The Black Dress Traveler

Nancy O'Dell Found Love at the Airport

Gorgeous Access Hollywood correspondent Nancy O'Dell has a dream job, a beautiful daughter and a handsome husband. Hard work landed Nancy her amazing career but travel helped her to meet the man of her dreams.

Nancy told talk show host Wendy Williams that she and her husband Keith met while standing in the security line at the airport. Apparently, they kept making eye contact, struck up a conversation, and the rest is history.

Is love at the airport a quiet phenomenon? A friend of mine met her future husband at baggage claim.

Airports can be downright stressful and unpleasant but these true romantic tales prove that love can happen when you least expect it - another great reason to wear a cute outfit when traveling and leave those sweatpants in your suitcase!

Oprah Discovers My "Amigo" - Polo Player Nacho Figueras

 

The topic on today's Oprah Winfrey Show was the "Most Famous People in the World and polo star Nacho Figueras was one of the featured guests. It was fun to watch Oprah gaze flirtatiously at the handsome Argentinean polo player who is also the perfectly chiseled face of the Ralph Lauren Black Label Line.

Ok, Nacho isn't really my amigo but I did get to meet the man who came in second in Vanity Fair's competition for the Most Handsome Man in the World.  (That kid with the messy hair from the Twilight movies came in first. Whatever.) I watched Nacho play in the last match of the season at the Greenwich Polo Club just a few weeks ago and he was gracious enough to take a photo with me. What a way to end the summer! Oprah mentioned that she had never been to a polo match, so Oprah you are welcome to picnic with me and my friends at Greenwich next season!

What a Party: Shop & Sip in New York City

Last night I had a great time hosting Shop & Sip: The Ultimate Retail Escape.  The New York Post correctly called the soiree the “girliest event of the week.” A diverse group of dynamic ladies gathered at the private and elegant Williams Club for an evening of retail therapy paired with wine, chocolate, hors d'oeuvres, and networking. Attendees also enjoyed mini-makeovers and other pampering treatments and consultations.

The fantastic participating vendors featured Om Aroma & Co. anti-aging luxury organic spa and skincare, selve custom shoes, Neero & Ana Satin Hydration Therapy Pillowcases, American Laser Centers, Rainey Day New York artisan jewelry and accessories, She's Got Papers inspirational stationary, Eve's Eye Candy, and R. Williams fashionable preppy tote bags and backpacks, Brown Candy Designs makeup artists & stylists, and Belles Fleurs de Daiva gift items for the home and semi-precious jewelry.

Enjoy a few photos from this great evening!
(photos: Glenn Mann)

    

 

Little Black Travel Diary: Kym Hampton

Athlete, actress, singer, and model Kym Hampton is a true renaissance woman whose talents have led her on an exciting journey far from her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

A legend of the WNBA and the New York Liberty, Kym played in the league’s inaugural game and was the first player in the team’s history to score a basket. Kym started in every game of the Liberty’s first three seasons and was a first-round pick in the WNBA Elite Draft in 1997. Prior to joining the Liberty, Kym also played basketball professionally in Spain, Italy, France and Japan.

Off the court, Kym has modeled for Cover Girl cosmetics and acted on television and in film. Kym is currently the Fan Development Leader for the New York Liberty. Music is another passion of Kym’s and she is pursuing a career as a singer. In fact, Kym closes out each regular Liberty season with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem on Fan Appreciation Day. Let’s peek inside the Little Black Travel Diary of the inimitable Kym Hampton!

My first memory of traveling is going to California on an airplane when I was 8 (apart from the car road trips).

I never travel without Vaseline. It has been used by my family before I was born. It was used for everything - the body after a bath (lotion would fade after a few hours), lip gloss, if we were out of hair grease. I’ve been blessed with incredible skin so my cleansing routine consist of soap water and Vaseline. I know I’m making a lot of people cringe by saying this because that goes against what a lot of people in the skincare industry would say but, you know what they say…….”If it isn’t broke don’t fix it.”

My favorite destinations are Spain and Italy.

The taste of great olive oil reminds me of Italy.

My favorite traveling companion is my boyfriend Fred.

Traveling alone is relaxing, but sometimes boring.

I dream of visiting Tahiti and Bali. 

A film, book, or song that awakens my wanderlust is How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan and the song La Costa by Natalie Cole.

My favorite traveling outfit is a velour sweat suit. 

My most unforgettable traveling experience was when I was playing professional basketball in Spain- the team I played for only allowed us to have four days off for the Christmas holiday. I had to get a flight leaving on the 24^th because we played a game on the 23^rd. When I got to Chicago the flight I was scheduled to be on was oversold and I was told I had to be placed on a waiting list. We were also informed that the hotels in the area were full so unless we wanted to stay really far away our option was the airport. Needless to say I was heartbroken…until my name was called and I was the last to make the flight.

