Make no mistake, Beijing has an edgy, cool and contemporary vibe, hidden just under the surface of the government-run tour packages. You just have to dig a little. But per the divine Craig Barbour, a good friend who lived in Beijing while working on the Olympics, Beijing has a number of hip bars and...
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Bali Eco Cycling Adventure While in Bali a couple of months ago, I had heard about Bali Eco Cycling Tours a fun bicycle day-trip in Ubud. The initial appeal was the fact that the route was downhill. Sounded very do-able. Then read a great review on them in The New York Times and coming...
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One day while in Bali, I had the occasion to visit three seriously chic, high-end resorts with my friend Kristin, a young Australian architect who happens to design resorts. Kristin’s mission was to take in the details – the aesthetic cues – the trends – the blend with the environment. The lines. The flow. ...
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I recently had the good fortune to travel to Bali on a surf holiday, where base camp was to be a fabulous villa in Seminyak. Because I was only staying in a hotel for one night – the dreaded first night of arrival after 24-hours of flying, I thought best not to splurge on...
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Several airlines are advertising excellent specials and offers to consider if you are traveling to Russia this May. In addition, there are a few airlines that offer “premium service”. This is usually several hundred dollars more than an economy class but far less than business class. In most cases, these cabins are a...
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Ensconced in Philadelphia. Staying at the Hyatt at the Bellevue. What a great find! When was the last time you were in a cupola? 19th floor. 30′ ceiling. Wrap around balcony. 360-degree views. I had the whole place furnished in my mind – couch there. Conversation pit there. Beaux arts building – grand. Original...
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Recent reports indicate that the famous restaurant /eco-project, The Yellow Treehouse Restaurant is coming back as a venue for private/corporate functions and events. Great news for companies running incentives to New Zealand and looking to create a spectacular experience. The Yellow Treehouse Restaurant, which operated from December 2008 to February 2009 as part of...
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Dear Liz, Liz, Liz, Liz, Liz, Liz. HOW could you? How COULD you? How could YOU? Of ALL people? I am sending you this letter my dearest Lizzie, to tell you that at least one of your devotées – one of your most devoted of devotées, has fallen off the Eat Pray Love bandwagon...
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Chapter 1 in which the author (me) bites the bullet and reads a delightful travel log that has her questioning why she can’t seem to focus her energy and write her own damn travel log…which she knows would be clever and entertaining and would sell in the tens of copies. Chapter 2 in which...
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Love love love Katie Melua. Her new album, “The House” is interesting and hypnotic, anchored by the first release, “The Flood” (see earlier post). Subtle shades of electronica beneath flowing, melodic, artfully structured and sweetly sung songs. The result is unusual and moody. “A Happy Place” is industrial-chic and beautifully shot in what seems...
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Pursuant to my recent post in which my mind has packed its bags and my body just needs to follow…one of the articles of inspiration that Stuart found for me was this piece on the Maharaja’s Express, which sounds to me, like a pretty eclectic and fabulous way to experience India, steeped in rich...
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I have known Melanie for over 20 years. We hung out together when we both lived in NY. Then hung out when we both lived in Venice. She is a colorful girl, at minimum, with the greatest stories ever. She’s worked for the French Film Institute in New York (fluent in five langues, I...
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Everyone needs to listen to this music. Click here to hear Lal Meri’s “Bad Tbings”. I found them on “Music is Eclectic”, about 2 years ago, and immediately downloaded their CD to itunes. Have been a huge fan ever since. Have even sung the praises of Lal Meri in previous posts. Saw them perform...
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On a recent flight to Sydney on Air New Zealand, I experienced for the first time, the power of the pod – Air NZ’s answer to a good night’s sleep at 37,000 feet. Now 3-weeks later, I am dismally confident that this experience has set impossible expectations for all future air travel, and find...
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Shane Koyczan “We Are More” (Click on picture to see video) After watching tonight’s Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies, I have enthusiastically fallen in love with Canada. I am completely overwhelmed by the Canadian spirit – the honesty, the incredible creative talent, the majesty and the life, so beautifully complimented by David Atkins incomparable artistic...
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While working the LA Art Show last week, I met a group of really great people, affiliated with Fabrik Magazine – a 2-year old small-format magazine widely distributed in the LA Area. This is a magazine that supports local artists and galleries, and they appear to be loved in return. “FABRIK magazine covers Los...
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I am lucky to have spent a lot of time on St Barts. People are always surprised when I describe it as a low-key, soulful destination. Particularly at this time of year when we are inundated with photos of the latest celebrity “it couple” cavorting in their barely-there bathers on one of the twenty-odd...
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We are big fans of the documentary in our house, as our Netflix queue reveals. Having a teenager, we certainly see our share of churned-out, hyped-up Hollywood action flicks, don’t get me wrong. But the movie nights that seem to resonate with us are those spent engaged in lives and issues – some very...
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Being a huge fan of scavenger hunts and interactive theater, I was thrilled to discover Shanghai San Francisco, a “walking adventure tour” when Stuart and I were in the city last weekend. It turned out to be such a fun way of spending a Saturday afternoon – but then, cavorting with shady characters has...
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I’ve just returned from a long weekend in San Francisco. Each time I visit the ‘City by the Bay”, I am reminded of how intoxicating this town is. In fact, I will go as far as saying that San Francisco is the most exciting and vibrant city in the U.S., with New Orleans a...
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Boy and his Bowls
Serving up my take on life one bowl at a time
Ramshackle Chic
An eclectic state of mind
An Indian Summer