so i made a movie, part one

I recently made a short horror film called Ludlow, starring Shannon Lark and Elissa Dowling. I thought I'd share all the boring details about how that came to be, because...you know...sharing is caring and if there's one I thing I do, it's care.

Remember that thing I did called Ghostella's Haunted Tomb? The lezzie horror webseries thingy that had some special guest stars and stuff, and some people kind of got the idea behind the whole thing and some people didn't? Huh? Yeah, well…I don't know what's happening with Ghostella. I haven't yet decided if I want to do a second season or not, or what it'll entail, or…but! This is not meant to be about Ghostella's Haunted Tomb.

Remember Fudgalicious gum? Which was gum, but…you know, it was chocolate? That's either the best or worst idea in the history of ever- kind of like the Spice Girls, or those bowls you can buy that come with a built-in straw for drinking whatever milk is leftover after you've eaten your Fruity Pebbles or whatever. Actually, you know what? Those bowls you can buy that come with a built-in straw are the worst, plain-n-simple. I mean, how effing hard is it to tip the bowl into your mouth if you want to drink the leftovers? There needs to be a straw?

Wait! This is not meant to be about Ghostella or Fudgalicious or stupid inventions or stupid, lazy people. This is meant to be about…umm…what was I...oh yeah! This is all concerning a short film I made last week, which I know you're all peeing your pants in anticipation to hear about. Well, pull up those pants and gather 'round, children, and let me tell you a little tale about a little movie called- and set in- Ludlow.

SHANNON LARK: Wud up, Ludlow??

It all started, I suppose, when my short film Taste of Flesh, Taste of Fear was accepted into the 2008 Viscera Film Festival, sponsored by The Chainsaw Mafia. Taste of Flesh, as I'm sure you're well aware, was the short featured in the very first episode of Ghostella's Haunted Tomb. It's the lesbo vampire short featuring 2 Dollar Store Barbie knockoffs and Posh Spice that's so EROTICALLY CHARGED that it's too hot. Too hot, my lady- you've gotta run for shelter…gotta run for shade! Or something like that.

Oh, Kool and the Gang, you provide the soundtrack for my life.

But really, people, feel the heat. That heat is hot!

SHANNON LARK: Taste of Flesh, Taste of Fear is and was simply pure genius. If a filmmaker can make a great film using barbie dolls, then she's gotta blow you away with live action. And she did! I became obsessed with Top Friends. I showed it to my Mom. I showed it to my dog, and he licked himself. That's a good sign!

But I digress! The point is, the merging of Ghostella and Viscera introduced me to actress, director, Chainsaw Mafia CEO, and Fangoria Spooksmodel extraordinaire Shannon Lark because…well, Viscera is her thang. We met face to face in March during the Paranoia Film Festival; the 2007 Viscera selections were screened, including Heidi "Ghostella" Martinuzzi's Wretched, and a grand old time was had by all. Actually, don't hold me to that- I wasn't conducting exit polls or anything.

Trapped aboard the Queen Mary, Shannon and I spent most of the afternoon in the bar, then moved to a restaurant in the evening. During the course of the many hours we spent together, Shannon let fly that she wanted to be in one of my movies. I was dubious, which speaks more to my insecurity than any insincerity on Shannon's part; however, she proceeded to bust out a napkin and write up a contract stating much the same.

You can tell it's official because of all the lawyer-y language, like "This here contract…" and how she ends some words with "-eth".

SHANNON LARK: I told Stacie a story about how a contract written on a napkin can hold up in court. So I whipped it out* over a margarita in a funny looking glass that gave me stomach cramps. I used all the fancy shmancy jargon I could muster, because I wanted to show I was serious. She looked confused. I was ecstatic, because my evil plan of doing a Film Festival so talented female filmmakers would flock around me and put me in their next productions was actually working out. Besides, Stacie Ponder is amazing.

I jumped at the chance to work with her because she kind of fucking ROCKS. She said she'd be back in Los Angeles in April for Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors to fulfill some of her spooksmodel duties…wouldn't that be the perfect time to shoot something?

Why yes…yes, it would. I went home all pumped and proceeded to freak out almost immediately- writing something…on purpose? For someone? I don't tend to work that way. Like with Ghostella, I just write 'em, pretending no one will ever pay attention. Then I fill the roles. Or even writing here at Final Girl…once I start thinking that someone's going to be reading this besides me, I get all nervous. It's like my brain is nude or something, and it's embarrassing to think that people are looking at it…not that my brain has anything to be ashamed of, because it's 100% pure 36-24-36, if you know what I mean...and I think you do…which is good, because I have no idea what the fuck I'm talking about anymore.

