While in Paris last month for the Prêt-à-Porter, I happened to see a friend of mine who’s the social media specialist at Ermenegildo Zegna. He told me the Zegna team had a lovely proposition in mind: would I care to attend the company’s upcoming ZegnArt unveiling (and related celebrations) in Rome? There was no need to ask twice–I hadn’t been to Rome in a while, and I love the Zegna brand. They took care of all details, and on March 20, I arrived at the fab Hotel Boscolo Exedra Roma and was whisked right up to my room.

It’s the hardest job in the world, being a mother: every day of the year should be Mother’s Day. But the calendar’s one “official” holiday–meant to honor the women who raised us–is coming up (May 8), so, thinking as a daughter, and a mother myself, I put together this list of unexpected gifts. I’d love to give my mother any of these things–and I’d be thrilled to receive one myself.

After a day of London shopping, it was off to Dukes Bar for their world-famous martinis. Located within Dukes Hotel, the Bar is regarded as one of the best in the world – and is a landmark in its own right.

This year I had a change of scene for my Christmas Holiday.  Being the Francophile that I am, I longed for the South of France experience that is St. Barth.  It was clearly the right move for me for many reasons.