Time to Pack

I just came back from my mini-vacation and had a wonderful time with mon cheri in Santa Barbara. I'll have to share the photos some other time. For now, I'm packing again for my big trip to Spain.


Here's my other antique trunk I found at a local antique shop and paid $30 bucks for it. No, I'm not bringing this trunk...this baby weighs a ton! I can't imagine how they traveled this way back then.



Here's what it looks like inside, full of drawers and hangers. There's a label showing this was made in 1912. I currently use it to store my gift bags, ribbons, and other cute goodies. I use the other one in my living room as a coffee table



The truth is when I pack, I always overpack. In fact, I'm also one of those who buys new stuff to bring on a trip, like I don't have enough already...



I just bought a new camera...14 megapixel, to make sure I can take the best photos in Spain. My last camera is bigger than this and only had 5 mp.



Also bought my first Tory Burch Reva ballet flats. Gotta have comfy (and stylish) shoes while walking around the streets of Spain. I just can't resist their very cute flip-flops so I got a pair as well.



Here they are on my size 7 feet...the leather's really soft almost like true ballet slippers.



This will be my 2nd to the last post prior to my trip, so there's still time to join my giveaway if you're interested! Check this out to find out details.

Santa Barbara - the American Riviera

Mon cheri and moi are celebrating our wedding anniversary this weekend! Since he will be missing out on my upcoming vacation to Spain, I thought it would be nice to treat him to a mini vacation. So we are off to Santa Barbara...aka the American Riviera.


Santa Barbara is located approximately two hours north of Los Angeles situated along the coastline. Due to its geography and mediterannean climate, they call it the "American Riviera."



Santa Barbara is a very popular upscale tourist and resort destination with a very robust economy. The lifestyle in this town is mostly luxurious and home to the rich and famous. Below is Oprah Winfrey's $50 million mansion located here.



So, our bags are packed and have made reservations at the Orchid Inn at Santa Barbara.



It's a boutique bed and breakfast located in downtown SB, three blocks from the harbor, shopping areas, and restaurants.



J'adore this photo of their breakfast room



Looking forward to this weekend getaway...a mini-vacation before the big one :) Life is good, and I thank God everyday for all His blessings and giving me the best husband.

Bon neuvième anniversaire mon cheri!

Travel Journals

For my upcoming trip to Spain, I have been searching for a cute travel journal to add to my collection. No...I refuse to bring my laptop...goodness it will feel like I'll be working. I like the old fashioned way of writing on a travel journal.


Here are a few from my last couple of trips to Europe



My Paris journal



I usually fill up the journal with my itinerary and clippings of hotel reservations. It gives me a thrill to compare how close the internet photos are to the actual hotel.



This one is a photo album packed with pictures from Paris






Here's my travel scrapbook that I have yet to finish



Another photo album with pictures of our trip from Provence and the French Riviera



This thick journal is from my 2007 trip to Italy. It was the perfect cover journal because I really went to Rome, Florence, and Venice.



2007 Itinerary







Unfortunately, I cannot find a travel journal specific for Spain, but I found this ornate and vibrant journal which reminds me of spanish and morrocan tiles.






In fact, here's an interior of a museum in Seville which showcases typical spanish tiles.



So yes, I cannot wait to fill up my new journal with memoirs of my trip to Spain. BTW, if you can, join my 50th post giveaway...details to be found here.

Touring Spain And a Giveaway

I've been obsessing about my upcoming trip to Spain. It will be my first visit there so I'm just really excited! There will be plenty of museums and indoor places not to miss, but here are my top outdoor sights to visit.


Crystal Palace in Retiro Park, Madrid



The Rose Garden in Retiro Park, Madrid




Gaudi's Guell Park in Barcelona




Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona




My daughter suggested we go on a biking tour in Seville so, yes we will



The romantic Maria Luisa Park in Seville



Perhaps see a bullfight before this bloody sport becomes completely banned


Also, I am having a giveaway contest where one lucky winner will receive a package of souvenirs from my trip. Please read this post on how to enter.

Sharing this post with Susan from A Southern Daydreamer and her Outdoor Wednesday participants!

50th Post - Giveaway Souvenirs from Spain

Hola! This is my 45th post at Marie's Maison. For those who's followed my blog the entire time...muchos gracias!!! As posted here, I'll be visiting Spain for the first time and was just thinking, what better way to celebrate an upcoming 50th post by having a giveaway here at Marie's Maison.

Si amigas...I will be bringing some lovely souvenirs from Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla to give to one lucky winner. Your name will be entered each time you leave a comment from now up to my 49th post. If you become a new follower of my blog, your name will be entered again. If you mention this giveaway on your blog and tell me about it, your chances are even greater. The winner will be announced when I return from vacation which will also be my 50th post.

BTW, I googled the top 10 souvenirs to take back from Spain and here are some that I found to be "not too tacky."


Spanish Olive Oil


Saffron Spice



Flamenco CDs



Abanico (Spanish fan used by women all over Spain)



A bullfighting or flamenco poster with your name on it (OK...maybe a bit tacky but funny, no?)



Don't worry, I promise to bring something back worth giving. If you have been to Spain before and you have suggestions for souvenirs, leave a comment as well. Thanks for joining.

Sunday Frolicking

Don't you just love one of those spur-of-the-moment days where nothing is planned but things turn out wonderful anyway? This past Sunday, mon cheri woke me up early and asked if I wanted to go fishing on the pier, so off we went.


Here's our downtown pier.



Across the pier is this huge time share hotel called "The Wyndham"



Here's something new I haven't seen before...this is how they pump sand onto our beach.



We have a "Ruby's Diner" at the very back of our pier. There's mon cheri in the background and other guys trying for their catch of the day. Mon cheri caught a couple mackerel



I get bored with pier fishing so I just take pictures. Here's a one legged seagull posing for me.



And a pelican resting its long beak on his belly




After pier fishing, we met up with my daughter in Orange, CA. We had lunch and desert at my favorite tea salon - Paris in a Cup



We had apple tart for desert



A nice fruit compote and a couple of fresh baked scones



We took home their version of parisian macarons, which for me is pretty good in comparison to the Laduree macarons.



The pièce de résistance of this day is a visit to this tiny but real cute and colorful shop called "The Victoria Co."



Where I bought this unique tablecloth. Here it is in its pouch



The tablecloth is a map of California



Too cute!