My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Greetings to all my semi constant readers!! Everyone is having the post holiday blues. I will give you a quick 5 this time , some of my favorites right now.

1) La La Land has got to be one of the most creative musicals to come out of Hollywood in years. The pairing of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is magical. The love story between Gosling -a jazz pianist and Stone an aspiring actress is told with a lush score and some great numbers . Purchase the soundtrack while you are at. I cannot stop playing it. "City of Stars" is hauntingly beautiful.

2) The OA has got to be one of my favorite series on Netflix right now. It has a compelling story and a great cast. There are all the elements that made Stranger Things such a surprise hit with a more adult theme. No spoilers here!! Brit Marling is luminous as Prairie Johnson and a favorite of mine Phyllis Smith from The Office is a revelation. This series offers hope to the hopeless and faith to those with doubt. The emotional impact of the final episode of the season shows why we need both!

3) Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix with the Amazing Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf is a darkly funny watch with a fav of mine Joan Cusack. The Baudelaire Children are adorable and the production has all my favorite aspects of Pushing Daisies thanks to Barry Sonnenfeld and Bo Welch.

4)  City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin - the third installment of The Passage is as engrossing a read as the first two installments. It follows our protagonists as they fight the final battle with the virals. If you loved the first two you will love this as much as I did. Our heroes will stay with you long after the book is done, Get all three right now!

5)  Rounding out number five is M. Night Shyamalan's new movie offering "Split" starring James McAvoy as a man with 24 different personalities who kidnaps three teenage girls. If you are a fan of M. Night Shyamalan You love this even more because the last few minutes there is a big jaw dropping tie-in!

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

🏝🌞Puerto Vallarta Edition🌞🏝

It is that time of  year, when the chill factor is a topic of conversation and you realize after careful shopping for friends and family, you never really got what You wanted. And to top it off we all got new unsavory neighbors in The Whie House. Pack Your Bags!! It is time to treat yourself and grab your closest friends and head to PV. Where you can let yourself be who are you are and nobody cares.  The locals have seen it all , honey and they don't bat an eyelash. We have been going for years and I have so many favorites but I will narrow it down to 5.

1) I have stayed in sumptuous villas with a chef, housekeeper and a private pool to the infamous Blue Chairs right on the beach, however an all new all adults all suites luxury resort is nearing completion and rooms are now available. The Almar Resort Luxury All Suites and Spa. Run by an amazing staff featuring my friend Erika Tello the Sales Manager who is delightful and wants to make your
stay a vacation to remember. Large king bed rooms with big in room jacuzzis, fridge and wet bar and an ocean view  plus lovely L'Occitane amenities. If that is not enough a delicious breakfast included and the topper is an all day access to Mantamar the beautiful beachside pool situated right on the beach with waiters who will swim up to you!! You may choose a large cabana for two on the top deck or one right by the pool and three hot tubs. Comfy beds with curtains to close for privacy or open for viewing and sun. Either way keep lunch and the icy cold tropical drinks coming. Or.... a lovely deep massage on the beach by the talented Jehu Ochoa. He was amazing. And as a friend of mine please contact Erika Tello and she will be happy to offer you some amazing deals. See email address below.

salesmanager@almarresort.com

2) After a day of fun in the sun head over to La Palapa for delicious Ceviche and Cranberry Margaritas. Right on the beach and you can watch a beautiful sunset sipping an snacking in paradise.This place is an institution in PV.

3) We were lucky enough to grab some tickets to see the Unsinkable Varla Jean Merman at The Palm Cabaret and Bar. Although we have seen her many times, she never fails to disappoint. A combination of videos , songs and lively banter with the audience not to mention costume and wig changes as the perfect way to spend a warm PV evening.

4) One of the best meals I have had in PV -and there have been many is at Cafe Des Artistes by Thierry Blouet. We were seated in an amazing magical hanging garden outside with twinkling lights and the bustling of the super attentive staff ,we ordered The Temptation Menu featuring 5 choices- I had a fresh Oyster  with San Blas Vinaigrette with Cucumber pearls and Smoked oyster mousse on a fresh tostada.A Butter Tamale Gnocchi Style with Cilantro Pesto, Goat Cheese and a steaming Veg Bouillabaisse poured over. A delicate spiced Sea Bass baked With  a light citrus sauce, a Confited and Roasted Duck Leg with  Chilhaucle Mole from Oaxaca ,Potato Mousseline and Smoked Beets. Dessert was Fresh Figs Tarte and Cheesecake. All with delicious chilled Chardonnay and a complimentary plate of French  Macarons was the Perfect Ending.

5) After a lovely walk on the Malecon watching the sun set on all the beautiful sculptures along the way head over early to Panchos Takos where for about $11.00 US you can get 8 Tacos Al Pastor and 2 large fresh Margaritas on the rocks. Some of the best tacos around but go early -the line gets long ! This is the best treat for your last day in the sun but check their hours online first.

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Hong Kong

Happy 2017 to all of you out there. We made it through 2016, suffering through many tragic losses and disappointments but we are still here. I spent this year ringing in the new year with my husband in Hong Kong. In a beautiful city like this it is hard to pick just 5 but I will do my best.

1) Victoria Harbour. Day and night this bustling harbor is beautiful with the Famous Star Ferry and the Chinese Junk Aqua Luna with its red sails,but during the Holiday season buildings on both the Kowloon side and the Hong Kong Island side are beautifully lit up with ever changing Christmas lights and motifs. This makes for a very dramatic backdrop for the electrifying NYE fireworks. It seems like everyone is out on this balmy night to see this colorful display featured on television sets worldwide, and watching it live is an experience like no other.

2) With so many food and drink options and a limited time we had to choose carefully. We spent a couple of warm evenings at the historic restaurant/bar The Pawn at The Botanicals Bar drinking some of their delish hand crafted daytime and evening drinks like "Ain't Nobody got Thyme for that " and " Into the Woods" an intense rum/ whiskey combo with smoke. This famous place was once a large 3 story  Chinese Pawnbrokers, now a hipster bar , restaurant with a botanical garden on the third level they use for their food and drinks. 

The best dim sum barbecue pork bun in the city is the Michelin Star rated Tim Ho Wan located at Central Station, but go early and avoid the two hour waits. For a very unusual dish we were sent to Lee House for their signature dish of Sweet and Sour Pork with a twist- served under a small mound of ice to keep the pork crisp and still warm with a carmelized sweet crunch. Deliciousness!!!

3) After all that delicious dim sum head out shopping! For me , I avoid all the high end stores and head out to the markets. Stanley Market is widely known as the bargaining hotspot located on edge of a beautiful beach. A rickety bus ride along the coast is better than any roller coaster. Then there is the  famous Night Market on Temple Street that is as popular for it's street food as the stalls full of junk and treasures alike. Stop for a beer and some crab , relax it is teeming till Midnight.

4) We made a special trip to a traveling exhibit called " The World of Tim Burton" at ArtisTree. It was amazing. It featured stills from all of his movies, puppets and his musings and sketches on The Napkin Series. Upcoming and unreleased projects as well as screenings of some of his shorts and a view inside the brain of this brilliant and creative man make this a must see.

5) Hong Kong- Disneyland is a super fun way to spend a bonus day. A short MTR ride on a Disney themed train brings you to this gorgeous park nestled below the green  covered hills. The sneak preview of the new Iron Man Experience and a ride on the heavy themed Mystic Manor was a lovely way to spend a last day.