FC BARCELONA

If your bride is on the nervous side, take her to the serene Enchantment Resort in Sedona, AZ. It recently underwent an $11 million upgrade of the rooms including new furniture, linens and decor. For large groups, a full Hacienda with six Queen beds, full kitchen, living room, fireplace, and 3 outdoor patios, is ideal. To further calm her nerves, take your bride to the Mii amo destination spa and sign her up for the Anasazi Ubtan, a combo of a wrap and massage that is a traditional beautification ritual for brides in India.

Bachelorette parties should consider the Enchantment Resort Girlfriends Getaway Package that includes:

• Two nights at Enchantment Resort


• One breakfast entrée or breakfast buffet each morning, per person at Yavapai Restaurant, Mii amo Café or Room Service


• One 60-minute private group session once during stay, choose from yoga, tarot card reading, tennis clinic, or red rock hiking tour


• One 60-minute spa service per person, once during stay


• Welcome bottle of wine and cheese and fruit plate

For more info, log onto EnchantmenResort.com.

Today's bachelorette party guest post is from our friend Nancy who recently went on a bachelorette party in San Diego from Chicago.

One of my best friends from college! We were in the same sorority.

The bride moved to San Diego (from Chicago) about 2 years ago with her fiancé and she’s been there ever since. We thought it was about time to make a visit to the West coast for some fun and sun.


One of our friends works for Hyatt and hooked us up with a great deal! We wanted to be downtown, close to bars/restaurants of the Gas Lamp district in San Diego. We were upgraded to suites complete with kitchens, living rooms and a giant dining room table – big rooms are a MUST for a bachelorette party. Girls need their space!

Here was the view from our room:



Since college, a lot of our gal pals have moved to different cities. Because we were all together, we decided to do the bridal shower and bachelorette party on the same weekend. The bride’s sister-in-law (who lives in San Diego) planned an AMAZING bridal shower at a swanky rooftop bar called LOUNGEsix. We had our own cabanas and the food was excellent – especially the shrimp ceviche – and of course we had pitcher after pitcher of this delicious cocktail with lemon/lavender flavors! The crowd was great and very receptive to our bride-to-be as we adorned her with her the classic bachelorette sash, veil and a bouquet of lollipops which she sold for cash! She worked the group and ended up scoring roughly $100 – who doesn’t love a woman getting married?!


San Diego is so laid back and might I add – gorgeous!! Surfers were running around the streets barefoot with surfboards tucked under their arms and nobody had a care in the world. It was such a great and friendly atmosphere.


One of the bridesmaids is one of my dear friends and very creative. She stenciled out about 20 different shapes and put them on sticks (below) including lips, glasses, halos, etc. Each of us had our own for the night and we made up a game: whenever you put on the costume accessory, you had to speak with a British accent – quite fun!



It was too short! I wish I could have stayed a week.


Make as many activities as possible outside and/or on the beach. The weather is amazing and you can’t help but want to be outside every waking minute! If you didn’t party too hard the night before, go for a hike – there are some great trails along the beaches - the views are breathtaking.

Today's guest post comes from Jamie Stone, editor of Queen of a Quarterlife Crisis. Jamie used JSG's past bachelorette party ideas to plan her trip to the Chelsea in Atlantic City. Love!


My best friend since high school, Dawn



It was between Atlantic City and the Hamptons. We actually tried to book a cute motel in Montauk first but then realized that they all have three night minimum stays during the peak summer season, so A.C. it was! I had been a few times over the years and we thought it would be a good choice since it’s considered the Vegas of the east coast.



Well, I was actually perusing The JSG section for bachelorette parties and girl’s getaways when I came across The Chelsea in two of your posts! It sounded perfect- Dawn (the bride) isn’t really a gambler and it sounded like some kind of chic Los Angeles hotel between the salt water pool and the amazing restaurant and lounge. The other girls thought it sounded great as well and we crammed five girls into one room, making it decently affordable.


I thought the hotel was fabulous. I love the 50s/retro-style décor and it’s definitely the trendiest hotel that I’ve seen in A.C.- no old people in track suits allowed!



We took the ACES train down from the city (another JSG recco!) and those 2 hours and 40 minutes were probably some of the funniest of the trip. We bought first class tickets (oh yes, we’re classy like that) which includes waiter service for drinks and snacks. The bride opened up some of her gifts on the train and tried on some of the lingerie over her clothes…it was hilarious. (and sadly, the bride would also kill me if I let anyone see the pics, sorry!)



I was obsessed with the idea of their salt water pool but sadly, it was deemed the “kiddie pool” while we were there. Not that the rooftop pool wasn’t amazing (it was) but I really wanted to swim in salt water!



I mean, it definitely has to be the male strip club. Had to do it! The bride was nervous at first but by the end of the show, she was totally into it! We bought her the special VIP package that gets you a private lap dance and a photo will all the guys. It’s slightly disgusting but good, honest fun.

