ARE YOU SINFUL OR SWEET? Kimpton’s Surfcomer Miami wants to know

OK, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Honestly, it just seems like we were just at the Christmas Holiday. Time waits for no one and that’s the truth!!  With all the craziness of the beginning of the year, Kimpton’s Surfcomber Miami, South Beach is offering couples a passion-filled escape full of fun, fraternizing and flirtation. Whatever the mood, Surfcomber’s got it covered with its ‘Sinful or Sweet’ stay packages designed for duos with desires for a sexy getaway.  Ladies…I think this would be a great surprise weekend away for your guy!  After all…you know he’s going to get you something. 

A romantic tryst waits, with playful offerings that are sure to spice up anyone’s love life. For couples seeking a walk on the wild side, the sultry Sinful Stay offer will knock your socks off. This sinful package includes:

• Sex-on-the-Beach welcome cocktails for two
• Intimacy kit
• Tantalizing toys, including a blindfold and tickle feather
• Complimentary late check-out

Meanwhile, sweethearts can also make sparks fly with the more subdued though equally passionate Romantically Sweet package, which includes the following sweet amenities:

• Bottle of champagne
• Chocolate covered strawberries
• Candles
• Complimentary late check-out

Located in the heart of the Art Deco District on historic Collins Avenue, Kimpton’s Surfcomber, Miami South Beach continues to bring a sense of playfulness and whimsy to South Beach offering guests the perfect trilogy of sun, sand and surf. With direct beach access, this fully renovated hotel offers visitors a one-of-a-kind “daylife” experience with its iconic, sun-drenched pool deck providing guests with the most hours of sun than any other hotel in the area as well as 30 private cabanas, a pool bar, and varied beach and poolside activities.
And once the sun sets, Surfcomber offers one of the most fun and popular hot spots to enjoy cocktails or dinner before the South Beach scene starts to crank up, at its newly renovated and buzzing lobby lounge, The Social Club.

With rates starting at $429, Surfcomber’s ‘Sinful or Sweet’ packages are available for booking and travel now through December 31, 2014. Restrictions and blackout dates may apply. For more information on Surfcomber and/or reservations, please call (800) 994-6103 or visit www.surfcomber.com. Use the booking code SINF for the Sinful Stay package and SWEET for the Romantically Sweet package.

Broke-Ass Bride’s helps you plan your wedding on a budget

Ok so there are tons of wedding books out there.  Some are good…some are great…some not quite as good but all offering advice. What’s missing is one that addresses couples truly working on a budget.  That’s where Dana LaRue of Broke-Ass Bride Blog comes to the rescue with here first book – a wedding guide for a bad-ass budget.

It launches today and you can pre-order yours through Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com or IndieBound 

If you are planning your wedding or know someone getting married, this would be a great gift for them.

 

Hotel El Convento Puerto Rico old-world charm and elegance

In the heart of Old San Juan is a Spanish Colonial architectural delight, Hotel El Convento.  With six elegant salons, which can hold everything from intimate dinners to elaborate receptions, your guests will experience flawless service and celebrate with you an event that brings something ‘old’ and something ‘new’ for your wedding day.

Inaugurated in 1651, the Carmelite Convent was created to withstand Indians, European enemies, hurricanes and tropical heat. Doors and grilles were made of mahogany and iron wood which seems to increase it’s strength as it ages. For 252 years this building housed nuns and then it was abandoned.  In 1959 Frederic Woolworth (yes heir to the Woolworths fortune) purchased the convent from the Archdiocese for $250,000 and transformed it into its present deluxe hotel.  There are now 100 rooms including 10 suites.

A lot of the original artwork, wrought-iron fixtures and decorative tiles remain today.  The first two floors are now designed and feature restaurants and cafes, meeting and banquet rooms.  This is the only small luxury and four diamond hotel in the heart of old San Juan.

So why get married here?  One of the most monumental buildings is the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, located across the street from Hotel El Convento, whose Spanish architecture invites you without having to be a believer. The stained glass windows, statues and especially its high ceilings, domes covering it possible not only transported to the era of conquests but to other parts of Europe.  Many celebrities have chosen the Cathedral for their wedding and then walk across the street back to the hotel for their reception.

Hotel El Convento 100 Cristo Street, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 Telephone: 787-723-9020  Toll Free: 800-468-2779 Telfax: 787-721-2877

EVENT: Jamaica hosting wedding and honeymoon expo in NYC

Jamaica Destination Wedding Showcase

Discover the Top Destination Venues and Honeymoon Resorts in Jamaica

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Manhattan Penthouse | 80 Fifth Avenue | New York City

Cocktails with Seagram’s Escapes and Cake Tastings

Hair and Makeup Sessions including a Lash Bar with Celebrity-Makeup Artists

Honeymoon Giveaways (including Grand Palladium Resort & Spa)

Beach Wedding Fashion, and a Fabulous Gift Bag

For complimentary tickets for you and a guest

please RSVP with code JNYBC at www.JamaicaWeddingShowcase.com

 

2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for the men in your life

I love men and think that as much consideration in your gift should be given as what is given to women.  Here are some new and possibly creative gift ideas for the man in your life.  There are even a few at such a great price, your groomsmen will appreciate them too.

