travel journal: chronicling 17 days abroad

For the next 17 days, I will chronicle my travels abroad to share with all those interested, how I travelled on this particular holiday/vacation. See you across the pond on Monday morning

First stop Italy

pacific heights – san francisco – an architectural marvel

Hint

San Francisco is probably one of the most beautiful travel destinations I can recommend. But of course you all already know that, right?

What I truly appreciate the most about my city is the fact, that even though it is comparatively small to most other metropolitan cities, the hills more than make up for the size and of course the fact, within walking distance or (a Muni ride) away, you can experience different cultures within each district (or neighborhood), making it actually and suggestively  a huge city.

My choice of exploring any city is of course walking and one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore, not only because of the challenging hills, which give me a great work out, but also the architectural marvel for my visual therapy away from the 9×11 computer screen.

Now, I have included some street signage for you, amazing tourists from around the world and neighboring states and Southern Cal  as a guide, so that when you are visiting the city, you can chart your walking tour based on the order of the signage and believe me you won’t be disappointed with my recommend.

But, if you aren’t going to be coming around to visit anytime soon, stay tuned for May 10th and I will share the photos of the architectural marvel which match the street signage. Stay tuned or come to San Francisco and see for yourself.

Bring a pair of walking shoes and a warm pullover or a heavy sweater when you come between Apr-Oct

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valentino shoes for spring 2011

Designer shoes are not only inspirational but in essence have a way of making  a woman feel sexy no matter how emotionally unstable she may be on the inside. (Ladies, I say that with love).

In light of this subject, I can honestly say I am not partial to any particular designer, I am however particular to the actual design and functionality of a shoe.  So, here we go, first stop Valentino Shoes and since I seem to have trouble with choosing just a few pairs of  the Valentino shoe collection  for Spring 2011, I have decided to include some of my absolute favorites and offer you a link to the website here, just in case you want to go crazy.

new years eve shoes and clutch glamour

I know most women, who plan to attend some formal event this New Year’s Eve, have  already planned out their New Year’s Eve attire. But,  just in case the shoes and clutch have not yet been considered, I have included some  of my favorite pairing suggestions for 2010.

Oh and just in case you are wondering about the photo above  left, it is Jimmy Choo – Marine Jeweled evening shoes. I know…breath taking and I wonder where were these shoes when I was in my 20′s?

christmas gift idea for her – romantic getaway

I can honestly say, by the time a woman reaches  her 40s, it becomes  less and less  important to get a gift for her kitchen as it is to get a gift for herself. Sometimes, some women  are even willing to forgo a pair of diamond earrings for a week’s  getaway from their daily lives.

So, just in case you have exhausted all your “gift idea” resources, consider surprising her with a romantic getaway (within your budget) to most anywhere in the world.

As you know or may not, off-season travel (depending on destination) is  more likely affordable than during the high season . However, planning a vacation “gift” within a budget is often times  very challenging.  Calling a travel agent to arrange such a trip is priceless.

The reason I suggest working with a travel agent to plan a “gift” vacation is so that you can actually put the plan on hold with a small deposit, while you surprise your significant other with a gift certificate and deal with the reaction. Should she not be happy with the destination , at least there is some $$$ recourse. If she loves the idea and approves the suggested dates of travel, then you simply proceed with full payment.

Now, planning the right destination is  very important. Going to Las Vegas to gamble and frequent nudy bars may not necessarily be her idea of vacation, unless she is into that sort of thing. The point is that you need to plan the vacation with her in mind. The destination should be romantic, the hotel ideal and at least one night of special dining a must. The focus should be her and only her in order for the gift to be worth while.

Another benefit of giving the “gift of travel” for Christmas is that you can actually suggest to take the trip around Valentine’s Day, her birthday or even an  anniversary celebration – all to off-season romantic destinations. That way it is even more meaningful.