SHANNON LARK: Haha! Stacie is totally nude!! Nude for Satan!

Oh, yeah! I was talking about writing a script for someone. Someone who's going to make a special effort to make a film with me. Ugh, nerve-wracking. Step one was to figure out what the eff I was gonna make this movie about. Actually, step one probably involved some Dunkin' Donuts coffee, or maybe some ice cream. Step two was to figure out what the eff I was gonna make this movie about. More on that to come.

Can I just say that my local grocery store AND my local Target have both discontinued carrying mint chocolate chip ice cream? That really does not fucking compute. It's kind of like the Catholic Church discontinuing God.

Anyway.






*Please note, the only thing "whipped out" was a napkin.

Lierac Paris Comfort Peel: 2-in-1 Daily Moisturizer and Face Peel

We've been using the Lierac Paris 2-in-1 Daily Moisturizer and Face Peel for the past month. It's intended to smooth out your complexion and work as an anti-aging moisturizer. Our initial impression was very positive: it has a soft scent, similar to La Prairie's products and the texture of our skin was smooth almost immediately. The face peel treatment is so mild, we haven't experienced any obvious peeling or flaking. After a few weeks, our skin continues to be soft, smooth and blemish-free (always a plus). Our only complaint is that there is no SPF factor, which means an additional step in the morning.

The cream uses Salicylic and Glycolic acids to exfoliate and Urea to moisturize your skin. Details on the ingredients can be found on the Lierac website.

$52 for 1.36 oz. Available at CVS, Duane Reade, Longs Drugs, and beauty.com.

Silent Hill 2 be, or not to be?

OMG, see what I did with that post title? It's thisclose to being clever!

Anywhatevers, Horror-Movies.ca is reporting that Silent Hill 2 has been scrapped. Or not. For now. Maybe. According to their "source":

...plans for Silent Hill 2 have been cancelled...the film is dead in the water...although the film will not be shooting soon it will still very likely happen.

So...err...not sure what that all means. Maybe simply filming has been postponed because they missed their shooting window? It seems like it's all up in the air. Radha Mitchell may or may not return, blah blah blah. I'd welcome another SH flick, if the script was a wee better than the first. By "wee", I mean "a big wee". I dug the movie and all- the visuals were narf (I think I just made that up...I mean it to be similar to "neat" or "rad" or "boss". Use it in a sentence today!)- but the script was weak with a capital Plug Your Ears. There was a great setup for a sequel in the ending , though, so my fingers are crossed.


In related news, man Horror-Movies.ca is a busy-looking website.

In other related news, how come I don't have any sources? I totally want to meet some shadowy figure in a parking lot who'll fill me in with kinda sorta news that's really just page filler. You know: "Platinum Dunes is talking about remaking Rob Zombie's Halloween. There's no writer...or director...or star...or even anything concrete yet, but still." Then I can yell "Whatta scoop!" and high tail it back to my keyboard to bring you all the latest exclusive news. Sigh.

Speaking of Rob Zombie's Halloween, have you seen the trailer for H2? Here it is. Go. Watch.

Back? Alright. Now, I know that despite the childhood romance we shared, my relationship with the original Halloween 2 hasn't exactly been on fire lately. The hospital setting could be mined for gold, though, and for a split second of the H2 trailer it seems as if Zombie might be tapping a vein (which sounds hot). Then...then...a bewigged Sheri Moon-Zombie shows up and...well, my mom taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all- so I'll let my pal JA at My New Plaid Pants say it for me:

...that is so fucking stupid looking I can barely believe it. I mean, my god. Just. My god.

Wait. My mom never taught me any such thing!

WHAT THE FUCK IS WITH THE WHITE WINGED DOVE WIGGED GHOST MOM? Yes, Rob Zombie, your wife is hot. Yes, it's understandable that you want to put her in your movies. But Michael's mom died in the first film...not to mention that Michael was already a homicidal kookadook in the first film, so having Mrs Myers become some sort of Mrs Voorhees in the sequel is a craptacular idea with a capital FUCKING CRAP. Also not to mention that her violent urgings go against the slim characterization she had in Halloween and in light of the mother-son relationship it makes no sense and arrrrgh white wigggggggghiusafsduva;vKscjd;C.

