Category Archives: cool hotels

So many trips, so little cash

I can’t believe it’s already Thursday! This week year is flying by for us and we have so many events coming up. Our niece & nephew are having a baby girl *girls rule!* in June and her baby shower is in May. Then before you know it June will be here, Liv & Antz birthday’s and Papa’s day too! We are taking a day trip to Palm Springs for Liv’s 2nd birthday and I would love to rent Vespas but I don’t think Liv can ride with us.

Pink Vespa
I am dreaming of renting a lovely pink vintage Vespa with matching helmet and zooming down Palm Canyon Drive

So I am constantly finding awesome delights over at DesignLoveFest and now I am obsessed with these Son of Sharkpig videos. Here’s one of lovely Bri’s amazing loft.

How amazing would it be to have a vignette made of Liv’s 2nd birthday all over Palm Springs? I’m sure he charges like $5k per hour but I emailed him to inquire about his rates, so we’ll see. I am pretty much dying to take a vacation. Anywhere sounds fun, I really, really want to take a road trip to Austin for a few days to celebrate Aimee & mine’s 14 year bff-anniversary. It’s a 20 hour drive and this hotel looks awesome.

Hotel San Jose
 
It’s a small boutique hotel on popular Congress Street. Since I miss Coachella and SXSW every year, I’ve been lusting after a visit to Austin. Antz has been before and he said he had a gnarly time *he went to a movie theater that served BBQ and beer!!*. I found out about this hotel from this fun post at Bleubird Vintage  
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These are the hotel robes!!
Pretty rad, right? I don’t have any idea how to afford the trip or how to get Aimee to get time off prison work *she works 6 days a week* to go. It would be fantastic if we could go in September when the weather cools down. On top of all these upcoming events, my friend Jessica & Trevor’s wedding is in December and in order to attend, you must stay a minimum of 2 nights at a campsite in Santa Barbara. It’s a beautiful venue but I checked the prices and it’s going to be a pretty penny *$289 per night* 
I’ve always wanted to sleep in a yurt but with no heat in December, I think we’ll stick with a cabin with a fireplace.

http://173.254.70.176/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/elcapitancanyon_011.jpg
Cedar Cabin
I am trying to pay off our credit card debt, refinance our mortgage, save every penny for Liv’s school, new house, and home improvements *we desperately need our plumbing upgraded and a kitchen makeover* and yet I am torturing myself with my wild desire to travel.  Did I mention Antz needs a new computer and Wacom tablet? Okay, I’m going now, my brain hurts.

J’adore Paris

I am dreaming, wishing and hoping that around this time in 2 years, we will be getting ready to leave for our trip to Paris. My friends Mia & Parisienne just arrived in Paris today and boy, do I wish I was there with them. I have been working meticulously on our itinerary, adding new sights and shops to our already full days and over tight budget. My biggest indulgence is somehow squeezing in something within my price range from the Chanel store in Place Vendôme. Last time we were in Paris, Aimee went shopping there for her sisters while Antz & I sat in the lounge drinking wine feeling like royalty in our flip flops and shorts. This time around, I’d like to present myself in more of a Parisian style and possibly make a purchase that I could pass down to Olivia as an heirloom *there’s no way I could afford a bag, but maybe a scarf or a pen?*

Aimee & Me looking trendy in 2003

I also have some shopping to do at Bonton for Olivia *my jaw hit the floor when I saw how adorable the kids clothes are, also expensive* and Merci for our house. Sounds awesome in theory but with my overly-ambitious itinerary and pricey hotels, I’ll be lucky if I can afford a postcard from any shops. I am hoping to find treasure *as well as bargains* at the flea market but I hear shipping furniture to the US costs a fortune and you have to be the first costumer of the day to score a great deal. I will have my eye out for some artwork, table linens, French albums and vintage jewelry…Maybe I’ll find a rad Cameroon Juju hat!

So darn cute

There’s so much on my things to do, eat and buy list, it’s overwhelming. Since I came to my senses and realized we can’t afford to stay at the W Paris Opera for 3 nights, I have found a perfect hotel alternative which is affordable yet magnificent. The Hotel Gabriel is where Bri & Jen stayed last month and reading this post pretty much convinced me to book it for 3 nights and when we return from our Helsinki day trip with Aura, we’ll spend one night at the W *so I can cross it off my list* and it’s works out better financially, win-win!

