The Black Dress Traveler

The Light of Venice

I recently crossed over into the world of E-books and while enthralled, I remain deeply in love with old-fashioned books. Nothing can compare to actually holding a book, feeling the weight of it in your hands, and the smell and texture of the paper. My E-reader is wonderfully convenient and clever but some books demand the timeless elegance of ink on paper - The Light of Venice is such a book.

Hardcover with 132 pages and over 60 illustrations, The Light of Venice features the black & white photographs of Jean-Michel Bert. "I always try to give my photographs a feeling of timelessness…. I never know the photograph I’m going to make, the photograph comes to me, it finds me," said Berts.
The Light of Venice features the architecture, bridges, and canals of La Serenissima in the ethereal light of dawn. Published by Assouline, The Light of Venice is $65 and available for pre-order. This is the 5th book in the The Light of series and the other featured cities are New York, London, Istanbul, and Tokyo.


Images courtesy of Assouline.

Woo Hoo! The Black Dress Traveler Featured in CRAVE New York City

Can you guess what I have in common with Academy-Award winning actress & ping-pong impresario Susan Sarandon, clothing designer Liz Lange, makeup guru Laura Geller, and trainer-to-the-stars Tracy Anderson? We're all featured in the very first edition of CRAVE New York City! I am absolutely honored and excited to be included in "the ultimate guide to women-owned businesses in New York City, featuring entrepreneurs YOU need to know."

If you are not familiar with CRAVE, serial entrepreneur and unabashed start-up junkie Melody Biringer  published the first guide in 2002 to showcase women business owners in her hometown of Seattle. (Melody knows a thing or two about business - she's built over 20 companies. You can learn more about her journey and get some great business advice in Melody's new book Craving Success, which includes 132 tips for ambitious entrepreneurs.) CRAVE guides are now available in multiple cities, including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco, Vancouver, The Hague, and now for the first time in New York City.

The CRAVE NYC guide features a dynamic and diverse group of women that really embody the essence of New York - creative, bold, and fearless. Whether you are looking for an events planner, photographer, personal trainer, life coach, jeweler, baker, makeup artist, organizer, or decorator; there is an amazing woman in CRAVE that is ready to dazzle you with her talent and expertise.

You can purchase your CRAVE guide at Amazon, or send an e-mail to info@blackdresstraveler.com and I would be more than happy to send you a copy (while my supply lasts) for $15 (payable online via PayPal). Price includes shipping and handling to addresses in the United States only. If you want, I'll even sign my page for you!

PS - Since several people have asked, the black dress in the photo is by Nuova Vita, jewelry by SEVAN.

My Own Private Provence

Endless fields of lavender, fine wine, and exquisite food -  the Provence region of France seemingly has it all. Sadly, I have no immediate plans to hop Air France to southeastern France's version of Shangri-La, but I have found a way to create my own little Provence right in my Manhattan living room!

Drink: M. Chapoutier Belleruch Cotes Du Rhone 2010
$12.99
Technically, this delightful Rosé is from the nearby Cotes du Rhone, a region north of Provence, but because I enjoyed it so much please permit me the indulgence of inserting this sassy wine into my private Provence. (Please don't call the wine police!) Cotes-Du-Rhone is one of France's most celebrated wine appellations and Belleruche (beautiful beehive) is an affordable wine with a flirty personality. Belleruche's blend of grenache, syrah, and cinsault grapes create a lovely pale pink wine with zesty flavors of cherry and citrus.  The perfect summer sip! (Something really cool - the Belleruche label is also printed in Braille.)

Read: Death at the Chateau Bremont: A Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery
$14
While other books set in Provence focus solely on the beauty of the region, writer M.L. Longworth shakes things up by placing her murder mystery in historic Aix-en-Provence. The murder of local nobleman Etienne Bremont at his family's chateau bring together the unlikely crime solving duo of chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque and his ex-girlfriend law professor Marine Bonnet. Handsome, wealthy, and a wee bit of a snob, Verlaque simply can not live without fine wine and cuisine and Death at the Chateau Bremont lovingly describes perfect French meals. Bad brioche is simply not tolerated! In fact, Verlaque's investigative skills seem to improve with each freshly shucked oyster or flute of champagne! For those of us who have never been to Provence, Madame Longworth's vivid descriptions of the region, from Aix to Marseille, do a splendid job of taking the reader on an exquisite adventure. This book is the first in a planned series.

