I want candy.

It took almost two years and over 288,000 jelly beans to make this video. A labor of love . . . or was it just a love of jelly beans!?

Either way the video and song are darling!

Enjoy “In Your Arms” by Kina Grannis . . .

How to score a free trip to Cancun. Part dos.

If you missed yesterday's admission about our timeshare ownership you may want to scroll down or click here to read that post first.

We'll wait.

And now the story continues . . .

OK, I didn't mention in that post {again with the being coy} but the first vacation ownership week we purchased is in Cancun at the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas. It is an absolutely beautiful property. 

photo source

But we had never visited. 

We'd owned for two years but had spent our ownership weeks elsewhere. Honestly, I don't think it was that we were scared to travel to Mexico as much as it was we were excited to travel to Hawaii and take the cousins skiing at Beaver Creek. So many places from which to choose, so we hadn't made the quick jaunt to Cancun.  

Until one day I receive a call from the Starwood Vacation Ownership's Customer Communication Team.  The team informed me that they would be shooting promotional videos in Cancun in October and were looking for a few families who own in Cancun and would be willing to enjoy up to a week at the property. 

So let me get this straight: they take our family picture in paradise, we say we love Starwood Vacation Ownership on camera, and we get a free week at a phenomenal resort. Oh, and airfare and a resort credit which will generously cover all meals and incidentals. 

Yes please! 

Of course there is the hub's work schedule to consider. And it meant pulling the kids out of school. So while initially excited, we were equally hesitant. I'm also a big believer in "if it sounds to good to  be true, it generally is." And this sounded much too good to be true. 

In this case, however, the old adage did not apply. It was all quite wonderful and all very true.

Everything was coordinated and executed beautifully! We were given the opportunity to stay up to a week {though we were only to make it work for 5 days}. Starwood seamlessly arranged our airfare and all transportation throughout our stay. 

They entertained our children with putt-putt, feeding iguanas, and visiting ruins while we gave our owner testimonial. 

They hosted a cocktail party to meet and greet all the families and couples who were taking part in the video shoots. They talked to us. Got to know us. Asked us questions about what we loved and what we didn't love about vacation ownership with Starwood. Even more impressively, they listened to and responded to our responses. 

When shooting our little bits and pieces they were respectful of our time. They ensured we were truly enjoying our time away and didn't want to monopolize it {very thoughtful considering they'd paid to get us there for this distinct purpose}. 

But I think what impressed me most was how above and beyond the resort staff and the Starwood Vacation Ownership team went to make it all a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

On the evening of our arrival we were escorted to the beach and allowed to individually release sea turtles into the ocean. No pictures were allowed, of course, because it would startle the hatchlings who have only a two day supply of food in their bellies to make it out to sea. We each held two little bitty sea turtles, named each one, and released them into the surf by the light of a full moon. 

Truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment! 

So yes, when the cameras started rolling I had absolutely no problem gushing about the resort, how safe I felt in Mexico, or our over all vacation ownership experience.  

Of course, the amazing view from the wall of windows in our room helped.

The gorgeous grounds, pools, water slide for the kids {including my third child - the hubs}, and poolside margaritas didn't hurt. 

Enjoying a bonus break with my family didn't hurt either.

But in the end, it's not the Heavenly Bed or the amazing locations that makes vacation ownership work for us {though they certainly influenced our decision to buy} - it's the people. 

The people at the resorts who bend over backwards to make sure you have everything you need. The other owners with whom we inevitably enjoy talking with by the pool. The customer service people at Starwood who answer my myriad of questions politely and patiently. And the awesome creative team who coordinated this excursion and made our family feel like absolute rock stars. 

In the end, it is the people who make the difference. The people who keep you happy, relaxed and wishing you could afford just one more week!  

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Again, just to clarify, I am not being compensated for this post in any way and certainly cannot guarantee that vacation ownership with Starwood will ever result in a free trip to Mexico for you. This was simply my experience and reflects my honest opinions.

How to score a free trip to Cancun.

I am dying to share some bits and pieces from our recent trip to Napa. We had an amazing time and I am renewed beyond my wildest dreams. 

But first things first. 

Last month I promised details about our family's recent excursion to Cancun and I'm convinced Leigh may not sleep until she knows exactly why our family was treated to such a fabulous trip. 

I've been a bit coy, I realize. 

So today I'm coming clean.

We own a timeshare. 

Actually . . . two. 

But who's counting. 

And honestly, I have my eye on a third. 

But don't tell the hubs. 

It all started innocently enough. 

In 2009 the hubs and I escaped to Scottsdale to enjoy a little couple time. 

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

The Westin at which we were staying offered us a $100 AMEX gift card for attending a presentation on vacation ownership. Sign me up! The gift card will pay for my previously scheduled spa appointment and we'll be on our way. Because clearly, we are not going to buy a timeshare. I prepared the hubs and told him under no circumstances would we do anything other than collect our $100 and head to the spa. Do not pass go. Do not ask any questions. Shake your head, say thank you very much, and leave. 

Brilliant plan. 

And the hubs did his part. 

But somewhere between "locations all around the world" and "forces you to vacation every year" I fell prey.

I admit.

It was all me.

But I was a finance major in undergrad and vaguely remember something about net present value. The numbers just made sense. And the thought of tearing the hubs away from work more often, well, that made sense to me too. 

So we purchased into the Starwood Vacation Network. Of course, as a bonus for making this lifetime investment, we were rewarded with an extra week for our first year. Which is how we were able to spend two weeks in Kauai in 2010. 

Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Of course we fell in love and decided we should also own a week in Kauai so we could spend two weeks in Kauai every couple years. 

Oh yes we did!  

Intervention may be required.

