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Gifts from France!

My mother just returned from what seems like her 10th trip to Paris and some surrounding cities. She is an expert on the land and has seen and done it all. I had the fortune of making a wee list of products I would really love from the local french pharmacy. You know, the green plus signs everywhere? Where you bought toothpaste and ibuprofen? My favorite places to shop in France. Sunscreens, face treatments, Chapstick, toothpaste, soap- you name it - are at the top of my list. Some products you can now get in the US but most are not easily found. It’s worth it to go and just check it out but it’s truly a highlight for me :) Happy happy day! My mom rocks.

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Two of my favorites on this post! Sheseido sunscreen and Hermes Un Jardin Mediteranee perfume! So RIGHT.

Your Beach Day Will Be Way More Stylish With These Products

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This church my husband and I walked past every day for four nights in 2010 when our friends Seth and Leanne were married. An amazing wedding and some really wonderful memories were made. This church caught our eye and we took many photos but none captured it like this one. Love.

CHAPELLE SAINT-PIERRE

Villefranche-sur-Mer

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www.garzablanca.com

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Garza Blanca Spa Day!

I'm super behind but only 5 people read this so... Last December I visited Puerto Vallarta with my husband and some of our nearest and dearest friends to celebrate the union and love of Justin and Lesley. My friend Nicole and I chose to have a spa day while our husbands went fishing and we chose the hotel we were staying at, the Garza Blanca. I'm so glad I did! I selected a hot stone massage and a hydrating facial and Nicole had a prenatal massage. My massage I rated a 7.5 and my facial rated a 6 ( no extractions- boo!). Nicole rated her massage a 7.5 as well. The atmosphere was soothing and relaxing, I really liked the music - which I rarely do- and I loved the scent of the oil used with the stones. There was an outside terrace to relax after our treatments with the most amazing view - I wish we would have lounged there longer but we were hungry :)

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Gobble gobble !

Have a wonderful and safe holiday today!  I am extremely thankful for all of you following me!  Without you, I would not be very motivated to post on my blog.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING! <3

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So I won an all inclusive vacation through a contest at my work and I took one of my girlfriends for a fun girls trip. Within 12 hours my poor, poor friend had a bad case of food poisoning so I won't be ranting about the food. While my friend was ill, I had all of these resort credits (what am I going to do with all the Nepalese coins?) and no friend to adventure with. What's a girl to do? Well, this girl made an appointment for a 50 minute aromatherapy massage with a man named Hilbierto. Aromatherapy massages are not always great- you pick your scent and it's a light touch with soothing animal sounds or enya singing you to a peaceful nap. Not Hilbierto. Dude told me my neck was way too right and we were going to make it ok, "ok lady?" Ok. 50 joyful minutes later, I was bummed I didn't make the massage for 80 minutes. I rate this an 8.5/10. The best thing about that resort was the spa (and the NASA astronaut I met). I don't know of I liked this massage because I didn't have to pay for it but, full disclosure, my friend and I had planned a spa day at a separate spa (not a resort) which we had to cancel, I think I could have had several treatments at a smaller place than the price point this spa had for one 50 minute massage. So this was bittersweet and free which apparently translates to the 8.5. Oh, and my scent was mixed citrus :)

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So, the point is I made some sweet lemonade! Q:what do you do when your Havianas flip flop, just one, breaks at LAX before you board a flight to a beach Mexican getaway? A: well, after hobbling through customs, security and baggage claim, you stand at your hotel checking in with one shoe and a burning desire to replace them ASAP. 48 hours later I hit the jackpot with a 99 peso sale. That translates to approximately $7.39 per pair. Yup. So I bought three. Yay vacation!!!

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Hot Rocks in Spring Lake

While at the Jersey Shore, in between beating the beat, pumping iron, playing carnival games on the boardwalk, eating lobbies and celebrating our cousin Phillip's wedding, Bryce and I decided a vacation massage was necessary. Enter www.handandstone.com. I think this is the west coast version of Massage Envy but I'm going to say the level of service and price are higher. For $50 my husband had a massage by a tough looking mamacita and I had a wee abuelita give me a hot stone massage that lulled me to sleep- exactly what we both needed. The walls were thick and the mood music actually soothed- a rarity in my opinion for places that don't charge an arm and a leg. I napped on the beach soundly afterwards - perfect vacation day!

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Where do take care of your digits in Philly

I'd post the photo of my husband getting a mani but I already got in trouble on Instagram SOOO... Queens Village in Philly south of south street is the Laqcuer Lounge - http://www.lacquerlounge.com/- great products and cute jewellry welcome you into this pink palace. Essie, Butter and Chanel polishes grace the shelves with current up to date colors and trends. Each pedicure station uses disposable plastic dishes in their foot baths for hygiene (I learned a lot about pedicure hygiene and spa chairs - not sure if I will go back to one now) and we were treated to prosecco. I have never had more options for my gel manicure and, almost a week later, NO lifting and it looks fresh. Not only do I recommend this spot if you in the city of brotherly love, I wish they were in Americas Finest City 'cuz I'd go all the time!

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Oui! Oui! I’ve been wanting this forever and now Amazon sells this French brand- oh happy day! Gentle makeup remover- yes, everything, even stubborn waterproof eye makeup. Love.

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Sunscreen Shoutout!!!

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Observation

Never in my life of travels have I seen more Mexican restaurants (minus being in Mexico, obviously) than in Rhodes, Greece. And I am talking about piñatas, decor, names like "Chuey's" or "Lalo's" and, instead of pita, flour tortillas (fresh!!!) being served with gyros and kebabs. Viva Greece!!

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When in Istanbul! 6 of us decided we needed another go at a traditional Hamam. This particular Hamam was over 300 years old and enormous! The experience was different, I was cleaned and scrubbed and massaged by a strong older woman who performed with such care like I was her granddaughter - although the phrase, "please don't throw that bowl of water in my face because I wear contacts" didnt exactly translate as well as I'd hoped. We received several bars if soap when we left and my only regret is we didnt go sooner so we could have relaxed in the lounge and drank tea and enjoyed the hookah. My rating is a 9 and our price for 90 minutes was 120 Turkish Lira ($60 US).

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R&R

So... After our weeklong gulet trip with 8 friends, we ferried to Rhodes for some rest, relaxation and adventure with our Fiat Panda. First things first, our resort, a Sheraton Resort collection hotel allowed us to use our points for food and spa services... What!?!?! Immediately (I'm serious) we each booked an hour massage for the following day - I chose the Rhodian special with olive oil infused with local herbs and. A soothing massage which lulled me to sleep and, I'm pretty sure, snore. Bruce, on the other hand, needed force so he has a deep barefoot back massage- this poor tiny girl was swinging from ropes attached to the ceiling and applying her body weight as pressure to relax uber tense muscles. We both used the sauna and cold plunge pools and both rated these services a 9/10 for achieving the results we wanted, for using points and for getting us in ASAP. Awesome and highly recommended hotel if you go to Rhodes- it was perfect! *disclaimer- it is a family resort so, during peak season, I'm sure it won't be too relaxing or comfortable like we had.

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Greek Haul: belly dancing waist sash, donkey, bronze mermaid, gold plates evil eye, sandals, volcanic rock pumice stone, bathing sea sponges, first cold pressed 2% olive oil and a white lace table runner (not pictured). Four items are gifts, two for my niece :)