Posts: 37

1. 

   Free Magazine - Zaji Girl Premiere Issue

   17.Apr.08, 06:10 IST
   
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   Hey everyone!
   
   We have some extra and free promotional copies of our premiere issue.
   
   If you'd like to receive a hard copy:
   
   Send us an email with your name and address and we'll get a copy out to you over the next several weeks.
   
   We're heading to Asia for our 2nd issue. Stay tuned this summer!
   
   Email us at letters@zajigirl.com
   
   

2. Music for a Beautiful Spring Day - Destiny by Zero 7

   17.Apr.08, 05:37 IST
   
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   Check out this vid on You Tube! A classic.
   
   

3. Thai Tales by Sarah Edelstein - Bangkok

   17.Apr.08, 04:57 IST
   
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   BANGKOK - Things To Do

   
   Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (with the Emerald Buddha, most revered in Thailand) – Beautiful temples, palace buildings, and Buddhas. Go in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat. Wear ankle length pants or skirt and a long sleeved shirt or they will ask you to change clothes.

   
   They provide appropriate clothing to borrow, but this means standing in line, which eats into your time. If you’re too hot to wear pants all day, take an ankle length sarong to wear there. The ticket also includes entry to Vimanmek Teakwood Palace, a huge gorgeous former royal residence in a different location to the Grand Palace and well worth visiting.
    

   

   
   Chao Praya River – take a break from the bustle and heat and see Bangkok from the river boats. There are many options, from local ferry service to tour boats to private longtail hires to dinner cruises. Several large hotels line the river. They run their own handsome wooden boats from the dock near the BTS (skytrain) station at Saphan Taksin (the end of the line next to the river) to the hotel. At night, have a drink or dinner at one of these hotels and gaze at the boats with pretty lights as they skim along darkness of the river.

   
   Afternoon tea at The Oriental Hotel – The Oriental is the original grande dame of the majestic old hotels. With a tea service worthy of a fine English manor, one can bask in the elegant atmosphere while imagining the adventures of the renowned people who stayed here in the last century.

   
   Choose from one of several high-ceiling rooms, with bright natural light, sumptuous fresh flowers, and historic photographs of the Thai royal family. The tea menu offers a large selection of teas and excellent coffee as well. The full tea comes on a triple-decker tray filled with amazing cakes, scones and sandwiches.

   
   Shopping Malls – There are a plethora of them in <city st="on"><place st="on" />Bangkok, and they all seem busy. Siam Emporium is one of the fanciest, with many upscale chain stores. The more casual MBK has large and small shops carrying everything from cell phones to luggage to allegedly brand name jeans. All have food courts where you can find a variety of food at reasonable prices. </city>

   
   Also all have good coffee shops and restaurants. The movie theatres are ultra-comfortable and hyper air-conditioned (bring a sweater). Stand at the beginning when they pay tribute to the King with a short film that shows a lot of raindrops as background to photos of His Majesty. A Thai friend explains that the raindrops evoke fertile Thailand and the King’s concern with the environment and agriculture.
   

   
   

   
   Chatuchak Weekend Market – take the BTS skytrain there and be prepared for sensory overload! A warren of stalls covers a huge area. Good shopping for anything from clothing to home decor to fuzzy dogs. Everything is open-air; go in the early morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat. Bargaining expected. Watch out for pickpockets. Fun but exhausting too.

   
   Arab quarter Sukhumvit soi 3 – This area has restaurants with good Middle Eastern food and shisha (tobacco water pipes). Muslims from all over the world come through this 2 block radius. For local Muslim culture, the Haroon area near the Chao Praya river is an old Thai Muslim neighborhood in the middle of bustling Bangkok.
   

   
   Food - Thais love to eat and good food is available day and night from street vendors on up to five star restaurants. Be adventurous and enjoy the bounty of Thai cuisine and the international offerings too.
   
   If you are really into Thai food exploration, find a local source who can tell you their picks. Street stalls may look humble but they can also serve some of the most delicious food, often specializing in just a few dishes. Locals will seek out their favourites with the dedication of a disciple following the guru.
   
   

   

   
   Massage - Massage is widely available in Thailand, and at very reasonable prices. Like food stalls, you can find massage chairs set up streetside at weekly markets as well as in massage shops, spas and hotels.
   
   Thai massage is somewhat like a yoga class where someone else manoeuvres your body into various positions. It involves plenty of limb stretching and muscle kneading. I like it a lot, though some find oil massage more relaxing. Try both!
   

   
   Photo Credits: Thai girls by Sarah Edelstein; Thai crafts by "© Ron Sumners | Dreamstime.com;" Thai Massage by "© Vangelis | Dreamstime.com."

4. Breathing Under Water - Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale

   17.Apr.08, 04:52 IST
   
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   Here at Zaji, we're big fans of global music. But can't say that we've found classical Indian music to be accessible to our Western ears for the most part. So, we've had loads of fun listening to the fusion mix of classical Indian music and electronica by Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale (pronounced Kursh Kah-lay ).

