Cartagena de las Indias, Colombia is one haute (and HOT...the combination of heat and humidity is pushing unbearable) Caribbean city that I have officially fallen for. Cartagena is a magical city to say the least with amazing colonial architure hundreds of years old--brightly colored walls and balconies heaping with fiery magenta bougainvillea. Here is my list of must-dos:
*watching sunsets from the stone walls & hilled forts surrounding the old town
*wandering aimlessly thru the narrow, cobble-stoned, winding streets & plazas
*spotting one of the many archetypical Chiquita Banana ladies walking around, with their flowing, layered skirts & baskets of fruit balanced atop their heads
*photographing the orange, red and blue painted colonial buildings
*savoring the typical, coastal Colombian Caribbean meal of fried fish, cocunut rice and patacones (fried plaintains)
*tasting the delectable natural juices (jugos naturales) in every type of tropical fruit possible, going rate for one = approx. $1.25
*visiting the nearby San Islas del Rosario to soak in the sun and snorkel in the warm, crystal clear, turquoise waters

Now that warmer weather has arrived and you're ready to unveil your bare legs, we've found a secret weapon that will shiny up your limbs for the utmost polished radiance. MAC's new Skinsheen Leg Spray's lightweight gel mists effortlesly over your pretty little legs leaving a soft, but noticeable, burst of color and sheen. The color isn't overly dramatic, the scent minimal and the consistency is slick but not oily a la Baby Oil. The Spray comes in three shades (medium dark to deep dark); $22.50.

Since we are all for newlyweds being excited about their 'Just Married' status, immortalize the big day on a cute 'Just Married' canvas beach tote with your wedding date dates inscribed. The bags can also second as an extra gift for your bridal party!

Super comfy shoe line, Dolce Vita, has two new sandals for their summer collection that are fun and unique -- the Dijon Owl sandal ($88) and Birdcage sandal ($98) both feature cutout medallions atop soft leather straps that will be sure to draw attention downwards.
 

Add some gleam to your outfit with these haute, metallic Marc by Marc Jacobs pumps wearable for day or night. A dainty satin bow and satin ankle trim finish the sleek look off.

In honor of Memorial Day and the ensuing warm weekends, Splendora editors put together a Backyard Entertaining Guide filled with delicious food & drink recipes, BBQ essentials and even a fun-filled summer themed music playlist. Be the belle at your next barbecue.

Us Splendora gals were introduced to Effen Vodka back in '05 when we had our Peacock Party. I was recently re-introduced to the drink (and ended up drinking it all night) on a recent evening out dancing. The bartender came up with this concotion which is a perfect mixture for taste, energy and no worries about headaches the next a.m. Ask for a Effen Black Cherry + Sugar Free Red Bull + a splash of cranberry juice.

Very rarely does a camera's description in writing add up to, and then exceed, it's abilities in actuality. The Olympus Stylus 1030 SW camera did just that; the selling point of the camera online is it's shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof and waterproof traits. I particularly immediately garnered interest in this camera with the "waterproof to 33 feet" aspect as I've numerous times been utterly disasppointed upon receiving my developed film from a throw away water camera to see water damage (especially that one time when I saw in utter dismay that the Fijian manta rays I swam with were mere etched out blobs printed out). I played extensively with this Olympic camera, including bringing it into, and under the water, in a pool (on a sidenote, it's entertaining to see passerbyers look in horror as you dip your camera under). It is amazing...the same size, weight and looks of a normal digital camera but it is completely submergible and the photos come out crystal clear. If you are in the market for a relatively priced, point-and-shoot camera for rought travels this is it. Plus, it comes in a fun all black or olive green color.

The Mission area of San Francisco is adding another ingenious work of architecture with the opening of the Contemporary Jewish Musuem next month. The redesigned building created by famed architect, Daniel Libeskind (his plans were chosen for the concepet of rebuilding NYC's Twin Towers) incorporates the 1907-built former power substation where the museum resides with an entirely contemporary, dynamic new wing. It's an inventive fusion of linking S.F.'s Classic Revival past from the turn of the century with an au courant architecture style of today. Libeskind's streamlined architecture elements are coupled with symbolic references to Jewish concepts in an awe-inspiring way; a gigantic steel cube greets guests symbolizing part of the Hebrew phrase meaning 'to life' greets guests in one gallery. The museum, opening to the public June 8, will feature a number of exhibitions and interactive art programs.

Designer China Young is evolving his fashion design into a new luggage line called BTL (pronounced Beetle). The stylish collection has vivid patterns inspired from the beauty of the Jewel Beetle (bright colors, zizzags, leaf patterns) and a sturdy yet functional design with sizes ranging from overnight bags to old-fashioned travel trunks. The mixture of both style and form is virtually impossible to find in the luggage industry so keep your eye out for its debut. The line will be available online this summer at Flight 001 and there will be a freestanding retail store in Las Vegas opening 2009.