The Black Dress Traveler

Learn a Language for Free with Livemocha

A recent article in The New York Times about using the web to learn a language reminded me that flirting with French chefs isn't the only way to improve my linguistic skills - a little studying might help too. So, I decided to sign up for a FREE online beginners French course with Livemocha. The price is certainly right and I like the idea of logging on and learning.

Of course, interaction with other people is a big part of learning a language and Livemocha makes it easy to connect with other users from around the world via your personal home page - kind of like Facebook. In addition to the free basic courses in 30 languages, Livemocha offers affordable Travel Crash Courses in everything from Arabic to Swedish. You can also upgrade your free membership for more intense instruction, such as submitting your voice recordings for feedback from a native-speaking tutor.

I'll keep you posted on my progress with Livemocha. The response from my favorite French chefs will be the litmus test for my progress! ooh la la!

Flying with Fido: Seven Tips from Wendy Diamond and Lucky!

If flying takes a toll on us humans, imagine how four-legged passengers must feel! I asked every doggie’s favorite diva, Wendy Diamond, to share her expert tips on flying with your pooch. Wendy is the founder of Animal Fair – the premier lifestyle magazine for animal lovers and pet owners. She and her famous Maltese, Lucky, have traveled the world raising money and awareness of animal rights. True to her name, not only was Lucky a rescue animal but she has cuddled with many of the world’s most famous people including President Bill Clinton and Sean Connery.

Here are a few travel tips from Wendy and Lucky. For more advice on everything from pet health to choosing the perfect pet, buy Wendy’s new book It’s a Dog’s World: The Savvy Guide to Four- Legged Living.

1. Fly the Pet-Friendly Skies! American Airlines and Sherpa have introduced the “Guaranteed on Board” program. Of course, Lucky is always guaranteed a spot on- my lap!” Continental Airlines is also one of the most pet friendly airlines.  Check with your airline before you reserve anything – policies differ for each. Also, make advanced arrangements. Just like Noah’s Ark, only two animals per plane!

2. Check with your veterinarian before taking a long trip. Give your “doggie doctor” all of your necessary travel information, make sure your pet has had the proper vaccinations and make sure your pooch is able to travel. Some dogs may be too old, young, or just not ready, so it may be better for them to be with a dog-sitter.

3.  Sedatives for your pet when flying are a red flag! Ask your veterinarian for the best way to calm them down! Sedatives + high altitude = danger! The last place you want your pup to get “sick as a dog” is an airplane! Also, bring necessary health documents, proof of vaccinations, etc.

4.  Your pet needs proper ID! Make sure your name and contact information is on the collar, the crate and anywhere else. With all the travel commotion, you don’t want little Fido to end up thousands of miles away!

5.  If your pet is traveling in a crate, make sure it feels comfortable and gets used to being inside. Fill it with your pet’s favorite blanket and toys so it feels more like home. Make sure your canine can lie down, sit, stand, rollover and fetch. Well, not the last one.

6.  Check your hotel’s pet rules. For example during the holidays, Loews Hotels launched the Houndly Holidays Package. This real-life “Hotel for Dogs” treated four-legged companions like VIP’s, providing them with walking and sitting service, as well as food and toys.

7.  Bring plenty of water, food and snacks, his or her favorite toys and blanket so they feel comfortable. Make your pooch feel like he or she never left their comfy dog house!

From Bali to Brooklyn: Seven Sexy Valentine's Day Getaways

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you and your sweetie have fallen into a romance rut, a trip could be just what you need to bring the sexy back. And, single ladies, instead of staying home why not take one of these fantastic trips with your friends or spend a weekend pampering yourself? From Bali to Brooklyn, from the budget-conscious to the truly decadent, here are a few suggestions on where you can go to connect with Cupid.
 
