If I could be any animal right now, it would be a bird.  Or perhaps I am taking this special too literally... 

01/01/2008 - 12/31/2008 

 

Birds of a Feather

Girlfriends in need of some quality bonding time are always on the lookout for innovative ways to “flock together.”

Greet the morning with yoga on The Perch, overlooking the expansive view of the region before leaving for a Santa Barbara Natural Hot Springs Hike & Soak (in partnership with Captain Jack’s Santa Barbara Tours).  Upon returning to the hotel, girlfriends will return to their room for a well-earned foot massage and a round of dirty martinis.

Package Includes (in addition to described amenities):

    * Deluxe Room  (two nights)
    * Evening turndown of a bottle of Santa Barbara wine and a generous helping of mud pies to share.    

Total Price:  $984

Package Includes:

• Private Yoga on the Rooftop
• Captain Jack's Hike & Soak
• Santa Barbara Wine & Mud Pies
• Round of Martinis
• 60 Minute Foot Massage

 

Call 805.884.0300 to book

www.CanarySantaBarbara.com 

Girlfriend Getaway: Planned & Delivered

With help from Holiday Golightly, our travel to Italy, specifically travel to Tuscany and Umbria, took us on a grand adventure full of delicious food and unusual experiences that helped us escape from our lives and indulge in our friendship for a few days.

We landed in Rome, wandered the city for a few days, took the Rick Steve’s night walk about Rome,

 

ate in the remarkably fresh and organic Ristorante el Gabriello (think artichokes and lobster linguini) near the Spanish Steps and enjoyed the quaint, convenient Hotel Atlantico.

In an act of pure daring, we decided to rent a car...

 

and make our way through winding roads and hilly switchbacks to La Locanda del Capitano in Montone, Umbria for a culinary adventure.  

Sure, we were an hour late after getting lost on the dark, windy roads of Umbria. But the 4-starish restaurant welcomed us with an incomparable feast, yoga clothes and all. Each course of local cuisine was delivered by the chef, Giancarlo, accompanied by his captivating poetry.

However, I must admit that the best part was when a neighboring diner asked us, “Are you special people? I thought perhaps you were famous American food writers…”

Giancarlo joined us for dessert and an aperitif.  It felt like our 15 minutes of fame (of course, it was fame in a town of 1,555 people, most of whom were asleep by the time we arrived, but fame is fun all the same)...

Tune in tomorrow for the continuing saga of the Girls Gone Fabulous. 

You've probably seen Hayden as The Cheerleader on "Heroes", and may have recognized that she has played someone's little sister, or daughter in a smattering of films (Raising Helen, Remember the Titans), but did you know she was also in something called "Robot Chicken"?

"Edgy" is not a word I would typically associate with the diminutive blond cutie, but with "Robot Chicken" and this outfit, I'm reassessing.

 

Photo: queenoftheposhandbroke.blogspot.com

 

I'm not entirely convinced that she is actually wearing this to travel, but the blog site where I found the photo claims she is at the airport, and that works for this feature.

The look is a little confusing at first sight, as the gorgeous trench indicates a slight chill in the air.  The flip flops say "Whatevs!  It's 95!".  I think her feet are cold, and I want to put some cute flats on her. 

On the other hand, she may just have gotten a pedicure. 

It is sunny outside, so the quirky Wayfarer sunglasses are required.  Plus, all the cool kids are wearing them.  She will also probably need them to deflect the paparazzi flashbulbs once she enters the terminal. 

That purple bag is to die for, and will definitely be a great carry-on and accommodate the flip flops, once her toenails have dried, water bottle, book, magazine, her boarding pass, and some snacks.

 

 

Indulging in Travel to Italy – A Delicious Girlfriend Getaway 

 

Tamara and me – we’re as different as different can be. She’s short, I’m tall. She likes bunnies and cats; I’m totally allergic. She has an iPhone; I have a Blackberry.  She lives in Seattle, Washington in an enormous purple house in the middle of the city; I live in the suburbs of Sarasota, Florida in a ranch house that’s identical to every other house within a 50 mile radius.

Differences aside, we adore each other and are both girlfriend getaway fanatics. Not only that, but we happen to be two of the most opinionated, busy people that I know. So just imagine what it was like trying to plan travel to Italy together. Uh-huh.

