This morning I decided the running shoes I've had for almost a year need to be replaced -- time to buy a new pair! I love the bounce of a brand new pair of shoes...unspoiled and ready for everything I plan to put them through. I wanted to find a place to donate my less bouncy pairs to the benefit of others and came across One World Running, a non-profit organization based in Boulder, Colorado. Collecting and donating thousands of new and 'nearly new' shoes to needy individuals across the U.S. and the world this ambitious organization is supported by Scout troops, individuals on a mission, shoe companies and even local store drives. With an international scope they have provided shoes to children and adults alike, athletes and humanitarians too from Belize to Africa. Whether you donate your sneaks or funds you will ensure that others can stride in comfort and continue along their own journeys whatever terrain it takes them over. (The photos in the gallery below really showcase their efforts).
When most people think of American wines they name California, Oregon and Washington but amazingly wine making is something every state has in common. With all the political hubbub happening currently it seems timely that someone would pin the red and blue states against each other in a more delicious contest. Sure the Blue's come in heavy with the three states mentioned above but the Red-leaning states have Arizona's Caduceus and Virginia's Barboursville to tout. Among the Blue states there is the lesser known Finger Lake region of New York highlighting Heron Hill's Reisling and Illinois' hybrid varietals.
Personally, I'm interested in trying Hawaii's Pineapple Wine -- that has to be perfect for dessert or sipping on a hot day -- which I didn't know existed until today! I'll take a hammock on the beach with a glass of wine any day and leave the politicking to the experts.
Simple, modern lines make this furniture line sleek, elegant and one of Donatella's best creations. The timeless combination of black and white will compliment almost any room and allow for a color palette to come through in accessories, art, floor coverings or paint. The lounge chair is my personal favorite with a whimsical line that makes me want to crawl in and curl up with a good book. Unfortunately I couldn't find any price information but I would doubt you would see this line in a discount store -- plan on spending a bundle to makeover your abode in this sensational look.
Exquisite, handmade, one-of-a-kind beaded creations are the product of Monkeybiz but the non-profit organization does much more than these crafts. Offering women in Southern Africa the opportunity to earn an income from home while encouraging entrepreneurship and developing skills is Monkeybiz's end goal. Providing materials for these unique projects free of charge and ensuring a sustainable income through growth of new markets and retailers means women can help provide for their families. There is even an associated health clinic for HIV+ women, a soup kitchen to fulfill nutritional needs and funeral financial assistance. Donate funds or materials, purchase their handcrafted works or volunteer your time if you feel passionate about the mission of Monkeybiz.
You would have to have a serious love affair with wine and one eclectic house to pull off the JugSimple Collection from Carlo Rossi. I imagine guests may wonder if they can actually sit on the Cabernet Couch but certainly the creative look confirms your passion for the vine. If you think this is the look for you then go beyond the couch and complete your room/house with the Chardonnay Chandelier, Paisano Plasma TV Stand, Sangria Sound System, Burgundy Bookshelf, and Rhine Reading Lamp. Not sure what these oenophilic designs will cost you but I would hope they would include some free wine with the shipment.
This idea either sounds like torture or like a good way to avoid a DUI...unless of course you can't steer the handlebars after a day's worth of tasting...is that called a RUI?? Getaway Adventures offers a fantastic, car-less way to explore the valleys of Napa or Sonoma via a bicycle (or kayak if you prefer a more refreshing option). Whether you are looking for just a day-trip, corporate/group event or weekend excursion I doubt you will be disappointed. A spread of local foods is provided for lunch, stops at a myriad of local wineries is included, and local tour guides will expand your knowledge of flora, fauna, and vineyard as you ride.
Don't expect a strenuous adventure -- it is geared toward the 'enthusiastic beginner' as they put it so don't worry if you aren't Lance Armstrong. Vacation...wine tasting...exercise all in one? Perfect.
Tours are available from March 1st to November 30th.
Teddy bears are such a universal item its hard to make one someone wouldn't adore. Growing up there was the Paddington Bear, then Build-A-Bear came along, but the most recent creation, which makes a truly unique (and expensive!) mark on the history of stuffed bears, is the Karl Lagerfeld teddy bear made by Steiff. Touted as a 'master of luxury', Karl Lagerfeld may be seen by many as the quintessential choice for a luxury bear that costs upwards of $14,000 and will be sold at Neiman Marcus this September in NYC. I think the bear could be mistaken as one of the Men In Black if you don't follow the design industry but either way it is cool, chic, and totally original.
