To celebrate my love and appreciation of this amazing romantic destination, I have included one of my favorite hotels - Grand Hotel Quisisana :  Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.

The window in it’s entirity

All of the kitchen

The French Doors and wall colors

The vibrant colors and French doors

Hallway and Ceiling and open space

The warmth of the bathroom

The grand well lit staircase

Well kept secret garden

A chef’s kitchen

{photo source here and here}

Valentino Leather-trimmed Chantily Lace espandrilles 495USD

Pierre Hardy Canvas and Leather Sandals 595USD

Pierre Hardy Leather and Suede Wedge sandals 775USD

Marni Patent-leather Sandals 738USD

Christian Louboutin Puglia 100 striped canvas espadrille slingback 595USD

Marc by Marc Jacobs Color-Block suede and leather sandals 298USD

Filed under: anniversary gift ideas, Fashion, fashion for the woman over 40 Tagged: designer shoes, sandals and sexy shoes, summer 2013 fashionable shoes, women over 40 shoes ]]> http://rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/designer-sandals-for-the-woman-over-40-summer-2013/feed/ 0 rawsilkandsaffron 334812_in_xl 335157_in_xl 335160_in_xl 338283_in_xl 342305_in_xl 347134_in_xl http://rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/healthy-snack-vacation-inspired-granola-bar-recipe/ http://rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/healthy-snack-vacation-inspired-granola-bar-recipe/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 08:01:58 +0000 Manya http://rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com/?p=7173 Continue reading →]]>

First day back from any vacation is always the hardest, especially from a relaxing one. (Meaning mostly spent by the poolside or under an umbrella at the beach, sipping cool drinks). The funny thing was, while I wondered what to post on my blog at the start the week after a vacation, I came across the perfect recipe to make the transition and bring a little of the island back with me.

Tropical Chewy Granola Bars
Makes 12-16 bars

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. chia seeds + 6 Tbsp. water
2 cups / 200g rolled oats (certified gluten-free if possible)
½ cup / 150g raw buckwheat groats
1 cup / 50g coconut flakes
¾ cup / 100g macadamia nuts, chopped
60g / 2 oz. dried banana, chopped (or Medjool dates)
60g / 2 oz. dried mango, chopped
¼ cup / 60ml coconut oil
1/3 cup / 80ml honey (or maple syrup)
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or 1 tsp. extract)
2 very ripe bananas
½ tsp. coarse sea salt

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, combine chia seeds and water to make a gel. Set aside.
2. Spread the oats, buckwheat, coconut and macadamia nuts out on a baking sheet and place in a 300°F / 150°C oven. Stir every 5 minutes or so, until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
3. While the oat mixture is toasting, make the liquid. In a small saucepan combine coconut oil, honey, and vanilla. Whisk over low-medium heat until melted and thoroughly combined.
4. In a food processor or blender, blend peeled bananas with the honey and oil mixture. Blend until smooth. Pulse in chia gel gently, just to combine>
5. In a large mixing bowl combine toasted oat mixture, sea salt, and chopped dried fruit. Pour in the liquid and stir well to combine.
6. Turn the oven up to 350°F / 175°C. Spread a large piece of parchment paper in a 8” x 8” (20 x 20 cm) baking pan, overlapping the sides. Pour the granola bar mixture into the pan and press down firmly with a spatula, especially in the corners. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden on top and around the edges.
7. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes. To take the granola slab out of the pan, simply lift up the sides of the parchment. Place on a flat surface and cut into rectangles or squares (12-16, depending on the size). Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Best if kept cold, as this prevents the bars from crumbling.

{photo and recipe credit: click here}

Last night, while I walked back from the pre-wedding dinner get together, along the beach, back to my hotel, I actually were able to capture photographs, with seemingly enhanced colors. I didn’t touch up any of my photos, but was proud that I was able to capture, such colorful photography.

{photos are the property of http://www.rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com please ask if you wish to borrow}

You can take a girl out of her city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl. Check out Termpereley of London from here: 

Anyway, here are some photos I took, of course with my i-phone, since I also forgot my camera, from Saturday night. Enjoy.

I can’t believe it’s time for my trip to Hawaii to see my good friend marry the man of her dreams. I’m excited for her and most of all excited for the fact, I get to share this wonderful occasion with her.

This doesn’t mean, I will not blog for a week, it just means, I will blog mostly about travel, food and photography.

Have a great weekend everybody and I will see you right here on Monday