   
   Anoushka is Norah Jones' younger sister and is renowned as a sitar virtuoso. Their father is famous Indian musician Ravi Shankar - what a lucky guy to have two equally talented daughters. Karsh Kale is an Indian-American composer and DJ. You have to listen to his singles, "Beautiful," and his version of Bob Marley's "Waiting In Vain." They rock!

   
   Anoushka and Karsh collaborated on "Breathing Under Water." Delve into an exotic world musically.
   

   
   Zaji Girl Favorite Tracks: Easy featuring Norah Jones, Slither, Sea Dreamer featuring Sting and Ghost Story.
   
   

   

5. Wrap It Up - Travel Blanket Sleep Pack

   17.Apr.08, 04:50 IST
   
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   We've been searching for a handy travel pack that scrunches together nicely inside a carry-on. But keeps us warm inside those chilly airplanes and gives us a chance to snooze in comfort.
   

   
   Finally found it.

   
   Check out the travel blanket sleep pack - includes a plush blanket, sleepmask and disposable pillowcase.

   Love the colors too! You can pick these up online at Wrapables.com.

   

6. Pocket This!

   17.Apr.08, 04:47 IST
   
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   Okay, so take a look at these really great pocket maps. They feature the subway maps for New York, London and Paris. Made from polished stainless steel, they fit right in with your credit cards and are just a handy reference.
   

   
   
   
   

   You can find them at http://www.suck.uk.com/.

7. Snapshots - Italian photographer Chiara del Moro

   08.Apr.08, 04:46 IST
   
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   For our first big trip this year, we're heading to Japan. Of course, we want to bring home some gorgeous photos to ooh and ah over. But have to admit, taking photos is an art and a gift. You just have to have that eye, which some of us don't have (We're not telling who).
   

   
   So, here's our first lesson in taking beautiful snaps. We spoke with Italian photographer Chiara Del Moro - whose claim to Zaji Girl fame are her amazing photos of fashion dolls.
   

   
   Check out her portfolio on Flickr! We asked her all sorts of questions about everything.
   
   
   

    

    

   PHOTOGRAPHY

   
   Your photos are gorgeous. How long have you been a photographer? When did you fall in love with taking photos? What's the hardest thing about being a professional photographer?
   

   
   I started with photography 4 years ago thanks to my best friend who’s a photographer as well. He taught me the basics, and I started studying to improve my technique.
   

   
   I love photography because through it I can truly express myself. I just find it easier to show other people my feelings and emotions through a photo than for example writing them a letter.

   
   I think that the hardest part of being a photographer is the discontinuity of the job and also making a picture shot on a grey day appealing. You have to make your photos recognizable, special, and unique just like you!
   

   
   Can you give us your top 3 tips for taking beautiful photos, if you are an amateur?

   
   -First of all photograph subjects, where you can recognize yourself, it makes it easier!

   
   -Then play with the aperture on your camera, focus on details.

   
   -Use the light (natural or artificial) to create the right atmosphere for your shot! Oh and the most important thing: have fun!!!

   
   How did you develop your love of fashion dolls? Can you tell us the story behind your Pullip collection. They look like little people..

   
   Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved dolls so when I found out that in Japan dolls are not just a child-only concept I thought it was the perfect excuse to start buying and playing with them again! I started with Pinky-Street. They are 4 inch tall figures. Their parts are interchangable, which allows you to put together different combinations of outfits and hair, letting you express yourself in creating your Pinky!
   

   
   About 9 inches after,I come into Pullips. I fell in love with their big heads and more realistic look, after them came Blythes, Momokos and lots of vintage dollies so my collection keeps growing!
   

   
   

   How do you capture that style and those fun looks..with inanimate objects?
   

   
   I like to play with my dolls’ eye mechanism and body to pose them in fun or realistic ways. After a while it became natural to me and it lets the dolls themselves show off their personalities! Sometimes I change my dolls’ original bodies into more posable ones, like Obitsu bodies for example!

   
   You’re a professional woman, do people still think that having a doll collection is a bit childish or do you find most people open-minded about it?
   

   
   Well I’m sure many people still think that having a doll collection is childish or…weird! I’m very lucky because all my friends, my boyfriend and my family support my love for fashion dolls, and I share my hobby with some of them as well! 
   
   
   
   I think the main reason for people finding dolls weird is that they just see them as toys; while I think that many fashion dolls are directed to adults not to children!
   
   For example when Kenner Blythes first came out in the 70s they weren’t very popular among kids, while now thanks to Gina Garan and “This is Blythe” site they regained popularity among adults (and some kid as well). And lately they have become very expensive too!!

    

   What is your favourite fashion doll that you have photographed?
   

   
   This is a tough one!! I love all my dollies but I think my favorite model is my Pullip Assa. I called her Melissa, rewigged her and gave her a new body, she’s really pretty and photogenic!
   
   As I was saying I love all my dolls but Melissa is special! She’s always glancing at the camera.
   