So here’s the story behind the dancing ladies: The Gabriel is the first hotel in the world to offer the NightCove sleep companion in some rooms, which was developed in collaboration with designer Patrick Jouin and Professor Damien Léger, an expert in sleep problems. Guests benefit from sleep and wake-up programmes, or nap programmes, consisting of ambient music and lighting.
Love this loo
Fun Glowing room
A Wonderful Room at W Paris – Opera
The lounge at the W
So worth the 1 night stay!!

I’m still not having any luck finding the perfect flight from CDG to Helsinki, Finland. Lufthansa so far is the cheapest but the layover in Munich is no bueno and the late arrival at 11:15 pm isn’t working for us either. Air France has a nonstop flight earlier arriving at 9pm but $1600?! Are they smoking crack, oh wait, yes they are! I’m sure I’ll figure it out. I was bummed that we can’t just take a train there but 23 hours and 3 ferries doesn’t sound so fun. Now that I’m researching more about Helsinki, I am finding it such a sin to be so close to St. Petersburg and not check it out but I’ll have to save it for another trip. I have a feeling that I’m cramming too much into this trip and we’ll end up napping in the hotel all day *my favorite thing to do on vacation* Did I mention we are going to the Cirque d’hiver de Paris?

Mesmerizing and simultaneously creepy!

Bon Nuit!

Dreaming of Hawai’i

As it seems, the entire world has been to the lovely islands except us. Outside of us renting a kayak and paddling there, I don’t see us going this year. I have been scouring Living Social deals, Groupon, Travel Zoo and Orbitz with no luck. Sure I find great deals everyday like this one, but I have yet to find in all-inclusive package that includes airfare and a decent hotel for the dates we want to go. Yes, it’s still early for August but with Olivia starting school in September, we need to prioritize.

I suppose I should stop dreaming and figure out a more economic approach for 10 year anniversary date. Going out of town just doesn’t seem like an option at the moment.

Ten YEARS??!! Holy shit, that is a long time. I cannot believe how lucky am I to have married this wonderful guy. Sometimes, I don’t think I deserve him. He is so devoted to Olivia and me. He has been a part of my half-brain schemes for 16 years. We were babies when we met *he was just turning 21 and I was 19* We have been through the good, the bad and the ugly. I can count on 2 hands the number of times we broke up. Destiny or insanity kept bringing us back together. I cannot even imagine my life without him. Aimee has listened to me cry about silly arguments, and played referee for us countless times. I can think back to us unofficially living together in my Mom’s tiny apartment both working menial jobs, with no real bills to pay, always broke. Happiness to us was simply going to the movies and eating at gross Denny’s every Friday. It was a happy time but we have matured and done a complete 360 in our lives.

I think this was taken in 2001
One month before our wedding in 2002

Sigh, we were so young.

Well, I’ve found this awesome option for the weekend of our anniversary. Gourmet dinner in a beautiful field in Santa Barbara…but at $220 per person, I’m not yet completely sold.

Outstanding in the Field

Santa Barbara is so lovely but I don’t think we could take Olivia and I don’t want to exclude her. I’ll keep thinking.

I’m up to my ears in Birthdays!!

Not only is my b-day extravaganza in a few weeks, but I have just 3 months before Olivia turns 2. How crazy is that?

Just kidding, Antz did this one on his phone
She’s 21 months going on 21 YEARS!!

2 Years old! An official toddler *even though she began toddling at 11 months* so I was planning a weekend vacation in my old stomping grounds of Palm Springs at the lovely Ace hotel. Now we’re going for a day trip to PS to ride the ariel tram

Antz & I went before we were married and it is a scary ride but breathtaking views

We will hike *in 100 degree weather, fun!* and go to dinner. So Antz & I decided to not spend too much in an effort to somehow try to get our asses to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary in August. I mean, you only have one 10 year anniversary *most couples don’t make it that long, in Hollywood anyways* so it’s cause for celebration. I honestly feel like the last person on the planet who hasn’t been to Hawaii. It’s right there…in the US. What’s my problem? I will fly a paper airplane to get there *I really wouldn’t, I am very particular about airlines I fly* I guess I could explore other options than the Aulani Resort *an ocean view standard room is $1700 for 4 nights* but anywhere else that is 4 stars will be just as expensive. I am by no means a Disney lover, I just figure this is Liv’s vacation too so why not stay at a child friendly resort with amenities she will enjoy too. There is a lagoon, a kids clubhouse, and of course photos with Mick & the gang. I like that it’s new and gorgeous.

