tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1747590821166826412012-02-22T14:28:27.721-08:00traveling. writing. eating. and other capers.Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-64973302870037538182012-02-22T14:24:00.000-08:002012-02-22T14:28:27.743-08:00

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Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-89923547357608925352012-02-13T18:13:00.000-08:002012-02-13T18:13:13.216-08:00

James Bond's Favorite Hangout (photo courtesy of VisitMonaco.com) Is there a girl out there who hasn't dreamed of twirling in the Alps and singing along to The Sound of Music soundtrack -- or a boy who hasn't imagined a home run à la Field of Dreams? Films have long been an inspiration to travelers looking to link the dreamy scenes depicted on the silver screen to real-life adventures. Here

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-90737344607693951152012-02-08T19:36:00.001-08:002012-02-09T07:27:22.008-08:00

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-24951021803171569242012-02-02T06:42:00.000-08:002012-02-02T06:42:24.991-08:00

Crepes in Paris This is a post from last year, but aren't crepes worth seconds?  Thin, sugar and butter soaked crepes are so heavenly I’d tape them to my body and pluck them off as snacks throughout the day if it weren’t too obscene a thought. This is why February 2 might just be my favorite day in France. The French have a knack for turning any occasion into a reason to eat. In the Christian

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-39209337454379137062012-01-20T06:09:00.000-08:002012-01-20T08:21:19.634-08:00

I daydream about far away places when I procrastinate Here’s what I did before sitting down to write an article today. I got a fresh cup of coffee. I re-read an assignment I had for school, and then printed it out (perhaps it looks less ominous on real paper). I organized a 3-ring binder for all future assignments. I asked daughter what she thought she was good at, then what she thought I was

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-37849375051970159782012-01-15T08:13:00.000-08:002012-01-15T08:13:34.615-08:00

This is a blog post from a blog I follow, Almost Fearless.  Read more about SOPA on their site. From Almost Fearless:If you’ve ever traveled to a country that censors the internet, then you know the very real effect that it has on free speech. SOPA doesn’t just impact Americans, it impacts all internet users around the globe who rely on US-based IP addresses and VPNs to access the internet.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-24203096767495675382012-01-02T09:13:00.000-08:002012-01-02T14:19:40.548-08:00

First sunrise of 2012 As much as I love to pack my suitcase and leave, I never forget how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. During 2012 and beyond, take time to stop and enjoy the view! Happy New Year. Thanks for reading. First sunset of 2012

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-77424881944566707942011-12-31T10:57:00.000-08:002012-01-02T09:02:14.896-08:00

Nik Orosi of Eli's Caffé (A similar version was published on gadling.com on December 19) Coffee is an obsession in Croatia, and in its capital, Zagreb, the coffee culture is as strong and prevalent as the locally prepared žižule grappa. And the coffee itself? It would knock the non-fat foam off a Starbucks latte any day. But it's not just about the flavor. Here, having coffee is as much of a

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Harvey The Bartender I'm one of those people you probably don't want to sit next to on a long haul flight--- a talker (don’t worry, I won’t disturb you if you’re reading or sleeping). I love to talk to people in lines, waiting at crosswalks, at the table next to me in a restaurant. Why? You learn a lot about a place that way. So what a pleasure it was to arrive at the Hotel Amarano in Burbank,

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-83925880099003521552011-12-23T10:48:00.000-08:002011-12-31T10:58:45.470-08:00

Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara I've been reading a lot of books by the great  Isabel Allende lately and finished Zorro a few weeks ago. The story takes readers from Southern California (Zorro's birthplace) to Barcelona, in a swashbuckling adventure that reveals the history and backstory behind the legendary masked man. As a daughter of Southern California, I am charmed by the Spanish

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-16508511225351402612011-12-20T08:53:00.000-08:002011-12-31T10:59:55.250-08:00

Carmel Valley Vista Abs and core class at 7 a.m.; fitness hike at 8 a.m.  Yoga, pilates, spinning, tennis clinic----  I'd like to say I got up and did one of them each day during my three day stay,  but no, I stayed in bed and drank coffee by the fire until about 11 each morning--it is vacation after all.  But I'm seriously impressed with the Carmel Valley Ranch and how motivated their guests

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-91211353167745366612011-12-10T11:58:00.000-08:002011-12-12T11:31:22.292-08:00

Cover image.  COMING FEBRUARY 2012  PRE-ORDER HERE! Must Sees Brussels, a new international title joining Michelin's the Must Sees series, is colorful, compact, and fits in your pocket, making it the ideal travel companion. And, this  one was written entirely by me this past summer.  Phew.  Lot of work, but I am always proud to write about a city and country I love so much. Many people overlook

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Zagreb should be called a city of museums, since, I heard, there are more of them per square foot than in any other city in the world. And it's not just the large well-known landmarks, like the highly anticipated Museum of Contemporary Art, this bite-sized capital overflows with cultural outposts large and small, showing off innovative and thought provoking masterpieces to satisfy any audience.

