Showing posts sorted by relevance for query what would your dog want in a house. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query what would your dog want in a house. Sort by date Show all posts

Thursday, August 10, 2017

If My Dog Was on House Hunters

Read article : If My Dog Was on House Hunters

Do you have any shows you just love to hate watch? Shows that you love to mock and criticize? For me it’s House Hunters. That show always provides plenty of cringe-worthy moments. (I am certainly not alone; read these fun examples here, here & here)

I was drawn into House Hunters because I love seeing the inside of different homes, but the way the people on that show focus on appearance versus practicality drives me insane. “Ewww, this carpet looks like it’s 10 years old.” Hey, you’re in your mid 20’s and about to buy a $350,000 home – trust me when I say things could be much worse.

If House Hunters has taught me anything it’s that apparently this is the standard wish we should have when looking for a home:

The home needs to be close to the ocean, a house in the city but without all that noise, it must have 6+ bedrooms, a fenced in yard, double sinks in every bathroom, 3 walk in closets with a seating area, all stainless steel appliances, a 5 minute commute to work, 2 offices, an olympic sized swimming pool, 2 kitchen islands, a big yard, a master bathroom with a separate shower & big ass tub, tons of extra space for entertaining, first floor laundry, a wine cellar, 4 working fireplaces, an open floor plan, a special room just for him, a fully furnished basement & wall to wall hardwood floors. And all for a budget of $29,000.

Like I said, the show offers plenty of cringe-worthy moments to those of us who consider ourselves lucky to be homeowners to begin with.

If My Dog Was on House Hunters

I consider myself a practical person, but what about Laika? She can be pretty demanding at times. (You should see what happens when I’m 10 minutes late for our walk…)

Would Laika consider a house with a small yard a deal breaker? Would she want a 3rd bedroom so she could make her own doggy office? I know she certainly wouldn’t mind 10 year old carpet; everyone knows that carpet is way more comfortable to puke on.

This is what would happen if my dog was on House Hunters; this would be her house buying wish list.

Home must have a custom bag-less garbage system. Garbage bags are loud, scary & completely outdated. All garbage must be left in a lid-less container for proper doggie inspection before disposal.

Yard needs to have at least 10 varieties of grass. Everyone knows how hard it is to find the right grass for the occasion.

All indoor bathing facilities must be switched to hoses. Baths are outdated, everyone knows an indoor hose system is the way to go. No baths will be taken unless they’re given with streams of water shot directly into the face.

All flooring must be replaced with plush carpet. Carpet makes it possible to crawl around on the floor when needed, and everyone knows how much fun carpet is to puke on.

Home must have a custom dog bed in each room of the house. You can’t put a price on comfort (and being able to spy on everything that’s going on from a comfy platform).

All counters should be lowered to 12 inches for proper inspection purposes. Dogs shouldn’t have to ‘sit pretty’ or jump to see what’s happening on the counters.

Each room must have no less than 4 wall length windows for maximum visibility. Necessary for monitoring outside threats (squirrels) & sunbathing.

Custom canine controlled television programming. Remotes should have paw print security installed so the humans can’t sit around and watch boring stuff all day long.

Automatic power down mode for 6 hours a day.All computers and devices should cease to work for 6 hours each day to maximize available play time.

Custom food dispensers. The kitchen should have 4 paw activated food dispensers (50% meat, 40% treats, 5% peanut butter, 5% cheese) that need to be refilled every day.

One doggie door in every room. For security purposes. Humans are slow and lazy when it comes to keeping the yard safe and clear of invaders (squirrels).

Dog sitter quarters on premises. Home must come with a full time dog sitter whose only job is to do whatever the dog wants at all times. Must be willing to play, cuddle and walk for at least 8 hours a day.

What Would Your Dog Want in a House?

Be crazy with me for a minute; what do you think your dog would want in a house? A big yard? An endless supply of food? Their very own room for toys?

Monday, February 12, 2018

Part 5: Making room for our home’s hiding places

Read article : Part 5: Making room for our home’s hiding places

As we put the finishing touches on the plans for our home, our dreams of dinner parties in the finished open kitchen, of repurposed original sconces and refurbished original details, gave way to a less sexy obsession. The mop, the vacuum, our winter coats, the laundry. Specifically: Where would they all go and how could we banish them from sight?

In the New York prewar apartments we’d lived in for years, closets were strictly optional and washer-dryers were nonexistent. What made glossy interior photos appealing, I came to realize, was what you didn’t see, because it was tucked into a hidden closet or built-in cabinet. Renovating our house gave us a shot at discreet convenience.

Entering the first-floor apartment, pre-renovation, meant coming face-to-face with a faux-wood-grained cabinet door—in actuality, a false front. It was an arguably clever way to bump out the bathroom on the other side to make room for a turquoise jacuzzi-shaped tub. Otto’s initial plan for the enlarged bathroom included a non-aqua, 6-foot tub. But what we really wanted was an entryway closet. With a standard 5-foot tub, we gained a proper foyer and a narrow coat closet on the other side of the wall.