   
   FASHION
   

   
   One of your favorite fashion icons is Audrey Hepburn? What is it about her style that you think works even in 2008? Any other favorite fashion icons?
    
   
   

   
   I think Audrey Hepburn is the ultimate fashion icon! I love her simplicity; her style is always appropriate and never ordinary! She’s unique; I love that! She was innovative, chic and she managed to turn her style into fashion!

   
   Another of my icons is Twiggy; I love the 70s so I think this is the main reason! She IS the 70s!! All those miniskirts, boots, floral and optical prints…I like that
   style a lot and I mix modern to vintage to create my own style taking inspiration from Audrey, Twiggy and many others!

   
   You're also Italian. And Italians are invariably known for their fashion sense. Can you tell us what makes Italians so effortlessly fashionable and stylish?
   

   
   
   
   I think it's because Italians are very hedonistic. We take our time to enjoy the pleasures of life, even though nowadays it's not easy, because life is frenetic. I think we have something that links us to a past in which people had time for themselves and this love for life is reflected in our fashion sense
   

    

   TRAVEL AND JAPAN

    

   You are also a fan of Japanese anime and always sign off your web pages as the Orihime Inoue character…. What is it that you love about the name that seems to characterize the creative part of yourself?

   
   

   Yes you’re right I’m a fan of Bleach and my nickname comes from that anime. I choose the Orihime character because I like her personality, and I think it matches mine somehow. She’s a sweet girl, always cheerful but also naïve just like me!
   
   Moreover the name Orihime means Weaver, the star Vega and is linked to a Japanese legend called Tanabata that talks about a princess (hime in Japanese means princess).
   

   
   

   Who is Hitomi Takahashi? Her song is on your My Space page. Seems like you are a big fan of Japanese culture? How did that come about?

   
   Hitomi Takahashi is a Japanese j-pop singer very famous in Japan. I love Japanese music and culture and I usually watch and read a lot about it! I started studying Japanese when I was in high school (even though my Japanese is still weak. The culture of that country fascinated me at first glance. I love Japanese culture because of its colorful aspects.
   
   Its cheerful musicality and above all the art that Japanese people have to create their own style! A style that is made of whatever comes in to your mind, a sort of expression of your soul through clothes, music, accessories and dolls as well
   
   

   Have you been to Japan?
   

   
   Unfortunately no, I have never been to Japan! But I’d love to go!! I’d like to see Kyoto, Osaka. Tokyo-of course with all its districts: Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza etc. where I can go for crazy shopping sessions in which for once I can include dolls!! I can’t wait to try all Japanese typical dishes as well, from Kare Raisu, Tempura, Wagashi, and Zenzai to the most popular like sushi and sashimi!
   

   
   ITALY AND BERLIN
   
   

   Can you tell us something about Italy or about someplace in Italy that many tourists don't go to that that you think is definitely worth a trip off the beaten path?
   
   Italy is a small country, but one of the things I like the most is that you can do anything; from skiing to going to the seaside; from eating spaghetti in a cozy low profile restaurant to a luxury dinner in a fusion restaurant. The landscape changes as long as you go from north to south, blooming in a thousand different colors!
   
   
   

   I’m from Florence, and I think it's a city you must see at least once in your life! There are many other beautiful places like Tropea in Calabria or Viareggio in Tuscany. A really cool place especially for young people), Parma, Siena (with it's wonderful Spa)..I could go on forever!! I suggest you all to come to Italy you won’t regret your choice.

   
   

   Where is your favorite place to travel?
   

   
   Travelling is one of my favorite things to do! I like to travel everywhere from my own country to China, and Peru. However there’s one city that surprised me a lot: Berlin.
   

   
   
   
   
   There’s a very low tempo there, relaxed atmosphere and a lot of slacking off in the parks. Lots of beer gardens and an endless supply of bars, restaurants and so on. It's a place that makes you feel always welcome! Every time I go there I find something new and interesting. I just can't wait to go back there!!
   
   

   
   

    

    

   Photo Credits: All photos by Chiara Del Moro, except Audrey Hepburn by Hepburn Tribute , Berlin by "© Sai.chan | Dreamstime.com" and character Orihime by Bleach Anime.

8. Cool Hotels - An African Villa - Cape Town, South Africa

   08.Apr.08, 04:44 IST
   
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   One of our favorite hotels. If you're heading to South Africa and looking for a guesthouse experience - modern African chic and a truely comfortable atmosphere. You'll want to spend a few nights at An African Villa.
   

   
   
   
   An African Villa is "halfway between the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Table Mountain Cableway in a quiet residential quarter with a lovely 'village' feel within a short stroll of the centre of Cape Town and a large number of its best restaurants."
   

   
   Here's a link to some reviews on Trip Advisor.

9. African Girl

   08.Apr.08, 04:42 IST
   
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   Today's global village has produced some great performers and one of our new favorites is Nayo. Nayo (nigh-o)is a world traveler girl from Nigeria who lives in the UK, graduated from Pepperdine University in Southern California and found her musical soul and passion out of the tragic event of her father's passing.
   