We both had already given travel to Italy the college try, so were looking for a more complex and esoteric girlfriend getaway. Initially Tamara was all for scuba diving in Sardinia, but it turned out to be too complicated a trip. Then I decided that I wanted to go to a yoga retreat in the hills outside of Rome, combined with some agritourism. She didn’t want to do that out of fear that she might encounter a dead rabbit on her plate. Instead, Tamara decided that she wanted to feed a giraffe at the Rome zoo. Better not to ask. Point: We couldn’t agree on a girlfriend getaway that wouldn’t destroy our friendship...

 

Tune in tomorrow for the continuing saga of the Girls Gone Fabulous.

 

 We would like to officially welcome our clients Sonia & Tamara back from their Tuscany & Umbria Extravaganza!  The remainder of this week's "We're Sharing" section will feature the girls and their Golightly Getaway in Italy.

 

Which brings us to this week's Top 10 Tuesday list.

Holiday Golightly's Top 10 Most-Useful Italian Phrases:

1)  Ciao! - Hello!

2)  Buongiorno! - Good Morning!

3)  Grazie - Thank you
    
4)  Più pizza per favore - More pizza please

5)  Non desidero portare un casco sul vespa - I don't want to wear a helmet on the Vespa

6)  Il vostro ferrari è molto velocemente - Your Ferrari is very fast

7)  Siamo principesse molto di un piccolo dichiariamo in America - We are princesses of a very small state in America

8)  Dite che il gelato non ha calorie? - You say this gelato has no calories?

9)  Sono questi pattini sulla vendita? - Are these shoes on sale?

10)  Siete di destra, noi non dovreste bere il vino mentre acquistate per i pattini - You're right, we should not drink wine while shopping for shoes.

If your high school history class put you to sleep, and you feel like you are now mature enough to actually be interested in Civil War-time Gettysburg, this sounds like a really fun way to learn:

 

 

"Experience the richness of Civil War civilian life as you travel back in time, while enjoying opportunities for enriching your own contemporary "hearth and home".

This engrossing three-day, two night itinerary (GGG/H&H) includes:

• Two nights at an area historic bed and breakfast with two full breakfasts;
  
• A living history walking tour of Gettysburg;
  
• A tour of an authentic Civil War home;
  
• A hands-on “hearth art” activity such as spinning and weaving, quilting, pottery, or even scrapbooking;
  
• Afternoon "Tea with the Gutsy Gals of Gettysburg";
  
• A living history "Rendezvous with the Past" with one of those gutsy gals;
  
• A presentation at an historic barn on the use of quilts as Underground Railroad codes; and
  
• A visit to a most unusual plant and flower nursery for sampling international garlics and edible flowers.
  

Time is also made available for on-your-own dining, specialty shopping and sightseeing.

Cost per person: $220 (based on double occupancy, including taxes; add $46.35 per person, per night for single occupancy).

For more information or to book a reservation, phone (717) 334-7010 or e-mail: info@gettysburggirlfriendgetaway.com"

I'll bet that the next time we do this, you will come prepared with your beer.  Or throw a shot of Jim Beam into your Starbucks cup. 

I'm going to Boulder, and I'm going to bring...

 

Boulder requires a little casuality (should be a word), and you will not want to forget the sunglasses!  We are still emphasizing the importance of layers, hence the navy and sage t-shirts that can be worn alone, or layered over one another, and if the temperature drops unexpectedly, you could wear the denim jacket under the brown jacket.

The black platforms must not be worn for hiking or biking, but are sturdy and even enough to wander down Pearl Street, and head out to dinner, with the black capri pants and white and black tank.

We will be sounding like a broken record repeating "accessories, accessories, accessories", but they can change your look a great deal, and are small and light enough to either pack or just wear on the plane.

Let's try a little visualization on this loverly Monday:

1)  Sage t-shirt over navy t-shirt, white jeans and striped tennis shoes for casual, daytime hike...

Your hike runs longer than expected, and when you get back to your hotel, you have only 5 minutes to get ready for dinner* with a Smokin' Hot Somebody you met earlier that day when you were getting coffee.  What?  It happens.