First-floor square footage was valuable, but we admitted to ourselves we would be much likelier to stay on top of the wash if it were integrated into kitchen chores and didn’t involve trekking up and down stairs. So Otto designed a new pantry/washer-dryer closet in the kitchen with an automatic light and stacking electric Miele washer-dryer. The same closet, which my partner later fitted with an Ikea Norberg table and some Elfa wire shelves, would also hold cleaning supplies and dog food.

The closets pre-renovation.
The laundry pantry in progress.

One of our favorite ideas from Otto: Since our ceilings are 10 feet high, he suggested additional closet doors above both the entryway closet and pantry. The mini-closet above the pantry alone would provide an additional 15 square feet of storage. Our contractor, CNS, priced out the additional closet framing and custom doors at a very reasonable $600.

We could have added traditional closets to the bedroom. But we wanted to keep the non-utility rooms flexible, in case we add to our family or otherwise change how we used the house. The windowless room between the living room and bedroom would make a perfect walk-through closet.

Using left-behind plastic garment racks upstairs convinced me that I did not want open storage. Open storage is for the preternaturally tidy, which I am not, and I wanted seamlessness and harmony. Generally, getting to “seamless” means custom cabinetry. Otto estimated a wall of built-in clothes closets with nice doors could run around $6,000. Or we could hack some Ikea for less than a third of that.

The Ikea PAX wardrobe boxes in the closet area.Devon Banks

We thought we’d left Ikea behind with our futon days. But that was before we had a designer who knew how to use its modular components precisely, or how to hack cabinet frames with custom doors. For the storage that was really going to put in the work, the old blue-and-yellow big box was it. With Otto’s help, we were soon on a first-name basis with the Ikea catalog.

Naturally, there are no short trips to Ikea. Not with the cavernous dimensions, the waits for returns, and the inescapable, interminable “full-service” pickup. It frayed domestic relations. “I feel so basic getting into a fight on the Ikea line,” said my partner, as we traded apologies on what felt like our 50th visit. By then, paying the impressively responsive Perfect Assembly $50 to $149 to shop and deliver from a New Jersey Ikea seemed worth every penny. (They also will put it together for you for a reasonable fee.)

We got lucky with Ikea’s ubiquitous PAX wardrobe boxes: three PAX frames in a row (small, medium, and large widths) just fit the walk-through closet space when bolted to the wall—no fill-in molding required. But my partner disdained the PAX doors: They were cheap-looking without even being that cheap.

Enter Semihandmade,* which makes a variety of doors for PAX frames that start at just $40 more a door than Ikea’s Hemnes doors, though you have to factor in production times and shipping from California.

We were trying to be disciplined about the finishes, sticking to neutrals knowing that color variation would come later with removable items like rugs and art. We sought to limit the number of wood tones we chose, settling on matte white oak (the same wood as the original staircase and the one we chose for the floors) and a darker walnut and mahogany. We promptly fell in love with Semihandmade’s flat-sawn walnut doors, which fit the moodier, cocoon-like feel we were going for in the bedroom suite.

The completed and stocked laundry pantry in the kitchen. Devon Banks

We wanted a similar aesthetic consistency on all the house’s hardware: Almost everything new would be either antique brass to match the house’s original hardware, including the snakelike exterior door handle, or a more transitional matte black. (For the uninitiated, “transitional” is what bath and hardware manufacturers came up with to describe fittings that aren’t sleekly modern or fussily traditional, but streamlined enough to fit in with either decor.) For the closet doors, we picked inexpensive brass tab pulls whose clean lines didn’t compete with the beautiful walnut grain.

For the walls, we tried to be strict about sticking to white and three shades of gray, one of which, the blue-green-gray Night Train, we used in a glossier exterior finish (called Grand Entrance) that would only be found in the outer vestibule and door. We went with Benjamin Moore—already Otto’s go-to paint brand—who generously provided product.** After at least a dozen sample pots, we settled on Brushed Aluminum, the ideal ambiguous, warmer sage gray for key moldings and our foyer.

To hide television cords, we went back to Semihandmade for a $20 wall-mounted Besta frame topped with a DIY slab door ($44). Late one night when the contractors were gone, we painted the Besta door the same white we’d chosen for the living room and dining room, Benjamin Moore’s Snowfall White, in the hope it would simply recede into the wall. We added a matte-black handle from Atlas Homewares I’d ordered on Amazon as a sample for the kitchen.

New to Benjamin Moore is the velvety Century line. Unlike the bajillion colors available in Moore’s other paint lines, Century is a much smaller selection of highly saturated colors—intriguing but intimidating—that have to be seen in person to be understood. My partner was averse to truly dark colors, so my love for dark teal would be limited to the office. After spending time with all the emerald tones, I picked Light Beryl.

