Robust Christmas II

Last year, especially for Christmas, the 76-Second Travel Show tracked a surprising surge in the usage of the word 'robust' on both sides of the Atlantic:



A year later, we're noticing the trend in the US has continued its spike upward.

The New York Times rose from over 900 usages of 'robust' in 2009 to over 1400 (1406 as of Dec 23, including online references), while the UK's Guardian dropped slightly to 1885.

Does that say the UK is over robust, while the US is just getting started?

Either way, 76 Studios is looking forward to a very robust 2011.

76-Second Travel Show: 'Sound Challenge'

Episode #047
F E A T U R I N G * 6 9 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

Maybe the question for travel in 2011 isn't what you'll see, but what you'll hear?

Here's my defense of closing your eyes for Lonely Planet.

On the Weather Channel

Friday was fun. I got to talk travel -- or more precisely what to do to not be stranded at the airport when snow flurries fly -- on the Weather Channel. Here are the two segments: this one and that one.

Then I had tacos.

Brooklyn's Historic Subway Tunnel Tours Close

Bob Diamond is a classic New Yorker. Snubbing naysayers to discover, at age 19, the world's oldest subway tunnel, under Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue in 1980. Two years later Bob started leading tour down there -- raw tours, often peppered with fiery jabs at city officials. (I enjoyed one in July.)

Last month the city closed them down, alas. Hopefully they'll come back.

Here's my story for Lonely Planet.

Omakase at Nobu Dallas

Let's see what the press and celebrities have said about NOBU:

"The world's hippest restaurant chain" - Vogue

"The world's sexiest restaurant" - The Observer

"Best restaurant Period" - Time out New York

"The man who reinvented Japanese food" - Jean Georges Vangerichten

"You can tell how much fun a city is going to be if Nobu has restaurant in it"-Madonna

"....heaven on earth and sex on a plate" - Kate Winlest

NOBU currently has 25 restaurants in 21 different cities around the world. Nobu restaurants are named after the world reknown executive chef/owner Nobu Matsuhisa who has a longtime friendship and business relationship with famous actor Robert De Niro.

Nobu Dallas has became one of the hottest restaurants in the city since it opened. It is located in the Crescent Court hotel. Nobu offers a relaxed atmosphere, and permits casual clothing but your jeans better be designer if you're going for a casual look :) The menu features Nobu's signature new style Japanese cuisine as Yellowtail sashimi Jalapeno, Seared Toro with Karashi Sumiso, Toro Tartare with Caviar, Black Cod with Miso.

Nobu Dallas is one of our A list favorite restaurants. When it comes to dining at Nobu Dallas, we always have Omakase style at the sushi bar. We highly recommend to sitting with head sushi chef Mitsuhiro Eguchi who was a chef for Nobu NYC. He understands his food and cooks with his heart. I also want to credit executive chef Matt Raso who is behind the kitchen for hot dishes.

Although for us, it's omakase style. We always request to start with Sea Urchin Shooter. It could be very addictive when you get it.

Lobster with hearts of palm.

Matsutake Kettle Soup. Matsutake mushrooms are one of the many kinds of edible mushrooms that grow in Japan, and are said to be the king because of their wonderful aroma and elegant flavor. The pairing of this mushroom with a clear soup is a classic combination, but Nobu style consists of adding a twist to this familiar dish in the form of the chicken, shrimp and squid. Matsutake Kettle soup is a seasonal dish for fall/winter which is the perfect time for hot soup. It's served in a classic teapot. You're expected to drink it like tea and have addition of chicken, shrimp, and squid at the end.Beautiful presentation of sashimi plate.

Exotic Salmon Eggs sashimi. Seared Toro Karashi Sumiso; KSM.

Grilled Wahu Beef on Japanese Roof Tile. You will grill it at your table. Compliment your meal with sake in a wooden box. We like it this way. the wooden box enhances the taste of your sake because you can taste the wood. It's just like you have a certain glass for a certain wine.
The view of the bar from the sushi bar.
Thank you everyone for visiting and comments! Wishing you all a wonderful day!! Hugs...Hanh :)

Kid's Costume for Halloween Parade @ School

My little one wanted to be a peacock for her school Halloween Parade yesterday.

