BATTLE THE ELEMENTS: CONVERSE DEBUTS NEW COUNTER CLIMATE BOOTS COLLECTION

 

The Converse Counter Climate Boots Collection launch in Montreal on September 28th,2016 was a really cool event that went very well indeed, as you can see from the pictures we took at Marché Bonsecours that day. It's great to see that Converse has found a niche product for our ugly Montreal winters that is practical yet still super stylish! No one else has ever thought of this no-brainer concept! And by the way, we tried them out in the slush and our feet were totally dry afterwards.

 

 With a vast selection of colors to choose from, we might have to get a few pairs ourselves! Great job, Converse. These new waterproof All Stars #ChuckII styles are a Hat Trick!  For more information and where to buy them, please read the press release below. - LR

Launching for Fall/Winter 2016, Chuck II Leads Converse Footwear Against the Wet Weather With Canvas, Leather and Rubber

BOSTON, MASS. (September 28, 2016) – Converse is tackling the elements of weather head-on this season, combining classic sneaker designs with premium weatherized features, with the debut of the Fall/Holiday 2016 Converse Counter Climate Boots Collection. The new collection provides the necessary tools to combat the climate shifts while emphasizing essential weather-beating benefits. The innovative sneaker boot collections feature a bold mix of colors and materials including water repellent canvas, rubber, leather and waterproof neoprene. This collection is intended to stand up against unpredictable inclement weather.

    Function and style go hand-in-hand with this season’s Counter Climate Boots, sneaker boots that have been reimagined to provide superior protection with waterproof and water repellent features such as insulated booties.

    The new Fall/Holiday 2016 Converse Counter Climate Boots Collection will launch beginning Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Converse retail stores, third party retailers and on Converse.com.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Boot
    Bridging fashion with winter footwear, Converse introduces the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Boot featuring a premium, mesh-backed waterproof leather. This is our first waterproof sneaker boot crafted to help keep feet warm and dry in harsh winter conditions while maintaining the classic Chuck Taylor look and feel. A waterproof bootie construction with a neoprene collar and heel pull are included to help keep water completely out of the boot while a 360-degree heat barrier helps keep feet warm. The boot also features a rugged, post-applied weatherized gum outsole with deep grooves for better traction and a Nike Lunarlon foot bed for enhanced cushioning.

Available Colors: Egret, Antique Sepia, Black, Dark Chocolate, Grey

Suggested retail price: $140 CAD/$130 USD

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Review of the 2017 Redesigned Lincoln MKZ Reserve Hybrid

When the people of the Lincoln brand reached out to us about covering the latest redesigned 2017 Lincoln MKZ Reserve Hybrid, we of course said, ‘Absolutely!’ How could we refuse to cruise in Matthew McConaughey's luxury ride?

    First impressions are always important, and with the MKZ's approach detection, we were very impressed indeed! When you approach the MKZ Hybrid with your keys in your hand, purse or pocket, a Lincoln logo welcome mat illuminates on the ground. At the same time, illuminated door handles and other signature lighting fade up to welcome you. This cool feature ties nicely in with the ambient multicolor interior lighting.

    For the driver enthusiast who likes hi-tech gadgets, this car has way too many to recapitulate, so be sure to look over the owner's manual for the full list of features, but a few include a back-up camera, a fantastic sound system, Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity, enhanced voice recognition communications, and even an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

   In terms of practicality, what I did truly enjoy while driving were the Active Motion multi-contour front seats, which help reduce the stress of the daily commute or long trips. These heated and cooled seats let you customize different sets of air cushions to adjust the contour of the seat back and bottom cushion, or activate a gentle lumbar-massaging motion. One can never have enough of these massages!

    And speaking of enjoying the ride on a nice sunny day, the available fully retractable panoramic glass roof is sick! With easy-to-use push-button activation, a single pane of glass rolls back to create the largest opening among luxury sedans. This luxury car is really a joy to drive and to be seen in!

