Wine With Wanda

Holiday Inn Gets A Haute Makeover

"We're going to have to make some dramatic changes around here, to catch our guests' eye, gain their affection, and make them fall in love with us all over again..."
Holiday Inn Brand Management

Holiday Inn is often the go-to option for no-frills and reliable lodging but stylish isn't usually the first word to come to mind. Well, think again darlings. The iconic hotel brand is shaking things up and taking Holiday Inn properties around the world from ho-hum to haute in the largest relaunch in hotel history.

Holiday Inn Paris

Walk into the lobby of a refreshed Holiday Inn and you will see new signage, hear snappy music playing and even smell pleasant aromas emanating from their scent machine. Crisp new bedding, a choice of soft or firm pillows, Bath & Body Works amenities, and power showers in the bathrooms make Holiday Inn a fantastic option for the girl on the go.

Best of all, Holiday Inn still offers some of the best prices around and proves that you can save money without sacrificing comfort, service and style. For example, rates in Lisbon are about $107 a night and about $215 a night in Naroibi. Prices like this combined with their hot makeover make Holiday Inn worthy of consideration when planning your next business trip, girlfriend getaway, a solo escape, or special time with your sweetie.

Holiday Inn Bali

Click here to find a renovated Holiday Inn in your desired location.

These Shoes are Made for Winning : Christian Louboutin Contest

Shop It To Me invites you to tweet your way to a fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Made in France, Louboutins are known for their signature red soles and high quotient of ooh la la. From the Champs Elysee to Main Street, Louboutin shoes are coveted by shoe loving ladies around the world. 

Putting your tootsies in a pair of Louboutin shoes is a splurge, so I was excited to hear from my friends at Shop It To Me that they are giving away a pair of these coveted shoes to some lucky gal. (Guys can enter to for a chance to win a $500 department store gift card.)
Click here for details on how to enter the contest using Twitter.  Bonne Chance!

Be Italian: NINE is a Sexy Cinematic Getaway

Rob Marshall's NINE is a sensual and music filled escape to 1960's Italy. Last night I was invited to attend a private screening of this star studded extravaganza and I can't get it out of my head. 
 
Several years ago I saw a beautiful production of Nine on Broadway with the fantastic Antonio Banderas. However, the film skillfully reveals more layers of this story of an Italian film director struggling with a creative meltdown and the needs and influences of the many women in his life. Daniel Day-Lewis inhabits the role of Guido Contini as snuggly as the snazzy 1960's suits he wears in the film. I predict another Oscar for the divine Day-Lewis.

In fact, Nine is chock-full of Oscar winners: Dame Judi Dench plays the costume designer and confidante, Penelope Cruz is the sultry mistress who knows her way around ropes, Nicole Kidman is the icy muse, and Marion Cotillard is the long-suffering wife. The legendary Sophia Loren looks regal everytime she appears on the screen as Guido's mother and Kate Hudson & Fergie both deliver knock-out musical performances. The scenes of Day-Lewis driving around Italy in his sporty Alfa Romeo convertible will make you want to book a ticket pronto on Alitalia.

NINE opens in NY and LA on December 18 and everywhere else on December 25. 

Tastebud Travels: Cellar 6 in St. Augustine

Looking for a new place to wine and dine in America's oldest city? Simply ease on down the ancient bricks of Aviles, St. Augustine's oldest street, to sexy Cellar 6 Wine & Sangria Bar. Elegant and easy-going, Cellar 6 offers an impressive selection of wine, cocktails, and cuisine. The welcoming ambiance is further enhanced by live music several nights a week.

Located in a 100 year old building, Cellar 6's charming interior showcases recycled wood, high ceilings and an eye catching glass wine cellar located above the bar. Co-owners Craig Colee and Valerie Shubert have curated a thoughtful wine list that offers about 50 different vinos by the bottle and also by the glass. Organic and biodynamic wines are also available. Chef Eric Barrett's menu masterfully melds simple and sophisticated flavors that complement the wine and cocktail offerings. I thoroughly enjoyed my Parmesan Crusted Mahi Caesar Salad ($12.95) paired with a glass of Layer Cake Shiraz ($12, Australia). Cheers!

To learn more about Cellar 6, visit www.cellar6.net.

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!

Global Chic: Affordable Luxuries from Iman

 This dreary day in New York City gave me the perfect excuse to spend a little time indoors watching that hilarious haute mess of a talk show known as The Wendy Williams Show.

Wendy's guest today was the gorgeous supermodel and mogul Iman. This ageless diva was promoting her Global Chic line of clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories that are sold exclusively on HSN. I'm pretty familiar with Iman's cosmetics line but really did not know much about her other products. 

