Starry Skies in Florida

I spent the evening last night gazing at thousands of stars blanketing a soft, white sand beach in Florida. I am a happy girl ...

Florida Girl

I'm putting the finishing touches on the upcoming trip to South Beach, Miami. Everything finally is falling in to place - my planning seems to be paying off! Whew! I think it is going to be a super fun trip!
I also am going to spend a few days on the West coast of Florida, south of Tampa. That should be a really neat part of the trip, too. Just call me a Florida girl, I guess!
Then, I come back ... THAT much closer to 30! ;)

Country Singer Deryl Dodd - Best In Texas

Usually I just interview people for my various publications via the phone. It's simple, easy, and I can type faster! : )

Recently, though, I was assigned a cover story for Best In Texas Music Magazine on country music singer Deryl Dodd. Since he was going to be in Austin playing a gig at Hill's Cafe, I scheduled to meet him in person, and I'm glad I did - we ended up talking for two hours! He is a super nice and sincere guy, who plays and writes great songs. I highly recommend you check out his music. I particularly like "Feels Like Home to Me." I can't stop singing it - I guess that's a good sign for him!
This is me and Deryl post-concert, later that day. My story on him, which I think you'll find to be quite heartfelt on his part, will be out in the August issue - Look for it!!

I couldn't find my article on the band Buster Jiggs online, but here is their website and MySpace page. I found my article on Kyle Hutton posted on this site. These are all neat people I'm dealing with for Best In Texas, and I wish them all the best of luck!

Happy Birthday to My Blog!

Today is a special day in my blogging world - my One Year Birthday! That's right - it has been one year since the Candidly Caroline blog was launched!
The first few months I pretty much was the only one here, but, since then, the number of readers really has grown! Thanks to all of you who make Candidly Caroline a regular part of your reading, and a special thank you to those of you who leave comments! It's great to know people are interested! I try to make it entertaining and informative, and, of course, categorically ME! : )

I "Heart" Dad

I tried to get an "I Heart Dad" shirt for Father's Day, like I got the "I Heart Mom" shirt for Mother's Day, and they're not selling them! Can you believe that??
At least I got to see my Dad. Last night the whole family went to see "Nacho Libre," and today he's attending a Houston Astros baseball game with my brother - so I guess it's all good.
Even without the shirt, "I Heart Dad!" Happy Father's Day!!

Welcome to Life, Kids!

Here's a little interchange I heard the other day at the gym, between two high schoolers:

Girl: Do you really want to go see the "Cars" movie? It's about cars.
Boy: So? "Finding Nemo" was about fish.
Girl: I like fish!
Boy: I like cars!

Welcome to the rest of your life, kids!

La Dolce Vida

For about a year now, I’ve been longing for several pieces in a series of artwork, known as “Women & Wine,” by local artist Kathy Womack. In her series, she does a brilliant job of capturing women celebrating the joy and bond of friendship. When I heard that her Downtown gallery, located at 5th and Brazos, was pairing up with local group “Women Gone Wine” for an event, I knew I had to attend.
“Inside every woman lies the secret desire to be a lady of leisure and live la dolce vida,” says Womack, and even though that desire may be a very, very secret one for some of us, it is nonetheless true. It was such a pleasure to have this event at her gallery, where we could wander around and look at all the marvelous pieces she has created, all while supporting a good cause.
Women Gone Wine is a fairly new fundraising organization offering casual, fun ways to learn about wine while also contributing to local non-profit organizations. They have monthly activities, and, from what I have seen so far, they are all bound to be great fun for great causes! (I also attended "Belly Dancing and Bubbles," where I learned how to mesmerize men prey with my belly dancing prowess! Oh, yeah!)

Of course, at the forefront of all the Women Gone Wine events is wine, and we had two selections the evening of the Kathy Womack Gallery event. We enjoyed Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull Zinfandel 2004 and Louis M. Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. We partook of the wine along with a selection of cheeses and strawberries and chocolate. Yummy!

One Month to Go ...

Until the BIG 3-0!

Lake Austin Spa: A Worthy Retreat

This past weekend I had the good fortune to stay at the Lake Austin Spa Resort, located off Quinlan Park Road in West Austin and set waterside among the large, treed Austin hills. The setting is gorgeous and achieves its intent at relaxing visitors upon their entrance to the property. My stay was great, and the only regrettable moment was the one when my time was over and I had to depart.
Guests - who really do wander around in their Spa-provided robes and sandals - have use of a dipping pool overlooking the river, a deeper and more private swimming pool and hot tub area with cabanas, and a heated, Junior Olympic size lap pool in the “pool barn.” Guests also are free to wander the grounds on small walking trails and through the herb gardens and to sit and enjoy many of the areas designed to make them feel as though they are lounging in the home of a friend.
Activities include fitness classes such as yoga (available on a pier over the water,) Pilates, and stretching, and unexpected classes, with topics such as “Insights from the Tarot,” “Dream Wisdom,” and “The Stars at Night: Astronomy Basics.” They also have a nice fitness room overlooking the water and offer many kinds of cooking demonstrations.
Meals are included, with snacks and room service available at most times and a selection of courses being offered for dinner. A sample dinner from my stay included Watermelon Gazpacho, Jicama Salad, Tuna Steak, and Cheesecake with Blueberries. While each item was listed along with its caloric and fat content and was fairly small in portion, they did a remarkably good job at making diners satiated with what I considered to be a healthy and excellent quality of food.
Of course, spa services of all kinds are available for additional purchase, and the spa facility is an easy walk from the accommodations through beautiful gardens and water features. I enjoyed the “Texas Starry Night’ with Darius, who did a fabulous job at unwinding me from my everyday stress. The treatment is perfect for pre-bedtime relaxation and included a lavender oil full-body massage and a body wrap, with an herbal heat pack on my stomach and an herbal eye pillow over my eyes. I followed my nighttime treatment with a dip in the pool and hot tub on my way back to my room. Good night!
The rooms, too, were conducive to relaxation and created an easygoing feel. More so a casual comfort than a sophisticated luxury, my room was very appealing, with tile floors and cushy comforters, a jetted tub, and a small courtyard with lounging chairs. My room also had a lake view from a small, front, vine-covered porch where I could sit on a rocking chair and relax, reading a book, while the boats went past. I was pleased.
Oh, if only pampering could be an everyday affair! I’ll be counting the days until I next can be bathed in the scent of lavender, wander through the gloriously-colored grounds and lay on the pier counting the stars. I’m beginning to relax just thinking about it.

Lake Austin Spa

I was able to visit the Lake Austin Spa this weekend ...

Oh, to be able to live a life of leisure!

I'll elaborate more on my stay after I get through the mounds of work I have waiting for me.

Miami! South Beach! 8 Fabulous Females!

*Whoops! It's the Loews Hotel!
Bachelorette Party, baby! In South Beach, Miami!!
The new locale for my best friend's bachelorette party is the Ritz-Carlton in Miami. I am busy planning away what will be our fabulous few days there. If anyone has been to South Beach and has ideas, let me know!