Author: thecharmingjay

Categories
Travel

Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa

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I’m a big believer in self-care and I love a beautiful spa to help me relax and unwind. Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa an Ojo Spa Resort is a new favorite on my list and is a great place to visit in New Mexico. Located about 40 miles from Albuquerque, NM in Santa Fe, NM, Sunrise Springs offers a variety of spa services and the grounds will blow you away with their beauty and tranquility.

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Spa goers can enjoy a soak in one of the resorts private tubs(reservations required). These private tubs can fit up to six people and each room has its own private area with locking door and fire-place. Each room overlooks the spring-fed pond and offers time away from other spa-goers to relax and enjoy your soak. Standard soaks run for an hour and magnesium soaks for 30 minutes. All resort goers can also enjoy the eucalyptus infused wet sauna and steam showers for an unlimited time before or after your spa service. Sunrise Springs Spa offers a variety of services from massages, skin treatments and rejuvenation treatments.

 

Spa goers can enjoy shopping for items local to the Southwest region as well as spa products at the market on the grounds. After some relaxing treatments and perhaps a little shopping, sit down and enjoy a meal a the Blue Heron Restaurant located on the grounds. The restaurant overlooking the pond is a perfect way to enjoy a meal and enjoy your stay at the resort.

 

Not only does Sunrise Springs offer tub soaks and spa treatments but also, beautiful lodging to further enjoy the resort. Standard rooms and casitas are available by reservation and allow you to enjoy other activities such as yoga, wellness exercises, craft projects and resort retreats. Activities vary each month and are posted on the spa calendar for reservations. There are also many areas to relax and enjoy the scenery around the grounds, from the swimming pool to the many hammocks and swings to the on site garden used to grow herbs and vegetables for the Blue Heron restaurant.

Ojo Spas really knows what it is doing when creating these resorts. Balancing services with the beauty of nature and giving you an enjoyable resort experience. If you’re looking to recharge and rejuvenate Sunrise Springs is definitely a place to check out!

Categories
Lifestyle

FabFitFun Fall 2018 Unboxing

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I’ve been a FabFitFun box subscription member for a year now and I’m just getting around to my first unboxing post! For those of you who are not familiar with FabFitFun box subscriptions, here’s the low down. You pay a quarterly (4x/year) member subscription of $49 and you receive your seasonal box full of full size goodies. This being my 4th box, I can say I am never disappointed and always find a product I love and often start using. They also have several options for members, such as customizing items in your box before your box ships, add-on’s for only $10 and priority shipping for VIP members.

This season I was lucky enough to customize my box with the black Vince Camuto Luck Tote and add on the Crown Brush 6 Piece Brush Set for only $10!! Can you believe it?! The bushes are super soft, 100% synthetic and come with perfect storing for storing and packing for travel. Not to mention the fall FabFitFun box has two of my favorite products I already love using, the Glamglow Bubblesheet and the beauty blender. I’ve used both of these products before and loved the deep clean feeling the masks left on my skin after and this is my go to beauty blender and I was due for a new one!

img_2810These four items were my own personal choices when customizing my box this season. The first, Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant, Pink Grapefruit & Glucomannan is my first experience with the Grown Alchemist brand and product and  it is hands down my favorite beauty item in my box this season. The exfoliant granules are just coarse enough to clear away dead skin and really leave your skin with a nice, clean glow. I’ve used several exfoliants before and this is the best I’ve ever used. Seriously! I have been using he Farmacy Dew It All Total Eye Cream for about a week now and so far like the results I’m seeing. It is light, smells wonderful and has been gentile enough for my sensitive skin.  Lastly, the Skin & Co Roma Blue in Capri Shower Gel has a natural smell to it and gives you a good lather. I filled up my travel size shower gel container with it because I love to have products I enjoy using while on vacation.

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As I mentioned early, I was lucky enough to customize by fall box with the Vince Camuto Luck Tote. This black leather tote is perfect for your laptop, tablet or both. It’s perfect for the working girl and is not too big but big enough to carry your daily necessities. I was so excited about the Cylo Cobra Wireless Ear Buds! Having recently switched from my Fitbit watch to an  iWatch, I couldn’t wait to be able to go for my evening walks without my phone, headphone cords and dog leash getting tangled up. They were easy to pair with my device and the sound was just as good as any headphones I’ve had before.  Last but not least, a real treat for tea lovers is the Alfred Tea Pot & Simply Wimsy Tea Towels. Again, these were the items I selected for my box. This tea-pot is just plain cute. You can put your loose tea leaves in and brew tea most anywhere. I love it! The towels are an added bonus. The color is neutral and will mix with most any kitchen or table set up.

So far my favorite FabFit Fun box!!

Categories
Food

Taco Bowl Tuesday

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Honestly, it doesn’t have to be Tuesday for tacos! Or for me to be craving my favorite taco salad and call this Taco Bowl Tuesday! This perfect taco salad is one of my favorite, quick, weeknight dinners. You can mix it up with beef, ground turkey, chicken, or stick with veggies. Tortilla, no tortilla. You really can’t go wrong. Start with your protein, 3-4 veggies, cheese and build yourself a salad. Seriously, it’s that easy! img_4695-1

1 lbs ground turkey or beef                                1 cup frozen corn

1 Tbsp garlic salt                                                   1 can black beans

1 Tsp pepper                                                          2 Roma tomatoes

1/2 head of lettuce

Fry ground meat over medium high heat. Add garlic salt & pepper to meat. Stir, at more to taste as needed. While meat is frying, wash and chop vegetables. Fry meat until full cooked, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat when done.