Now, what is the best travel agency to work with. Well, if you don’t happen to have one you can count on, consider contacting my favorite travel agency here and ask to be transferred to the office capable of putting your special trip together. For example for the U.S. I have indicated below the offices which handle specific travel planning.

All Offices – Specialize in (soft) Adventure Travel, Budget vacations, airfare and European Rail travel.

San Diego office – Specializes in Cruises and Romantic getaways

Myself: I can help with Romantic getaways, so please feel free to contact me if you wish to brain storm about suggestions based on your budget.

Happy Planning

survival guide for holiday eating

Yes, this article is necessary and in my opinion very timely.  I actually considered raising this red flag Monday before Thanksgiving, but I figured since the traditional Thanksgiving meal consisted of mostly healthy eats, I let myself and my readers slide.

Ladies and some gents, take note this holiday season when it comes to (over) eating, especially when over 40.  There is no excuse in my opinion to binge eating during the holiday season and it really doesn’t matter how pretty that five layer chocolate cake looks. Keep in mind, plans to diet after the holidays is a myth and losing the 5 – 7 extra pounds, you put on every holiday season, is almost impossible when you are over 40.

Even those who are conscious and consider themselves most savy when it comes to food and nutrition, often tend to slip during the holiday season.  So, for the sake of a friendly reminder, consider the following:

1. The key to surviving temptation is self-control and discipline.

2. While at a holiday gathering or dinner parties, stay away from the food display table while mingling or socializing or networking – whatever term you want to use to simply talk to people.

3. Limit starchy foods and bypass the dessert display all together. Eat fresh fruits or dried ones instead.

4. Don’t forgo breakfast and lunch during the day in anticipation of the evening get together. Maintain your daily eating schedule to stay on track, even during the holidays.

5. Avoid being the last to visit the buffet table so not to pile your plate based on  watching all the goodies on other’s plates seated all around you.

6. Opt for a single glass of champagne if available and avoid mixed drinks unless you plan to be the life of the party and pay for it afterwards.

7. Forego coffee for a cup of herbal (non-caffinated) tea if available. If not, drink Perrier instead.

8. And if the above list isn’t at all useful, sit or stand next to the skinniest woman at the party, believe me that will do the trick for sure.

9. Last, don’t lag on your exercise regime during the holiday season, no matter how bad the weather outside is. Stay focused and if not anything else, do some walking (in a mall) with the right walking shoes, ice skate (if available in your neck of the woods) or swim indoors to compensate for a run along  the beach or a marathon across town, and if all else fails, borrow your teenager’s IPOD and dance to his/her music in the garage, while everyone is either asleep or not at home  (Just in case you can’t dance). Find a way to stay active during winter no matter what.  This my friends, is probably the best suggestion I can offer. It will for sure help you physically and also mentally endure the holiday over eating temptations.

10. Finally, next to last, don’t be hard on yourself. Relax, know what it takes to maintain control and stay focused. And remember, don’t ever feel as tho you need to fit in by over eating or drinking too much. Rely on your personal charm for that and know that everyone in the room is as nervous and insecure as you may feel at these gatherings. Good Luck

Note: Although there is  alot of helpful information available online to use as reference in order to  survive the holiday eating frenzy, I welcome anyone to also share their personal suggestions on the remarks section of this  blog entry. Thanks for listening.

montreal canada restaurants and cafes

Although, (my favorite cuisine), middle eastern and Armenian restaurants and delis are top-notch throughout suburbia Montreal, and most definitely beat the quality served in the greater Los Angeles area, I am always in search of the best of the best international cuisines most anywhere I travel.

Of course, searching for international restaurants throughout the city of Montreal is not difficult at all. Every corner and street has multiple cuisines to choose from.  This brings up another reason to visit Montreal. If you consider yourself a  gastronome guru, then the choices are endless while in Montreal.

Here are some of my favorites and most recommended, outside the middle eastern and Armenian cuisine.