But truly, the system works. We do vacation more now. Because the lodging is covered. It's not free. I understand I've paid / am paying for it. But I do not have to separately budget for each and every vacation. I just booked Maui / Kauai {one week on each} for summer 2012 and five nights at the Westin Riverfront in Beaver Creek for spring break. We would not likely make all that work in a six month span if it weren't for that little bank of points accumulated in my account. 

So for our family, the system works flawlessly. 

And did I mention we can also use our accumulated points at not only the Starwood Vacation Network properties, but also Starwood Hotels?! The Starwood loyalty program includes Westin, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Le Meridian, Sheraton, A Loft, and Four Points. 

That, my friends, opens up the world! The WORLD!

So we often joke, I've become a bit of a point whore. Actually, it's no joke - I'm quite literally obsessed with accumulating and spending my points.

Of course, so far I've explained absolutely nothing about how we scored an absolutely all-expenses-paid- trip to Cancun. 

With this admission setting the stage, I'll share that story tomorrow. 

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And no, I am not being compensated for sharing this information. This is simply my experience. Though if they'd throw a few extra points at me well, I'd gush even more. Truly - an absolute point whore! 

Marital Training Complete.

I think we all can admit that husbands often require a little "training" at the beginning of a marriage. They need to learn to answer questions appropriately {no your butt does not look big in those jeans} and provide encouragement {of course you need a new dress for that party} when needed.

Sadly, this is not necessarily common sense for our male counterparts.

Nor does it come naturally. For most.  

Recently, however, I've noted that my husband has come along quite nicely in his training. In fact, after ten years of training I think I can safely say that not only has he graduated from training, but I have further concluded that he is an absolute keeper {though this last bit is not entirely surprising to anyone who knows him}.  

Here's a few of the recent signs that mark his substantial progress: 

Case in point #1: 

We were recently in the closet together packing for a 5 day vacation. I was stressing about the weather and what to wear and what others' would be wearing. Should I wear dresses and heels at night or stick with jeans and a cute top?  Will I need a coat every day or just for the evenings?

He did not so much as blink and eye, but immediately said: "Save yourself a lot of time and grief and pack the huge bag {we refer to it as "the beast"} with lots of options."

Never before have I heard such loving words. I threw in a few handbag options as well. Because I could. 

Case in point #2:

During no point in our travels did he suggest or ever allow me to trolley or otherwise touch "the beast." Nor did he complain or note that it weighed in as "oversized".

Case in point #3:

We recently enjoyed dinner at a very nice restaurant. A Michelin rated restaurant. After eating lunch at another Michelin rated restaurant {I heart Napa}! 

I suggested we not go to dinner at all. I was stuffed. So full I was starting to get the "is she pregnant or just really bloated" glances. 

Nonetheless, he insisted we get dressed and go to dinner at this place "I'd been talking about for months." This despite the fact that I swore only two hours earlier I would never eat again and we'd undoubtedly drop another couple hundred dollars making ourselves miserable. 

But he insisted. And I'm pretty sure he would have been fine with a burger. He's not a fancy-smancy dinner guy. He insisted for me! 

And I'm so glad he did! 

Case in point #4:

While enjoying said fancy-smancy meal {oh yes, I rallied} our server explained they offered a soufflé which would require twenty minutes to cook, and thus, required ordering before the entree was complete. 

"A chocolate soufflé?" I inquire. 

Indeed. 

I pause, remembering back to the huge scene I made about being too full to even eat dinner. 

Hubs fills the silence with: "Tell them to get started on the soufflé."

Without question or pause he orders my soufflé. That, my friends, is a man who understands his wife. No questions asked. He knows I will find room for dessert {it's mostly air after all}. And he does not once remind me that I wanted to skip dinner all together. 

Case in point #5:

Hubs called me recently and caught me in the dressing room of a local boutique. "I am trying on jeans," I admitted over the phone. He did not snicker or suggest that I have at least 20 pairs of jeans hanging in my closet {only a slight exaggeration}. Nor was he silly enough to suggest that some of those jeans {which I've had for close to 8 years} may be too small {see #3 and #4}. He's no rookie. Instead he responds with, "You haven't purchased many pairs in the last few years so it makes sense that you need a few new pairs." 

A few new pairs!

Jackpot.

Case in point #6:

A few weeks or so ago I cooked dinner for a dear friend who suffered a loss. I really didn't have the time scheduled in that week, but wanted to do something for her. It added to the crazy that the hubs was out of town that night and I'd be juggling after school activities and homework and dinner without any assistance. I made the adjustments required and made my homemade chicken noodle soup. 

When hubs calls that night to check in he asked what I made and if I got it delivered without incident. I explained that I made the soup, took it over and that they were, of course, very grateful. 

He was not, however, satisfied with that simple response. 

"Did they understand it takes you all day to make that soup? Did they appreciate how good it is and realize you make the stock from scratch? How did you do it all with all you had going on and all the kids' activities? And most importantly, did you save any leftovers?"

Ladies, this from a man who, when we were first married, added Tabasco to my homemade marinara. It goes without saying that my homemade marinara requires no additional seasoning, right?! 

But now he not only brags profusely about my cooking and wonders if it is lost on others but he also truly appreciates how hectic my afternoons can be! 

Training complete. 

R&R

The next few days I'll be enjoying a little rest and relaxation
away from the blogosphere. 

Well that yes, but also a few spectacular meals, 

oodles and oodles of delicious wine and, of course, 

incredible vistas as only Northern California can provide.

And truly, nothing makes mama happy like a travel itinerary
which starts with a wine tasting at 10:00 am of day 1.

I think we are getting our mini-break started on the right foot.

I'll let you know how the rest of the trip unfolds from there!

Source: us.mg5.mail.yahoo.com via AmyEatLiveLaugh on Pinterest