Why to Go: The Santa Ynez Valley has more than 100 wineries which feature some great white and red wines (more than just Pinot Noir- if you saw Sideways, you’ll know what I’m talking about). Even if you are not a wine lover, you’ll enjoy the ... Read More »]]> Santa Ynez, California has become one of my new favorite obsessions on the west coast. The Santa Ynez Valley is located in northern Santa Barbara County (about a two hour drive north of L.A) and is the heart of Santa Barbara’s Wine Country. If you’ve seen the movie Sideways, then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Why to Go:
The Santa Ynez Valley has more than 100 wineries which feature some great white and red wines (more than just Pinot Noir- if you saw Sideways, you’ll know what I’m talking about). Even if you are not a wine lover, you’ll enjoy the landscape of rolling hills and farms. The Santa Ynez Valley is naturally beautiful beyond words or pictures. Need I say more?

When to Go: Really any time of year is good to visit…this is California, my jet setters! Winter months are chillier and the grapes are off the vine, but the rates are cheaper. Spring, Summer & Fall are obviously warmer and when you can see the vineyards are their peak…it’s up to you!

Where to Go: Santa Ynez Valley has six towns, all cute and quaint in their own way:                                                                                                                                                   Los Olivos: Where I recommend you stay. It has art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and wine tasting rooms.
Solvang: A Danish-inspired town (see picture above) that truly looks and feels like you are in Holland in Europe. There are Danish bakeries and restaurants, shops, museums, wine tasting rooms, and dozens of places to stay.
Santa Ynez: Really sweet little turn-of-the 20th century village that reminds you of what life was like back in the old west. There are a couple of restaurants, inns and boutiques here.
Buellton: Big town that you can almost just drive through and not stop to check out, other than The Hitching Post restaurant which was featured in the movie Sideways.
Ballard: A really small town with only two restaurants, a bed & breakfast, and a little red schoolhouse which is still used.
Los Alamos: With only a seven-block long main street, this town also has a western feel, a historic train depot, shops and restaurants.

Where to Stay:
We rented a house through Home Away. It was located in the town of Los Olivos and was absolutely perfect in every sense of the word. The house was close enough to town that you could walk and it had an infinity pool…so nice! If that’s not for you and you prefer to stay in a hotel rather than someones home, then the place I suggest to stay in Los Olivos is at the Fess Parker Inn. In Santa Inez, I would say to stay at the Santa Ynez Inn.If staying in Solvang is something you want to do, I would recommend staying at either the Wine Valley Inn & Cottages…Or the Hadsten House Inn & Spa. I’ll have more on the wineries we visited, where to eat and where to shop in the Santa Ynez Valley in the coming days!

Written By: Lori McNally of Chic Galleria Magazine

Holy Cow ... Read More »]]> When I typically think of Los Angeles, California, I think of sunshine, beautiful people and healthy food. All of this seems to be true, but let me tell you, the people of Los Angeles also know a thing or two about fast food/comfort food spots! Whether you are cruising down Santa Monica Boulevard, the Sunset Strip, Robertson, Melrose or Hollywood, you will quickly notice that there is no shortage of burger joints. There’s Jack-in-the-Box, Apple Pan, Umami, Hole-in-the-Wall, Burger Joint, Pinks…you get the idea! But, one of my all time favorite’s is In-N-Out Burger!!!

Holy Cow (no pun intended:-) this place rocks! The first one opened up way back in 1948, so it’s pretty safe to say that they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to burgers. So naturally, I stopped off for one when I was there. (Now I’m kicking myself for not having more!) Their cheeseburger is made from a 100% pure beef patty, and is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion (if desired), one slice of American cheese, and their special sauce (tastes similar to the sauce on a Big Mac).

Yes, they have fries, but I say you can leave them out as the burger is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! But don’t go there and not order a milkshaketo wash it all down…(chocolate or vanilla)…both delish!

A bit further away from the downtown area (in Chinatown to be exact) is Philippe’s (pronounced Phil-ee-peez).

This is one of the oldest restaurants (1908) that specializes in the French Dip sandwich!

Legend has it that a man by the name of Philippe Mathieu invented the French Dip when he accidentally dropped the sliced french roll for the sandwich into the roasting pan filled with juice drippings. The customer, a police officer, said he would take it anyway, and the very next day returned (with some of his friends) for another one the exact same way! You can order it with beef, pork, ham, lamb or turkey. Beef is the classic, and what I ordered.

You can also ask for it single-dipped or double-dipped in the gravy (the way to go if you ask me!) I put just a little bit of their Hot Mustard on it…it’s HOT, but homemade and oh so good! I have to say this was by far the BEST french dipped sandwich I have ever had! All sandwiches cost $5.55, except for the lamb which goes for $6.75.

The atmosphere is fun…it’s sort of a blast from the past with cafeteria-style service and sawdust on the floor! Philippe’s is open everyday (except Thanksgiving & Christmas) from 6AM til 10PM…so you have no excuse but to go the next time you are in Los Angeles. Be prepared to wait…the lines can be long…but it’s worth the time!

Well after all of this meat, you need a little something sweet, right? And have I got the place…Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain in South Pasadena, California.

