World Glamping

Thursday

 The Serai - Jaisalmer Desert National Park, India

That's right, glamourous camping. For all those, who like me, love nature and all it's beauty but can do without the multi-legged creepy crawlers, the discomfort of a sleeping bag, and zero potty facilities. Sometimes a wall or two really are worth the extra buck. A butler in my tent and design like a TriBeCa loft?... Sign.me.up.


Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Sunday


The Designery Holiday Tree 2011!
An enchanted fantasy land laden with fruit, doves, cardinals, and brilliant colors.
And a message from the little baby of the house...

Merry Christmas from New York!

Saturday


May it be filled with lots of love and light :-)


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December in Iceland

Tuesday


Reykjavik's landmark mountain, Mt. Esja in the background.

Meet Jackie!!

Thursday


I recently got to know fellow travel blogger Jackie, of Jackie Travels. It's interesting to see how others with my same interests cover similar topics. She does a great job at describing travel humorously, and this month she'll be taking a train across the U.S. before heading to Portugal and Spain for the month of January.. exciting stuff! So make sure to stop by her page for some great posts, pictures, and of course, don't forget to say hello! We like that :-)


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Holiday Picks 2011

Friday


Check out my 2011 Holiday Picks for the December issue of Vécu magazine, pg.13. Not to toot my own horn, but I have a pretty kick-ass spread, lol. Already ordered the cam by mail, can't wait to have it in my hands! I have lots of revamping and projects coming up for the blog so stay tuned! Next post, we're heading to Iceland.. 

GO AHEAD, SHOP MY LIST! 

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NYC Farmer's Market

Sunday


I love farmer's markets. They're a great place to learn about fresh new foods like when I found purple carrots and these honeycrisp apples. I'd never tried them but thought their coloring and patterns were nice (yes, I even notice on food, lol) and they quickly became a favorite. Speaking of apples, anyone ever try farm-fresh apple cider donuts? Delicious! I think next time I'll make sure to go ready to photograph everything I see...

india art song

Monday


After a life-changing journey to Rajasthan, India in 2008, artist Karen Knorr wanted to celebrate the visual richness found in the fables, myths and stories of northern India using sacred and secular sites to highlight the caste system, femininity and its relationship with the animal world. Interiors of palaces, mausoleums, and holy sites were photographed with a large format camera and a variety of animals were photographed separately in sanctuaries and zoos. Knorr combined the two elements, fusing high resolution with analogue photography. The result is an impressive and spellbinding series I hope to see in person someday. (via Honestly WTF)

Manhattan Skyline

Friday




Twilight on 5th Ave. overlooking Central Park... what a view indeed. When it's time for me to move in, I'll invite everyone over for a grand soirée! Haha.. Have a positively rich weekend everyone :-)

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photo via French Vogue

An Idyllic Scene in Playa Blanca

Thursday


Paradise lost? Naaa..it's right here in Playa Blanca, Punta Cana (not to be mistaken with Bávaro where the beaches don't even come close). Walk out as far as you like here, the water will still only brush your knees. Dominican Republics's pristine beaches are unrivaled in sheer beauty and what makes them even better is the absolutely dee-licious food served straight to your humble little abode on the sand. I'm really craving one of those fresh piña coladas in a pineapple. Yum!

Design Hotels : Oscar de la Renta's Tortuga Bay

Wednesday


Can I just be in Punta Cana right now? In Tortuga Bay's gorgeous luxe resort in the Dominican Republic with interiors designed by none other than Dominican-born fashion royalty Oscar de la Renta. Oh Tortuga, you're a'callin' my naaaame... 

Desert Dancer

Friday


I fell in love with this little baby in the stark landscape of the Syrian desert...
Definitely modeled some nice shots for me, don't you think?



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I Heart Street Art : Chile

Thursday


From the streets of Valparaiso to the beaches of Viña del Mar in Chile, art is all around. Keep your eyes open for the pieces that decorates some of these hidden alleys, staircases, and sand dunes... It's just a rather cheap flight away. Don't forget to visit Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's home La Sebastiana, with its expansive views over the colorful city!

