San Diego

We had a lovely time in San Diego over the long Memorial Day weekend. We spent a fun but chilly day at the San Diego Zoo and went out for Mexican food with some dear friends that night. We visited Ocean Beach one morning and went to a fun rehearsal-dinner cookout at Coronado Beach in the afternoon. And my friend's wedding was held at the Lafayette Hotel & Swim Club, which had a cool, Old Hollywood vide (with quotes from Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and other stars featured alongside room numbers). And the wedding was fantastic, from my friend's gorgeous dress to all the dancing we did at the reception. We hope to come back again soon!

Photos by me. 

Bon Voyage!

I'm off on a weeklong vacation in the Caribbean! This is one of my favorite places in the world, where my family has been going every year since I was eleven. It's our brief moment to escape winter. But more than that, it's a time to simply be together in an absolutely gorgeous setting. I can't wait for sunshine and blue skies, sand and the ocean. See you in a week!

Photo from here. 

Weekend in the City

My husband and I spent a long weekend in Chicago, and it was an absolutely wonderful trip. We stayed in cool hotels, ate some fantastic meals, strolled through parks, went on an architectural cruise, checked out a blues club, shopped and did a lot of walking through the city. That's one of our favorite things to do -- explore a place by walking it. And it's a great way to see this city and feel the energy of all its incredible buildings. Even though we visit Chicago quite often, this trip left us with a deeper appreciation for -- and connection with -- the fascinating city. 

Photos by me and my husband.

Quick Trip

We're back from our little getaway, and the trip was so nice. Northern Florida is an area I'd never visited, and it's always great to see a new place. Here are a few scenes from the trip.

Photos by me.

Little Getaway

Hopefully at this time tomorrow, my husband and I will be on the beach in Florida. We're heading off on a very brief trip that I think should be a lot of fun. I'll be back with photos next week, but in the meantime, please enjoy this lovely one.

Photo from here.

A Wandering Mind

There's nothing like a Monday morning to put you in a state of reality. Now, that's not a bad thing necessarily. But weekends and holidays are more fun, no? On this particular Monday morning, my mind is wandering back to vacation. I can't believe it was only weeks ago that we were on a beach. Sigh ...

Photos by me and my husband.

Home Sweet Home

We're back from vacation, relaxed, tanned and happy. It's truly the perfect balance when you can enjoy a trip but also feel good to be back home.

And the timing of returning-- and being glad to be in our own house and sleep in our own bed and see our pup again -- is special. Today is the tenth anniversary of my first date with my husband. We were young college kids and the experience of falling in love with him is something I wouldn't trade for the world. I love the adventures we've had together and I hope for many more in the future.

Photo from here (you can buy this great AmeliaKayPhotography print).

Bon Voyage

We're off on our annual Caribbean beach vacation. My family has these trips down perfectly: We relax on the beach, swim in the ocean and drink delicious rum concoctions.

Here are some of the other things I look forward to on these vacations:

* Waking up rested and refreshed and running to the windows to rip back the curtains and see what a beautiful day it is.
* Nabbing the perfect spot on the beach and sinking into our lounge chairs.
* Settling into that perfect beach cycle: get hot in the sun, cool down in the ocean, get hot in the sun. Repeat, repeat, repeat!
* Grabbing a round of pina coladas for the group.
* Kissing my husband in the water. (And each year I make my husband do "the lift" with me, a la the lake scene in "Dirty Dancing.")
* Talking with my mom and sister. There's never enough time to cover it all!
* Enjoying an ideal, simple feeling of relaxation as the sun starts sinking toward the ocean.
* Taking a shower and washing off all the salt, sand and sunscreen. This feels amazing!
* Dressing in something special and joining the family for a fun dinner.
* Going back to the hotel room exhausted and happy and sinking into bed.
* And doing it all over again the next day!

I can't wait for this trip. I hope we have safe travels and enjoy our time together. And I'll try to bring some sunshine back with us!

Photo by me.

Wishing I Were Here

As mesmerizing as the soft white snow blanketing the world around me is, I am very much a lover of warm weather. And I can't help but think of tropical locales in the winter. Every year since I was eleven, my family has escaped to the Caribbean for a week. It's kind of our unsaid contract: yes, we'll live in a nothern city that gets slammed with snow and biting temps in the winter ... as long as we can get away to thaw once a year.

So I have to say I am utterly envious of designer Donna Karan's British West Indies retreat, as showcased in Architectural Digest. Take a look at the amazing photos. I promise they'll warm you up, at least a little.

Photos from here.