Hello Beach, Goodbye troubles....

Every now and again it's great to get away from it all. This time I had Newport Beach on my mind.

We found a great Marriott Hotel with huge rooms for $150.00 on hotels.com, but we found that when we called the Hotel itself the offer was better. They gave us the same price, but with four free movie tickets to any movie.

We unpacked and headed out to Fashion Island and hit all the great stores like Anthropologie, Bloomies, Neimans, Macys (they have a good one), etc...Also, you can bring your doggies into any store!

The sky was filled with ocean air when we were outside which was awesome! After doing some retail damage we decided to go across the street to Tommy Bahamas for a meal to be remembered. If you have not tried it, go! I had the lobster grilled cheese with tomato bisque soup and the pineapple coconut cake. It simply melts in your mouth and is not for all you girlie girls that can't eat!

Feeling fabulously full we headed toward the beach and decided that a wine and cheese platter was in order for later. Trader Joe's is great. Smoked Gouda, Brie, Pinot Grigio....Good times!

In the Morning we headed to Roger's Gardens which I honestly thought was going to be a bit if a bore...And boy I was WRONG! We are talking acres of amazing flowers and plants and a huge retail store. Don't go without money because it will haunt you. It was just lovely!

You can also bike ride at Crystal cove. It is miles long and it has the cutest cottages from the 1940's.

But we still had shopping to do so we drove to South Coast Plaza and had a great Parisian lunch at Vie de France. They know how to rock the authentic French food. I highly recommend the spinach feta croissant and the napoleons.

After a few hours we were ready to head back to our "real" lives and we were very refreshed.

Tell us how you like to do Newport, we'd love for you to share!

You, Me and $10 bucks!

I'm on a bit of a budgie these days, so I try to find inexpensive things to do that are interesting.

If you have a car and $10.00 I HEAVILY suggest " The John Paul Getty Museum". 

The museum is free, the ten dollars is for parking and the fun....Prriceless, like the Art.

I was sincerely impressed by the pieces that were all around Me, although, if you get too close they let you know.

You can take pictures of the art that is owned by the Getty, but not the pieces on loan.

There is such a great selection of items and it is constantly changing. 

The Getty also features a Magnificent garden. You can pack a picinic and eat at the garden or opt for a few of their eateries. 

I found the entire experience really relaxing (don't go with kids). It would be nice to take a book and read it on their vast Lawns.

Go, You won't regret it! 

(this is a photo of my new bed, ummm I mean a peice from the Getty.)

Here is a list of the current exhibitions:

		Foundry to Finish: The Making of a Bronze Sculpture June 23, 2009–Ongoing
		Temptation and Salvation: The Psalms of King David June 9–August 16, 2009
		Walls of Algiers: Narratives of the City May 19–October 18, 2009
		Made for Manufacture March 31–July 5, 2009
		Taking Shape: Finding Sculpture in the Decorative Arts March 31–July 5, 2009
		Paul Outerbridge: Command Performance March 31–August 9, 2009
		Jo Ann Callis: Woman Twirling March 31–August 9, 2009
Saint Ginés: The Making of a Polychrome Sculpture">		La Roldana's Saint Ginés: The Making of a Polychrome Sculpture February 17, 2009–Ongoing
1200 Getty Center Drive Los Angeles, California 90049 (310) 440-7300

Our Love Affair with Gardens...

It is factual that a garden is never finished. It daily beckons us to walk in it, groom it and fill it with visual splendor. It doesn't matter if it's full of greenery, flora or just plain food-on-the-table plantings; our orafactory senses are assaulted with the smells of floral notes, earthy mulch and herbaceous greens. For years and years we have collected garden books, planted local and antique plants, piled in good earth to compensate for clay soil and water, weeded, nourished, and beheld the work-of-our-hands. It's additive! We're not alone, we know there are lots of kindred spirits out there that understand our fascination. The beauty of a well-cared-for garden is a thing to behold!

Here are a couple of our favorite sources:

Roger's Gardens (the most eye-popping nursery, makes my heart go pitter-patter)

2301 San Joaquin Hills Road

Corona del Mar, California

Rolling Green Nursery

9528 Jefferson Boulevard

Culver City, California

Summer's Bounty Pure Bliss

We love all the summer fruits. Fat, sweet, red, juicy strawberries, deep purple boysenberries, dusky blueberries and jewel-like raspberries. They make such a fabulous display when mounded together with all the necessary accoutrements (whipped cream, sponge-cakes, chocolate for dipping), to create a lip-smacking dessert. This magnificent sweet treat really works for us. With 4th of July just around the corner this is a great option and we don't even have to crack the oven door. What could be easier? You know, we're all about the ease of summer living!

A New Scent For Summer

Are you loyal to just one fragrance? You aren't one of those whose scent enters the room before you do, are you? Why not try mixing it up a little! Dare to be different - you don't want to smell like everyone else out there? Oh, no-no?

Next time you spend a leisurely day window-shopping, visit the fragrance counter. Try to sample a different scent than the one you always wear. See how it reacts with your body chemistry. Fragrance is a big business and we don't tend to buy all the hype. It's a personal choice! 

Some amazing scents we've tried lately are:

L'Artisan Perfumer - la Chasse aux Papillons

Creed (began in 1760) - Spring Flower (created for Audrey Hepburn)

                                       Fleurissimo (Created for Princess Grace of Monaco)

                                       Love in Black (Created for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis)

Eau de Sisley

Jo Malone - Lotus Blossom & Water Lily

                    Nectarine Blossom & Honey ( I had this on a few days ago and someone                                                                     stopped me to ask what I was wearing)

Scent is the icing on the cake.. The finishing touch.