Buenos Aires con los Padres

So it wasnt the smoothest trip but we still managed to have a great time a see a lot of the city.  On Friday afternoon, Mom and dad flew in from Canton and arrived very early to Atlanta for the flight which was due to leave at 840p. Ernesto and I were on our way the airport when dad called me and said "the flight is cancelled"....I didnt believe him. I had just parked my car in the Delta lot and was on the bus to the airport when I realized that I didnt even have my suitcase with me, i was running for the bus, and left my bag in the trunk. Hello?
I guess it was good then that we didnt go that night. They added an extra flight the next morning (usually the flight leaves at night and you arrive there in the morning (which is great because you dont waste any time) and alas, we got business class!!! Ernesto killed time by working on a "SUDOKI" puzzle for 8 of the 10 hour flight, i made lots of jewelry and my parents read! It did not suck!

Since we arrived in the evening, after checking in to our hotel we went for a stroll on Florida street and stopped in a cafe for drinks. It was past 1am and the streets were packed. Mom and dad were wondering, what are all these people doing out at this hour?? Ahh the big city, I love it

The next morning we started our day with medialunas and cortados (cafe)from "Medialunas del Abuelo" right down the street from our hotel......These little crossaints are drizzled with dulce de leche and melt in your mouth. DELISH! (as Rachael would say)

Here is the Casa Rosada at the end of Avenida de Mayo. You may recognize it from the movie EVITA. It is the official seat of the executive branch of the government.

Below, the awesome Recoleta Cemetery where EVITA is buried. All you have to do is follow any tour guided group and they will lead you through the maze right to her grave. This is the hotest boliche (nightclub) in BA. It's called Opera Bay and was designed after the Sydney Opera House. It is right along the river in Puerto Madero and doesnt even get started until 2am....but when you consider that people dont eat dinner until 11pm, it makes sense. We did not make it this trip!

Also in Puerto Madero is the "Puente de la Mujer" (Woman's Bridge) designed by famous architect Santiago Calatrava.

Oh! I love this place. El Ateneo is a bookstore that was once an opera house. It is so beautiful! They have a cafe inside and there are always a lot of people hanging out...just as I do at Borders!

After day one of our walking tour, Mom's feet were so tired....Dad and Ernesto decided to give here feet a break.

We also hit the barrio called La Boca. A very colorful, artsy area where you are sure to see lots of local vendors selling their work and tango dancers.

Like these two couples:

Of course we had to go see a REAL tango show. We headed to Cafe Tortoni. That night was special anyway, because my parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

"Chin chin"

Check out this video of tango dancers at Cafe Tortoni:

And what would a trip to Argentina be with out the WINE?? WINERY is the best wine store. Very chic and there is also a cafe/wine bar where you can sample. I have found though, that you will get the best prices in a grocery store. Here I am stocking up... Between the 4 of us, we managed to pack 20 bottles of wine in our suitcases with only one casualty.....in my bag of course (and it was the only hard sided one too?!)

Like the flight to BA....the return wasnt ideal either, we were denied boarding due to cargo "issues" and the flight went out with 17 open seats in business class. Instead of heading back into the city (30 minute drive) Delta agents called this little Posada for us and we relaxed there for the next day. What a difference from the big city. We walked around the little barrio and went to the little "everything" store where we enjoyed fresh empanadas and quiche. My dad even bought ONE MORE bottle of wine. It was a one liter bottle with a very elegant label....the cost?? 4.5 pesos....which is $1.40. He couldnt resist!! That topped his previous purchase of $.90 for a bottle half that size!!

We also met Stuart Brown from LA.....He was a fellow non-rev and he and his friend were on their 2nd night of denied boarding. They were on buddy passes....this is the chance you take....for a ticket in business class for under $500......well worth it...thats me talking though, they were ready to get home......He was so cool, he has been around the world, so we had a lot to chat about.......too bad I never did get his email....... would've been nice to meet up again. If you are reading this Suart...contact me!!!!
We all ended up getting on the flight the next day, and arrived ATL in the early morning. Mom and dad headed back to Ohio and Nester and I, straight to the office. No I didnt go home to shower, it just seemed like too much hassle....I was right there. Of course I got some shit from my co-workers. They were calling me "Stinky"and and writing complaints about me to my boss.....another reason I love Delta....the fun people I work with everyday!

Kelli and Ludacris in One Weekend??

I have to say this was one of my best weekends in Atlanta!! Kelli came down on Thursday and we had such a great time!! I am a cool aunt I have to say!!! We did girly stuff like get our nails done and go shopping. "$20 for a pedicure?" Its funny that even though she was given $80 to blow by her parents, she was still cheap!! We joked about that all weekend! Even when she was sitting in the airport on Monday with 4 quarters in her pocket waiting to get on a flight home. Seriously, I was going to give her some money for breakfast but I forgot!

Brian's friends from Asheville, Greg Cynthia and their daughter Azalea were in Altlanta for a bead show. They run a company Green Girls Studios making beautiful creations...we ended hanging out with them 3 days in a row, I love making new friends!!!

On Saturday we ended up taking the train downtown to a concert in Centenial Park .........

