On My Radar Screen

Happy Friday! I can't believe it is already October!! I am actually in Florida visiting my mother, so it doesn't feel at all like October down here. Between my weekend trip to DC and flying to Florida on Wednesday, this week has flown by. Here are a few things hitting up on my radar screen this week...

Photo taken by my son, Carter, in Hong Kong this week.

The eyes of the world have been on Hong Kong this week...and nobody's eyes are more closely peeled to the developing situation than my own, as my youngest son, Carter, is attending the Chinese University in Hong Kong this semester. It has been fascinating for him to experience the protests first hand (as an unbiased observer). We speak daily via Skype and he has been giving us a play by play of the events as they happen - quite often before they hit the news here. From Carter's accounts, the protesters, while numerous, are very orderly - with many people handing out water, food and even picking up trash; and, the police for the most part are respectful of the protesters. Granted (and thank goodness), Carter was NOT at the protest on Sunday night when tear gas was used by the police. I have been particularly struck by the difference between the reality Carter is observing and the stories presented by the sensationalist American news media. Yesterday, I saw a heading on a news station here say "Protests in Hong Kong" with a picture above of the tanks rolling into Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989 - talk about misleading! 

For anyone in New York NEXT weekend, check out Open House New York. For two days every October, OHNY unlocks the doors to over 300 of New York’s most important buildings, offering an extraordinary opportunity to experience firsthand the city and meet the people who design, build, and preserve New York.

(go here if you cannot view video)

The above video, courtesy of the Ritz Paris Magazine (a great read for anyone who loves Paris and is missing The Ritz) made me smile and want to travel back in time to Hemingway's Paris! 

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Speaking of Paris, the talented husband and wife duo of Nichole and Evan Robertson behind bestsellers Paris in Color and The Paris Journal, Book One (both MUST own books - they are spectacular!) are releasing TWO books this fall - Paris in Love and The Paris Journal, Book Two.  Pre-order yours here (and look for a giveaway from me when the books are released!)

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How important is quiet to you when you travel? This article discusses how silence is quickly becoming a necessity ingredient for luxury vacations.

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Ever wonder why you sleep better in a five star hotel? Here is your answer.

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And, finally, an answer to a question I am often asked - when is the best time to purchase airline tickets?

I promise to soak up some Florida sunshine for all of you, if you promise to drink some pumpkin spice latte for me! Have a fabulous weekend, my friends...wherever you may be wandering! 

xoxo