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Hotel Regent Esplanade I wrote recently that Paris was my first love and it's still true. (Don't be jealous darling). But Zagreb...there's something about Zagreb, and I'm having a love affair with this moody and plucky city.  An Air of Old Romance  Zagreb had me at dobar dan (hello), when I stepped into the regal Regent Esplanade Hotel, built in 1925 as a stopover for wealthy Orient Express

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Pont Alexandre III in Winter (from www.laradunning.wordpress.com) Conversations With A Débutante I was recently asked why I love France so much. I had to start at the beginning, with a story of a trip that launched a thousand plane tickets.   The first time I saw Paris it was covered in snow.  Along the banks of the Seine, on branches of leafless trees in the Luxembourg Gardens, in the

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-60717652644343199692011-09-06T17:58:00.000-07:002011-11-13T09:28:41.907-08:00

With Chloe at the oldest "Bob's" in America Have you ever heard of Burbank, California?  Well, it's just 12 miles from  downtown Los Angeles and only a few miles from Hollywood.  It's also celebrating its 100th birthday this year, and is looking good for her age. Burbank also happens to be where I was born. A former boss of mine in Detroit once remarked, "I can't believe you grew up in

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-79759751262317694792011-08-31T12:22:00.000-07:002011-09-01T15:19:43.029-07:00

St. Tropez is synonymous with star sightings and champagne days spent on Pampelonne Beach, but what you might not know is that when the yachts sail way and the fancy hotels shutter their doors, St. Tropez, the sherbet colored village on the French Riviera, about 70 miles (109 kilometers) west of Nice, is still a small fishing village at heart, and it’s hear where author William Widmaier lures us

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-86637497447269156332011-08-23T21:59:00.000-07:002011-11-13T09:30:29.176-08:00

The Doughy Diva of Liège Remember those cartoons with an apple pie cooling on a windowsill, a billowy cloud wafting from it? The aroma would unfailingly hook an unsuspecting character by the nose and draw him like a ragdoll to its sweet, sweet source. I’m pretty sure that’s what I looked like the first time I caught the scent of Belgian waffles. It was seven years ago. I’d just moved to

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-5974411606741702052011-08-11T05:29:00.000-07:002011-11-13T09:21:46.004-08:00

Lt. Colebourne and Winnie This week I'm visiting Winnipeg.  If you are not Canadian, or not married to one like I am, then you probably have the same response as my family and friends, which sounds something like "huh?" and is often accompanied by a head tilt.  So, to help spread the word about the capital city of Manitoba (a Canadian province if you didn't already know) I'm declaring this

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-50721715057516594952011-08-10T08:07:00.000-07:002011-11-13T09:39:35.797-08:00

Balloon rising over Catalunya Though I am a white knuckle-flyer, and often afraid of heights, there is something about a hot air balloon ride that quells those fears, and of course, the perspective of a place from above is significantly different than that from terra firma.  See my article in Executive Travel Magazine about some of the world's best balloon trips. My drip over the Dordogne was

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-4793988525764702332011-07-15T06:42:00.000-07:002011-07-15T06:42:39.107-07:00

The French Riviera, the stretch of French coast that hugs the Mediterranean Sea, from the Italian border to St. Tropez, is one of the most storied strips of land in the world. Just say it, "The French Riviera," and images of Hollywood queens, Michelin-stars, and real life royals come to mind, punctuated with images of fast cars, high rollers, and events as legendary as the land itself. No doubt,

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-64266686688197198202011-06-21T02:04:00.000-07:002011-06-20T21:04:04.086-07:00

A Midsummer's Night!  Summer Solstice!   Milestone days repeated in literature and feted in art, music, pageantry, and religion for as long summer itself. In France, and in Belgium too, there is a calendar day to mark this step over from Spring's rocky shore onto Summer's party barge ---International Music Day, a euphonic celebration that invites music, and you, to take center stage.  For some

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-28080180048790597312011-05-26T06:53:00.000-07:002011-11-14T18:15:39.985-08:00

I love to travel and I love a good story, so it's no surprise my latest coup de coeur is the newly released anthology by Travelers' Tales "The Best Women's Travel Writing"  2011 edition.  Of course I'm extremely envious of all the women present in the book, not only because they are there in print (I keep submitting), but also because of the spiritual, adventurous and emotional journeys these

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-76840154786295404732011-05-01T14:42:00.000-07:002011-11-13T09:38:15.868-08:00

The first day of May in France and Belgium is La Fête du Travail (Labor Day). It's also May Day and offering your friends a small bouquet of flowers, lillies of the valley called Muguet, pronounced moo-gay, is customary.  The bouquet is considered a porte-bonheur ( a bringer of happiness and luck), and celebrates  the arrival of spring. If you are anywhere in France or Belgium today, you'll

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-6285328454060149392011-04-27T09:44:00.000-07:002011-04-27T09:54:42.393-07:00

At Left Bank in Larkspur with Patricia Wells' new book Last night I took two of my best friends and my appetite to meet Patricia Wells at Left Bank in Larkspur where we ate a four course menu using recipes from her latest book, Salad As A Meal.  The food was prepared by the talented team at Left Bank, under the leadership of chef Roland Passot, also of La Folie restaurant in San Francisco.  All

