Somebody said to me on our recent holiday to Harbor Springs (we were on a private jet at the time), with friends with such great houses and planes, why buy your own?!
I've been to Harbor Springs a couple of times now and absolutely love it. It's so ridiculously picturesque it isn't funny. This trip we were joined by Thomas Keller, who owns the famous French Laundry in Yountville, California. With Thomas on breakfast duty daily (scrambled eggs really are something else with him) and a huge wine cellar in the house (not to mention the s'mores nightly) this was not a holiday to be counting calories on. When I'm in Harbor Springs my favourite thing is the houses though, I love driving past them every day picking out my favourites. They're immaculately presented and cared for and the gardens are wonderful! It's a little piece of heaven. Heavenly also is the famous Olive Burger which I absolutely HAVE to have at the Bar Harbor bar when I'm there. A burger that features green olives chopped into mayonnaise. Trust me - delicious.
After a week in Harbor Springs we jetted up to Toronto for the evening where we spent the night in an airport hotel eating room service and watching TV. After non stop socialising in Harbor Springs a few hours off was amazing.
Early the next morning we flew to Barbados for a week in a fantastic house on the Sandy Lane estate. Heaven! Sweaty heaven though, only the bedrooms were air conditioned so when we weren't in the beach I was either in our room or in the pool. No trip to Barbados is complete without dinner at The Cliff which is one of the most special restaurants in the world. And for the final tick on the list for our Barbados trip I visited Jane who owns the Jane 'n' Co hair salon at Sandy Lane. She's from London but has lived in Barbados for nearly 20 years and is totally fabulous. AND she does the best blow dries in the whole world - and I should know, I've tried them in every town in every city in every country I've visited. She's the best - and a great excuse to go to Barbados.
First stop Chicago. This is when I realised I hasn't packed the right clothes.
Our teeny plane to Harbor Springs. Yikes!
At least I had found coffee to keep me company in the small plane while I prayed.
We made it. Somehow.
Waking up in a big American ridiculously comfortable bed.
I moved from the bed to the sofa....
Staying in a house of big achievers :)
Who could get sick of this view?
Coffee on my friend Lisa's porch. I could watch the world go by from here!
My only time to hit the gym seems to be on holiday.
Our friends Bill and Pat, en route to their boat for drinks.
Visiting the boat.
The boat's Mac has been 'painted in'
Bobby Dazzler and Thomas Keller out on the boat.
Monster on the water :)
The his/her garage
Our friends have two Teslas - I need one!!
The s'mores come out!
In I go...
Here we are, in the upstairs hall!
A huge part of staying with the Anton's is the cooking. It's all about the food! Follow my fellow guests on @EatMoveBe and @Chef_Keller
Thomas Keller in the kitchen.
I took Pat a pair of IDA Bobby Dazzler boyfriend jeans. She loved them!
Thinking of you.
A typical Harbor Springs dinner party - colour is key!
American Spoon on the main street
The amazing pizza place.
The pizza dragged me in. So retro!
The local market grows a lot of what they sell.
I did a little light shopping at the local market.
America has the best food. Really :)
Salt! In every variety you could dream of.
My personal favourite...#salt
I suddenly want monogrammed towels...
Site of the best burgers in Harbor Springs.
The famous Olive Burger!
And of course I had to go inside!
Back at the house the cleaners are in and I'm suddenly feeling Celine AW13!
Is that a Stella McCartney scarf from @donnaidadenim I see?!
One thing I've always wanted to do in Harbor Springs is go out in my friend's amphicar and this time we did!
In we go!
I was so excited I can't tell you.
I like cruising the great houses...
The house we stayed in. Divine!
My final day in Harbor Springs walking on the beautiful but chilly beach.
Heading to Barbados via Toronto we hitched a ride on a private jet. Coming in to land.
Worst travel nightmare. Thankfully not mine.
Arriving at the house in Barbados. Bliss!
My after 5 position for the whole holiday.
The beach. Who wants to never leave?!
I had two amazing foot massages on the beach with a man called Bongo.
Every holiday needs a little shopping no? This is Scarlett's Louis Vuitton AW choice.
One of the adorable shops in the Chattal town.
No trip to Barbados would be complete with a trip to The Cliff.
The famous Snowball dessert at The Cliff.
To read more from Donna's Diary click here.