.........and guess who was there??

yes we were there........

But so was ...............

Kelli and I inched our way up to see LUDACRIS and he did not dissapoint!!! We were dancing and singing and of course Kelli is so good using the camera with one hand......look at these great shots!! Thank god for March Madness....It was crazy downtown! The NCAA tournament was going on and we had such a great time.

Yes....she's driving now.................

Mas Aretes!!! (more earrings)

This weekend I did a little experimenting with my new camera.

Im still trying to figure out what backgrounds to use, and how to perfect the "close up" photo. As you can see, ill need some practice as we will soon be posting pictures on our new website, and they need to be GRRRRREAT!!!!

Emerald Rondells on Sterling Silver Hoops

Apatite Rondelles on GF chain

Faceted Black Onyx briolettes on GF Links

Green Onyx Briolettes on small GF Links

St Maarten

What do you get for 20,000 Starwood points?

PARADISE!! Im so glad I have friends in High places....and with high points. hehe Smita and I enjoyed a luxurious stay at the Sheraton St. Maarten....IT DID NOT SUCK!!

The Island is part French and part Dutch, so the food was great too. We really splurged one night at the fine dining restaurant in the hotel. The beachfront view was unbelievable and the tuna sashimi out of this world! Even our french canadian waiter (in his white coat) was ugly!
This is the hotel pool...WOW!!
Before leaving the island we had to check out the famed Maho Beach. Being in the airline industry, you always see these pics going around. Planes seem as though they are 2 inches away from the sunbathers. The runway is literally at the end of this beach. At the Sunset Beach Bar,there is a huge deck practically in the clear blue water where they are grilling. The ATC radio is blaring so you can hear when the planes are making their approach. Then you REALLY can hear it when they fly 2 inches over your head. It was awesome!! Of course I came back to my office telling my boss this is the perfect team trip.

First Trunk Show

Henri Bendel!!  Although we didnt sell much for the 3 days we were doing the trunk show in Columbus, we did make some great contacts that will eventually bring us to NY. Is that the goal?? Im not sure. I just know that I love that feeling when someone like what you have designed and will actually PAY for it!!
We set our goods out on these beautiful silver branches. They are perfect displays!
Here we are with the store manager Nicole. There was a PINK breast awareness cocktail party in the store and mmmmm pink martinis too!

Quick trip to Nassau

Talk about last minute....Friday evening at work, my co-worker, Varsha and I were saying that we wernt doing anything this weekend.....hmmmm, a beach would be nice..... what flights are open?? We found a DEAL for the Atlantis Resort. Normally a minimum of $400/room. We shared a room and paid $100 per couple....NOT BAD! It Started off with a first class flight!! God I love working for Delta!!
The resort is AMAZING!! It is so elaborate, you feel like you are in Vegas!
(except the food is way overpriced and there is a gorgeous beach)

Here is the yacht we were looking to buy. We decided against it because it only slept 12 people. We will just have to keep looking.

Beautiful Fountains! Lamenting over that yacht...should we or shouldn't we?

We enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner at a local place. Of course after the $30 taxi ride each way, we couldve eaten at the expensive hotel restaurant for the same price. The atmosphere was cool at this place though...I like to try out at least one local place to experience the culture. Our Travel buddies, Varsha and her husband Dixit.

Some Jewels

Last weekend I tried my hand a photographing some of my jewelry and I do believe they turned out pretty damn good!!! These are faceted carnielian dangles on gold. I was experimenting with different backgrounds, and I thought that this beautiful reindeer moss created a nice contrast. More to come......

ps. They are for sale @ $46

Pluma in Wooster!?

I cracked up laughing when I opened this article from the Wooster newspaper! Apparently a bead store is opening there and Barbie thought it could've been Pluma!! I love it!! Oh That Barb!!!! With her crazy schedule, Im so flattered that she is able to spend her free time on me:)

Delta X-mas Party 2006

This year Delta threw the best x-mas party ever!! We recently partnered with Cirque du Soliel, so they performed at the party....it was more like a club. We danced the whole night, it was so much fun!

Me, Smita, Jenny & Varsha

Bailamos Mucho!

HOLA!!

My friends Gilberto and Smita

The angels danced!

They did a whole drumming session, it was amazing!!

India

One of my best trips EVER!!! I went to India for 2 weeks with my friend Smita. She grew up in Bombay and her family still lives there, so I really was able to experience how they live. I fell in love with the food, ate 3 India meals a day and never got sick of it. As a matter of fact I came home and craved it.
There is no way that I can capture the essence of India through pictures.
12 million people in Bombay alone and you can tell. I have never seen such traffic, it took us one hour to go from Smita's sisters house to her parents...its only 7 miles. The sides of the streets are filled too, there are just SO MANY PEOPLE walking and biking. Its not uncommon to see animals on the streets either:

A spice shop

Worli seaface boardwalk

One of the 5 million temples

The Gateway of India: this is about as touristy as i got. Snapped this picture from the car.

I did a lot of shopping

The beautiful vegetable markets

We got mehndi on our hands- so awesome!!

Street food...Yummy Dosas!!!