Naughty & Nice: The Liaison Capital Hill (Washington, DC)
Prices start at $169 per night thru Dec. 31, 2010. Also available at Affinia Hotels in New York & Chicago. Mention offer code PASSION.
Our nation’s capitol has hosted more than its fair share of frisky trysts so why not choose Washington, DC for your romantic getaway? The Naughty and Nice romance package at the Liaison Capital Hill (an Affinia Hotel) includes a bottle of bubbly, rose-petal turn-down service, a romantic in-room movie, a box of Jacques Torres hand-made chocolates, an Agent Provocateur Strip Poker set, a "52 Ways to Stay in Love Forever" deck of cards to inspire romance, and guaranteed late check-out. Sounds like a winning combination.

Better Off in Bali: Uma Ubud (Bali, Indonesia)
Starts at $665 per room, double occupancy.
Is Cupid working your last nerve? If you prefer to spend Valentine’s Day getting to know YOU, book a trip to beautiful Bali. The Ubud Escape includes trips to local villages, temples and artisans’ workshops. Get a 60-minute massage, a daily Yoga class, and a daily group guided walk. A three-course dinner at an open air restaurant next to a waterfall-fed pond is also included. And, remember, Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) met her soul mate in Indonesia, so you never know!

 All Aboard the Love Train: Heart AC (Atlantic City, NJ)
Hop the ACES train with your honey from the Big Apple to Atlantic City and enjoy a weekend of Valentine’s Day events that will stimulate all of your senses! Save 20% on rooms at Harrah's, Caesars, Bally's and Showboat. Event highlights include a champagne and chocolate tasting with Jacques Torres, concerts by B.B. King and Air Supply, a speed dating event with VH1's Tough Love hosts, and the Atlantic City Group Valentine Wedding Vow Renewal. Best of all, you can start your celebration on the train ride – ACES serves cocktails and upscale nibbles.

What’s Cooking Good Looking?: Hotel Monaco (Seattle, Washington)
Prices starts at $399
Don’t just go out to dinner for Valentine’s Day – take a cooking class together! The Little Bit of Lovin' package includes a cooking class taught by Sazerac restaurant Executive Chef Jason McClure, a 3-course meal paired with wine, a signed copy of the Savor Seattle cookbook and more!  After the cooking class, get cozy in your room at the Hotel Monaco, a luxury boutique hotel that is rated one of the Top 100 Hotels in the World by Travel & Leisure. To book, call VIP reservations at (206) 516-5097 

Sexy Seclusion: Ponto Dos Ganchos (Brazil)
4 night package starts at $6495 (includes all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, VIP check-in at the airport and more)

Located on a private peninsula on Brazil’s sultry Emerald Coast, Ponta Dos Ganchos is just a fifty-five minute flight from Sao Paolo. With only 25 bungalows and a minimum age requirement of 18 years, Ponta Dos Ganchos is perfect for grown-up beach lovers seeking laid-back elegance, romance and seclusion. Although Valentine’s Day coincides with Carnival, you and your sweetie can skip the mayhem and create your own magic with this special package that includes daily yoga classes, a relaxing flower bath, a special dinner and more. Be sure to book a treatment in the Christian Dior Spa.

Whatever Floats Your Boat: BargeMusic (New York City)
$57 per person.
Let the sweet sounds of Schubert and Mozart sweep over you and your sweetheart on Bargemusic  - a floating barge at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge that presents chamber music. The East River and lower Manhattan skyline make for a romantic backdrop while you toast each other with your glass of complimentary champagne and chocolates. 

Relax & Reconnect: Rock Hall (Colebrook, Connecticut)
Rates starting at $240 per night
Rock Hall, a historic home in the Southern Berkshires, melds the essence of New England with a dash of Palm Beach. Built by famed Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner, Rock Hall is a 10,000 square foot manor house with four luxurious guest rooms. If you do decide to leave your room, there is much to do at Rock Hall, including marked hiking trails. On-site massage and private yoga classes can be arranged, as well as a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh-ride with door-to-door pick-up and drop-off. A Mediterranean-style breakfast is included. This package is available for the entire month of February.

My New York: The Black Dress Guide to The Big Apple

When I'm not traveling, I love exploring my hometown. Here are a few events happening in the Big Apple where you might run into me wearing a little black dress! Many of these events are free or very affordable, so get out and have some fun!
 

