Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Southwest Airlines Offers Summer Travel Tips

Hot Day? Chill out! We've got you covered. Southwest Airlines has the coolest summer travel tips that will help you get on your way to those relaxing summer vacation spots. Traveling with the family can be stressful, and Southwest Airlines wants to help its Customers handle the busy travel season like a pro. Southwest Airlines' baggage policy allows Customers to check up to three bags (under 50 pounds each) absolutely free of charge. Southwest, knowing plans can change in the blink of an eye, also allows Customers to make changes to their itineraries without a change fee.

And if you haven't planned your vacation just yet, there's still time. Log on to www.southwest.com, where you can make reservations for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Southwest can get you where you wanna go, no sweat!

Travel tips to help you keep your cool this summer:

Early arrival is the key to survival.

You will enjoy a smoother travel experience if you get to the airport at least an hour ahead of your scheduled departure time. Check Southwest's web site, southwest.com, for updated travel information and suggested airport arrival times during peak travel periods. This summer will be a busy one, so allow plenty of time for parking and flight checkin.

The Internet is your friend.

southwest.com offers many features to help make traveling easier. You can check in online and print out boarding passes up to 24 hours before your flight. Many people set alarms to remind them to go online and check in early. Impress your friends by having that sound you hear on our commercials and download DING!, a desktop application that alerts subscribers of fare sales that are only available for a few hours at a time.

The 411 on the 3-1-1.The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is currently limiting liquids, gels, and/or aerosols in carryon baggage. Customers are presently allowed to bring with them one clear, transparent, resealable, one quart (1 liter) size, plastic bag containing liquids, gels, and/or aerosols in containers of three ounces (90ml) capacity or less per container. (Most "travel size" items found in grocery and convenience stores are 3 ounces or less.) The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably within and be completely closed/sealed.

Chilling at the gate.

While maybe not as fun as chilling at the beach, if children older than age five and under age 12 are traveling alone, parents must arrive at the gate an hour before departure to check their child in; and parents should not leave until their child's plane has taken off. Also, make sure to bring plenty of books, games, and snacks to keep children entertained during the flight.

"You have to wait 30 minutes after eating before you can go flying."

Just kidding. But now that we have your attention, it's a good idea to pick up your favorite meal before jumping on a Southwest flight. The carrier offers complimentary soft drinks, juices, and light snacks on all flights; however, Southwest does not serve inflight meals.

Remember the person behind you would like to use the bin, too.

As you are cramming your shopping bag, suit coat, straw hats, and newly purchased plastic flamingo into the overhead bin, remember to leave some space for other Customers. Customers are permitted to carry one bag, plus one smaller, personal item onboard. All carryon baggage must fit in a sizing box (16"x 10"x 24") and must be stowed in overhead bins or below the seat in front of the Customer. We suggest Customers only pack valuables, medications, eyeglasses, and other essential items in carryon luggage. Your fellow travelers will think you.

What are those Flight Attendants talking about?

You will learn many important tips in our preflight safety announcement. In all seriousness (yes, we can be serious), safety comes first at Southwest Airlines. Be sure to take a moment to familiarize yourself with all emergency procedures.


Something to pop a wheelie about!

Southwest Airlines will now check your bicycle for free. That's right…as long as the bicycle is packed in a hard-sided bicycle case and falls within the dimensions and weight limits for normal checked baggage, we will accept it as one of the three free pieces of checked luggage Southwest allows for each Customer.

Konstantino Creates Modern Expressions of Ancient Greek Jewelry

Athens, Greece - Konstantino Sioulas was born in Athens and raised amid the beauty and majesty of one of the oldest civilizations in the world. “My father was a huge influence in my life. He taught me constantly about Greek philosophy, history and art,” explains Sioulas.

Enthralled with Greek history and the rich legacy of Greek gods and goddesses, Konstantino developed an endless fascination with the artisanship of the earliest Greek jewelry designs. “This is why our jewelry is different from any other. Our designs are timeless and universal. They come from the core of civilization and the elements of the modern world,” he explains.

Throughout time, artisans have paid homage to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. In his Konstantino's own tribute to this magnificent goddess, Konstantino has devoted a lifetime to creating modern expressions of ancient Greek jewelry. “Greece, for me, is a land of magnificent contrasts. Blinding light and forbidding darkness. Crashing seas and arid farmland. Frenetic cosmopolitan cities amid ancient ruins and lost temples.”

Konstantino continues, “As a boy, my playground was the architecture of the Acropolis, the Temple of Delphi. My village, Melitea, belonged to the warrior Achilles of Troy. Knowing this; that this famous warrior from Greek history had actually lived in MY birthplace had a lifelong affect on me and all these ancient elements are etched in my soul, so every piece I design posses my essence, my experiences, and my passion for Greece.”

Konstantino uses the ancient engraving and etching techniques found in early Greek jewelry. Look for the echoes of history in each piece, feel their timeless craftsmanship and enduring beauty; this is Konstantino.


For Purchase:

Konstantino is available at Neiman Marcus, Sak’s Fifth Avenue and Fine Jewelers throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Japan and Greece.