   She mixes the flavors of Nigerian music with world beats that are luxe and downtempo. She just released her first solo effort - African Girl
   

   
   Pick up her new album on www.myspace.com/nayo and Nayo Music.com . And check out the video - very au naturel!
   

   
   

10. Junk Food Tees - Indulge Yourself

    08.Apr.08, 04:40 IST
    
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    Hey ladies,
    

    
    We don't know about you, but t-shirts are a wonderful standby when traveling. And it's nice to be able to dress up a pair of jeans with a cute tee. We've fallen in love with the retro, pop culture images created by Junk Food Clothing.

    
    You can find these tees at all sorts of boutiques. We found a red Beatles Abbey Road tee at Crimson In The City in downtown Dallas.
    
    

11. Passport to Beauty

    08.Apr.08, 04:36 IST
    
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    Professional makeup artist Shalini Vadhera is a first-generation Indian-American who's quite the explorer.
    

    
    Her travels around the globe inspired her to share her discoveries of women's beauty secrets from Latin America, Asia to Africa and more.

    
    She's written a book, "Passport to Beauty" - a light, breezy read, which will give you some great ideas if you like to put together your own skincare and facial masks. She's also developed her own line of beauty products called - Global Goddess Beauty.

    
    Our favorites from her line are the Perfect Little Makeup Bag, which will tuck nicely into a purse. It's made of rich brocade sari fabric. We also love her Moroccan Mystique Lip Veils. Check out her video.
    
    

12. A Colorful Odyssey - A Year in Japan. Interview with Kate T. Williamson by Denise Mpinga

    01.Apr.08, 00:24 IST
    
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    Alot of books have been written about Japan - Guidebooks, adventure stories covering all the cultural dos and dont's.
    

    
    Not to leave out movies.Who can forget Sophia Coppola's beautifully rendered "Lost in Translation."

    
    One book that caught our attention is - "A Year in Japan" written by Kate T. Williamson, an illustrator and filmmaker.

    
    "A Year in Japan" is a beautiful and exquisite visual journal that highlights Kate's year-long exploration of life in Kyoto, Japan. Kate received a fellowship to study sock design in Kyoto. So we just had to talk to her and find out how you actually get a fellowship to study sock design in Japan and what inspired her beautiful watercolor illustrations.

    
    You dedicated the book to your grandfather..what was it about Japan and his stories that captured your imagination?

    
    My grandfather went to Japan on a business trip in the early 80s and returned with pictures of cherry blossoms and kimono.  I remember loving the patterns, colors, and flowers.  He also lent me his Japanese language guides, and I was always trying to teach myself Japanese (and never got very far beyond "Arigato gozaimasu"). 

    
    I recall he, my grandmother, and their hosts had dinner with a geisha one evening.  Ever since I was little I've loved color,pattern, and the seasons, and I think that even at an early age I could sense that Japan was a place of great beauty and inspiration.
    
    The first thing that caught my eye in your introduction was your statement about the attention to detail that characterizes much of Japan. You gave the example of the washcloths. Any other examples?
    
    There are lots of traditional examples--the kimono and obi (sash) and inner kimono that peeks out at the collar are carefully calibrated for the season, for the occasion, and to reflect the station in life of the wearer, for instance. 

    
    Packaging is another example--ancient scrolls were beautifully presented and packaged.  Elaborate presentation is still important today; almost anything you buy in a store tends to be very carefully wrapped and often sealed with a sticker or ribbon and placed into an attractive bag. 
    
    You spent a year in Kyoto. How did that come about? How does someone get a fellowship studying sock design?
    
    I was very fortunate to receive a post-graduate fellowship from my college that was very generous in that it allowed me to travel to a foreign country and observe life and art there and pretty much set my own course.

    
    In my application for the fellowship, I said that I was interested in studying textiles, landscapes, colors, and seasons, and I was able to do this by visiting museums, gardens, temples, and just observing daily life in Kyoto. 

    
    I've always been interested in beautiful socks and sock design, and Japan is sock paradise (I think this is partly related to the custom of removing one's shoes upon entering a home).  I tried to visit as many sock factories as I could (and also visited a lot of sock shops).

    
    What gave you the idea to do the book using illustrations? What are your artistic inspirations? What was your goal in presenting a book about Japan in this way?
    
    I kept little notebooks when I was in Japan sort of as a journal and also to record ideas.  I found I started sketching things that I wanted to remember, and soon I started carrying a little pan of watercolors around so that I could add color.  I think about halfway through the year I started thinking it would be neat to compile my illustrations with my observations into a book so that I could share my Japan experience with others easily.

    

    
    I'm very inspired by Japanese scroll paintings and their use of ink and watercolor.  I really like the combination of the precise lines and poetic, fluid backgrounds (I saw an exhibition by the 15th-century master Sesshu that was particularly inspiring). 
    
    It's my hope that the combination of text and images gives the reader a sense of the experience of being in Japan through the seasons of a year.
    
