It wasn’t difficult to round up some family and friends
to model Alice & Co clothes in a gorgeous villa with a pool
in the Lanzarote sunshine.
I decided on stripes and spots for our first outfits
My models are Mary, Alice, Marianne and Lilia.
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Mary in a Silk Liberty print jacket by Alice & Co
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Alice and Lilia in an Alice & Co dress in stretch cotton and lycra Liberty print
…works for the young and the young at heart!
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Pink wool and lycra Alice & Co cigarette trousers
and an Antoni & Alison sweater.
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A blue Alice & Co jumpsuit matches the sky.
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Mary, Marianne and Alice
Marianne is an architect whose friend
Pookie Blezard prints these amazing scarves.
This one is based on photos of a building Marianne renovated.
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A Wild West cactus makes a handy wardrobe!
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What the devil…
Lanzarote is the most stylish Canary Island and close to Africa, so warm and dry.
The black volcanic soil makes the colour of its flowers and cacti stand out brilliantly.
Local architect César Manrique had a great influence on the island and insisted all buildings were painted white with green woodwork.
I think many islands could benefit from an artistic despot!
He also designed many beautiful sights including viewpoints and caves that double as nightclubs (think Austin Powers meets Picasso).
Don’t miss a visit to his amazing underground home.
César Manrique’s Cactus Garden.
If you thought cacti were something old people kept on the window sill you should have a look at these spiky characters!
Manrique liked to design everything right down to the last detail,
including these voluptuous Ladies and Gents signs at the Cactus Gardens.
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EAT:
Everything from the sea. Dorado, prawns and squid are all delicious and traditionally served with papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes cooked in sea water) and served with mojo sauce, spicy red or piquant green.
DRINK:
Lanzarote wines are worth trying. We liked one called Stratus.
For some comprehensive tasting visit the bodegas in the La Geria area.
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After a hard day’s sightseeing it was a delight
to return to a spacious designer villa in Playa Blanca.
We found it through Natural Retreats.
There was a long and refreshing pool for Marianne’s daily swim…
… a big dining table for our breakfasts and barbecues,
with some arty shadows for our photographer
…and some comfy sofas for our siesta.
Hasta la vista!
Coming up next:
April: Posh Paris -100 years of the Plaza Athena and the opening of my very good friend Tara’s first shop in St Paul Village in the Marais.
Where our vintage inspired label Madame Tra La La will be stocked.
where 2 wear it 
You brought the sunshine of Lanzarote into our lives as your clothes bring sunshine into our lives. Looking forward to my mullti coloured jersey dress which I can wear all the year round up here in North Northumberland!
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