If you’re lucky enough to have won these handy tortilla bowl molds at a White Elephant exchange, pop them in the oven with a  tortilla at about 325 degrees for 6-8 minutes until crispy. If you don’t have molds you can use tortilla chips or ditch the tortilla all together and turn this into a carb friendly recipe. Once done, remove and start to build your salad. Lettuce, protein(meat and beans), veggies, cheese, salsa, combo seems to work pretty nice as layers.

 

Categories
Travel

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

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If you happen to be traveling through the Southwest during the fall (October) or New Mexico is a state you’ve been looking to visit, you definitely have to add checking out the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to your bucket list. The largest hot air balloon fiesta in the world, with more than 500 balloons annually, has been an annual event in Albuquerque, NM since 1972. Whether you are a first timer or a fiesta veteran, this festival is always spectacular and never gets old. The festival takes place over 9 days, usually the first weeks of October. Mass Ascension takes place each morning, weather permitting, with the sunrise. Many festival goers begin arriving at the Balloon Fiesta Park as early as 4:30-5 am.  Thankfully, the park vendors are awake right along with you and offer a variety of breakfast foods, coffee, drinks, fair food and souvenirs for you to enjoy as the hot air balloons prepare for lift off.  Parking is available for festival goers, prince and distance will depend on the time you arrive at the park.  Walking will be required to enter the park and to walk around as the hot air balloons lift off. The City of Albuquerque also provide several Park and Ride locations across town to help festival goers forgo the parking lines and festival traffic. A list of locations and departure times for park and ride locations can be found on the official Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta website.

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With the festival taking place during the fall season in New Mexico, it is important to dress warm for the event. Jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, closed toed/walking shoes are all welcomed festival attire and will ensure you enjoy the festival to the fullest. The weather is also one of the most important factors in festival activities being canceled for the day. Each morning the Mass Ascension takes place and is based on a weather/wind report. Conditions must be mild in order for the hot air balloons to take flight. I would suggest having at least 2 days you are available to attend the festival in case any weather prevents flight for day. Most every season, at least one morning or evening event is cancelled due weather. Mentioning other festival events, another event to catch is the nightly Balloon Glow. Most every night of the 9 day festival is accompanied by a balloons lighting up the night sky. This event is also beautiful and enjoyable for all festival goers as you get to chat with balloon pilots and enjoy seeing the balloons light up. Unlike the morning Mass Ascension, the Balloon glow offers you a chance to see hot air balloons light up, without lifting off the ground, creating a spectacular sight against the dark sky.

Categories
Travel

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa, New Mexico

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I don’t know about you but a day relaxing and enjoying hot mineral springs is a perfect way to unwind and spend time with nature. It is also one of my favorite summer and weekend activities.  Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa is by far one of my favorite mineral springs resort not only in Northern New Mexico, but in all of New Mexico. It is perfect day trip or weekend getaway any season of the year. About a two hour drive from Albuquerque or little over an hour from Santa Fe, it is a perfect day trip destination.

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Tucked away in La Madera Mountains of New Mexico this is one of  the oldest spring resorts in the United States. The sulphur-free, geothermal mineral waters which bubble up from the ground have flowed from a subterranean volcanic aquifer for thousands of years. It offers more than 10 pools with four different types of mineral water: lithia, iron, soda and arsenic.  Temperatures range from 80 to 109 degrees. These pools are not only an excellent place to relax and rejuvenate but are said to have many healing properties. Private pools are available if you’d like to share time away from other resort goers.

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The resort provides not only mineral springs but a cozy atmosphere to rest away in the many hammocks and lounge chairs. Not to mention the unique mud pool where many resort goers cover themselves in mud and relax.

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If the mineral springs are not enough for you the spa provides a variety of services from traditional massages to hot stone massages and scrubs.  A restaurant on site to dine in and enjoy a meal as you spend the day soaking and relaxing is the perfect touch to fully enjoy this hidden getaway.

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If a day trip is not enough for you, book a room and enjoy a nights stay in one of the lovely rooms located on the property. Also, enjoy a yoga class or a hike around the beautiful Northern New Mexico landscape.

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Categories
Travel

Monte Sagrado Resort-Taos, New Mexico

If your traveling through Northern, New Mexico, Taos should definitely a must stop on your list of sights to see. This beautiful Northern town is full of natural beauty, culture and adventure. It’s perfect place to getaway for the weekend. There are many things to see and do in  and around, Taos, from skiing and snowboarding at Taos Ski Valley to walking across the Rio Grande, Gorge Bridge. You can get lost on the plaza, enjoy some local shopping, eat New Mexican dishes and sip cocktails and listening to live music on a patio.  With lots to see and do to keep you busy during the day in Taos a perfect evening calls for a stay at The Monte Sagrado Resort in Taos. There’s no other Northern New Mexico Resort like it!

 

This hotel in located in the center of town, just off the plaza where food, drinks and shopping are available. This resort is like no other in the area, beautiful, tranquil, welcoming and is surrounded by the beauty of nature. I was lucky enough to visit just after a snow storm, which added extra wonder to my stay.

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If possible request the Native American Suite with an outdoor balcony. The view is breathtaking any season of the year. The suites are roomy with a private master bath, large bathroom with walk in shower and living area with fire place. You’ll will most certainly enjoy your evening relaxing, after a day of skiing, sightseeing or shopping.

img_1298Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit! The property has a tropical indoor pool and hot tub area with plants, flowers, and water to help you relax and enjoy your stay. The hotel lounge carried dinner style food items and make cocktails to order. They didn’t mind making drinks in a to-go cup to carry to the pool, either!

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You’re sure to leave wanting to come back!