Laila Rodriguez
Thanksgiving dinner chez nous, we made the turkey and the stuffing, friends brought the rest of the amazing dishes and the laughter.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Are you American, live in Geneva and have almost but forgotten about Thanksgiving, only to suddenly realize you want to cook a turkey after all?
Don’t despair, here’s my cheat list.
First stop, Aligro (anywhere in Switzerland). This wholesale supermarket understands well this American tradition and caters to expats quite efficiently during the season.
The first time around, I ordered the turkey -over the phone- two days before Thanksgiving. The second time around I showed up a day before (yes, you would think I would have planned better), explained to the very friendly butcher I was 24 hours away from hosting dinner for friends and voilá, a fresh bird -not frozen- was waiting for me the next day at Aligro. Turkey in Switzerland is not cheap, so prepare yourself for the sticker price shock (it is worth it though).
If in neighboring France, try La Mere Gaud. They also deliver to Switzerland.
Advice: Before ordering the turkey measure your oven and check with your butcher to see if the bird you have in mind will actually fit in your European-sized oven. (The first turkey I bought didn’t and I had to amputate!)
This turkey was picked up the same afternoon it was cooked, it was fresh and quite tasty… and it actually fit in the oven without surgery.
Laila Rodriguez
The dress shown in this photo will also be auctioned off in Geneva
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The Hôtel des Ventes de Genève is auctioning a large 1950s vintage couture lot that includes Balenciaga, Balmain, Chanel, Lacroix, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and Hermès items.
According to the auction house, the items come from “Princess G.R. [who] lived in Switzerland for several years and [whose] possessions have remained intact in a container for more than 50 years.”
The sale will include about 70 haute couture and prêt-à-porter dresses, costumes and coats; 37 lots of accessories; 70 bags, trunks and suitcases (including an Hermès croc purse) and 40 lots of “prestige fur” from the houses of Canton, Dior, Max Reby, Revillon and Vermorel. All items will be auctioned off without a reserve price.
The auction will take place on Monday 24 September but all items can be viewed by the public on Sunday 23 September until 19:00.
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Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Soirées champagne are popping up everywhere these days. The latest one we know about takes place on 20 September at the Karen Millen boutique in Rive, Geneva.
The fall collection will be slashed 15% for customers attending the special evening. For the newbies in town, the boutique is located next to the Ladurée macaroon boutique.
Laila Rodriguez
Top brands news – Hublot, Benoit de Gorski at exclusive new address in Gstaad
GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND – Swiss ultra-watches creator Hublot is making headlines this week in the Swiss luxury goods world. First, with the opening of a new boutique at one of the most exclusive postal codes in Switzerland, then by hosting of a birthday party for Olympic star Usain Bolt.
“The fastest man on earth” as the six-time Olympic gold medalist is being called, took yesterday off from training to celebrate his 26th birthday in the style to which an athlete of his fame and fortune is accustomed.
Usain Bolt checks out the Alps as part of his birthday treat - Photo Raphael Faux, Hublot
Bolt was treated to a private helicopter tour of the Alps, then to a private celebration at Hublot’s chairman’s private residence near Lake Geneva.
That was the beginning of the affair, as Bolt was given, according to the watchmaker’s press release, a custom-made King Power Unico All Carbon watch. In its generic form it markets for about CHF20,000.
No celebration is complete without a birthday cake, which in this case was made for him by the chef of the Hotel de Ville restaurant in Crissier.
Bolt is back in Lausanne and on the track today preparing for his race tomorrow 23 August, at the one-day Athletissima competition, part of the Diamond League athletics series of top world events.
New boutique in Gstaad
Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – For those ladies and gents looking to replenish their closets without having to spend a fortune here are a couple of ideas.
On Saturday head to the last of the La-ville-est-a-vous sales in Eaux Vives where hundreds of people are expected to set up “shop” (find out more about it in my previous post).
Otherwise head to Veyrier, canton Geneva on Sunday for some special vintage and brand name clothing sale.
