good luck deluxe

Hey PETA fanatics, don’t beat me with a stick for posting about this beautiful leather luggage. I’m just the messenger!

Uppercase sells the cutest merchandise! Few words need to be said about these travelers’ treats!

Distinguished Mini Case

Refined Trolley Case

Sophisticated Briefcase

Another from the Sophisticated Briefcase collection

Can Uppercase’s products get any cuter?!

In the interest of informing all of my readers (not just my supremely affluent, well-heeled bunch), I thought I’d share today’s lucky find: Yachtstore, Ltd. - luxurious yacht vacations for all!

I also realize that my most elite demographic may have the means to own a yacht, but might not welcome the maintenance and responsibility.

Well, have no fear, because Yachtstore is here!

How it works, per their site…
Despite its reputation as an exclusive treat for the rich and famous, chartering a luxury crewed yacht offers a unique vacation experience, comparable in price to first-class ski, golf and beach resorts. In fact, yacht charters are available in most parts of the world for as little as $200 per person, per day.

Yachtstore makes arranging your first yacht charter easy. Combining decades of experience with access to every charter yacht and crew worldwide, we deliver the information and services necessary to walk you through the process and send you on the adventure of a lifetime.

In preparation for planning the perfect yacht charter getaway, there are a few things to consider:

* Is there a special destination you have in mind or a region you’re interested in exploring? Escape to the warm trade winds and azure seas of the Caribbean, or marvel over Alaska ’s unique wildlife and dramatic coastline.

* Do you have a specific type or size of yacht in mind? Our charter fleet spans the globe and includes luxury yachts from 70 to 200 feet, comfortably accommodating large or small groups, with room for the number of crew that will best meet your needs.

* What are your sporting and recreational requirements? Perhaps you’d like to have a small runabout onboard to explore the beaches and quays of the Abacos? If you’re interested in diving, we can arrange for a certified SCUBA instructor to be available on your charter yacht.

In addition to addressing your personal tastes and comforts, our charter specialists provide you the added assurance of matching your specific needs to the most appropriate, experienced crew available. This includes complete, competent vessel maintenance and navigation, food service tailored to your requirements, etc.

Once you have selected your charter yacht and destination and finalized the details of your trip, Yachtstore’s charter specialist will prepare a formal yacht charter agreement and deposit request in order to hold the charter yacht and crew for the dates you’ve chosen. We will thoroughly review region-specific details such as taxes, insurance and gratuities.

Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your yacht charter vacation and ready to begin planning the next!

Hey, they don’t have to convince me any further. I am sold!

I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours I have spent reviewing bed and breakfasts to feature. So if you were wondering, why doesn’t this chick ever talk about B&Bs? -
now you know why. It wasn’t for a lack of trying!

Innkeepers, here’s a hint: If you want to attract more visitors to your inn, spend the money to make your web sites more appealing! Post better, larger photos of your rooms…and please - clearly display a sample menu of what will be served at breakfast. Sheesh!

I must have perused maybe 500 B&B sites, and out of all of them, only about a third of them mention anything about dining at their inn.

I don’t know about you, but when I go to a B&B, I go for the entire experience - the rest, the aesthetics AND the vittles. I don’t want to close my eyes at night in a strange room, crossing my fingers hoping the served breakfast in the a.m. will be up to par. You’ve got to entice and reassure this ol’ girl!

I mean, how do I know you’re not gonna send me packing with a small box of
Rice Krispies, a pint of milk, and a rolled-up newspaper? Is anybody feelin’ me on this?

Via the fortune I amass through my writing, I intend to someday open a magnificent B&B in the countryside somewhere. I have already compiled my inn’s menus! I’ve got oodles of ideas for making my B&B a one-of-a-kind, top-tier rest establishment.
The B&B to end ALL B&Bs. You know how I roll!

But until then…

Finally, I discovered a B&B web site with nice photos AND a sample of their breakfast offerings: The DeLano Inn in Allegan, Michigan.

First order of business - BREAKFAST - per their site:
Breakfasts at the DeLano Inn are a special event. Served on beautiful bone china with cut-glass goblets, every breakfast is sure to please all of your senses!

Sit down to cheese-stuffed Belgian blueberry waffles, DeLano Inn eggs florentine,
baked peach French toast, or one of our many other specialties. Breakfasts also include your choice of freshly-ground coffees or specialty teas, fruit juices, and homemade breads and muffins.

The DeLano Inn has a pleasing variety of Victorian rooms to choose from, some of which even feature fireplaces:

The Chaddock Room

The DeLano Suite

More of the DeLano Suite…

The Parsonage Room

The Parsonage Room at night

Bubbling whirlpool in The Parsonage Room

The DeLano Inn gets a standing ovation for their web site alone!

