​A couple of weeks back I enjoyed a few days away from kiddos for my husband holiday party.   We stayed at the beautiful and well located Hyatt at the Belleveu in downtown Philly.  I am amazed by how much this city has to offer, lovely restaurants, by the way, my favorite is Osteria and nice and cozy Italian place with great pasta and one of the best pizzas.   We also enjoyed the bar at the XIX (nineteen) on the top floor of the hotel where you can have amazing city views.   The beautiful Christmas Village is a must which brings you the magic of an authentic German Market in the city.    The Philadelphia  Art Museum is an authentic gem, the building itself is a beauty and the collection includes work by Cezanne, Rodin and Vicent Van Gogh's Sunflower among many other famous world pieces.   Last but not least you can also take a picture with the famous Rocky statue located very close to the Museum.  My husband and I really enjoyed the city which is only 2 hours from NY so you can easily combine both trips.

​I consider myself a very organized person, but this year has gone so fast for me that I cannot believe Thanksgiving is in a couple of dates, and then officially shopping season will start.    By now I am on top of my game and had my shopping carts full just a click away to purchase all my holiday presents, however, I am so late this year.   So I am playing catch up and have attached a few of my family favorites from Christmas decor and presents and my favorites recipes for the season. Hope you enjoy them!

​When I used to live in the USA and Europe for nearly 10 years of my life, I always love fall.   There is something so invigorating as the feeling of leaves changing colors or the chills that make you want a put on a sweater at sundown.  It just makes me feel like it is a new start.   

Rhode Island is one of my favorite states to see the leaves foliage, spending there two years of my life, this state is close to my heart, literally.  Love how the smallest state in the USA offers so much and in a short driving distance, you can see the most beautiful landscapes.  

Ok so now to my favorite things about the season if you have kids apple and pumpkin picking is a must. Fall brings many seasonal desserts apple and pumpkin pies, spice coffees and teas are a treat.   Being a tea lover my favorite for the season is Masala Chai from Teaguy.   The aroma that prevails in my house is the one of English oak from Jo Malone,  it reminds me of the English country during fall.  Also, in my diffuser, I add a few drops of wild orange and marjoram essential oil from Doterra.

In my couch, bed, and chairs,  it is a must to have lots of throws so my kids and friends can just grab them when it gets a bit cooler.   The ones from Zara home are very neutral and made of 100 % cotton or wool depending on your preference.  For me, the final touch is a nice Wreath for your table or door, I love the ones from William Sonoma, however, if you have a flower shop close to your house you can have them custom made.  

​Doesn't it happen to you that sometimes you have the need to withdraw?  Recently, I had the feeling that the universe wanted me to pause and disconnect from the everyday routine.  Do not take me wrong, I love my life and I am very thankful for all I have, but I suddenly had no inspiration or new ideas in my head and I was feeling the blues.  I felt like I was just in survival mood in my day to day, pretty much stuck.  I had to seek balance and thanks to the spiritual guides I  have found in my life I came to realize that   I had to retreat from everything and go back to basics, the things I love and cherish since I was little.  In my case from songs that lift my spirit or as simple as sitting and enjoying a cup of tea without being interrupted.   Further, to spend quality time with the persons that fill me up and lift my spirit.  I had an outpour of emotions and changes in the last 4  years that had accumulated since moving back to my hometown after a long time abroad (the hardest move ever, promise I will have a write a whole post about it),  that I learn my lesson take time  to recharge and appreciated how thankful we need to be for the little things in life.   

​It is amazing how easy is to cross borders nowadays.  My family and I had the chance to go to Nicaragua on a day trip while staying in a beautiful property in Costa Rica,  Dreams Las Mareas.  

We left around 7 am and in 20 minutes we were at the border, the immigration process was fairly simple, a stamp and off we go. As a tip, we went on a Sunday so there are fewer people at the cross point.  Our first stop was the Mirador Catarina, a magical place with a stunning view of the Apoyo Lagoon.  There you can buy a lot of ornaments and local crafts from the region.  

Next stop was to see the stunning and active Volcan Masaya, the tour guide explained to us that there are day and night tours.  We had the privilege to admire the Nindiri Crater and were lucky enough to see some Magma.  It is impressive and so worth visiting.

Our tour included a fantastic lunch at Hotel Dario in Granada, the city of Granada is just a beautiful colonial town.  It has great restaurants and boutique hotels, a little gem that deserves a longer visit.   We enjoyed a great cup of Cafe Las Flores at a beautiful coffee place around the plaza

Last but not least, our day ended up with a boat tour in the beautiful Lake Nicaragua where we could spot monkeys and different kind of birds.   I hope you enjoy the pictures.

  have always considered myself very confident when it comes to moving countries or houses.   Recently, my husband and I counted the times we have moved and for me it adds up to 12 properties since college, noticing that this move had taken places in 7 different countries in 10 years.   Yes, I know too many changes perhaps!   We have two kids that also enjoy moving,  Do we raise kids with an open mind or they just get used too?  In the plus side I am emotionally unattached to any material goods, which, is good in my opinion.  

In my experience,  international moves are easier than in between countries.   In the last 3 and a half years we have lived in Panama, we moved twice and it has been so exhausting mentally and physically.   Is it a country experience?  or It is just the fact that the process is so short and you have fewer expectations.  Instead of a long orientation process of laws and regulations that takes weeks and allows you to prepare mentally for it.  The truth I am not sure so  I guess, I just have to wait and expect another move soon.   

​I have always heard great things about Costa Rica, I actually been there a couple of times specifically to San Jose, the capital. However, my husband insisted that we all needed to go together to Guanacaste a province in the northwestern part of Costa Rica. Trust me he was not wrong, we flew to San Jose and then drove to La Cruz, it is about a 5 hours drive, which passed by so quickly as we stop by different points of interests. Keep in mind there is a small airport in Liberia where you can also fly directly.

First, we wanted to enjoy local fruits and no place better than the Orotina fruit stand, where you can find all kind of exotic fruits, my personal favorite one is Mamon chino (Costa Rican Rambutan) and Maranon de agua (Jamaican Apple), local snacks such as plantain chips and the most refreshing coco water.

Who does not enjoy a taste of local food so our guide Rogelio suggested we stop by at Mi Finca a lovely casual restaurant, where you can spot Guacamayas. Then, we decided to continue to the beautiful Dreams Las Mareas located in El Jobo close to La Cruz, a stunning property and a must if you are looking for a very secluded resort family friendly.

Once we arrived they made us feel like we were home, top service and beautiful landscape. We had a room with a swim out pool with ocean view, honestly, it felt like paradise. The property has a toboggan and many fantastic restaurants, our favorite was the Himitsu where we had fresh seafood from the area.

We decided to do two day trips from the hotel during our week in the property, one to Nicaragua as the hotel is about 30 minutes from the border and the other one call the Mega Combo, where we did Zip lining, horse back riding, a sort of tubing and at the end we enjoyed the thermal waters from the Volcano after a very interesting mud bath. What can beat that!

Hope you enjoy the photos.

​xoxo

​Soon I will have a big birthday and although as I age I am more into experiences than material presents most of us struggle while trying to find the perfect gift for our girlfriends, Does she has it?  Would she like it?  Would she return it? We have all been there.  Personally, money and certificates are not an option unless requested. I believe why cannot we take a moment in our busy schedules to find something special for our friends.  It is easier than what we think, even though your best friend may have it all, you cannot go wrong with the following gifts.