    As for my last impression, I was very pleasantly surprised that the cost of filling up with regular gas was incredibly affordable for this type of luxury sedan. Lincoln, you have our thumbs up on this winner!

Please visit 2017 Lincoln MKZ | Luxury Sedan | Lincoln Canada.

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Epicurean Exploits Abound at Casa Velas Hotel Puerto Vallarta

By Merilee Kern, ‘The Luxe List’ Executive Editor

Nestled within an upscale residential neighborhood just a 5-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport sits Casa Velas—a serene adults-only luxury boutique resort that’s helping set new and noteworthy standards in the all-inclusive realm. 

As one of the many properties in the Velas Resorts portfolio, which have earned no less than 43 diamonds by AAA, I had high expectations for my own stay at the location—especially given it has garnered 8 of those diamonds in its own right. What I had not anticipated, however, was how “at home” I would feel while on site, which felt as much like a private estate home with an ever-attentive staff rather than a slick hotel operation with pre-programmed employees. Indeed, the layout of the grounds and the casually elegant and intimate atmosphere evokes the sense of being in a private hacienda. Furthering this sensibility is a staff that all regard guests by name, who welcome you “home” upon arrival (with each outing) and generally do their utmost to ensure each guest’s needs and wants are being duly catered to. 

All 80 traditional Mexican-styled suites at Casa Velas are top notch, with each boasting a private terrace with plunge pool or in suite Jacuzzi, goose-down comforters, free WiFi, L’Occitane bath products and a fully stocked mini bar. For even more privacy and space, the exquisite 3,000-square foot, four-bedroom Presidential Suite, which sleeps 8, is replete with original artwork by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante and also features a large dining room, living room, master suite with a spacious marble-laden bathroom, and an expansive terrace with an oversize plunge pool and Jacuzzi.

While the Spanish style architecture and interior design captivates, the setting in which it all resides is truly breathtaking.  Lush tropical landscaping abounds with abundant flora and fauna at every turn that, of course, attracts wildlife. In fact, a bevy of wild peacocks have taken up residence at the property and can be seen meandering about throughout the day and night. A pack of “pet” snapping turtles live in a pond-like water feature at the hotel’s front entrance for which the valet staff will eagerly provide you with food to feed them. 

Adding to the serene green vistas is the fact that the resort overlooks the lovely Marina Vallarta Golf Course where Casa Velas guests enjoy special privileges like free greens fees. Other on-site amenities include a full fitness center with Life Fitness cardio and Nautilus equipment, a full service spa and salon, and a pool area with plush lounge chairs, shady cabanas and a swim up palapa bar. If surf and sand are high on your vacation agenda, have no fear as the hotel will provide you with complimentary, on-demand shuttle service to and from its private and exclusive Casa Velas Ocean Club where guests enjoy cushioned loungers and cabanas on the beach itself, along with food and beverage service, as well as access to a pristine pool area and al fresco eatery all overlooking Mexico's Pacific Riviera beyond. 

Even amid all of this haute hospitality, what is incredibly impressive about Casa Velas is its elevated gourmet food and beverage program that has significantly raised the bar for all-inclusive hotels worldwide. With its on-site gourmet restaurant, Emiliano, one of only two restaurants in all of Puerto Vallarta that have earned the AAA Four Diamond award, guests are treated to unlimited access to high caliber cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and 24/7 in-suite service.  Beverages at Casa Velas are equally progressive, particularly for an all-inclusive, with guests enjoying premium wines and liquor without restriction and can partake in fun nightly events like wine pairings; tequila, mescal and martini tastings; and other events that also allow guests to get acquainted and socialize.

If you’re a foodie seeking a culinary-oriented resort retreat, Casa Velas is for you. I particularly love the concerted and continual effort the property makes to keep its culinary options interesting and innovative, ensuring guests can have a unique atypical all-inclusive experience time and time again.   