Save the Date!
Women & Wanderlust: Travel Talk & Expo
Guest Speaker: Pauline Frommer
Thursday, February 18. 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
$10 includes wine & hors d’oeuvres
Join The Black Dress Traveler for a fabulous evening of networking with other travel loving ladies. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or just starting your journey, don’t miss this great event. Get expert advice on everything from travel safety, traveling on a budget, popular destinations, and more. Our guest speaker, travel expert Pauline Frommer has been traveling since she was four years old. Daughter of famed budget travel author Arthur Frommer, Pauline has written her own award winning series of travel guides.

$20 Tickets at Lincoln Center
Through Tuesday, January 26.
Get day-of discounted tickets for performances at Lincoln Center. Tickets available daily at noon, limit of 2 per person. 

NYC Restaurant Week
Monday, January 25 - Sunday, February 7. $24.07 for 3 course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for dinner. (beverage, tax & gratuity not included)
Dine at some of NYC's best restaurants without going broke. Some of my favorite eateries are participating, including Allegretti, Beacon and DB Bistro. Early reservations strongly encouraged. To grab some gourmet goodness on the go, follow the route of the first-ever NYC Restaurant Week Truck that will be serving soup from 24 of the city’s best restaurants. $1 of each $6 purchase made at the truck will aid earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Monday, January 25 and every Monday. 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
$15 cover charge and $15 food/drink minimum. 1 drink minimum at the bar. 
Say goodbye to the Monday blues! Put on your little black dress and join Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks for a great evening of dinner & dancing at Sofia’s Restaurant in the theater district. In 30 years as a bandleader, Vince Giordano has become the authority on recreating the sounds of 1920s and '30s jazz and popular music. Giordano has worked on half a dozen Woody Allen soundtracks. He and the Nighthawks were featured on the big screen in Gus Van Sant’s Finding Forrester, Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator, Robert DeNiro’s The Good Shepherd, and many other Hollywood productions.

Himalayan Happy Hour
Wednesday, January 27 and every Wednesday. 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
This weekly event at the Rubin Museum of Art is no ordinary happy hour. The Rubin, located in the old Barney’s department store in Chelsea, is home to a comprehensive collection of art from the Himalayas and surrounding regions. The space is absolutely beautiful. Enjoy 10% off selected wines, specialty teas, and snacks in the cafe as local musicians fill the room with sounds from across the globe. 
 
Free Performance at Lincoln Center
Thursday, January 28 and every Thursday at 8:30 pm.
Every Thursday the brand new David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center hosts FREE concerts. Tonight’s performer is Master kora player Muhamadou Salieu Suso. Born into a family of Mandinka griots. Muhamadou draws on this millennium-old practice to infuse tradition with modern-day Afro-Jazz. 


Free Wine Tastings at CRUSH
Thursday, January 28 and Friday, January 29. 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
Sip some tasty vino at one of the Big Apple’s most popular wine stores. 



Twilight Visions: Surrealism, Photography, & Paris International Center of Photography
Friday, January 29 – Sunday, May 9.
Voluntary contribution on Fridays from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, $10 general admission all other days and times.  
Paris was a city of fantasy and chance encounters for Surrealist artists of the 1920s and '30s. In Twilight Visions: Surrealism, Photography, and Paris, guest curator Terry Lichtenstein has assembled over 150 photographs, films, books, periodicals, and Surrealist ephemera to show how real and imaginary versions of Paris were constructed through photographic images.
(image: Ilse Bing, Eiffel Tower, 1934 © Estate of Ilse Bing/Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York Courtesy Galerie Karsten Greve AG, St. Moritz, Switzerland)

Voz Latina: Concert featuring La India, Tito Rojas & Milly Quezada
Saturday, January 30. 8:00 pm. $50-$125.
VOZ LATINA features three of Latin music’s most acclaimed artists - LA INDIA, ”PRINCESS OF SALSA”, MILLIE QUEZADA, “QUEEN OF MERENGUE” and TITO ROJAS, “EL GALLO SALSERO” in a sizzling evening with exciting voices, great hits and throbbing rhythms.