For the bedroom area—both walk-through closet and bedroom—we chose Marcasite, which would also visually separate it from the sunny white of the more public rooms of the house.

Another cheap trick to attain the visual smoothness of built-ins: Painting Ikea Tarva furniture, made of unfinished pine, with the same Marcasite paint and then upgrading the hardware. It took all freaking night, what with two disassembled dressers and two nightstands, but in the end, we would have our “built-in” furniture at a fraction of the price.

*Semihandmade partnered with the homeowners on this project; they received a 50 percent discount on cabinet fronts.

**This project is sponsored in part by Benjamin Moore, who provided the Century paint.

Next week, onRenovation Diary:

Our intrepid homeowner finds out what happens when you try to carry slabs of marble on your own—and a peek at the finished bathroom.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Clarins Cleansing Milk with Gentian for Combination/Oily Skin (14 oz.) ($60 Value)

Read article : Clarins Cleansing Milk with Gentian for Combination/Oily Skin (14 oz.) ($60 Value)

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Monday, March 27, 2017

10 Best Cruise Lines for Couples

Read article : 10 Best Cruise Lines for Couples
Paul Gauguin couple

Romance and cruising would seem to go hand in hand, particularly if you've spotted any of the cruise lines' advertisements showing photos of couples snuggling at the bow at sunset, or sipping orange juice on their private veranda in bathrobes, or even -- and this one we have a hard time believing -- spending time alone on a deserted beach with their mega-ship anchored in the background.

Advertisements notwithstanding, cruising can be one of the most romantic vacation options, but choosing the right cruise line and, even more specifically, the right ship within the fleet, can be a challenge. You don't want that sunset marred by crowds on deck, the romance of a dinner for two killed by the whiny kids at the next table or a cozy evening ruined by cramped cabins with minimal amenities.

For our top picks, we looked at criteria that we would deem universally romantic: ships that offer cabins with private balconies, great bathrooms and extra-special amenities; options for dining a deux; cozy nooks and date-night venues; and almost-private open-deck spaces for relaxing by day and stargazing by night.

Here are our favorite ships for celebrating or rekindling romance with your sweetheart.

Princess Cruises | Paul Gauguin Cruises | Windstar Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line | SeaDream Yacht Club | Celebrity Cruises | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Crystal Yacht Cruises | Azamara Club Cruises | Viking Ocean Cruises


Ultimate Balcony Dining 1. Princess Cruises Best Ships: Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess

Why: The youngest of Princess' Grand-class ships -- Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess -- blend big-ship options and small-ship cozy. Romance has always been the Love Boat line's focus, but the tiny, charmless balconies and bigger size of its newer Royal-class ships mean that the elder sisters still win in this category.

Sweet Digs: Each boasts the line's traditionally high percentage of suites and mini-suites. Suites feature separate sitting areas, large balconies and walk-in closets, and come with perks like evening canapes, a complimentary mini-bar setup, laundry services, use of the ship's thermal suite and complimentary dinner in a specialty restaurant on embarkation night. But even the standard mini-suite is charming and comfortable. Plus, the line is rolling out its new Princess Luxury Bed fleetwide through 2018. With pillow-top mattresses, Jacquard-woven cotton bed linens and fluffy duvets, you might be inspired to snuggle in bed a bit longer.

Onboard Romance: What could be more romantic than a night at "Movies Under the Stars," reclining on padded loungers while snuggled under wool tartan blankets on the pool deck? Or for quiet tete-a-tetes with your sweetie, try Adagio, a lovely and private top-deck lounge. During the day, we love The Sanctuary, a (mostly) shaded retreat, complete with waiter service, spa menu and massage services (a couples' massage is available).

Dinner for Two: Open-seating (as well as traditional) dining is available. But the most romantic option is the Ultimate Balcony Dining dinner experience. For an extra fee, cruisers are treated to a lobster dinner with Champagne and course-by-course service. (Or have a romantic breakfast in your cabin with the line's Balcony Breakfast option.) Only caveat: Your cabin must have a balcony. We also love the ships' specialty restaurants. Request a banquette at Crown Grill, a steak and seafood restaurant with an open grill; indulge in a multicourse meal at the Italian Sabatini's; or share dishes with your sweetie at Share by Curtis Stone or The Salty Dog Gastropub. For a more casual option, try Vines, a wine and sushi bar. If chocolate is your aphrodisiac of choice, be sure to try the onboard cocktails and desserts created by master chocolatier Norman Love.

Downside: While the deluxe mini-suites are lovely and comfortable, the all-open-air balconies are anything but private.