It’s a South Pasadena landmark, opened since 1915, and located on the historic Route 66. This place is so cute inside…it still looks like it did when it opened; old-fashioned!

You can shop in their pharmacy and store if you need some toiletries or little trinkets to bring home with you, but the reason so many people go here is for the real goodies that you can eat at the soda fountain. You must order their All-American Banana Split! For $7.25, you get HUGE scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, topped with hot fudge, strawberry and pineapple sauces, and all nestled inside of a split banana!

It’s enormous…that’s why I personally think they call it a split because you have to split it with someone, it’s too big to eat on your own! It was amazing! I also tried one of their Egg Creams for $3.50, an East Coast favorite, that’s made with soda water, milk, and your choice of vanilla or chocolate. (I ordered the chocolate). I have to honestly say I didn’t love it (too watered down)…that was the one thing I would say the west coast should leave to the east coast. But after the banana split, you don’t really need anything else!

The last place I must talk about when it comes to comfort food in L.A. is a place called Urth Cafe.

There are a few locations throughout the city, but the one on Melrose Avenue is the original one, is often frequented by celebrities, and has been on an episode or two of Entourage & The Hills. They have everything from coffee, pastries, and a full breakfast menu, to lunch and desserts as well. Everything at Urth Cafe is fresh and the coffee is organic.

If you go, you must try one of their Spanish Lattes…basically a latte with a kick! This place is great all around!

Written By: Lori McNally of Chic Galleria

During his recent visit to Oklahoma City while on tour to promote his new album Battle Studies, John put on another jaw dropping performance leaving the audience wondering if there’s anything he ... Read More »]]> Whether you follow @JohnCMayer on Twitter, your one of 1,000,000 fans on his Facebook page, you read his blog, or hang out in his community, there is no doubt that John Mayer loves social networking and his fans.  Put aside all the tabloid covers, the Playboy interview scandal, and the other “open mouth and insert foot” comments that have been publicized; John Mayer is a gifted musician.

During his recent visit to Oklahoma City while on tour to promote his new album Battle Studies, John put on another jaw dropping performance leaving the audience wondering if there’s anything he can’t do.  He had the theatrics with multi-colored lighting that swung down almost close enough to knock him over, a screen around the stage where video clips where played, the HUGE jumbotron and ramps on each end of the stage.  He had the amazing band he had put together which included  Steve Jordan who plays with the John Mayer Trio. He had a multitude of guitars, amps and equipment.  However, his interaction with the crowd is definitely one thing that sets him apart.

John often put the house lights up between songs and talked to people in the audience.  He addressed signs by wishing people “Happy Birthday”, telling them “No, you can’t have my guitar,” and even told one girl “I would like to slow dance with you too”. As seen on his recent TV segment of “Storytellers” on VH1, John likes to talk between songs and engage his listeners.  With the multitude of young children in the audience, John kept his performance clean (give or take a few curse words in his songs) and appropriate for all ages.

The shows set list was a mix of old and new.  John told the fans that he was bringing “‘Your Body is a Wonderland’, not back from the dead, but from a long nap.” He incorporated songs from other artists such as Journey and “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers and he thrilled the audience with his encores of  “Who Says” and “Gravity”.  At the end of his performance, he put his guitar down on the ground and played it upside down.  There is no doubt that John is a master of his instrument and an incredibly gifted artist.  His guitar skills are comparable to the great Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Fans can’t help but gaze in awe at the giant screen behind the stage focusing on his hands as he plays.  It is definitely a “jaw dropping” moment.  John Mayer’s music, talent and personality are what makes him such a successful artist.  He’s genuine gratitude to his fans is what makes him special.

Photo Credit: Abby Blunt

Ever wonder what happens to all the baggage that airlines loose? I’ll tell you what happens…it ends up in Scottsboro, Alabama at the Unclaimed Baggage Center! Yup! Crazy as it sounds, it’s true. Each day, an average of about 100 pieces or more of luggage are separated from jet setters. The Unclaimed Baggage Center basically buys and resells unclaimed baggage from the airlines and it’s totally legit! Airlines have 90 days to reunite the luggage with the owner, once that time passes, it’s free game for whomever wants it. There is a ton of stuff for sale at ... Read More »]]>

Ever wonder what happens to all the baggage that airlines loose? I’ll tell you what happens…it ends up in Scottsboro, Alabama at the Unclaimed Baggage Center! Yup! Crazy as it sounds, it’s true. Each day, an average of about 100 pieces or more of luggage are separated from jet setters. The Unclaimed Baggage Center basically buys and resells unclaimed baggage from the airlines and it’s totally legit! Airlines have 90 days to reunite the luggage with the owner, once that time passes, it’s free game for whomever wants it. There is a ton of stuff for sale at the Unclaimed Baggage Center. They stock over 7,000 new items each day into the store, and the store is over 40-thousand square feet…so just imagine!

You can buy everything from baby strollers, to snorkels, to digital cameras, perfume, clothing, books, Cd’s, DVDs, sunglasses, fine art, wedding dresses and jewelry! So maybe you want to plan a trip there and see what stuff you can find. Who knows, you might find something that once belonged to you if you’ve ever lost your luggage!