Wine With Wanda

Three Terrific Gifts for Wine Lovers

The only gift that wine lovers adore more than a great bottle of vino is an accessory that enhances the drinking experience. From techy tannin tamers to artsy bottle openers, here are three great gifts that will inspire the recipient to raise a glass in your name! 

 
The Velv Wine Oxygenator ($300) 

Decanters and aerators are the classic methods of unlocking a wine's flavor but the process can take up to a few hours for an especially "tight" wine. The Velv Wine Oxygenator can unlock a wine in just a few minutes by harnessing the power of pure oxygen. A high-tech gadget that is simple to use, just insert the Velv Wine Oxygenator into the bottle and turn it on. 99.5% pure oxygen is released into the bottle and your wine will be fully awakened and ready to enjoy in just a few minutes.


I took the Velv on a test run with a bottle of Chianti and there was a discernible difference - the tannins were softer and the aromas and flavors were heightened. With the Velv, red wines can reach their flavor peaks in about 5 to 7 minutes - dryer & fuller-bodied white wines can be prepared in about 3 to 5 minutes. The Velv has some pretty impressive fans - Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, Master of Wine, says, "I can see the benefit of the Velv Wine Oxygenator for the casual wine enthusiast. For young, tight wines it releases aromatics, for tannic wines it can smooth those harsh edges and make it more velvety, in just minutes.” 


SAVED Wines Corkscew by Scott Campbell ($125)

Spread some "good juju" this holiday season with this gorgeous solid brass corkscrew carved with patterns and sigils created by renowned tattoo artist and SAVED Wines creator Scott Campbell. Scott's work is very inspired by symbolism and the designs on the corkscrew represent the potential to manifest inspired ideas and the focus and determination to act upon them. Truly a work of art, this gleaming & substantial corkscrew was designed in collaboration with the acclaimed Detroit based manufacturer Shinola.

Bonus gift - For a truly spectacular presentation, pair this impressive corkscrew with a bottle of robust, juicy and delicious SAVED Red Wine ($25) - a luscious blend of Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Zinfandel, and small amounts of other red varietals. 



 The Wine Check Luggage by Lazenne ($112.50)

Shopping for wine during your travels is always a thrill but figuring out how to schlep the bottles home can be stressful. Fret no more - this nifty bag makes packing a cinch and keeps your wine safe. This specialized and lightweight airline-approved luggage can be checked onto a plane and holds 12 bottles of wine, champagne, beer, cider, hard liquor, or olive oil. A practical present with panache!  

Springing Forward at the New York Botanical Garden

Something very special is blooming in the Bronx - the annual Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden. On display until April 21, the theme of this year's show is Key West Contemporary. With just a swipe of your MetroCard, you can leave the winter doldrums behind and be transported to a mosaic of orchids inspired by a modernist Key West estate garden. Throughout the exhibition, there will be an array of events and activities that capture the ambiance of the Keys, including weekend musical performances and Orchid Evenings - evenings featuring cocktails and music amidst the orchids. All-Garden passes are $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends for adults.

 

40 Years of Fabulous: The Diane von Furstenberg Wrap Dress

Did you know that Diane von Furstenberg was 26 when she designed the iconic wrap dress? I won't tell you what I was doing at 26!

Seen everywhere on almost every woman, it is easy to take the wrap dress for granted but when Diane von Furstenberg introduced her design 40 years ago, it took the world by storm. I'm a huge fan of DVF and her dresses always make me feel elegant and stylish. From bold prints to rich solids, DVF really does have a dress to fit every situation and personality.

If you find yourself in Los Angeles, a free exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of the DVF wrap dress is on display through April 1, 2014 at the Wilshire May Company Building. Showcasing 200 vintage and contemporary dresses, Journey of a Dress sounds like a must-visit for us dressaholics!

