|
|
We're scattered around the globe over the next two weeks while
Splendora's dream team holds it down at our San Francisco HQ. The
Democratic Convention has been a blast; the South of France is dreamy; and
Chief Gina Pell's impromptu journey to the South Pacific was a cultural
experience. Stay tuned for our review of the Gucci outlet in Florence next
week and enjoy your last few moments of summer.
|
WEEKEND TRAVEL FORECAST
What to Wear In Flight: Sensational Eyes hydro pads by Babor
What NOT to Wear: Synthetic clothing
What to Travel Bag: Victorinox Swiss Werks rolling duffel
What to Shoe: Pink Polo Sport Canvas Brisbane Mules
What to Belt: incase iPod belt
What to Makeup: tinted moisturizer, cream rouge, and lip gloss
What to Read: old journal entries
What to Fall Asleep to: Jersey Girl (Gigli 2)
What to DVD: Butterfly Effect (surprisingly good)
What to Listen To: Nellie McKay's Get Away From Me
iPod Rediscovery: Learning to Fly by Pink Floyd
Must Have Travel Accessory: inMotion travel speakers
What to Prepare: First Class kit for the flight
Hot Vacation Spot: Pontassieve, Italy
Where to Shop: Gucci Outlet (yes!)
Secret Weapon: Swiss Army Knife w/USB flash drive
What to Drink: Falchini Spumante Millesimato
What to Make: Formaggio con le Pere - Pears and Cheese
What to Book: An evening on the loggia at Villa San Michele
What to Drive: Mercedes A Class
Outrageous Goal: Stay out of the sun
|
CELEBRATION IN THE OC
Whether your game is tennis, running, yoga, working out at the gym, or looking fabulous while you contemplate working out, you need to get on down to the grand opening festivities of nikewomen at South Coast Plaza. Enjoy international beverages and savories; amazing dance demonstrations; and a chance to win a trip to Australia to attend the Australian Open!
Date: Saturday, August 7th
When: 10a-2p
Where: nikewomen at South Coast Plaza
3333 Bear Street Costa Mesa, CA 92626
|
|
THE BLOG HEARD AROUND THE WORLD
We've shamelessly plugged the political rantings of Electablog's self-appointed expert and marvelled over his output of election coverage but look who's getting famous while his wife is marooned on a windswept beach...
Read coverage from the convention
|
GINA PELL'S NOTES FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC
I write this entry from my ad hoc office on a beach in American Samoa, which is roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand just below the equator. My sister and I are two of three residents lodging at a quaint beach motel and to counteract the feeling that this place feels a little like The Shining at night (one bartender, empty restaurant) we sit under the stars and listen to waves crash against black lava rock. It is winter here so the nights are a breezy 80 degrees. Ah, if only San Francisco's summer could be so wintry.
I have come for a funeral and have been here for five nights and six days. Most of my mother's extended family lives on this island and even though I have spent childhood summers trying rather unsuccessfully to scale coconut trees and shaming my ancestors by screaming at the sight of flying cockroaches (locals treat them with a curious nonchalance), I feel like a fish out of water. I can't speak the language. I never leave the hotel without mosquito spray and I have an aversion to microbes. The upside to all this is that everywhere I go I am told to gain weight because, get this: I am too skinny. Quite a change from my trip to Paris in March when I asked for my size and as if to reprimand me the saleslady quipped, "Madame, we do not carry anything that large."
Despite the fact that we have come for an unhappy purpose, the experience has been fascinating. Picture rural Hawaii, add dozens of stray dogs with swollen teats running amok in front of weathered shacks and you'll get the idea. Poverty is not the problem here. In fact for an island with fewer than 60,000 residents, it is flush with U.S. funding (about $150M a year). Samoa is simply a place exempt not only from taxes but from modernity with the exception of a new McDonalds--the first fast food restaurant in these parts (open 24 hours a day and always crowded). My hotel bartender told me that this particular McDonalds is the top grossing store of all time, selling six months worth of an average supply in just a few weeks. Naturally we wanted to add to its success and to our "diminuitive" American waistlines by ordering McWings (its paltry McNugget cousins were not on the menu).
Tonight I take the red eye back to San Francisco and then fly halfway around the world to Florence to spend a week in Tuscany. It's nearly 1am so I better start packing.
|
|
SALES & SAUCY HAPPENINGS
SAN FRANCISCO
Clairol's Find Your Balance Festival
Yoginis take note: tomorrow's gigantic wellness fest (from 11-3pm at Justin Herman Plaza) will feature groovy music, products galore, and 2 gigantic yoga classes led by Mariel Hemingway. This is a totally free event and for more info on the schedule go to: Clairol's event website
LOS ANGELES
Michael Kors Opens
3,500 feet of pure shopping bliss awaits you at Michael Kors' brand spankin' new West Coast flagship. Your invitation to shop for a full range of Michael Kors Collection products, including women’s and men’s ready to wear and belts, women’s handbags, shoes and eyewear, as well as fragrance for both men and women begins on August 5th. Michael Kors is located at: 360 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
NEW YORK
Free Shu Uemura Global Trend Event
Check out hot makeup trends from Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York then try it yourself. Shu Uemura makeup artists will apply your favorite look and teach you how to re-create it at home. All makeovers start with a mini-facial treatment. Makeup applications are free; purchase any amount of Shu Uemura product and receive a free limited-edition makeup palette case. Call (212) 872-2750 to reserve a spot.
July 29-31; Thu-Sat
Bergdorf Goodman
754 Fifth Ave
(At 57th St)
(212) 753-7300
More Events
|
Love,
Splendora
.........................
|
