When I hear the word "Honeymoon" all sorts of images rush through my head. Being in love, making love, drinking delicious french rosé, driving with the top down through the hills, eating cheese, speaking French, niçoise salads, melted goat cheese, bordeaux, champagne, making love, being in love... wait did I say that already? But all joking aside, I've fantasized of visiting the French Riviera since I watched "To Catch a Thief" as a young girl (thanks mom and dad), and of course when my mom took me when I was twelve to watch "French Kiss" in the theater, falling madly in love with creepy Kevin Kline and faking anxiety on airplanes because Meg Ryan did. Don't you remember them driving through the hills, the ocean behind them, the gorgeous hotels lining the sand, the glamorous women with their giant sunglasses (oh wait, you never saw French Kiss??)... I just knew I had to be there at one point in this lifetime, preferably with a sexy man on my arm. Well, my wish came true, at last, sexy man included. There I was, finally in the most idyllic place I had ever been in this lifetime, Villefranche-sur-Mer. Our first dinner out at La Mere Germaine, we sat on the waterfront, ordered bordeaux, rack of lamb (hello, I'm Greek), and had an accordion player serenading us throughout the entire evening. When we got the bill (ouch) we decided it was worth it just for the location, the accordion man, and the four french men getting drunk in their speed boat twenty feet away from us. Pure French bliss I tell ya. We swam in the dazzling blue ocean, saw quite a few topless ladies, went shopping for divine outfits since I lost my luggage (awesome), and ate another savory meal in a hidden gem of a restaurant, called Les Garçons (everything here was perfection except the surly waiter, but they are all that way there). When it was time to depart and make our way to Provence I promised myself I would one day return to this sweet, picturesque town again, hopefully in the not so distant future. Thank you Villefranche-sur-Mer for being charming, delicious, romantic and dreamy all in one. Romper: Abercrombie & Fitch Swimsuit: VIX Dinner on the waterfront at La Mere Germaine Cappuccinos on the waterfront Town Les Garçons

Anyone who knows me, even just a little, knows my love for a delicious wine. I actually considered blogging about wine for a while before I realized that may be a tad ridiculous. So for my husband and my one year anniversary he surprised me with a trip to Sonoma and Napa Valley to continue our wine obsession! It was last minute and we planned to rent a car and drive up the coast, stopping in a few towns along the way. I've always wanted to visit Hearst Castle with my quiet fascination of the old days, glamour, glitz, movie stars, knowing that some of my favorites wandered those halls and sat at the dining room table, most notably for me: Cary Grant, Harpo Marx, Jean Harlow and Howard Hughes. I imagined them sitting in the living room, playing poker, smoking cigarettes, with the giant fire place, laughing, dancing. Pretty unbelievable actually, and quite a site to see. Then it was time to hop into our exciting, bright red Mustang convertible and drive to Sonoma, one of our favorite destinations. Ryan had been talking about taking the 1 Freeway up the coast for as long as I've known him, so he finally fulfilled that fantasy. It took seven lovely hours, but I had my scarf (sooo Thelma and Louise of me), we had the ocean, nature, an open car and it was truly bliss. The next day we drove to Napa and enjoyed some of our favorite wineries, and new ones as well: Etude which has a lovely Pinot Noir, Chimney Rock known for their exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon (I died for their Merlot too), B Cellars, which is good at everything, especially their Stagecoach Syrah and Stagecoach Cabernet (we joined their wine club because it's too delicious), and they do a fantastic food and wine pairing for guests that's to die for, and last but not least Alpha Omega, which had beautiful views, but only so so wines (in my opinion). That night, back at our hotel The Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa, we dined at the restaurant Santé for our anniversary. Lovely place, but next time I'd rather sit outside next to the pool (sat inside, bleh). There's something magical about Sonoma. The quaint downtown square which reminds me of old western towns out of movies, the looming trees, the small winding roads, vines lining the streets, mustard fields forever, the beautiful town of Glen Ellen, it just can't be beat. It's so romantic and of course the wines help too. I love that Ryan has made Sonoma and Napa Valley a tradition for us and I know we will return year after year making new memories...and falling in love again and again...with wine of course !