Sorry for this being so tardy but I had to review Excellence Playa Mujeres from our last trip! Everyone we were with enjoyed this resort immensely and I thought y’all should know! Oh, and when I say “all of us,” I mean 100 people since we were with a wedding party. As you know I have quite the spoiled palette for travel after our fantastical, magical honeymoon to Southeast-Asia (check out where we stayed in this article I wrote for Fodor’s). But I have to give this all-inclusive hotel props. I have never felt like I was truly at a five-star all-inclusive until my experience at the Excellence Playa Mujeres. 

First of all, it’s adults-only, which for folks my age is crucial. I do not want to have to be dealing with splashing, annoying offspring. Next on my list is food, everyone knows that I have a fat girl inside of me, dying to break free and that I LOVE to eat!  While most resorts in Mexico leave you dying to dine out, at Excellence Playa Mujeres, with 9 restaurants and 11 bars with no reservations required, you’ll never want to leave! Dine on sumptious  Mexican or delectable Indian or even kick back at the Lobster shack. And the lobster was actually awesome, guys! Seriously, New York restaurant quality. Super fresh and no casualties (which I’ve heard horror stories of other resorts). Some of the other food isn’t stellar, I mean you can’t expect perfection but certain things like the breakfasts were incredible! They even have healthy options like green juice, fresh fruit and gluten free, if you happen to be. They really try to make everyone happy. Favorites were probably the guacamole and the fish tacos served at the restaurant at the pool. They were incredible!

This luxury hotel has a ton of variety in every arena, especially the activities. You can choose from snorkeling to Spanish lessons, or even get your honey to learn to dance with you! There is a world-class spa where you can soak up some relaxation as you get a massage beachside and listen to the waves wash over the shore. If adventure is your thing, enjoy free non-motorized water sports on the beach, including introductory scuba lessons. There is even a pretty modern fitness center where you can take a Pilates or Yoga class! 

If you’re looking though to kick back and have a drink, enjoy yourself at one of 7 pools (Pools are a little chilly though) with any cocktail you can dream up in hand! There is even a swim-up bar and several jacuzzis to warm up in after! They’ll even bring your Margarita or Mudslide down to the beach! There is often live music and a themed party going on for those who want to have a good time. They have taco or burger bars on the beach too if you’re a sun worshipper and can’t tear yourself away from the magnificent views! However, if you’re looking for privacy and romance, there are several pools and strips of the beach that you won’t be bothered by a soul. Since this resort is adult’s only, couples looking for some alone time will relish in the relaxation.

Speaking of romance, this hotel was built for two! With contemporary decor, the large guestrooms will make you never want to leave. Each room has a balcony and a Jacuzzi, ideal for sipping champagne together! Rooms are modern and include five-star amenities like Wi-Fi, iPod docks and huge flat-screen TVs. I couldn’t get over how clean the suites were. They were really immaculate. I never felt icked out by anythig! Just be sure you’re here with a loved one, bathrooms have little privacy since showers are enclosed only in glass and have no door! Like, I get stage fright peeing in front of anyone and was none too pleased about this! 

Perhaps my favorite feature was that after you spend a night out partying and drinking until your heart’s content, you can order room service 24/7! And that’s not even the best part! You can order it to be delivered to a little box connected to your room so you don’t have to deal with any judgment from waitstaff! Get it?You can order chicken fingers, guacamole, nachos, a turkey sandwich and chocolate cake and you don’t have to deal with anyone. They just leave it there for you. Thank the heavens they don’t have this in my apartment! I’d be 600 pounds! 

Oh and don't miss the Michael Jackson show. I immensely enjoyed this gem! I learned a lot of new moves and spouted off every word to Black or White! And I nailed it. 

Ante up to the Excellence club and snag ocean views, designer bath products by Bvlgari and if you get a rooftop suite, you’ll get a private plunge pool! Excellence club guests also enjoy a private lounge with top-shelf liquor, wine and espresso drinks made on the spot! 

I whole heartedly recommend this hotel, even after staying at several Four Seasons, Fairmonts and the like! You won’t be disappointed. 

Executive Chef, Jeremy Bearman created the menu for the haute-carte for Rouge Tomate and really tried to keep the same seasonal and nutrition focused standards. Forget about those nasty hot dog carts, ladies!!

