
The best book I have read this summer was “Just Kids” by Patti Smith, where she talks about her relationship with the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and their artistic lives in New York City. Get inspired and read!
I buy my books at Werner in München, Walther König in Berlin, Magma Books and Phaidon in London, Rizzoli and the New Museum Store in New York, and Kinokuniya, the new store at Colette Mare Shopping Centre in Tokyo.
I am on my way to Aix en Provence, my favourite place in Europe to start autumn. Let me open my address book to share my favourite places with you:
I will stay at Bastide de Boulbon in Boulbon.
I enjoy lunch at La Chassagnette in Le Sambuc/Arles.
I visit the farmers market in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Tel. +33 (4) 90 92 05 22.
I buy presents at Au Petit Duc in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
I buy marmalade and candied fruits at Lilamand in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
I go shopping at Le Grand Magasin in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Bastide de Boulbon

La Chassagnette in Le Sambuc

The chef at La Chassagnette

The market in Saint-Rémy-de-Marché

Au Petit Duc

Cookies from Petit Duc

Candied fruit from Lilamand
IRMA takes a vacation, travelling to her beloved Côte d’Azur. Dancing at Les Caves du Roy, swimming in the infinity pool at the Eden Roc, walking along la Croisette early in the morning, sipping Bouillabaisse at Tetou Restaurant in Golfe Juan and looking at the full moon and a shimmering sea from her boat in front of the Ile Sainte-Marguerite in Cannes. A bientôt…
After a day in the Atlantic I treat myself to a full body massage at the excellent Spa at the Martinhal Beach Resort. Take an Ocean Suite and dream along with your sweatheart on the roof terrace watching the waves in the moonlight.
I am hitting the waves at Praia do Tonel in Portugal – the best place in Europe to surf and in August the water can even be warm at times.
LEARN TO TAKE A REST and read the book The Art of the Siesta by Thierry Paquot. August is the perfect month for long siestas in a shady place and hours of daydreaming in the sun.
My music playlist for August:
1) SADE: “Soldier of Love”
2) CURTIS MAYFIELD & THE IMPRESSIONS: “We’re a Winner”
3) B.o.B FEAT. BRUNO MARS: “Nothin’ on You”
4) NEIL YOUNG: “Heart of Gold”
5) BRITNEY SPEARS: “I’m a Slave 4 U”
6) THE BEATLES: “I am the Walrus”
7) CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG: “Heaven Can Wait”
8) THE ROOTS: “The Fire”
9) THE WHITEST BOY ALIVE: “Burning”
10) THE ROLLING STONES: “Play with Fire”
For a quick visit to the Italian seaside I visit the fishing village Varigotto near Finale Ligure. Only two hours from Turin you have everything you need for a lovely day at the sea. You can relax at the Varigotti beach or be more active and climb or hike up the Ligurian hills to admire the stunning view of the sea coast.
In the morning I get strawberries from the market for breakfast and for lunch and dinner I enjoy fresh seafood and a slice of farinata, a delicious local flatbread made from chickpea flour. At night I go for drinks with friends at the Bar at the Hotel Punta Est. The Bar overlooks Finale Ligure and the sea. What else do you need for a perfect day in July.