Shangri-La

During my Southern California sojourn, we dropped in for a drink and a (very expensive) snack at the recently re-opened uber-chic Shangri-La Hotel bar in Santa Monica. Apparently there's quite a bar scene there normally, but as we arrived at 3.3o in the afternoon, the place was dead empty, which was actually more than fine by me.

We took a quick nose around the lobby and pool area, and I quite like the hotel's art deco styling (reminds me of South Beach), especially in the bar, with the polished wood bar and tables.

Overall, I would probably like to stay here on a future visit.

Good-Bye to Muffin Tops

Good news. If, like me, you're tired of seeing bare midrifts bulging out of too-tight jeans, help is on the way.

The Evening Standard reports that cosmetic surgeons in London have developed a procedure to eradicate the “muffin top” bulge of fat that spills over the waist of women's jeans. This problem appears to be particularly acute in the southeast of England, but no doubt it's reaching epidemic proportions in the USA as well.

Basically it's liposuction, but on surface layers rather than on deep layers of fat.

I've got an easier and probably less painful way of getting rid of this problem: don't wear tops that expose your stomach if you're overweight (that's what I do).

The Gap

It's been a long time between posts. I have a thousand excuses, but mainly I was away for two weeks and too lazy to post, then never got back into the routine after returning.

Did spend two fantastic weeks in Malibu though with nothing but sun, sea and warm weather (and some wildfires too).

Anyway, I will try to get back to the usual semi-irregular schedule of posting, at least for the next two weeks!