Diva-Colored Glasses

Not every problem in the world can be solved with a shopping spree, unless that shopping spree includes an original Eliann. Don't be fooled by names like Irishka, Caterina, or Ariella.  As varied and diverse these names are, so are their corresponding bags.  According to Accessories Magazine, the line’s founder and creative director, Anzhelika Steenolsen, names each of her handbags after a friend.  Each as different and unique, as their individual human counterparts. Wow.. to be immortalized in a handbag... Who wouldn't want to be this diva's friend? Traveling Diva's Favorite: Nelly Panther Bag Medium Sized, Rich Cognac Brown Alligator with 18k Gold Panther magnet clasp and hardware. Interior zip pocket in Lamb skin.   From Eliann's website: "Our goal only to captivate a woman's heart and soul. In creating fine pieces, to instigate of womanly draw, set apart with an aura of conviction, an innate sense of style and restrained elegance, yet each cultivates the edge." I'm convinced.  Next time you see me walking by with my new Eliann, don't hate.. .just get your own. For more information on these fabulous bags visit eliann.co/fashion

R & H SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL – COSTA MESA, CA GIACOMO PUCCINI’S “LA BOHEME” staged in concert APRIL 19, 21, 24, 8 P.M. by Angela Rocco DeCarlo Pacific Symphony’s masterful concert production of Giacomo Puccini’s great love story, “La Boheme,” is the very distillation of operatic chic. With Carl St. Clair conducting and A. Scott Parry directing, the Pacific Symphony orchestra’s vibrant, yet, velvet backdrop to the opera’s sexy lead singers produced a singular intimate sensation.   Frankly, it was a revelation to experience such an affecting “La Boheme” in a concert setting. Last night’s performance at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa, ( next April 21 & 24 ) demonstrates Puccini was and remains a great artist of human emotions. His music – which he orchestrated, as well as composed – apparently doesn’t need elaborate sets and costumes when it has young beautiful actors with fine voices to carry the drama. Hyung Yun as Marcello captivated with his abundant dramatic charm and exasperation at Georgia Jarman’s naughty Musetta. Denis Sedov’s imposing stature as Colline is endlessly graceful, while David Lomeli as Rodolfo and Maija Kovalevska and Mimi make real the unfortunate lovers. Jeremy Kelly’s Schaunard is the resourceful friend. Together they filled a ...

Hello darlings!  Traveling Diva, at your service!  I did a bit of research, and Dallas is not as boring as you think !  Here are a few off-the-beaten-path things to consider for group outings before and after the fabulous event.  Woo hoo! My first pick: Deep Ellum - I discovered this hunting around on the net and it looks amazing for a full day into night trip.  Try out the Art Cafe and shop for odd stuff surrounded by the NY loft backdrop before picking a live music spot to settle into.  Deep Ellum has been often described as a 'little New Orleans and Southern SoHo' - It is trendy, zaney, and very unique. The shops you will see there are even decorated in a very colorful manner. This is the place for pyschics and tattoo shops, as well as individual nightlife and restaurants. Deep Ellum is the modern eclectic side of Dallas. This website gives you all the info but the upcoming events calendar is a bit outdated...  :) http://ondaweb.com/deep_ellum/ This one deserves a "hod-dam!" The 6th Floor Museum -   Go to the 'lower Greenville Street' area, northeast of the city. It's a small, 'happening' area, with some blues bars, restaurants, and ...

Larisa Safaryan Presenting her intricate egg shell sculptures. Larisa Safaryan chose egg shells to create her delicate works. On the same show - a Group Exhibition of original oil paintings, Mixed media and sculptures by our gallery artists. Don't miss this rare opportunity to attend our Artist's Reception   Opening night Reception and Exhibit Saturday, March 31, 2012 From 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Gallery Exhibit March 31, 2012 - May 18, 2012 Please join us on March 31 for a special reception and meet these artists in person! Silvana Gallery  Location and Hours  Get Directions  Tel: 818 662 7070, Tel: 818 395 0313, Fax 818 662 7075       Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 7pm   Sunday and Monday closed  info@silvanagallery.com     www.silvanagallery.com This Exhibition is Sponsored by SVH Tours and Travel Services www.pleasantvacation.com     www.applespecials.com

