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From Kim:

This wonderful sculpture is one of many incredible works of art at Rockefeller Center in NYC. 30 Rock was conceived by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and put 40,000 people to work during the depression; architects, engineers, craftsmen, artists and builders. The beautiful fountainhead Nereid (sea nymph ) left, rides a spouting dolphin along a landscaped waterway leading from 5th Avenue toward the sunken garden interior. She is one of five Nereids here representing Leadership, Will, Thought, Imagination and Alertness. Their sculptor, Rene Paul Chambellan, specialized in architectural sculpture and was known for "French Moderne Style" or Zig Zag moderne; what we now call Art Deco.  The waterway is exquisite all seasons, here, under a dusting of snow.

From Kim:

The Cloisters, located in Fort Tyron Park, is one of New York City's greatest treasures. We have several gentleman to thank for their foresight and generosity; a sculptor and collector of medieval art, George Grey Barnard's Medieval Art collection was purchsed by John D. Rockefeller as a gift to  the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Rockefeller purchased hundreds of acres (to create the park and new museum) adjacent to the palisades J. Pierpont Morgan had purchased years earlier to preserve the cliffs and shoreline from excessive quarrying. We are blessed to enjoy an incredible architectural melange of several european monasteries, beautiful art and tapestries, a gorgeous park and spectacular views west over the Hudson.

From Kim:

Don't blink, because if you do you might miss this magical spot on the Eastern side of Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur. Nestled into a mountainside, at a bend in the road, sheltered by grand redwoods you'll find the most enchanting hideaway; called Deetjens Big Sur Inn, named after it's Norwegian founder. Arranged like a tiny rambling village, surrounded by glorious flowers and mystic trees, the inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Each room has a totally unique charm, with starched pillowcases and cozy quilts. The dining room is like stepping into elegant cottage dream, one half expects to see Goldilocks and the 3 Bears dinning there too.  This is where we enjoyed dinner the night of our engagement, so this spot will always be dear to my heart!

From Kim:

The textiles and rugs above are a feast for the senses (luxurious finds from New York Gift Show) – their soft luxurious textures palpable to our eye and hand. In contrast, the sleek and voluminous lines of the artful metal and glass fabrication of the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris (left) is a whole other feast.  It is massive yet elegant and light and seen from a birds-eye view, looks like a windswept crystal galleon sailing through the emerald green forest "sea" of the Bois de Boulogne. We went to this much anticipated new museum last May, where there was an exhibit of Frank Gehry's, many design concepts, models and imaginings of what could be – before arriving at the final expression we enjoy today. It was fascinating to see that great things don't just happen in one swoop, but evolve over time; there's a serious gestation period we usually aren't privy to. This building is a stunning addition to 21st Century architecture and design.

From Kim:

The color combo of blue and white is an universally adored pairing; the African stripe textiles above, indigo blues and white porcelain from China, glazed tiles from Portugal, etc. etc. Perhaps it was a sight like this (left) that inspired ancient artisans to design their wares with this stunning color combo. There are so many names that evocatively describe varying shades of blue: indigo, azure, navy, lapis, ocean, sapphire, denim and cobalt, to mention a few. And there is something cooling just thinking about blue.  It's been so hot in SB, the perfect antidote is a dip in the sea or a leisurely beach walk.  How many blues do you see?

From Kim:

A wonderful aspect of big cities is, there's always something - new to you - to discover. For years I traipsed from Right Bank to Left Bank along Pont Neuf obliviously passing by a city gem, now one of my favorite destinations in the heart of Paris. One day I ventured through the narrow passage that leads into Place Dauphine. Created in 1607 by King Henri IV in honor of his son, it's the second of Henri IV's public square projects (the first being the idyllic Place des Vosges). Situated on the western tip of Île de la Cité, the triangular shape of this tree filled "square" is a part of it's surprise and charm.  Enjoy an aperitif or dinner at Caveau du Palais, which sits on the cobble stone drive facing the place.

After our road trip up the coast, we returned to SB via 101. One of our favorite rest spots is San Juan Bautista, two hours south of Sausalito.  We love to lunch in the garden at Jardines de San Juan where one dines surrounded by colorful umbrellas and brilliant flowers. The local mission was founded in 1797 on the Feast day of St. John the Baptist; hence the towns name.  It was the 15th of 21 missions on the Camino Real (King's Highway). It is a cornerstone of the community on a spacious plaza that includes several grand period buildings.  The town was a thriving place of commerce and trade until the train was routed through Hollister instead of SJB.  People moved elsewhere, yet the buildings remained as they were for decades and are incredibly preserved because of this slumber.  Now a good portion of the town is included in the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park and people now lovingly restore the adobe and wood structures of the downtown.

From Kim:

Above the sea (at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) and below the sea (at Monterey Bay Aquarium), we are on a grand coastal tour from Santa Barbara to San Francisco with our 10-year-old granddaughter. First stop, Hearst Castle - I'd not been since I was a child myself and was awed by the history and vision of this property, created by Hearst and Julia Morgan, California's first female architect. Next, a scenic drive up to Big Sur and then onto the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a delight to me as I had a passing fancy of becoming a marine biologist! A hundred photos later (jellyfish, sharks, sea anemones, penguins, big fish, little fish galore) we headed to the California Academy of Sciences Museum in Golden Gate park where my all-time favorite creature to date is a manta ray covered in a leopard pattern, stunning! Now aboard a ferry to the city from our home away from home in Sausalito for more great adventures! Perhaps some cake from my favorite bakery in SF, Miette (which means "crumb" in French!

From Kim:

Several years ago I had the pleasure of celebrating a friend's birthday in Mexico at Costa Careyes, located on the Pacific between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. The resort was created by an Italian entrepenur who envisioned a grand, other worldly, eco-friendly resort utilizing a traditional yet contemporary Mexican architecture and design vernacular. Left is the fabulous palapa style villa I stayed in with a stunning lap pool. Outdoor yoga, fish tacos, sunset walks and magnificent parties with people from around the world are de rigueur here.  Viva la Mexico!

From Kim:

One of the great joys of Marrakech, is seeing things being made right before your eyes.  This quality is what makes everything from there so special; no two things are ever exactly the same. The hand of the creator is in each and every piece - we all can sense this whether we are conscious of it or not. I was attending a semester abroad when I first visited Morocco with 2 friends. Arriving from Casablanca, we were picked up by our guide(arranged for by our friend's parents who had just celebrated a wedding anniversary there) and were whisked off in a giant old Mercedes.  We left the old city walls and drove out toward the Atlas Mountains.  The sun was setting, the wheat was green in the fields, gently bending with the wind as we arrived at a remote compound.  The giant doors, slowly opened as we drove in.... where we found ourselves surrounded by our guides family; his wife, his grandmother, his uncle, grand babies, goats, chickens, children, etc. etc.  We were made to feel like long lost relatives, the memory is still so precious!   One of my all time favorite travel books is by Jeff Greenwald The Size of the World - the perfect armchair traveler novel.  Another is A Fortune Teller Told Me by Tiziano Terzani. Both are perfect summer reads that will last with you forever.