Beyond Funderdome: Comedy Blowout with Stars & Writers of Saturday Night Live
Sunday, January 31. 8:00 pm. $85 General Admission. $150 VIP ticket includes pre-show drinks with the performers at 6:30 pm.
Getting tickets to a taping of SNL is virtually impossible but now is your chance to see many of the stars of the hit show! Beyond Funderdome features sketches, music and stand-up comedy from Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, and other cast members. The event is a fundraiser for the stage adaptation of the graphic novel “The Diary of a Teenage Girl.”
 

Lil’Mo & The Monicats
Sunday, January 31. $20. Complimentary dance lesson at 6:00 pm. Live music 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
Lil Mo and the Monicats will rock the Big Apple with their traditional country and rockabilly with swing and a touch of bluegrass.



Save the date! WORKWEAR CONVERSATIONS: An Evening with Donna Karan at Parsons The New School for Design. Thursday, February, 4. 6:00 pm. Free!

Spain On My Mind: The Black Dress Traveler on AmeriSpan.net

Long time readers of The Black Dress Traveler have probably figured out that I have a real passion for Spain. When AmeriSpan, one of the most successful study abroad programs on the planet, invited me to write about my love of this enchanting country I said sí, sí, sí!

Please read Spain On My Mind and discover how I went from a little girl in New York City pretending to speak Spanish to a young woman studying and living life to the fullest in Barcelona and Toledo. Gracias!

Can You Wear a Little Black Dress in Space?: Virgin Galactic Info Session

Just the other day I was feeling stressed out and whined to my brother, "Get Richard Branson on the phone. I want to go to space." At that moment, a trip in a rocket ship seemed like the best way to escape the craziness of life in New York City.

Apparently the universe was listening because last night I received an e-mail about an upcoming Virgin Galactic information session in the Big Apple on Friday, January 22nd from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Dashing billionaire and adventurer Sir Richard Branson has already made his mark on the airline industry and now he has his eyes on space. As the world's first commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic will make access to space accessible to us non-astronauts.

The presenters at the information session are Pam Hurley (owner of Hurley Travel Experts and one of the few Accredited Space Agents) and Stephen Attenborough (Commercial Director of Virgin Galactic.) If outer space is on your travel wish list, attend this event to learn how you can book your place in space. if you do go, let me know what the spacesuits look like! More details below.

When: Friday, January 22. (5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Presentation at 6:30 pm)

Where: Thos. Moser New York Showroom 699 Madison Avenue. 2nd Fl. bet. 62nd and 63rd Streets.

RSVP:   Space is limited (no pun intended!)
Phone: 212-753-7005
E-mail: NewYorkShowroom@ThosMoser.com

 

Dine Out For Haiti

I just learned from one of my favorite chefs, Alain Allegretti, that he and over 40 restaurants in New York City and beyond have joined together to create Dine Out For Haiti. Each restaurant will donate up to 10% of their sales to support the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Dine Out For Haiti will take place on Sunday, January 24th. Those restaurants that are closed on Sunday will participate on Monday, January 25th. Also, the W Hotels of New York will be referring all of their guests to the participating restaurants.

The restaurants can choose to make their donations to Action Against Hunger, Doctors Without Borders, and Partners in Health. Restaurant staff are also being encouraged to make a donation. 

In New York City, in addition to Allegretti, Gramercy Tavern, Tabla, Casa Mono, Otto, Tribeca Grill, and many other top restaurants are participating. Out west, your options include Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles and Carnevino in Las Vegas.

For more information and a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.dineout4haiti.org.

Travel & Learn: Take an Educational Vacation

Have you ever fantasized about baking bread in Italy, dancing Flamenco in Spain, making perfume in France, or studying Portuguese in Lisbon? Make your next vacation a learning holiday. Pursuing your passion in your dream destination can add a whole new dimension to your travel experience. Here are a few companies that offer fantastic learning opportunities abroad. If only college had been this much fun!

