If you are lucky enough to find yourself in L.A. this weekend, you should definitely drop by UNIQUE Los Angeles, a gift market featuring 200 independent artists, designers and merchants. So, it’s on tomorrow and Sunday (Dec 13 & 14), from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Details and directions HERE.
So wish I could make it…

Here’s one that won’t be mistaken in the luggage carousel… I wonder how you would pack in a bag like this. Requires a whole new packing protocol!

Via Yanko Design

As mentioned in my previous post about this visit, there is nothing like a neighborhood stroll – on foot, s’il-vous-plait – to get me out of my suburban rut. Virginia Highland does not disappoint. Of particular arresting interest on this visit, was the Bella Cucina Artful Food boutique.

This gourmet store was as delicious on the eyes as it was on the palate. The gorgeous rustic farmhouse setting entices all the senses. There are treasures to behold in every corner.

Ok, so I was a little out of my element here at L5P (you know, short for Little 5 Points) but this was fun. Oh and got a great grab-to-go vegan lunch at the Sevananda Co-Op.

I just came back from Turkey, on an educational school trip organized by my daughter’s school. I’ve long been curious about Turkey and it didn’t disappoint. However, being on an schedule-packed school tour with other parents and students, there certainly wasn’t much time or opportunity for us to go awol to discover fancy restaurants, boutiques and less traveled sites. But still, we were fortunate and privileged to be bathed in the culture, being hosted by a number of Turkish families (fab, fab, fab food and unbelievable hospitality). Thank goodness that we did get to spend a couple of hours in [...]

The long awaited lululemon store finally opened its first Las Vegas location last month and had its Grand Opening celebrations yesterday. Most of the activities were orchestrated by majordomo par excellence, Sue Kupka, the fab, fab, fab lululemon Community Coordinator.
It was one of the most engaging openings that I have ever attended, the whole celebration beginning with a session of Yoga Under the Cloud (the Cloud being the extravagant outdoor sun shading contraption that covers a plaza and faces The Strip, aka Las Vegas Blvd. (see it here). The whole event was totally in keeping with the lululemon’s manifesto, which [...]

This was so much fun… We rented these brand new Scoot Coupe vehicles the other night and “pranced” around the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street (aka Downtown Las Vegas). We took the kids and some friends.
Each three wheeled Scoot Coupe seats two. Our whole group created quite the parade with its seven coupes
following in a neat row. We instantly became an instant attraction on the Strip.
The most memorable part of our ride was the unobstructed views that we had from the mini vehicle. No roof, no windshield to block the view. The Strip never looked so glorious. I guess [...]

In any other town, this delightful little café might be just that…a delightful little café. Here, in Las Vegas it’s actually a real gem. Indeed, this restaurant café (bordering Henderson) is independently owned. That’s almost an anomaly in this town that works on chain restaurant formulas. And if it’s not a chain, then the restaurant is owned or operated by a corporation, most likely a casino. So, in the rare instance where I stumble upon a place that is owned and cared for by REAL people, I just want to shout and dance.
But, aside that endearing attribute, the Espresso café [...]

I’ll keep this one short, ‘cause really, I’m not that much into spending a lot of time tearing something up. That’s just not very rewarding to me. But still, I must share about my disappointment with the Second City performance at The Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas.
Second City bills themselves as improv comedy troupe, but really, there was hardly any improv at all. Mostly sketches. The Second City website proclaims “Sin City’s favorite improv comedy troupe launches sixth season of side-splitting laughs”. Huh? Our group’s few and far between laughs were incidentally prompted by the painful attempts of the comedians to [...]

I don’t know why I have not written about this truly lovely inn before. We like to discover new destinations and hotel properties, so for our family to go back to the same location more than once is an exception. Indeed, The Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale, Utah is exceptional and has been my family’s getaway oasis for about 5 years now. We try to go there at least twice a year to recharge and to take a break from our own Las Vegas desert (climatic and cultural!).
We discovered the Desert Pearl after our first visit to Zion National Park, at [...]

It isn’t always safe being chauffeured around!  In London alone, 10 women are attacked each month after getting into an unlicensed mini-cab. No wonder that many women feel safer taking a taxi driven by a woman. Pink Ladies spotted a business opportunity, and created the UK’s first women-only private car hire franchise.
The Pink Ladies drive Renault Kangoos that are pink inside and out, making them highly visible. Passengers sign up as members, and fares are either pre-paid, paid by credit card or with a ‘pink account’, which is convenient for members and safe for drivers. Booking is done over the [...]

Not super stylish, but these Archport sandals are quite genius for a day at the beach.

In Archport’s own words:
We offer the most remarkable sandals on the market, with large compartments in the soles. Nothing on the market comes even close to matching them. Our sandals are a completely new, patented product! Easy access to ID, credit cards and cash without taking off your shoes. Conceal your valuables from thieves.
The sandals feature two compartments with hook-and-loop closures, and snap buttons for enclosing articles. The left sandals includes a compartment with an ArchPort wallet feature that is removable, and custom designed for [...]