Yeah its been awhile. . .

Why have I not posted? For a few reasons. . . first of all I thought "who's reading this stuff anyway??" then I got nudged by family and friends. . , second I got absorbed in planning my recent travels and most importantly and embarrassingly . . I forgot my password and user name. Yes. . I am middle-aged. . . my brain is turning to mush. . Its sooo scary ! Anyway, I have a wonderful daughter who, thankfully, knows I forget these things and gave me my info and found that people did check up on my musings so here I go again. ..

This week on the TODAY show they featured a week-long segment on Girls Getaways. . . Of course my friends and I have been doing this for years. I had tried to get the 5 of us to collaberate and write a how-to book on Girl Getaways and the Miami Bombshells beat us to it. . .
We call ourselves, based on an inside joke from middle school or high school . . "the Girlie Wonders", and for the last 5-6 years we've gone on an annual "Girlie Wonder Weekend" on Martin Luther King's birthday weekend. It started when we all decided rather to go to our high school reunion, which moronically was scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend (uh who leaves their family on T-giving weekend? and opts to travel on THE most heavily traveled and most expensive travel weekend????) and have our own reunion with the people we really wanted to be with anyway. The weekends have been so fantastic, so special filled with laughter, hugs, tears, advice, chocolate and mostly shopping that I think a Rx for one should be given by every gynocologist with the annual Rx for a mammogram. .

So far we have:
Traipsed through Asheville, N.C. A beautiful city with plenty of activities, culture, restaurants and SHOPPING. Our first trip there we stayed at the Grove Park Inn and Spa. www.groveparkinn.com Check it out. Its simply spectacular. The spa is pricey and worth it. The food was great and the views perfect. Make sure to tour the Biltmore Estate, shop in Biltmore Village (definitely go to Bellagio and New Morning Gallery) and The Mast General Store downtown is a must. My 4 cohorts loved Asheville so much they picked it again for this year's GWW!! (I always like to do something new so I was outvoted, but I'm looking forward to it anyway)

The following year we did Charleston, SC. A beautiful, historic city with great restaurants, a wonderful tour of antebellum houses, and again, terrific shopping-- particularly fun at the outdoor market. We stayed at a very nice small hotel called the Ansonborough Inn http://www.ansonboroughinn.com/splash.htm We took 2 suites and it was perfect. Okay, well one night the front desk manager did scold us for being too loud. Pajama parties get like that. . what can I say?

Fortunately we planned a trip to New Orleans the January before Katrina devastated the area and we had a great time eating Beignets, Pralines, and taking the Ghost Walk. We took a tour of the Plantations outside the city but unfortunately missed out on the Segeway tour. . . We had our Tarot cards read in the French quarter and were given a tour of the Garden district and Tulane. . .

We took a trip to the Big Apple. Even though most of us go there regularly its different when its not on business or with kids & spouses. We did Broadway and shopping (See earlier posts) the lower east side, and Soho but I think my favorite activity that weekend was the Tenement Museum. Hotel rooms that weekend were scarce and expensive and we ended up booking our suites though Quikbook.com for an Affinia Hotel called Southgate Tower. We were all a little hesitant about staying there as it was close to Penn Station. Although convenient for the 2 friends arriving by train, we were concerned about the area at night. . It was FINE!

We also took a GWW cruise. We took the 4 night trip that went to Key West, and Cozumel. We had a terrific time. The only negatives were on this particularly Royal Caribbean ship the rooms were Very small for 3 women to share (B-a thanks for volunteering for the Top bunk!) and not that clean. How not clean? When packing our suitcases to leave and doing "last looks" we found a jock strap. I assure you it wasn't one of ours.

For the 3-4 days of Girlie Wonder Weekend, I feel ageless. We plan our locations so they are purposely not within 100 miles of any of our homes. We have a rule-limited cellphone use. Some of us break that rule more than others, but its about being together- recharging our batteries, supporting each other and it is a blessing. I feel lucky that I have an incredible husband who supports this idea and thinks its great and doesn't get jealous at all. He keeps the house running without missing a beat. I also feel incredibly lucky to have the lifelong friends who relish this time together as much as I do. It has renewed our friendships and it annually renews our spirits.
Family and friends. . . its what life is all about. . .

Give my regards to Broadway!!!

I'm not done with NYC yet so here's a few more suggestions on planning your stay. . .

