I hardly romanticize life before electronic mail, the flying bus, the horseless carriage.
But there’s something romantic about a train ride, about a process of traveling outside of carefully placing your Giuseppes in a security tray, a journey that includes holding on to private packages like this Manufactum cardboard hat box.
Hugging a hatbox on a train is so seductively innocent.
Espesh if you stash your Marlies Dekkers panties in it…
I take my Alstermo Bruk luggage everywhere, and people love the leather-trimmed retro trunk. A lady I just met at a photography show asked me if I had an orange suitcase — she’d noticed me in JFK airport seasons ago.
But as glam as hand-crafted, hard-case luggage is, you know what? Whether it’s James Bond’s Globetrotter attache or the Swedish royal family’s Alstermo luggage, it’s really just a fancy cardboard box.
Which I dig.
So I ordered this Manufactum cardboard attache, a Czech-made briefcase that cost less than Globetrotter’s four figures and Alstermo’s three. For fifty bucks, it’s the perfect home for the Hackintosh netbook I bought off Craigslist, and a spare silk jersey tank dress. What else do you really need…
Noted for its therapeutic mineral waters, Sagewater Spa‘s pools are best at night. Filled by nearby mineral springs that steam at a steady 90°F, walking into the pool feels like melting into the desert air. The sky is as black as the desert valley rolling below the resort’s windowed walls, and the air and sand blend together, one lit by galaxies’ lightbulbs, the other by electric stars marking the personal universe of a kitchen. With just a dry breeze to whisper at me, I feel like I’m in the middle of an ocean of nowhere, the pool the prow of my ship.
Plus, Sagewater Spa greeted me with home-baked coffee cake that even The Los Angeles Times raves about…
A few weeks ago I visited Norma Kamali’s showroom/retail space in midtown Manhattan. PR lady Sari gave me the tour, and when we stopped in Norma Kamali’s Wellness Cafe I bought Norma Kamali lavender candies, lavender soda, and lavender tea (and they gave me this dress).
Curious how flower candies taste? Try Norma Kamali’s Gourmet Travel Kit of olive oil, lavender tea, and honey lavender drops. Norma Kamali looks as fresh as her Walmart models, so while I wait for her line of organic, free-trade, vegan Botox, I’ll drink whatever holistic Kool-Aid she sells…
The International Watch & Jewelry Guild (IWJG) trade show crams millions of dollars worth of merch in a Vegas Hilton conference room roamed by guard dogs at night. A IWJG member has to vouch for you — photo ID, please — before you can see loose diamonds rolled up in tissue paper, watch vintage Pateks replace cash as currency, and hear friendly haggling set market prices.
The veneer of the bling business is stripped away, and you’re left with the soul of what most people would sell their souls for.
No one at the IWJG would, though.
But they will cut you a deal on a Paul Newman Rolex Daytona…
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Wanting: Mercer Hotel Silk RobeSomehow I never noticed how lavender is part of the Mercer hotel’s signature, probably because its use feels as organically elegant as the rest of the hotel. Soft without being saccharine, this Mercer lavender silk robe is another reason why you won’t want to leave your room… |
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Using: Mercer Lavender Incense
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Hating: Mercer Lavender Cashmere Throw
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Wanting: Kempinski Hotel & SpaKempinski Hotel & Spa is on Hainan Island, which floats in the South China Sea. Sapphire water, lush jungles, baby powder sand, oh my. Wouldn’t you rather be here Monday? This China trip’s on sale at LuxuryLink.com. Why only wish? Life’s short… |
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Buying: Commune By The Great WallI love Hong Kong’s east-greets-west vibe, and this China trip captures that: you’re nestled near the Great Wall, cozy in a modern, minimalist collection of contemporary architecture… |
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Hating: Myths and MountainsThis sounds like Disneyland in Mandarin… |
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Wanting.I’m back from London: there was loads of shopping, tip-toeing through cobble stones in kitten heels, and walking across Tower Bridge to Conran’s Design Museum. The museum’s got a great cafe that overlooks the river, and tightly edited exhibitions on design. My only regret? My feet were so sore — I gave satin Loubies more wear in one day than they should see in a year — that I only glossed over the Design Museum’s exhibit on Jan Kaplický, the Czech architect behind some of Britain’s most remarkable buildings… |
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Seeing.The main exhibit at the Design Museum was “Super Contemporary,” a celebration of London as the capital of forward design… |
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Hating.Mariscal had a decade-spanning, genre-hopping career, but someone explain to me why — besides his brand-building — his scribbles were so magical… |
55 Secret Street can’t stand the rain but loves Rx for Brown Skin’s Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen .
Stiletto Jungle picks the perfect cross-body bag for summer trips.
All About the Pretty let’s us know what’s in her weekly Beach Beauty Bag.
All Lacqured Up is eagerly awaiting the launch of Chanel’s Jade Green nail polish for Fall.
Lindsay Lohan, jewelry thief? – Allie is Wired has the details.
Bag Bliss picks the perfect summer wedding purses.
Chloe struggles to find its cool – Bag Snob
iS Innovative skincare is for the ultimate Beauty Snob!
Coquette is excited for the H&M Jimmy Choo collection this Fall.
In love with boyfriend jeans? Don’t miss your chance to win a pair of Current/Elliott Boyfriend Jeans from FashionPulseDaily.com
Second City Style thinks it’s still chilly at night so cover up with one of these light layers!
Shopping and Info loves Reese Witherspoon’s floral dress made by Michelle Obama’s DNC dress designer.
Summer wedding season is here! Find out what to wear to your next event at StyleBakery.com
Got an interview for a summer job? Go you! Check out our ideas for foolproof interview outfits that’ll have you looking put-together while everyone else is melting in their suits.
The Beauty Stop takes a look at Reese Witherspoon‘s new perfume In Bloom.
The Shoe Goddess explores her edgy side with these hot Balmain suede buckle ankle boots!
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Wanting.LuxuryLink.com has choice LA deals, and I’m lusting for a few nights at the Montage Beverly Hills. Since I’m a hop away, the Montage isn’t so much about a change of scene but its scene of Trump change: two nights in its Spanglish, plastic perfection feels like two years ago, in the Gilded Age of easy cheese… |
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Using.Jetting to a hotel in your home town is somewhere between a staycay and a vacay. I’ll pat myself on the back for saving airfare, then blow $925 at the London West Hollywood. That equals three suite nights, plus Gordon goodies: an assortment of signature sweets and triple-course lunch at Gordon Ramsay. The LuxuryLink.com deal’s good for two, so ping me already… |
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Hating.I get that you’re practically on the Pacific Ocean, but what’s sexy about heading out to a ‘hood of homely housewives… |
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