Happy Birthday to my forever idol and style inspiration.
Not only do I love his collections for women & men, but I also own his fragrances, necklaces, earrings, towels & home store products!
Happy Birthday Mister Lauren.
Beauty | AHAVA | SKIN CARE
Today I am sharing a few of the skin care products that I purchased a couple of months ago when I visited Israel. While in Israel, we visited the Dead Sea Region(*), and nearby I found a store (overlooking the Dead Sea shores) that sold an infinite amount of AHAVA creams. I decided to bring a few of these cremes back with me. While I had heard of AHAVA products before, this was my first time purchasing them.
AHAVA creams are made with active dead sea minerals. These minerals are found in the Dead Sea are supposed to rejuvenate your skin. They are paraben free, allergy tested, free of animal testing, produced without petroleum, and approved for sensitive skin. Wish I had purchased more!
(*) The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east, and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its surface is 1,407 feet below sea level (429 meters). The Dead Sea has become a location for health research due to the mineral content of the water seems to have positive effects on health.
SHOP AHAVA PRODUCTS:
Israel | A Night out in Jerusalem | Travel Diary
A Night Out in Jerusalem, Israel
Tonight we decided to dress up and go out!
The American Colony Hotel is located in the heart of Jerusalem, and it is quite enchanting! While here we found out that the guest list to this hotel has included Winston Churchill, Mikhail Gorbachev, Tony Blair, Bob Dylan and Lawrence of Arabia!
We have been making the most of our time here, waking up around 6 AM, and going to bed around midnight!!! We try to walk around the walled city at least once a day, and then we are just doing guided tours of everything else.
Oh, and buying so many souvenirs, I will need an extra bag for them.
Shalom
A Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholenesss, prosperity or tranquility. It can also be used to mean both Hello and Goodbye.
PLACES TO STAY IN JERUSALEM
- Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem
- The American Colony Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World
- Old City Boutique Hotel
- Mamilla Hotel
Israel | Travel Diary | Amazing Historic Landmarks to See
HISTORIC LANDMARKS TO SEE IN ISRAEL
It’s been an AMAZING opportunity to be in Israel – the Holy Land. Inside Jerusalem, also known as the ‘Old City,’ you can find the most sacred sites in the country, but there is a long list of historic landmarks in the entire land of Israel that can be visited.
Below is a list of the places that we have visited so far, and will visit during our time here.
- Mount of Beautitudes (It is located up on a hill. Jesus is believed to have delivered the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ right here).
- Old City of Jerusalem (Our hotel wass located a few blocks away, so we went as much as possible. There is so much to see!)
- Church of Holy Sepulchre (Located inside the ‘Old City’ of Jerusalem.) (This place is packed with tourists, so it is better to go early in the morning when it opens around sunrise, or very late before it closes around 7pm). We went on our own about 3 times, and then with our guide. The first time we went was on the night we arrived, as the sun was setting. This is not a good idea!!! the ‘Old City’ is like a labyrinth and you get lost easily).
- The Western (Wailing) Wall (if you want to visit the tunnels, reserve before arriving!!)
- Mount of Olives (adjacent to Jerusalem’s Old City)
- The Jewish Quarter
- Take a Day Trip to the Dead Sea!
- Masada (Situated on top of an isolated rock plateau. We took a ride up to it, and walked it down afterwards. Must wear tennis shoes for this!).
RELATED POSTS
- Israel | A Night out in Jerusalem | Travel Diary
- Jordan | Our Arrival to Amman | Best Things to see in Amman
- Best Places to stay in Amman, Jordan
A Camel Ride in Petra | Best hotels near Petra Jordan
Best Hotels near Petra Jordan
Today I had my first ever camel ride in Petra, Jordan! I am in the middle of the dessert, and what a wonderful experience this is. The picture above was taken as I retured from the camel ride, and before I got off the camel.
The weather is desert hot, and a bit unbearable to be honest. Glad I had my camera to capture these incredible moments, and now be able to share them with you!
My flats are unfortunately destroyed. They were super comfortable for walking though, but I wore them because I forgot to pack a pair of sneakers.
PETRA, JORDAN
New 7 Wonders of the World
Things to Do in Petra: (1) Camel Ride, (2) Petra by Night
Petra is an archeological site in Jordan’s desert, dating back to around 300 B.C. It contains tombs and temples carved into pink sandstone cliffs, that is why it is called “Rose City.” Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, and Jordan’s most visited tourist attraction.
I highly recommend a camel ride. I also recommend the Petra by Night tour (after-dark guided excursion), I had not signed up for it, and thirty minutes before the bus was leaving, I was urged to go. It was an undescribable experience, the entire path that leads you into Petra to the treasury is lit the entire way by luminaries, countless candles around you, and music is being played by different instruments while you sit under the stars.
