Someone please take me…

To Palm Springs…I adore the desert. The warm weather year round makes it a perfect getaway from the city life of LA or SD. The last time I was in Palm Springs was to visit the bf's fam during the holidays. I would just love to go to the desert for a weekend. Some great places to stay at are Parker Palm Springs and The Ace Hotel. Resort hot spots for sure!

Parker Palm Springs is pure glam and has some killer deals right now for every outlet you can think of…

1. Treat yourself (seriously) to their Spa Junkie Package: $199 per night and receive a $200 spa credit at the Palm Springs Yacht Club
2. Consider yourself a foodie? You gotta love the Glutton's Delight Package: $199 per night, receive a $200 food credit to use anywhere on property!
3. Can you escape to the desert now through February 11th? If yes, the package for you is Less is More, rates starting at $165!!
4. If you're like me a planning for a future stay to the desert; book the Summer Getaway Package, rates starting from $99 available June 1 - August 31! PERFECT time for poolside laying weather!!!

The following images are from Parker Palm Springs Website













Ace Hotel is the seriously a place where I think all the cool kids hang out. It's renovated modern motel minutes away from Downtown Palm Springs. The bf and I drive by it every time we need to head over the grocery store. The design of Ace Hotel is unique to its desert resort counterparts; simple with a twist of historic desert architecture.

On a cool kids side note, Ace Hotel has a Swim Club…members & hotel guests can play all day until 2am!

The following images are from Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs & Spendia










Gosh someone PLEASE take me to Palm Springs. I just want to lay out by the pool and get my tan on.

Del Mar Adventures

Last week I found myself in Del Mar at Flavor Del Mar & Kitchen 1540. Flavor Del Mar for their Grand Opening Party and Kitchen 1540 for Restaurant Week. Both had fabulous food and the atmosphere was lively.

Flavor Del Mar has beautiful views of the sunsets and funny enough is right across from L'Auberge Del Mar, where Kitchen 1540 is located. There were tons of people and I didn't get a chance to really try any of the tray passed hors d'oeuvres except for the Banana Fritter, deep fried banana, caramel sauce, topped with sugar. I'm hoping I'll be able to have dinner there soon with my lovely bf to try it out.

The following images are from Flavor Del Mar's Website:








My next stop in my Del Mar adventure was Kitchen 1540 at L'Auberge Del Mar. It was Girls Night Out and I suggested we should try out Kitchen 1540 for Week 2 of San Diego Restaurant Week. 3 courses meal for $40. My choices were their Wild Prawns with toasted garlic and chili oil; Natural Beef Tenderloin with smoked potato croquettes, lobster mushrooms, tomato-cabernet reduction; and Chocolate Caramel Tart with orange marshmallows, carbonated orange and chocolate ice cream. OH MY it was delicious. I had no idea, but L'Auberge Del Mar is a happening place on Thursday Nights. The entrance to Kitchen 1540 is located in the front lobby and there was live music, people drinking and having a good time. Apparently it's a cougar hot spot. I peeked at their Brunch Menu and I think that's where the bf and I will be having our Valentine's Day outing celebration. YUM.

The following images are from L'Auberge Del Mar Website:

Weekend Recap

This weekend was pretty awesome. Friday night started with GNO at 1500 Ocean located in Hotel Del Coronado. We tried out their SDRW menu and oh my it was fabulous. My appetizer was the duck; it was my first time having duck and it was pretty good, much more flavorful than chicken. For my entrée I had their Hanger Steak with steamed vegetables and lastly my dessert was Chocolate Mousse…yummy. We sat outside and while we were dining you could hear the waves crashing onto the beach.

I've been living in San Diego for 3 years and when it's a beach day I usually head over to Coronado, but I've never been inside Hotel Del. It's beautiful at night and the lobby looks like it was picked up 1890. They have their own shopping area inside, Shops at the Del plus with the unique shops along Orange Ave. Hotel Del is a staple landmark and anyone who visits SD must stop by even if it's to soak up the sun on the beach nearby.

On Sunday my boyfriend and I ate at the Best Breakfast Place (my opinion) in San Diego, The Old Townhouse in Ocean Beach. Delicious, family style diner food. I had their Biscuits and Gravy with hash browns and my boyfriend had their Corned Beef Hash with his choice of eggs, hash browns and choice of toast. We both vacuumed our food, it was so good. Their gravy was with sausage bits and creamy. The toast had lots of butter which is never a bad idea. Afterwards we walked along Newport Ave, checking out the antique shops.

It's great to explore the areas you live in because you'll always find something new.


Hotel Del Coronado at Night

Buonissimo 2

What busy week it has been! TGIF tomorrow! 2 very big marketing meetings for our properties, month of romance marketing push, plus dining for San Diego Restaurant Week (SDRW)!

San Diego Restaurant Week is a chance for San Diegans to try 3 course meals from the best restaurants in the city! Priced from $20, $30 or $40. Get a chance to try these menus at a discounted price! Over 160 restaurants in the county participate in this event that happens twice a year, during winter & fall. Our fine dining restaurant, El Bizcocho is one of the many in SDRW, at the $40 menu price.

I found myself at Buonissimo 2 a very cute and quaint Italian restaurant in Hillcrest. Their SDRW menu was offered at the $20 price point. The number "2" (obviously) indicates this is their 2nd location. My first assumption was their 1st location was in Little Italy off India Street, but I was wrong, the first location was in Cuceglio, Italy. Their food was authentic Italian and savory, definitely worth the $20 for 3. My appetizer was the Caprese Con Prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, parma prosciutto. The entrée was Pollo....(the name was long and in Italian, ha!) with roasted tomatoes, steamed veggies and potatoes. I was not expecting the potatoes, but holy cow they were yummy. For Dessert I had Chocolate Tart. I believe they used a bittersweet chocolate, not my fav, but nonetheless satisfied by dessert craving.

Very excited to try 1500 Ocean tomorrow....$40 when usually $100?! Nice. Happy Friday to me.


15FiftyFive's view of the beach at Surf & Sand Resort

It's a New Year

WOWza. It's been a long time since I've been on here. Life has change quite a bit. I'm no longer pursing a fashion career, but one in hospitality. I absolutely love it. Don't get me wrong my degree is in fashion, but now it's more of a hobby/interest.

My monthly dish of magazines changed from Vogue & Elle to Condé Nast Traveler & Travel + Leisure.

I have travel goals for 2011. They are:

1. Visit WA to see family & day-trip to San Juan Islands
2. Go to Las Vegas for a good time with friends
3. In July head to Colorado and see a good friend of mine get married.
4. Possible romance getaway in San Fran with my amazing boyfriend.
5. Weekend vacation in Palm Springs.

Some great tools to help me plan and get ready for trips are

• Wanderfly, plan and create vacations based on your interests and budget
  
• HipMunk, like Kayak, simple layout & great user experience
  
• Travel + Leisure, one of my favorite online travel resources
  

One of my 2011 resolutions is to be better around blogging. I hope I can keep it going!



On the 101 heading to Studio City.