Sandwiches range from $6-8 and range from grass-fed meats to portobello burgers covered in cucumber tzatziki! They'll also serve fresh juices from the Rouge Tomate's fresh juice bar! And don't forget to try one of their homemade ice cream sandwiches!

Find the Rouge Tomate cart at the 64th street and Fifth avenue entrance (near the NE entrance to Central Park! Everyday from 10am-6pm!  Follow the cart on www.rougetomatenyc.com or @rougetomatecart on Twitter.

Hi dolls! I know I have been a bad girl and haven't written about my fabulous honeymoon. I apologize. I was just so wiped when I returned and then had to jet out to California for a work conference so soon after that I never had a chance to share. But, I do have some good news. I've been writing a little for Fodor's. My dreams of becoming a travel writer are finally coming true! Horrah! Anyway, check out my first article on Fodor's about my favorite Luxury Escapes!

Stay tuned for my next chapter in travel writing as I quest to find the most luxurious all-inclusive!

I came across this little gem today and I cannot wait to memorize each one to make my life even better than the iPhone has already made it!

Did you know that pressing the volume button on your phone when in photo mode will actually take a picture–like the button on your typical camera? Sensational, right? All those blurry pictures will be forgotten. Does anyone else mess up alot of pics bc when they tap the screen the phone shakes and gets out of focus? I would guess that I'm not alone…

Visit this awesome article!!

What is your fave iPhone secret? 

If you haven't seen this fabulous compilation of fabulous things from the 90s, you MUST check it out here!

Reasons like Girl Talk, Squeeze its, Clueless, Kelly Capowski

Most of us steep our tea for its health benefits but now you can go the route of some avant-garde New Yorkers, and smoke it. That’s what Liz Neves suggests. Liz is a Brooklyn-based creator of Vivid Visions, an herbal tea blend that’s meant to be smoked, not sipped. And she can barely keep the stuff on her Etsy shelves since being featured on FoodCurated.com.

“There’s something taboo about smoking things, and people are drawn to that,” says Neves. “It feels like you’re getting away with something.” And given that wholesome Brooklyn foodies were the first to discover her, even healthy types like that.

Smoking the tea lets it get into your bloodstream faster and may be a bit trippier than your average cuppa tea! 

Her tea is called Vivid Visions and it has some properties that are a little trippier than, say, your Celestial Seasons. 

“The main benefit is a shift in your perception. It’s really subtle, but you just see things a little differently,” explains Neves. Don’t worry, the herbal ingredients aren’t going to get you arrested (at least in New York): Damiana is an antidepressant, lavender is a relaxant, and mugwort tends to induce vibrant dreams.

Of course smoking anything isn't a good idea long-term for your health but this is certainly an interesting idea. Not your cuppa tea? Liz also sells non-toxic beauty and cleaning supplies!

Looks Like I'm onto something, Haters who moan when I get up to go to the bathroom 100 times when stuck in the window seat. According to a new study, people who sit in the window seats are nearly 2x as likely to get blood clots. Of course it's probably not the location of the seat but that you don't want to be that person making your neighbor shimmy in and out of his seat while he's taking a nap. Well, people, I am that girl. I wake my airplane peers from naps, disrupt their movies and step on their toes if need be to get up and walk around. And you should too!

Check out this article from Men's Health! 

Before I go on vacation if I'm going to a particularly wonderful place I love to read a book or watch a movie that will get me in the mood before I go. A little cultural insight doesn't hurt either. During my honeymoon planning I came across this awesome list put together by Lonely Planet to help you figure out what to read or watch ahead of your trip! I thought it was really interesting and helpful! 

Do you have any favorite books that you read before a particular vacation? Let me know in the comments!

For all you wine snobs out there, you may cringe when you read the words that follow…but trust that the tip comes from former CTO of Microsoft and famed master French chef, Nathan Myhrvold.

Does anyone decant wine? I mean I'm always pleased with myself if I even open the bottle and leave it to breathe before I guzzle the whole thing down. So, according to many famed French chefs, the best way to aerate your wine is to literally beat the crap out of it. 

You may be asking, Katie, what does that mean? It means either put a beater in your wine or throw it into your standing blender like my best friend in the entire world, the Vitamix! It makes sense right? The whole point of decanting wine is to expose it to air. This is just the quickest way! I haven't' tried it yet but I can't wait to! Have any of you guys?

Watch this video to see!