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-175485101055219522011-04-21T10:08:00.000-07:002011-04-21T15:09:58.588-07:00

"The Sloppy" First of all, it's fun to say, "Bun Mee."  And like its name, the matching restaurant, opened April 1 on Fillmore Street, is quirky and something different among the trendy boutiques and French cafés that line this popular street. Denise Tran, a former business transactions lawyer, opened her Vietnamese sandwich shop Bun Mee, (phonetic for Bahn Mi, the word for sandwich) just a

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-75312040549197149882011-04-01T08:52:00.000-07:002011-04-03T08:57:37.548-07:00

If you’ve been in France (and in Belgium too) on April Fools’ Day, you might have noticed bakeries and candy shops filled with fish-formed food items.  Sea-food at its finest.  I remember my first April 1 in Brussels.  There was a school down the road from our house and I noticed a few of the children had paper fish stuck to their backs.  Not knowing much at that point, I chalked it up to some

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-91713273489922912532011-03-20T16:27:00.000-07:002011-03-27T11:32:45.099-07:00

Cute-as-a-button cookies One of the reasons I love France so much is for its unabashed passion for food. All year long there are wine festivals, cheese fairs, and fruit fests. Shops close for a few hours at noon for lunch almost everywhere in France, and meals are to be savored, never to be eaten from a cardboard box or retrieved from a clown's mouth.  There are even dedicated days to certain

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-27109832157106035962011-02-01T18:00:00.001-08:002011-03-06T07:48:28.355-08:00

Crepes in Paris Thin, sugar and butter soaked crepes are so heavenly I’d tape them to my body and pluck them off as snacks throughout the day if it weren’t too obscene a thought. This is why February 2 might just be my favorite day in France. The French have a knack for turning any occasion into a reason to eat. In the Christian community, February 2 is Candlemas, La Chandeleur in French, a

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-77654857948854932292011-01-25T11:25:00.000-08:002011-03-06T07:45:43.205-08:00

Isabelle de Borchgrave As you know, I lived in Brussels, Belgium for 6 years and while I was there, I had the pleasure of meeting a remarkable artist who creates beautiful costumes and dresses....out of paper.  But don't think of these as the two dimensional paper doll frocks from our youth.  Far from it. Isabelle de Borchgrave brings creativity to new heights and hautes using history and

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-53228459215815237852011-01-04T10:57:00.000-08:002011-03-06T07:46:58.891-08:00

Awakening 2011 Happy New Year! I am very excited about 2011. I don't know why.  No resolutions made, only commitments to be better at what I do, which should be easy since I love what I do. But on to New Year's Eve. I spent the evening of December 31 with great friends around my dinner table. I prepared a savoury feast of favourites and of course accented the meal with loads and loads of

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-5022826749970992010-12-13T21:48:00.000-08:002010-12-16T08:27:32.871-08:00

The secret is out and you can be in on it!  Forget what you thought you knew about Brussels, the Belgian capital has shrugged off its boring image and is ready for its close up. This iPhone application reveals top attractions, green spaces and parks, art galleries, local cafes, bars and restaurants, hotels, annual events, day trips, shopping areas and more.  OVER 1300 photographs along with maps

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An article by my friend Carlolyn Banfalvi is in the December issue of BThere Magazine, the inflight publication of Brussels Airlines, and reflects on Christmas drinking traditions in different countries.  Check out France and Belgium where she quotes yours truly!  Carolyn is the author of a food and wine guide to Budapest (at left) and leads delicious wine and food tours around Hungary.  Check

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Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-36676873046343976062010-09-30T08:31:00.000-07:002010-09-30T09:03:34.388-07:00

I have an article about Paris on  cntraveller.com and seeing the photos reminded me of my favorite season in Paris---Autumn.   I used to think it was Spring, but no, fall is fabulous in the city of light, with hues of gold and crimson flickering around the river and parks.   Now that I am in San Francisco,  a city bursting with Frenchness, I find myself on a quest for tastes and sounds of

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-72259381154014021142010-09-02T11:07:00.000-07:002010-09-02T15:57:42.104-07:00

Photo by Ira Block At the age of 12, I had an epiphany on a baseball diamond at a park near my house. I was in the batter’s box and was suddenly keenly aware of my absence. I could no longer hear the clapping hands of the coach as he belted out orders, or the encouraging hollers of the Saturday morning crowd. Nor did I hear the tinny thud from the bat that launched my ball into left field.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-40636466500006350952010-08-24T08:06:00.000-07:002010-08-24T08:14:48.801-07:00

Food & France: two of my favorite subjects.  That's why I've decided to link them and create  Edible Idioms.  Click here to support my endeavor and subscribe.    Don't worry, you won't get 1,000 emails a day, I promise.  Maybe one every two three weeks.    What's it all about? Well, like I said, it's about food and France, and learning French.   Tomber dans les pommes (To fall into the apples

