Summer Vacay

Whether you are looking to lie out on the beach, shop in the hottest areas, or just looking to gain some R&R we have the “Go to List” for summer 2015!

1. Northern Italy is known for their most beautiful cities especially Venice, Florence, and Rome. With easy walking tours, you can enjoy St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Thinking of traveling with that special someone, don’t forget to go on a traditional style, classic gondola ride through the canals and the Grand Canal of Venice.

Florence, Italy has just as much to offer with Piazza della Reppublica, the infamous Piazza Signoria, and make sure you make your way through the Porico of the Uffizi complex that dock at the Arno River. At this river you can visit the “old bridge” also known as the Ponte Vecchio, which is the last bridge to survive after the World War II bombing raids.

“When In Rome…” be sure to stay at the deluxe Rose Garden Palace Hotel located in the heart of Rome.  It has plenty of shops on Via Condotti for a nice day of shopping or tour the Via Veneto!  Either way you choose, Rome has everything you are looking for in a Tuscany vacation. 

2. Barcelona

3. Bali, Indonesia has some of the most splendid beaches and is known for its hindu culture. The beaches of Candi Dasa are volcanic and also offer plenty of snorkeling and diving. If you are looking to have a day without tour guides, Candi Dasa is a good start to adventuring around Eastern Bali.

When you visit Bali, you can have the pleasure of resting at Ametis Villa Bali, which is located on the coast of a small village called Canggu.  Each guest is designated a butler for the entire stay. He is able to assist you with anything including taking guest fishing and bringing it back for the chef to cook.

4. Cambodia

5. Nashville, Tennessee offers the excitement of country music. When staying in Nashville, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is built on 9 acres of indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls and an indoor river. The resort has everything you need from 20,000 square foot spa and fitness center, you never have to leave the hotel.

If you do leave the hotel, enjoy the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and experience music in all genres in Nashville’s Grammy Award-winning Symphony.  Listen to classical masterpieces and exciting new music from today’s greatest artists.  Enjoy wine, beer, and cocktails at the in-house restaurant as well as at all concerts and events.

6. Denver, Colorado

7. Great Barrier Reef of Australia stretches over more than 2,000 kilometers off of the Queensland coastline.  The Great Barrier Reef allows snorkeling, scuba diving or take a beautiful scenic tour across the entire reef.  Relax on the luxurious island of Hayman or island-hop to enjoy each island to its fullest!

If you want to change the scenery of the water, you may want to experience the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree Rainforest.   The Daintree Rainforest is the home of some of the world’s largest range of animals and green life.  If caught at the right time of the season, you possibly will be lucky enough to hear the harmony of migratory birds and watch the beginning of orchids bloom on the coast of the forest.

8. Colombia

9. Istanbul, which is the only city in the world that sits directly in between two continents, is known for being the city that never sleeps! You can literally visit two continents on one vacation; where else can you say that happens? Nowhere!  When guests visit this brilliant city, it is most  likely they will stay in Old City. Old city is where the Byzantine and Ottoman empires’ legacy continues; here you can see the great architecture of Aya Sofya.

Surprisingly, the nightlife is very lively and populated with a young crowd that is increasingly on the international radar. Along with the nightlife, they have nearby restaurants that you don’t want to miss out on you Istanbul vacation.  Istanbul has been rated on the European Capital of Culture in 2010 and continues to grow as a place to see!

10. Egypt


If you plan on vacationing this summer, don’t miss out on one of these marvelous destinations, you will not be disappointed. We hope that these recommendations help you with all of your traveling needs for 2015 and remember to plan according to weather, time, and tourist time to get the best out of your vacation. Enjoy everything you need all in one vacation!

By Andrea Haynes

dIY: home espresso bar

Are you looking for a way to WOW your house guests? Then this is for you. It's typical when guests visit to offer something to drink: juice, water, wine, perhaps a cup of coffee. Imagine being able to offer your company a creamy vanilla latte or a velvety cappuccino, instead of just a regular cup of coffee from your automatic single brewer. You can do just that with this hot home improvement trend: the at-home coffee bar. 

Check out these inspiration photos to get you started. We've also compiled a list of items that you might need:

  • Bar: Repurposed utility cart, unused kitchen counter space or console table, mini fridg
  • Coffee Makers: Espresso machine and steamer, grinder (multiple settings), coffee pot, french press or clever
  • Ingredients:  Espresso beans, coffee beans, milk, creamer, sweetener, flavored syrups, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg
  • Decor: Chalkboard, shelves, decorative mugs 

Zendaya's Red Carpet Look!

Like every year, fans, fashionistas, and girlfriends all gather around the television and anticipate celebrity looks on the “Red Carpet”.  This year, at the 87th Annual Academy Awards, it was nothing short of glamorous, elegance, and pure fashion from our favorite celebs. This year, there was a huge hair trend with the low sleek bun.  

