Eurostar Makes Travel Easy!

 When in Paris or London, you can see two amazing international cities in the same day! It only takes about two hours and 15 minutes by Eurostar to London from Paris or vice-versa. Moreover, you can travel pretty much any time of day since there are 18 daily services between the two cities.

If you book your tickets early enough you can get a good deal depending on your class of travel. Plus, arriving at Paris’ Gare du Nord, getting checked in and making my way through the United Kingdom border-patrol was easy.

The actual train ride was uneventful, but relaxing and peaceful. The scenery is a collection of farm houses with pastures and livestock. Wi-Fi in my cabin would have helped me get through emails and respond to messages, and tweet photos of my journey before arriving in London. 

Once arriving at St. Pancras International, getting my bags on and off the train was a little more work than I am accustomed, but once outside cabs are plentiful and it only took about 20 minutes to arrive at the Four Seasons London Park Lane in Mayfair!

Traveling by Eurostar is pretty simple and cost-efficient. There is also added value with Eurostar Plus Culture and Shopping perks. You can use your train ticket for 2-for-1 entry into world-class museums or 10% discount on select stores in Paris.

When traveling by Eurostar, you have more flexibility with travel time and you have the option of bringing extra bags without a fee. But, you must hire someone to assist with baggage if you can’t do it alone which I found out later.

Living In Your Truth

Oscar de la Renta FW13

What does it mean to live in your truth? How do you find your truth in order to live it? So many people ask me how I came to find what I love and my only answer is my unwavering quest for the truth.



I don't know why I love fashion illustration as much as I do, I just know that it is the most fulfilling, genuine expression of myself. I know that even if nobody saw it as having any value, if no one cared to look, I would still need to paint these miraculous little glimpses into the world of fashion. Because to me, what I do, is like breathing. I couldn't live without doing it. Or at the very least, I wouldn't be contributing the best of me to the world around me (and frankly that's just as terrifying).



We can spend so much time getting caught up in the woulda/shoulda/coulda. But at the end of the day, if you are living in your truth, if you are following your heart, then you probably are exactly where you need to be right now.



If I have any regret in my life, it is the time I spent wasting second guessing myself. I've known all along what it was that I wanted to do but I worried too much about what others around me were doing too. Ultimately, fortune favors the bold, and I don't just mean monetarily. You have to be willing to take the risk, make the leap of faith, for a chance at the reward. I'm not sure I've even seen the reward of my risk yet but what I do know is that I'm grateful everyday that I'm living honestly with myself - who I want to be, who I'm meant to be.



You're probably wondering what any of this has to do with anything, maybe even specifically the look I painted for this post. Trust me, there is a connection ;) Oscar de la Renta, who happens to be one of my all time favorite designers, really took a risk this past season when he partnered with the dishonored John Galliano for his FW13 collection.



Oscar has a label with a tremendous amount of credibility. Taking Galliano under his wing, after he was very publicly ousted from Dior, could have been very damaging to his brand (fashion can be unforgiving after all). But instead of fearing the risk, he embraced an undeniable talent, and delivered one of the most evolved and breathtaking collections of his career. Living in his truth resulted in a beautifully transcendent expression of design and self.



I'm certainly not advocating taking lofty risks with your life, but more like walking away from what you know for the chance of something greater. Living an unfulfilled life to me seems like a much scarier fate.



Anyway my loves, I would be so interested to hear your thoughts on the topic of living in your truth. What does it mean to you? Wishing you an amazing week ahead.



Much love

Meag xx

Kate Mack Paris is Haute

If you love travel, fashion and fun... check out these amazing pieces from French Fashion Designer Kate Mack! She's an extraordinary talent with an eye for detail and all things fierce! 

Fashion is not only about looking good or different... it's about showing one's personality, one's identity, your ID! It should never only be a narcissistic reflection. ~Kate Mack

Le Bar at Plaza Athenee Glows

Just a few images from the haute Plaza Athenee in Paris... my friend Kate and I love photography. She's a fashion designer who once lived with her professional photographer boyfriend for years; and I just love to create. But this time I was her subject.

My London Apartment in Chic Mayfair

There are so many things that I love about London; and my apartment in Mayfair is at the top of the list. After spending a week in Paris, I took the Eurostar over to London to connect with friends. I checked into the historic, 5 Star Athenaeum in West London. When I walked into my apartment, I instantly felt a connection. I loved it!

It was a Haute Travels’ girl dream! The mirror furniture and accents, the space and fashionable influences gave me life. I was in love with the mirrored vanity table and glowing ball of light that hung over my bed; it was gorgeous.

The living room and kitchen offered everything that a girl who is out and about in London needs when it’s time to retreat back into her private enclave.

The townhouse is nestled among a row of homes in Piccadilly and just around the corner from the Four Seasons London at Park Lane. The location is fabulous, everything is close by including Harrods and Buckingham Palace. Bond Street is just a stone’s throw away along…with nearby theaters, Soho and Canary Wharf.

More Images of my London Apartment:

When it comes to fashionable accommodations, The Athenaeum nails it. They even offer complimentary Wi-Fi, breakfast and unlimited snacks and beverages in the apartment along with maid service. You only live once so make the most of it! 

Sothys in Paris is HAUTE!

My beautiful experience at the prestigious L’Institut Sothys Paris began after a nine hour flight. Upon arrival at 128 Rue Du Faubourg, I noticed a bevy of fashion houses along this exclusive street allowing for some spectacular window shopping. Christian Louboutin, Saint Laurent Paris and Roger Vivier were all giving life to the girls who love shoes!

The name Sothys comes from the Ancient Egyptians, meaning the brightest Star in the sky; she symbolized eternal beauty.” Sothys has three locations, Paris, New York and Tokyo, “Where beauty rituals respect the skin personality.”

As soon as I entered Sothys, I slipped into my spa robe and slippers; and I was escorted to the Espace VIP. It was now time for the Japanese-inspired Hanakasumi body treatment infusing the skin with protectant emollients, while the therapist first massages the body with an exfoliating mix of Cherry blossom rice powder, papaya enzymes and hydroxyl acids. Warm melted Shea butter with aromatic extracts follows a skin cleansing with deeper massage strokes to further usher in a state of bliss. An amazing foot massage with hot towels brings the body into total submission… relaxation had been achieved.

The Sothys experience is exceptional… the treatments are designed to achieve maximum results from the products, per Isabelle Villey, L’Institut’s training director. I am such a fan of their hydrating body mist with Cherry blossom and lotus escape and the Nourishing Body elixir gives maximum hydration. It’s now a Haute Travels bag staple.

Disclaimer:  Photos belong to Marian Anderson, Haute Travels. Permission to use must be requested.

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Cher & Dionne

Happy Sunday Darlings!!



I've just returned from this week's Would You Rock This? drawing session held at my Alma Mater FIT (*sigh*). Walking through those hallways certainly brought back a floodgate of wonderful memories. We were so fortunate to be hosted by famed illustrator Steven Broadway today, who reminded us that fashion really is all about the gesture, the moment.



I've titled this post Cher & Dionne because his selected outfits felt so reminiscent of my all time favorite movie Clueless. And now I'm wishing I was back in Cali cruising through Beverly Hills. Anyways my loves, tomorrow calls for early morning market meetings so I'm off. I've been making a lot of progress behind the scenes and I can't wait to share the results with you all. Sleep tight...



Much love,

Meag xx