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-6254432351056407972010-08-18T23:49:00.000-07:002010-08-19T08:53:58.933-07:00

More present than coffee shops; more powerful than the incense fumes billowing from peace symbol encrusted shops; able to leap high G-notes in a single bound....the American Idol aspirants have arrived in San Francisco. And I am so glad.  I was getting bored in the Haight-Ashbury today, explaining the meaning of Cannabis to my 12 year old, and watching a man with a sign that read "Hit me for a $1

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-10887638208676056132010-08-15T21:51:00.012-07:002010-08-18T23:30:27.650-07:00

Aperetif in Biron, France “I find Europeans too civilized, ” my friend declared before downing the last gulp of his beer. He said he much preferred the Wild West, take what’s yours and it’s all yours for the taking, mentality of America. “Entrepreneurial spirit,” he termed it. We were in Brussels, my home for the last six years, and my friend had decided to cap his seven day European tour

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-84474988055811425782010-08-12T07:53:00.009-07:002010-08-13T06:33:35.477-07:00

As I settle into my new home in Northern California, I find myself seeing Europe everywhere. ON the television last night a movie set in the south of France, near my home in Ste. Maxime. A place near my home in Tiburon makes fresh pain au chocolat. That there is not a single French speaking person inside the patisserie does not alarm me (should it?), and the pains are pas mal. And now, the

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-82626047887903163252010-07-23T23:58:00.007-07:002010-08-16T10:05:40.687-07:00

Well sports fans, it's official. I am no longer a Belgian resident. (insert melodramatic violin sequence here). On 7 July, I went to my commune and turned in my residence card that would have allowed me to happily stay five more years, after the six I have already spent. I'm pretty sure the guy had to pry my fingers off of it. I am sad. I have really enjoyed this part of my life in the

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-35945765544832908562010-06-10T01:18:00.006-07:002010-06-10T02:31:20.730-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows how much: 1 . I hate bad lighting in a restaurant and 2. I love coffee. While I sipped my morning/afternoon Joe, this article percolated on my screen, and I thought I'd share it with you. It's all about coffee rituals around the world. I am an admitted coffee addict; the queen of caffeine, and I sipped in every word. As I prepare to leave Europe, I can tell you I

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-17661714721360914202010-05-10T00:03:00.003-07:002010-05-10T00:06:17.125-07:00

Check out the current issue of Delta SKY Magazine where Brussels takes center stage!click hereand go to page 75 or click the TinTin's Brussels heading on the cover.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-47319193107875461092010-05-09T23:38:00.006-07:002010-05-09T23:49:48.682-07:00

Shameless promotion approaching...avert your eyes if you are sensitive.My book Walnut Wine & Truffle Groves is out and is doing fairly well, in my opinion, but not good enough forthe publisher. IS it ever? So...let's breathe some life into things. The book features:40 + authentic recipes created by locals from the Dordogne and by Chef Laura Schmalhorst80 + more stunning photos from award

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-4620501008652245122010-05-01T06:19:00.007-07:002010-05-02T00:45:45.627-07:00

The first day of May in France and Belgium is La Fête du Travail (Labor Day). Just like in the US, people take this day off. This year it falls on a Saturday which means that locations you would normally frequent will be closed...shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors. The usual weekend round up. Restaurants and bars however will be open and since the weather is good, will be teeming with people.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-3272981054704474412010-04-26T04:45:00.004-07:002010-04-30T13:16:05.790-07:00

photo by www.life.com/ image/78514340Help Wanted: Belgian Government Needed (or is it?)Must put needs of the country 2nd; No public relations experience necessary; Babysitting knowledge a plus; Bitter divorce expertise, finger pointing skills highly preferred; Must have passed Government 101 and Advanced Sandbox Strategy; Abstract concept and no-win negotiating skills highly desirable; At

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-90014255540490755452010-04-13T04:26:00.002-07:002010-04-13T04:32:43.087-07:00

Looking for a little outing ? Brussels as you know is the perfect launching pad from which to hop from place to place around Europe, usually in search of better weather.I can't offer you a guarantee of better weather in London, but I can suggest a visit to the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill and a literary lunch with moi. A chef will prepare three courses from my newly released book,

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-68070366746410123102010-03-12T08:55:00.003-08:002010-03-12T09:02:13.864-08:00

Photo courtesy of Chateau d'HassonvilleJust where did Cinderella go when she turned left at happily ever after? Quite possibly to Belgium. Laugh all you want naysayers. There are more castles here per square mile (castles include fortresses, manor houses, etc) than in any other country in the world. More than 3,000 to be exact. Click here to see some of the best, and perhaps plan a getaway

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-46560647342605185572010-03-02T06:40:00.003-08:002010-03-02T06:42:03.624-08:00

Check out this blog about Belgium for a great read and notable tidbits about life as an expat in our fine flat country.www.charliestribe.com/blogAnd join them on facebook too!Do you know of any others you'd like to share?

