What will I wear? Because I love to eat on Vacation

I recently had a quick few days in Las Vegas for a conference. I wanted to travel with a simple easy wardrobe that I could mix and match. I looked to pack a few pieces that could be dressy, casual, easy to layer, and items that I didn’t have to worry about wrinkles. By the way, is soft surroundings in financial trouble? because I really like the clothes in Soft Surrounding. offers stylish, luxurious, and comfortable women’s clothes for every size.

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Love this simple pop of bright pink top – you can dress it up or down. Here I have it with a simple pair of jeans, faded black.

This silky black top can be worn for a nice dinner, off to a show, in a club. It gives you a lot of room to enjoy the food you may want to try in the restaurant. If you spill on it no worries, to make sure it’s wrinkle free when you arrive just hang it in the bathroom, and boom it’s ready to wear.

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A great silky black top, with a dark dressy pair of jeans. Gold jewelry.

Love this simple clean look, with a pop of color in the red jeans. This black top is easy to layer and again you can dress it up or down. Looks very classy with the silver chain.

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This is a great look to walk around the town. You can layer it up when your get a chill, and strip it down if you get hot walking in the warm Vegas air.

white shirt, black jeans, business look.

This is a great clean and classy look – I paired it with a black blazer and it was ready for business. A crisp white shirt, dark jeans, and high heals.

I love this look, it’s amazing that jeans with these big rips can actually be considered dressy. This is my casual  travel look when I fly, I layer a soft gray sweater over this, and also carry and wear my big gray poncho – pictured below. I wear my easy gray slip on shoes for going through the TSA lines, easy to slip my shoes on and off.

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This photo was taken on a recent trip to NYC not Las Vegas, but I wanted to include it because you can see I have my gray poncho on. It’s like a big warm blanket perfect to travel on a plane with.

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Off To A Conference for Midlife Women #BAMC16

Marketing Zeus: The Purchasing Power of Women

Location, Location, Location or when in NYC

The Plaza Hotel

It’s considered the ‘Mona Lisa’ of hotels. It was featured in pop culture movies and books such as Eloise, Home Alone and The Great Gatsby. This  grand hotel is located right in off Central Park. The current GOP front-runner used to own it.

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From the greeting staff to the waiters, they all were helpful , warm, and friendly. Exceptional customer service.

That’s right: The Plaza Hotel! I had the privilege of staying at one of New York’s most iconic landmarks. The Plaza Hotel has a long history of being the backdrop to some of the country’s biggest events and celebrations. Immediately when you’re greeted by the bellhop, walk through the marble encrusted lobby, and check in with the concierge, you can sense The Plaza Hotel is more than just a place to rest your head at night.

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The Rose Club, embodying the grandeur of The Plaza with a splash of contemporary style and spirit, overlooks the stunning new Fifth Avenue lobby

 

 

 

During my two night stay, I enjoyed all of the luxuries The Plaza Hotel had to offer. Sitting on Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman is only a two minute walk away. With the sun shining, and temperature in the mid 70s, I was able to enjoy a nice walk around the reservoirs, pavilions and fountains of Central Park.

 

 

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Setting the standard for luxury for more than a century, The Plaza Hotel New York is a testament to timeless elegance.

 

Another highlight to The Plaza Hotel was the food hall. I did not have to travel far from my room to get a taste of New York. There were many diverse options such as Chi Dumplings & Noodles, Pizza Rollio, and Luke’s Lobster. I decided to go with something a little more traditional, but, delicious nonetheless.

If you ever get a chance to stay at The Plaza Hotel, be check out all of the great sights and scenes. This Boomfluent had a 5 Start Stay and the location, the food, the service, and the great people watching made it even worth it.

 

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Located on Concourse level, The Plaza Food Hall offers a collection of fine food purveyors, as well as counter-style dining options. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner I had a classic Lobster Cobb.

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The Plaza Room features one King bed and is located on floors 5 – 19.

