fairfactsmedia

Women face in different countries - 10 Pics

2011-02-08T03:12:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day goodies - 24 Pics

2011-02-08T03:10:00.000-08:00

History of Design in U.S. dollars

2011-02-08T03:03:00.000-08:00

Glass variety - 09 Pics

2011-02-08T03:01:00.000-08:00

Time changes everyone

2011-02-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

Snow Sculptures - 20 Pics

2011-02-08T02:59:00.000-08:00

Blondes vs. brunettes - 07 Pics

2011-02-08T02:57:00.000-08:00

When Celebs opened their mouths widely - 47 Pics

2011-02-07T03:06:00.000-08:00

Paparazzi and celebrity - 50 Pics

2011-02-07T03:04:00.000-08:00

Volcanoes starts releasing smoke rings - 06 Pics

2011-02-07T03:03:00.000-08:00

How Celebrities Eating - 18 Pics

2011-02-04T03:03:00.000-08:00

Finger and mobile Photo tricks - 11 Pics

2011-02-04T03:02:00.000-08:00

Home for the Rabbit - 17 Pics

2011-02-04T03:00:00.000-08:00

Don't Scold Your Female Employee

2011-02-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

Funny

Grocery rings - 08 Pics

2011-02-03T02:19:00.000-08:00

Faces everywhere - 28 Pics

2011-02-03T02:17:00.000-08:00

Edible Flags - 11 Pics

2011-02-03T02:15:00.000-08:00

Dog sleeping with food - 09 Pics

2011-02-03T02:13:00.000-08:00

Private island of Michael Schumacher - 05 Pics

2011-02-03T02:11:00.000-08:00

Possibly the most ambitious of Dubai’s land reclamation projects, The World is an archipelago of 300 islands laid out to represent countries of the world.

The first developed island is owned by Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher. The $7 million piece of land was gifted to him by Dubai’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is located in the Arctic

The Attack of the Jumping Asian Carp

2011-02-02T01:29:00.000-08:00

Then and then... - 76 Pics

2011-02-01T02:06:00.000-08:00

Best of Curious Photos January 2011

2011-02-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

Those stars these times or these stars those times...

Sleeping Dangerously - Mountain Sleeping - 17 Pics...

G4 Mac clock - 21 Pics

Unusual Fashion Clothing - 12 Pics

Fun food for dinner

Most Unusual Ice Cube Designs - 28 Pics

World's highest restaurant 'At.mosphere' opens in ...

Super yacht - 28 Pics

New life of old light bulbs

Celebs Before and After nose plastic surgery - 36 ...

Curious Bus stops - 13 Pics

Super Bus - 05 Pics

Teddy Bear Jacket - 06 Pics

That's what she said

Awesome photo manipulations - 27 Pics

Animals clowns - Photoshopped - 12 Pics

Burgers in commercials and in life - 13 Pics

Useful-useless things - 20 Pics

The Worlds Biggest Running Motorcycle - 08 Pics+2 ...

Office of Facebook - 44 Pics

Interesting Multifunction Pen - 09 Pics

Those stars these times or these stars those times?

2011-01-31T01:49:00.000-08:00

Sleeping Dangerously - Mountain Sleeping - 17 Pics

2011-01-31T01:46:00.000-08:00

G4 Mac clock - 21 Pics

2011-01-31T01:30:00.000-08:00

Unusual Fashion Clothing - 12 Pics

2011-01-31T01:25:00.000-08:00

Fun food for dinner

2011-01-31T01:20:00.000-08:00

Most Unusual Ice Cube Designs - 28 Pics

2011-01-27T02:30:00.000-08:00

World's highest restaurant 'At.mosphere' opens in Burj Khalifa - 19 Pics

2011-01-27T02:26:00.000-08:00

Situated 442 metres (1,350 ft) high on Level 122 of the world's tallest building

The world's highest restaurant has opened in the world's tallest building in Dubai.

At.mosphere, envisaged as one of the finest luxury dining and lounge experiences in the world, has opened doors to guests at Burj Khalifa, located in
Downtown Dubai, a full-fledged lifestyle destination, described as 'The Centre of Now.'

