Sunday, January 31, 2010

Anthropologie goes Cirque!

I was so excited to go to my mailbox today and find the February Anthropologie catalog. Always a treat! I'm going crazy over it since it's a circus theme. I recently blogged about the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas "Cirque" decor, now here it is in Anthropologie, but with apparel. What a brilliant team of people at Anthro. Always in for a surprise and never disappoints!

the catalog cover -- LOVE it!

Looks like stripes are back, and ruffles are here to stay for awhile with these fun tops...


Whimsical shoes with names like, 'Intermission Heels', 'Acrobatic Wedges', and 'Come One Come All', it's sounding like a circus!


Love the "Santa Clara Clutch." Painted ponies spin 'round and 'round atop this slim leather purse, inviting you to store tickets stubs and circus peanuts in its confines.



So stop clowning around and go visit The Greatest Show on Earth at Anthropologie! See the entire line of new arrivals and even flip through the catalog!


photos from Anthropologie

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Thank you and Dungeness Crab...


It's been one of those dreary days outside, putting me into one of those "deep thinking" modes. I think you can relate to this kind of day. The kind when something is just gnawing at you.

I was pondering...what is happening to the Art of Gratitude? The lost art of letter writing? If a gift is given, or a kind act is bestowed, isn't it important to recognize the thoughtfulness of the giver with a short note of appreciation, or at the very least, a phone call or email?


One of my favorite stories is about a family friend, (let's call her "Mildred"), sending fresh Dungeness crab every year to some members of my family back east (let's call them "the Smiths"). Every year it was the same, Mildred sent the box of fresh crab and never received a thank you or acknowledgment from the Smiths. Year after year Mildred wondered if the Smiths had received the crab. When finally asked by another family member, Mrs. Smith replied, "If someone gives something with the expectation of a thank you, they shouldn't give it. I just don't have the time to reply. We have such a busy life." Well, I hope you know how the story ends. Mildred never sent the crab again.

Perhaps I'm from an older generation that were taught since childhood to send thank you notes for gifts we received, or call someone to thank them for the dinner party we attended the previous night. I still think it's the right thing to do. It only takes a moment. And, how many times do we get disappointed when someone doesn't acknowledge something we've done, even though we're not doing it to get something back in return?

Okay, I'll get off of my soap box now. Promise. Let me sign off by giving you a BIG THANK YOU for reading my blog, leaving comments when I may not have time to reciprocate (I hope I'm not sounding like Mrs. Smith), and sharing your stories. I'm already starting to feel brighter!

Have a great weekend!

photo credit 1. Darwin Bell, 2.
Taste SF

Thursday, January 28, 2010

VFM platform Leonard chose SLH manage and distribute images of over 500 hotels-hotel

VFM platform Leonard chose SLH manage and distribute images of over 500 hotels, whose name is also the exclusive provider of rich media distribution services for a hotel SLH.-hotel



VFM Leonardo, the leader in online distribution of visual content for hotels, today announced that Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) VScape adopted (R) digital asset management system. SLH, a brand more than 500 hotels in over 70 countries, the Enterprise version VScape used to manage photos for distribution to hotels and VNetwork (TM), formats and delivery methods are needed.
VNetwork is the largest distribution network of Internet content to the Visual travel industry and includes all four GDS and Pegasus and thousands of third-party sites and channels, including Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, TripAdvisor, and, as such, Images Hotel SLH reach as many sites related to travel buyers, in light of a single hotel with a site on a site that offers affordable prices.
"SLH visual and an important part of customer experience, allowing users to see what makes this hotel unique, based on experience of luxury that offer more than this book. VFM Leonardo will help us make our hotels offer images are still available and updated using the Web sites of clients in the choice of hotel, "said Paul Kerr, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the world.
SLH also selected and approved by VFM Leonardo, the exclusive provider of rich media to their property. Various properties of SLH to solve their presence on the travel sites to distribute their photos and multimedia display multimedia VNetwork VFM Leonard VBrochure online merchandising system that is fully integrated into the West VScape strengthened.
"We call on the hotels on the video and virtual tours of goods, using their best online hotel discount. VFM Leonard VBrochure on-line merchandising system allows us to distinguish between customers and travel to the hotel with a stimulating effect visual, "says Kerr. "We are pleased to SLH contributed to improving the online visual representation of the hotel. In the era of digital technology, but consumers do their shopping at several places in the hotels that stand out, and report on a stimulating experience. We believe that greater exposure to online content SLH VR at home and lead to more revenue can be used, "said Paolo Boni, President & CEO, VFM Leonardo.
About Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (TM) (SLH) brand is a unique portfolio of some of the best in the world of small, independent hotels. With more than 500 hotels in over 70 countries, the diversity of individual hotels, and the experience they offer is exceptional. From the modern design hotel for the houses, the palaces of the 17th century, the temples of the city of islands, historic home in the idyllic resort offers a Small Luxury Hotels of the world for the better. Reservations can be made at any Small Luxury Hotels of the World in property www.slh.com. Travel agents need only luxury GDS code LX.