 - From cooking courses to sports holidays, GoLearnTo offers a wide variety of learning opportunities in 30 countries. Some of their unique classes include perfume making in France, belly dancing in Turkey, and surfing in Ecuador. These are vacations to remember!

- Carbs are not the enemy - poorly made bread is! Made with the finest ingredients and the utmost of care, artisan bread is a thing of delicious beauty. Get to know your dough by enrolling in an Artisan Bread School course in Tuscany, the United Kingdom or the United States. Learn to make fantastic foccacia, crusty ciabatta, and sensational sourdough from school founder Carl Shavitz. Yummy! 

AmeriSpan proclaims to offer "every language, every culture, everywhere." It may be a slight exaggeration (sorry, no Na'vi classes for you Avatar fans) but they do teach Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and more. You can choose to learn the language of your choice from a diverse selection of countries, including Morroco, Germany, Taiwan, Argentina, and India. You can also explore AmeriSpan's volunteer programs and internship placements.

My New York: What's Going On in The Big Apple

When I'm not traveling, I love exploring my hometown. Here are a few events happening in the Big Apple where you might run into me wearing a little black dress! Many of these events are free or very affordable, so get out and have some fun!


Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebrations
Monday, January 18
The Big Apple is celebrating the late civil rights leader's birthday in a big way with musical events, walking tours and lectures.

$20 Tickets at Lincoln Center
Through Tuesday, January 26.
Get day-of discounted tickets for performances at Lincoln Center. Tickets available daily at noon, limit of 2 per person.

Benefit for Haiti at Idlewild Bookstore
Tuesday, January 19. 7:00 pm. $10 suggested donation.
One of my favorite travel bookstores, Idlewild, is hosting a benefit for the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. The evening will feature an update from UN relief staff, readings of Haitian literature, and a talk by writer and geologist Simon Winchester.

My Wife is an Actress
Tuesday, January 19. 12:30, 4, & 7:30 pm. $10
Starring actress Charlotte Gainsbourg and her real life husband Yvan Attal, this is one of my favorite French films. My Wife is an Actress is a very clever romantic comedy about jealousy, love, and celebrity. FIAF is celebrating Ms. Gainsbourg by screening one of her films each week through Feb. 23.

Under the Tuscan Sun Wine Tasting
Thursday, January 21. 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm. ($15 plus tax)
Bacchus Wines invites you to explore the delicious wines of Tuscany. Sip and learn about Sangiovese, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vin Santo. You will taste these wines from a gorgeous Riedel crystal stem that you get to keep!

Free Performance at Lincoln Center
Thursday, January 21 and every Thursday at 8:30 pm.
Every Thursday the brand new David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center hosts FREE concerts. Tonight's performer is Michael Arenella and His Hot Eight. Led by singer, cornetist, and trombonist Michael Arenella, the Hot Eight is steeped in the hot-dance band tradition of the Jazz Age. 

Free Friday Nights at the Morgan Library & Museum
Free every Friday night from 7-9pm. 
One of the loveliest museums in town, the Morgan is free every Friday. Enjoy a drink in the cafe while listening to live classical music. In addition to visiting JP Morgan's library and study, Jane Austen fans will love the exhibition A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life & Legacy.   

The Beats of NYC: A Jazz Journey Through Dance, Rhythm and Rhyme
Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23. 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm. $73. 
A little black dress is the perfect thing to wear for a night of fantastic music in Jazz at Lincoln Center's breathtaking Allen Room. Drummer Ali Jackson presents an evening of original compositions and re-imagined interpretations of Duke Ellington, Horace Silver and Dizzy Gillespie to explore the collision of rap, tap, poetry and song.

NYC Restaurant Week
Monday, January 25 - Sunday, February 7. $24.07 for 3 course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for dinner. (beverage, tax & gratuity not included)
Dine at some of NYC's best restaurants without going broke. Some of my favorite eateries are participating, including Allegretti, Beacon and DB Bistro. Early reservations strongly encouraged.