I am not trying to be a snob *yes I am* but I’m over my days of staying at the Motel 6. Budget travel is not my idea of a vacation *ever since we got scabies* I need room service, a spa and a bathroom that I never want to leave. I even thought of just going for 3 days to save costs but our anniversary is on Saturday so of course a Friday through Sunday stay is still pricey. I dunno, its still to far from August to find any deals on airfare. I wish they didn’t close the W Honolulu, that really blows.

However on the positive side, the W Paris opened on February 29th

 

 

I am able to check rates for April, they are offering 30% off rooms for Starwood members so that rocks. The bad news is I am having terrible luck finding flights from Paris to Helsinki *to visit my lovely Aura* The fares are almost $700 and the flights all return close to midnight. I want to get a good night’s rest so we can go to Disneyland Paris the following day. Maybe I’ll move the itinerary around so that we visit Aura and then fly home from Helsinki but that may put us on Lufthansa and I want to get the low airfare with British Airways. Sheesh, I feel like a travel agent. I need to get dressed for my date with Aimee. She is having her bathroom renovated and now she has her eye on an upstairs apartment that I need to see.

Home Sweet Home

It is so true, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I was looking forward to coming home today. I love hotels but I had too many issues with the W Westwood. The place was lovely but something was missing. In San Diego they have this amazing beach bar area and adorable window seats. The W San Jose had a bathroom to die for *I took like 6 baths in 2 days* but this one didn’t have anything special besides the ice skating rink and these gorge purple orchids.

I want this for our bathroom

 We took Liv on a walk around the grounds and every path lead to nowhere. We ended up in the employee smoking area. We felt confined to our room.

Usually, I am blown away by the W lobby but this one was tiny, dark and didn’t offer as much community space as others.

Why did it take me 2 days to figure out this Christmas tree spells out T-R-E-E!!

Sorry, they just didn’t do it for me. I can understand the sucky service during a busy holiday season but our room had the lovely view of a parking lot. An hour into our stay a light went out in our room. When I turned on the shower the showerhead fell off *Antz fixed it for me* and we requested housekeeping at 10am and they didn’t show up until 3:30. I also learned some travel essentials from this staycation. Our biggest error was forgetting to bring enough wet wipes for Liv. We had some in her diaper bag but I should have packed an unopened box. I also overpacked which I usually do so I have a variety of choices. I am learning from my years of travel, less is fine. I had ample shoes *4 pair for 2 days* and plenty of wardrobe options but what I needed was more lounge wear. We spent most of our time in our jammies and 10 minutes after wearing mine Liv planted a big boob stain from her raspberry snack on my tee shirt. I only packed one so I was stuck feeling yucky. This kinda was a dress rehearsal for our big Paris trip. I am putting together my Dos & Don’ts

Finally was able to put the Missoni luggage to use

DO pack in layers, I brought light weight skirts, blouses and dresses and if it was chilly outside I could add a sweater, scarf and leggings.

DON’T *Never* forget your toothpaste. I do not understand how hotels equip you with all your toiletry needs except toothpaste. I had a tiny travel-size one but for 2 of us to share, we needed more.

DO bring back up batteries. I remembered all my adapters and chargers but forgot the extra battery pack for the Canon. We took these photos with it but the battery died before I could upload them.

Liv’s new big girl car seat

DON’T get a room with doors that lock from the inside only, we almost had a scare with Liv in the loo!
DO jump on the bed, this is a ritual I always partake in!

DON’T forget to get change. Geez, this was tricky. We had cash for tips but only $20s. Everytime we had a bellhop, valet or room service I had to find someone to get change and they only give out $5 bills *of course so you don’t look like a cheapskate* so we were hanging out tips like the Rockefeller’s. I should have gotten singles from the bank.

DO pack gym clothes. I never plan to workout on vacay *defeats the purpose to me* yet late New Years day I felt compelled to stop by the gym to see how many folks we’re sticking to their resolutions when I found it empty. I spontaneously hopped on the elliptical for a half an hour but I was wearing my PJs and Ugg boots.

DON’T forget the things you say you won’t the night before. This one really applies to me. I tried to make a mental inventory of things we would need; toothpaste!, socks, plastic bags for Liv’s diapers *OMG Liv’s diapers– we made the mistake of putting them in the bathroom wastebasket and FUCK did I feel so bad for the housekeeper who got our room. This is why I was peeved they took all day to clean our room cause the smell was heinous* My biggest don’t forget item was our chalkboard signs. Every trip we use them and guess who left them? *this girl* I realized it when I discovered there was no chalkboard in our room so I was bummed we couldn’t use our own, Boo! Suck it up and make a checklist, there’s always something you’ll forget.

