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. 

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!

I'm finally planning my honeymoon y'all! We're going to Southeast Asia! I cannot wait!!! Do you know how many shots you need to get to go over there? It's crazy! You know what else is crazy? How expensive all the shots, etc. add up to be! Man if you don't have health insurance you're in big trouble!

I think I'm in the wrong business, Fortune 500 said that the pharmaceutical industry topped the list of the most profitable recently. The high cost of prescription drugs in the US is a major issue in the health care reform debate. And shouldn't it be!?

Even though it isn't too expensive to manufacture a prescription drug, pharmaceutical companies have to pay a high price for research and development of new drugs. Even though people in the US only represent 5% of the world's population, the United States is the leader in drug research and development. Thirty-five percent of the research on new drugs is conducted in the United States. A recent study indicated that research on new drugs to for AIDS, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, and arthritis will save more than $750 billion in treatment costs over the next 25 years. If you are buying expensive drugs in the US you are helping the pharmaceutical industry fund their research and development.



Many  Americans are looking for alternatives to purchasing their prescriptions here in the US. But let's be honest you don't want to buy it at some shady market! But you can save money on drugs purchased from other countries. For example, a Canadian pharmacy , carries the same prescriptions available in the US for much cheaper. The reason for this is because drugs in Canada are under government price controls. Canada also carries a wider selection of generic drugs than the US.

What will the future bring us with this!? 

*This is a sponsored post but all thoughts herein are my own*

Bonjour mes amis!!! And for those of you dolls who aren’t fluent in Francais that means hello friends! This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Montréal. Somehow I had never been to this fabulous city despite it only being a mere 6 hour drive away. We were thrilled when one of our favorite couples asked us to go away Labor Day weekend with them for a little sightseeing and A LOT of eating! We quickly decided to stay at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, as in my opinion the Fairmont is an extremely reliable hotel chain and I didn’t feel like doing research. Plus, you can always bet that the Fairmont will be right in the heart of the action. The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth was no different, it was located right in the vivacious heart of Montréal.

Upon check-in I was pleased (yet not surprised) that the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth was so centrally located and within a short walking distance of (what soon became) many of our favorite parts of town. It was also a very short walk to many of the cultural and sports attraction. I was also interested to learn that the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth is located right above the train station (so convenient for tourists). The hotel is also connected to an intricate underground world with thousands of boutiques, restaurants and cafés. Montréal (so I’m told) gets pretty cold in the winter so this seems so ingenious! I wish NYC would build something similar so I could still shop in sub-zero temperatures!

I was psyched to learn that besides myself, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth has housed quite a dignified clientele including Prince Charles, General Charles de Gaulle, Nelson Mandela, and even the Dalai Lama. Equally as exciting was the hotel’s historical celeb clientele, which boasts classic movers and shakers like John Travolta and John Lennon. In fact, John Lennon held his famous ‘bed-in’ in 1969 in Suite 1742, where the song “Give Peace a Chance” was written and recorded! Being such a crazy Beatles fan, this really did it for me! If a hotel is good enough for John Lennon, it’s good enough for me!

The hotel itself is ginormicous (translation=hugungous). There are 1,037 rooms and if they were anything like my junior suite they were extremely luxurious. The charm of this hotel in my opinion is that the rooms really reflected the city’s distinct elegance and style.

Each room and suites at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth offer the following amenities:

• Air-conditioning with individual climate control
• Alarm clock-radio
• Cable television with in-room pay per view movies, Play Station® and video check-out
• Coffee/tea maker with complimentary coffee/tea
• Hairdryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Mini-bar
• Two telephones with voice-mail (messages are accessible from outside the hotel)
• Windows that open to the outside

The beds were super comfortable and I loved the turn-down service each evening. I especially appreciated the two bottles of water they left for these two kiddos who definitely needed to rehydrate when they got back. The room was quiet as could be, I didn’t hear a thing and slept comfortably through each night.

I must tell you that there are a few parts of the hotel that felt a little dated. The technology is a little behind us in the USA. The TVs are not flatscreens, which many of you have probably come to expect in luxury hotels. This isn’t something I minded at all given that I spent very little time in the room other than for sleeping. In fact the only time I even turned on the TV was when our friends ditched us go get engaged! (Wahoo!!) I chose to watch Legally Blonde in French and brush up on my language skills! Other than the televisions everything in the hotel was extremely high-quality. Especially the bathrooms—both of them! Probably my favorite part about our Junior Suite was having two bathrooms. What a luxury for a couple from NYC whose bathroom is the size of a shoebox. The bathrooms were marble and the amenities as always were impressive. I particularly enjoy how the Fairmont hotels give you Scope mouthwash, cotton swabs, cotton balls, a nail file and a shower cap. It’s the little things at this property that make you realize you’re at a truly fine hotel.

Word to my fellow internet-nerds, if you’re planning on wanting to surf the net during down time be sure to join the President’s club as it entitles you to free internet access, which is about $16/day otherwise!

