I recently had the opportunity to spend a few nights at the fantastic Four Seasons Punta Mita during their second annual Gourmet and Golf Classic.

While I’m not a huge golfing fan, getting to spend time with famous chefs like the famed Patricia Quintana, Andrew Ormsby and Four Seasons’ own Philippe Piel and Jose Salas Duarte was a real treat.

Punta Mita lies just 28 miles north of Puerto Vallarta Airport– and it’s down as the crown jewel of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. A couple nights here and you’ll see why.

Everyday you can choose to hang by the beach, or by the adult pool– as we did often pictured here. That is, if you don’t get engaged in dozens of activities from tennis to snorkeling to scuba diving right off the beach.

Despite such a large resort, it always seemed to feel empty. There was always space, it was rarely loud or crowded. That meant service was always perfect and timely.

A highlight of the trip was of course the fresh seafood in all the dishes the chefs prepared. Everyday you could order something on the menu as ‘catch of the day’, and actually walk down to the beach at 11am and see what the catch was! Lots of fresh tuna, red snapper, and much more.

Right there on the beach you reserve a piece for lunch or dinner– grilled, in fish tacos, or any other way you like it. So incredible.

Great shot of a party being setup on the beach!

Plantain chip, caramelized over flour less chocolate cake.

Look at that fish! The kids loved it.

It doesn’t get any fresher than this. Tuna, right out of the ocean a few minutes ago.

As the sun set, it was time for the grand opening of the Golf and Gourmet Classic!

Fireworks, and tastings from all the chefs involved. Highly recommend making a trip down there– and I can’t wait to see what they pull off for the event again next year!

I had a great time at SIHH with my friends from IWC yesterday. Totally loving the new Pilots Watches.

If I had to pick a favorite– it would be the Ceramic Big Pilot’s Watch with Perpetual Calendar shown above. Stunning in person, I promise.

Big Pilot in Ceramic and Titanium.  A nice twist on the classic model.

Big Pilot Worldtimer, I should probably have one of these.

And of course, the new Miramar.  I’ve seen a few different strap combinations and I’m partial to the brown leather, but the green canvas is still really solid.

P.S. The booth was incredible.  Full flight simulator, aircraft carrier details down to the screws. Check out the behind the scenes footage of the making here.

Long time family friend Paul Winter is gearing up for his Winter Solstice Celebration kicking off tomorrow in NYC.

For this year’s concert the six-time Grammy winning musician will be joined by special guests: Armenian vocalist Arto Tunçboyaciyan, Gospel singer Theresa Thomason and the dancers and drummers of Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. The program will include music from the Consort’s new album Miho: Journey to the Mountain.

Four Shows Only: Dec. 15 and 16 at 8pm, Dec. 17 at 2pm and 7:30pm

The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10025
At 111th St & Amsterdam Ave

This footage above is from the 2009 Solstice, which featured Russia’s Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble, New York’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre led by Abdel Salaam, and musicians Paul McCandless, Eugene Friesen, Jamey Haddad, Paul Sullivan, Eliot Wadopian, Bill Cahn, Tim Brumfield, Scott Sloan and Paul Winter.

My brothers filmWe Are The Hartmans is premiering tonight at 7pm in NYC at The Hiro Ballroom inside The Maratime Hotel. If you’re around, come and check it out.

Eepmon recently made this new piece to contribute to an art show event on September 19th at PARCO department store in Shibuya, Tokyo.

The event is part of LOVE FOR NIPPON, an initiative in supporting the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery.

As September marks six months since the disaster, this project arose from a desire to bring happiness to people across Japan through art. More info can be found here.

If you like stories, go vote for this wonderful SXSW panel featuring many incredible people.  It will no doubt be a highlight of the week It’s organized by Rudy Adler of 1000memories featuring Aaron Rose, Jonathan Harris (go Jonathan go!), Starlee Kine and Casey Caplowe.

If you’re in NYC August 24th, you should go to this and celebrate the Quirky’s Sundance debut.

Update: The first epsidode can be seen on Hulu now.  Check it out!

Old friend Jason Anello of Forking Tasty and Manifold has successfully merged his day job and night job with this Bike-In-Theater concept. Two weeks ago on a dead end street in Brooklyn over looking the Manhattan skyline, 100 riders showed up for this pop-up theater experience complete with gourmet popcorn and cookies. The next one is already in the works! Awesome. Check them out.

One of my favorite moments from TED 2011 is now online for your viewing pleasure.  Sarah Kay rocked the place and tore the roof off. Check out Project V.O.I.C.E. for more.