Signing Off

This will be my last post until next Wednesday. We are co hosting a going away party for our neighbors tonight and celebrating our wedding anniversary this weekend. We are going to see Elvis Costello play with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, should be fun. I am still not packed for our trip to the States on Tuesday. So much to do, so little time.

Be certain to check back next week for a few fantastic profiles and my interview with Ernest de la Torre for Decorati. Safe travels to everyone getting ready to go on holiday.

All the best,
Ronda

Cabo San Lucas

One of my favorite pastimes, among many, is researching hotels, villas and holiday destinations. I know that I have mentioned before that I am highly affected by my surrounds. The last thing I want is to be stuck in less than pleasant accommodations while on holiday. I am not one of those people who claim the room is only for sleeping and it doesn’t matter—it matters!

Last summer we spent two weeks in Spain. The first week we were in Barcelona staying with friends and the second week we rented a villa in old town Pollenca on the island of Mallorca. After our stay at Casa Romana, I mentioned in my blog post, I had been converted to the world of self-catering. Of course, for short stays, I continue to seek out unique hotels. But for long-term holidays I want to live like a local in a foreign country, not a mere visitor.

Unfortunately, work schedules this summer will prohibit another two-week vacation, at least for my husband. Instead, my son and I will be heading to the States for seven weeks, with my husband joining us at the end of the summer. All things being equal, and apart from being away from my husband, I am thrilled that I will be spending time with my family. However, a change to our summer schedule doesn’t preclude me from researching beautiful destinations to add to my ever growing list.

Having been born and raised in Texas I am no stranger to Mexico, at least parts of the country. The one place I have not been to is Cabo San Lucas. Yesterday I found the most wonderful website and have noted several villas in my travel journal. Villa Luca, a stunning home in the Pedregal area of Cabo San Lucas, located at Land’s End in Baja California Sur, Mexico, was too beautiful not to share. I have been suffering a summertime cold this week. What I wouldn’t give to be lying on that sun-soaked terrace, gazing out over the infinity pool and watching the waves right now.

The George Hotel Inverary

We first had dinner at the George Hotel in Inverary on our first visit to Scotland in December 2004. It was exactly what I had imagined and hoped for in a Highland hotel. The stone floors, roaring fires and delicious seafood sold me on the place immediately. It wasn’t until a year later, after moving to Scotland, that we booked a room for an overnight stay.


Hotel is an absolute delight and has been run by the same family since the 19th century. It is the must go to spot for all of our out of town guests. The hotel is a classic 18th Georgian building overlooking the main street of Inverary and a stone's throw from the beautiful shores of Loch Fyne.

Of course being a pet friendly hotel and pub is a big plus in my book. The rooms are huge (especially by British standards) and the bathrooms are well appointed. The mixture of tartan carpets, antiques and oil paintings all add to the ambiance. Certainly the beds are not the best in the world, but with all of the other perks and charm I tend to overlook that one fault.

The George Hotel beer garden is a lively haunt for both local characters and visitors alike with a wide choice of real ales, 100 malt whiskies and an extensive wine list. The garden is particularly nice on a bright sunny day like to ones we have been witnessing lately.

Perhaps my favorite part of the stay is breakfast in the conservatory-style room at the rear of the hotel. In my opinion the breakfast is legendary. A full Scottish breakfast (if you are brave), Loch Fyne kippers, smoked haddock, cereal, croissants and yogurt are all included in the cost of the room. The hotel is extremely popular and books up months in advance. I highly recommended this little jewel and yes we will be back very soon.

Heading Back to Scotland

I am heading home to Scotland. It's been a great 2 weeks visiting my family in Houston, and great fun meeting other bloggers. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting Katie Stassi. We have had subsequent conversations and I can honestly say she is a lovely and talented woman.

Sorry that my posts have been short and spotty the past few weeks. I promise my blogging will get back to normal next week!

All best,
Ronda

Dinner with Houston Bloggers

What a great night. As I have said many times before, the best part of blogging is the many wonderful people I meet when I travel. Last night was no exception. I had dinner with four wonderful women and fellow bloggers at Armando's.

me (All the Best); Courtney (Inside the Loop); Joni (Cote de Texas); Paloma (La Dolce Vita)

Courtney (Inside the Loop); Joni (Cote de Texas); Paloma (La Dolce Vita); Carolina (Carolina Eclectic)

I have wanted to dine again at Armando's for awhile now. Armando Palacios and his eponymous restaurant of Mexican fare, has reopened after a long hiatus. Centrally located in the River Oaks area of Houston, Armandos engulfs you in an environment reminiscent of fine dining in early 20th century Mexico City (not that I know first-hand, but so I've been told). The food was delicious, but the company was by far the best part of the evening. It was great seeing all of you!

