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Hi there. First things first, the two lucky winners of the Christmas Magic Contest. There is one winner from each round. Congratulations goes to……….
1ST PLACE.? From round 1, congratulations goes to this wonderful picture submitted by Susan……
Honorable mention goes to this amazing picture which was just a few votes behind……..
FIRST PLACE. From round 2 congratulations goes to Lauren who submitted this wonderful picture….
And an honorable mention goes to this special shot….
?As most of you know I was away on vacation (much needed) in gorgeous sunny California. We,? as in my family,? like to start things and end things with a bang. We got there only for my husband to arrive sick, first cold, then bad headcold then he felt like the flu was brewing, so we were at the doctors New Years Eve….thankfully antibiotics acted quickly and by day 4 he was doing much better. To his credit, he was a trooper except that our New Years eve plans did not materialize. We first were in gorgeous, tony Laguna Beach. To say its heavenly is an understatement which is why we go back. And back again.
I am not even going to get into my MAJOR airline drama with Jetblue and the nightmarish experience getting back. If it were up to them I would just be flying back tonight, to be continued……We then went to the not so shabby Beverly Hills. Now personally for me, having been a few times and not having any daughters to shop with:)…..I would have been happy to have planted myself poolside in Laguna but my son and friend wanted to check “the scene” and did they ever! They spotted a few celebs, got to waltz down Rodeo Drive like regulars on a daily basis and we all enjoyed dining at some really fabulous restaurants, I mean REALLY good!!? The weather you ask…..PICTURE PERFECT. Seriously could not have been more incredible. High 70s, zero humidity, sunny skies every single day…magnificent!! God was looking out for us:)
So as I tend to do…I am sharing a ton of pictures, I am talking TONS. VERY picture heavy, not much narration and yes there are many “of the same thing” (come on, you have come to expect that of me by now, right)? but trust me if you were there you too would have been intoxicated by the view, it was just that incredible!! I even included my lists of “loves” for anyone contemplating a trip to the area anytime soon. There are SO many pictures here, I can almost guarantee you will feel like too have traveled to California by the time you are done with this post….. Enjoy!
So first here are some Laguna highlights…….
?Loved watching the surfers
?The surfboards were on display throughout the hotel….a great reminder of the enviable California lifestyle!
?As soon as it warmed up around 10 this is where you would find me, in an utter trance over the view!
Did this walk everyday, there was a wonderful walkway that went for many miles along the beach!
?The flower displays in the lobby of the Ritz were so beautifully and artistically done
?Those velvet chairs in front of the fireplace were where I planted myself with my iPad every morning at 6am…one of my favorite times of the day before the world wakes up!
Yes, obviously by now after seeing 50 pictures with this water view…you know I was a bit obsessed!
?This was one of my favorite activities…doing nothing but sipping my coffee in the afternoon and gazing at the view…..
This is a private dining room in the hotel where you can host small intimate dinners….
?Part of our room at The Montage in Beverly Hills
?Gorgeous flower displays in stone urns in the lobby..gave me some ideas:) I also loved the soft candlelight
I love that Peets coffee is the coffee of choice everywhere and it was offered in the lobby every morning!
This is an area where you could get a light breakfast or have drinks in the afternoon..this was my “hangout” when I get up early, loved the quiet and peace, it was me, my cup of Peets and my iPad!
This statue caught my attention, thought for a few minutes that they were real until I started thinking about how much his knees would hurt when he stood up after being crouched down that long (showing my age)!
?The outdoor loggia area where we sat every morning with our coffee and croissants from Bouchon Bakery (it was a little too close and a little too convenient:)
Flipped out over this luscious lemon trees…I want one!!!!!!!
AMAZING oatmeal! And their fresh baguettes out of the oven with butter and apricot jam was heavenly!
OK fell in LOVE with this store, Dennis and Leen only it wasn’t opened!! So I took pics through the windows with my trusty iPhone! So my style..and so elegant!
Now here we are back at Laguna……morning yoga happens every morning in that gorgeous oceanfront structure! Thanks to TWO canceled flights with Jetblue which meant three extra nights here…..although hardly roughing it!
?I might be willing to move for this house on the ocean and golf course:)
Arriving to San Diego last stop en route to airport at long last (spent the day there)…toured the city, went to the gaslight district and had fun walking around, grabbing a coffee and taking in the lively scene!
You can’t visit San Diego without a stop to the USS Midway..it would feel sacrilegious plus there is a virtual “shrine” for Bob Hope..love that guy!
Ok that’s it….I promise!! Do you feel like you have been on vacation with me?
Just walking around beautiful Laguna makes you want to diet and get into the best shape of your life. Everyone is so fit and healthy and the lifestyle is really conducive to looking and feeling your best. We did a lot of walking.
Those are just a few of my personal highlights. What can I say, California is one amazing place and I am reminded of it as I bundle up every morning? in my heavy down coat, scarf, boots and gloves…yep reminded every single morning that California dreamin’ is mighty sweet!
Thanks for stopping in and checking in, wishing you a wonderful day and end to your week!