The opening of At.mosphere complements the rich roster of lifestyle amenities in Burj Khalifa, feted recently by the Council on Tall Buildings & Urban Habitat (CTBUH) as
a 'Global Icon.'

At 442 metres (1,350 ft) high on Level 122 of Burj Khalifa, only two levels below 'At the
Top, Burj Khalifa,' the tower's observatory deck, At.mosphere presents a unique dining
concept that appeals to all epicureans - from fine dining connoisseurs to lounge lovers.

Integrating two choices - lounge & grill - At.mosphere can host over 210 guests and features a spacious arrival lobby, a main dining floor, private dining rooms and display cooking stations.

Super yacht - 28 Pics

2011-01-27T02:24:00.000-08:00

New life of old light bulbs

2011-01-27T02:21:00.000-08:00

10 Things to do in Palm Springs

2011-01-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

1. Visit Old Town La Quinta
Old Town La Quinta is beautiful! The archways, the Saltillo tiles, the flowers, the mountains, every building is lovely to look at. It is an experience, not just pulling up to some strip center on the highway. The bogenvilia was beautiful climbing up the columns. I love Saltillo tiles, especially on star risers.

Old Town La Quinta Palm Springs

This is definitely my car of choice to drive in Palm Springs

Old Town La Quinta Saltillo tiles on stair risers

Carthusia Note Fiori di Capri Home fragrance left /Caldi Caldi Boutique Old Town La Quinta Palm Springs

Check-out the wonderful boutique Caldi Caldi. I was lured into this home furnishings store by the most delicious smelling scent from Capri called Note Fiori di Capri, which apparently was the home fragrance used by Jackie O when she was in Capri. Now every time I spray this scent I am transported to another world and time.

2. Go on a Palm Springs Windmill Tour
When driving or flying into Palm Springs, one of the most striking sights you will see in the Coachella valley is the vast array of wind turbines that sprout from the desert floor. The words "wind turbine" have evolved into what the locals call windmills. My curiosity was piqued so we arranged a tour which was excellent. Our tour guide Ken Huskey was very knowledgeable, with a lot of the facts and figures that went right over my head. But what did stick with me was how huge the windmills were close up. To give you a perspective of the scale of these windmills (in the picture below on the left) if you look closely you can see the small figure of a maintenance person dangling from a wire.

Palm Springs Windmill Tour Coachella Valley
Palm Springs Windmill Tour at the Spa Resort & Casino.

3. See a rainbow over the Palm Springs Desert mountains
It was unfortunate on this trip to Palm Springs that there were heavy rainfalls which resulted in flooding and the closure of many roads, but I was fortunate to see this beautiful rainbow one afternoon when the rain had stopped.

Rainbow over the Little San Bernardino Mountains Palm Springs

4. Richard Avedon Photography Exhibit at the Palm Springs Art Museum

The Richard Avedon photography exhibit at the Palm Springs Art Museum runs through January 30, 2011 and showcases 90 black and white images of notable Avedon subjects including Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan and, of course, some of the Richard Avedon’s iconic shots of Dior’s early work. I went to the Museum with friends not knowing what was showing. I have long admired Avedon’s photography from afar, so you can imagine my delight in being able to see his iconic photographs up close. His photography is mesmerizing and I had to be dragged out of the exhibit. I quickly rushed into the Gift Shop and bought Avedon postcards and the Richard Avedon book Women in the Mirror, so I could continue to feast my eyes on his work.

Richard Avedon, Self Portrait 1980 / Amazon Book: Women in the Mirror

Richard Avedon, Twiggy 1968, gelatin silver print

Richard Avedon, Dovima with elephants 1955, Evening dress by Dior

5. Look at Mid Century Modern Real Estate in Palm Springs

Mid Century Modern Real Estate Palm Springs

6. Shop at the Cabazon Outlet Mall

The prices and selection are fantastic!! Some of my favourite stores are Tod’s, Gucci, Prada, Elie Tahari, Michael Kors, Dior, Ralph Lauren.