DO invest in shoe bags. How have I not used these before? Nothing sucks more than packing for a trip and having my dirty shoe bottoms touching my clean clothes. I love these guys, I fit 1 pair of shoes in each bag *but could have easily fit 2 per bag* and even had enough to put Livs shoes in one. No more messy, unorganized packing for me.

DON’T bring full size beauty products. I tried to keep my luggage down to 2 bags but with my purse, Liv’s diaper bag and 2 bags of Liv’s toys, snacks and drinks, it looked like I was moving out. I used my tote bag for my electronics but since I was sharing my suitcase with Liv, I had to put my flatiron, hair products, toiletries and my giant Marc Jacobs perfume in the tote too. This was not wise for 2 reasons; if anything spilled my camera, ipad or laptop I would be screwed. Then it made the tote weigh 50 pounds. I bought my Mac Air so I could travel lighter but with all my products, I was fighting a losing battle. My biggest problem is I’m a product whore, I am obsessed with this Neutrogena body oil and this is the smallest size it comes in so I will have to buy smaller travel containers and condense. Sucks

My Loot! It takes a small arsenal to look this good, nyuk, nyuk.

DO bring your own fruit, water and nuts. I finally scored one for the team here. At first I thought I was going the ghetto route but then I thought about it, the one thing I often regret from travelling is spending $9 for a $2 bottle of water. You with me now? I packed a 6 pack of water, bottle of juice for Liv, apples, cashews, oatmeal raisin cookies, champagne and grapes. This saved us about $60 in minibar charges. My only question is, will I be able to pack all this to Paris and it not get damaged in the cargo pit? I know you may be thinking they have water in Europe, Liz! but I am very particular about my water. Last time we went I didn’t drink a drop if it wasn’t Aquafina which isn’t readily available. I hope there is a fridge in the room at the W Paris.

So there you have it. I’m sure I will find more tips to add to this list but the most important thing I learned from travelling is this. Are you listening?

NEVER, EVER settle for a hotel with less than 4 stars!!! I am not saying this because I’m a snob *which I totally am* but hear me out… Antz, Aimee and I went to London and Paris to see Bjork and let’s just say we were on a major budget. We booked the cheapest room we could share with a travel agent and guess what Antz & I brought home with us?

SCABIES!

If you haven’t heard of this gross, icky, disgusting disease, it’s like bed bugs but worse. I’ll spare you the nasty details *if you have a strong stomach you can read about it here*. The health code in Europe is far much more lenient than the US and I should have trusted my gut when I saw the bedspread and the *ahem* towels. So I learned the hard way and I am never staying in a roach motel again. If a hotel doesn’t have 4 star rating…RUN, Don’t look back…you will thank me later!!

When we got home I played with Liv while Antz put Christmas away. It’s good to be home even though we didn’t work on our bedroom due to Antz horrible migraine *which is subsiding thanks to the prescription meds and massage* I am still waiting for my list to go on sale but so far, regular price.

Am I the only person who is hesitant to use new lovely bedding cause I’m scared of wrecking it?

PS Some of the least suspecting folks can be jerks!

Happy New Year’s Eve

Greetings from…

Starting off the New Year at the DUB!
Yay, mini-vacay
We are so color coordinated

Holy shit, let me tell you how hard it was to keep this a secret. Guess who figured it out last week…? Anthony! I suck at keeping secrets from him. He always knows when I’m up to something and he kept guessing we were going to Las Vegas, but No Way Jose!! Ideally we would be in San Francisco but this is just as nice. There is non-ice skating outside and we just ordered the most delicious room service ever! I am stuffed and lounging in our Spectacular suite watching Kim & Kourtney Take NY, nothing else is on and I can’t take any more Yo Gabba Gabba! *don’t tell Liv* There’s a big party at Whiskey Blue for New Year’s eve tonight but we’re gonna hang in our king size bed *DELIGHTFUL* drink champagne and watch telly. Tomorrow Antz is getting a massage at the Bliss Spa for his migraine and I’m gonna get a much needed pedicure. Here’s some more photos of this joint. We didn’t get that many before dark but tomorrow morning I’ll try to get better shots. Every room in this place is super dark so, of course, the Nikon is being dumb.

