Shakira

The 10 Luxuries of the Saxon Hotel

The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa is a celebrated Johannesburg hotel which is well-known to luxury travelers as one of the finest boutique hotels in not just South Africa, but the world. The Saxon has hosted Oprah Winfrey, the Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and Kevin Spacey (how's that for a diverse sampling?) and features a distinguished collection of African art worth approximately 6.5 million South African rand (over $925,000).

If the art doesn't sway your fancies, the history will. The Saxon, a Leading Small Hotels of the World and Virtuoso member, was the private residence of insurance giant Douw Steyn until the year 2000. Nelson Mandela famously stayed there after his release from prison, and it was there that he edited his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The former South African president continues to visit The Saxon today, reportedly every year around the same time -- but naturally, they're not saying when.

Tags: Abercrombie Kent, Africa, art, Black Eyed Peas, Douw Steyn, Johannesburg, Kevin Spacey, leading small hotels of the world, Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Saxon Boutique Hotel, Shakira, South Africa, spa, The Saxon, Villas Spa, virtuoso

Continue reading “The 10 Luxuries of the Saxon Hotel”

Shakira Launches "S by Shakira" Fragrance

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance, Celebrity Design

Just when I think the fragrance market is saturated, along comes another celebrity-inspired offering. Hot Colombian singer, she of the hips that don't lie, Shakira, entered the market in September with "S by Shakira." The fragrance launched in more than 15,000 stores, including drugstores and mass- and mid-tier department stores.

"My feeling is that personal care and beauty should be effortless and accessible for everyone," Shakira said in a statement. "When you give someone a fragrance, you're giving them something of yourself. It's a gift of your essence."

The performer was involved in the creation and explored notes that were meaningful to her, in this case, chocolate and strawberries, baby skin, balsamic resins, and honey. The result features notes of jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla, amber, and resins.

[Thanks to our sister site, StyleList]

Tags: celebrity, fragrance, perfume, S by Shakira, Shakira

The Global Campaign For Education, Charity Of The Day

by Star Sutherland (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity, Charity of the Day, Big Givers

The Global Campaign For Education (GCE) is a movement of people worldwide who share the common belief that education should be a basic human right. Quality public education is key in ending the cycle of poverty and in reducing inequality. Sadly all over the globe millions of children don't attend school. GCE brings public awareness to this problem and pressures government to make changes. Latin singing sensation Shakira recently went before congress on behalf of GCE, seeking US aid for education programs in poor nations. I love when celebrities help raise awareness for important issues and I can't think of a better one than this. Education shouldn't be a privilege, it's a basic human need and should be available free of charge to ALL. Join the millions who support GCE!