Wine tasting has quickly become one of my favorite ways to spend a day or weekend. While I have never been a big wine drinker, I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have purchased a bottle of wine, I love wine tasting. If you have never been wine tasting and you are a SoCal local or in town visiting, it is time for you to make this the year you visit Southern California’s wineries and tasting rooms!…
A Delta Sky Club Christmas
Merry Christmas! Live from the Delta Sky Club at LAX. I have spent Christmas at this exact location for 3 years in a row. It all aligns perfectly with how our family celebrates. My family has our big dinner on Christmas Eve. Then my husband and I fly to visit his family on Christmas day to spend the holiday and New Years together. Traveling on Christmas day happens to be the cheapest day to fly around the holidays and I am always going to take advantage of a good deal, especially during gift giving season!
I love the Delta Sky Club at LAX. It is one of the newer lounges in the country for Delta and I feel very blessed that my home sky club is my favorite one I’ve been to. It has made going to LAX infinitely better and has me looking forward to being at the airport. Anything that makes travel easier, especially at such a busy airport is a blessing. Free food, drinks, clean bathrooms, space to relax and a quiet atmosphere are all the great qualities of an airport lounge. Feel your stress melt away as you enjoy your time in this airport lounge.
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The Best Books I Read This Year
I am a lifelong reader, and I always keep track of my favorite books that I read in a year. This year, I read 66 books. While not all books are noteworthy, I did enjoy the bulk of what I read this year. I am a stickler for how I rate books, which I will explain in further detail because this list is in order from low to high. None dip below 4 stars, and all have something to offer. Some novels have beautiful prose, others are page turners, some leave you crying while others leave you thinking. While these are my top books of 2025, that does not mean they were released in 2025. We are spanning decades and genres because I read largely based on my mood, reading multiple books at a time. Feel free to peruse this list to add some to your TBR….
Hotel Spolight: The AC Hotel Downtown Oakland
Pulling up to the AC Hotel in downtown Oakland, California had us greeted by kind valets who welcomed us to the hotel. Once inside, the contemporary and timeless design of the lobby had us feeling assured we picked the right hotel for our weekend. Checking in was a breeze and we were up in our 15th floor room within minutes of entering.
The hotel has a friendly staff, clean rooms, and a decent breakfast spread. The lobby had a lovely fire going and movies playing on the wall. There were plenty of places to get comfortable should you wish to hang out. The bar and restaurant also open in the evening if you are looking to enjoy a drink without having to leave the hotel….
Very Merrytime Disney Cruise: Experience the Magic of the Holidays
My merriest vacations are on a cruise ship. And no cruise line does merry quite like Disney. When you visit the theme parks over the holidays, you know how much detail goes into decorating those parks. Now imagine it on a more personal scale. The ship becomes your home for the duration of your vacation. Imagine getting Disney to come and decorate for you in your actual home. That would be incredible, right? That is how it feels to sail on a Merrytime Cruise. As if you get to live inside a Christmas card for a few days or weeks, if you’re lucky!…