Having been to the ultra-posh (and ultra pricey) rooftop bar at the Hotel Gansevoort in New York City’s Meatpacking District, I was interested to read that they recently opened a new property in South Beach, the Gansevoort South.

Not only does the property look pretty sweet with its modern lines and gorgeous amenities (just check out the pics of the pool and the roof deck), but they’re offering a Girls’ Escape package that makes it even more enticing.

Starting at $395, the package offers deluxe room or suite accommodations, continental breakfast for two, VIP access and two cocktails at Plunge rooftop lounge, two VIP passes to Privé, Mansion or the Opium Garden, poolside yoga classes, and more.

Not too shabby. Of course, in terms of lounging options, guests all have access to the hotel’s beach club, designed by Nikki Beach’s Stephane Dupoux. Oversize beds, cabanas and more are available for rental. There’s also a main infinity pool at the hotel that overlooks the beach.

Plunge, the hotel’s roof deck that sits 18 stories above ground, is adults-only (which means no kiddies splashing in the pool) and has a 110-foot long pool on a palm tree-fringed deck. Come nightfall, it turns into a lounge.

Pool, rooftop lounge, nightlife. Do I hear bachelorette party, anyone?

To learn more about the Gansevoort South and its special packages, visit www.gansevoortsouth.com.

–Erika Lenkert

Technorati Tags: Travel, Miami, Gansevoort Hotel, Gansevoort South, girlfriend getaway, girls weekend, girls escape, travel packages, bachelorette party, destination bachelorette, roof deck, rooftop lounge, Mansion, Prive, Nikki Beach, Glam Media

Summer time is the perfect time for white wines. There are plenty of lighter style wines that suit the season whether you’re looking for an aperitif or something to go with a meal. Lighter in alcohol and lighter in body wines are generally terrific with salads, seafood, pasta, fresh cheeses, and vegetable dishes. Each of these wines are also light on your budget at under $20 each.

Here are some of our suggestions for white Summer sippers:

Sauvignon Blanc
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2007 from New Zealand,
Perhaps our favorite Summer white is Sauvignon Blanc. It’s so wonderful with food and there are so many good ones out there. Stoneleigh makes a classic New Zealand style Sauvignon blanc with zesty grapefruit, gooseberry and passion fruit aromas and those herbal grassy notes we love. $15.99 and 13% alcohol. Enjoy it with pork, chicken, seafood or even goat cheese.

Verdejo
Aura 2006 from Spain
Impress your friends by introducing them to a fresh Spanish white wine. Native to the Rueda region of Spain, a region known for fruity wines. This wine is bold, fruity and dry with herbal and citrus notes. Try it with pasta, seafood, pork or chicken. Just under our price limit at $17.99

Riesling
Clos du Bois 2007 Riesling
While Riesling originates from the Rhine region of Germany, there are good ones to be found in the Alsace, Australia and US. They can be dry or sweet. The Clos du Bois pairs wonderfully with spicy Indian or Thai food and is refreshing and dry with apple, jasmine and pear notes. It’s nice and crisp and well priced at $12.

Pinot Grigio
Graffigna Pinot Grigio 2007 from Argentina
Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for Pinot Gris. Finding a really good one can be tough, but this Argentinian wine is crisp with citrus notes and lots of acidity, which makes it great with a variety of food. Try it with seafood, cheese or even Mexican food. Retail price $12.99.

Vinho Verde
Broadbent Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde is one of the most popular table wines in Portugal. It’s the perfect wine to go with a Caesar salad, it’s also great with fish, shellfish or chicken or as an aperitif. Only 9% alcohol and a steal at $9.95

Sparkling Brut
Domaine Chandon Brut
A sparkling wine that’s a bargain too? You betcha. You’ll find this fine sparkler at around $15. A light and elegant wine it has hints of peaches, pears, apple, citrus and even a bit of spice. It’s a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. It’s hard to find something it doesn’t go with, but try it with seafood, creamy pasta or spiced pecans and brie.

Can’t decide which wine to try? Seven Daughters makes a blend of 7 different white grapes including Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtztraminer and French Colombard. It’s spicy, crisp, sweet with a bit of citrus and honeyed fruit. It’s refreshing and nicely priced at $15. Try it with Thai food, pasta or even sushi.

