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All of a sudden I had numerous shots of incredible blue lights from all over the world and wanted them to mingle together here…

Then:

London - Stairwell between two jewelry floors at Victoria and Albert Museum

New York City - Fifth Avenue between Gucci and Armani

Paris - Creative construction view wall at Palais Royal

Cap d'Antibes - Pool at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Marseille - Maison Méditerranéenne des Métiers de la Mode

Paris - Holiday lights nestled between two favorites: Les Deux Magots and La Societe

Today's title, Sacrebleu, (literally sacred blue/holy blue/good heavens) is an outdated, mild French profanity, but I like it!  I think the world would be a better place if surprise, frustration and anger were expressed in a foreign language.  It seems much more civilized.

Istanbul is a thriving 21st century city with a magnificent, varied, and historical past. Pictured here is the retail store of Autoban, an incredible design firm in charge of many of the city's best hotels, cafes, homes and businesses--they designed The House Hotel Galatasaray where I so enjoyed staying. The manager and  staff were stellar, making us feel welcome and well cared for, plus, they provided impeccable recommendations during our visit.

The village of Alaçatı reminds me of my childhood when a stroll through the (original) El Paseo in Santa Barbara was full of quaint restaurants and shops.  In Alaçatı, Bougainvillea and Oleander line the cobblestone streets, and pretty things beckon from small shops. Wonderful outdoor restaurants are everywhere - and YaYa is the most chic and fabulous!

A gorgeous Mosque! Called the Blue Mosque because of the blue Iznik tiles covering the walls and ceiling, it was built in the 17th century and has 6 beautiful minarets surrounding the exterior.

Image 1: The House Hotel, Galatasary

We're staying at The House Hotel Galatasaray; a stunning renovation of a 19th century family home in Beyoglu.

 Heading out into the city, we locate the Misir building on Istikal.  It is full of art galleries, most notably The Galerist, which has a showing of Andy Warhol films.

Image 2: Misir building, Istanbul

Image 3: The Galerist, Istanbul

At the top of the Misir building is a spectacular venue, 360. As the name implies, it provides a magnificent view of a magnificent city.

Image 4: 360, Istanbul

With 5 hours to kill before our flight to Istanbul, we opted to take the tube into London. Strangely, I'd never been to The Courtauld Gallery.  Here lives Manet's Le Déjeuner sur l'Herbe, along  with many other art history book icons and classics including Van Gogh's last painting, Peach Trees In Blossom.

Link to painting: Van Gogh's Peach Trees in Blossom (detail), 1889

What better treat after a castle visit than to have tea and cake? Not far from Arundel Castle is the fine food establishment of Pallant, with a menu of scrumptious cake choices created by The Farmhouse Cookery. Rhubarb and ginger? Chocolate? I settled on the orange sponge cake - a layer cake infused with orange oil, a marmalade and cream layer, and topped with orange frosting!

I bought the entire cake and took it to go to sit riverside with coffee and companion on a spectacular summer afternoon. We ate half the cake in one happy sitting - I pronounce it The Best Cake I've Ever Had!