Patti's Prattles:the ultimate guide to beauty, travel, cruises and more

My husband Richard & I did something different this summer. We stayed home and are loving it. Yup, we've joined the staycation crowd. Never knew there was so much to do in our own backyard, as it were.  As travel writers we are usually in the air, on a ship, on the road or in a hotel--but not this summer. We are home, sweet home.  And the weather in Los Angeles has been more than accommodating. We are use our pool night and day and enjoy an adult beverage of two, like a zesty new drink called Limoncello

which I discovered. Man is it good. Also do some mighty fine tastings. Just had some friends over to open a  Jeroboam of Pine Ridge Chard which we've been saving for about 10 years--it was amazing. We also go hiking, biking, to the gym, and host house guests like our friends Bob and Jules Clampett from Seattle--actually they live on an island outside the Emerald City.  We are also using the time in town to sample new restaurants or return to favorites, go to the theater, and movies. We even treated the Clampetts to  Universal Studio on thespecial VIP tour--the only way to do the theme park. Yes, it's pricey ($199 per person) but you get a personalized tour with just 12 or so other people in a private van and you get front of the line passes, and special entry to areas others are not allowed to go. They even throw in a great lunch, served on a rooftop and catered by Universal chefs, who actually show up for the affair. We did the new Simpson's ride, it's a thriller albeit simulated, based on the popular TV show of course. It's a must do.

That's the Clampett's  at Universal.

 

We also go to the Hotel Bel-Air restaurant. regularly for dinner, took Bob & Jules there, too. Going there is almost like heading out of town. It's like a little tropical sanctuary with a peaceful pond inhabited by white swans, lots of lush foliage, a great staff and delicious food created by chef Bruno, one of our favorites. We book a booth on the Terrace and usually get the same spot. www.hotelbelair.com.

Also tried some new restaurants like STK in West Hollywood, where the steaks are the best in the west--not kidding--served by gracious wait people in a stunning black and white setting. Loved it. Luckyfish, a fun Asian restaurant in Beverly Hills where food circles around on a track and you pick and choose as it passes your table. All good, too.

Returned to Locanda del Lago in Santa Monica after a long absence. It's on the corner of Arizona and Third St. Promenade. They have a Monday-Friday antipasto buffet for only $12 that's amazing. Took my niece for her birthday and we both did the spread. The imported (from Italy)dried beef stuffed with goat cheese was divine, as was the chickensalad, tomatoes, mushrooms, pastas etc.

Anyhow staycations are great. Let me know if you've done anything like this recently. Sure beats crowded airports and battling traffic.

That's me, Patti, at the Hotel Bel-Air, Bob Clampett took the photo.

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Just had an article published in beachetc magazine which is put out by Platinum Publications (www.platinumpublications.com)  on the "belle of Santa Monica" beach, Missy Beaver, a buff, beautiful athletic trainer who buffs up beachgoers with medieval-like weights that look like cannon balls, called Kettle Belles. This is one regimen that really works to tone, trim, increase cardiovascular health and keep people from kicking sand in your face. Check out Missy at www.misfitla.com. Check out beachetc if you get anywhere along the shores at Santa Monica beach or write to editor@platinumublications.com to see how you can get a copy of this nifty bi-yearly magazine.

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Wow! I haven't been this excited about a new spa in a long time. This one's opening in Paradise Valley, Arizona at the luxurious  new Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. Went to a press briefing recently and met the impossinbly charming managing director, Valeriano Antonioli, a transplanted Italian from Milano. Valeriano's enthusiasm for the new Moroccan-influenced property flowed through The Little Door (a wonderful Los Angeles restaurant where the function was held) as he spoke with a Roberto Bernini-like flair. Anyhow the 253-room resort looks good enough for any Arizona vacation, but the Joya  Spa might prove the real draw.  Designed by spa doyenne Sylvia Sepilli,  the facility spans 31,000 square feet and sits right at the foot of Camelback Mountain. 

