Grand Isle Resort and Spa, Photo by Mel Barlow

To wrap up our week of destination inspiration and recap of our visit to Exuma, I thought I would share a few “must do’s” while visiting.

1.  Boat trip to the Chat ‘n’ Chill

Located on 9 acres with over 1000 feet of pristine white sand beach, the Chat ‘n’ Chill is the perfect spot to to kick back, relax, have a cocktail and enjoy a bite to eat.  They feature a Sunday Pig Roast that is amazing!  But be sure to arrive early as it is first come first serve.  This also makes the perfect spot for hosting your rehearsal dinner, to really kick off your weekend of festivities with your guests.  It is sure to set the tone for a weekend of relaxing.

*The Chat n Chill was featured on the 2010 cover of Martha Stewart’s Destination Weddings Issue .

2. Day Trip

Charter a full- or half-day catamaran (with the front desk at the Grand Isle Resort & Spa) and explore the hundreds of islands and cays that comprise the Exumas. The captain will arrange for a picnic lunch, and can drop you at a deserted isle for the afternoon, returning at sunset to pick you up. or you can explore a few of the 365 islands the stretch throughout Exuma. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

3. UnderSea Park

The UnderSea Park is not only a living coral reef but a unique eco-adventure experience for guests of Grand Isle Resort & Spa. Comprised of a network of shallow underwater snorkeling trails around the various reef formations surrounding Grand Isle, UnderSea Park is accessible by walking into the water right from the resort beach.  Scubapro® snorkeling equipment is complimentary for guests of the resort so you can fully enjoy the spectacular beauty of this underwater world. The snorkeling trail is marked with buoys to help guide the way.

4. The Spa at the Grand Isle Resort

At the Grand Isle they have packages built especially for the bride and groom.  The price is a little steep but it is worth it as you are treated to a total body experience of pure relaxation.  Star with an island glow body sugar polish to renew the skin and get it ready for tanning. Next, enjoy a 50-minute personalized facial designed especially for your skin type, then top it all off with a soothing 80-minute lava shell massage. Finishing your day of bridal pampering with a French manicure and pedicure.

5. Swimming Pigs

I honestly didn’t believe this until I saw it.  Swimming pigs, who knew?!  Apparently in the Bahamas it isn’t as unheard of.  You can take an excursion to Pig Beach where you can actually get in the water and swim with the pigs. The today show recently visited Exuma and captured it on video.

6. Cocktails

While lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun and listening to the sound of the waves crashing, “happy hour” is bound to happen a few times throughout the day.  One of my favorite things about being on vacation is a morning cocktail.  The drink of the island is the Gumbay Smash, but another favorite of mine that is a must try is the Miami Vice (It is a pina colada and strawberry daquari in one, be sure to order it with a rum floater on top, it is pure delight!)

** I was lucky enough to get to travel with and share a villa with my dear friend Yumiko, of Hana Floral Design, and she too did a recap of our stay.  Read about it here.

Filed under: Destinations, Out and About

This week we are going to take you on a little journey to one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean; the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas.  I was invited by a good friend and industry colleague, Josh Friedman, Elan Artists,  to experience the property of Grand Isle Resort & Spa, for destination weddings, events, and clients looking for the perfect spot to honeymoon/vacation.  I truly was blown away by the beauty of this tropical paradise.  The Villas at Grand Isle Resort are pure luxury, with marble bathrooms, fully appointed gourmet kitchens, granite counter tops, spacious living rooms with access to the terrace, overlooking the most gorgeous turquoise water I have ever seen.  On property is an infinity pool, poolside bar and restaurant, and 24 hour fitness center, although I must admit it is hard to run on the treadmill when the white sands of the beach await, it made running outside in February a pure gift.  The pace of the island and laid back nature of the people put me at ease the minute I stepped off the plane.  It was hard to do anything but relax during our stay at Grand Isle.  I hope you all will have the opportunity to visit this hidden gem and enjoy a week of destination inspiration and our insider’s guide to the island of Exuma!