Off to Texas

I am off to Texas for the next 2 weeks to see my family. The trip is a birthday gift from my parents. Thank you mom and dad. It will be the first time in many years that I will be at my childhood home on my actual birthday. I can’t wait for Sunday brunch and mimosas at the club to celebrate the occasion!

While in The Lone Star State I plan to have dinner with a few blogging friends (photos to come) and I will meet with fellow Houstonian and 2008 domino top 10 Katie Stassi. I will try to post regularly, with a few gap days here and there, but plan to stay in touch when possible.

All the best,
Ronda

All the Best

As the title suggests, readers of this blog truly are the BEST! I am always so humbled by the kind emails I receive from people around the world. I am also inspired by so many of you. Over the weekend I received a beautiful email for a reader who saw my post on the Oberoi hotel in Udaipur.

She wrote to say: "It is indeed one of the most spectacular hotels ever! I was just there in November on a 3 week trip through Rajasthan with two girlfriends and out of all the fabulous hotels we stayed at (including the Oberoi in Agra, the Amanbagh, and the Shangri-la-like Ananda Spa in the Himalayas), this hotel took the cake. Utter unrivaled luxury. We had two lakeside rooms with steps leading to the semi-private 'moat' pool which encircled the front of the property. I have some photos I am enclosing. Every doorway, window and corridor open onto an unforgettable vista. It's chic, chic, chic!"




Thank you Lisa...you're the best!

The Oberoi Udaivilas

One of Oberoi Udaivilas's private pools.

A serendipitous email once again has me thinking about India. It seems so exotic, far away and wonderfully romantic. In the heart of Rajasthan, overlooking the picturesque Lake Pichola and the City Palace, is a resort that is on my list of places I must visit in this lifetime. Voted the number one Hotel in the World in the Travel + Leisure 2007 Readers’ Poll The Oberoi Udaivilas captures the beauty and splendor of a royal era.

Unfortunately there are not many high-resolution photos available for me to post. You will have to visit their website for a photo tour, if for no other reason than a moment of escapism. However, in my search for photos I did come across these beautiful images and felt they were too wonderful not to share. As the revered Diana Vreeland remarked, “Pink is the navy blue of India.”





All images flickr

London Photo Tour

Chihuly's enormous glass Chandelier under the dome of the main rotunda entrance at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Internationally celebrated Seattle artist Dale Chihuly is a by-word for all that is spectacular and exciting in contemporary glass. Much is owed to the grand and historic tradition of Venetian glass, with rich colors and extravagant shapes prevalent in his work.

Dinner at the Running Horse in Mayfair (Monika Biegler Eyers, now the London Contributing Editor for Domino; me; Michael Devine; and my hubby). The gastropub has a great atmosphere, which can be summed up as equal part neighbourhood restaurant and traditional English pub. Excellent food, a cosy atmosphere with an open fire and reasonable prices make it a great little find in Mayfair. According to my husband, the squid is particularly good.

Drinks at the Savile Club in the heart of Mayfair. The club was established in 1868, occupying a beautiful 18th Century house. Champagne is always a great way to start the evening. Michael made the drop and I now own the beautiful Gramercy fabric!

My visit to The Rug Company was one of the highlights of my trip. I have long been a fan of their beautiful rugs, but photos do not do justice to the gorgeous colors and textures. Everyone I met was gracious and very knowledgeable, truly a great group of people.

Fun, fanciful and colorful wall hangings. What sets The Rug Company apart is their Designer Collection by well known designers such as Paul Smith, Diane Von Furstenberg and Allegra Hicks among talented others.

Stunning is the only word to describe the work of artist Ewan Gibbs. Ok, it's not the only word, but it's an apt one nonetheless. My husband and I are both absolutely smitten with his work and the best part is the artist himself. On Monday we meet with Ewan and Joanna Thornberry, Associate Director of The Timothy Taylor Gallery. Afterward we had drinks with Ewan at a local pub. Not only is he hugely talented, but he is a super nice guy.

The Timothy Taylor Gallery opened in 1996. Since opening, the gallery has presented an ambitious programme of exhibitions by internationally recognized contemporary artists from Britain and abroad. The gallery supports and showcases younger less-established artists and is one of the leading venues in London for contemporary art.