Eat: Arnaud Mixed Provencal Olives
$7
I recently discovered these delectable and juicy olives and they are a fantastic snack.  Perfectly marinated in red wine vinegar and thyme, the quality is superb. A true Provencal treat, the Arnaud family has been curing and selling olives for three generations. 



Indulge: Provencal Landscape Candle from L'Occitane
$19
Let this aromatic candle transport you to the fragrant fields of Provence. Packaged in a travel-friendly tin, "the resiny fragrance is reminiscent of the sun-drenched, scrubland of the south of France." C'est si bon!

Crazy About Candace Bushnell: Creator of Sex and the City

I just returned from such an only in New York kind of evening: cocktails and conversation featuring the fabulous Candace Bushnell. The candid and couture clad creator of Sex and the City, Candace was the featured guest at a very special event at Saks Fifth Avenue sponsored by New York Women in Communications. The room was abuzz with women of all ages and backgrounds who were united in our anticipation of hearing words from the woman who had created characters so relatable that ladies all over the world, at one time or another, have described themselves as a Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, or Charlotte. (Me, I'm a Carrie with a dash of Charlotte.)

Beyond being a big fan of Candace's books and the TV series, I am so inspired by her journey. How does one go from growing up in a small Connecticut town to captivating the Big Apple and beyond? As I listened to Candace speak, it became clear to me that it wasn't just her talent that took her to the top, it was her tenacity and her fearlessness. Candace said she had no mentors and no rules to follow - she did it her way. Or as she put it, "you have to do YOU."  Amen to that!

Be sure to pack Candace's most recent books, The Carrie Diaries and Summer and the City, in your travel tote. These Sex and the City prequels are perfect additions to your summer syllabus!

Would You Let This Man Sleep On Your Sofa?: CouchSurfer Jamie Maslin

Just like little black dresses, travel styles can be high fashion or low budget. You've probably figured out that yours truly is partial to luxury hotels with plush mattresses and well-stocked mini bars. And, then there are travelers like Jamie Maslin. Even cheap hotels aren't on his itinerary - he is part of a worldwide community of adventurous travelers that prefer CouchSurfing. These trusting souls connect online and then stay gratis at the home of a virtual stranger. Maslin chronicles his CouchSurfing highs and lows in his new book Socialist Dreams and Beauty Queens: A Couchsurfer's Memoir of Venezuela. (SkyHorse Publishing, $24.95.)

When I was asked to review Socialist Dreams and Beauty Queens, I jumped at the opportunity.  I am an avid reader of travelogues and I've never read any travel memoirs about Venezuela. I really wanted to learn more about this South American country of turbulent politics, plentiful oil, cultural riches, and surgically-enhanced buxom beauty queens - Maslin explores all of these topics. And, maybe, the book would give me some insight into my Venezuelan-American ex-boyfriend.

Maslin is no stranger to extreme travel: his previous book, Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn chronicled his adventures hitchhiking from England to Iran. (He has been banned from re-entering the Islamic Republic of Iran.)

I am halfway through Socialist Dreams and I often find myself yelling at Jamie as if he were my knuckle-headed little brother. Really, Jamie you decided to leave your home in London and CouchSurf through Venezuela but it did not occur to you to learn some basic Spanish, something simple yet important like, where is the telephone? And Jamie, you really did not think to consult a dictionary to make sure that you would receive the correct medication at the hospital instead of an unneeded vaccine? Oh Jamie. 

Even a brief but scary stint behind bars, after an unpleasant encounter with some corrupt cops, doesn't stop Jamie and this tenacity leads him to discover Venezuela's breathtaking natural beauty, including waterfalls, jungle plateaus, and the famous lightning that appears suddenly in the sky with no rain or thunder. Most importantly, Jamie's experience CouchSurfing is a reminder that the magic in travel comes when we connect with other people and that as humans we have tremendous capacity for generosity and kindness. With that said, I still have no intentions of CouchSurfing - I prefer talking to strangers while sightseeing and then returning to my room at the Ritz - call me crazy!

And, in case you are wondering, I did learn something about my ex-boyfriend: apparently, he is the only Venezuelan man that can't dance.

Win a Copy of Brazilian Sexy: Secrets to Living a Gorgeous and Confident Life

As a very nerdy teenage girl I was obsessed with sex appeal - I wanted some. Real bad. There were these two Brazilian girls (they may have been sisters) from Sao Paulo at boarding school that seemingly every boy on campus adored. No matter when and where I saw these girls, they always looked runway ready - even at the darn library during finals week. Now that I'm older I realize that, yes they were pretty girls, but more than anything they had oodles of confidence - they seemed comfortable in their own skin and not burdened by the teenage angst that often overwhelmed me.