Oh and also when the bride wore a white dress with her "bride" veil and people on the boardwalk kept saying "congratulations!" to her...thinking, we assume, that her white cotton dress from Express was her ACTUAL wedding dress and she had just gotten married. Seriously!



Wrangling a group of girls, no matter how old or how good of friends, is always a task. I’m a type-A crazy person who tends to move fast and get ready quickly so waiting around for two or three people who “forgot” to put on deodorant or “forgot” their cell phone can be infuriating, to say the least. The bride and I are very similar that way and by the end of the weekend we were both saying “why do I feel like we’re constantly waiting for everyone?”



This was my first time planning a bachelorette party but I would say planning an A.C. version is probably comparable to planning one in Vegas or NYC. Just do a little research (like how I checked the JSG) and try to find things you know the bride will like. Like I mentioned, Dawn isn’t a gambler so I knew staying in a hotel like the Chelsea (that doesn’t have a casino) wouldn’t matter to her.

Forget Pamplona—bulls are so last century. Instead, head to New Orleans for San Fermin the annual running of roller derby girls on skates. We caught a glimpse when we were in NOLA two summers ago and promise that it's a sight worth seeing. The Big Easy Roller Girls wear red and don bull horns and paddle any runners who are foolish enough get in their way.



Hotels are a steal: A room a the Hotel New Orleans is $69 per night or upgrade to the Hotel Monteleone for $109 per night.

While New Orleans may seem like an unexpected place to feature this twist on the old Spanish celebration, the convention and visitors bureau tells us that: New Orleans has strong Spanish roots as it was under Spanish rule from 1792 until 1800. The city experienced two major fires in 1788 and 1794, and because it was still under Spanish rule during that time, much of the French Quarter was rebuilt boasting Spanish architecture. Visitors often notice the Spanish influence in the design on the Vieux Carre’s buildings with the arched doorways and windows.

After sharing our top ideas, we want to know where you're heading this Memorial Day! Please share in the comments below. As for us, Annie's staying put in NYC because she's traveling the two weekends before and the weekend after and Hope will be at the beach (she just needs to choose one). To refresh you memory, here are JSG's Memorial Day Getaway picks:

1. Kennebunkport, Maine 
2. Portland, Oregon 
3. New York 
4. Las Vegas 
5. Sea Island, Georgia 
6. Iceland

Photo courtesy of ThePunkGuy.com

When thinking about where to go for Memorial Day weekend, the idea of jetting off to an island probably crossed your mind, but we're betting it was not this one. But Iceland is closer than you think—five hours by plane from New York and seven from Seattle—and there's lots to do both indoors and out.

Iceland is famed for its Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa. The water is naturally 98 to 102 degrees and is lauded for its healing properties. In addition, you can horseback ride, hike, raft and even play a round of golf.

At night time, you can party in capital city Reykjavík, known for its clubs. Over Memorial Day, the sun will rise around 3:30 a.m. and set around 11:30, meaning there will only be four hours of darkness. You can literally say you partied until the sun rose and not have to make it an all nighter. The weekend also coincides with the Reykjavik Arts Festival, with concerts, plays, operas and more.



Iceland Express is offering a $399 deal from New York, including airfare and three nights hotel through the month of May, but you must book by Monday.

Courtesy of FreeThingstoDoinNewYork.com

With all the sailors in town for Fleet Week, New York is a natural choice for a girls' getaway over Memorial Day Weekend. Seriously, who can resist a man in uniform? Plus with many locals out of town you can hit popular museum exhibits like the Metropolitan Museum of Art's upcoming tribute to designer Alexander McQueen without having to deal with the same mass of crowds.



If you're looking for a beach experience, you can head to Governor's Island on the free ferry (though it's more of a grass lawn than a true beach). Come night time, it's over taken by Water Taxi Beach for the 21+ crowd.

For an affordable place to stay--check out the Grace Hotel in Times Square. Formerly the Hotel QT, it features what we're pretty sure is the only swim up pool bar in the city!


We're sorry the Yankees will be on the road; but you can catch a Mets game. When you're there, hit the Shake Shack for a juicy burger or Blue Smoke BBQ for some tasty concessions.

In the past three months, we've heard of more friends traveling to Portland than in the past decade. And why not? Though it has been a few years since we've been, we remember Portland as an accessible and friendly city. Add to it the burgeoning wine, dining and art scene and you've got a winner for Memorial Day.

Food carts reign supreme with options ranging from grilled cheese to Korean to empanadas.  That's the double decker bus that's home to the Grilled Cheese Grill below. Check out FoodCartsPortland.com for more options and a map.

We've begged all our friends who have visited us to bring us back a sweet treat from Voodoo Doughnuts. If you go, please try the bacon maple bar and let us know how it is!

