Gardenia Magnolia Soaps from Fresh = instant pick-me-uppers + pretty packaging.
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From the category archives:
travel
Hello friends. How was your weekend? Firstly, sorry for the lack of posts last few days. A last minute work-meeting took me and Paul to New York last thursday and we got back last night. Perfect weather + lovely friends + shopping = fantastic weekend! I know I have said this before {like, many times before} but I heart NY. DC has its charm, but not the energy that makes NYC one of my fav places in the world. I miss living there.
And now for the part you have been waiting for…the winner of $80 giftcard giveaway sponsored by csnstores is….debbie. Congrats, enjoy the Le Creuset casserole! Send me an email mochatiniblog {at} gmail {dot} com with your shipping address.
Have a great week ahead, and dont forget to come back later this week, when I have another giveaway for you.
images: birch $ lily + cassia
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refreshing afternoon. snorkeling trip to hawksnest bay, st johns, USVI. Sailing lady lynsey.
images: me and friends
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Bits and bobs from our trip to Maui in May.
old lahaina luau
gorgeous ritz carlton residence property in kapalua bay
off the coast of molokini island
kapalua bayview from the plane
catching some waves. surfing in lahaina
whale watching cruise
sunset champagne cruise
tree trunk resembling an elephant in lahaina square
all images by me. more captions soon.
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We are back from a nice vacation in St thomas. Soaked in lots of sunshine, went sailing and snorkeling and enjoyed picturesque views. Pics will be up soon. How was your week? My collarbone is healing nicely, still very painful but at least life is somewhat back to normal. Expect regular posts next week.
Will any of you be watching the world cup? I love football (soccer) and am so excited for the matches. Hope you all have a super weekend. xoxo
iggies bar and restaurant in st. thomas.
image: manvi drona-hidalgo
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Its practically summer and i still havent shared bits of my ski trip to aspen in feb. the delay was mostly because the pics are spread over my macbook and imac and consolidating them is quite a task. well, better late than never. here are some, and ill update this post with the rest soon.
view from the plane.
view while skiing on highlands ranch
the best part about staying at the ritz carlton club is the ski in ski out facility and ski concierge.
ski lift highlands ranch
highlands ranch ski lift
a cupcake bath bomb compliments of ritz carlton pr team and spa
interiors of a time share condo in aspen
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One of the cities I dream of spending more time in is Buenos Aires. This charming city boasts awesome food and stylish homes. So it should come as no surprise that the home of Ralph Lauren model and polo star nacho figueras was featured on elledecor recently. Reflecting figueras modern style, the interiors are a sophisticated mix of bold art, sculpture, designer pieces mixed with flea market finds. The house designed by architect juan ignacio ramos overlooks a polo fields.
the family enjoying dulce-de-leche { love} cakes on their patio
the painting is by figueras, the chaise by le corbusier and arm chair marcel breuer. Mixing flea market finds and designer pieces creates a unique and classy look.
a wood sculpture by alejandra hoeffner
love the style of their kitchen!
a custom designed walnut- veneer bed in the master bedroom
images photographed by miguel flores-vianna for elle decor
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Hello dears. I’d like to introduce a new series of guest posts on mochatini. I have planned a line-up of a few inspiring and stylish bloggers. And I am really excited to welcome them here.
Today’s post is by Leela Cyd. Leela is a food and travel writer on a nine-month dream journey through India, Vietnam and Turkey with her new hubby. That lucky lucky girl! She also has a cookbook in the making. You must must check out her yummy recipes on her blog in the meantime.
Hello Mochatini Readers — I’m Leela — a gal from Portland, Oregon but am taking this year to travel with my new husband — writing, photographing, cooking and eating all the while. You can follow my journey (India and Vietnam so far, Turkey on deck) at my blog, LeelaCyd.com.
Touching Vietnam
The textures of Vietnam are as vivid and colorful as they are diverse. Every pagoda, market, restaurant, garden and road-side stop offers up a specific aesthetic, unique to this country. The colors and design qualities of each new place demand to be touched, pondered and soaked in. Observing, thinking and brushing things with my fingertips has taken up the majority of my time here in Vietnam. The place exudes atmosphere, history and magic — what with all the dragons and mist everywhere (it’s actually poring down rain right now), it truly transports the soul to an older era . . . Making it so easy to imagine myself a princess, taking tea in my Mom’s “Pleasure Pavilion” (a gorgeous spot looking out onto a pond in the Hue Citadel), a moment perhaps when dragons and princes dueled in the clouds.
