Travel Talk: NYC Sugar Fix

The pȃtisserie, Baked by Melissa, was such a regular stop during my Manhattan stay that the ladies who worked there became treasured friends! If you are in that city and love sweets, this is a great place to put on your to-do list. Melissa’s macarons will keep you coming back for more. And in case you’re wondering, I have it …

Guide to Salsa & Bachata Festivals Around the World

For those of you who love to dance – whether you’re an expert or a novice ̶ I have just the event for you! I was a ballet dancer growing up, so the current social dance craze has opened up a whole new world to me. As some of you know, for about a year, I’ve done a little social Salsa …

Ten Things to Be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, Americans observe our nation’s oldest tradition. We gather with family and friends, and focus on our blessings. Regardless of what country you are from, I invite you to join us. Giving thanks for the benefits you have can boost your spirits, help you realize what is important in life, and increase your resolve to attain it. Some …

Salish Lodge’s Country Breakfast

During this enchanting holiday season, when family and friends take top priority, I know just the place for a landmark country breakfast. The Salish Lodge in the Seattle area is an unsurpassed memory-maker! Come with those you love, and a large appetite. I mean it! As my mom said, “I was full before the first course was finished!” But don’t …

Create a Subtle Cat Eye in Under Three Minutes!

This fast, easy tutorial even incorporates drugstore products! Your bank account will thank me. So, let’s enter Makeup Land and get to it… To get the products that I used: NARS Concealer: Velvet Luxe Shadow Brush (Similar): Maybelline THE ROCK NUDES: Maybelline COLOR TATTOO: NYX Super Fat Eye Marker: NARS Foundation: NARS Browning Powder: Kate Somerville Hydrating Mist: SEPHORA Bronzer …

One of the World’s Top Holiday Towns

For today’s Travel Talk, we’re returning to Toronto’s Distillery District. I was in town for the premiere of my short film, “In Memory Of,” at the Carlton Cinema. Steve Veale, the director of the Toronto Independent Film Festival, orchestrated the tour. Then we all got to chatting about the Distillery District…a national historic site. From November 18 through December 22, …

Mesmerized by Rebecca Minkoff

You only have to watch this video to discover the magic of Rebecca Minkoff. Her designs have just the right balance of edgy and feminine. Here, I’m wearing her styles from head-to-toe. For the product links: Boots: Moto Jacket: Dress (Similar):

The Magic of Parks All Year ‘Round

Parks are enchanting places for little kids. But they’re not the only ones. I’m always drawn to a beautiful leafy vista or a winding wooded path. Who could possibly resist the temptation to follow it? Maybe I’m just a little kid at heart! Whether it’s a crisp spring morning, a sunny August day, or a chilly autumn, I love walking …

Ghost Cupcakes to Get You in the Halloween Mood

I’ll be the first to admit that I have a definite lack of talent when it comes to the kitchen. If I don’t set something on fire, any baking escapade I embark on is considered a success;) And I’m also not afraid to admit that a boxed cake mix and frosting from a can are sometimes my best friends. The …

Posing in Front of a Castle

You’ve all heard of something described as a “show stopper.” Well, this house is a “traffic stopper.” There is usually not a whole lot of traffic in this neighborhood, but you get the idea. I discovered this beauty on a walk while housesitting. I paused to admire it for so long that I inadvertently made friends with the owners. They …

Halloween Costume Ideas

Fall is one of my favorite times of year, and one of the reasons is Halloween. To me, this holiday represents a time to celebrate the miracle of nature while marveling at the dramatic change of seasons. It’s a time to pause and recapture our childlike wonder, to use our imaginations and dress-up like we did regularly when we were …

Straight Off the Press

The Bellevue Reporter asked me to write an article about the recent world premiere of my short film in Toronto. If you’d like to learn the story behind “In Memory Of,” how it came together, and my secret to pulling late-night editing sessions, read this brief memoir… It was a privilege to be featured in the Bellevue Reporter. I have …

Fashion, with Love, from India

You caught a glimpse of this top in my last video, but I wanted to devote a full post to it because the backstory is so much fun. On my first morning in Toronto, I decided to take a stroll around the block before getting ready for the day. Being an avid explorer and adventure-seeker, I couldn’t keep my jaunt …

Traveling in Style

In this video, I’m showing what I wore the evening I got into Toronto for the first premiere that I attended. The next morning, I went on a stroll before getting ready and stumbled upon an adorable market selling handmade pieces from India. I just couldn’t resist buying some of them. The shop ladies became my stylists. Then other customers …

Matching the Flowers

We were on our way to a Toronto garden party when we were stopped by the sight of this magnificent cathedral with a beautiful garden in full bloom. It seemed to me like Toronto had a stunning cathedral on practically every corner. The people there were so welcoming. They did not mind one bit when we wanted to stop and …