WHAT I BOUGHT: SAINT BARTHS
I love exploring the maze of little side streets here even more than the ones that contain the shops (although see my favorites below). The faded, almost forgotten facades of the French colonial architecture make me somehow think of stage sets from a Tennessee Williams’ play, inspiring one to dream of purchasing and installing some fresh white paint, flowers and a hammock. But best to leave as is, unspoiled.
There are dozens of shops in St Barths to tempt every style and wallet but here are two I always visit every visit:
Don’t even think of swinging by Maison Pelican unless you have bought an empty suitcase (or storage cargo) with you as you’ll urgently want everything here that you don’t need urgently: the cheeky rattan bar stools from the 70s, or a Picasso-esque mural painted on old French newspaper, or a ruby red Murano ashtray...
A tiny shop just below Kaz A Juice, Popie's is the most charming and talented of proprietors. When she is not in Bordeaux, she brings her exclusive William Morris and Liberty of London printed sundresses here to Saint Barths. While my beloved drinks his coconut water and fresh salad in the open air atrium upstairs, I love to come twirling out in one of Popie’s creations while she expertly styles me with her enduring “C’est class!” expressions and he offers his thumbs up from above.
Her prints are beyond adorable and chic for the littlest ones, from bathing suits to dress shirts. Also not to be missed are her vintage jewelry offerings which she culls from auctions around the globe.
Here’s the wonderful yellow sundress my beloved kindly bought me, after which my son snapped me posing in it on the way to a family lunch…
