A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND

{Jeans: UO, Poncho: South Moon Under, Top & Tank: Anthropologie, Earrings: Nordstrom, Boots: Vince Camuto, Sunnies: Fendi}

Sometimes the weather in the northeast in the wintertime rocks!  This weekend was one of those times.  Saturday, we got up to 65 degrees here in New York.  65 peeps...it's January!!!  So, that meant it was time for us to jet set to the shore.  I love the beach in the summer, but it's also a fun place to visit in the winter.  Some of the shops and restaurants are still open, and it's dog friendly, so it's awesome!  Also, just this week, Ocean City, New Jersey was voted the "Least Angry, Least Depressed U.S. City."  You see, every day, is a good day at the beach!

ADIOS CAROLINA! HOLA MADRID!

One of my very best friends just told me that she is moving to Madrid, Spain! While I am so sad that she is leaving us (Adios Carolina!), it actually will be the perfect excuse for me to jet set to this incredible Spanish city that I have been wanting to go to for awhile (Hola Madrid!). When most people think of Spain, they think of Barcelona and the beaches, but there has been a recent boom in Madrid, and there are now more hip hotels, trendy restaurants and stylish shops all waiting to be discovered!

On my Madrid List of Things to Do & See:

1- Visit the Prado Museum

2- Stay at the Hotel Urban

3- Eat at El Mollete

4- Hear Spanish music at Cafe Central

5- Shop at Laura Caicoya

6- Sip a cocktail at Fernando del Diego

7- Walk around the Plaza Mayor

8- Watch a Flamenco Show at Cardamomo

9- Have a picnic in Parque del Buen Retiro

10- See the San Francisco el Grande Basilica

Now it's time to search for cheap flights!

PUERTO RICO THE SHINING STAR

It's no wonder Puerto Rico is known as the shining star of the Caribbean...it has great culture, beautiful beaches and delicious food. Yes, I'm Puerto Rican, so maybe that makes me a bit biased. But, I will tell you that everyone I know who is not of Puerto Rican decent and has jet setted there has agreed with me. In fact, Shermans Travel ranks Puerto Rico as one of the best places in the Caribbean for being most affordable, for offering the best all-inclusive trips, for being on the beach by lunch, and as one of the best islands for culture and history.

The flight will get you there from New York in just under four hours...so you can be lying on the beach in no time! I just checked airfares and see deals for the month of December for $300 per person round trip, for direct flights (from JFK to San Juan). I used to spend my summers in Puerto Rico when I was growing up, and have not been back since 2004, but with deals like this and the winter months coming...that may change.

My Favorite Hotel in Isla Verde Area: El San Juan Hotel and Casino

My Favorite Hotel in El Condado Area: Caribe Hilton

My Favorite All-Inclusive Hotel: El Conquistador Resort

My Favorite Restaurant: La Bombonera

My Favorite Thing to Do besides lying on the beach: Shopping/Walking around Old San Juan's Cobblestone Streets