Girls Weekend Ashland Oregon Memorial Day 2014

Sometimes I need a little direction 

I have really needed a break from routine. I needed a weekend getaway. I needed to spend time with a really amazing girlfriend. So, after talking about a girl's weekend for a  year and a half, Sarah (Publicist Extraordinaire) and I finally made plans for Memorial Day Weekend. Sarah lives in the San Francisco Bay area, so on Friday, I flew in to San Francisco and hopped in her car. We stopped for decadent breakfast before hitting the road. 

Mount Shasta

What a beautiful drive to Ashland, OR.  On the way, we stopped for lunch at the base of Mount Shasta.

Mount Shasta City must be the hippie capital. We wandered into an aromatherapy shop for dogs and ate lunch at the local grocery store.  It's like the most organic and natural section of Whole Foods on steroids. Nothing in the store wasn't natural and organic. They have a little cafe with amazing food options. I had a beet and hummus wrap. YUM!!!

We checked into our hotel and settled in before heading downtown for dinner. What a super-cute college town. It's quiet and quaint and filled with intellectual retirees. We wandered and looked at the shops. So many cute places and not a single chain ...except Starbucks. We had dinner at an italian restaurant that was probably the only place in town that did not have a huge vegetarian menu. The Shakespeare Festival is apparently famous, but I admit I hadn't heard of it before and the season was just starting. We saw Comedy of Errors, but set in Harlem in the 1920s, with characters from New Orleans. Imagine Auld English, spoken at a rapid fire pace, in a Cajun accent. It was really fun!!

Saturday, we started with vegan brunch at Brothers. Another amazing restaurant in town. Then we wandered around the shops and farmer's market. I picked up some amazing infused salts. The tastings were divine. I'm a big fan of the rosemary garlic on tomatoes.  I picked up a few things for The Musician, like honey sticks. Apparently, honey has different flavors when the bees pollinate different plants. Interesting.

This is Boo . . .He is a Klee Kai 

I picked this up for Robert.

 

The used bookstore was super cool. I love the proprietor. She retired to a town where "she didn't have to wear a bra or shave her legs." She was bored with her previous retirement in Hawaii. She opened the book store and "works 2 days a week and shops the remaining 5." She collects items from estate sales, etc. and is very proud of her high quality. She has the most interesting book collections, but also other items. She had some very old Lladros that I couldn't not buy at the price. I asked if she knew what she had, and she did, but she says she loves beautiful and rare things and wants to be able to share them. I came home with 3 new pieces for my collection and an antique necklace. She gave me (for free!) a Baby Jesus Lladro Christmas Ornament because I was the only person she had met who knew what it was. 

Then we hiked Grizzly Peak. It was a hilly 5-mile hike with beautiful flowers and awe inspiring views. Words won't describe it. So, I'll let pictures do it for me.

Surprise . . .I stopped to take a picture of a flower

Distant view of Mt. Shasta

Cool, when this tree fell,
it pulled up boulders in it's roots

Sparkly nails... I never do this!!

We did some girly stuff, like paint each other's nails and then off to dinner again before going to see a movie downtown.

Sunday morning, we checked out and ate at a famous breakfast place, Morning Glory, and it was also incredibly tasty.  We continued our window shopping and went to see The Tempest. With minimal props, it was very powerful presentation of the corruption of power and how love can overcome evil. Then back to the car for a long drive home. We stopped for dinner in Weed (yes, that is a town in California) and then made it to bed at Sarah's house.

Mount Shasta from Week

Ducks that came to visit Sarah

Monday was time to say good-bye. After a relaxing breakfast and conversation with Anna (Sarah's precocious daughter), we took a leisurely walk around Coyote Point before going to the airport to say good-bye. 

Coyote Point

California Poppies

Sarah and Anna and Silvio at Coyote Point

The weekend went too fast, but I did feel rejuvenated and relaxed. It was incredible to spend quality time with such an amazing forward-thinking strong woman like Sarah. Can't wait until the next time. 

I did not eat here, but I remember when I used to . . .

Escape Monthly May 2014--California

Escape Monthly is a destination-inspired monthly delivery of luxury products to help you relax, renew and escape! Indulge in experiences inspired by luxurious spas, tropical getaways, cultures of the world and more! - See more at: http://escapemonthly.com. If I can't take a real vacation every month, at least I can pretend with a vacation in a box. One monthly box includes a trip to the destination. If you just can't live without any extras of items in the box, you can buy them at escapemonthly.com/offers for a discount.

I was looking forward to seeing what California had in store. ..Notorious for sandy beaches, Hollywood stars, Beverly Hills spas, and the sun shining year round, California is the epitome of relaxation. THis month, dive into the West Coast lifestyle and chill out like a native!

 

If you're wondering, once again, no trip in my box. I'm just not lucky like that yet. 

