The Black Dress Traveler

A Wanderlust Soundtrack: My Five Favorite Travel Tunes

Lately, I've been turning off mind-numbing "reality" TV shows and listening to music for at least an hour before going to bed. Not only does it put me in a better mood but I even get up and dance around the living room - it feels like a mini-vacation. Many of my favorite songs have a travel theme or come from a foreign country. The list is very long but here are five of my favorite tunes that conjure up feelings of wanderlust. Please share yours!

"Mexico" by James Taylor
Oh Mexico, it sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
I simply adore James Taylor and have this ongoing daydream that he will sing at my destination wedding one day. Everything about this song is perfect - James's supple vocals, the lilting beat, and the lyrics. On my first road trip to Tijuana in college, we blasted Mexico in the car. And, when I arrived at the airport a few months ago to fly to Cancun, Mexico was actually playing over the sound system. Someone at JFK has good taste in music!
Click here to listen to a clip.

The Girl from Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim
Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one passes goes -ah
The Girl from Ipanema was my introduction to Bossa Nova and the brilliant work of Jobim. This sultry song is simply timeless and puts the listener in a Brazil state of mind. Wouldn't every girl love to inspire such a masterpiece?
Click here to listen to a clip.


Love Train by the O'Jays
People all over the world
Join hands
Start a love train, love train
Whenever I am on the crowded NYC subway and look around at the sullen faces, I want to break out into this song. This classic soul jam about people all over the world joining together in peace is a brilliant blend of inspirational lyrics and a danceable beat.
Click here to listen to a clip.

Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks
She needs wide open spaces
Room to make the big mistakes
This song became my anthem when I was going through a breakup. Wide Open Spaces perfectly captures that feeling of wanting to explore the world and take a journey of self-discovery.
Click here to listen to a clip.



Carolina in My Mind by James Taylor
In my mind I'm going to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
I love James Taylor so much, that he starts and ends my list of favorite travel songs. Like all JT songs, this composition really paints a portrait and captures the yearning of missing home or any place that holds special meaning for you. My late Dad was from North Carolina and this song always makes me think of him and the summers I spent down there as a little girl.
Click here to listen to a clip.

Never Too Much New Orleans: Plan Your Fall Getaway to the Big Easy

I've only been to New Orleans twice but it has secured a place in my heart. Long time readers know that I love destinations with delicious food and charming gentleman and NOLA has both in abundance. A city of resilient people with big hearts, New Orleans ALWAYS moves forward - even in her darkest hour. After all, this is the city where jazz was born and NOLA's soundtrack is sultry, swinging, and strong.

Recently, I was chatting with some friends who have never been to New Orleans and we are thinking of visiting as a group in the fall. I'm still in the early stages of planning our excursion but I have some pretty cool suggestions. Let the good times roll!

Where to Stay


Do the Big Easy in style and rest your head where literary giants Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote stayed - the legendary Hotel Monteleone. The largest hotel in the French Quarter, Hotel Monteleone is celebrating their 125th anniversary this year and is in the midst of an impressive $15,000,000 upgrade to their restaurants and other public areas. Ideally located just a block away from the bustle of Bourbon Street, Hotel Monteleone puts you in the perfect spot to explore NOLA's restaurants, shops, and clubs. Within the hotel, pamper yourself with a spa treatment at the Spa Aria or a refreshing dip in the rooftop pool. Dining options at Hotel Monteleone include The Hunt Room Grill and Le Cafe. Order a classic Vieux Carre cocktail at their revolving Carousel Piano Bar and Lounge - the only bar in New Orleans that revolves around the room. The bar always revolves at the same speed but after a few cocktails you may think the pace has picked up!

Festivals

Everybody knows that New Orleans knows how to party! Mardi Gras may be the best known, but the Crescent City hosts many festivals throughout the year. Here are a few happening in the fall months that celebrate the city's love for food, music and the arts.

New Orleans Seafood Festival (September 9-11)

  Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival (October 14-16)

New Orleans Film Festival (October 14-20)


Where to Eat
Cochon Restaurant
Chef/Co-Owner Stephen Stryjewski won the prestigious James Beard Award for "Best Chef South" in 2011. Known for authentic Cajun cuisine, as the name implies, pig reigns supreme at Cochon. The restaurant receives whole pigs and oversees an in-house Boucherie, creating tasty boudin, andouille, smoked bacon, and head cheese. The menu also features handmade crawfish pies, rabbit and dumplings, and spoon bread with okra & tomatoes. No calorie counting allowed!

Live Music
You can't visit New Orleans and not head over to Frenchmen Street to hear some live music. I'm a big fan of HBO's Treme and each week they feature real New Orleans musicians doing their thing! I would love to see Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers on my next trip. All aboard!