When I have been away from home for a long time, the thing I miss the most is my own space.

If I could travel back in time, I would go to Africa to see how the ancient Kings and Queens lived.

My travel icons are Melissa Abbe and Maureen Coyle.

My must have beauty product when traveling is Vaseline. 

My words of travel wisdom are go, see, taste and experience the beautiful world!

Click here to read the Little Black Travel Diaries of other fantastic women!

The Big Apple Goes German for the Day

One of the truly great things about living in New York City is that a quiet walk can instantly transform into an extravaganza. Today I stumbled upon the German-American Steuben Parade on Fifth Avenue. Normally, I shun parades but the colorful costumes, pounding percussion, and multitude of marching bands caught my fancy. Before I knew it, someone had handed me a German flag and tossed me some tasty candies from Deutschland. I even scored a snazzy "Hallo" button courtesy of the Goethe Institute as a cute keepsake. One of the serious causes of celebration at the parade was the upcoming 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Revved up by the sound of 1980's pop hit 99 Luftballons blaring from a passing float, I snapped a few photos of the eye-catching traditional costumes worn by the participants.

 

 

The Ladies Specials: Commuter Trains for Female Passengers in India

The New York Times ran an engrossing article about the Ladies Specials commuter trains in India. These eight trains are reserved exclusively for the use of female passengers in India's largest cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta. According to the article, the number of working women in India has almost doubled in the past 15 years. Along with this increasing economic independence and freedom, women have encountered violence and animosity from men. Getting to work has become such a traumatic ordeal for women that the government has decided that removing men from the trains is the only way to keep women safe. Click here to read the article.

(photo: Chiara Goia for The New York Times)

Little Black Travel Diary: Fashion Designer Abby Z

 

www.abbyz.com

Fashion designer Abby Z is on a mission to make sure that women feel sexy at every size! Her elegant and sexy designs have been a long time favorite of celebrities like Rosario Dawson and Camryn Manheim. And, I am proud to say that I have a few fabulous Abby Z garments in my closet!

Now fashionistas everywhere can experience the magic of Abby Z when she makes her debut on the Home Shopping Network on Friday, September 18. Available in sizes 2-24 and nicely priced from $40-$90, Abby Z's designs fill a void in the retail market for fashion-forward apparel that will accommodate all women! In addition to being a talented designer, the vibrant Abby Z also loves to travel. Let's take a peek inside Abby Z's Little Black Travel Diary!  

My first memory of traveling is taking my horse when I was 6 years old to Texas.

I never travel without my pillow and my camera.

My favorite destination is recently, Brazil.

The taste of chocolate reminds me of birthday parties.

My favorite traveling companion is my mom.

Traveling alone inspires me for my next collection.

I dream of visiting Africa and going on a safari.

A film, book, or song that awakens my wanderlustis Wycliff and Shakira's song, "My Hips Don't Lie"; it makes me want to get up and dance.

My favorite traveling outfit is my maxi dress and open-toe sandals.

My most unforgettable traveling experience is when I was in the Amazon in Brazil sleeping in a tree house.

When I have been away from home for a long time, the thing I miss the most is New York City.

If I could travel back in time, I would love to meet my grandpa, Albert and tell Versace thank you for making women look sexy.

My must have beauty product when traveling is my Kiehl’s face cream, my Bad Girl mascara, and my Laura Mercier

My words of travel wisdom are make a copy of your passport and give it to two different people, travel as much as you can in your life, and welcome new experiences wherever you go.

Click here to read the Little Black Travel Diaries of other fabulous women!

What the?: New York NOT On List of World's Best Cities To Eat Well

Forbes Magazine recently published a list of the World's Best Cities To Eat Well and my hometown of New York City was not included. How can this be? Not only does New York City have some of the finest gourmet restaurants in the world but authentic cuisines from every corner of the globe can be easily found in the Big Apple. London was also notably missing from this culinary countdown. The article says, "Unfortunately, for these inarguably delicious cities, the local cuisine just isn't as dynamic as in other parts of the world." Well, I never!  

According to Forbes, "the list is derived from the 2009 Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index, released in June. It surveyed 10,000 people from 20 countries--each chosen for geographic and economic diversity--in April of this year. It asked them to rank 50 cities on such varied subjects as climate, physical attractiveness, restaurants and nightlife. Cities were judged on lifestyle, buzz, multiculturalism and attractiveness."

Of their selections that I have visited, Barcelona is my favorite thus far. I will have to make a point of visiting the other places to see if they really outshine New York City. Ok, I'll get over my hurt feelings and share their list with you. Tell me what you think. What cities would you add to this list?

1. Paris
2. Rome
3. Tokyo
4. Mexico City
5. Barcelona
6. Madrid
7. Hong Kong
8. Beijing
9. Milan
10. Shanghai

Cindy Crawford Wants You to Glow!