Umm. Well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all turns out.

Bobbi Brown's Latest: Perfectly Defined Mascara and the Nautical Collection

Bobbi Brown's Perfectly Defined Mascara is designed to be long wearing and to lengthen each lash individually. We've tried it and think that indeed it wore well throughout the day with no flaking or smudging and at the end of the day it took a few simple splashes of warm water to remove it. We would compare this to Clinique's Lash Power, since its formula wears well, our lashes look similarly thick and long, and the removal process is also easy. The difference we observed was with the wand. The tines of the brush on Clinique's Lash Power mascara are closer together and give a more feathery look. In contrast, Bobbi's Perfectly Defined mascara's wand has tines on the brush that are further apart and spread your lashes (presumable to give you more definition to each lash).
Also new this month is Bobbi Brown's Nautical Collection, which was inspired by the French women that Bobbi saw wearing striped shirts and sporting a flush on their cheeks and lips that looked like they were wearing a stain. * Bobbi tried to recreate that look with her new Sheer Color Gloss and Sheer Color Cheek Tint. We tried the gloss in Popsicle (third from the bottom) and the cheek tint in Sheer Pink (in the middle) and both gave us a healthy glow. We're ready to roll over our winter makeup for a fresher, spring time look. These products would be great to carry with you for touch ups throughout the day, especially when you're feeling tired and washed out.

*Listen to Bobbi Brown talk about the Nautical Collection in her own words and watch her at work.

1985 wasn't so bad

So today I was thinking about, you know, like, stuff and stuff, and I was all...hmm. Yeah. "Horror kinda nosedived as the 1980s went on and on." Then I thought about 1985 and I was all, "Well, that wasn't such a bad year." Then I thought about the fact that I used to wear nylon pants in the mid-80s, and how that was a terrible, terrible decision on my part...especially when one considers that I would generally couple said nylon pants with Chuck Taylors and Hawaiian shirts. What the fuck was I thinking?

Anyway, yeah, horror in '85. Some good movies, and a turn toward black comedy. Notable, perhaps. Perhaps not. I guess that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself, consequences be damned. Not unlike opting to pull up some nylon pants.

Return of the Living Dead

This film completely cordoned off a piece of my heart reserved forever and always for Linnea Quigley.

Re-Animator

Gordon + Lovecraft + Combs + Crampton are mid-80s Fab Four as far as I'm concerned.

Lifeforce

SAKES ALIVE. Why oh why can't I zip around the universe all nude-like, shooting lasers out of my eyes? It's all I want in the world!

Fright Night

Three things always spring to mind when I think of Fright Night: 1) Amanda Bearse's magically-lengthening vampire hair; 2) "Oh, you're so cool, Brewster!"; 3) Chris Sarandon's off-white cable-knit sweater.

The Stuff

I've never seen The Stuff. There, I said it.

Demons

This movie makes no sense and it's wicked gross. I fucking love it.

Day of the Dead

Oft-maligned, but I've always dug Day of the Dead. Maybe because it was the first Romero zombie pic I was allowed to see...saw it at the drive-in. Brain chaos ensued. "Yes, sir...fuck you, sir!"

The Company of Wolves

Saw this once upon a time- and when I say "a time", I mean "a horror movie sleepover pizza party time"...meaning, I thought it stunk. Undoubtedly, I need to revisit it.


So...1985. Whatchoo tink?

poll by twiigs.com

LaLicious Spa Treatments at the Laguna Cliffs Hotel

When one of our favorite body products shows up at the spa of one of our favorite destinations, it's time to book our flight! Laguna Cliffs Resort and Spa is featuring tropical themed treatments using LaLicious body products. We'll take a Passionfruit Lime Body Exfoliation followed by an Island Guava massage, please!
And now that our favorite airline, Virgin America is flying to Orange County's John Wayne Airport with service starting today, it's easier than ever to get there!

Cinco de Mayo

Next week we're spending Cinco de Mayo JSG-style: in the afternoon we're headed to Macy's Pentagon City for a Clinique redo with The Makeup Girl. We'd love for you to join us! Clinique is hosting author Lee Woodruff (May 5th from 12:00 to 2:00). If you sign up for a makeover you can meet her and receive a copy of her new book, Perfectly Imperfect (call 703-418-4418 ext. 2124). Clinique is featuring its Perfectly Real Makeup foundation. Later that evening we'll be listening to Love Muffin and sipping margaritas at the Coyote Grille, likely wearing something like this:

cinco de mayo by the Jet Set Girls

.