About VFM Leonardo
VFM Leonardo is the leader in content management and Internet transmission of audio-visual aids. VScape VFM Leonardo da Vinci (R) and VBrochure (TM), uses the distribution possibilities VNetwork (TM), generally accepted as the largest network of online distribution of visual content for the global travel industry, including all four Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and Pegasus-travel-related channels, including online travel agencies, research and websites of travel suppliers, search portals and travel agencies more important. VFM Leonardo Hotel offers systems industry more efficient management of digital resources and merchandise are now available online and provides more efficient 1000000 (photos photos, virtual tours and videos) are more than 30,000 channels of travel websites including which VNetwork Amadeus Galileo, Saber, Worldspan, Pegasus, Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, TripAdvisor, Yahoo! Travel, kayak, Google and more than 90,000 hotels around the world. Visit for more information on Leonardo www.vfmleonardo.com VFM . Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com / VFMLeonardo.

Media Contact:
Julie Vieth
Toll free: 1-877-593-6634
Phone: 416-263-5446
Fax: 416-593-7572
E-mail: press@vfmleonardo.com

The Most Beautiful Jewelry Store in the World

I just love vintage postcards. Especially the brilliant old linen ones. There's nothing like the old color and detail of these cards.

I recently purchased this postcard at the Vintage Paper Faire in San Francisco. It was from "A. Andrews' Diamond Palace" in San Francisco, a shop that existed turn of the 19th century. As far as postcards go, it was sort of on the costly side, but it's just beautiful.

From here. "Like the fine diamonds and beautiful pocket watches he sold, his store was no less spectacular. Located at 50 Kearny Street, a landmark was built. Beautiful paintings adorned the tall ceilings supported by marvelous pillars. Mirrors were everywhere, reflecting the elegance of the display cases that were filled with only the finest articles of adornment that had been procured form the four corners of the world."

Wish there was a diamond palace like this now!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

American Pickers


I just finished watching "American Pickers" on the History Channel. I missed the premiere last week. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, a duo of antiques dealers and treasure hunters, are on a labor of love mission to recycle America's past. They dig through junk piles, abandoned barns and basements for hidden memorabilia. Kind of like the antiques roadshow, but a much funkier travel version.

I'm not quite sure if I like the show or not. Perhaps I need to see some more episodes. Has anyone seen it yet? What do you think?

I appreciate the History Channel's
new “National Treasures” programming genre in which relics belonging to everyday people tell a history of America.

American Pickers airs Monday evenings on the History Channel. Check your local station (if in the US) for times, and let me know what you think!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Pretties...

Ha Ha! Surprise! I'm dating myself, but did any of you use to paint rocks in the 19**'s? I stumbled upon these going through my grandmother's house, and I can honestly say that art was not, and is still not one of my strong suits!



Look at this pretty rock (above) that my cousin painted. Now there's some talent.