 

 

Dresses, Drinks & Destinations: Prohibition Style in Philly

                                                
This dashing couple enjoys a quiet moment in a cozy nook at Philadelphia’s Victorian-inspired bar The Farmers’ Cabinet. You can put together your own vintage inspired look with fashions from Philly's Smak Parlour, Commonwealth Proper, Cultured Couture and Curated Goods.
Credit: Photo by H. Saleh for GPTMC

If you're a fan of that boozy bygone era the 1920's, a visit to American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is a must. This world-premiere exhibition at the National Constitution Center brings the whole story of Prohibition vividly to life and spans the dawn of the temperance movement, the Roaring ’20s, and the unprecedented repeal of a constitutional amendment. And, if you really want to get into the spirit of things (pun intended), inspiration is easily found at Philadelphia's many bars and shops that pay homage to this storied period. I love the idea of getting dolled up in a 1920's inspired ensemble, visiting American Spirits, and then heading out for cocktails. Doesn't that sound like a great day? American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is on view until April 28, 2013.

Strolling down Philadelphia’s townhouse-lined Delancey Street, these two models are dressed to impress in 1920's inspired fashions. Stop by Philly's Smak Parlour, Decades Vintage, Shauntele and Curated Goods to find your perfect flapper frock.
Credit: Photo by H. Saleh for GPTMC

  For more tips on shopping, dining, and sightseeing in Philadelphia, go to VisitPhilly.com. 

Come See About Me: The Mary Wilson Supremes Collection in Philadelphia

Talent, beauty, and style - the Supremes had it all. From Stop! In the Name of Love to Where Did Our Love Go, their Motown hits have stood the test of time and a new exhibition shows that many of their fashions have held up too! You can view the Supremes' fantastic frocks up close and personal at the African-American Museum in Philadelphia from January 25, 2012 to June 30, 2013 in the fantastic exhibition Come See About Me: The Mary Wilson Supremes Collection.


Mary Wilson strikes a pose with a few of the Supremes' dresses from her collection that will be on display at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

A few weeks ago I was invited to get a sneak peek at a few of the dresses and to meet the marvelous Mary Wilson. A founding member of the Supremes, Ms. Wilson became the guardian of the dresses when other members left the group - the singers may have come and gone but the dresses stayed with Mary. Sadly, some of the dresses vanished when Motown moved from Detroit to Los Angeles but occasionally they pop up on eBay and Ms. Wilson has found herself in the surreal position of purchasing back the gowns. (Really, if you're reading this and have a Supremes gown in your collection, can you please return it to Ms. Wilson and not charge her? Come on people - show some respect for a music legend!)

More than just a dazzling collection of sequins, beads, and feathers, the dresses displayed in Come See About Me send a powerful message about achievement and overcoming obstacles. The original Supremes were poor young women from Detroit who made their dreams come true and went from singing in the housing projects to topping the charts and performing at the request of the Queen Mother. And, through it all they made a conscious decision to appear glamorous and to show the world that young black women could be elegant and sophisticated. Bravo! I think every woman can be inspired by the Supremes' story.

Today, Ms. Wilson still performs and has just released a solo CD. I asked her to share the secret to her incredibly youthful appearance - "Prayer and Bikram Yoga," she said with a dazzling smile. Amen and sign me up!

For more details on Come See About Me, visit the website of the African American Museum in Philadelphia. This exhibition is a great girlfriend getaway.

Where to Stay: I recommend the Loews Philadelphia Hotel at 1200 Market Street for your stay. Within walking distance of the Come See About Me exhibition (about 10-15 minutes), the Loews Philadelphia Hotel was recognized as one of the "World's Best" by Travel+Leisure readers. Located in the first skyscraper ever built in Philly, the Loews is in the heart of the city and boasts 581 guest rooms. I stayed here on my recent trip to Philly and the room was spacious and the bed very comfortable. The Loews is also just down the street from Macy's in case you feel inspired to buy a new dress after viewing the exhibition! Check out VisitPhilly.com for more tips on planning your Philly getaway.

 

Calling All Flappers & Rumrunners! American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition at the National Constitution Center

In an era of obsession with craft cocktails and fine wines, it is hard to imagine that from 1920-1933 you had to break the law in order to wet your whistle. American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, a new exhibition at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, explores the many facets of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution that foolishly banned the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.



