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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

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Wednesday Wonderful: Beauty Must-Haves

If you haven’t guessed already, this girl loves to travel. Leaving reality behind and setting off for an unfamiliar experience with new sights, foods, people and cultures is one of my all-time favorite things. Not my favorite: lugging heavy, over-packed bags or, on the other end of the spectrum, having too little resources to feel totally comfortable while away from home. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is finding beauty products that are travel-friendly and keep me looking and feeling my best. On a recent trip to the hot and humid streets of Chicago, these four products held strong, cementing their status as must-haves for future excursions.

Colorful Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Balm from Clinique

  [Image from www.clinique.com]

Bright and refreshing, these lip gloss sticks make the perfect travel companion. Long flights always leave me looking and feeling a little dull, but I was ready for any adventure as soon as I stepped of the plane with a pick me up from these Clinique treats. The lip balm comes in 16 shades that can be worn as a subtle tint or layered to make lips pop—Super Strawberry is my favorite!

Aveeno® Positively Radiant® Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

[Image from www.aveeno.com]

In the summertime, when the weather is hot, hot, hot, I would much rather use a lightweight concealer that can withstand a little sweat than heavier creams and powders. This Aveeno tinted moisturizer not only gave me an even skin tone that stayed strong under pressure from the sun, but also provided SPF protection—a major plus, especially with my fair skin. This product stuck with me in the transition from day to night, with little to no reapplication necessary. Probably my favorite part is the moisturizer’s silky feeling; it goes on as a cream but transitions to a softer, power-like substance as it blends into my skin. No sticky, streaky mess here, just flawless and fabulous.

The Body Shop’s Moringa Body Butter

[Image from www.thebodyshop-usa.com]

The Body Shop has some amazing products, but this body butter has to be my favorite. It melts right into my skin, leaving it feeling super soft and smooth throughout the day. And the smell is incredible! The not too strong, not too sweet white floral scent is light and refreshing. The packaging is what makes this product the most travel-friendly; with body butter’s airtight shell, there’s little risk of finding a suitcase full of lotion-covered clothes after a flight. The Body Shop even offers this beauty must-have in a travel size, perfect for weekend getaways.

Maybelline Volum’ Express the Colossal

[Image from www.maybelline.com]

In the early 1900s, a New York chemist noticed his younger sister was using a mixture of Vaseline and coal dust to give her lashes a darker, fuller look. He bottled it up and sold it locally, naming the new product after his inspiration: Maybel, combining his sister’s name and Vaseline. A sucker for history, it’s this anecdote (from Wikipedia) that first drew me to Maybelline’s mascara products. The mascara’s high quality, however, is what keeps me coming back. My favorite of Maybelline’s mascara line is the Colossal in Classic Black. The company claims a collagen-enriched plumping formula gives lashes 9 times the volume and, while I can’t vouch for an exact number, when wearing the Colossal mascara, my eyes certainly pop. I’m partial to the washable formula, but this product also comes in waterproof, ideal for a day at the beach or pool. 

  What are your beauty essentials when packing for a trip?

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The romantic views live on into the night: Seychelles.

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This place is just breathtaking, isn't it? 

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Down a nondescript Milwaukee street lined with industrial buildings, Sobelman's Pub & Grill stands tall, offering beer, award-winning burgers and appetizer-like bloody Marys to all who can find it. At first glance it looks like an average sports bar, but Sobelman's is much more than that. First, there's easily the most impressive bloody Mary I've ever seen. The breakfast cocktail features a green olive, a pepperoni stick, cheddar-jack cheese, an onion, a pickle, a stalk of celery, an asparagus, a shrimp, a Brussels sprout, a scallion, a lemon wedge, mushrooms and a cherry tomato all soaked in tomato juice and vodka, with a small beer to chase it down. Practically a meal in itself, but the burgers are also not to be missed. The most popular--the Sobelman's--comes complete with three chesses, jalapeño and onion on a brioche bun. Spicy, spicy and more spicy ... Water is a must with that much flavor. Sobelman's is great place to be before, or after, a Brewers game, or any time you're in the mood for an excellent burger and bloody Mary. Sobelman's Pub & Grill 1900 W. St. Paul Ave. Milwaukee, WI www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com

