­­2010 marks the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence which means the country’s Independence Day, September 16, will be even more festive than usual. You can be part of the Independence Day action in Mexico City at substantial savings thanks to rolling specials from the city’s hippest hotel group—Grupo Habita.

­Our plane landed nearly an hour early, but I was groggy.  My husband, Kai, and I were on the last flight to LAX out of JFK, and I had dozed off after my second glass of wine, just after the credits began rolling for the in-flight movie, 'My Life in Ruins'. By the time our Prius left the rental car lot, and we’d navigated our way to Beverly Hills using the GPS on my iPhone, it was half-past midnight.  

­If you take your design cues from 'Out of Africa' and 'The English Patient' and think that life was more fun when it was tradition to embark on The Grand Tour with your servants and steamers in tow, then Fine English Company is your one stop shop. The company is continuing the tradition of fine British craftmanship along with with a hint of rebellion and eccentricity. They sell revamped furniture like a Gunroom chair upholstered in tweed (around $9,000) and a giraffe skin fire fender (about $8,900). These skull and crossbone bespoke slippers are about $562. There's even antique taxidermy (a lion from 1947, about $6,000) and a child's rocking zebra with real zebra hair.

­Since I have just moved, I have lots of bare walls to decorate and I'm on the hunt for cool, affordable and quirky art. I love this Field Guide to Typestaches, available from the Blue Ribbon General Store for a mere $24 (although framing it will cost a heck of a lot more). The poster features a typographic representation of mustaches- so Mr. Verdana is medium sized and swoopy while Mr Arial is much thinner. It is a nice alternative to the ubiquitous Keep Calm and Carry On poster which everyone on earth seems to have. There is also a nice selection of TinTin posters which would be great in a kid's room.

­When the owners of Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort Spa & Nature Park decided to transition from running one of the region’s first eco adventure parks to opening a green all-inclusive resort they faced big challenges. Their Tres Rios eco park on 326 acres is home to 120 species of plants and 90 species of animals and a delicate mangrove system including the only above-ground rivers in the Yucatan Peninsula (hence the name). Careless planning, construction and operation of a resort on the property could spoil the environment—and their reputation (Lonely Planet writers deemed the Tres Ríos park operation as the least environmentally harmful park in the Riviera Maya).

So, how’d they do?

­­'Eat, Pray, Love' is looking like it could be the chick flick of the summer. I read the book- and adored it- so I can't wait to see the movie. I was a bit surprised to see how many product tie ins the studio could squeeze out of the movie though. Nope, we're not talking about Julia Roberts approved gelato but everything from jewelry to furniture and window coverings. There is an official series of Eat, Pray, Love perfume from Fresh. Love would be my favorite as its citrusy and fresh (inspired by Bali) while India-inspired Pray is woodsy and floral.

­­The other day I was browsing Etsy for an affordable little 'me gift' (why not?) and I fell in love with this compass locket from birdzNbeez. I'm not exactly a sentimental locket kind of person but I love how the designer mounted a vintage compass on the cover - this could come in handy in case my GPS ever fails. The chain has a tiny little sparrow and the locket is connected with a vintage rosary piece.

­­Before I stayed at my first Aman resort, I knew that the hotels had a dedicated base of ‘Aman junkies’ who were nothing short of obsessed with the brand – but I didn’t entirely understand why. After all, there are a lot of luxury boutique hotels out there specializing in minimalist, stark architecture. But after a few heavenly days spent at the Amanyara in the Turks and Caicos, I know exactly why people will travel to the ends of the earth for the Aman experience.

­­If your style runs towards classic pieces with a hint of adventure, then you'll love this Pullman Bath Light. The design is based on the lights used in the luxury British Pullman trains, and comes in two finishes. I prefer the brushed nickel (pictured, $159) but it also comes in bronze. Available from Shades of Light.­

­If you're looking for pretty, colorful pottery, check out the work by Boston-based ceramicist Jill Rosenwald. Her works are inspired by nature and she has whipped up everything from this platter and bowl ($325) to table lamps and vases. If you like her patterns- but not the prices- there is also a cheaper line of melamine plates and baby bowls. ­