Sewing is Fun

On Christmas 08, I gave my kids a sewing machine toy. It's the cutest toy and actually works like a real one. They love and enjoy to sew every time when we bring out the machines to play. My kids have come up with many ideas and projects. It is actually great for their creative mind and handwork. They always have fun with their projects, and I enjoy seeing my kids have fun.
My big girl does great with sewing.
She was making a pink pillow with a little help of grandma.
Here is the pillow. My little girl pretended to sleep to enjoy the new pillow. " Please excuse my mouth from being a little messy from my snack!"....
My little girl with her machine. She was sewing a quilt for her doll.
Here is their work. The leopard dress with red belt on the doll is my little girl's work. It was her idea to choose colors for the dress and the quilt. My big girl made the pink heart mini hand bag for me by hand sewing. Sweet!
The red/green book mark was made by the big girl. My little girl loves to make clothing for her doll. Yeah, She made the blue/yellow dress, but she didn't sew this time. She actually just wrapped the material around the doll, and secured it with the belt. Oh, she changed her mind that the doll's quilt became art and it should be framed. Don't you love this sewing machine toy? It is so adorable, but it's little hard to work with.
While this one is simple and easy to work with.

MORE RANDOM PICTURES OF THE KIDS.
My little girl was ready for her show at school. She played a puppy. So cute!
My big girl read her science report in her classroom. She loves science.

And now time for my ballerinas.
This is my big ballerina. Look at her pose! very impressive!
Here is my little ballerina.
For now, I should go to bed. Good night!!
Thank you for visiting and comments! Wish you all a wonderful day ahead!!
Big hugs...Hanh;-)

Non-Gulf Beaches in America

The article “America’s 10 Most Beautiful Beaches Not on the Gulf Coast” offers an interesting list of America's not on the Gulf Coast beaches. Here is the quater from the article and their list:
...there are numerous other seashores to visit that offer the same scenic beauty – the only difference is that the non-Gulf waters may be a bit cooler.

  • Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
    The death place of legendary pirate Blackbeard contains more than three centuries of history and culture left behind by traders and sailors from all over the world. The village of Ocracoke – home to the 1823 Ocracoke Lighthouses and the century-old David Williams house – is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The breathtaking beach is protected by 20-foot high sand dunes, which cover miles of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
  • Ocracoke Island

  • Bahia Honda State Park, Florida
    Widely considered home to Florida’s most beautiful beaches, Bahia Honda State Park possesses soft sand and crystal clear water. It’s a snorkeler’s paradise because of the deep waters near shore, and kayaking and fishing opportunities are aplenty. The island boasts the highest quantity of colorful subtropical flowers in the Keys, including bay cedar, tiger lily and sea lavender. Silver and thatch palms ensure the beaches are authentically tropical.
  • Bahia Honda State Park

  • Hamoa Beach, Hawaii
    Towering sea cliffs surround this less populated section of Maui, where the currents are strong and the surf is dangerous. Swimmers are encouraged to test the waters in the summer and early fall when conditions are safest. Those who prefer to stay dry can enjoy a picnic on the shore while observing the lush greenery.
  • HamoaBeach

Kailua Beach, Hawaii
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hawaii
Kiawah Beachwalker Park, South Carolina
East Hampton Main Beach, New York
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Florida
Cumberland Island, Georgia
Coronado Beach, California

Having Fun at Dolly Python Vintage Shop

I had so much fun on Saturday date with my girlfriends, Nini and Nha Khanh. Especially at Dolly Python vintage shop. You can imagine how much fun it is when girls together with the same common passion; loving fashion. We were so silly and enjoyed our time together. Yeah, we all had some goodies to bring home.

This is the necklaces that I purchased.Yes, right away, I had some necklaces on right there ;-). The long chain whistle necklace is fun.
Nini and I brought home the vintage fox tails fur. I attached mine to Derek Lam bag that I purchased from last year 75% off.
Friendly and cute! Her booties are rock and her cute tulle blouse was a thrift find.
Nini walked around the store, played with the camera, and took pictures of the reflection, just like a little kid. Cute!
Reflection of us. I looked like a spy ;-)
We both had on the new necklaces.
Reflection of us. Being silly in front of the camera.
Nha Khanh tried on the vintage fur jacket which I couldn't say No to bring home with me for $35.00.
I'm in love with my Rodarte booties. They're surprisingly comfy.
Thank you everyone for stopping by and your comments!
Wishing you all a lovely day! Kisses...Hanh ;-)

Poland Backlog

 Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber


I'm in Poland, and I have a lot to post about Jewish heritage in the little (rather depressed and depressing) town of Piotrkow Trybunalski -- and also my impressions from Krakow, where I am attending the latest edition -- the 20th --  of the Festival of Jewish Culture.

I doubt if anyone out there is holding their breath for these reports..... but I'll get to them! Meanwhile a photo or two from the wonderful Jewish cemetery in Piotrkow....

Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber

England is Out of the World Cup - Here's the Silver Lining

While we may be dismayed at England's abrupt World Cup departure, the UK travel industry is gearing up for a surge in queries and bookings. We saw this behaviour during the last World Cup (see most recent blog post for the data) and a recent article on Travelmole.com is predicting the same. In fact, one tour operator saw a week on week increase in web traffic of 40% following England's loss yesterday.

We advise you to check budgets to ensure they are adequate for capturing the expected interest. Also, conversion rates are expected to rise as "lookers" turn into "bookers." Adjust bids accordingly to gain visibility for your advertisements.

Nate Bucholz from Google Travel UK

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent lace Blouse

Thank you everyone for the comments. I noticed that many of you love my old Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent lace blouse which I wore it in the past post. I love it too! Yes, I wore it again in this post. This time, I styled it more fancy for evening by throwing over my new Catherine Malandrino leather petals sewing on sheer vest (I adore this vest) which I recently purchased it 60% off at Neiman, and Zero+Maria Cornejo pants, Valentino belt, Gucci shoes. These Gucci shoes are from last spring and very comfy because of the thick platform.
Leather cuff with mother of pearl Buddha inlaid by Suzanne Wilson.
I love the drapery of the pants.
Thank you everyone for your continuing support! Wishing you all a happy Sunday and a wonderful week ahead!!
Kisses...Hanh;-)

We Love Fashion

Nini and I had a date for lunch yesterday. We had a great time. It's always nice to see her. We like to chat about everything for hours, especially fashion. Yeah, we both love fashion...hehe...As you see, we were reading Vogue Paris.
Nini wore Erdem skirt, Vince top, and Fendi booties.
I wore my old Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent lace top, Mayle trousers, Gucci shoes.

It's just a short post. Hopefully, you enjoy it. Good night!! and wishing you all a lovely weekend!!
Big hugs...Hanh ;-)

Summer 2010 Whitepaper: "A Paper Of Two Halves"






We're pleased to announce the release of our latest whitepaper, "A Paper Of Two Halves". Throughout the paper, we've highlighted insights on last year's query behaviour and have provided data which will hopefully help Travel advertisers plan for the summer ahead. We welcome any feedback on the paper and hope, as ever, that it proves insightful.

Please find the whitepaper at this link

Posted by Jonny Cranmer, Industry Analyst.

Italy -- Jewish Heritage Route in Pesaro opens

A Jewish heritage route in the Italian city of Pesaro will be operative this summer, as in past years, every Thursday afternoon through September.The route includes the old Jewish quarter, the synagogue, whose complex includes a mikvah and a matzo oven, and the Jewish cemetery.

 The synagogue, probably dating from the early 17th century, is noted for its beautifully decorate vaulting, is on via delle Scuole and will be open from 4-7 p.m. .The cemetery is nearby on the San Bartolo hill, and will be open from 5-7 p.m.


For information, call +39 0721 400858, or +39 335 1746509

For Italian speakers, here's what the newspaper Il Resto di Carlino says:
Collocata nel cuore dell’antico quartiere ebraico, la sinagoga sefardita (o di rito spagnolo) è uno degli edifici storici più suggestivi del centro che risale alla metà del XVI secolo. E’ questo un periodo d’oro per Pesaro che vede il suo porto ampliato, per boicottare quello di Ancona, da Guidubaldo II Della Rovere. In città accorrono molti ebrei portoghesi che hanno l’esigenza di continuare i propri studi mistici.

Infatti la struttura in cui è inglobata la sinagoga (o scola, termine con cui un tempo si indicava appunto la sinagoga), ospitava anticamente le scuole di studi cabalistici, di musica e materna. All’interno dell’edificio, perfettamente recuperato, si possono ammirare ancora oggi gli elementi architettonici legati alle funzioni che quel luogo svolgeva per la comunità, come il forno per la cottura del pane azzimo o la vasca per i bagni di purificazione.

Accanto alla sinagoga, anche il cimitero ebraico (strada panoramica San Bartolo c/o n. 161), è aperto da giugno a settembre il giovedì dalle 17 alle 19 (info Ente Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo 0721 400858, 335 1746509). Adagiato sulle pendici del colle San Bartolo, fino a metà novecento lo spazio appariva come una scoscesa pendice campestre con rade alberature; nel 2002 è stato poi recuperato dalla Fondazione Scavolini che ne ha reso possibile la fruizione.

Not For Under 21

What is your favorite cocktail drink in summer? Mine is a fabulously creative strawberry martini and mojito. I'm normally not a drinker, but these two are exceptions.
This is the strawberry martini; vodka, a touch of vermouth, and strawberry. It's fun to sip with my husband at home when we watch TV and the kids are in bed. I love the sweetness and acid of the strawberry in this drink- it's so refreshing.
Mojito is great. The peppermint aroma and a touch of lime is very refreshing. But the one in this picture had too much of peppermint, to me.
And this is a not so G-rated nude motif top from MiuMiu. I love the cat, the daisy, the nude figure, the sequin, and sheerness here. This top is perfect for cocktail hour ;-).
I style it with a Proenza skirt. Anton Heunis cuff.
Thank you for the love and comments!!
Wishing you a wonderful day!!!Kisses...Hanh ;-)