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Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, and plenty of restaurants throughout the city claim to have the best pies. My favorite is Pequod's Pizzeria, where each deep dish boasts toppings galore and a crispy caramelized crust. We opted for sausage, pepperoni and mushroom on one and bell peppers, mushrooms and onions on the other. Both were incredible--the only downside was my stomach couldn't handle more than one slice of each. Thank goodness for to-go boxes! Pequod's Pizzeria 2207 N. Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL www.pequodspizza.com

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Last night, some friends and I made the trek downtown to a bar called Perch, located on the top floors of the Pershing Square Building. Although having to wait in not one but two lines was a pain, the end result was a gorgeous view of the city. The live music on the patio on the 15th floor was great, but the lounge-like atmosphere and fire pits on the 16th floor were even better. I can't wait to take visitors here and show off another special L.A. spot.

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Over $190,000 dollars have been raised to send a bullied bus monitor on her dream vacation. If you still need further proof that civilization is, in fact, civilized, check out yesterday’s popular 21 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity from BuzzFeed. —Daisy

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Detroit-based Morpace Omnibus, a survey marketing research and consulting organization, determined via online survey that nearly 60 percent of Americans plan to take summer vacations this year.

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It's not a Segerstrom Center event without Morton's Power Hour first! Tonight at the theater: Green Day's American Idiot

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Dancers and drummers show their cultural traditions at Olvera Street

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Travel Edition: Playa del Carmen

This time last year, I was on my way to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for a wedding. Besides a day trip to Ensenada with Carnival Cruise Lines, this was my first real visit to the country, and my feelings were mixed. While Mexico is a beautiful place, the stories I had heard and news articles I had read told me to travel with caution.

My boyfriend and I traveled with another couple who live in LA, arriving at the Cancun airport and taking a shuttle (reserved through our hotel) to the wedding destination. That hour drive to the resort may have been one of the longest of my life, with visions of worst-case scenarios running through my head, but we made it to the hotel safe and sound. 

As a half-joke during our long day of traveling, we imagined being greeted at the hotel entrance with umbrella-adorned tropical drinks. Much to our surprise—and delight—the front desk agent asked for our drink orders within five minutes of arrival. They may have been umbrella-less, but those daiquiris were more than welcomed. It meant our vacation had begun!

What happened next were three of the most relaxing days I’ve ever had. All meals and drinks were included in the resort price, a wonderful amenity that I wish I could incorporate into my daily life. Can you imagine paying a flat rate each month to eat wherever and whenever you want? It would be an amazing, albeit completely implausible, concept. This all-you-can-eat format allowed for two of my favorite parts of the trip: morning brunch ordered through room service and eaten on our hotel room patio, and late night snacks at a 24-hour lounge, which came complete with pool tables and a nacho bar. 

I think that may have been the basis of my relaxed state, being completely worry-free when it came to money. It was incredibly difficult to re-enter reality and leave that lovely, pre-paid world behind.

Of course, it also didn’t hurt that there was hot tub in the middle of our hotel room. And two pools just outside surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs. And a sandy beach met by a clear blue ocean that provided not only an incredible view, but water so much warmer than the often-freezing Pacific I am accustomed to. 

Another highlight of the trip was the level of service we experienced while at the resort. We dined at one restaurant, set in a newer part of the property, that was not as visible to hotel guests and therefore practically empty. Our table of six consisted of a few old friends who hadn’t been able to spend much time together recently so the conversation was jovial and unending. Our boisterous demeanor did not deter our fabulous server, who was attentive, professional and made every effort to enhance our dining experience. 

With only our table and another filled in the entire restaurant that evening, he could have taken the easy way out and barely paid us any attention. Instead, he performed his responsibilities at the highest level of service. We were incredibly appreciative of his hard work and made sure to give him praise on the “How Was Your Stay Card” handed to us at check out, as well as recommend the restaurant to our other friends who were there for the wedding party.

The wedding itself was a beautiful event. The ceremony was set in a gazebo with the beach as a backdrop, and the reception was held right on the sand, our table just feet away from the breaking waves. As someone who was unsure about destination weddings before, my experience in Playa del Carmen changed my mind. As the happy couple celebrates their one-year wedding anniversary this weekend, I’ll be thinking of them, and thanking them for giving me a reason to visit such a picture-perfect place. 

