first30days.com

I found a website called first30days.com that talks about how to make positive changes in your life by focusing on the first 30 days.  Relationships are difficult!  Do people change for the better?  Do relationships get better?  Maybe the secret is focusing on a specific period of time to make changes such as what the website suggests!  I am going to spend  some time tonight reading more!

Summer romance movie, Magic of Belle Isle

This is a movie I want to see this month, my friend recommended it for summer movie, with light romance where the couple call each other by last names till the end of summer, where there isn't texts and phones in the picture, and when summer meant a simpler time!

Magicofbelleisle.com

Event Photography - RSVP

RSVP does photography for weddings, non-profits, corporate functions, and parties.

Resources:

RSVP
Event Photography
Bryon Malik
Photographer
bmalik@rsvphotography.com
(510) 472-9367

Sparkeys Hot Rod Garage, San Carlos, CA - rehearsals, parties, etc.

I went to an event last night at Sparkey's Hot Rod Garage in San Carlos, CA.  This is a really fun place hidden away in an industrial park.  They are booked for months ahead for rehearsal dinners, parties, and rehearsal dinners!  There are old cars, playful theatrical set ups, games, etc.  It is like a set for a movie!

Resources:

Sparkey's Hot Rod Garage
Nancy Bullock
Event Director
(650) 400-5810
Nancy@SparkysHotRodGarage.com
975 Industrial Rd.
San Carlos, cA

Joe "Sparky" Bullock
Owner and Curator
Sparky@SparkysHotRodGarage.com

Refuge- relaxation spa in Carmel, CA

Refuge is a Co-ed relaxation spa in Carmel, CA.  I haven't been there yet, but it sounds great!  This place has 6 hot and warm pools, 4 Nordic cool/cold plunge pools, America's largest co-ed cedar sauna, a eucalyptus steam room, and over 2 acres of indoor solariums and outdoor relaxation areas with fire pits overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains.

The brochure says, "If this sounds like heaven, well you may just have found it."

The Refuge admission is $39.00 and there are no accommodations on site.  There are also massages available.

Resources:

Refuge
27300 Rancho San Carlos Road
Carmel, CA
93923
831-620-7360
Refuge.com

Directions:  Take Hwy 1 to Carmel Valley Rd., go East 2.1 miles to Rancho San Carlos Rd. go South (Right) .8 miles to Refuge at CVAC on your left.

COUTURE INVITATIONS- gorgeous!

Yesterday, I was at COUTURE INVITATIONS on Berkeley, and I looked at some of the invitations they were creating on their old fashioned letterpress printers.  They really do look different!  Plus, they were so nice!  I had seen this place before as my dog's store is around the corner, Holistic Hound.  I want to do my business cards there.  I'll write about the results.

Resources:

Mind-Blowing One-Of-A-Kind
Couture Invitations
When Nothing Else Will Do
www.twigandfig.com
1-510-848-5599

Weddings at Millenium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles

I had the opportunity to see a wedding reception at Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.  This wedding reception venue has two to four weddings a day on weekends, and also does weekday weddings.  There was something magical about seeing the bride and groom in the historical, grand lobby!  The Biltmore opened in 1923 to national acclaim as the largest hotel west of Chicago and by 1969 was designated a Historic Cultural Landmark by the city of Los Angeles.

This hotel was built to create awe and wonder for those viewing it, and when you walk in the lobby you definitely get that feeling.  The idea for the hotel arose out of a desire to create a grand icon to show the rest of the country that Los Angeles had "arrived."  By 1920, filmmaking was Los Angeles' biggest industry and the perfect climate its biggest attraction.  Since the city had no landmark hotel,  hotelier John McEntee Bowman financed the building of "The Biltmore," like the other hotels in the country he had developed.  Today, the "Biltmore" hotels are unrelated except in name.

A Beaux-Arts composition with Spanish-Italian Renaissance detail was meant as a throwback to the Castilian heritage of the city.  The angel theme throughout is a symbol of the city as well as the hotel itself.  Throughout the years the hotel has undergone several restorations, such as a 30 million renovation in the mid 70's and a $135 million project between 1984 and 1987, when the main lobby was relocated from its original location to the Rendezvous Court (to accompany the new valet entrance.)  There were two floors converted to offices, murals were touched up, walls were repainted and the marble fountain was added to the Rendezvous Court.

This is a gorgeous, historic venue for a wedding reception, or for a visit.  I would recommend working closely with management on prices and responsibility.

Resources:

Millenium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles
506 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA  90071
Tel:  (213)-624-1011
Fax:  (213)-612-1545
www.milleniumhotels.com

Weddings at Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch, Quincy, CA

I met some people on the train today who recently went to a fabulous wedding at the Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch in Quincy, CA.  All the guests stayed at the ranch, and it was a fun, romantic, and beautiful event!

Resources:

Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch
http://greenhornranch.com
1-800-33-HOWDY (46939)

Coast Starlight- Train goes from Seattle to Los Angeles

The Coast Starlight is an amazing journey for couples, families, as well as individuals looking to contemplate life!  On the train from Los Angeles to Oakland they had wine and cheese tasting for adults in the parlor car, children could watch a movie in the movie car during the wine tasting.  I highly recommend getting a sleep car for any overnight or long trips on this train.  My son and I went from Oakland-San Francisco to Eugene and barely slept in the reserved seats.  I ended up giving my son both seats so he could spread out, and I sat on the floor and read a book.  It is worth every penny!

Resources:

Amtrak
Coast Starlight
Amtrak.com
1-800-USA-RAIL

Encuentro Cafe and Wine Bar- Oakland, CA- Vegetarian

Encuentro started as  a small vegetarian bistro tucked on the edge of Jack London Square.  The dishes change daily.  In September, Sher will open a second location, at Second and Clay streets.  Both eateries will be called Encuentro.  The current Encuentro will then serve small plates and have a wine bar ambiance and the new Encuentro will offer slightly more formal mood with coursed service.

Resources:

Encuentro Café & Wine Bar
200 Second Street
Oakland, CA
(510) 832-9463
www.encuentrooakland.com

Sher's 2007 book,
Down To Earth Cookbook

"We always get diners who drag a friend or relative in here kicking and screaming, and more times than not they are pleasantly surprised."
(Eric Tucker, executive chef at Millenium Restaurant in San Francisco who helped open Encuentro Cafe & Wine Bar.)

Couples at Disneyland- visit Carthay Circle restaurant and bar in California Adventure

While my son and I were in line for a ride in Cars Land, a couple told me about how gorgeous the bar was at Carthray Circle restaurant the Disney California Adventure Park.  Park admittance is required as it is in the park.  It is gorgeous inside.  I even peeked though I didn't order anything. My son was excited to go back to the hotel to swim.  Children are allowed at the tables, but not at the bar.  This would be a fun date night spot!  It has a definite old hollywood feel to it!

Resources:

Carthray Circle Restourant
Disney California Adventure Park
1313 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, California  92802
For reservations, call Disney Dining 714-781-DINE