 

experiencing france through montreal canada

Outside of Paris, my second favorite place to visit in order to get my dose of French essence is Montreal, Canada. Although most of my visits there revolve around   family, I manage to sneak in a day to escape the norm and traditions just to reconnect with the city, in my own way.

It isn’t difficult to feel as though you are in parts of France, while in Montreal, because every where you turn there is a reminder of the French culture. Whether in street signs or billboard advertisement, architecture and cobble stoned streets,  restaurants and cafes, bookstores and more, the make up of the city exudes a more Parisian feel than most any other place around the globe which is influenced (previously colonized) by French culture.

One of my favorite times of the year to visit the city is in the Fall.  According to family, Montreal seldom sees sun and is often times more cloudy and rainy than the locals prefer. Plus the humidity in the Summer months is most unbearable outside air-conditioned interiors.  I should know this, because I have been there in the Summer as well.

Fall is ideal to play tourist. It seems as though  the entire city is at one’s disposal to experience the culture, since most visitors have returned home. There is a certain crispness to the air outside and in a way the  city seems magical with the changing of the leaves all around. One can’t help but take note of the  streets  that are adorned with the fallen colorful leaves and the unrelenting lights emanating from the stores and restaurants, which add warmth to the gray stoned exteriors   seldom definable  against the gray skyline.

Walking through any city is recommended and probably the best way to get a genuine sense of the environment or surroundings. And although, I did my walking tour of Montreal in seven hours, I knew that it was most ideal to spend a few more days  in order to explore each district or neighborhood in-depth and greater detail.

I know I will return there again soon, but for now, the two hundred plus photos I took in a day will have to do to get me by. I have included some below for your viewing pleasure and want to say, that if you happen to be an American experiencing France withdrawals like I often times do, please consider a quick escape to Montreal, Canada to get your fix.

property of rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com

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property of rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com

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happy holloween from rawsilkandsaffron.com

I have a love/hate relationship with Holloween. As a kid, I was often made fun of for my choice of costume because I made them myself, so I stopped dressing up for the occasion.

Then when I was in my 20′s I was forced to dress up at work because it was required of us to be a “team player”.  In my 30′s I ignored the occasion all together.

Now, I have made it a habit to walk  through different neighborhoods in San Francisco in order to see  all the little ones in their adorable costumes as well as those who took the time to decorate their homes as if it were Christmas.

Anyway, either way, I do want to wish all my followers and  friends and family the Happiest Holloween and please play it safe.  So, in honor of Holloween, I have included photos of some of my favorite pumpkin carvings.

I am going to miss my traditional walk through neighborhoods on Holloween in the U.S. this year, but from the picture below, can you guess where I am going to be? 

there are jeans and then there are j-brand jeans

Wow, I never thought I would consider looking at jeans over the 100.00 mark, but I guess we all need to raise the bar “sometimes” to feel good about ourselves while trying to look good.  I wonder if  being over 40 has something to do with it.

Anyway, the truth of the matter is, women over 40 and sometimes under 40 have trouble finding a good pair of jeans. What I mean by that is, ones that fit, those that compliment “one’s assets” and feel fashionable at the same time. So while in search of  ”THOSE JEANS”, I came across J-BRAND Jeans‘ website.

I decided to find  a local retailer who carries the line and took a trip to check them out. I know what you are thinking, pricey buggers aren’t they? But, in my opinion, jeans are an investment and can be worn for more than one season, so if you were to consider buying a pair say for 200.00 divide that into 24 months = that is 8.00 a month  and believe me women over 40 you are well worth it. I know I don’t need to convince those under the age 40, cause money is seldom an issue when it comes to being in fashion.

They fit, they look great and the variations are endless. And if it makes you feel good, they seem to have kept the  woman over 40 in their minds while creating their masterpieces. One of  my favorite is MAE IN PURE at $167.00 at (Neiman Marcus) pictured below:

Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone who has tried the jeans. Do you want to rave about it or not, drop me a line.