Hot Stone Massage... Pretty Please

Today's agenda includes more of the same... small breakfast, gym, spa, normal breakfast, sunbathing and dinner. :) Its a tough life on vacation!

My workout included cardio and an emphasis on legs.

20 minutes on the bike
15 reps of reverse lunges with a 15 lbs barbell
15 reps of jump squats with a 15 lbs barbell
15 reps of walking lunges with 10 lbs dumbbells

10 minutes running on treadmill
10 reps of reverse lunges with a 15 lbs barbell
10 reps of jump squats with a 15 lbs barbell
10 reps of walking lunges with 10 lbs dumbbells

5 minutes bike
10 reps of reverse lunges with a 15 lbs barbell
10 reps of jump squats with a 15 lbs barbell
10 reps of walking lunges with 10 lbs dumbbells

By the end of my workout my legs were shaky and ready to be massaged. :) We headed to the Red Lane Spa for our 'Hot Stone Massage.' As I got ready for my massage I stole a couple of glasses of water and a delicious banana because I was parched and hungry like a hippo. PS St. Lucia has the best bananas I have ever tasted and they are the perfect size. Check them out.

I was really excited for my 'Hot Stone Massage,' because I am always cold! As they started applying the hot stones I was in heaven and felt so relaxed. FYI if you think the stones feel to hot on your skin, SAY SOMETHING. Dave unfortunately didn't speak up and this is what happened. I didn't have this experience I thought it was simply magical. :)

Safe to say this was Dave's first and last 'Hot Stone Massage!'

After we showered we had our typical Lox and Bagel breakfast followed by some must needed pool time. WINK WINK. I started 'Cutting for Stone,' which was recommended to me numerous times. The beginning is filled with characters, background and tons of medical information but just stick with it and you will begin to love the characters. After reading 100 pages or so, I needed a nap and to relax a bit more under my umbrella.

Dave was kind enough to snap this picture. :)

I had a great nap and was ready to hit the pool bar for some drinks. After being in the sun most of the day we decided to hit the showers again and get ready for dinner at the 'Bayside Restaurant.'

As we were walking to dinner we saw the most beautiful sunset of our trip. The colors were truly amazing and we just sat down on the beach and appreciated it.

As we looked at the menu 'Bayside Restaurant' both Dave and I looked at each other and started to laugh. The title of the menu was "Lover's Menu," but there was nothing lovey about it except for the heart and cupid at the top. Again Sandals cheesefest! I ordered the Seafood Chowder and decided to give the Steak and Scallops awhirl. I forgot to snap a picture of the menu and our food... shoot but it really wasn't that wonderful. It was more of the same food the steak was rubbery and the seafood was frozen and the dessert was the same at every restaurant. :( 

After dinner we decided to walk the beach and resort to get some pics.

We ended our night listening to the band 'E-treme' in the lobby. They were playing Motown tonight and it was actually really enjoyable. We danced a bit, drank and enjoyed being outside on the beautiful patio. I'm guessing tomorrow will entail much of the same. :)

Sandals Resort Hopping

Today started off with more of the same... small room service breakfast followed by a cardio workout and finishing the morning with a lox and bagel breakfast. 

Cardio Workout

20 Minutes - Stair Climber

15 Run - Level 6.5

10 Bike

Next we headed off to sunbathe, socialize, drink, read and get ready for a couples dinner. The great thing about a resort full of couples is that meeting people is really easy especially for Dave, everyone is super nice and just want to mingle and enjoy beautiful St. Lucia. Over the course of our trip we met a couple from NY Loren and Jeff that were really fun and decided to go to dinner with them at Halcyon Sandals Resort, which is a sort bus 15 minute ride. It is so nice that Sandals provides transportation between the resort. :) 

We decided to try out The Pier Restaurant which sounded fun because they would have outdoor seating in the evening. 

Doesn't this just look fabulous.

Once we arrived we all were really glad that we choose The Sandals Grande Resort because is just is better, bigger and more happening. Halcyon was still beautiful, clean and in St. Lucia so it wouldn't be a bad choice. As we approached The Pier Restaurant we realized that outdoor seating didn't exist but the interior was nice and I was sure that the company would make up for what it lacked.

All the appetizers looked wonderful and I think Dave ordered almost every one of them. :) Remember all  -inclusive baby! I ordered the Seafood Chowder and Surf and Turf and a lot of wine. Okay our table consumed a fair amount of wine. I couldn't get a great shot of the chowder but it was tasty once I added a bit of salt and pepper. I also couldn't snap pictures of Dave's appetizers fast enough, so we will just say they were all good!

