Ava Pierce: The Blog - Lounge. Rant. Find your inner bitch.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Far Out in Lago di Como

Today's Annoyance: One day having to leave this beautiful place
Mantra of the Day: This is the place where the world officially checks its drama at the door.

Guess what, lovelies? Your darling Ava is in Italy! That's right. I was long overdue for a trip and Italy never fails me. I am reporting to you from the fabulous corner of the world known as Lago di Como (or Lake Como, whichever tickles your fancy).

Although I've been here a few times before, I always seem to find cool new places to stay and eat. This time around, I've found a cute little restaurant called Far Out that is located in Bellagio, on the steps leading up the hills of this magical city.

This is a trendy little spot that offers exceptional food at a good price. It has a casual atmosphere, but remember, this is Italy. In other words, casual doesn't mean showing up in a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. You jet-setters-in-training know what I mean; we have to kick the style up a notch.

The staff is incredibly friendly and it's a great resource for getting to know the lay of the land. In short, you will not leave without new friends.

I love everything about Lake Como, including the fact that George Clooney has a home here!

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Global Jet Set Media, Inc.]

Monday, August 10, 2009

JSTD: Get your shots

As soon as you've decided on your next destination, check the CDC website to see if you'll need to have vaccinations. A jet-setter with malaria does not make a pretty picture.

Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:

New giveaway: Mango Tango Camera Bag

Today's Annoyance: Carrying too many bags
Mantra of the Day: Any accessory that consolidates my fab things is justified.

Not only is this Mango Tango Black Brocade Camera Bag cute and petite, it easily goes from day into evening so, you get to look "diva-licious" whether you're lounging at the pool or dancing the night away with your girlfriends (or your honey!). It's small enough not to send you immediately to the chiropractor when

you return home yet big enough to hold your money, credit cards, passport, and all of your little digital accessories. In a word, it's awesome!

Hats off to Mango Tango. They've outdone themselves on this cute little number. It even comes in Pink, Leopard, and Oatmeal with a croc trim. Want it? I know I do. ;o)

THE RULES:

1. 1 entry for leaving a relevant comment on any of my blog posts. (Spam and single-word comments don't count. And, as usual, comments posted before today don't count.)

2. 1 bonus entry for sending a tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to reference my Twitter account - @avapierce - in your announcement so that you receive a bonus entry. (There's a maximum of 2 entries per person for this giveaway.)

3. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

4. The contest will end on Friday, August 14, 2009.

5. One winner will be selected using Random.org and will be announced on my blog and via Twitter on Monday, August 17. You must check the site to see if you've won; all the more reason for you to subscribe via e-mail or RSS! ;o) The winner must contact me by e-mail (ava at avapierce dot com) within three days of the announcement to claim their prize. If the winner does not claim their prize within that time period, another name will immediately be drawn for the prize.

E-mail me with questions about the giveaway: ava at avapierce dot com. Good luck!

Friday, August 7, 2009

JSTD: Understand Rule 240

Rule 240 describes an airline's responsibility to its customers if there is a flight delay or cancellation. While not always referred to as "Rule 240", every airline has a contract of carriage. Be sure to read it so that you know if and when you can request the next flight on another airline (even if it's first class!). Airfare Watchdog has a great chart that breaks down the contract carriage info for major carriers.

Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:

All things luxurious

Today's Annoyance: Not knowing what to wear with a $2 million pair of shoes
Mantra of the Day: Repeat after me: I can afford anything I want but that doesn't mean that I should buy everything.

Just in case you are recession-proof and you ran out of things to buy, I found these little numbers for your consideration:

Louis Vuitton band aids designed by Scott Amron - $15

Luxury brand lollipops designed by Massimo Gammacurta

Fashion cupcakes styled by Lisa Edsalv

24kt Gold BlackBerry Curve 8900 - $999

Charades Micro Fiber Plush Bunny Costume - $10,000

World's Most Expensive Dessert - "Frozen Haute Chocolate" - $25,000

GoldVish "Le Million" Piece Unique - $1.3 million
(limited edition cell phone)

Aurora Diamante Fountain Pen - $1,470,600

Bugatti Veyron - $1,700,000

Cinderella Slippers by Stuart Weitzman - $2,000,000

And of course, a pair of shoes had to come last!

[IMAGES: Courtesy of Beyond Jane, Elite Choice, High Snobiety, Luxist, Luxury Launches, Most-Expensive.net]

Thursday, August 6, 2009

JSTD: Get the airline's number

Always take the airline's toll-free and local phone numbers with you when you travel. If there's a flight delay or cancellation, you may have a better chance of getting assistance from an airline representative by phone.

Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:

Function vs. form

Today's Annoyance: Pandemonium
Mantra of the Day: I always take good care of myself and expect the best.

I once witnessed a woman explore the Acropolis in 3-inch-high strappy sandals. And no, they were not wedges. They were oh-my-god-she-could-have-worn-those-to-a-club-last-night heels. For those of you who have not visited this amazing point of interest in Athens, there's tons of steep, slippery, crumbling marble everywhere.

Somehow this daring woman managed to climb up hills and over stones, wander around, and peruse the area without falling. Not even once. No lie. The jet-setter-in-training part of me thought: "Wow, that takes talent. Here I am, having trouble simply putting one foot in front of the other in flat sandals and this woman is doing the seemingly impossible." The other part of me thought: "She's nuts."

