A fun event benefiting animal samaritans of the desert…
Tammy Preast from “Love on a Leash” with Lily Bella & Timbit. Photo: d. king
The swanky Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs hosts a Yappy Hour from 5-7 in the private Chiki Pool area on the first Thursday of the month from November through March. A $20 donation delivers plenty of delicious hors d’oeuvres, open wine bar (I had 2014 Mixed Breed), dessert, dog treats, gift bag and professional photos. Plus we were entertained by a burlesque dancer which my 16 year old male seemed to very much appreciate. So much fun! I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Thursday. A few random photos:
Photo: d. king
Firepit by the pool
Celebrating its 40th year of improving the lives of animals and people.
“February – the month of love..?!! No wonder the shortest one in the calendar.” – Dinesh Kumar Biran
I prefer this quote:
February days are a marketing gimmick; love happens every day. Randeep Hooda
Always look for hidden treasures. I tend to find them in the least likely places. Like on a recent hike:
Photo: Tammy Preast
You know what they say…one persons rubbish is another persons treasure. But look at what became of this desert treasure:
A piece broke off so I placed it in a vase with fresh flowers around it… the old with the new.
My friend Leonard then created an outdoor mixed media of sorts using the larger piece and mushrooms that light up for a unique solar light installation placed in a terracotta planter with mixed gravel. From the desert floor to my floor…
So I called up the Captain, ‘Please bring me my wine’
He said, ‘we haven’t had that spirit here since nineteen sixty-nine’
Lisa King in front of The Sands Spa. Photo: d. king
This is the beginning of a series of desirable places to stay, eat, drink and unwind in and around the Palm Springs area.
Photo: Lisa King
As many of you know, I’ve been coming to this desirable desert destination for many years. Two years ago I purchased a place to escape the rainy Vancouver winters and I love it. I’ve become somewhat of a homebody preferring to cook meals at home, hang with my dogs and read or watch a movie. But I also like going out to restaurants and listening to live music. I especially love to discover the little hidden gems. Places and spaces that take you away and really make you feel like you’re somewhere special. Places like this:
Entrance to The Sands Hotel. Photo: d. king
So this is what I’ve been doing…in between cooking at home, walking the dogs, exploring new hiking areas, cruising on my bike and watching movies. Luckily I also found an amazing tango instructor and a place to go dancing swing. So I’m set. However I’m still curious and I look forward to exploring the remarkable sprinkling of interesting and exotic places to enjoy.
Photo: d. king
There are so many noteworthy boutique style hotels where you can just stay put. They’re not only places to spend the night when you come home from late night partying. They make it hard to want to go elsewhere. Which brings me to my recent weekend stay at The Sands Hotel & Spa in Indian Wells, CA. A special birthday weekend with my sister and two longtime girlfriends. We were greeted upon check-in with Moroccan mint tea and pink champagne on ice in a pineapple ice bucket no less, in our gorgeous suite with large outdoor seating area including an outdoor bathtub. Acqua di Parma bath products – noted. And if you happened to forgot to pack your sunscreen, no need to worry – they supply “Sun Bum” by the pool.
Photo: d. kingPhoto: d. kingLight fare courtesy the Pink Cabana restaurant. Photo: d. king fyi: they make excellent cocktails.
The Moroccan-themed property was designed by legendary interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, one of Architectural Digest’s Top 100 designers in the world. And it is simply put; stunning! I mean these photos do not really do it complete justice.
Photo: d. kingPhoto: d. king
A combination of Bullard’s Moroccan-inspired influence and a mid-century vibe that is synonymous with the desert’s everlasting allure, the Sands Hotel & Spa is an exotic, luxurious and personalized take on hospitality. It caters to an adult only environment, therefore all registered guests must be over the age of 18. I like that too.
Located in close proximity to the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens and glamorous El Paseo Shopping District as well as a short drive to Coachella Polo Grounds, it features 46 guest rooms, the Pink Cabana restaurant and bar and a full-service spa. It’s Fabulous darling!
And she said, ‘we are all just prisoners here, of our own device’ Photo: d. kingPhoto: d. king
You can check out any time you like, But you don’t want to leave!
We were well taken care of. Special thanks to Adam Ramirez; Guest Services Manager and Olivia Prescott; Director of Sales + Public Relations for making our stay extra special. See you next time! XO
Don’t remember the last time I bought a salad dressing. It’s all too easy to make your own from scratch and so much tastier. This creamy, versatile and delightful dressing is packed with vitamins and goes with almost any salad. It’s a healthy alternative to dairy or mayonnaise-based dressings.
Image: Simply Scratch
What you need:
1 whole large ripe avocado.
1 clove garlic, peeled.
1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice.
3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro
¼ cup low-fat greek yogurt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
water, as needed
Directions:
Place all the ingredients In a food processor or blender.
Process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides a few times. Thin the salad dressing out with about 1/3 cup water (give or take) until it reaches a desired consistency.
Imagine uncovering lost footage of a young Aretha Franklin making a live recording of gospel music which turned out to be the best selling gospel album of all time? Music that was deeply rooted, because of her upbringing with having a baptist minister father.
And then finding out that Director Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, The Way we Were, etc.) was the director of a two part evening filmed before a live audience at the New Missionary Baptist church in Los Angeles in 1972. But for technical reasons the film was never released. That is, before now.
Finally unveiled, I was excited to view “Amazing Grace,” at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, watching a 29 year old Aretha at the peak of her vocal powers. You can see Mick Jagger amongst the audience members clapping away and getting everybody to stand. They call it a documentary but this was more likely a musical of a soul-stirring experience. A powerhouse, Aretha certainly earned her title “queen of soul.”
Gospel music is unlike anything else. It’s not for the faint of heart. I wanted to experience gospel in person. So on my first visit to New Orleans I made sure to visit a Baptist church on Sunday for the sole purpose of listening to a live gospel choir. My two friends and I were the only Caucasians in the church. I’m not religious but I enjoyed immensely a room so alive and full of spirit that you rarely, if ever get to witness. It was moving.
The bottom line is that the purpose of this music is to uplift and preach the Gospel through music with the hope of bringing salvation to non-believers; and entertain all people with positive messages and values.
Uplifting and Entertaining with the most incredible voices, it was.
Love; or the lack of, is at the Root of all things – Fred Rogers
I never expected to shed a tear watching a documentary about a popular childrens TV show from the past. But one of the scenes from “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” shown at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) touched a chord. And when I looked around me, it was obvious that I wasn’t the only one crying. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood hit a common thread in its most simplest form. It reminded us of our innocence because we all grow up so quickly and the world has changed so much. But really; we’re still kids at heart.
Our basic needs are the same no matter where we live, our religion, ethnicity, age, economic status or our jobs. It is to feel safe, loved and worthwhile. End of story.
Sorry; no skeletons in the closet found anywhere in this feel-good documentary It’s almost impossible to not uncover even a little dirt on anyone nowadays, specifically the famous. And you can imagine someone especially as likeable as Mr. Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers). And by now they would have uncovered something from having interviewed many who knew him. For me, it was a case of not wanting to know any different. Because Fred Rogers was loved by millions of children, even though he was the unlikeliest role model. It is fascinating that he endured for so long. This doc was a great character study.
We find out Rogers decided to go into television because he hated what he saw on TV. So he created what can best be described as a landmark in children’s television.
But imagine being that likeable…
The thing is Fred Rogers, along with genuine spirituality…really, really cared. And that is what is most admirable. It was not only his persona, it was him. No big secret. Kids aren’t stupid; they picked up on his sincerity. The show was a refuge for kids from all kinds of backgrounds.
Fred Rogers was a tireless children’s activist and advocate, bringing joy into our homes. Can you think of any program like that now?
We certainly remember Eddie Murphy’s comical take with the spoof “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood on SNL. It was pretty hilarious.