The only other thing I have to say about the hotel that isn’t a glowing recommendation is that the hotel has a heavy business clientele feeling. For me I happen to associate this with quality but there is a large conference attendee population at the hotel that you may wish to be aware of.

The hotel is also home to three restaurants (I didn’t have the chance to try them unfortunately as our friends had us scheduled pretty tight) Les Voyageurs Bar, Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar and the award-winning Beaver Club, which are all recognized among Canada’s best restaurants.

To make a reservation or find out more information about the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth visit the Fairmont Website or call toll free at (866) 540-4483. 900 Rene Levesque Blvd.W. Montreal, Quebec Canada H3B4A5.

Our friend, let's call her Baguette for the sake of her anonymity, made the best itinerary for our trip, filled with delicious French restaurants, cafes and bars. Here are the must see places in my opinion. For dinner our first night we went to a restaurant called Lemeac. They have a fantastic late night menu after 10PM. You get an appetizer and an entree like Steak Frites or Short Rib or Duck for $25! And this is no cheap restaurant so this is a bargain! For brunch the next day we went to a restaurant called Le Cartet, which served the most gorgeous brunch specialties in a casual cafe setting. We each ordered the same thing, the Super Salmon Breakfast it came with a salmon/sweet potato cake, salmon scrambled eggs and a half of a smoked salmon bagel for all this, coffee and a mimosa it was only $20! Not bad, right? Delish!

Here are some pictures of us out and about before I give you more food suggestions.

This was at our favorite bar, Barmacie. Instead of having to return time and time again for your cocktails they give you a bottle with mixers for a reasonable price and let you mix them yourself. Such a treat! Then there are ledges around the bar where you can rest your tray and become your own bartender!

Perhaps my favorite French cafe was Cafe Figaro. The interior was just gorgeous and the croissants were out of this world! Tres bonne!!!!!! Very low key and authentic. Love, love, loved this place! Probably one of my favorite destinations we visited.

4 of us were supposed to split a chocolate croissant but I got my greasy little paws on it and it didn't stand a chance. We had to order this rum and chocolate croissant and it did not disappoint! Running, oozing rum & chocolate sauce in a croissant? Who knew such a thing existed! Pas moi!

Just a random patisserie I thought was beautiful.

For the big celebratory engagement dinner, (Wooo!) we went to a restaurant called L'originale. 

The food here was outstanding. The true standouts were the tuna tartare, truffle salad (unlike anything you've ever tasted. I think they put crack in it!) and the scallops. Truly some of the best food I've ever had. Now, if you want a great and truly Montreal-ish (is that a word?) beverage you have to try a Bloody Ceasar!

It typically contains vodka, Clamato (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth), hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, and is served with ice in a large, celery salt-rimmed glass, typically garnished with a stalk of celery and wedge of lime. And if you're luck you can get it with some fresh seafood!

We also ate at an adorable cafe called Au Festin de Babette. It offers gourmet delicacies, imported goods, decadent chocolates and a tea salon in which to unwind and savor them.   It had fantastic crepes and such an adorable ambiance. It's definitely a must see when you're shopping to fuel up.

For breakfast we went to a restaurant called Grande Mere Poule. It was incredible! The brunch was honestly the best I ever had. The eggs Benedicts were especially amazing. The waffles weren't the best. That's my only comment that isn't positive! The bacon, baguettes, banana bread and potatoes were all great!

Congrats to our friends, Baguette and Pamplemousse!! We had the best vacation ever. I would highly highly recommend the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth and a visit to Montréal in general!

Au Revoir!!! I'll leave you with our most favorite French (I clearly use that loosely) video.

*We were given a special press rate in consideration for reviewing the property for our fabulous readers. As always all opinions herein are completely my own!*

The Fairmont Copley Plaza has a sister hotel in Boston's waterfront! Fairmont Battery Wharf! This is the Fairmont's answer to modern luxury. The property is breathtaking and has gorgeous views of the wharf.

Aragosta's real draw I would imagine is the outdoor seating with such a beautiful view! Such a romantic spot if you're visiting Boston with your loved one–or your parents and your loved one if you're like me! I'm not sure if it was just the night we were there dining but it waso the perfect amount of breeze and an absolutely breathtaking sunset!

Aragosta is just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Hanover Street and on historic Battery Wharf. It's also withing walking distance from downtown so although it's quieter it's still accessible to downtown. Overall it's a nice change from the busy North End if you're looking for some great contemporary Italian cuisine.

The decor was modern with a few nautical touches. The staff was friendly and really knew the menu. He even told us exactly the right amount to order, which was a couple apps, a pasta in between and then main courses. Ross and I love sharing apps so it was perfect!

The drinks were imaginative and original while remaining light. I particularly recommend the Cilantro Sting, which contains cilantro, Patron Silver, vodka, lime, and sirrano chillies.  The essence of this drink is of course crushed cilantro. It’s the perfect amount of flavor to stand out and be noticeable without being the only flavor. Ross also got a drink with limoncello and yellow pepper! It so delightful!

For appetizers we sampled the Lobster croquettes with white beans. There was such a hefty portion of lobster and the toasted bread beneath was perfectly done.

