Hvar, Croatia

A holiday should be a departure from the grind of everyday life to a place of beauty and creative stimulus, a time to relax and rejuvenate your normal life. But in the case of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld — born and raised in the city of lights and surrounded by the world’s finest art, fashion, and food, breathing in the very air of romance, glamour, beauty, and sophistication — what constitutes a holiday getaway?

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld can go virtually anywhere she wants in the world and her favorite spot to escape is Hvar, Croatia. Julia's gorgeous boyfriend Robert Konjic just happens to hail from Croatia and she has come to adore not only Robie but his homeland, feeling quite comfortable on holiday there. Hvar is the crown jewel of the Dalmatian Islands. The weather is always picture perfect and the beaches, where Julia likes to spend much of her time, are pristine rock-pebbled wonders situated along freshwater turquoise bays surrounded by pine forests. Paradise!

Since Hvar is separated from the mainland of Croatia, the enticement of privacy attracts other beautiful and well-known celebrities from around the world. It is a spot where you can truly connect with nature. Ancient olive trees, fields of lavender, robust vineyards, and of course fresh fish and seafood make up the staples in this Mediterranean nirvana. After a long day on the pebbled beaches with Robert, Mademoiselle Restoin-Roitfeld loves a bit of wine along with her favorite Croatian dish of Lobster Spaghetti made with the freshest tomatoes. While booking your plane fare and packing your bag, whet your palate for your journey to Hvar with Julia's favorite Croatian recipe. Sretan Putovanja! This really is the perfect holiday...

Lobster Spaghetti With Fresh Tomatoes

Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients
½ cup fruity extra virgin olive oil

2 large cloves garlic, sliced thin

2 ½ pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled and very finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 one-pound lobsters, cooked and shelled, or ¾ pound cooked lobster meat

3 tablespoons finely slivered fresh basil, plus sprigs for garnish
1 pound spaghetti alla chitarra or spaghettini

Red chili flakes

Directions

1. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 5 quart sauté pan or a wide saucepan. Add garlic, cook over low heat until it softens, then add tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook 3 minutes over medium heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for spaghetti.
3. Dice lobster meat. Place 1 tablespoon oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add lobster and cook until just warmed through. Fold in half of the basil. Cover and set aside.
4. When water boils, add pasta and cook until barely al dente. Drain and place in pan with tomatoes. Stir in remaining oil. Cook, stirring gently over low heat, about 5 minutes, until pasta and tomatoes are warmed and well incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper; fold in remaining basil.
5. Transfer to 6 shallow soup plates. Top each portion with lobster, garnish with basil sprigs and serve, with red chili flakes on the side.

Yields: 6 servings – Invite your traveling companions!

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld in Hvar, Croatia photographs courtesy of twitter.com/RestoinRJulia

Horny Cow

No wonder Julia Restoin-Roitfeld lists the Horny Cow candle by Cowshed among her favorites, the floral and spicy scent permeates the London flat of her boyfriend, ever-so-sexy model Robert Konjic. The essential oils of patchouli and cinnamon in the Horny Cow candle create an inviting environment but the ingredient that really heightens the senses for romance and passion is the rose absolute, the secret weapon for conquests. An ulterior motive you say? Well of course! Robert knows the way to Julia’s heart, and, errr, her body. Just another means of seduction for this hot couple...

Don’t you wish this page had a scratch and sniff?

Once you move past the seduction part (I know, hard to do) you will discover just how environmentally friendly Cowshed candles are. They use 100% natural wax made from GM free, organic, and certified vegan ingredients. All materials are renewably and sustainably sourced and free from chemicals, palm, paraffin, and petroleum waxes. The wick is lead-free and made from natural fibers, too. Approximate burn time is 60 hours — that’s a lot of lovemaking! Luckily for Julia those 60 hours must be pleasantly exhausting with Robert as your partner.

I’m running out to get one right now...

Horny Cow candle image courtesy of cowshedonline.com
Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Robert Konjic photograph © 2011 ES London Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Il Buco

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld first encountered her boyfriend Robert Konjic in an Italian restaurant called Il Buco in New York's East Village. As Julia recalls: “We met at a dinner party, I went there with my brother Vladimir. I liked him instantly but he was with another girl. Later on we met at a New Year’s Eve party in Mexico, and we felt instantly that there was something between us." I believe they were at the Proenza Schouler party and if so, Julia is pictured here wearing her outfit from that memorable evening.

Il Buco is at 47 Bond Street between Bowery and Lafayette Streets and is owned by Donna Lennard and Alberto Avalle. Legend has it that Il Buco's wine cellar inspired frequent patron Edgar Allan Poe to pen his classic short story "The Cask of Amontillado." Almost 200 years old, the cellar's brick walls are lined from floor to ceiling with wine and lighted by candles in cast iron sconces; the chandeliers are designed by Warren Muller from recycled and salvaged objects. Dinner among the private alcoves of the cellar is enchanting, the perfect escape from the bustle of the city. Just be sure to make a reservation as the entrées that change nightly are a constant draw.

Il Buco images courtesy of ilbuco.com
Julia Restoin-Roitfeld image courtesy of fashionfirstlunchlater.blogspot.com

Update on dimanche 31 janvier 2010 by kellina

The Selby ceaselessly amazes me wth his insider status: view his adventures shopping for produce with the chef from Il Buco, Ignacio Mattos; whipping up panna cotta with the pastry chef, Ela Schmidt; or visiting behind the scenes at Il Buco.

Il Buco kitchen photograph © 2009 Todd Selby. All Rights Reserved.

Robert Konjic

We know that Julia Restoin-Roitfeld has a new love interest and his name is Robert Konjic. But what do we really know about him? Let's take a look at Konjic's stats as provided by his modeling agency:
Sex: Male
Height: 6'1"
Birthplace: Sweden
Shoe: 9.5 US
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Bust: n/a
Waist: 32"
Chest: 40"
Suit: 50 L

All right, so this post is really all about the scantily clad photos—Robert Konjic is hot. This super sexy Gucci boy still cannot believe he gets paid so much money to take off most of his clothes and pose with beautiful women. Some guys just have all the luck. Beautiful and lucky, but still human: when Mario Testino was shooting and asked Konjic to get intimate with the female model, Konjic reveals,  "I was thinking, 'Cow, cow, chicken, chicken', anything to put my mind off what was happening. Eventually I had to ask for time out, it was very embarrassing."

Robert Konjic photographs courtesy of successmodels.com, viewmanagement.com, and mostbeautifulman.com

Vodka Tonic

What is the fairest cocktail in the land? According to Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, it is the classic vodka tonic. Here she is enjoying a cold one with Monsieur Robert Konjic (rhymes with vodka tonic) at her brother Vladimir's gallery opening after-party. This hot Swede recently earned enough to buy a house for his five days' work as the menswear face for Gucci. Yes, Konjic is a model just like her last boyfriend, Magnus Berger. The Roitfelds certainly do love the model crowd... and let's not forget their affinity for Gucci...

To enjoy a vodka tonic yourself, here's the simple recipe:

• Fill a highball glass with ice.
• Add equal parts vodka and tonic water.
• Garnish with a lime wedge.

À votre santé !

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Robert Konjic photograph courtesy of Style.com
Robert Konjic photograph courtesy of Mostbeautifulman.com