I've always been enamored with the idea of the salon. I think wikipedia has a great definition:

"A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring hostess or host, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and readings, often consciously following Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "to please and educate" (aut delectare aut prodesse est). The term is commonly associated with French literary and philosophical gatherings of the 17th century and 18th century, though the practice continues today in many cities worldwide."

Today, I believe a blog can serve as a virtual salon, allowing the sharing of ideas between people of disparate backgrounds and cultures to a degree never before experienced. Through my blog www.chicandcharming.com, I hope to serve as an "inspiring hostess" for a group of like minded individuals to engage in virtual discourse on a wide range of subjects, from serious to frivolous.