Paul Gauguin couple 2. Paul Gauguin Cruises Best Ship: Paul Gauguin

Why: Designed, built and decorated to sail year-round in the romantic South Pacific, the cozy, 332-passenger Paul Gauguin offers an air of tropical festivity. Dining is restaurant-style, the staff is superb and the ship is highly inclusive (cocktails and other beverages are included in cruise fares). But it's the ship's remote and lush island destinations that really turn up the notch on the romantic nature of the trip.

Sweet Digs: You know this is a ship intended for couples when most cabins come with a queen-sized bed and only a limited number can be split apart into twins. Consistent with the decor around the ship, cabins are tropically inspired. When you embark, you might find that your cabin attendant has showered the bathroom sink with red rose petals. Definitely book ahead so you can nab a balcony cabin. It's not a trip to the South Pacific if you're not out on your balcony, savoring coffee, as Bora Bora pulls into view. And just when life onboard couldn't be any better, suites and category A and B veranda staterooms feature butler service.

Onboard Romance: Dance cheek to cheek with your honey to the tunes of a chanteuse in La Palette Lounge, or gaze at the sea or stars from the lounge's top-of-ship vantage point.

Dinner for Two: For such a small ship, the choice of restaurants is superb. L'Etoile, which offers French cuisine accented with Polynesian touches, serves as the main venue. Couples will appreciate plentiful tables for two and an attentive wait staff that will keep your glasses filled with house wines and nonalcoholic beverages. Two casual venues offer indoor and alfresco dining, with reservations-only dinners. And there's always room service for meals in bed or on your balcony.

Downside: French Polynesia is a long trip from just about anywhere, so be prepared to endure hours on a plane before you get to your luxurious destination.


Windstar Cruises couple dining 3. Windstar Cruises Best Ship: Wind Surf

Why: Wind Surf's both a sailboat and cruise ship, and it features a hybrid blend of cruise traditions (such as the crew show, organized shore excursions and multiple eateries) and utterly romantic vistas. Carrying just 310 passengers, the ship's onboard ambience is relaxed (no set seatings at dinner) and its itineraries focus on ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Baltic that are often too small to appeal to massive ships.

Sweet Digs: What Windstar's cabins lack in size and variety, they make up in style. The staterooms offer decadently soft bedding, L'Occitane bath products and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Most suites are simply two standard cabins opened up and joined together, but having two bathrooms is generally a boon for marital bliss. For a special occasion splurge, book one of two Bridge Suites, which feature separate living rooms and bedrooms, a whirlpool tub and a massaging shower.

Onboard Romance: A favorite spot -- and it's remarkably quiet -- is at the outside tables at Wind Surf's cigar bar; it's a great place to sit under the stars (or enjoy a quiet cocktail). If it's too chilly for sitting outdoors, head to the indoor section of the Compass Rose lounge to listen to some pre-dinner music over drinks with your sweetheart.

Dinner for Two: For casual daytime dining, the glass-walled Veranda offers seating outdoors as well as indoors. It's adjacent to the grill and features both buffet fare and choices from a menu. At night, enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner by the pool at Candles, sample French-influenced contemporary dishes at Stella Bistro or dine in the main restaurant, AmphorA, which features local and creative cuisine.

Downside: This ship is small and cabins are close to the water, so in rough seas, you'll definitely feel the motion of the ocean and perhaps watch the waves close in over your porthole. If you're prone to seasickness, bad weather might kill the romance of a Windstar cruise.


Norwegian Cruise Line couple 4. Norwegian Cruise Line Best Ships: Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade

Why: Norwegian's "Freestyle Dining" philosophy (passengers can dine without the hassle of assigned times and tablemates at a variety of restaurants) is perfectly suited to table-for-two travelers. While the line's newest and biggest ships are full of Las Vegas flash and nonstop entertainment action, we prefer its Jewel-class for the right mix of romantic options and plentiful activities.

Sweet Digs: If you can afford them, the ships' Haven suites -- Courtyard Penthouses, Owner's Suites and Garden Villas -- are tops for a romantic getaway. These suites are located away from the fray in a private-access area of the ship -and offer a host of special perks, from access to an exclusive pool area (complete with padded loungers and hot tub) to VIP-only breakfast and lunch in either Cagney's Steakhouse or Moderno Churrascaria. The suites feature separate living and sleeping rooms, flat-screen televisions, butler service and swishy bathrooms, some with a whirlpool tub set into a picture window alcove.

Onboard Romance: Active couples can play a little one-on-one basketball on the sports deck or race each other up the rock climbing wall; while those looking to relax together can snag side-by-side loungers in the spa's relaxation room or take a dip in the thalassotherapy pool. At night, snuggle up to your honey, cocktail in hand, on one of the plush couches (on Norwegian Gem) or canopied beds (on Norwegian Pearl) that serve as loungers in the Bliss Ultra Lounge and Night Club; on Jewel and Jade, hit up Bar City to have your pick of multiple bars and drink styles.