So... no more lady bugs, feet or finger rock painting for me. That career is way over!

photo credit: me. If you must, feel free to share on any site you'd like.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Hotel Montana news update-Battle in Hotel Montana-hotel


hotel montana Haiti Port-au-Prince, on tv

Hotel Montana news update-Battle in Hotel Montana-hotel

Today our journey took us to the famous Hotel Montana, once considered one of the best hotels in the world. Only ten minutes from downtown Port-au-Prince, on the busy streets of the Haitian capital, hundreds thought dead in his crumpled walls. When we approached the hill, the smell of death hung in the air. There was no protection for the smell of corpses buried under the rubble. Family members gathered at the steel door, tall with barbed wire. UN troops conducted door to the compound, as if it were a prison, rather than the rent and face. We have said from the stage of a commander Rodrigo Vazquez UN personnel, which allows our cameras to give the first in a week, the hotel was freezing contacts with the media after the earthquake. E 'became clear that relief efforts had been slow in the absence of heavy equipment for search and rescue assistance. Crane has been placed in a hotel on private charity available. This morning, the wife of Chilean General of the United Nations pulls the lifeless body of rubble. The American observer, who came to oversee the operations of search and rescue, the family, not enough has been done for their loved ones is quoted said that the Chilean armed forces are not focusing on the priorities save all lives. He said the armed forces of the United States only to save the life of education of women is concerned. The only thing that was obvious to this observer that the workers are tired and do everything possible to find survivors. However, with 6 floors and is located at the top of each other and with another copy of this morning, only garbage seal Crushed In addition, hope is fading at the Hotel Montana.

Séisme Haiti Port-au-Prince, France 2 20h by Planete Vivante.
Hotel Montana Haiti, Port-au-Prince Google Earth
Copie écran 20h France2



ดูแผนที่ขนาดใหญ่ขึ้น

Friday, January 22, 2010

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Insanely Fun Pillows!


So... I'm reading The Bedlam of Beefy's blog (aka Uncle Beefy), and I stumble upon these whimsical pillows from Bonjour Mon Coussin. Stopped me in my tracks! Leave it to the French to create something so fun. Wish I had a spot for one.


You have the "yummy theme" series...
The "type theme" series...
The "vintage theme" series...
And so much more! Check out their site here for all of their designs...

Mexico City Hotels | Discount Hotel Room-hotel


Cheap Hotels room
Mexico City Hotels | Discount Hotel Room-hotel

JW Marriott Hotel

The luxurious 5-star JW Marriott Hotel in Mexico is an ideal place for business travelers and leisure travelers. I took a trip to Mexico and stayed at this hotel, located near the city's financial center, Auditorio Nacional and major shopping centers and main tourist attractions in Mexico. I stayed at Executive Lounge, which was surprisingly flat with marble bathrooms, bathrobes, bath and separate shower two mini-bar, refrigerator and a fully equipped kitchen. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I had my coffee in the bar usually point in the sky. The sea-appetizing meal in the restaurant Brasserie Lip was delicious and very seductive and divine.

A perfect stay in one of the very rich and luxurious hotels in Mexico.

Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel

We stayed at the Hotel Sheraton Maria Isabel during our trip to Mexico. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is located near the famous Angel of Independence, Casa de Bolsa, and much more. We enjoyed a delicious Italian meal in the restaurant Friends. The food at the sushi bar @ Link offers tasty Japanese cuisine like sushi nigiri, sushi maki, Uramaki, temaki, sashimi, sunomi, and umeboshi Kakiague was heavenly. The Link @ Sheraton is a perfect place for coffee and Wi-Fi to relax. The rooms in the hotels were comfortable Sheraton Sweet Sleeper (SM) Bed, Wireless High Speed Internet Access, Wake-up service, bathrobe, minibar and satellite TV.