Well, I have to say that several of the Global Chic items caught my eye. Best of all, nothing is over $100 and several items have very low clearance prices. HSN also has flexible pricing and many of the goodies can be divided into 2 or 3 payments. These price points make it even easier to follow Iman's advice to "think globally, live fashionably". Here are a few pieces that really stood out for me.

   Handbeaded Parisian Clutch ($69.95) - Love the bold colors. This would be great for an evening out and adding some wow to a little black dress or even blue jeans.  

Parisian Style Open & Airy Braided Cuff (59.95) - Simply elegant! 

 

Venetian Style Multi-Faceted Stretch Bracelet ($54.95) - Playful and flirty. 

Pave Wrapped Stone Necklace ($64.95) - Looks very expensive but only you will know!

Glam on the Go: POP Beauty from the UK

For the true glamour girl, a well-stocked makeup bag is almost as essential as a passport when traveling. Fly without lipstick? I shudder at the thought. Since overpacking is a no-no, multi-tasking beauty products that take up minimal space yet deliver great results are a must. 

When I was invited to review POP Beauty, I was immediately impressed by their selection of travel friendly kits that are compact in size but chock-full of color. Founded by British beauty Sara Strand, POP's motto is "shakeup your makeup".

If you want the ability to create versatile looks at home and away, I highly recommend POP's Goddess Clutch. This deluxe kit features coordinated colors for the eyes, cheeks and lips - a total of 11 colors for only $32. The petite Goddess Clutch fits perfectly in your purse or you can even pop out the makeup and use the sophisticated case as a clutch. I added a dab of the golden gloss over my lipstick and a sweep of shadow for a subtle daytime glow. For evening, I look forward to layering the eyeshadows and adding a bit of cheek color for a more va-va-voom look.

If you really want to play up your peepers, try the Pin Up POP - twelve eye shadows snuggled together in a lightweight mirrored case for only $9.99. The shadows are grouped in 3 combos that make it easy for you to create a smoky eye and sexy 1940's style pin-up girl looks.

If you could use some pointers on application techniques, the POP Beauty site has a how-to on taking your face from day-to-play. If you want more personalized help, you can even e-mail Sara and take advantage of her generous offer to save your day with her expert tips. What a gal!

For more information about the full range of POP Beauty products for face, nails, cheeks, lips and eyes, visit www.popbeauty.co.uk.

Fab Bag: Radley London's Westbourne Bucket Tote

While the perfect little black dress always seems to find me, the search for the perfect bag is never ending. Why is it so darn hard to find a stylish, elegant, roomy tote with plenty of compartments that can transition effortlessly from the daily commute to jet-setting?

Could I have found my dream bag in the Westbourne Bucket Tote by Radley London?  Crafted from the finest quality leather and available in black, tan and pink, the Westbourne is described as "designed for women that like to carry their life in their handbags." Yep, that would be me. I am already picturing my Blackberry, magazines, Metrocard, airline tickets, makeup bag, snacks, and water all neatly organized in the Westbourne. The bag is a bit of a splurge at $395 but the craftsmanship and classic style make it a smart investment.

Radley's founder, Lowell Harder, is also the creative director and she takes her bags very seriously! Lowell originally studied to be an architect but her interest in handbags evolved and she began creating bags that were both practical and beautiful. Each bag also has an element of surprise, or what Radley calls "eccentric Englishness," that manifests itself in colorful linings and accents. Fabulous!

In the USA, you can purchase Radley London at major retailers in several states and at their first store on this side of the pond in Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York.

To learn more, visit www.radleylondon.com.  

Tips for Traveling with Your Sweetie

Traveling with your mate can be a pleasure and a revelation. Who knew that he was a fearless skier, a great dancer, can order from the menu in fluent French, or build an amazing sand castle. What a guy! Discovering these hidden facets of your mate’s personality can strengthen your admiration and respect for him.

But the bad and the ugly can also accompany you and your honey on vacation. Imagine that you’re a foodie visiting Paris but he only wants to gobble Le Big Mac at McDonald’s. You want to wander around without a plan and he wants to schedule every moment of your getaway. Vacations can be great lessons in compromise. Travel differences can be indicative of other challenges you will face in your relationship. The differences themselves won’t necessarily tear you apart but how you tackle them certainly can.

It is important to find a way to compromise so that you each get to enjoy your getaway. Can you join your partner in an activity that you don’t really like but is his passion? Are you both ok with carving out some solo time during your trip together? Taking the time to discuss your expectations before you leave can help to make sure that your time away with your honey is smooth sailing like the Love Boat.

In her must-read autobiography My Life in France, Julia Child said it best when she wrote of traveling with her husband Paul: “Travel, we agreed, was a litmus test: if we could make the best of the chaos and serendipity that we’d inevitably meet in transit, then we’d surely be able to sail through the rest of life together just fine.”