Travels With Bella Figura USA

Welcome

We’re delighted you’ve discovered our blog – the “companion” to the Bella Figura USA website.  Join us in our journeys as we explore beautiful locales, and reveal wonderful treasures made by  fascinating artisans.  We’ll share with you the "favorite things" from our travels; and we hope you’ll join the conversation and tell us about your favorites too.  And closer to home, we’ll share some of our everyday “adventures.”   Adventures that are familiar to  us all.  Adventures that are sometimes fun and amusing, sometimes educational, and at other times – well, let’s just say a sense of humor is a great asset!  Now let the journey begin…

Love To Shop? Try This Bazaar!

We're away in Egypt...

Today we're back in Cairo and shopping again at the fabulous Khan el-Khalili Market.

Visit the bazaar with us through this video on the Travelistic website: Egyptian  Market

Natural Beauty In The Valley Of The Sun

We're still in Egypt, but in the meantime...

More gorgeous photos taken in Phoenix & Scottsdale, profiling the wonderful desert landscape.

   

And some wonderful pics from the Butterfly Pavillion at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Photos courtesy of Donna Parry, www.parryphoto.com  (Be sure and click on photos for full image.)

Dreams Of Africa

We're still in Egypt, but in the meantime...

We haven't returned home yet; but we're already thinking and plotting about the next big trip!  Just can't help it - it's the curse of all those with wanderlust.

At this point, the number one place that keeps popping up in our thoughts is southern Africa - maybe Tanzania and Botswana?  Ooh yes, a safari!  Nights in tents under the stars (but extremely well appointed tents, por favore), sipping champagne on a savannah, awesome and majestic animals in their natural habitat...  My head starts to spin just thinking about it.

And as luck would have it, Bella Figura USA's good friend Donna Parry traveled on two safaris a few years back.  Donna went to Botswana and Kenya for her treks; and raved about them both.

So to get everyone dreaming about the possibilities, and whet the appetite of those who might not be so inclined, she's sent us some fabulous photos taken on her safaris.

       

Ah, the majestic lions and sleek giraffes.  And  of course there are the babies!   They always look so cute and cuddly - amazing how quickly they grow into creatures that you wouldn't want to happen upon all by yourself!

If you have a safari story you'd like to share, send us an email.  We'd love to hear your tips, suggestions, funny stories, or any terrifying tales!

And if you've traveled with a safari outfitter that you loved - let us know.  (And vice versa, if they were lacking, we certainly would like to hear about that too.)

(Safari tent photo courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent)

Luxury In The Valley Of The Sun

We're away in Egypt, but in the meantime...

Our good friend Donna Parry had asked us awhile back about places to eat in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, as she and her husband were traveling there over spring break.

Donna stayed at the lovely Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, and she shared these beautiful photos with us.

 

The Phoenician is located at the base of Camelback Mountain, and is a paradise for the active traveler.  The resort has its own 27 hole championship golf course, nine swimming pools, and a "Tennis Garden."  And for those who prefer their activity to be a bit less "sporty" there's always the peaceful spa, "The Centre For Well- Being."    In addition to a fitness studio, the spa features whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, Swiss showers, a Meditation Atrium and the Waters Bar featuring complimentary refreshments.  Oh yeah - not a bad way to wile away the hours!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mothers, grandmothers and wonderful women who have loved and nurtured children over the years, we salute you and wish you the happiest of days.

Happy Mother's Day!

Classic & Sophisticated - The Gilroy

While we're in Egypt...

We're still celebrating.   And here's a really lovely, classic cocktail that will make any party!

Gilroy Cocktail

1 1/2  oz. gin
3/4     oz. Cherry Herring
1/2     oz. dry vermouth
1/2     oz. fresh lemon juice
1       dash orange bitters

Shake with ice and strain into a stemmed cocktail glass.

(From the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book)

Birthday Celebration - Egyptian Style

Yes, today I'm celebrating yet another birthday, but what a wonderful place to celebrate!  Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs.  So I'm popping a champagne cork and christening myself the new Queen of the Nile!  Yeah, yeah yeah - so I'm pale, and blond, and American, and a little too old to be the reincarnated downfall of Caesar and Marc Antony!  But let's not split hairs... 

   

(Scenes from the beautiful Mena House Oberoi - Giza, Cairo, Egypt - the first stop on the journey.)

Now, if only all of you were here with me to join in the celebration - what a party that would be!

Treasures Of The Nile

You all know by now that we're departing this week for a buying trip to Egypt.  And you already know all about some of the unique, artisan products produced in the "Land of the Pharaohs" because of the items we already carry in the store.

