My grandmother always used to tell me, don’t let the grass grow under your feet, and it’s safe to say I’ve taken her words to heart in 2019. This summer in particular was full of adventure but the undisputed highlight was a sailing trip to Sardinia. Carlos got his skipper’s license earlier in the year, and we wasted no time planning our first trip together. While sailing has been on his bucket list for years, traveling to Sardinia was at the top of my mine. We’d heard the sailing conditions there were optimal so we reserved our boat and began making plans. In July, when we arrived in Olbia, the island (and most of Western Europe) was experiencing a heat wave, and our small monohull had no air conditioning. It felt like a sauna as we unloaded our provisions and luggage into the belly of the boat. When it comes to floating in open water in a closet-sized vessel with no hired captain or crew, there are countless uncertainties to consider. Needless to say, we were scared and quickly began to question our plan. While there were myriad challenges, however, what we didn’t expect were the rewards this time would bring. In facing our fear and embracing our vulnerability, we experienced a new part of the world and a new way of traveling with childlike wonder.

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This year, I wrote a story for VIE Magazine on The Carlyle in New York City. Along the way, I stumbled upon Tug Rice, the talented illustrator behind the hotel’s 2019 calendar. I quickly fell for his nostalgic interpretations of classic Carlyle moments. Since our first Instagram correspondence, I’ve learned — much to my delight — that Tug and I are kindred spirits, sharing a love of Hotel Sacher, cafe culture, Poulenc… and Bemelmans Bar. The answers below are insightful and charming, comedic and fun. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Tug Rice.

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I took the RER from Paris to Versailles on a sunny afternoon in July. Stepping off the train, I walked down Rue Royale to the apartment of Dallas-native Molly Wilkinson. Molly is a graduate of the pastry program at Le Cordon Bleu Paris and she is currently living her dream as a pastry chef in Versailles. Molly travels for different pastry workshops around France and is available for private classes, which she hosts at her charming, light-filled apartment just a few blocks from the palace. When I arrived, the window in the classroom was thrown ajar, and a nice breeze was ruffling the French and American flags on her windowsill. A large wooden table sat in the center of the room displaying our ingredients for the day’s menu: French Tarts. I’ve always had a thing for crusty tarts filled with lemon and topped with sweet berries so I asked Molly for a little tutorial. Luckily, she enjoys making them too — and they’re a favorite of her French beau — so it was a win for all.

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While Chamonix is one of France’s most historic and well-known ski resorts (it was the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924), visiting in the summer did not disappoint. Wild flowers grew in every direction and majestic blue mountains circled the town, as if trying to shelter this place from the outside world. We were there for a very short weekend trip but managed to squeeze in a fair amount of adventure and relaxation.

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From the grape-heavy vineyards of Burgundy to the caves and castles of the Dordogne Valley, France reveals her beauty with every turn of the compass. Last summer I spent a week in the charming city of Annecy, located in the Haute Savoie region (near the French-Swiss border.) This area is famous for its cheeses, which are slow-melted into fondues and raclettes in many of the local restaurants. Annecy is situated on a large, turquoise lake (the cleanest in France!) which makes it a popular tourist attraction for Frenchies leaving on vacation for the weekend. It’s also latticed with charming canals, hence it’s pseudo-name, “Venice of the Alps.” I wrote about my experience on The Hideaway Report and included some of my favorite restaurants and things to do should you find yourself in this picturesque Alpine hideaway.

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I love having friends over for dinner. Good company and good food are a salve for the soul. One of my favorite things about having dinner parties at home (aside from the cooking) is getting to set the table. I love pairing linens and china with glassware and candles just as I love arranging flowers amidst a mix of decorative objets. We had some good friends over a few weeks before Easter and I used the occasion to bring out some of our seasonal decorations. Every Easter growing up, Carlos’ mother gave him a new porcelain Peter Rabbit collectible with his initials and the year written on the bottom. It’s a very sweet tradition and one I hope to continue – perhaps with my godchildren or future kiddos.

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My love of Audrey Hepburn dates back to early childhood. Like so many, I am drawn to her iconic movies and unforgettable performances, not to mention her grace and goodwill off camera. To this day, curling up on the couch and watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina, or Roman Holiday never fails to brighten my spirits.

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