Archive for 'Raves'

Enter the Cold

I’ve been waiting two years to breathe in the cold — that’s how long its been since I traveled someplace cold. Ooooh I love to put away the flip flops and don furry boots, to layer clothes and wear a snuggly hat. Unlike many fashion victims er, um, women I think it’s looks stooopid to wear snow boots when it’s 75 degrees outside. I reserve mine for when it’s actually cold outside.    And today in beautiful northern Virginia, I’m wearing my boots. I got them years ago from an amazing Wyoming outfitter — no socks required, which is good since I completely forget to bring a single pair of socks on this trip. I have on two shirts. My hat and gloves are by the door. This is my first cold weather since 2010 and I LOVE IT. On assignment to cover family friendly outdoor winter activities, I just got [...]

Posted: January 21st, 2013 under Food and Wine, Musings, Raves, Travel.
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YES! VALENTINE’S DAY AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PARIS

This is pure, unadulterated decadence. And I want it. Whomever you love — whether you’re traveling with a spouse, loved one, best friend, whatever — Paris is always a great idea. And to stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris for Valentine’s Day, is a no-brainer. From our friends at Lou Hammond, travelers, start your salivating: The ‘Love in Paris’ package includes: · Overnight accommodations · Breakfast for two in-room or at Camélia · 80-minute Oriental Essence Treatment for two in a couples’ suite · Romantic welcome amenity in-room including a bottle of Champagne and rose petal arrangement · Candle gift by “Belle de Nuit” The Mandarin Oriental, Paris ‘Love in Paris’ package is available from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28, 2013 From $1,711, double occupancy. Reservations / info: www.mandarinoriental.com Mandarin Oriental, Paris is located on the Rue Saint-Honoré — 99 luxurious rooms and 39 suites. Perks: inner courtyard camellia garden, outdoor [...]

Posted: December 14th, 2012 under Entertainment, Food and Wine, Raves, Travel.
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Ode to Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Series

Hmmm. We just saw Breaking Down Part II and I became incredibly emotional when it ended. Whether you love the Twilight series as I do, or you hate it or are indifferent — there is no denying it has its place in the reading and film worlds. Stephanie Meyer’s books have changed readership for the better — more kids are reading, and young adult books have followed, encouraging that trend. I think one reason I got so choked up in those final scenes is that this story marks the end of an era that deeply affected me as a writer. As I have just sacrificed my savings, am turning down assignments to spend every waking hour when I’m not writing for a living, finishing my first novel — the first in my own trilogy of books — I just pray that my characters touch people the way Stephanie’s incredible books [...]

Posted: November 30th, 2012 under Entertainment, Fellow Authors, Fiction, In Honor Of..., Musings, Raves.
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“ARROW” on the CW is awesome!

A great story in USA Today a few weeks ago profiled one of my favorite new shows: “Arrow” on the CW. As a comic book/”Super Friends” addict from way back, I love how they’ve done this show and made sure to hire great writers. Lots of action, great story, epic backdrop and creepy island-ish entertaining. Stephen Amell does an amazing job as “Oliver Queen”/”The Arrow” and his bodyguard John Diggle, is played by the completely believable David Ramsey. The entire cast, actually is wonderful, well chosen and has great chemistry.  I find myself sorry to see each episode end. The best part, for me anyway, is in these three episodes we’re only scratching the  surface with how “Queen” has come to be this antihero and how everyone else is factoring in. And the writers and producers are letting us wait to let the story unfold (which is rare, rare, rare — [...]

Posted: October 27th, 2012 under Entertainment, Favorite TV, Raves.
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Sale e Pepe Earns Wine Spectator Restaurant Award

Thank you Clay Cone of Cone Communications Company for the following story on one of our best local restaurants, Sale e Pepe. Congratulations to Sale e Pepe Italian Restaurant on the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence!    Sale e Pepe Earns Wine Spectator Restaurant Award Sale e Pepe, an elegant yet resort casual restaurant located at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, has received the 2012 Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine. The restaurant is one of just 878 restaurants across 50 states to receive this award in recognition of its top quality wine list. Sale e Pepe has been honored with this prestigious award for seven consecutive years, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Since 1981, Wine Spectator has honored the world’s best wine lists. The Best of Award of Excellence recognizes those restaurants offering a wine list of 400 or [...]

