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Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach: Sunset Cocktails, Bagpipes & Italian Dining
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A visit to Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach is one of those quintessential Monterey Peninsula experiences that blends dramatic coastal views, timeless traditions, and exceptional dining—all in one unforgettable evening. Even better, if you’re staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea, it’s just a quick Uber or Lyft ride, making this the perfect car-free night out. Sunset Drinks…
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Chez Noir Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea
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Nestled along the picturesque streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Chez Noir Restaurant delivers a refined dining experience that blends classic French technique with a modern California sensibility. Known for its seasonal tasting menus and intimate setting, Chez Noir has become a must-visit destination for fine dining in Carmel. We dined here on September 5, 2025. From…
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A Tipsy Terrier’s Tips for Mardi Gras Madness in NOLA
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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Mardi Gras in New Orleans isn’t just one day—it’s an entire season of celebratory chaos known as Carnival. Festivities officially begin on January 6th (Twelfth Night) and culminate in Fat Tuesday, the final day of feasting and indulgence before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Surprisingly, Fat Tuesday…
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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler: Our Tickets to the Endymion Extravaganza !
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Mardi Gras in New Orleans is pure, joyous chaos. The legendary Krewe of Endymion drives this. Their biggest parade ends in the biggest party: the spectacular Endymion Extravaganza, one of the world’s largest indoor events, with 20,000 attendees. The Carnival season builds into a roaring river of parades. Dive into the fun headfirst, mixing…
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Spinning Back in Time: A Stay at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans
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Planning a trip to the French Quarter? You simply cannot overlook a stay at the iconic Hotel Monteleone, a true literary and cocktail landmark in New Orleans. This historic gem, situated in the heart of the Vieux Carré, has been family-owned and operated by five generations of the Monteleone family since its debut in…
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Folktale Winery Lunch in the Wine Garden
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Our lunch at Folktale Winery’s Wine Garden on September 6, 2025, was nothing short of magical. From the moment we walked in, the space wrapped us in that signature Carmel charm—equal parts relaxed, elegant, and wonderfully indulgent. It truly felt like the perfect blend of delicious food, beautiful surroundings, and thoughtful service. We started…
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Refuge Day Spa in Carmel
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A Tranquil Thermal Escape on the Monterey Coast If you’re looking for the ultimate “ahhhh” moment on the Monterey Peninsula, then let me introduce you to Refuge Day Spa in Carmel. Tucked into the quiet Carmel Valley hills, this spa skips the traditional massages and facials and instead leans fully into the magic of…
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Our favorite Amazon find this Halloween season
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Water feature fog creator – uses only water This ultra sonic fogger mister is truly amazing! We loved it so much we bought three! The largest size is in our pond and hot tub, and the smallest size in the waterfall inside of our home bar. The fogger mister comes with two floats to…
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Crown Royal Jacket
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The Crown Royal Jacket in All Its Glory Here it is—the Crown Royal Jacket, fully finished and ready to shine! To add a fun detail, I altered a Crown Royal bag and transformed it into a breast pocket. Thankfully, I managed to complete the entire jacket just in time for Mardi Gras. As you…
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Neuschwanstein Castle – Walt Disney’s inspiration
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Long before learning about Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, I was introduced to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Walt Disney’s Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It was the first castle I ever visited. It is also the icon that I associate with fairy tales and happily ever afters. Walt Disney walking through Sleepy Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Photo…