Moon California Travel Guide: California is a state with so much to offer--explore its secrets with this detailed guide! Included is information on the best resorts, most relaxing beaches, and greatest places to take the whole family. I like travel guides, so what can I say? Retail $17.99

Juice Beauty Age Defy Hand Cream: Made with organic fruit juice, jojoba oil, and Shea butter, this lusurious hand cream made right in the heart of California. We love how long your skin stays moist, and we swear we've seen our fine lines lift! Yes, I like it. It's very soft and silky. There is always a favorite item in the box, and this is it this month. Retail $12.00

Hugo Naturals Vanilla & Sweet Orange Soap:Vanilla and orange come together with this handcrafted California soap. Using all natural essential oils and botanical extracts, Hugo's gently cleans your skin while also leaving it feeling counditioned and nourished! It sure smells nice, and feels nice, but I haven't used it yet. I think I will like it. I love great smelling cleaners. Retail $3.99

Caliwater Cactus Water: Based in Los Angeles, Caliwater is the first drink powered by the superfruit of the Prickly Pear Cactus (found in California). Naturally rich in electrolytes, minerals, and antiocxidants. Caliwater helps you hydrate faster than juice or water! I drink coconut water a lot, so I was looking forward to this. It was really good. It has a really interesting flavor and is really refreshing icy cold. And, only 32 calories. It's a win in my book. Retail $3.50

Nicobella Organics 2-Piece Truffle: Handcrafted with only the finest ingredients, Nicobella's truffles are some of the most decadent and elegant chocolates in the entire state. Each bite starts an experience of pure chocolate bliss--you wont want to put them down! True, these were very rich and very smooth. I savored them slowly to enjoy them. Of course, they had me at chocolate. I checked ingredients first, and yes, they are vegan.Retail $3.95

IPS All Natural Egg White Chips: This is a truly modern snack that just screams Cali! (I disagree, because I think of plant-based when I think of something screaming Cali). The savory, crunch filled chips also contain 7 grams of protein with each serving. And because they're pressure-puffed and never fried, you don't have to feel guilty about enjoying every bite! These get gifted because I don't eat eggs. But, I'm sure they are tasty if you do eat eggs. Retail $1.99

San Franola: Freshy roasted everyday, San Franola is the smartest way to crunch. Made with their proprietary techniques, the granola has a more robust flavor than any other granola, allowing them to use less sugar and simple, all natural ingredients. Guilt Free! Unless you eat plant-based. I was disappointed to see that they have added whey protein. Not sure why you need to add processed product (especially dairy) to granola to make it tasty. Will also be gifting. It looked very tasty and I was looking forward to trying it, but alas . . .Retail $1.99

Premium Sea Sponge: From the California sea to your tub, this premium natural sea sponge is the quickest way to give your skin a healthy, vibrant Cali-girl glow. Long lasting, durable, and a favorite tool for any skin type! So, not strictly vegan, but neither am I. I'm not ingesting it and I'm not sure how much sponges feel pain (physical or emotional). And, I don't have enough knowledge to know how environmentally friendly harvesting sea sponges is. So, I used it and I like it. But, I always use a scrubber or sponge in the shower and it's nice to have variety. Retail $7.99

BONUS!! California Poppy Kit: Plant a piece of California and watch it thrive all summer long! The Poppy is known as the "flame flower" for its brilliant colors and unique petals, and can be seen in fields all over the Golden State. Not sure how they will grow in Texas, but I will toss them in the yard and see what happens with the next rain. Maybe they will look like this. Retail $6.99

Once again, I really like the pretty packaging. I don't know if it's the colors or the chevron pattern, but either way, it makes me happy. Everything was packaged well and arrived safely. The very handy guide to what everything is was helpful. Total retail value was $60.39. I'm not sure how I would feel about it if I had paid full price at $49.99. I had a 20% discount for life, so I paid $39.99. Honestly, since I'm a bargain hunter, I would like to see a higher dollar value. Since the guide book is 1/3 the value of the box, if you don't like the guide books, you may be paying more than the total value of the items. I am not sure how long I will keep this subscription, but Vegas is next, so . . . If you want to try it out, you can sign up at this link. http://mbsy.co/3vJhV?s=e Use the coupon code VEGASMONTHLY and receive 20% off the lifetime of your subscription. That means, for $39.99 a month, all this could be yours too.

Next up...Vegas!!

(This post contains affiliate links. These opinions are my own and are unsolicited. I have not received any compensation for my comments.)

A Week with Tyler and Tucker

Tyler and Tucker were picked up off the streets in San Antonio in March. SA R.O.C.K.S rescued them. The Musician picked them up and we had them for one night before they went to foster. I have no idea why they haven't been adopted, but they are still available. They do come as a set, but they aren't a matching set. Rather, they are complimentary. They adore each other, and I adore them.











Their foster had to go out of town and needed a place for the boys to stay. The Musician was going to be out of town, but I figured I could handle 4 dogs. I mean, how hard could it be? The boys are small. It was actually a very fun week for me. The boys are sooooooooooo sweet and cuddly. If I didn't have The Girls, I would have convinced The Musician to break his "no boys" rule. These guys are AMAZING.

This is Tucker

1. He wasn't initially neutered. He is now.

2. He loves to run around in the grass and is very independent.
3. He hates going into the crate.
4. He is not very interested in toys. Doesn't know what to do with them.
5. He sleeps right next to you fully under the blanket.

6. He barks and squeals with excitement to see you when you come home.
7. Even though he is independent, he is also the follower.
8. He is possessive of people.He wants all the attention
9. He loves to cuddle with his best pal Tyler.
10. He weighs 10.8 pounds

This is Tyler

1. He was neutered.
2. He wants to hang out close to the person.
3. He doesn't mind going into the crate.
4. He LOVES fluffy toys. Runs around and shakes and throws them.
5. He likes to sleep near you (but not touching) with his body under the blanket, but his head out.






6. He spins in circles with excitement when you come home and begs to be picked up.
7. He is the leader.
8. He shares people.
9. He loves to cuddle with his best pal Tucker.
10. He weighs 9 pounds. 

Both of these guys are available for adoption and they are housetrained. Think about it . . .Who wouldn't want a pair like these guys? What are you waiting for?