Travels With Bella Figura USA

Escama Sale at Bella Figura USA

Oh yes - we're having a sale!

All of the eye-catching, eco-chic Escama handbags are on sale in the Bella Figura USA boutique.

Who doesn't love a "green" product?  And who doesn't love a "green" product when it's not only functional, but beautiful, to boot?

Well, that describes the Escama handbags, made of recycled aluminum pop tops: beauty with an edge!

Quantities and colors are limited, so don't delay.  Shop Now!

Cool & Refreshing: the Grapefruit Gimlet

We're in the dog days of summer - hot, humid (at least in our area) and things seem a bit wilted.

That means it's time for a refreshing cocktail!  And today we have one for you, courtesy of the folks at bon appetit magazine (love them!)

The Grapefruit Gimlet

Ingredients:

1/4 C Charbay Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka
1/4 C vodka
!/4 C fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons simple syrup*
Ice cubes
Lime slices (for garnish)

Pour first 4 ingredients in cocktail shaker, and fill with ice.  Cover and shake vigorously for 8 seconds.  Strain into 2 martini glasses.  Garnish with lime slices.

*Simple syrup:  Stir 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons water in small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves.  Bring to a boil, then cool.

And don't forget to serve in some gorgeous Alan Lee martini glasses.  They make everything taste better!

       

Come Visit the Magical La Mamounia in Marrakech

In May, I wrote a post about an auction that was taking place in Marrakech, selling off all kinds of wonderful treasures from the famed La Mamounia Hotel.

The hotel is supposed to reopen this September; and while I'm eager to return, I am anxious about what I'll find.  That's always the problem when you fall in love with a place: will changes destroy your fondness?

But in the meantime, I stumbled upon this little video.  It's lovely: a nice overview of the hotel and the exquisite gardens.

For your pleasure:

The Scents of Summer: Emozioni in Toscana - Natural Soaps from Italy

They say scent memory is the strongest of all our memories.  I've never doubted it. 

Think back to an old love - I bet you can still recall their perfume/cologne.

Or have you ever been in a crowd, caught a whiff of a fragrance and turned to see if it was the person from your memory?  Or maybe you walked into a room and were momentarily startled - startled because it smelled like the house you grew up in.

Yes, scent memory is very powerful.  Why else would fragrance be added to everything from detergents to hotel lobbies?

Here at the boutique, we've all been raving about the wonderful fragrances in our latest sets of organic soaps from our friends at Nesti Dante.  The new collection is called Emozione in Toscana.  The name, itself, is sublime.  These new sets contain six beautiful natural soaps; check out their descriptions:

• The Golden Countryside - nourishing soap
• Mediterranean Touch - invigorating soap
• Thermal Water - therapeutic soap
• Blooming Garden - intoxicating soap
• Villages & Monasteries - relaxing soap
• Enchanting Forest - re-oxygenating soap

Scent memory - powerful, evocative, often romantic.  Emozione in Toscana - powerful, evocative, definitely romantic. 

Romance for $40 a set?  Yeah, I'd say that's a really good deal!

The Ultimate in Travel

If you read this blog even occasionally, you know that we love to travel.

Well, for you, what's your idea of the ultimate in travel?  Maybe a month safari - or trekking through the Himalayas - or a trip around the world?

Normally, we would list earthly journeys; but considering today's date - the 40th anniversary of the moon landing - we're thinking more far out - as in - space.

After all, what kid (or adult, for that matter) watched the moon landing that lovely summer night, and didn't think, "Wow, I would LOVE to go into space."

Yeah, the ultimate in travel?  Got to be space.  And in keeping with all the remembrances of Apollo 11, here's a video from USA Today, taking us back to that thrilling time and that amazing, awe inspiring night.

Pizza on the Grill

OK, I admit it - after finding the cherry pie video, I'm hooked on these barbecue guys and their videos. 

And yes, I've got another one for you, and just in time for the weekend: pizza on the grill.

Now, pizza on the grill, for me, is the height (or at least one of the heights) of fine living.  Why?

Every time I see some oh, so fabulous outdoor kitchen in the magazines or on TV, the owners are always touting how wonderful it is to grill your own pizza.  Even in some novels, the main character (always a fab cook) is making her own dough then flipping it onto the grill.

And the end results always look - or sound - so good!

It's something I've always wanted to try; but I must admit, I've felt intimidated.  Now, Michael Chiarello (Napa Valley chef and catalog king) says to make it easy: just stop by your favorite pizzaria, buy some fresh dough, then at home all you do is roll it out and put on your favorite toppings.

