So Many Choices!

Yesterday morning I woke up to my long list of favorite blogs in my Google Reader. Seems my "favorite reads" keep growing and growing and growing. One blog leads you to another great one, and so on. You know the story. It's sensory overload! So much to read and absorb, so many wonderful stories, images...hardly time to leave comments.

I would have completely missed these whimsical paintings (yes, paintings!) by artist, Will Cotton, via Lisa Golightly's blog, had I not spent a great portion of the day going through each blog on my list, careful not to miss a thing -- something I usually don't have the luxury of.

With the millions of wonderful blogs in the "blogosphere," how do we edit our selections with so many favorites? How do we juggle blogging with our jobs? Do any of you have the same issues?

Friends, please stop coming up with these incredible blogs!!

photo credit Will Cotton

Cheap hotel in Hong Kong

Cheap hotel in Hong Kong
by oh-hotel
Hong Kong is a shopping paradise in Asia. We welcome the thousands of tourists, including the value of staying in low-cost housing.

1 Hong Kong is one of the great cities of Asia. Please enjoy the many tourists visit here. But Hong Kong is a superb location, modern architecture, shops and restaurants are very popular. This is an international city of joy, that Hong Kong is a magnificent skyline and China in the field.

The history and culture that attracts, to hear that everything is great and it will take time. A distance of time, such as free car CHANCHAU Island and Lamma Island, about 234 islands. To that end, here in Hong Kong, there are many hotels that offer rates.

Miramar Hotel Miramar and comfortable rooms has been set up first-class stars. It has 525 rooms and suites, modern condominiums. All rooms are spacious and appropriate treatment. The room is fully furnished, set the modern comforts.

Also available in the rooms, no smoking. Sichuan-style, as the western world and China, smart kitchen, there are many restaurants in the hotel. Lobby, the lounge is a good position, the passage of time is important.

Manabu TINSUTORITO BOKU ROIYARUPAKUHOTERUROIYARUPAKUHOTERU 8, Shatin, New Territories are. Shopping and entertainment complex near the area. In addition, you need only 5 minutes walk from Shatin to reach the train station and bus terminal.

This is Central Park, Shatin Park Royal Hotel is close to the river from the hotel accommodation and Shinmun is desirable, it can be a quiet business trip or vacation. However, this hotel is 45 minutes from the airport is just 20 to beat around the city.

Enough space Newton Hotel Hong Kong Newton Hotel Hong Kong is a tourist class hotel in a star. It can be operated conveniently located for tourists and others through it. The hotel has excellent facilities. The shuttle service available.

In Newton Hotel Hong Kong, and sophisticated 12-story building offers 176 rooms and suites. All the rooms are not large, the design of furniture and basic services.

Bridal is located in BURAIDARUTIHAUSUHOTERUUINSUROSUTORITO TIHAUSUHOTERUHONHAMUUINSUROSUTORITO. It also provides accommodation for tourists is the best value for money. The hotel is just 5 minutes from Tsim and Kowloon Canton Railway terminal SHAMUTSUI. However, the car from the hotel, the MTR Hung Hom Station.

19-21 KAORUNHOTE RUZAKAORUNHOTERU Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong is situated on Nathan. This is a great area hotels, luxury accommodation, food and comfortable facilities to five stars. Unmatched comfort is guaranteed a direct relationship to the Seibu Department Store. Star Ferry, MTR Tsimshatsui Station, Tsimshatsui East station in China, the hotel is located near the ferry terminal.

RIGARUORIENTARUHOTERU, Kowloon City RIGARUORIENTARUHOTERU of 40 estimates, and is just minutes by shuttle bus from the international airport of Hong Kong. This is based on international standards in the region, only four hotels. All rooms have a panoramic view of Kowloon East. Business center, fitness center, fax and copy, security 24 hours, 24 hours a day, airport shuttle service, many more.

