Vacation Recap

I've completely neglected my blog for the past few weeks. I've been too busy traveling to think about blogging.

First, Tim and I went to Rhode Island. Vacation highlights included visiting Watch Hill with our friends Dave and Veronica who just moved to Rhode Island.

On the Beach with Dave and Veronica

Watch Hill, RI

Tim and I also went to Newport. We spent the day visiting the Tennis Hall of Fame, touring the Breakers Mansion, and eating dinner at the Black Pearl.

 Last weekend we went to a wedding in Portland, Oregon. It was my first time visiting the Northwest, and I thought it was beautiful. Portland is a really eccentric city. It seems like everyone there is a hipster, even the middle-aged people. The advantages of visiting a hipster city include:

• Great boutiques
• Tons of vegetarian options at restaurants
• Tater tots (for some reason they were on the menu at every restaurant)
• Frozen Yogurt
• Art - everywhere! Sculptures, Gardens right in the city, and paintings everywhere.

The wedding itself was beautiful. The ceremony was on the lawn of an Italian restaurant on a river. 

Loved the bride's dress!!

I finally got to wear the dress Tim gave me for Christmas!

 Glad to be back on the blog!

Is anyone else going on vacation or to a wedding this summer? 

 

Countdown to Vacation

At this time next week, I will be on vacation. Tim and I are going to the beach. This means sunsets on the ocean, frozen yogurt, shopping on the boardwalk, bbqs, and lots of napping on the beach.

What's your favorite vacation destination?

Birthday in the City

Drove down to NYC to celebrate my friend Heather's 25th bday. We had a blast!

We went out to dinner at Sambuca's, which is an Italian family style restaurant. We got a bunch of plates to share and heather had an awesome cake!

The restaurant

Our Group

Cake!

After Dinner, we went to the half pint, which is known for their beer.

Source: The Half Pint (view)

Tim and I stayed at the Millenium Hotel, right in Times Square! Thanks Husband :-)

Times Square

Sunday morning, we got breakfast at Sarabeth's on central park south.

Source: Sarabeth's (view)

After brunch, we stopped in Columbus circle to pick up some wall art. Ours are in sepia, but these pictures will give you the general idea :-)

Source: All posters (view)

Happy Birthday Heather!

Local Getaway

Traveling is great, but unfortunately not something we can do all the time. I love having local getaway spots to have a mini vacation. For me it's the spa. I'm lucky enough to live close to Mirbeau, one of the top spas and top small resorts in North America, according to Conde Nast Traveler. The resort has a french theme, and a garden that's straight out of a Monet painting. I love the spa.

Source: Mirbeau (view)

When I go, I love the Ashiatsu massage. It's a backwalking massage. It sounds weird, but it feels great.

Source: GoGirlfriend (view)

What's your favorite local getaway? And, what's your favorite treatment at the spa?

Summer Daydream

LITC did a post on daydreams of far away places and asked, "When you daydream, where do you find yourself?"

Here's where I go...

Fenway Beach at Weekapaug, Rhode Island

Another shot at the beach in Rhode Island

Only a few months until sunshine, sand, and flip flops :-)

Allie in Cali

I went to visit my brother Matt and his beautiful family: wife = Kimber and daughter = Kierra. They are a gorgeous bunch!

We visited Matt at work! I got to see his office and meet his co-workers!

After I arrived on Saturday night, we stayed in a fun hotel, The Bahia Resort. See Sunny in SoCal. Then, on Sunday we went to Sea World. Most of it was a little overwhelming for little Kierra, but she did like the whales.

After going to Sea World, we went to Filippi's Pizza Grotto, which was delish. Kierra tried a lemon. 

We arrived at Matt and Kim's house in 29 Palms, and they have a great place!! Kim has done such a beautiful job of decorating! She is so artistic - great colors, themes, and textures. She needs to come decorate my house :-)

On Monday, I got to meet Lindsey and Morgan. I showed everyone how I make Baked Macaroni and Cheese from the Joy of Cooking Cookbook. I also got to see Morgan's dancing skillz.

Kierra, on the other hand, was too busy playing with Chewie to dance.

On Tuesday, Kim and I had a girl's day, including lunch and pedicures. Our toes were gorgeous.

For dinner that night, Matt's friend Jeff came over, and he was really cool. Kim made the best eggplant parm I've ever had! She is such a great cook and hostess!

At dinner, we all got to see another Kierra Trick.

Wednesday was a Lazy Day. I was really excited to meet two of Kim's friends, Lexi and Ivy. They were really nice girls. We just relaxed and watched Shrek :-)

For dinner, Matt and Kim took me to Appleby's. For dessert, we went to the best frozen yogurt place ever, Utopia Yogurt! When you go there, you take a cup, and it's self serve. You pick from about 12 different kinds of yogurt, and then they have a whole long table of about 40 toppings to choose from. Once you have made your sundae, they just weigh it, and you pay. It was amaaaazingggg.

Thursday was a Sad Day. Matt and Kierra drove me to the airport. The only part of it that was good, was that Matt and I had three hours to chat in the car and catch up. We talked for the whole ride. Clearly he has found a great life out there. I miss him like crazy, but I am so proud of him, and I can't wait to go back soon :-) Thanks Matt and Kim for such a great visit!!!

Sunny in SoCal

I missed out on writing some blogs. Here's the update: I'm in Cali visiting Matt and Kim! Check out where we stayed in San Diego before we came out to their house in 29 Palms.