This series of images focuses not so much on the specifics of each location, but on a detail of its surface. I want to illustrate the mood and styling of some of the sights we’ve seen and take note for when we return to Portland and set up an apartment once more. It’s these tiny details of a country that truly inspire me — from an everyday plastic tablecloth (shown in image 7) with a beautiful rose print to the bright gate, laying derelict on the side of the road near a military cemetery, the neutral brown complimenting the yellow so nicely (image 1). I hope that everyone has a chance to visit this remarkable land — full of prosperous and tragic history, bustling cities, beautiful people (I’ve never seen so many cute coats as on the ladies in the North) and lush countryside. There are so many things to see and touch.
Yellow gate near Military Cemetery in the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), near Hue
A young emperor and flags written with deceased family member’s names at Chinese Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City
Dragon vase — there’s such amazing painted porcelain here — at Hue Citadel
Ribbon and coy fish at Hue Citadel
Detail of plants in big pot, Hue Citadel
Dragons at Hue Citadel
Table cloth at ticket-check counter at Kao Dinh Tomb, Hue
Red doors at Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh and traditional Pagoda topper (shown at friend’s house instead of it’s typical home atop a pagoda), also in Ho Chi Minh City
Pink porcelain used as mosaic tiles in Jade Emperor Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City
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Here’s a photolog (+ some info) of my trip to the Abacos, Bahamas last week. Abaco is a quiet and low- key island. Perfect spot for a laid back beach vacation. We stayed at the Abaco Club on Winding Bay. Managed and owned (?) by the ritz carlton, the resort is a destination in itself. Lush tropical plants compliment the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Really very pretty. Except to dine, shop and island hop, we had very little reason to leave the resort. We spent time lazing about the beach, snorkeling {spotted two sting-rays and lovely coral}, kayaking and sailing. Since the resort is spread out, guests are given golf carts to move about. The beach on the property is gorgeous and you have access to the club’s kayaks, catamaran, snorkeling gear and more. The property also has a golf course, clay tennis courts, fitness center, spa and an infinity pool. Dining options at Abaco Club are limited to Busters on the beach for breakfast and lunch and the Clubhouse for dinner. Both very good. I recommend trying the butternut squash soup and coconut bread. Yum!
busters on the beach
Abaco Club interiors; cabana
Abaco club interiors; cottage
Abaco Club water activities
Eat + Drink: petes {cash only}, curlytails, anglers, wallys, mangoes
Getting around: The Abacos are known to be one of the best sailing and boating destinations. Rent a speed boat from Marsh Harbor for about $150- $200 a day and go cay hopping. You can also hop on a ferry ($25 roundtrip) to take you to the other cays.
Winding Bay is about 20 miles from Marsh Harbor airport. While taxis to Abaco Club are available, they cost about $80 each way so I recommend hiring a car from the airport which is about $70 a day. Renting a car ( $70 a day} from the airport works out to be more economic than taxis which can be about $80 each way. And will give you more accessibility to explore the island on your own.
Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar = 1 US dollar, most places accept USD and give you Bahamian in change.
Electronics; same as in the US.
For more destination info: Bahamas.com, The Abaco Club and Destination Abaco
images: mdh, abaco club
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Today, I want to introduce a a new topic related to my love for being pampered, addiction to travel and tranquil interiors – spa escape!
Booking a spa session is one of my must-do especially when I travel. I prefer to book a treatment as soon I get to the destination. Helps with the jet-lag, the sore-back from airplane seats , not to mention that post-spa glow for the rest of the vacation. Even when traveling on a tight budget, I highly recommend booking a session at a well rated local spa.
In buenos aires, I recommend checking out the spa at hotel alvear palace. Plan to spend at least half day there and dont miss the famous high-tea after.
A couple of things that are most important to me when selecting a spa.
Interiors: I feel most comfortable in spas that are designed to promote a sense of tranquility, comfort and relaxation.
Facility: Must be clean, hygienic and equipped with showers and lots of robes and towels. A wet-area {jacuzzi, pool etc} is also a must for me.
Hospitality: I appreciate a spa where staff add to the experience. Its the little details that matter! While most luxury spas offer you the basics and refreshments, I truly feel relaxed in a spa with where staff ensure you are well taken care of. organic products, decaf teas and perhaps champagne… 
Goes without saying – well qualified treatment specialists.
What adds to your spa experience? Do you have a must- have list? Know a good spa that should be featured here? email me! manvi{at}mochatini{dot}org
images: alvear palace + frank grimm
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