From Sonia Braga to Gisele Bundchen, Brazil is famous for their sexy, bold, and confident women. Brazilian Sexy: Secrets to Living a Gorgeous and Confident Life is a new book written by Janea Padilha. Who is Janea Padilha and what makes her an authority? Well, if you've ever had a Brazilian wax iin YOUR southern hemisphere, you can thank Ms. Padilha. She and her six sisters are the owners of NYC's famous J Sisters Salon and can be credited for creating and introducing the Brazilian Wax to America. Their famous clients include Vanessa Williams (she wrote the foreword to the book), Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Campbell and many others.

When I first received my copy of Brazilian Sexy to review, I feared that it might be an obnoxious tome about the superiority of Brazilian women but this sweet little book is actually written in a very friendly tone. Janea sounds like the cool aunt that would make you a cocktail and share all of her wisdom about life, love, beauty and sex with you. Brazilian Sexy has common sense advice on handling the ups and downs of life with gusto, how to think yes instead of no, and ways to bring sizzle into any relationship. Of course, there is also information about hair removal.

Brazilian Sexy isn't so much a beauty book as a guide to living a more beautiful life. Janea writes, " No one else can make you feel bad about yourself -you are the only one who can do that. That is the power that you have, to make yourself feel good or feel bad. Once you know that, you can stop some of those voices inside your head, the ones who are telling  you that you are not good enough. When those voices try to get into my head, I just push them out. I don't pay them any mind. Who cares about them."

Amen to that! I think I'll make a cold caipirinha, blast some bossa nova, and strut my sexy stuff!

PS. I am going to keep my review copy of Brazilian Sexy but I will treat one lucky reader to their very own copy. Just leave a comment below telling me what makes you feel sexy and confident by 12:00 pm on Wednesday, April 13 EST.  I will pick one reader at random and order them their own copy of the book. Prize can only be shipped to addresses in the United States.

Books I Love: Win a Copy of "All Over the Map" or "An Italian Affair" by Laura Fraser

There are definite side effects to reading too many travel memoirs: increased daydreaming about far away places, heightened wanderlust, and, occasionally, even a little envy at the writer's good fortune. My weak spot : travelogues written by women in search of love, adventure, and good food and my all time favorite is An Italian Affair by Laura Fraser.

After a painful divorce, Laura takes a trip to Italy to heal her broken heart and rediscover her zest for life. Well, this San Francisco girl really knows how to get her mojo back because during her trip she embarks on a passionate affair with a Parisian professor. More than a fling, Laura and the Professor share a passion for travel and over the years continue to rendezvous in cities and islands all over the world. Hopeless romantic and travel lover that I am, I have read An Italian Affair at least 5 times and recommended it to countless friends - the book is so beautifully written and Laura so candid with her emotions that it really feels like a conversation with a friend. I always wanted to know what happened next with Laura and was thrilled to learn that her new memoir All Over the Map was released this summer. (photo credit: Laura Fraser photo by Cristina Taccone)

From Buenos Aires to Naples, New York City to Provence, All Over the Map finds Laura adding more stamps to her passport and asking more questions about the trajectory of her life. Is her constant travel an obstacle to her desire to have a lifelong companion? Should Laura stop traveling after a terrible incident in Samoa? Will she stop stressing over those 15 extra pounds and love her curves? Wherever you live or have traveled, All Over the Map is a book that women everywhere can relate to.

Just in time for the holidays, I am going to send one reader a brand new copy of An Italian Affair OR All Over the Map. The winner will get to choose the book they prefer. (I recommend choosing An Italian Affair if you haven't read it already - it really provides a good foundation for All Over the Map)

To enter, just leave a comment below by 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, December 17th. The winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via e-mail. The prize can only be shipped to addresses in the United States. Good luck!

Ten in My Town: Elizabeth Bard's Paris

American girl goes to Paris. Meets charming French man. Falls in love with Monsieur Right and French cuisine. Lives happily ever after. Yes, this may sound like the plot of a Hollywood movie, but welcome to Elizabeth Bard’s life. Her new memoir Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes is chock full of engrossing prose and tasty meals. (Click here to read my review of the book.)

Elizabeth told moi, "there's a lot I've discovered in France - not just about effortless chic, but about how we as women can make better choices - pleasure and ambition, love and self." Although she has been busy traveling the world on her book tour, Elizabeth generously agreed to share a few of her favorite places in the City of Lights. Let her picks guide you to a great meal in Paris, or maybe even a romance of your own. Ooh la la!