Our skin is our constant companion wherever we go, so I am always interested in learning about skincare lines that are travel-friendly and deliver great results. Like many of you, I tend to be slightly skeptical when I hear about celebrity skincare lines - do the celebrities even use the products they promote or is it just another way to keep their coffers full?

Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty bills itself as a "complete age maintenance system" that will "diminish the visible signs of aging." Crawford developed the line in partnership with Parisian cosmetic doctor Jean-Louis Sebagh. The 30-day kit is sold online for $29.95 and includes Skin Softening Cleanser, Day Moisture, Night Fluid, Eye Creme, Facial Masque, Decollete & Neck Cream and Glowing Serum. Most of the products will fit the Ziplock bag required by the airlines to contain liquids in your carry-on. 

Cindy's skin is so gorgeous that she recently did a photo shoot for Harper's Bazaar without makeup. Will Meaningful Beauty do the same for you? I asked my lovely friend Karen to give Meaningful Beauty a trial run. Here is what she says:

"I have medium skin, that can tend to be dry depending on the weather. I think the moisturizers are terrific in the Cindy Crawford line. I would buy the Glowing Serum by the gallon! WOW! Everyone commented on how rested I looked and how great my skin looked. I liked all of the moisturizers except the eye cream which was too harsh. They were light, not heavy but effective. The cleanser was very good too - again, not greasy and my skin felt clean afterward, no soap necessary. I would recommend the line to all of my friends, except for the eye cream. I enjoy using the products and feel they are a good value."

For more information, visit www.meaningfulbeauty.com.

Table Talk: The Inside Dish from 5th Generation Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard

5th generation French Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard has taken America's oldest city by storm. St. Augustine locals and visitors have all been been swept away by the authentic French cuisine that Chef Poinard lovingly and expertly prepares at his Bistro de Leon.

Watch the video to learn how Chef Poinard was literally baptized in the kitchen and how a nice French boy landed in Florida!

Cougars Prowl for Cubs at Sea: Seriously, A Cruise Just for Older Women and Younger Men

When I first heard about the World's First International Cougar Cruise, I thought it was a set-up for a skit on Saturday Night Live. Silly me - I should have known that someone always tries to make a profit in matters of the heart and hormones.

The Singles Travel Company, which produces vacations for singles of all ages, is hosting a cruise specifically targeted to older women (cougars) and younger men (cubs). The 3-night cruise departs from San Diego on December 4 to Ensenada, Mexico.  Hey, why not give Madonna, Demi and all aspiring Mrs. Robinsons the vacation of their dreams! Growl!

A Chic Beach Wedding is a Breeze at Casa Marina

Many brides dream of a destination wedding but orchestrating these long-distance fantasy nuptials can be an expensive and logistical nightmare. If your wedding vision includes a venue with history and charm set against a beautiful ocean backdrop, Casa Marina in Jacksonville Beach, Florida merits your serious consideration.

One of Florida's premier wedding venues, Casa Marina offers top notch dining and a staff committed to making your wedding a day to remember.  A member of the Historic Hotels of America, Casa Marina first opened its doors in 1925. Not just for weddings, Casa Marina is great for anyone who wants to pamper themselves with a vacation at Jacksonville Beach's endless expanse of pristine sand.

I am not one of those girls with elaborate wedding fantasies but you can't visit the Casa Marina without getting a little swept away. Certainly, Casa Marina's courtyard that faces the ocean would be the perfect setting for me to say "Indeed, I Do" to (insert groom here). After our pledges of eternal love, photographer Damon would capture our joy with some candid snapshots on the beach.  Sand in our toes, we would head back to the Casa Marina's dining room for a grand meal prepared by Chef Aaron. A decadent buttercream confection by Classic Cakes would be a sweet ending to this perfect day. At the end of the night, I would reluctantly toss my Liz Stewart Floral Design bouquet to the single ladies. Our feet tired from dancing to the sounds of dj's from McGee Entertainment and live music by local lovebirds The Johnston Duo (Debrann & Kurt), me and Mr. Wonderful head back to our ocean view suite and.....

(Oops, I am just getting a bit carried away.)

Back to reality.

Seriously, if easy elegance is your style then Casa Marina is a wonderful option for a wedding, a romantic interlude, or a solo excursion. Start your day with yoga on the beach and end it with a martini at Casa Marina's Penthouse Bar with an outdoor terrace that overlooks the beach. Simple perfection.

 Here are a few photos from my recent escape to Casa Marina. (www.casamarinahotel.com)

 

A floral centerpiece by Liz Stewart Floral Design.

Chef Aaron works his magic with a red snapper.

Beautiful cakes by Classic Cakes. (904-246-6408) And, they taste delicious too!

A martini outside at Casa Marina's Penthouse.

Sunrise on Jacksonville Beach. This is the "backyard" at Casa Marina!