OK - but what about the heat - the coals - or the gas - and the timing?  Argh - you see what I mean.

But, the barbecue guys have come to the rescue.  Our grill master is cooking on a little charcoal grill, and his instructions are pure easy.

So, enough already with expensive pizzas - here's to your own creation on your grill!

And if you want the written recipe, go to BarbecueWeb.com

Bake Pies on the Grill? Check This Out

It's summer, and one of the very best things about summer is cooking on a grill.  Everything tastes better on a grill!

Don't believe me?  Well, I found some guys that absolutely agree with that last statement.  In fact, they posted a video, all about cooking cherry pies on the grill.

That's right - cherry pies!  Check this out - you'll get such a kick out of the "grill master."   (Big guy - with a big knife -  trying to cut relatively dainty dough strips for the top crust.  Who says men can't bake?)   I was smiling through the entire video.

I can't vouch for the recipes as I haven't tried them myself; but they do sound good!  And you can go to www.BarbecueWeb.com to print out the recipes.

Happy Grilling - and Eating!

Join Me - On an Evening in Roma

Well, I raved about the water gardens of Villa d' Este, just outside of Rome, in Wednesday's post.  So, now I'm heading into Rome, the Eternal City, for a little romance and beauty to take us into this weekend.

Now, there are scores of videos on YouTube shot in and around Rome; and many are very good.  However, this particular one captured my fancy.

With a soundtrack by Dean Martin (you can't go wrong with that!) the video is of a group of friends - out, having fun, on a beautiful Roman evening.

Ah, la dolce vita...

And for those who just can't get enough of Rome - and Dean Martin - watch a very clever video with scenes from Roman Holiday, and again, Dean Martin crooning in the background:  Roman Holiday.

Traveling to Italy this Summer? Don't Miss Villa d'Este

Monday's post on unique Abercrombie & Kent journeys, got me thinking about travel.

Of course, it doesn't take much to get me thinking about travel (she wrote with a wink;) and I do enjoy "ranking" sites I've visited.  You know: best food, best hotels, nicest people, etc.

Well, on my list as best gardens: the gardens of Villa d'Este in Tivoli, just outside of Rome.

These gardens are unique - I call them water gardens.  Everywhere you look, there's another fountain, another pool.  Truly unique, and as as the villa is perched on a hill, the views are magnificent.

And Villa d'Este has quite an interesting history.  It was built by a Cardinal, way back when, but this guy, church official notwithstanding, was quite the cad.  He ransacked treasures from Villa Adriana to put in his own place.  And lovely Villa Adriana had been built by the Emperor Hadrian, as his "country place" outside of Rome.

Well, the only thing more I'll say about Cardinal "Sticky-fingers" is that he had good taste!

Here's a delightful video, shot in both Villa Adriana and Villa d'Este, along with views of the gorgeous water gardens.

And one of my favorite photos of the gardens, taken just after sunset, from my own collection:

Vacations With a Higher Purpose

You know we love the tour operators Abercrombie & Kent.  For the second time since 2007 they've been named the Top Luxury Outfitter by National Geographic Adventure.

And while they've always been known for being environmentally conscious, they've got some fascinating journeys for you where you'll not only see beautiful locales, but you'll get involved in philanthropy - get involved in ways that are impossible on the typical vacation.

For instance, there's a journey through Thailand where you'll visit the SOS Foundation of Thailand, which has helped build small villages for homeless Thai children.  You'll participate in teaching the children through music and art lessons, and English lessons.  Cool and worthy!  While there, you'll stay in eco-friendly accommodations, and spend a day as an honorary elephant trainer at an elephant sanctuary.  Uber cool!

Or there's a trip to Pretoria where you choose your participation.  It might be renovating a space for a nursery school, or assisting a healthcare provider during home visits.  Also, you'll take a bush walk with three semi-habituated elephants and their expert guides in order to learn about the work done by the Living With Elephants Foundation, which deals with human/wildlife conflict.

Journeys with purpose - what a great way to spend some time!

For information on the trips mentioned, go to Abercrombie & Kent.

And note that some more upcoming trips include: Conservation Consciousness in the Galapagos and East Africa Conservation Safari.

And just for fun: click on over to Savvy Style to see some beautiful photos of Elle Macpherson on an A&K trip to Egypt (the very same one we went on last summer!)