Picturesque Palm Springs and and a very cool hotel

By Melanie

Palm Springs is the perfect weekend vacay for those that live in Southern California. It takes less than two hours to drive to this desert oasis. I went for a weekend with some friends back in May. It was actually for my bachlorette party! We stayed at the ACE Hotel & Swim Club.

Ace is so unique. At first glance it looks like a small lodge maybe even a renovated motel. But once you're inside you realize that it has so much style and presence. Ace is such a hip, cool hotel. I really liked the vibe and the decor is amazing.

Here we are becoming part of the signage!

Beautiful blue skies against the mountain back drop. Gorgeous!

http://www.wallpaper.com/

I love the decor dangling from the ceiling in the lobby.

http://www.treehugger.com/

They even have beach cruisers that the guests can ride into town on. Unfortunatley, we didn't have enough time during this visit to ride them. We spent most of the day by the pool.

He we are lounging pool side.

The pool was filled with a stylish, hipster crowd. Mostly singles, a few young families and people with their dogs. We even saw a bride and groom on their way to get married! The pool had a fun, relaxed atmosphere. They even had a DJ playing.


In addition to their retro decor, the design on all their signage and promo materials is pretty creative.

http://www.linleeloves.blogspot.com/

http://www.highsnobiety.com/

I love the clean and fresh design, fun colors and cool fonts.

http://wwwblog.acehotel.com/

I can't wait to go back! Maybe it will be soon since we're having such "unsummer" like weather here in the OC (it barely reaches past 70 degrees by the beach where I am). I need some sunshine!

Spotlight: Missoni Hotel

By Melanie

source: visitorsscotland.co.uk.com

Scotland has never been on my "must travel to" list but after coming across the Hotel Missoni I'm thinking about adding it. Of course Scotland looks pretty nice too!

The hotel is located in Edinburgh, Scotland and it's such a treat to the eyes.

The decor is so pretty and fun. Of course you would only expect to find the most stylish hotel from such an amazing fashion house, right?

source: 3rd-party.co.uk.com

Love the logo.

source: hotelsmag.com

source: Luxist.com

source: Elementalpauls photostream on flickr

Pink! I'm loving it!

source: hotel chatter

source: hotelchatter.com

Love the bold colors and graphic fabric.

source: Travel Insider

So stylish.

source: otto-otto.com

Love the bed cover.

source: thisislondon.uk.com

The bar- wow!

source: hotel chatter.com

The restaurant's decor is a little over the top but I still love the graphics.

Seems like a very cool place to stay.

Summer Goals

photo by Maureen Sill via flickr

1. Learn more graphic design programs.

photo by nhom_toi

2. yoga

photo via myyogaonline

I've been going 1 -2x per week for the last year or so at Yoga Works. I'd like to go more and get better. I love yoga. It feels amazing and gives you a great yoga bootie :)

3. Travel

by simple moth via flickr

As you know I am just dying to go to Greece (Athens, Mykonos and Santorini) this summer. Saving.....

4. Kayaking

photo by rgruian via flickr

I've been wanting to try this for soooo long. Maybe this weekend. It's suppose to be 80 degrees. Yay!

5. Hike

This photo is from a hike from last summer at El Moro canyon (Crystal Cove - Newport Beach). Gorgeous views.

6. Cook

I need to make dinner for my honey way more often. BTW the above photo is a veggie burger (I'm a vegetarian).

Hmmm.. a veggie cake? I love veggies but not as a cake. Maybe that's just a dip for the veggies.

Food photos from Allure Magazine

7. Read

photo by Dawn Endico via flickr

I love to read business, marketing and finance books. And just because it's a must for the summer, I'll throw in a fun read too. Last year I read Eat Love Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert. Great book! I recommend it!

8. Have fun!

Sally Field as Gidget: photo via fifties web

Anyone remember that show Gidget? I know, it super old school. I think it's a show from the 70's or maybe even the 60's. if you are under 30 or at least under 25 you won't know what I am talking about. I never saw the originals of course but I remember watching reruns on Nick at Nite as a kid. It was such a fun show. Sally Field was adorable too!

Lets go travel!

Phuket Thailand

A friend of mine is going on a 3 month vacation traveling to Mexico, South America and Thailand. This past weekend she had a bon voyage party. She's only 24 so she has the luxury of taking a little work hiatus (lucky) and packing her bags to embark on a experience of a life time. I'm so envious *sigh.

When I was 22, my sister, a friend and I traveled to France and Spain. We stayed in hostels, which at that age is an awesome way to travel. It was an amazing time and great experience. I definately recommend to any young person to save money to travel abroad. It's so cool to see different countries, other cultures and meet new people. Especially when you're at an age where you have the freedom to do so.

Last year I was fortunate enough to go to Phuket, Thailand with some friends. This time no hostels ;) we traveled in style and stayed at the Marriott Hotel & Resort thanks to my friend who has a time share there. Since this trip, one of my goals is to travel out of the country every year. But since I am a little low on the funds (um like $0 for travel right now, not to mention a somewhat hefty credit card balance that I need to pay off) don't know if it's going to happen in 09. Right now I may have to settle for a trip down memory lane.

Phuket, Thailand Spring 2008

Patong Beach on Phuket. This is where the tsunami happened a few years back. So sad. They have rebuilt everything since. There were signs that said "If a Tsunami happens run for the hills".
So many Thai people on scooters. Even as many as four on one. Even little kids and babies. They must be reading the Britney Spear's parenting hand book ;p



This was my signature hair style the whole time there. It was so hot and humid, I didn't even try to do my hair.

Caution: major roots which make my hair look like it's dark brown (I prefer lighter on me).

View from the pool at the Mariott Hotel. This place was absolutely gorgeous.

Right outside the hotel there was a man with an elephant. Isn't it sooo darn cute! It was dancing. Don't laugh too hard at the fanny pack we were going for a hike that day. I know it's totally dorky :)
Check out the speedos!

I even got to ride an elephant! It was so much fun but I felt bad for the elephants because they looked a little old. I hope they treated them good.

We took a boat ride (got totally sea sick) and found some monkeys. People were feeding them bananas and watermelon.

Great vacation! Ooh, now I really want to travel so bad!

I have a lot of places I would like to travel to. My top 6:

#6 Sweden

#5 Hungary (I am 1/3 hungarian so it would be cool to check out my roots)

#4 Austraila
#3 Italy

#2 Costa Rica
#1 place I really really want to go to: The Greek Isles: Santorini and Mykonos

phota by billandcathy via flickr

photo by lpinseel via flickr

photos by lpinseel via flickr

Doesn't it look so beautiful there? I love the architecture, the white buildings and the splashes of color. It's so quaint.

I recently saw the movie Mamma Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (I admit it) and fell in love over and over again with Santorini.

Oh, I better start saving! What countries are on your "must travel to" list?