically scheduling one’s trip (June, July and September) and also by geographic positioning (Playa Mitjorn vs. Cala Saona in Formentera or Pollenca vs. Palma in Mallorca…you get the point!).

So where does this get us…get ready…Ophelia this is your weekend destination May 2010...and I’m coming along!

Son Brull, a majestically, converted, charming Jesuit monastery dating back to the 12th century…now a 5 star hotel...

I discovered Son Brull four years ago while summering in Pollenca, Mallorca…It really is a veritable vision for the eyes, heart and spirit…A converted monastery, turned ***** hotel...its spa is the first in Mallorca to depend solely on local produce and organic principles. Its pool is something out of a Hollywood scene and its bar, located in the converted barn is simply a marvellous blend of old world and contemporary.

O, take a look at the pics, they speak for themselves…This place veritably takes your breath away...all I can say is that as soon as you know when you want to go, let me know and I’m flying over!!

Off to start a new day…I’m going to write more later, I have cool news!!

F. xoxo
 
Photo credit:
http://www.liberty-international.org/
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/
http://static0.splendia.com/

Poolside Style

Impromptu Weekend Getaway Part Deux

Hello belle ragazze!
Flora, I am so glad I too am an Eternal Inspiration!  I was feeling so left out!  haha
Rose, I ashamed to admit that the only things I have ever seen Alan Cummings in are Spice World and Sex and the City (me likey!).  Shameful, I know!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to join the Eternal Interns in Las Vegas.  I so wish I could be there!  I am sure you'll have the most amazing time and I expect lots of pictures and updates!  This is one time when living in Europe doesn't work in my favor... I'm so far from Vegas!  haha!  I hope Lady Luck is on your side when you hit the casinos!  I'll be thinking of you (and crossing my fingers!)!  Viva Las Vegas!

Last weekend, I did however, take advantage of another vacation destination closer to home.... La Costa Brava!  Over coffee R. and I talked about our favorite vacation spots and I mentioned the fabulous Hostal de la Gavina.  Imagine my surprise when I got an email confirmation that night for a suite at this marvelous hotel for me and the boyfriend courtesy of my favorite retired party girl!  Hence my disappearing act last weekend!

R. and I had a wonderful time catching up (no tension sitting poolside at a 5 star hotel!), and our boyfriends have become the best of friends.  I see lots of fabulous weekend getaways in our futures!  haha!  I literally did not move from the hotel pool.  It was so gorgeous!  And of course, one of the best things about the Hostal de la Gavina:  The Club Sandwiches!  The waifish R. resisted at first, but by the end of the first day, she was loving the club sandwich tambien!

After such a lovely weekend, I am however even more puzzled by the fabulous R. ...  How does she do it?  While most young professionals would be feeling the stress of such a high-power first job, R. is determined to have her cake and eat it too!  I admit, at first I was jealous, but now I am inspired!

Back to my reality as an Eternal Intern...  although its really not so bad!

Hugs and kisses,

Ophelia

Photo Credits:
http://www.lagavina.com/en/home.html

Ophelia...a Final Eternal Inspiration

We've seen Flora by Gucci and Rose by D&G...now Ophelia by James Heeley, a young Englishman revolutionizing the world of fragrances in the heart of Paris...

Ophelia voila, c'est pour toi...

Big bisous,

Flora xoxo

Photo credit:

http://ka-pok.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/EP%20Ophelia%20300dpi.jpg

What's your talent?

Good evening ladies!

Sincere apologies for having been M.I.A. What have I been up to these days?.... well, I have been volunteering with an A-list producer about 6 days a week so, as you can imagine, he has been keeping me on my toes!  I am on call 24/7... how the f*** does the medical field do this day in and day out for 365 days a year?! Boggles my mind!  I will continue to work for him for another week before the X-mas Holidays, and then my new internship begins in January, which I am tremendously excited for!

Ophelia, I totally agree... some people are born with horseshoe's up their you know what!  Despite this infuriating fact, what keeps me sane, is that those who work hardest and risk the most end up with greater rewards... these rewards may not materialize in monetary form per say, but the journey is more important than the end result!  Like our friend Miley Cyrus puts so elequently, "it's the climb"!

