Welcome to the beach house

It’s the Summer Solstice, the one night of the year when we have the most time to enjoy sunlight on the patio.

image002Quick! Uncork the white, nicely chilled, if you please.

The beachhouse (lowercase b, all one word) Sauvignon Blanc blend is an easy choice — after all, it has a screw top, like many wines from South Africa — and pairs effortlessly with salads, shellfish and conversation. At an MSRP of $9.99 a bottle, it’s a great value for summer entertaining. Every deck should come with a case.

In a stroke of genius, beachhouse boasts an irresistible label: a cerulean blue starfish and a list of words that is an invitation to relax: tranquil… cool… rippled sand… Get my drift?

2012 beachhouse Sauvignon Blanc is lively and refreshing. It’s pleasantly acidic, that perfect spot between lemon and lemonade. Not too dry, not too floral, but pleasingly crisp, with a finish that lingers but doesn’t overstay its welcome.

 

Dancing on earth in pluggz ballet flats

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pluggz, the folks who brought us earth-friendly flip flops have reinvented another iconic EOS-PW-3Tshoe, the ballet flat. The Classic collection of flats offers a variety of color combinations that compliment jeans, skirts and shorts, as well as pluggz proprietary grounding technology designed into slip-resistant rubber soles.

Last summer, I wrote about pluggz original line of flip flops, which look much classier than your typical beach footwear and are far more comfortable.

That’s also true of the ballet flats, which are nicely detailed and crafted from supple leather leather or linen, dressed up with snappy patent leather or matte grain leather toe caps. (MSRP: $129.) Every gal who is on her toes style-wise should own a pair.

Each pair contains black plugs made from a custom carbon and rubber compound positioned under the weight-bearing part of our foot. The goal is to  ensuring electrical contact between us and the earth. These plugs are designed to conduct free electrons from the earth to our bodies. The idea is bonding — aka “earthing” — and facilitating a flow of energy.

Features also include padded arches and heels with memory foam, moisture wicking, anti-microbial lining and trampoline heels for extra comfort and support.

The ballet flats are available in full and half sizes 6-10 and size 11. Note: pluggz run a tad small so you might want to size up.

 

EatShopGo road trip: McAllen, TX

We know that lots of Americans cross the Rio Grande to shop in Mexico. In reality, retail flows both ways. And the No. 1 shopping destination for Mexicans shopping north of the border is McAllen, Texas, where you can buy such diverse goods as a $1,000 floral print blouse, wholesale silk flowers, and frothy formal frocks for teens poised to blossom into womanhood.

photoMcAllen, population 130,000, boasts more than 40 shopping centers, according to our hosts, the McAllen Convention & Visitors’ Bureau. Not all are worth visiting if you are only in town for a few days. After all, odds are you have a Target or Walmart not far from home and you will want to reserve a good chunk of time for checking out the region’s spectacular birds and tropical plant life. (More on that in a future blog post.)

Don’t miss Jones & Jones, McAllen’s high-end specialty store, which offers such upscale wares as Mason Pearson brushes, St. Johns resort garb and a luxurious porcelain sink set in an antique vanity. Expect a posh showroom and highly attentive service.

While you are there, grab a bite to eat at Peppers at Uptown, a very good contemporary restaurant in the same shopping center. I highly recommend the Red Drum, grilled redfish served on a bed of saffron rice with white wine cream sauce, crab, tomato and spinach.

58085-1Our favorite repast in McAllen was at Lansky & Brats, an honest-to-goodness steakhouse that could go toe to toe with the best of them in Chicago. It has the vibe of a place where Sinatra would hang out, with clubby booths, dark wood tables and friendly, professional waiters. Lansky’s serves aged prime Midwestern beef and seafood flown in daily, including Alaskan king crab legs.

gallery-photo-1Do venture off Route 336 (aka North 10th Street) into downtown, where JCPenney still boasts its hip mid-century facade. Coqueta’s is one of a number of boutiques that cater to quinceañeras, the extravagant celebrations that are an important rite of passage for Latinas turning 15. Dresses are colorful, over-the-top  confections, typically with full, sweeping ballgown skirts.

During our visit, we saw a lovely quinceañera in a canary yellow gown posing for pictures in front of Nuevo Santander Gallery on North Main Street. The gallery offers museum-quality firearms, Mexican religious icons, original contemporary art and a smattering of jewelry. Located in a Spanish-style stone building, it’s a cool place to browse and acquaint yourself with local artists or do some serious shopping.

photo-1On the other end of the retail spectrum is Tonita’s Ropa Usada, where second-hand clothing is sold by the pound or at dramatic markdowns. Think of it as a treasure hunt, except the gems are designer jeans and gently used Coach bags. Among the notable finds on our visit: a Ralph Lauren sundress, still with its original hang tags, marked at $16.99.

