The photography competition recently crowned its winners. Enjoy a selection of the best food-inspired images at SIPA contest 2018.from Fine Dining Lovers
Friday, November 30, 2018
Siena International Photo Award: Sharing Experiences with a Camera
The photography competition recently crowned its winners. Enjoy a selection of the best food-inspired images at SIPA contest 2018.from Fine Dining Lovers
8 ways to discover and enjoy Quito city center
Very few travelers know about Quito and its history. Visitors are often surprised to discover the rich heritage as they walk the ancient streets of this city, and many regret not spending more time there. Many travel agencies and tour operators offer Quito as a stopover before or after their trip to the Galapagos Islands […]
The post 8 ways to discover and enjoy Quito city center appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
17 Best Michael Kors Watches For Men
Men, looking for a sweet and classy piece to wear on your arm but not sure what to buy? Check out this guide to the hottest Michael Kors watches gift your wrist something special.
The post 17 Best Michael Kors Watches For Men appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Holiday Entertaining with eBay
I’ve shopped eBay for as long as I can remember. I have found so many wonderful vintage pieces of art, china, and silver on the site but they also sell a myriad of new items for every room in your home. Did you know 81% of the items on eBay are new and available with the “Buy It Now” option? No more bidding wars in the final minute of an auction is an amazing update to the site. Many listing on eBay also offer free shipping too.
I put together a little holiday dessert and champagne party for a few friends with pieces I’ve bought from eBay including ornaments for my tree.
I prefer the vintage treasures on eBay but you can find everything new and old to host a party during the holidays. My silver tray is a Cartier Silver Pewter Plate but you can find lots of silver trays for drinks and food. I love my antique gold rimmed champagne flutes but I only have four. You can find larger quantities of new champagne flutes for larger events. My serving platter is very old but I love this Limoges Serving Platter as a great alternative. I love collecting antique napkins and these 6 AntiqueHand-Embroidered Broderie Anglaise Linen Napkins look very similar to mine. Sometimes, if you get really lucky, you can find them embroidered with your initials. My antique silver dessert forks require polishing which can be annoying. New dessert forks don’t need polishing and can be thrown in the dish washer which is much easier for large parties or family gatherings. My vintage dessert plates don’t have any maker labels so I can’t find any more but if you know the make of your china, you can always find replacement pieces on eBay. Or you can buy new dessert plates if you are worried about people breaking your china. I found the reticulated compote and footed reticulated bowl on eBay recently specifically for pomanders this Christmas.
This blue and white reticulated footed porcelain compote is very similar to mine. You can even find Pomander Botanical Blend Fragrance Potpourri Bowl Filler on eBay so you don’t have to make them yourself.
Don’t forget to look for vintage Christmas ornaments on eBay. Bonus points if they come in their original box. This set of 24 vintage ornaments would get you started. I hang the decorated and more ornate vintage ornaments on my tree and I display others in silver bowls in various sizes around my apartment along with candy in crystal bowls.
This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands and companies who support Habitually Chic.
from Habitually Chic®
Top 7 Smartwatches For Men Under $150
Have you been on the fence about smartwatches in recent years? Here's your chance to see what all the fuss is about with these awesomely designed smartwatches under $150.
The post Top 7 Smartwatches For Men Under $150 appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Jackery Explorer 240 Power Generator
The Jackery Explorer 240 runs on 240Wh lithium battery so it is fumeless and quiet. It powers up just about any electrical gadget even kitchen appliances.
The post Jackery Explorer 240 Power Generator appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Top 12 Cycling Sunglasses For Men
Fly high with a pair of cool aviator sunglasses for men. Whether you're rocking them at the beach or just hanging out with your buddies. they go with almost anything.
The post Top 12 Cycling Sunglasses For Men appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Top 10 Aviator Sunglasses For Men
Fly high with a pair of cool aviator sunglasses for men. Whether you're rocking them at the beach or just hanging out with your buddies. they go with almost anything.
The post Top 10 Aviator Sunglasses For Men appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Whiskey Ridge House
For a cool $29 million, you can own the lush Whiskey Ridge House,a definitive private lodge surrounded by picturesque national parkland.
