Lexus LFA

I enjoy creative design.  I happened to be in my local Lexus car dealership and came across the Lexus LFA in the showroom.  I had to take a couple of pictures to share with Julie's Journeys blog readers.

Lexus LFA

High Performance Lexus LFA

Not your typical Lexus!

Want more information on this new breed of Lexus? Go to: Lexus LFA

Christmas Coffee

I love coffee.  I was given the gift of fresh ground coffee.  This festive holiday blend was made with orange, butter rum, and cinnamon flavoring. The smell that came from the red packaging was indescribable.

Christmas Coffee, Baltimore Coffee & Tea

You can find this amazing festive Christmas coffee at Baltimore Coffee & Tea Company.

Baltimore Coffee & Tea Company 

9 W Aylesbury Rd
Ste R
Timonium, MD 21093

(410) 561-1080
For more information go to: Baltimore Coffee & Tea

Hampden, Maryland: Miracle on 34th Street

For those who know Baltimore, 34th Street in Hampden, becomes quite a site to behold every holiday season. Most row homes are decorated with every colored light display imaginable. Here are a couple of pictures taken from this year's event.

Homage to the Ravens, Hampden

Actual working railroad display suspended from porch ceiling. Baltimore, MD

Colorful Crab, Hampden's 34th Street

Infamous Hubcap Christmas Tree!

Lots to see on West 34th Street, Baltimore

All Things Baltimore Decorated Tree!

Every row home along 34th Street  in Baltimore is illuminated!

Classic Natty Boh Sign! Baltimore, Maryland

Merry Christmas to all of Julie's Journeys Blog Readers!  Best wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year! 
For more information go to: Miracle on 34th Street

Towson, Maryland: The Shops of Kenilworth, Annual Holiday Train Garden

Making my way home tonight I ran into a great deal of traffic.  I attributed the congestion to wet weather conditions and last minute holiday gift shoppers.  The beltway was crawling so I decided to get off the exit that lead to The Shops at Kenilworth.  For so many years the mall hosts an elaborate train garden.  The garden has walls of plexiglas surrounding the multiple scenes.

Train Garden, Towson, Maryland

Snowy Slopes at the Kenilworth Mall, Towson

Children and Adults love the Trains and Action Scenes

Air Strip, Kenilworth Mall Holiday Train Garden

I liked the airport scene. 

Parents ordered pizza at an Italian restaurant at Kenilworth Mall while little ones clamored to look at every fanciful scene.

Look closely you can see a Ravens football game in action.

Dorothy, her friends, Emerald City and Spinning Tornado

 I particularly enjoyed the winter scenes at the Kenilworth Train Garden.

Snowy scene!  Can you spot the polar bears and penguins?

 For more information:
Annual Holiday Train Garden at The Shops of Kenilworth
The Shops at Kenilworth
800 Kenilworth Drive
Towson, MD 21204

The Shops of Kenilworth rooftop illuminated train sign featured above could actually be viewed from Interstate 695.  Get off the beltway and enjoy the Annual Holiday Train Garden!

Decorative Holiday Bath Towels

I have seen a creative way to display bath towels.  Instead of hanging them on a wall mounted rod or hook on the back of door, consider rolling the towels and placing them in a decorative basket.

I purchased some velor and terrycloth wash clothes and rolled them up along with the larger white bath towels.  I stuffed the varied size towels in this holiday lined basket  given to me by my friend Sharon.

Decorative Display of Bath Towels

The display is festive, fun and also functional!

Classy Clutches: Kate Reese Designs

This past Sunday I met Kathleen at a holiday party.  Kathleen was the designer for these smart looking clutches. Kathleen used fabrics which were inspired by home decor.

Kate Reese Designs

Kathleen also noted chain straps could be attached to some of the purses.

Kate Reese Designs Clutches

Colorful purses by Kathleen Reese

I thought the blue purse pictured above would look great with resort wear.

