Get Ready For Valentine's Day: Hit the Spa or Plan a San Diego "Staycation"

We all know that Valentine's day is about bringing the love... and nothing says love better than a day at the spa or a weekend in a swanky, downtown hotel. If you are lucky enough to live in San Diego (or even Southern California) here are my two picks for getting reacquainted with your significant other.

La Costa Resort and Spa

If you follow me around on my various social networks, you know how much I LOVE La Costa. Yes, it's five minutes from my house but there is still something magical about spending the day at the spa there. I feel like I'm hundreds of miles away instead of just three. While a nice bamboo massage or aroma rain massage will also put you in a loosey goosey mood, for V-day you can always spice it up with one of these Valentine-inspired treatments:

Champagne Mimosa Massage Indulge in a champagne infused full body massage. Helps reduce muscle tension and increase circulation.  Relax afterwards by the spa dipping pool with a complimentary signature Spa Bellini. 

Sweet Red Rose Facial Revitalizing and nourishing, this Sweet Red Rose treatment will assist in toning and reducing visible signs of aging.  Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, this facial is sure to deliver a refreshing boost of firming hydration. 

Romantic Journey for Two Enjoy a 50-minute Suite Hearts Couples Massage followed by 45 minutes leisure time en-suite to enjoy after the massage.  You will enjoy your own private Jacuzzi and patio area while indulging in champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

**swoon**

But maybe a night away is more up your alley? Downtown San Diego is always a great spot to spend the night and feel young again. 

W Hotel San Diego

Last year, the W San Diego in downtown San Diego completed a $5 million renovation that includes a new lobby, signature restaurant, rooftop bar, spacious indoor and outdoor meeting facilities and event spaces. Referred to as the “Living Room,” the lobby includes vibrant colors in a lounge-like atmosphere with a DJ some nights. They also have a new bar, "Rooftop" that combines cocktails, bonfires, private cabanas and views of the city and San Diego Bay. 

Two things to note: If you live in California, you get a 10% "locals only"rate. Also, take advantage of the "Acura Experience" - a free 5 mile ride. But book it early as it fills up quickly. 

Get Ready For Valentine's Day! How to Make the Perfect Cosmo from Jo-Lynne Shane

If you are going out or staying in, single or celebrating your 25th Valentine's together, this cosmo is the perfect pinktastic Valentine's day drink. My girl Jo-Lynne, from Musings of a Housewife, shares her PERFECT cosmo recipe!

ingredients:

• 3 ounces (2 jiggers) citron vodka (Don't skimp. Get the good stuff.)
• 1.5 ounce (1 jigger) triple sec (or cointreau, if you don't mind spending a few extra pennies)
• 1.5 ounce (1 jigger) cranberry juice
• juice of 1 lime (or about 3/4 ounce)
• ice

instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the ingredients.
3. Shake and pour!

Download the recipe and check out the rest of Jo-Lynne's pretty pictures here. 

And if you are looking for a yummy dinner idea to go along with it, check out her Herb Chicken Rose. 

*Big THANKS to Jo-Lynne for sharing her recipes with me!

Get Ready For Valentine's Day! Professional Pictures Celebrating the Day!

I know that normally one wouldn't think of getting "Valentine's Day" pictures taken, right? But why not? 

Since we didn't do pictures for our holiday cards this year, I decided to take the kids to one of our local photographers, Baby Dream Photography, for a Valentine's Day "mini-session." Mini-sessions are perfect for kids - 15 minutes in-and-out. That's about {my kids} can stand before they start wigging out. You would think our overly photographed kids would be used to getting pictures taken by now... 

I'm really happy I did these, as looking at these pictures I worry that by next year Lucas will have outgrown his tolerance for things like this. Zoe, in her red Jason Wu (just like FLOTUS on inauguration night!) will still pose and smile (with some bribing), but Lucas is getting to this "really Mom?" stage now that he's almost 9. Thankfully, he still relishes in his "class clown" status...

The other wonderful thing that I'm happy was captured was just how much Zoe LOVES Lucas. She wants to do what he does, she wants to pose like him (with her feminine twist - she was NOT going to have a mustache!) and she just can't keep her hands off him. While that makes for cute pictures, I will admit that this love-of-Lucas can be rather annoying around 7:45 AM on school days when we are trying to get ready to go. 

But I'm happy to have these moments captured today. They are both changing so rapidly that I love having these memories of them at different ages and stages. 

Get Ready For Valentine's Day! Giveaway: 50 cards and a Custom iPhone Case from Tiny Prints!

Okay, I may have a slight obsession with cards. 

I moved on quickly from obsessing over Holiday pictures and cards to obsessing over Valentine's Day cards and pictures. WHAT? You buy the Dora the Explorer fold-overs from the drugstore? FOR SHAME! 

When it comes to Valentine's Day cards, I love a custom card. Over the past few years I've stamped, cut and created some pretty cute cards. But this year, with both kids having upwards of 30 kids in their classes, I'm opting for an easier way out. But you know I'm not forgoing the cute-factor. 

So this year, I'm ordering cards from Tiny Prints. 

From superheroes to cupcakes to mustaches, the selection of classrooms cards is perfect for all ages and personalities. For Lucas we are going MUSTACHE with matching lollipops and for Zoe we are thinking **PINK SPARKLES** - since pink and sparkle are pretty much her middle names. 

tiny prints cards by hipmamab on Polyvore

 Also - if you are looking for a fun gift for the iPhone lover in your life, check out Tiny Print's new customized iPhone cases. 

How cute are these? 

You can make a collage of images, or even just use a fun design and add your name... 

I think I'm going with hot pink chevron and my "@HipMamaB" moniker... 

Now here's the fun part. 

I have a special Valentine's Day package to give away to you from Tiny Prints that includes 50 cards and 1 customizable iPhone case.

Here's whatcha' gotta do:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure: Prizes are offered from Tiny Prints. In return for hosting this giveaway I will be given Valentine's Day cards and a custom iPhone case. Opinions are my own. 

HipMamaB Lusting: Shoes I Need RIGHT Now.

shoes I need - Jan 2013 by hipmamab featuring high heel wedges

It's a typical January in San Diego. Last week we were freezing, but today we could hit the beach. All of a sudden my boots seem heavy. My calves are sweating and the tops of my feet beg to see the sun. While I KNOW that next week will be cold(er) and raining again, this week Spring is in the air and I'm dying for a little color on my stems.