The post Whiskey Ridge House appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Dominique Crenn: First Three-Star Female Chef in The States
Dominique Crenn is the first ever female chef in the United States to be awarded three Michelin stars.from Fine Dining Lovers
Beef with Shallots and Grenaille Potatoes
Beef with Shallots and Grenaille Potatoesfrom Fine Dining Lovers
Chocolate and Almond Madeleines
A luscious French dessert you can't miss: try this alternative version of madeleines with chocolate and almonds, ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.from Fine Dining Lovers
La Liste Names 1000 Best Restaurants in the World for 2018
La Liste released their third annual rating of the world's best 100 restaurants. French chef Guy Savoy's eponymous restaurant in Paris once again nabs top spot.from Fine Dining Lovers
Daily Dream Home: Tampa
This renovated home in Tampa, Florida has South Beach style. The home is in walking distance to Hyde Park, one home off Bayshore and is a secure mini estate. The home has a two- story foyer with flowing staircase. The home has a modern formal dining room and a two-story living room. The kitchen opens […]
The post Daily Dream Home: Tampa appeared first on Pursuitist.
from Pursuitist
MeetIdea Tactical Emergency Flashlight Kit Escape Tool
If you’re on the market for a new bulb, why not consider the excellent and multi-functional MeetIdea Tactical Kit?
The post MeetIdea Tactical Emergency Flashlight Kit Escape Tool appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
The Luxe Merrion Row Hotel and Public House Opens in NYC, Just in Time for Holiday Visits
There’s no need to hop the pond to enjoy the Irish tradition of cead mile failte, or “100,000 welcomes” in Irish, thanks to New York City’s newest hospitality venture, Merrion Row Hotel and Public House, opening this weekend. Standing at just 28 rooms, the intimate hotel is the perfect choice for stylish and welcoming accommodations in the heart of Midtown. […]
The post The Luxe Merrion Row Hotel and Public House Opens in NYC, Just in Time for Holiday Visits appeared first on Pursuitist.
from Pursuitist
Porsche Design P’8478 Sunglasses
Originally launched in 1978, Porsche Design’s P’8478 Aviator sunglasses remains “the exclusive,” a shining symbol of wealth and prestige.
The post Porsche Design P’8478 Sunglasses appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Plux Wireless Fast Charger
The Plux wireless charger powers Apple products simultaneously in one place. It juices up devices 33 percent faster than standard wireless chargers.
The post Plux Wireless Fast Charger appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Microsoft Surface Hub 2x And Hub 2S
Microsoft gives us an initial peek into the evolution of its Surface Hub line, namely the Surface Hub 2S and Surface Hub 2X.
The post Microsoft Surface Hub 2x And Hub 2S appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Peak Design Travel Line Backpack
The Travel Line backpack from Peak Design lives up to its name. Nearly everything about it is customizable to fit the carrier’s preference and it is adaptable to any occasion. It can be optimized with packing tools to fit your travel needs.
The post Peak Design Travel Line Backpack appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac: Artisanship at its finest
For 2018, Chopard introduces a new one-of-a-kind L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac’ honouring two realms: Swiss artisanship and 1000 years of Chinese culture
The post Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac: Artisanship at its finest appeared first on LUXUO.
from LUXUO
Matcha Macaroons
Here is a lovely green version of French meringue-based macarons made with matcha green tea powder. Just follow the step-by-step recipe to prepare them at home.from Fine Dining Lovers
Turkey Rolls with Prosciutto and Parmesan
Try this recipe for turkey rolls with prosciutto and parmesan served with zucchini: it's an easy-to-make everyday meal for the family. from Fine Dining Lovers
The best cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve
After packing away the decorations and preparing yourself to go back to work, it is easy to become deflated after Christmas. As the festive spirits slowly start to dissipate, you may be seeking another source of celebration. Why not perk yourself up by welcoming in the New Year in style? New Year’s Eve is a […]
The post The best cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
Five Places to Go in London This Christmas
There’s nothing quite like London at Christmas and hotels, shops and restaurants are upping their game even more with Instagrammable facades, decorations and Christmas trees. As part of this month’s Christmas themed travel link up I thought I’d tell you about a few places I’ve visited recently that gave me festive vibes.
1. The Connaught
One of my favourite luxury London hotels, The Connaught is even more beautiful at Christmas. There’s always a huge tree on Carlos Place outside the hotel and this year its been designed by influential conceptual artists: Sir Michael Craig-Martin CB. As well as golden decorations adorning the foyer.
If you’re looking for a perfect Christmas Afternoon tea, I highly recommend the one served in the hotel’s restaurant Jean-Georges at The Connaught. Emma, Binny and I sampled the festive-themed tea one afternoon and we were incredibly impressed, especially by the gingerbread man chocolate fondue.
2. The Brasserie of Light in Selfridges
With it’s gorgeous decor and prime position in one of London’s top department stores, a visit to the Brasserie of Light will definitely have you feeling festive. The 24ft crystal-encrusted statue of Pegasus is actually Damien Hirst’s largest artwork in London and the shimmering statue is an utterly stunning sight to see.