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-85856992224791354972010-01-28T23:19:00.003-08:002010-01-28T23:28:37.877-08:00

The mission at Wanderlust & Lipstick is to increase your passion for travel by providing inspiration, tips, and words of wisdom from experienced Wanderlusters who’ve seen it all! Though geared towards women, the site isn't off limits to men who can also enjoy travel stories of adventures around the globe; join a WanderTour to Bhutan or India; peruse posts from the ever expanding group of

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-61855948763214632462010-01-18T08:46:00.007-08:002010-01-18T09:12:04.348-08:00

Music lovers...listen up! www.musicbrussels.com (Site under construction) is having an awesome opening party and you're invited to Churchill's on February 27th beginning at 7 p.m.Four top Brussels bands are helping to host an event that will set the tone for live music in the Capital. Featured are Garner, the dIPLOMAT, the Vogues, and My TV is Dead.It's an historic night you'll want to be a

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-44815850334248599712010-01-01T10:54:00.012-08:002010-01-01T11:17:12.971-08:00

Looking of a done in a day outing in Belgium? Make 2010 the year of discovering must see sites of our mini country (in size only) and check out my latest article in B Spirit Magazine to get you started. Set out on some worthy one-track-trips to these great Belgian towns, and let me know how you like them. Happy New Year everyone. Click here to read full articlePhotos by Kimberley Lovato1. Main

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-76616607704821178232009-12-15T23:40:00.008-08:002010-01-01T11:20:46.579-08:00

by Kimberley Lovato-In French, New Year's Eve (31 December) is called la Saint-Sylvestre and is usually celebrated with a feast, called Le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre. You know me, I always choose feast over famine and this time of year, while the weather is certainly frightful, the feast is always delightful because Le Réveillon always includes special items like champagne and foie gras---two

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-83445208864629511182009-11-24T23:45:00.007-08:002009-11-24T23:57:02.016-08:00

photos from esnbrussels.youthuniverse.eu Over the past week, at the intersection of Quatre Bras, where The Ring intersects Avenue Tervuren and all hell breaks loose if there is one minor fender bender or a drop of rain (remember this is Belgium so…there is a lot of rain), I have been baffled by the young people wandering between the cars in what looks like a white lab coat, covered in permanent

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-57233470566452604672009-11-04T01:16:00.005-08:002009-12-21T02:05:08.921-08:00

Here is a great interview about a brave women and personal friend, Wilna Wilkinson, who took on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella in the dead of winter, on a pilgrimage to support her friend who had been diagnosed with cancer. Her book"The Way Of Stars And Stones" recounts the trek with great humor and insight and is a must read for any women, person, orfriend looking for the courage to

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-36853409384182948472009-11-03T04:29:00.010-08:002009-11-03T04:52:31.357-08:00

The famous Chalet Robinson has reopened in Brussels' Bois de la Cambre!Planted on Robinson island in the middle of Brussels' Bois de la Cambre (Brussels' version of Central Park) with a 'boat' (more like a moving pier) to take patrons across the pond, the Chalet Robinson has reopened a few weeks ago with great fanfare andafter a decade of anticipation from long time Brussels residents.Built in

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-77031186214978351832009-10-26T01:02:00.012-07:002009-10-26T02:24:10.364-07:00

Resilience & Remembrance By Kimberley LovatoIf you haven't visited the town of Ypres (Iepers) in Flanders, you should. At least once. And with Remembrance Day (Armistice Day, Veterans Day) just around the corner on 11 November, why not now? It's only a little over an hour's drive from Brussels, or about the same train ride. I went this weekend and took my daughter who hopefully will never

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-34286324369435620642009-10-23T00:47:00.011-07:002009-10-23T11:02:41.837-07:00

Photos from Michel Mes @ belgianfries.comFollow Your FryBy Kimberley LovatoWhile Belgium has much to offer visitors and residents alike, the country is known the world over for one thing in particular: French Fries (Frites in French). Michel Mes, self-proclaimed “Missionary of the Belgian Fries”, started his popular website Belgianfries.com back in 1995. He now receives at least 10 emails a day

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-82892035610734643202009-10-08T01:56:00.006-07:002009-10-23T01:51:19.521-07:00

Only open 11 months, the New York branch of the Belgian-owned restaurant Rouge Tomate has been awarded a Michelin-Star this week! Bravo! CEO Emmanuel Verstraeten opened the original Rouge Tomate in his native Brussels in 2001 in a townhouse along the fashionable Avenue Louise. Rouge Tomate New York opened in October 2008.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-79516843475927468452009-10-07T02:17:00.004-07:002009-10-08T02:13:35.587-07:00

What's On In Brussels This Fall? CLICK HEREand to find an agenda's worth of activities for any culture vulture in Belgium.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-54378837521626365242009-09-09T05:31:00.009-07:002009-09-09T09:25:58.322-07:00

Belgium is known for its great restaurants and excellent cuisine. But what does the rest of the world know about Belgian cooking? Chambar Restaurant and Belgian Chef Nicolas Schuermans celebrate 5-years in Vancouver this month, and are hoping diners learn more about Belgian cuisine than chocolate and frites, though those things are quite good too. Below is an interview I did with Chef Nico for