Some of the best beauty looks at the 2015 Oscar’s included, Zoe Saldana, Margot Robbie and Kerry Washington.  We all expected to see sleek pony’s, beach wave hair to the side and classic looks for the biggest award show of the season. Meanwhile, Zendaya broke the beauty pattern giving us long, luscious locks down to her waist. 

Faux locs are in! When Ciara stepped on the scene blasting an instagram post of her long locs, it spread like wild flowers and we’ve also seen celebrities like Kylie Jenner showing off her locs as well, via instagram. Now Zendaya has taken it to the next level by wearing them on the red carpet twisted into a half-up, over-the-shoulder style. She also added stylish jewels to give a bohemian vibe. 

Faux locs are not only gorgeous but are becoming a huge fashion trend everywhere.  If you are thinking of wearing this look, here are some tips and pointers to remember:

  1. It can be Temporary or Permanent: We all remember the sweet Denise Huxtable and how she returned back to the Cosby show with her natural locs. She wore natural, permanently locked hair and still continues to embrace them today.  Temporary locs is a protective hair style that intertwines the natural hair with synthetic hair, which allows versatility. This form usually lasts up to three months with proper care.
  2. Choose Your Color Wisely: With any type of protective styling and weaving, be sure to choose the right color for you! Always consider the weather and season.  For example, the summer is always a great time to add a splash of color in your everyday hairstyle.
  3. Choose a Good Length:  Always remember that the longer the locs, the heavier the hair.  You always want to be sure that the length of the hair is just right and manageable for you.
  4. Selecting the Right Texture:  Keep in mind, the goal is to have the locs to look as natural as possible. When using human hair or even synthetic hair, always get a professional opinion from a licensed cosmetologist, to ensure you achieve the best results. The most popular hair used, is synthetic hair simply because it comes in various textures and is more flexible.
  5. Hair Care:  Faux locs are considered a protective style used to give your natural hair a break from everyday wears.  Remember to moisturize, wash, condition, and use plenty of oil on your scalp.
  6. Confidence:  The most important thing to remember is to feel confident and beautiful at all times. Whatever hairstyle you choose to wear, rock it with the best accessory of all, confidence!

We loved Zendaya’s look and believe that she truly embraced her locs with elegance and class! Stay tuned because we fully expect to see more stars rocking this style come Summer as an alternative to box braids and Senegalese twists.

The Story Behind Diptyque

I've been obsessed with home decor blogs lately and the common accessory in each beautiful posting are the Diptyque candles. Theses candles are either displayed beautifully on their own, or repurposed as a vase! Nordstrom is a retailer of the Diptyque candles, but I needed to understand the brand behind these home smell goods!

source: lomurphy.com

Founded in Paris in 1961 by Christiane Gautrot (an interior designer), Desmond Knox-Leet (a painter) and Yves Coueslant (a theater director and set designer). This trio first started out displaying their artwork and would randomly sell traditional English perfumes. 

About the Design:
"The oval labels echo the shape of an 18th-century medallion, a pattern found on the Prétorien fabric designed by Desmond Knox-Leet in 1963: The broad oval pattern suggests the shields of ancient Rome. It is an emblematic shape, perpetually reinvented and found on all products made by diptyque. The oval is the signature shape of the eaux de toilette bottles and the white porcelain candleholders of the 34 boulevard saint germain line, as well as the scented ovals and solid perfumes. While the dancing letters are a signature of the ovals in the home collection, the back labels of the Eaux de Toilette and Eaux de Parfum shows an illustration of each scent.
The oval label is found on the eaux de toilette bottles and candles." diptyque.com

Understanding the Candle:

"In order to unleash the perfect effect, each candle is a blend of first-class waxes specifically amalgamated and assessed when hot and cold by wax experts. Every scent is blended to reach the right melting temperature. Candles contain 8 to 9 mineral waxes, and on occasion a few plant-based waxes to enhance them." diptyque.com

The Diptyque candles range from $30 to $60. It is definitely worth the investment! 

NYFW Trends

Black, white, & jewel tone colors were seen at the majority of NYFW shows this past week! Fall/Winter 2015 will consist of perfect blend of comfort & chic with a hint of drama. See the roundup below of some of fashion week's hottest looks sourced from Style.com.

Altuzarra A/W '15

Joseph Altuzarra presented his Autumn/Winter '15 collection and it oozes power and classic sex appeal. For this collection, Altuzarra uses delicate fabrics like lace, leather, and silk which pair perfectly with his cornucopia of fur staples. A few of the garments feature elongated key hole necklines which expose a tasteful amount of cleavage, while the frilly turtlenecks, socks and lining give a dainty effect. His signature thigh splits and use of ruffles accentuate movement within the garments. 

The color palette is very rich, featuring ruby, tan, with a splash of standout pastel pieces. His handbags and footwear deserve an honorable mention. The studded lace up boots ranging from ankle grazing to thigh high are guaranteed to be an editorial favorite.  Check out a few of our favorite looks from Altuzarra's A/W '15 collection.

Photos courtesy of Altuzarra & Style.com

Written by Trévon Williams