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Author: Jill Weinlein

The Charming Gables Inn Sausalito

The Charming Gables Inn Sausalito

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There are two ways to get to historic hotel The Gables Inn in Sausalito: one by car and two by sea. Built in 1869, the selection of rooms in the boutique bed and breakfast include a king-size bed, fireplace, sitting area, large whirlpool bathtub, and outdoor terrace with unobstructed views of the sparkling blue bay to San Francisco city. Located on Princess Street, it was the first hotel built in the Sausalito hills. Wine and cheese is served daily during social hour at 5:30 p.m. A light breakfast buffet is served every morning starting at 8 a.m. For those...

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10 Things to See and Do in Manhattan this Summer

10 Things to See and Do in Manhattan this Summer

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Recently on an exciting trip to New York City, it seemed everyone was a wide-eyed tourist. According to NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism arm, there were a record-breaking 65.2 million visitors exploring NYC in 2018. Most were out of state visitors, however there were over one millions tourists from Great Britain and China visiting “The Big Apple.” Fun Fact: During the 1920s The reference to “The Big Apple” was used as a reference by John J. Fitz Gerald to the city’s prominence in horse racing. It became popular in the 1970s as an advertisement campaign. Staying three nights at...

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Best Artisan Chocolates in Beverly Hills

Best Artisan Chocolates in Beverly Hills

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Recently, I had the opportunity to meet award winning pastry chef and talented chocolatier Kriss Harvey in his chocolate kitchen in the Arts District in Los Angeles. Named as one of America’s Top 10 Pastry Chefs, Chef Kriss was formerly the Executive Pastry Chef at The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS Hotel. Looking at his arms, I noticed his tattoos told a story about his culinary journey. He trained under some of Europe’s greatest chefs, including Oriol Balaguer and Emmanuel Ryon in France, and worked in the kitchen of the Ritz Carlton and the Wynn Las Vegas....

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‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ in Rancho Mirage

‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ in Rancho Mirage

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As the lyrics of the famous Irving Berlin song goes “If you’re blue and you don’t where to go to, why don’t you go where fashion sits? Puttin’ on the Ritz.” When the Ritz-Carlton resort re-opened in 2014 in the Greater Palm Springs area of Rancho Mirage, the desert community embraced it for its luxury beauty, un-wavering commitment to service, dining and wellness options. Built in the late 1980s as the Lodge in Rancho Mirage, the resort offered the most desirable panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. When it was slated to become a Ritz-Carlton, the financial backer Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy...

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Summer Fun at Shore Hotel in Santa Monica

Summer Fun at Shore Hotel in Santa Monica

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What used to be the site of a Travelodge and Pacific Sands Hotel, is now the LEED GOLD certified oceanfront Shore Hotel. Located just blocks from the historic Santa Monica pleasure pier and west of downtown Los Angeles, over 50% of the construction waste materials, including metals, concrete, stucco, terrazzo, wood & carpet were recycled or salvaged from the two hotels to build this luxury eco-friendly boutique hotel. Opening in 2011, the hotel offers an open-air, U-shaped design allowing guests rooms to receive natural light, as well as taking full advantage of the Pacific Ocean views. The Shore Hotel...

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Luxury Evening Spa Experience

Luxury Evening Spa Experience

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The spa inside the The Peninsula Beverly Hills was under construction for three weeks to elevate guests experiences and stand apart from the other spas in Beverly Hills. Not only did the spa add new products and services, but this summer they are offering unique spa experiences for this summer. Recently the Global Wellness Institute determined that the Spa economy was a $119 billion business and the global wellness industry grew by 6.4 percent annually from 2015–2017, from a $3.7 trillion to a $4.2 trillion market, nearly twice as fast as global economic growth. The newly enhanced multi-million dollar spa...

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Experience Culinary and Luxury JOY at Sea

Experience Culinary and Luxury JOY at Sea

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I had no idea I would be so pampered in luxury on the revitalized Norwegian Joy during her inaugural sailing to Ensenada, Mexico. Once I presented my passport upon check in, I received a private key card to the Penthouse in The Haven Courtyard. This new, spacious and beautifully appointed concierge enclave offers the most luxurious and well-appointed accommodations. Tapping my card near the entrance on deck 17, the glass door opened to allow me into this exclusive area. A certified butler greeted me and led me to my spacious stateroom cabin 13108. The Haven offers a private bar/lounge,...

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Joachim Splichal’s Domaine De CALA

Joachim Splichal’s Domaine De CALA

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I was recently invited to celebrity chef Joachim Splichal’s Southern California home for an exquisite dinner paired with his new wines made at Domaine de Cala. We watched an informative power point presentation about how this esteemed chef purchased a run down Domaine located outside of the medieval town of Brignoles, in the  picturesque Coteaux Varois AOP in the heart of Provence.  Joachim’s culinary career began in Provence, where he worked at La Napoule and Antibes, a two and three-Michelin star restaurant. He fondly remembers visiting a truffle supplier near this area, and dreaming of one day buying a...

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Soulful Keanu Reeves Makes Hollywood history

Soulful Keanu Reeves Makes Hollywood history

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Right before the premier of JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM, celebrity actor and producer Keanu Reeves (John Wick) was invited to participate in the oldest honor in Hollywood – to sign his name and put his hands and footprints in wet cement on the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX. Near the stage was International artist and painter Rob Prior, sweeping fluid strokes of colorful paint to the beat of music. His art is a mesmerizing combination of entertainment and excitement, drawing fans to watch him paint Keanu Reeves as John Wick. Soon many of Keanu’s John Wick cast...

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Weekend Fun in Bucolic Buellton

Weekend Fun in Bucolic Buellton

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Planning a weekend getaway, we wanted to go somewhere within two hours from Los Angeles offering beauty, wine and culinary delights. After the winter rain, the Super Bloom is transforming California’s landscape into pastures of Spring wildflowers on full display. In the charming town of Buellton in Santa Barbara County, the verdant green hills are blanketed with vibrant yellow mustard flowers. We decided to investigate for a quick getaway. Buellton in Central California is an idyllic getaway for tasting some of the state’s best wines and culinary fare. It also offers some unique experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. We...

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Escape to the Luxe Andaz Scottsdale Resort

Escape to the Luxe Andaz Scottsdale Resort

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Two years ago the luxury Andaz Hotel by Hyatt took over the Cottonwoods Resort below the picturesque Camelback Mountains. They renovated each of the 185 adobe bungalows and suites, as well as built a colorful contemporary lobby and heated saltwater swimming pools. Driving up to the resort, a restored 1962 black convertible Cadillac, fondly named Nora, and complimentary Tesla house cars are parked in front of the lobby awaiting guests arrival. The friendly staff offers a glass of wine, beer or flavored water at check–in to kickoff the Andaz experience. Each of the bungalow-style adobe casitas feature stylish mid-century...

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The Magnificent Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort

The Magnificent Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort

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Recently I attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of the oceanfront Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort. Celebrity actor Rob Lowe sat in front of me, and later walked up to the podium to thank entrepreneur and developer Rick Caruso for building this exquisite addition to the community. As a spokesman for the affluent village of Montecito, Lowe told approximately 150 invited guests, “We are so happy to have this resort up and running, to have place where we can create the kind of memories, that I had at the old Miramar, in the train car, having milkshakes, walking...

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