It’s been a while since I’ve attended an art gallery opening where you can’t buy the art. Not because it’s obscenely expensive, but because it’s actually not for sale.
Also, it was all behind thick glass. Which makes me think either someone feels this gold-lame flecked Technics 1200 is the new Mona Lisa, or they weren’t [...]
I’ve attended Aureole’s Wine Weekend for the past two years, and I remain convinced that this small, rather under-publicized affair, is among the best annual food and wine events in the country. The first year, 2009, I documented on this website, here. The second, 2010, on EscapeHatchDallas.com, here.
It’s hard to find a better definition for modern urban luxury without ostentation than the Ritz-Carlton LA Live. I recently reviewed the hotel and it’s adjoined twin JW Marriott for 360 West magazine (see below) but thought I would also post some more details on the property…
I’ve been inside some of the most impressive high-roller suites in Las Vegas–almost too many to name (Oh alright, I’ll name them: The Paiza level at Palazzo, Villas at Mirage, MGM Sky Villas, several at Caesars Palace–though not the Presidential–Bellagio, Vdara, Aria, Mandarin Oriental, Tropicana–new and old–Imperial Palace, Harrah’s, and Metro at Flamingo, all the kooky ones at Palms and Hard Rock and a few at Wynn/Encore, though not the Wynn Villas).
Yes, I have also written about designers, fashion and retail a fair amount in my career. These blog posts from Haute Living are some of my most recent work in this category:
One of the hardest parts of blogging LA is covering it’s recent explosion of boutique hotel experiences and spas. Gosh, staying in different fancy suites and getting pampered every night can really wear you out. 
No two spaces are alike for hot LA-based interior designer Dodd Mitchell (click here to download PDF) who continues to top himself with one impressive restaurant or nightclub design after another. I was lucky enough to be able to print one of the more rare lengthy interviews with him.
Other intriguing designers I’ve interviewed include Thomas [...]
Even while it caters to tourists from Boise, Beijing and Bavaria, Las Vegas has become a legitimate foodie destination…if you know where to go. Here’s a primer on All The Star Chefs of Vegas… And click here for my ratings on:
• Top Ten Strip Steakhouses
• Top Ten Italian Restaurants
• Top Ten Gourmet Burgers
• Top Ten [...]
By all means, do it with Holly Madison and Playboy model Dana DiCillo. We had fun at Hard Rock’s legendary Rehab party… but these were the real winners.
Don’t let the breezy tone of this Orbitz blog fool you: Rating the very best spas in Las Vegas (a city which may have more spas per-capita than anywhere in the world) was no easy feat! I had to pay attention while being pampered…
In Vegas it’s always hard to separate the hope and the hype. Here are links to my Orbitz Vegas blogs discussing many of the hotels I’ve stayed in on (and off) the Strip: Top Ten Standard Stays … my favorite Hot Habitats and Sumptuous Suites… Where The Celebs Stay… Top Ten Off-Strip Stays…surprising Family-friendly casino-resorts… The new Hard [...]
Red Carpet glamour may focus on “what are you wearing?” but let’s be frank: if you haven’t got it going on above the neck, what’s below won’t matter. So facial guru Kate Somerville made use of the Emmys moment to gather together a small dream team of aesthetic pros in her “White Room” medi-spa, reminding [...]