As my surf and turf came out it was missing the surf... but mashed potatoes made it okay. I asked for my surf and they gladly brought be out 3 small shrimp which was a bit of a letdown. The steak was okay, the shrimp were super garlicky which is never a bad thing and the mashed potatoes were money. The thing is nothing really seems that fresh at any of the restaurants. :( 

It was really fun to have dinner with another couple that was ready to have a bit of fun. Dave and Loren really clicked and Jeff and I are both super laid back, so we just let those two go! Its so funny how opposites really do attract. Jeff and I had a fun naming all the cheesy piano songs that were played while we dined, it actually turned in to quite the competition. You had to name the song, artist and movie. I think that gives every one some insight into how cheesy the songs were... think Titanic, Beaches etc. 

Before we caught our bus we made sure to get some pics! 

I mean I am just really photogenic, don't everyone get jealous!

Dave is missing because he was voted best photographer! We headed back to our hotel and hung out for a bit in the lobby for another glass of wine and then called it a night. :) It was another great day in beautiful St. Lucia!

Pigeon Island National Park Hike

Today we got up at 6:45 AM and enjoyed a light breakfast in our room, I love all inclusive room service because you aren't getting robbed blindly. :) So you better believe even if I'm not hungry I am getting room service in the AM!

Dave had heard from a couple that a beautiful hike was nearby... I asked him where and he pointed to a peak that looked ridiculously high. Check it out below. Pigeon Island, a National Landmark that served as a British Fort in the 18th Century. Note: that there is an entrance fee of $5.

I thought I am totally game for this hike because the scenery is beautiful, we can escape the resort and stay fit on vacation. I couldn't wait to see the view from the top. As we approached the park it was very well maintained but apparently St. Lucian's don't start work until 9 AM so we had to wait a bit for the park to open. While we waited I walked the beach and looked for shells... its the child in me. Wherever there is a beach there must be beautiful shells. Not so many beautiful shells in the park but the scenery was very lush and beautiful and we found some mini crabs too.

The hike was moderate and not to scary on the ledges. :) The scenery was amazing and again it was so clean! As we walked to the top of Fort Rodney Hill, there was beautiful views and a well-preserved fortress. You can see all of Rodney Bay and on a clear day Martinique. It was quite windy up top but the water was so beautiful... my advice is to hang on tight.

We continued to Signal Peak which was a bit more challenging at an elevation of 359 feet. It was more of the same beautiful sights! I am so glad we took time to enjoy something outside of the resort. I would recommend this hike to any traveller that loves hiking and seeing beautiful views.

This hike was the perfect start to my morning... now off to the breakfast buffet. :) Lox and a bagel here I come.

St. Lucia Day 1: Mission to Relax & Enjoy the Resort

Today was a busy day… woke up at 7 am to work out and then head to the Red Line Spa for an 80 minute massage, then hit the sun all day. I mean it is a busy day but it is the right kind of busy. On vacation I love to work out because it just makes any kind of day better. The gym facility was okay, it had a lot of equipment for every type of possible workout which is great but it was a small space and super hot. So even if I didn’t work out hard it sure felt like it. Today’s workout included 20 minutes on a stair climber, followed by (3) sets of my least favorite exercise moves but it makes me work and that is what this girl wanted and ended by running for 15 minutes on the treadmill.

15 reps of burpee push-ups, jump squats and exercise ball sit-ups

10 reps of burpee push-ups, 15 jump squats and 15 exercise ball sit-ups

5 reps of burpee push-ups, 15 jump squats and 10 exercise ball sit-ups

Let’s just say this 40 minute workout made me sweat like a fool! Next stop the Spa…

The spa is very small and quaint giving it a great appeal. The service was great, the facility was clean and the amenities were great for a small spa.

The actual spa hit the spot for me and I walked out feeling ready to get my tan on with a few tropical drinks at the pool bar. I also was really excited to read one of my (3) books. Before the pool we hit up the breakfast buffet for some lox and bagel! That is my favorite vacation breakfast… I order it for pretty much every time. It was tasty and this time I added jalapenos, which makes it even better. Try it if you like spice and I promise you will thank me. 

Vacation breakfast of CHAMPIONS!

Sandals Grande had (4) pools to choose from but it really was an easy decision to choose one… because only one had a pool bar. I mean at an all inclusive you have to get your monies worth right? We found a spot and stayed there the entire day. It was really enjoyable and I started ‘The Alchemist’ and enjoyed it because everything happens so fast and it’s easy to get sucked into.

After getting showered up, we headed to dinner at one of the (6) restaurants at the resort. We chose ‘Barefoot on the Beach’ because it was on the beach! We sat down and were serenaded by cheesy love songs one of the many cheesy things at Sandals… stay tuned for a post dedicated to that. We ended up ordering (3) appetizers because it the portions were pretty small. The coconut calamari and conch ceviche  were very tasty and I definitely recommend those. J The conch was marinated in a nice vinaigrette topped an jalapeno that added the right spice. The calamari was paired with a nice sweet sauce and cooked great.