The space has a totally Instagrammable interior and the loos must be up there with some of the prettiest in London!
Food-wise you can expect British and International dining and a similar menu to fellow Caprice holdings restaurant, The Ivy.
3. Aqua Shard
There’s no where in London quite like Aqua Shard. Located in London’s tallest building this glass-walled restaurant has panoramic view across the city. Aqua always impresses with their Christmas tree and this year is no different.
Snowscape at Aqua Shard is designed by Bompass and Parr and inspired by an ornamental snow globe including swirling snow inside. Go and take a look and while you’re at sample the festive lunch menu.
4. sketch
If you’re looking for something a little extra you really can’t go wrong with sketch. Always beautifully dressed inside and out, the Mayfair restaurant really goes all out for Christmas.
The restaurant is a multi-functional space and immersive art exhibition so you enter through a beautifully decked out grotto and there are festive surprises in every room.
But the absolute best thing about the Christmas decorations at sketch is the famous loos! The egg shaped toilet are decked out as Christmas presents with shiny wrapping paper and a bow on top. Honestly, it’s well worth checking out sketch just for the loos! It’s rare I mention toilets twice in a blog post, so you know they’re good!
5. The Dorchester
You can seriously count on The Dorchester for festive fun every year and in 2018 , the hotel is celebrating the new Mary Poppins film with carousel horses outside.
Step into the hotel’s cosy interior and there’s a festive tea on offer as well as other seasonal menus.
The post Five Places to Go in London This Christmas appeared first on SilverSpoon London.
from SilverSpoon London
Monkfish Fillet with Duck Breasts and Green Beans
Here is how to prepare a classy main course: roasted monkfish fillet coated with thinly sliced duck breasts, green beans and mushrooms.from Fine Dining Lovers
The Most Authentic Experience in Paradise à La The Royal Mansour Marrakech in Morocco
The splendour of this hotel extends beyond an overnight stay albeit super luxurious – it’s a tradition-infused city in itself.
The post The Most Authentic Experience in Paradise à La The Royal Mansour Marrakech in Morocco appeared first on LUXUO.
from LUXUO
Michelin Starred Restaurants San Francisco: See The Full List
The Michelin Guide for San Francisco 2019 has been released with Dominque Crenn becoming the first female chef in the States to receive three stars.from Fine Dining Lovers
101 reasons to love winter
Are you a winter lover or do you spend every moment of winter counting down the days until spring arrives? I’m going to be honest with you here. I do not love winter! I’ve written this blog post to remind myself that winter is a gorgeous season and not just four months of the year…
The post 101 reasons to love winter appeared first on The Travel Hack.
from The Travel Hack
King Cake: Master This New Orleans Staple With This Video Recipe
This video recipe will teach you the ins and outs of making a festive king cake, a staple of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. You'll love the results!from Fine Dining Lovers
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Omni Blade Pocket Knife
The Omni Blade pocket knife boasts the strength of a samurai sword in a 4cm-thick blade. It stays up to five times sharper than normal stainless steel blade.
The post Omni Blade Pocket Knife appeared first on Men's Gear.
from Men's Gear
Mauro Uliassi: 'The Ingredients of our Success? The sea, game, research and respect'
The new three Michelin starred Italian chef reveals the secrets behind his great achievement. Meet him!from Fine Dining Lovers
This & That: November 30, 2018
Books ~The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene Bestselling author Robert Greene’s new book dives into the laws of the social creatures that humans are and how to understand our emotions, understand how our empathy can lead to deeper insight and much more along the road to a deeper and more enjoyable and successful […]
from The Simply Luxurious Life®
Christmas Classic
I spent today pulling boxes of Christmas decorations from the top of my hall closet and decorating my apartment. I’m exhausted and can’t imagine having to decorate an entire house. I’m sure people space the decorating out for a week or have help so I’m sure it’s manageable. One designer who makes me wish I did have an entire house to decorate is James F. Carter. His house in Birmingham, Alabama that was featured in Birmingham Home & Garden is classically decorated and infinitely inspiring. I especially love the chubby tabletop Christmas tree. That would work in a New York apartment until I get a big house.
from Habitually Chic®
The ‘off-the-grid’ islands of the Cyclades
Perhaps the most famous group of islands in Greece is the Cyclades. The name derives from the Greek word “kyklos” which in English means circle (circular islands), hence the shape the islands form around the sacred island of Delos. According to Greek mythology, the God of the Sea, Poseidon, turned the Cyclades nymphs into islands […]
The post The ‘off-the-grid’ islands of the Cyclades appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
The Alternative Fashionistas Shopping Guide to Dubai
The Alternative Fashionistas Shopping Guide to Dubai
Where? Dubai
Exactly? We stayed at the uber stylish Bulgari Resort and Spa and the gorgeous Nikki Beach Resort
When? November 2018. Dubai is hot all year round so it’s the perfect winter sun destination
Why? As part of a super fun collaboration with BestAtTravel I was invited to Dubai to try out their new ‘Alternative Fashionistas Guide‘ to the city.
