Oh Divas, it was a tight MBT shoe competition, with entries from around the world. The judges took hours to read the many thoughtful and heartfelt entries.
Congratulations to the five well-deserving winners! Two of them are gifting their coveted MBTs to another deserving Diva. Meet the winners and their winning responses.
1) Sara Connell
“What would I do with a pair of MBTs? What would I do? Well, I had a 1 lb, 5.5 oz baby at 25 weeks’ gestation on November 19th. Little mister Jacob was in the neonatal intensive care unit until 2 weeks ago. During those four plus months, I spent every day with him at the hospital. He was on three different ventilators for two months, had heart surgery, received treatments and medications for his lungs that the NICU hadn’t used in a decade, and almost died twice. Needless to say, during that time I didn’t get out much. Now that Jacob is home with us, we are still somewhat limited in our mobility because he is on oxygen and heart & breathing monitors. We are, however, looking forward to going for walks now that spring is arriving here in Iowa. So, what would I do with a pair of MBTs? I would wear them on daily stroller walks with my precious little miracle, Jacob, so we can both be outside and enjoy nature and being together!”
2) Susan Pearson
“Oh how we Canadian Diva’s love the Swiss!
As the mother of the bride, I would wear my MBT’s to my daughter’s wedding in Switzerland!
Recently engaged, my daughter is Canadian and her groom is a “Swiss mister” from Zurich……
They met in NYC (where they both work) and they have a romantic wedding planned for August 2012. I have no doubt it will be a glorious day, BUT it will be a long day and I think the best way to be “light on my feet” is in my MBT’s. We begin our day with a boat cruise on Lake Zurich which will be followed by the wedding and reception. I’ve always been a “trend setter,” so here goes……………If I wear a long dress, my MBT’s can be easily (and discreetly) worn for this special occasion. That night when everyone else is complaining of aching feet, I will be “footloose and fancy free” in my MBT’s! PS …..I will send a picture of our Swiss wedding party!”
3) Martha Ashton
“If I won a pair of MBT’s I would know that it was a sign to wear them and return to The Tumaini Orphanage outside of Nairobi to visit my young friends! Did I mention that I published a little fiction book after visiting the orphanage? – “The Flowers of Tumaini” by Martha Jones Ashton. I’m not bragging; just pleased that my experience could be shared.”
4) Sara Berman for her mother Julie
“I would give them to my mother who has terrible plantar fasciitis. She loves to take long walks, but her ability to do so has recently been hampered by the pain. Someone recommended MBTs to her, so I would love to win her a pair!”
5) Renee Woodruff for her sister Rachel Curry, who is a nurse in the ER at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.
“I’d give my MBT’s to my twin sister, who is a nurse, since she’s on her feet all day doing things better than me to receive the shapely legs and bootie that she deserves!”
In support of the 34th America’s Cup, AMERICA and USA 76 are coming to San Francisco to allow residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the excitement of authentic America’s Cup yachts. Yes, Diva, that means you can jump (be careful!) ono one of these yatchs for a beautiful afternoon on the bay. Feel the wind in your hair, meet a few hot sailors, and enjoy the exhilaration of riding on a piece nautical history. Make sure to dress warm – this ain’t the Caribbean darling.
Operated by ACsailingSF, the yachts will offer trips to individuals, groups or corporate parties beginning May 25, 2011 through September 2011.
AMERICA is a replica of the 139-foot yacht that won the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “100 Guinea Cup” race around the Isle of Wight held in 1851. The replica was built in 1995 at a cost of more than $6 million. It now serves as a sailing vessel for entertainment and hospitality events, private charters and individual sails for up to 80 people, and will be operational in San Francisco through September 2011 before it returns to San Diego.
USA 76 is an 85 foot International America’s Cup Class yacht previously owned and raced by the ORACLE Racing Team in their challenge for the 2003 America’s Cup held in Auckland, New Zealand.
Boats will sail under Golden Gate Bridge and along Cityfront to PIER 39
TICKETS: USA 76 and yacht America are operated by ACsailingSF and Troy Sears. To make reservations and purchase tickets for USA 76 or yacht AMERICA, call 1-855-ACSF 2013. (855-227-3201)
Located in the heart of Atlanta just minutes from the CNN Center, Centennial Park, Georgia Aquarium and other top attractions, The Ellis Hotel is a gem in a sea of towering mundane mainstream brands.
www.georgiaaquarium.org/
After a sad history (the site of the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history) and nearly two decades of vacancy, the property is brilliantly restored. The renovation price tag totaled $23 million to bring the Ellis to its present day status as one of the top luxury boutique hotels in the Southeast. It opened in 2007 with rave reviews. Awarded the coveted Altanta Downtown Design Excellence Award in 2008, the Atlanta Urban Design Commission Award for Historic Preservation and rated the No. 1 business hotel by TripAdvisor, the Ellis continues to make its mark as an innovator in hospitality. Most recently, the Ellis was certified as a Green Seal property – one of only two hotels in Atlanta. The hotel’s commitment to green living and sustainability is evident from the energy efficient rooms and eco-friendly housekeeping policies to its farm-to-table organic restaurant.
