So I’m kind of a klutz. Alright I am a total klutz. I wave my hand and I knock over a glass of water. I eat a candy bar and I end up with tiny melted chocolate stains on my clothes. And when I put deodorant on, my poor black shirt inevitably gets a white streak on it. I am cursed.

I admit when I got Ms. Oops Dry Sponge ($10, www.missoops.com), I was a bit skeptical. A sponge that could take off a deodorant stain in seconds? I mean c’mon, nothing can really get the stain to completely disappear. But this did.

I do think it’s a little on the big side (it’s about the size of my hand). And I probably only needed one instead of the two that come in each package. But it does come in a resealable plastic bag to protect it in your purse, and it is handy.

To find a local store near you that carries Ms. Oops Dry Sponge or to purchase it online, visit the Ms. Oops Web site.

Seen in How to Travel by yourself and enjoy it - the Tango Diva social network- over 8,000+ women worldwide - Teresa Rodriguez Williamson quotes “There is always room for one!” Some of the best travel experiences are last minute invitations! Check out the issue for more details! Check out Tango Diva for the full story!

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, in Sonoma Valley, CA is offering the Burger and a Beer Package, just in time for grads and NASCAR fans, offers a true locals’ perspective on the “Best of the Valley”. This real deal serves up (what many believe to be) an authentically local Sonoma experience.

The Wine Country Burger and Beer Package includes:

• One night accommodation in a Fairmont Heritage Category Room
• Two Northern California micro-brew beers (or cocktail of your choice) (NO WINE) at the Lobby “Living Room” Bar
• Classic Summertime Lunch, “Painted Hills” organic Hamburger Plate (ok, it is Northern California) for 2, at the resort’s classically cool, town hang, Big 3

The package is available through September, subject to availability. Rates start from $309 USD per night, based on double occupancy.

For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.

The Lodge at Sun Ranch, the newest U.S. eco-lodge, opened this weekend. Accommodating a mere 16 people at capacity, the luxury lodge is in the 26,000-acre Sun Ranch sustainable ranching operation in southwestern Montana.

The new lodge boasts 10,000 square feet of space and offers accommodation in six guest rooms and suites in the main building and two freestanding cabins, as well as expanded common areas including a larger kitchen, dining room and wine cellar.

The Lodge at Sun Ranch’s eco-friendly features include flow-restricted fixtures; reuse of “gray water” for plants; reclaimed and non-toxic materials for new construction; and high-efficiency appliances and utilities including Energy Star-rated fixtures.

The Lodge at Sun Ranch recycled all usable lumber from demolition (about 75 percent), donated bath fixtures to area families in need; re-milled flooring for custom trim and furniture; repurposed original patio stone for new landscaping; recycled copper from electrical and plumbing demolition; and performed on-site quarry for road and parking lot materials.

Guest amenities are also green and include recycled paper products, natural toiletries and fair trade cotton linens.

The new lodge will educate guests on ecotourism and eco-ranching through a guest orientation designed to encourage participation in basic conservation practices.

To help offset carbon emissions, The Lodge at Sun Ranch participates in the Trees for Travel program, which plants 10 trees in the Amazon per guest.

Lodge at Sun Ranch works is working with area organic farmers to fill the lodge pantry to offer a “sustainable Western bistro cuisine.” The dining room is open to guests seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also is open to the public for lunch and dinner by reservation Thursday through Sunday.

For additional information, visit  the Lodge at Sun Ranch Web site or call 888-674-3030.

Big Sur area hotels, attractions and restaurants are still open while firefighters continue to work on containing the Basin Complex Fire. Some California State parks remain closed. As of July 1, 2008, the majority of the fire continues to burn in a remote area of the Ventana Wilderness, 45 minutes drive south of Monterey, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Residents and visitors can access the iconic Big Sur stretch of California

coastline via Highway 1 from Carmel.

Big Sur lies 160 miles/258 km south of San Francisco. Monterey County’s top tourism attractions including 25 golf courses, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, National Steinbeck Center, Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway and the 17-Mile Drive are open. Monterey’s annual 4th of July celebrations will take place as scheduled.