    Lunch with a Geisha chapter. What is it about geishas that made you want to have lunch with one? Was there anything special that you noticed? Are they really more elegant and refined?
    
    Well, lunch with a geisha was nothing I could have ever planned, but when the proprietor of the guest house where I was staying asked if I wanted to come, Ididn't think it was something I could pass up. 

    
    The average visitor to Japan wouldn't really encounter a geisha for a conversation--you might see one in the street or at an event or performance, but having lunch with an off-duty geisha requires some sort of personal connection (in my case, the owner of the inn was a longtime friend of the geisha, Haruno-san).  Even though she was dressed casually and without her geisha makeup, she definitely moved very elegantly, almost as though she were wearing an invisible kimono. 
    
    For a first-time visitor to Japan, what top 3 things/experiences would you recommend doing in Kyoto?
    
    hmm--it's hard to pick just three!
    
    1. Walk along the banks of Kyoto's Kamo River and
    enjoy the people and wildlife and then walk 2 blocks
    east on Shijo-dori to eat fresh, skewered mochi
    (glutinous rice).
    
    2. Admire the cherry blossoms anywhere (they usually
    bloom in April)--the Philosopher's Path and the
    Imperial Palace grounds in Kyoto are especially
    beautiful.
    
    3. Eat one delicious, exquisite meal at a Buddhist
    temple.
    
    (Kyoto's Nanzenji Temple and Nijo Castle are also
    favorites of mine.)
    

    
    Are you a fan of Japanese pop music? Fave musician?
    
    I listened to Pizzicato Five a bit in high school, and I did buy some pop CDs when I was there (I think one was by a group called Kick the Can Crew) and an album by an old rock group called Carol, but I like listening to traditional Okinawan music the most right now.
    
    After this book, what are your next projects?
    
    I've spent the past year working on a new illustrated book called AT A CROSSROADS:  Between a Rock and My Parents' Place that's coming out this May from Princeton Architectural Press. 
    
    It's about a short stopover at my parents' house after my year in Japan that turned into a 23-month visit (that involved lots of squirrels and some karaoke).  I'm thinking about maybe doing a children's book next and am still interested in doing something with socks!
    
    Other than Japan, where are your favorite places to travel?

    
    I was in Paris ten years ago and would love to go back someday (much like Japan, Paris  is full of artistic inspiration!).  I also love traveling within the United States--there's a lot of inspiration nearby. I'm interested in going to Germany someday.  I like going anywhere near water because I love to paint the sea and lakes.
    
    What was the most significant thing you learned about Japanese culture after spending a year there? About yourself?
    
    After a year in Japan, I was very struck by the deliberateness of both thought and action there (the careful selection of a tea bowl or a flower, a thoughtful note).  I've tried to bring this thoughtfulness back into my own life in the U.S. 
    
    The most significant thing I learned about myself would probably be that making art and being connected to my friends and family make me very happy.

    
    Photo Credits: All Illustrations by Kate T. Williamson.

13. Laguna Beach - The Art of Illusion

    01.Apr.08, 00:20 IST
    
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    Some of us need very little excuse to think about holidays and vacations all year long - We're ready for summer and glam Laguna Beach, California.
    

    
    Laguna Beach is host to the art and theatrical illusions of the Pageant of the Masters, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
    

    
    Pageant of the Masters is an art exhibition, where literally art comes alive. Instead of looking at a simple painting hanging on a wall you have ninety minutes of "living pictures."
    

    
    These living pictures are "incredibly faithful art recreations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces."
    

    
    "An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant as the best presentation of its kind."
    

    
    The theme this year is inspired by Shakespeare's "All The World's A Stage."
    

    
    Dates: July 9 - August 30

14. The Tropical Soul of Debi Nova by Samantha Nhema

    01.Apr.08, 00:14 IST
    
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    Debi Nova embodies all things Zaji. With her lust for life and passion for music, travel and culture. The marriage of soulful, breezy romance and a down-to-earth vibe create Debi's tropical soul sound. She's releasing her first album this summer....and you can hear one of her first hits on our Zaji Girl Playlist - "Tomorrow" featuring Q-Tip.
    

     

    
    

    
    We sat down with Debi and delved into the woman behind the music.
    
    Tell us a little about what it has taken for you to get to this stage, where you are almost done with your first studio album.
    
    It’s been a long process. This is my first album, and it has taken a while for it to take off. It really required a lot of my patience but every part of the process has been necessary. I’m happy with where I am right now.”
    
    

    Who have been the key people that have influenced you musically? 
    
    

    I’ve always looked up to women musicians who play their own instruments. I love Sheila E., and I am a big fan of Sheryl Crow. Women writing their own songs to me has always been something I have admired. I love Brazilian music, it influenced me a lot growing up.
    
    From my mother’s side everyone is a musician. My grandfather is my biggest influence, he used to sing. He was "the singer of the family.”
    

    
    You mentioned women writing their own music. How much of this album is your writing?
    

