Preparing for my American adventure

I'm counting down the days until my hubby and I jet off to the US of A.  It'll be a return trip for me, but the first visit for Ben.  I cannot believe it's taken him 32 years to travel to North America, but well worth the wait.  We're going for his 33rd bday and it's going to be exciting just to be in the states during Superbowl and watching from the party capital of the States - Las Vegas!

It'll be Winter time so I will have to pack the woolies and pack conservatively at the same time, as I have a lot of shopping to do.  We have decided to take only 1 large suitcase, 1 small carry on suitcase and buying luggage when we are there.  It will be the ultimate challenge for me, to pack minimally.  I am determined!  So I am making a list and checking it twice.  I won't make the same mistake as I have with every overseas journeys I have taken in the past and that's overpack!

I look forward to blogging my trip and plan on taking many photos so we can look back and laugh at ourselves someday.  There are bound to be plenty of funny tales in 3 weeks.

Back to the blog

After a significant break from writing my blog - I am BACK in a big way and busy with planning a USA getaway with my other half and working on a script for a potential TV show that would have significant appeal to young ladies and particularly to women in their 30's.  Perhaps a potential gap to where 'Sex and the City' left off.

Stay tuned for regular updates.  It's Summer in Melbourne and looking forward to the next few weeks prior to jetting off to North America.

My fave new place to wine and dine is The Newmarket Hotel - Californian Style, Hispanic Grill at 34 Inkerman Street, St Kilda.  www.newmarketstkilda.com.au - from the owners of The Albert Park Hotel and The Middle Park Hotel - the 3rd installment will not disappoint.  Call 9537 1777 for dining reservations.  The soft tacos are DELISH!

As reported on Reuters.com
(Editing by Belinda Goldsmith)

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

Sleep tight: World’s top 7 hotel beds

Check in to these luxe hotels when you need a great night of rest

SYDNEY - For travelers who need a good bed for a good night's sleep, travel guidebook publisher LUXE City Guides has come up with a list of 7 of the top hotel beds around the world.

This list is compiled by Luxe City Guides' editorial team and is not endorsed by Reuters.

1. The Bowery Hotel, New York
The Bowery Hotel's custom-built American-style wooden beds look as plump and comfy as they feel. Serta mattresses are enveloped in custom 400 count Egyptian cotton sheets, plus down duvets, two firm and two soft down pillows, or if you're sensitive, a choice of hypo allergenic pillows and duvets. Leave the curtains open for views of the twinkly Manhattan skyline.

2. The Setai, Miami
With its 700 count sateen cotton treats from Christian Fischbacher of Switzerland, Dux beds with a 2.5 inch latex top pad and a choice of down, feather or hypo allergenic handmade pillows from Singaporean company Ploh, it's hard not sleep. Wake up with the views of the sunrise over the Atlantic.

3. Sofitel Watertower, Chicago
The trademarked SoBed sleep system is actually a Serta mattress topped by a Pacific Coast featherbed and duvet, custom 250 count linen and foam and feather pillows. If you can't stand another night without a SoBed, you can buy one through the hotel.

4. Hollywood Roosevelt, Los Angeles
After a night at LA's notorious party pad, you can sleep between custom 400 count sateen Sferra linens on a Sealy Palatial Crest Cushion with squishy pillowtop, and 26" square goose down pillows (hypo-allergenic upon request).

5. The Connaught, London
Sleep on the hotel's own signature Maybourne Deluxe barrel-shaped pocket spring mattress, with a poly-fiber pillow top, own brand 50/50 feather and down pillows and lovely Rivolta Carmignani 300 thread count cotton sheets. The window shades block out light completely and just add private butler and Asprey Purple Water toiletries for absolute luxury.

6. Park Hyatt, Sydney
Lie on an oversized Sealy Hyatt Grand Pillow Top king with 50 percent down and 50 percent feather pillows, snuggling under a cozy down and feather duvet and Australian 'Royal Collection' 300 thread count linens. Wake to a view of the iconic Sydney Opera House and the dazzling harbor.