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-36862432713360483342009-08-30T05:23:00.004-07:002009-08-30T05:29:29.784-07:00

From a great Belgian blog called Cheese Web, I discovered a few things about the flat country. Some I knew, some I did not know, or ever think about, like the number of McDonalds (Very few I am proud to say) and that the Body Mass Index (BMI) was developed by the Belgian Adolphe Quetelet, and is still used today to determine a person’s ideal weight. Not sure if this is a positive contribution

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-68056720544082267132009-08-25T00:51:00.012-07:002009-08-25T01:43:01.315-07:00

La Rentrée: feminine noun. Means: "The Return".I love that the French language has a word specifically for this time of year. After all, Europeans do take their vacations seriously so it's no surprise they'd find a way to emphasize the end of it. Other than "Back To School", I can think of no specific word in English that captures this time of year with the same significance. "The Return" is

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-109452880266003782009-08-14T01:14:00.010-07:002009-08-14T01:59:31.293-07:00

I love hearing about the success of others, especially my dear friends, and I can think of no more worthy a person to celebrate than Wilna Wilkinson. Her book "The Way of Stars and Stones" is ready to launch and will be available on Kalahari.net in September and on Amazon at the end of October. Of course, most of you reading this don't know Wilna but let me just say, she is one of those

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-8315039165012483732009-08-04T07:27:00.008-07:002009-08-07T07:18:06.718-07:00

It's Almost Here.....My hugely anticipated (at least by me) book. For those who have not been following my blog that long...shame on you! ;) This project had been three years in the making and has endured many hurdles and near death experiences, along with a wild ride through today's economy. Look ma, no hands! But, it has arrived. Of course, the date is still a long way off ...March. But

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-10104742246991981152009-06-25T23:31:00.008-07:002009-07-07T01:46:44.706-07:00

The weather here has been amazing hasn't it? Though it is not a Belgian tradition, this story is still funny and I thought I'd share it in honor of the arrival (and hopeful endurance) of summer here in Brussels.Be it in honor of the harvest or the ancient traditions of the Occitan language, there is always a reason to celebrate in the Dordogne. When you live in a fairy tale, why not?! On June

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-12116642872880972322009-06-10T22:28:00.034-07:002009-06-15T00:54:48.132-07:00

Taking in the window displays of various pastry shops in Paris is one sure way to gain a few kilos, and one sure way to fall in love with Paris' most delicious souvenir, a ubiquitous confection that has locals and visitors alike whipped into a meringue-like frenzy… the macaron. NOTE: Americans should not confuse the French macarons---two delicate dome-shaped meringue cookies with a flavor-infused

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-90392921731415614692009-06-02T23:22:00.009-07:002009-06-03T03:35:40.992-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of dining with Anne Randerson, Ph.d. of Cross Cultural Horizons here in Brussels. Her company helps families and executives transition easily into new cultures, and she specializes in Europe and Asia where she has lived over the last 20 years. I was interviewing her for a piece about doing business in Brussels that will appear in Executive Travel Magazine this fall

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-81017684618331774422009-05-19T22:05:00.007-07:002009-05-19T22:30:20.764-07:00

I have the good fortune to have a young, smart, American girl staying in my house. While I love her adventurous spirit and her kindness, it's her smarts that really have me hooked. Her blog "love thy passport" is chronicling her journey as a recent graduate in search of life, love, adventure, and eventually a job. She ended up here in Brussels, on my guest bed and recently posted the following.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-27938034932236637532009-05-10T01:41:00.003-07:002009-05-10T01:44:12.966-07:00

Belgium ranks 10th on the list of happiest places (to live) on Earth. See where your country ranks. Click Here.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-10030293727117505172009-04-25T10:16:00.005-07:002009-04-25T10:27:02.763-07:00

"Life's Short, Eat Well" is what I always say. And my husband's mantra goes, "There's no excuse to drink bad wine." You can see we are a match made in dining heaven. I am always curious how the powers that be could choose only 50 in the world, but here we go. You'll see that some Belgian Restaurants (Hof Van Cleve and De Karmeliet) made the top 50, holding their own against the Spanish power

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-4524983005310198952009-04-23T22:39:00.002-07:002009-04-25T09:50:45.430-07:00

CLICK HERE

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-85452912429805885842009-04-20T06:27:00.004-07:002009-04-20T07:54:44.530-07:00

Why is Brussels missing from this list?

