I was so psyched to discover this 2×2 meter shop in St. Tropez this summer, they couldn’t have chosen a better name for it, it literally is a box…the most well-used box I’ve ever seen.

Every single corner of the shop, space on the walls, angles and display windows around the shop are used in the most accurate of ways to exhibit all the fashion accessories and items.

See, I sometimes find that St. Tropez is a little over-saturated by big name brands and that everything you touch doesn’t go for less than €1,500. It can be frustrating cause you definitely find more big name brand shops than you do eclectic and unique concept stores…The BOX is one of them few.

I only went in for a blitz cause my friends were waiting for me at the dinner table, but that’s fine since all you need is 2 seconds to do the browsing then it’s shop shop shop!

Some cool labels you can find chez the Box are Mykita (sunglasses), Corto Moltedo (clutches), Charles Philip (loafers), Stephane Verdino (totes) and my favorite, Gipsea Jewelry by Olympia Guilaume. I also spotted some hand-painted, fluo espadrilles which were out of this world, but couldn’t catch the name…yet another reason why to go back and do some serious damage!

10, rue de la Citadelle- Saint-Tropez

www.boxsainttropez.com

vintage pastis water jugs

I’m still daydreaming about my weekend in Antibes. It seems I’m in a perpetual summery-Cote d’Azur-mood even though I’ve been back in Milan since Sunday night and have been quite busy preping for my soon-to-come 4 day weekend in Andorra where I’ll be attending a wonderful wedding (will post pics next week)- even so I don’t manage to get my mind off of la plage.

I’m not a huge fan of pastis, the famous anise-flavoured liquor typical from the South of France, but in this case the pastis I’m referring to on the title of this post is the Hotel Pastis in St. Tropez.

Baroque mirrors, iconic pastis water jugs, Louis XVI stone fireplace, bistrot chairs and tables, white washed wood, black Grand piano, Sex Pistols, Corbusier sofas, Tolix chairs, Moroccan style lanterns…is the eclectic melange of French Mediterranean and British décor Pauline and John Larkin adopted for their shabby chic 9-room boutique hotel in the South of France.

Here have a look for yourselves.

outside façade

bistrot chairs and tables

customized coffee bar

stunning pieces of art + design furniture

la confiture du matin

terrace and pool

rooms

another one of the many poolside ambiances

yeah!!

It’s homey, it’s cozy, it’s quaint, it’s cool. It’s the perfect casual Provençal lifestyle-meets-posh&witty British vibe summer getaway.

It’s located on the main route into downtown St. Tropez on 61 Avenue du General Leclerc- very hard to miss!

www.pastis-st-tropez.com

Maison Blanche is the best place to go for aperitivo downtown St. Tropez, hands-down. It’s classy yet modern, relaxing yet upbeat. You make what you want of it. Music is great, crowd, well, simply chic.

The hotel itself has 9 rooms where white is the protagonist creating a simple and elegant, chic and sleek atmosphere.

Where: L’Oulivié

Located in the heart of the old town, Le Suquet.

I would describe it as provençal meets Asian fusion cuisine. The way in which they mix fresh, local products and give it that subtle Asian touch is indescribable.

What to order-

My favorite dish- Assortiment Tempura. Simply mouth-watering.

For dessert- Nems au chocolate (crunchy chocolate spring rolls). Out of this world.

If you’re around this summer, please go.

Here are the details: