DESTINATION: TRAMPOLINE DISCO BIRTHDAY PARTY!

April 30, 2013 in DO, EAT, SPIRITUALITY | Tags: , , , , , , | by | 2 comments

Stephanie-Johnson,-Jump-Lif

I had a birthday recently and as birthdays often do, it got me thinking.  I realized that since the birth of my daughter, who shares the same birthday month,  I haven’t celebrated me and my birthday as I’m so centered around her big birthday plans.  This year was going to be different.  I knew I wanted to share my day with close girlfriends and I wanted to do something special.  So the invite called for spandex and sneakers, and I surprised everyone with a trampoline disco party.  What better way to kick start your new year than with a kick ass fitness class that leaves you feeling healthy and strong?

JumpLife is the vision of Montserrat Markou.  Its first and only location happens to be two blocks from my house, making it exceedingly convenient.  They provide two class options, JumpDance, which focuses on all dance and cardio using individual trampolines, and JumpGym, which incorporates hand weights and some ab work.  You feel like a rock star (probably healthier than a rock star) when you leave this place and safe to say you’ve lost a pound in sweat.  I love my girlfriends for joining me to jump!

I’m committed to growing older gracefully and staying fit and sexy is part of the plan, as is putting the right foods into my body.  Fittingly, I received two books as gifts that fit right in with the plan.  One, the Art of Attention is a beautiful book (workbook really) on an evolving yoga practice.  Perfect for me since I’ve been a yogi for over twenty years now.  The other, is a truly stunning cookbook (that word doesn’t do this work of art justice) called Plenty.  It’s the all-vegetable book I’ve been dreaming of, with photos that will blow your mind.

Another friend gifted me a ticket to the Edible Schoolyard NYC fundraiser.  Founded by Alice Waters, Edible Schoolyard works to bring gardens to schools where children who normally wouldn’t have access to fresh produce can grow their own.  They provide a hands-on edible education that includes teaching kids to embrace sustainable eating practices and to make food choices that will change their health.

If last year was about getting outside my comfort zone and experiencing new things, this coming year is the time to reconnect with friends over a healthy meal at home and get back to basics.  Less technology and more personal connection.  Health and wellness in body, mind, and spirit.  And appreciation for everything I have.

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DESTINATION: MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE!

April 23, 2013 in GIFT GUIDE, SHOP | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re still looking for the perfect gift for Mom:  look no further!  I’ve compiled some of the greatest hits from our current Stephanie Johnson collection to offer ideas for inspired gifting.

Take a peek below and then be sure to check your inboxes (or our Facebook page) tomorrow, April 25th, as we’ll be launching a special promotion to make shopping for Mom even sweeter.

Happy browsing and as always, travel chic!

Stephanie-Johnson-Napa-Erel

1.  Napa Erela Jewelry Case:  Named after my (almost!) five-year-old daughter Erela, this jewelry case has a special place in my heart.  Erela includes two clear zip pockets, a ring roll, and a sizeable snap-out fabric pouch with zip closure, all with plenty of room to house your favorite gems.  Why not enclose a carefully chosen pair of earrings or necklace inside, to make for an extra special gift?

2.  Ibiza Lavender Alex Sparkle Cosmetic:  Give Mom the gift of glamour with this sparkly zip top bag, featuring waterfall sequins in lovely lavender.  Perfect for a special dinner, a festive brunch, or a night out on the town.

3.  Charleston Katie Folding Cosmetic:  With its two clear zip pockets and snap closure, this sleek cosmetic case is a great home for makeup essentials, and its delicately feminine rose and beige diamond pattern raffia exterior allows it to double as a pretty handbag.

Stephanie-Johnson-Miami-Yel

4.  Tucson Sky ML Traveler:  A perennial best-seller, our ML Traveler is the Cadillac of cosmetic carry-alls.  With two snap-out mesh pouches, a removable clear zip pouch, clear wall pocket, and removable mirror, it may be the most versatile piece in our organizational arsenal.  If your Mom appreciates having everything in its place, she’ll love the ML.

5.  Miami Yellow Side Handle Tube:  If a summer vacation is on the books, you won’t want to travel without our Side Handle Tube!  It’s the perfect size to fill with sunscreen and other sea or poolside basics, and the side handle makes it easy to carry along.  Cheery transparent lemon yellow means you’ll know exactly what’s inside.

6.  Tucson Sky Fiona Dome Cosmetic:  Aqua, chocolate, saffron and sage zigzag across soft white canvas in this enchanting half-moon shaped clutch.  Pair it with our Tucson Sky ML Traveler to make an extra special gift.

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7.  Torino Mary Brush Case:  Ultra-modern zigzag raffia meets raspberry patent leather trim, raspberry patent tassel zipper pulls and inviting lemon liner in a cosmetic case that’s perfect for every day use.  The interior lid contains four pockets for makeup brushes and the base boasts plenty of room for cosmetics.

8.  Miami Pink Medium Zip Cosmetic:  Our Medium Zip Cosmetic is a favorite among beauty editors because its size and shape makes it the ideal everyday makeup bag.  Great for the gym, the pool, and the beach (or anywhere!), put all of your essentials on display in oh-so-pretty, transparent hot pink.   As seen on Daily Candy.com and in the pages of Cosmopolitan Magazine.

9.  Palm Desert White Snap Mirror:  Swirls of metallic gold zebra printed on creamy white canvas adds a serious dose of glamour to our double-sided compact mirror.  Secures with our signature gold ‘S’ logo stud snap closure.

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10.  Malibu Lemon Large Flat Pouch & Gold Wristlet:  Our Large Flat Pouch is a great everyday basic.  Fill it with essentials – everything from band aids to hair ties to makeup to jewelry – to keep in your handbag, or attach our gold wristlet to the zipper pull to easily transform it into a pretty clutch.  I’ve selected the bright and sunny Malibu Lemon color as it’s as cheerful as a spring day, but we’ve got oodles of prints and colors to choose from!

11.  Tucson Desert Molly Straw Mat:  A picnic in the park, a lazy beach day . . . our straw mat is destined to become Mom’s favorite summer companion!  Natural straw trimmed in bright red grosgrain folds up into a compact carrying case, complete with grosgrain handles for easy portability.

12.  Miami Orange Jumbo Zip Cosmetic:  For travel or for life, this jumbo sized case is simply a bright and pretty way to carry and store lots and lots of beauty products.  You won’t believe how much product it holds!

DESTINATION: HAWAII, PART TWO!

April 16, 2013 in DO, EAT, SEE | Tags: , , , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

Stephanie-Johnson,-Tennis,-

The tranquil paradise of the Big Island of Hawaii offers so much to experience, I couldn’t confine my ten day visit to just one post.  For tips on my favorite Big Island resorts and must-pack items, check out Destination Hawaii, Part One.  Then read on below for Part Two of my Hawaiian adventure!

DO

The Fairwind II is a large catamaran that takes you out for a BBQ lunch and snorkel cruise.  I’m not a big ‘group’ person and I absolutely loved this trip.  The staff was A+.  My finicky four-year-old lasted all of 30 seconds with her snorkel and mask and was able to trade them in for a more manageable wave board with a clear window to view the fish below.  The diving board and slide on board feel Disney-fied, but are an absolute blast.  If you are traveling without children in tow you may want to try the more civilized Hula Kai luxury tour.  www.fair-wind.com

After such success aboard the Fairwind, I really got into being on the water and booked us a sunset cruise aboard the Winona at Mauna Lani Sea Adventures.  My daughter protested.  Sounds like a snore.  She ate her words after we were treated to a mama and baby whale that took a liking to us and shared over an hour of our journey with us.  The captain said they maybe get a show like that once a season.  I may have cried and can assure you I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than a mother and her nursing baby whale hugging our vessel.   I will definitely book that trip again.

Check out Rudy and Leanne at the tennis pavilion at The Fairmont Orchid.  This ten court Tennis Center is consistently ranked as one of the tops in the U.S. and these guys are the reason why.  Their drills and kick ass clinics made my trip.

I was the girl in junior high that climbed the high dive while everyone waited to see me make a glorious splash, only to be disappointed when I turned around humiliated and climbed back down the stairs.  So although my spunky and fearless four-year-old was game for a zip line experience, my fear of heights kept us beach bound.  However if it is adventure you want, try the Umauma falls and zipline experience.   I can’t speak from experience but the word is they are the absolute best.

If you stay at the Orchid make sure you connect with Rachel, one of their concierges, before you go.  She is incredibly knowledgeable and has the gift of ‘getting you,’ so have her plan both your dining reservations/recommendations and your island adventures.

EAT

I tend not to be a resort restaurant kinda girl but sometimes you just can’t get away from it.  Hawaii can be one of those destinations where ‘local’ dining can sometimes be a predicament.  The fact that my daughter ate free was another motivator for staying on property.  We had beautiful meals surf side at both Brown’s Beach House at the Fairmont and Canoe House at the neighboring Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows.  Napua is a beachfront restaurant at the Mauna Lani Beach Club that felt more like a secret, and we ate poke there for lunch almost every day.

Monstera is a great sushi option off resort.  Trust Chef Norio to prepare the most delicious and fresh combinations of fish and you won’t be disappointed.  Another off property must is the Seafood Bar & Grill.  Finally a place that had a real old Hawaiian feel with a menu to match.  The breakfast buffet is sort of a tradition on any Hawaiian vacay but one morning I felt obliged to try pancakes ‘as big as your head’ at Hawaiian Style Cafe.  If brown breakfast food is your thing (think coffee, toast, pancakes, French toast, SPAM, yes SPAM) then this is your dream destination.  Although I dug the local vibe (only sit at the counter), I admit I was missing those fresh squeezed guava and lilikoi juices back at the hotel buffet.

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