Checking-in

Oooh, hallways to run down
Spectacular Suite
Eames molded chairs, LOVELY!
This blur is me jumping on the bed
See how bad our camera sucks
Most important place for Mommy
Actually we can’t keep Liv out of there
Le Bar
Jumpy Jump!
Room Service
Twirly Whirly
She hasn’t sat still for the past 2 hours
BLUUUUUUURRY
I tried every setting, GAH!
Finally I changed to the wide lens. A little better
Mmm, tasty remotes
The Backyard
My fave photo…why can’t I be in a good picture?
Cozy Cabanas
Fake Skate, no ice
I adore the W, but the exterior of their buildings leave little to the imagination
Chilling with my little ball of sunshine
It’s snowing!
Faux Soap Snow
Indoor lighting BUMS me out
ROOM SERVICE!!
Soooo good, Nomm nomm nomm!
Okay, I need to get blogging now
Somebody is OBSESSED with these boxes
We are having the most FABulous time
We are in heaven! Happy New Year…2012 is gonna be RAD!!

POTTY TIME, EXCELLENT….groan!!

Yep, that was a Wayne’s World reference…I’m sure this movie made it’s debut when most of you lovelies were in nappies but it’s pretty iconic film in this old lady’s life *they filmed it right around the corner from my house*

So today I got a buzz from Mr UPS and I got my amazon order *finally, right?*

 

It came just in time, today when my Mom was leaving Olivia decided was a perfect moment to er…ummm….poop with a vengeance is the best way to describe it. Let’s just say, she ended up in the bathtub and her diaper was obliterated. Antz and I are going to casually introduce Monsieur Potty to her. Nothing formal or any pressure to preform on cue.
Just as I was researching our summer road trip ideas I find out that Antz will be taking an overnight business trip to San Francisco this week. Drats! I’ll have to miss my French class tomorrow. I was considering driving up there for our anniversary in August and staying at the W. Well, I suppose we can still go but Antz is over SF and he’d prefer going somewhere we haven’t been before. Only problem is anything within a day’s drive, I’ve been. Except Yosemite, but I’m not equipped for camping and really need a 5 star hotel *with a lovely pool* fix.

 

We’ve been to SF like 20 times and have never stopped to get a shot of the GG Bridge.
Speaking of nine blissful years of marriage gift ideas…I really, really want this 2 finger ring!!
So RAD!!  OH! and I am totally geeking out that the Renegade Craft Fair is this weekend. I know I’m going to spend soo much money *MERDE!! Save your money, dummy!!*
Love, Lizzie

At the Dub!

We checked into the W *wah, can’t apply it to my life list since we’ve been here before* and it’s fabulous as always. We are figuring out our dinner plans while lazing around in this ginormous comfy bed. So far I have no interweb so I’m live via iPhone. We have taken close to 100 photos thus far so I’ll be uploading when we return home on Friday.
Can’t wait for her Big Day!!
Our lovely room *identical to the one we stayed at in April 2008*

The beach lounge

Liv’s first encounter with sand, she did taste some, gross!

BARTENDER!!!
Napping with Icy, her new penguin

It was a little chilly but we couldn’t pass up a swim

I spent a majority of my time in here

Can you believe, I read 8 chapters of Bossypants?!!

Life is but a dream sweetheart!

The Dub-ya

As I have mentioned about 400 times, I would like to stay at all 50+ W Hotels around the world #18. This is quite the accomplishment because I somehow continue staying at the same W, multiple times. In this case, it’s the W San Diego.

We stayed there in April 2008 to see a Lily Allen concert *which was fantastic*

I am close to booking again for Liv’s 1st birthday yet I hit a snag when I was informed that my preferred membership wasn’t being applied to my online booking. Gah, I had to call customer service and am I glad I did. I was originally going to pay $339 per night for 3 nights with the 4th night free *the benefits of preferred membership* but the agent told me I can get the same room for $191 per night with the 4th night free. Bollocks!! why am I always getting the shitty deals? Well, as much as I wanted to go ahead and book over the phone, I have to wait until Friday when we have our tax appt. so I know with 100% certainty we are going to San Diego. The rate is prepaid and non refundable so I have to proceed with caution. I was also trying to see how much the rates would be if we booked a room during Comic Con *I’m attending this year with Antz as his guest* so I expected the rates to be sky high being that it’s the biggest convention and it’s in July but she told me nothing was available at all! Sheesh, the tickets just went on sale last week. Boo! I thought being a preferred member would have gotten me a little bit of clout but all she had was a nearby Sheraton for $399 per night. Well, maybe we’ll book it or maybe we’ll just do one day at the show and drive home that night. Either way it’s still not adding to my list of W’s!! Maybe we could go to San Francisco for Liv’s birthday. We did stay at the W Silicon Valley but I haven’t stayed at the Dub in SF and the San Francisco zoo is pretty rad *we went in 2005*.