Galeria Plaza Hotel

Our stay at the Galeria Plaza hotel in 3 days have been pleasant. The hotel is located close to the most exclusive restaurants, shops and major attractions in Mexico. After the bustle of sightseeing in general, we would relax in the lobby bar. We stayed in a deluxe room at the hotel with impeccable

Modern amenities such as cable TV and satellite TV, minibar, air conditioning, Hairdryer, Wake Up Service / Alarm Clock, radio, iron and ironing board and coffee maker. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful the few who had ignored a bit 'sometimes arrogant. After a drink at the lobby bar the tranquil atmosphere, we are led to the restaurant Cava Baja in traditional style, offering Mexican and international cuisine taste, two. Sun deck on the roof was the best place, offers a spectacular view of Mexico.

Four Seasons Hotel

It 'been a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico. The impressive hotel building with a large decorative fountain in the middle of the garden was amazing. It 'was a house with an immaculate facilities and the staff very personal at the hotel. We were very hungry and went into the restaurant Reforma 500, and had Mexican food, juice, Ranchero style contain eggs, tortillas, coffee or tea. Omelet mozzarella, tomato, onion and french fries were really attractive, and we could not resist to order. After a hearty breakfast in the restaurant, we went to our room which had all the modern amenities and bathrooms with marble floors and a large bathroom. The balcony of our room overlooked the large adjacent areas of Mexico as the legendary Chapultepec Park and Castle and it was a shattering experience!

Save time and money in 2010, with hotels and transfers from Hotels4u.com-hotel


,
Cheap Hotel
s room
Save time and money in 2010, with hotels and transfers from Hotels4u.com-hotel

LONDON, December 17 / PRNewswire / - Worldwide Hotels Hotels4u.com provider allows guests to save time and money to arrange travel plans in 2010 with its mix of housing and transport services. With more than 45,000 hotels, the site already too many cheap hotels of good quality (http://www.hotels4u.com) all over the world, but less well known known is their ability to provide airport transfer cheap and convenient with its Transfers4u. com service.
Transfers4u.com 's and offers many targets have been fully integrated transport Hotels4u.com tourism website at low prices on a wide range of popular destinations such as Spain, Greece and Egypt to agree on this with their hotels. The site was recently updated Hotels4u.com liked it even easier to find and organize transfers of localities (http://www.transfers4u.com) with the possibility of common carriage or private, when arranging the booking process of 'accommodation.
Steven Moore, director of e-commerce Hotels4u.com, said: "Many people think that after a long and tiring flight, the last thing they want to arrange transportation from the airport - especially when the words of others, the payment of inflated prices is a taxi if a shuttle service by reservation would be much cheaper. For this reason, we offer you the possibility to organize the transfers in advance at the same time as the booking of hotels.
"Winning the treatment of the hotels and transfer all makes sense, both financially and time average. Our strong relationships with the hotels and transport operators around the world that we can negotiate to transfer some of the best.
"Obviously, if people prefer to deal with various aspects of their vacation, you can do, even after Transfers4u.com and book a hotel, regardless of traffic. They are still the same good prices and are always able to find shipments quickly and safely and easily via the website. "
For more information on transfers of last resort or hotel deals, (http://www.hotels4u.com) all over the world visit http://www.hotels4u.com.
About Hotels4u.com
Hotels4u.com specialist offering cheap hotels in destinations around the world. From the beach resort, protect the hotel rooms in town, and winter retreats and luxury at affordable prices, providing companies and money transfers, more than 45,000 hotels. The book itself is simple and fast, thanks to Thomas Cook UK and Ireland can benefit Hotels4u.com years of experience and award-winning service, customer confidence book. For more information, please visit the http://www.hotels4u.com

Steampunk. You Like?

Photo by PanzerKitty

I keep hearing the term "steampunk" and wondering what the heck it is. So, I did a little researching...


Clockwise: brass tag locket pearl charm necklace,
dayslonggone; Marie Antoinette frilly couture boot cuffs, Black Orchid Designs; Victorian top hat, topsyturvydesign; Steampunk jewelry, Steampunk supply, Steampunk cufflinks; London Particulars; Victorian top hat with steampunk decoration, poppenkraal.