The Best Meat in Town

I love food dive joints. I look for them wherever I'm at - Fuengirola, Manila, Chicago, Paris, Tortola. The soul of any city could be found where the masses eat. Plastic chairs, tacky placemats, poor lighting, off the beaten path locations.

I remember this Vietnamese dive my sister and my Mom took us in Hong Kong. It is located in a shabby alleyway near Lan Kwai Fong. We walked up this narrow wooden stairway, single file, maneuver our way pass rows of black hair diners cramped like new turf in the front room, duck underneath exposed pipes, before finding our way to our table located next to the one closet size bathroom. I can literally hear every trickle of pee from where I sat. But that damn house "ketchup rice" was to die for! I'll even flush the toilet for you. It was that good.

Closer to home, El Granjero (formerly El Ganadero) on the intersection of Bridge and Lane on the west side of the Grand river is my kind of dive. Most of the Mexican restaurants in the city are more American and Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican. I discovered this restaurant several years ago when only the hispanics came here. But I couldn't forget the carne asada burrito I ordered filled with sauteed onions, lettuce,tomatoes, chiles, fresh avocado and accompanied with a side of sauteed green onions. Their salsa is freshly made and quite addicting. My Mom (who lives in Paris) and sister (who lives in Hong Kong) also swears by this place.

A Mexican-American friend of mine from the Zapopan, Mexico, Grand Rapids Sister City Committee, Arturo Armillo, invited me to join him for lunch this afternoon. I told him that I wanted him to take me to his favorite Mexican dive. And sure enough, we landed right here at the El Granjero. Great minds (and appetite's) think alike.

Former waitress, Mercedes Lopez, of Mexico City,

is now the owner of El Granjero.

Do you know Melissa?

Melissa at her wedding in a Wearkstatt gown, vintage rhinestone earrings and alternated between two pairs of shoes, rhinestoned Vera Wangs and her favorite pink Prada peep toe pumps!

Melissa Davis is the creative mind behind the PR agency, Ruby Press in Northern California. I’m thrilled to call her a friend, and felt that it was about time to share some fun facts with you!

Melissa was a fashion editor in New York (at Harper's Bazaar and Mademoiselle) for 8 years before moving to California in 2000 and starting her own PR agency.

Melissa & Sam's first dance

Melissa and husband Sam’s magical wedding was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. The talented Melissa planned every detail of the wedding herself, although the “Martha team” helped with some extra details, such as stylists (we all could use those, right?), extra flowers, and their own photographer. Be sure and check out Melissa & Sam’s wedding spread here. It’s amazing.

The menu card was tied atop a box of sweets...

Guest sign in- with John Derian paperweights and an antique turquoise vessel.

A vintage Rolls Royce (with a turquoise interior) that they used to leave the reception!

Ruby Press represents style-related companies, from fashion designers & boutique shops, to the hippest restaurants and spas. Melissa is one of the most talented publicists around, a delight to work with, and has an amazing client list!

Hand-lacquered cupcake boxes – Viv & Ingrid

Custom stationery – iomoi

Melissa loves vintage. She frequents flea markets, antique shops and used bookstores for eclectic treasures. "My day trip to Brimfield was one of the best days of my life, hands down!" -Melissa

Melissa’s fun-filled blog is brimming with the latest trends, what Melissa and her team is currently obsessing over, what’s happening in their office, and what their clients are up to.

And speaking of offices, I’m crazy over Melissa’s. Perhaps a bit envious. (You know I am Melissa.) Impeccable taste with touches of fancy stationery & candles.

Melissa has a sweet tooth. Cakes, candies, cotton candy, ice cream... Guess we have that in common!

Ruby Press Bridal Soiree

Ruby Press’s events are the best ever. Not a detail overlooked!

If you're looking for a top notch publicist, you need to check out the Ruby Press website and blog. Plus, Melissa's such a fun gal to follow!

Melissa Davis

photos from Ruby Press

Bastille Café & Bar

This clock (above) once adorned a Paris metro station

Gosh, I love Seattle! Charming neighborhoods brimming with eclectic shops & restaurants.