By Emanuela Cariolagian We arrived in Port Grimaud on Saturday afternoon, quickly changed into our swim suits and went to catch some afternoon rays of sunshine on the beach.  We sat under the warm and soothing sun, which felt so good on our tanned skin, and quietly and peacefully read our books, from time to time reading to each other funny excerpts from each of our three different books…laughing and sharing… As we sat along the bord de la mer, smelling the salty and crisp air of the sea…we heard the sea gulls crying and the waves crashing along the seaboard…the sound of these natural phenomenon made us relax even further into a tranquility and peace that rarely exists in Paris.  The fresh and clean air was beating against our soft skin delving us further into a meditative state of being… We looked far at the sea, mesmerized by the waves that were dancing and seducing us…with the strong and green mountains behind the body of water… it reminded us of the hills of Spain. And as we walked back to the cozy and quaint summer holiday villa along the canal and marina of Port Grimaud, we saw some boats go by and the ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo Thanksgiving conjures multitudes of memories and impressions in our minds of stupendous family meals.  There is the enduring image of going to grandma’s house where she spent all day in the kitchen cooking up homemade ravioli and other special holiday dishes - a feast for her eager family.  While the adults snuggled around the dining room table, the kiddies caused a ruckus in the kitchen. These days I’m no longer the young mother with small children, but the grandmother, who has never made homemade ravioli. The shame of it haunts me – but only for a little while. Times change. This year I engineered our Thanksgiving dinner, but did not cook it, as we dined in comfort and charm at the splendid Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, California. I’m sure my mother never enjoyed such luxury back in Chicago. The BBC provided the ideal venue for an elegant family Thanksgiving dinner, serenely soothing with tinkling piano in the background, and I knew every song being played, including the lyrics. It wasn’t just recorded noise…it was authentic music. The four-course menu offered several choices ($75 adults; $37 children) – and all were declared “delicious.”  Though I am the only ...

It's that time of the year again... summer is gone and the slow, steady cold winds of winter start to creep up. Angelenos need a break from the everyday. Away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, you'll find a thriving city with the charm of a small town in which to relax. Claremont, once again, a diva's getaway. From LA: Take the 134 to the 210 exit North Towne Avenue South. Ontario International Airport (ONT) - 10 miles; Los Angeles - 40 miles Hotel Casa 425 is just what it claims to be: a home away from home. Located on the town square, within steps of fine restaurants, cafes, boutiques, art galleries and the prestigious Claremont Colleges, Casa 425 is a sophisticated boutique hotel with spacious rooms with clean lines and understated art. This diva recommends you grab a drink at the hip lounge or a complimentary green apple on your way out.   Another great alternative is the Doubletree Hotel Claremont. DIVA's TIP: All Doubletree Hotels offer a warm cookie at check-in. If you are nice, you can get more than one.... :) Want to float off into winter? Try Essentials Day Spa & Salon at the Doubletree ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo Even a three-year old understands the concept of saving old things for the future. Michelle Christine, my toddler granddaughter looked around our house one day at the children’s table and chairs and toys she knew had been her daddy’s. “You saved this for me, “ she stated, not asked. She knew. I pounced on her thought and told her there were people we didn’t even know who had saved things for us in big buildings called museums. Would she like to go see them? She said, yes, and so our museum adventures began ten years ago. With my second granddaughter, Serritella Dainelle, I was late starting. She is six years old and last Sunday we went to the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, Santa Ana, CA. The facility is having great success with its China exhibits  - China’s Enduring Legacy - Warriors, Tombs and Temples; and Ancient Arts of China, but we were there to see the memorial to Christopher Columbus and the small gallery of oil paintings tucked upstairs in an out of the way location. You are not likely to find Columbus’ bust as it is secreted deep in a courtyard near the entrance, but set back so it is ...

Who would say no to dining Chicago style with Arlene & Joe Mantegna? This diva found herself amongst a herd of Bears, Chicago Bears that is, in the valley's only authentic Chicago style restaurant. Taste Chicago offers a culinary gateway to the Windy City and a great alternative to hum-drum LA food. "Fugetabout"calories, tofu, or fat free anything when you go through the doors at Taste Chicago. You'll be overwhelmed by the smell of Chicago pizza. My favorite.. sausage..yum! The pizza, as advertised, is truly ' a meal in itself.' You may want to ask the server to cut it in half or quarters and share with your group, that way they are forced to order something different to share with you. ;) Try the meatballs, with that delicious red sauce, and of course the famous beef 'sangwich.' Thin sliced of authentically seasoned roast beef, served on a bakery fresh Italian roll with your choice of sweet green peppers or hot giardiniera. Ahhh.. slice of heaven... For the more adventurous type, the Taste Chicago hot dog is not your ordinary wiener. This all beef Vienna sausage comes with an array of mustard, celery salt, relish, pickles, onions, tomatoes, and peppers.. just no ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo Warning: This is not an unbiased review. I love Las Brisas Restaurant for its incomparable location. The place is quaint, just comfortable enough to satisfy, with flashy rose gardens in seasonal bloom, but make no mistake, it is the ocean which holds pride of place. It sits on a promontory overlooking the sun-dappled Pacific Ocean, with curving Laguna Beach to the south replicating vistas of Italy's Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, our families' ancestral home. For us former Chicagoans, the place, especially in January, represents a fantasy of beauty and breezes (hence the name The Breezes) to which we've brought our most beloved family and friends. Our Chicago-born fathers, Mike DeCarlo and Pete Rocco, taking their first plane ride in their 80s, relished the experience of eating in sunshine on a winter day. My sister, Christine, and others have shared our delight in merely being in this sublimely spectacular spot. Native Californians cannot fathom the depth of pleasure experienced by we cold-clime folk, who find ourselves squinting into the winter sun as we munch delicious Las Brisas nachos on the terrace. We can almost feel we're again visiting fabled Positano, Italy, seated on the terrace of the celebrated ...