The wiki dictionary defines Steampunk as "a sub-genre of science fiction and speculative fiction, frequently featuring elements of fantasy that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date."

Black Lace neck corset by decadentdesignz


The combination of old-school gadgets and dapper Victorian fashion is right at home with the steampunk and neo-Edwardian creations of Etsy sellers.


Steampunk solid brass goggles by ErihMann

Antique Wrench - Tinkers Toolbox

So tell me, what do you think of steampunk?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

watch Hotel Montana News Before and After haiti earthquake Photos-hotel

watch Hotel Montana News Before and After haiti earthquake Photos-hotel







pool party at the Hotel Montana








Protesters take over upscale Hotel Montana
where U.S.-imposed election officials were
preparing to announce final results Feb. 13.















a view of the city, mountains, and bay.











This aerial photo shows the ruins of Montana Hotel, the former five-storey hotel in Haiti following the earthquake with a magnitude of 7 MW (W: DE: moment magnitude scale) January 12, 2010, 21:53:10 and 16:53: 10 UTC time clock.

Monday, January 18, 2010

watch Hotel Montana News vedio Before and After the earthquake-hotel

watch Hotel Montana News vedio Before and After the earthquake-hotel










Before the earthquake

Inside the Hotel Montana in Petionville, Haiti


Inside the Hotel Montana in Petionville, Haiti 2







After the earthquake

International rescue team arrived today in Haiti, where tens of thousands of people who fear for their lives after the earthquake of 7.0 struck Tuesday (January 12).
Members of the French rescue service, safety on the basis of civil Brignolles hit the ground ready for search, rescue and recovery.



Michael Gilbert, a member of the French team said they were digging and listen to heavy equipment, adding that they were also doctors, nurses and medical equipment to treat victims.
Hotel Montana had 300 people in the earthquake, 100 were saved, 200 people were trapped inside.
Chilean contingent of peacekeepers, many of whom arrived last week, helped the wreck of research at the Hotel Montana and the people of life, including a small child.
Many people were digging the grave, because there is no state authority left and there are thousands of bodies were strewn in the streets.




Looking for ALEXANDRE BITTON (02-Oct-73); 6' tall; 250 lb; Short dark hair; dark eyes; Last known location was the Montana hotel lobby / A la recherche de ALEXANDRE BITTON (02-Oct-73); 6 pieds; 250 lb; cheveux et yeux foncés; Était dans le lobby de l'hôtel Montana au moment du séisme


Sunday, January 17, 2010

Saving Lives in Haiti Shattered Hotel Montana-hotel

Saving Lives in Haiti Shattered Hotel Montana-hotel


Approximately 2 1 / 2 days after the earthquake destroyed the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince, a member of a search and rescue teams from St. u. Virginia Dan Wooley debris.

Wooley is one of seven people dragged crushed by Montana - once one of the best hotels in the Haitian capital - for rescue teams to the elite in France, Spain and the United States and working conditions into the night Friday morning.

Before Wooley, rescue team from Fairfax County in Virginia was abolished Mondesir Haitian lucson huge pile of concrete.

Wooley and Mondesir were captured along the adjacent shaft. In the dark, spoke with each other and promoted until rescuers arrived.



When Wooley created Mondesir - in his uniform covered with dust boy Bell - is out to say goodbye. And for the first time might be.

"It's so good to meet you," said Wooley Mondesir.

The two men profoundly transformed into rubble by the end of two elevator shafts, which his side. Mondesir said darkness was terrible, and started hallucinating. He said that Wooley and encouraged each other during the race.

Wooley, the leg was injured in a clinic Spirited Away. But Mondesir toured to request pictures of rescue workers and speak with the press. Wooley said he always believed that it would be saved.

Rescuers worked overnight to groped at least eight people are still alive in the rubble of the hotel to reach.

Reinhard Riedl said his wife, co-owner of Montana Hotel Nadine Cardoza-Reidl, was one of those trapped under the rubble. Riedl was standing in front of a large slab of concrete that extends beyond the roof of the hotel. And waited.