Kelly Hoppen's designer emporium on Fulham Road. A great shop with a little bit of everything, including her own medley of ceramics, furniture, and original accessories.

Out and about in South Kensington, sandwiched between the Knightsbridge and Chelsea. Beautiful architecture and fabulous shopping!

Case in point...

Rupert Sanderson started making shoes under his own name in 2002, and now produces two full and two pre season collections a year. Rupert spends four months of the year in Italy refining each shoe with the artisans in and around Bologna, where he designed for Sergio Rossi and Bruno Magli after learning his craft at the Cordwainers College in East London.

We a fantastic dinner our first night in London—a glass of Pol Roger, a bowl of steaming mussels with fennel and spinach in a saffron laced broth and a plate of delicious smoked fishcakes were the main attraction. Tucked away between Fulham Road and Kings Road, The Builders Arms is an attractive Georgian building. The quaint pub features a spacious interior with comfy leather sofas, velvet flock wallpaper, a fireplace and bookshelves.

Off to London

We are off to London until Tuesday. I am so excited and the best part is that I am getting my Gramercy fabric, delivered by the designer himself. Check back on Tuesday for an update. On the agenda - a visit to the Timothy Taylor Gallery to meet artist Ewan Gibbs, a trip to The Rug Company and dinner with Michael Devine and Monika Biegler Eyers. We had so much fun in Paris we thought we'd do it again! More next week...

Extravigator

When writing this blog post I was going to begin with the sentence ”When it comes to travel research I am...,” but I could not think of the right word to complete the sentence. I asked my husband to fill in the blank and without hesitation he suggested the word "obsessed."

Just because I read every travel review possible, buy tons of travel books and poll friends and strangers doesn’t make me obsessed. I like to think of myself as thorough, but obsessed is probably closer to the truth.

I am highly affected by my surrounds and the last thing I want is to be stuck in a less than pleasant hotel while on holiday. I am not one of those people who claim the room is only for sleeping and it doesn’t matter—it matters!

One source I read, but don’t wholly rely on as the authority, is Trip Advisor. While I appreciate hearing or reading others' opinions before making a choice, I find some of the complaining voices can create confusion. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with legitimate complaints, especially from someone whose opinion I trust. But what about the people who complain about traffic noise in New York City, the size of European hotel rooms or an abundance of haggis and smoked fish in Scotland.

Luckily I have a new best friend in the quest for travel perfection. Extravigator.com founded last year by Dan Richman. Extravigator is an online travel community dedicated to the sophisticated traveler. The content is excellent and the dialog and interaction among member is fun, informative and interesting. Yes members. You have to join Extravigator, and while membership is free, it has to be approved. Dan has crafted an excellent luxury travel community and I look forward to watching the site grow.

Profile: Alexis Swanson Traina

I love a great glass of wine and I am partial to Napa Valley—it’s where we spent our honeymoon. During our trip to California over the Christmas holidays I had the occasion to try the magnificent House of Swanson’s Alexis Estate Red. A full-bodied wine produced from cabernet (65%) and Syrah (25%) with the balance made up of merlot and cab franc, it’s simply delicious.

Swanson Vineyards is a small, hands-on, family-owned winery. In 1969 proprietor Clark Swanson Jr. married Elizabeth Pipes and raised their three daughters, Alexis, Veronica and Claiborne in Naples, Florida. In 1985 the family moved to Napa Valley and began Swanson Vineyards. Today Clark Swanson is still very much involved in the running of the winery, as is Elizabeth—the heart and soul of Swanson Vineyards and daughter Alexis Swanson Traina the namesake of the Alexis wine.


In additional to their wonderful, award-winning wines, one unique feature that sets the Swanson vineyard apart from other California wineries is their tasting salon. Inspired by the literary and culinary salons of 18th-century Paris, the Swanson Salon gathers together individuals to sample, discuss and enjoy their wine in a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere. Rather than the typical winery experience where visitors stand, guests to the Salon are seated around a beautifully set table to enjoy Swanson wines paired with food. To keep the experience personal and intimate, tasting are limited to a maximum of eight people.

Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with the beautiful and charming Alexis Swanson Traina the creative director of Swanson Vineyards. I adore her answers to my questions.


What is your fondest wine memory?
The first time I realized red wine was NOT the body and blood of Christ.

What are your favorite varietals?
I have a very American palate and love BIG California reds. For everyday, I love merlot and for special occasions, I covet a cabernet sauvignon. I also am wildly charmed by sweet, dessert wines.