I was thrilled to hear from the folks at the Bastille Café & Bar. Proprietors, Deming Maclise and James Weimann, recently opened up this "gem" of a café in the historic Ballard District of Seattle. Inspired by their favorite places in Paris, they scoured flea markets & shops from France to the Pacific Northwest to find the marvelous fixtures that now adorn the Bastille Café & Bar.

These fabulous Art Deco sconces were salvaged from a Seattle mansion, circa 1930.

This c. 1903 bar was made by French craftsman who came to Washington in late 1800's. The large capsule pendants are from a church in the south of France, circa early 1900's.

The Back Bar is painted a rich dark chocolate. Above it all are two paintings recreated from the originals by French symbolist painter Pierre Puvis de Chavennes, figures representing both the terror and inspiration of the French Revolution.

A crystal chandelier hangs from an arch, salvaged from a French church

I love the fact that the owners used their combined restaurant experience and savvy to give these salvaged items a new life, while creating a vintage-modern feel. They maintained the integrity of the historic 1914 building in which the Bastille Café resides.

Between the gorgeous decor and the delicious-looking menu selections, I can't wait to make a trip up to Seattle to try this charming neighborhood café!

Bastille Café & Bar
5307 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117

206.453.5014

All photos ©Bob Peterson

Meet the Artist: Gretchen Minnhaar

Gretchen Minnhaar in her loft studio in downtown Grand Rapids

The excitement for ArtPrize is finally gaining some steam as the deadline for matching artists and venues comes to a close at the end of the week. ArtPrize is awarding the world's largest art prize to the piece selected as the best by a public vote by the visitors to the two-week event and not by a panel of esteemed art critics. Over a thousand artists from all parts of the globe are signed up to date.

The JW Marriott Grand Rapids is one of the many downtown venues hosting artists to showcase their art. So far, we have committed to showcasing the work of several artists including the work of Argentinean born architect, Gretchen Minnhaar.

"Parkour" is the French activity of fluidly moving from one point to another - through jumping and acrobatically maneuvering one's way through urban obstacles such as sides of buildings, stairwells, railings and roof tops. Using famous buildings around the world such as the Eiffel Tower, Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and of course, the elliptical shape tower of the JW Marriott Grand Rapids as the background, Gretchen painted parkour "jumpers" scaling these famous landmark buildings. A series of 34 paintings will grace the rock wall entrance of the JW - awaiting hotel visitors as they enter the lobby of this globally themed hotel.

ArtPrize runs from September 23 through October 8, 2009. The first prize is $250,000 and the rest of the top 10 artist will split the remaining $250,000 - for a grand total of $500,000! ArtPrize is definitely one "giant leap" for Grand Rapids.

A prevue of "Parkour"

A bird's eye view of a Buenos Aires park from her

apartment deck inspired "Saturday in the park."

Global Faces

A clay model

People Walking

Casting Call!

Porter (above) all dressed up for casting

Anyone a fan of AMC's Mad Men? Well, AMC and Banana Republic are holding a cyber casting call for a walk-on role on the show, and fellow blogger/photographer, Porter Hovey wants to win badly! The stylish Porter is currently in second place! Doesn't she look amazing? Totally deserving of this.

To vote for Porter, click on this link, and under Porter's photo, click on the 5th star. Walla!

VOTE NOW & GO PORTER!

The Perfect French Crepe

French Crepe with Butter and Sugar (Beurre-Sucre)

My kids, especially Francesca, have an obsession with the French version of the American omelette. Visiting the Crepe Delice stand on rue Saint-Denis by my Mom's flat was part of our daily ritual whenever we were in Paris. The short walk through the alley of sex shops, prostitutes and smoky immigrant cafes is a cultural lesson in itself. I'm not the type to prevent my kids from these colorful travel experiences.