 

For more tips on planning your autumn or anytime vacation to New Orleans, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

Noche Flamenca Heats Up the Big Apple

Through the raw power of voice, music, and movement, Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca transport the audience from New York City to the soul of Spain. More than a flamenco show, Noche Flamenca is a sensual, powerful, and haunting experience. Lead dancer Soledad Barrio is a petite powerhouse who owns the stage with every twirl, stomp, and shimmy. Juan Ogalla and Antonio Jimenez, the male dancers, captivate the audience with their grace and power. The dancers are accompanied by a passionate trio of vocalists (Emilio Florido, Manuel Gago, Miguel Rosendo) and two virtuoso guitarists (Salva de Maria and Eugenio Iglesias).

One of the things I love best about Noche Flamenca is the authenticity of their performances - no over the top stage production and distracting sets. They are confident in their ability to spellbind the audience with their extraordinary talent, and they are right!

You can catch Noche Flamenca in New York City at the Cherry Lane Theatre until January 13. From January 14-May 15, their winter tour will take the group to Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Colorado and other locales. I've gone to see Noche Flamenca twice on their current tour and both times I've come back home practicing my flamenco moves in the mirror. Ole!

PS To learn more about Flamenco, read my article Feeling Flamenco: Add Some Ole to Your Day.

There's No Place Like New Orleans: 3 More Things I Love About the Big Easy

I'm back home in the Big Apple but my mind keeps wandering back to the Big Easy. Just a few days ago I was strolling along the Mississippi River and now I'm fighting my way onto the 6 train during rush hour. Go figure. 

So, with Kermit Ruffins playing in the background as I snack on a praline from Leah's, I've decided to take a mental holiday and look at some of the photos from my trip. Here are just three of the reasons why I'm a fan of NOLA.

Talking to Strangers: Please don't tell my mother, but I spend the majority of my vacations striking up conversations with strangers. I had some great exchanges with folks in New Orleans on topics ranging from Hurricane Katrina to Hubig's Pies. One conversation inspired me to hop a streetcar to the Treme neighborhood for lunch at a popular restaurant called Two Sisters (this is NOT the restaurant with the same name in the French Quarter).

 

This heaping plate of food may not be pretty but it was DELICIOUS!  If you want to try finger-licking, down-home cooking, hop the Canal Street streetcar and get off at Claiborne Avenue. This heaping plate of rice and peas, juicy neckbones, potato salad and cornbread was only $8.50! Two Sisters is open Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. (Tel: 504-524-0056).

Another helpful stranger that I met was this handsome fireman. Oh my. Need I say more?

Music, Sweet Music: It makes sense that the birthplace of jazz  knows how to swing. Everywhere you go in New Orleans, you hear fantastic musicians playing their hearts out. These street musicians may not be famous but they have an abundance of talent.

History Everywhere You Turn: How can one small city be so rich in history? If you're an old soul like me, who prefers a crumbling mansion to a gleaming skyscraper, then you gotta love New Orleans.

    Congo Square, located inside Louis Armstrong Park, is where slaves and free people of color would gather on Sundays in the 19th century. The African dancing and drumming that occurred at the Congo led to the development of Jazz. (The park was closed during my visit so I could only gaze at the square from outside the gate.)

Sometimes I felt like I was back in Spain.


I love these romantic courtyards that pop up in the French Quarter


Playwright Tennessee Williams had an apartment here at 623 St. Peter's Street. They say this is where he worked on his masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire.

Thank you New Orleans - you are one beautiful, resilient, charming and unique city! Watch out, I'll be back in my little black dress.

Ten in My Town: Amy Reimer's New Orleans

Amy Reimer
General Manager, International House

New Orleans is perhaps America's most magical city. Known for great jazz, mouthwatering cuisine, stunning architecture and spirited people who live life to the fullest and bounce back in the face of adversity, New Orleans magically melds diverse cultures into a unique and seductive social gumbo.

If anyone knows New Orleans, Amy Reimer does! A New Orleans native, Amy is general manager of the acclaimed boutique hotel, International House, and its sister property, Loft 523. She is a past Chairman of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and was selected by New Orleans CityBusiness Magazine as one of fifty New Orleans area women who have made notable contributions in business and the community. Currently President of the Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association, Amy also sits on the Boards of Directors of the Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, and on the Executive Committee of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. 

Amy is an avid runner and loves to travel to see what other places have to offer. If you are heading to New Orleans, check out Amy's picks on the best places in the Big Easy to let the good times roll!

1. To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress: The place that I can always find that perfect dress is a shop on Metairie Road called Elizabeth’s. The 2 men that own it always have a great eye for the dress that is just perfect.

2. For a Night Out with the Girls: We always start at Loa, the bar in International House, the hotel that I am the General Manager of. It is the perfect place to start and finish a night of fun!

