The Get-Away

Xmas eve, around midnight, Mr. P handed me two suitcases and said you have 10 hours to pack two days worth of clothes (fancy and casual) and be ready at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Hmmm. How does a girl sleep on that info? Where are we headed?
What should I bring? What will we be doing?

We headed out Christmas morning and lucky for him, I have no real sense of direction and couldn't tell if we were headed for Mexico or SF. After a few hours on the road, he pretended that he needed to use the restroom and we took off on a side road winding along the lovely coast. Hidden along the shore is an exclusive SPA retreat called Bacara. I realized it was the same place we had been years back during the Santa Barbara Film festival, attending Leonardo DiCaprio's award receiving party.

The entrance is breathtaking, an enormous fountain packed with giant bulbs and greetings by attentive bellhops offering to drive you to your room in golf carts.
Our room was across from the SPA organic cafe and Spa center.

I love that I have never been one to get my "Relax" on properly. In fact I've never been a good receiver of massages, nor facials. I lack the necessary smarts for how to let go and be pampered. The SPA booklet featured luxurious treatments for the body and the face as well as manicures/pedicures and exercise activities. Within 20 minutes of arriving on the scene, I opted for a toxin /stress releasing mud spine treatment with shoulder and neck massage. I misunderstood her instructions and laid down face up on top of the covers. When she entered and saw me, she gasped and said- "You need to get under the sheet, please" Faux Paux nude blunder number 1.
It was funny.

I also got a facial later that day. They call it the Instant Gratification Facial, and for a mere 25 minutes it'll set you back $95. Compared to most of the other decadent peels and masks, that price is a bargain. Did I mention sitting in the Eucalyptus STEAM room for 15 minutes til my face almost melted off? WOW it was amazing in there. Hot pools and saunas with women lounging around reading the latest issues of Vanity Fair- Ahhh the life of luxury.

after my fab facial- check out that glow!

This will go down in history as the MEAL of a LIFETIME!
Seriously- the best 4 course Christmas dinner ever. If I could frame the menu I would. Actually the bill was around $650 so perhaps we should be framing that too...Ouch.

The restaurant is named MIRO's- after the painter- all of the plates looked like his paintings

Lifestyles of the Rich and famous- kept playing in my mind

the life of leisure suits him

we spent our romantic nights in front of the many resort outdoor fireplaces, well, it was absolutely freezing by the ocean late night...

this light fixture should be in cynthia's place

in town we witnessed this Xmas miracle, a rat on top of a cat on top of a dog. Pretty sweet

We also shopped around Santa Barbara and saw the Kite Runner. It was amazing and heartbreaking. A must see.

Here's the debut of my new Xmas dress from Mr. P. Seems like the World Wrestling Association may be missing a winning belt, huh?

check out the chocolate sculptures in the lobby

Comments

[my love for you.]

the christmas miracle is pretty amazing...haha. and yes! you've been tagged. so funny.

[my love for you.]

p.s. i love how you got on top of the sheet! that is highlarious. i love that you would share that w/ us. so awesome.

[Millie]

The photo of Mr P sitting and you stood on the fireplace should TOTALLY be your Christmas Card next year!

Super cute x x x

[Youngest Indie]

Omg! How sweet! So lovely! But honestly, I am freaking out about Miro's! Didn't even know it existed! Years ago, in college I designed a whole collection around his paintings!