Why on Earth would someone do this? Maybe it was on a dare. Maybe, she was still drunk from the prior evening's events. Or, just maybe, she did it because she was trying to prove to herself and everyone around that she could. She reminds me of those women who wear high heels to amusement parks, meanwhile their guy friend is wearing tennis shoes.

Am I the only one who thinks that sometimes function should win over form?

[IMAGES: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

JSTD: Know where you are

Being lost sucks and paper maps are so yesterday. With a handheld GPS, you never have to experience being lost again, on land or water. Popular brands include Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, CoPilot and Lowrance. Prices range from $125 to upwards of $600. Before making a purchase, be sure to check for screen size and clarity, signal strength, type of directions provided, and traffic detection. Happy adventuring!

Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:

What is going on with men's fashions?

Today's Annoyance: Designers taking the metrosexual thing a wee bit too far
Mantra of the Day: I will not date a man with better accessories than mine.

Having spent a substantial amount of time in Europe for the past few years, I have grown to accept the "man bag". American sports figures have helped me to accept lots of men wearing large earrings in both ears. Tattoos can be kinda sexy, depending on what and where they are. However, the latest lineup of men's fashions to hit the runway has given me pause:

I get that fashion is art but do forgive my ignorance because I didn't get the memo that we were in the middle of a unisex fashion phase. As usual, I'm the last to know. (sigh) So much for being an "in-the-know" diva. lol

[IMAGES: Courtesy of Refinery29, Luxury Launches, E-mancipate]

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

JSTD: Visa info

Check the State Department's website to find out if you need a visa prior to international travel. For Americans, most countries require at least a passport for visits up to 90 days. However, you should always check several weeks before your trip to be sure.

Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:

Travel disasters

Today's Annoyance: Thinking about my lost luggage
Mantra of the Day: Be thankful that your real travels don't mimic movie scripts.

Have you ever noticed how many travel-related disasters there are in movies? Titanic, Speed 2, The French Connection, The Fugitive, Passenger 57, Snakes on a Plane, and so many other films feature some kind of crash, explosion, hijacking, poisonous gas, a fight, escaped animals, or a contagious disease on an airplane, ship or train.

Thankfully, I've had no major disasters and only a few minor travel-related mishaps. A few missed planes, a couple of very long layovers, and sadly (and most recently), an eternally lost piece of luggage (thanks so much, Swiss International!).

Some of you shared your luggage nightmares a few weeks ago. Apart from that, I sincerely hope that your travels have been safe and fabulous. Wherever you're off to next, bon voyage!

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Monday, August 3, 2009

JSTD: Event planning for group travel

Whether you're planning a reunion, girlfriend getaway, "mancation", business meeting, or other event that requires group travel, try HotelPlanner.com to find good deals.

Jet Set Tip of the Day sponsored by:

Giveaway winner for The Brag Company Panty Pak!

DenaS, you're the winner of The Brag Company Panty Pak! Random.org selected #6 of 23 blog and Twitter entries.

You have until Wednesday, August 5 (11:59 p.m. ET) to send your contact info to me via e-mail: ava at avapierce dot com. Your contact info will not be sold or used for any other purposes.

Thanks to all of the fabulous contestants who entered the giveaway and I hope that you continue to read my blog!

Trends, schmends

Today's Annoyance: Relentless trend-chasing
Mantra of the Day: Elegance is refusal. - Coco Chanel

Plenty of my life's years have been spent at the altar of the capitalist gods. Being a child of the '80s, I've gone through a wide variety of fashion phases: leg warmers, shoulder pads, ripped jeans (several times), overalls, grunge (I still love you, Eddie Vedder!), colored denim, scrunchies, tapered jeans, bodysuits, and chunky shoes. While I feel a slight rush of embarrassment by admitting that to you, I can gleefully report that I never, ever wore harem pants, butterfly clips, stirrup pants, door knocker earrings, biker shorts (alone or under a mini-skirt), or underwear as outerwear (thank you, Madonna, Prince and Vanity 6).

I'm not sure what's come over me but I much prefer investing in classic pieces that I'll still want to wear several seasons from now. Obviously, this rules out holding onto those neon-colored Doc Martens until the style comes 'round again. lol

A few women who embody truly classic beauty and style (imho):

Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly, Michelle Obama, Cate Blanchett

I could also add Isabella Rossellini, Sophia Loren, and Princess Diana of Wales to the list. And no list is complete without the one and only Jackie O. I really admire these women but my style is just that...my style. I doubt that I'll ever be a fully recovered shopaholic but I now rely more on my own instincts when I decide what to buy. Occasionally, I'll look for inspiration and ways to reinvent what I already have but my lengthy days at the altar are long gone. Yay for me!

Peace, love and elegance to you.

[IMAGES: Courtesy of fashioncapital, fashionablepeople, telegraph, herdaily]

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Ava's Be Fabulous Blogroll for August 2009

Today's Annoyance: That the year seems to be passing so quickly
Mantra of the Day: August will be an extremely productive and fabulous month for me!

ENJOY!

Be Dazzling (jewelry sites)

Be Fashionable (clothing and accessory shopping)

Be Featured (fun reading)

Be Green (eco-friendly travel & related products)

Be Healthy (health and exercise)

Be Positive (for positive mental fabulousness)

Be Pretty (beauty and makeup)

Be Ready (jet set/travel-related products)

Be There (travel and social event links)

Be Wealthy (finance and money management)

As usual, the blogroll will be in the left column for the rest of the month. If you have any fave blogs, please share. Thanks!