Dinner for Two: Try dinner at Cagney's, the dedicated steakhouse, and Le Bistro, a French eatery.

Downside: These mega-ships aren't exactly intimate, and you might have to queue up for your dinner table for two if you don't eat at odd times or make reservations in advance.


SeaDream cruise couple 5. SeaDream Yacht Club Best Ships: SeaDream I and SeaDream II

Why: These nearly identical 112-passenger yachts win top romantic honors for sophisticated couples who want luxury (phenomenal dining and great service) in a casual ambiance. The ships are gorgeously restored; dining is all as-you-wish; cabins, though cozy, are outfitted with everything you could possibly need; and service is outstanding, personable, attentive ... and subtle. Fares are all-inclusive, too, which means tips and most drinks are included in your fare. Choose a warm-weather itinerary if you want to spend time playing with the ship's water toys offered from its onboard marina.

Sweet Digs: There are only four types of stateroom. The most romantic is, of course, the Owner's Suite (with a fabulous windowed bathroom); the Admiral Suite has similar amenities but is somewhat smaller. The Commodore Suites are basically two standard cabins put together -- we actually preferred our standard accommodations. The 195-square-foot standard cabins feature separate seating areas and bedrooms, with a small but exquisitely outfitted bathroom (huge shower-for-two with three shower heads). Add to that fine linens and great mattresses on the bed, high-tech flat-screen televisions, DVD and CD players, stocked mini-bars and plenty of storage space.

Onboard Romance: Our favorite place for sunset-timed port departures was on one of the Balinese beds on the top-most deck. Tucked around the smokestack, they are built just a bit above the deck railing, which gives you a sense of floating above the water. (You can also reserve one for a night sleeping under the stars.) We also loved the Top of the Yacht bar for after-dinner drinks to a soundtrack of live music.

Dinner for Two: There are two primary venues. The Main Dining Salon (indoors) feels like a restaurant at an elegant, small boutique hotel. But our favorite spot was the Topside Restaurant; it's an open-sided outdoor eatery (covered, though, so shaded) and there are a handful of wonderful and private nooks.

Downside: There are no cabins with balconies, but the open decks are so expansive and there are so many lovely nooks that you'll never miss them.


Lawn Club couple 6. Celebrity Cruises Best Ship: Celebrity Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette and Reflection

Why: Celebrity's newest ships are sophisticated and hip, and cater to couples on adult getaways, rather than families on holiday. Plus, there are plenty of onboard spaces tailor-made for parties of two -- from wine bars to multiple specialty dining venues, double pool loungers and top-deck lawns perfect for picnicking.

Sweet Digs: For a true splurge, suites range in size from 300 to 1,636 square feet, with amenities such as separate living room/dining room areas, baby grand pianos, whirlpool tubs and large balconies. For couples who enjoy the spa experience, Celebrity's AquaClass cabins and suites create an oasis of calm on the bustling ships with massaging showerheads, complimentary spa-oriented bath and body products and upgraded bed linens. Plus, couples can seek further R&R with complimentary use of the AquaSpa Relaxation Room and Persian Garden and exclusive specialty restaurant, Blu. There's also good news for pairs looking for a private retreat without breaking the bank -- 85 percent of all cabins feature private balconies.

Onboard Romance: It's easy to rekindle the romance with a picnic for two in the Lawn Club, a real grass lawn on the ships' top decks. Or hide away in a corner of the Deck 4 wine bar or martini bar, and get a little tipsy with your loved one; the aft Sunset Bar is great for views. The pool deck and adults-only Solarium also have cozy double sunbeds and hammocks for snuggling in the sun.

Dinner for Two: With so many top-notch specialty restaurants onboard, any table for two will do for a romantic night out. Our favorite for couples (and anyone else, for that matter) is Murano, the upscale Continental restaurant offering both tasting and a la carte menus. Treat yourself and your sweetie to luxe dishes like caviar, escargots, sweetbreads or foie gras. For dinner with a view, dine early at the back-of-the-ship Tuscan Grille, an Italian steakhouse with a wine country feel.

Downside: Onboard dates don't come cheap, whether you're shelling out for glasses of wine or fabulous cocktail creations, splurging on a specialty restaurant meal (Murano charges $45 per person) or booking upper-class cabins.


Regent Seven Seas couple 7. Regent Seven Seas Cruises Best Ship: Seven Seas Explorer

Why: You can't go wrong with the "Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built," an all-suite, all-balcony vessel that features personal service, gourmet cuisine and the most-inclusive cruise fares of the major luxury lines. You don't have to worry about lover's quarrels over the price of shore excursions, which pre-cruise hotel to book or how many drinks to order -- it's all covered by your cruise fare.