Cindy Adams' Birthday Trip

Proving that you're never to old to take a girls' getaway, Cindy Adams shared a funny recount of her recent birthday trip with Barbara Walters to the Argentinian side of the Iguazu Falls in today's New York Post. Apparently Barbara convinced her that they should only carry on their luggage and said absolutely no shopping. What happened? The two shopped like crazy and had to invest in new suitcases to bring their goodies home! Read the full story here. Happy belated birthday, Cindy!

California Road Trips

One tank trips--trips that require only one tank of gas--are predicted to be this year's version of the "Stay-cation." We can dig it--very Thelma and Louise, minus the cliff at the end. If you live in Cali or are planning on traveling there and are roadtripping, order your free California Road Trips Guide. It has maps, suggested road trips and offers fun and sometimes free things to do in many cities around the state. The California Travel and Tourism website also lists Summer Deals around the state. One we want to take advantage of is Santa Monica's Sun, Sea and Save promotion where you get a third night free at many hotels, including the Viceroy, Shutters and the Fairmont.

when there's no more room in hell, et cetera et cetera

I'm back from an astonishingly amazing week of movie-making in the desert, and readjusting to my boring old life has left me feeling more than a bit like this:






However, if no one shoots me in the forehead, I'll be up and shambling about like normal in no time!

Cirque de Soleil: Kooza

We have a theory that your first Cirque de Soleil is always your favorite. We're still partial to Alegria, which we saw at Disney World for our virgin experience with the grown up circus. But three Cirque shows later and Kooza now at NYC's Randall's Island is a close second.

It has the same chills and thrills that has us holding our breath and biting our nails in hopes that the performers make their jump on a highwire or keep their balance on a stack of 20 chairs. Watching the trio of contortionists (above) inspired us to commit to at least two more decades of yoga to work on our flexibility. What the show lacked in sex appeal, it made up for in excitement--we loved the duo on a unicycle and the "wheel of death" that had two acrobacts doing flips and jumping ropes on two wheels that spun simultaneously. We're still haunted by the Sanskrit-inspired tunes sung live.

We could have done without the goofy king and even sillier dog who "peed" on the audience. And the scene where an audience member got pickpocketed of everything from his cellphone to his wallet to his ties on stage would have been more at home on a cruise ship.

That said, Kooza is definitely worthy of a girls' night out or even a hot date. We partook of the Tapis Rouge, a VIP tent that serves appetizers before the show, desserts during intermission and cocktails throughout to make it a complete evening out.

Kooza is playing through June 7.

Sundara Spray Tan Review

Thanks to my Irish/German heritage, I try to embrace my paleness as part of my look. (Much like I try to pass off my lack of using an iron as "my style.") But after the summer-like weekend like the one we just had in NYC, I'm reminded of how good a tan--a fake one that is--can look. When done right, it gives a healthy glow that goes hand in hand with higher hemlines and summer's brighter colors, not to mention it does a decent job of covering up cellulite.

I stopped by the Sundara Airbrush Tanning salon in NYC to test out their much publicized services (Sundara has been featured in Allure, NYMag and on Glamour.com, just to name a few). The salon is smaller than I expected--it's strictly a one-at-a-time-kinda deal. As it turned out a very one-on-one-kinda deal--the receptionist doubled as the spray tan technician and I was given the option of leaving on my bikini or doing it in the buff. Anyone who knows me well knows which state of undress I opted for (Hint: Modesty is not my middle name).

The experience was mercifully quick, given that I was buck naked with a stranger and a spray gun. When she was done, I had to hang out in front of a fan for a few minutes to let the self tanner absorb. That's me, immediately afterwards:


The color was natural, even and the darkest I have been since I was 17 and laid out in my backyard in an effort to get a tan for prom. My boyfriend in particular loved the tan me. The only downside is that my skin was weirdly tough. It was like I had been shellacqued.

It lasted for about 5 days. It faded like most other faux tans--the color on the tops of me feet was the first to go.

I plan on visiting Sundara again before my trip to Mexico (that I hope will still happen!). Sundara is offering a 3 for $160 special if you book before the end of the month--a $35 savings!