Truffles, Paella & Crabs Are Just A Click Away: Shop Online for Regional Foods

That Marcel Proust guy was on to something - taste has the power to conjure up very powerful memories. A bite of a sweet madeleine was the catalyst for Proust's vivid recollection of his childhood in Remembrance of Things Past. For me, a perfectly prepared paella transports me back to sunny Spain. Living in NYC, I have the luxury of being able to dine at restaurants that serve virtually every cuisine on the planet but sometimes you want to cut out the middleman and just nosh at home. Here are a few websites that will deliver your favorite regional goodies to your door. Bon appetit!

La Tienda sells everything you need to make an authentic paella right at home. Pans, rice, saffron, and peppers from Spain are all available at this popular site. They even ship a frozen paella! An impressive selection of chorizo, jamon serrano, turron candy, bath products, ceramics and more make La Tienda THE ultimate source for the best of Spain.

Foodies go crazy for truffles and for good

 

 reason. A few slivers of this aromatic tuber take everyday foods like eggs and pasta from boring to sublime. Based in Umbria (Italy), Sabatino Tartufi has been in business for more than 100 years. Visit their website to order their highly coveted fresh black and white truffles in addition to truffle infused oils, salts and creams. Preserved and frozen truffles are also available.

While you can get a good crab cake in many places, Maryland has mastered the art of making a GREAT crab cake. If you're craving the Chesapeake's tasty crustaceans but can't make it to Maryland, just take a virtual visit to The Crab Place. Shipping Maryland seafood from the dock to your door, The Crab Place is a purveyor of crab cakes, King Crab legs, handpicked crab meat, and everything you need to host your own crabfest. They also sell lobster, shrimp, and seasonings.  

And, if Proust has inspired you to snack on a tasty madeleine, you can buy them at igourmet.com. They import these quintessentially French sweets from Brittany.

Beauty Inspired by the East: Complimentary Facials from Sjal Skincare

Sometimes navigating a foreign country feels easier than choosing a skincare product. However, once in a while I hear about a new skincare line that makes me want to run out and give it a try. Hello Sjal!

Sjal was developed by mother and daughter skincare enthusiasts Karen and Kristin Petrovich as an alternative to complicated and confusing regimens. Derived from a Swedish word that means spirit, mind, heart and soul; Sjal melds ancient Eastern medicines with western and Japanese bio-technology.

If you would like to give Sjal a try, head over to The Plaza Beauty by Warren-Tricomi at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Saturday, January 23 from Noon - 4:00pm. Attendees will be pampered with complimentary facials using Sjal's Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask (designed to polish and brighten the skin) and Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask (improves tone, elasticity and minimizes pores).

Following the luxurious Sjal facials, popular makeup line BECCA will offer attendees complimentary makeup touchups.

Following this afternoon of pampering, sashay over to the Plaza's Champagne Bar to show off your glowing complexion!

Feeling Flamenco: Add Some Olé To Your Day

Seeing tiny fashionista Suri Cruise dressed to the nines in her flamenco outfit took me down memory lane. As a little girl, I spent countless hours playing dress-up as a Gypsy and pretending that I could speak Spanish and dance flamenco. So, it probably isn't too surprising that I spent 2 years of my young adult life studying in Spain. Well, studying, falling in love, and having way too much fun.

I learned many things in Spain but, sadly, I never mastered the art of flamenco. However, I still have a great passion for the music. Many people consider flamenco to be the "Spanish Blues" but the music is also very joyful. I have colorful memories of sipping sweet wine and dancing to a lively bulería with my amigos in Spain.

I find it impossible to listen to flamenco and not be moved. So if you want to add a dash of olé to a dull winter day, I prescribe a dose of flamenco. Once that rhythm hits you, you will feel transported to sunny & sultry Sevilla. Here are 5 ways to get your recommended daily allowance of fabulous flamenco.