7. JIA, Shanghai
The bed is Sealy Hotel Luxury Pillow Top, the linen 300 count, the pillows a choice of soft or firm feather and down or hypo allergenic and the duvets 80 percent down, but what makes JIA Shanghai really sleepworthy are extras such as eye shades, ear plugs, aromatherapy oils and even electronic lullaby tunes. If you're in a suite, you can even have a crackling fire DVD.

Magazines and Fashion Publications round-up

I'm a self confessed Magazine-aholic, whether it be fashion, business or wedding magazines. I had my monthly dose of magazines, after venturing into my favourite newsagency in South Melbourne. The reason why it's my favourite is because they have a frequent buyer card where I purchase 14 and you get the 15th free up to the value of $10. They give me up to a little over 2 months to use it which is certainly enough time for my magazine-fix.

Yesterday I had purchased In Style and Shop til you Drop. Both had some great tips for the season, but I must admit that the In Style 'Style at any age' feature captured my eyes the most. I love seeing an entire look from clothing, bags, shoes to accessories come together and even if you cannot afford the expensive designer labels, you can certainly see how to work a similar look by the decades, by mixing and matching and perhaps using your own clothing and accessories. Seeing the 'Leggings in 3 ways' feature by In Style's Style Experts, gives you a refreshing outlook to wearing this essential piece in your wardrobe. 'How to wear the New Shoes' gives us the best ways to wear different styles of shoes from sleek sandals to round-toe pumps, ankle boots, embellished heels, bold platforms and vibrant flats.

Here are some of the Fashion and Style related publications on my bookshelf:

Style A to Zoe by amazing Stylist to the Stars - Rachel Zoe, whom has styled the likes of Jennifer Garner, Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, Deborah Messing, Kate Beckinsale, Molly Sims and Joy Bryant. I love her reality show 'The Rachel Zoe Project', which is a fascinating insight into the world of Fashion and Celebrity.

Colin Cowie Chic by renowned Events Extraordinaire Colin Cowie, whom has planned many amazing Events for friends such as Oprah Winfrey. He curently has a TV Show called Get Married, showcasing wedding and event tips and featuring wedding trends around the globe.

The Guide to quality taste and style by Tim Gunn, known for being a major part of America's Project Runaway and having the famous catch-phrase 'make it work'. He also has a spin off TV Show, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style.

The Little Black book of Style by Nina Garcia, known for being one of the judges on America's Project Runway. The former Elle Magazine Editor-at-Large is now the Fashion Director for Marie-Claire in September 2008.

Happy Reading!

My favourite Online Shopping Stores

Being a fairly internet savvy person, I must admit that I tend to find many bargains online. Especially on a cold Winters day when you're comfortable on your laptop infront of the heater, the world wide web offers a boundless amount of entertainment and for some that includes online window browsing. The difficulty in this is, that there are so many cheap online deals these days, that they are difficult to resist. I often do a bit of research online, but sometimes the research can become 'purchase'. The trick is to set a limit per item and only spend money that you actually have in your savings account, so you can pay off your credit card in full very quickly. The catch is that many of us have 44 - 55 days interest free on credit cards and that's where shopaholics can be caught out!

Here are some of my favourite Online Stores:

www.strawberrynet.com - Discount Perfume, Skincare and Makeup with Global Shipping

www.bluefly.com - Authentic Designer Clothing, Handbags, Shoes and Accessories - definitely for the Fashion Obsessed

www.victoriassecret.com - The only place to buy Victoria's Secret since we don't have retail stores in Australia

And one of the best ways to find out online sales and local sales in your state - ensure you subscribe online to www.salesguide.com.au so you won't miss a bargain!

Shop Safe and be sure to checkout my own online store www.style8shop.com.au to view our unique and stylish fashion accessories.