First, they’re just as eye-catching as any French silk lingerie. Second, they’re incredibly comfortable. And third, they’re ridiculously inexpensive. You can treat yourself to a box of fine chocolates and champagne and not feel guilty!

Bon Nuit!

I have beautiful T. Anthony classic duffles that measure the maximum 45″ total diameter that is allowed as a carry on. Because they’re soft-sided all around, you can really squeeze a lot of clothes inside. Much more than in a hard-sided packing case. Because there’s no frame or wheels, they’re also very light. The only problem is carrying them.

Luckily, I just discovered the folding wheeled utility carts made for travel. They’re hard to find, but perfect to pile your luggage without wheels and handbag or briefcase on! Once you’re on the plane, they collapse to almost nothing. They’re so inexpensive, too. Duffles are much less expensive than wheeled packing cases in the same line, too, so the combination of duffle and utility cart allows you to splurge on a duffle from your favorite luxury line. The pieces from top lines like T. Anthony, Louis Vuitton, Goyard and Globetrotter can last a lifetime as well.

Bon Voyage!

I find the best rates for the most luxurious or hip hotels. After booking, I do research on the web to find the most interesting places to visit. Then, correspond with the hotel’s concierge via emails to get their feedback as well as planning a car, driver, and tour guide if needed. So many foreigners are looking for work in this economy, and a private tour can be less expensive than a group because you are cutting out the middle man. Only book through a five-star hotel.

Before vacationing two weeks in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sydney, and Hong Kong, I spent a couple weeks doing just this. For our stay in Bangkok, I booked the Peninsula Hotel. While researching, I found that just about every tour group descends in droves upon the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about one hour outside of Bangkok. Even worse, you have to get there by 6:00 am if you want photos that have more Thais than tourists.

I found an obscure floating market about one and a half hours outside of Bangkok that began at 3:00 pm. Even better, once it was dusk, you could take a boat ride along the canal to view the millions of fireflies that light up the trees.

We arrived in paradise. We were the only tourists. Small boats bobbed in the water along the canal’s banks, selling their wares. We ordered pad thai that was made in the boat. We had corn that was char-grilled on an open fire. Then, we had a magical boat ride along the canal to view the fireflies.

We piled back into our private Mercedes Benz van with driver and enjoyed a relaxing ride back to our hotel.

Our little jaunt was at just the right time of day and completely private with the delightful guide. We avoided all the dreadful throngs of tourists and amazingly spent a fraction of the typical tour group prices!

Bon voyage!

Amphawa Floating Market

First, place your Waterford Crystal Champagne saucers in the freezer. Then mix two parts Langanese Acacia honey from Germany with one part Chambord Liquor. Pour into a plastic squirt bottle with a fine tip and freeze.

The last preparation is making a frozen margarita. My favorite recipe was passed on to me by my nephew, Jerry. He’s all about easy. His recipe is easy AND delicious!

Pour a can of Welch’s frozen limeade into a blender. Fill the now empty can with Patron Silver tequila and add to blender. Next, fill the can half way with Cointreau Liquor and add as well. For a pretty pink hue and a bit of black raspberry essence, fill the can a quarter of the ay with Chambord Liquor and add to blender. Fill the blender with ice and puree. Place the blender in freezer.

Everything should be frozen for at least an hour. The do-ahead factor is the beauty of this. When your guests arrive, freshly puree the margarita mixture in the blender, pour into the frozen glasses, and swirl the honey mixture on top of each cocktail to create each guest’s initial. Garnish the glass a fresh slice of lime on the rim.

Bon appetit!

Monogrammed Margarita Cocktail

An Hermes silk twill scarf is a classic, but the silk twill pleated scarf gives an even more striking look. The photo below is of the pleated Brazil Hermes scarf.

Take your scarf and fold it into a triangle. Take the top points, separate them and tie them behind the neck. Tie the other two points behind the back.

For a more polished look, pull the top points through an Hermes Chaine d’Ancre scarf ring before tying behind the neck.

Tres chic!

Hermes pleated scarf worn as top