Girlfriend Getaway

I think my favorite feeling is laughing with someone and realizing half way through how much I enjoy them and their presence.

My dear friend Kim Moger, whom I've known for almost 30 years, invited myself and our other dear friend Jody Alfiere, whom I've known for a little over 30 years, on a fabulous girlfriend getaway to Southern California, specifically the Montage Laguna Beach. What an incredible treat! It's my spring break so it is perfect to be away from home, the office and the studio.

We left on Easter Sunday - April 5 - and got to Laguna Beach about 3:00 p.m. Weather was gorgeous! Sunny, warm, but not too hot. We drove from the Long Beach airport in a BMW rental - so comfy!!

 

We arrived at the Montage and were immediately greeted by our personal concierge. Well, so this is how the rich and famous live! She took us on a little tour, starting at the deck that overlooks this fabulous view. Heaven! Blue skies, turquoise blue ocean, this huge pool with umbrellas and cabanas and people everywhere. Easter Sunday and Spring Break and warm weather. 



The little building in the center (not really little) houses our room which is just fabulous. Kim has her own huge master bedroom and bath, and Jody and I share another equally perfect room and bathroom. Then there is a common sitting room - "living room" - and a little kitchenette hallway. It's perfect. There are three TVs and a fireplace. We have three sliding doors that lead out to three different patios. We are right next to the pool and hot tub. Perfect!

Kim and Jody relaxing in the sun on one of our three patios.

 

Our three patios. Far left - Jody's and my room; center - living room; far right - Kim's room.

 

We had a "snack" on our patio while settling in, then went to the Lumberyard for dinner. Yummy! Settling in for the evening we watched "Pitch Perfect" and went to bed. Lovely first day of vacation.

 

Monday morning (April 6) we woke up to a beautiful sunny day and wonderful spa pedicures. Kim went first while Jody and I went for a walk down to the beach.

 

Kim, lighting up the room with her smile!

 

The view from the pedicure chairs.

 

Eating chocolates and drinking tea while our tootsies get pampered.

 

Great way to start the day!

The view from the path leading down to the beach.

 

Montage Laguna Beach

 

Hangin' on the beach

 

Aaah! Feel like I'm home!

 

 

After pedicures we headed to the pool area. The first lesson we learned is that if we want chairs facing the ocean we've got to get up early and ask the staff to reserve three chairs for us. But even though we didn't do that today, we got fabulous chairs around the pool, had lunch poolside with the ocean to our left, and Adam, our server/pool boy, was available to move our patio umbrellas around for shade whenever we needed them to be moved. Again, lifestyle of the rich and famous.

 



Chips & salsa, diet Coke, magazines, sunscreen, coverups, books, and girl talk. Awesome!

Kimmie loving the sun!

Oh, and a scrumptious lobster salad, poolside. I still can't get over how cool that was!

Lobster salad and painted toenails.

 

We got so many references about good restaurants in Laguna Beach that we have to make eating decisions each day, especially for dinner. I heard The Rooftop was a great place to see the sunset and everybody that's anybody eats there. What we didn't know was that only appetizers after 2:30 and it could get cold up there in the evening. We went, we froze, we had a couple of appetizers, took some pictures, fought other patrons for the blue blankets, and finally went downstairs to eat dinner. Fun experience.

The Rooftop with a view

Girlfriends forever!

Sunset in wine.

Goodnight!

 

After dinner we came home and warmed up, curled up, and watched another movie. This time - The Kingsman. I suggested it but kind of sorry I did. It was okay, but way too violent for me. We were all so tired from the sun so headed to bed right after the movie.

 

Tuesday April 7 - Sleep-in, lazy morning. We heard it was going to be a rainy day so we scheduled our massage/spa day for today. Well, it was a gorgeous morning! But off to the spa we went. Kim and I headed to Athena Spa and Jody went to the Relaxing Center.

 

I had about three hours of treatments scheduled and could hardly wait. I had a body polish, 90-minute massage, scalp massage, extra time on the feet, and hot stones with the massage. FABULOUS!

 

Kim, waiting on the patio "with a view" for me to get done at the spa.

Kimmie and me!

 

Kim got done before me, Jody was out browsing the cute shops of Laguna Beach, and we all met up for dinner. We had no idea where we were going to eat until we found a parking spot right in front of a cute place called Nicks Laguna Beach. I had the most delicious salmon and kale salad with champagne vinegrette. It was so good!! We sat at the bar and couldn't really converse well, but I was okay with that as my salad was just so darn good.

Kim and Jody at the bar at Nick's. Yummy!

 

Came back to the resort before the rain started and are currently curled up watching Burlesque. Another great day!