The figs wrapped in prosciutto atop gorgonzola were perfectly done as well.

My Dad had the veal meatballs and said he would have been happy just eating that for dinner!

My Cilantro Sting! Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!

The short ribs were incredible. They come atop a bed of beans and corn. The short ribs fall apart as soon as they touch your fork.

The tuna had a great flavor but was a bit well done for my liking.

My father had the lamb and it was so beautiful. It comes with ricotta gnocchi and a cucumber and mint salad to compliment. The lamb was cooked perfectly and I was told it was very tender.

For dessert, the must have on the menu was definitely the chocolate bread pudding!

The indoor seating was beautiful as well. Although I highly recommend an outdoor table.

To make a reservation at Aragosta at the Fairmont, call (617) 994-9001 or visit Aragosta online.

*Smartypanties meal was comped in consideration for a review for our wonderful readers.

Too many establishments serve steaks, the Oak Room worships them!

Upon making my reservations at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel I was invited by the Public Relations department to review their famous steak restaurant, the Oak Room. Well, you can imagine my excitement! Although I'm mostly vegan these days, that does not apply to birthday celebrations or filet mignon! I don't eat much meat as you know but I do make an exception about once a year for the perfect steak with bernaise sauce. I have been to about every steakhouse in NYC and have to tell you that not many have impressed me as much as the Oak Room! It was absolutely incredible. It was one of those meals that I'll never forget. (Not to get too emotional about a restaurant!)

The evening began with cocktails in the Oak Bar, which is breathtaking. They also have live music, which was fabulous. The atmosphere is lavish and reminiscent of a luxurious hunting lodge (complete with deer heads on the walls, only thing I could have done without–but again that's my vegetarian side rearing its ugly head).

The restaurant blends the perfect balance of ostentation and comfort. It feels like you are a special guest welcomed into a intimate, early 20th Century dining room. The ceilings were carved hardwood and the window treatments were decorated with stately draping.

Back to one of my favorite parts of the experience–the cocktails, The cocktails are a bit pricey but you truly are getting something unusual (they range from $15-$20). Even the presentation of the martinis are creative (and functional). They serve a cute mini-carafe of your beverage inside a pitcher of ice versus bringing a metal shaker for self-refills. As you know, I don't have a problem with a hefty price-tag as long as I feel like I'm getting something special–and I did!

I ordered a drink that came with bourbon and blueberries garnished with bleu cheese stuffed olives. I didn't know I was such a bourbon fan until I had this drink!  It was the perfect combination of salty and sweet. The blueberries also masked the bourbon enough that it was easy to drink! Ross got a pomegranate and cucumber cocktail that was truly the best of its kind I've ever had. You could actually taste the fresh cucumber! And these fellas were stiff! But in a good way!

The bread was scrumptious! Comes with hummus, butter and tapende! Yum!!!!!!!!!

For appetizers we sampled the tuna tartare, clam chowder and crabcake (below). After being told by our waiter that the crabcake was the best he had ever tasted, how could I not try one. And he was right! They were moist and cooked to perfection!  The tuna could not have been fresher if I had just caught it myself! And Ross loved the clam chowder!

For our entrees we ordered chateaubriand to share! Not a common dish these days so when I see it I know I'm at a fancy restaurant. It's the most tender cut of beef and it did not disappoint! It was done to perfection and cut right at the table by the world's best waiter (Frank Brown–ask for him! We loved him!)!

Each steak was served with a roasted clove of garlic! The perfect compliment to every steak! And of course the bernaise sauce came on side! Yum! What does every steak need if not butter sauce!?!  The chateaubriand came with a potato as well as asparagus (which we subbed for spinach). The sauteed spinach was delicious and the parmesean fries were fantastic. The sides were also large enough for an entire table to share. Extremely generous portions!

After dinner is complete the Oak Room brings out a giant serving of cotton candy! Yum!!! And such a fun and cute touch!

For dessert we each sampled a different dish and passed them around and shared. Our favorite was the cheesecake, which came with rhubarb on top! Amazing! So creamy and delicious too. Next we liked the Boston Cream Pie. It was a different twist on your usual idea of a traditional BCP. Definitely worth trying! The chocolate sauce on top was definitely real chocolate. You can tell the moment it hits your lips! My fam loved the strawberry soup but of course, I am partial to chocolate and cheesecake though the fruit didn't stand a chance!

I think that the Oak Room is a classic staple of Boston as is Copley Plaza! I would say that this restaurant is definitely a must-see on your venture to Boston and well worth its higher price-tag. If you can't stop in for dinner I absolutely insist that you have a cocktail in the Oak Bar! Best cocktail menu ever, the drinks were divine and you just must see the exquisite architecture. !

Thank you, Oak Room for hosting Smartypanties. It was truly a dinner I won't soon forget!!

The wood-carved walls and the curtains made you feel like you were dining in the lap of luxury!

This photo doesn't do the chandeliers justic. They were gorgeous!

All that remained…the true sign of a delectable feast!!

For reservations at the Oak Room Boston call (617) 267-5300 or visit The Oak Room Boston online.