 I ordered the Seafood Bouillon and it was pretty good. It had lots of seafood and the dumpling tasted yummy but the sauce lacked seasoning but nothing a little salt and pepper couldn’t help. Next was dessert… Chocolate Cake Mousse thingy.

The presentation was good and the taste was okay and the atmosphere was great! 

As you can see we shut the place down!

Today was a great day… Tomorrow includes more the same stay tuned.  

Beautiful St. Lucia

Finally I have arrived in beautiful St. Lucia after close to tweleve hours of traveling. And a little surprise hour and a half bus ride to our resort. Upon arrival we witnessed a perfect sunset and were swept away into the Sandals cult of carefree happiness. :) (Of course I didn't have my camera to capture the memory)

So I have never done an all-inclusive vacation mainly because I am so poor and not to mention pretty cheap. But this time the beau and decided to try it out and it is a magical concept. Everything is already paid for except if you want ridic spa treatments (yes... please!) or do anything touristy (another yes... please!) The goal of the trip is to relax, drink and witness beautiful scenary for 7 days... I think I can do that.

As we were walking to our room everything was beautiful with a bit of cheese factor... meaning everything is a lover's special. The resort is beautiful, well-maintained, quiet and super friendly.

The lobby is beautiful!

And a Sandal's wouldn't be complete without a heart-shaped pool! 

Check out our digs for the next week... not to shabby.

What's on the agenda for tomorrow... workout, drink and stay in the sun without burning!

Tis the Season of Compromise

My favorite time of the year is the holidays... I love the lights, decorations, giving, family and social events and presents! I have never really had my own Christmas because I am lucky enough to have my parents close by. So this year I wanted to have a Christmas tree and some festive decorations...
Problem 1:. I live with someone who does not see the value in having a Christmas Tree. His reasoning:
1) We don't have room for it
2) We are never home
3) He would have to set it up and take care of it

Compromise: Buy a small Elf Tree that is easy to take care and doesn't clutter the house. It comes with its own stand and is only $20! I should let everyone know that we don't have room because my sweetie bought a freaking 250 bottle wine fridge as our accent piece in the family/living room.

Problem 2: I like to decorate the Christmas tree with meaningful ornaments and colored lights. The boy likes to have a perfect uniform tree. It sort of reminds me of my mom... she always would rearrange the ornaments after my brother and I decorated the tree. I just love TYPE A tree decorators.

Compromise: We decorated the tree with meaningful ornaments and white lights. The boy put on his ornaments and then I did put on mine... and he didn't even think of rearranging. :) We also added a strip of photo booth pictures on the front to make is our tree. It is simply beautiful and the perfect compromise.

Problem 3: We have very different Christmas Decor likes! I love lights, wreaths and scents! The boy enjoys Nutcrackers, The Nativity Scene and snow globes. Yikes we are quite opposite!

Compromise: The house smells amazing, we have Nutcracker galore going on, a snow globe and my favorite decor wine bottles dressed up Christmas style.

I love that the Nutcracker is protecting the ginormous wine fridge.

We were able to solve our differences by simply compromising. The house looks amazing and is perfect for our little house and us! It finally feels like the Christmas season and it makes me so happy. I turn on the Christmas tree every chance I get because it makes me giddy! Tis the Season.

Groupon Extravaganza

Today is date day with the beautiful and always ridiculous Sarah... check out my last date with her: Saving Aimee on 5th Avenue. We decided that each of us would treat each other with a Groupon... because we are cheap but like to act classy!

I started our date off with treating Sarah to brunch at Via Vita Cafe in Downtown Bellevue. I just bought a Groupon and couldn't wait to try this spot... because I love the name and when I went to their website it read: The Road to Life: Good Coffee, Good Food, Good Wine, and Good Company.

When I walked in I knew I would love this brunch/lunch/wine bar! It was cute, quaint and so inviting. As I sat at the table and looked around at all the pictures and decor it made me want to go to Europe... ASAP. As Sarah and I looked over menu we quickly decided that we both wanted similar items. She went for the Northwest Omelete with duckfat potatoes and I went with the Smoked Salmon Crepe.

The menu was small but had everything you could ever want for brunch... omeletes, crepes, french toast, croque madame and sandwiches. As my crepe came out I was so glad that it wasn't ginormous... it was just the right size.

