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
Thanksgiving dinner chez nous, it looked great thanks to our friends' great dishes and to the fact we had friends to celebrate it with!
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Are you American, in Geneva and have almost but forgotten about Thanksgiving, only to suddenly realize you will be cooking a Turkey after all?
Don’t despair.
First stop, Aligro (anywhere in Switzerland). This wholesale supermarket understands well this American tradition and caters to the expats during this season.
Once I bought the Turkey only two days before T-day and did so over the phone. The second time around (yes, you would think I would have planned better,) I showed up a day before, explained to the very friendly butcher I was 24 hours away from T-day and the next day there was a fresh bird (not frozen) waiting for me.
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.
Laila Rodriguez
One of the kits offered for sale - Photo Courtesy of Wool and the Gang
Geneva, Switzerland – Get set (wooden needles, Peruvian wool), knit-ready and go!
That is pretty much the idea behind Wool and the Gang a company which offers ready-to-knit kits, or for those who knit not, “ready-made knitwear.”
This is no grandma’s scarf business.
The self-described “funky, chic, basic and fun-knitting” company seeks to infuse fashion with durable clothes, equitable commerce and down-right hot patterns.
The wool comes from the Peruvian Andes and it is sheared by local women.
Laila Rodriguez
Stores open on some Sundays in Carouge, Geneva
Carouge, Switzerland - The commune of Carouge in canton Geneva offers something that many expats seem to miss doing on Sundays: shopping.
And, I don’t mean survival (food) shopping.
If you are craving to spend your hard-earned Swiss francs on a Sunday here’s something to do: The first Sunday of each month, from March to November, 42 stores in the old town of Carouge open their doors for some retail-therapy.
Hairdressers, antique shops and boutiques are among the stores that open on those particular Sundays.
Laila Rodriguez
Fresh apples to your table - Photo Les Mangeurs
Geneva, Switzerland – ‘Tis the season for apple picking; however, if you don’t have time to pick them yourself but still want fresh, locally-grown, organic (bio) apples and veggies delivered to your door, join Les Mangeurs.
Three years ago Natacha Porcher and Mathias Corthay (who grows apples in Meinier in the northeast part of canton Geneva), began to deliver locally grown, organic apples. A year later they began delivering organic vegetables.
Natacha Porter, a Paquis resident, told me she was “deeply inspired” to begin this venture after carrying out a study on contract farming with local producers in the French-speaking region of Switzerland.
Service is simple.
Laila Rodriguez
A Geneva humanitarian worker by day, a scary mummy in Halloween
Geneva, Switzerland – Few of us are able to equal the magnificent work here portrayed (left) by the winner of one of our past Halloween parties.
Loads of ingenuity, make up, nail polish, coffee and dedication, made of our guest the unbeatable champion of the party (you’d never guess there’s a handsome guy hidden beneath it all.)
I, on the other hand, am costume-challenged. If you are too, here is a list of places that sell or loan ready-made outfits.
Many thrift stores in Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France carry loads of items you can mix and match for a truly outstanding, and low-priced costume, some of the stores take their déguisements out for Halloween and L’Escalade.
In addition, check the Migros and Coop hypermarchés for a small selection of kids outfits.
Geneva (updated 25 October thanks to Sylvie Meynier! Thanks)
Laila Rodriguez
Batiment de forces motrices where the fashion show will be hosted
Geneva, Switzerland - On 8 October Geneva meets vintage, meets fashion, meets charity.
Four charity organizations, the Salvation Army, CSP, Caritas and Emmaus; and the Geneva School of Arts and Design (HEAD), are hosting a vintage-inspired runway show with DJs, tango and the superb Geneva-based electronic duo Aloan.
The “Frip & Chic,” as the event is called will be hosted at the beautiful Bâtiment des Forces Motrices over the Rhone river.
All the dresses presented during the evening are original designs made with fabrics originating from second-hand clothes collected at the non-for-profit boutiques.