Dear readers...

With so many comings and goings, trips and journeys, I missed to remember our blog's 2nd Anniversary, which was on August 27th. So, today, I want to celebrate it with you and thank you deeply for joining me in this adventure!

Dinner in benefit of Unicef...

Almost two months ago, Gabriel Oliveri, Alma Mater of the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires, contacted me to invite me to the Gala in benefit of Unicef and the celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Mansion owned by the hotel. Of course I could not refuse, so I scheduled my return to Buenos Aires bearing this event in mind. The dress code asked for looks with details based in the 1920s.

In Paris, my very-creative friend Marc Mahon did to me a headwear with really tall feathers that looked amazing, but maybe too Folies Bergère, so I didn't have the courage to use it tonight. I went with my Cavalli dress in a Tiffany shade and a pair of gloves I bought this afternoon in a rush. Gervasio Larrivey, my make-up artist friend, applied to me some fake eyelashes and like that I went out to the cold night in the city.

The party, which had many important sponsors, was very well organized, specially the room decorations, designed by Gerardo Acevedo, with combinations of feathers (I would have liked them on my head) and stained-glass dragonflies. Really stunning.

Then I must admits most female guests did a hard work to comply with the dress code: from Soledad Silveyra and Natalia Oreiro, godmother to the event, to the many models dressed by local designers with their 1920s inspirations. I liked the looks of Ingrid Grudke by Jorge Ibañez, Karina Mazzocco by Carlos Di Doménico, Jimena Buttigliengo by Fabián Zitta and Lara Bernasconi by Laurencio Adot... I felt like being back in 1929 (a little because of the economic meltdown too)...

Griselda Siciliani and Carlos Casella did a musical performance and sang a couple of duets. 

The food was also really tasty and appropriate.

Many prizes were promised for the night (for example, a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris, the famous George V), but my lack of sleep and willingness to write this post were stronger and, like Cinderella, I was off before midnight.

Anyway, I wish to point out that not all were feathers and sequins.... The funds gathered at the Gala will be given to Unicef to improve the facilities in more than a hundred hospitals and thus prevent many health-related issues. It's nice then to wear costumes and feathers (boy, I can't take feathers off my mind tonight) when there's such an aim to achieve...

To my readers...

I want to beg you to forgive me for not writing these past days, dear readers... But I've been traveling and had nothing interesting to tell you about... Just hours spent on airports and flights...

But I've just arrived to Buenos Aires and I will soon go on with my posts.

Thank you for reading my blog!!

The Best and Worst of Ibiza...

Back in the continent, here's my opinion of my stay in Ibiza, this original island, so full of contrasts...

The Best...

1. The Sea, specially that of Formentera: turquoise-blue, transparent... beautiful.

2. The countryside. The surroundings of San Mateu, San Gertrudis, the north. A dream come true, with those estates of the 18th Century, typical buldings with stone walls which, luckily, still remain intact.

3. The sandals at Pedro's. Made of leather, with straps around the ankles, super chic.

4. Vicente Ganesha's shop. I liked everything he had: caftans, beach wraps, echarpes. Just the right look for Ibiza. And he is charming.

5. Eggplants with parmesan cheese, from the restaurant "Las Dos Lunas," and its ambient music. Both excellent.

6. Sunsets from Punta Galera. Breathtaking.

The Worst...

1. The way the city of Eivissa, and specially Sant Antoni, were urbanized... A tasteless disaster, with lack of harmony and aesthetic. A pity.

2. The charters which arrive on Fridays from the north of Europe bringing plenty of teens to the Discos. They stay sleepless till Sunday... and then, off they go back home. What can I say?

3. The Discos. I love dancing and partying, but that huge amount of soulless discos definitely does not interest me. This, in spite of the many artists that perform in them (Jamiroquai, Seal, Moby).

4. The seaport of Marina Botafoch... Too modern in comparison to the feel of the island.

5. The Atzaró... way too many styles (hindi, thai, etc.) all together.

6. Lots of tourists, too many... But, well, it's August after all... 

Diner at Atzaró...

Everyone told me so much about him, that we ended having dinner together!!

During my stay in Ibiza I couldn't miss the chance to meet Carlos Martorell, the famous Spanish P.R.

And he gently invited us to visit and have dinner at Atzaró, a huge resort not far from Santa Eularia.

Carlos has been one of the first promoters and witness of the touristic development of the island, and by the 70s he was already spending summers here.