My big girl was a pirate girl.

McQueen Skull for Halloween

Halloween is here, one of the more exciting holidays for children. But for adults, it depends. I didn't enjoy it before, but my kids have inspired me to like it more and more. I actually love it now, and enjoy it as much as my kids do. I feel 35 years younger when I'm dressing up and going for trick or treat with them. Having fun with my kids, seeing them enjoy the holiday, and seeing their happy faces makes me smile.
This year, I pull my outfit with a McQueen skull theme and I wanted this outfit looking cool, stylish, and right for the Halloween spirit but not too scary for my kids. It's awesome to see my kids love it whenever I dress up for Halloween. They even suggest their ideas.

How about you? What do you wear for Halloween? Here is my oufit:

McQueen skull flats.

Love the tiny silver skulls in the back.
McQueen skull print tank recently bought at boutique 4510, and I styled it with a Rick Owens jacket.
Vintage skull necklace and the cross necklace from The Woods.
Disce Mori earrings were purchased at Grange Hall last year.

McQueen skull ring paired with Pamela Love ring.

McQueen gold skull leather-belt-bracelet recently bought at the boutique 4510. Other bracelets ??
My beloved McQueen clutch.
This clutch is also my little girl's favorite clutch. It was actually her choice and she inspired me to purchased it :)
My clutch is my trick or treat bag for candy. It's cool but way tooooo small..hehe...
I can't wait to go trick or treating with them and I'll share our pictures tomorrow night on twitter :) Stay tuned for it!!

For more Halloween spirit, check out a scary story about Bone Chapel in Portugal which I posted for Halloween last year.
Thank you everyone for visiting and comments. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Halloween to you all!!! Hugs...Hanh :)

Celine Shearling Cropped Jacket

There are so many beautiful Celine pieces this season, but this jacket was the one I brought home from Paris. The more I wear it the more I'm deeply in love with it, especially the gold buckles. They are such a statement.
These Giuseppe Zanotti leopard wedges are insane.
I'm so happy to bring out my favorite The Row leggings which I wore countless times last fall/winter. I purchased them from Barneys in Dallas. I'm sure I will do the same this F/W season. Because I love them so much, I recently purchased another one as a back up, also from Barneys.
Vintage necklaces.
Thank you everyone for visiting and comments! Wish you all a wonderful November ahead! Hugs...Hanh :)

ps: many of you have requested that I post my closet. Please, be patient with me. It's a mess now, I need to clean it up first :)

I also got a few emails from you to compliment the peacock costume and to know where I bought it. The body suit, skirt, and head piece were from Pottery Barn Kids 2 years ago. I actually sewed the wings to add onto it to make it more dramatic.

The Woods Jewelry

The Woods jewelry was founded by sisters Shawn Hecox and Samantha Hitchcock. It is based out of Aspen. Their jewelry line can be found in designer boutiques throughout the country. For the DFW metroplex area, there is only boutique 4510 that carries this line.
Yes, every time when I visit boutique 4510, I always take a look at this jewelry line. I have an obsession with the way they mix rare material in their jewelry; rose-cut diamonds with organic and natural elements, one of a kind handmade pieces, vintage-inspired pieces, fossilized ivory, ebony wood, and tea-dyed bone. To me, each piece has its own story, its own meaning. I don't know if this is just my imagination or at my choice of pieces. I will make sure to raise this question to the Woods sisters when they come to the boutique 4510 for their trunk show on December 1st.

Multi charm bracelet with cross.

Fossilized ivory bead bracelet. Horn pendant necklace.
The crescent moon necklace.
Ebony bead necklace with Buddha and snake pendant. The Buddha is old stone that Shawn found in Burma.
This is how the Buddha pendant looks when the snake is behind.
Multi charm bracelet.
This lotus was a gift from Shawn to me. Thank you Shawn!
The moon and star from multi charm bracelet above.
Thank you everyone for visiting and comments! Wishing a wonderful day to you all! Hugs...Hanh :)