Some of the items you've loved the most have been the handsome boxes, inlaid with abalone and mother of pearl.  We are crazy about those too.  Who doesn't love a beautiful, decorative box?  After all, you always need "vessels" to hold the odd and ends around the home.  So we'll be on the hunt to find any that are new and exciting.

And we certainly don't need to tell you  what wonderful glass the Egyptians produce!  You've chosen many of the charming handcrafted perfume bottles for your boudoir, and you went wild for the spectacular holiday ornaments.  (We are enchanted with those little works of art!)

Between camel rides, checking out tombs and sighing over the pyramids, we are most anxious to visit the master artisans and wile away the hours at the renowned Khan el-Khalili market.

So more beautiful products to come...

Cinco de Mayo!

We love any reason for a celebration, and today we say a rousing Happy Cinco de Mayo to all our amigos, amigas and friends near and far!

(I grew up in the Southwest and I've had the honor - and fun - of attending a number of the May 5 celebrations.  But for our friends that may not be as familiar with the holiday, Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862.)

(Photo courtesy of pdphoto)

Honor Thy Mother

Everyone's familiar with the old line, "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."   Well, I would say that a woman scorned is a walk on the beach compared to a mom that's been forgotten on Mother's Day.

That's right, next Sunday the eleventh of May is Mother's Day; so do yourself a favor and if you haven't already purchased a "memento" or ordered some flowers - get to it!  You don't want the "Death Star" to be fired in your direction.

We love the flowers from our friends at Teleflora - they always have really creative and charming arrangements with very fresh flowers.  We've been checking out different designs, and these are a few of our favorites:

       

We also love a few of the more "non-traditional"  arrangements.  These three are quite exceptional:

       

And don't forget your wife, gentlemen.  If the kiddos are too young to do the selecting and shopping for themselves, this is another chance for you to be "heroic."   After all, you too want to have a lovely Sunday, and I think most people are also familiar with this old line, "if Mama ain't happy - ain't no one happy!"

So whether you go the flower route, brunch, gifts... it doesn't really matter.  Just make sure that the mom, grandmother, auntie...  the special woman who kept you on track - knows that you're thinking of her!

If you're interested in any of the arrangements above (or to view all of Teleflora's beautiful flowers), just click on the Teleflora box in the right sidebar.

Get Your Julep On!

The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow - and if you're still looking for that perfect mint julep recipe, look no further.  This recipe is courtesy of Jane Linton, and we LOVE it because it serves 44!  Jane knows how to prepare for a party!

Here's Jane's recipe for Southern Delight Mint Julep:

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water (branch water is ideal)
Fresh Mint
Crushed Ice
Kentucky Bourbon (2 ounces per serving)

Make a simple mint syrup* by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes; cool. Place in a covered container with 6 or 8 bruised mint sprigs. Refrigerate overnight.
Make a julep by filling a julep cup* or glass with crushed ice, then adding 1 tablespoon of mint syrup and 2 ounces of bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost outside of cup or glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig..

*This makes enough syrup for about 44 juleps.

Extra Tips:

Always use a premium Kentucky bourbon

Use crushed or shaved ice and pack in cup.

To bruise mint, place in a cup and gently pass the back of a spoon between cup and the leaves a time or two. You want the mint to release some of the fragrant oils.

Add a straw cut to protrude just above the rim of the cup and serve. You should be able to  get a faint whiff of the mint sprig when you're sipping.

Keep the covered syrup in the refrigerator (after removing the mint leaves) if you don't plan on drinking all the servings.. Enjoy later....

For all the Derby news, be sure and check out the official website.

And I can't help but think of the lovely, belated Dan Fogelberg, and the song he wrote for the little philly that won a long time ago -  Run For The Roses:

          And it's run for the roses as fast as you can
          Your fate is delivered, your moment's at hand
          It's the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance
          And it's high time you joined in the dance
          It's high time you joined in the dance 

Taking A Short Break To Cruise The Nile

A "heads up" to all our wonderful friends and valued clients: we're shutting down the Bella Figura USA store from Sunday, May 4 through Sunday, May 18. 

We're off on a buying/sightseeing trip to Egypt, and rather than having anyone moping because they were left behind and still had to slave away - it's break time for all!

We apologize for any inconvenience, but promise that we'll come back with all kinds of new, exquisite handcrafted Egyptian products. 

So look for the shopping cart to be operational again on Monday, May 19.  We look forward to hearing from you when we return.