Little Black Book: Cannes (Film Festival)

Oooh, it's been a while since Little Black Book made a peek on this blog, but as you know this week it's all about the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival. This is a full on post guys!

No, I'm not really there right now, but I wouldn't mind soaking up some sun, it's been miserable in Athens. Anyhoos, guess someone's got to hold the fort! Whilst I've not yet had the pleasure to roam around Cannes, I've had some good times on the neighbouring Juan-Les-pin, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Monaco & Nice.
I did a little recce on some hots spots and how to get the best out of your Cannes Film Festival experience... Oh and a little birdy who once partied far too hard on a yacht with the likes of Rankin & er some famous faces in Cannes, might have dished out some useful info too.

Getting there: (Nice International Airport, NCE, then a 45 mins by road) OR by Helicopter which takes only 7 minutes! Azur Helico (00 33 193 90 40 70,( www.azurhelico.com)

HOTELS
Make sure you have booked accomodation! Need I say more? You'll find most of the A-lister action at Hotel Martinez, Hotel Eden Roc, Hotel Majestic Barriere & The Ritz Carlton.

I really liked the look of this place personally - Five Hotel & Spa, hello jacuzzi on balcony (Presidential Suite)! Also loving Hotel Le Canberra.

Aim to get there for day 2 or 3 of the film festival, as a bevy of stars don't descend on the Med's glitzy resort 'til the second day. Arriving in the afternoon means you'll have some time to rest & glam up before heading over to the Croissette (aka the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès) where the film festival is held. I sure love a bit of red carpet frock-a-thon action, you can get your hit of glam happenings and pre-red carpet buzz in the early evenings. You know I'd be there snapping away at those gorgeous frocks! Cue Ooohing and ahhing from moi.
 
EAT:
If all you can see is luxe, then fear not, there are plenty of options - from an "Italian Caffe" (28 Boulevard Jean Hibert), a fine little place that overlooks the bay and is often filled with high profile peeps and locals." As recommended by Film Producer Claire Russell
Marche Forville (In Old town Rue Forville from 7am-1pm)- Traditional outdoor market in Cannes bursting with quality fresh fruit, veg & meats.
For my caffeine and celeb spotting hit I'd probably sit myself down at Café 72 (71, Boulevard de la Croisette) located opposite Martinez hotel.
Cocoon (18, rue Bivouac Napoleon) Looks like an inexpensive joint for the perfect lunch, has a #2  rank in restaurants in Cannes by Tripadvisor, check it out here.
L'Affable (5 Rue La Fontaine)  - French cuisine at it's best, oh and you may spot the famous face too.

FREEBIES
"Grab a bottle of the rosé  anything from a supermarket and head to the beautiful belle époque hotel, the Majestic Barrière, to catch a free movie. Every year the Cinema de la Plage (The Beach Cinema) on the hotel's private beach screens 'out of competition' films or 'Cannes Classics'; they even provide a comfy seat and a blanket." Films start around 9.30 p.m. and you have to get an invitation from the tourist office to get in - or so I've been told.
Majestic Barriere, 10 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes (04 92 98 77 00)

BEACHTIME
Sun worshippers, can find a spot the popular Nikki Beach.

POOL PARTY:
3.14 La Plage (5, rue François Einesy)

NIGHTLIFE (source Telegraph UK)
Le Baoli (Port Canto-Boulevard de la Croisette; +33 493430343) Where the elite & superstars like to party.
 - I've heard so many wonderful things about this exotic restaurant & bar, but one thing that stinks and does not sit well with me is bad attitude from doormen and sucky service. If you're a high roller or big and I mean mega spender and are dressed to the nines, hoorah, you might have a chance of getting in.
Charly's (5 Rue du Suquet) - this sexy cave bar has had some positive reviews from Telegraph & World Travel Guide. Away from the buzz, but also a hipster joint, this gem serves up superb cocktails.

NIGHTCAP:
Cavok (19 rue des Freres Pradignac) for Intimate atmosphere and superb cocktails. (Source recommendation via Tripadvisor)


As for the Red Carpet... There has been so many amazeballs looks, I'll be pinning my favourites here. Loving Belle Heathcote in Gucci fall 2012 and Jessica Chastain in a strapless Georgio Armani creation so far!

