Rima Suqi

A studio visit with Karen Kimmel:

Salim Suqi, circa 1956

My excursion to Homenature in Southampton ended up being fortuitous on many levels. Not only did I get to test drive a chair I’ve been eyeing online, and get the scoop on a cool modern adirondack chair I also spotted a fabulously gigantic denim beach bag by Michael Kors.  And I mean, it’s huge. I was with a friend who brought along his French bulldog, and we could’ve fit 3 of those farty b-tches (as we lovingly call her) in this bag. That’s a whole lotta bag for $78.

Buy it here.

After spending a week in Tanzania, I return to find out that a photographer friend, originally from South Africa, is making these super-cute pendants that can also be worn on a charm bracelet. Coincidence?

Available in 10 or 14k, here.

The lodge has ten rooms. From the exterior, most look like this:

The rooms have no real windows – only screens – but do have balconies, outdoor showers (!!!) and large soaking tubs. It’s all about a leafy green view. And bugs – not a crazy amount, but its amazing how people come on safari and get freaked out that there are mosquitoes, ants, etc.  It’s called nature, people.

To get to your room you walk down a path like this, lined with woodshavings:

Some room shots:

Enter here

Sitting area inside entry:

Mini bar (canvas covered cooler hung on wall):

Cool raffia (?)-wrapped large-link chain “curtain” separates living and sleeping areas:

The bathroom area has a nice big tub:

With a view of the surrounding forest. It feels rainforest-y here. Note the windows have no glass, its all screens -

The shower is outdoors (LOVED) with great products, including a scrub, all made in-house.

After bathing you can slip into a nice lightweight cotton robe or wrap yourself in a Kikoi – a Tanzanian sarong.

View from bed onto balcony/deck:

The deck runs the length of the room:

Yes, a child could fall through there. That’s why they have a minimum age requirement for kids.

The main lodge is where all the action is – meals, place to hang out, good bar selection and a drink called the “Manyara Kiss” which is bitters + lemonade/sprite + vodka. Delish.

Lodge entrance and outdoor eating area:

Lodge interior:

We sat here a lot to work since its the only place that had internet access, and good proximity to the bar -

At meals, the table was set w/really chic recycled glass items from Kitengela Glass in Nairobi. Sadly the shop didn’t sell these things and neither does their website. Close, but not exact. Bummer.

salt/pepper

carafe and glass

I love a small airport in Africa – this is Arusha, where we were boarding a 20-minute flight to Manyara.

welcome to arusha intl airport

check your flight status here

sadly, we did not get to shop

pit stop before boarding

the waiting area

another option if the first was too crowded

i was reprimanded for taking a shot of the "security" area

boarding pass for the flight to manyara

our plane

helpful info, just in case...

we scored seats with major legroom

no spins?!?! wtf? i want my money back!

3 hour layover in Amsterdam on the way to Kilimanjaro (no, not climbing again!). Amsterdam airport was oddly not as  cool as I expected it to be.

slippers I did not buy

cheese shop in the shape of a wheel of cheese

You can buy cheese on a stick here.

And, of course, tulips.

we found this "rob a bank" ad amusing

But perhaps not as amusing at what KLM considers "classic" movies -- The Hangover and SATC!