Happy Birthday to Our Favorite Guy

Happy Birthday David!

(I love this photo, even if it is blurry)

The perfect day with our guy!

Seriously, THE BEST SCRATCH CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER!

And the Marshmallow Fluff Buttercream frosting was to die for.

 No birthday in our family is ever complete without a dinner and a sundae

at Beachside Bar and Cafe

Miraval

To my Darling Hubby, David: Thank you so much for this wonderful getaway gift. You made this trip so easy. I love you to the moon and back. 

I can't believe it's been 2 1/2 years since my last trip to Miraval. I thought this was going to be my annual getaway...my how time flies. But how lucky was I to share this peaceful experience with 3 wonderful friends?! Four full days of work outs, pampering, indulging, relaxing, and laughter. What more could a gal want?

I seriously took advantage of the whole 24 hour check-in.

Printed these babies out the day before at 7:00 a.m.

 Then an evening text comes through from my friend Susan letting

us know we were all packed up. Yup, looks about right!

And before you know it . . .

We had arrived!

 And wasted no time:

Welcome to Suite 317

 Everything is so tranquil and natural:

With two spa treatments daily, I was in Heaven:

We all were!

The food was AMAZING!

My photos, not so much:

The best sign ever:

 No need to tell me twice.

 My best friend:

 Best spa partner, roomie, and fellow jammie lover:

 Lots of cheers on this trip!

Then like all wonderful things, there is always an end.

This is happiness:

Marcy, Jeannie, and Susan - 

Thank you for the best time ever! Here are a few things I learned and will remember:

FRAGILE packing will always be a priority. I will never eat pesto and cracker bread again without smiling. The "cranial sacral massage" will not be on my bucket list. The next time I hear a loud gong, I will immediately start chanting and try to be the woman I was meant to be. Whenever I wear a ponytail (which is every day) I will remember how much damage I am doing to my hair but will still find the will not to get bangs.

But the best lesson learned . . . I will ALWAYS order Fridays style!

I love you all!

Surprise from Hubby

My friend, Marina (Yummy Mummy), and I have late night texting every so often when either hubby is gone (trips or work). The texting usually involves a glass of wine or champers pic and/or our "justification purchase." 

Darling Hubby is gone all week for business. :(
To my surprise, I found this when I opened up my wallet:

I cannot wait for this to arrive:

Just in time for an upcoming ski trip; which I am praying for fresh snow!

Stay-cation

My long time girlfriends, Kathie & Anne, came for a visit last week. They booked their little SB trip at the Bacara and I tagged along for a little stay-cation of my own.

For a couple of days, my home looked like this:

And we enjoyed these views:

and did this:

and lots of this around town:

and whole lot of laughing and reminiscing.

Thank you Kathie & Anne for coming to visit.
I can't believe it's been over 15 years since we first met.
I love you gals!

MIRAVAL

I dedicate this post to my loving husband, David. This post would never exist if it weren't for you. Thank you for having me take the time to take care of myself.

I LOVE YOU!

I just spent 4 glorious days at the coveted destination retreat - Miraval in Tucson, Arizona. My girlfriend, Marcy, was able to experience this wonderful getaway with me. We had this trip planned for months and couldn't believe it when the time had finally arrived. 

Four days of unlimited workouts (which kicked my butt), gourmet meals around the clock (seriously, it's all inclusive and they have to-go containers just sitting there begging to be filled up and there is a gourmet coffee and smoothie bar - oh I could go on and on), numerous spa treatments, poolside relaxation and a cocktail here and there. We were spoiled rotten! 

For those who know me well, know that I am not really the mind, body, spirit kind of gal. At least not all at once. But there is something about Miraval that had me focused and connected to all 3 elements. I can't really explain it. You just need to experience the journey yourself to understand. I'm already looking forward to next year. That's right! This is going to be an annual Mind-Body-Spirit cleansing!

As soon as we checked in, we wasted no time and headed off to the pool.

Our peaceful suite.

Cheers to our first night at Miraval!

Skinny Girl Margs

Now for the food . . . 

Which, by the way, has the calorie count listed for everything!

And I'm not sure how they do it, but they pack a lot of flavor into these healthy meals.

Eating here made me realize just how portion size has gotten out of control in restaurants!

300 calorie gnocchi? How did they do it?!

Also around 300 calories - Shrimp Risotto

Barbeque Chicken Flatbread - TO DIE FOR

When it's all inclusive and you can't decide?
You order one of everything!
Tiramisu, Apple Cobbler and Deconstructed Banana Split
(Not one of these was over 250 calories)

One of my buffet lunch creations.
Spinach salad with grilled chicken and shrimp, tuna nicoise and pork pozole.
Everything in the buffet had a calorie count to along with portion size.

50 calorie cookies?!
I swear they tasted no different than any other rich and decadent cookie!
I just sampled a couple because I think it would have defeated the purpose.  : )

Next stop . . . SPA

Nothing like sharing a relaxing massage with your Bestie!

Refreshed and rejuvenated!

Waiting for the next treatment : )

Until next time, Miraval!

Marcy - I can't wait for my "A-Ha" moment to arrive! ; )

Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho...It's Off to Ojai We Go!

This post would have never been possible if weren't for my generous and loving husband. David, I love you!


What an amazing, blissful and relaxing weekend I just experienced at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Marcy, Melike and I had been looking forward to this trip for weeks! It's not an easy task trying to coordinate a weekend that works for 3 mommies and 3 daddies who would be taking care of 7 kids (all under the age of 4). But we found THE magical dates and it was off to Heaven on Earth for 3 days of girly time!

 The perfect way to start off the weekend!

 Posing in front of Marcy's bubbly : )

 Cocktails with my favorite mommies!

I'm going to request this set-up at my next house. : )

 Nothing like a morning workout at OUR leisurely time!
It was so nice not having to wake-up at the
crack of dawn to go for my normal morning run.

 Refreshing lunch after our spa treatments.

YES...We ate lunch in our robes. 

And YES...we ate in the resort restaurant. 

And YES again...there were others dining as well. 

And NO...no one looked at us like we were nuts.

 Melike caught me with her iPhone and

snapped this l-o-v-e-l-y pic. 

(I'll be posting about this book later)

Bathing Beauty Marcy

 Friendly Melike
Seriously, when I woke up from my catnap
she had made about 4 new friends.

Suite 718

If only walls could talk ; )

Marcy & Melike,

Thank you for a fun-fabulous girly weekend. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect getaway. You are TRUE & GENUINE FRIENDS! ; ) xo