7. Have supper at Jillian’s Restaurant on El Paseo Drive, Palm Desert

Jillian’s Restaurant is housed in a historic 1946 hacienda style building. The building was originally built as Fort. It is still intact complete with the artillery room in the rear. At the front entrance at Jillian’s you can look at interesting pictures of it in the 40’s. I found it amazing that when it was was built it was the middle of the desert with nothing around it. That is hard to imagine today, as it is in the center of the busy and thriving Palm Dessert El Paseo Drive shopping area. Below is what I had for Supper at Jillian’s, which was absolutely delicious. I think the Apple Dumpling has to be the best desert I have ever tasted!

Jillian's Restaurant El Paseo Dive Palm Desert

Appetizer
Tower of Fresh Crab
Fresh Dungeness crab meat layered between diced avocado,
sweet tomatoes and toasted brioche
Entree
Rack of Lamb
Rack of Colorado Lamb rolled in Dijon herb crust,
roasted and presented on a fresh Rosemary scented demi glace
Dessert
Apple Dumpling
A tart apple cored and filled with cinnamon and pecans, encased in puff pastry,
baked then drizzled with a luscious caramel sauce and served with vanilla bean ice cream

8. Visit the Salton Sea & Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

Salton Sea

Thousand Palms Oasis Coachella Valley Preserve

9. Pick an orange from the tree

Picking fresh, juicy, sweet oranges right from the tree.

10. Swim in Palm Springs Natural Hot Mineral pools
The pool I swam in had water that flows from springs 300 feet deep in the earth and comes out of the ground at 115 degrees Fahrenheit. These Palm Springs therapeutic pools claim to be beneficial for arthritis and back pain, heart and diabetes, weight loss and insomnia. What I like best is that the water is odorless and tasteless. It is a treat to swim in water that doesn’t smell like chlorine.

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver writing about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

DIY Grace Kelly Hermes Bag

2011-01-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

Kelly Bag

What woman hasn’t lusted after a Kelly handbag from Hermes. I know I have, but with a price tag over $10,000.00 I think twice. Even though the price tag is so high there is a waiting list to own one of these bags. Last time I was in New York I dropped into the Hermes store and enquired about purchasing and was told that there was a several month wait and it was on a first come first serve basis. They were very vague about timing, color choices etc. and I was informed that they would not accept enquiries over the phone. Apparently you have to check in person in the store for the privilege of being able to buy one. Fine if you live in New York, have the time to hang around the store, and have the money to spend. The distinctive closure on the Kelly bag is what makes it so recognizable. I thought this DIY project was quite clever and could be fun to make if you are lusting after your own Kelly bag or know someone who is.

DIY Kelly Bag

Download the pattern and instructions from Paper Monkey. Please let me know if you decide to make one, or better yet send me a photo and I will post it. Thanks to Content in a Cottage who suggests that this origami Kelly bag would be make fabulous place cards for your holiday table or fancy dinner party with a small gift inside for each guest.

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Palm Springs Thousand Palms Oasis

2011-01-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Two years ago when I first visited Palm Springs I remember driving past Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve in the Coachella Valley and thinking to myself how scruffy the palm trees looked and why on earth didn’t they not groom them. I guess that is how my mind works as an Interior Designer. On this trip I took time to visit the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve and get to know the palm trees and their natural habitat. I have come away with a new appreciation for the natural beauty of the desert vegetation.

Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

The species of palm tree at Thousand Palms Preserve, know as Washingtonia filifera, has a very thick trunk and grows slowly to about 45 feet. Their life span is 150 to 200 years. The dead leaves hang vertically and form what is called a skirt around the trunk. This ‘skirt’ is a home and refuge for numerous birds, insects and lizards. Fruit stalks, extend beyond the leaves and bear masses of tiny white to cream colored flowers. During this time of year, large clusters of small hard fruit hang from the tree.

This ‘skirt’ of the Washingtonia palms is a home and refuge for numerous birds, insects and lizards.
One hundred and eighty animal species inhabit the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve.

Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is surrounded on either side by the Indio Hills.