3. For a Romantic Dinner: Café Degas on Esplanade is a great French bistro. The food and the setting are always great.

4. To Take Out of Town Guests: There is so much to do in New Orleans but a night out must always include Frenchmen Street. There are 8 or so live music venues that allow you to see and hear great music from 6pm until 3am so you never feel like you are missing anything.

5. For Something Sweet: My favorite picks for dessert are Emeril’s banana cream pie, the flan at Rambla and, of course, the Bread Pudding Soufflé at Commander’s Palace.

6. For Cocktails: Loa in International House is not to be missed, the bar at Arnaud’s is a perfect setting and has great drinks and, of course, a Pimm’s Cup at the Napoleon House.

 7. To Connect with Nature: The parks in New Orleans are great. City Park has a great lake that has a jogging path around it that you can take to wind down after jogging through the majestic oaks. There is also a bike path that starts downtown and takes you all of the way to Lake Ponchartrain.

8. To Connect with the Past: The French Quarter offers so much history as does the Garden District. You can walk through the French Quarter and then take a Streetcar to the Garden District to see the magnificent homes.

9. Where I Go to Unwind: The best place to unwind is with a group of friends at one of the many outdoor restaurants and bars in NOLA. There are so many to select from: Martinique, The Columns, Lucy’s, Nona Mia and the courtyard at Commander’s Palace.

10. To Learn Something New: Don’t miss the New Orleans Museum of Art. There is always something to learn as you take in all of the exhibits.

To learn more about New Orleans, visit the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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.

Little Black Dresses & Red Hot Jazz: Divas Night Out at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Wow, what a night - little black dresses and red hot jazz are a sizzling combination! Last night, The Black Dress Traveler was thrilled to host an elegant divas night out at Jazz at Lincoln Center. A dynamic and diverse group of ladies, many decked out in stylish little black dresses, joined me for pre-concert cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the private Patrons Lounge. We mixed and mingled while enjoying delicious red velvet cupcakes courtesy of Desserts by Sasha and mini-makeovers by Brown Candy Designs. I worked with my friends at Bath Junkie (voted Best Beauty Store by NY Magazine) to custom blend a special Jazz Diva scent for the occasion and each guest was able to spritz themselves with this sexy fragrance and received a gift of bubbling bath crystals.

After the reception, we sashayed over to our seats in the first three rows of the orchestra section to enjoy a lively musical tribute celebrating the centennial of the First Lady of Jazz, pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams. Tennis legend Billie Jean King hosted this phenomenal performance by Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Maybe it was my imagination, but I think that the sight of gorgeous women filling the front rows and our intoxicating Jazz Diva scent inspired the JALC orchestra to swing just a bit harder!

Better Off Red: Serious Shopping in Red Bank, New Jersey

Movie buffs may know Red Bank as the slacker chic setting for several of Kevin Smith's films (Dogma, Chasing Amy) but this Jersey Shore jewel has much more to offer. Fabulous boutiques, top-notch accommodations and simply beautiful surroundings make Red Bank a perfect choice for a blissful escape and some serious retail therapy.  

Getting There

Red Bank is a hop, skip and train ride away from New York City. Just catch New Jersey Transit at Penn Station directly to Red Bank. Travel time on the train is between 72-89 minutes depending on the time of day. An off-peak round trip ticket is $20. 

However, to really get into a vacation state of mind, the SeaStreak is the best way to travel. Skip the chaos of Penn Station and catch the SeaStreak Ferry at Pier 11/ Wall Street or at 35th Street and the East River. Why feel cooped up in a train car when you can cruise along the water and enjoy the view of the city slipping away.  And, did I mention that they sell cold beers and snacks on board? At $40 for an adult round trip ticket, the SeaStreak is a bit more expensive than the train. However, the ferry is faster and much more fun! When you get off the SeaStreak at Atlantic Highlands, you will feel like you've landed in a small New England town. 

 

Travel in style with 33 London Taxi.

Call ahead to let 33 London Taxi know when your ferry arrives and the world's most charming taxi driver, Mario Patino, will be waiting for you at the end of the dock with a smile and an open door to his very chic London style black cab. Of course, Mario can't be everywhere, and he has other delightful drivers to transport passengers around in cars from 33 London's fleet of black and silver taxis.  You'll feel a bit like an Austin Powers' femme-bot being driven around town in this spacious taxi that comfortably seats five plus luggage. Yeah baby! 

Where to Stay

 

Room at the Oyster Point Hotel.

The Navesink River is one of Red Bank's most charming attributes so a room with a view is a must.  The Oyster Point Hotel and Molly Pitcher Inn are two very different but equally excellent options. Both properties are owned by the JP Barry Hospitality Group, a family run business. Built in 1928, the Molly Pitcher Inn is a stately brick building with national landmark status and a Five Star Diamond Award recipient. Exuding old world charm, the Molly Pitcher Inn has first class amenities including a mahogany bar that is reminiscent of the bar at the St. Regis in NYC with the breathtaking bonus of a river view.  Since 1996, the Inn's Sunday brunch has won the Reader's Choice Award for Best Brunch. 