The premise being that most people think Dubai is all about vast malls and super-high-end designer stores, but now there is a new emergence of cool, independent boutiques and concepts stores popping up throughout the city.
Over the four day trip we stayed at two of Dubai’s newest design hotels and got to eat and drink at the trendiest new bars and restaurants. Here’s my run down and photo diary all about my trip.
This is a sponsored post.
Where to Stay
Bulgari Resort and Spa
The hotel exterior looks like an architectural work of art. With incredibly ornate, decorative-detailing on a super sleek and sculptural framework, you’ll be wowed by this hotel before you’ve even entered the unbelievably chic, book-matched marble interiors.
The Bulgari resort is part of a new and stylish generation of fashion hotels in the city. The hotel epitomises the understated elegance of its Parisian designer jewellery brand namesake.
Every inch of this opulent hotel is instagram worthy. The view from my bedroom of the entire Dubai sky line, looks more like a simulation than reality. The pool, terraces, gorgeous restaurants, in-house chocolatiers, state -of-the-art gym and stunning marina with on-site yacht club, gives you more than enough reason not to leave the hotel grounds.
The wrap around balcony at dusk
Being spoilt for choice, breakfast can be taken with marina and yacht view as well as in your room. I loved both equally. I highly recommend the Arabic breakfast which consists of several courses including Shakshouka eggs in a tomato sauce, salads, halloumi and fruit platter! Yummy!
Nikki Beach Resort
One of the latest additions to Dubai’s growing trend of party beach clubs, the internationally renowned Nikki Beach Club Dubai also comes with a fabulously chic and minimally trendy hotel attached.
The white washed decor of the brand gets a shiny Dubai update with marble high ceilings, sculptures in the grounds and several instagram ready spots for it’s well-heeled millennial clientele.
I was informed by my in-the-know friend who lives in Dubai that Nikki Beach is currently THE place in Dubai to see and be seen. She came to visit for breakfast and refused to leave until the last song played at the super fun pool party.
Make sure you bring your sequin bikini and heels (or budgie smugglers for the boys). This is the definition of a party hotel. Don’t forget to try out the delicious Caribbean fare on offer at the Key West beach side restaurant too, you’ll be transported to Jamaica in an instant.
The rooms are sleek and minimal, with fantastic rain shower wet rooms, state of the art surround sound, blue tooth speakers, kitchenettes and balconies with beautiful sea views. They are stylish and modern with special attention paid to functionality, practicality as well as aesthetics.
And not forgetting the beach club which is just next door, guests at hotel get free entry and beauty of it is you can party all night, then literally roll into bed straight after.
Where to Shop – Comptoir 102
Think French owned, Parisian concept store, sourcing the coolest labels from Europe and across the globe, housed in a LA style bungalow and you have Comptoir 102. Featuring boho homewares, cult beauty products and complete outfits to set you up for your trip to Dubai, Comptoir 102 is a definition French chic.
It’s a destination store in its own right, with a fantastically healthy restaurant serving organic, picture perfect salads and juices. I loved the super protein green power bowl. For the Dubai ‘yummy mummy’ set it’s de rigeuer.
Bambah
Channel your inner fairytale princess and you’ll arrive at Bambah. Owned by the founders of Dubai’s first high-end vintage store, this new sleek, salon style boutique is filled with their own line of new, 1950’s inspired ball gowns and formal wear. With soft pastel toned gowns in meringue shapes with pretty bows, it’s perfect for those who love to play dress up :)
Style Me Divine
No trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to the personal shopper. At Style me Divine you can have an hour to a full day with the personal stylists who know every bit of product, in every one of the hundreds of shops in Dubai.
Whether you’re shopping for a holiday wardrobe, a new suit for work, wedding trousseau or just want to latest designer hand bag, let them sift through the fluff and take you straight to the good stuff. leaving you with more time to sunbathe on your well deserved holiday, looking super stylish of course.
Flamingo Rooms by Tasha
For Dubai’s most instagrammable meals and fabulous interiors head to The Flamingo Rooms by Tasha. Picture a plush, pink palace with 70’s inspired installation lighting. Art-deco meets mid century furnishings, mixing green velvet with salmon marble and rose gold metal edging.