Gourmet Tasting Menus

In addition to its regular menu, Emiliano also extends six different five-course meals (a new one each evening) that are masterminded by head chefs from Casa Velas' sister property, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Menus draw from all three of their AAA Four Diamond restaurants: Frida, Piaf and Lucca . These dynamic menus rotate each evening and run for a week, starting with a French tasting menu and martini tasting hour on Sundays led by Piaf's head chef. On Monday, Lucca's Italian-Mediterranean sampling and wine pairing takes center stage. Tuesdays and Thursdays are an extra special treat as 20 guests are invited to a private "dinner with the chef." Here, Chef Eliseo Ibarra Ramos prepares a special menu while television cooking personality, Yolanda Yanar, gives step by step explanations on the menu's preparation. Wednesdays, Frida's head chef hosts a Mexican tasting menu and tequila tasting hour. Fridays offer a truly elegant experience as Chef Ramos prepares a gourmet French menu while a renowned pianist provides accompaniment and live entertainment. Saturday rounds out the week with cuisine and seafood specialties from Veracruz, Mexico.

Authentic Street Food

While Emiliano's gourmet tasting menus have proven enormously popular, the revered restaurant also features dishes that bring to mind the temping aromas and "tantalizing visions" of the street foods found in Mexico's colorful markets. Guests can sample entrees, appetizers and desserts from six different regions including Veracruz, Puebla, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Jalisco, and the Yucatan. Each day a different region is featured alongside Emiliano's larger menu of additional Mexican and international selections. What's more, servers are dressed in corresponding regional costume and are happy to answer questions about ingredients and preparation to any foodie's satisfaction.

Where the Gastro Garden Grows

During my stay I strolled down to Casa Velas’ impressive on-site organic botanical garden where the resort grows its own herbs, flowers and vegetables. These uber-fresh ingredients find their way into fresh cocktails and culinary creations as ingredients and garnish. For example, home‐grown albacar, thyme, mint, lemon and cactus are used in the kitchen, while home‐grown mint is used for mojitos, cilantro for margaritas and hibiscus flowers in martinis. Want to bring the taste of a Casa Velas specialty cocktail home with you? The chefs will gladly send guests home with their favorite recipe. Guests will also spot, or better yet smell, clove, mint, aloe vera, spearmint, and basil leaves in the resort’s spa treatments.

A Mighty Mini Bar

Casa Velas' commitment to luxury, well-being and elevated eats extends beyond the bounds of the resort's restaurants and bars—extending right into the guest rooms. Instead of the usual boring, calorie-laden mini bar fare, Casa Velas provides freshly "made on demand" crudités. Guests can choose from the "Mexican turnip," a combination of carrots, cucumber, jicama, or an alternative selection featuring celery, beetroot and pineapple. Guests can also choose from three different light and healthy dressings including mango, chipotle or albahaca (basil). Crudités are available upon request from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and, of course, are included in the all‐inclusive daily rate.

Service Standouts

I had the pleasure of dining with Luis Angarita, Casa Velas' General Manager, who spoke about what sets the resort apart from others in the region. He underscored that, more than anything else, Casa Velas prides itself on providing top-notch service at every level of the operation. He also reiterated the resort’s focus on food as part of an all-inclusive, noting it’s a major draw. "Food, creativity and presentation comparable to top restaurants in world capitals,” Angarita gushed. “Name your favorite specialty cuisine–Mexican, French and Italian, it’s exquisitely prepared by award winning chefs…everything, from unlimited food and wines to premium beverages, in suite service, and even gratuities and tax are part of the all-inclusive daily rate."

With its efforts to continually innovate coupled with the quiet, private and secluded nature of this Puerto Vallarta oasis, it’s no surprise U.S. dignitaries the likes of Condoleezza Rice, and two Mexican presidents have been hosted at Casa Velas. But, one need not be a dignitary to be treated like royalty here, as the staff goes over and above to ensure each guest is having a personalized and pampered experience. 

With its heightened level of hospitality, Casa Velas is playing an integral role in re-defining the all-inclusive category at large, and is a decidedly fine choice for the standards-driven jet setter.

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"The Luxe List" Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter here: www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

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