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-58713819698237065422009-04-19T07:49:00.020-07:002009-04-20T03:12:01.247-07:00

Whoever says Brussels is a grey city has never visited in springtime! From window boxes to parks, the capitol is in full bloom with a bouquet of color sure to change the mood of any naysayer. Under the canopy of trees along Avenue Tervuren, the lima bean colored leaves born over the last few weeks cast a green tint to the air and sidewalk, giving the sensation of swimming beneath a sea. This time

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-58629850065157328512009-03-19T11:32:00.004-07:002009-03-19T11:49:03.435-07:00

Brussels to Istanbul in less than 3 hours.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-42440336206474540182009-03-17T08:18:00.009-07:002009-04-01T06:58:37.617-07:00

Recently, we hopped on a Turkish Airlines flight direct from Brussels. We took off at 8 am and by 12:30 we were worlds away and donning our headscarves to enter into the Blue Mosque. For anyone wondering what Istanbul is like, all I can say is Istanbul is huge. Roughly 15 million people in a city that spreads out 129 km (+/-) along the Bosphoros River, according to our guide Emre Onal,

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-45635533904215810922009-03-02T00:33:00.005-08:002009-03-02T08:22:13.823-08:00

Last March I spent a day traveling across Belgium, from Maastricht to Brussels, to Ghent and ending in Bruges, following a group of art buyers while on assignment for a magazine. What I remember most, aside from the beautiful art I saw at TEFAF (coming up again this month) was the weather. In Belgium, talking about the weather is a national sport. If it's hot, it's too hot, cold, too cold and

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-12182848485116452492009-02-24T05:17:00.007-08:002009-02-26T01:07:45.906-08:00

It's always great when you spend a day practicing your French and at the same time, learn something about your own language! This happens a lot actually. It's even better, in my opinion, when this type of revelation involves food! During a recent 'carpet picnic" as I call them, when the weather prevents us from going outside but we still have the urge to lay down a blanket and nibble on

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-13855765133029320452009-02-23T05:24:00.002-08:002009-02-23T05:27:35.773-08:00

If the economic crisis has you staying put, but you still crave the weighty belgian beers and stellar cuisine, then look no further than washington D.C. Washington Business Journal. 2008--Robert Wiedmaier, the chef who opened D.C. hot spots Marcel’s and Brasserie Beck, plans to unveil two Belgian and American-infused eateries and a market in Alexandria next year.Brabo by Robert Wiedmaier and

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-30450617788757180442009-02-02T08:29:00.003-08:002009-02-02T08:32:13.260-08:00

La Chandeleur (Candlemas), the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord (or Purification of Our Lady) celebrated on February 2, once marked the end of the Christmas season (40 days after Christmas). In France and Belgium this day has a particular perfume to it---certainly of lit candles but also of something sweeter---crêpes. The flat pancakes are traditionally prepared and offered to family and

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-38895868933912842252009-01-28T01:11:00.002-08:002009-01-28T01:12:07.635-08:00

I can certainly think of more than five, but here are a few that Journalist Jonathan Meades mentions in Wanderlust Magazine.Read Full Article

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-13091253462573245692009-01-21T06:56:00.003-08:002009-01-21T07:35:03.870-08:00

Chef Laura, my partner in crime in the Dordogne (and elsewhere) has started a new concept in her home town of Tampa, FL. Chefs On The Loose, is a done in a day, party/cooking/event space where you roll up your sleeves and enjoy a 'party in the kitchen'. The reason I started to love cooking is because of Laura. She made it less bore and chore, and turned it into an activity I adore. Pull up a

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-58021746503107090852009-01-14T03:16:00.004-08:002009-01-14T03:26:53.245-08:00

Now I have heard/read about some strange food in my life. Canned hamburgers. Spam. Seahorse on a stick. But here in Belgium, where cuisine is king and delicious wine is cheap, I ask you WHY is this necessary? Juice box wine. Now when I was in university, I admit...we drank boxed wine, the kind with the little spicket for easy pouring pleasure. I was young, poor and really didn't know much

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-79832101036742058312009-01-06T09:49:00.009-08:002009-01-07T12:37:55.543-08:00

Dom Pérignon, champagne's inventor, said, when he took a first sip of the magic elixir. "I am drinking stars!" It’s true. Champagne is sparkly and stellar. A happy drink synonymous with celebrations---Weddings, New Years, Birthdays or for me…Friday! Heck, any day is a champagne day in my house!In honor of the arrival of 2009, I thought it appropriate to discuss my beverage of choice. Below are

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-21540183530180643812009-01-05T03:35:00.001-08:002009-01-05T03:36:09.832-08:00

Best wishes for a safe, healthy and happy 2009.

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-2123842296204932282008-12-14T23:11:00.007-08:002008-12-17T00:22:53.960-08:00

The bright orange sign and words ‘Latin Cuisine’ are a pleasant surprise, and something different in the brasserie-bordered Place St. Lambert. Owner Antonio has created a warm yet sleek environment with a menu inspired by his latin roots and the fresh ingredients and mélange of unique tastes have this restaurant exploring unchartered Belgian territory. Try the Arepas...a 'crepe' using

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-68159981751402674352008-12-11T08:13:00.009-08:002008-12-11T12:52:42.115-08:00

Today I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful event organized by a new breed of event planner, Murielle Lono, and her deliciously named company Food For Thought. "Intellectual Entertainment" is on her menu and she is bringing savory and current topics to Brussels. Today I attended Murielle's event at the Wolubis Cultural Center in Woluwe St. Lambert where American author Sara Laschever

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-79803017220229060802008-12-05T14:00:00.009-08:002008-12-05T14:17:40.269-08:00