 PS. Elizabeth will be making an appearance at Barnes & Noble (Tribeca, NYC) on Weds. April 7 at 7:00 pm.


To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress – Galeries Lafayette. They have everything – and if you don’t find your little black dress, you can go shopping for a hot red lipstick underneath the breathtaking stained glass dome. If you want some color – go try one of the raw silk wrap dresses from Antoine et Lili. For browsing – I’d hit the small streets around rue du Dragon and rue de la Cherche Midi in the 6^th.

For a Night Out with the Girls - I find ice cream inspires girl talk better than alcohol – get yourself a double scoop of Berthillon on the Ile Saint Loius. Cacao Amer (bitter dark chocolate sorbet) is my favorite.

For a Romantic Dinner - Picnic on the tip of the Ile Saint Louis. 

To Take Out of Town Guests - We usually end up at L’Homme Bleu – a terrific Moroccan place, for tagine. We are lacking a favorite French place at the moment (ours changed hands a few years ago), but we often take people to Chez Denise near Les Halles – it’s one of the holdouts from the area’s market days – in fact, it used to be a brothel. The portions are huge (I love the cote de boeuf and the lapin au moutard), but save room for dessert – they make the best baba au rhum in Paris! The place is very well known, you should book – and you’ll probably be eating with an equal number of tourists and locals. 

For Something Sweet - Ladurée for macaroons (I’m a purist, so I tend to stick with vanilla, lemon, pistachio, and orange flower water (fleur d’oranger). Jean Paul Hevin for hot chocolate – it’s a quick walk from the Louvre, the tearoom is just above the shop. The hot chocolate is divine, and it’s much less crowded and touristy than Angelina’s. La Bague de Kenza – This Algerian bakery makes the best North African pastries in Paris. Choose in the boutique and have your pastries delivered to the tearoom next store.

For Cocktails  - I’m not a cocktail drinker in Paris – plant yourself at any sidewalk café with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. My neighborhood, along the Canal Saint Martin, is great for going out…if you like hipsters and men who haven’t shaved…

To Connect with Nature - The Buttes Chaumont is my favorite park in Paris. Sculpted from the ruins of one of Napoleon III’s old gypsum quarries, it has rolling hills, a man-made lake (complete with swans), and a fake waterfall.

To Connect with the Past - I’m a museum fanatic – but I prefer to have the place all to myself. The Louvre is open late on Wednesday evenings – and it’s completely empty! If you haven’t been to the Musée Jacquesmart Andre, do go – it’s the mansion of a 19^th century industrialist and his wife - much like the Frick collection in NY. Check out the hydraulic walls in the ballroom! There’s a great English Audioguide.

Where I Go to Unwind  - The market – every neighborhood has an outdoor market on a different day of the week; it’s a Paris experience that shouldn’t be missed! The markets are open from 8am-1pm, so get up early, grab a croissant and an expresso in a local café – then do your shopping for a lunchtime picnic. Ask your hotel (or local café) which days you can expect a market near you.

To Learn Something New - When I’m searching for inspiration. I usually end up at Librairie Gourmande – the best cookbook shop in Paris. Most of the cooking supply stores are on this street as well, so you can pick up some madeleine molds etc. on your way…

If you are interested in art history and design (and speak fairly high level French) – the week long summer courses at the Ecole de Louvre are a great value. The focus can be as specific as Art Deco doorknobs or as broad as “Paris under Henri IV”.

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes

Find me a woman on the planet who has not craved seduction by Paris's timeless trifecta of beauty, romance, and food - really, it is the perfect ménage à trois. Many of us may fantasize about  living and loving in the City of Lights but American journalist and art historian Elizabeth Bard's first lunch date at a Parisian cafe with a handsome French man was the catalyst for a romantic and culinary adventure.

In her memoir, Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes, Elizabeth shares the joys and challenges of falling in love with someone from another culture and making the momentous decision to build a life in their country. A lively read (I cuddled up with the book for an entire weekend), Lunch in Paris details Elizabeth's relationship with the charming Gwendal and her adjustment to the Parisian way of life.  I had the pleasure of corresponding with Elizabeth via e-mail and she said, "there's a lot I've discovered in France - not just about effortless chic, but about how we as women can make better choices - pleasure and ambition, love and self."

Peppered with delicious recipes that are easy to execute, Lunch in Paris will leave you hungry for your own romantic adventure and a great meal!