See Noche Flamenca: Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca's seamless blend of raw emotion and brilliant artistry have made them Spain's most successful touring company. Their critically acclaimed performances are powerfully authentic. You can catch Noche Flamenca in New York City until January 16. Their whirlwind tour continues in Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto and Boston.

Watch Bebo Y Cigala -

One of the best Christmas
presents that I received was the DVD Blanco y Negro: Bebo y Cigala En Vivo. Directed by Fernando Trueba, this concert video filmed in Mallorca brilliantly captures the cross-cultural collaboration between Cuban jazz legend Bebo Valdes and Spanish flamenco singer Diego "El Cigala" Salazar. While this isn't traditional flamenco, Bebo's brilliant piano playing paired with Diego's seductive voice are a match made in heaven. You can also buy the acclaimed CD that inspired the concert, Lagrimas Negras.

Listen to Camarón de La Isla: No discussion of flamenco is complete without mentioning Camarón de la Isla. This legendary singer passed away in 1992 and is considered by many to be the greatest flamenco singer that ever lived. Camarón often collobarated with the brilliant Spanish guitarists Paco de Lucia and Tomatito. I recommend his cd Potro de Rabia y Miel. I dare you to play the track La Primavera without dancing to this joyful rumba.

Watch Carlos Saura's Flamenco: This 1995 documentary boasts performances by many of the biggest names in flamenco. Dancer Joaquin Cortes is especially captivating and gorgeous! The film is available for rent at Netflix.

Go to the New York Flamenco Festival: Winter in the Big Apple will be sizzling thanks to the 10th Annual New York Flamenco Festival. From February 11-14, dancers and musicians direct from Andalucia will bring the magic of flamenco to City Center.

The No Snooki Guide to the Jersey Shore:

MTV's controversial new reality show Jersey Shore has managed to depict the southern part of the Garden State as a fist pumping bar brawl set to an endless soundtrack of house music. One of the breakout stars in this cast of self-proclaimed guidos and guidettes is Snooki. Rocking jet black hair that is as long as she is tall, Snooki is a tiny uber-tanned party animal whose signature dance move is the panty free cartwheel. Oh my.

As a fan of the Jersey Shore region, I wanted to share a few places that are the complete antithesis of what is depicted on MTV. Your chances of running into Snooki and her raucous roomies are pretty slim in the three towns listed below. Call my buddy Mario at 33 London Taxi to take you around the Jersey Shore in style in his fleet of London style black cabs. Just promise me, no fist pumping please!

Spring Lake: This bucolic town was my introduction to the Jersey Shore. A quiet enclave of Victorian mansions, Spring Lake has a 2 mile non-commercial boardwalk that is perfect for a romantic or solitary stroll by the ocean. Choose one of the many historic inns for an elegant overnight stay. Click here to read more about my first visit to Spring Lake and some of my favorite spots.

Red Bank: Red hot Red Bank boasts fine dining, shopping and A-list accommodations. Book a stylish room at the Oyster Point Hotel with a view of the Navesink River and enjoy an evening cocktail and dinner in their elegant bar. Catch a concert at the spectacular Count Basie Theatre and grab a bite to eat at RED Restaurant and Lounge - home of New Jersey's best crab cake. Shop 'til you drop at selve for custom shoes, Carter & Cavero for excellent olive oil, and SPACE for home furnishings. You might even catch The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, shopping at Jack's Music Shoppe. Click here to read about my trip to Red Bank.

Asbury Park - Home of the legendary Stony Pony and an iconic Boardwalk, Asbury Park has experienced a major renaissance. See and be seen at Watermark - a chic beachfront lounge with ocean views, plenty of eye candy, and killer cocktails. My friend Patti also recommends the "awesome vacation cuisine and great vibes" at Langosta Lounge and The ShowRoom, a "very cool art house showing classics and indie films." 

Haute Hands: Ellen Sirot Hand Perfection

Are dry airplane cabins and lugging suitcases taking a toll on your hands? Well, the "supermodel of hands" has a solution for your dry paws and ragged cuticles. 

