VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

photocourtesyguidetobelize.info Peeps, The events were narrated to me by someone who claimed that everything happened as she said it did.  Perhaps a few details, minor ones, may have been missed in the excitement of something so unexpected and novel, she stressed, and who am I to question a village matron who has traded in gossip, rumors, jealousies and slights for the past fifty or more years.  This is the story she told me:  as the sun set quietly in the western sky, and beyond the southern tip of the island and looking in the direction of Caye Caulker, the waves seemed almost burnished with gold; and then in the blink of an eye, the sea turned green, then silver and then blue as thousands and thousands of flying fish leaped in unison, like in aquatic ballet.  Even the nesting birds in the trees at the end of Jade Street were abruptly quiet, and some whispered about the ghost of Chehel, but these comments were quickly hushed.  Then figures started ...

imagecourtesytabihito.tumblr.com Peeps, Although located only about 40 miles north of Washington ( DC), Charm City (or Baltimore, MD) gets considerable less press than its more prestigious neighbor.  Anyone who has visited Baltimore invariably raves about the friendliness of its residents, the wonderful small Polish and Italian neighborhoods, and the great deals on residential real estate. ' It feels like a real city, not like DC which at times seems like an amusement park.  It's so big, so close and we never even think much about it, ' is the sentiment that I hear so frequently from friends who have a hard time crossing the 14th street bridge.  These same individuals will claim that driving in VA is so confusing, and believe that no one really lives north of White Flint Mall.  Whatever!! When pressed into service as tour guide, my guests and I are always impressed by our visit to the one of the city's hidden treasures, namely the American Visionary Art Museum...

imagecourtesytripadvisor Peeps, While it's a sunny 39F today, winter is still not over.  If the predictions of the Farmer's Almanac prove right, we're going to have a icy March or April, and the early daffodils, crocuses and cherry-blossom buds will perhaps regret their eagerness.  It seems that every year, we experience this period of a false spring, and yet we lap it up after the grey days of December and January.  The astute among us have saved vacation-days and mileage credits, and will invariably head for warmer climes of which the Caribbean islands and South American countries figure prominently as bastions of warmth and sunny splendor.  And tiny St Lucia may just be the brightest gem of them all. Lonely Planet (blog) writes ' rising like an emerald tooth from the flat Caribbean Sea, St Lucia definitely grabs your attention . . . The rain forest-choked interior is made for hiking; a canopy of green covers the island like a haze.  Rolling hills grow t...

imagecourtesydubaicity.olx.ae Peeps, Without leaving home, Washingtonians have had the luxury of Parisian shopping without subjecting themselves to random searches, having precious liquids confiscated, or the indignity of flying coach.  Shining like a beacon across a vast landscape or wasteland (more accurately, innumerable establishments offering watered-down renditions of the WASP-y look/overworked bridal creations/the worst of vintage finds), An American In Paris is truly a find, one of the little treasurers in life that is carefully shared with like-minded friends and other fashionistas.  Madame Joelle, the owner of  An American In Paris , was formerly a professional stylist in Europe, as well as an international buyer with billions of miles logged all across the world.  She has a truly unique gift for being able to see the beauty in every type of body -- and then suggesting looks to enhance the wearer.  Her clientele vouch for her ability to make e...

photocourtesyiwanbaan/nytimes Peeps, I am still basking in the after-glow of a visit to sunny South Beach where it seemed that Man and Nature had wordlessly collaborated to produce a memorable love-fest (of sorts).  Whatever criticisms of Florida that I had harbored were carefully folded away with linen trousers and cotton sweaters into my valise as I prepared for my long-anticipated vacation.  Honestly, beforehand I had shopped for a new wardrobe, knowing that bronzed and muscled perfection was de rigueur; as well as flash/bling/bucks/booze/and all those C's.  Stacy and Clint always stress ' play up your strengths,' and this I did, quieting the inner critic responsible for generating expectations/judgements/demands and everything thing else that spoils enjoyment of the here and now.  And thus the charms of Miami/Fort Lauderdale enfolded:  Wynwood/Midtown where industrial-style galleries showcased cutting-edge practitioners and blue-chippers; countl...