    
    So far I’ve written all of it. I love writing music and lyrics. I write a lot. Everything inspires me to write music. There’s just so much beauty. It’s everywhere. I’m not sure how inspiration comes, it just kind of comes.

    
    Is there one thing in particular that has always sparked inspiration in you?

    
    The ocean. Surfing is my biggest passion outside of music, and I spend as much time in the water as I possibly can. I have been surfing for about ten years now, and I have learned a lot from the ocean. It’s a beautiful sport really.

    
    We know that you do a lot of traveling for work, but when you have some down time, do you like to travel and where do you love to go to get away?

    
    It's kind of hard with working all the time, but I did do a bit of traveling this summer. I went to Ibiza and Madrid. I was also in Israel 3 years ago and that was an experience. Pretty fascinating, and it was a very intense time. The country is so rich culturally and just the soul of the place is pretty insane. Japan was also very pretty, but I was working there.

    
    What are your top three essential items you always have to travel with?
    

    
    I always carry a pair of running shoes, sneakers. I love to sweat and work out and run when I can. Also I think my IPod is a must. I always travel with a book. I love reading. I am currently reading a novel right now called “Lo que Falta a Tiempo.”

    
    Tell us a little bit about your home and why you left. You are from a little town called Escazu right?

    
    Yes, Escazu is just outside of San Jose, and I grew up there. It’s really part of San Jose, part of the city. It’s tiny. Everything there is tiny, and because Costa Rica is a small country, the options there can be pretty limited. When I was old enough, I left and moved to Hollywood to pursue my career. The U.S. always seemed like a place you could go and fulfill your dreams. I didn’t even think about it. I told my parents ‘I’m going to Hollywood.’ My dad was a little concerned, but my mother has always been like ‘Go do it.”

    
    What were those first years like for you?
    

    
    The first few years were extremely difficult. I knew a couple of guys I had met in Boston on a summer music thing when I was 16. We formed a band and played every Monday. Financially it wasn’t the best time and playing in a restaurant Monday nights wasn’t really cutting it. So after the first years I went back to Costa Rica. The second time I came it was much easier.

    
    And you have been here since. Do you miss home a lot?

    
    I still get homesick. Going back home is always going to be the best thing for me. I want to eventually be based out of there.

    
    What do you miss about home?

    
    The beaches and the nature. I am a surfer and going to the beach with friends is the best time for me. It is such a natural paradise, and I totally took that for granted when I was there. I thought it was a common thing. But I do miss the green and the trees and monkeys. I go back quite often.

    
    How is the response to your celebrity back home in Costa Rica?

    
    I feel very supported when I go there, because we are a small country of few people and people take a lot of pride in other Costa Ricans succeeding. When I go there I just feel really good.

    
    Do you like touring and traveling?

    
    I absolutely love it. It is very interesting, because when you are on tour you don’t get to spend time in countries the way you could if you are just on vacation. It is an interesting type of traveling. But you do get the gist of the place, and you get to see the beautiful differences. I try to get the most out of those days.

    
    Describe your fashion sense.

    
    My fashion is just laid back, beach surfer comfortable. That’s really who I am. I don’t like the whole fancy schmancy thing, although sometimes it is necessary. But comfortable is my main style.
    
    

    What has been your favorite part of working on your upcoming album?
    
    When other musicians come and collaborate. That is my favorite part. It brings the tracks to life, from an idea born out of a piano. It is a feeling beyond anything else. It really is a high. My favorite artists to work with include Citizen Cope, Raphael Saddiq, and Q-Tip. Music just kind of comes through them, they are so easy with it. I wrote this song with Justin Timberlake, and he doesn’t really write, it just comes naturally. Definitely intimidating.
    
    

    How do you define the genre of this album?

    
    I don’t really know. It has a bit of everything. Its jazzy, soulful….it is its own thing.

    
    Who is producing it for you and what is the message you are sending with this album?

    
    Marius DeVries and the record, so far, is independent. With this record I'm trying to introduce myself as a writer, musician, woman, lover, and a Latina living far away from home. The message is an uplifting one, purposely written freely in both English and Spanish to represent union of cultures. I want to remind people how small and precious our world is!

    
    Photo Credits: Photos Courtesy of Debi Nova.

15. Dream Time - It's a Lush Life

    01.Apr.08, 00:08 IST
    
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    There's nothing quite like indulging in a glorious bath right before it's time to go to sleep and enter into Dream Time. Dream Time is that perfect place where after a long day traveling, you can leave life's everyday ups and downs behind and slip into a deep and wonderful slumber. We have to say our favorite foray into Dream Time involves bath bombs, bubble bars and buttercreams.
    
    Imagine orange blossoms and mango butter, rose and jasmine wrapped in vine leaves melting into hot steaming bath water. If that piques your interest, you'll want to stop by Lush, a growing international brand that specializes in handmade cosmetics. Lush creates their products from fresh essential oils, organic fruits and vegetables. All products are vegan and no animal testing is done. We're addicted, especially to their bath bombs. Check out their ButterBall bathbomb, their Blue Skies and Fluffy White Clouds bubble bar and their luxurious Emperor of Ice Cream buttercream.
     