A few weeks ago a sudden flash fire erupted (cause is not know) on the other side of the mountain from the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve. In a matter of minutes a whole grove of the Washingtonia filifera were up in flames. It caused quite a stir in the community with locals and environmentalists. In talking with the caretaker of the Thousand Palms Preserve I was told that as long as the very top of the palm tree was not totally burnt it has a chance to re new its growth from the top, however the skirt will not re grow and hence the home for local insects, birds and lizards is lost.

A burnt out palm trunk from a fire in the 70’s at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve has never grown new palm fronds.

Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is located on the San Andreas Fault
A natural spring feeds the area making the vegetation lush and green.

Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve palm fronds

The base of an uprooted palm tree at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve. Palm trees they have very shallow roots.

1000 Palms Oasis Coachella Valley Preserve

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Adoptable Adorables

2011-01-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

These pictures broke my heart. These wee ones are looking for their fabulous forever home too! Meet Tinkerbell, General Lee and Bogart. These precious pups were rescued from high-kill shelters in California. Unfortunately I am not able to adopt one of these adorable pups. Hopefully you or someone you know will see these pictures and fall in love with one of them.

Tinkerbell

General Lee

Bogart

If you are interested in adoption, please contact Pamela at 778.297.9929 or 778.239.1428.
Or email at pamelamckenzie@shaw.ca for more information. The dogs are in Vancouver now.

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent.
To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace."
-Milan Kundera

Stuart Membery

2011-01-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

I am please to welcome Stuart Membery as one of the valued sponsors of this Blog. Stuart Membery is one of the world's celebrated designers and his work spans Architecture, Interior, Fashion, Fine Art & Product Design. Through his background designing for such notable companies as Cartier and Esprit he has honed his experience and has branched out with his own HOME COLLECTION line which encompasses furnishings, lighting, textiles and trims, floor coverings and accessories. Stuart Membery is scheduled to open up a flagship store at the prestigious Raffles Hotel in Singapore in 2011.

Stuart Membery mostly works with mahogany and rattan for his furniture collection, and his signature style echoes the atmosphere of bygone eras. Colonial, Beach and Plantation are popular themes that run through the STUART MEMBERY HOME COLLECTION. From his Studio in Bali, Indonesia, Stuart Membery works with his draftsmen the same way he works with his pattern technicians and cutters.

I love the style of Stuart’s advertising and the atmosphere it conveys.

STUART MEMBERY OUTDOOR FURNITURE COLLECTION

STUART MEMBERY TEXTILES AND TRIM COLLECTION

STUART MEMBERY FLOORCOVERINGS COLLECTION

STUART MEMBERY INTERIOR LIGHTING COLLECTION

These are some of my favourite pieces from the Stuart Membery Home Collection.

Stuart Membery is scheduled to open up a flagship store in 2011 in the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and his line is carried by my friend and fellow Blogger Anna Spiro at her store Black & Spiro. Please check out the Stuart Membery website and Blog.

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Celebs Before and After nose plastic surgery - 36 Pics

2011-01-13T03:20:00.000-08:00

Curious Bus stops - 13 Pics

2011-01-13T03:07:00.000-08:00

Super Bus - 05 Pics

2011-01-13T03:04:00.000-08:00

Teddy Bear Jacket - 06 Pics

2011-01-12T00:55:00.000-08:00

2011 Your Best Year Yet

2011-01-11T08:59:00.000-08:00

For those of you wanting to make 2011 Your Best Year Yet, I highly recommend this book Write It Down, Make It Happen. I have bought my favourite, a brand new Moleskin notebook and I savoring writing in it with my yellow Lamy fountain pen all the wonderful things I want to happen in my world in 2011. Make 2011 your "Best Year Yet" by getting clear about what you want to happen – it really works!

Moleskin is the legendary notebook used by Van Gogh, Hemingway, Matisse and Céline.
There is a whole Blog devoted to the "Moleskin. You can check it out here.

Wishing you all the best for 2011, and may it be a year filled to over flowing with all the good you desire!!!

