This summer when I was in New York, I stumbled into a floral design boutique in Chelsea called Prudence Designs. Their floral designs are beautiful and innovative, especially, the petite arrangements in Chinese take-out boxes complete with chopsticks. I am definitely stealing that idea for a future party! The boutique has more than just flowers including small vases, pillows, and home goods. You can see their arrangements on their website at: www.prudencedesigns.net
Peter Alexander, an Australian lingerie designer has just opened a boutique in Los Angeles on trendy Robertson boulevard. The store carries adorable pajama bottoms, bags, and fun gift items. I was particularly taken with the slippers which would be so cute and comfortable on a red eye or international flight. Slippers retail for around $40. www.peteralexanderusa.com
L'Ecole Des Femmes, a new clothing boutique has just opened on third street. Dresses have a ladylike sixties appeal -- think Catherine Deneuve in Belle Du Jour.
Tonight, clothing boutique Rodan vs Griffith is having a "moustache" party to welcome them to the neighborhood. Champagne, pastries, and moustaches will be provided.
Continuing on my quest to find the best sweets around the world, I have decided to add Dolci e Dolcezze, a little gem in Florence. This tiny bake shop is old fashioned elegance with sweets laid out in pristine glass cases like the jewels they are. Decorated with ornate gold mirrors, crystal chandeliers and mint green walls, Dolci's ambiance conjures a dream out of the nutcracker. Service is the most civilized with treats served on antique sterling silver trays accompanied by dainty sterling spoons. Only in Europe can you find such luxuries. A little off the beaten path, and a cornetto will cost more than at your average bakery, but Dolci and Dolcezze is worth it. Dolci e Dolcezze, Piazza Beccaria 8/r , Santa Croce Tel: 055 234 54 58
Daily Candy today sent an e-mail about Mackage's super cool travel rain coats. The light weight jackets fold up into a pocket in the back and can be reduced to a size small enough to fit in your purse. They definitely out style your basic sporting goods store variety, but come with a much more expensive price tag: $190 for the motorcycle jacket and $250. 
I also thought their trench coats were very stylish although very expensive. This trench retails for $550.
While most hotels have a pet ambassador dog, the Algonquin Hotel has a resident cat. The tradition started in the 1930's when a little stray cat wandered in off the streets into the lobby and management decided to give him a home. Since that time the Algonquin has had 9 resident cats, the latest of which is the above Matilda. This year in honor of Matilda's birthday, the hotel decided to change their hypocritical no pets policy, and are allowing cats and dogs to come for a stay. Concierge will even provide litter boxes, liners, and scoops!
One of the reasons I'm obsessed with going to Paris is that I have always wanted to shop the fabulous flea markets. The latest issue of Gourmet is all about Paris and has a nice little section about how to navigate the stalls. You can find the information on their website, as well as, restaurants, bars, and hotels.
I just spoke to my friend Mac who lives in New Zealand, and it reminded me that I should post on the clothing company she works for: Ice Breaker. Based in Wellington, Ice Breaker makes stylish athletic wear, perfect for skiing, hiking, or any other outdoor activity. All garments are made from light weight Alpine merino wool which naturally wicks away moisture while providing extreme warmth. Their clothes are available at various sporting good stores around the U.S. as well as in New Zealand: www.icebreaker.com/site/dealer.html
Whenever I look up reviews of budget hotels on Trip Advisor, it seems that one of the criticisms is always "hotel has a funky odor." I have rejected many a hotel based on those words, but I started to think -- if everything else about the hotel is great and the price is right -- maybe there's a solution: a Rigaud travel candle! These candles have been around for over 100 years when they were used to freshen Madame Rigaud's Champs Elysee boutique. The most famous and original scent is the Cypres, a woody pine scent, but now the line carries many others. Plus, they come in a stylish zebra print tin.
Liberty, my favorite department store in London, is now selling merchandise online! Their style is Barneys NY meets Anthropologie by way of India. Many of the items on the website are Liberty products available exclusively through the store, and I found those items to be cheaper than the other lines they carry. Although, with the current exchange rate, you won't be finding any bargains. Even though I can't really afford to buy anything at least now I get to "window shop!"
