Friday, December 29, 2017

Ritz Carlton Herzliya Review

Ritz Carlton Tel Aviv, Ritz Carlton Tel Aviv Review

From stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and best-in-class service to cuisine that will change the way you think about Israeli food, the Ritz Carlton Herzliya sets the bar for world class hospitality in Israel.

Ritz Carlton Tel Aviv, Ritz Carlton Tel Aviv Review
Just the Med, yo. NBD.
Every visit I've made to Israel has involved multiple cities in multiple hotels. My third and most recent trip in November 2017 was no different. I spent two days in Herzliya followed by four days in Haifa. Knowing that my time in Haifa was going to be "work", in the form of moving my elderly father into an assisted living facility, I wanted to enjoy a few days of my trip to the Middle East.

RELATED: Brown Beach House Tel Aviv: An Urban Oasis in the Heart of Tel Aviv

I had read about the Ritz Carlton's foray into Israel when it opened in 2013. As a Ritz Carlton loyalist, I wanted to experience this property and finally be wowed by a hotel experience in Israel. I've stayed at the Kind David in Jerusalem, the Sheraton and Intercontinental in Tel Aviv and the Scots in Tiberias. King David aside, none of them impressed me. I felt that a level of service and luxury was missing in Israel and hoped the Ritz Carlton would change that.
Sunday, November 12, 2017

Louis Vuitton Twist Bag Review

Louis Vuitton Twist Bag Review, Louis Vuitton Twist Bag PM Review

Louis Vuitton's Epi Twist Leather bag is a multi-functional marvel. Thanks to its versatile chain, it can serve as three purses in one: a crossbody, shoulder bag and clutch.

Louis Vuitton offers the Epi Twist bag in three sizes: PM, MM and GM. It also comes in a crossbody wallet version. For the sake of this review, we're focusing solely on the purse.
Monday, September 4, 2017

Lune & Aster CC Cream Review

Lune & aster CC Cream, Lune & Aster CC Cream Review


Need to Know:


Lune + Aster's CC Cream is the ideal double duty beauty product. It provides wonderful, lightweight coverage while also delivering a strong sun protection factor: SPF 50, babes!

It contains vitamin E, hyaluronic acid (a skin plumper) and sea buckthorn, which is said to promote skin elasticity. 
Saturday, September 2, 2017

Purse & Bag Policy 101: Everything You Need to Know

nfl purse policy, ncaa purse policy, sec purse policy

If you're going to a football game, sporting event or other event, like a concert, at a sports venue, chances are that there is a purse policy in place that limits what you an bring into the facility. 

The policies are pretty clear (no pun intended): unless you have a medical necessity, your bag needs to be either small or clear. 

Finding stylish and functional small or clear purses and bags that you can carry into sporting events can be a challenge. The small purses usually don't hold anything while the clear ones are cheaply made.

Purse and bag policies are here to stay. The NFL instituted a purse and bag policy at its venues in 2013 . More and more college football stadiums, soccer venues, the PGA tour and other sports properties are implementing them as well.

These exist for a variety of reason but the primary one is clear: it makes the admission process easier. It takes stadium security too much time to search through a big, dark bag. That, in turn, creates a bottleneck at entry. A small bag or clear larger one is easier and faster to check.
Saturday, August 5, 2017

W Hotel Punta Mita Review

W Punta Mita Review

The W Punta Mita is a hotel with an identity crisis. It wants to evoke everything that's cool about the hip, happening W Hotel brand. In short, it aspires to be your hot 20-year old sister. But given its location and layout, it's a family-friendly spot that's more like your fun aunt who will give you a sip of her wine when no one's looking.

I came across a great deal on Travelzoo that offered three nights at the W Punta Mita for $599. After splitting it with a friend the deal came out to less than $100 per night for each of us. Done. (TIP: keep an eye out for Travelzoo deals. They offer some outstanding luxe-for-less experiences, ranging from spa days to luxury hotel stays).
Thursday, July 13, 2017

58 Tour Eiffel Review

Eiffel Tower restaurants


There are certain restaurants in which you need to manage your expectations. Meaning, don't walk in hoping to be wowed, overwhelmed or stunned. The result, I have found, is a better dining experience overall. Paris's 58 Tour Eiffel, the brasserie-style restaurant, on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower is one of those restaurants.

Why We Decided To Eat At 58 Tour Eiffel

We have never climbed any of the platforms at the Eiffel Tower while in Paris because, candidly, we didn't want to fight the tourists or wait in line. On our most recent trip, spanning November and December 2014, we decided to go for it but still didn't want to do the lines so we opted to eat at one of the restaurants, which also grants you access to the Eiffel Tower. We didn't want to do the over-the-top foodie destination that is Jules Verne (especially with a three-year old) nor did we want to do the buffet. Instead we tried 58 Tour Eiffel, knowing full well it would probably be mediocre food and poor service.

We were right about the food. The service? Not that bad.