Why do you think California Merlots have received negative press in recently years?
It is all part of the cycle of life.... you watch, merlot will have its' day again soon. I am a BIG fan of merlot, especially when it is made well and correctly. In our house, it IS the house wine--perfect on a Tuesday night and perfect on a Saturday night.

What is the one thing in life you can't live without?
Cuban coffee in the morning

What is your most prized possession?
A box that houses the relics of my life: love letters, pictures, poems, buttons, ticket stubs--whatever....

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
To love and be loved in return

What books are on your bedside table?
Trashy magazines

What inspired the Swanson Vineyards Salon?
Naivete and a desire to be relevant

Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?
My father's father-- and if he were anything like his son, we would drive up the coast of northern California stopping at every oyster shack, coffee shop and bakery along the way.

What in your opinion is the perfect food and wine pairing?
That is a favorite topic of mine-- dreaminess for me is the naughty combination of dark chocolate and red table wine. I also love pizza and rose.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Le Petit Saint-Benoît

click photos to enlarge

This will be my last post on Paris, but before I close the week I have to do a post on my favorite meal in Paris. Yes, there are many wonderful restaurants and our dinner with Michael and Thomas at Brasserie Balzar was amazing. But the place that won my heart and tummy was Le Petit Saint-Benoit. A Paris restaurant dating back to 1901 the interior seems equally old, right down to the tin ceiling and tarnished mirrors. The daily menu is handwritten and then duplicated using the old dittomaster method of the 1960s.

We walked in an hour before closing, as did a very large group of locals. A few people were seated before us, but we took it in stride and with a smile. Obviously the right tactic. A very kind waitperson brought us a glass of wine and assured us she would seat us as soon as possible. I will add that the house red was extremely drinkable and we were shown extreme patience with our less than stellar French (we can order wine, say hello and count to ten…with help!)

We each ordered a large steaming bowl of Beef Bourguignon, easily the best we have ever eaten. A delicious mélange of flavors, the tender beef fell apart in the rich deep broth. We kept ordering more bread just to soak up the juices. If you go to Petit Saint Benoit do get there when they open to get a table, as it usually fills up quickly. And just as in 1901, they still do not take credit cards.

I will end by saying that our first trip to Paris was sheer bliss and I cannot wait to return in July. For all the Parisian stereotypes one sometimes hears we had nothing but pleasant encounters.

Photos from Le Petit Saint-Benoît website

L'Hôtel

Our first night in Paris we had drinks at the famed L'Hôtel located on the rue des Beaux-Arts in the 6th arrondissement. It was at this Paris establishment, while lying on his deathbed, Oscar Wilde exclaimed: 'My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us must go.' When he realized it would be him, he concluded: 'I suppose I shall have to die above my means.' The rates are still quite superior but the atmosphere of L'Hôtel is enchanting.

The 20 guestrooms, each with its own unique character and designed by the fashionable interior designer Jacques Garcia, are centered around an impressive atrium that rises up through all six floors.

The hotel's bar is overflowing with plush velvet chairs, original Cocteau drawings and handwritten letters from Oscar Wilde. We sat in a dark, quite corner that was both intimate and discrete. But perhaps the most surprising feature of the hotel is the steam room and swimming pool in the cellar—an unheard of luxury in the 6th where space is at a premium. In keeping with the general air of privacy, only two people are allowed down at a time and staff will surround the pool with candles on request. Very romantic!

Maison&Objet

I will start by saying that if you attend Maison&Objet do be sure to wear comfortable shoes! I on the other hand opted for cute and new. New being the operative word. Not a bright idea. Had I fully realized and appreciated the sheer size of Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center I would have worn my Ugg boots.

Overwhelming, awe-inspiring and exhilarating best describe my first visit to Maison&Objet. I quickly realized this event is much more than just a trade show, it is a magnetic pole for designers, artists, editors, media, buyers and design lovers. There is a profusion of materials, patterns and colors available at every turn and in very large quantities.


One of my very favorite vendors was Jacques Pergay. Their chandeliers are gorgeous, massive and lust-worthy! Founded over 30 years ago in Limoges, France Jacques Pergay beautifully mixes modern and traditional elements. I only wish I had a room large enough to accommodate one of these beauties.

Just one of the many, many, many beautiful and stunning showrooms.

