myretroperspective

It’s time for some sun and relaxation… so I’m headed to Curacao this week. I’m super excited because I’ve never visited the island before and I love exploring new places. I’m also thrilled to call the new Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina home for a week! The 27-acre resort, also known as the “centerpiece of the exclusive Santa Barbara Plantation,” sits on beautiful beachfront (private) property nestled between the Caribbean Sea and Spanish Water Bay. The resort also features three new restaurants with menu items that are all about seafood and farm-to-table ingredients. But my favorite spot, besides the beach—the Atabei Spa. I’m a girl who loves to indulge with a great massage, pedi, facial or body scrub. A full service salon, 24 hour Hyatt StayFit™ fitness center, three pools, four tennis courts and an 18-hole Pete Dye championship golf course also make this new resort HAUTE. My week will also move to the beat of smooth jazz with music from John Legend and Lionel Richi

Something new to add to my travel bag to boost moisture in my skin and provide UVA/UVB protection! AMBI® Essentials Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 This daily moisturizer helps protect your face from damaging sun rays, while replenishing moisture to dehydrated skin. It also helps to minimize the appearance of uneven skin tone and dark spots. Price: $4.50 / 2 oz. tube Are you using a moisturizer with sun protection? Disclosure: I received a sample of Ambi to test.

Laura Mercier Cosmetics believes one answer to what is flawless is being charitable and giving back. To that end, beginning September 1, 2010 to December 1, 2010 every time a response is submitted on the LAURA MERCIER website, $1.00 will be donated to the Gulf Relief Foundation (gulfaid.org) to help restore the Gulf to its previously flawless state. “Women have lots of choices, it’s no longer about trade-offs, but trade-ons. So, when it comes to beauty, it’s less about rules, and more about giving women the tools they need to express themselves and create who they want to be in that moment.” Says Ellen Greewald, Chief Marketing Officer at Laura Mercier. “The Laura Mercier brand philosophy, and its Flawless Face product line, so clearly aligns with today’s modern woman, we thought, what better time to take the lead in cultivating a conversation around these new ideals?” says Sharon Collier, President and CEO of Laura Mercier Cosmetics. To Submit, Visit: http://www.lauramercier.com/store

When socialite-types travel to Chicago they often check-into one of my favorite haute spots—The Ritz Carlton. I had the pleasure of staying in one of the new re-designed suites fit for a girly girl… it came with a dressing room! And the skyline view of the windy city wasn’t bad either. Recently, The Ritz Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons property, unveiled a $25 million renovation. It’s been called the “largest restyling in the hotel’s 33-year history!” A haute new restaurant, dramatic lobby and luxurious suites with sweeping views of Chicago’s gold coast makes this the ideal location for travelistas in search of stylish escapes in Chicago. The Presidential Suite is where I’d like to set up camp the next time the property managers invite me in for an overnight stay. The new re-imagined suite has a spiral staircase with floor-to-ceiling windows with breath-taking views of Lake Michigan. It also includes a kitchen, dining room, study and living room. There are also three full baths and two

Have you ever thought about getting up from your desk, quitting your job and traveling the world? It’s something that many people think about, but few actually do it! Most people are not risk-takers. They prefer to dwell in an unhappy life rather than take a chance on something new. In the coming weeks, the new film Eat Pray Love based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert will have women everywhere planning a career break. In 2005, I did just that… after many years as a TV news producer, I thought about walking out and traveling to Paris to study photography. Well, a friend not only supported my dream, but he encouraged and financed part of it. He bought me a 35 mm camera to photograph life in Paris. Unlike Gilbert, I wasn’t in a position to just get up from my cubicle and quit leaving a pay check behind. However, I did get smart about it. I found out that my company (a major cable TV network) would reimburse me for a photography class. So I jetted off to France for a vacation or mini ca

Guess what girls... I got the ultra-sheer, blendable Bonne Mine Healthy Glow Crème Colour Palette from Laura Mercier today! I really like the way the color looks on my sun-kissed skin. When I told the folks at Laura Mercier that I wanted a palette that complemented the glow to my cheeks, eyes and T-zone area they suggested a universal compact inspired by Laura’s work with celebrity clients.   They were right… the colors in this compact “wake up” the skin and offers an “immediate healthy glow.” This palette really does help you achieve a natural look that softens the skin. It also comes with a built-in mirror and instructions. It’s something Haute for my travel bag! Price: $48, available August 2010 exclusively at Sephora Would you buy this palette by Laura Mercier?

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opens its reservation line in anticipation of its grand opening. This stylish and luxurious sin city resort seeks to attract guests with its adventurous and welcoming spirit. The rooms are accented with modern touches, but it's the Japanese soaking tubs that make me want to check-in tonight! Guests can expect a night club, pool with cabanas and haute restaurants! But my favorite haute spot--the spa! Sahra Spa and Hammam draws on the desert for its striking contrasts in offering strength and beauty as inspiration in providing a path to total well-being. It offers 18 massage rooms, four body treatment rooms with steam showers, four facial rooms and a Penthouse spa suite! Just think a great place to find rejuvenation is right along the Vegas strip! If you want to try something different check it out the next time you’re in Las Vegas. The resort is set to open December 15, 2010 with a grand opening gala on New Year’s Eve. To learn more visit http://www.cos

