Tanya's Daily Scoop | Elisa's Daily Scoop |
Guess where I am?!Greetings from the Chateau Marmont in the City of Angels!  credit: people.com That's right folks here I am on our little stay-cation, just a hop skip and jump away from the good 'ol but very new OC in the hip and happening rather Famous and Legendary Sunset Boulevard Hotel designed to evoke the vibe of a French Chateau. The Chateau Marmont - this was the "surprise" accommodations that Dave picked out and kinda scared me about, since he didn't know what to expect or if I would like it!  At this point is when I kinda was guessing...DID HE???  HE DID!   Well the apartment that he booked is just lovely, perched on a hill with an amazing view of Sunset strip, Hollywood and the entire city of Los Angeles!   Plus upon walking into the digs...I found an absolutely gorgeous bouquet of beautiful pink and mauve roses...this guy sure knows how to treat a gal! And the bonus is that he really does have great taste ;)   Stopping to smell the roses! The hotel is decorated with an Old Hollywood flavor, which will be the perfect back drop to our afternoon photoshoot - be sure to come back tomorrow to see if we get off any good shots! I hope we do!!! So we arrived here after a long and busy bustling afternoon and a wonderful time out at the salon. Dinner at the posh Crossroads Kitchen CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW to try out their new fall menu selections was the first thing on our schedule.     There were a couple of standout dishes and meal was enjoyable as always!  FETTUCCINE smoked carrot / capers / kelp caviar / prosecco cream  And to rewind just a bit... As the passenger/co-pilot I was goofing off and messing around with with the filters taking selfies in the car!  Fun with filters! Before that and before getting my hair DID, amongst other chores, I had promised to take Cosette shopping (again) and boy does time fly with I'm shopping! We managed to pick up a few items for her including a really super cute pair of black jeans (which I can't stop thinking about, I think I have to go back and pick up an identical pair for little ol' me!). And fast forward again...to TODAY! We have such a FUN day planned, filled with good eats that I am going to with the full intent of Future FOODIE FRIDAY reviews, a PHUN Photoshoot, and a show - DANCES of PERU to be exact! *If you remember my friend Chhai - she left this morning for Peru - I'm both super stoked for her and a bit jealous at the same time! LOL  Well I'm excited about my day and must be on my way now! Stay tuned for all the fun updates from my day and see what else will be revealed in tomorrow's DAILY SCOOP! Don't forget to check out Elisa's column for a great find for any Horse Luvin' Traveler (insert Cosette and I raising our hands)! Hope you have a great day, -T  | Horse Riding VacaysHappy Saturday folks!! Dontcha just love the weekend! Coming to you, once again, from my usual Saturday hang out - Dream Come True Farm for a day of horseback riding for my girlies.  Lots of photo taking and filming today. I thought I'd start my blog with a VLOG from the barn... So much horse talk from both me and Tanya right? Yes, we are a family of horse lovers and we both have daughters that absolutely adore these magnificent animals. Have you ever ridden? If so, do you have a favorite memory or a favorite place where you rode? I know Tanya has taken some pretty cool horseback rides on her travel adventures, and of course, the first-ever time my girls got up on horses was during their first trip to Europe - Killarney, Ireland to be exact...and it was love at first...ride.  Kelsey's first time on a horse - Ireland, August 2011  Gianna's first time - same trip I know that my dear cuz has also done her share of horseback riding throughout her worldly travels. What about you? Have you been horseback riding or is it something you want to do? What about a vacation dedicated to horse riding!! Well, being the researcher that I am, I found a WONDERFUL site for horseback riding enthusiasts. It's called Equitrekking.com. The site features everything from equestrian vacations to horse camps, articles and travel deals! I really enjoyed their feature: 5 Best Vacations for Learning to Horseback Ride. How much fun to go on a trip specifically to learn how to ride a horse!! What a great way to introduce your kids to it as well! Vacations are always a perfect time to learn something new! Check out these 5 ranches in the U.S. and Ireland: 1) B & B Ranch, Guest House & Spa- Fly Creek, New York B & B Ranch 434 Bedbug Hill Rd Fly Creek, NY 13337 607-547-5272 Nestled in upstate New York, 10 minutes from Cooperstown, 90 minutes from the state Capital of Albany, and roughly 4 hours from New York City, B & B Ranch offers riding for kids 10 and up. If you are a first time rider private instructions are available. 30 to 40 minute private session cost approximately $35 USD. If you are interested in more lesson time, semi-private 60 or 90 minute lesson are offered. You'll be paired with a horse to ride and join two or three other riders. Book a night at the inn and enjoy delicious, locally raised Italian-inspired meals. All-inclusive packages combining food, lodging and riding are also available. 2) Wilderness Trails Ranch- Durango, Colorado 23486 County Road 501 Bayfield, CO 81122 tel. 800.527.2624 if you are looking for a great place to go with the whole FAM, particularly for the kiddies, who are anxious to learn, this may be your pick. Located 35 miles northeast of Durango, this ranch runs an extensive horsemanship program for all ages, including kids as young as three years old, who can experience pony rides twice a day. There is much to choose from, including riding instruction, mountain trail rides, natural horsemanship clinics, rides combined with fishing, cattle work, arena work, a gymkhana, and private lessons. Other amenities and activities, include water sports on Vallecito Lake. 3) Tanque Verde Ranch- Tucson, Arizona 14301 East Speedway Tucson, AZ 85748 Tel. 800-234-3833 | 520-296-6275 Located in Arizona, this dude ranch resort offers riders the opportunity to learn to ride in a desert environment Lessons for beginners, intermediate riders and more advanced equestrians are available. The ranch also offers a special Harmony with Horses program for more extensive horsemanship skills. Various camps for kids aged seven and up include riding lessons and trail time in the saddle. 4) C Lazy U Ranch- Granby, Colorado C Lazy U Ranch 3640 Colorado Highway 125 Granby, CO 80446 Tel: 970-887-3344 Considered more of a luxury dude ranch, this working cattle ranch has an extensive horseback riding program for kids ages three and up and adults. This is a great ranch for kids who want to learn to ride as they can be placed in one of three groups according to age and ability level. Imagine taking yoga with horses! Special riding clinics, including yoga with horses and other unique equestrian learning opportunities are offered all the time. When the riding day is over, there is a variety of cabins, fly-fishing, gourmet food and even a ropes course and zip line to enjoy! 5) Coolmine Equestrian Centre- Dublin, Ireland Coolmine, Saggart, Co Dublin, Ireland Tel. +353(0)1 4588447 Conveniently located in the countryside outside Dublin City, Coolmine Centre boasts excellent standards and approvals from Failte Ireland (Ireland's tourist board), AIRE (the association of Irish riding establishments) and the BHS (the British Horse Society). The center offers regular riding lessons for kids, teens and adults, including overnight horse camps for teens and day camps for kids. Additoinally, no need to pack all kinds of equipment for your trip since Coolmine provides it all, including helmets, boots and rain gear. Kids attending the camps will learn more than just riding - how to care for horses, stable management and classes on horse anatomy and tack. Back to today...  Getting all the tack to pack in the car for a day at the barn  Our Saturday morning routine - stopping at the deli for breakfast   Kelsey walking Ace into the arena  Well, I'm off to continue my job as photographer here at the barn -- have a great one!!! -E xoxo  |
