Appalachia culture consists of arts and crafts, food, folklore and myths with multiple ethnic influences (including African, Native American and German). Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Bristol, Virginia, is a destination that effortlessly combines small-town charm with vibrant culture…
Read MoreFight for the Fairytale Ending: Enchanted Chateau Des Milandes
On my recent visit to France, I was excited to find out that Josephine Baker’s former residence was 45 minutes away from the private chateau that we had rented 6 hours south of Paris, in France’s Dordogne Valley region. In my eyes, Baker was the ULTIMATE ex-pat. At the height of her success in 1930’s interwar France, the 24-year-old icon was a millionaire…
Read MoreTime Is A Gift...Not Something You Are Entitled To
Time is the greatest luxury to me. While I recognize money can help you access time to do certain things, having money does not automatically make you appreciate how valuable time can be in your life. Now the owner of a popular Parisian bistro, it was the summer before my freshman year when I met Julie for the 1st time. She was on campus with a group of students from Paris visiting NYC for a few weeks and I was participating in the University’s EOP prior to entering my 1st year of college…..
Read MoreLa Heroica: Colombia's Vibrant Seaside City
Located in the northern part of South America, the flight time to Rafael Núñez International Airport from New York City was just under 5 hours. I loved that our hotel was inside the ancient-walled city, a section of Cartagena overflowing with palm-filled plazas, brightly painted colonial buildings and fabulous floral archways. Everything within Cartagena’s Old Town is within walking distance…
Read MoreWords Don't Flow As Easily As Whiskey
During the 3 hour tour, I learned that in the mid-1800’s, over the hills above Lynchburg, there was a Tennessee farm owned by a preacher who had a small whiskey distillery as side hustle. Nathan Green aka “Uncle Nearest” was the enslaved black man who distilled the whiskey using a special charcoal filtering technique used to clean water in West Africa. Still used today, his method of filtering whiskey through sugar maple tree charcoal became known as the famous ‘Lincoln method’…..
Read MoreBlooming In The Seam Of A Desert Horizon
Tapping into the real Morocco is a journey that lies far from the elaborate touristy suites and buzzing restaurants of the north. Found deep in the southernmost region, where the ungenerous stone begins to surrender to the saffron gold dust of the Sahara….
Read MorePassport To Freedom
While creating community has always been Tanesha’s gift, being able to incorporate her global life experience into The Black Freedom Colony has expanded her skills. “I am learning that community building takes the proper application and balance of education, clarity, love, patience, grace, hard lessons and boundaries”……
Read More"Tree-mendous" Restaurant Above The Maya Jungle
On a recent trip to Tulum, Mexico I discovered a tree house concept that is all grown up with a sexy makeover. In my search for a retreat from the more party centric vibe of the region, I stumbled upon an oasis at the Azulik Resort that came with a “tree-mendous” view! Rising from the jungle floor above the thick tree canopies, the eco-friendly adult retreat is tucked away at the beginning of Tulum’s main beach drag……
Read MoreTiffany Blue: Who Said Red Is The Color Of Love?
While I’ve always dreamed of having Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the experience took what I had envisioned to the next level in a setting that was as inviting as the food was inspiring. Making it that much easier for this Pink Girl to easily transition into a blue babe for the afternoon; as Tiffany’s signature robin’s-egg blue was everywhere…
Read MoreShe Designed The Life She Loved: Asheville Edition
As I stepped into the marbled entry hall of the 250-room home (including 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms) nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I was mesmerized by the octagonal sunken Winter Garden that is surrounded by stone archways….
Read MoreÀ Bientôt: We'll Always Have Paris
Affectionately known as Nett Nett, Arnetta was my mother’s first cousin and accompanied my mom when she traveled to visit me during my study abroad in France. We made so many great memories in the City of Lights during their visit. As we explored Notre Dame & Opera Garnier, it was like the operas that she learned while studying at Westminster Choir College had come to life and we had starring roles…
Read MoreTravel Bug to Wanderlust: Times Have Changed
Reading the New York Times travel section played an instrumental role in getting me started on my path to becoming a “savvy” traveler. It doesn’t mean I didn’t notice the lack of diversity in between the lines of its lavish descriptions, but this is another example of the importance of using the resources you have as stepping stones rather than letting what you don’t have be the obstacles that stop you when it comes to manifesting your dreams into a reality….
Read MoreCoral Brunching In DC Can Be As Flattering As Candlelight
Featured on “The Pink List” found here on PinkGirlsRunTheWorld.com, The Pembroke offered us the perfect pink location for our 5th PGRW “Pretty in Pink” Brunch meetup last Saturday in Washington DC….
Read MoreThe Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Although I don’t have any kids of my own, I’ve mostly tried to stay close to family during the holidays. I’ve dipped off to Europe a few times over the years to celebrate with friends, but nothing can compare to the holidays gathered around the table with my family….
Read MorePink Sunsets On Italy's Amalfi Coast
While it was pricier to stay in picturesque Positano compared to some of the other surrounding villages, I loved how the central location enable our group to easily get around on foot as well as have easy access to both ground transportation and transportation by sea to visit Ravello, Sorrento, Capri and Amalfi (yup, there is also a town called Amalfi). Our days filled with the turquoise hued Mediterranean, lemon trees at every turn, hidden grottos and flowering wisteria; I will never forget my time spent in the land of Limoncello.
Read MorePink Wings & Big Smiles At The TWA Hotel
A glamorous landmark that was gone way before its time, the sleek 1962 Trans World Flight Center designed by Eero Saarinen officially re-opened its doors in May 2020 as the TWA Hotel. I was excited to explore the newly renovated space with 3 of my friends…..
Read MoreNOLA's Top Banana: Brennan's Is In The Pink
Taking in the Creole influenced delicacies of the region has become a priority when I travel to New Orleans. This famous treat that is NOLA in dessert form — bananas, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, banana liqueur and vanilla ice cream. While the liquor burns off quickly, the dish flares up creating a show that draws you into the enticing dessert that pays homage to the sweet legacy of New Orleans’ once-booming banana trade….
Read MoreGoing With The Flow In The Big Easy
What’s New Orleans without music? Pure NOLA, the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Cruise offered us the perfect opportunity to step back into the glamour and romance of the riverboat era. After a lavish Creole Buffet in the ship’s classically adorned dining room….
Read MoreMaking Waves At Palm Beach's Pinkest Brunch Destination
The shimmery Art Deco chandelier that greeted us in the lobby sparkled beautifully against the soft coral & seafoam accents. Wearing my vintage “cat eye” sunnies, I was channeling Dorothy Dandridge and Marilyn Monroe with each stride down the palm tree lined vintage hallway that leads to the restaurant. Stepping onto the terrace, I entered an oasis where the pool sparkled like a sapphire under the afternoon sun…….
Read MoreThe Point Of View From Peru
Lima’s gorgeous, cliffside Malecon was one of my favorite places to feast on Peruvian cuisine in the Garden City. The views of Lima’s Costa Verde (Green Coast) are absolutely stunning! Stretching for several kilometers high above the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores, the Malecon has several different parks. One of the highlights of strolling the esplanade along the waterfront was our visit to the Parque del Amor (Park of Love) where we encountered the huge sculpture called El Beso (The Kiss), depicting the artist smooching his wife…...
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