On view from October 19, 2012 - April 18, 2013, the first-of-its-kind exhibition showcases 120 rare artifacts, including original ratification copies of the 18th and 21st Amendments, flapper dresses, homebrewing equipment, and a hatchet used by the feisty Carry Nation during one of her epic barroom smashing raids. There will even be a recreated speakeasy where visitors can learn to dance the Charleston. Spanning from the dawn of the temperance movement, through the Roaring ’20s, to the unprecedented repeal of a constitutional amendment, this exhibition brings the whole story of Prohibition to life.


Did you watch the fabulous Ken Burns documentary Prohibition on PBS? Well, American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition was curated by Burns collaborator and Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Okrent - author of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. Of course, we all know the ban on alcohol only increased the public's thirst for booze. People didn't stop drinking - they just found creative ways to break the law and fill their glasses. From Al Capone to flapper girls, the cocktail culture of the 1920's boasts some of the most colorful characters of the 20th century.

Admission to American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is $17.50 for adults. There will also be a series of special events in conjunction with the exhibition, including the Bootlegger's Ball on October 18th.

Where to Stay: Kimpton has just opened the Hotel Monaco in the 100-year-old Lafayette Building on Independence Mall. The four-star property offers 268 rooms, luxury suites, the largest rooftop lounge in Philadelphia, and the 120-seat Red Owl Tavern that serves modern American fare and craft cocktails. You can save 20% off their best available rate through December 31st.

For more tips on planning your trip, check out VisitPhilly.com.

Worth the Trip: Frida Kahlo's Dresses On Display in Mexico City

Visiting Casa Azul in Mexico City, the home of the late artist Frida Kahlo, has been on my travel wish list for many years. Her paintings have always moved me - not only for their artistic genius but also for how much they revealed about the woman who created them. Strong, non-conformist, and passionate, Frida's creativity also extended to her personal appearance. From her unibrow to elaborate blouses and peasant skirts, Frida's style was utterly unique.

Starting November 22nd, you can see Frida's wardrobe up close and personal in an exhibition at Casa Azul sponsored by Vogue Mexico. "Now, a full collection from her wardrobe is going on display in Mexico City after being locked away for nearly 50 years in her armoires and dressers: jewelry, shoes and clothes that still carry the scent of the late artist's perfume and cigarette smoke or stains from painting," reported the Associated Press. 
Visitors will also see that Frida wasn't just making a sartorial statement with her clothes - they also helped to conceal parts of her body that had been injured by polio and in a serious bus accident. And, through it all she painted.

To learn more, visit the Casa Azul/Frida Kahlo Museum website.

A New York Minute: Never Ending Story Art Installation

New York City is one of the most creative cities in the world and I was recently reminded that presenting great art isn't the exclusive domain of large museums and galleries.  If you're in the Big Apple, I highly recommend Contaminate NYC's current exhibition Never Ending Story - it will be on display until October 15th at the Kristin Hanson Gallery (by appointment only, call 646 248 3679). Contaminate NYC is a social platform for immersive art experiences that challenges traditional boundaries by redefining artistic happenings and contaminating art forms, ideas, cultures, and aesthetics on a global level.

Created by London based textile artist and knitwear designer Chia-Shan Lee, the Never Ending Story installation won the environmental track of Contaminate NYC's 100 Hundred Days international contest for emerging artists. Inspired by both the concept of information overload in contemporary society and the waste of resources associated with the production of newspapers, Never Ending Story narrates a contemporary fairy-tale employing newspaper yarns as story-telling material.

I was amazed at how Chia-Shan created complex pieces of clothing and sculptures from the newspaper yarn. The garments have an earthy, organic and dream-like quality but are actually wearable pieces of clothing. In fact, the opening night of Never Ending Story featured dancers performing in the dresses and the fabrics conveyed both fragility and strength as the extremely agile dancers moved.

 

A dancer on the move in a Chia-Shan Lee design

An elaborate yet streamlined design from the Never Ending Story exhibition.


