Weekend Getaway ~ Puerto Rico

View onto the beach from the pool

I don't have any deep or meaningful things to say about my surprise girls weekend in Puerto Rico but I wanted to share a few of my pictures. As you might imagine it was divine to escape for a few days and soak up the sun, cocktails and all the girl talk I could fit into the sixty-three hours I was there. 

It would have been longer but I spent 15 hours in the airport or on a plane on Friday. My morning flight on USAir was cancelled and as there were no other flights, they put me on a Delta flight through Atlanta. I was irritated at first but I have to say it was the BEST thing to happen to me. Not only did I have a lovely chat with my seatmate during the flight down to Atlanta, who just happens to be my favorite (in office) politician but I also bumped into one of my oldest and dearest friends from high school. She and her husband were sitting not 25 feet away from me in the Delta sky lounge!

Once I finally arrived at the Ritz Carlton I was in much better spirits.  Of course, no surprise I highly recommend staying here! It's a hop skip and a jump from the airport and has everything I was looking for... a fabulous pool, several great restaurants, a divine spa and a morning mimosa bar... all weekend! There was also a small casino but that's not really my thing so I never even checked it out, though I'm sure it was lovely. 

While there wasn't much shopping I did enjoyed an afternoon visit to Old San Juan. The capitol building was absolutely beautiful as were some of the surrounding buildings. I wish I'd made it to the Coronado area of the island. It has some high end shopping as well as the museums. Maybe next time!

Hotel Fountain

Birthday dessert at BLT

Key Lime Martini = Delish!

My inspiration for our patio remodel!

San Juan Ritz mascot

I'm ready to book next year's trip! 

Cheers, 

Ouiser

Obligatory Valentine's Day Post

Whether your tastes run toward the sappy and sentimental...

or to the sarcastic and sardonic...







Remember the day is about celebrating those you love!

Valentine's Day is one of those holidays I appreciate but have never relished. I mean for a number of my adult years I spent the evening with my very best girlfriends drinking wine, snacking on cheese and laughing... belly laughing. It's pretty hard to top that in my book, no matter what the people at Hallmark tell you.

So once DH and I started dating it wasn't as if I expected flowers (Note: flowers are always appreciated~ not just on holidays and special occasions) chocolate and smaltzy poetry. In fact I prefer to skip the overcrowded restaurant scene on Valentine's Day and instead have DH make dinner that night. He really is an amazing cook, slow and methodical but amazing nonetheless. He has the patience to make things I'd never attempt.

I thought I'd share a few fun gift ideas for your special someone or heck for yourself! When I was in college I instituted a rule that I always gave myself a special gift if I was single on Valentines Day. One year it was a pair of Feragamo heels, another year a David Yurman ring. Both of which I loved and clearly still remember even if I did leave the ring in a woman's restroom counter years later. Arrg!

Okay, so a leather bound book of love letters might be a weird gift to give one of your girlfriends but I am a sucker for Smythons and I thought this was so pretty and romantic. I wish I knew what letters it includes but nevertheless I think it's adorable and would make a really really sweet gift! Just imagine snuggling up to your special someone and reading to each other. Click here to purchase.


A day at a nice spa will certainly make that special someone glow inside and out!  A gift certificate to a nearby spa is a fun idea but if you want to go that extra mile, try booking the day for your sweetheart. You don't have to know what her favorite treatment is, just the fact that you took the time to pick a few treatments for her and scheduled them is a gift in itself! If you're in the DC area I highly recommend checking out Sugar House Day Spa. They are located in a beautiful old townhouse in the heart of old town and offer a wide aray of ways to pamper!

And if you allow for a little shopping afterwards check out Bellacara for fabulous makeup, skincare and candles and then stroll on down to Bloomers, an adorable little shop that sells underware, sleepware and loungeware. All of which is cute and flirty without being overly sexed-up (not that there's anything wrong with that). All three shops are within two blocks of each other.

If you're planning to spend the evening at home (like I am) why not pick up a special bottle of wine. Do you have a particular wine that you both love? Or had on a special occasion? DH and I do and I always gush when he surprises me with a bottle of ... mmmm, I'm not going to tell you. Some things just shouldn't be shared. :) But if you are in the Del Ray area, I implore you to stop by Daily Planet Wine. The staff is very friendly without being pushy and they are always up for talking wine and giving great recommendations.