Kate Reese Designs

Animal prints were also plentiful in Kathleen Reese's collection.  Curious about Kate Reese Designs? Want more information? In my opinion, I believe these purses make great gifts!
Kate Reese Designs
Kathleen Reese
Owner/Designer
kate_reese@ymail.com
410-526-0496
Kate Reese Designs 

New York, NY: L'Ybane Wine Bar and Restaurant

L'ybane Wine Bar

 Spending time in midtown Manhattan, my friend Stacey, her Mom Toni, and I stumbled upon this neat wine bar called L'Ybane on 709 Eighth Avenue.  We liked to see that L'Ybane has Happy Hour specials.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of selection of wines at L'Ybane.

L'ybane Bar and Restaurant, NY, NY

 Speaking to the bartender we found out that L'Ybane had been open for two years.

Bar at L'ybane

The walls of L'Ybane had so many types of wines displayed.

Wall of Wine, L'Ybane

Dining Room at L'Ybane, New York, NY

I found the crowd at L'Ybane was super entertaining and the service was good.  I definitely plan on returning.  If you were planning a trip to be in midtown Manhattan, consider trying L'Ybane.

L'Ybane
Bar Restaurant
709 Eight Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Tel # 212-582-2012
L'Ybane 


Here's another L'Ybane location in France.

L'Ybane
1 Rue de la Liberte 0800
Nice French Riviera
049-316-2626

New York City: December in the Big Apple

Over this past weekend I was fortunate to visit New York City for a brief day trip.  While I was there, I took a couple of pictures of Rockefeller Center and places near Times Square.  If you are not able to make it to The Big Apple, I thought I'd share them with you.  I wanted to mention you should really see NY at night! 

Rockefeller Center, New York City

Angel at Rockefeller Center, New York, NY

Tree at Rockefeller Center

Live Tree at Rockefeller Center

Some of our group wanted to ice skate at Rockefeller Center but the wait was over three hours long.  Plan B!  A couple of us visited Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.  Here was a wax figure of a famous Radio City Rockette Dancer found in the museum's lobby.

Radio City Rockette, Madam Tussuad's Wax Museum

Want more information seeing real Radio City Rockettes: Go to Christmas Spectacular

Learn about ice skating at Rockefeller Center: Skating at Rockefeller Center

Curious about Madam Tussauds: Madame Tussauds in New York

Handmade Christmas Quilt

My friend Joan has made custom quilts for all types of occasions. Joan's collection also included several holiday themed quilts.  I particularly liked this Christmas quilt.  I took these photos below.

Holiday Quilt by Joan Zelinka, Baltimore

Presents Trimmed with Holly

Peppermint Candy Cane

Saint Nicholas

When selecting gifts for friends, family or neighbors, have you considered purchasing a handicraft from an artist?  Handmade gifts are usually made with love!

Daytona Beach, Florida: Museum of Arts and Sciences

While on my recent trip to Florida to visit family over Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences located at 352 South Nova Road in  Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences collections have been electric in nature.  The exhibits have have included Coco-Cola memorabilia to antique race cars.  MOAS also has a Children's Museum that was home to a prehistoric 13 foot-tall Giant Ground Sloth.

Listed below are additional exhibits located at The Museum of Arts and Sciences.

Sign outside of Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach, Florida

During my most recent visit are group got a chance to view Cici and Hyatt Brown's collection of watercolors of Florida from 1835 to 2000.  The exhibition was called Reflections II and contained the artists work of John James Audubon, Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Laura Woodward and Thomas Moran.  

I was unable to take any pictures inside the museum but I was able to take these pictures of the sculpture gardens on the Museum's grounds.

Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach, Florida

Sculpture at Museum of Arts and Sciences

Abraham and Dorothy Frischer Sculpture Garden, Daytona Beach, Florida

Museum of Arts and Sciences

Daytona Beach, Museum of Arts and Sciences

Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach

After viewing the sculpture garden and exhibits inside the Museum of Arts and Sciences, take a look at the outside gardens.

Sculpture at Museum of Arts and Sciences

 
Want more information:
Museum of Arts and Sciences 
352 South Nova Road
Daytona, Beach 32114
(386) 255-0285


Interested in the Reflections II Collection?
Reflections II Collection