"My wife is still alive. He was very confident this morning. And yesterday, together, they do not know where he is, actually. So now I feel relieved, and everything else is secondary," said Riedl said.

To bring the search and rescue teams have been part of the wreck to reach pockets where people are still alive.

Klieger under the lights, the crew dug and the pile of concrete blocks.

"It 'pretty amazing to walk in the darkness and neutralize see a part of a man. It' always strange to see a show," said Gray Sun, a firefighter in Fairfax County, Virginia

Gray said the team had three days in a row and I managed to shoot three people to live forever. But he said it was difficult to enjoy success, because there is so much destruction and death all around them - even among the rubble.

"E 'beside the bodies of persons [who] are still alive - just by one more - and have a life, we must not live. And, of course, which is a very big impact," said he.

Throughout the capital of Haiti, the buildings collapsed - some complete, others only partially. I remember an unknown number of people were trapped and are still in ruins.

Search and rescue teams are trying to extract a group of people in a supermarket. After the earthquake, to help the calls from their mobile phones.
Many buildings collapsed and many people are missing, it is possible that thousands of people have survived the earthquake but were caught somewhere in the rubble.

Riedl gave his vigil for his wife Friday. There was the word that, despite his initial optimism, has died, apparently in the merger, and his body was still at the hotel.

He said it could be up to three or four days to get them out, because all the debris.

Riedl threw now fears that his wife might get somewhere in a mass grave. He joined thousands and thousands of Haitians who mourn for their relatives.

Returning to the hotel to try to ensure that the bodies of his wife was duly supported.

A Gift from Julia Morgan

Telechron 'Globetrotter" World Time Clock 1937-39

Some of you may have read my blog post about my grandmother, "Bannie," recently passing away. Well, I've had the difficult task of going through her belongings, which include my own items that I've stored at her house since childhood. It's been a hard task, but with some unexpected bittersweet findings.

As we were going through her things, my husband stumbled upon this clock. I hadn't remembered seeing it before. It was certainly handsome, with a wonderful Art Deco look. I turned the clock around, and Bannie had written and attached this note (below) on the back. It was given to my great grandfather (her father) from renown architect Julia Morgan. My great grandfather, Sam Berger, a woodcarver from Romania, collaborated with Julia Morgan on Hearst Castle in San Simeon. In fact, he used to spend entire summers working there. I have fond memories of him. He died when I was 10.


Needless to say, I was in awe thinking that this clock, dating to 1937-39, stayed in the family for all of these years. And, a gift from the late, great Julia Morgan. It was wonderful going through certain items and seeing notes that my grandmother had left. It's as if she was talking to us, telling us what everything was, and where or whom they were from.


A real treasure was this carved table and mirror, given to my grandparents as a wedding gift from my great-grandparents. Entirely hand-carved by my great-grandfather, Sam Berger. I have always admired it since childhood.

Berger as a young man (on right) in his workshop in San Francisco

Samuel Berger emigrated to San Francisco in 1904 from Bucharest, Romania, where he learned his trade as a second generation wood carver. I did a post awhile back about some of Sam's woodcarvings for Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.


He carved for California's most beautiful public and private buildings. His works can be found in many churches in San Francisco including, Grace Cathedral, Basilica of Mission Dolores, St. Peter and Paul's, Star of the Sea, St. Cecilia's and St. Brigid's, to name of few.

The table and mirror were one of few items he carved for family and not commercial projects.

This was the first thing you saw when you entered my grandparent's home. Left to me, it's the first thing you see upon entering my house now. When it first arrived I was weeping like a baby. All I could think of is, This shouldn't be here. It's my grandmother's. But, now as I stare at it and touch it, I have fond memories of my grandparents and great-grandparents. Its beautiful detailed carving tells stories of past generations, and I'm honored to have it and will cherish it.

I hope you don't mind me sharing a bit of my family history with you. I miss my grandmother terribly, and hoping that going through these pieces and reading her notes will be comforting.