Escape to Naples

Sojourn in the Sub-Tropics
Last week it was off to the Gulf Coast of Florida, for a brief stay with my sister, Susan, and her husband, Rick, in Naples, Florida. We were extremely lucky to fly between the snow flakes, just missing two storms. It was totally delightful in Naples, with sunny 70 and 80 degree weather.

I met this man at Vanderbilt Villas, where

my sister is staying. 

He kept following me around and trying to

talk to me. He wanted to tell me about his 4 degrees.

It's all pink there.

I walked to the beach each morning. 

So tranquil and beautiful.

I saw dolphins.

Susan rides her Trek bike sometimes 14 miles a day.

 The vegetation is lush.

 We had tea at Brambles in Old Naples.

Strawberry rhubarb pie.

Susan volunteers at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp

Sanctuary, a 14,000 acre wildlife refuge.

She leads second-graders on

"The Great Insect Adventure."

 We shopped at Lilly Pulitzer

in Old Naples.

 Love this coral and blue tunic.

 Ladies and their daughters in Palm Beach

in their Lilly Pulitzer shifts.

Photo from "A Privileged Life" by Susanna Salk

 I have always been intrigued by the

Lilly Pulitzer look,

but when I got up close,

it held less appeal.

Maybe it was the price tags.

 My preferred mode of travel:

Orange-sherbet colored bikes with white walls.

 Cakes for the Florida ladies.

 Deluxe things for privileged children.

 A preppy shop.

I wanted to love it ...

but I guess I'm too much of a New York girl.

 We dined at chic restaurants.

 Susan and Rick at the Cote d'Azur,

a dining treat from our sister, Jeanne, and her husband, Chris.

The food was delicious.

The best meal in Naples.

 We saw cattle egrets in parking lots.

 I found Lilly in the

Diva Fashionista Resale shop.

 I escaped unscathed, purchase wise.

All for the best as I would have been

awash in a sea of pink coral.

 These darling espadrilles once

graced the tiny foot of a 

debutante, no doubt.

406 Willet Avenue

Home of Sam and Mary

This is the house in Naples that my parents, Sam and Mary Markel,

purchased in the 70s.

It's a duplex, and their best friends purchased the adjoining

apartment. It gives on to a canal in the back,

and they also put in a pool.

The current owners have repainted, but have not turned

it into a McMansion like other houses on the block.

 Happy Times.

Mary, my niece, Sarah Wedge, and Sam

sitting by the canal.

 Sam dressed for golf in Naples.

No one could accuse Sam of disappearing into the crowd.

 Sam in his white, linen suit

doing his best Rat Pack imitation.

He's Frank.

Sam with his beloved Excalibur.

Happy Valentine's Day

 to you all!

(P.S. I finally let this roué take

me to dinner.)

À Bientôt!

Don't forget ....

 my Hat Shop in a Box,

 is this Saturday and Sunday

from 1 to 5.

Email me for directions.