I love discovering excellent secondary shopping destinations. What do I mean by this? Whenever I have friends heading toNew York, I tell them to avoid the shops around57th Streetwhere all the tourists go (hello, Bloomingdale???s) and head down to lowerFifth Avenue, which is far less crowded and has better sales. Here inLondonI do my best to avoidOxford Streetat all costs and head to High Street Kensington if I want to hit the high street stores- and keep my sanity. Today I was onMarylebone High Streetwhich reminded me of what an excellent one stop shopping and eating destination it is. After a fab brunch at Providores (try the grilled chorizo and poached egg) I popped into Skandium to browse the Arne Jacobsen chairs as I’m looking for a set, and also managed to do a little Christmas shopping in The White Company, Divertimenti and Brissi- and for a Sunday afternoon, it was barely crowded at all.
Photograph of funeral stone at the Institut de l’Monde Arabe, Paris by Jordana Shalhoub
For the Writers Island prompt, “The Gift:”
These linked poems were inspired by this remarkably-preserved stone funeral heart that has withstood ravages of many centuries. While writing the poems, “sailing on a new ocean,” a line from a piece by Kristen Robinson leapt to mind and was incorporated within the poems. These are rough drafts, as thanks to guests, I’ve had little time to myself when I’m not exhausted; therefore, not in full creative mode.
Photo of keyhole window and arch at a Paris mosque by Jordana Shalhoub.
In much of the world, today marks the beginning of Ramadan, a 30-day period for fasting, reflection, prayer and charity. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, also began this week. I am neither Muslim nor Jewish, but my hope is that each religion - including Christianity - shuns the politics of division and looks to the true meaning of their faiths, to forge a path of reconciliation and peace. This is particularly important in Jerusalem and in the West Bank and Gaza, where Arabs and Israelis share a long and troubled history. I’ve written this previously, but it bears repeating: the late King Hussein of Jordan and Yitzhak Rabin of Israel ultimately came to the same conclusion - either the Arabs and Israelis learn to live together, or they will die together. This philosophy applies to us all.
By: John Simmons “Maui No Ka Oi”, translates quite simply to Maui is the Best! And if you’ve ever traveled to the Hawaiian Islands, you know exactly why this catch phrase is so popular- because Maui, also known as the “Magic Isle”, is filled to the brim with art, culture, and enough history to sink a whaling boat.
The island of Maui is the second most popular tourist destination in this south pacific island chain. Nearly 120,000 people call this 727 sq. mile isle their home, while pineapple and sugarcane are still their key exports. 2.5 million visitors each year travel to the golden-white sand beaches, mile-high mountain peaks and scores of breathtaking, natural waterfalls, all creating an ideal backdrop to the most relaxing vacation of your life.
There aren???t too many times where life gives you the opportunity to sleep in a round bed- which is why I couldn???t wait to stay at theMadonnaInninSan Luis Obispo. There really isn???t much to do in this university town (unless you want to wash your clothes at a laundromat or eat cheap sushi)- but it was the perfect stop over for us betweenYosemiteandHearstCastle. TheMadonnaInnis the massive, monstrous and gloriously, unabashedly over the top creation of the late Alex Madonna. Taking design cues from Liberace,Cherand perhaps Liza Minnelli, Madonna adhered to the ???build it and they will come??? school of thought, as the hotel is a destination unto itself. There are 109 individually decorated rooms. Some are quite funky, like Caveman, with ceilings and walls made from rocks, orBuffalo, with (yup) a large buffalo head staring down at you. Other rooms have an extremely loose interpretation of a theme- such as a room decorated ???in the design of Sir Walter Raleigh??? which has lots of patterned fabrics??¦ and absolutely nothing to do with him.
I’m pulling together the final details for a “Think Pink”cocktail party next month, and I’m trying to pin down the Ultimate Girlie Froo Froo Drink. My criteria are:
Must Be Pink Must look good in a martini glass Must be made of easily-found ingredients (i.e. the corner Franprix, or at least a medium-sized Monoprix…) Must be easy to make (no egg whites or sweet and sour mix, etc. I want to be able to pour all of the goodies straight out of a bottle over ice and serve it up!) Must be deelish-ously potent!
Stanley Greene is one of the craziest people I know. He’s usually all in black leather in the dead of summer, toting a kilo of jewelry, sporting strange hats or a newly razed and shiny head and is often just off the plane after a month photographing a war zone. (Photo
To listen to this post in French, click the blue arrow
A while ago, I read one of Millie Garfield’s post that brought back camping memories. You have to understand that, just like her, I am and have always been a city girl. One that hates bugs, isn’t too fond of farm animals, except at a reasonable distance of her camera zoom. Read the rest of this entry »
While writing an article about our city’s clubs ?changistes, I was obliged this week to spend some time rolling around in the webworld of the swinger.
And let me tell you, it is hysterical down there.
This post shall not knock or otherwise comment on the practice of having sex with strangers. What I would like to share is this collection of absurdity that I discovered during the course of my research.