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Bathroom is finished with inlaid “earth stone” mosaics and include a luxurious bathtub and separate shower. Among many splendid details are 24-carat gold-plated Sherle Wagner fixtures, as well as hand-crafted solid white marble vanities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classic Women’s Clothing – seen around the globe

It’s fun to update your wardrobe. I spend time looking to find items that are worth the investment, easy to wear, and stay in style.  To invest in versatile separates, great dresses, blazers that dress up or down, and jeans that can rock fancy to fun.

Where do you go to find items that stand the test of time? Below are items I found while traveling Europe 2009-2011, and items from Chicago 2009-2013. 

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I think these are classic, bring a sense of fashion, and can continue to be worn, and updated.  2011-09-19 07.52.34In 2010 I attended a blogger event from Ann Taylor. I have been a big fan since my early working agency days. Today the styles are still very clean and classic.There stores continue to offer classic styled suits, separates, dresses, shoes and accessories.

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2011-08-18 18.32.35I love these gathered waist dresses, each dress has an great neckline and gathered elastic waist for a softly draped front

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So Simple Steps for Perfect Make Up

I found this and just wanted to share it with you – I’m going to try some of these tips – if you do let me know.

9 Unbelievably Simple Steps For Perfect Make-Up

Discover a flower work of art to celebrate life!

 

Now in Chicago

Now in Chicago

Last week we had an opportunity to introduce Kalla Flowers in Chicago. The ritual of sending flowers has become very mundane; Mothers Day, the birth of a baby, birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions are not mundane events. These touchstone moments in our lives represent the very best in life. They are the connections with our family, relatives, and friends that embrace the most wonderful moments that we cherish.

Bold floral designs and signature gift box are sure to wow!

Bold floral designs and signature gift box are sure to wow!

Kalla does so much more than just package and send flowers. Kalla put’s the meaning back into the old saying Tis better to give then receive” with Kalla they help create a connection to the receiver and the giver to show that the occasion is truly one that is special, should be celebrated, and build on the memories for our lifetime.

Since Flowers represent the true circle of life, from the first gift a new baby receives when they enter the world, to all the special moments, from graduations, birthdays, weddings, holidays, I love you days, and many more moments.

Broadcasting Live from 900 North Michigan Shops in Chicago - Showcasing Kalla Flowers

Broadcasting Live from 900 North Michigan Shops in Chicago – Showcasing Kalla Flowers

We feel that Kalla has a unique role where the generic arrangements of the past have no place when it comes to really showing the receiver of a Kalla’s arrangements how much the sender loves, appreciates, and is connected to the occasion.  The reasons you send a Kalla arrangement is it envelopes true emotional memories and connections to be cherished forever.

You can watch the full show here on ChicagonistaLive.com

 

Easy Packing Tips – 1 Bag – 3 Weeks – 5 Tips

Easy Packing Tips

Easy Packing Tips

Having twin boys in their junior year of college on a study abroad program has always been a dream of mine. Making one son study 4 years of French in high school, and the other Spanish has paid off. I’m off to Europe to visit one son in Paris and the other in Barcelona.

They are going to be my tour guides, I’m taking trains and small local planes to visit them. I was able to save a lot of money on my flights by being very flexible with my dates.

I’m traveling very frugal and light, I have to…did I mention I have twins doing study abroad?

Here are some easy packing trips, that will keep you in style, on time, warm, and your luggage bag light enough you can carry it.

1. Try to look for big space in a smaller bags, you can find many that are sturdy and have plenty  of room. I packed this same amount in a carry on Osprey ,  as in this a light to check American Tourister bag.

Osprey luggage

Osprey luggage

This is a carry on..it fit as much as my checked bag...

This is a carry on..it fit as much as my checked bag…

American Tourister iLite

American Tourister iLite

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2. Use a packing cube or old fashion Zip plastic style bag. The key to fitting a lot in was I used  many of those zip plastic bags to put my clothes in and suck the air out, I looked for clothes that I can layer, rinse and wash, and I wore my heavy items on the plane.