The DeLano Inn Victorian Bed & Breakfast
302 Cutler Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Telephone: 1-269-686-0240 Toll Free: 1-866-686-0240
E-mail: delanoinn@triton.net

For those who haven’t seen this recipe by Williams-Sonoma, have you ever beheld anything more delightful?! It reminds me of that incredible Godiva
white chocolate-raspberry ice cream.

This is the perfect 4th of July dessert. So elegant!

White Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries
Serves 6

2 cups strawberries, stems removed
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. kirsch or framboise
6 oz. white chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 cup milk, warmed
1 cup heavy cream
2 egg whites, at room temperature
Pinch of cream of tartar
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions
In a blender or in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine 1 1/2 cups of the strawberries with the sugar. Puree until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Add the kirsch and stir to mix. Cut the remaining 1/2 cup strawberries lengthwise into thin slices and stir into the puree. Set aside.

Place the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over but not touching gently simmering water in a saucepan. Heat the chocolate, stirring occasionally, until it is melted and smooth and registers 140°F on an instant-read thermometer. Gradually add the warm milk to the chocolate, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan of water and let the mixture cool until it is almost at room temperature.

In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream on high speed just until soft peaks form. In another bowl, using clean beaters, beat together the egg whites and cream of tartar on high speed until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold half of the whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold the remaining whites, the whipped cream and vanilla into the chocolate mixture just until combined and no white drifts remain. Do not overmix. At this point, you may cover and refrigerate the mousse for up to one day, if desired.

To serve, spoon about half of the mousse into 6 parfait glasses, half filling each glass. Top with the strawberry sauce, again using about half and dividing it equally. Repeat with the remaining mousse and strawberry sauce.

Note: Concerned about sugar and carbs, or are you or someone you know diabetic? You’ve got to try Insulow. Read my review of this awesome carb and sugar-reducing product that WORKS. Insulow is how I can eat all of these delicious sweets without guilt. I have taken Insulow for years and love it!

I recently had the pleasure of attending the private screening of Evan Almighty, and I did the press junket at Universal Studios.

After interviewing Wanda Sykes — I say with all sincerity — she is SO hilarious in person. The timing of her humor is so brilliant it’ll pull tears out of your orbs.

Wanda had me SICK with laughter. Just the sound of her voice alone makes me shake!

You know how some celebrities say what is expected of them, and they give generic, insincere answers that they know will appease the crowd? Not Wanda! She is as real as it gets in Hollywood.

As for the film…

For anyone who has been waiting for a clean movie that you can actually take your children to, you’ll be pleased with the content in Evan Almighty. It’s a pure, sweet movie with a good message. Finally, right?!

Go see Evan Almighty when it opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow, June 22nd!

Speaking of film festivals, I thought I’d mention that the Los Angeles Latino International Film Institute (LALIFI) is holding its 11th annual film festival at Arclight Cinemas on Sunset Boulevard here in L.A. on October 7-14th.

Support these filmmakers by attending! If you live outside of Los Angeles, make a vacation out of it!

Per the site…
The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival’s (LALIFF) mission to showcase and nurture existing and emerging creative Latino talent while serving as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion of Latin films and filmmakers. To bring awareness through film, the most influential audiovisual medium of our time, the richness and diversity of the Latin culture. To invest in our community, and develop an audience for our works.

A premier Latino International Film Festival in the USA, LALIFF is the prominent venue for exhibition of the best of Latin cinema and artistry from the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal. The festival creates a bridge between Hollywood and independent filmmakers, as well as nurture existing and emerging creative talent. The festival serves as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion and distribution of Latino films and awareness for our artistry.

LALIFF presents feature films, documentaries, shorts and special side bar screenings. The films presented at the festival showcase a wide variety of themes by Latino filmmakers, producers, writers and actors, as well as movies that depict Latino culture. It is a competitive festival with prizes and a venue where filmmakers come together with buyers and distributors.

Our Industry Office facilitates meetings and keeps a video library for Hollywood executives. LALIFF also offers industry workshops, panels, labs, networking receptions, educational programs, and hosts some of the best galas in Tinseltown. We hope you will join us!

I’ll certainly be there, readers. I better see you there!

I have a real hankering for Tortilla Española, but I’m too lazy to make one for dinner.

Lest anyone think a Tortilla Española has anything to do with a Mexican corn or flour tortilla or a French folded omelette (God forbid!), read this. The author of that article says it best. I can’t think of a more eloquent way to put it! It’s more like a frittata or a crustless quiche than anything.

One of the best things about attending a multicultural grade school as a child in D.C. for a few years was the exposure to every culture under the sun, and sampling specialties from their cuisines.