Yes we all know about the wonderful Tkts, tkts, tkts kiosks in Times Square and South Street Seaport. If you don't mind spending an hour rain, or shine in line, with cash in hand, and you know WHAT you want to see (DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE of not being ready when you finally get to the window-you will be booted out of line) you could meet some really nice people during the wait and get some unbelievable seats for Broadway and Off- Broadway and Off-off Broadway shows for that day. Another way to save $$$ but avoid the lines is to check out
www.playbill.com You need to sign up and they will send you email with discounts on plays. There is even diagrams so you can see where your seats will be. So if your time is short in NYC or you want to plan ahead but still save $$ this the way to go. . .

Mecca of Make-up, the Jewel of Jewelry and the Food that we make your taste buds smile

I'll get back to more hotels next entry. (mine is NOT an organized mind. ..just come along for the ride. .) Here are 3 pit stops I never miss on a trip to NYC and you shouldn't either

1) Henri Bendel- a beautiful store, a beautiful building and bar none the best make-up department of any store. . . As I said . . THE MECCA OF MAKE-UP
712 Fifth Avenue 5th and 56th. . .

2) Joan Michelin-http://www.joanmichlin.com/
The Joan Michlin Gallery
449 West Broadway in Soho. A small, intimate and personal shop right on the main drag in Soho. Her jewelry is beautiful, unique, affordable & fun! I have found that Joan Michlin will customize, use your stones and will stand behind their work. AND, they always give you a cool drink and Pepperidge Farm cookies. . . what could be better?

3) Zen Palate Restaurants Seriously, some of the best food on earth. . . The menu is extensive. Yes, all vegetarian (I'm a veghead) but you omnivores and carnivores will be fooled. It tastes like the real deal. The food is so good that when your companion starts to to try and sample a bite from your plate you will be tempted to stab him/her with a fork. . . I know from experience. The portions may be big enough to share but you won't want to. . .
http://www.zenpalate.com/home.htm

I've always been told to do what you love and you'll be good at it! Well, what I love to do is plan and take vacations. I've been told that I'm quite good at it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to turn that into a career move yet but I am more than happy to sheer my secrets, knowledge and advice with anyone who asks. Unlike, other countries many of us here in the good old USA get only a week or two off a year and we need to make every wonderful (hopefully) minute count.

I like to plan my vacations months in advance. Not only because you end up with more choices and possibly better rates but because you get to enjoy the anticipation. To me its like having a box of DARK CHOCOLATE waiting in the pantry. I get a smile just knowing its there and what's to come!.

If possible take a vacation that's longer than a week, even if its just taking the extra weekend. It takes most people a few days to stop thinking of home and work and then the vacation is almost over. The longer the vacation the better the chance you will actually have a chance to relax and have a different mindset.

Today's recommendations:

Websites:
www.quikbook.com

I have used this website to book hotel rooms in NYC quite a few times and they often have a better price than any special offer by phone or internet from the hotel itself. Its a user friendly site and if there's a problem they will get on the phone with you there and then and make it right.


http://www.nycvisit.com
This is NYC's official tourism website. Its worth checking out for specials, particularly summer specials are worth looking into for hotel rooms, and discounts to all sorts of things

Hotels:

Since I started out with NYC, I'll stick with that and make a few suggestions . . . I should preface this with the fact that I often travel with my family and therefore I prefer suites so we have some elbow room. . .

If you're coming to NYC and need to stay Midtown (in no particular order)

http://www.rihgaroyalny.com/
It used to be part of the Marriott chain but is no longer. Its close to Columbus Circle and the theatre district without the insanity of being in the theatre district and its an all-suite hotel. The suites are comfortable although not spacious.

Another midtown hotel that has nice suites, although not a complete suite hotel is the Blakely hotel. It used to be the Gorham Hotel http://www.blakelynewyork.com/ If you prefer a boutique hotel with a more intimate feel and smaller lobby this may be a good choice for you.

The hotel that no one seems to know about it a terrific little apartment-style hotel called
The Buckingham Hotel. http://www.buckinghamhotel.com/ There is no restaurant in the hotel itself but there are plenty within a few steps. If you stay there then definitely grab a quick bite a half block away at The Great American Health Food Bar http://greatamericantogo.com/
Something for everyone guaranteed.

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