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Home Depot Center, Carson LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes May 23, 2011

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How Is It May Already?

It's been two months since my last post, something I had hoped to avoid happening, but it did nevertheless. It's been a whirlwind lately, and I am proud to say I've been able to cross a few more things off of my To Do List 2012. Here's an update:

• Afternoon tea at Chado Tea Room in Hollywood. A Groupon helped get me here, and I was very happy it did. The tea we tried--birthday and red flowers--were both so good I even got some of each to take home. The food was delicious, too, with several different sandwich options, scones, and some very yummy desserts. I would definitely love to go back, although possibly to Chado's Pasadena location, which I've heard has a more charming tea house atmosphere.

• Dinner at Bodega Wine Bar in Santa Monica. Okay, so this was less dinner, and more happy hour, but the small plates my friends and I shared were great and definitely filling. Hummus, bruschetta, pizza...I enjoyed it all, and the wines, of course, were excellent, as well. The place has a very lounge-y vibe to it, with high-top tables and low sofas. We got there near the end of happy hour and had some trouble getting a table; even on a Wednesday night, this place gets packed!

• The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. While my wish to see the Getty Center still stands, this was an excellent step in the right direction. The Villa is absolutely beautiful. I went for an event in the evening, and just the walk from the parking structure had me feeling calm and peaceful. The venue looks like something straight out of Italy, and it's collection inside is equally awe-inspiring. Glass cases display artifacts made in 400 B.C. ...that look like they could have been made yesterday. I was absolutely amazed at the skill and detail in each piece, especially when considering the lack of technology used in the creative process. The current featured exhibit, and the one I saw, is about all things Aphrodite.

• The Metro from Hollywood & Highland to the Pantages Theater. I had heard stories of a Metro in L.A., especially recently with the opening of the Expo Line, but I had never really believed it to be true. I felt as though I had been transferred to New York as I headed down the stairs to the underground station. My only thoughts as I boarded the subway car and made the short trip to the next stop was, why do Los Angelenos not use this more often. I'm hoping with the Expo Line--which will eventually go from downtown all the way to the beach!--will help get this city back on board for public transportation.

• Dinner at Ford's Filling Station in Culver City and Freddy Smalls in West L.A. Small plates seem to be the menu item du jour, and it's an area where both of these places excel. I think the last time I (unwilling) had Brussels sprouts was in grade school, but the ones at Freddy Smalls were so fantastic it was time to start eating them again. Highlights from FFS included fried chicken sliders, a choose-your-cheese plate and some sort of fruity crumbly dessert.

• Paddle boarding in Long Beach. This is definitely my new favorite water sport, and not just because it's the only one I've ever actually been able to do. Paddle boarding was actually a really great workout (gotta keep that core tight!), and it was really peaceful out there on the water. My lesson, given by Long Beach Adventure Tours, started at the Hotel Maya dock and took me out to the bow of the Queen Mary. It was quite the view!

So there's the last two months in a nutshell, along with a trip to Palm Dessert and Joshua Tree and a couple visits to San Diego. Coming up on the agenda are:

• An L.A. Galaxy game

• A Dodgers game

• Trips to San Jose (my home away from home) and Chicago/Milwaukee/Kenosha

• American Idiot at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in O.C. (I couldn't make it to a performance at the Ahmanson, unfortunately)

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Cirque du Soleil's Ovo at the Santa Monica Pier

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Downtown Los Angeles

Today, I was reminded of how special downtown LA really is.

Los Angeles is a funny place. In many cities—Boston, Chicago, NYC—heading straight toward the picturesque cluster of skyscrapers is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Here, not so much. For so many, it seems as though the appeal comes in the form of neighborhoods surrounding the downtown skyline, from Venice to Beverly Hills to Echo Park.

I recently had visitors in from Chicago, and it never once dawned on me to take them downtown. I’ll admit, I’m not as familiar with my surroundings in that area, but that’s a pretty weak excuse for the fact that none of downtown’s celebrated attractions crossed my mind when preparing a list of must-sees.

All that has changed, and I have jury duty to thank. I reported to the Spring Street courthouse this morning and was immediately awed by the appearance of stunning architecture and the dragon-guarded entrance to Chinatown. Traffic on the 405, 10, 110 and 101 was light as can be at 6:30 am, which helped give the city a welcoming glow.

