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park hyatt aviara

March 25, 2022

palm trees park hyatt

It’s no secret that I am enamored with the state of California and It is always exciting for me to get the opportunity to stay in a hotel in there – especially when it is one that I have never experienced.

park hyatt aviara lobby

Recently, I had this opportunity during a work trip.  The hotel I visited rivaled any hotel located right on the coast (my usually faves).

lobby park hyatt aviara

The hotel was the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad (about 30 miles outside San Diego).  Even though I was busy working while there, the aesthetics of this hotel were hard to miss!

It is magical – from it’s foggy early mornings…

lights at park aviara

…to it’s late night “campfires.”

smores at park hyatt aviara

The food at the hotel is fabulous – with many healthful choices.  I so enjoyed the assorted varieties of chia seed puddings at breakfast as well as the ‘chef’s choice’ of fresh juice each day.  One morning this was a mix of orange, mango and banana.  So yummy!

chia seed pudding

juice at hyatt aviara

And, for cocktails, there are some fun choices from the “Mixologist’s Lab” – like my favorite:  a Yuzu Jalapeno Popsicle – a cocktail containing a popsicle with a jalapeno frozen inside!

popsicle cocktail

jalapeno popsicle

Unfortunately, because I was working, I did not have the opportunity to enjoy all the hotel has to offer.  This includes a golf course, spa, and a Richard Blais restaurant called Ember & Rye (check my Instagram stories for some photos of this fabulous restaurant – overlooking a golf course and owned by one of my culinary heros).

lobby table at hyatt aviara

I hope you enjoyed a little peek at this great resort in California!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy aussiedoodle canvas bag

March 11, 2022

aussiedoodle bag

I recently spied a canvas bag with a puppy pattern on a holiday clearance table in a gift shop.  I thought it was adorable and wished it was an Aussiedoodle instead of the breed pictured on the canvas since my fave puppy in life happens to be an Aussiedoodle!

Then I started thinking – even if I found a bag with an Aussiedoodle pictured, it probably wouldn’t be a blue merle (his coloring) with one blue eye like my buddy Goose!

dog pouch

So, I decided to buy the bag I saw on sale and modify it to resemble my friend Goose!

acrylic paints

I just used some acrylic paint and revised the image on the canvas.  Now the bag reminds me of my buddy!

before and after puppy bag

Just goes to show that inspiration is everywhere!

goose on the couch

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

 

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diy bunny topped jars

March 4, 2022

diy ceramic bunny jars

Today I have another easy DIY Target bargain bin Easter project!

You may remember this squirrel topped jar project (click here).  Well, today I have an Easter version using bunnies!  The bunnies are ceramic and I found them in the Target bargain bin.  When I saw them, I knew instantly I wanted to use them on jar tops so I went straight to the Easter candy section to decide what I would use to fill the jars.

Inspired by walking through all the seasonal aisles, I thought a ‘funfetti’ theme would be cool!  Target had some ‘funfetti’ jellybeans.  I picked those up and then I went over to the cookie aisle and found some iced circus cookies that would also be great with my theme!

I would get the jars I needed for my project from my recycling bin.

collage of DIY

The first step of the project is to prepare the jars.  Usually, labels come off easily after being soaked in hot water.  Any stubborn adhesive usually comes off with acetone (or nail polish remover).  After the jars are delabeled and washed, I prepare the bunnies.  This just requires a little sand paper (or emery board) to roughen up the bottom surface of each bunny.  This makes for a better adhesion to the jar tops.

diy bunny jars

I use a really strong adhesive called E6000 because I happen to have it on hand, but I am sure a glue gun would work as well.  I am very careful to follow the directions on the E6000 label because there are a lot of warnings associated with this product!

After the adhesive is totally dry, the bunny-clad jar tops can be spray painted the color of choice.  I chose my favorite off-white color since I think it goes best with the theme I chose.  And, even though the original bunnies have a shiny surface, I prefer a matte finish.

diy bunny jar

An easy project, right?  And there are so many variations possible based on favorite candy, color, theme, etc.!  I made a couple variations to show you some possibilities – but, they really are endless!

black jelly bean lover

Isn’t there always one that loves black jelly beans? I used leftover chalkboard paint for this one.

Use spray paint left from other projects like I did or purchase some from a building supply or craft store.

bunny tail jar

Certainly, the jars don’t need to be filled with sugary snacks – these contain carrot and celery sticks!  (These bunnies are painted in a glossy finish.) Or, how about using raisins as ‘bunny poop’?

healthful bunny jars

In my family on Easter, we always have a guess at how many candies are in a candy-filled jar and the winner gets the jar of candy!  You may want to incorporate the same idea into your holiday traditions and make a cute jar to go with it!

jar of bunny tails

I hope you are inspired to create your own bunny jars!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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