Jamaican me Crazy!

As it turns out that saying is quite true - Jamaican me Crazy - That country did drive me crazy! Crazy happy with rum and booty shakin music, and crazy frustrated with the overwhelmingly tourist-centric culture. 

Our bunch had some very bizarre encounters and experiences during our week in Negril, but looking back on the trip all I can think about is how incredibly gorgeous my dear friend was on her big day, and how blessed she is to have a wonderful man beside her for the rest of her life. They were wed just before sunset on Seven Mile Beach. While our wedding party took photos after the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour complete with steel drum band. And who caught the bouquet at the reception? Oh you know it! 

 

 

  

And Away We Go

Today is the big day that I've been planning for and greatly anticipating since December... I am headed to Jamaica for Erin's wedding! I can hardly believe her big day is right around the corner and am giddy with excitement to be a part of it.

I purchased a three spray tan package on Groupon for Ooh La La salon on Van Ness and used the first one a month ago before Erin's bachelorette in Vegas. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the results, but considering the discount I got by purchasing on Groupon it was acceptable. I also scheduled a tan for what should have been last night, knowing I'd want a little glow to start off my trip. Last night I got home from work, did the whole shower and scrub routine, drove all the way across the city... and the shop was closed. Oh my! I left a voicemail with the salon asking what happened, since last week I received automated confirmations via both email and voicemail. All they had to say was "Oh sorry, I didn't see it on the schedule" and offered to have me go in today instead. I was furious! I leave today! Pale, oh so pale, I leave today! No offer of compensation or discounted services in the future, just an "Oh, sorry." *Sigh*

I may not be airbrushed, but packed and prepared I am! 

Here are a few things that are easy to forget when you're going abroad:

- Let your bank know you will be out of the country 

- Find out if there are fees for using your ATM or credit card abroad

- Make sure your passport isn't within six months of expiration 

- Keep all your reservation confirmation numbers handy

- Don't assume your hotel will have a power/outlet converter. Bring one.

- And of course, leave room in your suitcase for souvenir shopping!

Summer to-do List

I'm a big fan of lists. All kinds of lists. I make lists of things I can't forget to do each day. I make lists of things I need to buy and errands I need to run. My favorite sort of list are goal lists, like the bucket list I've been keeping since high school and reoccurring to-do lists for by year or season.

Here's the list I've already been getting a jump start on for this summer!

1- Bling out my old bikinis instead of buying new ones

2- Finally work up the courage to scuba dive during my Jamaica vacation

3- Fit back into my college jeans!

4- Sail on the Bay. Already bought a Living Social deal for it, just need to book a date.

5- Hit up every bottomless bunch on 7x7's list

6- Donate my collection of bridesmaid dresses. They depress me.

7- Go camping. I haven't been in three years and that's just silly.

8- Do a wine country day tour. The tourist kind, not the locals only kind.

9- Horseback riding. I probably haven't been since grade school!

10- Go white water rafting. Can you believe this will be a first for me?

Hello, spring!

I'm a cold and foggy weather lover for sure, but for those first few days of blooming trees and parks filled with picnic goers and when the sun is shining but the air is still crisp, oh how I fall in love with spring! It was sunny and 60 in San Francisco last week, which is absolutely ideal, but I decided to head to Phoenix for a few days to enjoy warm weather, poolside girl time with one of my besties, opening weekend of MLB with a Giants vs Diamondbacks game, and Easter Sunday with extended family. It was such a lovely weekend of fun and festivities!

Here are some delightful spring things to send you into your weekend dreaming of all things pastel and pretty and soft and sunny!

cremecycles.com

www.chanel.com

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/eco-picnic-basket

Low-calorie Cocktails

I've been trying to cut back on my calories so I can slim down a bit before my upcoming trip to Jamaica, but working in adult beverage sure does present extra challenges to weight loss! 

I stumbled across this Shape article offering up some low-cal cocktails. I might have to give some of these a try!

Pomosa 

Ingredients:

4 oz. sparkling wine
1 oz. pomegranate vodka
Directions:
Pour chilled pomegranate vodka into a flute.
Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a strawberry.

Fiji Apple

Ingredients:
2 oz. sake
1 oz. spiced rum
1.5 oz. apple juice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.

Cranapple Cobbler

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. TY KU Liqueur
1 oz. apple juice
Splash of sugar-free cranberry juice
Directions:
Stir ingredients together in glass.

Delhi

My apologies for the lack of blogging these past few weeks! I promise, I had a very good excuse. I spent two lovely weeks on holiday in Delhi, and while I had wifi access, I couldn't bring myself to spare a moment of the trip typing away when I could be exploring the city or visiting with friends.

On my way to India, I had an 11-hour layover in London, which turned out to be one of my favorite days of the trip! I landed at Heathrow mid-morning, took the Tube to Picadilly, and walked a couple blocks to Berry Brother's and Rudd. It was incredible getting a tour of their shop, one of the oldest in London. The building and the company have such rich history and are in an ideal location, just a short walk across Green Park to Buckingham Palace. That evening, I made my way back to the airport for an overnight flight to Delhi.

From the time I arrived in Delhi my days were a whirlwind. I walked all over the city exploring ruins, temples, markets, and parks. I stayed with a college friend, Poh Si, who is a foreign correspondent based in Delhi with her Indian lawyer husband. It was exciting to see the city from the locals' perspective, getting to experience the places where they shop and dine, and hanging out with their friends, many of whom are journalists or work for NGO's. A huge highlight of the trip was spending two days with my dear friend Esther and her mother, who passed through Delhi at the tail end of their three-week India adventure.