Paper thin crepe topped with butter and sugar is their all time favorite. Though Nutella and banana comes a close second. After years of trying to find a recipe to duplicate the savory goodness of the Paris crepe, I finally stumbled upon one simple recipe that recreates the perfect French Crepe. My French brother-in-law, Raph Blot, in his true French form, said that my crepe cannot duplicate his mother's recipe. The true test came last December during our family vacation in Buenos Aires. Raph finally tasted my crepe, and much to his disbelief said that "it came very, very close to his mother's crepe." I believe he asked for seconds. Ahhh...the French.

THE PERFECT FRENCH CREPE

1 cup flour

3/4 cup water

2/3 cup milk

3 eggs

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour - you can skip this step if the kids are really hungry. Cook in batches in a crepe pan. Place preferred toppings, fold and serve. It helps to have a crepe spatula. Yield: 8 small crepes or 4 large ones (the way my kids like it).

Cook on a stove top and place toppings before folding the crepe.

Filipino Style Baby Shower

Tahong (Mussels) with Vegetables

My wife and I attended a baby shower (yes, men were invited) yesterday for our good friend, Analou Opina Schoonmaker. I've been looking forward to this party for I knew that Analou's mother-in-law was going to go to town with the Filipino food. More importantly, I wanted to share in marking a milestone for my future god daughter.

The Menudo was my favorite, followed very closely by the pinakbet. It is times like these when I truly miss being home in the Philippines. Food has a magical way of connecting me to my childhood days and to the many food gatherings associated with it. It is quite ironic that the Filipino food I never really cared for when I was a child have become more endearing to my palette as I get older. Staples like bagoong (shrimp paste), pinakbet, tahong, kare-kare, or even my cholesterol infused favorite - lechon kawali (roasted and deep fried pork belly) - weren't exactly in my food vocabulary. However, you would never find me holding back when these items are in front of me these days. My only hope is that my American born children grow up to have the same affection for Filipino food as me.

Does food transport you back to your childhood?

Mongo Guisado (Mung Beans)

Pork Menudo

Chicken BBQ

Guisadong Ampalaya

Lumpia (Egg Rolls)

Pansit (Rice Noodles)

Chicken Adobo

Pinakbet (Vegetable Stew)

The New Halibut is Here

As much as I dine at the JW's six.one.six restaurant, it never seizes to amaze me when the kitchen surprises me with yet another fabulous dish. Regulars to the restaurant await the arrival of any new set on the menu just like the pageantry associated with the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau in France every third Thursday of November. The buzz last night was the new set for the popular halibut dish, which of course, I had to try. And the buzz did not disappoint. The Citrus Steamed Halibut is accompanied by preserved Meyer lemon, baby carrots, squash, turnip greens and a Romesco sauce.

I tried the Asian inspired Five Spice House Made Sausage and Rice Noodles as a starter. I am a bit hesitant when American kitchens attempt to recreate Asian food, but this sausage dish will fit right in with any dish served in Hong Kong or Shanghai. The sausage is served with local broccoli, carrots, shiitake, black bean sauce and basil from the hotel's Chef's Garden.

One of my favorites dessert on the menu is the Dancing Goat Cheesecake with chevre from local Dancing Goat Creamery, vanilla, apricot and candied macadamia nuts. Unlike the calorie buster cheesecakes from most restaurants in the U.S., this cheesecake perfectly balances sweetness with the creaminess of the goat cheese yet leaves the diner content and guilt-free from over indulgence.

The pastry team also delighted us with the absolutely memorable Peach Cobbler Wonton served with crisp cinnamon sugar wontons, amaretto creme anglaise and oat crumble. The fresh peach just explodes with the first bite sending the most tingling culinary sensation of heat, sweetness and crisp texture.

"It was the most satisfying dinner from start to finish" according to my dining friend, who is also a frequent guest at six.one.six.

Five Spiced Sausage with Rice Noodles

Dancing Goat Cheesecake

Peach Cobbler Wontons