——-Amy Sherman

Technorati Tags: wine, summer, New Zealand, Argentina, Napa, Portugal, Seven Sisters, Broadbent, Graffigna, Aura, Clos du Bois

A longtime playground for European travelers, the Maldives has begun to garner attention by Americans, as well, thanks to celebrities like Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Madonna, and Penelope Cruz putting it on the radar. A nation consisting of 1,192 islands situated due south of India, the Maldives isn’t the easiest spot to travel to from the United States, but if you have the time (and money), it’s worth every minute (and penny) spent en route.

When to Go: Thanks to its equatorial climate, anytime of year is fair game in the Maldives. Days are longest from December to April, but prices are higher over holiday periods (obviously). May through November is the official low season due to tropical storms and extreme humidity, but if you don’t mind frizzy hair and the occasional rain shower, you might be better to go then (less people and lower prices make for a more enjoyable vacation for you!).

Where to Stay: You’ll immediately feel like you’ve landed in a tropical heaven as you’re led to your private villa at the Beach House at Manafaru’s, with its sandy paths lined with 700 banana and mango trees (located in the northern atoll of Haa Alif).

Upon arrival, you’ll spot a single wooden jetty that juts out into the vast Indian Ocean and a handful of staffers making their way to its end to greet you with a warm smile and glass of refreshing ginger-and-honey concoction in coconut shell.

Women in traditional Maldivian garments adorn you with fresh-flower leis, as the general manager Philippe, an attractive, deeply-tanned Frenchman, and his charming, equally-attractive Uzbeki wife, Veronica, proffer welcoming hands. In the distance, faintly lit, grass-topped huts dance atop the placid waters.

Once you’re escorted to your beachside villa – you needn’t check in upon arrival, that’s conveniently taken care of when your butler meets you at Malé International Airport prior to transferring to your domestic flight – the only sounds in the distance are the gentle waters lapping over the white-gold sands and the occasional breeze whipping against the enormous banana leaves that decorate your private back garden. The resident lizard extends its curious head to survey your intentions, but you’re already too well immersed in your lava-rock-bottomed pool to notice. Welcome to paradise; you’re home at last.

Here you’ll find sixty-eight waterfront villas, each with its own terrace and fiber-optic-lit pool, are for rent on four price levels.

A lavishly appointed room

The ultimate splurge is the Grand Beach Pavillion, a palatial duplex with a sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room. But all bungalows are bedecked with a fiber optic-lit Infiniti pool, iPod connector, open-air rain shower, old-fashioned soaking tub, wireless Internet access, flat screen TV, and shaded sala (think gazebo), in which guests can receive private spa treatments. Added luxuries include pillow and soap menus.

Rooms come complete with decks and ladders to the oceanWhat to Eat: The island’s modern Asian-influenced continental fare can be explored at any of the island’s three restaurants – or even from the convenience of your villa’s own backyard if you prefer a more intimate meal. The resort’s signature dining experience Saffron offers the tastiest of Asian-fusion cuisine in a stylish and romantic setting perfect for those honeymooning or needing a break from the kids, while Medium Rare (obviously) caters to meat lovers with its mouth-watering steaks and lobsters drawn directly from the eatery’s central pond. Four Corners is ideal for the indecisive diner like myself: With a full buffet of food from all over the world, you can sample a little of everything, including comfort food from your own country should homesickness strike.

What to Do: The Maldives boasts some of the most crystal clear, unpolluted water on the planet. Even if you weren’t previously a diver, you should take this opportunity to complete your open water SCUBA certification at the island’s PADI center. If you’re not confident enough to take the full-on plunge just yet, test the waters with a little snorkeling first. Or book a boat trip to one of the nearby local islands and get a feel for what life is really like for the natives. (Spoiler Alert: It involves much dancing and drumming demonstrations.)

If active endeavors aren’t your thing, you’ll enjoy taking advantage of the Jungle Spa (the Chocolate Extravaganza is to die for), lounging in the Amazon Pool (complete with submerged benches), or making use of the resort’s many offerings, like the karaoke lounge or golf simulator.

