If you’re Jay Gatsby and trying to impress a certain Daisy Buchanan, then there’s only one address you need to know other than your own. It’s Room 1839 at the Fairmont Plaza Hotel in New York. A perfect Jay-Daisy itinerary in the city might entail having tea in The Palm Court of the hotel, a romantic horse-and-carriage ride in Central Park around dusk, dinner and Hendrick’s cocktails in the Oak Room, followed by a nightcap and some 1920s jazz at Little Branch, a speakeasy in the West Village. Of course, the climax of the night is returning to Room 1839. How can Daisy possibly resist this world blurred between fantasy and reality that awaits inside?

Catherine Martin, designer of the 700 square foot art-deco suite and costume designer for Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby, hopes that guests will discover the energy and excitement of life in New York during the 1920s. In fact, the essence of New York today is not much different from that described by the character of Nick Carraway: “I began to like New York, the racy, adventurous feel of it at night, and the satisfaction that the constant flicker of men and women and machines gives to the restless eye.” The author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, were regular patrons of The Plaza and the most climactic scene of the novel (and film) in fact takes places at this opulent hotel. “Give your liver to Princeton and your heart to the Plaza,” Ernest Hemingway once told Fitzgerald.

“The Fitzgerald Suite at The Plaza is a suite that F. Scott Fitzgerald and his character Jay Gatsby would be at home in – a dramatic deco space that evokes the danger, the sexiness, the glamour and a certain nostalgia for the hedonistic days of the 1920s, while still encapsulating all the comforts expected at The Plaza,” said Catherine Martin.

The suite has been built from the ground up with new oak floors, wall coverings from Catherine Martin Home and period-inspired pieces from luxury home furnishings brand RH, Restoration Hardware.

The Fitzgerald Suite debuts May 10th on the same day as the film’s North American premiere with rates starting at $2,795/night. To plan your own Jay-Daisy style interlude, call 212.546.5219 or email theplazafitzgeraldsuite@fairmont.com.

The living space features RH pieces such as the Madsen Leather Sofa and the Mayfair Steamer Desk which draws inspiration from antique steamer trunks, the luggage once used on rail and ocean voyagers.

Bedspread and towels are custom embroidered with the Jay Gatsby and Daisy-inspired monogram with his initials outlined by a daisy flower.

Bathrooms outfitted with Sherle Wagner fixtures and RH Pharmacy Vanities that boast clean lines with impeccably polished marble, white enamel, zinc bin pulls and exposed hinges.

Channeling art deco style, RH’s 1920s Odeon Glass Fringe Chandeliers of optical-quality prisms arranged in concentric rings.

Mexico was not on the top of my list of places to travel last month but sometimes things are just meant to be, and the best part of travelling is when you are pleasantly surprised.  I was charmed by the chill-out vibe of the Baja Sur region as you might have noticed from a previous post.  This is where the Los Cabos corridor stretches for 30 kilometres between the towns of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas on the southern coast of the Baja California Peninsula.  Here, like meeting an old lover that was once taken for granted, I reacquainted myself with the beauty of a country where tequila runs like water from the heavens.

I enjoyed the fun atmosphere of Cabo San Lucas but its laid-back sibling, San José del Cabo, really stole my heart with the quaint cafés, restaurants and art galleries all centred around a historic town square that hosts open-air markets on the weekends.  I imagined myself seeking a writer’s refuge here someday to get away from the distractions of everyday life and of course, cold Canadian winters.

EAT When in Cabo San Lucas, wile away a few hours at Lorenzillos Oyster Bar with drinks, oysters and the company of sea-lions. Right on the marina and beside the local market of handicrafts, it provides the perfect vantage point for people-watching.  For something more romantic, head to Edith’s and feast on filet mignon, lobster tails and table-side banana flambé. On a Thursday night, you’ll forget all about work at The Office, a fun dining experience right on the beach and under the stars, complete with music and dancing.

You know it’s a party town when the children can stay out late…

STAY I’m not a huge fan of large resorts and prefer the intimacy of small boutique hotels like Casa Natalia which is right in the middle of historic San José del Cabo. If you’re seeking something on the beach, I recommend Esperanza where Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow check in when checking out of Hollywood.