Don't Forget to Pack Some Happy: Travel Tips from Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project)

Gretchen Rubin's book The Happiness Project is not just a #1 New York Times bestseller, it is a MOVEMENT. I keep hearing about how this book is really inspiring people to bring the happy back. Rubin describes it as "a memoir of the year I spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy--from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah."

One of her tips for happiness is to take a vacation! Recognizing that relaxation is a must, Rubin made "resolutions to Be serious about play, Take time to be silly, Force myself to wander."  Other travel related posts on The Happiness Project blog include 5 Tips for Happiness Reinforced by My Family Vacation and Eight Tips for Items to Carry When Traveling with Kids.

Be happy, take a trip!

Nigella Bites the Big Apple!

Best-selling cookbook author, television star, and world renowned domestic goddess Nigella Lawson had the crowd at Tuesday night's Hudson Union Society event eating out of her hands and hungry for more!

Dressed in a perfect little black dress, the curvy culinary celebrity was in New York City to promote her newest book, Nigella Christmas. More than just a collection of holiday recipes, Nigella's festive book is full of practical advice to keep your holiday meal preparations stress-free so that you can focus on enjoying time with your guests.   

A winning combination of posh and down-to-earth, Nigella proudly proclaimed that she is "spearheading the anti-perfectionist movement."  She continued by explaining that "food is about home cooking" and that most people on their death beds will reminisce about the simple foods of their everyday lives, such as a juicy roast chicken, and not the elaborate creations served in restaurants.

Nigella's talent and passion for food have led her on an incredible journey but her ascent was far from premeditated. "I never planned anything in my life. I loafed from crisis to crisis," she laughed. 

Nigella's talk revealed some basic but important truths about life: be comfortable in your own skin, relish life's unexpected twists and turns, and a pat of real butter makes everything better!

Photo taken by J Hoch.

Little Black Travel Diary: Francine Segan (Food Historian & Author)

Francine Segan

 

 

www.FrancineSegan.com

 

From the dining customs of ancient Greece to America's sweet dessert history, Francine Segan dishes out tasty food facts in her books and lectures. Her most recent book, Opera Lover's Cookbook, was nominated for the prestigious James Beard award. Francine is also the author of Movie Menus, Shakespeare's Kitchen, and The Philosopher's Kitchen. Her expertise and ebullient personality have made Francine an in-demand guest on radio and television for CBS, the Food Network and the History and Discovery channels. An avid traveler, Francine explores the world researching culinary history and the latest food trends. Let's peek inside the Little Black Travel Diary of Francine Segan!

 

 

My first memory of traveling is riding the subway to Brooklyn with my Italian grandma to get a special Sicilian Christmas dessert.  I was so small that I didn’t even have to sneak under the turnstiles, I cleared them by at least a foot.

I never travel without my business cards. Traveling is the best, and most fun, way to network.

 

My favorite destination is Italy, especially Piedmont in the north. It’s still a relatively little known region but with great shopping, art, and fabulous food.

The taste of red wine reminds me of Italy.

My favorite traveling companion is myself

 

Traveling alone is awesome! I get to do whatever I want whenever I want. Plus I have lots of stories to tell my hubbie when I get back. It sure keeps the marriage exciting to take separate vacations once a year.

 

I dream of visiting Istanbul, especially their spice markets.

 

A film, book, or song that awakens my wanderlust is my photo album. Whenever I look at pictures of some place I’ve been, I get a craving to return.

 

My favorite traveling outfit is a pair of black slacks and a fabulous black jacket by Christian Lacroix that I picked up in Cannes on sale. The jacket is wrinkle-proof and easy to dress up or down. 

 

My most unforgettable traveling experience was spending a week at a chocolate plantation in Belize. Raw coco beans tastes nothing like chocolate candy. The process of turning the beans into what we recognize as chocolate is absolutely fascinating. The cacao beans actually have to ferment, just like wine.

 

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

 

If I could travel back in time, I would go to Ancient Rome. What a hoot to see all those ruins in Rome looking brand new. Plus togas seem very flattering!

 

My travel icon is my best friend in Italy, Angela Traversa. She’s always flat broke, but always traveling. She figures out ways to get cheap airfares and interesting deals. She’s been everywhere and has friends all around the world.

 

My must have beauty product when traveling is Vaseline. It does triple duty. It’s great to take off makeup, but is also a good moisturizer and burn cream.

 

My words of travel wisdom are TRAVEL. Even if it’s just a train ride to a nearby city, get out there. When you’re “traveling” –no matter the destination or duration—you tend to live the time more fully.