Diva-Colored Glasses

Prague Castle Every diva loves a castle!  Prague castle is one of the most well known landmarks in the Czech capital. Perched high on a hill above the streets of Mala Strana, the castle is a great place to start a diva’s visit to Prague.  Prague castle is surrounded by the small houses of the Golden Lane (my personal favorite, and if you’re feeling a little guilt, the Basilica of St. George. The best way to visit is to take a guided tour or an audio tour, and then explore the area after getting oriented. Prague castle offers spectacular views of the city below, and you can best enjoy them after climbing up 287 steps to the bell tower and yelling “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!.” Charles Bridge Charles Bridge is on the top of every Diva’s must-see list. It is also popular with Czech artists, musicians and souvenir vendors whose stands line both sides of the bridge year-round. A great time of day to come to the bridge is at sunset when one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the fully lit Prague Castle against the evening sky. The bridge is almost constantly filled with people. If you want to have it all to yourself, ...

By Josie Villa-Singleton a.k.a Travelista Rail Europe recently began promoting The Eurostar high speed train that runs from London to Paris. November 14 marked the start of the new service provided by Eurostar which decreases travel time by 20 minutes (at speeds of up to 186 mph), making the journey from London to Paris 2 hours and 15 minutes. Tickets for the journey vary in price ranging from $97 to $400 depending on when the ticket is booked and what class seat is selected. The cheeky “get a little Paris with your London” Rail Europe campaign touts that “…you’ll be drinking wine in Paris while the lager foam from London is still on your lips”. The accompanying website provides a cute game where you can create “mashups” of London and Parisian animated icons. You can even enter your own mashup version of London and Parisian symbols or icons for a chance to win a trip to London that includes a stay in Paris via the Eurostar of course. Trains leave from the refurbished and central (near Oxford Circus and Covent Garden) St. Pancras station in London and arrive in the Gare du Nord station in Paris (near Montmarte, Sacre Coeur). Otherwise known as ...

By Anjanette Delgado There's something about Miami. It welcomes you by not making too much of a fuss about you. "Oh, so there you are," it seems to say. Great. Dale, Chico. Te veo despues y nos tomamos un cafe." And you know, it's happy to see you. My favorite spot to welcome the day in all of Miami is not anywhere near the infamous SoBe of the tanned and gorgeous. It's not on a boat gliding past tall downtown buildings on bayside waters. It's sitting on the sidewalk facing the huge, colorful, exhuberant sculpture at the entryway of the otherwise unremarkable Dadeland Metrorail Station in South Miami. It's fittingly called "Welcome" and stands amid the light gray concrete on mornings when my own bed wants nothing to do with me and, as my mother would say, "el que me fume, pierde el vicio." And here's the trick: you sit on the sidewalk in front of it with your newspaper and your strong, sugary, Cuban coffee, you look at it for awhile, and pretty soon you start to feel happy and, god forbid, optimistic. By then you'll look a little crazy to couples walking by with their strollers or their dogs, so taking a ...

Had fun storming a castle lately? On the way to Temecula’s wine country, many roads lead to wine, but only one leads to The Castle Estate. Every detail there is designed to keep you in a past reality of castles, kings and, of course, Queens.  From the gigantic medieval iron locks that guard your room and the mural on the stairs depicting part of it’s own family history, to the most minute detail of a delightful butterfly garden right outside your bedroom door, this castle has proven to be a diva’s favorite. If you happen to endure LA traffic, a night arrival is breathtaking, as the castle lights glow to guide the way.  Past the helicopter pad out front, you’ll be greeted by the sounds of a huge front door knocker, and welcomed by dimly lit candelabra and a smile from the castle’s proprietors, Joanne and Dee. How does waking up at The Castle sound? “Ding, ding, ding!” A soft “Good morning!”   a bell ring in the morning light shining through the hand-painted stained glass windows onto the luxurious medieval bed linens, and the chain link armor guard standing by. Thankfully, you’ll still have time to enjoy the feeling of waking up in a ...

By Josie Villa-Singleton , aka Travelista San Antonio de Areco provides a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires just a scant 70 miles away. Every year in November they celebrate all things gaucho with the Dia de la Tradiccion festival. I’ll chalk it up to my Texas roots that I’m fascinated with these “cowboys” of South America. During a 3 1/2 month stay in Argentina last year we visited the town of San Antonio de Areco.  We missed the Dia de la Tradiccion festival but were still eager to visit the town and stay at a nearby estancia. In my research I quickly learned that a stay at an estancia doesn’t come cheap, even in Argentinian Pesos. Our family decided to go for “broke” and we chose the highly lauded Estancia El Ombu de Areco for a night’s stay (you can also purchase a day visit). We arrived at the  Estancia El Ombu de Areco to find tables set up on the beautiful lawn for lunch.  That dissipated the stress of the bus ride from Buenos Aires. The freely flowing Malbec didn’t hurt either. In a page right out of the guidebooks we enjoyed a magnificent traditional Argentine asado ...

On Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012, Anzhelika Steen Olsen, one of NY’s most innovative designers will preview her sought-after collection of one-of-a-kind luxury leather handbags at The Palm Room @ Hotel Bel-Air, located at 701 Stone Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90077. This exclusive engagement will take place between the hours of 11am and 7pm and appointments are by invitation only. After two successful Henri Bendel Shows, and endorsements from major celebs and socialites including Katherine Winnick, Eliann Couture now makes its mark in Los Angeles, at the height of fashion, at none other than the Hotel Bel-Air.  A highly desirable new luxury brand, Eliann is uncaged beauty. These one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces are created for similarly exceptional women. Clad in exotic skins, a luxurious precious-metal badge, uniquely composed and finely crafted, these exquisite pieces make a bold statement. “My art and passion for life hopes to find freedom in creation, transcending beauty to capture a femagination while challenging mine. Upon my daughter’s arrival, so came the birth of my brand. This carries her call and continues a love affair with inspiration from the seasons. Art like love…all or nothing,” says Anzhelika. Anzhelika is now on the move in LA.  Her highly anticipated trunk ...

Attention all Divas! Planning for a vacation getaway can be overwhelming. With your pampering appointments booked, aimed at getting you in perfect condition for lounging poolside or hitting the slopes, don’t let your long flight overseas undo all of the primping and prepping you’ve done. Marina Peredo, M.D., F.A.A.D, founder of Marina I. Peredo, M.D., P.C. Dermatology and Spatique Medical Spa in Smithtown, N.Y., offers tips to caring for your skin on-flight, no matter how you fly or where your destination may be. Long Flights in Coach: Keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water. It also helps with fatigue, dizziness and light-headedness. Bring a travel sized moisturizer for your face and hands to prevent skin from drying, accentuating fine lines, wrinkles and tiredness due to low humidity and cabin pressure. Swipe on a hydrating lip balm. Recirculated air tends to dry out lips. Take along a travel size illuminating eye cream to camouflage under eye circles, darkness and puffiness. Avoid salty snacks and alcohol which retain water and cause further dehydration. Try not to wear mascara - the dryness causes the mascara to flake and can irritate your eyes. Long Flights in First Class: Same as above, plus: Ask for a cool wet cloth to lie over your face before you moisturize.  Moisturizing while your face ...

  The Camarillo Wings Association will host the WWII 325th Fighter Group “Checkertail Clan” during its 67th Annual Reunion at this year’s “Wings Over Camarillo” Air Show.The "Checkertails" are a legendary unit with more air victories and fewer losses than any other in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. All three of their WWII aircraft; the P-40 Warhawk, the P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-51 Mustang will be making an appearance at this years "Wings Over Camarillo" Air Show.   The “Checkertail Clan” will join regional aviation volunteers from the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, EAA Chapter 723 and the Ventura County 99s to support the “Wings Over Camarillo” air show at the Camarillo Airport August 18 & 19, 2012.  The Pacific Aviation Museum – Pearl Harbor will set up their ALOHA CHALET with flight-line box seats and lunch.   An expanded Air Show flight demonstration features many popular aerobatic routines with over 80 aircraft; including vintage planes, experimental, and WWII fighters, bombers and transports. The Grand Finale will feature a spectacular formation flight display over an amazed crowd.   The "Checkertails" are a legendary unit with more air victories and fewer losses than any other in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. All three of their WWII aircraft; the P-40 Warhawk, the ...

  Buddy Guy can Kick Your Ass Posted on August 8, 2012 by Mark DeCarlo DAMN RIGHT Buddy Guy puts on a show! Last night at Los Angeles’ Greek Theater this Guy, at an age when most people are wearing out lawn chairs, put on a show, a clinic, and even a parade through a delirious crowd: I have seen Buddy live many times over the years, and will keep coming as long as he keeps playing. No matter the weather (it was 90 last night) he sweats more than you do.  Sometimes he meanders through iconic blues chestnuts, others, he vamps on his impressions of OTHER great guitar players – the guys who showed Buddy the way. Rarely though, does he play enough of his own new songs. His most recent album, “Living Proof” won the 2011 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Recording, and is possibly the best album this Legend has ever released. HE SHOULD PLAY MORE OF IT IN LIVE SHOWS!!!  He would sell more records.  Last night, he only played one tune off the album. Most acts tour to sell music.  But Buddy isn’t most acts. So why does a mostly sane man, a self-professed homebody gumbo chef, drag his ass all over the world every year when ...

Voxy Ladies and BookPals kick off back to school the right way at 3pm on Sunday August 19th at Griffith Park, CA with a charity potluck mixer celebration of fun, food, VO fellowship, and an opportunity to GIVE BACK! Event will take place at the Crystal Springs Picnic area of Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California 90027. For free entrance to the event, bring a donation of school supplies or children's books to be donated to BookPals and distributed to under-resourced students in the LA Public Schools. Please RSVP to the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/247398065363540/     EVENT DETAILS: WHAT: BACK TO SCHOOL CHARITY EVENT with the VOXY LADIES and BOOKPALS WHERE: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California 90027 WHEN:  Sunday August 19th, 3pm-6pm ENTRANCE: FREE!  Bring a donation of unused school supplies or books to be distributed to under-resourced kids in the Los Angeles area though BookPALS. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/247398065363540/ ABOUT VOXY LADIES The Voxy Ladies are the original hand picked, selective collective of professional female voice artists representing every genre, sound & niche in the industry.  www.VoxyLadies.com ABOUT BOOK PALS BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) is a national program administered by the nonprofit Screen Actors Guild Foundation. BookPALS help children learn to LOVE books by bringing the talents of ...