My crepe was filled with smoked salmon, capers, red onion and a nice creamy sauce. It was super savory and a little bit sweet all at once. I really enjoyed my crepe and can't wait to something different on my next visit because it was so tasty. Sarah's omelete was super light and the mini brioche and duckfat potatoes were amazing sides. Direct quote from Sarah "The duckfat potaotes taste like Thanksgiving." My response was "You are surprisingly right Sarah, I love Thanksgiving and I love these potoates." We are made to friends!

After using my Groupon we headed to Woodinville to go winetatsting. Sarah had bought a winetasting Groupon that included a wine tour, tasting w/ chocolate and cheese pairings and a bottle of wine from Robert Ramsey Cellars. As we pulled into the Office Park of wineries this is what we saw...

I mean how amazing is this site... all of those signs are for wineries in walking distance! :) I looked at Sarah and I said "Please don't let me drink to much!" I have self control issues with wine. When we got to Robert Ramsey Cellars we walked in and were immediately greeted and taken on a tour... the tour wasn't long and it was very informative. This boutique winery was a little chilly but the wine warmed me right up. I loved their Cab and Syrah. The salted caramels and cheese really hit the spot... with these great red wines. Sarah and I both agreed that this is a winery we would come back too. BTW we were informed that there was 40 wineries in this office park and 15 across the street... umm what an amazing concept.

HELPFUL HINT: Dress warm these places are chilly!

The salted carmaels and cheese were amazing. We got a recommendation to hit Obelisco next... so we hoofed it over 3 doors to Obelisco Estate Winery. It was a totally different atmosphere warm and cozy! They were pouring 5 wines for $10 so Sarah and I made a good decision to share a tasting. The (5) red wines were all tasty but I think my favorite was the Cab... they also had cheese and crackers that paired perfectly with all the wines being poured. After Obelisco, we headed to Efeste Winery which was about 3 blocks away so we of course drove. We both loved everything about Efeste, it had a great atmosphere that allowed us to sit and enjoy your wine. And believe me Sarah and I again shared a tasting that was $10... they were pouring 6 wines. I mean seriously if you don't share a tasting you are going to get bombed really fast. :)

Sarah and I agreed that our Christmas gifts to each other would be sharing Groupons that we bought with each other. :) It is really a fantastic idea... everyone should try it.

Boston Brunchies at Friendly Toast

After a busy couple days in Boston with the family and celebrating multiple Thanksgivings it was time for some kick a$# brunch. My sister-in-law never disappoints and always find the best places on the planet to eat and especially have brunch. Check out the last spot she recommended: Abe and Louie's which turned out to be delicious on so many levels.

She found Friendly Toast a couple months ago  and raved about it saying it was the best atmosphere, most unique brunch combination and quite delicious. So she gave me three options and the menu and website sold me on Friendly Toast in Cambridge. Okay the Food Network, Boston and the Today show also raved! :)

We headed in on a Saturday with a party of 6 which included the cutest and happiest baby ever and the most beautiful 2.5 year old. :) We didn't have to wait and were pretty much seated immediately. As soon as I walked in I knew this place was going to be amazing because of the diner atmosphere. As soon as we sat down I went through the menu like a mad woman... and couldn't wait to order. I choose to order something completely bizarre and so did the boy. But my sister and brother ordered typical dishes which equalled the best opportunity ever to try pretty much everything on the menu.

Lindsay
Sunrise Scramble: I mean listen to this amazing combination corn chips topped with eggs, jalapeno jack cheese and corn salsa. And don't forget a ridiculous size piece of their homemade bread and serving of spicy potatoes. Everything was top-notch... I don't think I would ever order the same thing twice because their are so many amazing options.

Kelly
Coconut Cakes: She loves this dish and has ordered it on both occasions. Pancakes made with chocolate chips, coconut and cashews topped with coconut sauce Note: get the heavy/sweet sauce on the side and only order one cake because they are ginormous... and delicious.

Nick
King Cakes: Two "mini" pancakes with bananas, chocolate chips and peanut butter in between topped with whipped cream and paired with bacon. This dish made my mouth drool and I have to admit I was a bit jealous. Another great thing about Friendly Toast is that they have gluten free options.

Dave
Ole Miss: Homemade cayenne-cheddar toast topped sausage and mashed chipotle sweet potatoes, two scrambled eggs and mango sour cream. All I can say is "holy moly' this combination is a winner. All the flavors melded into one delicious bite after another.

I think I probably had 1000+ calories but it made me so happy and being around my family is the best! I couldn't have asked for a better brunch... the laid back atmosphere, crazy and delicious combinations of flavor and ingredients and the best company a girl could ask for.

 I am truly the luckiest girl in the world. Below is my new best friend: Ella. Adorable, sweet and doesn't say no to me!

I am so thankful my brother, sister and two beautiful nieces Lily and Ella. I can't wait to visit them again and try another unbelievable brunch!