myretroperspective

The Zurich Airport has a newly opened Fashion Café Bar that’s so “En Vogue!” Fashionistas traveling globally can enjoy coffee and snacks while flying through Switzerland. “Trendy, classic and sexy are just a few words that describe this haute spot located in the center of the airport’s shopping zone. The stylish new concept is a hit with visitors who are bored with the same old thing after all style is so important even down to the food that we eat. You simply must stop in to sample the canapé for an around the clock treat and first class service. You can also start your jet-setting day with homemade cream cheese and petit sandwiches or a blue berry muffin along with specialty coffees offering a robust blend right before takeoff! What do you think of the Fashion Café?

Think about vacationing on some exotic beach and Mr. Wonderful walks into your life. It can happen because it’s happen to me while traveling to some of the world’s haute spots. I hear women say all the time that they can’t find a good black man. Well, that’s a myth. Ironically, as much as I’m out and about in the city, I rarely meet men that capture my attention. But once I grab my passport, toss my carryon over my shoulder and head to some place far away from home—something happens. Being a single girl in the city has its pros and cons… you’re on 24/7. No matter where you go it’s like being on display… think hair, nails, and wardrobe. Now, living in Atlanta has an entirely different spin… everybody needs a publicist, makeup artist and stylist! No, you don’t have to be a celebrity here to have a glam squad; you just have to think that you’re someone famous. But what really gets my girls from Chicago and New York laughing is the fact that these southern beauties announce members of thei...

The hit musical Dreamgirls comes alive on stage at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. The story line is much the same as we’ve seen on Broadway and the big screen so no surprises there, but the talent in this young cast is amazing. Former American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado, plays “Deena Jones” and delivers a good performance, but it’s the unforgettable Moya Angela who plays “Effie White” that brings the crowd to its feet when she sings “that” song made famous by Jennifer Holiday and helped deliver an Academy Award to Jennifer Hudson for her performance in the movie Dreamgirls ! The story begins at the famed Apollo Theatre in New York City in the 1960's when the girls leave their hometown of Chicago for the “concrete jungle” where their big dreams inspire them to take a risk! But their luck was just beginning when they meet the self-serving, underhanded and wicked “Curtis Taylor” played by Chaz Lamar Shepherd who takes them from an unknown group to Jimmy Early backup singers before letting ...

Beauty rituals to the French are like yoga classes to American girls. Recently, I was sent a cute little book, Pampered in Paris, A Guide to The Best Spas, Salons and Beauty Boutiques in Paris by Kim Levesque from The Little Bookroom. As I thumb through this little pocket guide, the beauty of Paris comes alive with each stunning photo. When I came upon page 128, a smile crossed my face because I remember my afternoon of spa rituals at Spa Cinq Mondes housed in the posh square de L’Opera-Louis-Jouvet in the 9th arr. My day began with a beautiful Japanese bath in a wooden tub with rose petals dropped at my feet followed by a French facial. If you’re thinking about getting pampered in Paris pick up this little book for the best of the best. It profiles fifty of the most exquisite spas and salons in the City of Light. Levesque also offers her tips on the best treatments along with a glossary of useful terms. You’ll also learn what to expect when visiting these French glam spots. Just thin...

There are people who enter your life that you may never have seen coming. But yet, there’s something special about them and you realize in an instant that your life will never be the same because your paths crossed. Nothing in life is certain… therefore, I believe in nurturing relationships that matter to me. So when I came across the friendship stone, I was intrigued. It’s a gift that, like the bond of friendship, is never-ending. Each stone is unique, the perfect gift of gratitude and appreciation.   The stone allows you to connect by giving it to a special friend… connecting the power of two. Perhaps, it’s the gesture of giving this one-of-a-kind gem to someone else that makes it so powerful. The journey of the Friendship Stone starts when one of the rocks begins an unexpected odyssey of friendship and giving. The stone is intended to spread goodwill and the power of positive thinking. Just the simple act of friendship has the power to touch many lives. I was given two ston...

