The first luxury handbag I bought was a small Chanel purse. It was a birthday present to myself for paying off my debt and working hard. I will never forget the feeling of having the sales assistant handing me my new baby - a black and gold handbag that I knew I would cherish for my whole life. And, if I ever had a daughter, she would inherit this fine bag. After I was very dead – of course. Now, you too can own a part of the Coco legend for a fraction of the price, thanks to YOOX.com.
YOOX.COM takes a trip through time with Coco Chanel and her Maison this holiday season. For months, the fashion experts at YOOX.COM have been selecting unforgettable pieces from around the world: from Paris to Milan to New York. Even Holly Brubach, the former Style Editor of the New York Times and celebrated author of fashion books, handed over various pieces from her private collection.
An extraordinary selection of precious items will be featured including hard-to-find signature styles and classic everyday treasures that make perfect gifts for those wanting something truly unique.
Almost a century ago, Gabrielle Chanel astonished the world changing women’s fashion forever. She promised ladies a never-seen-before combination of elegance and comfort; the freedom of "moving ones arms and walking quickly."
After decades of success, the Chanel jacket lives on today adapting itself to contemporary styles. Feel free to wear the Chanel jacket with a pair of jeans – or a silk shirt – any way you will look great.
Coco changed how women dressed, "Before me, nobody had enough courage to dress in black". She continued, "black is so strong, so noble that when people see you it remains forever in their memory."
Her intuitions were genius: why would women need to change for each appointment throughout the day? Tea, cocktails and dinner. A dress with two pieces must allow one to leave in the morning and remain in perfect attire even for an elegant meal. In 1930 just as it is in 2007. Tweed jackets and suits provide an eternal luxury while jersey (another one of her hallmark fabrics) allows complete freedom.
From the 1930s, Coco designed jewelry to accessorize cloths. Pearls of every measure, faux diamonds and gold toned metals combined in stunning designs; her costume jewelry was the perfect accompaniment for her couture creations. Of the pearls, she commented: "I just simply won’t start working without all my pearls."
Now every Diva has an opportunity to share is Coco’s vision. YOOX.com is selling a few timeless pieces online.
THE DRAYCOTT HOTEL, LONDON Entertain Friends and Family in a Private Edwardian Dining Room For those spending the holidays across the pond, the elegant Draycott Hotel, situated near Sloane Square in the heart of London offers guests an opportunity to celebrate Christmas in true English style with a sumptuous dinner in their own private dining room. ItÂ’s like having a very exclusive home away from home.
Guests may choose from a selection of festive menus and vintage wines, then sit back and enjoy the ambiance with a roaring fire, beautifully adorned Christmas tree and attentive staff who will make the event truly memorable.
The Christmas menu (ideal for six to 12 people) will be available from November 16th, 2007 through January 31st, 2008; prices start at $113 US* per person. The selection includes a first course of winter vegetable broth or the chefÂ’s chicken Galantine with raspberry vinaigrette, followed by the traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings or roast leg of English lamb, and finished off with Christmas pudding, mince pie and brandy sauce, or good old English apple crumble with custard. Vegetarian options are available on request. The special night concludes with coffee and chocolates.
But the magic doesnÂ’t have to end after dinner. From December 17th, 2007 through February 3rd, 2008, the Draycott is offering preferential rates that start at just US $210* per person in a Double room. Deluxe Doubles start at $285, and Suites at $334. All rates are inclusive of VAT and are subject to availability, based on double occupancy.
Rates for the package start at US $390* per person per night, based on double occupancy, staying in a Deluxe Double, an upgrade to a suite adds an extra $93 US* per person. All prices are subject to availability, exclude VAT. For families, a single bedroom may be added to the package for $258 US* plus VAT.
The Draycott Hotel combines three red-brick Edwardian houses poised between LondonÂ’s fashionable Chelsea and Knightsbridge neighborhoods. The perfect balance of luxury, privacy and location, the Draycott is one of LondonÂ’s best kept secrets. It epitomizes the hospitality associated with a smart boutique hotel where personalized service is key.
For reservations, please visit www.draycotthotel.com, email reservations@draycotthotel.com or call 020 7730 6466.
So pick up a few signed copies for your girlfriend! I wrote the book so you could use it on your own, but it is also perfect for planning a "Girlfriend Getaway." The first step is for all your BFFs to take the quiz in the first chapter to make sure you all want to experience the same things while traveling together. Then, once you know you’ll all have a fabulous time in the same kind of destination, read the chapters and find the destination that will make you all happy Divas. And remember to send us a picture!!
Wow- I haven’t heard such buzz since Paris Hilton married Michael Jackson….just kidding! But really, the chatter has been virtually non-stop about the new San Francisco Yoshi’s. Will Yoshi’s Save Lower Fillmore? Is Yoshi’s the Rebirth of Cool in S.F.? Will tourists actually venture into the Western Addition to hear a little jazz,and while we’re on the topic, do people even listen to jazz anymore? Just how many millions did it really cost? Sheesh- it’s not the second coming, people…..tho actually since the first one opened in Oakland over 30 years ago, maybe it kind of is the second coming.