Location: It can’t get any better than this – only 10 miles from the airport with a Marta (subway) station just across the street, the hotel location is perfect for the business and leisure traveler who does not want to deal with Atlanta’s notorious traffic jams. Major attractions are all within walking distance. Sport fans will love its proximity to the Georgia Dome and the Philips Arena.
Rooms: The property offers 127 bright and beautifully appointed rooms. There are 12 Junior Suites and a Presidential Suite which are larger in size and include a sitting area and full size soaking tubs.
Services & Amenities: The 4 Star Property is all about meeting guest expectations. The special touches keep satisfaction ratings high. Molton Brown luxury bath products, free Wi-Fi, natural stone room design features, comfort-top bedding, an iPod docking station, a 24 hour fitness center, a full service concierge, and my favorite - an evening Wine Down tasting/happy hour are just a few of the hotel highlights and perks.
Fun Fact: The hotel is Pet friendly (weight restrictions do apply).
Fido is welcomed with an eco-friendly goody bag of treats and toys… and plush bed. The concierge is happy to set up pet sitting, grooming and pet social outings upon request.
Rates: Special packages are available.Standard Room Rate: $200 per night. Valet Parking: $23 per day
A Phenomenal Fit for Women Travelers: The Ellis understands and respects the needs of a travel diva. So much so… that there is a designated “Women Only Floor”. The floor requires special room key access. But more importantly, each room has special perks. Rooms come complete with flat iron, plush robes & slippers, an emergency pair of pantyhose, and computer cam accessory to allow you to connect via your laptop to family and friends. With the cam, Moms will never miss saying goodnight to loved ones at home.
Restaurants and Bars:
The Terrace Restaurant is all about fresh, organic and sustainable cuisine. The menu and overall food philosophy is inspired by the work of Chef Michel Nischan of Connecticut’s celebrated Dressing Room restaurant. Chef Nischan has challenged the culinary world to cultivate, harvest and cook as our forefathers once did with pure and natural ingredients.
The Terrace is an advocate of the movement and continues the mission by buying local – supporting Georgia farmers, fisherman, and producers. Creative dishes like a cider brined all natural Pork Chop served with brussel sprouts, sweet potato mash and rosemary apple sauce, Sautéed Savannah Shrimp & Crawfish served with linguini, sweet peppers and shaved squash and a fresh crunchy Kale side salad sprinkled with crushed almonds and a truffle mushroom vinaigrette, give new meaning to healthy dining! Every bite is an explosion of flavor! For those who truly love and live organic, be sure to pick up a copy of Chef Nichan’s new cookbook – Sustainably Delicious: Making the World a Better Place, One Recipe at a Time
The Lobby Bar & Lounge is a popular watering hole for guests. Relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Light menu served - ranging from pulled pork sliders, salads, sandwiches to BBQ Chicken Wings. Drink specials nightly.
When to Go: There is always something going on in Hot’lanta (but late summer weather can be steamy).
Il Campo/Spirituale hosts a special week-long yoga retreat just outside the magical village of Radicondoli near Siena, Italy.
The retreat is centered in the lovingly restored mid-18th century farmhouse, Podere Costarella, set in a nature preserve below Falsini Castle, a 10-minute drive from Radicondoli center. Amid ancient forests, rolling hills, and fertile fields, you will experience a balance of solitude and stimulation, seclusion and community. Here Nature herself, unchanged for centuries, heals and inspires.
September 11-18, 2011
All the details you need to know are here! Anne Marie Welsh, veteran arts journalist, author, writing teacher and yoga instructor, will guide you through six days of yoga asanas, meditation, nature walks, workshops, writing exercises, and private conferences designed to tap the creative potential that will transform your writing and may change your life.
Join us at Macy’s for a runway show hosted by celebrity stylist Keylee Sanders.
She’ll highlight this season’s top trends worthy of any travel destination.
Stop by our Tango Diva travel outpost and pick up travel tips!
Receive your Ultimate Girl’s Weekend Swag bag from Glamour Magazine!
