What I wouldn't give...

to be back here

In a dramamine-induced coma on a trip with a total pleasure seeker. You know exactly the the type of person I'm taking about. The kind of person that sighs after taking a bite of something delicious, stops to really put their feet in the sand, and always sees the beauty in life (which make her a great photographer to boot). Not an over-indulger per se, but rather a satisfaction seeker (SS) who snarls at the idea of personal homeostasis. I have traits similar to an SS, but really I teeter back and forth. Sometimes I allow amusement to guide me and at other times I don't.

Speaking of what guides a person, I recently read this series in O magazine (I don't subscribe to the magazine, but read it at every possible chance: nail salon, doctor's office, Bliss, etc.) on intuition. In the series of articles, Martha Beck writes about how to tune in to your voice within to find personal fulfillment. Martha explains that everyday we have two voices in our heads, two advisers, your logical (somewhat pedantic) self and your passionate, satisfaction seeking, self. This is so very true for me. I often lack clarity as the multiple voices chime around in my head.

Beck argues that when making a choice we should ignore the voice of social conditioning (voices that echo our parents, teachers, and other authority figures) and listen to you own wisdom that often appears as emotions or physical sensations in the body.

She suggests that if you are wondering whether a choice is wise or not, that you shouldn't search your mind for a rational arguement. Instead, hold each option in your attention, then feel its effects on your body and emotions. When something is wrong for you, you'll feel constriction and tightness. The wise choice should lead to feelings of freedom and even excitement. A prime example of our conflicting selves comes from my friend over at ramshackle glam whose blog post on the day she quit her job  I carried around with me for MONTHS. Whenever an overwhelming sense of dread came over me, I pulled out the ratty paper and read her words on how she let intuition lead and stepped away from safety.

P.S. O's series on intuition was also written up on NPR.

(picture by pleasure seeker of me in the Thai islands)

Souvenirs for the stylish travelers

If you like shopping, Asia is the ultimate destination. Giant shopping malls and unique boutiques fill the streets. Thailand is no exception. Myra and I spent full days of our vacation scouring fancy Thai shopping malls and weekend markets filled with brand name designers and unique Thai fashions.

Designer duds from Thai designers meant unique keepsakes.

Some of favorite designers included Vickteerut and Boudoir by Disaya.

Vickteerut's effortless looks uses premium fabrics, unique shapes, and daring hem-lines. Bringing together a collection of minimal, understated pieces. Unfortunately, most of the looks were too short for my 5'10 frame. I mean "is she wearing pants?" short.  I brought home a washed silk number (shown above) that would bring Elizabeth Taylor (circa the 1960's) to her knees.

Boudoir by Disaya is a lingerie collection from the designer Disaya Prokobsantisukh. The confidently sexy collection really suited my smaller frame and the fabrics were so rich that you would think I picked up some kiki montparnasse while abroad. Eat your heart out lingerie lovers because this stuff was a steal.

The Weekend Market in Chatuchak was the best one-stop-shop for all our last minute purchases and some pleasant surprises. I picked up some swanky t-shirts for the gents in my life and some truly unique leather and textiles.

Dreaming of Puerto Rico

Yo soy boricua, mi amor es Puerto Rico.

13 days until I leave for Rincon!

Me and Xtina with Tia Ana

Great expectations

Ahhh...travel...

I'm a bit of a Hemingway or Fitzgerald when it comes to traveling. What I most enjoy about visiting new cities is experiencing the new place in the eyes of its residents. I first learned this approach from my favorite novel, The Sun Also Rises, in it Hemingway depicts ex-pats seeking authentic life experiences via the cafe cultures of Spain and France. If I learned anything from Lady Brett Ashley, and the other misfits, it's that you need to get drunk in a city to really understand it. Perhaps I should say you need to put on your booze-colored glasses or, better yet, BTB! Bring-the-booze! Hehe.

Then there are other times when you simply want to see the sights. I'm not talking about the typical Diva in Distress sights like

an Italian Man dressed perfectly in red pants (yum!),

rays of sunshine bathing squatters in front of the Palazzo Pitti, or

 the studded-kitten heels from Valentino that you have been craving for months.

I'm talking about Historical monuments like the Colosseum or the Taj Mahal. Places that maintain a heartbeat after centuries and have a history so rich that, with a little imagination, you can see the visitors of the past. Places where you don't feel lame (like you did when you had dinner next to Bono and couldn't stop staring) being awe struck.

Italy, rich with culture and well-dressed men definitely met expectations.

Tell me Puppets - where have you been that met or exceeded your expectations?  And, please, feel free to say Barneys if that's your mecca! Stay tuned for a DID list of life experiences that met expectations.

This world is a trip!