Top 5 Most Famous Flags of The World

Tuesday



This is a sponsored post by Harrison EDS.


Each and every one of us loves our country flags because they mean so much. Flags are traditionally about independent liberties in different locations, which means that all of them are great. Here, flag specialists Harrison EDS showcase some of the most famous flags in the world. 

New Orleans Revelry


Speaking of masks, New Orleans must be a fun place to celebrate Halloween, right? I went in September though and the first order of things: the colorful, loud, feathery, kitschy shops! I usually hate those, but c'mon, it's part of the culture here.. how do you like my necklace? :-P... A walk through the French Quarter with its elaborate iron details and beautiful architecture lead to the old slave-auction site which now houses an outdoor market. I searched high and low for some real voodoo stuff but no luck. And yes, that is in fact a man in full feather gear of some sort.. The Big Easy indeed.

Feliz Halloween!

Monday


I recycled my roaring 20's Red Flapper costume yet again! The Library Bar at Gild Hall Hotel in the financial district proved to be the perfect backdrop for my 1920's get-up before jumping in a cab to meet Fidel Castro and Tom Cruise at another party. What are you guys dressing up as and doing for Halloween?

Happy Snoween!

Saturday


Can you believe the snow and weather in New York right now??? Autumn, you have abandoned us. Therefore, my wintery Halloween masquerade ball mask for a Wintery Halloween weekend..  Happy Snow-ween!

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Daily Exclusives For You to Love

Monday



NOWNESS = Luxury storytelling. Each day, showcases an exclusive premiere of the most inspiring stories influencing contemporary culture and global lifestyle, previewing the latest in fashion, travel, gastronomy, art, film, music, design, and sport. What a cool concept, I love it! Check out this video for more insight on the person behind the subject of my last post. Working on a busy design job so I'll be back in a few days, in the mean time, enjoy!


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The Daphne Guinness Exhibition in New York

Thursday


Yesterday I finally got the chance to visit the Museum at FIT (my university! heey) for their exhibition on the private collection of Daphne Guinness.  Phenomenal! There are so many gorgeous, glittery, sculptural pieces – many by Alexander McQueen who she was very close with, Azzedine Alaia, Lagerfeld, and some of her own creations. Guinness' style and expression go far beyond fashion and lean more toward the realm of art when seen up close. Definitely check it out if you're anywhere near NYC, you have until Jan. 7th!

How Not to Ride a Wild Horse in Turkey

Tuesday


Such was the case on this first evening of mine in Cappadocia, Turkey. Off I went with this supposedly trained equine that began making abrupt jolts almost as soon as we started. She then finished me off by suddenly trotting/galloping? down a rocky hill that lead to more treacherous curves where I could have fallen over the cliffside and croaked, buried beneath a 1000 lb horse. Thank GOD for my lightning-fast, ninja-reflexes (aka, yelling "F**K!!" as I began sliding off the saddle and holding on with a pro-wrestler's grip.) Then I remembered it was my own foolish fault for riding a horse that used to be wild with minimal riding experience.. Kinda' forgot that little detail when I got on.. but evidently, I lived! 

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Monday


An 18th-century riverside town in the haunted Hudson Valley, I got lost in a corn field, chased by pirates, caught in a web of spiders, felt haunted at a house, almost stomped on by fighting dinosaurs, attacked by a swarm of honey bees, and was stalked by disembodied heads. Can you brave a night time stroll through the 4000 carved pumpkins at the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze? Watch out for the headless horseman in the next town over... hehehe..

Far-Flung Fragrances

Friday



Scents have the ability to transport us to another place or time, for example, how the smell of jasmine always takes me back to Tunisia. Enter Tom Ford's Jasmin Rouge.. not only do I love the uber-sophisticated design, color and packaging, but the aroma inspires me to look ahead to my next possible far-flung destination. Here's a round up of fragrances to get you ready for your next travel adventure.. just follow your nose ;-P

1. TOM FORD, JASMIN ROUGE / Tunisia : All of his fragrances seem to take you to some exotic locale.

2. CHANEL, CUIR DE RUSSIE / Russia : Inspired by the country with the most billionaires in the world, this limited edition scent is dominated by rich leather and birch. Did I hear power lunch?