Sweet Digs: Take your pick! The smallest cabin on Explorer is a 219-square-foot suite with an 88-square-foot balcony and marble bathroom. The largest is a whopping 2,917 square feet and features a luxurious bed with topped with a $90,000 horse-hair mattress and $60,000 bed linens; an in-cabin spa complete with private sauna, heated ceramic lounge chairs and unlimited spa treatments; and a 958-square-foot balcony -- with a hot tub, dining table and assortment of loungers -- that wraps around the entire front of the ship. If you want to spoil yourself but can't quite afford the ship's top suite, know that all Penthouse Suites and higher categories come with butler service, upgraded toiletries and free use of iPads and iPods onboard.

Onboard Romance: Head to the gorgeous spa and gym area to get a little sweaty together (personal training for two?) and then relax in the back-of-ship infinity pool or heated ceramic loungers. Or visit the Observation Lounge for 180-degree views by day and cocktails and music by night. If you like learning together, sign up for a cooking class at the Culinary Arts Kitchen.

Dinner for Two: It's easy to get a table for two on these ships, even in Compass Rose, the main dining room. And the food is superb, with no drop in quality from the specialty venues to the main dining room. For date night, try the pan-Asian Pacific Rim, modern French Chartreuse or the Prime 7 steakhouse -- you'll need to make reservations for these popular venues but there's no fee.

Downside: Because its prices include nearly everything, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has some of the highest cruise fares in the industry.


Couple dining at the Crystal Esprit Yacht Club 8. Crystal Yacht Cruises Best Ship: Crystal Esprit

Why: If you want to sample the high life, where days are spent lounging on a day bed in the sun with a drink in hand, swimming and snorkeling or touring the more yacht-y ports, Crystal Esprit beckons. The 62-passenger yacht is also incredibly high-tech, carrying Jet Skis and a three-person submersible; cabins loaded up with state-of-the-art technology; and even an outdoor flat-screen TV for movies under the stars.

Sweet Digs: Most cabins are identical and a generous 280 square feet so you won't feel like you're tripping over your honey on a small ship. Rooms come outfitted with high-tech touches, such as a Soundbar speaker system, iPads for accessing ship services and flat-screen TVs loaded with movies. Enjoy the services of a butler, a stocked mini-bar and Krups coffee maker, king-sized bed and even a rain shower in a spacious bathroom. For truly special vacations, snag the one Owner's Suite onboard, which has separate living and sleeping areas and an egg-shaped soaking tub in the bathroom.

Onboard Romance: Most passengers are splashing in the water or enjoying complimentary tours during the day. If you're onboard, you're likely to be found cuddling on a Balinese bed or dipping your toes in the plunge pool. At night, catch a flick on the outdoor screen, or get social in The Cove, the ship's living room with live music and bar service.

Dinner for Two: The elegant Yacht Club Restaurant is the only dinner venue onboard. You won't have trouble snagging a table for two and will be spoiled for choice with a regular menu and special four-course menu offered each evening. For total privacy, order room service off the Yacht Club's menu and take date night back to your cabin.

Downside: Crystal Esprit offers port-intensive itineraries, so if you're looking for sea days, you won't find them. The yacht uses Zodiacs to tender, with some wet landings, and rocks and rolls when not in sheltered waters. If you have mobility issues or are prone to seasickness, the romance might be lost rather than found on this small ship.


Couple enjoying the dinner portion of the Night in Private Places experience 9. Azamara Club Cruises Best Ship: Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest

Why: Azamara offers two twin intimate ships and a destination focus, so you can bond with your loved one over new experiences and incredible adventures ashore. The line will constantly hand you opportunities for memorable date nights with its Nights and Cool Places after-dinner excursions and complimentary, once-a-cruise AzAmazing Evening shoreside event. The onboard atmosphere is geared to adults, so your vacation-for-two won't be disrupted by unruly rug rats.

Sweet Digs: Standard cabins are pretty cozy, but 46 suites offer more luxury and elbow room. The most sought-after are Ocean and World Owner's Suites, which command the fore and aft of the cabin decks. Think king-sized beds, marble baths and enormous private balconies. If the two of you love the spa life, book a Spa Suite, located near the ship's spa facilities; the suite comes with in-room spa music, a glass-enclosed soaking tub and separate rain shower, a free evening excursion and a spa credit. Couples massage, anyone?

Onboard Romance: Take your partner for a whirl with ballroom dancing in the Cabaret Lounge, or look for that green flash at the Sunset Bar, cocktail in hand. For the ultimate in romance, though, book the Nights in Private Places package. For one night, you'll get the aft spa deck all to yourself. A private butler will serve a candlelit dinner, you can float in the thalassotherapy pool while gazing at the stars, and then spend the night snuggled up on the canopied daybed, done up in fine linens. Just be sure to slip your robe back on when the butler comes to serve breakfast in the morning.

Dinner for Two: Tables for two are not hard to come by in Azamara's main, open-seating restaurant, but for a more intimate repast, book into one of the specialty restaurants, the Prime C steakhouse or the Italian Aqualina. Special event meals not to miss include a jazz brunch, Officers' BBQ with suckling pig and barbecue ribs and the White Night dinner served on deck.