Founders of Contaminate NYC Elena Avesani (far left) and Alessandro Spreafico (far right) with artist Chia-Shan Lee (in black) with dancers wearing her creations.

Never Ending Story can be viewed until October 15, 2012 at the Kristin Hanson Gallery at 60 Reade Street in Tribeca by appointment only. Call 646-248-3679 to schedule a viewing. The dancers won't be there but imagine them bringing the designs to life as you view the pieces! 

A New York Minute: The Library Hotel Collection & Lunch Hour NYC

The Library Hotel

The Library Hotel Collection
HKHotels, an acclaimed collection of boutique hotels in NYC, has changed their name to the Library Hotel Collection. Each of their four fabulous hotels (the Library Hotel, Hotel Elysée, Hotel Giraffe, and the Casablanca Hotel) also has a brand new website. Book your reservation online for a stay at any time in the future through the new websites by July 31, 2012 and they will treat you to a "Welcome to LHC Package " that includes a box of Belgian chocolates, a bottle of Cabernet

Hotel Elysée

Sauvignon, and a choice of one of four classic books, including Pride and Prejudice. 

New York Minute: International Migration Art Festival

Forgot what you learned about not playing with your food! In NYC until June 19th, the International Migration Art Festival (IMAFestival) consists of Art Your Food, an international art contest whose theme is food and migration, and Sport Your Food, an exhibition combining art, food, sport and technology. Conceived by Rossella Canevari (Artistic Director) and Elena Maria Manzini (Producer), this playful festival has a serious goal -  discovering new talents and putting a unique spotlight on the cultural and social dimensions of migration. The Festival opened in Milan and, after its run in NYC, it will land in London during the period of the Olympic games.

IMAFestival organizers Rossella Canevari and Elena Maria Manzini with Italian chef Cristina Bowerman and her dish inspired by discus throw.
image: Arturo Stanig

Sport Your Food will be on display at NYC's Italian food & cultural mecca EATALY until June 19th. The idea behind the exhibition is that great artists and great chefs often share the genius that enables them to grasp the zeitgeist and the course of history. Five chefs and five artists teamed up in pairs to work on the Olympic games theme by creating recipes and works of art. The works are introduced by their creators’ holograms, which appear in full-scale, discussing art, haute cuisine and sport. For example, three Michelin-star chef Massimo Bottura and the award-winning New York photographer & sculptor Gregg LeFevre, teamed up and drew their inspiration from pole vaulting. Apulian chef Cristina Bowerman and Sicilian painter Fulvio Di Piazza collaborated on an interpretation of discus throw.

I plan on popping by EATALY to check out Sport Your Food - it sounds deliciously interesting!


Holograms of Massimo Bottura & Gregg LeFevre
image courtesy Arturo Stanig

For more information, visit www.imafestival.com.

Chanel's Little Black Jacket in New York

Model Joan Smalls is artfully wrapped in two Chanel little black jackets.
image: Chanel

You can't mutter the words little black dress and not think of Chanel but darling don't forget those iconic jackets! If you find yourself in NYC's Soho neighborhood June 8-15, pop by the Chanel boutique from 12-7pm to view the exhibition The Little Black Jacket: Chanel's Classic Revisited. More than 100 celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Yoko Ono, and Lady Gaga were photographed by Chanel's Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld and styled by Carine Roitfeld (the former editor of French Vogue) wearing a fresh interpretation of a Chanel little black jacket. The images will also be featured in a book scheduled to reach bookstores this fall. I'm already having fantasies of sitting outside at a Paris cafe, sipping Champagne, and looking ever-so-chic in a Chanel little black jacket. Until then, I'll enjoy the exhibition while wearing my favorite Chanel red lipstick!
Sarah Jessica Parker is ready for her close-up with Karl Lagerfeld.
image: Chanel

For more details and images, visit thelittleblackjacket.chanel.com

Hot Guys in Philly: Tanner, Van Gogh and Springsteen

Philadelphia lives up to its moniker as the City of Brotherly love with three amazing exhibitions that pay homage to 19th century painters Henry Ossawa Tanner and Vincent Van Gogh, and modern-day rock & roller Bruce Springsteen.