3. CREED, ROYAL-OUD / Persian Palace : A unisex scent with elements of a royal Persian palace and opulent base note from India. 5% of proceeds benefit children's health clinics in the subcontinent.

4. IF, BY APOTHIA / Los Angeles - One of my favorite fragrances ever! First place I ever found it at was Fred Segal on Melrose. The L.A. based perfumer also has a fantastic boudoir candle to help transport you to the west coast.

5. NINA RICCILOVE IN PARIS  / France : The magic of the city of lights in a bottle, perhaps true love is waiting in the form of a Pierre or Jean-Claude ;-P

6. LAVANILA VANILLA COCONUT / Caribbean Islands : Nothing transports you to beachy paradise like the smell of delicious vanilla and coconut.


Happy Weekend!


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A Venice Tour

Thursday


Venice holds an unmistakable romance– winding canals, gorgeous Juliet architecture and narrow cobblestone streets that make it the perfect place to lose yourself with or without a love. Though the love affair often has more to do with the city of Venice itself..the history, the art, and the mysterious secrets it's managed to elude. Now to get rid of all the mobs of people :-P. Here are some of my favorite shots from one of the most intriguing cities in the world.

A Hop, Skip and a Jump...

Tuesday


I love being foolish, it's so much fun.. especially when it doesn't really make any sense.. hahaha.. From Pisa to Venice, catch you all tomorrow in my next Venetian post! 

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Day-Tripping in Pisa

Thursday


Though best known for its Leaning Tower of Pisa, this medieval town has tons more to see and do and has managed to retain that enchanting old appearance. The famous tower was built as a bell tower for the 1000 year old Duomo right "next door" which is full of amazing artwork and sculptures. The buildings (including the round Baptistery) combine Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque architectural design and just outside of the Piazza dei Miracoli, a walk along the gorgeous Arno river and through the town are just as nice, if not more. And did I mention how delicious the food was? Yeah, go. LoL

When to Go: Avoid the crowds and go during off season, late Sept - Nov. and May- Jun. 

Le Souk

Wednesday


The Middle East practically invented the all-in-one shopping extravaganza thousands of years ago with their souks (markets) and grand bazaars. They're an excellent place to take in local culture and you can find anything here – offerings run the gamut. They're like small independent cities within a city and one of the coolest places to check out. Here are some of the best I've seen so far.. (I can only imagine the one in Marrakech, Morocco!)

Beirut Color Pop

Tuesday



I came across these terrific pieces from Lebanon on Honestly WTF a few weeks back and they were right.. "WTF, how can anybody not notice them," They're so unique! Bokja design duo Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibriall work in Beirut with artisans to reupholster furniture with vintage Middle Eastern and Asian textiles. One of these pieces, and your good to go with bringing some instant cool to your pad..  Aren't these great? 

Bokja, Mukhallassiya Street, Bldg. 332, Saifi Village, Beirut, Lebanon, Phone 961-1-975-576

Tunisia: Land of the Jasmine

Monday


There's a distinct smell about Tunisia in North Africa.. Fresh jasmine everywhere – in the markets, on the streets, and I was given a number of fragrant flower necklaces as a sign of welcome. Supposedly, a man who wears jasmine on his left ear indicates that he's single and proves his love by offering white jasmine while giving someone an odorless winter jasmine is seen as an arrogant lack of respect. Interesting right?

Anyhoo, as usual, I didn't spend nearly enough time in Tunisia since I was only there for a few days for a wedding. The bride (who's American) got henna on her hands and wore an embroidered gold wedding piece passed on to her by her mother-in law. I did get to Hammamet and Sidi Bou Said (pronounced sah-eed) which were fantastic. The architecture was beautiful and the Tunisian people could not have been more accommodating and generous. I found this authentic yellow kaftan dress and was sold with the intricate hand embroidered design of the front. What do you think, do I blend in well with the locals? LoL..

