Carnival Cruise

I never had the chance to tell you about the cruise we took for our two year wedding anniversary. Yes, two years, I know...seems likes a short amount of time, but it seems like we've been together forever. It went by way too fast. When I say that last line, people often tell me that's a good sign...because we're having too much fun to care for the time that flies by!

Anyway, this was our very first cruise; we left on a Monday and returned on a Saturday morning. I booked our vacation straight through the Carnival Cruise Line and we stayed on the Carnival Elation. I had heard a lot of good reviews so I just had to check it out for myself.

We left from home (San Diego) and ventured off to Cabo San Lucas back up to Ensenada and then finally back home. We had a blast! More fun than we ever thought we would have. What is better than being stranded on a boat in the middle of the ocean with the one you love. Of course you're surrounded by a thousand other strangers, but that's beside the point!

A few things we learned for next time:

1. Bring some Dramamine - we got sea sick immediately after boarding and we didn't bring medicine because we figured the boat was big enough for us not to get sick, wrong. The feeling whore off after the first night though.
   
2. Don't pack too many clothes - I packed way too many outfits. There is a laundry facility available if you really need to wash clothes.
   
3. No need to bring towels - there are an abundance of them everywhere!
   
4. To save money, don't drink soda - it was an additional $6 per day per person
5. Do go on as many shore excursions as you can - we almost didn't book any, but we are so glad we did! You can book through the cruise line or on site at your destination
6. Take time to relax - I wanted to go to every little thing that was on the program and Ryan wanted to sleep in our cabin. I learned not to schedule too many things in one day...so just in case we didn't make it, I wouldn't be disappointed. We did get a couples massage though - highly recommend it.
7. HAVE FUN! - Enjoy your time together as a couple. Make a list of things you both want to do and compromise.

There are so many things we learned...don't be surprised if I start adding more items to this list or in another post. These are just the few that stood out.

Look out for more posts about our cruise and photos of our fun shore excursions!

Happy Travels and Happy Anniversary to anyone celebrating today!

A Valentine's Sweet Treat

I hope all of you love birds had a sweet treat for Valentine's Day! I had a great time. Last year Ryan surprised me with a dinner date at Roys Hawaiian Fusion in La Jolla...so this year, I surprised him with a dinner date at Roppongi in La Jolla. We love fine dining and it's so fun to get to dress up once in a while, at least for me.

Ryan loves sushi so this is essential why I brought him to Roppoingi since they are well known for their unique Asian cuisine and sushi bar. To my surprise Ryan didn't ordered sushi, at all, but it's okay. The important thing for me was that he enjoyed the location and had a great time. And he did!

So our own quick restaurant review..."the food was good and the service was great. for some reason I was not all that impressed with my meal, but it could be that i had really high expectations, especially for what we paid. we are willing to back, but this time we are definitely trying the sushi. the price for this date was $$$, be prepared. how can i forgot, the dessert pictured was also just okay, a chocolate molten cake with raspberry sorbet (taken by me with my new Cannon Rebel from ryan which I got for my bday just days ago...2/9)."

Anyway, so how can you ensure you have a Sweet Treat for Valentine's Day in 2010? Here are some tips you might find useful and keep in mind, a Sweet Treat can be anything to you if you know what I mean:

1. Book a reservation, NOW...just kidding, well somewhat. Seriously book as soon as possible because restaurants, hotels, and other romantic services book fast for Valentine's Day. Try opentable.com an online restaurant reservation service. I recently started using them and it's way easy to use. They even offer special promotions and invitations.
2. Before your reserve a location, if you have not been there do some research. Read the reviews and ask your circle of friends if they've ever been there or done that. The responses you receive will help you make a decision.
   
3. Gentlemen, almost every woman loves flowers...if anything they don't mind receiving them at work in front of all their friends! hint...hint...Ryan did this last year when Valentine's Day fell on a weekday, it's so sweet and you know he got his treat!
4. Ladies, this is a special day for the men too. In fact, I take that back, it's a special day for the both of you. And we all know you've got to give and receive. This is the time to gear up in your best Victoria's Secret apparel. Your men will appreciate the thought you put into this part of the evening every time!
   

So, you might think that Valentine's Day is a bit over rated and I on certain levels agree. We should all show our love and gratitude every day. However; take advantage of Valentine's Day to step up your game and do things you wouldn't or couldn't normally do for your significant other.

For more exciting tips check out Valentine's Day Tips.

p.s. if you've been proposed to this Valentine's Day don't forget to check out my website at Elegance is Easy to "experience easy planning for your elegant event."

Making up is NOT hard to do...

The past week has been rough on the both of us. My family came into town from CT for the week and I just had to spend some time with them. It was a bit of a sacrifice when it came to my husband, my dear, my Ryan. I felt really bad for leaving him and coming home in the wee hours of the morning. It was hard because I missed Ryan so much, but I also knew that my cousins would only be here for a week and I wouldn't see them until 6 months from now! I did what I could to take care of Ryan and make it so nothing really changed for the week, but it was challenging. I still made breakfast for him, but I was lagging a little on keeping up with the some chores and packing lunch...dinner was almost out of the question. It was hard for him to go out since he was working.

Anyway, some disagreements and a few love quarrels, but in the end we really just missed each other - A LOT! Ryan was very understanding of the situation and I believe that he saw my efforts to keep him and my family happy...which is not the easiest thing to do! I know that ultimately he is my first priority and he is my world. I thank God for his love and patience with me. He has such a big heart and a kind soul ;) I wish that every woman I know finds a man like him!

The lesson I learned, is that you can never have enough of your man. Always show him how much you love him, cater to his needs, and even when he's not accepting of an apology at the time it is given...keep trying and he will come to grips with the fact that he simply cannot resist your charm ;) On a serious note, one thing we've always remembered is to communicate everything to one another. It's the key to making a relationship work. Never let the sun go down on your anger...I may have said that one time before, but it's true! Cuddle in bed and hold each other as long as you can...you never know when things might take a turn for the not so good...

My family is now gone and things are getting back to normal fairly quickly! I love spending time at home with Ryan. Our first night together again we watched 21 and The Other Boleyn Girl and ate Pad Thai at HOME! I love it!

I love you Ryan. Thank you for letting me spend time with my family and for putting up with us the whole time! I love you!

Making up is never hard to do...you just gotta do it...no matter what time of the day it is...just do it and you will slepp much better!

Opposites Attract

Paula Abdul was my favorite entertainer as a child! One of her songs and videos I will never forget is "Opposites Attract" with the cool cat ;) No matter how different we are we end up coming together because opposites attract. Ryan and I have come to appreciate our differences as they make us who we are. We've come to realize that what we saw in each other, is what we actually wanted in ourselves. For example, Ryan is the more reserved and conservative type of person, very mellow. Myself on the other hand is quite the opposite. I am a talker and most of the time not afraid to put myself out there. Whatever the case, our characteristics offset each other to make our relationship "colorful."

It's always interesting to see how we pick up on each other's facial expressions and slang. I guess what I'm trying to say in this post is that we should embrace our differences...the personalties of our significant others because those are the things that make us who we are as an individual and as a couple. Learn from each other, give and take from each other and learn to laugh at the things you may have found annoying when you first met, but now can't live without!

Check out the cool video too!