–Kristin Luna

(All photos by Kristin Luna)

Technorati Tags: maldives, island, information, photos, honeymoon, destination, best, jungle spa, amazon pool, beach house at manafaru’s, manafaru, celebrities, stars, images, review, details, where to go, where to dine, restaurants, hotels, attractions, recommendations

This recipe is sooooo yummy! My husband made it last weekend when we had a bunch of friends in town and they devoured it. I’ve had 4 of them email me for the recipe since then, so needless to say it was a hit! Because there are 3 parts to this recipe/meal - Scallops, Mushroom Risotto, and the Seafood Marinade, it might look a little intimidating at first, but it’s worth the extra effort in the kitchen. To make things easier, Sonny recommends enlisting the help of a “stirrer” in the form of another family member, friend or S.O. to tend to the Risotto (which has to be constantly stirred) so you can focus on the scallops and marinade at that point. Invite your friends and family over so they can enjoy the fruits of your labor too (and lavish you with compliments, of course!), serve up some good wine, and make it a special night!

Skewered Scallops and Mushroom Risotto
From New South Grilling by Robert St. John

Ingredients:
2 ½ -3 lbs large sea scallops
6 long metal skewers
½ cup No-stick Grilling Marinade for Seafood (see below)
2 tsp kosher salt
1tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 recipe Mushroom Risotto (see below)

Mushroom Risotto
5 Tbl unsalted butter
3 Tbl minced shallots
2 cups Arborio rice
4-6 cups chicken stock, heated
1 tbsp kosher salt, added to the chicken stock
¾ lb wild mushrooms (shiitakes, porcinis, morels, chanterelles, creminis, portobellos, oysters) cleaned and sliced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp freshly ground block pepper

No-stick Grilling Marinade for Seafood
4 egg yolks
1 Tbl Dijon
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup canola oil
1 cup light olive oil
Warm water as needed
2 Tbl Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
1 Tbl onion powder
1 Tbl paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp dry oregano
1 tsp dried thyme leaves

***
DIRECTIONS:

Marinade (Yield: 2-1/2 cups)
Place the eggs yolks, Dijon mustard, and vinegar in a food processor.  Blend on medium speed for 1-2 minutes.

Slowly drizzle oils into the mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time. If the marinade becomes too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of warm water.  Once all of the oil has been incorporated, add seasoned salt, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, white pepper, black pepper, dry mustard, oregano, and thyme until incorporated. Store covered in the refrigerator until needed.

Risotto
In a very large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and add shallots.  Cook until the shallots become soft.  Add rice.  Stir constantly to prevent rice from browning.  The grains of rice need to get hot.  Add 1-½ cups of hot stock an lower heat until the stock is barely simmering.  Continue to stir constantly.

As the stock is absorbed, add more stock in small amounts.  Continue this process until the rice has become slightly tender.  In a separate skillet, place the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.  Add mushrooms and swaute until soft.  Add the mushrooms to the risotto.  When rice is almost completely cooked, add cream stir slowly until absorbed.  Remove from heat and stir in cheese, fresh herbs, and pepper.  Serve immediately.

Scallops
Divide the scallops evenly onto the 6 skewers.  Brush the scallops with the marinade and allow them to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.  Sprinkle the scallops with the salt and pepper.  Cook over direct high heat until the scallops are opaque in the center, 5-7 minutes.  Turn the scallops once while cooking.

To Serve: Place the risotto on serving dishes and remove the scallops from the skewers.  Place the scallops atop Mushroom Risotto and serve.

***

– Jennifer Sbranti
www.hostesswiththemostess.com

Technorati Tags: seafood recipe, scallop recipe, scallops, dinner party ideas, risotto, mushroom risottos

I have never hidden my love for Urban Outfitter‘s home design line of goods. Funky, quirky, hilarious, and always subversively stylish, the pieces they discover always surprise me and ALWAYS are right on trend (like the Real Good folding chair, $100.00, above).
Trendy is the key word here, because the pieces are not necessarily meant to be heirlooms that you hand down to your grandchildren, but they are wonderful additions to most styles of decor and are particularly friendly on the wallet.
Late-August, early-September is the time when college and graduate students are either going or returning to their school-term residences, and many others are on the move as well, so inexpensive decorating is top of mind.
Below are some of my favorite picks, but I think you will find much, much more to help put your own place together.