To answer all your questions, the other night I went to the press opening of the 28,000-square-foot Yoshi’s San Francisco which anchors the $72 million Fillmore Heritage Center, located in the historically African-American and Japanese district.
And yes, it really is the “rebirth of cool!” What a fantastic space! It was designed by the same architects who did the original Yoshi’s, but this version was done more on a tasteful Vegas sized scale. The ceilings are mile-high, with tons of curving wood, beautiful flower arrangements, warm lavender back-lit plexiglas panels, and open-glass viewing posts at the upstairs bar let you check out the dining room scene or the bustling open kitchen action. No less than 30 cooks were busy turning out succulent bites of sushi, sashimi and carpaccio, and unique hot dishes utilizing the charcoal grill, wood burning oven, or tableside-do-it-yourself Shabu Shabu. Executive Chef, “Sho” Kamio uses only the freshest, quality, seasonal ingredients, often spiced with a surprise little twist. You’ll be completely satisfied with these lighter dishes, but not overly full, which was the plan behind hiring Marisa Churchill, Pastry chef-extraordinaire, who offers an array of creative “East meets West" desserts that share in Chef Sho’s philosophy. We fought over the last Warm Cinnamon Sugar Okinawan Doughnut with it’s Japanese Whiskey Milkshake, but I “lost”, which was really my fiendish plan, since I then got to scoop up the last bite of zingy Key Lime Mochi Cake with roasted marshmellows and pineapple. Delish!
If you’re just stopping in just for a nibble and a drink, Yoshi’s also offers an impressive list of sake, soju, wine,and creative cocktails-I loved the sparkling wine mojito. To check out the Club calendar or menu go to:
Yoshi’s | Website 1330 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 655-5600
Have you ever wondered where best selling authors go for vacation? Where does a multimillionaire author go for dinner?
Well, I have the answers for you!
You have watched me travel around the world, so I thought it would be nice for you to see what I do when I have some time off and have friends over to my cozy home in Half Moon Bay. On Saturday, my husband Tim Williamson, cooked a fabulous dinner of salmon and paella for some amazing friends. They incluced:
I just saved over $400 on airline tickets to Cancun from SFO because I talked to a…… real, live PERSON! Yes, step aside expedia and Orbiz, and welcome to the world of 1-800-Your-Airline. Remember the olden days? Where you would call your airline and talk to a lovely airline respresentative and they would give you a few options about your flight? You would laugh and share post-Thanksgiving stories while the computer looked for flight information.
Guess what? They still do! But we have gotten so wound up over the Internet that we foget about this great service.
I looked online and the ticket price was around $800-$1200 per person from SFO to Cancun (okay, I should have booked them over 21 days in advance). So, I took my own advice and called a few different airlines. United was good, but American Airlines was ever better! The great thing is, you can book your ticket with a real live person and then search the Internet for a better deal before you have to pay for it. If you don’t find a better price, call back before your reservation expires and you are good to go!
Our tickets on American Airlines are $640 per person over the holidays. Now, that is what I call good hunting!
Artists Consider the Dali Lama. A must see showing from Dec 1st thru March 16, 2008
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Works by more than 88 artists from more than 30 countries comprise a landmark exhibition. A truly diverse and delightful collection of intriguing executions with one man as the central subject, the life of the Dali Lama himself. A mission of peace.
Opening night was pulsing with music and color and people. Several pieces stood out. Particulary an absorbing 3D holographic ceramic sculpture by Laurie Anderson - my favorite of the show. An installation by Dove Bradshaw depicting the slow progress of change by a single yet repetitive drop of liquid on a rock bed. A painful photographic burn blend with nature by Bin Danh calls for lingering.
Beatutifully design and stenciled quotes from the Dalai Lama are placed throughout the museum to further illuminate the ideas that inspired the artists - at least one of which will resound with you.
Many of the installations have video, music and audio - impossible to hear in the roar of the opening nite crowd - so a quiet time is needed to enjoy each piece.
Make this a must see during your stay in San Francisco.
Artists include Marina Abramovic, Seyed Alavi, Laurie Anderson, Richard Avedon, Sanford Biggers, Squeak Carnwath, Long-Bin Chen, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Chuck Close, Santiago Cucullu, Binh Danh, Richard Gere, Jim Hodges, Jenny Holzer, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Anish Kapoor, Kimsooja, Enrique Martinez Celaya, Michal Rovner, Sebastiao Salgado, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Mike and Doug Starn, Pat Steir, Adriana Varejao, Bill Viola, William Wiley, Negishi Yoshiro and many more.
Wow- I haven’t heard such buzz since Paris Hilton married Michael Jackson….just kidding!