This is the first year Michael Devine showcased his striking hand blocked fabrics at the prestigious Maison&Objet Editeurs. To the far left is one of my favorite fabrics (Garden Folly) and to the far right is the gorgeous fabric used in Aerin Lauder's Long Island master bedroom.
The fabrics were displayed as canvas, highlighting the fact that they truly are beautiful works of art. My husband and I have been thinking that hanging Micheal's "canvasses" in our entrance hall would make a fun, yet dramatic statement.

Fun and fanciful feather lamps, Mat & Jewski have been designing decorative home objects and lighting since 1999. Their style is both humorous and provocative.

a casa k. a Florence based company creates beautiful, colorful, contemporary and very affordable glassware. I would love to have a few of these in my collection.

Bonjour

We are back from a most wonderful and memorable trip to Paris. In the next few days I will post photos from the magnificent Maison&Objet and highlight a few fun Paris haunts. Some of our best memories from this weekend were drinks with fellow blogger Marie-Laure and dinner with Michael Devine and Thomas Burak. More tomorrow...

My darling husband and moi

The lovely Marie-Laure

The fun and talented Michale Devine

Drinks at Les Deux Magots with Thomas and Michael

Signing Off

We leave for Paris in the morning and return on Monday. I hope to have many wonderful photos and stories to post next week.

All the very best,
Ronda

ps - just an observation as I stand here ironing - why is it that I can get more done in the 24 hours before I go away for 72 hours than I can in an entire month! In last day I have cleaned, shopped, paid bills, mailed letters and scheduled more appointments than I can count! Insane!

photo Elle Decor

Paris Itinerary

We leave for Paris on Saturday and I feel as though I am hardly prepared. Of course it is a very short trip, only three day and two nights, but I want to make the most of our time in the City of Lights. Maison&Objet will dominate the day on Sunday. However, Saturday is still open for suggestions. I’ve included few options below:

This legendary hangout in St-Germain-des-Prés is a tourist favorite in summer, but the neighborhood regulars reclaim it in the off-season. Les Deux Magots was once a gathering place of the intellectual elite, such as Sartre, de Beauvoir, Oscar Wilde, Picasso and Giraudoux. Inside two large statues of magots (Confucian wise men) give the cafe its name.

Brasserie Lipp is a Left Bank institution. On the day of Paris's liberation in 1944, the late owner Roger Cazes welcomed Hemingway as the first man to drop in for a drink. Then, as now, famous people often drop by for beer, wine, and conversation. Since its acquisition a few years ago by members of the Bertrand Group obtaining a table in this cultural monument is said to be much easier, and a lot less arbitrary than when Cazes granted or denied a table based on what he considered to be your worth.

Isle of Jura

Jura, a small Hebridean island and producer of Jura single malt is home to 3,000 deer and 180 people. Many have described the island as isolated and otherworldly. Little wonder George Orwell came here to write 1984 more than 50 years ago. Orwell described the island as "an extremely un-get-at-able place". That much hasn't changed. Even for those of us who live in Scotland.

You can fly to neighboring Islay (pronounced eye-la) from Glasgow but most people drive. It’s a three-hour journey from Glasgow to Kennacraig, followed by a two-hour ferry to Islay and a five-minute hop across to Jura.


Jura is an island rich in history, myths and superstitions. Excavations show it welcomed some of the oldest settlements in Scotland over 8,000 years ago. It also became a Viking stronghold, while its ancient graveyard at Kilearnadil boasts a number of Knights Templar gravestones and is reputedly the resting place of a saint.

Those who make the trek to Jura have always come of their own accord. Mostly it has been for the seclusion, Jura’s famous single malts and jagged landscapes. While all are perfectly good enticements, my exacting motivator is the Jura Lodge.



Opened in late 2006 and designed by French designer Bambi Sloan,
the delightfully over decorated lodge boasts high-thread-count linens, a vast kitchen, stags heads, Bakelite phones and plenty of whisky. "No plastic!" was Bambi Sloan's edict when she began conceptualizing and collating furniture and decorative pieces for the lodge.

To capture the spirit of the island, where the rugged meets twee, she combed the flea markets of France and Belgium, as well as Spanish emporia for delicate vintage linens, lace, glass, leather and metalwork to complement the rugged tooth-and-claw elements.

Its two massive floors can accommodate up to eight people and comes complete with a live-out housekeeper. Perfect for endless conversations around a wee dram, peat burning fires and views of the amazing Jura sky.

Brussels

I received so many great suggestions last month when I asked for Paris hotel recommendations that I thought I would seek advice for hotels in Brussels. We are planning a trip for April and I'd like to start my search in the next few weeks. Restaurant suggestions are of course welcome too!

All the best,
Ronda