I left my heart in Hong Kong!

I’ve been traveling throughout China and fell in LOVE with the one and only Hong Kong. I am back in the US but still on a travel high!  However, jet lag is REAL! I had forgotten how long those international flights feel and how hard it is to get back to reality.

I fly lots. But especially on international flights! It has taken me a week and half already and am now just starting to feel like myself again.

Long flights but so worth every minute and penny!

While I didn’t know what to expect really I was pleasantly surprised. with what I found. Rich in history and so many fascinating places to visit! Hong Kong has so much to explore!

Do you know what HONG Kong means?

Fragrant Harbour or Port. Wherever you go in the city there are different scents. Food being the BEST!

I so loved the people…so friendly,kind and peaceful. The lights,exotic signs,sights,the sounds of the different Chinese dialects being spoken and the scent in the air of the different foods.

I also enjoyed my view of  Kowloon from my Renaissance Hotel  with an amazing harbour view. It was so relaxing to view and to wake up every morning too.This hotel is a MUST if you ever want to or need to go to the city. The hotel is amazing! The staff  speaks English and Chinese and are an extraordinary team of professionals from the bellmen to housekeeping. The hotel has a great quick cafe with American and Chinese delights. The restaurants in the hotel serve Asian and American meals.

I traveled with my usual skin care and my jade and rose quartz roller. Just in case my stomach acts up or complexion isn’t perfection I bring Probiotics with me. My fave is Belle+Bella. I also travel with sheets masks and eye gel pads. And I made sure to drink PLENTY of bottled water. And hot green Asian tea!

I highly recommend and enjoyed the Star Ferry which took us from the Hong Kong side across the harbour to the other side to Kowloon. Only .50 cents in Hong Kong money for a lovely 8 minute ride.

I also adored riding on and the sound of the rail cars they use and the city affectionately calls the DING DING! So cute.

Shopping in Hong Kong is off the chain fabulous!

FOODIES

The Bakeries were so DELICIOUS and the different sweet breads too.

Chinese egg tarts are a must!

Cool yourself off  with a glass of sugar cane juice.

TEA of all kinds and tea shops are evrywhere. My fave’ is Jasmine tea but also Hong Kong style tea made with milk and sweetened to perfection.

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

Warm cashew soup anyone?

The most delightful light and creamy soup I have ever had!!! If you love NUTS especially cashews this is a MUST to find and discover the taste on your palette.

 

I loved this soup so much I had two bowls!

 

There is also something else you smell in the air. Incense. Sandalwood scented to be exact. They burn it outside thier business doors,homes temples and more. Praising  thier Gods. I do it in the states too but it was so nice to smell it in the air and enjoy it too.

Well I hope you enjoyed the first few days of my trip and all to unfold before me!

Come back I have so much more to share! Have you ever traveled to HK or China? 

California Dreamin’

I love to travel if you read my blog you know that. If you don’t know my beauty and lifestyle blog …Welcome!!! So, I am back from another awesome trip!

I love to work and play! Here are a few highlights and snapshots of my trip.

I stayed at a hotel on the Marina. San Diego is a sunny fun filled city. I enjoyed walks on the boardwalk and off the marina too. The cacti really intrigued me and there were so many unique trees and unusual flowers all carefully planted around. So BEAUTIFUL!

I enjoyed seeing what’s new since I have not been to San Diego and the neighboring cities in a few years. I love to EXPLORE and this trip was no different. The area I stayed in was called the Gas Lamp District and it did not disappoint. If you like SKECHERS sneakers and shoes…they have a fabulous store,selection and so is the staff!

The city is so clean,people are so friendly and the city is filled with athletic active people of all ages. It was good to see. The variety of foods was both decadent but also clean and lean. I fell in LOVE with the Edgewater Grill on the waterfront. I enjoyed several dishes that I want to share with you!

I love eating and making ACAI bowls this one was an AMAZING culinary take on one. Kudos to the chef at Edgewater Grill in San Diego. This one was made with Acai gelato. So delightful to the tongue.

 

What a lunch time view! Isn’t it breathtaking?

Shopping in La Jolla is lots of fun too. So many shops so little time! A lovely place to have a drink, I highly recommend LUNCH with the girls time or a night to dine with your sweetie at Georges. The view is absolutely amazing and the food was so delicious !

Corondao Bay is home to the famous Coronado Hotel. The spa and dining so delightful!

 

There is an awesome shop in Coronado that you must see…this is one of the many mini soaps I purchased. It is called Earth Wind and Sea. It has ALL kinds of things for your home,garden or gift giving!  Did I ever tell you I am a soap junkie too??? I wish you could smell this luxe soap bar!

I was pretty jet lagged but wanted to post my trip ASAP. If you love to travel too perhaps this is a nice stop for you to visit in California. If you live in CALI…I’m jealous!