2)  Whip off sage t-shirt (leaving the navy one, and white jeans), kick off tennis shoes, put on black platforms, watch, bangle bracelets and earrings, and for God's sake reapply that deodorant.  There isn't time to shower.  Grab brown jacket, and you're out the door.

*Remember, if you're on a Girlfriend Getaway, it is only okay to go to dinner with the Smokin' Hot Somebody, if he brings other Smokin' Hot Somebodys for your friends.

 

For extra help with your packing, refer to the Holiday Golightly packing lists! 

 

HOLIDAY GOLIGHTLY PACKING PDF

HOLIDAY GOLIGHTLY PACKING XLS

HOLIDAY GOLIGHTLY PACKING ODS

 

 

"Deception" Part II.  Not only is Hugh Jackman in the movie "Deception", but Ewan MacGregor is as well.  It opens today.

 

 

Something else we'd like to see open?  This kilt.

 

Photo: thealbablog

GASP!  NAUGHTY!

Although, to be quite honest, this was the ONLY shirtless Ewan photo we could find, and it is not our favorite.  He almost looks a little girly, and not because of the kilt.  It's the pose or something.  Meh.  Ewan is hot, and tends to offer up full-frontal nudity in several of his films.  Rent "The Pillow Book" this weekend. 

HAPPY FRIDAY & HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, FROM THE GOLIGHTLY GIRLS! 

New Orleans is on our radar for the second time this week!  (Plus, Jazzfest is this weekend). 

"From $225 per room per night

The Just Us Girls package includes one night at the 251-room Chateau Sonesta Hotel in a petite suite with double beds as well as continental breakfast daily, a 30-minute massage for two in your room, and dinner for two (valued at $75) at Red Fish Grill.

Other perks include cocktails for two upon arrival, a welcome bag with city guides and shopping information, and a movie in your room. The hotel is built on the site the former D.H. Holmes Department Store and has kept the store's 1913 façade and various artifacts. It boasts an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a restaurant and bar, and quiet courtyards with tables and chairs. The 12-foot-ceilinged rooms offer views of the French Quarter or the tropical courtyards. They also feature modern amenities like wireless Internet access and cable television.

When: Through Sept. 1, 2008

Details: A minimum two-night stay is required for the package. Based on double occupancy; add up to two more guests for an additional $116 per person per night. Hotel taxes of 13 percent and a $1 nightly occupancy charge are additional.
Contact: 800/766-3782, sonesta.com"

 

 

OOOH!  Ba-HA-maaaaaaas! 

"The Sheraton Cable Beach Resort is offering a special Girlfriend Getaway Package for mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends seeking a female-friendly trip to relax, have fun, and reconnect along the beautiful beaches of Nassau, Bahamas.

Girls can have fun when they book Sheraton Cable Beach Resort’s special Girlfriend Getaway Package*, which offers a variety of “girl-bonding” inspired upgrades and amenities such as:

    * Ocean View Room
    * Breakfast daily at the Bimini Market Restaurant
    * One welcome cocktail at the Telegraph Bar (per person)
    * One snorkeling trip at Stuart Cove (per person)
    * Amenity of wine and cheese delivered to room day of arrival

 

The Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $309 per night based on double occupancy and requires a minimum three-night stay.

The all-new Sheraton Cable Beach Resort features an array of new amenities and dining options, bringing a fresh and inviting guest experience to the Bahamas. Situated on a 1,000-foot stretch of Nassau’s spectacular Cable Beach, the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort is set on seven exquisite acres of stunning waterscape, including three freshwater pools with flowing waterfalls, a swim-up bar and oversized Jacuzzis nestled among tropical landscaping. The resort offers 694 guest rooms and suites – all featuring balconies – as well as six restaurants and lounges serving a variety of island specialties and international cuisine.

For more information or reservations, please contact Sheraton Cable Beach Resort at 1-866-716-8106 or visit www.sheraton.com/cablebeach.

*Sheraton Cable Beach Resort’s Girlfriend Getaway Package is valid for travel May 1- December 31, 2008. Minimum of three-night stay required. Pricing does not include taxes and fees. Please request the rate code GIRLPKG when making a reservation. Other certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply.