Jet Setter - A Girl's Guide to Travel, Culture & Style

Austin Ice Cream Festival

July 4 in the US kicks off my favorite season with summer-time festivals of all kinds. August 15 - Austin is celebrating Ice Cream in downtown's Waterloo Park for the third year. August is probably the hottest time to be in Texas, so it's the best time to slurp it up. 

As usual, Austin parties in style with live music, Popsicle-stick sculptures, lots of ice cream including a decked-out ice cream truck. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas.

- Denise

Website:

Austin Ice Cream Festival - Austinicecreamfestival.com

Jetsetter: Luxe City Guides

As an avid reader of travel guidebooks, I have to say sometimes it's easy to go on overload. I'm an information junkie and when I travel, I want to know as much as possible about the destinations I'm heading to. 

I've found Luxe City Guides to be quite handy and useful, especially when I don't want to spend hours on on the internet.  I've used their guides in Paris and Dubai. The Dubai guide was great. They mentioned some places and experiences I hadn't even found online. 

And if you're heading to a big world class city, they are worth spending the money for. They retail for about US$10. They clue you into some trendy restaurants; you get the scoop on some off-the-beaten path museums; love the shopping guides at the back. And the best part - you can stick them in your purse, pocket-size perfection.

- Denise

Website:

Luxe City Guides - www.luxecityguides.com

Red Candy - A Few of My Favorite Things

It's Red, White and Blue day tomorrow. So Happy 4th of July to all fellow Americans.  Funnily enough, I came across this great site by British retailer, Red Candy. Red Candy celebrates all things red. Great if you're a fan of modern design. They also have a nice selection of British chef Nigella Lawson's kitchen ware and some funky clocks. All in red (and a bit of silver) of course.

- Denise

Website:

Red Candy - Redcandy.co.uk

About Town - Dallas

Dallas is not as in your face as New York City or San Francisco in terms of finding great food and restaurants.  But as a cosmopolitan and truly global city, Dallas has plenty to offer the global foodie...you just have to know where to go.

Here are my favorite picks for the summer. I'm still obsessing over French food, sumptuous desserts and I do love a good London pub.

1. Parigi - Has a modern atmosphere, cozy, great wine list. Wonderful desserts. They have a buttermilk pie to die for.

2. Toulouse - French bistro feel, makes me feel like I'm in Paris - quiche and salad, roast chicken and frites (French fries). Classic and casual.

3. The Londoner - Good drinks. Nice pub atmosphere.

4. Cafe Madrid - For some Spanish tapas. Sits on a street corner. Packed and lively.

- Denise

Websites:
Parigi - Parigirestaurant.com
Toulouse - ToulouseCafeandBar.com
The Londoner - The LondonerAddison.com
Cafe Madrid - CafeMadrid-Dallas.com

Photo Credits: Agency Dreamstime

It's A Mod Mod World

Latin American Culture is kind of a mystery to me. I've never ventured to the lands south of the United States. It's on the radar though. And in preparation for that adventure, we're chatting with interior designer and owner of LAMA designs - Christine Martinez.  Christine gives us the scoop on modern Latin American style and her favorite places to travel in South America.

- Denise

Websites:

It's a Mod Mod World - Interview with Christine Martinez. Listen here!
LAMA Designs - www.lamadesigns.com

Summer Jam - Boom Boom Pow

The Black Eyed Peas have a coolness factor that just is. I don't know what it is. But man, I just love this video.

Watch it here!

- Denise

Paris Street Style - Summer Days

One of my favorite fashion sites is Garance Dore. Garance is a French fashion illustrator and photographer who takes great photos of street style in Paris or whereever she is. It keeps me inspired, and she now has it translated into English. So, check out her site. 

And after you do that listen to our interview with our very own French girl Raney Lasusa who gives us advice on how to work that stylish French look.

Websites:

Le Scarf - The Secret to Hip Parisian Style - Listen here

Garance Dore - Paris Street Style

A Day in the Life of a Foodie in Brazil by Nicole Zimmerman

Brazilian cuisine is as rich as the country's diverse cultural heritage. Drawing from indigenous African and Portuguese roots, Brazil's culinary traditions emphasize the flavorful ingredients of each region. Northeastern fish stews infused with spices and amber-hued dende oil (reflecting the African influences of the area) are contrasted with the barbequed meats of the more European-style southern states.  

Whether lounging at the beach or dancing into the night, you can sample it all.From morning cafezinho to evening salgadinhos, Brazil's food and drinks are amazing.

Cruisin' the islands

I admit it. I've only been on 1 cruise. It was to Egypt. And going to Egypt was great, but I've never been convinced that cruises were for me. There were so many people. The days were you are out at sea just looking at an endless blue ocean. Agh! 

Then, I had a friend who went on a cruise with other friends to Alaska. She hated it. Bored out of her mind. Cruises intimidate me, seem incredibly cookie cutter and well I like adventure and anything different.

So, I'm contemplating going on a cruise. Getting my island fix and leaving everyday life behind. And I love this website. Cruisecritic.com. It's got reviews, you can select cruises by your lifestyle interests, send the editor questions, find deals. It's one stop shopping and a pretty thorough resource.

- Denise

Website

Cruises - Cruisecritic.com

Photo Credits: Agency Dreamstime

Black Gurls in Iran

Tune into our podcast featuring an interview with journalist Samantha Nhema. Sam lived in Tehran for several years and gives us her insights into the current turmoil, Iranian culture and life and travel in the Middle East.  Listen to Podcast Here .

Websites:

Zaji Magazine Premiere - Black Gurls in Iran