Info:  480-627-3141; www.montelucia.com;   5641 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

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 You really must visit  www.socialbutterflydesigns.com -- the brainchild of a Jill Gerbracht nee: Biggins-- very dear person whom I had the good fortune to see much of the world with when she was a top notch public relations executive at Princess Cruises and who was greatly missed when she left the cruise line to start a family and consequently a wonderful custom design business. Jill recently launched a web site to show off her and market her creative skills. It's called  "Social Butterfly Designs" and the site is as adorable as her family-- a beautiful mother, three impossibly cute children--and a great looking husband, too.  Anyhow, whether you're looking for precious treasures or just want to enjoy a serene and peaceful moment on line, set your browser to:  www.socialbutterflydesigns.com.

You'll find amazing treasures from jewelry to hand crafted, personalized invitations, letterhead, cards, announcements and precious collections amassed by this special woman.  Let me know how you like it.

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Okay my loyal readers, you look to me for great new products and here are two I tested this weekend that are phenomenal:  Nikkel Holistic Skincare Microdermabrasion Kit for In-Home Use and Hair Play Custom Blend Set & Seal. Let's start on the face. The Microdermabasion Kit is amazing. I've had the procedure in salons but nothing beats saving gas and time by doing it at home. The stuff really works, too. It's  the crystals that do the trick, but if you go out and get it be sure to follow directions. I screwed up the first time. You're supposed to wash your face first and pat it dry but leave it a little moist. However your hands should be dry. Then you apply a smidgeon of Step 1 to problem areas on your face and massage until the crystals exfoliate fully. Rinse and go to Step II for really baby soft, radient skin. This really could be the fountain in the youth in a jar we're all searching for. Trust me, lines are erased and wrinkles diminished. It's as good as a chemical peel, but less invasive and safer. Alas, it's not cheap, but much less expensive than at a day spa or salon at $79 per kit. Check it out at www.microdermx.com or email: info@microdermx.com.

Obviously Set&Seal is for hair, and these products also wowed me.  First you apply Set foam to clean, towel-dried hair and you can make curls or go straight and sassy. Then add a little "Seal" for a shiny, glossy texture and voila you look like you just walked out of a pricey New York or Beverly Hills salon.   www.hairplayproducts.com.

I also found a great teeth whitening product called iWhite. More about this soon.

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Wow! The economy isn't stopping Carnival Cruise Lines. The mega company that owns Princess, Seabourn, Holland America, Cunard et al--just announced it's latest entry into the high seas-- the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream – the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed. Slated to debut September 21, 2009, the  3,646-passenger vessel,currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, is part of the cruise company's SuperLiner class. 

Formerly a low budget product, Carnival has evolved as a major player in the past decade or so with major upgrades to its fleet that included much need improvement in food and accommodations--entertainment has always been tops on these ships. Anyhow the new liner introduces a concept called The Piazza--an  indoor/outdoor café and live music venue;  elaborate children’s facilites, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families.  

 A pithy quote from cruise line's latest press release states: “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about ship building and incorporated it into the magnificent Carnival Dream.  By offering the widest variety of all-inclusive facilities and features at sea, we will create fun, memorable vacations for our guests, all at an incredible value,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “From a bold new entertainment concept called The Piazza to innovative new larger stateroom categories and the most elaborate children’s facilities ever featured on any Carnival ‘Fun Ship’ – all of which are included in the initial cruise fare and accessible to everyone on board. – Carnival Dream was specifically designed with our valued guests in mind,” he added.                   

Carnival Dream is scheduled to do a l 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) featuring seven spectacular ports: Naples, Livorno and Venice (two-day call), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina,Sicily; Monaco; and Barcelona, Spain. Two additional 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises will be offered on October 3 and October 15, 2009.

        The ship will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 27 and arriving New York Nov. 12, 2009.  Featured ports include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, Spain; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; and King’s Wharf, Bermuda (overnight call).

        From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009.  These voyages include a call at Port Canaveral (in proximity to Orlando-area attractions), followed by a visit to Nassau and Freeport in The Bahamas.

       Following its New York departures, Carnival Dream will reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., where it will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises Dec. 5, 2009.    On its new Port Canaveral-based program, Carnival Dream will depart every Saturday on alternating weeklong cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Nassau; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles; while exotic Western Caribbean voyages will visit Cozumel; Belize; Costa Maya; and Nassau.  Carnival Dream will assume this route from the Carnival Glory, which will be redeployed to Miami to operate year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning October 3, 2009.

