Tea on the Thames - London

(Image from Silver Fleet Website)

(Image from House & Garden Magazine)

No trip to London is complete without having high tea at one of the many swanky establishments. Now you can have your tea and sight see too! The Silver Fleet Cruises offer a high tea on board their Art Deco yacht the Silver Barracuda. Refurbished with luxury Osborne and Little fabrics and other glamorous touches, the two hour cruise also includes a live commentary of historical sights and details. The boat departs from the Waterloo Pier at the base of the London Eye every Thursday through Sunday, and tickets can be purchased at the London Eye website for 18 pounds. It all sounds so perfect for those of us who prefer to sight see in style on a limited budget!

Godard's "Made in USA" - L.A. & N.Y.

For all you Godard fans out there, "Made in USA" is being screened for the first time since 1967 in American theaters. This is Godard's take on the film noir, so don't expect serious suspense (the movie described itself as "Walt Disney with blood"), or the disjointed narrative to make much sense.  Anna Karina, donning a glamorous trench coat, takes on the roles of both femme fatale and Humphrey Bogart, while Truffaut's favorite Jean-Pierre Leaud makes an appearance as a bumbling detective wearing a pin that reads "Kiss me I'm Italian."  

See "Made in USA" for the fabulous fashions, the vibrant pop art colored visuals, and of course the lovely Anna Karina.

Playing in Los Angeles at the Landmark Nuart Theatre January 18th - January 22nd and also at the Film Forum in New York through January 22nd.

Cavallo Point Lodge - San Francisco

Seems like every magazine I read these days has an article about Cavallo Point Lodge, a recently opened hotel in Sausalito. The hotel lodgings are in the quaint buildings of former military base Fort Baker, which is now a state park. Set on 10 acres of nature, the views look amazing and you're getting the best of both worlds: nature and wildlife just minutes away from San Francisco. If you get tired of walking the city, the hotel has many activities you can engage in including, hiking, kayaking, and cooking classes. http://www.cavallopoint.com/index.php

9 to 5 The Musical - Los Angeles, New York

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!

Vin et Fromage a Maison 140 - Los Angeles

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. 

The Swell Apartment - Paris

I don't know what it is with me and "The City of Light." For the past two years, I have been fantasizing about a jaunt to Paris -- shopping the flea markets, sampling treats at Laduree.... I've been researching a possible excursion for the winter holidays, and came across this cute little apartment located in the Monmartre region of Paris. For those of you who don't know, Montmartre is home to the beautiful Sacre Coeur Church and the former haunt of artists: Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet. Teeny tiny, but perfect for a couple, this little beauty is full of feminine charms and a steal at 95 euros a night (there is a 3 night minimum.) Looks like it books up fast though, so it's best to plan ahead: www.swell-apartments.co.uk

Hip Cooks Cooking Classes - Los Angeles

As a wedding gift, we were given several cooking classes at Hip Cooks, a cooking school here in L.A. We finally got around to taking our first class: Tarts for Tarts.  The classes have a really fun vibe and are appropriate for novices or intermediate cooks. Classes are either workshops where you eat as you go along, or menus where you sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Adding to the fun, appropriately paired alcohol flows freely. When I got home, I practiced my tart making skills on the above Torta della Nonna. Delizioso!

Sowa Open Market - Boston

The next time you find yourself in Boston, stop by the Sowa Open Market. You'll find a small but tasteful selection of food and artisan vendors selling their wares every Sunday through October.

Don't miss Isabelle Abramson, a Boston artist who makes exquisite porcelain pottery. She sells her work at the market most Sundays, and a few select pieces at her etsy shop.