I have had Tortilla Española made by Spaniards, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans; I’ve had it in tapas bars, outdoor parties… It’s always good!

I found this recipe on Enforex:

Tortilla Española
Serves 4

4 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold would be great!)
4 or 5 eggs
1 medium onion (optional)
1/4 liter of olive oil
salt

Directions
Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin slices. Heat a deep pan with olive oil and place the potatoes in the oil. Keep the stove at medium heat, which allows the potatoes to cook slowly and soak up the oil. If you want, finely chop the onion and add it to the potatoes and oil. Continue to slowly fry the pan’s contents until the onions turn soft and slightly brown. After ten minutes, strain the rest of the oil.

Adding a pinch of salt, beat the eggs in a big bowl. Add the potatoes (and onions if you included them). Now put the pan that held the potatoes back on the stove at the same medium heat with a little bit of oil and add the contents of the bowl (eggs, potatoes, and onion). Cover the pan and leave it to cook on low heat for 5-10 minutes until the bottom begins to brown. Using a lid or a large plate, turn the omelette upside down and then put it back in the pan with the uncooked side on the bottom.

When both sides are slightly brown, take your cooked Tortilla Española off the heat, put it on a plate, wait a little bit for it to cool, and then dig in!

If you’re serving this for lunch or dinner, all that’s left is to serve it with a mixed green salad and a nice glass of Spanish wine!

Guys, a little birdie told me that Zimmerli of Switzerland is considered by many to
craft the finest men’s underwear.

Zimmerli’s fabrics are luxe, and the designs are incredibly smooth and streamlined.
I say go for it!

What a cuddlebug you’ll look like in these PJs!

Nice!

Uh-oh! Easy now…

Um, I think I better wrap this up now, so to speak.

I’m trying to keep this a PG-rated blog!

I love these handcrafted winebags from India!

Kalamkari is an Indian craft tradition that has been passed down for over 3000 years in which the colors are created using natural vegetable dyes. These winebags are also available in maroon.

Lovely!

Lotus, by the League of Artisans (LOA), is a company whose focus is providing quality merchandise that is handmade by Indian artisans, and thus supporting fair trade.

Per the site…
LOA’s mission is to create a unifying platform to build sustainable business enterprises in the craft sector in India.

Over 20 million artisans in India work in the handicrafts sector. Most of them live below the poverty line and in the country’s most remote areas. They are forced to sell their crafts through middlemen, and often earn less than 5% of the end price of their goods.

Our goal is to use the League of Artisans platform to create sustainable livelihoods for these underprivileged artisans – particularly tribal, rural, and women artisans – and thereby, improve their economic and living conditions.

Responsible, charitable luxury is a win-win situation!

My mind really took a winding journey today.

Blogging about Ralph Fiennes and mentioning his penchant for naughty, impulsive trysts got me to pondering the allure of forbidden fruit in general. All of this led to my thinking of the Original Sin with Adam and Eve in the garden…and, well, that left me feeling utterly compelled to blog about figs.

So from Sir Ralph to figs, let’s commence!

Is there anyone alive who doesn’t love figs? They’re terribly good. This ancient fruit is pregnant with history, fable, folklore, and seduction.

Virtually every culture on earth has a passion for figs, and a plethora of fabulous recipes for showcasing and relishing them. Whether you cook with figs, smash them into a jam, or tote them along in your picnic basket with a crusty loaf of bread, some cheese and wine, you’re about to tap the heavenly dimension.

About Fig Fest 2007 in California
This Fig Fest will be held on Saturday, August 11th from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Vineyard Farmers Market, located at the N.W. corner of Shaw and Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. There will be sampling of fig-related food items from a number of restaurants, fresh and dried fig sales, and jazz music. Admission is $5 per person with the proceeds going to local charities. Visit the web site regularly (click above) for detail updates.

Fig Fest Menu
The Chef’s Table, Fig Garden Village
Palm & Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711
(559) 227-3200
$125 per person

Chef: Malachi Harland

Wine Spectator Magazine - Best of Award of Excellence 2005 & 2006

1st Course
Grilled pancetta-wrapped Black Mission figs with arugula/balsamic

2005 Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer

2nd Course
California swordfish medallions
Melted onions/port wine fig sauce

2005 Kale Hart Chardonnay

3rd Course
Chicken Cooked Under a Brick
Dried figs, green beans and toasted almonds with an olive vinaigrette
Potato gnocchi

2005 Boeger Barbera

4th Course
Fig Cloufouti
Vanilla citrus anglaise

2005 Lilly Pilly Noble Blend

5th Course
Gorgonzola Dolce
Figs with honey and candied pecans

NV Broadbent Madeira

Everyone digs figs!