Expect the most photogenic plates varying from lobster Benedict to floral adorned corn flake chicken escalopes and of course the prettiest cocktails in the middle east. This place is instagram heaven.
Flamingo Rooms by Tasha
The Buddha Bar Dubai with its seductive, incense filled rooms, pulsating house music and candlelit, Balinese inspired venue, has been the number one dinner and drinks destination in Dubai for over a decade.
In order to keep things fresh, they’ve opened up the swanky new Siddharta Lounge, a chic shisha terrace with 360 degree views of Dubai marina. Enjoy drinks alongside Dubai’s glitterati and sundowners rubbing shoulders with the local celebs. (pictured below)
Image above: the beach at The Bulgari and below Charlie and I at Nikki Beach Club.
That was just a few of the fabulous places mentioned in the Best At Travel Fashionistas guide. I’m so lucky that I got to try them out as it’s a side to Dubai that’s not always obvious to tourists. To find out more about my trip and other Dubai holidays check out Best At Travel.
Thats’s all from Dubai for now.
Bon voyage xx
The post The Alternative Fashionistas Shopping Guide to Dubai appeared first on The Style Traveller.
from The Style Traveller
How to Create an Entry When you Don’t Actually Have One
There are so many things I love about our house, but it’s not without its design challenges. A significant lack of built-in storage. Narrow hallways. Very few contiguous walls making furniture placement a total headache. But one issue drives me particularly crazy. We don’t have a proper entry! Our front door opens directly onto our stairwell and a narrow hall – making a highly functional entryway virtually impossible to create (you can see my front hall here).
With the busy holiday season upon us, I knew I needed to solve this problem pronto. With an active family and a preschooler underfoot, our hallway could no longer serve as the “stuff dumping ground.” I’m tired of tripping over everything! So I partnered with Tuesday Morning to come up with a solution that was easy, quick and most importantly used pieces that were incredibly affordable (so important this time of year!).
Rather than cram an already narrow hall full of tiny furniture, I decided to create a “faux entry” in our front bay window. The look is light, airy and elevated, yet still offers all the functionality I desperately need.
My design started with the white cane chair I found at Tuesday Morning. I love using chairs more like tables. A stack of books offers a nice surface for additional objects – perhaps a table lamp, a basket, or in this case, a stunning brass bowl to catch house keys and other random odds and ends. I added a string of vintage glass beads found on a recent trip to LA for a little color.
To create more height, I then added in a hammered metal plant stand, also picked up at Tuesday Morning. I love the mix of materials and textures. The plant stand will offer me so many styling options as the seasons change. I love the look of tall dramatic branches, but as we move into winter I might swap in a potted plant of some kind (you can see some of my favorite houseplants right here). I’m thinking something big and leafy!
I paired my Tuesday Morning scores with a mix of other items I already had on hand, including a custom coffee table, a antique stool, and my favorite vintage candelabra. These objects make me smile every day.
I found a few more great accessories at Tuesday Morning, including a classic white porcelain bowl that will be great for holding the day’s mail. A fun egg timer will hopefully make getting a toddler out there door a little more fun. Certainly seems like a better option than the typical “you have until the count of 3!”
I love how this new set up has given a spot for the day’s odds and ends to land – rather than on the floor or my dining room table. But none of the pieces I used are too big or too permanent. I can switch things up as needed – or as the mood strikes and you know it strikes around here A LOT. I know I’ll be popping into Tuesday Morning to see what new treasure I can find on the regular. Click here to find the Tuesday Morning location closest to you.
Now I feel more organized and pulled together as December hits. Exactly what I needed as the busiest time of year descends! What do you think? Are you into this entry idea? I’d love to here how you solved similar challenges in your house.
For solutions to your design dilemmas, CLICK HERE.
Sources: chair Tuesday Morning / plant stand Tuesday Morning / favorite decor books This is Home: The Art of Simple Living, The Alchemy of Things, Thomas Pheasant / brass bowl Spartan Shop / custom coffee table Lauren Nelson Design / design book Dries Van Noten / vintage candelabra / porcelain bowl Tuesday Morning / egg timer Tuesday morning / vintage stool Elsie Green / beni ourain rug The Citizenry
original photography for apartment 34 by bess friday
This post is a paid partnership with Tuesday Morning. Thanks for supporting collaborations we’re excited about and posts that have kept apartment 34’s doors open.
The post How to Create an Entry When you Don’t Actually Have One appeared first on Apartment34.
from Apartment34
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