 Ships stats: at 1,004 feet in length Carnival Dream is the largest and longest “Fun Ship” ever constructed and the line has made maximum use of the vessel’s added size by creating some truly spectacular on-board facilities and features.           

There's also  a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5.  four “scenic whirlpools” cantilever out over the sea providing magnificent sea views. Higher up, Lido Deck 10 will offer the most elaborate and expansive open-deck area of any Carnival ship with a tropical, resort-style main pool complete with a Seaside Theatre LED screen, a Serenity adults-only retreat,  and numerous other features.

Lots of  lounges, bars and nightspots –  a new dance club concept offering indoor/outdoor access – will be accessible via an 11-deck-high atrium whose ground level will offer a cantilevered bandstand atop a massive dance floor. Other features include an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa – Carnival’s largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date. 

Stateroom comfort--we like big and balconies and the new ship will offer both when Carnival premiers its "cove" balcony staterooms – located closer to the water line. Deluxe ocean view staterooms – they say offer a guest-friendly configuration with two bathrooms – and provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience for guests who can enjoy their unique spaciousness, particularly families. In addition to twin beds that convert to a king, ample closet space and elegant décor, the two-bathroom configuration will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom featuring a junior tub with shower and sink.

There are even staterooms that can accommodate five guests – a rarity in new ship construction and also ideal for families. Additionally, there will be a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites from which to choose – all offering the best in scenic cruising.  Additionally, adjacent to Carnival Dream’s luxurious Cloud 9 Spa will be 65 spa staterooms and suites which will offer guests a number of exclusive amenities and privileges.

All Carnival Dream staterooms will feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Family-friendly amenities will include separate, purpose-built facilities for the line’s three distinct children’s programs: “Camp Carnival” for kids ages 2-11, “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year-olds, and “Club O2” for teens ages 15 to 17, along with a full schedule of morning-til-night activities catering to each age group.

Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park offering exhilarating water slides and various water spray apparatus. Carnival Dream will also be the first “Fun Ship” to feature a two-level miniature golf course.

All this, combined with the spacious two-bathroom staterooms and an attractive and convenient Port Canaveral/Central Florida homeport, will make Carnival Dream an exceptional family vacation.

       Reservations will be accepted for all of Carnival Dream’s cruises starting July 1, 2008. A special online preview of the Carnival Dream is available now at carnival.com/dream.  The site showcases a variety of the exciting features and amenities of this spectacular new ship. 

        For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

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Give them an Every Man Jack "Beginner's Luck Kit" they will love it. The kit comes with a hydrating shave gel,  gentle face wash that smells like coconuts and does a deep pore cleansing, post-shave face lotion that's macho, hydrating and helps heals dry skin or razor knicks, body wash made with coconut, essential oils that's invigorating and moisturizing and soap made of pure vegetables and marine extracts that also moiszturize, And guess what, it's only $24.99 at www.EveryJack.com or www.Target.com.

Ultimate Digital Entertainment System

From the garage to the den and outside at the BBQ, dads can have a variety of their favorite tunes playing ALL AT THE SAME TIME! Sonos (www.sonos.com) is an easy to use portable, wireless music system with a handheld remote that lets dads manipulate their music from anywhere inside OR outside of the house – and in multiple rooms simultaneously (so, while dad is in the garage listening to Sports Radio, mom can be in the kitchen listening to jazz and little Sally can be upstairs rocking out to Hannah Montana in her room). And better yet, Sonos comes with over 300 Internet radio stations free of charge (so there is something for everyone to listen to right when the device gets turned on)!   

Dads can set an alarm to start/stop and change up the music whenever they like and with the wireless Sonos Controller, they have access to millions of songs — including songs from their personal music services (Rhapsody, Napster, etc.), Internet radio and their personal music collections. Friends can come over and bring their iPods and play them right from the system as well. Sonos is a great gift for the dad who loves to entertain and has a full household – it’s like the family cell phone plan, but for music!  Okay it's $999.00, but isn't he worth it! Available at:  www.sonos.com and Best Buy stores nationwide<?
Docupen--this unique slimline gadget scans in seconds right to his PC. Portable, easy to use--but if  he works with Vista, he'll need a special Vista Paperport Application available from the company or on the web. 877-362-8735 for more information

Tags: Sonos Controller, Father's Day gift guide

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