DRINK tequila of course!  In a place where time almost stands still, attend a tequila tasting and sip slowly…savouring some of the flavoured varieties like almond and vanilla.

SHOP for one-of-a-kind items in the arts/crafts shops and galleries that line the cobblestone streets of San José del Cabo.

EAT at Jazmin Restaurant where it feels like you are dining in a local’s home.  Tropicana Inn is another gem of a place for dinner, drinks and mariachi.  Overall, there’s a plethora of options available in this little slice of ‘real’ Mexico.

EXPLORE the hidden cove of Lover’s Beach by water taxi from the marina.  This is where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean with Neptune’s Finger protruding out of the sea.  Like most of the Cabo beaches, swimming is not advisable especially on Divorce Beach which sits on the other side of Lover’s Beach facing the rough waters of the Pacific Ocean.      

(image via Cabo San Lucas Beaches)

Cabo Instagrammed

The beautiful, ornate designs of Camilla Franks are easy to spot in luxury boutiques around the world. Rightfully known as the Kaftan Queen, Camilla’s pieces are almost other-worldly in their magnificence as no shortcuts have been taken in fabric and embellishment.  Her current 2013 collections are Tales from a Reading Room (shown here) and Pachamama (a reference to the “Earth goddess” or “Earth mother” traditionally associated with Andean indigenous groups.) Georgia May Jagger was the star of her S/S 2013 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia this past month which was showcased in a series of teepees transporting attendees to faraway places.

The Tales from a Reading Room collection invokes the magic and mystery of ancient mythology behind some of the oldest civilisations, times and cultures. These treasured stories have been passed down from one generation to the next and crossed continents resulting in Camilla’s fashionable tales from lush reading rooms around the world.

“The reading room – old books, storytelling, crackling fire and a glass of rich red wine. A place where I allow myself to escape to different cultures, worlds and times. A room filled with life’s sweet tapestries, these are some of my meanderings,” says globe-trotting Camilla of a collection reflective of her own personal atlas.

Camilla Franks’ breathtaking designs remind me of all the places I still need to see and the stories I need to read, weaving my own tales along the way.

Images via Fashionising

Camilla is available through Camilla stand-alone boutiques in Bondi (NSW), Mosman (NSW), Paddington (NSW), Chatswood (NSW), Hawksburn (VIC), James Street (QLD) and online www.camilla.com.au. Camilla is also distributed in high-end boutiques, luxury cruise liners (The World, Silver Seas) and hotels worldwide (The Palm Atlantic, Vergotini, The Four Season and One and Only). Camilla is also stocked in luxury department stores in the USA, (Intermix, Bergdoff Goodman, Neimans Marcus, Nordstrom), Europe, (Harrods) The Middle East (Harvey Nichols) and Asia, (United Asia) and Australia (David Jones).

Springtime always reminds me of Europe and the simple pleasures of life found at sidewalk cafes: drinking coffee, nibbling on pastries and people-watching.  Since I’m still in Canada, I decided to bring a little bit of European charm into my kitchen this morning by making ebelskivers, tiny Danish pancakes in the shape of a sphere that I first tasted in Vienna a few years ago.

They are simple to make but require some delicate care and undivided attention during the cooking process.  They can be filled with chocolate, fruit jams, peanut butter, or whatever your heart desires.  I like to use a variety of fillings to please the different tastes in the household. You will need a special ebelskiver pan.  I purchased mine from Williams-Sonoma which has seven deep wells for the batter and a stay-cool cast-stainless steel handle.  The nonstick coating makes it simple to flip the ebelskivers as you can see in the short video clip below.

Heat 1/4 tsp of butter in each well until it begins to bubble.

Pour 1 tbsp of the batter in each well and top with 1 tsp of the filling of your choice.

Top with another 1 tbsp of batter.

Cook for 3-5 minutes until the bottoms are brown and crispy.  Use wooden skewers to flip the pancakes and cook 3-5 minutes more.

Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter and filling.  Sprinkle with icing sugar if you wish, and serve with syrup or whipped cream.