While horn hooks and accessories might seem so 2006, I still love the idea of organic elements, such as these, paired with streamlined modern design.
Antelope Hook
$32.00

Club chairs are not just for the country club sect anymore. This piece is fantastic with a creative use of fabric and a smart shape.
Scandinavian Branch Armchair
$380.00

We all have a little boudoir bombshell in us, and this chandelier is the perfect addition to sexy decor. Hang in a bathroom or situated above a gorgeous vanity.
Harlequin Chandelier
$28.00

I love mirror in any way shape or form. This portable tray is stunning and will definitely work as functional or decorative, whichever you prefer.
Mirrored Glass Tray
$16.00

Yet another reason I love Urban Outfitters…inexpensive artwork. This delicate piece is stretched over a canvas and the image wraps all the way around the frame so you can hang it from the ceiling. Perfect for a studio apartment to help define room space.
Birds on a Wire Wall Art
$40.00

As much as we all hate alarm clocks, it is almost impossible not to love this dainty clock with ornate detail. Just don’t throw this one across the room when you don’t want to wake up.
Ornate Alarm Clock
$16.00

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: Urban Outfitters, inexpensive home design, cheap artwork, pretty alarm clock, modern folding chair, apartment decorating, dorm furniture, college decor

I regularly comb recipe sites for fantastic new ideas for everyday dinners and special-occasion parties. And I often get frustrated at the amount of time it takes to find easy, practical recipes with flavorful flair. Enter Glam’s new recipe newsletter. Each week we do the research for you, picking over the ripest, tastiest, most seasonally relevant recipes and packaging them in a palatable newsletter for your eating enjoyment.

Sign up here (and select Wednesday’s Recipe Roundup) if you want to receive a weekly menu that includes drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts from Glam.com and the best of the food blogs and websites.

–Erika Lenkert

Technorati Tags: glam media, newsletter, recipes, weekly, best, current, food, menu

Good news for those of you who drool over Plover Organic bedding but can’t justify splurging on it at the moment: They are having their first sample sale on bedding from their debut spring/summer collection! And it’s ONLINE!

The sale will begin Friday, August 29th and will end as soon as merchandise is sold out. They will be offering 50% to 80% off of retail prices, so some items will be as low as $15. (Now you’re talking!)

Sale product includes quilts (baby and adult sizes), duvets, pillowcases and euro shams. The sale begins at 9am (EST) at this link.

Happy shopping.

–Erika Lenkert

Technorati Tags: plover, organic, bedding, sample, sale, online, designer, chic, quilt, comforter, pillow, cases, eco, friendly, best

This Summer gardens everywhere are overflowing with green beans. Here’s a salad that combines a French style vinaigrette with green beans and walnuts. Walnuts are a “super food” we should all be eating and salads are an easy way to enjoy them.

A one-ounce serving of walnuts provides 2.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acid, or 200% of the Daily Value, as well as other health-promoting nutrients and bioactive components. Numerous studies have shown that adding walnuts to your diet lowers total and LDL cholesterol, improving LDL:HDL ratios and reducing inflammation associated with increased heart disease risk.

Recipe courtesy of Ellie Krieger, MS, RD for the California Walnut Board visit the site for more walnut information and recipes.

Walnut Green Bean Salad

1/2 pound green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons chopped California walnuts
2 teaspoons walnut oil (or olive oil)
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
Salt and pepper, to taste

Bring a large pot of water with a steamer basket to a boil, add green beans and steam for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl. Toast the walnuts in a small dry skillet over a medium heat until they become fragrant, about 2 minutes, and then transfer them to a small bowl. Add the parsley and onion to the walnuts and stir to combine. In another small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar and mustard. Toss the dressing with the green beans, top with the walnut mixture and season with salt and pepper.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 4

Nutrition information per serving: 66 calories, 2g protein, 5g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 5g total fat, 1g saturated fat

——-Amy Sherman

Technorati Tags: salad, green beans, walnuts, healthy, recipe, superfoods

Photo courtesy of Domino

I just returned from another fabulous trip to New York City! Any more visits with beautiful weather and inspiring shopping trips and, I swear, I will pick up and move straight into my friend’s apartment on the Upper East Side. She and her husband are both book junkies, cookbooks to be exact. She is a recipe tester and blogger for the New York Times magazine, he is an amateur pastry chef.

