Summer In The City
With May-Britt Mobach
Summer calls for a lazy evening, sand between your toes, a sudden day off, and reading the last page of a book by the light of your phone because it’s still so nice outside late at night. But that summer also calls for something new. A column, to extract all of the above from the most fun types. A take-off with, who else, May-Britt Mobach.
It's summer... What's in your glass?
“We’re suddenly kind of healthy doing. Well, healthy, light I should say. We start an afternoon in the sun with a skinny bitch, or vodka with soda, and then I throw everything in so it almost looks like a gin and tonic. Later I switch to my favorite rosé, the Whispering Angel, or a robust Chardonnay like the J. Lohr.”
Where do you settle when the mercury rises above twenty?
“If possible, I’m heading towards Quartaire sur Mer, or Wijk aan Zee, where we own a tiny beach house. The fridge is stocked, kids in my ‘shot’, love on the left (or right), and I want it all to stay like this forever.”
Your secret favorite to absorb extra, extra hours of sun? Yes, we want your secret terrace.
“I love hotels and hotel terraces. In Amsterdam, you’ll find me in the courtyard of The Dylan or in the sloping garden of the Hilton. It could also be that you see me munching on a bitterballen on the terrace of the Amstel.”
And what’s on your plate?
“Shall we start with an oyster? And then we’ll order some charcuterie. Maybe we’ll poke at some pasta, but then we’ll quickly move on to the cheese cart. You see, I love snacks.”
Which destination is on your ticket?
“I’ve already been on trips to Greece, Cannes, Turkey, Italy, and Paris, so I’m not really going away anymore. However, my beloved and I are flying for a mini trip to Saint Tropez, so Nice is on the ticket. And in September to New York, that’s our late summer trip.”
The three ingredients you need for the perfect holiday?
“Sun, family, wine.”
What book are you reading this summer?
“Sunday’s child of Marion Pauw.”
And what’s coming out of your speakers?
“Sofia by Alvaro Soler, which I then sing along to very loudly phonetically with my daughters. Mira So-fi-aaaaaaaa.”
Are you the tennis racket type or do your toes not come out of the sand?
“If you nag at me for a long time, I’ll play a game with you. But otherwise, I prefer to be lazy. You’ll definitely see me in the sea, but preferably on an air mattress.”
Your tip for when there’s a long flight ahead?
“Make yourself comfortable. Buy some movies on iTunes so you spend your time usefully. Get a cleansing spray so you can wash your hands while sitting. A hand cream can also be a lovely luxury, and a fresh pair of daily contact lenses too. I try to bring a soft scarf and make sure I wear clothes that feel good.”
How does your ideal summer day go?
“Waking up early and exercising before the crowd is awake, I’ve already done that. My beloved has already made breakfast, and then we jump into the pool. We take a trip and have a late and long lunch. Who knows, maybe a shop, an ice cream, or a cautious boat trip. Then somewhere buy a piece of pizza for the kids and a cheese for us, and put the kids to bed at the same time to repeat the same ritual tomorrow.”
And what do you immediately grab from the closet to wear when it’s finally warm?
“I have so embarrassingly much that I prefer to change several times on a summer day. My kaftan from Claes, the dress from Baum und Pferdgarten from OU. Boutique in BB-check. Or should I just go for that Dodo Bar Or? Or my Missoni one-piece? I tell you: I should be committed.”
Where did you go on vacation as a child?
“Strangely enough, we didn’t go away very often because my father was a sailor and was just so happy when he was finally home. We made beautiful trips with his ship, such as to Mexico. But the sweetest were the summers in Zeeland. Horseback riding with my mother, a dive in the pool, and in the evening eating mussels with fries, because yes, we had a built-in fryer in the kitchen.’
Are you a luxury type or do you go back to basics in a tent and be green by the campfire?
“What did you think I would answer here?”
What do you do in the summer that you would never think of in the winter?
Are you team soft serve or team water ice?
“Ice pops. Go back to question 1.”