Posted: August 5th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Raves.
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Virginia Craft Beer month is almost here!

This post is an announcement from our friends at Lou Hammond and Virginia is for Lovers… I am packing my bags. Virginia is so gorgeous, and leave it to these guys to also develop a new interactive map leads visitors to Virginia craft breweries statewide. Yummo!   Virginia’s reputation as a destination full of local flavor has a new experience to tout with the first-ever August Virginia Craft Beer Month. The month’s theme, Love on Tap, is a nod to the state’s famous Virginia is for Lovers slogan and local craft beer on tap at more than 40 breweries and hundreds of restaurants across Virginia. The month-long celebration culminates with the first-ever Virginia Craft Brew Festival Aug. 25 at Devils Backbone Brewery in Nelson County. The Virginia tourism office has created a new, interactive map on www.Virginia.org/craftbeer to help visitors find craft breweries open for tastings and tours and plan [...]

Posted: July 25th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Raves, Travel.
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Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop is here!

Calling all cooks: If you needed a pick-me-up today, you’ll be glad to know that Thermador has officially launched its Freedom Induction Cooktop!!! Can someone say, Christmas list??? Thanks to our friends at Thermador  for sharing the exciting announcement with me which I have pasted below for your reading (and salivating) pleasure.     Thermador officially releases its highly anticipated full-surface induction cooktop After making an immediate splash debuting at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, the most anticipated kitchen appliance of the year marks its official launch as luxury appliance pioneer Thermador (http://www.thermador.com/) announces its Thermador Freedom® Induction Cooktop is available for purchase. The new Freedom Induction Cooktop is the first full-surface induction appliance with the flexibility of a natural-mapping user interface that intelligently recognizes cookware size, shape and position to deliver heat without boundaries. It is the world’s first induction appliance to eliminate conventional cooking elements and offer one limitless [...]

Posted: July 10th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Raves.
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Become part of the MrChewy.com family!

As I have said on my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages (and have told anyone who would listen), it is such a pleasure to now officially be part of the www.MrChewy.com family. I love my dog Dash — I will always love my bunny Blossom. And I truly love all animals in general. That’s why I lobbied hard to have a voice within the www.Mr.Chewy.com community and be part of the good work they do.  I believe so much in what MrChewy.com is doing for pets and pet owners everywhere — and I applaud their efforts to connect animals lovers for the good of the animals. This site is definitely Dash approved! Not only does www.MrChewy.com  facilitate the delivery of hundreds of pet supplies and food products, they are passionate about shelter pets and animal welfare.   My first story for MrChewy.com on celebrity chefs and the pets who mesmerize [...]

Posted: July 2nd, 2012 under Animals, Business, Celebrity Interviews, Food and Wine, Raves.
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Grandeur and opulence on American Queen

From our friends at LHA… Mmmmmm I can’t wait to do this someday. I can imagine how romantic it would be and the lifelong memories such a journey could create. AND, I’m really loving the American connection of this travel option because seeing the county by river is one of the best ways you can explore our backyard. Hop to it travelers! The Great American Steamboat Company is pleased to announce the 2013 schedule for the reigning queen of the Mississippi river, the grand American Queen. These fabled river voyages on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers for the 2013 season will go on sale Friday, June 22, 2012. Once again, travelers will enjoy this truly American experience, celebrated by Mark Twain and others, of steamboat voyages on the great rivers of the America’s heartland. With convenient departures from some of the United States’ most storied cities such as Memphis, [...]

Posted: June 20th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Raves, Travel.
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Get your copy of Miles Corwin’s “Midnight Alley”

How cool is this? Thank you Media Bistro for the heads up on fellow author and LA Times journalist Miles Corwin’s very cool new book, “Midnight Alley”. Corwin was a former LA Times crime reporter, so this is an author who knows his stuff. Be sure to pick up a copy of Midnight Alley on Amazon.com here.  I’m gonna download mine on my Kindle. Here is the scoop on FishbowlLA from our amazing friends at Media Bistro. http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/miles-corwin-midnight-alley-kind-blue-lapd-russian-mafia_b63224

Posted: May 29th, 2012 under Fellow Authors, Law and Military, Raves.
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