Flora, I would absolutely love to come to Vegas... I just have to run it by this producer that I am helping out.  I don't think it should be a problem, but as it is the last day before the holidays he might need me to help out :(  However, like you said, LA LA Land is not far from Vegas so if might just need to drive up Friday night!

Girls, I went to go see Alan Cumming's one man show at the Geffen Playhouse entitled 'I Bought A Blue Car Today'! What an inspiration!  This man is talented beyond imagination and in the intimate experience of this theater, I felt so inspired by his talent.  He can sing, he can dance, he can do stand up comedy, he can act... he is a true entertainer!  It got me thinking though... What is my talent?  I can organize.  I am a quick learner.  I am motivated.  I am smart.... do these count?

I want/need a talent!  HELP!

xxx Rose

Photo Credit:

http://www.cbc.ca/whatodds/Cirque%20de%20Soleil%20AP%20Zaia%20in%20China.jpg

The Eternal Sunday Brunch

Chicas!

It’s a grey morning here in the city…I’m just about to head out to Pain Quotidien for my Sunday brunch! In the meantime, however, I just wanted to say coucou.

Rose, I hope you are well!! No news, good news? I’m sure you’ve had a busy busy weekend!! Did you end up meeting that producer yesterday?

And Ophelia! Tu me manques!! I hope you read my last email…you see, noone can have it all! You are just as ab-fab as your R.!

Ok, this Eternal Intern has to get active…Sunday brunch is my moment of solitary heaven! My moment to reflect on the concluded week and the week that is just about to begin. I usually order my traditional 'oeuf a la coque' with a fresh-squeezed orange juice...and just sit there...reading...thinking...pensive! It's the one time of the week when life stops, and this Eternal Intern has time to meditate.

In my meditation mind this morning:
- work visa!!
- internship excitement!!
- eternal employment worries!!
- next weekend's escape to Las Vegas....

Yes, you heard me right...next week I'm escaping to Las Vegas...totally out of character...totally wild...totally crazy...but what the hell?? I've got some free time before the holidays and before the internship starts...so why not live a little?

I've so often been too reserved, one to plan too far ahead, too un-risky! Well, let's try something new...This Eternal Intern is going to venture out of her comfort zone and try something exciting (outside of the UES!). Why you may ask? Well, Eternal Interning and becoming a well-rounded, experienced individual is all about experiencing different adventures, becoming adaptable and open-minded...I'm not saying that eveyone should got to Nevada to become well-rounded, but perhaps this trip out of my comfort zone, will introduce me to a different 'way of life' (haha gambling to earn money!!), a different group of people (the world of cocktail waitresses?! hehe!), a different way of thinking (hmmmm ya no....)...

Different is good! Different is rich! Las Vegas will be an experience...now, will I put it on my CV?...hmmm...no! But I will definitely take ab-fab pictures that will go in the albums!

Shoot, look at the time, I must run, but I just wanted to see if either of you would be interested in joining me for the E.I. experience in L.V.? Rose? L.A. is not too far away...wanna join?? O., it is crazy to even think of coming from Paris...but there are good deals (haha trying to tempt you!!) and it's almost the holidays (trying again...)...and well we miss you (true reason as to why you should come!)!! Would you be up too?? Let me know, let's speak later!

A toute les filles!! Will write you lates!

Bisous,

F. xoxo
 
Photo credit:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2453986348_ee053e72fc.jpg

Skin Deep Perfection

Ophelia! Oh, how I understand your position…I have felt the same way so many times!! Some people just seem to have everything going for them, everything put together, perfection!

I mean look at my dearest, inspirational Sofia! Her confident attitude, her professional success, her impeccable style and perfectly Terracota-ed cheeks…she is the physical personification of perfection! She has everything going for her: smarts, style, success…

But, often, such seeming perfection (as in the case of your R. and my S.), is only skin deep. How am I such an expert? Have I suddenly become a psychologist?

Well, I’ve been seeing more of Sofia lately - we had lunch together at Pastis on Tuesday afternoon to begin to speak about the internship, visa issues etc… over a delicious red snapper Carpaccio and a delectable Pouilly Fuisse! As the wine continued flowing the conversation began to shift, ever so slightly, from work permits and media plans to more personal topics…yes…boys…

Ever so slightly brushing back a loose strand of her blonde (perfect!) hair, I could tell Sofia had something on her mind…I asked if everything was ok…and then she was off, like a racehorse let loose at Longchamp.