Day-Tripping in Philly

Thursday


One of my favorite things about traveling is finding cool little places with unique trinkets that I can bring back home. I absolutely fell in love with The Little Apple, a boutique of new, vintage and repurposed pieces, such as a gorgeous Hollywood film set room divider. There were vintage postcards, artsy wine bags, great jewelry, coffee table books, etc. Molly, the delightful shopkeeper and owner stocks the shelves with such fantastic things that I wished I could bring the whole store back with me in a shopping bag. I even wanted to take the dog, LoL!

I Heart Street Art : Manayunk

Tuesday


A quick day trip to Manyaunk, a small neighborhood in Philadelphia, lands you smack dab in the middle of some really cool street art. Besides already having art covering some buildings and walls, the Mural Arts Project is an additional effort to infuse this chill Philly outpost with new and innovative public art. 

A Vintage Style Bath & Body Boutique

Monday


Happy Monday guys! Isn't this the most romantic little boutique ever? I found it while traveling through Carmel, California but unfortunately it was closed. I would've loved to come out with a shopping bag or two of fine soaps and vanity pieces.  I found some interesting history on the store and its name, with possible plans to add an intimate retreat with spa services and tea room. The vintage style and pretty little details are so sweet, don't you think?... Wish it were in New York!

Cute Illustrated Maps by English Muffin

Sunday


How cute is this European map from English Muffin Shop? I've always had a fascination with geography and globes, etc.  Love how pretty and colorful these are.

Glen Oaks : An Eco-Friendly Hotel

Friday


After a good, long day we settled in at Glen Oaks, the next best thing if you don't want to spend on luxury accommodations but still want comfort. It's eco-friendly, beautifully designed, modern, uber- clean (very important!) and didn't cost $500 p/nt for such amenities. I loved the hints of retro and traditional outdoorsy decor and overall, was a fully modern hotel housed in cute lodge-like rooms. The best part? The fireplace and heated stone floor! And the delicious inexpensive brunch next door at Ripplewood's

Big Sur's Best Views

Thursday


The best views in Big Sur are served with food, particularly the one above that comes with Nepenthe Restaurant. No trip is complete without stopping in to see what might as well be a painting. It was such a dramatic landscape that I had to stop eating to go outside and take pics of the spectacular display of sunset colors, shadows and fog. You can actually see the clouds roll in low over the ocean and across the mountains while the shades go from blue to pink to purple. Bea-u-ti-ful!!

Most Beautiful Beaches in Big Sur California

Wednesday


The Big Sur. If you've ever seen photos of it, McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer State Park was probably it. Gorgeous! I thought I was in Hawaii. The water is too cold and wild for swimming but the view makes it all worthwhile. Like I said before, put this place on your list of must see's! There's hiking, picnic & bbq areas, wildlife, & all sorts of activities. But of course, the vistas and panoramas take top honors over everything else.

Roadtrip! The Pacific Coast Highway

Tuesday


The California saga continues! A roadtrip down Pacific Coast Highway 1 to the Big Sur is a must before you die. Mark it down people. We were oohing and aahhing at every curvy turn, it is literally one of the most beautiful landscapes ever. The clouds and fog hang low and then clears out before your eyes to reveal the open feral Pacific – the waves crash hard, the cliffs drop steeply, and the wind is relentless. Raw nature at it's finest, the grand prize being Big Sur...stay tuned for more :-)

Boardwalk Carnival at Santa Cruz Beach

Sunday


Sometimes you're just a big kid in a big playland :-).. (and thank you to the ugly ambulances making my shot look like a nursing home.)

Delightful Nightmare in San Francisco

Thursday


I'd never heard of Czech-born Swedish artist Klara Kristalova before visiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in August. I found the strangely dark yet fun and mythical work super interesting. It's like she takes the naiveté of childhood and the subconscious to create a weird balance between nightmare and delight. She engages a set of questions as to what it is you're really looking at and I can't wait to see her new exhibition when it opens here in New York next month.

What do you think of her ceramic sculptures? Too odd, intriguing, fun?