 

Grenada’s delicious Spice Island resort

Whether we realize it or not, we all keep a mental list of Places We Would Go Back to in a Heartbeat, simply because they are magical.

Spice08Spice Island Beach Resort on the West Indies island of Grenada is on my Top 10 list, by virtue of both its natural beauty and supremely civilized amenities. It’s glamorous, gorgeous and generously appointed. Just ask Britain’s Princess Anne, who arrived for a stay shortly after my memorable one-day visit.

Most folks are familiar with Grenada because the United States invaded the tiny island in 1983 in response to a perceived Communist buildup in the Caribbean.

Spice10Located in Georgetown, the capital city, Spice Island is a manicured oasis with 32 beachfront suites — actually, more like villas — and 17 equally sumptuous suites with private gardens and plunge pools, marble baths and bars stocked with full-sized bottles of top-shelf liquor.

It’s an all-inclusive resort and that doesn’t just mean drinks and a buffet. The daily rate, which starts at $806, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus pre-dinner cocktails and afternoon tea. Oliver’s, Spice Island’s elegant open-air restaurant, serves Creole and international cuisine, capitalizing on the abundant seafood of the West Indies.

Spice13Burn off those calories with golf, tennis and cycling on land or snorkeling, kayaking or sailing Hobie-cats on the turquoise waters. And if you still aren’t relaxed, indulge in a massage at the salon and spa.

Owned by Sir Royston Hopkin and his family, Spice Island exudes an aura of both warmth and exclusivity that is difficult for hotel chains to match.

That said, drag yourself away from this luxurious oasis for at least a few hours to experience the considerable charms of Grenada, where the locals shop for fruits, vegetables and crabs in the market square. (Think twice about driving yourself. Roads are narrow, twisting and motorists drive on the left, a reflection of Grenada’s past as a British colony.)

An old air strip, built during the Communist regime in the 1980s, is deserted now. Goats nibble at the weeds sprouting between cracks in the asphalt.

 

A stroll through Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Woodland Gardens sprang from the fertile imagination of Verna Cook Garvan, a construction mogul who wanted to spare the trees on a verdant, 210-acre swath on the shore of Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs, Arkansas.

129932506638398690Touring the renowned botanical gardens is a must-do for visitors to the Spa City. Bequeathed by Mrs. Garvan to the University of Arkansas, the garden has blossomed in only 10 years into a center for both recreation and research.

Among its many delights is the Garden of the Pine Wind, an Asian-inspired setting with a 12-foot waterfall, tranquil reflecting pond and plantings of Japanese maples and cedars, azaleas and dogwood. Warren’s Woodland Trail meanders for one mile through seasonal plantings of flowers and ferns, punctuated by occasional glimpses through the trees of the sweeping Ouachita Mountains on the other side of the lake. The 160-seat Anthony Chapel, with walls of glass and a ceiling of wood trusses, rises majestically in a tranquil stand of trees.

gwg_int_photo_waterfall05Through September, Garvan is celebrating Splash of Glass, a special event in which brilliantly colored pieces of art glass are interspersed like vivid flowers throughout the property, suspended like chandeliers from trees and bridges, bobbing in ponds and erupting from meadows. There are 225 pieces in all, the work of Pine Bluff artist James Hayes.

gwg_int_photo_chapel5The trails are wide and gently sloped, the better to serve people with disabilities. Visitors have the option of exploring on foot or renting a golf cart for an additional fee.

Garvan offers tours led by docents every Saturday morning at 10 a.m., March through May and September through mid-November. Visitors can learn about  the history of the gardens, as well as plants garden lovers can grow at home.

No reservation is required but groups are limited to no more than 20 people. Tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free for members. Rates for non-members are: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $5 ages for children age 6-12. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

Brush, floss, multi-task

Only 22 percent of us have achieved the lofty status of flossing every day, surveys say.

So why doesn’t someone come up with a device that allows us to floss when we are stuck in traffic or paying bills online?

In fact, somebody has. Majestic Drug has developed an innovative solution called Proxi-Plus®to help us keep our teeth and gums healthy when we are on-the-go.

Recommended by dentists, Proxi-Plus is a little blue device that cleans teeth and those hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.  There’s an interdental brush on one end and a flosser on the other to remove food from between teeth, clean plaque and stimulate gums.

0The nice folks at the company sent me some samples to try. My husband Dale, the ultimate multi-taker, uses Proxi-Plus to floss as he checks his Facebook posts. You can find them at Walgreens and other drugstores for about $6 for a pack of 30.

No more hassle of carrying a toothbrush and toothpaste in my purse. And no more excuses for not flossing. Proxi-Plus is small, sanitary and disposable, ideal for busy people who really, really want to floss more often.