Kiss My Bundt Bakery just opened on 3rd street in West Hollywood, and aside from having a great name, I'm happy to have a new dessert shop that's offering something other than cupcakes and yogurt. They offer a large selection of bundt and mini bundt cakes with flavors that change daily such as: Callebaut chocolate with chocolate glaze, Red velvet with cream cheese frosting, Luscious lemon drop cake, and Cinnamon pecan coffee cake. They also offer organic coffees and teas.
The arrival of Sweetiepies reminded me of another beautiful bakery in San Francisco: Miette. I can't wait to stop by this shop on my next trip to San Francisco. The decor of this place is perfection, from the sweet wallpaper to the gum drop topiary! Miette is everything a candy store/bakery should be. What a magically place for a child's birthday party, or -- who am I kidding -- my birthday party!
Hotel Palomar, Los Angeles's first eco hotel, has opened in Westwood. The hotel utilizes all eco and organic friendly products down to to the food in the mini bar, and energy efficient lighting and water fixtures, without sacrificing their old hollywood style. Another perk is their pet friendliness. With the help of the super cute Director of Pet Relations, Jackson Oscar (above), they promise to properly pamper you and your pet during your stay. Rates start at: $225 www.hotelpalomar-lawestwood.com
Stay tuned for a new sweet shop coming soon to New York: Sweetiepie. This month's issue of Vogue has an article on the new bake shop setting up in the West Village. From the looks of things, it will be Alice in Wonderland meets Marie Antoinette which is sure to mean lots of whimsy.
One of my favorite home furnishings stores is The Inspired Maker in the beautiful little town of Bath, England. The owners sell custom designed furnishings inspired by 1930's and 1940's glamour. The last time I was in Bath, they had a gorgeous crystal lamp with a chocolate silk shade in the window that I couldn't stop ogling. The store was closed that day, so I guess it wasn't meant to be, but I still can't stop thinking about it!
9 to 5 The Musical opens this Saturday at the Ahmanson Theatre here in Los Angeles. It features all new music by Miss Dolly Parton and stars Allison Janney in the Lily Tomlinson role. The show will be running here through October 16th and then heading to Broadway's Marquis Theatre in March. Tickets are available now including Hot Tickets which can be purchased for just $20 for seats with slightly obstructed viewing. I've always loved this movie and have my Hot Tickets reserved for this Saturday's performance. I'll let you know how it goes!
Jessica Hicks designs and sells gorgeous silver and gold jewelry in her little Nantucket shop Posh. Many of the designs are subtle animal prints like the above zebra and giraffe earrings but her new designs seem to be leaning towards the celestial. Nowhere near Nantucket? You can also order from her website: www.jessjewels.com
You would thing living in Los Angeles, we would have access to the best Mexican popsicles. The big shocker is that the best paletas are actually in Nashville! Las Paleta's popsicles are all hand made and come in delicious and unexpected flavors including: honeydew, chocolate banana, chai tea, coffee, hibiscus, and grapefuit. Next time you're in Nashville stop buy their shop on 12th street. It's a great way to beat that Southern humidity!
Every Wednesday night the ultra lux Bar Noir in the Maison 140 hotel is holding wine and cheese pairings for $25 a person. Wines are all California varieties, and cheese is supplied by the comprehensive Cheese Shop of Beverly Hills.
I am always freezing-cold on planes, and keep thinking I should pack a small throw in my bag for long trips. This cute Pom Pom Throw from Calypso seems like a good option. 
Made from soft cotton, you can roll it up for easy packing, and it it comes in all of the above fun colors. When you're not traveling, it would also look great thrown over the back of a side chair and the best part is it's only $50. 
I thought I would start a new category on this blog for inspirational movies to watch before you travel, and books to read either before your vacation, or to pack in your suitcase. So, without further ado:
When I asked my friend Norm what bars he would recommend in Chicago, he immediately suggested The Violet Hour, and I think this bar is right up my alley. The glamorous decor has the look of a French salon, combined with the coziness of an English Library, and the delicious sounding drinks include The Honeysuckle and The Fox Hunt. Food and Wine calls The Violet Hour one of the top bars in the country, and it already has one of my requisites for a perfect bar: a fireplace!