This all fit easy in both bags - Use Zip Plastic Bags to squeeze out air, save room

This all fit easy in both bags – Use Zip Plastic Bags to squeeze out air, save room

3.  Stick to a color plan, but bring a few bright items to beak it up, dress it up, and layer on.

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4. Should you go with the roll or fold? I say it depends on the item. I fold my jeans smash them in a Zip  plastic bag, squeeze out the air and they are flat. If you try to roll the jeans they can take up a lot of room. I will save items to roll and pack in the sides and in-between items. I also will roll shoes together and again place in a plastic zip bag, and they will slide just about anyplace you need them to fit.

Zip Lock Bags, lot's of items I can layer

Zip Lock Bags, lot’s of items I can layer

5. Pop some color and fun with an extra sweater, or fun accessories like scarves, hats, hair items, belts, sunglasses, earrings, have fun they are easy to fit in small spaces but can bring a big impact.

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Boomer Brunch in Brooklyn – Good Bet

Diner – South Williamsburg Brooklyn

Having Brunch at Diner Brooklyn

Having Brunch at Diner Brooklyn

I loved my meal at “Diner”  http://dinernyc.com in Brooklyn, as a #Boomfluent boomer I have had my share of diner food. When my son suggested we try it, I was a little hesitant, Being that this is Brooklyn and located in yet another trendy area I knew that it was going to be a bit pricey and may not fill me up.

My son and his girlfriend who live in the area know that breakfast is my favorite meal and I can be a bit particular when it comes to my brunch, good thing they took me because, you kinda have to know where it is. It has just a tiny sign on a side door. I think it used to and old diner car, I loved the vibe, but it can feel a bit tight in the retro bar area.

Diner has been in Brooklyn for a while 1999 and is part of the Marlow & Sons, Daughter, Diner group. Once inside Diner is a cozy place. http://www.marlowgoods.com/about .

Diner part of the Marlow Family - Brooklyn

Diner part of the Marlow Family – Brooklyn

When we arrived there was a wait but we were lucky it was a nice day, and decided to wait for a table to sit outside, inside it’s a pretty tight squeeze, but certainly the people watching makes up for that.

This area is getting more gentrified and there were enough cute little shops to keep us occupied as we waited.

Diner is known to have a changing menu filled with fresh and seasonal items.

Homemade lemon scone, and also a side dish of tomatoes with sardines

Homemade lemon scone, and also a side dish of tomatoes with sardines The server wrote out the menu on the paper .

We could not wait to try the homemade lemon scone, and also a side dish of tomatoes with sardines. I know a strange combination but we were hungry and she made them each sound so good and special. The scone was served warm with cream and was amazing. The Sardines might have been better if not for the Mimosa I was having.

The real treat was in our main dishes. I had the perfectly Poached eggs atop fresh spinach on a toasted Baguette, yum it was cooked perfect, light fresh one of the best egg sandwiches I have ever had, I could have had two.

Best Poached egg sandwich ever Diner Brooklyn

Best Poached egg sandwich ever Diner Brooklyn

My Son tired Poached eggs served over crusty toasted bread with sliced onion with veggies in a light sauce.

Poached eggs, with fresh veggies and beans

Poached eggs, with fresh veggies and beans

I loved everything about this restaurant – the food was so fresh and tasted great, the vibe was retro and relaxing, and the drinks amazing. I can’t wait to go back, and I live in Chicago.

 

 

The Boomer Top 10 Reasons – MTV Jumped The Shark

Yes the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards –  jumped the shark

MTV Moon Man

MTV Once Played Music
Photo Credit and Link Below

There was a time when MTV actually played music videos, in fact the videos were groundbreaking, thought provoking, and yes even titillating, but not push it your face – shove it down  – because you can’t think for yourself way, more of a “we are young, edgy, and ready to push the envelope”.

I love the saying “Less is More”. Remember when a tease was in fact a tease, and we didn’t need things totally acted out, we used our own imaginations, and guess what,  that worked. Yes even pressing the limits meant something.

What has happened? Didn’t the MTV video awards once reflect a true recognition of young new artists, creating, challenging, and expanding music. A place for up and coming artists to explore this new platform, and the more established artist hung around to mentor, advise, and even learn some new tricks.

Come on Lady GaGa - you can do better Photo Credit and Link Below MTV

Come on Lady GaGa – you can do better
Photo Credit and Link Below MTV

The playground that was MTV would encourage new artists to explore and create. The awards offered a chance for these artist old and young to perform in front of a live TV audience and peers. A chance to perform live was a privilege, a special outing, a bonus for having their videos run on the station, and become popular.

As fortune would have it MTV had to get into other programming because just playing music videos was not enough to keep them viable and the lights on. Yes we know that bills need to be paid, and sometimes other revune streams need to be created. I loved it when the Real World was real.

Screen Shot 2013-08-25 at 10.46.13 PMNow it seems endless programs of pregnant teenage moms, Jersey juiceheads, and online dating scams have changed the vibe too much.  FTV (Fake TV) would be more appropriate now for this channel.

It use to be that watching the celebrities watching the awards with us provided entertainment, but this years artist looked locked into the Barclays Center expressions of boredom when the camera did pan around the arena made it evident,. I’m sure they were told they could not text just incase the camera did catch a glimpse, imagine if they were playing words with friends…

Us Boomers remember a time when Howard Stern showed his buttocks, Madonna made love to the floor, and Britney dressed in next to nothing with a snake, but that’s nothing compared to the over exposure of this years show.

Your young and beautiful - please don't do this yet

Your young and beautiful – please don’t do this yet

Here are my top ten –  WTF

 10. Taylor Swift – Fire your makeup artist now. You have so much class and style, I understand your wanting to be seen as more mature – but looking like a middle aged women on her way to a PTO fundraiser is not the way to do it–

 9. Taylor Swift Also– Please send your mom over to Miley Cyrus house to have a sit down with her parents.  I know I know it’s not her parents fault but at least if Milys parents could of guided her a bit – yes she’s a big girl and “she can do what she wants to”…but that doesn’t mean she should

 8. It was so meaningful that  Jason Collins introduced Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – I also loved seeing Jennifer Hudson – but she was not needed there, I felt it stole a bit of the thunder away from what a simple but important moment in that MTV train wreck of the show

7.  Wait – I thought NSync was going to perform – oh that was them – a quick “Hi Hi Hi and then Bye Bye Bye”

6. What – What – Daft Punk was there and did not play and did not win. One Direction may be talented, but they are a template pre fab band – who can carry a tune and look cute, but groundbreaking, original no and their song that won, “Best Song Ever”. was it? Was that a Sally Fields moment!

5. Where are the adults who should be watching the store – the show lacked pace, it was a technical nightmare,  with so much thought put into bleeping the offensive language and not making any inappropriate drug references—what about the porn performances live on stage – Hello?

4.  Can we get Bruno Mars’s team to produce the whole show please; I loved his understated performance that showed his clear talent and class. Thank you Mr. Mars’s

3.  Katy Perry – UM the 1970’s called and they want the look, sound, and choreography back. Although it was probably one of the best parts of the show. It felt real; an audience  filled with real folks who actually seemed thrilled to be there, but certainly not what I would call a “ROAR”..

2. Lady Gaga – GRL you have at your disposable the most talented costume people, choreographers, and many other creative sorts. So what’s with the white cardboard square, nun outfit? That’s what you gave us last night – shame on you.  Also walking onto canned “Boos”  am I really at that “Get off my lawn, stage”.  Still GaGa I was happy you’re healed and able to move like before

1.Please bring back the edgy, real, creative, ground breaking, MTV video awards. Oh wait that’s right MTV don’t play music anymore. Never mind

I WANT MY MTV – HOW ABOUT YOU?