Loulou Visits Daytona Beach

Loulou is trying to lay low these days, until all the hubbub over the Gaga debacle dies down. And since Stephen is in Eastern Europe on business for a few days (I'll have to ask him what he does one of these days - it hasn't come up. Work talk is so boring!), I've decided to jet down to a darling little resort town called Daytona Beach. My cousin lives there, and she needs my help preparing for the Miss Beach Beauty pageant!

Since I have years of pageant experience, both as a contestant and behind the scenes, I thought pageant prep might be a good distraction, and a few days of hanging out with the family and exploring the local haunts should do me good! So here I am at the Shores Resort & Spa, which is so charming. I love the little pool cabanas - so Miami-esque! My cousin Lucia decided to show me around the historic main street of Daytona Beach, called, appropriately enough, Beach Street, and it is so lovely and European-ish, with quaint little shops and restaurants, all set across the street from a pretty park on a river. Love it!

After doing a little shopping and antique-ing, we popped in for a light dinner at Ivy Lane Bistro, and I was in heaven. It was reminiscent of a cafe in Paris, except that I could understand everything my server was saying! I ordered the Avocado Blinis, which is like an avocado pancake with this lemony sauce and crabmeat on top of it, which was out of this WORLD. We also indulged in a fruit and cheese plate and it was massive but so so yummy, with big blocks of amazing cheese, fresh and dried fruit, and blue-cheese stuffed olives. I was in heaven. Lucia, who is on one of those meat-only diets, ordered the filet, and she said it was one of the best she's ever had. I love the old-world ambiance and the stylish crowd. Definitely our new spot to eat in town!

While I was there, I made quite an impression on the servers with my Loulou-esque ensemble, and I am sure they will all remember me, so if you drop by, tell them Loulou sent you!