Pick up a complimentary Passport at any counter in Women’s RTW, shoes, handbags, cosmetics or fragrance departments. With each purchase in these departments receive a sticker, present your Passport with at least 3 stickers and snag limited swag bags!
You want to go somewhere, have time off coming to you, and no one to travel with! Go to Italy solo! Get picked up on landing in Rome, and head to an amazing retreat to meet new friends, avoid the crowds and linger on the cobblestone paths.
Join one of two workshops by Helen Free and Kathryn Abajian for a unique and inspiring literary experience in a less traveled and intriguing area provided by Italy In Other Words.
A week-long summer literary workshop located in the authentic past of Italy’s fortified hill towns, cave dwellings, and remote places where Italian culture is carefully preserved. Our goal is to offer valuable intellectual and aesthetic inspiration found only off well-traveled paths, with great food and good company.
Jackie Grandchamps from French Escapade is offering $1,000 off for this late summer tour Painting tour in Belgium – due to a cancellation.
You must confirm/register by May 30. Usually $2890 — Now Only $1890 pp for 1 week!
This splendid medieval city is one of Belgium’s crown jewels and is largely considered one of the most beautiful towns in Europe. In no other European city are the look and feel of medieval times so present as here in this city close to the North Sea.
2 spots left. Act before or by May 30. First come first served.
See video of street painting on the site!
We love retro fashion and design because there’s beauty and a touch of irony in nostalgic simplicity. If I want a mindless good time in film land, there’s nothing like a trip to the past that never existed. I’m thinking of Doris Day singing over daisies and the like. But wait, there’s more… ladies, I bring you Elmer Gantry, circa 1960. This film really breaks the mold, I mean not moldy at all, in fact disturbingly current in it’s profile of a man living by his wits alone who scores big time when he discovers the path to success through exploiting the town folks religious beliefs.
Elmer Gantry is a shady traveling salesman who happens upon a revival meeting. When he sees the beautiful evangelist Sister Sharon Falconer filling the tent up with paying sinners, a light bulb goes off. Forget farm tools, religion is the plastics of 1920′s America. There’s a point where you start to believe that Elmer will go straight. Alas, he can’t escape his womanizing past with the reappearance of Lulu Baines, the bawdy bad girl he can’t forget.
There’s so much going on here. Elmer Gantry was based on a novel by Sinclair Louis. We’ve got Shirley Jones in her Oscar winning role as Lulu Baines. Yes, that Shirley, the Partridge Family mom. Remember now, it’s 1960 and Lulu describes a scene saying, “he rammed the fear of God into me so fast I never heard my old man’s footsteps.” Oh yeah, and “you’re amusing and you smell like a real man”.
This is great stuff. Move Elmer Gantry to the top of the NetFlix queue.
National Pet Month is the perfect time to pledge your heart to your true and trusted companion.
Celebrate the occasion in style with a touch of deserved self-indulgence — glitzy & glamorous BLING!
Wags and Tags has created a fashion forward fine pet jewelry line that will definitely turn a few heads and keep tails wagging. Sterling Silver, Gold, Precious Stone and Diamonds make the distinctive difference in the overall styling and design. The pet tags and matching owner pendants are beautifully crafted symbols of the deeply emotional bond between owner and pet that will last beyond a lifetime.
These artisan pieces are a must for any prized pooch. Choose from several intricate designs or commission your own custom pendant/tag.
“Bowl me Over with Love and Lavish Gifts” say those big beckoning irresistible eyes.
And, it is not in our power to say “No”.
We know our little bow wow baby deserves only the very best.
Sterling silver BOWL ME OVER™ Dog Tag is available in 4 bone styles:
Diamond pavé hand-set in 14 karat white gold
Cubic zirconia pavé hand-set in 925 Sterling silver
Gold bone, of 14 karat yellow gold
Silver bone, of 925 Sterling silver
Silver bone, of 925 Sterling silver with single cubic zirconia in center
Personalized Engraving is also available for all tags.
Cost: $199-$559
Even the princely Oscar, an adorable Havanese, gives a regal “paws up” to the elegant bangle. He has no doubt that the tag which adorns his collar is an affirmation of his owner’s affection and devotion.
He knows he is special and enjoys the label of “spoiled” and all its associated benefits!
As Oscar gracefully lounges by the piano in all his grandeur, he is smiling and sighing as if happily boasting – “Yes, my mamma loves me!”
Take time to give special hug to your furry friend this month and everyday!
And…be sure to check out JetBlue Airline’s Pet Contest….and win a chance to escape to Los Angeles where Bling will fit right in!