Moroccanoil for Mom

Mom always said you were her crowning glory — even when you made her want to pull her hair out.

roundup_21930_Image01UploadYou can help to restore and revive Mom’s hair with a  gift she will use and enjoy for months to come. Give her Moroccanoil on Mother’s Day. This year, you can buy a three-pack of treats in a cabana-striped turquoise-and-white travel tote inspired by the peaceful hues of the Mediterranean seaside.

Moroccanoil products leave hair naturally smooth and shiny, and also make hair feel healthier over time. If Mom colors those gray hairs you gave her Moroccanoil will renew the youthful sheen of her locks.

There are three limited-edition totes to choose from:

  • Repair Essentials ($64.60) includes a nurturing trio of Moroccanoil Treatment (50ml),  Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner (250ml).
  • Styling Essentials ($62.40) teams Moroccanoil Treatment (50ml), Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream (300ml) andMoroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium (75ml)
  • Volumizing Essentials ($72) will give Mom a lift with Moroccanoil Treatment Light (50ml), Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo (250ml) and Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse (250ml)

 

 

Wilmington Garden Day, a blooming great tour

There is simply no place as lovely as the Brandywine Valley in spring.

imagesSince 1947, the best way to see gardens in bloom has been Wilmington Garden Day. This year’s don’t-miss tour is May 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., rain or shine.

Among the destinations is the Goodstay Gardens, a Tudor-style botanical oasis on the University of Delaware’s Wilmington campus, a site from the very first tour. Several years ago, I wrote about Frog Hollow, the unique private enclave developed by a passionate pair of gardeners, for Philadelphia magazine. This year will be the last time the North Wilmington favorite will be open to the public.

Expect to pluck a bouquet of inspiration from public, suburban and country gardens. Tickets are $30 and proceeds benefit Friendship House and St. Michael’s School and Nursery in Wilmington.

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Zoya goes neutral — and green

Zoya is known for bringing style to our fingertips with high-quality, professional-grade nail lacquers. The only rub is it isn’t always easy to indulge in fashion-forward colors in an office that calls for more subdued, conservative hues.

image004So what’s a corporate fashionista to do?

Enter Zoya’s Godiva PixieDust, a neutral that is cool and exciting. Godiva is a textured, matte nude polish that you can wear as semi-sheer single coat or opaque full coverage in just two coats, depending on your mood. No base coat. No top coat. Dries quickly. You can even make your own custom shade by blending a few drops of another PixieDust color.

I like Zoya because it’s easy to apply, doesn’t smell like chemicals and lasts a long time, a big plus for a writer who spends a lot of time at the keyboard. An added benefit: tiny dings in matte, pale polish are far less apparent than in deep, saturated colors in high-gloss finishes.

For pointers on achieving a flawless finish, watch Zoya’s video on how to apply PixieDust. Expect to pay $8 a bottle.

So what about those polishes you have had hanging around for what seems like eons? Check out the Earth Day Zoya Nail Polish Exchange, April 19-26.  Get rid of old nail polish that may not be BIG5FREE (Free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, DBP and Camphor) and exchange it for greener, toxin-free Zoya polishes for $4 a bottle, plus shipping and handling. Zoya will properly dispose of your old polish.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Go to www.zoya.com and pick out the polishes you want and add them to your shopping cart. You must select a minimum of six bottles and no more than 24 bottles. If you own a salon, it’s a minimum of 12 bottles and a max of 48. (The offer is not good on PixieDust shades.)
  2. Apply the code (copy and paste for best results): ZOYAEARTH2013
  3. Wait for your new polish to arrive in the mail

Happy feet in Barefooters

0Going barefoot is an everyday pleasure. Until stepping on a rock, a pin or an errant Barbie shoe shatters your bliss.

Barefooters are an anatomically engineered shoe designed to feel great. These very casual, somewhat industrial looking looking pull-ons are made in Italy from shock- absorbing, extremely flexible and antimicrobial CorksiLite™, an all-natural blend of cork and silicone. You can even see tiny flecks of brown cork interspersed with the colorful silicone.

So what does that mean? Breathable comfort. No more blisters. And, uh, your feet won’t get sweaty and stinky.

imagesBarefooters’ unique Oooaaahs™ insoles are nicely padded with reflexology pods, which gently massage the pressure points of weary feet while you walk. Barefooters makes shoes for men and women, lots of colors, full range of sizes.

Don’t worry if they get muddy while you are gardening or hiking. Like your feet, Barefooters are washable. In fact, the shoes are easier to wash than your feet because you can toss them in the washing machine. Or just spritz them with the hose while you are rinsing off your real tootsies.

You can find Barefooters in stores in the northern United States and Canada or online at  such footwear purveyors as Footsmart, Shoebuy and Planetshoes. MSRP is $99 a pair but you can find discounts that vary by retailer.