Australia will knock your socks off.

I'm going to do about 7 posts about Australia b/c it's so freaking amazing... but I thought I'd start with this photo of Mona Vale Beach. 

Breathtaking, right? 

more photos at australianchristmas.shutterfly.com

Weekend in Miami

Miami is the perfect weekend getaway destination. Anyone who tells you it's too expensive to go to Miami hasn't shopped for the right hotel, doesn't know where to spend and where to skimp... and doesn't put a premium on the chance to just slide yourself on to a lounge chair for four hours.

One of my favorites and I popped down to Miami for business and stayed at the standard for three nights. To say it was FABULOUS would be an understatement. Complimentary spa treatments? Complimentary breakfast? Amazing ocean-side pool? for $150 a night... come on! Everything from the kitchen sink was retro, breezy, cool. Effortlessly marvelous. LOVED IT. Below is a photo of the room I stayed in...




We had dinner our first night at the hotel restaurant... great fresh food, warm, welcoming service, awesome cocktails. During our visit we went to the ever-popular and standard lunch spot, News Cafe where we had a bite to eat and watched models at a casting call trapes in and out of the back room on 15 minute intervals. During our whirl-wind tour of Miami, we also went to the infamous and iconic Joe's Stone Crab for some seafood. It was just our luck that they had re-opened for the season THAT NIGHT! Note to all: Joe's never disappoints.




On our last night, we treated ourselves to some cocktails and apps at the over-the-top and magnificent Delano Hotel. What can I say other than...they have some seriously grandeous chairs.

Miami is the new Vegas. Go.

Hot Chicks Travel.

I saw this definition for "hot chick" from the new book How to Love like a Hot Chick and I thought it was so fabulous I'd post it here.

They forgot to mention hot chicks are worldly, independent, have copious amounts of frequent flyer miles, pack well and love to spontaneously hop on airplanes...

Travel

"It is better to travel well than to arrive." Buddha

I enjoy travelling so much I'm doing it for money and with my favorite people on earth. I've decided that before I'm 30 I want to go to every state in the USA, and every continent on earth. This the story of my journey...

Seattle -- Indie Chic

I went to Seattle in autumn. I've been once before to visit one of my dearest and nearest friends, and I have to say, everyday I spend in Seattle is magnificent.

This most recent trip was the most civilized, relaxed and beautiful weekend... and it rained and was cold the whole time!

I feel like everything in Seattle is more intuitive. It is as if everyone has a deeper level to living. Every store front seems unique by just being there. The whole city appears to be on the same organic plan, not only with what they eat but in everything they do. When I am in Seattle it makes me feel as though there is a part of this country that has peacefully revolted against what the rest of us are doing, and decided they weren't going to sellout... even though some of the largest corporations in the country have gotten their start (Microsoft, Starbucks, etc) there.

Above you can see me at the space needle... purse on ground... what is wrong with me? Anyway, our first day in town, my co-worker and I went to the famous and tourist-friendly Space Needle, did a complimentary wine tasting and had fabulous appetizers at the restaurant at the top, Sky City. Very fun. This can be pricey, but we spoke with the concierge and they let us ride up for free and our cocktails and wine were delicious... as were the apps!

The next day we visited the fantastic tourist favorite, Pike Place Market, where we sampled orchard-fresh apples, had fabulous sandwiches and pastries and bought vintage posters from my favorite little shop in the lower level of the market. Below is a photo I took of the unbelievable produce you can see and purchase. The fruits and veggies are like nothing I've ever seen before. so gorgeous!

That night we went to the understated chic, Black Bird Bistro. We shared delicious small plates that were to-die-for. The atmosphere was especially welcoming, warm and bustling. It was the perfect enviornment for whimsical conversation, catching up on years gone by and having a bottle of wine among friends, old or new.

I love Seattle's ability to improve, innovate and make the indie scene so chic and effortless.