Have a fab weekend lovelies! I hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

Useful references: Where to Eat click here,  Guardian Travel,  MSN Travel, ElleUK Cannes travel, Telegraph UK
Images via National Geographic, links referring to hotels/bars

Little Black Book ft. Much to My Delight - NYC

Hi everyone, how is everyone's week going? I guess it's been quite a fashionable week for a few of you who are dotted around the globe watching Fashion Week as we speak!

I know that both Vahni (Grit & Glamour) & Lee (Lee Oliveira) were both chosen by Gucci to Livestream the Women's RTW AW11/12 from their blogs! How cool? Click on their blogs to see Gucci's stunning collection!

Anyhow, it sounds like I'm signing off early doesn't it, well yes... Actually, I've got friends flying in from London for 5 days, so I'm pretty giddy & hideously excited about their arrival and catching up on good times!

But first things first, let me introduce to you a fabulous blogger by the name of Jenn from Much to My Delight who will be sharing her edition of Little Black Book for New York City.
If you don't already know Jenn, be warned. DO NOT visit her blog without munching on something first! Why? Much to My Delight is filled with copious amounts of food porn, Jenn's recipes and personal photography is mind blowing stuff and I'll be damned if you don't leave her blog; A) drooling over your computer, B) feeling like you want to visit New York or C) entertain the idea of trying out a new recipe or simply gorging on food afterward.
Anyhoos, over to you Jenn! Enjoy!

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (http://chinatownicecreamfactory.com)
While you’re casing Chinatown for that perfect knock-off Gucci bag, make sure you take the time to veer off busy Canal onto some of the more narrow and isolated streets. Here is where you’ll find the better restaurants, tea shops and the awesome Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. They specialize in exotic flavors like black sesame, taro, lychee, mango, ginger, almond cookie and my personal favorite, red bean.

Economy Candy (economycandy.com)
Sweet tooth still not satisfied? Head to the LES to this old-fashioned, family-run penny candy store. It’s been around since 1937 and still carries all the old-school candies your parents liked as kids. Remember the scene in 13 Going on 30 where they tried to track down a classic candy called Razzles? They found them here. I think i'd be banned from the store if i was let loose in here - how many scrumptious bites can you see here?!

Eisenberg's Sandwich shop (eisenbergsnyc.com)
No trip to NYC is complete without visiting an old school Jewish deli. Skip the $17 pastrami at the bigger joints (no seriously, that’s what they cost—and they charge you an extra $3 “sharing fee” if you decide to split with a friend) and come to this humble lunch counter where the matzoh balls are bigger than your fist and the egg creams flow like Manischewitz wine.

Chelsea Market (chelseamarket.com)

This place is no secret, but I couldn’t do a roundup on New York City food and not include Chelsea Market, a collection of bakeries, specialty food shops and restaurants in one super-cool industrial space. Here you’ll find everything from live lobsters to artisanal cheeses to hand-painted, just-out-of-the-oven cookies. Get your taste buds ready to party!

Tomoe Sushi (tomoesushi.com)
There’s a reason the line wraps around the corner 30 minutes before Tomoe Sushi opens for lunch. What this unassuming sushi place lacks in décor it more than makes up for with unbelievable freshness and incredible quality. Even my aunt (who lived in Japan for four years) said this was the best sushi she’d ever tasted.

McNulty’s Teas (mcnultys.com)
If you’re into exotic teas and classic coffees, you need to come see what’s brewing at this West Village institution. There are over 100 apothecary jars filled with every tea leaf imaginable (I picked up chocolate tea and matcha green tea powder on my last visit) and the tin ceilings, creaky wood floors and antique cash register make each visitor feel like they stepped back in time.


Arthur Avenue Retail Market (arthuravenue.com)
Even a lot of New Yorkers don’t realize that the real Little Italy isn’t in Manhattan—it’s in the Belmont section of the Bronx, and is worth the trip. This place is like a covered Italian bazaar and houses five pastry shops, four butchers, two pasta-makers, six bread stores, three pork stores, five gourmet delicatessens, two fish markets, and three gourmet coffee shops. They even have cigar rollers up front!

