Date Night: 15th Wedding Anniversary and a Sparkling Surprise!

Date Night: 15th Wedding Anniversary and a Sparkling Surprise!

Our 15th wedding anniversary started as a typical day around the house. A quick kiss for luck and we were off to work. Scott and I had celebrated our 15th a bit early with a swanky summer vacation to Riviera Maya, so we wanted to keep the actual day of our anniversary, September 10th, more low key.

Read More

Creating a "Sunny Escape" for Our House Guests

Creating a "Sunny Escape" for Our House Guests

Scott and I had the pleasure of hosting house guests for the long weekend. It was late summer and the weather was picture perfect for poolside lounging and some outdoor fun in Chico. My sister, Dorie, and her guy Michael, were up from Newport Beach for the weekend and I wanted to create a “sunny escape” for my special house guests. My first step is to prepare the guest roomFreshly washed linens, fluffy towels, candles and fresh flowers are a must. For this visit I added some lovely dark calla lilies to the mirrored bedside table.

Read More

Cooking Class: Ceviche from Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita and a Surprise Meet Up!

Cooking Class: Ceviche from Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita and a Surprise Meet Up!

Are you in the mood for something fresh, healthy and easy to make? Scott and I learned to make one of our favorite go-to summer dishes on our recent trip to Riviera Maya. We took a cooking class with chef Nicholas at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita. At the last second, I flipped on the video camera on my phone to capture the experience. I'll also share the recipe at the bottom of the post.

Read More

My DIY Beauty Elixir for Thirsty Skin

My DIY Beauty Elixir for Thirsty Skin

It's that time of year when my skin starts to feel more dried out than the Sahara desert. With summer temps above 100 degrees, lots of pool time here in California, as well as a sun-filled getaway to Riviera Maya, my skin is thirsty for a powerful moisturizer. It's also important to me that what I put on my skin is good for my skin and the rest of my body.

Read More

Date Night: A Sunset Sail in a Tropical Paradise

Date Night: A Sunset Sail in a Tropical Paradise

For the final evening of our vacation in Riviera Maya, we chose a sunset sail at our resort, Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita. The turquoise waters, gentle tropical breezes, friendly service, bubbly champagne and new friends made it the best way to usher in the evening.

Read More

A Sunny Escape to Tulum & Lunch on the Beach in Akumal

A Sunny Escape to Tulum & Lunch on the Beach in Akumal

Along with pristine beaches and turquoise Caribbean seas, Riviera Maya is also famous for the archaeological site at Tulum. This ancient Mayan fortress city and port, built late in the 13th century--during the post-classic period-- was known for trading in jade and turquoise from the seaside location. The city is surrounded by walls of limestone on three sides and is nestled next to a beautiful beach

Read More

Curated Hotel: The Exquisite Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Riviera Maya

Curated Hotel: The Exquisite Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Riviera Maya

The final stop on our summer getaway to Riviera Maya was unforgettable. We started with an enjoyable week at Secrets Silversands, then made our way to Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita for five days. This oceanfront boutique hotel is one of the most luxurious travel experiences ever for us. With just 90 suites, and all-inclusive luxury, we felt completely pampered. As we had hoped, this was the perfect spot to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.

Read More

Curated Hotel: Chic and Stylish Secrets Silversands in Riviera Cancun

Curated Hotel: Chic and Stylish Secrets Silversands in Riviera Cancun

The second stop on our 15th wedding anniversary trip was Secrets Silversands resort--nestled beside the turquoise seas of the Caribbean in Riviera Cancun. Our getaway started with a celebratory walk down memory lane in San Francisco and we were looking forward to a week of relaxation at the beach.

Read More

The Story of How We Met (+ a walk down memory lane in San Francisco)

The Story of How We Met (+ a walk down memory lane in San Francisco)

The last thing I wanted to do that breezy fall day, back in 1997, was attend an early mental health conference in South San Francisco. I was going through a difficult time in life, a drawn out divorce, and I barely had the energy to make it to work as a school psychologist, much less pull off the professional thing at a conference an hour away. I remember getting stuck in traffic and feeling like a hot mess when I finally arrived at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront in South San Francisco. I thought I could finally relax, then I learned a colleague was intent on introducing me to the chairman of the conference before the session began. UGH!!!! I protested and started to walk away, until he caught my eye. His smile, and that twinkle in his eyes, were electric. I must have lit up, too, though it had been awhile since I had felt lit up in any way.

Read More

An Invitation to The Knot's Dream Wedding in Wine Country

An Invitation to The Knot's Dream Wedding in Wine Country

A dream wedding in wine country? Yes!!  I felt excited as I read my invitation to attend the wedding of the year by the wedding website, The Knot. I had used The Knot website to plan my wedding back in 2000, and since that time they have become the premier wedding website. I also noted that the wedding location, the picturesque Chateau St. Jean, in Sonoma Valley, is a quintessential wine country venue.

Read More

San Diego Getaway (Mixing Work & Play!)

San Diego Getaway (Mixing Work & Play!)

The first time I visited San Diego, as a teenager, I felt like I had arrived in a tropical paradise. The waters were shimmery and foliage was lush with palm trees waving in the soft breezes. I hadn’t been to San Diego in years, so when a professional conference Scott and I were planning to attend was scheduled in town, we jumped at the chance. The Bahia Resort, the first beachfront hotel built on Mission Bay, has a mid-century modern vibe with a Mediterranean twist. Interiors have been updated over the years and, thankfully, they have left the retro exterior in the original form.

Read More