Sweet Heaven : Day 2 Monterey Bay California

Wednesday


I looove sugar.. chocolate, caramel, cupcakes, peanut clusters – you name it and I probably like it. Sooo to my delight I found this old fashioned candy shop, Carousel Fine Candies in Old Fisherman's Wharf to satiate my sweet tooth. How fun are these swirl lollipops! After getting our sugar fix we headed to Cannery Row which used to be 'sardine canning' central therefore the name Cannery. Chilly morning but luckily it warmed up a bit and I peeled off some layers. Cool beach art right?

Cool Cruising : Day 1 Monterey Bay California

Monday


Monterey Bay is one of those places that still feels pure. The water is crystal clear and freezing, yes, freezing, lol. This part of Cali never really warms up and is often foggy and chilly but still beautiful nonetheless. It's a must-do if you love the open ocean and wildlife and a great stop if cruising along the Pacific Coast highway as I did. Maybe you'll have more luck than me if you go whale-watching, and you'll actually get to see a tail.. or something.. 

Canadian Culinary Travel

Sunday


If you have in interest in culinary travel or food, definitely check out The Wanderfull Traveler. Canadian resident Murissa Shalapata shares her tasty experiences around the globe through her delightful blog and also authors the Bon Appetit section of Vécu magazine. The food shots make me instantly hungry :-)

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Fashion's Night Out is for the Dogs

Friday


I've gone every year since it began in NYC in 2009 and it just gets crazier every time so I made sure to stay in one place this time – Bergdorf Goodman for the ridiculously cute dog fashion show. Tough to get a good shot but you get the idea. Designers Badgley Mischka, Lela Rose and Altuzarra (among many others) were on hand to show off their pooches, with Monique Lhuillier and Marchesa as judges. We also caught Dominican royalty, Oscar de le Renta downstairs and as I turned to leave everyone was going nuts. Why? Anna Wintour with all her security guards, lol.. should have picked up a copy of Vogue.

Taste of Napa - A Toast to Summer

Thursday


Summer, you say hello and goodbye too quickly. You know how much I love to eat out and enjoy your warm weather, just as I did during my last meals in Napa when I had lunch at the Culinary Institute at Greystone and then dinner at Tra Vigne. Could your al fresco dining and refreshing, fruity drinks really be over so soon? Sigh.. Yes, I know, you've already said your farewells, so I raise my mocktail (no alcohol cocktail) to you and bid a final adieu for now. We have a dinner date next year, don't be late!

For more on Napa Valley visit my posts on Castle of Love and Vineyards & Chateaus.

Napa Valley Vineyards & Chateaus

Wednesday


The Beringer mansion has the most splendid gardens and stained glass windows so try to make at least a quick stop here. Though I wasn't supposed to be shopping, I picked up a great coffee table book from the gift shop called Napa Valley: The Land, The Wine, The People... I couldn't resist the breathtaking photos and white hardcover. After strolling Beringer we continued on to the French-inspired Domaine Carneros chateau. Pull up a seat, relax with a glass of premium sparkly brut and revel in one of the most stunning panoramas Napa Valley has to offer.

(P.S. You must absolutely visit the Castle of Love before leaving Napa. You can thank me later. ;-)

The Best of Napa Valley : Castello di Amorosa

Monday


Castello di Amorosa or Castle of Love is a definite must-do in Napa Valley. We planned only 1 hour there but I tell ya', we time warped to medieval Tuscany and stumbled out in a (sober) stupor 4.5 hours later. What a dreamy place! It may be California wine country but depending on which winery you're in, you could very well be in a chateau in France or a vineyard in Italy. I actually purchased my first wine (don't like liquor remember? so much for that.) – Fantasia, a delicious & sweet partially fermented rosé that I happily packaged in a new vintage-style leather wine case from the winery boutique.

For more on Napa Valley visit my posts on , Vineyards & Chateaus, Taste of Napa and Wine Country.

The Art Issue : September Feature for Vecu Magazine

Sunday


The most beautiful issue yet of Vécu is out, featuring tons of international talent and gorgeous artwork. My piece on San Francisco Street Art (which I posted about on the blog last week) begins on page 113. Make sure to check out all the great artists in the September issue here. The cover alone, by Parisian artist Amylee, is absolutely gorgeous.



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