Girls Night Out: Upper West Side

Last Wednesday, I met up with fabulous and fun travel writer/author Karen Schaler on NYC’s Upper West Side.

After a pair of heavenly pear martinis at the Empire Hotel’s swanky lobby bar, we headed over to Karen’s favorite neighborhood haunt, Riposo 72. A cozy wine bar with a friendly and vino-savvy staff, Riposo also serves up a mean cheese platter and tasty flatbread. I learned the hard way that ordering both is an exercise in overindulgence.

Riposo 72: A cozy haven for oenophiles on NYC’s Upper West Side (photo courtesy: Time Out New York)

Over the course of the evening, Karen and I talked about the highs and lows of our previous lives as TV reporters, the power of serendipity and the impact of dreaming big. Karen is one of those inspiring people who doesn’t ask why, but instead, why not?

In addition to our shared past in front of the lens, we found common ground in life-changing trips (Afghanistan for her, Australia for me) and industry connections -- it turns out the agent I met with last month was Karen’s first agent when she was pitching her new book, Travel Therapy.

Deciding it was definitely kismet that our paths crossed, we made a toast to our new connection and to sharing future successes.

“This is only the beginning,” she texted me after we said goodnight. “Just believe and it will happen!”

That’s the thing about dreaming big -- when you’re lucky enough to have good friends cheering you along, anything is possible.

Celebrating Travel Therapy

Last Thursday, my friend Lauren and I had the pleasure of meeting travel writer and author Karen Schaler at a signing for her new book, “Travel Therapy.”

Travelgirls: Author Karen Schaler and me at a Border’s book signing for “Travel Therapy”

Karen shared her experiences of travel therapy -- including a life-changing stint as an embedded Scottsdale TV reporter in Afghanistan.

“That trip was great therapy for me--as crazy as that sounds,” she says. “I loved the experience and was supposed to go back again with ground troops. When my tv station canceled, I knew I could do more then just cover local news. It made me realize life is short and I quit.”

And so, the idea of “Travel Therapy” was born. After several agents had expressed interest in her manuscript, Karen picked up and moved to NY without knowing a soul – optimistic that her idea would find a publisher. By the time her plane landed in the Big Apple, a publisher had signed her.

“Travel Therapy” features interviews with travel experts and therapists, and quizzes designed to help you find the perfect getaway for any occasion. And the stunning photography makes you want to book your next trip immediately.

Before Karen’s signing was over, I won one of the raffle prizes -- a spa gift certificate to Scottsdale’s swanky Phoenician Resort. The freebie might inspire Lauren and me to take a Southwestern girlfriends getaway this fall. Now that’s my idea of travel therapy!

In Defense of Pampering

Last weekend, I treated myself to a chair massage at my favorite nail spa, Dashing Diva.

After 20 minutes of enjoying TLC for my back and shoulders, I couldn’t help thinking about pampering – and how it’s more important than ever in times like this to make room for it.

In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 80% of respondents said the economy is a significant cause of stress. Not surprisingly, the recession has many people cutting back on pampering rituals, including one of my favorites, travel.

Travel Therapy: The title of a new book and one of my favorite things

A feature in last Friday’s USA Today talked about the increasing trend of consumers feeling so guilty about taking trips that they’re not even talking about it. More consumers still are holding off on getting away and, with a government-endorsed dropoff in business travel as well, the industry is feeling the pinch. Commerce Department data predicts the loss of 247,000 travel-related jobs this year.

Stimulus package or not, our economy won’t get moving until people get moving with the business of spending, even if it's spending in recessionary fashion. And as someone who works in travel PR, I’m seeing firsthand the flurry of great deals available in the U.S., Caribbean and beyond.

Looking for inspiration for your next vacation? Check out Karen Schaler’s new book, Travel Therapy Travel Therapy.). Whether you’re planning a girlfriends getaway or seeking spa-infused solace, this is a great guide to get you there.

With spring right around the corner, I’m already looking into potential trips. Because sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what you need to feel at home again.