And what is a Valentines Day with out dinner? Try taking a cooking class together! Sur La Table offers several different courses. I think the Southeast Asian Street Food Favorites looks delish! DH and I took the "Baby It's Cold Outside" class several years ago and I loved it! Not only did we have a great time it also showed me how much I enjoy cooking with DH ~ and a bottle of wine, natch.

I hope you've got a few good gift ideas from this post. And boys, (cause I like to pretend that boys sometime read this blog.. ha ha ha) girls like to know you put in some real thought and perhaps even a little effort. That matters much more than the amount of money you spend!

Happy Shopping!

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Sugar & Spice and All Things Nice...

What are little boys made of?

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails, and puppy-dogs tails,

And such are little boys made of.

What are little girls made of?

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice and all things nice,

And such are little girls are made of.

I've always liked this section of "What Folks Are Made Of", mostly because I revel in the idea of being sweet with a bit of a bite. As far as boys being made of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails... I might have disagreed with this premise until having boys of mine own. Granted they are both little ones who mostly smell like the Mustela wash I bath them in but I'm beginning to glean my future and it's not pretty. In fact its filled with dirt and sand and trucks and poop. All of which my oldest son is interested in playing with and in some cases eating (not the poop, God, please say not the poop!)

So, when it all becomes too much I book an appointment for some girly pampering. Alas I can no longer spend all day at the salon or spa in this case but I can get away for an hour or two thanks to DH.

During the last couple of months I've spent a number of blissful hours at Sugar House Spa. Located in the Old Town neighborhood of Alexandria, Sugar House offers a wide range of services that you can read about here. If you live in the area or are just visiting and looking for a little (or a lot of) pampering please call and book your appointments now!

I usually don't get mani/pedis at nice spa/salons because in my experience they are at best the same as the cheap places and at worst much much worse. In fact the worst mani/pedi I've ever gotten was at Elizabeth Arden in Chevy Chase. (sorry I hate to name names but it's true) For the most part I go to Eastern Market Nails on Capitol Hill. Tina and the other ladies are wonderful!! However, my experience at Sugar House was pure unadulterated bliss. From the moment I walked into the second floor nail room and met Monique, my nail technician I was pampered. I settled into the ultra comfy chair, flipped on the vibrating back, pulled out my book and ipod and sighed deeply. By the time I left, an hour and a half later I was practically jello. Kudo's to you Monique, I will be scheduling with you in the future!

I have had my hair cut and styled here, although it was at least five years ago. To be honest I thought it was just okay. I'm sure there are wonderful and talented stylists but I've long since fallen in love... head over heels kind of love with Kym, co-owner of Aquilano. As a girl who's seen the inside of a lot of salons in her 30+ years Kym is the best I've ever known. She gets my hair, knows what it can and can't (or shouldn't) do and her cuts and color are exceptional.

But back to Sugar House...

Okay, lets get personal... waxing. I know some of you love it, some hate it and some simply tolerate it. Now, I'm no waxing expert but my time with Timmy (Yes it's a woman!) was as painless as a girl could hope for given the purpose of the visit. Thats about as detailed as I'm getting for this PG rated post. The point being, she's the best. Oh and book now, she's clearly got a following!

I wanted to add a review of their massages, I mean doesn't just the idea of a massage relax you?  Alas, I couldn't get an appointment until Feb. 13th and since I am including Sugar House on my list of Valentine's Day gift ideas (a work in progress) I wanted to get in the overall review before then. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's spectacular!

Since I can't speak to the massages at Sugar House I will share another gem, Fountains Day Spa, also in Old Town on South Washington. I've been going there for years for facials and massages and I can attest they are fabulous! It's less frilly girl spa and more European health spa. And their line of Guinot skin care products are phenomenal!! I particularly adore their moisturizer and exfoliating wash.

Hope you spend time pampering yourself sometime soon! And if you are at Sugar House be sure to stroll around the corner after your treatments for a sweet treat at Bittersweet. They have to die for cupcakes, cookies and cakes as well as savory fare.

Cheers, 
Ouiser