Of course there's no famous person visiting Ibiza that Carlos has not met.

Nowadays, in addition to his job, he writes a blog called "El Observador Solitario," which is a huge success, with more than 200.000 visits per month.

The dinner was lovely, full of stories and anecdotes of this amazing place.

We would have stayed talking till dusk...

Pachá...

As my loyal readers know, I'm no fan of nightlife. But to be in Ibiza, Mecca of the nightclubs, and go to no party is almost ridiculous...

This is why I said yes to an invitation to the famous Pachá, where Carlos Martorell, a world-known P.R, organized a Flower-Power-themed party. Having to get there by 1 a.m. sounded already like an adventure to me, but I had to cope. The dress-code demanded a 70s' look, inspired in the hippie flower-power era, so I used, for the thirtieth time, my beloved Oscar de la Renta dress, with two silver cuffs I bought on a street stall. It was the most appropriate look I could find.

What a thrill to be in a real disco! The music... wonderful! I couldn't stop dancing and watching others dance, to imitate their steps. I enjoyed myself a lot. A very good-looking, half-naked waiter came to offer me a drink... I would have ordered a chamomile tea! But I improvised and asked for a "vodka with tonic" (?). Of course, I did not even taste it.

Among the VIP guests were Natalia Vodianova and the Hilton sisters, both playing with their blackberries.

Many Spanish personalities, such as Ana Obregón, and some Italian vedettes, such as Simona Ventures. Also others I couldn't recognize. 

By 2 a.m. we were out, and as we stepped on the street, we saw the never-ending line to get inside... 

I've been tired all day today, wishing to finally go to bed early.

Ibiza...

So I'm already in Ibiza... I'll look around and tell you all about it soon...

Paris in August...

I love cities in summer... There's not too much people, everything is quieter, there's no traffic jams and everyone is softer and less electric.

And, in August, Paris is truly empty. Between the 5th and the 21st almost 80% of stores are closed and even banks open from Tuesday to Thursday!

In general, August is the month of the Middle East tourists, who run away from the 45ºC in their hometowns. But this year, Ramadan (very important for the Muslims, who fast all day, till dawn) began on August 1st, so even the Arabs have gone.

The big 5-star Hotels, such as the George V, the Crillon or the Ritz, have seen their loyal customers go, so they era promoting lower prices to attract visitors.

However, Paris, empty as it is, is more beautiful than ever.

The few that have stayed behind ride happily on their bikes, visit the many parcs and eat at the usually crowded restaurants. The only place where you can see people is on Champs-Elyseés Ave., and specially outside the Abercrombie & Fitch store, which opened three months ago and it's still a success.

The rest, a true desert: hair salons are all closed, as also shoes stores... and even fish shops don't receive fresh fish... better not to eat!

But I don't care... This low-speed city is still a pleasure!

Ciao Grecia...

After 10 magnificent days of radiant sun (while it's been raining from St. Tropez to Capri), of a more transparent sea than that of the Caribbean and of a cuisine as I adore... it's time for me to go back to Paris.

If they lasted the 365 days of the year they wouldn't be holidays, right?

Greece is one of my all-time favorite destinations and I try to come here every year.

However, these past two have been special because of the economic crisis that threatens the country. But the Greek still receive tourists as charmingly as ever and, apparently, you don't feel the crisis at all.

It's August and it looks like a Babel tower: you can hear so many different languages being spoken around you that it's hard to tell them apart! I can't really say if I'm listening to Russian, Hebrew, Danish or Norwegian... I even bet against myself to guess the country of origin of my beach neighbors or those seating next to my table...

As for the cuisine... There's no food I enjoy more than the Greek: grilled octopus, feta cheese, grilled zucchinis, tomatoes from Santorini, roasted eggplants, 0% yoghurts with a touch of honey... Not to mention the huge capers and black olives (which I don't eat. but enjoy just by seeing and smelling), tuna carpaccios and olive oils. So simple and tasty...

Every time I eat, I imagine Ulysses and Enea eating just the same... Local produce are so good that they haven't change much in the past millennia.

To recommend, the restaurant Kalita, with its octopus carpaccio and bean puree. Also Nobu, at the Belvedere Hotel, Agua in Little Venice and Kuzina, in the beach of Ornos.

Many nice stores with beach wear, colorful and original. My favorite: SOHO SOHO.

Well, time to go.

Ciao Grecia, all'anno prossimo...