I am glad I went, and that I ignored the negative reviews online. The Night Tour is a must if you are on a romantic trip. Everything lasts about two hours. Expect to be surrounded by 150-200 people. We sat all the way at the back, which was great because it allowed us to head back early before the crowd. ** Wear comfortable shoes… a lot of walking again!
I purchased several necklaces from the young boys that offer to sell you one non-stop. They have beautiful pieces, and I saw it as a way of collaborating with the locals.
This site is featured in the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Arabian Nights, The Mummy Returns, Transformers, as well as many other films.
I hope you have a wonderful time exploring Petra!
PLACES TO STAY NEAR PETRA
Click on any of the hotels listed below, to see the rooms, prices and reviews.
- Petra Marriott Hotel
- Petra Guest House Hotel
- Movenpick Resort Petra
- Petra Canyon Hotel
- Town Season Hotel
- Petra Moon Hotel
- La Maison Hotel
See all available hotels, reviews, and prices here.
WHAT TO READ FOR YOUR JORDAN TRIP
Best Places to stay in Amman, Jordan
JORDAN
A Summer Day
Amman Citadel & Roman Theatre
Pants: purchased locally in Jordan // Shirt: Banana Republic // Sunglasses: BCBG // Necklace: purchased locally in Jordan
I have been in true ‘awe’ of everything that we are seeing this entire trip. What an incredible experience to be here on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, so far from home, and witnessing a different culture, a different landscape, a different language, a different lifestyle… Trying to take it all in…
Anyway, these pants are my favorite! The temperature outside is extremely high, so when I saw the pants I had to buy them! I just have no idea what to wear otherwise. They are very thin so that air breathes through them. I love them! If you pay attention to the details on the pattern, there are elephants on it, so cute! Here are a few photos of the Amman Citadel and the Roman Theater.
The necklace that I am wearing was sold to me by a young boy that walked around offering necklaces.
Lots of love from this side of the world!!! 🙂
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN AMMAN JORDAN
- W Amman Hotel
- Four Seasons Hotel
- The St. Regis Amman
- Fairmont Amman
- The House Boutique Suites
- The Ritz Carlton
- Movenpick Hotel Amman
See all Amman area hotels, reviews and prices here.
WHAT TO READ FOR YOUR JORDAN TRIP
Jordan | Our Arrival to Amman | Best Things to see in Amman
First day in Amman, JORDAN!
I am beyond excited as it is my first time visiting this country! I am looking forward to everything!
AMMAN, JORDAN
Best Things to See or Visit:
- Amman Citadel (ancient ruins), amazing panoramic views of the city!
- Roman Amphitheater
- The Jordan Museum
- Tour of Petra
- Visit a spice shop (flavorful & colorful visit! countless spices!)
[This picture was taken in Israel, where we were earlier during the day before we traveled to Jordan.]
BEST PLACES TO STAY
W Amman Hotel
Four Seasons Hotel
The St. Regis Amman
Fairmont Amman
The House Boutique Suites
The Ritz Carlton
Movenpick Hotel Amman
See all Amman area hotels and reviews here.
WHAT TO READ FOR YOUR JORDAN TRIP
MORE POSTS ABOUT JORDAN
Beauty | Skin Care Products
Happy Friday ladies! Today I wanted to share a few basic skin care products that I use on a daily basis. Two of these are Cetaphil products that I have been using for over a decade. Prior to using make-up remover to take off my lip-stick, eye-shadow, foundation, etc, I like to wash my face with warm water and Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser. I love that it feels very soft for my skin. After I wash my face, I remove all excess eye make-up with Neutrogena’s Oil Free Make-Up remover. This remover is specifically made for sensitive eyes (this is very important!).
With regards to how I take care of my under eye area, I use La Roche-Posay’s Redermic Eye [C]. This cream helps reduce the look of deep wrinkles and also reinforce the skin’s support structure (I use this once daily). It is not very cheap but you can conveniently purchase it at most drugstores. From the brand La Roche-Posay I also love the Thermal Water, it soothes and softens the skin that has been irritated by the sun, while protecting against skin aging.
What about you? What products are included in your daily skin care routine? If you have yet to create a routine, I suggest you start with these, I know you will enjoy them!
Barcelona Fashion | Custo Barcelona AW13
CUSTO BARCELONA Autumn-Winter 2013/14
Catalan fashion designer Custo Dalmau loves complex patterns. For Fall he relied on an extensive gray & brown color pallete, and played with metallic textures. I personally loved the shape of these dresses: fitted, not long, and with an accent belt on the waist, creating a lovely silhouette to showcase a woman’s body. Take a look at my favorite outfits below!