'Tis the shopping season so isn't it my duty to advise you on the must and must not of Christmas 2008? I'd love to hear about the strangest gift you ever received. Write me and I'll post them in 2009! Happy Holidays everyone.Here are some ‘gift’ ideas that got me thinking two things: 1. “Why didn’t I invent that? But mostly I was thinking 2. WTF?!!!In no particular order of preference under

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-32408086673867959122008-11-27T23:52:00.003-08:002008-11-28T00:00:24.629-08:00

Breaking News...... Great news! I have found a publisher for my book, Tales From The Table: Dordogne Stories. I am thrilled to report that our book about the fantastic food and people of the Dordogne, full of photos and recipes, will be published by Running Press. No word yet on a pub date but I will keep you posted. Thanks to all of you who have written with encouragement. I plan to

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-37432882978164889462008-11-21T00:05:00.004-08:002008-11-23T08:53:27.055-08:00

Away Magazine has published an interesting article about what kids from the International School of Antwerp have to say about the US Elections. The responses are so intelligent and insightful. Kids never cease to amaze me with your intelligence and understanding. I wonder though , is it because they are living as expats and living internationally that they see things differently? Would we

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-26122629693292214912008-11-20T08:12:00.004-08:002008-11-23T08:54:08.370-08:00

Gault Millau is one of the most influential French restaurant guides and the 2009 edition is making my mouth water!!! if you are traveling through France any time soon and, like me, never miss a chance to eaet, you'll want to check this out. The guide has identified 22 ‘jeunes talents’ (young talents), which it defines as chefs under 32, as well as 6 "ones to watch" (one of whom is just down

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-44542370178101847742008-11-17T08:19:00.007-08:002008-11-23T08:54:40.334-08:00

Ok so I rarely have a 'coup de foudre' while shopping. Normally I ponder an item over and over and over until I either 1. forget about it (my husband's preferred option) or 2. Think about it day and night until I hunt it down and buy it in 3 colors, and share the find with friends. (I have the shoe collection to prove the latter).Saturday I went to the American Women's Club Christmas Bazaar

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-86589106952584997542008-11-17T00:48:00.005-08:002008-11-23T08:55:10.384-08:00

A good friend Roland Manouvrier, and a featured "subject" in my book Tales From The Table: Dordogne Stories (to be published someday) has just won a coveted prize. ( Sorry the link is in French). http://www.atableetcompagnie.com/notre-livre-du-moment/salon-du-livre-gourmand-de-perigueux-le-palmares/The Trophée Dominique Lavigne was created in 2006 and rewards a producer from the Perigord

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-60924715107572609862008-11-05T04:43:00.006-08:002008-11-05T08:26:07.798-08:00

It's been a long time since I have said this but today , I am very proud to be American. Last night's historical election had the world captivated. It had me captivated and the announcement of the 44th President Elect Barack Obama brought tears to my eyes and a renewed hope to my heart. I am inspired by this vote because it shows me that our country is not afraid of the unknown; that it is still

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-32918216246157705182008-11-04T11:23:00.001-08:002008-11-04T11:24:52.943-08:00

President Palin? Click here to decide for yourself

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-34256563186028081802008-11-04T06:09:00.001-08:002008-11-04T06:11:14.426-08:00

Still Undecided? Click HERE

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-46150333176759303382008-10-01T03:58:00.000-07:002008-10-01T03:59:43.333-07:00

Living abroad in one of the most valuable experiences I will ever have. Not only from the obvious cross-cultural perspective but also because of the more subtle nuances offered from living abroad and speaking to people. I have been studying French for fours years and in the process, have learned more about my own language than I ever imagined I could. Even though English is my mother tongue,

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-60159592760528281492008-08-14T19:40:00.003-07:002008-08-30T01:59:53.931-07:00

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my "wedding tradition" posting. I am going to publish two that I think are both funny and interesting. Thanks to all who wrote and of course for reading! Dear KimberleyI was fortunate enough to attend my friend Matt's marriage to a lovely Macedonian woman in Skopje, the capital of that lovely kidney bean-shaped Balkan jewel. The high point of the

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-37928599616371420692008-06-20T09:24:00.005-07:002008-06-27T11:57:03.616-07:00

It's June which can only mean one thing...wedding season! I was invited to a wedding, my 2nd invitation in 4 years of living here (I am not that popular among the Belgians I guess) and ...I am going to have to miss this one too!!! Disappointed to say the least because what better way is there to understand a culture than to be invited into the inner sanctum on the most intimate of days? I did

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174759082116682641.post-80747307906302079922008-06-15T23:23:00.005-07:002008-06-15T23:30:16.680-07:00

Breaking News......Today, 2008.Due to economic downturns and causes beyond our control, our book Tales From The Table: Dordogne Stories is in search of a new publisher. A sad sad day but not to be discouraged. Should anyone know anyone who is anyone, or no one, in the publishing field, could you toss this broad a bone? klovato@mac.com. Thank you.See our blog of excerpts and photos by

Kimberley Lovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335907977144239539noreply@blogger.com0