Dreaming/Travel: Ayada Maldives

There are a few places in the world that conjure up images of tropical serenity - the Maldives has always been one of those places to me.  These stunning images of the Ayada Maldives further prove that long plane rides are worth it if you can get a private pool outside your own ocean top villa.

I'm going to South India in a few months - should I splurge and try to see if I can make it to the Maldives too?  Life is too short not to travel right?!

 

 

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Dreaming/Travel: Swimming in the world's largest pool/lagoon

Picture this: bright turquoise blue water funneled from the ocean stretching for more than one kilometer and kept at a perfect 26ºC.  Yes, you can find that this at the world's largest pool and lagoon - San Alfonso del Mar.

Pictures from San Alfonso de Mar and Fubiz

What an experience to swim, sail, and lounge in perfect ocean water. I love the serenity of this view guarantee of crisp, clean water.  The pricing for rooms here are also very reasonable (3 bedroom apartments at the end of the year are about $300).

Chile anyone?

Dreaming/NYFW 2010 Favorite Images

Oh to be a high-flying fashion editor rubbing elbows with Rihanna in the front-row and sipping Fiji Water while touching those zanily colorful 70s inspired fabrics backstage at Marc Jacobs,

Until then, here are a few favorite images from NYFW as I await invites for future shows.

Swimming in Marchesa gowns at Style.com's indoor pool party

Catching t-shirts from Alexander Wang's t-shirt gun...

...when I just hung backstage with his models

I'd pair an Alexander Wang top with this Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt.

Braving the street outside Bergdorf Goodman during Fashion Out NY is more fun with a crowd

Aahh and celebrating Tom Ford's return to womenswear (just got a pair of his sunglasses and would long for his SS 2011 clothing line)

Image sources: 1+2 from Style.com, 3+4 from Dazed Digital, 5 + 6 from Vogue

What fashion images are on your mind?

Dreaming/Travel: Underwater dining and living in the Maldives

*Remember to enter to win $60 for your own Le Creuset, Thomas Paul and more!  Enter here*

Imagine dining 16 feet below sea level with an up close and personal view of reef and marine life in the Maldives.  You can do that at Ithaa, the restaurant in the Conrad Maldives Rangaali island.

Talk about an unbelievable view!

Now think about sleeping with the fishes (in a good way).  Yes you can rent this as a suite as well.

Pictures from Hilton.com via Martha Stewart Weddings

Simply amazing.

A 14 day advance reservation is required for the restaurant or room.  More details here.

The pricing is TBD, but if you love ocean life, this is definitely a once in a life time experience (and likely very pricey, so something you'd probably only do once!)

On another note though, my good friend told me there are also tons of great boutique hotels in the Maldives that are reasonably priced.  I'll try to get a list from her soon!

What destinations do you dream of and what would the ideal room look like?

Dreaming/Decor Thoughts: Murals

Why is it that you want what you can't have?  As I've mentioned before, I can't paint or do anything to my apartment's walls.                                                 

But if I had full power over my home decor,  a painted mural would be on my list of things to include.

This dining room in Paris evokes renaissance images.  What's cooler is that the family and their pets are even painted in!

The motifs on the wall and ceiling remind me of faux molding and lend such dimension to the room (they were inspired by the motifs in Istanbul's Topkapi palace - CHIC!).

These subtle palm details show that a mural doesn't have to cover an entire wall but can really accent and contribute to the feel of the room.

I love the natural feel of this room and how it is reinforced by the tree-trunk bench.  Hmm I think I could even do it myself (or get my more artistic mom or a friend to help).

All pictures from Elle Decor.

Would you have a mural in your home?  What would it show?

Dreaming/Decor Thoughts: A wraparound pool seamlessly joins the indoors and outdoors

I saw these images and let out a little gasp.  This is a house in Singapore and of course nowhere near where I live (though it's not a big country!)  I love the seamless transition from the indoors to outdoors and the unique wraparound pool.
This is undeniably chic and probably quite pricey.  But oh I can dream.

That and find the owners so I can be friends with them.

I'd change a few small things, like taking the tree out of that little island indoors (what if I just want to lie down) and make a long lane for swimming laps (I like to throw in at least a little functionality).

 

I love how you can see the pool from the second level.

The ceiling is also pretty amazing. I'd choose different furniture and get a tv stand!

  

All images courtesy of Apartment Therapy

What do you think of this house?