Jet Setter

Maison Des Reves

The Portuguese countryside makes for a perfect romantic country getaway. The Fall is the best time to head to Europe anyway. Maison Des Reves means House of Dreams. It's time to sit back, relax and dream. You've got to take some time out for life's beautiful pleasures. N'est ce pas?

Maison Des Reves

 

Les Bains Du Marais

 

Of course, all eyes are on London for the Olympics, but I'm a Paris girl hands down. Anyway, this is a beautiful little treasure in the Marais that you'll definitely want to check out. They have baths, a hammam and massage. I've really been getting into natural beauty products - essential oils and lotions this summer. Living in the city you get so used to this artificial environment, you don't realize the goodness that comes from this place we call Earth. Lots of goodness!

There's nothing more luxurious than some sumptuous beautiful oils and gorgeous baths. Hmmm. Life is good!

Les Bains Du Marais Website

 

Mama Shelter, Marseille

Love this stylish hotel in Marseille. Part of the Mama Shelter brand. There's one in Paris. But this one would be a fun place to stay while checking out Marseille in the south of France. It has 127 rooms, 8 floors. You can explore the city, go to the beach, take boat trips out on the Mediterranean. Love the cuisine in this region of France.

 

Mama Shelter

French Illustrator Angeline Melin

I love fashion illustration. And I adore French illustrator Angeline Melin's work. She just finished some illustrations for Hugo Boss for their storefront. So adorable! It just takes me back to the classic fashion mags from the 30s and 40s with their gorgeous covers.

Check out her blog. Definitely some style inspiration.

The Little Paris Kitchen - Rachel Khoo

Photo from Apfel Cake & Patisserie

The latest trend in Paris last year was booking dinner for 2 at Rachel Khoo's kitchen. She's a Brit expat who on Wednesdays and Saturdays for lunch, welcomed 2 guests into her tiny kitchen and cooked them a 3 course meal with wine. There was no menu.

Rachel's little kitchen resulted in a tv show deal, where she'll be hosting The Little Paris Kitchen on the BBC this Spring. I'm going to check our her cook book. I think French cooking can be way too complicated. I'm trying to simplify, simplify.

- Denise

Running In Heels - La Petitie Cuisine A Paris

Au Revoir, Stuffy French Cooking; Bonjour, Rachel Khoo!

BBC

Grand Hyatt DFW's SkySpa

I've been in the need for a spa day FOREVER. Work has been ridiculously crazy. Seems like this year so many things are going on as I plan transitions to new chapters. I've needed to get away from it all.

Love the Sky Spa at the Grand Hyatt DFW. So if you're making a connection and have time...you'll definitely want to check this place out. Even before an international flight, this is the place to be.

Did the girlfriend getaway thing. Had this wonderful wine wrap.

A skySPA Spa exclusive.  Experience a tantalizing body wrap treatment using the powerful anti-oxidant and exfoliating properties of the grape. A heavenly combination of a warm wine mask and champagne oil is gently brushed onto your entire body, then you are wrapped in warm blankets to promote absorption of the grape's vital nutrients and vitamins - leaving the skin glowing, renewed, and feeling like silk.

It was DIVINE! They give you a foot and back massage. Lovely! And I discovered grapeseed oil. It makes your skin so incredibly soft and lux and I was able to track some down at Whole Foods Market for $4.99.

- Denise

Grand Hyatt DFW Sky Spa

Illustration  © Darja Tokranova | Dreamstime.com

Drinking Cocktails in Paris at Metropolitain Bar, Radisson Blu

Lovely little place to have cocktails in Paris. View of the Eiffel Tower guaranteed. It's a trendy little hotspot that offers cocktail classes and is in the elegant Radisson Blu hotel.

La vie en Paris.

Check out this blog about the best spots for cocktails in Paris.

Paris Cocktail Bars

Eco Hotel Spa - Yves Rocher, La Gree Des Landes

I'm in major need of a detox. Detox - from life, from work, from family and friends. Just to relax and kick back. Work has been insane and I'm planning a spa getaway asap.

Came across this gorgeous 29-room eco hotel spa in the Bretagne (Brittany) region of France (western France) in the village of La Gacilly. Britanny is where crepes originated and is well known for its organic farmland and food. From January 15 to April 15th, La Gree Des Landes has a detox program that allows you to detox by taking yoga classes, walking and just enjoying nature.

We all need to run away n'est ce pas?

Britanny Tourism

- Denise

http://www.lagreedeslandes.com/uk/index.php

Cocoa Island Resort, Maldives

So it seems like this year has started so fast and furious. Time flies. Can't believe it's already February. Not going on vacation until March. I'm ready for the beach - you with me. But it's trying times, it seems all over the place, everyone is stressed out about money and jobs and war! Can't forget about the bloody war in Iran. US presidential elections, quite the diversion as usual.

I'm taking myself to a beautiful place - at least in my mind for right now. Cocoa Island is in the beautiful Maldives.The Maldives are known to divers worldwide for amazing coral reefs. Who knows how long those coral reefs will be around at the rate we seem to want to fight and destroy everything.

Enough pontificating. Check out the beautiful resort. Now that's paradise. 

 - Denise

Cocoa Island Resort

Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman

With the Middle East about to erupt into a major war, what better time than to check out this cool resort in Oman. It's about 90 minutes from trendy Dubai. Sensual, lux and simply to die for.  One of the best trips of my life was to Dubai...a few years ago. Never got to hang out in Oman.

Check it out here!