Hasta La Ideas The Adventures of Star Wars Figurines in Nature Archives

Feb 24

Gotta Getaway? Experience New York Shopping And British Charm At The Crosby Street Hotel!

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Wouldn’t you love to wake up in the morning, roll over, and have all your favorite stores right at your doorstep? The next time you decide to visit New York City, stay at the Crosby Street Hotel right in the heart of SoHo. Just opened in October 2009, the British hotel export combines New York chic with British whimsy. The 86 individually designed rooms feature modern artwork, bold stripes, florals, and antique furnishings. Shockingly, there are floor-to-ceiling windows along with roof top garden which allow for some breathtaking views. True to its British roots, English afternoon tea is served all day at the Crosby Bar with cakes, scones, sandwiches and even champagne. The central location means that boutiques like Marc Jacobs, Prada, and Kate Spade are just around the corner! Best yet, the hotel has a 99 seat movie screening room and is eco-friendly and LEED certified. Take a look at my slideshow to see more.

Jan 27

Gotta Getaway? Hit The Slopes At The Balsams Grand Resort In New Hampshire!

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If you’ve missed out on winter’s wonder this season, it’s time to book a trip to a place like this heaven-on-earth snow haven, The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in New Hampshire. While the walls itself are typical of any retreat, the surroundings and views are like none other, boasting some of the prettiest slopes, frosted trees, and glass-frozen lakes New Hampshire and Connecticut can offer. The ski resort is known for its top-notch instruction in alpine and nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, and with wilderness trails that hide the trace of humanity using as minimum of lifts possible, this place is the epitome of snow solstice solitude. Housing some of the world’s best winter athletes, it also, interestingly, is home to one of the oldest Steinway grand pianos in history. There’s plenty of room to roam and busy yourself with on your own, but the hotel also hosts a great many of activities as well — like a 30K race that also featured a food and wine tour for spectators this February. Take a little time for yourself this winter and cozy up in one of New Hampshire’s finest!

Jan 26

Kick Up Your Feet In Style At The St. Regis Hotel’s Remede Spa!

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Picture this: you’re surrounded by infinity pools, fountains, the Pacific Ocean and rock-filled waterways alongside stunning Mexican vistas. Sound relaxing? Head to the Remede Spa at the St. Regis Hotel in Punta Mita, Mexico and make this dream scenario a reality. The 10,000-square-foot spa features nine treatment rooms, plus a fitness center, tennis courts and an extensive menu of services — from hot-stone body treatments and massages to facials, manicures and pedicures — that incorporate local flora and fauna. Don’t miss the signature Ocean Pearl Massage, which begins with a crushed-pearl exfoliation, followed by a warm seaweed body mask and a customized massage. It all adds up to one very pretty picture indeed. Click “See Video” for a virtual tour, then check out Modern Luxury for more luxe travel options!

Jan 20

Gotta Getaway? Escape To The Maldives At Naladhu Resort!

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The cold weather outside has left me with a hankering to move to some place warm and sunny, with never ending expanses of sand and surf. The nearly 1,200 coral islands of the Maldives stretch across South East Asia and less than 200 are inhabited! The islands are intensely private which makes for a luxurious and unique vacation. At the Maldives, you can learn how to surf, scuba dive, or just relax at the spa. Now you just have to choose where to stay! The Naladhu property is located Veligandu Huraa Island in South Male. The 19 secluded beach houses come with private beaches and the ocean houses have decks that go straight into the water. They even offer service from “VGCs” (Very Good Chap) who will meet you at the airport. More amenities include personalized menus, private wine cellars, and in-room spa services to guarantee an unforgettable experience. Take a look at my slideshow to see more!

Jan 13

Gotta Getaway? Live In A Pop Art Painting At Hotel Triton In San Francisco!

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Feeling a little under pressure at the office or just need a break in tedium? Give the Hotel Triton a go and make your way to the city of San Francisco! Hotel Triton is located right in downtown, near all the shopping, shows and sights and the hotel itself is definitely a sight to see. Inspired by pop art and culture, the hotel is full of bright colors, whimsically shaped archways and windows and ever-changing local art and photos. Each of the 140 rooms available at Hotel Triton are equally delightful in visual stimulation, but are also uniquely designed to follow a tastefully fun theme. If all the activities of the city in the near vicinity get a little overwhelming, relax indoors at the hotel that also houses a cafe full of scrumptious treats, a wine tasting and tarot reading hour every evening, and fresh baked cookies every afternoon. On top of all that, there are also spa and gym services plus free wi-fi in every room and zebra print bathrobes for lounging. And the Hotel Triton can boast in being one of the first eco-friendly hotels, offering many services that are nicer to Mother Earth. Really wanna feel like home during your little getaway? Hotel Triton is also pet friendly so bring Rover along too make it a real family vacation! And if you’re like me and already live in the great city of San Francisco, take a weekend and see the city through a tourist’s eyes! Check out the slideshow to see the colorfully designed and pop-art inspired Hotel Triton for yourself.

Jan 12

Experience The Finest In Wining And Dining At Houston’s La Toretta Lake Resort

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The perfect way to end a busy day of golf, waterskiing or sightseeing? Linger over a fantastic waterfront meal at La Torretta Del Lago Resort and Spa in Montgomery, Texas. Located just outside of Houston, the property has an impressive 10 on-site restaurants, not to mention room service and catering. But the piece de resistance is award-winning French chef Albert Roux’s first American restaurant, Chez Roux. This four-star gem features rotating weekly menus of contemporary French cuisine prepared with fresh local produce and Parisian flair. A modern open kitchen, breathtaking views and exquisitely prepared cuisine — think Maine lobster mousse and caviar wrapped in spinach with Champagne sauce — make the Chez Roux experience a true culinary treat. Try not to drool after you click “See Video” below, then start planning your trip via the Modern Luxury Houston page!