To date, Big Sur area hotels representing 250+ guestrooms have sustained no damage and the majority are open for business including Post Ranch Inn, Ventana Inn & Spa, Big Sur River Inn, Glen Oaks, Ripplewood Resort, Riverside Campground & Cabins, Big Sur Campground and the yurts at Treebones Resort in south Big Sur. Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn and the Big Sur Lodge remain closed due to road and park closures. “The Big Sur valley received little or do damage. The view shed is 95 percent of normal,” notes Jonathan Farrington, General Manager of Ventana Inn & Spa.

Local restaurants, galleries and attractions also report being operational with no damage or current threat. Coastal icons, from the Bixby Bridge to Point Sur Lighthouse Station are fully operational. Garrapata State Park and Soberanes State Park remain open. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Andrew Molera State Park and Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park are closed.

To date, the Basin Complex Fire has consumed 47,459 of prime and secondary redwood forest and 17 structures.

For tourist updates, visit the Monterey Tourism Web site or call the Big Sur Hotline at 805.667.2317. Road reports are available via Caltrans at 800.GAS.ROAD

For air quality reports and daily updates, visit:
Los Padres National Forest Web site
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Web site
Monterey County Web site

Want to go for a sunset surf?

Want to start your day with a rejuvenating yoga session?

Want to learn the Tropicana Salsa?

You can do all this…and for a discounted price!

Pura Vida Adventures, based on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is offering Tango Diva members an incredible $150 discount on their Summer Surf Adventure. The 7 day, 6 night adventure includes:

• spacious bungalow accommodations in a tropical setting
• three gourmet meals a day
• daily personal surf instruction
• daily yoga sessions
• a private 1-hour massage
• an introductory Spanish class
• trips to local restaurants and nature reserves
• …and much, much more!

If there ever was a good excuse to pack your bags and head to the beach to catch some waves, this is it.

Rates with discount are:

• Shared Spacious Bungalow - $1675
• Private Bungalow - $1940

Dates are July 20 - 26, July 28 - August 3, August 9 - 15 and August 17 - 23

So grab your bikini and find out what it really means to live “pura vida!”

For more information, visit http://www.puravidaadventures.com/summerFrame.html

The Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has a limited time offer for special rates to the cities of Rome, Florence, Milan, Asolo, Venice and the island of Sardinia. Guests will receive a 20% discount on best available room rates including 20% off on food and beverage at the following hotels and resorts:

• ROME: The St. Regis Grand Hotel; The Westin Excelsior Rome; Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center and Hotel Eden (20% off food and beverage not applicable at Hotel Eden)
• VENICE: Hotel Danieli; Hotel Gritti Palace; The Westin Europa & Regina; The Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido; Hotel Des Bains, Venice Lido Resort
• MILAN: The Westin Palace; Sheraton Diana Majestic and Le Méridian Gallia
• ASOLO: Hotel Villa Cipriani
• FLORENCE: The Westin Excelsior Florence and The Grand Hotel
• SARDINIA: Hotel Pitrizza, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Cervo Hotel and Hotel Romazzino

The online offer is valid for bookings made from now until July 31st 2008 for reservations up until October 31, 2008. Potential guests must visit www.italiansummervacation08.com and book through the website. Payment for reservations will be charged at time of booking. All reservations are non-changeable and non-refundable. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

I now have a California address. Just over a week ago, I lugged three suitcases, a backpack and a bulging purse halfway across the country from Minnesota to San Francisco.

What brings me all the way from the Midwest? An internship at Tango Diva as an editorial assistant. I get to write, edit, photograph, attend events and do other fabulous things that you lucky Divas get to read or see on the Web site. I’m here until August. That’s as far as my plans are planned. What’s after that? Stay in San Francisco? Move back to the Midwest? I have no idea.

I come from a small town. I’ve never lived in a big city before. Now don’t go and categorize me into some small-town-girl-who-lives-on-a-farm-and-is-petrified- of-the-city. My parents may live on a hobby farm (think barn and land but lacking in animals), but I love cities; I’ve travelled to many and frequented several others. I’ve just never lived in one. And visiting is far different than living.

I have no car. I use public transportation. I live in an apartment building. I have a roommate. I lug my groceries up a ridiculous number of stairs. Ah, city living.

I have two main passions/loves: fashion and food. If you have any suggestions for a great little San Francisco boutique or hole in the wall restaurant, I’d be grateful. However, please note that I’m a recent college grad with a limited budget.

I look forward to sharing my “city life,” and you will hear from me soon!