Downside: If you like onboard nightlife, Azamara's options are limited. The casino is small and theater offerings are hit and miss. You won't find a packed disco or dancing well into the wee hours.


Couple in a cabin on Viking Oceans cruise ship 10. Viking Ocean Cruises Best Ship: Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky and Viking Sun

Why: With beautiful sun decks and a huge Nordic-inspired spa, Viking Ocean's four identical ships are ideal for couples who love to relax...after a hard day of touring in port. The line's destination focus includes jam-packed itineraries, late nights and overnights in port and included shore excursions. Well-appointed cabins, included Wi-Fi and wine with meals, multiple dining venues and a no-kids-under-16 policy seal the deal.

Sweet Digs: You can't go wrong when every cabin has a balcony, thoughtful touches like plentiful outlets and quiet-closing drawers, and bathrooms with heated floors. Upgrade to one of 14 Explorer Suites for sprawling verandas, separate living rooms and bedrooms and soaking tubs in the bathrooms. If nothing but the best will suit your sweetheart, book the one Owner's Suite with its private sauna, dining area and wet bar, and comfortable living room with stereo system.

Onboard Romance: During the day, relax in the light and airy, glass-enclosed Wintergarden Conservatory and take your honey to tea for finger sandwiches and scones in the late afternoon. Or lounge by the all-weather main pool, with retractable roof, or aft infinity pool. A cool drink is never far away. At night, camp out in Torshavn, to dance, enjoy a cabaret show or sip Armagnac in a dark corner.

Dinner for Two: The mouth-watering food at Manfredi's will start your date night off right. The Italian venue is complimentary and offers an expansive Italian menu. Don't miss the daily specials and definitely save room for dessert (as difficult as that might be). If your style is more casual, check out the sushi bar in the World Cafe buffet or the cured meats and bacon-and-pea soup served faux-fireside at Mamsen's.

Downside: All that running around in port can you leave you exhausted, with little energy for romance at day's end. Be sure to factor in some relaxation time with your special someone, but expect limited entertainment onboard (day and night) and no casino.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Planning a New Orleans Bachelorette? Let This Girls Trip Be Your Guide

Read article : Planning a New Orleans Bachelorette? Let This Girls Trip Be Your Guide

Each summer, I try my hardest to squeeze in a girls getaway with my gal pals Angie and Alex, which can be challenging as we’re often spread out across the globe. Two years ago, it was Bonaire. Last summer, we convened in Boston and Martha’s Vineyard. This year, we had a brief reunion in Orlando then upped the fun factor and headed straight for four days in New Orleans thanks to a content project with the CVB.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Crazy as it may sound, it had been seven-and-a-half years since my own bachelorette when I was last in the Big Easy. So what perfect timing to recreate an adult bachelorette in New Orleans via a weekend with two of my best girls who weren’t there the first time around, right?

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend: Where to Eat in New Orleans, Louisiana

First things first: You need the perfect place to stay. On my last two visits, I booked big chains; this time, we opted for a boutique hotel instead, which is always my preference if given the choice.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the city’s newest luxury properties, the Catahoula Hotel opened in 2016, and with its 35 rooms and suite of services, like a full bar and Peruvian restaurant, it’s the perfect base in the Central Business District (CBD) from which to explore. As its name might suggest—the Catahoula is the state dog of Louisiana—it’s pet-friendly, too, so you can bring your pup along with you (Ella would be so jealous if she knew I’d traveled here without her!).

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Each of our individual rooms was dramatically different, which makes sense given that the hotel was adapted to fit an 1840s townhouse. But given the cozy nature of most city hotels, I was shocked with how open and airy my room was, thanks in part to the soaring ceilings. I know each of the Catahoula accommodations are different, but the second I stepped into my quarter for the week, I was immediately impressed with how they laid out each room to maximize space.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana: Where to Stay

I also loved the common areas, particularly the courtyard—which boasts one of the most Instagrammed pieces of art, a mural of a burlesque dancer, in town—and the inside Piscobar.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

To be perfectly honest, New Orleans is one of those cities I like to hit the pavement and explore every inch of with my own two feet, which we did—from the CBD to Magazine Street to the French Quarter and everywhere in between.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

We lucked out in that August is actually one of the best times to go to New Orleans and avoid crowds, so we were able to move freely around Bourbon Street and Jackson Square without bumping into fellow tourists.

But if you’re outdoorsy or a fan of active pursuits, you’ll want to head up to Bayou St. John and take a trip through nature and NOLA history with the fine folks behind Kayak-iti-Yat. After you’re through, stroll through City Park and visit the New Orleans Museum of Art’s sculpture garden. The free Bounce Ya Brass dance classes are also an excellent way to break a sweat.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Want to learn how to make cocktails just like they do in the Big Easy? Book a class with New Orleans Drink Lab. An experienced mixologist will give each attendee her own drink station and the tools with which to whip up a true Hurricane (and another cocktail or two, depending on the length of your class). Drinking while learning? Sounds like my kind of activity!

