A new kind of AA (Anguilla Awesomeness)

There are just too many things to share, so I'm going to give the abridged version of our amazing trip to Anguilla!

First of all, thanks to my Barney, we flew first class.

An experience I'll never forget.
How will I ever fly coach again?

This was our watering hole.

 I don't think there is anything better than staring at the beautiful ocean, while enjoying a nice (non-sandy pool). 

 The ladies.

Cinty, our chef and quite possibly the sweetest woman I've ever met!

 Local fresh fish.

 Shrimp appie and secret sauce.

(there was no shortage of frying and butter, eek)

 

Lobster!!  (I only had 4)

Our hosts, Dancha and Meganza (some of our favorite people in the world) 

 

 This was the first sunset of the trip and probably the most beautiful! 

We even pilated in paradise.

Thanks Ash. 

Shoal Beach, my personal fav of the trip.

Quaint beach bars, soft white sand, crystal clear/perfect temp water...

Best Bartender of the trip.  

 

  Posing with her specialty drink, blended Mojitos.  YUM! (I only had 3 of these)

My love. 

Hil and I floating around.

This is the life.

White night. 

 Off to the Viceroy, Anguilla for dinner. 

One of the most beautiful hotels I've visited and where I'd like to stay if we return. 

Our Surprise from Danny, Amazing Race Anguilla.

 Brad and I with our goat.

Me, on a boat.

 We ended up on Sandy Island. 

Playing 20 Questions and WE WON!

On our final day we chartered a boat that took us to Prickly Pear. 

 Shane and I with Prickly Pear in the distance.

 

The AA Crew on board the Scoobifree.

I can't recommend this boat, captain and one man crew (the cutest french gal that made our day) enough.

Feeling blessed that we were able to take this trip of a lifetime with new and old friends! 

The memories will be engraved in our minds forever. 

We can't thank the Peykoffs enough for inviting us on this dream vacation. 

Back to reality.

XO,

S & S

Planning Vegas NOW (at 31) vs. In My 20s

What a difference a few years make!  It seems like just yesterday my Vegas trips were mostly last minute, filled with spontaneity and involved little to no plans other than where we are staying (and sometimes not even that).  With no plans, we ended up at the hottest clubs at someones table, playing kissy face, drinking out of the Stanley Cup, watching Jamiroquai because we met a bookie with extra tickets to the sold out show on NYE Y2Kand the list goes on.  Oh don't forget the time 8 or 9 of us planned a girls trip and Daddy D called Wednesday the week of and said tell your girls they're all coming to my wedding Saturday night at the Monte Carlo! Oh, the stories and memories to last a lifetime.

A shot from one of my favorite trips!

Rehab 2006

Now trips are planned months in advance and include digging out old contact's phone numbers in hopes they can still hook us up at the clubs.  We go for bachelorettes and work, instead of wild pool parties and hook ups.  We can't depend on our teeny tiny bikini to meet boys or insure our entrance into a club or a seat at the best table in the house because chances are, majority of the group going is now married or even have children.  So those once cheap trips, now cost a bundle because you have to spring for a table and the days of not eating have gone and dining in fine restaurants is what we fancy. 

It's not that today's trips aren't fun and don't create just as many memories, I just found planning a recent trip so entertaining and caught myself realizing, wow times have changed. 

Vegas in my 20's
Drive or Fly
Stay up all night
Head straight to a pool party
Drink ALL day, meet boys, hang at their cabanas
Find something to do that night
Stay at pool till it's dark
Head up to the room with just enough time to change for the evening
Dinner, what dinner?
Meet at a mellow lounge for more drinks and then head to a club
Club closes, who cares, head to an after hours club
Sleep or make out all night
Next day, repeat
2 day maximum

Vegas in my 30s
Definitely Fly
Arrive in the afternoon, check in and unpack
Relax in a much nicer room, maybe have a cocktail
Get ready for a nice dinner, maybe even a show
Head to a club with a table that we pay for
Next day, leisurely wake up, head to a more mellow pool
Relax by the pool, maybe have breakfast
Afternoon hits, exhaustion and heat stroke sets in and it's time to go back to the room for a nap
Repeat night 1
Hungover for an entire week.

Not too sure about this whole getting older thing!  What goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas definitely doesn't apply anymore. 

Blog post inspired by my dear friend Olga's Bachelorette in Vegas in May.  Looking forward to a very adult and different kind of crazy girls weekend to celebrate our bride to be!

Happy Saturday!

XO, 

S

Fabulous Weekend for a Fabulous Woman!

Let's start with our charming little house on a beautiful property
nestled in wine country, in Paso Robles.

Kentucky Derby theme for our day of wine tasting!
Couldn't be more happy for the bride to be.
The perfect weekend was a real testament to what an amazing person Julia is!

XO,
S

He's 32...

We love our friends!

The fedora duo!

And I'm done planning bdays for a while (at least a year, maybe more).
Palm Springs was a success, despite the minor hiccup of NO air in our room the first night.
Looking forward to our return trip ALONE in the suite they are giving us to make up for the inconvenience.

I know Shane is feeling lucky in LOVE, FRIENDS, FAMILY and LIFE this year!
Thanks again to all that joined us!

XO

Still as cute at 32!

Happy 32nd birthday Boo Boos!
(Shane as a blondie kidlet below)

Friday, June 18th, your birthday continues!

In our going on 4 years together, we've had quite the run of celebrations,
here's a glimpse of them.

Year 1: Happy 29th at The Standard Rooftop Pool
Downtown, LA

Year 2: The BIG 3-0
at Zu Robata

Year 3: Just as fun at 31!
at Ivy at the Shore

Year 3 cont: BBQ with friends!
The Carlton, Brentwood

The Party Continues this year as Shane turns 32!
Friends and family will celebrate with us in the desert at the Palm Springs Riviera!

You are so very loved babe.
I hope you remember that on all days, not just your birthday.
We can't thank all our friends and family enough for celebrating with us!

XO,
Sam