More information may be found at www.KonstantinoTreasures.com

When you think of Maine do you think of Wine?

Many of us from New England associate Maine for its beautiful coast, light houses and of course lobster, but how about wine? Below, you will find some information that might surprise you. If you get to visit any of these wineries, I would love to hear your thoughts.



Cellar Door Winery and Vineyards

One of the few wine makers in Maine growing their own grapes. The vineyards are set on 68 acres of rolling fields in the coastal town of Lincolnville adjacent to the north boundary of Camden Hills State Park. Cold weather grapes are pressed and cellar-aged to create varieties of white and red table wines. The winery also makes a Maine blueberry wine. Stroll through the vineyard or visit the gift shop and tasting room.



Bartlett Maine Estate Winery

For more than 20 years this winery has specialized in sophisticated fruit wines made with native flavors. Bartlett uses locally grown apples, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pears and peaches to create distinctive aperitifs, whites, reds, and sweet dessert wines that capture the essence of Maine. The winery is located in Gouldsboro on the scenic Schoodic Peninsula east of Mount Desert Island. A tasting room and retail shop are open May through October.


Blacksmiths Winery

This winery in the town of South Casco near Sebago Lake produces a wide variety of wines with local fruits and hand picked grapes from the state of Washington. Blacksmiths offers a cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay,merlot, pino grigio, sangiovese, vidal blanc, and sparkling blueberry and cranberry among other selections. The tasting room and gift shop are open year round.


Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery

On a working farm in the midcoast town of Union, Elmer and Holly Savage grow eight varieties of hybrid wine grapes and their own blueberries. This year will be the first vintage for Savage Oakes, and with grapes like marechal foch, leon millot, Cayuga white, and seyval blanc, the wines should be a treat. The winery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday mid-May through the fall.

Wondering how to start a wine collection of your own?

I''m not sure about you, but whenever I try to start a wine collection, I seem to open and enjoy the bottles faster than I can collect them, but David Icken, Managing Partner and Wine Director of The Capital Grille in Burlington, MA. offers suggestions to beginners on how to start their own collections.

In building a wine list for the new restaurant, opened on March 26, David sampled hundreds of selections, aiming for a diverse, value-conscious wine list. He whittled down his choices to 350 unique selections from around the world.

So, how should the wine enthusiast begin to build his own collection? David offers the following advice:

Explore Spain: Wines coming out of Spain’s Priorato region provide an excellent value because they are often still produced by small farmers rather than large estates. A $40 Rioja will often drink like a $100 bottle.

Discover Germany: The Mosul region produces some phenomenal wines for exceptional value. David especially enjoys Dr. Fischer wines, which are elegant, sweet Rieslings that balance well with seafood, such as the restaurant’s popular pan-fried calamari.

Head South: Try the Southern Hemisphere. David looks to Mendoza, in Argentina, and the Maipo Valley, in Chile, for the region’s most enjoyable wines. In Australia, David looks beyond the typical Shiraz for Pinots and Rieslings, several of which appear on the restaurant’s “Wine by the Glass” menu.

Think Beyond Napa: While David’s collection for The Capital Grille, Burlington, includes several bottles of 1999 and 2000 Napa Cabernet, two of the area’s best vintages, he also recommends Cabernet from all over California, such as from Paso Robles.

Enjoy Your Collection: While prize bottles are nice, a wine collection is a waste if it languishes in the cellar. Be sure to include plenty of $10-15 bottles you can enjoy on a regular basis.

Don't use the good white wine to remove a stain unless absolutely necessary!

On a recent dinner at La Cavedrne de Geulhem, just outside of Maastricht in the Netherlands, one of the wine judges had red wine splashed on his evening shirt. Quicker than you could blink, a bottle of white wine was uncorked, and used to remove the red stain. I could not believe how well it worked, but if they had OxiClean Spray-A-Way, we would have had one more bottle of wine to enjoy!

Here are some tips from OxiClean for your wine woes.

For fresh wine stains while away from your home, simple spray on OxiClean Spray-A-Way Instant Stain Remover, the new on-the-go stain remover from OxiClean, blot, and watch the stain disappear!

For set-in stains on clothing, cloth napkins or tablecloths, first pre-treat the spot with OxiClean Laundry Stain Remover. Then, let the item sit for five minutes and launder with your regular detergent and a capful of OxiClean Stain Fighter.

If that wine ends up on your carpet, simply blot away excess moisture, mix a scoop of OxiClean Versatile Stain remover with water and apply to the stain. Then, let the solution soak for a few minutes, blot and rinse with clean water. You’ll never even know the stains existed!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Check out some of the spirits we have reviewed

click here to visit our spirit review page on neFineLiving.com

Blinc Mascara Review

By Linda Calder:



I've had the pleasure of testing Blinc mascara, and when I first opened the box, my teenage daughter was right there ready to grab whatever popped out of the box first. Luckily for me, my little grasshopper does not have the swift hand and eye coordination that comes with many years of mall training. I was able to scoop the products into my hand before she was even able to bat her beautiful brown eyelashes. "Ahh... my little grasshopper, don't worry, you will soon be able to master the speed of shopping". I guess I need to take her to some more training at Sephora during a new product launch.



