Travels With Bella Figura USA

Happy Valentine's Day

And wishing everyone a WARM, cozy day!

Farewell to 2009

Happy New Year!

May Your Days Be Merry & Bright

Merry Christmas!

When The Very Best Sucks

It's been awhile since I've done a rant on Travels - a LONG while.  But now - well, let's just say I can't pass on this one.

Are you a "very best" kind of consumer?  As in, only the very best will do.  Or, I want the most elegant and posh, and oh, it just happens to be uber expensive also.

If so, there's nothing wrong with that.  But those products can also wind up biting you in your ass tutu.  Allow me to explain - and rant.

About a month ago I discovered water in the cabinet under my main kitchen sink.  "Oh great," I thought, "what's going on now?"  You see, this particular sink has a gorgeous Waterworks faucet and hand sprayer.  All well and good...  except - most plumbers have ZERO familiarity with Waterworks products. 

Oh goody, let the fun begin.

Now, I'm not going to bore you with the whole story - I'll cut to the chase:  after two plumber's visits for a cost of $200, and a $25 charge from Waterworks to send me a new doodad (very cheesy on their part since I spent $$$$ on their stuff) the plumber has to come back a THIRD time - another $100 - replace the old part with the new and see, fingers crossed, if that does the trick.

So in other words, it's going to cost me a MINIMUM of $325 to make sure the hand sprayer is working properly and doesn't leak water all over the base cabinet again.

$325 - the entire cost of  many faucets.  This is insane! 

And, we have all Waterworks hardware in the master bath.  And they're complicated!  They're beautiful, yes.  Unique, yes.  But they're a pain in the ass!  And people cleaning your house?  Fuggetaboutit!  The concept of gentle and easy, and let it drip it will stop on its own is completely alien to cleaners.

Not long ago I was talking to a brother in law.  He bought a Bentley a couple of years ago.  A Bentley - gorgeous sedan - ultra luxe.  He loves it - but said to me,  "It's a pain in the ass.  I can't take it to the regular car wash, it has to be hand washed and waxed.  I worry about driving it because of parking.  And maintenance costs - sky high."

Well, obviously none of us are going to cry any tears over his Bentley problems; but his points are valid.  It's a top of the line product - the "very best" - but some things about it just kind of suck.

Getting back to my "problem."  The Waterworks products were not my choice.  Someone else in my household, someone Who Shall Remain Nameless (WSRN) chose them.  Oh yes, I think they're stunning; but WSRN fell in love with the look of them.  WSRN insisted we must have them.  WSRN didn't think ahead to all the problems we would have because so few people understand how they work. 

So, I'll end my rant with this: When you think you have to have "the very best," just remember - having the very best, sometimes sucks.  And when that's the case - is it still the very best?  Hm...  me thinks not!

September 11 - A Day of Remembrance

It's been eight years since the world changed for us.  Yes, now there's "Before 9-11" and "After 9-11."

We remember all those who lost their lives, all those who worked heroically to save lives, and all the families and friends who lost loved ones.

God Bless.

Need a Little Inspiration? Watch This Video

Yesterday I asked the question:  What inspires you?  And my answer was "travel."  (One of a number of things that inspire me.)

Then a friend sent me this video - all about a Delta flight attendant and a little "art project" she started on her flights.  Well, the art project has grown into something very special - and very inspiring.

See for yourself:

But now the update:  the art has been taken to Delta headquarters, and Delta exec's are going to choose a handful of pictures that they like the best.  These, in turn, will be auctioned off for charity.

So, one woman's experiment to add some lightness and joy into her passengers' lives, is now blossoming into an endeavor that will enrich other lives.

Inspirational, indeed.

When Life is Getting You Down, What Feeds Your Soul?

What inspires you - what feeds your soul? 

I don't have just one answer for that question, nor do you, I presume.  But the one thing I will focus on today - one thing that definitely inspires me - is travel.

Travel inspires me in every area of my life: from the way I design my home and gardens, to the way I dress, the accessories I wear, the food I cook, all the way to my outlook on the world - political and otherwise.

And while I hate to admit it, when I haven't traveled in awhile (like right now) I find myself getting cranky - and bored - with everything.  Ennui (I love that word) settles in.  I'm restless, irritated, dissatisfied with most everything.  And yes, that includes my work and everyday life.

A character flaw, perhaps?  I don't know.  But I do know this, nothing delights me more than being in a new place with a culture, language and customs that are different from my own, or returning to a place that I fell for on the first visit.

And with that on my mind, here's a YouTube video of the fascinating city of Istanbul.  I've written about Istanbul before, and posted my own photos, plus photos internet friends have sent in.  Yes, it seems that everyone that goes there, falls in love.  It's one of those places that charms and captivates.

And this is one of the best videos I've seen yet.  So, as we go into the weekend, I give you a little armchair travel: go inside and watch the goldsmiths at the Grand Bazaar, visit the fabulous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, see the spectacular Topkapi Palace.  Visit the city that is both modern and ancient - beautiful Istanbul.  (I'm feeling less cranky already, just watching!)

The Rockets Red Glare

Happy (and safe) 4th of July!

Family Visits From Hell (from the Archives)

Way back, not long after this blog began, I wrote a post on relatives visiting - and the ensuing fireworks.

I was thinking about it because some family members just left my house.  Now, let me say right now, this recent visit was delightful - no stress, no strain, and definitely no fireworks.

However...  that's hasn't always been the case when certain people visit.  In fact, one person is well known for stirring up a hornets nest.  Oh well...  I guess that's their idea of an exciting time.

Anyway, with so many out visiting family this summer, or hosting family members, I felt this was a good time to run the piece again.

And if you have tips that have helped you maintain your sanity during difficult visits - please share.  You'd be helping out LOTS of folks!

Peace And Harmony - Is This Your Family?

Fine living includes celebrating holidays with the family.  But what do you do to keep the “gracious” in gracious living, when every time certain relatives visit, it turns into the Fourth of July?  And I’m talking “mega fireworks.”

 Hm…we experienced this at my house a few days ago; and it made me wonder how others deal with this all too familiar scenario.  After all, we were enjoying delectable foods, delicious French aperitifs and lovely California wines (we include all countries in our imbibing), and a delightful mix of witty, entertaining people – then KABOOM!

 It started innocently enough, and the thoughts expressed had the best of intentions; yet suddenly, there was the sound of very unrefined yelling!  Ah, the senior parent, and the “not too far from being senior” child, at it again.

 Now like everyone else, I want my home to be an oasis of calm, a haven from our bustling, and sometimes rude, daily encounters.  But when you’re dealing with “my way or the highway” types; it’s a real challenge to achieve this state of peace and refinement.  (And when this particular fracas began, the rest of us made ourselves scarce to avoid the ricochet).

 Short of declaring “time outs” and sending the offenders to their rooms (fat chance when dealing with feisty adults); what’s one to do?   I love Mark Sichel’s “The Ten Commandments of Family Harmony”.  The first one: Thou shalt zip it – just makes me smile.  Seems so simple – and yet…  (You can find all Ten Commandments at http://www.sideroad.com/Family_Life/family-harmony.html).

 So, I’d love to hear how others have successfully dealt with this common problem.  And then I can work to put those suggestions into practice, and keep my home a paragon of fine, gracious living!

Rest in Peace: Michael Jackson - Farrah Fawcett

This week is ending on a sad note, as two icons died yesterday: the uber talented Michael Jackson, and the ever fascinating actress/artist, Farrah Fawcett.

Do you remember this charming, adorable kid? 

And how about this Angel?

They will never be forgotten. Rest in peace...