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.

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

You have probably heard about this new bike sharing program launched in Paris ten days ago.  Given the traffic and parking problems in Paris, weaving around the city on a bicycle might be the most efficient solution for short distance commuting.
Velib is a new a self-service bike rental program where a user can pick up a bike at various designated
stations (pick up and drop locations). Almost 20,000 heavy duty bikes and 750 stations are already peppered
throughout the metropolis. One can rent a bicycle for an annual membership of 29 Euros or by the half hour at various rates ranging from [...]

I spent just one short night at this lovely boutique hotel last week. I had to drop off my daughter at LAX early the next morning, so Manhattan Beach looked like an excellent choice as a place to spend a day and evening together before her two week séjour away from home (I will totally set aside the fact that her departure — she’s 10. And a half — was waaaaay harder for me than it was for her).
Anyhoo, a little bit of research unveiled the Belamar Hotel – only one L  – Hotel. I always, always read reviews on [...]

I had a lovely evening last night with fellow succulent women Michelle and Susan. Susan had recommended the Artisan Hotel to us before, for its lounge and restaurant. Us locals usually shun the glossy and highly commercial Las Vegas Strip venues in favor of independent local gems. These are few and far between, but as this city is growing up, there are more and more to be found. The Artisan Hotel is one such find. It took me a couple of years before I actually found the right excuse to make it inside. And even though I had not heard [...]

I have been come across this “story” in 3 different magazines just this past weekend. So, in case, this is news to you, here is the scoop about this now historic gem.

The Philip Johnson‘s Glass House, is one of 28 National Trust Historic Sites. It was a remarkable achievement when it was completed in 1949 and still looks stunning today and fills me with wonderment. Its exterior walls are of glass with no interior walls touching the exterior. The 47 acre estate in New Canaan, Connecticut includes 11 structures. Among them, the Guest House, Lake Pavilion, Painting Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, [...]

Loved the strong architectural flair of Phoenix and Scottsdale. After 14 years of cookie cutter architecture in Orange County, CA and in Las Vegas, this was refreshing. Sure, Phoenix has its strip malls too (my personal vexation in the urban landscape), but most of these are designed with a twist, something new and refreshing to delight the eye.
This is not surprising, since Frank Lloyd Wright designed and established Taliesin West there, a self-sustaining community of apprentices and architects who would learn and practice the philosophy of organic architecture by sharing in architectural work, building construction, and the related arts. His [...]

Well, same thing happens every March. I end up panicked, faced with the task of organizing our family’s summer: camps, obligatory summer school, family visits, leisure travel… How can I fit it all in and coordinate it so that it schedules correctly? Oh, and then I’m working with special wishes, demands and budgets. I feel like a flight controller at O’Hare.
This year, I am quite excited at the idea that we could be choosing a Volunteer Vacation. Indeed, I just found this great company that organizes such vacations for families: www.CrossCulturalSolutions.org. It’s still expensive, but I think that it would [...]