CUSTO BARCELONA Otoño-Invierno 2013-14
Al diseñador de moda catalán, Custo Dalmau, le gustan las estampados originales y atractivos. Para el otoño se basó en una extensa paleta de grises y marrones, para lograr un look sobrio y casual. Me ha encantado la forma de los vestidos: cortos, al cuerpo, y con un cinturón en la cintura para remarcar la silueta del cuerpo de la mujer. Arriba pueden ver los looks que mas me gustaron…
Barcelona Fashion | Celia Vela AW13
CELIA VELA Autumn-Winter 2013
COLLECTION “Mille-feuille”
At first glance, Celia Vela’s newest collection appears to be a simple job but when you pay close attention to the details, you discover the complexity of each outfit. Celia Vela has been able to play with volumes, different fabrics and textures to create romantic and delicate looks. She used at least five different fabrics, including tulle, jacquard and embroidery to design the outfits. That is probably why she named her collection “Mille-Feuille” which literally translates to ‘a thousand layers.” Take a look below!
CELIA VELA Otoño-Invierno 2013
COLECCIÓN “Milhojas”
A primera vista, la nueva colección de Celia Vela parece ser un trabajo sencillo, pero cuando se presta mucha atención a los detalles, se descubre la complejidad de cada atuendo. Celia Vela ha sido capaz de jugar con volúmenes, diferentes telas y texturas para crear looks románticos y delicados. Ella utilizó al menos cinco tejidos diferentes, incluyendo el tul, sarga, jacquard y bordado para diseñar los trajes. Esa es probablemente la razón por la que nombró a su colección “Mille-feuille,”que se traduce literalmente como “mil capas.” A ver si les gusta!
Ph: 080 Barcelona Fashion
Barcelona Fashion | Justicia Ruano AW13
JUSTICIA RUANO Autumn-Winter 2013
Justicia Ruano is a designer that I am obsessed with! When I look at her designs I can tell she has a passion for creating exquisite, seductive and lady-like looks.
Her collection showcased plenty of silk, satin, and sequins, as well as gloves & boots to decorate high-waisted pencil skirts or dresses.
I hope that you enjoy the looks below! Congrats to Justicia Ruano for giving us a lesson on elegance, and for creating pieces that accentuate the natural sensuality of the modern woman.
JUSTICIA RUANO Invierno-Otoño 2013
Justicia Ruano es una diseñadora de la que estoy obsesionada! Cuando se observan sus diseños se nota que ella tiene una pasión por crear looks exquisitos y seductivos para una lady.
En su colección se vió un montón de seda, satén y lentejuelas, así como guantes y botas para decorar faldas de talle lápiz o vestidos.
Espero que disfruten lo que propone para la próxima temporada! Felicitaciones a Justicia Ruano por darnos una lección de elegancia, y por crear piezas que acentúan de forma natural la sensualidad de la mujer moderna.
Photography: 080 Barcelona Fashion
Barcelona Fashion | Mango SS13
MANGO
Spring-Summer 2013
MANGO unveiled its latest looks during the first day of 080 Barcelona Fashion. I love this Spanish brand, and I wore it daily during my years spent in Spain obtaining my graduate degree. What I enjoy about MANGO is that it offers women a modern yet contemporary style of clothing, at an affordable price (especially for a non-working student!). Every one of their looks is simple, trendy, & modern. For the Spring-Summer season, MANGO opted for white tones that highlighted the outfits, creating timeless clean silhouettes. Some transparencies & embroideries were added for a suggestive look. I loved their amazing spring trends!!!
Below is a photo of every outfit that I need in my closet.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for another look from Barcelona’s fashion week!
Have a great day…xox
MANGO
Primavera-Verano 2013
MANGO dió a conocer sus últimos looks durante el primer día del 080 Barcelona Fashion. A mí personalmente me encanta esta marca, y yo la usaba a diario durante mis años vividos en España mientras estudiaba para obtener mi posgrado. Lo que me gusta de MANGO es que le ofrece a las mujeres un estilo moderno y contemporáneo de prendas de vestir, a un muy buen precio (especialmente para los estudiantes que no trabajan!). Cada una de las prendas es simple y moderna. Para la temporada primavera-verano MANGO ha optado por tonos blancos, logrando de esa manera siluetas clásicas. Agregaron transparencias y bordados para un look mas atractivo. La colección entera está espectacular!!!
Arriba les muestro una foto de cada look que necesito en mi armario.
Las espero mañana para compartirles otros looks de la semana de la moda de Barcelona!
Deseo que pasen un gran día … xox
Ph: 080BcnFashion
