Archive for December 31, 2012

New Year’s Festivities Around the World

Share:

Guests staying at The Blakely tonight have a front row seat at one of the biggest, and certainly the most famous, New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. The hotel is just blocks from Times Square, where revelers watch as that famous crystal ball signals the official flip of the calendar every December 31.

Of course, New York isn’t the only city that knows how to throw a New Year’s celebration. Here are a few scenes from other cities around the world.

Clockwise from top: Sydney, courtesy of Sydney New Year’s Eve; Tokyo, courtesy of Wikipedia; San Francisco, courtesy of sffuncheap.com; Paris, courtesy of freshbeautystudio,com

If it Sounds like Philadelphia, it Must Be …

Share:

Philadelphia has a long and proud music history. From jazz to soul to R&B, the City of Brotherly Love has left its mark on American music.

So it’s no surprise our toes were tapping while putting together the recent Monaco Philadelphia offer. Here are a few legendary Philadelphia artists to get your toes tapping!

John Coltrane, courtesy of Biography.com

John Coltrane: Coltrane moved to Philadelphia in 1943 and would go on to become one of the most influential jazz musicians and composers in history. Check out Giant Steps.

The Delfonics: This pioneering Philadelphia Soul group started cranking out timeless R&B hits in the mid-1960s, and has lived on through heavy sampling by contemporary hip hop artists. Check out La-La Means I Love You: The Definitive Collection.

Philadelphia Orchestra: One of the “Big Five” orchestras in the country, the Philadelphia Orchestra has been performing since 1900. Check out Strauss: An Alpine Symphony.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince: Well, obviously. But while the mere mention of Philadelphia’s most famous (arguably) hip hop group may elicit chuckles, they were part of an emerging scene that defined Philly’s sound in the late 1980s. Check out: He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper.

Forever Young

Share:

What do Ponce de León and Captain Jack Sparrow have in common? Why, they were searching for the Fountain of Youth, of course! Guests of The Saragossa Inn in St. Augustine, Florida have a shot at immortality as well; it’s said that the Fountain is hidden somewhere in the city. Though a trip to the Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park (the spot where Ponce de León is thought to have landed) and a drink from its fountain might enhance your appearance, we tend to favor more surefire approaches. Here are 3 of our favorite anti-aging products that will rejuvenate your skin in no time. If only they were around during Ponce de León’s time…

Saragossa Inn, St. Augustine Florida

Photos courtesy of Nordstrom, Bath & Body Works and Sephora

For the eyes: Estée Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator ($58) uses skin-tightening caffeine and NASA-inspired technology to keep its ceramic tip chilled—resulting in instantly-refreshed and brighter eyes.

For the face: Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Intensive Night Reversal and Repair Cream ($42.50) works while you sleep; its line-smoothing peptides and skin-brightening Vitamin C mean radiant skin come morning.

For the body: Fresh Sugar Açaí Age-Delay Body Cream ($65) combines skin-smoothing sugar with hydrating açaí oil to create a bergamot-and-caramel-scented cream that’s proven to strenghten skin.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail

Share:

What’s the easiest way to spread some holiday cheer? Well, you can start with festive libations. With so many fantastic hotel bars (cough, The Palazzo, cough), we thought we’d scour the Internet for some killer cocktails that will put anyone in the spirit, no matter what holiday you celebrate.

Holiday Drinks

Photos and recipes courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens, Epicurious and How Sweet It Is

Clockwise from top left:

Aztec Hot Chocolate: Warming up in the Winter can be tough, so we recommend trying this grown-up version of a snowday staple—especially if you can’t make to the Langham Boston’s Chocolate Brunch (hint: spike it with some chocolate liqueur).

Sparkling Ginger Cocktail: Sure, you’ve seen gingerbread-flavored drinks. Well, try something a little bit fresher this year. This bright, sparkling cocktail will class up any holiday gathering.

Apple Cider Margarita: Generally speaking, we’ll drink anything with a cinnamon-and-sugar rim. So, try this unique take on apple-cider-based drinks. Who said tequila is only for Cinco de Mayo?

Vermont: Where Being Called ‘Cheesy’ is a Compliment

Share:

When you hear the word “Vermont,” what comes to mind? Maple syrup? Ice cream? Moose?

The state is known for all three, sure, but Vermont is perhaps best known for its cheese. Up and down the Green Mountains, artisan cheesemakers produce some of the best curds in the world. Vermonters are love their cheese–the Grafton Inn proudly puts Grafton Village cheeses on its menu–and visitors can explore the Vermont Cheese Trail to see how its made.

Photo courtesy of Vermont Creamery

Fortunately, Vermont cheese is easy to find outside the Green Mountain State as well. Here are a few popular and high-quality labels to look for in a cheese shop near you (most offer online ordering as well):

Shelburne Farms – Located south of Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain, Shelburne Farms is known for its robust aged and smoked cheddars.

Vermont Creamery: Vermont Creamery’s Cremont (pictured above) is a delightful blend of cow and goat’s milk in a soft, spreadable cheese; it produces several other cheeses as well, in addition to excellent cultured butter and creme fraiche.

Maplebrook: The mozzarella is great, and the feta is fantastic, but for pure cheese indulgence you can’t beat Maplebrook’s Burratta–mozzarella filled with fresh, buttery cream and stracciatelli (shreds of mozzarella).

Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm: In addition to its own cheese, Jasper Hill works with small cheesemakers to pro

duce truly artisan varieties. Weybridge, from Sholten Family Farm, is a favorite, as is the Cabot Clothbound cheddar.

Non-cheese bonus: Fat Toad Farm‘s “cajeta,” or goat’s milk caramel, comes in several flavors including vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee.