Take me the way I am ....Timeless Cool Ingrid Michaelson

Tortilla Chicken Soup...Timeless Cool

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 medium onions diced

3 garlic cloves minced

3 medium ripe tomatoes chopped

2 small jalapeños minced

1 quart of chicken stock

sea salt and fresh pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded chicken

sliced avocados pitted and peeled (you can use 1- 3 avocados depending on your love for)

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 lime in wedges

Saute onions, garlic, tomatoes and jalapeños in a stockpot for 15 minutes. Pour the stock in pot and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 25 minutes.

Add shredded chicken, simmer for 5 more minutes. Ladle in serving bowls, top with sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, tortilla strips and a wedge of lime.

Perfect for a Sunday dinner by the fire and won't take you all day to prepare!

The Year of the Dragon...Timeless Cool

Did you know....The dragon is the fifth in the cycle , Dragon years follow the rabbit and re-occur every 12th year. The Dragon is the only of the Chinese Zodiac's that is not real. In Chinese astrology it is very special and most revered, holding special significance. People born in the year of the dragon are said to be powerful and wise and and have a certain aura about them. They are not shy, and demand attention and respect but also have a soft spot.

Did you know persons born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the "Year of the Dragon," while also bearing the following elemental sign:

• 16 February 1904 – 3 February 1905: Wood Dragon
• 3 February 1916 – 22 January 1917: Fire Dragon
• 23 January 1928 – 9 February 1929: Earth Dragon
• 8 February 1940 – 26 January 1941: Metal Dragon
• 27 January 1952 – 13 February 1953: Water Dragon
• 13 February 1964 – 1 February 1965: Wood Dragon
• 31 January 1976 – 17 February 1977: Fire Dragon
• 17 February 1988 – 5 February 1989: Earth Dragon
• 5 February 2000 – 23 January 2001: Metal Dragon
• 23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013: Water Dragon
• 10 February 2024 – 28 January 2025: Wood Dragon

At Last A Tribute to Etta James...She will always be Timeless Cool

A tribute to Etta James...one of the greats!

Park Hyatt Tokyo...Timeless Cool

I have seen my fair share of incredible places and each time I add another it raises the bar for the next stop. By far, the Park Hyatt Tokyo, is one of the most amazing hotels in the world. Serene and beautifully appointed throughout with drop dead views from every window and the most attentive staff I have every seen. I was told by my trusted travel advisor (son) that it was voted number five in the world for service... no doubt, could be number one in my book. Every detail perfection and yes, there really is a sterling silver key ring with room key! This is the first hotel that I have ever stayed that room service removes their shoes before entering. This will be a tough act to follow.

Take a peek...the photos do not do it justice!

HOTEL SERVICES & AMENITIES

From the moment a guest walks in and collects the room key on a sterling silver key ring, it is clear that a stay at Park Hyatt Tokyo will be an “over-the-top” experience. Perched on the top floors of a modern skyscraper that towers above one of Asia’s most thrilling cities, this hotel is widely acknowledged to be Tokyo’s finest. Whether you are visiting on holiday or travelling for business, we hope you will enjoy the unique spirit of the hotel and the personalized service of our staff available to address your every need.

Reception is located on the 41st floor, this is the lobby to the building

The serene halls

Girandole, a French Brassiere in the Hotel

I was facinated with the lighting and photos in the restaurant

The view of the swimming pool from the New York Grill on the 52nd floor

a view into Ginandole

the views from the windows

The rooms

Bath

Bar

Walking Tour of Tokyo ...Timeless Cool

We usually hire a guide for a quick tour of a new city to get the lay of the land and spend the 2nd day going back to visit areas that we would like to explore in more depth. The concierge at the hotel said that we could really do this on our own, no need for a guide. The points of interests were easy to find and very self explanatory, so off we go. Although we were a little nervous since there is not much written in English...anywhere.

First stop is Meiji Shrine, which from my hotel window looks like the Central Park of Tokyo. It was a very peaceful beautiful walk through the park to the shrine. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in season.

As we were leaving the shrine there many groups of school children entering. Check out the little faces at the end. They were so excited to have their photos taken. Each school had a different hat!

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine. Shinto is called Japan's ancient original religion, and it is deeply rooted in the way of Japanese life. Shinto has no founder, no holy book, and not even the concept of religious conversion, but Shinto values for example harmony with nature and virtues such as "Magokoro (sincere heart)". In Shinto, some divinity is found as Kami (divine spirit), or it may be said that there is an unlimited number of Kami. You can see Kami in mythology, in nature, and in human beings. From ancient times, Japanese people have felt awe and gratitude towards such Kami and dedicated shrines to many of them.
This shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken (their tombs are in Kyoto).
Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken in 1914. After their demise, people wished to commemorate their virtues and to venerate them forever. So they donated 100,000 trees from all over Japan and from overseas, and they worked voluntarily to create this forest. Thus, thanks to the sincere heart of the people, this shrine was established on November 1, 1920.

The gates to enter

You can only imagine what this looks like in season

without the leaves it was like a sculpture garden

before entering the Shrine you wash your hands

inside the walls are filled with beautiful calligraphy

Leaving the park there is a colorful display of Sake Barrels wrapped in straw. They are offered every year by the Nationwide Sake Brewers Association to show their deep respect to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken

Adorable children that were dying to have they picture taken. They are were dressed in uniform.

Children...adorable in all cultures!

Tokyo...Timeless Cool

First meal in Tokyo... I love the pottery and lacquer together. It is hard to see in the photo but the small pottery bowl was washed in gold over the brown with big bright colored polka dots. The presentation simple but very cool...Timeless Cool I might add. The large lacquer bowl filled with crushed ice for the Sake...can't wait to do that at home. If you are a Sushi lover...this is heaven!

xo from Japan

p.s. thinking of using chopstick all the time...makes me eat slowly.

this little pot cooked our Kobe beef... wrapped in a leaf and sizzled to perfection in 3 minutes

I am not sure what this dessert was... delicous!

Food Hall at Isetan Tokyo...Timeless Cool

Today we did a walking tour of Tokyo. I am going to start at our last stop first since I am so excited about it. Isetan, the most incredible department store I have ever seen. If in Tokyo, this is a must see, aside from being very stylish and upscale (similar to a Neiman Marcus), the Food Court on it's lower level is to die for. I have never experienced anything like it before...even Harrods in London does not hold a candle to it. The interesting part was I did not know what 75% of the food and I was still blown away.

Enjoy the visuals, this is not even a quarter of what I saw today, it is the size of a city block. I totally lost it and looked like the crazy woman (I am) wildly snapping photos of food. There a stylish doorman upon arrival, need a stroller.. they have tons, looking for something special...not problem. Stop by the information service desk (great uniforms love the red) to ask where to find it. Check out the desserts and sweets at the end!

The doorman

Need Assistance?

or a ride

a great kitchen set up...I saw some Alessi in there

a stylish place to eat lunch

Need a party favor...

tea...everyone was ordering their own brew

notice every section had their own uniform, hats included