Something for the weekend: Caves Ouvertes Vaudoises

It's time to get your swirling, sniffing and sipping on! The wine cellars of our canton are open for business this weekend and offer you a great opportunity to discover the local flavors. The weather is going to be dreadful, but don't let it stop you from enjoying this fabulous event.

You want to know our favorite spot? We're so glad you asked... ;)

We are regulars on the terrace of Patrick Fonjallaz in Epesses - the view, the warm welcome and the vast offering of whites and reds alike keep us coming back each year when the weather turns warm to stock up. Be sure to try "La République" for its classic Swiss flavor and the "Plant Robert" for something unusual and intriguing.

Santé!

Lausanne Street Style: Cindy

 

Coat: Zara

Boots: Hunter

Watch: Casio

Bag: Louis Vuitton

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CINDY

What is your profession?

Master in Management at the University of Lausanne; currently working in an internship in a cosmetics company.

Where do you get your style inspiration?

Fashion blogs such as stockholmstreetstyle, lookbook, and brands from the UK, such as Topshop.

What's your favorite place to hang out in Lausanne?

Cafe St. Pierre for its moist chocolate cake and the Bazart restaurant, for its Meditarrenean food.

If your apartment was on fire and you could only grab one thing, what would it be?

I would take my eye-liner!

Lausanne's Night Market (Les Tables Longues) Starting May 16, 2013

Lausanne is introducing a new night market in the Flon that will take place nearly every Thursday night between this Thursday (May 16) and mid-September. Each week, various Lausanne restaurants will set up stands to sell, what is being called, "urban cuisine," meaning innovative, responsible and high-quality food. 

Entry is free and each dish will cost between 4 CHF and 16 CHF. Sounds pretty cool, non?

We're looking forward to checking it out! Hope to see you there...

More information (in French): https://www.facebook.com/events/547772875273527/ 

Lausanne Street Style: Joelle

May is a capricious month in Lausanne, bringing both longed-for sunshine and, in what seems like the same breath, wintery winds. With such fluctuations, we thought that Joëlle made a beautiful selection - both fashionable AND practical - with this woolly sweater jacket. Isn't she lovely?!?

Sweater: Isabel Marant

Lausanne Street Style: Virginia

So maybe it's not Paris. And thinking of it as a little Milan would be a stretch. But even still, Lausanne has a style and fashion-sense all its own. 

We hit the hills of our city this weekend for some "photo bombing," in search of Lausanne's most fashionable ladies and gents. 

We started with our lovely friend Virginia - Saturday morning's rain storms didn't stop her from sporting this adorable ensemble and an eye-catching red umbrella.

 

Photo Credit: Gabriel Garcia Marengo

Photo Credit: Gabriel Garcia Marengo

Top: Mango

Leather shorts: Mango

Red bag: Freitag

Scarf: Her momma ;)

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT VIRGINIA

What's your profession? 

Digital Marketing Specialist and Web Editor

How would you describe your personal style inspiration? 

My inspiration comes from my travels, my mom's closet, magazines and Pinterest.

What's your favorite hangout spot in Lausanne? 

In winter, I love La Clé. The owner is always grumpy but the place is nice and drink prices are affordable. I also love Café des Artisans. The owner is the cutest girl ever and the food is incredible! 

In summer, you'll find me at Bourg Plage or Great Escape for some fresh air and festive company.

If your apartment was on fire and you could only grab one item from your closet, what would it be? 

My Freitag bag (my boyfriend worked hard to give me this gift).

Where to eat in Lausanne: Café des Avenues

It's not exactly what we'd call sous-gare, but this place is so precious to us (and is an easy walk from the station) that we just had to include it in our series. Café des Avenues is one of our favorite brunch spots for those lazy Saturday mornings, where all you want is a place to unwind, read your paper, and take comfort in good coffee and conversation.

Maple-syrup pancakes dusted with powdered sugar, generously portioned omelets and bacon, seasonal fruit salad with home-made muesli mix, and of course, a freshly baked assortiment of bread with confitures are all at your fingertips (and did we say reasonably-priced?).

The restaurant staff are friendly, the interior spacious, and free wifi is provided for those who are looking for a new place to study or work. Did we also mention it's kid-friendly? For those of you who have young children, this place has an adorable area in the back with couches, books, and games.

And although we love this place for breakfast, we've also had incredible dinners here! In the evenings, Café des Avenues offers classic Swiss-French fare; from fondue to the mouth-watering entrecôte parisienne with a large selection of wine and beer, this is definitely a spot to check out all hours of the day.


Café des Avenues
www.cafe-des-avenues.ch/
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 6h30-24h
Friday 6h30-1h
Saturday 9h-1h
Sunday 9h-24h
Closed Mondays

Something for the weekend: May 3-5

Carnaval de Lausanne, May 2-5
Taking place in various locations throughout the center of the city, the Carnaval de Lausanne offers a little entertainment for everyone. Live music, dance, and other various spectacles can be enjoyed until Sunday 5 of May. Trying to find an activity for the young ones? On Saturday 4 of May, there will be several activities geared just for the kids starting at 9:30 in the morning. Check out the day-by-day program, as well as a comprehensive list of entertainers and events here.

Les Puces du Design 2013, May 3-5, Morges

Looking for a unique piece for your apartment? Then this place is a MUST for this weekend. Over 50 booths of hand-selected vintage goodies, all under one roof. Design freaks and collectors beware, this might be your Achilles heel. Entrance is 5 CHF, free for ages 12 and under. For more information, visit the website: http://www.pucesdudesign.ch/

Morges Tulip Festival, Ongoing until 15 of May
And while you're in Morges, check out the Tulip Festival! Nothing gets you in the mood for Spring like thousands of vibrant blooms.  See our previous post about the festival here.

Make margaritas for Cinco de Mayo, May 5
This holiday may mean nothing to you, but who doesn't love an excuse to drink a delicious homemade cocktail? It's simple, refreshing, and the recipe is uncomplicated (unlike this recent weather pattern). Click here for the recipe. ¡Salud!

What to do in Lausanne: Get fit for summer!

This weekend's weather report has our hearts all aflutter—get ready for some sunshine Lausanne!

While the imminent joy of warmer days (finally! bare legs and bathing suits!) is definitely something to celebrate with BBQ planning and a little online shopping, it’s also time to think about wiping off the winter hibernation stupor and working off that fondue weight. For those who have not been training for the Lausanne 20K later this month (...that would be us...), here are three ideas about how to get ready for summer and to feel great in the process…

ZimFit Trainings: We had the great pleasure of meeting Kathy Zimmermann at the Lausanne Guide Happy Hour a couple weeks back and she's sold us on her workout methods. A certified personal trainer, she gathers groups in the great outdoors (locations throughout Swiss Romande) and emphasizes fitness for life--she's absolutely right in saying that maintaining a level of fitness is key for living well in this hilly city! She may have even convinced us to wake up early for a morning session in Vidy...

Classes at Pilates et Moi: We are huge fans of this pilates studio right in the center of Lausanne. These classes are not for the faint of heart—come ready to work hard and feel AMAZING afterward.

Outdoor fitness with I Move Fit: Train outside in beautiful Vidy! I Move Fit offers several types of training including “the bikini fit challenge.” Umm…yes please.

Swiss Urban Training: We LOVE this concept. Reclaim your city through sport!  Local businesses sponsor these 1-hour classes, so they are completely free for you. Just show up with your active gear and follow along. Watch the video for a better idea.