Haute Jamaican Escape!

I started my summer travels with a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a little R&R. I wanted to spend more time on the island and less time getting there. So I checked in with American Airlines and used my miles for a first class ticket to paradise. 

Once on the island, a driver picked me up and delivered me to the Half Moon Resort where I checked into my Prestige Ocean Junior Suite. This suite comes with generous space and a very nice spa bath, along with a gorgeous round balcony with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.  

I love this resort because it offers a level of exclusivity and privacy that's unmatched at most 5-star resorts on the island. The 400-acre property offers two miles of beachfront, perfect for someone who loves an cool breeze and warm sea water. It's like having parts of the beach all to yourself. 

If you want to spend a few days on the beach without interruption, this is one of my favorite places to relax and exhale. 

Here are some of my travel photos.

BONUS PICS:  My spa day at the Fern Tree Spa at the Half Moon Resort:

Haute Tips for Beach Day Bliss!

Summer beach vacays are the best, but I’m not fond of the crowds. If you’re the kind of girl that wants the beach all to yourself, you may want to plan your trip a little differently. Travel addicts know that the best way to soak up the sun without tourists is to switch it up.

Here are My Four Haute Tips for Quiet Beach Getaways:

Tip #1

Find a resort that offers exclusivity before the crowds check-in.  I recently traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica and I had the beach all to myself for most of my stay at the 400 acre Half Moon Resort.  It was nothing short of heavenly bliss. 

Tip #2

If you can swing it, opt for a villa instead of a guest room. Villas are typically away from the crowds and usually come with a pool or private beach access. My all-time favorite resort with amazing villas is Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives. When you travel slightly off season, you can get great deals. 

Tip #3

Skip the big tourist spots and travel to a beach town that’s along the coast with fewer crowds.  Places like California or Florida have plenty of options.

Tip #4

Jet off to an island that offers a safe-haven for travelers who want more solitude. I’ve been to a few lovely islands in the Caribbean that were perfect for quiet moments by the sea like Bonaire and Nevis.  I had a perfect afternoon at the beach at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies. 

Celebrating My Birthday in Paris!

When it's time to celebrate my birthday there's no place like Paris to set the scene. This year, I decided to make my special day a little more fun and that includes getting away. I planned to shop, meet my friends for champagne and cake and enjoy the City of Lights.

One surprise was meeting a friend at an original champagne bar in Paris near the Eiffel Tower. So I put on a black dress and my favorite evening shoes by Pierre Hardy that I bought in Paris a couple of years ago at a private sale. Simple and chic is always the best way to go!

On another evening, one friend flew in from Chicago and after hanging out in London, we headed to Paris for dinner and shopping. It was great fun and full of all things that girls love to do.