ULTIMATE RELAXATION

I love the holidays but let's face it, it does cause some stress. With last minute shopping,
arrival of relatives we haven't seen in a while, and planning the perfect holiday feast,
whew..... my head is spinning ..... time for some R & R ..... a few hours at the Spa can
work wonders for anyone..... let's check out some amazing Spas ......

Aqua Dome Spa in Langenfeld Austria

Spring Resort & Spa in Costa Rica

Phulay Bay a Ritz Carlton Reserve Spa in Thailand

Abama Golf and Spa Resort in Spain

Plaza Athenee Spa in Paris

Amangirl Luxury Resort located on the expanse wilderness in Canyon Point in Southern Utah

Banff Upper Hot Springs in Canada

Brilliant Resort and Spa in Chonquing, China

Spa Cinq Mondes, Dolce La Hulpe Hotel in Brussels

Dreams Spa & Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Grand Waile Spa in Maui Hawaii

Grotto Spa with a detox mineral pool in B.C. Canada

Boscolo Milano Spa in Italy

Aqua Wellness Circuit Spa in Cancun Mexico

Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort in Malevizi, Greece

The Spa at the Ritz Carlson in Hong Kong with panoramic views from the 116th floor!

Six Senses Spa in Switzerland 

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in Stowe, Vermont

Thermes Marins Spa in Jimbaran, Bali

Viceroy Luxury Spa in Miami Florida

And now that you are relaxed .... let's get through the amazing New Years festivities .....

and as we say farewell to 2014 we welcome 2015 with open arms and wishes of an even 

more amazing year...

Wishing you all a year filled with love, success, prosperity and peace. Reach for the stars ... ✰

DINING AL-FRESCO!!

Outdoor dining is wonderful, especially during the cool weather. With amazing views, some of
these restaurants will take your breath away and have you coming back again and again.
So sit back, get some coffee or wine, whatever your preference is, and take a tour with me
through some of the most incredible outdoor restaurants around.......

South Africa's western Cape, Bushman's Kloof Wilderness Reserve Restaurant

Overlooking the the Cederberg Mountains, it is built into a natural sandstone amphitheater 

and illuminated by candles and lanterns

61st Floor Vertigo Restaurant in Bangkok serves premium steaks and seafood in an incredible

atmosphere with amazing views.

At Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp in Zambia, guests can dine at a restaurant that is built over wide

plain packed with wildlife. The waiters carry torches to point out lions and other game that might prowl.

At the Cliff at Cap in St. Lucia, diners at every table enjoy panoramic sea views, while couples at it's

Rock Maison table dine on a secluded wooden deck

Cocina del Mar is the outdoor restaurant at Esperanza Resort in Baja, Mexico. It is an especially

popular dining destination between December to April when it is possible to see the migration

of up to 8 different species of whales.

Found within the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan Resort, Ayung Terrace stands on the crest of a 

gorge, overlooking a river.

The Udaipur Leela Palace hotel, Indian cuisine on the shores of Lake Pichola and offers views of the floating Lake Palace

In Dubrovnik, Nautika Restaurant has an imposing setting by the sea. The outdoor terraces

are particularly popular on warm summer evenings.

                            

In Punta del Este in Uruguay, Fasano Restaurant is found within hotel Fasano las Piedras.

In the city's Raffles hotel, Tomo Restaurant draws guests with carefully prepared Japanese cuisine

and sprawling views of Dubai

Standing in the hills of Ravallo and with the views of the Amalfi coast, Palazzo Avino hotel's lobster

and martini bar opens for each summer season, 

World's highest open-air restaurant, Sirocco stands on the 63rd floor of Bangkok's Lebua hotel.

Serves an international menu, often with Jazz accompaniment and it's Sky Bar also considered

one of the world's best rooftop bars.

Maldives Reethi Rah Outdoor Cafe featuring palm trees, white sands, Bamboo seating with

colorful cushions and red maroon shade floor and ceiling lights.

L'Auberge de Sedona - an exquisite culinary experience on the banks of Oak Creek, Arizona

This Garden restaurant is a Michelin star outpost and wont let you down. 

The sky-high view is one of many reasons to dine at Sky on 57 in Singapore

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Christmas time.... decorations, lights, anticipation, children, presents :) ...... family .... but most

important is the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ's birthday.... the holidays bring such 

incredible feelings of love, unity, goodwill.... seems everyone wants to do good, to be good,

giving to the less fortunate, donating toys for children, food baskets for the poor.... yes, this 

time of year seems to bring out the "best in us" ..... my favorite thing to do since I was a child

growing up in Chicago was to see the holiday lights and decorations. My mom would gather 

us all in her station wagon (yes, the one with the wooden planks on the sides, lol ... ) and we 

would go driving through the neighborhoods and admire the pretty Christmas decorations 

with Christmas music blasting from the speakers .... then stop at White Castle for those mini

burgers and hot chocolate with the little marshmallows inside...... ahhhh memories...... 

So, with no further ado ..... let's check out some amazing Christmas decorations ...... ❤

 Ice-covered fairground in Kazakhstan....

My home, of course ..... :) 

Christmas in New Orleans Square

 What Christmas is really all about ... ❤❤❤

Grandmother Betty Ann Jones has turned her home into a winter wonderland...amazing!!

Christmas in Oxford Street, London

Christmas Lights ~ Lille, France.

Christmas tree in O'connell Street Dublin, Ireland

A city block on Bernville Pennsylvania

No one does it quite like Disney World, Orlando.... this is definitely something to see in person...

Main Street ...

Gardens by the Bay's Christmas wonderland...

Global Winter Wonderland - Sacramento

Global Winter Wonderland's Enchanted Castle

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin, China

Just around the corner from Sonoma State University, a regular house is transformed into a large Christmas castle–covered in lights and cartoon 

London at Christmas Time

Luminaries, Garden by the Bay

Marqueyssac Gardens - Vézac, France

Monte Carlo, Monaco

New York City, New York

So cute.... just had to share this one :) ...

Rome!!!

San Antonio Riverwalk in Texas

Winter Wonderland at Petco Park San Diego

Yuletide in the Flower Dome

Giving is the spirit of Christmas... please donate a toy for a child this Christmas and put a smile

on their face.... your heart will thank you ... ❤