Are We There Yet?

There are countless great getaways; destinations that promise to entertain everyone in the group. But then there are those quintessential vacations that seem to capture the very essence of adventure: the kind of iconic vacation that you remember from your own childhood. Here are five varied spots in the U.S. that fit the bill.

MONTANA - There’s a lot of ground to cover in Montana, and almost all of it is stunningly beautiful, so it lends itself to an old fashioned road trip.  There are even outfits that organize summer bike trips for a family that’s ready for a more active adventure.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. is one of the first American landscapes that kids become familiar with from afar and, in person, D.C. really lives up to expectations. The buildings themselves, from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument, which stands 555 feet tall in front of the iconic Reflecting Pool are impressive, majestic, to kids and adults alike.

SAVANNAH - Sometimes referred to as America’s first planned city, Savannah has retained much of its original structure and charm. Savannah’s grid town plan was laid out in 1733 by General James E. Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia, and you can still see most of the city’s signature squares today.

BOSTON - As a city built on the back of the Revolutionary War, Boston’s the perfect place to instill in kids an appreciation for American history. Luckily, the famously great walking city makes it easy on parents by making its most interesting monuments easy to find and accessible for all ages.

UTAH - Utah’s impossibly red sandstone rocks make up some of the country’s most iconic landmarks and by far the best place to see them is in Moab, a smallish desert town on the state’s Eastern edge, not far from the Colorado border.

Veronica Beard - American Design

Veronica Beard is an American sportswear brand that strikes the balance between classic and cool.

Veroica Miele Beard & Veronica Swanson Beard are sisters-in law who launched their brand in the Fall of 2010 with their signature Dickey Jacket.  Today Veronica Beard offers a modern perspective on iconic staples and results in a ready to wear collection that is for real life.

These perfectly designed essentials are both effortless and chic, each piece mixing superior tailoring with the highest level of quality and fit.

Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses might have once been the most dangerous band in the world, but have also been one of the best rock bands.  The band has sold 44.5 million albums in the US alone.  This explains why Coachella was interested in the reunion.  After all, fans have been hoping for a reunion for years - specifically of the original lineup of Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradin, Steven Adler and Duff McKagan.  

Guns N' Roses are unusually good musicians, but they also made unusually aggressive music.  The anger in many of these songs is something a lot of us feel but rarely express.  Anger is seductive; it can make you feel powerful.  Seduction is kind of the key here, because in addition to anger, GNR have some surprisingly sweet ballads.

Guns N' Roses were also known for being the most exciting and unpredictable band on stage.  Even though time has passed and two of the original members are not part of this line up, the music sounds as great as ever.  Axl, Slash and Duff have survived, are older and wiser and getting along.  It now is  all about the show.  They give us a great live performance without the danger, but we can still hear it in the songs.  That is why we love them more than ever...

City of Los Angeles

Here is a little about the City of Los Angeles where I call home:

 The  West Side thanks to the beach, numerous parks, and kid-centric shops, is ideal for hanging out with the little ones.








 The Downtown bordered by Chinatown on one side and the Arts District on the other, has blossomed into an exceedingly cool destination for some of the most inventive food in the city, shopping, and good times.




The West Hollywood and Hollywood boulevard can be a tad touristy, but with major culture pockets, including some excellent galleries, picturesque Beachwood Canyon, and countless restaurants.

 The Beverly Hills is home to iconic stretches like Rodeo Drive, not to mention a handful of storied hotels, excellent shops, and world-class spas.





The Valley is home to destination-worthy restaurants, plus loads of activities for kids.

Italian Style Essentials

Elegance, femininity, and a little intrigue and mystery is in the Italian blood.  Most Italians would unhesitatingly give up comfort in order to achieve it.  You are expected to have well-groomed hair, an impeccable sense of dressing and a really neat pair of shoes.  It is about your silhouette, slimming lines and details.  

Looking stylish is not just about special occasions, how much money you spend, or the latest trends.  It is about finding the easiest way for you to look good and feel great throughout the day.  It is important to be yourself, to be confident and to bring out your best.  So forget comfort for a day and go for sex appeal!  

Fall 2015 French Style Essentials

Let's face it:  when it comes to fashion, France has the pick of brands and designers.  And more importantly, what is the secret to that effortless and incredibly chic style?  Here are some favorite fall pieces to help you translate your style to that je ne sais quoi go-to looks.

Faux Fur Coat - Stella McCartney

 Gabardine Dress - Carven









Cape jacket - Stella McCartney

 Dress with belt in Midnight - Stella McCartney

Knot button skirt - Michael Kors

 Puff sleeve sweater - Spencer Vladimir

Underskirt with peplum - Carven

Aloha Maui

Maui is one of the most popular vacation destinations.  According to legends, the hero Maui caught the islands of Hawaii on a fishing trip with his magical fishing hook, but failed to pull them all together when his brothers quit paddling the canoe in which they were voyaging, so the islands were left spread apart from each other.  The island of Maui was named after this mythological being, perhaps because the shape of the island is said to resemble his head and body!  

Maui honors its past, amidst its natural beauty and visitor attractions.