Henry Ossawa Turner: Modern Spirit
Through April 15 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA)

This comprehensive exhibition features more than 100 pieces, including 12 paintings that have never been shown in a Tanner retrospective. Henry Ossawa Tanner was not only an internationally acclaimed African-American artist, Philadelphia was an important part of his life: he lived there after the Civil War and actually studied at PAFA from 1879-1885. The exhibition includes his career-making Resurrection of Lazarus, which is making its first trip to the continent.

Van Gogh Up Close
Through May 6 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Some question whether Van Gogh actually cut off his own ear but few would dispute that his use of color and exuberant application of paint distinguished him as a true master of his craft. This exhibition focuses on the tumultuous years before Van Gogh took his own life - a period of feverish artistic experimentation that began when van Gogh left Antwerp for Paris in 1886 and continued until his death in Auvers in 1890.

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen
Through September 3 at the Constitution Center
He's talented, iconic, and still turns heads in a pair of Levi's - Bruce Springsteen just gets better with age. Never before seen outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, this first major exhibition about the American songwriter takes a comprehensive look at Springsteen's catalog, from early bands through his work with the E Street Band and as a solo artist. The exhibition includes more than 150 artifacts, including the Fender Esquire guitar from the cover of Born to Run, the outfit Springsteen wore on the cover of Born in the U.S.A., numerous handwritten lyric manuscripts, posters from all phases of his career, and various honors including his Academy Award for the song "Streets of Philadelphia." In addition, the exhibition features Springsteen's 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, which he purchased after the success of Born to Run.

Click here for more news on what's happening in Philadelphia.

Bonita, Bold & Beautiful: Balenciaga at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute

Photo Credit: Photography by Kenny Komer

Just a whisper of the name Balenciaga makes fashionistas weak in the knees. Surely, being surrounded by his creations at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute must have  lovers of couture close to fainting! Conceived by designer Oscar de la Renta and curated by Hamish Bowles (Vogue's European Editor-at-Large), Balenciaga: Spanish Master showcases more than 70 items of Cristobal Balenciaga's eternally elegant and stunning clothing and accessories.


Photo Credit: Photography by Kenny Komer

Born in Spain, Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) was a highly acclaimed designer in his native country. However, the Spanish Civil War forced him to close his stores and he moved to Paris and opened his fashion house there in 1937. Balenciaga may have left Spain but his culture very much influenced Balenciaga's designs. The great late fashion editor Diana Vreeland said that his "inspiration came from the bullrings, the flamenco dancers, the loose blouses the fishermen wear, the cool of the cloisters." Not just a master of haute couture, in 1968 Balenciaga designed the flight attendant uniforms for Air France.

Balenciaga: Spanish Master will be open for viewing at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute in New York City (684 Park Avenue) until February 26, 2011. Timed tickets are required for admission ($15) and reservations can be made by calling 212-628-0420 or visiting the website.

PS. The exhibition will be expanded for presentation as Balenciaga and Spain at the de Young Museum in San Francisco from March 26-July 4, 2011

Style from the Nile and On Museum Mile: Cleopatra & American Woman Exhibitions

Can we be honest and admit that not every museum exhibition is exciting? There, I said it. I love art but a stuffy museum is more boring than watching paint dry. If you want to see two glamorous and captivating exhibitions, I recommend American Woman: Fashioning a New Identity at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art and Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

It took excessive amounts of self-control to restrain myself from asking the security guard at the MET where the fitting room was located. The American Woman exhibition is a decadent display of little black dresses and a wide variety of gorgeous gowns. If ever I wanted to embark on a life of crime and pull a museum heist, it was yesterday. American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity focuses on "archetypes of American femininity through dress, the exhibition reveals how the American woman initiated style revolutions that mirrored her social, political, and sexual emancipation." 