Later, in the courthouse waiting room, I glanced at a visitor pamphlet to get a bearing on my surroundings. What I saw I couldn’t believe. From where I sat, I was only minutes away from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Olvera Street. I could have lunch at a restaurant at 7+Fig or browse the treasures at the JANM Museum Store. How could I have possibly forgotten that these wonderful things were here?!

I immediately began planning a time to come back to downtown LA to truly appreciate everything it has to offer. Perhaps this weekend? Or maybe I would be lucky enough to be dismissed early from my citizenly duties? Unfortunately not, but a trip back this weekend is certainly a possibility.

To downtown LA, I’m sorry. I have neglected you and failed to appreciate your uniqueness and beauty. I promise, all that is about to change.

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Late night dinner at Stout in Hollywood. Stout Burger with a dark Belgian beer.

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Charcuterie and cheese at Waterloo & City

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To Do List 2012

According to City-Data.com, Los Angeles is more than 450 square miles wide. That’s 450 square miles of some of the country’s top restaurants, boutiques, hiking trails, events, bars, concerts, historic buildings and so much more. And in my 25 years, I haven’t even seen half of it. Thus, I have decided to create a “To Do List 2012,” detailing my desires for the things I hope to see and do in LA this year. Enjoy!

Hike the trails at the Griffith Observatory. I have been to the observatory several times, usually with out-of-town visitors who were awed by the venue’s gorgeous views of LA. However, I have yet to take an opportunity to hike the trails that curve above and below.

Take my boyfriend to The Huntington Library. He’s never been, and I haven’t been in years. See my previous post for reasons why a visit to the breathtaking collection of books, gardens and art is a must-do.

See Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo at the Santa Monica Pier. Described as “An immersion into the teeming and energetic world of insects,” Ovo features such awe-inspiring acts as flying art, a trampoline wall and a Spanish Web duo. The brilliant minds at Cirque never cease to amaze, and I have no reason to believe this latest traveling adventure should be any different. I always try to catch these performances when they come to town. Ovo opens on Jan. 20.

Visit The Getty Center. Yet another LA icon that I have never taken the time to see. With art, architecture, gardens, eateries and stunning views (plus, that monorail ride from the parking lot looks kind of fun), a visit to The Getty is a top priority for 2012.

Have afternoon tea at Chado Tea Room. I have heard amazing things about this place—which has a few locations throughout LA—but have not taken the opportunity to see it for myself. The choice of more than 200 blends of specialty teas + a triple-tiered tray of sweet and savory treats = yes, please!

Dine at A-Frame, Bouchon, Waterloo & City, The Stinking Rose, Katsuya, Ford’s Filling Station, Fraiche, Mas Malo, Umami Burger, Neptune’s Net, Fig & Olive, Piccolo, Osteria Mozza, the list goes on and on. These are places I have heard about through written review or recommendation. And they all sound delicious…

Visit the Los Angeles of County Museum of Art. I hate to admit that I have never been to LACMA; in 2012, that will change. The museum’s California Design, 1930-1965: “Living in a Modern Way” exhibit (open through June 3) sounds particularly intriguing. Other upcoming exhibits include In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States (Jan. 29-May 6, 2012), Robert Adams: The Place We Live, A Retrospective Selection (March 11-June 3, 2012), and Matisse’s La Gerbe (June 2-Oct. 7, 2012).

Take a stand-up paddle boarding class. Although I love the beach, water sports have never really been my thing. I’ve tried and failed at skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, even kite surfing, but paddle boarding is one water sport I think I can do. I plan to search around this summer for a place that offers beginner classes.

See American Idiot at the Ahmanson Theatre. It feels like I have been waiting for this show to come to LA for forever. I have friends who have seen it in other cities and said it is amazing. The show is a rock opera based on Green Day’s “American Idiot” album; featured numbers include “Jesus of Suburbia,” “Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and, of course, the title track. American Idiot runs March 13-April 22.

Have a night out at Pop, a champagne and dessert bar in Pasadena, and the delightful pairing of two of my favorite things. Runners-up in the nightlife category are Seven Grand, Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub and Bodega Wine Bar.