I really miss SF, when I worked at JetBlue we would go all the time. However, that would bump up the birthday budget because we would have to fly and rent a car, sigh! What really inspired me was this post of Maggie’s sponsored trip to Restaurant Week in New York with the Travelocity Roaming Gnome

Our gnome, Henry is quite jealous!!

I have been so indecisive lately. I am second guessing everything because I want to stay true to my Scarlett O’Hara pact “As God as my witness, I’ll buy a house in Atwater Village before Liv starts kindergarden.” so I’m trying my hardest to chill on the expenditures. I already want to spend a fortune on presents…

 

 

 

 

So many awesome options! That’s not including her convertible car seat *which I’m sure we’ll have to get in the next few months* and new clothes. Whatever W we end up at, I’ll thank my lucky stars, it’s been 2 years since we took a real vacay and I am itching to get out of town. I am still mourning our trip to London but I keep reminding myself it’s for the greater good. Well, keep your fingers crossed I will have a prosperous appt with Gail and snag the cheaper rate. I’ll have to order her Radio Flyer wagon before June so she can use it at the zoo and Sea World. Tonight, we went to the mall to pick up an outfit for Liv for D-land. I really wanted these shorts from BabyGap

But sadly they didn’t get the spring line in store yet *the salesperson told us to come back tomorrow* but we got a cute outfit and a pair of shoes that will be terrific for the photo shoot *Antz made me promise to stay mum until the photos are done* so of course I’m itching to blab! He took me to the children’s stores he has been getting really cute stuff from lately but I didn’t see much I liked. Well, I started this post at 10pm and it’s already past midnight so I’m ready to hit the sack.

Nighty Night Lovelies!!

660 days until our trip to London!

I know that sounds like a long time but it’s 1 year and 8 months away. #23 on my bucket list is fast approaching. I was checking the status of the W London and finally there is an opening date: 2/14/2011 for all you sweethearts!! I was so excited I almost booked the room…until I realized duh, I was booking for July 2011 NOT July 2012. I have to wait until 180 days in advance which is December 30, 2011 to book our room. Did you know 2012 is a Leap year?? I am also happy because I am finally able to check the hotel rates *although they are in GBP* for July. I am keeping my fingers crossed I can confirm the 2011 rate since I’m sure the 2012 rate will triple for the Olympic crowds. The good news is, at the current rate we can afford to stay 7 days instead of 6!! I am vigilant about checking with the United States Olympic Committee to get tix for the opening ceremony. I don’t want to miss out because I hear some folks were shelling out $10,000 for the Vancouver Opening Ceremony! We are looking good for my current budget but it sucks having to constantly change the amounts because of the currency exchange rate. It was almost double last summer but now it’s about $10 less than double *not like that helps*. I remember when we first went to London in *2003* everything was super expensive. We were so broke back then we shared a Dairy Milk chocolate bar for dinner. We did pig out at Yo! Sushi and I intend to do so again this time.

I am going to give Indian food a try *hated it when I had it with Story & Chris* but I have heard it’s the best in London *since there’s so many Indian folks living there. I want to try a place I saw on the Travel Channel called Tiffin Bites. I am hoping I’m much braver in trying new food arena because the last time I was there I totally had a brat attack. I would only eat at American restaurants *TGI Friday’s was terrible and McDonalds*. I was so picky when it was time to eat that Aimee and Antz wanted to leave me at the hotel. *sigh* I really want to try some of the meals as seen here. That looks yummy in my tummy!! I have been checking Virgin for airfare deals but again,

there’s no booking until 180 days in advance but I have an idea of what premium economy will cost *I refuse to fly economy or coach on a transatlantic flight ever again!* I am still puzzled if we need to bring Olivia’s booster seat? With my tendancy to overpack, souviner shopping and me bringing my own water *I will only drink Aquafina*, we are going to have too much to lug around. I feel like I may need to bring it because although we are renting a car and can just rent one I have no idea what condition *or how filthy* the rental seat may be. I usually love the planning process of a trip *I must have been a travel agent in my former life* but this time I’m so worried about the obnoxious crowds, and horrendous traffic, I am not feeling the fun 🙁 What would be the mega rad would be if we could stop off on the way home in Reykjavík, Iceland and see Björk perform *#3 on my Bucket List!!* It’s only a 3 hour flight from New York to Iceland and we’d be going that way anyway…