I wavered on this post for a while but decided that although it's an inexpensive wine the fact that it is something new to Spain's wine market outweighs its less-than-luxurious price tag. So here it is -- a wine that may be appropriate for pregnant mothers, bad drunks, and the religiously-restricted. Miguel Torres recently launched Natureo which is Spain's first wine with only 0.5% alcohol! Sure we have heard of or tasted Martinelli's sparkling cider (a favorite in my family for the youngsters at holiday gatherings). But Natureo sounds a little more interesting to me -- it is a white wine made from the Muscat grape which may mean it is more of a sweet wine. The sales are limited to their own country for the time being and cost about $10 per bottle but I think it isn't such a bad idea. At least it is more akin to the real thing than sparkling apple juice.
We've seen gold shoes on track stars like the USA's Michael Johnson and most recently on Jamaica's Usain Bolt. Now Nike wants to pay a final tribute to the 2008 Summer Olympics with the new Air Force 1 'Closing Ceremonies' shoes. With the end of the Beijing Olympics coming Nike will offer these flashy sneaks releasing on August 25th and offering them in a special 080808 box. No sign yet as to the cost for these golden gallopers -- but they sure are snazzy.
Labor Day is almost upon us and as for me I am still firming up my plans. A college football game on television is at the top of my husband's list but not me. If I lived on the same coast as Sonoma County I would be at their event in a heartbeat! Ever tried to cover the wide array of wineries that make up Sonoma wine country? I haven't either but from what I hear it takes a lot more driving and time than most visitors can cover in a weekend. No problem because the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend will bring it all to you in a relatively small area -- no driving required once you arrive.
Tickets range from $50 to $650 depending on how long you can stay and your specific interests. There are Winemaker Dinners, the Grand Tasting, and even an Auction for those of you with deeper pockets. Enjoy wine from Alexander Valley to the Russian River Valley and everything in between. This is the inaugural year for this event and you don't want to miss it! Be there or be...me, with my little football party.
What happens when a prestigious organization bestows an award upon a non-existent restaurant? Yikes. Sure it had a name and a decent, mostly Italian wine list to go with its submission, plus the $250 fee, but it had no real address! This is exactly what happened recently when Wine Spectator handed out its Award of Excellence to a phony. As a sort of experiment the applicant, Mr. Robin Goldstein, created this submission to discover for himself the standards applied to the Award of Excellence -- and was discouraged by his findings. His disappointment wasn't just because the award had gone to a fictitious entity but that his reserve wine list which was included in the award included some of the Wine Spectator's lowest scoring Italian wines from the past twenty years! Not looking so prestigious anymore...
Does the name Justin Meyer ring any bells? At first I didn't recognize its significance either but as I delved more into the story behind Bonny's Vineyard I gasped with realization -- Mr. Meyer was the co-founder of the super Cab of Napa, Silver Oak! For some of you that may not be very exciting but in my household there was a time when Silver Oak was king of the wine cellar for my father. Not only has the Meyer name been attached to this mega-wine but the next generation of Meyer's has recently created a new Cabernet Sauvignon aged in only 100% new American Oak barrels which sustains a 13.19% alcohol. Named for Justin's wife, Bonny, and the vineyard purchased long ago in her name, this wine eases out of the Napa Cab mold with grace while continuing a high-quality family tradition. $135
No...not their cool team-duds, something potentially more hurtful...their advertising sponsors. I doubt many Olympians dream of making a few extra bucks from excelling in their chosen sport but certainly not many would turn it down. With advertising companies looking to capitalize on predicted winners they created commercials, billboards, and cereal boxes in their image. Now, with some hopefuls coming home without medals and in some cases bruised bodies and futures, they may lose their marketability. On the other hand if an athlete has connected with the fans in such a profound way that their medal standing has no effect, they may be able to salvage their market connections. Liu Xiang of China and Asafa Powell of Jamaica are just a couple of those unfortunate souls. (There are American disappointments as well but it just feels unpatriotic to disparage them...I'm a softy when it comes to my own country.)
Wine seems to be quickly claiming the title 'drink du jour' around the world and no where is this more apparent than in Hong Kong. Positioning itself to be the wine market hub of the east, just like London and New York are in their respective parts of the world, they are making it easier for individuals to purchase wine. Earlier this year they lowered taxes on the vinous beverage and with a subsequent boom in sales they decided to remove those tariffs all together! This tax abolition has market predictors claiming that the Asian Market will be worth $1.5 billion by 2017 with increased growth to $870 million in China's wine imports. No tax means lower prices which equals higher consumption and greater numbers purchasing higher quality wines. If only New York would go tax-free on wine -- or on gas, groceries and clothing...I can dream, can't I?
Paul Mawhinney has a big problem -- his enormous collection of records that exceeds the interest of most wealthy, potential buyers. Appraised at $50 million Mawhinney is only asking for a mere $3 million hoping to sell the collection before his blindness and diabetes make life any more difficult. Sure, iPods are fantastic and digital music is a great addition to our ever more tech-driven lives but a historic collection of this magnitude belongs with another true music connoisseur or in a museum. Anyone with the means and a passion for tunes should consider making Mawhinney an offer -- it is most likely the only collection of its kind.