Vide ton dressing
Some of the items in the 2011 sale - Photo courtesy of Vide ton dressing
The sale is the brainchild of four girlfriends who decided to empty their closets, hence the name “Vide ton dressing,” and make some bucks in the process.
Think handbags, suits and dresses, and men’s cool clothing.
The sale takes place on Sunday 17 June from 10:00 to 16:00.
It is now too late to register and sell your things but not too late to shop.
I have never been to the sale but I know that it is a cash only affair.
Bon shopping!
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Laila Rodriguez
Betjeman & Barton tea house in Geneva is celebrating the Queen's Jubilee
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Britain is going bunkers this Jubilee weekend and at least one store in Carouge has decided to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in grand.
Betjeman & Barton a well-know high-tea store is celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years of reign today 2 June from 09:00 to 17:30.
English tea, cream scones and finger sandwiches will be served.
The famous Bridgewater pottery will also be featured at the store, as well as hundreds of teas.
Owner Véronique Gallais, is known in Geneva for hosting what has been described as “fancy tea parties for connoisseurs,” so if you don’t stop by today, check out other events at this particular store in Carouge… or simply taste one of their many teas.
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Laila Rodriguez
This cute vest was the last on the rack. Original price: CHF590 sold for CHF60
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – We all know that comes January stores slash their prices significantly however, I had almost but forgotten that at the Bon Genie store at the Geneva International Airport January means huge discounts on selected designer clothes. The best, is that the store (as all stores at the airport) is open on Sundays from 10:00 until 20:00.
For those new in town, the Bon Genie (or Bongenie Grieder) is a subtle, understated upmarket department store found in several cities around the country. The airport’s BG store works as a “stockout” center during the January and summer sales so you will find one-of-a-kind items that you will not find at the Rue de Confederation store (see left).
Laila Rodriguez
McSorley , Simek, Fritsche, Vukovic and Matte - Photo GSHC
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Geneva hockey fans might find that this season wine and hockey make the right Christmas gift.
La Cave de Genèveand the Geneva-Servette hockey team are teaming up to toast the new year with two wines, a Geneva Gamaret AOC 2010 and a Chardonnay AOC Geneva 2010 aged in oak barrels, featuring photos and bios of the players.
The wines which were presented yesterday 18 December during the Christmas game, are now on sale. Labels have space reserved for autographs and can be easily removed making them de facto collection items.
If this is one of those Geneva Christmas gifts you have to have, you can get them at La Cave de Genève per CHF19.50 a bottle.
The last question remaining is… Do you want McSorley in red or white?
Happy Holidays!
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Laila Rodriguez
Christmas in Switzerland, enjoy the outdoor markets
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – It is an American tradition that no sooner has Thanksgiving ended than Christmas sales begin. Switzerland, minus the turkey, does its own version of Christmas shopping right around the same time.
The beautiful outdoor Christmas markets start taking place this weekend; some of them run through late December.
Laila Rodriguez
Hermes purses for sale in Geneva - Photo HdV
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Ever since moving to Geneva my interest in vintage has been growing and having recently found a summery Valentino dress for CHF10 at the La-Ville-est-a-vous flea-market in Geneva, I have come to believe that finding a vintage dress at a reasonable price is easier than finding used designer purses which are not counterfeit.
That is, finding a true vintage piece is not that easy.
When I found these two new resources I thought there was hope not only for me, but also for all of you purse-lovers in Geneva:
Although several vintage stores around the city carry some purses, only one in particular specializes in sacs-à-main, at Rue de la Cité 15, off Rue de Confederation in the old part of town. The owner carries mostly modern, newer models that are in mint condition. They sell for a fraction of the original prices. The consignment store is open Monday through Saturday from 14:00 to 18:00. The phone number is +41 (0) 79 202 4901.
The elusive Kelly bag - Photo HdV
That is not yet purse Nirvana; imagine buying your own “certified” Hermes, or a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk from the turn of the century. Search no more as the Hotel des Ventes in Geneva has a once-a-year sale specializing in “affordable” vintage goods.
In a recent news story, GenevaLunch’s editor described this auction house as the most affordable in Geneva, “with some 500 items that are valued at under CHF300,” and she was right.