I have been unable to share recipes recently. I’ve been so very busy, so I thought I should share what’s been going on with me. My blog life.
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel and activities. I’ve been having a great time. I’ve attended some cool parties, spent a few days in Mexico and then, the BlogHer conference. Such fun, many drinks and great meals.
Mexico was very nice, four days in the sun, can’t complain. I stayed in the Azul Sensatori, one in a group of Karisma hotels in Riviera Maya. Azul Sensatori is a beautifully laid out hotel with a whole host of amenities for the young and old. An all-inclusive resort with everything you need including premium liquor and really good food.
This was my first meal at the resort, pork belly with tropical salsa. I’m not really a fan of all-inclusive hotels, as I
have been disappointed one too many times with the quality of food and drinks available. But the Karisma staff pride themselves on their gourmet menus, and I was truly impressed.
The vegetables served throughout all of the hotels are home-grown, by Karisma. So my lunchtime meals consisted of salads and/or veggies and a small portion of meat or fish. My ideal diet, particularly in hot sunny climates.
I was lucky to be able to visit some of the other Karisma hotels in Mexico, the Azul Fives – oh what spectacular rooms, El Dorado – very romantic, adults only, and Generations Resorts – my fave, luxury personified, oceanfront rooms with their own patio and pool. I will return. This wasn’t a sponsored trip, I was just hanging on the coat tails of a dear friend, basking in the sunshine and enjoying every minute of it.
When I returned to NY, I had to shift gears quickly, and prepare for BlogHer15. The conference was in NY this year and it was my first time. What an amazing event. I had no idea that I would have so much fun. I thought I would spend my time awkwardly networking and making small talk with a bunch of strangers, but instead I made so many friends and had so much fun doing it. I even cried a couple of times – I know weird.
I was inspired by the very accomplished keynote speakers: Soledad O’Brien and Anna Maria Chavez reminded me to reach back and give someone else a helping hand. Gwyneth Paltrow shared that targeted negativity will always hurt, but if after a few days you are still upset by what was said, then perhaps the issue is something you need to deal with or address. Christy Turlington Burns reminded me that not everyone has the ability to pull themselves out of situations of despair and hurt, and Ava DuVernay told me to ask for what I want. Impressive, right?
I also enjoyed a wonderful four-course dinner sponsored by Canadian Lentils, cooked by Marcus Samuelson in his Harlem restaurant, Red Rooster, chatted with Sheryl Underwood, and was serenaded by BoyzIIMen at the McDonald’s BlogHer close out party.
And finally, yes finally, after consuming way too many Chicken McNuggets, I hit the dance floor and shook my thing to tunes spun by the dapper Nick Cannon. Epic!
I think you can agree, I’ve had a great time recently. So make sure you do too, enjoy the summer, hang out with friends and family and go somewhere you’ve always wanted to. A fancy restaurant, the Highline in New York, another state or country perhaps. Anything and anywhere, and then come back and share. I’ll be waiting.