Ellen Sirot's hands have appeared in countless advertising campaigns and filled in for the hands of major celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Rachael Ray. Clearly, Sirot has to protect her money-making-hands and she developed Hand Perfection to combat the signs of aging and to nourish, tone, and tighten the skin.

The cold winter in NYC seemed like the perfect time to give Hand Perfection a whirl, so I happily accepted the invitation to try the purse size Complete Day Cream ($30) and the Nail & Cuticle Treatment ($22). At 1.7 fl. oz, the purse size Complete Day Cream is a travel friendly lotion chock full of moisturizers, amino acids and antioxidant vitamins A&E. I've been using this lightweight cream for about 3 weeks now and have noticed that my hands remain soft and have a nice healthy glow. Also, I like fact that the cream has no discernible fragrance. The Nail & Cuticle Treatment has done a nice job of preventing the jagged cuticles that often plague me in the winter.

Other products in the Hand Perfection line include Moisturizing Cleanser, Night Solution, and stylish SPF Glovettes that protect hands from the sun. Hand Perfection is a splurge but don't your hardworking hands deserve some supermodel pampering?

For more information, visit www.ellensirot.com.

Chit Chat in a Flash: 30 Words Language Guides for Travelers

Are you heading to a country where the language is a complete mystery to you? Or maybe you just want to impress your friends by ordering dinner in flawless French, Mandarin, Arabic, Italian or Spanish? If language lessons don't fit into your budget or schedule, I highly recommend 30 Words Language Guides for Travelers as a great starting point.

Priced at only $8.95 each, 30 Words are snazzy, stain-proof, tear resistant, and waterproof passport sized guides that weigh less than 3 ounces but put over 800 key words and phrases right in your purse or pocket. The company was founded by brother and sister travel aficionados Andrew and Erin Kitchell based on their idea that "even a limited vocabulary greatly enhances your travel experience. While mastering a language may take years, anyone can start speaking a new language in a day."

When I traveled to Paris my linguistic goals were pretty simple: I wanted to be able to ask for directions, order food, and flirt. Alas, there is no specific flirting section in a 30 Words guide but the card is smartly divided into sections such as shopping, transportation, directions and food. Also, each word and phrase is spelled out phonetically. For example, not only is the Spanish guide available in European and South & Central American versions, but the pronunciation guide reflects the differences so that you can order your cerveza (thair-VAY-thah) in Spain with an authentic "lisp" like th sound. 30 Words also features the basics on grammar and building phrases. 

Take 30 Words on your next trip to get the conversation, flirtatious or otherwise, started in a stress free way. 

To learn more, visit www.30words.com.

Three Easy to Keep Travel Resolutions

Is traveling more one of your New Year's resolutions? Here are 3 easy suggestions for making your travel dreams a reality in 2010.

1. Say goodbye to Starbucks and bonjour to Paris. Let's face it, traveling without money is nearly impossible. Unfortunately, today's economic climate has forced many of us to drastically downsize our travel budgets. However, by reducing your spending in other areas you can add some serious cash to your travel coffers. 

For example, visits to my lovely neighborhood cafe cost me about $20 a week. I've decided to limit my croissant and coffee sojourns to one trip a week and put $15 a week into my travel kitty. Doing this faithfully, I will save $720 towards my next trip. This time next year, I could be sipping a cafe au lait in Paris.


2. Explore your own backyard: Fantasizing about your dream vacation can be both a great motivator and a bit of a downer. If that trip is too far off in the distant future, frustration can easily set in. Set aside one day every 4-6 weeks to nurture your inner explorer by taking an inexpensive day trip to a place close to home. Visit that vineyard, historical house or museum that you've never been to.

3. Wanderlust Begins in the Brain: When I was a little girl, I traveled in my mind before I ever left my neighborhood. Books, movies, music, and food are great ways to indulge your wanderlust with minimal effort. Are you dreaming of Barcelona? Pour yourself a nice glass of cava and curl up with Carmen LaForet's classic book Nada or watch Woody Allen's Vicki Cristina Barcelona. For a few hours you'll feel transported and absolutely rejuvenated.