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I was all kinds of jazzed about eating at Willa Jean after so many of you recommended it via Instagram. We each ordered off the menu—I was feeling gluten hungover, so I opted for the quinoa bowl with poached eggs—but man, I want to come back here on a weekend for the Nutella muffins and eat my way through the rest of the baked goods section.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Another morning, we had the iconic New Orleans experience and dined at Brennan’s, something I did my very first time in the city with my parents when I was just a teen (it’s been around since 1946!). The only thing that’s really changed is I’m of age now, so I was able to take advantage of the brunch cocktails!

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana: Where to Eat

Don’t go to Brennan’s without peeking upstairs in the bathroom and the various rooms. They’re each decorated differently and are quite elaborate.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana: Where to Eat

As full as we’d get on breakfast, it was hard to fathom needing lunches and yet we persevered. Even though we have a Cochon Butcher in Nashville, we ate at Cochon in New Orleans anyway, and it was a far different experience with its Cajun focus and, dare I say, even better (if that’s possible) than the food I’m used to in Music City.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Also on the lunch front, there’s no way you’re coming all the way to New Orleans and not having a meal at Commander’s Palace; it’s simply a rite of passage. And you need to order a little bit of everything to get a taste of iconic NOLA (that means you have free rein to full-on indulge).

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend: Where to Eat in New Orleans, Louisiana

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend: Where to Eat in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend: Where to Eat in New Orleans, Louisiana

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend: Where to Eat in New Orleans, Louisiana

But particularly when accompanied by gal pals and on a weekday—because who can pass up 25-cent martinis? (You read that right: For a quarter, or the price of a gumball, you get an entire cocktail! Apparently, the three-martini lunch is back in NOLA.)

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana: Where to Drink

Pro tip: Go ahead and schedule time for a nap afterward!

St. Roch Market is perfect for finicky groups who can’t decide on where to eat—it’s got a little bit of everything all rolled into one, served in a food hall type of atmosphere. I had Creole while Angie had mango wings and Alex got her chicken bowl. We all won! This would be the place I’d eat at weekly if I were a NOLA local, and lucky for me, they’re opening a Nashville location very soon!

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Of course, no bachelorette weekend is complete without a fancy dinner out; for us, that meant we hopped the St. Charles cable car and made our way out to DTB, a new restaurant on Oak Street that stands for Down the Bayou.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana: Where to Eat

DTB wasn’t just perfect because of its casual-chic atmosphere, but most of the plates were sharable. As the name suggests, it’s all about Coastal cuisine, and everything we had was delicious. We tasted our way through the menu from Brussels sprouts to mushroom boudin balls, cornmeal gnocchi to short rib. DTB also doubles as an excellent place to have a drink, so arrive early for cocktails and stay for the food.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is all about that cocktail culture, so obviously we had to indulge, even if some of us (ahem, me) are bigger drinkers than the rest.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Our first night started at the most convenient place we knew: Piscobar in the lobby of the Catahoula Hotel. Because you can’t stay at the Catahoula and not try a Pisco Sour; pisco is the core of the bar’s sophisticated Peruvian-inspired cocktail program.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

On night one, we didn’t want to wander far so the rooftop bar of the brand new Ace Hotel, Alto, seemed a good fit. The weather was nice, the hotel is walking distance from where we were staying, and they serve drinks out of pineapples. For another type of pool bar scene over in the Bywater district, the house in which the Country Club conceals a bohemian-style pool retreat out back where you can pay an entrance fee and nab a lounge chair for the afternoon as you sip the day away; admission is $15, and there’s a full locker room, showers and changing facilities on site.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana
Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

Over in the French Quarter, rum-soaked, Cuba-inspired Cane & Table is one of the new “it” spots, while the revolving Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone is always a fun place to grab a cocktail.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana: Where to Stay

I also really wanted to try the Confederacy of Cruisers biking bar tour, but alas, the timing didn’t work out. Next girls trip!

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana: Where to Drink

Late night, Frenchman Street is where the party is really at; this three-block stretch of Marigny houses some of the best live music—not to mention, rowdiest bars—in New Orleans.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

I know we just scratched the surface of New Orlean’s multi-faceted offerings—there are so many things we didn’t make it to on my to-eat and to-drink lists—but it still was a most excellent week of gluttony, copious amounts of walking and togetherness.

Planning a Bachelorette or Girls' Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana

What’s on your must-do list for a bachelorette party in New Orleans?

This post was sponsored by the New Orleans CVB. All opinions and cocktails consumed are explicitly my own.