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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Adventures in Singapore: Chapter 2: Shopping Malls

Shop till you drop… Literally! Singapore is a shopping City-State. P3180186 Malls are the thing. The Country is only 274.2 sq mi, with a population of 5,076,700 people (which is just under size of NY city, with about 3 million less people) and it has over a hundred Shopping Malls many of which are connected to each other and most are linked to the MRT subway system and more being built – not to mention the additional shopping areas that are non-mall, market style or shop boutiques. So as I read in the Singapore travel guides – a must do Singapore activity is Shopping – I didn’t realize it is a recreational sport here!

The overall shopping experience is a very euro-amer-asia chic vibe - It is truly a designer country – designer brands and labels, haute couture, a love for details and high quality. Retail is well designed and important – they are selling visually, after all selling is an art - P3180191 you want to buy nice things when they are presented well – shopping it is an experience! The restaurants are beautiful - even the mall food courts are well designed with great lighting and furnishings and attention to details - my snapshots won't do them justice. You want to dress up to go shopping! Flow and traffic are well considered - overall the public spaces are thought through, buildings are interesting inside and out! Every Mall has an amazing water feature: I am certain having to do with the idea that water features activate good chi energy, by attracting good chi into your life it enhances your luck with work and wealth (it’s a little more involved than that but generally you want some form of moving water around). I probably passed many of these while we were driving about – but didn’t even know it! P3180187

Adventures in Singapore: Chapter 1: Welcome to Singapore

P3240237 I spent the end of March in Singapore – visiting my Sister’s family (they are there for work for the next few years). It was a great trip - the jetlag has been rough (being on the opposite side of the world - 12 hour time P3210402 difference - 24+ hr flight) I slept most of the time away on the planes (unfortunately not quality sleep), caught a few new flicks, enjoyed some of the scenery – we live on a beautiful earth – on the way home I saw the sun rise twice in one day – crazy, but beautiful!

P3240643 Singapore is a grand place! We had many adventures: Great World City, Bread Talk, Jurong Bird Park, Orchard, Ion, Yakatori at Tori-Q, Canal Promenade, Chinatown, Arab Street, Persian Mirza Ghasemi, Wet Market, Holland Village, Cha Cha Cha, Mount Faber, Henderson Waves, Jewel Box Gondolas, Sentosa, Imbeian, Flora and Fauna, Vivo City, Shopping at Dim Arts Living, Dempsey Road, Coconut pancakes with Mango, Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Din Tang Fung –Baits and a taste of Chili Crab, Universal Studios, Candylicious, Little India, Singapore Flyer (Closed), Fountain of Wealth, Suntec, Cornery, custard filled fish shaped waffles, Diaso, Haw Par Villa, Café Brios, Singapore Zoo, Steamboat at Crystal Jade to name a few.

Each an exciting chapter!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Three Souvenirs from every Trip

I am often asked by my clients, family, friends and others as they are about to embark on a trip or vacation “what should I get?” “what should I look for?” “what should I bring back for you?”

Interestingly enough, I am not that well internationally traveled – domestically yes; however, I do love to travel! I do know a great deal about the must do in international places, as I have planned many a trip I have yet to go on! I would assume I am asked this advice for a few simple reasons: I pay attention when I hear/ learn/ notice interesting travel tips, I research before traveling and I know how to and what to research, I love the magical details –those unique, off the beaten path, Kodak moments that make everything memorable and heighten the whole experience making it magical- and probably the best reason: I love sharing this information.

So here it is… My souvenir advice for every trip you take: (aside from the kitschy key chains and magnet)

The three souvenirs from every trip!

1. Something for you - your body! something to wear or for just your enjoyment. Clothing, Jewelry/ Gem Stones, Accessories, Bathing/ Body oils & soaps, Perfumes & Fragrances, Music, Costumes, learning a new skill, hobby,or certification, etc… Look for: hand made, locally produced, specific local styles, Icelandic%20Wool%20Black%20Sheep%20cardigan indigenous, exclusive, native, or items known from the area! then when ever you wear it or use it you will be reminded of that wonderful trip - but it doesn't necessarily scream souvenir! Think of your senses: Touch, Taste, Hear, Smell, and Sight! Ideas: silk scarf or painted hand fan from china, leather shoes or tailored suit from Italy, Scandinavian style woven sweater; coconut massage oil from the Caribbean, Dead Sea salt scrub, fragrant bath or hand soaps, larimar-stone cozy blanket; perfume; bag or purse, native dress – you get the idea! Some of my Favorite souvenirs: a fabulous deal on a Baroque Pearl necklace from a farmers market in Bremerton, WA; wood, shell and stone Jewelry from Dominican Republic – especially Larimar; Ammolite pendent from Calgary Canada, Lavender Linen Spray from the lavender fields in Sequim, Washington. Be prepared to know what you are looking for – do your research – know the value – haggle for a deal!