From Gibson Girls and Suffragettes, from riding habits to evening gowns, American Woman showcases creations by iconic designers such as Worth, Lanvin, and Poiret. The audio guide is narrated by Sex and the City fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker. Another highlight is the multi-media presentation set to Lenny Kravitz's rock tune American Woman that includes photos and video images of Josephine Baker, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Onassis, Beyonce, Rosa Parks, and prominent American women of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
(image: La Sirene by Charles James. 1941)


Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt reveals that Hollywood wasn't entirely wrong - her life really was a soap opera! Egypt's last Pharaoh, Cleopatra was a legendary beauty and powerful leader who married her brothers, had love affairs with her enemies, and apparently loved to shop.

"Organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), the exhibition features never before seen artifacts, and takes visitors inside the present-day search for Cleopatra, which extends from the sands of Egypt to the depths of the Bay of Aboukir near Alexandria."

In addition to important historical information that dispels many myths about Cleopatra, the exhibition includes eye-catching displays of beautiful gold jewelry and other luxury items. Also, did you know that current research suggests that the dramatic eyeliner worn by Cleopatra and others may have helped ward off eye infections? A smokey eye with medicinal powers - Sephora are you listening?

The Boy King Rocks the Big Apple: King Tut Returns to New York City

Just in case you need tangible proof of the saying "you can't take it with you," look no further then the new exhibition Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs. Scheduled to open on Friday, April 23 at the Discovery Times Square Exposition in the heart of Manhattan, this highly anticipated exhibition features more than 130 artifacts, 50 of which are from King Tut's tomb. When the exhibition closes on January 2, 2011, the treasures of Tut will return to Egypt and NEVER tour again. 
 
Affectionately known as the "Boy King," Tut became pharaoh in 1333 B.C at the tender age of nine. Ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife and, when King Tut died suddenly at the age of nineteen, his tomb in the Valley of the Kings was filled with treasures intended for his use after death. Did Tut make it to the afterlife? I don't know. But his belongings and mummified body remained earthbound and undisturbed for some 3,000 years until the tomb was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. Now those royal jewels, statues, funerary items, and even cosmetic containers are on display for our education and sheer enjoyment.

Today, I was invited to take a sneak peek at the exhibition before it opens to the general public. I was stunned by the impressive condition of the artifacts. And, of course, I saw more than a few pieces of spectacular gold jewelry that I would love to wear. So many of the faces depicted on the statues are breathtakingly beautiful - leaving me convinced that the ancient Egyptians were the first to master the dramatic application of eyeliner.


The exhibition is designed to make you feel as if you are in the tombs discovering these ancient treasures on your own. It is haunting, beautiful, and educational. Be sure to take the audio tour narrated by the one and only Omar Sharif.

One piece currently not on display is King Tut's chariot which is scheduled to arrive in the next month or so. This chariot is an important part of the mystery surrounding King Tut's death. A recent CT scan of King Tut's mummy indicates that he had an accident just a few hours before he died. Could a chariot accident have been the cause of the Boy King's untimely death? This scenario is a definite possibility according to Dr. Zahi Hawass, the outspoken Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Superstitious folks say that a curse follows King Tut's treasures. I say that you'll be cursing yourself if you miss this extravagant and extraordinary exhibition.

Adult ticket prices are $27.50. Seniors pay $25.50 and the admission for children 4-12 is $17.50. Children 4 and under are free. A Family Pack (2 adults, 2 children age 4-12) is $79. 50% of the ticket price will be used to further the discovery and preservation of antiquities in Egypt.

If you are traveling to the exhibition from out of town, Starwood Hotels is the official hotel sponsor. Hotel guests will get access to VIP tickets that get them to the front of the line, no black-outs, and untimed tickets.

For more information, visit www.kingtutnyc.com.

P.S. Be sure to enter the contest to win a trip to Egypt.