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Palm Springs Salton Sea

2011-01-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

This year I was fortunate to be able to spend Christmas and bring in the New Year in Palm Springs with my Dad. Although the weather was not the best because of the torrential rain and flooding that hit most of Southern California, I did manage to get in some pool time, check out the Real Estate Market, see some of the sights and do some power shopping at Cabazon Outlet Mall – more on all of this in another post.

En Route to Salton Sea

One of the first things that I wanted to see this trip was the Salton Sea. The last time I was in Palm Springs I got a glimpse of the Salton Sea from a distance and it has stayed in my memory ever since. I was so transfixed by this far away glimpse that when I got back to Vancouver I tried to recreate an image of it in a piece of artwork. So on this trip an all day outing was planned. I was anxious to see if the Salton Sea was really like what I had painted it to be. The night before, in preparation for the trip, we watched an informative video of the history of the area. Early in the morning we loaded up the car with a picnic lunch of sandwiches of leftover Christmas ham, trifle for dessert and beverages and we set off on an all day adventure.

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Rest Area

The Salton Sea is a salt water lake located directly on the San Andreas Fault in Southern California. The lake occupies the lowest elevation in the Colorado Desert in Southern California. It is currently 226 ft below sea level.

The creation of the Salton Sea of today started in 1905, when heavy rainfall and snowmelt caused the Colorado River to swell, overrunning a set of head gates for the Alamo Canal. The resulting flood poured down the canal and breached an Imperial Valley dike. Over a period of approximately two years this newly created river sporadically carried the entire volume of the Colorado River into the Salton Sink.

The Southern Pacific Railroad attempted to stop the flooding by dumping earth into the canal's head gates area, but the effort was not fast enough, and as the river eroded deeper and deeper into the dry desert sand of the Imperial Valley the basin filled and it resulted in the formation of the Salton Sea.

In the 1920s, the Salton Sea developed into a tourist attraction, because of its water recreation, and waterfowl attracted to the area. Celebrities used to trail their toes in the brine, but few people dare take a dip today.

The Salton Sea has had some success as a resort area in the past but today it is not exactly a thriving area as evidenced by what I saw in the town of Bombay Beach which was built on the eastern shore in the 1950s. Today the inhabitants of Bombay Beach live below the poverty level.

Bombay Beach Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is a major sanctuary for migrating and wading birds. When Sonny Bono was alive he was a major activist in promoting the preservation of this area. It is now feared that without intervention and support the lake will dry up.

Parched Earth Salton Sea

Vegetation Salton Sea

Vegetation on the shore of the Salton Sea

My Dad taking pictures with his new camera. Around the Salton Sea geothermal plants are being built to harness the heated water below the earth’s surface to power electrical generators. The Salton Sea area is located on the San Andreas Fault.

A view of the rich farming fields around the Salton Sea which are a feeding frenzy for wintering birds.

Salvation Mountain at Slab City

Slab City is an off-the-grid community where squatters and seasonal snowbirds live in RVs and vehicles among the concrete remnants of an abandoned Navy base. Located close to the Salton Sea, east of Niland, Slab City isn't actually a city at all - it's more a loose community of squatters, snowbirds and nomads who've pitched camps across 640 acres of open desert. Slab City and Salvation Mountain are quite a site to see, although a bit scary for my eyes. It seems to be locked in the 1960s with the only evidence of current times being solar panels, satellite dishes, fancy RVs and off road toys.

Salton Sea 23" x 36" Mixed Media on Paper Patricia Gray

Painting of my vision of The Salton Sea

Photographs Patricia Gray

Other travel posts you might like:
Cabo San Lucas
New York
Palm Springs Post Modern Architecture
Drinks at the Viceroy Palm Springs
Sunday in Milan
VENICE - Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa, Giudecca Island, Redentore
ROME - Hotel Mascagni, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Barberini
FLORENCE - Hotel Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi, Accademia Gallery

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Happy New Year from Palm Desert

2011-01-08T09:06:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Happy New Year and All The Best for 2011.

Image R.Nichols

That's what she said

2011-01-06T02:57:00.000-08:00

Awesome photo manipulations - 27 Pics

2011-01-06T02:48:00.000-08:00