Guys hate fingerprints just as much as girls do and Swipe Ties know this.  These silk ties have a microfiber lining attached in the back so your guy can look great and shine up his phone or tablet at the same time.  Who said chic men can’t multitask?

If your guy travels, this mini Shave Tech Travel razor is a great gift.  The same size as a small cell phone, it not only fits in your shaving kit, you can stash it in your car or your desk.  Best yet, it comes with a USB attachment for those brilliant moments that have to be saved.

I love a good pair of cuff links and keeping them all together can be like finding socks.  That’s why a beautiful monogrammed box by Graphic Image for them is a perfect gift.

If you’re just looking for a single pair of cufflinks in a great French-styled presentation, then Watson Kennedy is your company.

A gift all the guys will surely love is this “Suds Connoisseur set” by Riedel This set makes sure that each beer is in it’s proper glass assuring you experience that “from the bar” down to the last drop.

If your guy has a drawer filled with mix-matched socks…maybe it’s time he gets some new ones – fun ones.  Mack Weldon is the answer to jazz up any outfit from the knees down.   SharpMen  also has cotton dress socks that you can wear at the office while keeping it fun with Crazy & unique patterns on the lower part of your socks. The patterns are only visible when you take your shoes making them work-friendly. Find a design you love and feel free to rock these amazing socks anywhere, anytime.

Wedding perfect but your luggage is lost. What now?

You’re wedding was perfect and you’re off on your honeymoon.  How can you make sure your luggage arrives the same time you do:

Book a direct or nonstop flight if at all possible.  That will definitely reduce the possibility of it being lost.

Choose an airline that has a ‘good baggage record’.  Did you know that someone kept records of it?  Go to airconsumer.dot.gov to see how your airline rates.

You have a ‘carry-on’ for a reason.  Put a change of clothes, your toiletries, any meds you may have, if there is a slight delay in your luggage arriving.

If you are like me and travel a lot, remember to remove any old luggage tags that you may have received from other airlines.  This will avoid any confusion on where you’re luggage is supposed to be.

Before you close your luggage at home, take a piece of paper and write your contact information on it or drop in your business card.  This will come in handy if your luggage tag gets removed, torn or lost in transit.  Do not put your home address – why, because there are some unscrupulous people out there.  If they know you’re traveling to Paris, you may arrive home to an empty home.  Don’t want that to happen.

Once you get to the airport there are some other things you can do.

Give yourself plenty of time to check in especially if you have more than one piece of luggage.  Late check-in, means rushing and that means possibility of your bags missing the flight even if you didn’t.

Make sure you watch the agent put the destination ticket and sticker on your luggage.  Then make sure you have a ‘claim ticket’ on  your boarding pass.

As simple as it may seem…make sure you see that your luggage goes on the conveyor belt.

Once you arrive at your destination, go directly – (or if you are going through customs as soon as possible) to pick-up your bags.  If you are standing there and don’t see your luggage, report it lost.  Make sure you have the tickets (which the agent would have attached to your boarding pass).  Give the ticket agent your destination so they can have your luggage delivered as soon as it arrives.

Here’s hoping that you, your new partner and your luggage all fly friendly skies and travel safely.

Top ten Honeymoon and Wedding tips 2012

You’re at that time when you’re trying to figure out a few things, among them, how to save money but have the ‘wedding of your dreams’. Perhaps you were never the “princess bride” and you just wanted to jet off and get married. Destination weddings require a lot of planning and being prepared for your wedding should be smooth sailing.

Here are 10 tips that will help you navigate your way.

Book early to ensure your favorite choice of wedding date and location.

Check out various Honeymoon offers on hotel sites. You could receive a room upgrade, an offer of a candlelit dinner, spa treatments, or bottles of champagne.

Not all destinations are alike. Check out the weather – even if it’s a year in advance, so you can have a better idea of what the weather will be like on your wedding day. You don’t want to go somewhere during hurricane season do you?

With some destination hotels, depending on the number of rooms you book, you can have a free wedding or honeymoon. Be sure to check out the hotel property and inquire about their offers.

Make sure you have a wedding planner with you. Either one you bring with you who, and this is important, has worked a wedding in the country you’re getting married in or the hotel property has one on staff that will be there to assist you. You don’t want to do last minute chasing of vendors the morning of your wedding trust me.

Take a look to see the exact location where you will get married. Are you getting excited at seeing where in a few short hours (or days) where you’ll become husband and wife?

Hang your dress up immediately to help the creases to fall out.

Go easy on the sunbathing. Nothing like a sun-fried bride or groom. No matter what, this kind of “red” is not what you’re going for. Red Lips yes…unable to kiss not so much!

Are you heading to an exclusive destination? This will make a difference in your travel plans? It’s true; some destinations can only be reached on certain days due to airline schedules, so be aware that you may need to be flexible with your dates. Also remember there are terms and conditions that you need to adhere to (be in a country 24 hrs to 4 days BEFORE your wedding).

Check your passport is valid and if you need to, apply for a renewal and/or any visas as soon as you pick your destination. Passports should usually be valid for at least six months after you leave your destination but make sure to check this requirement.

Finally, you’re almost there. Relax and have fun. Enjoy your day, weekend or week with your family and friends as they celebrate you.