Offering the same top-of-the line service as the Molly Pitcher Inn but in a more contemporary setting, the Oyster Point Hotel was my home away from home in Red Bank.  Manhattan was out of sight and out of mind during my stay. Modern but cozy, the Oyster Point has been extensively redesigned with upscale contemporary furnishings and other refurbishments. Their new atrium is the perfect spot to enjoy sunset cocktails and a tasty bite to eat.

Retail Therapy

 

Chic and Sexy Coco Pari Boutique.

No sales tax on clothing makes New Jersey a shopper's delight and Red Bank's great selection of stores is retail heaven. From high end couture to funky and affordable, just stroll along Broad Street for an impressive and eclectic collection of shops.  Major retailers Tiffany & Co and Duxiana have a presence in Red Bank, and the town even has their own department store - Garmany. However, the smaller boutiques really make Red Bank shopping something special.  

A super sexy shoe from selve.

selve: Why buy shoes off the rack? At Selve you can treat your tootsies to a made-to-measure pair of bespoke footwear. Your feet are scanned to make sure you get the proper fit because, more likely than not, your left and right foot differ slightly in size. They can even measure your calves for a perfect fitting pair of boots. Once the scanning is done the fun begins! You can go as conservative or as crazy as you want when choosing the color of the leather and heel height.  You can even customize a matching handbag. Men's shoes are also available. Headquartered in Munich with a second store in London, the Red Bank store is Selve's first location in the U.S. Further proof of Red Bank's position as a major fashion player.

Coco Pari: If you love your big labels, Coco Pari is the store for you. Recently Voted Best Boutique in New Jersey (New Jersey Monthly Magazine), this is a must visit destination for an impressive selection of designers including Jimmy Choo, Versace, Diane von Furstenberg, Christian Louboutin, and Roberto Cavalli. Of course, these big names come with a big price tag but Coco Pari offers some amazing deals in their sales basement. Need a last minute dress for a night out on the town? Coco Pari is open until 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Wisteria: Located in the same space as Coco Pari, Wisteria is an oasis for high end skin care, fragrance, cosmetics and accessories.  Laura Mercier, La Mer, Creed, Natura Bisse, Sonya Dakar, Chantecaille and Nars are all sold at Wisteria.  As hard as I tried, I was too weak to walk away from a cute Kooba clutch at 20% off.

The Bee's Knees: Unassuming from the outside, The Bee's Knees surprised me with their selection of quality labels and pretty frocks. Trina Turk, Tibi, Tory Burch and Lilly Pulitzer aplenty filled the racks at this charming little store.  The 50% off rack had some great designer finds.

4B:  Owned by a former Los Angeles stylist, 4B is a small space with big style. Cynthia Vincent and Tory Burch filled the racks along with stylish handbags, colorful scarves and statement making jewelry.

Everything you need to make your place look great at Space Interiors.

Space Interiors: Looking to spruce up your home? Space offers interior design services and sells a modern and elegant array of furnishings and home accessories - including some really amazing pillows. In fact, SPACE worked with the Oyster Point Hotel on their new interiors.

Funk & Standard Variety Store:  The self-proclaimed "most bad ass store in town", Funk & Standard is the place to go for affordable bohemian chic dresses, retro t-shirts, and tchotchkes.

Jack's Music Shoppe: An old fashioned music store like Jack's is a breath of fresh air. The hours can slip by browsing through their racks of CD's and even vinyl. The latest new releases in all genres can be found at Jack's along with a bounty of used cd's. Sheet music and instruments are also available. Locals tell me that everyone's favorite Jersey boy, Bruce Springsteen, often shops here. Born to run and born to shop!

Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash: You can't mention Red Bank without mentioning Jay and Silent Bob. This is the place to shop for comics and merchandise from Kevin Smith's films. Doesn't everyone need a set of Mallrats "inaction" figures?

Ginger's Salon and Day Spa: End your day of shopping with some pampering at Red Bank's first day spa. Facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, hair styling and everything you need to feel refreshed and rejuvenated are offered at Ginger's. 

Beyond Shopping

 

Sunrise over the Navesink River from my room at the Oyster Point Hotel.

Of course, there is much more to Red Bank than clothing boutiques. The town has numerous art galleries, antique shops, and eateries. The recently renovated Count Basie Theater consistently draws some of the biggest acts in music and I will be heading back to Red Bank in a few weeks to see jazz musician Chris Botti perform. However, I know that even the gorgeous and talented Mr. Botti can't compete with the simple beauty of waking up early and watching the sun rise over the Navesink River.

To learn more about all there is to eat, see and do in Red Bank, New Jersey visit www.onlyoneredbank.com.