It will cast a spell on you!

I’m back from New Orleans AKA Nola and it feels so good…especially in the month of Halloween my fav’ time of year! The city was all  decked out in bewitching hues and decor. Halloween in New Orleans is awesome. I wanted to go on a Ghost or Cemetary tour but ran out of time this trip.

I worked and played. And as always want to take you there! Even if you’ve been or never been there. Here are a few highlights of my adventures.

Cafe du Monde was at the top of my gotta go back and eat a beignet and have that famous New Orleans coffee. So,after checking into the hotel  I devoured a few and walked the streets too.

The smell of  Pralines fills the streets and air with sweetness. You have to try one! This trip I discovered some new ones in Cafe au lait and Bananas Foster flavors. So delightful!

I haven’t been there for a few years and needed to reacquaint myself with the city. My have things grown and some things have stayed the same! If only those building and sidewalks could talk to us. What would they say? Lots I am sure.

The weather was super humid and hot for October… I did not glisten like most southern women say they do. I sweat as usual! No powder or makeup setting spray saved my face. However, the last few days the weather turned into fall like. SO….Heavenly!

Since I love food,beauty,fashion and I love to explore…here is list of the best to see!

Acme Oyster Bar has the freshest and delicious oysters. If you don’t mind waiting in lines this is a great place. Not fancy and pricey.

Monteleone Hotel my fav’ hotel in the city and is an elegant charming place.It is located in the French Quarter downtown.

Carousel  Bar is inside the hotel above. It is an actual OLD carousel and it moves and so do you every 15 minutes. You gotta see this place and feel it to believe it.Drinks are delicious and appetizers too.Not your normal bar food. 

Feeling lucky! In the mood to gamble? Visit Harrah’s Casino.

Irene’s is an Italian eatery with a New Orleans twist. Dinner was amazing and the pasta is made fresh daily.

Papier Plume if you are into all things stationery,REAL pens, journals and wax seals this is the place for you.

Trashy Diva is a clothing store that for the name alone you need to pop in.

Perfume there are two old world perfume shops rich in history and have signature fragrances too I will share more on this in my next blog.

Fifi Mahoney’s is where you’ll find makeup,glitter,wigs and more! They are the company behind some of the faces on floats for Mardi Gras.

New Orleans COOKING school I’ve taken a cooking class with a Cajun twist before. It never disappoints.If you’re a foodie like me…you’d love these classes.

Steamboat Natchez cruise is always a good idea!It is an old time steam boat that takes you around the Mississippi River.

The French Market is located in the Jackson Square area and is filled with shops and pop up vendors from all over the world. You can find art,fashion,old time lace umbrellas,artisan candles and soaps,voodoo dolls and so much more.

I love worshipping and visiting church and the the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis King of France is a beauty you don’t want to miss.

Did you know New Orleans has Voodoo shops,Witchery shops and Vampire shops? Worth exploring.

Window Shopping is the BEST shopping. Since may last trip so many new places have opened.

 

Fun fact…the second day I was there. I was eating a snow ball ice  in the French Market and while sitting on a bench I noticed a float and a police car blocking the street. I ate and kept there waiting to see what might be happening. After ten minutes I was curious what this was all about. So,I walked across the street and who did I bump into on the sidewalk but Katy Perry all dolled up in an adorable so New Orleans fun feather dress. Next, I see Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. The float I now noticed had the logo of American Idol on it. So, what was about to go down was a marching band,people in costumes and a float they shot for TV to welcome the tryouts for American idol at the convention center.

It was so fun. They were so fun! They threw Mardi Gras beads to all of us and we were part of the party. They invited us to follow the float down the streets of Nola but I chose not to. This was such an unexpected treat to my trip! I wish you could hear this video!

You never know who or what you will find in this city. My business went well and my belly was content. I continue to encourage you to explore beyond your front door.

Till my next adventure …have a beauty filled day.

PS

Pictures to come. I have been up to my lips with work since I returned. Tonight I am a guest on a panel for Fashion Group International in NE Florida. So, I have to prep for that.

Chocolate Fix

This morning I woke up craving NOT coffee but chocolate! I love to play in the kitchen.

Did you know that Cacao nibs are a natural way to get a chocolate fix?

2 cups of coconut milk (from the milk section)

1 teaspoon of cocoa powder

1  frozen banana

sprinkle of Chia seeds (Cause it wouldn’t hurt to add them)

sprinkle of cocoa nibs to taste

a drizzle of organic honey

Blend in a blender and you have a sweet sensation that’s not too sweet.

A quick chocolate CRAVING fix!

*Oh and for a shot for my skin I added a spoonful of  NeoCell Super Collagen powder…for hair,skin nails,bones, joints and more! To get my glow on and to be a Glow Getter.