Sitting there at Pastis, in her impeccable Chanel suit, she began going on about broken hearts, failed relationships and her lack of ‘love’.

Apparently, this ever so perfect human being, just isn’t so perfect after all. Behind her high powered business card and her incredible Christian Louboutins, Sofia doesn’t have it all. Success, fame and beauty have taken over this power-lady’s life and heart.

Love is so powerful, love is so important, love cannot be forced and cannot be replaced, and unfortunately for Sofia, she hasn’t yet met the ‘one’ who will transport her heart away from business and towards happiness…

And so, sitting there listening to S., I realized: perhaps we are Eternal Interns, but we are happy; we are content; we have love!!

I do hope she meets her Prince Charming soon…for as The Beattles so perfectly sang back in 1967…“All you need is love”…I’ll keep you guys posted!

I must run now…papers to fill for the internship/visa…yes everything is moving forward! I’m so happy!

Bisous les filles,

Flora xoxo

Photo credit:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/494279241_40af46f59d.jpg

The Envious Intern

Hi ladies!

I am home from a coffee date with a lovely girlfriend in town on business and I just had to get in touch to ask your opinion on something.  Here's the back story...

I had coffee with R., a university friend who now lives in London.  I haven't seen her in quite some time, yet in that time, she scored a high power, high paying job, bought an apartment and is this close to getting engaged.  I had a fabulous time catching up with her, but at the end of our quick coffee date, I left feeling so proud of her and so bad for myself!  I remember R. as a crazy, fun-loving party girl who missed most of her classes because she was sleeping off a hangover or shopping at Barneys! I was therefore in awe of the woman sitting across the table from me:  Chic, composed and oh so mature!  I believe she's what the English call suited and booted!

She regaled me with tales of her fancy job, the ups and downs of flat hunting in Notting Hill, the toll her travels (New York- Buenos Aires -Paris) had taken on her perfect skin and flawless hair...  It was fascinating and unbearable all at once!  So my question is this:  Are there girls put on this earth to make us feel bad about ourselves?  R. is one of those girls whose Facebook profile you check out from time to time but ultimately leaves you feeling unaccomplished and inadequate.  You know the girl!  Argh!  So now I am home comparing my adorable apartment to her sprawling flat, my unpaid internship to the job that throws money at her, my split ends to her fresh-out-of-the-salon perfect tresses!  Not good.

Don't get me wrong, I adore R. and I am thrilled for her success, but secretly I couldn't help but wish I had something to share that would make her jealous ! haha!  I will however, take solace in the fact that while she is working overtime this weekend, I'll be doing something fabulous!  Perhaps another weekend trip!  Where to?  I haven't decided yet...  I'll let you know tomorrow!

Gros bisous,

Ophelia

Busy Season

Hey girls!  Miss you!  Thinking of you!  Obviously we are all running around with the holidays around the corner, but just wanted to say a quick hello and wish you luck with the jobs and shopping!  xxx Rose

Sent from my iPhone

Who What Wear

Who:  Ophelia
What:  Job Interview
Wear:  This outfit!

Coat: I'm a big fan of coats. What's the point of wearing a fabulous outfit if its hidden under an unattractive coat? In this case, what's on the outside does count!  

Shoes: I love statement shoes. I have a lucky pair that I wear to almost every interview and they are always a point of conversation! This summer, at an interview, the woman said she recognized me because of the shoes because I wore them in my ELLE piece. Obviously I got the job!  

Pencil skirt: A girl I knew once told me she didn't own a pencil skirt. I looked at her like she was an alien! Mind-boggling.

Planner: Smythson of course. I can't imagine going to an interview without one. Its always nice to be able to note your start date when you get the job on the spot!  

Calling cards: Obviously. Tell me its not super classy to thank the interviewer and give her your personalized calling card before you leave! Don't forget to send your thank you card after! Oh, and another idea... include a letter of recommendation with the Thank You card! An added reminder that you are polite and fabulous!  

Bag: If you own a YSL muse.... why would you ever leave home without it!? ha!  


I hope I succeed in this challenge, Flora!  
xoxo Ophelia