Smartwater unveils their haute new glass bottle to the ATL. I was invited to their Atlanta launch party last month… it was simply chic—rooftop setting at Ventanas with a skyline view of our HAUTE southern city. Hot Atlantans from fashion designers, magazine publishers to Haute Travels girls were on hand to celebrate Smartwater’s glass bottle debut. The new bottle is so chic and smart; it really does take premium water to another level. However, I couldn’t help but wonder in addition to Jennifer Aniston as a spokesmodel, why not add a HAUTE African American or that sexy British guy to the list? Just think somebody tall, dark and handsome with global appeal... who asks, "Do you believe in love at first sip?" During the event, guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & a special performance by Alpha Rev… along with a little cotton candy. But one of the event highlights, a painter who created a beautiful image of the new glass bottle—So HAUTE! The zero-calorie, vapor-dist...

You may know Tracy Nailor as a finalist from Fox TV’s “Masterchef” with Gordon Ramsay. Nailor, a Pediatrician and Atlanta resident is not only a great cook, but she’s so much fun! Last night, my good friend Monique and I were invited by the Concentrics Restaurants group to dinner at the posh, Midtown haute spot Room at Twelve for a sample of Nailor’s creative dishes. We started off with crab cakes before moving onto the smothered chicken over rice. You can say it’s home-style comfort food that makes you want hug your plate. During dinner, Nailor gave a cooking demo on how to make her Caramelized Banana Napoleon. It was pretty tasty, particularly if you like a modern twist on banana pudding. She’s full of terrific recipes that make you remember your southern roots... so when Monique and I show up for Thanksgiving dinner, she shouldn’t be surprised! You can find Nailor’s recipes and others in the Masterchef Season 1 cookbook! What’s your favorite comfort food dish?

My nails were in need of a mini vacation so I headed over to Sugarcoat in Buckhead. Upon check-in, I parked my toes at a pedicure station and my nail tech Rhonda started the boarding call for my escape to Fiji pedicure! My travel weary feet soaked in a soothing coconut foot bath, while she began to shape and file my nails. An intoxicating foot massage followed along with warm stones placed between my toes. Soon my perfectly pampered toes were glowing with a haute pink nail color by OPI. This beauty bar is a cute HAUTE spot for a girlfriend meetup or an hour of sweet relief. To learn more visit http://www.sugarcoatbeauty.com/ What makes a great nail bar?

My good friend Patti Davis turned me onto Stephanie Johnson’s travel bags and accessories… it’s a West Coast celebrity obsession kind of thing. But the girls are also rocking them in the NYC. And now, it’s girls like me in the ATL who’ll work the bags and accessories into our HAUTE TRAVELS world! Johnson’s collection of travel accessories range from makeup bags, totes and jewelry pouches ideal for brushes, lip gloss, compacts, hair accessories and your gems. She’s thought of everything in her collections that resonate with your resident Travelistas who want to stay organized on-the-go and fashionable at the same time. I found the collections interesting because of the way Johnson plays on travel as a lifestyle. The collections are named after some of the hottest destinations in the world, like Vegas, Shanghai, Madrid and my fave Monte Carlo! There’s something for everybody’s taste and alter ego… just think when I’m feeling jet-set and thinking about the South of France, I’ll p...

Passion for Jewelry Designer and Founder of Maximal Art John Wind is like the melody to a perfect love song. His handmade pieces are a unique mix of vintage and modern, but yet there’s something endearing about them that tells a story of a period reflecting “soul, personality and narrative.” Acquiring his jewelry is like uncovering a past relationship that one never knew existed. “I like that fact that you’re adopting an instant ancestor,” says Wind. It appears his artwork was more organic than planned but never-the-less, it became an obsession. “I won a scholarship to the Slade School of Art in London. It was in the early 80’s and I got swept up in the club world. It was all about fashion, to the point of costume, (think Culture Club and The Thompson Twins), and making crazy flea-market jewelry assemblages to wear was just part of the deal,” explains Wind. But it wasn’t until he met another jewelry designer, Andrew Logan, in London that his foray into jewelry making was born. “Logan r...