Alice’s Tea Cup (alicesteacup.com)
Girly-girls of all ages go ga-ga for this quaint and cozy tea shop where the tea menu is longer than the phone book and the scones are so delicious you won’t even be paying attention to how much butter is in them. It’s a wonderful, whimsical place—the walls are covered with Alice in Wonderland scenes and tiny pink butterflies. Translation: Leave your boyfriend at the hotel.

And the best part? You’ll do so much walking in New York that any calories you ingest will be quickly burned off and you’ll basically break even. That’s the real reason so many tourists pick up an “I heart NYC” t-shirt before flying out—ravenous eating with no discernible weight gain.

Happy eating!

Thanks so much Jenn, now I feel super hungry all over again!

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory - nyc.metblogs.com & nymag.com

Economy Candy - Photos by muchtomydelight.com

Eisenberg’s - roadfood.com

Chelsea Market - Photos by muchtomydelight.com

Tomoe Sushi - amateurgourmet.com & picasaweb.google.com

McNulty’s - Photos by muchtomydelight.com

Arthur Avenue Retail Market - tripadvisor.in & jamiesstomach.blogspot.com

Alice’s Tea Cup - eatbigapple.com & gotstahavesit.tumblr.com

Little Black Book by Vahni of Grit & Glamour

This weeks Little Black Book features secret & stylish addresses from Vahni of Grit & Glamour, a Blogger who needs no introduction. But for those of you who are not familiar with G & G, you'll discover killer writing skills, posts that will keep you coming back for more - be it for discussing & questioning, and learning how to build a better blog (calling all new bloggers, this is a must check out, there's a goldmine of info there). You'll also be drooling over her seriously amazing bling/personal style as well as checking out what this hot lady's up to & reading over Sunday morning coffee. Over to you Vahni!

Grit & Glamour's Little Black Book; restaurants, bars, beaches & boutiques.

Thank you Vahni!

*Little Black book - a nifty little address book that does a semi-concierge job of sharing secret & stylish global addresses with you to check out and enjoy fabulously to the fullest! *

Refer to last weeks feature here dolls, alternatively click on the tab under the header.

Image credits & links:

• Becker Minty photo via beckerminty.com.
• Hall’s Chophouse via charlestoncitypaper.com.
• Ahi tuna Salad via 131main.com
• Sydney Opera House via A Brit Greek's personal album.
• Indian Home Diner locations
  
• Stoupa via stoupa-greece.com.
• Darook Park Beach via freewebs.com.

Launching... Little Black Book!

Have you ever read about somewhere, someplace cool and then completely forgotten where the heck you read it? Hmmm, yes, no, ok, maybe?

Well I’m one of those types, who literally have a gazillion bookmarked pages/website of cool places I’ve read about and only dreamed about exploring, visiting, tasting, touching, seeing and smelling the air… But for the life of me can’t remember where I’ve read about it.

Before I continue to ramble on, which by the way I ought to get nominated for an Oscar, I’d like to introduce you lovelies to the Little Black Book. Simply an address book of what I call honest, yet great places to check out, eat, sleep, drink, do, see, beautify, shop & experience.

Call this your nifty little address book that does a semi-concierge job of sharing places with you to check out & enjoy fabulously to the fullest. Anyhow, what’s the point in knowing these (secret?) amazing (people &) places if you can’t share them? I will also be sharing some insider’s bespoke fashion services with you that you may or may not have heard about too.

Oh and if you like travelling just as much as I do and get totally excited by it, but hate being disappointed by the places you’ve read about in guide books and been to, hopefully this will be of some value to you.

Ok, enough rambling. Welcome to the Little Black Book, I really hope you enjoy!

There are so many incredible hot-spots and people that one post isn't going to quite cover it all, so this is going to be a permanent features, also open to guest bloggers too... I love knowing more and sharing other people's knowledge about places who live in different corners of the world!

nb: everything mentioned here in LBB is of course completely subjective! You might not concur and think it's pants! x

Happy Sparkly December everyone!