Remembering the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Discovery Times Square

We all know how the story ends, yet the world remains fascinated by the ill fated maiden voyage of the Titanic. An estimated 705 people survived and more than 1,500 passengers perished in 1912 when the "unsinkable" luxury ship struck an iceberg in the frigid Atlantic Ocean. Titanic never reached the intended destination of Chelsea Piers in New York City, but today many of her artifacts are on display during a limited engagement at the Discovery Times Square Exposition.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition features the largest collection of Titanic artifacts recovered from the wreck. More importantly, the exhibition makes a concerted effort to tell the stories of the families, immigrants, clergy, socialites, and titans of industry who boarded the Titanic full of hope and enthusiasm only to encounter disaster 4 days later. Upon arrival, all visitors to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition receive a replica boarding pass with the name and bio of an actual passenger. The journey through the exhibition's artifacts and replicas concludes at the memorial wall where visitors discover if the passenger on their pass was lost or saved.  

First class passenger, and Titanic survivor,  Margaret Brown became known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown." Brown took charge of her lifeboat and went back to the sinking ship to rescue more passengers from the freezing water. Our kind of girl!

    
Replicas of the Titanic's first class and third class cabins. 
 
I was amazed at the number of personal items that were recovered from 12,460 feet below the ocean's surface such as shoes, jewelry, hair brushes, currency, purses, and even vials of perfume with their scent reportedly still intact 97 years later. The exhibition also features a stunning recreation of the Titanic's legendary Grand Stairway and an eerie ice-cold replica of the lethal iceberg. Foodies will be enthralled by the intact china dinnerware, set of au gratin dishes, and copies of the dinner menus. Tapioca consomme, anyone?

actual au gratin dishes from the Titanic

 Click here to learn more about Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.  

Philadelphia Celebrates Princess Diana

As a little girl, I was captivated by the fairy-tales-do-come-true Royal Wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1981. As an adult, I was crestfallen by the sudden death of “The People’s Princess” in 1997. Clearly, I was not alone in this sentiment.

What was it about Diana? I am not a Royal Watcher but it was impossible not to watch Princess Diana. Somehow, she was different. In spite of Diana's beauty, wealth, and talents she possessed an ineffable quality that made her seem like someone with whom you could actually share a glass of wine, secrets, and even commiserate about boy trouble.

Twelve years after her death Princess Diana continues to be a source of fascination. Thanks to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, fans of the Princess can indulge their passion for all things Diana at the fabulous new exhibition, Diana: A Celebration. Diana's brother Charles, Ninth Earl Spencer, flew across the pond from the family's ancestral home in Althorp (where Princess Diana was laid to rest) to welcome guests to a preview of this stunning exhibition. Diana: A Celebration will be open to the public from October 2 - December 31. In his welcoming remarks, Charles referred to his beautiful and altruistic sister as the world's first glamorous humanitarian.

Diana: A Celebration covers 10,000 square feet and features over 150 artifacts organized into nine galleries: Childhood, Spencer Women, Engagement, Royal Wedding, Tiara Gallery, Style & Fashion, Her Work, Tribute, and Condolences. While Princess Diana’s extravagant wedding gown is the showstopper, the other objects in the exhibition really bring Diana’s personality to life. Childhood movies, an old report card, handwritten notes and even old dancing shoes share space with her couture fashions. Most importantly, Diana: A Celebration also showcases her humanitarian work for causes such as HIV and the campaign to ban land mines. Truly, Diana's modern approach to life and her concern for the world far beyond the walls of Buckingham Palace redefined what it meant to be a Royal.

Yes, Princess Diana was only human but Diana: A Celebration is an engaging reminder of how this very unique woman generously shared her gifts with the world and broke through rigid expectations to live life on her own terms.

For more information about Diana: A Celebration, visit www.constitutioncenter.org.

    Princess Diana’s wedding gown - the wedding dress of the century!

Yes, the dress has a 25 foot train!

 

Princess Diana’s brother Charles graciously posed for a photo with me.

Princess Diana wore this scarlet evening dress designed by Jacques Azagury on a 1997 visit to Washington, DC.

   The Style Gallery showcases 28 of Princess Diana’s outfits.

  

Princess Diana’s passports from her childhood and as an adult.