If you know me, you know I love COFFEEEEE

A friend recently asked me if I am easy to travel with, I replied that I only require two things: 1) A general feeling of safety and 2) my morning coffee. That's right - I'm that easy. I love traveling to begin with, so keep me happy by keeping me out of harms way and serve me some java.

Yesterday, on my second-full day in Italy, I was perched comfortably on my realization that Italy produces more than just great food and wine - Italy is also a coffee lover's Mecca! Il caffe is a very popular drink - Italians usually stop to drink a coffee - standing at the bar, so chic.

So on a very sunny Martedi - I made the valiant attempt to find the perfect cup of (Italiano) joe.

My mission started in Piazza Del Popolo at a street-side cafe, where Mr. B and I had just finished cafe-ing. We finished our meal with a cafe il latte, it was delicious with a sweet aroma, but not exactly the good work that I knew the Roman people could do and so we continued on.

Right around apertivo time here in Roma, I stood at the crossroads of coffee greatness, Piazza Sant'Eustachio, and I had to decide between tasting the sweet nectar at Camilloni S. Eustachio or that of Cafe Sant'Eustachio (they are directly across the street from each other). This was a very hard decision! As a coffee connoisseur (and addict) my expectations were high!  

I was allured by Camilloni's authentic-looking establishment...

and, by the flirtatious looks I received from this guy in the beautiful fur collared coat. And, so Camilloni was a natural choice (see! Italians do eat gelato at all hours - I knew it!). Camilloni served up the most the perfect blend of espresso and milk - smooth and velvety. Yum! Success!

On our way past Cafe Sant'Eustachio's their aroma could be smelled from the street! Had I made the wrong choice? Could my nerves handle yet another cup? And what about the adorable yellow motif! How could I have let that beautiful fur-collared man tempt me?  It was too late, I had made my decision and so I would have to live with it.

Well sort of, I decided to take some of the goodness home with me and purchased a bag of Sant'Eustachio's beans! Yippee! All last night, the smell of Caffe fresco lurked in our room. Perhaps that is why I finally had a good sleep.  

We are off to Florence and will report back later. 

p.s. Buttercup says HI!

Ciao!

...from Italy, Puppets. 

I'm happy to report that my brother is totally unaffected by the time change and is sleeping soundly in our hip room at Guesthouse, Casa Howard, whereas, I'll be up obsessing over tomorrow's itinerary until 4 a.m. (Roma time). My gurgling belly, which is filled with Authentic Roman Cuisine from Sora Margherita, is also helping to keep me awake.  

My first impressions of Roma are almost irrelevant, because what I'm most enjoying is watching my buttercup experience new things. He is eating it up (both literally and figuratively - Gelato, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Linguine, Vino Bianco, Vino Rosso, Pizza Margherita, Fried Artichokes, and much, much more).  Today after a quick Latte we spent most of the day exploring the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. We took the 300+ stairs up to the top of St. Peter's Basilica - it was worth the hike - the views were stunning! 

As a historical destination Roma has a lot to offer, but at first glance it is hard to find the so-called "beat" of the city (i.e. In modern times, what's it all about? Who lives and works here? And do Romans really eat gelato at all hours of the day or are those tourists?).

We dined in Centro Storico, which had personality, fewer souvenir shops, and an east village feel. Before dinner, we stopped into a Roman bookstore to get an idea of what the locals like to read. As it turns out, they like to read about art and cooking (go figure!). The two-floor store dedicated almost an entire floor to the two subjects. What Roman's don't want to read about - you ask? Dieting! There was just one shelf tucked way in the back next to bulky cookbooks.

More on my impressions of Roma later, for now back to Buttercup.

As it turns out, Mr. Buttercup is quite the fervent photographer and took some real beauties helping us to capture the moment.

I'm off to try and steal some ZZZZ's! More to come...

Advent calendar: Day 2

 

Day 2, wish 2: A six-day riding adventure in the Argentinian Andes with Cazenove + Loyd. Luxury travel is very chic and great for a limitless holiday wish list. Let your imaginations wander and join me in the saddle. Close your eyes and picture the beautiful landscape, the riding boots, and your fearless Argentinian leader helping you cross different terrains. Very chic, very romantic, very whimsical, very Hemingway.

I love to travel; I'm particularly happy when planning for a trip. The anticipation I feel before venturing out to a new place is particularly fulfilling. Perhaps I should become a luxury travel agent or start my own luxury travel agency.

This travelista dreams of owning her own hotelita someday. Can you imagine the luxurious lifestyle that comes along with owning (not managing) a boutique hotel. I envision somewhere exotic, where the locals embrace the 6-12 tourists I bring in each week (very exclusive). Everyone experiences the pleasures of the local culture and traditions, while returning back to luxury at night. How idyllic! One option is the relatively untapped San Miguel Allende.  

More on San Miguel later. For now, join me in dreaming...Where would your boutique hotelita be located?