Courtesy of Voodoo Doughnuts

To walk off some of those calories peruse the art galleries along Old Town, the Pearl District and Alberta Street. Or head to the International Rose Test Garden, which is home to more than 7,000 rose bushes. Weather-depending, you may hit it while they're all in bloom. This year, the annual Rose Festival takes place from May 27-June 19.

Portland has a large number of boutique hotels. Two to consider are hipster-fave Ace Hotel in downtown Portland (below) and the Hotel Lucia, which is home to Typhoon Restaurant that has won raves for its Thai cuisine. 

Anyone who loves lobster, bike rides and beaches should consider Preppie enclave Kennebunkport, Maine for a Memorial Day getaway. Though it will be too cold to swim (and pretty much always is unless you're Candian), the new Tides Beach Club and its sister property Hidden Pond are enough to entice. The Tides Beach Club, situated on Goose Rocks Beach, underwent a renovation this winter. The rooms are decorated in soft neutrals and are as relaxing as they are comfortable (below). While you're lounging beachside, beach tenders are there to bring towels, treats and more. At night, enjoy the on site restaurant and beach bonfires.



If you're traveling with a bigger group, you may want to consider the well-reviewed Hidden Pond. It offers cabins that sleep up to four people, plus fun activities like a watercolor painting class, morning yoga and free loans of beach cruiser bicycles. We're dying to go just to try out the new Tree Spa!

Not surprisingly, we aren't the only ones this week with warm weather and beaches on the mind. Hoda and Kathie Lee turned into beach babes for a day on the Today Show earlier this week, featuring sunny day playlists and a visit to best beaches in the country.

Here's a trip worth planning ahead for: The Reel Sassy Girl's Weekend at the Abacos Beach Resort in the Bahamas, April 29-May 1. Fishing's not usually our thing (we still have flashbacks to the dull fishing trip we were forced to take with an ex), but we chatted with Reel Sassy co-owner Kim Ewing (that's her above) and she convinced us that it's worth giving the sport a second look.


Kim grew up in Florida and started fishing off of the causeway as a way to spend time with friends on the weekends in high school. She only got into deep sea fishing after meeting her now hubby a sport fishing boat captain. Kim promises there are no worms or bait fish involved with deep sea fishing—it's all about using lures.

As for the allure of fishing itself, Kim says:

"It's not the fishing, it’s the catching—hearing the line zing, knowing you have something on your line, but not knowing what’s on the other end."

Ready to give it a try yourself? The Reel Sassy weekend includes two nights at the Abacos Beach Resort, airfare from Ft. Lauderdale, an opening reception, breakfast everyday and a day trip to Hope Town in the Bahamas. Prices start at $549 per person. Email info@reelsassy.com for more details.

Cancun gets a bad rap as a spring break destination that you should only go to if you want to compete in a wet T-shirt contest or break a record for tequila shots, but as Hope learned it depends on when you go and where you stay. Ready to test the waters? Enter VH1's Countdown to Cancun giveaway that celebrates Virgin America's inaugural flight to the Mexican beach resort.

Included in the prize is a 3-night stay at the new Live Acqua Cancun, a 371-room resort. The hotel is an all inclusive with restaurant choices ranging from Mediterranean to Asian to New American to Mexican. (Why you wouldn't indulge in guacamole and salsa everyday of your trip is beyond us.) It has a spa and a pool valet who hands out snacks, magazines and fully loaded iPods to borrow and is located in the main hotel zone.


The only bad news: Virgin America is currently only flying to Cancun from the west coast, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Here's hoping flights from the midwest and east coast start soon! Enter to win on CountdowntoCancun.com.

We're in the middle of the snowiest winter in our lifetime (on the east coast, at least) so there's no better time to start our annual beach week. First up is the Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France.

This boutique hotel is one of the chicest options on what is arguably the chicest island in all of the Caribbean. Room options include a simple garden or beach rooms, suites and the new 3-bedroom Flamands villas.
There's an on-site restaurant and a Molton Brown spa.



Save a beach chair for us!

Congrats to the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers for making it to the Super Bowl! If you're a die hard fan and want to go to the game, there's still time to buy one of Jetsetter's Super Bowl package.

Included are tickets for two to the big game, 3-nights at the InterContinental Dallas, various parties and transportation to Cowboy's Stadium. Prices start at $7,900 for two. Better hurry--the sale closes Friday night. Available on Jetsetter.

While the rest of the world was focusing on Jennifer Aniston dissing "The Rachel" haircut and her clip in bangs from the Allure shoot and accompanying article, we were most interested in hearing about her favorite vacation spot:

"It's Anguilla in the Caribbean. It's just very far, not that easy to hop on a plane and go. I love the ability to really relax. Even if I'm just sitting in my house, I still have work, whether it's dealing with a production company or future project. What I love is the ocean. I hear it and go calm. It allows you to truly refuel."

We're betting Aniston rents a private villa when she goes, though the Viceory Anguilla is pretty spectacular.

Read the full interview with Jennifer Aniston in the February issue of Allure.