Filed under: Behind the Scenes, Coffee Talk Monday, Destinations, Out and About

We wanted to make sure to share with you this exciting wedding event taking place this Sunday, February 12th, at The Space at Fifty North Third in Wililamsburg! See below for all the details!

Williamsbrides is an alternative, interactive wedding event taking place on February 12, 2012 at The Space at Fifty North Third in Williamsburg.  Produced by The Space at Fifty North Third in cooperation with their preferred caterer, Naturally Delicious and NYC wedding professional network, WeDo, Williamsbrides will pair couples with an assortment of New York’s best wedding vendors and serve as the official launch party of The Space at Fifty North Third.

During Williamsbrides couples will sample hors d’oeuvres and Brooklyn-inspired cocktails, enjoy live music performances and meet the most talented New York wedding experts.  Brides can visit the bridal suite for a mini-consultation with hair and makeup experts, while grooms will feel at home in the gentleman’s lounge.  Every aspect of the wedding experience will be celebrated during this fresh approach to the typical bridal event.

The Space at Fifty North Third was originally a 19th century textiles warehouse which makes it the perfect unique and versatile space for New York couples.  Just a 10 minute walk from the Bedford L stop, the venue can accommodate a 200 person cocktail party, or up to 120 for a seated dinner.  The Space is also fully customizable, including a paintable mural space available on the front of the building to truly personalize the event. Managed by Villain, a leading NYC event production company, The Space at Fifty North Third features extensive in-house A/V products, full sound and lighting equipment, design & fabrication services as well.

Williamsbrides
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Space at Fifty North Third
50 North 3^rd Street (btwn Wythe & Kent) in Williamsburg
General Ticket Holder 1-5pm – VIP Ticket Holder Enter at 11am
Press & Blogger entry at 11am

Ticket Pricing
$25 advance per person ($40 day of)
$40 advance per couple ($50 day of)
$50 VIP entry for two

Vendor highlights include: Naturally Delicious; Rock, Paper, Scissors; Elan Artists; Huffington Post; Broadway Party Rentals; Heights Chateau; Jarrell Entertainment; Karen Zieff Photography; Green Room; Moss & Isaac; Whisk; Elegantly Iced; SB Beauty; Lion in the Sun; Sugar Flower Cake Shop; La Coeur Noire Letterpress; Open Eye Media; Heights Chateau; Rose Red & Lavender; ReadyLuck; NY Distilling Company; Breuckelen Distilling; Dvir Salon Hair Salon; Lindsey Jones Makeup Artistry; and more

Filed under: Out and About, Venues, Wedding Wednesday

This year for the holidays I decided to host our holiday party at Cafe Routier in Westbrook, one of my absolute favorite restaurants.  The food is always interesting, with a menu that changes seasonally and features different regions around the world.  There is always a crowd and an energy that fills the space just about any day of the week.  Even though it sits on the shoreline of CT it reminds me of some of my favorite places in the city.

I feel so lucky to be able to live what I love every day, but even more blessed to have such an amazing core group of ladies that help to make it all that much more fun, and have helped in so many different ways to make this past year such a huge success.

True Event Holiday Party

Wine of the week…

La Granja Tempranillo and Garnacha 2009

Trader Joe’s $4.99

From the bottle:

La Granja 360, means in Spanish “The Farm 360″. It is located in a traditional Tempranillo and Garnacha grape growing wine region in the North of Spain. Now our farm has this very exotic animal to accompany the other members of the family. Cherry red colour of red fruity aromas. Full of flavor and a velvet finish due to the 2 months of oak aging. A great match with grilled red meats, pastas, pizzas and manchego cheese. 13.5% Alcohol

At the party Emily, from Paper Moss, surprised me with the most incredible bottle of wine, with a zebra on the label!  This is a bottle that will remain in my collection for a long time because I love the label so much!  Happy Friday!

Filed under: Friday Wine Tasting, Holidays, Out and About