Jan 06

Gotta Getaway? Experience Couture Comforts At Paris’ Le Bellechasse!

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The future of Christian Lacroix may be up in financial limbo (will some wealthy heiress just buy it already??), at least we can take comfort that his design expertise can still be seen at Le Bellechasse in Paris. The famed couturier designed the 34 rooms with a dramatic theatre and tarot card theme. Each room is unique and all have a mix of different fabrics, textures and colors. While the room may remind you of old world tastes, the amenities are totally modern with large tubs, flat screen TVs and Anne Semonin toiletries. Tip: try and get one of the four rooms that lead into the patio courtyard. The rooms at Le Bellechasse may be on the smaller side, but it’s only a block away from the Musee d’Orsay! Check out my slideshow to see all the pictures.

Jan 03

Gotta Getaway? Soak Up The Sun At The Dominican Republic’s Puntacana Hotel

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The weather outside might be frightful, but that doesn’t mean you should hole yourself up in your apartment! If the summer sun you’ve been missing can’t come to you, pack your bags and go find it! The Puntacana Hotel in the Dominican Republic is the ultimate tropical escape from this stateside gloomy winter. With gorgeous beaches nearly as white and pristine as the hotel’s silky Frette sheets and all the luxe accommodations you could ever ask for in the hotel’s deluxe rooms and beach cabanas, you can leave your puffer coats and Snuggies behind and soak up the sun while you anxiously wait for spring! And let’s be honest — that view of the impossibly blue ocean outside the hotel window definitely beats the fog you’ve been waking up to! Check the slideshow for more pictures of the paradise that awaits!

Dec 31

Post-Holiday Getaway Essentials From TheFind!

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Now that the presents have been opened and the house guests have come and gone, you can finally look forward to your post-holiday escape. If you are jetting off to somewhere exotic and warm lined with white sandy beaches why not splurge on yourself and spend those gift cards straight away some new luxe beach-worthy essentials. Indulge in some Marni oversized shades ($455 at Net-a-Porter) for protecting your eyes from the sun, considering you haven’t seen actual sunlight during these past couple months of snow and sleet. Defrost and decompress under a full 8″ wide large brimmed straw hat ($24.99 at Buy.com), perfect for hiding from harsh UV rays as you bask pool side. Stash your travelers checks, tickets and passport in a super stylish basic leather travel wallet from Smythson ($340 at Net-a-Porter). Inside you’ll find compartments marked Boarding Pass, Currency, Passport, Tickets, and Other. What is more glam than this shade of fuchsia leather? Pack up the rest of your essentials in an travel tote like this Stella McCartney oversized technical taffeta tote ($785 at Net-a-Porter). The tote is embellished with gold toned hardware, a long shoulder strap to wear messenger style and sports internal zipped and pouch pockets to keep you organized and tidy on the road to paradise. For all of the beauty items that won’t fit in your tote, toss them into this gorgeous Erdem Globe Trotter vanity case ($595 at Net-a-Porter). The red case is accented with gold-tone hardware and black leather trim. The heirloom quality case is worthy of your most prized accessories and beauty essentials as you step thru the boarding gate in pure jetsetter style. Bon voyage!

Brought to you by our friends at TheFind!

Dec 16

Vigilante road unclutterers

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Every Sunday morning there is a man in his 60s or 70s with a long white beard and even longer hair cleaning the underpass of the highway near my house. He has a large broom, a tiny dustpan, numerous garbage bags, and what I’ve decided is a battery-powered vacuum in a shopping cart from Trader Joe’s. I don’t know if he is there because he is an adopt-a-highway sponsor, is cleaning it as part of a court-mandated community service obligation, or if he has a compulsion of some kind. It’s an extremely dangerous area of road, so I’ve never stopped to ask him why he is there. And, I’ve never seen him around town other than when he’s cleaning up the underpass.

I mention this public-space unclutterer because apparently he’s not the only one randomly cleaning up the streets in my area. The Washington Post reported last week that there are more vigilante unclutterers out there cleaning up Virginia roadways. From Signs of a roadside crusade in Fairfax“:

Some people spend their Saturday mornings cruising yard sales or running errands. Juli Verrier spends hers ripping down signs.
Outraged over the bumper crop of ads that spring up along Fairfax County roads, Verrier dodges traffic and angry merchants in a one-woman fight against clutter, filling her car’s trunk to overflowing with signs hawking everything from sushi bars to massages.

It’s illegal to post signs along roadways in Virginia, and each sign is worthy of a $100 fine. The article explains, however, that because of budget cuts the state Department of Transportation (VDOT) no longer patrols for sign violations. In fact, “VDOT is so broke that if not for volunteers, no one would be cleaning up the signs.”

Budget cuts have also reduced mowing funds, which this past summer led one county supervisor to start mowing the shaggiest of medians with his push mower.

Have you ever felt compelled to become a vigilante road unclutterer? I’ll admit, I don’t have any desire to risk my safety and pull up signs. I also don’t own a lawn mower to care for nearby medians. It’s an interesting uncluttering hobby, though. Sound off with your opinions about these volunteers in the comments.