Earlier this month, my now fiancé and I, ventured down to one of our favorite places - St. Barths. After a year of isolating at home and hardly any travel, it was an incredible respite - a beautiful trip where Naveen and I got engaged and celebrated the start of our new chapter.
We were introduced two summers ago by my best friend from Greenwich Academy at a dinner party and we've never looked back. Naveen is wildly smart, incredibly kind, sophisticated and worldly, adventurous and, above all, my best friend. I'm so happy and blessed to have found my better half and can't wait to create a beautiful life together with our children (he has two and Annabel adores them!).
Getting To St. Barths
Despite the pandemic and the difficult travel restraints, we had one of the best trips and enjoyed the island to its fullest. We flew through San Juan, Puerto Rico and puddle jumped on Tradewinds to St. Barths with our passports & negative Covid tests (negative results required to travel within 72 hours of arrival). I can't say enough amazing things about Tradewinds and I highly reccomend flying with them.
Naveen snapped this on his iPhone and we plan to blow it up and frame in our new home as a memory of our engagement.
Our experience with Tradewinds was world class - we flew with Jet Blue to San Juan and then Tradewinds to St. Barths which was seamless. The advantage of flying this route is that you don't have to clear customs until you get to St. Barths.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at possibly my favorite hotel in the world - Cheval Blanc - which under its new owner, LVMH, is as spectacular as ever. The island felt very safe, everyone was masked, and we always ate outdoors. As we've all assimilated to this "new" normal - we felt safe as the island has done a good job of testing. (You have to get a negative test in order to fly home as well.)
Island Vibes
It truly felt amazing to enjoy the island vibes and take in the warmth and sunshine of the tropics. The mélange of French culture & beauty and the Caribbean backdrop makes it one of my favorite places on the planet.
I loved wearing our new pareos for the first time. I collaborated with artist Nealy Hauschildt - she painted our signature floral motifs & we had them printed on cotton/linen with a beautiful fringed edge. They are made in Italy - stay tuned for a March launch!
Also new: Our Horn Talisman inspired by the Italian "cornicello" which is thought to ward off the evil eye and offer protection. I will take all the good luck charms I can these days!
Gastronomy
The food and wine on St. Barths is unparalleled. From Gypsea Beach to Fouquet's, some of our favorite lunches and dinners of the trip are captured below.
Lunch at Shellona at Shell Beach. The grilled octopus and burrata and tomato salad are our favorites. Wearing our new Tamarin Earrings.
Shellona Arm Party: Our new good luck Flower Evil Eye bracelets, Mother of Pearl Flower link & Diamond Flower Bangle with my mom's old Rolex she gifted me.
Shell Beach is close to Gustavia and renting a Moke and zipping around town after lunch is a must.
Lunch at the new Gypsea Beach at St. Jean Beach was spectacular and definitely worth a visit. 
Delectable fresh carpaccio, falafel & barbecued watermelon arugula salad.
Wearing our Amira dress at Gypsea Beach.
Dinner at Tamarin was my favorite on this trip. The outdoor dining felt safe and the food was incredible. 
Another evening look: Dress by Alexis, Taj Earrings, Aquazurra Heels. This is what I wore the night Naveen proposed - it was a surprise so I chose well!
A perennial favorite: Bonito for dinner with views of Gustavia harbor.
Fouquet's in the newly reopened Carl Gustaf was another meal that did not disappoint. We sat on a outdoor veranda looking out on Gustavia harbor.
Carl Gustaf Hotel - recently opened after 6 years of renovations.
Dinner at Fouquet's. 
All in all, it was a magical trip and we can't wait to be back soon. xx
