I spy with my little... the highlife vintage style posters.

Dubai is getting more and more quirky and I am loving it! Markets are popping everywhere, there are more and more restaurants that look like actual bars (aka unpretentious, and smiley), food trucks are appearing on the beach etc... You can even find people who don't take themselves or Dubai seriously, how amazing and refreshing is that?

Clare Napper, a former Saatchi and Saatchi Bristish designer, who's been in Dubai 8 years, got inspired by both our expat lifestyle where everything is easy, and Roger Broders depictions of France touristy sites in the 1930's-1940's. I love the satire and honesty of her observation, as much as the retro style of these simple, yet spot on posters. Yes golf sucks in summer, yes, Jumeirah Janes are lost without their nannies, yes, the Palm is a posh neighbourhood... all these things that make me roll my eyes but also make Dubai what it is are condensed in this collection of 18 artworks.
To see the full collection, click here: www.highlife-dubai.com

I spy with my little eye... Spring time with Chantelle!

Spring is coming! I am not one to change my wardrobe with every change of season, but I have a tendency to crave new lingerie when in Spring and Autumn. When Chantelle new collection landed in my mailbox a couple of days ago, I instantly fell for Merci ensemble in grey. I loved the romantic subtle colour and art deco patterns, it made me think of a lazy Sunday afternoon in the South of France, in an old rustic house full vintage wallpaper and cracking wooden floors...

I realised after I shot this picture I had picked the same model but in a different colour... That tells you how much I loved it. As much as I like a classical style, I think Parisians have it a little bit too easy: you can't really go wrong if the only colours you wear are plain black, white, navy, beige or grey. That's just lazy fashion if you ask me. I like to add a touch of colour (it's Spring, let's go crazy!), for example that pastel yellow ensemble would be perfect under a grey sweater and black carrot pants!

For more information about Chantelle new collection, click here.

I spy with my little eye... The Paradis - French Kitchen.

The french restaurant Le Paradis du Fruit was always one of my favourite places to catch up with the girls in Paris. The concept of healthy, light cuisine wasn't really popular in France 10 years ago so this little gem was a novelty at the time: I remember I discovered frozen yoghurt thanks to them. So when I heard they were opening a branch at The Beach, I couldn't wait to check it out. 

They've always been known for their healthy menu but also colourful interior design featuring Philippe Starck details. Just walking into the restaurant feels like you've had a shot of vitamins!

I was happy to see that their menu is still as healthy and appetising as it used to be: the salads and smoothies without any added sugar are the highlights. But since I was there for breakfast, I decided to go unhealthy and get the French breakfast... You can get the French girl out of Paris but you can't get the croissant out of the French girl.

I started with a kiwi/apple/mint smoothie that looked a bit surprising to be honest because the kiwi and apple juice didn't mix nicely, but it was refreshing to see something normal and not utterly perfect in Dubai. The very few juices I make at home tend to look a bit strange too, which is why: 1- I stopped making them, 2- I could tell this was freshly made. It was tasty and light, just as promised.

Then I tucked in the pain au chocolat: I hadn't had such a light and buttery pastry since La Serre, and my lovely breakfast buddy Tjasha who definitively knows a good croissant when she sees one agreed that it was one of the best she had had in Dubai!

The bread selection with home-made jam were nice, and the coffee very good, but what I appreciated best after the menu and pain au chocolat is the service. It was fast, efficient, smiley and french! Whether I was talking to the waiter, the manager, or the guy making smoothies and juices behind the bar, everybody was speaking french, it definitively felt like home!

Happy gal! Thank you Le Paradis - French Kitchen, I will be back!

More information on: http://www.leparadisdufruit.ae/