Any hooo... I was looking forward to trying this product. I first heard about it when a client of mine told me she worked for Hospice, and we started talking about crying. Well, I have to tell you, she was the best ad campaign for Blinc mascara! She raved about how she could cry and rub her eyes without the tiniest bit of smudge, or should I say... McSmudge. Since I am a habitual sobber, even during Hallmark commercials, I had to try it!



To begin with, I have very long lashes. If I am not careful, I end up looking like Raggedy Ann. My friends hate when I complain that my lashes are hitting the lenses of my sunglasses. Curling for me is a must, but I must have lashes of steel. I am never able to get a curl to stay. Since I am a makeup addict, I don't mind the extra steps that it might take to make a "look" work. I first tried the heated curler from Blinc. It did put a nice curve on my lashes, but I was hoping for a little more. When I first stroked the wand of Blinc's mascara on my lashes, I was pleasantly surprised that there was absolutely no clumping. I proceeded to place the second coat on my lashes and was amazed at how my eyelashes looked. Now that the mascara was dry, I had to try something that was not recommended in my enclosed instructions. I used the heated curler on my lashes after the mascara set. Hallelujah! I got the best curl ever! Is it wrong to use it after? I don't know, but when I got comments from friends and family on how awake and happy I looked, I giggled and said "It's my curled lashes!"



I was addicted to my waterproof liner, and thought that I would never find a better product, but after using Blinc's liner, I felt a "Dear John" letter coming on. This new liner, I was trying, touched me in just the right way. I thought all liquids would feel the same gliding on, but this one was different. It felt very light and watery, but not runny. I did have to let it set a bit longer than my other liner, but the maximum wear is well worth it.



One thing I did want to mention is this. For years, I thought I was fighting a case of dark circles under my eyes, but since I started using Blinc, I found that the darkness under my eyes was residue from my other makeup lines! I thought I was getting it all with my makeup remover. Even though the cost of Blinc's mascara is more than my other line, I don't have the expense of having to buy a remover, and I don't have to spend any extra time taking it off. The mascara and liner lasted during my huge crying bout while watching "The Notebook" and it lasted during swimming in our pool and the ocean. The only time I found it wanted to come off was during time in our hot tub. Yeah Duh! Hot water and steam, this is all that is needed to gently slide the tubes off my lashes... how could I forget. I was pleased to find that if I did not touch my lashes, the mascara seemed to reset itself. I'll have to ask the company if this is possible.

Villas for Rent in Napa and Bordeaux

Sharon Harris, Wine Lover and Francophile, Restored and Built Two Luxury Wine Villas



Available For Rent - One In Napa, One In Bordeaux


While her husband, John Harris, was busy building Napa Valley's Amici wine brand, Sharon Harris took on the formidable task of building, restoring and furnishing two lavish wine villas -- one in the Napa Valley and one in St. Emilion in Bordeaux.

She rents both villas to fine wine lovers all over the world; those who really appreciate luxury and beauty in every detail and can afford the $25,000 to $36,000 a month rent, depending on the season.

The villa in Calistoga, at the North end of the Napa Valley, is not just Tuscan inspired, but has a view that rivals any in Tuscany -- beautiful vineyard-covered hills and only one other house in sight. The 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom beautifully furnished house has every amenity
including two pools and expansive outdoor living where you can sip fine wine in the evening and watch the sunset glow on the surrounding hillside.

The Bordeaux villa has four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms and can sleep 8. It is right in the heart of great wine country in St. Emilion, one of the most famous names of Bordeaux. "We wanted to keep the old world charm of the villa but combined it with modern luxuries that international wine lovers would appreciate." It is unique for Bordeaux. You can sip Bordeaux
wine in the garden while overlooking vineyards known in Roman history. Restaurants, wine shops and classes, galleries and shopping are within an easy walk.

Harris's keen interest in wine has led her to France many times starting with a passion for France and French culture when she was still in high school. To prove her interest she took a year in college at the University of Bordeaux and had her first tastes of great wines. After
graduating UCLA in International Economics, she took a bottom rung job at a two star restaurant in Bordeaux, St. James with Jean Marie Amat. She worked from 4 a.m. to late at night but perfected her French in a hurry along with large portions of humility.

In 2004, now married and with her company sold, she and her husband enrolled in a famous wine course given at the oenology department at the University of Bordeaux. She graduated the difficult course, given entirely in French. So with her love of wine, Napa and Bordeaux, in 2005 Harris decided to build and restore the Napa and Bordeaux villas. She says, "I love talking to people about Bordeaux and Napa, helping wine lovers fall in love with these two great wine regions. Mostly, it is about making personal connections for people, creating personal experiences for people around wine, food and friends. Bordeaux has changed drastically in the last 25 years; it is now a beautiful city, welcoming wine lovers
from around the world."

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Maastricht Spring 2007

Take a short trip with me to Maastricht - Netherlands.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Fine Living in New England


I would like to welcome you to visit our web site http://www.newenglandfineliving.com . This site is full of information, articles, reviews, and so much more. If you would like a product reviewed or a story posted, please send us an e-mail Linda@newenglandfineliving.com