It isn’t easy to fit hundreds of books and cookbooks into a 1-bedroom, 550-square-foot space, so one of their most decisive design challenges is the placement and quantity of bookcases. Their solution? Floor-to-ceiling shelves in the living room and bedroom, as well as a few clever placements in the office area.

Returning to my tiny apartment, I was hyper-aware of my own book problem…stacks and stacks situated in every nook and cranny with nary a bookcase or shelf in sight. It is time for a solution.

After a bit of research I narrowed my choices to a few of favorites. I will mull over each of these for my next apartment (only one more month left in my lease!). If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. I don’t have a big budget, so all the better if there is “more bang for the buck.” Thank you!

Flying Vee Shelves
Design Within Reach
$79/set of 5 (on sale!)
Designed by brothers Cristopher and Paul Massie of Massieoffice, these fabulous shelves are so much fun and can be oriented at any angle to hold books, CDs, DVDs, artwork, etc. Creativity at its finest!

Conceal Bookshelves

Arango-Design.com

$17.50 each

If you like the idea of using books as sculpture, check out these “invisible” steel shelves designed by Miron Lior. I would definitely install a few of these over the top of my desk for easy-to-reach tomes that I use regularly.

Arad Lovely Rita Shelf
HighBrowFurniture.com
$285.00
A little pricey, but really funky for those who don’t have a million books to store. World-renowned designer Ron Arad created this piece to extend upward and several can be hung together to form longer shelves.

No Photo…go to the website!
Pisa Bookshelf
Mxyplyzyk.com
$250.00
Just a cool, groovy twist on the traditional bookshelf…need I say more?

ModLivin.com
$193.00/modular cube
Nothing new here, this popular shelving system has been around since designer Guilio Polvara created it for Kartell in 1979, but its practicality and functionality make it one of the best of all times. It can be configured into hundreds of different formations to perfectly fit into the size and shape of your room.

Linear XL Bookcase with Storage
$600.00
PureModern.com
Extra-large bookshelf, storage, environmentally friendly, and all at a decent price (lots of bang for the buck). InModern’s bookcase from the Linear Collection is simple to assemble and will easily transition between traditional and modern design. This will definitely stay with you for a long time.

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: modern bookshelves, small space living, contemporary bookcases, shelving, book storage, urban design, city decor, Design Within Reach, PureModern.com, Ron Arad, Kartell

Ahh fresh tomatoes and stone fruit! These are the juiciest days of Summer. Here are some tips for how to capture the freshness in every bite. Thanks to Ryan Scott, Executive Chef at Mission Beach Café for his creative tips and tricks for making the most of the season.

1. Add stone fruit to an arugula salad with dates, almonds, Parmesan and white
balsamic vinaigrette. For the stone fruit, try plums, peaches or nectarines.

2. Add plum chutney to a roasted turkey sandwich with avocado, whole grain
mustard and swiss cheese

3. Roast Summer vegetables:

- Roast summer squash with olive oil, Arbol chilis, thyme and garlic and add
to salads.

- Roast tomatoes with skin on, 1/4 ” thickness, roast on rack with Arbol
chilis, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Add to sandwiches.

4. Add heirloom tomato jam to a hamburger

5. Pickle cherry tomatoes and put them on grilled bread with goat cheese or
serve them with meat, potatoes, or pretty much anything as an alternative to
sauce

Mission Beach Café is located at 198 Guerrero St. in San Francisco and is open Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. for fresh pastries and Blue Bottle Coffee, which are served all day, and lunch from 11 am to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served Tuesday through Thursday, and Sunday, from 5:30 to 10 p.m.; 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Brunch is served 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant is closed at 6 p.m. on Monday. Reservations for dinner are recommended and available online through OpenTable.com or by calling the restaurant at 415-861-0198.

——–Amy Sherman

Technorati Tags: summer, recipes, plums, tomatoes, ryan scott