A Blissful Getaway

I promised more on girls' weekend at the spa, so here you go. We wanted a place that was all inclusive, so we wouldn't have to worry about driving around town to eat or be entertained (and yes, so we could have a few drinks). My friend's husband actually stumbled on the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and suggested it us It's a bit pricey, but if you want some serious pampering, this is place!

Ojai is a picturesque arts community between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and the resort began in the 1920s as a private country club.

No detail is overlooked, from the architectural features (archways, pedestal sinks, hand-painted tile baseboards in the bathrooms) to the impeccable service. When we needed a corkscrew, it was a just a room service call away. More coffee in the morning? Ditto. Don't want to walk from one end of the complex to the other? An employee will undoubtedly offer you a ride on a golf cart.

The resort has a beautiful golf course, tennis court, at least four eateries, at least three pools (including one family pool), a coffee and snack shop, and bike/walking trail. It offers fitness and yoga classes and hikes as well.

But the star (in my book, anyway) is the spa. We each got a relaxation massage, and it was heavenly. The spa offers a range of massages, facials and other treatments. After the massage, we spent a few minutes in the steam room. We didn't think to bring our swimsuits to the spa, but there's a beautiful pool. (Next year we'll know better!) We had a delicious and (relatively ;-) healthy lunch near the pool at Cafe Verde.

I'm Mad About ...

Bon jour!

Beivushtang at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

• In honor of Bastille Day tomorrow, a little French music.
• BBB's Orla Kiely collection is here!
• Who knew wiener dogs could be so fashionable? 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Weekend Retreat

I spent last weekend being pampered at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. I went with a dear old friend, and we got massages, relaxed in the steam room and hung out in the beautiful (but hard to find!) pool. And we ate. A lot.

Here's a little taste to whet your appetite:

I'll have more pictures and details next week.

Animal Skin Rugs: Tired or Trendy?

I subscribed to Metropolitan Home for years (until it went away with other beloved magazines, victims of the Internet and a bad economy). I loved the warm modern style the magazine showcased. But one thing I found maddening was the ubiquity of Saarinen tulip tables. Evey issue had at least one—dining tables, side tables, marble-topped tables. Toward the end there were tulip tables in just about every home tour, three or four per issue.

Now, don't get me wrong: I love the simplicity of a Saarinen table and the fact it looks just as good in a modern space as in a more traditional setting. It just started to become a cliché, and I found myself cringing every time I saw yet. another. one.

Which brings me to the subject at hand: hide rugs.

Decor Pad via The Simply Luxurious Life

I can hardly open a design magazine or read a blog post lately without seeing yet another hide run. Cowhide, zebra—you name it. While I like the organic shape of a hide, I'll admit I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of decorating with dead animals (my leather Eames-style lounger notwithstanding!). But that's not what I'm objecting to (faux animal hides are all over the place, too). I guess it's just starting to seem rote and unimaginative.

So what do you think: Are animal skin rugs passé or here to stay? Am I just being a crank? And did the person who designed this room want to drive me over the edge?

I'm Mad About ...

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. Even though the husband had to work, I did a little barbecuing and festive decorating:

Here are a few things that caught my eye this week:

• Good idea: The Everygirl's starting a book club. Are you keeping up?
• Speaking of books, how many books in Rory Gilmore's library have you read? I won't embarrass myself by admitting how few I've read (it's more than zero!), but I will say that I tried to read Kerouac and just couldn't do it.
• I'll probably never make these brownie cookies with salted caramel filling, but it's nice to think that I could!
• It's Pinterest Challenge time again. What are you making?
• Interesting differences between American and British English.

I'm off for a spa weekend with a friend! More on that next week. Have a lovely weekend!

Happy Independence Day!

Have a blast!

Cholmes75 at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

(And remember to bring your pets inside.)

Festivities for the Fourth

This week is America's birthday, and here are a few thing to help you celebrate:

Red Picnic Cooler, Crate & Barrel; Schooner Melamine Plate, West Elm; Striped Metal Water Tank Dispenser, Cost Plus World Market; Red, White and Blue Napkin; Cost Plus World Market; Oliver Stripe Outdoor Lumbar Pillow; Pottery Barn; I Tank You're Swell Dress, ModCloth.