My love affair with David Yurman Jewelry began 14 years ago. I got my first piece as a gift and something inside me was unleashed. I remember it fondly. It was the signature X ring… a symbol of love that was about to begin. I love the fact that Yurman, a sculptor, was inspired by his wife Sybil, a painter, to create a jewelry line that consisted of twisted metals married to brilliant gemstones and diamond tips. It all started when she asked him to turn one of his angel sculptures into a belt. Before his line was created, Yurman briefly worked for Cartier. But it wasn’t until Tiffany’s turned him down to create a line under its label that his passion took on a life of its own giving birth to jewels worn by celebrities and non celebs alike. As a creative type, I love David Yurman jewelry because it’s wearable art. I appreciate artists who go beyond boundaries and create something totally different, but yet still maintain their point of view. Expressionism is as much a part of a Yurman ne

Haute Travels is all about the fashion and beauty of travel. So it should come as no surprise that when I saw First Lady Michelle Obama’s one shoulder Jean Paul Gaultier top and basic black slacks, while vacationing in Marbella, Spain, I thought—that’s haute!  I can’t say that I’m a fan of every outfit worn by the first lady, but this one made me want to go out and find that top! A luxury trip, including accommodations at one of the world’s best hotels, highlighting effortless style is what Haute Travels’ girls the world over live for during their shameless indulgences. Further, her arm full of ethnic style jewelry makes me think about the upcoming pink bracelets soon available to Haute Travels members. Très Chic! What do you think of the one-shoulder top worn by Michelle Obama?

I love Jamaica because of its beautiful white sand beaches, warm Caribbean Sea and friendly people. It’s a place where time stands still allowing peace and tranquility to move you effortlessly from day to night. For me, this island is a place of refuge where I can relax without interference from the outside world. Although, I’ve been to this tropical paradise several times, my most recent trip was the first that allowed me to venture outside of the fabulous new Secrets Resorts in Montego Bay to discover the real Jamaica. It’s a shame to come to Jamaica and not experience the seven-mile stretch of beach and cliff tops in Negril or the spectacular river falls in Ocho Rios… with the Jamaican Blue Mountains in the distance. As they say in Jamaica… once you go, you know! 5 Haute Things to do in Jamaica: -Enjoy a picnic lunch complete with spicy jerk chicken, pork and veggies at Scotchie’s at Drax Hall in Ocho Rios—delicious! -Check out The Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay… if you like

My tip for those who want to write about travel—just do it! You don’t have to be the best writer but you should be passionate about travel. Find your voice and write about things that you know and like. Be authentic! When I started travel writing, I didn’t have clips or assignments but I had passion and curiosity. Even though I was a journalist, my expertise was producing broadcast news stories. However, I knew how to tell a story no matter the format. But the best thing that I had going for me—a strong support system… not only did my family and friends encourage my interests, but they invested in them. They saw something in me that I had not seen in myself and because they said that I could do it—I did! Four years later, I’ve traveled all over the world capturing stories about fabulous spas, exotic destinations, and haute hotels. My stories have appeared in both local and national magazines. And I’ve even given travel tips to the local NBC affiliate, plus I started a haute travel blog

No matter where I go… people don’t believe that I’m over 40. I know… I don’t look it. But really, what does 40 look like these days? I was just in Mexico for a full body detox and the spa director at Ceiba del Mar nearly fell over when I told her that I was older than she thought!   While so many forty-somethings are looking to Botox and plastic surgery for the answer to staying young. I’ve discovered my own fountain of youth. My secret to defying the aging process goes beyond travel and sampling beauty treatments and rituals around the world. It’s all about a positive attitude coupled with a lifestyle that’s full of cheerleaders who challenge me to dream bigger! Sure, my body is changing and I may be a little closer to menopause. But I don’t fight it! I love being in my forties… I’ve never felt better. In fact, I honestly feel that I’m better than ever just like my mom. Although, I don’t drink alcohol or coffee, I do drink tea often for its antioxidant properties. During my full body

Why I do it? Travel writing takes me beyond my comfort zone and into parts of the world that many people only dream about. I hear it all the time—I wish that I were in your shoes… traveling to exotic destinations, staying in 5-star hotels and resorts and dining at some of the best restaurants in Paris, Acapulco, Vancouver or wherever my travels take me. An added plus, I write about spas and luxury travel so I also experience decadent spa treatments as part of my story research giving birth to the “glamorous life.” But for me, there’s nothing glamorous about it. I’m a story teller and I love to write. Travel is just one subject that I write about. I’m also a speech writer and communications strategist. But for me, travel is a lifestyle. It’s part of who I am. I’m very clear about what I want my life to look and feel like… so I set it up to include traveling to the world’s most beautiful places (even if the destination is ugly to others) and meeting people who add perspective and provoke

The Creator of Haute Travels Blog and veteran travel writer, Marian Anderson offers individuals who are passionate about travel a 6-hour coaching session. The program is designed to shape an individual’s writing platform and position him or her as an attractive candidate for press or blogger trips hosted by tourism boards, airlines, and luxury hotels and resorts around the world! One Hour Consultation: Determine your intentions and discuss your challenges while finding solutions… Is there a travel writer in YOU? FOUR LIVE 60-MINUTE INDIVIDUAL OR CONFERENCE CALLS! Topics: -Discover the exclusive world of luxury living, exciting adventures and fabulous meals in haute spots around the world on expense-paid trips! -Identify your writing niche/travel writing 101 -Marketing/Personal Branding 101/Social Media Influence -Target publications, PR firms and individual brands -Build Relationships with people who support your passion or who can help you meet your goals -How to make a living travel