    Sweet Dreams!
    
    

16. Stylish Travel Accessories - Belle Hop

    01.Apr.08, 00:02 IST
    
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    We're always on the lookout for stylish luggage tags that make it easy to find our luggage. We just discovered Belle Hop, a brand that designs travel accessories just for women. Love their travel slippers, fashion locks and luggage tags. You'll want to browse their collection... They have a lingerie wrapper and a 3 1 1 bottle set with labels that come in handy. At this time, they only sell to retailers...find them at EBags.
    
    

17. Mustafa's Failed Seduction and My Wish for World Peace by Karen Kindler

    22.Mar.08, 00:32 GMT
    
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    "I show you the gardens," Mustafa smiled and nodded to the back of his new moped. I climbed on, my backpack in one arm, my carpet in the other, my fingers grasping Mustafa's waist.
    

    
    And we launched into the traffic: cars, donkey-drawn carts, bicycles, pedestrians … narrow walkways, multi-lane roads, busy squares.

    
    Amazing! How anyone could make sense of the traffic patterns and make forward progress without incident! We did stop once – nose to nose with another motorbike, two Euro tourists smiling sheepishly on its back. No harm done. Off we zipped again.
    
    

    

    
    The gardens. Weren't. There were some palms dotting a vast dirt-paved enclosed space, a few sheep, four camels taking tourists on short rides, and a seating area/snack bar.

    
    We sipped tea in the shade and chatted. You only live once! Mustafa cried. You must do it! The camel ride, of course. I sighed. Sure, why not. I would. I did. I had my picture taken. It was uncomfortable and poor Fatima, the camel, stumbled a couple of times, nearly tossing me off onto my nose.

    
    "You pay the man," my camel driver told me, "but you tip me too. Ok?"

    
    Sure. Tradition, I figured. I climbed off, my nether regions numb in a bad bicycle seat sort of way. How much? 300 dirhams. A bit steep, I thought, at just over $35 for a 20 minute ride, but then it was my own fault for not asking first and haggling.

    I suppose I was still feeling high after my carpet triumph. I handed the camel driver a 20 dirham note ($2.50). Clearly not the chunk of change he'd expected, I guessed on seeing his expression.
    

    
    

    
    Back on the bike. One more stop. A spice/perfume shop. I'm not interested, I told Mustafa. It's interesting and educational, he insisted. I couldn't disagree, but didn't buy either.

    
    "Come out with me tonight." The next phase in the Mustafa give-it-to-the tourist operation began.

    
    "I can't … the tour group …" Maybe Mustafa's flattering remarks worked with some lonely females – at least in Mustafa's youth – but I wasn't going to be one of them. I was far too used to the overtures of 30ish Turks with handsome faces to now suddenly accept this sleazy, sun-aged boxing ring reject.

    
    "No charge!" he added generously.

    
    No comment, I thought, not as generously.

    
    He was clearly disappointed, but whether because he missed out on my feminine charms or whether there was more financial fleecing in the picture, I wasn't sure.

    
    "You pay me now. My time. My gasoline. You pay me."

    
    Yeah, I saw it coming and had figured on a 200 dirham tip – basically all the cash I still had on me.

    
    "What!? You insult me!"

    
    OK, this is where I should now continue my tale with how I put old Mustafa in his place. Unfortunately, I was rather high-jacked at the time on the back of his bike with both arms full and not at all certain as to where I was and how far it was to the hotel.

    
    He stopped at an ATM. He expected roughly $100 for his 'trouble.' I suppose at this point I just wanted to be free of him. I should have gotten off the bike and started walking. I didn't. I paid. He took me home.

    
    It was not the best introduction to the Moroccan people. But that moped ride through Marrakech traffic was worth it. Every cent. I'm imagining the Disney ride I could design now! What a blast! What a great way to get up close and personal with the pulsing life of North Africa!
    
    And I did get a really nice carpet out of the deal too. And that expensive tajine – it proved to be the tastiest meal of my entire trip.

    
    The next evening I met Abdouh, an adjutant in the Gendarmerie Royale. He didn't fleece me. He led me to the internet point I sought, paid for it, and wished me farewell when I turned down his offer for a drink. I'm invited to stay with him and his family next time I'm in town. My mother, too. And my brothers. Anytime. We are his guests. He is Moroccan, too. I met more of him than I did of Mustafa.

    
    Thank goodness.

    
    I'm still waiting for world peace.

    
    Photo Credits: Plaza Djem el fnaa in Marrakech by"© Milena Moiola | Dreamstime.com and Camel by © Rene Drouyer | Dreamstime.com.

18. Mustafa and the Simply Bazaar - A Moroccan Thrill Ride by Karen Kindler

    22.Mar.08, 00:26 GMT
    
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    Mustafa. He's the first Moroccan I met (with the exception of a spring break fling I would really rather forget). A seasoned tourist-nabbing barracuda working the environs of the Marrakech medina.
    