I don’t think anyone can grow unless he’s loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be.
Rogers was an ordained minister who studied religion which most likely gave him the tolerance and the tools he used with or without puppets, to teach children about worth, unity, grief, racism, superheroes and…everything else that no other program on TV was offering. It was a unique and needed niche which only he at the time was able to recognize. He even managed to get funding for PBS when they were going to cut programming based on his court appearance about the demand for this kind of educational platform.
There was a conversation afterwards with Director Morgan Neville (Oscar®-winner for Twenty Feet from Stardom). I was already a fan of his work. This heartfelt portrait more than does justice to the show’s beloved host. Expect to be surprised by the film’s relevance and deeply moved by its subject. I know I was.
It’s not so much what we have in this life that matters. It’s what we do with what we have.
In the wonderful world of Poker you can’t even trust your friends.
If you’ve ever wondered about how much cheating goes on in the gaming industry, this movie will certainly enlighten you.
This is not the first high stakes gambling movie ever made. Maybe you remember “The Sting”, “Rounders” or “The Cincinatti Kid.” But I must say, having just viewed the world premiere of “Walk to Vegas”at the 30th Palm Springs International Film Festival, it is certainly one of the most intriguing and one of the funniest I’ve ever seen. It was refreshingly different.
These eccentric people will go to almost any length for money.
Inspired by a true story about Hollywood big shots who will bet on anything, “Walk to Vegas” is about a friendly poker game with colorful, questionable characters which winds up turning into a walk from Los Angeles to Las Vegas for a $5 million bet.
This independent movie by the Van Patten brothers (James and Vincent) was filmed right here in Palm Springs. Multi-talented Vince Van Patten, an ex-child star, former tour professional tennis player, and commentator for the World Poker Tour…wrote, starred and produced this captivating film. His real life wife, the stunning Eileen Davidson, also stars as his wife in the film and helped produced it.
Real life actor & poker player Jennifer Tilly has a cameo as herself in one of the scenes. I’ve always loved Jennifer Tilly in anything I’ve seen her in. She was amazing in Bullets Over Broadway – one of my favorite Woody Allen films. In this role she plays herself authentically (I assume, not knowing her personally). Anyway…
The energy of the sold-out crowd in the theatre was remarkable compared to other screenings I’ve attended. The audience certainly showed their appreciation. Many of the cast members were in attendance and got up on stage for a Q&A after the screening. It was superb.
Side note: turns out the father of one of my friends from Los Angeles is also one of the producers of this movie. Small world!
There’s no lack of decadent little hidden gems that I’ve encountered tucked behind the hedges of unassuming boutique hotels, alleyways and restaurants. I’ve discovered so many attractive spots since the last time I was here. These photos were taken from a narrow corridor at the”La Plaza” shopping centre which used to house workers and now instead, a handful of quaint little shops.
I’ve discovered some secret bars inside of a few restaurants that I’ve been to and didn’t know about until someone in the know showed me….very inconspicuous. One is hidden behind a phone booth (really!) and the other behind an ordinary curtain. I love that!
I’m spending time scouting cool locations for my Destinations page. And let me tell you what a pleasure it is to do so. It’s a pleasure! I’ll share them with you soon.
Getting back to Film Fest: Since my last post I’ve viewed two foreign films. “Everybody Knows” (Todos los Saben) shot in Spain with Penelope Cruz and her sexy real life husband Javier Bardem centering around a kidnapping at a family wedding and Israeli film “Working Woman” about a married woman with children who takes a job selling high end real estate, only to encounter a “me too” experience when her boss tries to sexually abuse her in the workplace. Both films were extremely well done.
After my hike tomorrow I’m looking forward to an independent film which centers around gambling, two documentaries from Mr. Rogers to Aretha Franklin on Saturday – (could they be more opposite?) and a Hollywood ending on Sunday. I’ll be reviewing these throughout the week.
What can we say about this month?
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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