2. Something you share! something to enjoy in the company of others. (not the something's you bring back for others – so they can remember the place you went vanilla and they didn’t, although you should bring back a few things for the kids!) Food & Beverage seem to be the easiest sharing items: chocolates and candies, rare or exotic tastes, jams & jellies, cheese; also consider something special or unique to the area, music, an ingredient, a recipe, fragrances or linen spray, flowers or plants seeds or plantings (check with customs restrictions for foreign items), stories/experiences/ adventures; photos, games and toys, currency, etc… Ideas: Vanilla from Caribbean, Swiss chocolates, Canadian Maple Syrup, a fun game from Korea - Yut! My favorites: Mt. Rainer chocolates, Red oranges from Florida, Dominican Vanilla!

3. Something for your home: something you look at or use and remember – that was a wonderful trip – that has a story, let me tell you about that, and briefly, if only for a moment in your mind it takes you back! Art of any kind – mexican pottery native, local, or it just speaks to you!, photographs of landscapes/ cityscapes/ close up details (other than the picture of you in front of “X” – yes, you were there – scrapbook it, album it, save it, desktop frame it– but frame and hang the one that dates itself less), sculpture, artifacts, antiques, architectural remnants, rocks, minerals, china & dish ware, pottery, painted tiles, baskets, cookbooks, old & new books, old & new maps, shells, lighting, rugs, furniture, holiday decor – ornaments, so many options. Then when you look at it, it tells you a story, it reminds you of the occasion! Ideas: New Zealand Wool blanket, Italy: Marino glass chandelier, hand carved olivewood nativity from the Holy Land, Persian rugs from India or Middle East, local street artist painting from Paris… some of my favorites: Mayan artifact from Honduras, Local art from Santo Domingo, picnic basket from an antique mall in Poulsbo, WA

Happy and Safe Travels!

Helpful travel links: travel1

US Customs: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/
Travel Guru: Rick Steves: http://www.ricksteves.com/
Hotel Deals! http://www.hotels.com/
TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/index.shtm
Travel Tips: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Maryland's Leading Designers Hold Fundraiser

Maryland's Leading Designers Hold Fundraiser

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Sunday, April 4, 2010

Just the Right Shoe

I have always loved shoes. I have owned hundreds of pairs of shoes. As a child I remember having shoe envy – I wanted the shiny black shoes that went tap, tap, tap down the halls at church, I wanted that tap, tap sound, everyone who was anyone had shoes that went tap, tap down the hall, when they went down the hall they would commanded attention. I wanted to wear them with white socks that had lace edging or white tights, that was the style – I eventually got a hand me down pair – it didn’t matter they were a little worn and scuffed – their heels went tap, tap down the hall until one day the church halls were carpeted. That was a sad day - no more tap, tap in the hall – so I would just have to take the long way around and walk across the gym floor to get to my primary class – tap, tap, tap all the way! Those were Sunday shoes, indeed.

My next dream pair of shoes were spectators or wingtips – I loved these shoes – they were in my grandmother’s hall closet, I would always try them on, I felt so sophisticated. I would play dress up all day and strut around in them – acting so adult. I still dream of owning a pair. For some reason they remind me of Easter Dresses and Sunday hats – and VFW dances, long before my time.

Why shoes? What’s the big deal, why is it inherently womanly to love shoes. I have some answers: Shoes are there with you at that big event and casual moments, they can make you look like a million or are purely functional when you need them, shoes travel and leave their mark, shoes tell a story, they set the stage, and they are the finishing touch, they are not always practical – sometimes splurges, sometimes bargains, and when you want to know someone better – you can walk a mile in their shoes – and embrace their experiences. And anyone who says no one notices your feet/ shoes are just oblivious – don’t believe me - just put on a pair of cute new shoes and people will inevitably comment - “I love your shoes! Are they new?”. 2262201198_5099833985_m