    
    Mustafa looked well past the 44 years of age he claimed to share with the king. Bald, nut-brown, with a blue-tinted bulge under his left eye that suggested more than one unpleasant encounter with a fist, Mustafa spoke broken English and fair French to match my own. I would offer a photo, but he was careful to avoid the aim of my lens.

    
    He sidled up alongside me as I walked to the medina and asked the usual questions: Where are you from? How long are you staying? Where are you going? Small talk – first English, then French. I was about to turn the wrong way, he warned helpfully. The medina entry is further along that street.

    
    I read maps well, but thought, fine, maybe I'm mistaken and turned as directed. There's a special opportunity today, he told me. "This is the one day in the week the Tuareg are in town, peddling their wares. More authentic crafts, cheaper prices. This way. And the mosque is open today to non-Muslims, too. Because of the Tuareg. This way …"
    

    
     
    

    
    After much winding through narrow passages, we arrived in an open square – the mosque, he said. It did appear to be adjacent to a minaret and the Arabic inscription he had me place my hand on to make a wish ("It will come true, I promise!") was, I'm quite sure, a phrase from the Koran, but a mosque is an interior space, not a square.

    
    And this square included laundry drying and cartoon graffiti – not the stuff I usually associate with religious sites, but fine, thanks to my wish, at least there will be world peace. It will come true. He promised.

    
    Next the special Tuareg market …. or rather, as it turned out, a shop away from the central souks with a basement full of carpets. Carpets … my greatest weakness in countries where hand-woven textiles are a major industry. I would buy one on this trip; I knew that already. Why not just get it out of the way on day one, I decided.
    

    
    

    
    Out came the tea – mint, heavy on the sugar. Then the carpets: kilims (my favorite) – some woven in simple patterns of brilliant color, others with intricate designs embroidered on top of the weaving – much of it of silk.

    
    It doesn't burn, the salesman insisted as he held his lighter to a sample piece. I picked one out in a red, black and white geometric pattern – silk embroidery on wool – 20 inches wide by 10 feet long. How much?
    

    
     
    

    
    There is a process, Mustafa had explained. The salesman writes his name and the customer's on a bit of paper (or his palm), then enters his first offer. The customer then offers half, Mustafa said, by writing the figure under his name.

    
    The written haggling continues until the third offer made by the tourist – presumably at about 75 percent of the original asking price and the deal is either made or is off. No worries, no hard feelings. Good day, ma'am!

    
    So how much? He eyed me carefully, glanced at Mustafa, and wrote 19,000 dirham under his name. I squeezed the number through my fatigued brain, finally realizing that the approximately 250 USD I'd guessed the conversion to be initially was off by one zero … so it was 2,500 USD he wanted. No. I smiled and got up … and was gently urged back.

    
    "What's your offer?"

    
    "Ah yes, the game must be played," I smiled.

    
    "It's not a game," he cried, clearly insulted.

    
    "Of course not," I lied. "But, I'm sorry. It's just too much, and I don't want to insult you."

    
    "No insult! Just write. If I don't agree, no problem. We part with a smile."

    
    "Ok." 200 USD I wrote … about 2,300 USD less than his asking price. He blinked at that. Not an insult maybe, but clearly a chilly slap across his handsome bronzed face.

    
    12,000 dirham.

    
    250 USD.

    
    700 USD.

    
    300 USD. Wait a minute. What happened to three times and it's over!? I got up again to leave. And was gently pushed back again.

    
    "You're no American. You're no European. You are mountain people. You want quality, but you don't want to pay! 500 USD," he conceded in exasperation, making his final grandstand offer.

    
    "350 USD."

    
    "Give me 500 USD."

    
    No, sorry.

    
    Mustafa to the rescue.

    
    "Give it to her for 450 USD."

    
    We settled. I did love the carpet. It was beautiful, and it didn't light up when touched to flame and I'd bought carpets before, and thought it a reasonable price. I paid in cash after an escorted walk to an ATM. I got no receipt. I should have asked, I suppose.

    
    If I had paid more, maybe Mustafa would have left me alone at that point. His cut would have checked his tourist fleecing block for the day. I guess it didn't. He needed to invest more time in me. I was hungry, he decided. Not really, I said. Of course you are, he insisted. Well, I suppose I could eat a little something.
    

    
    

    
    He deposited me at a sidewalk eatery filled with locals (men only), convinced a clearly reluctant sun-dried habitué in a striped djellabah to give up his seat in the shade for me, and ordered me a tajine, then excused himself to go for his motor bike.

    
    The meal was delicious – chicken, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and olives, well peppered in a large earthenware bowl with a liberal stack of fresh-baked bread alongside. The price … unexpected. 160 dirhams the proprietor wrote, glancing up at me as if to see whether I would balk. I didn't. And I tipped, too. Mistake, I guess. But I wouldn't learn until the next