STYLENDIPITY

Wedged between Manly Boatshed and Three Beans Café in Manly, a long way from home in Swiss origins, is my favourite ice-creamery.

Mövenpick is the perfect precursor to lunch at Manly Beach. I am meeting some friends for lunch and as I walk along the Corso hand-in-hand with my daughter to meet them, I can’t resist the kaleidoscope of colour that streams out of the Mövenpick boutique. I don’t use the word “boutique” lightly but Mövenpick is more than a “shop”. It is high quality, gastronomic perfection. Seriously!

I’m feeling a little rebellious today and for that I’m blaming my outfit choice. I always feel a little free-spirited when I wear a Camilla kaftan. I won’t go so far as to weave feathers into my hair but I will throw caution to the wind and stop and indulge in a single (maybe double) Swiss ice-cream cone on my way to meet friends for lunch.

My default flavour is usually the crunchy Pistachio; smooth and rippling with pistachio sauce (apologies if I’ve gotten your mouth watering). The decision is always arduous because the whole collection is tempting. However, today I’m going to complement my beautiful sorbet-coloured kaftan with the succulent and lush Strawberry topped off with a scoop of Mövenpick’s famous Vanilla Dream.

  Amid the expolsion of light and bustle in Manly on this glorious summer Sunday, I stroll along the beach in this lavishly beaded, flowing garment that bears the Camilla label and unapologetically enjoy my ice-cream that is equally as exquisite. I glance down at my daughter’s grubby yet satisfied face and realize that nothing says happiness like a vanilla-covered smile.

As I bite the last piece of the cone and lick the trickle of authentic strawberry off my finger, I’m ready for a wonderful afternoon with friends. Guilt free … because … just as Camilla is created using the best natural minerals, so is Mövenpick – there are absolutely no artificial colours or additives in their scoops – just naturally-sourced, hand-made art.

This is where colour, comfort and deliciousness go to hang out.

It’s summer
I’m on holidays
I’m wearing vibrant, exotic prints
and devouring vibrant, exotic flavours
and I’m happy
… and perhaps a little too late for lunch.

And this my friends, is how you celebrate the largesse of summer.

Both of us are dressed by Camilla. Shop here.

Hand Bag by Louis Vuitton.

“Aviator Bow Sunglasses” by Tiffany & Co. Shop here.

Earrings in the same Swarovski crystal beaded into the kaftan by Swarovski.