Prefer to faux tan in the comfort of your own home? Checkout our favorite self tanners.

Vegas Uncork'd

In case the crazy low hotel rates aren't enough to entice you hop a flight to Vegas, perhaps Vegas Uncork'd is. From May 7-10, celebrity chefs, including Bobby Flay, Joel Robuchon and Francois Payard are hosting exclusive cooking demos and elaborate multi-course meals at hotels around the city during this Bon Appetit sponsored event. If we were going, we would definitely pony up for the celebrity chef black jack tournament. Playing 21 alongside Daniel Boulud and Laurent Tourondel of BLT fame is a foodie's dream come true.

Those are some of the chefs 180 feet aboe the strip at a "table in the sky" toasting the kick off of this 3rd annual event. Only in Vegas!

On Our Radar: Al Fresco Dining

We're looking forward to the best weather of the year on the east coast this weekend. We'd love to enjoy it over a long drawn out dinner with some girlfriends. Here are few great alfresco dining options we found:

In Boston's Back Bay, sit on the sidewalk cafe at Stephanie's on Newbury and take in some "sophisticated comfort food" like steamed New England mussels and sweet potato ravioli.

We hadn't heard of a seafood brasserie before; but our girlfriend Abby swears by Miami's Maison d'Azur in the Astor Hotel. It's a fitting recommendation from her since it emulates the French Riviera nightlife (she lived there years ago and hosted us a couple of times). Guests choose their fare from displays, watch nightly fashion shows featuring local designers (available for purchase in their boutique of course) and the night finishes with belly dancers.


In D.C., we'd go to Brasserie Beck because it'll satisfy the foodie and the beer lover with its Belgian cuisine and extensive beer selection"

In NYC's Theater District, the Barbetta has opened its garden for the season. It's a classic family owed Italian restaurant featured on Sex and the City.

Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Gift Card

If you're in New York this weekend, take a break from sunbathing and pop into Bergdorf Goodman to take advantage of its Beauty Gift Card Event. Today through Sunday, you'll get a $25 gift card towards the purchase of $100 or more on beauty products.


We recommend you use it on lipsticks from Edward Bess. He's the 23-year old wunderkid who created the lipstick wardrobe, a collection of lipsticks and glosses that work for every woman. With a subtle hint of wild fig fragrance, these are the best smelling lipsticks we've ever encountered.

Le Metier de Beauté has a cult following for its thickening and defining mascaras and crazy long lasting liquid eyeliners.



If you're in the market for nail polish, pick up some colors from Strange Beautiful. Creator Jane Schub finds inspiration in everything from a cooked lobster to a typewriter to German army uniforms for nails that are a fashionable accent.


If it's your hair that needs some TLC, splurge on the Oribe shampoo and conditioner. Our friend Jamie swears it's worth the price tag. We believe her--Oribe styles J. Lo's hair!

Preggatinis at the Hotel Madera

We're at the point in our lives when we always have at least one friend pregnant and temporarily off the party circuit. With the help of Natalie Bovis-Nelsen's book, Preggatinis™: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be, these friends can still be part of the party and stick to their new diet and drinking restrictions. The book includes 75 delish cocktail recipes and preggatini party ideas (why have a regular baby shower?).

If you're in D.C., meet the author, learn some great party tips and enjoy light fare from the Firefly Restaurant at the Hotel Madera on Saturday, April 25th from 12:00 pm- 2:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public; but you must RSVP first. Call (202) 466-1306 or email rsvp_dc@kimptonhotels.com.

Find Preggatinis Mixology for the Mom-to-Be on Amazon.

Made Her Think Rings

You need to buy these rings, because they won't fit us. But if they did, we would get one in every color. These gorge Made Her Think rings come in a standard size 7 and are a very affordable $30. We're also digging the Rose Button Rings, carved from wood and studded with Swarovski crystals for $35. C'mon! Let us live vicariously through your hands!

Mexico Travel Safety

We're counting down the days tip our trip to Cancun at the end of May (38!) when we'll be staying at the Ritz Carlton, shown above. However, when we tell our friends we're headed south of the border, they all express concern about the safety of travel to Mexico. We assure them that resort towns, like Cancun are safe and now we've got more proof. Not only did our friend Julia recently get back from Playa del Carmen (south of Cancun) and reportedly wanted to stay longer, FunJet has handily compiled a list of fact and fiction about the safety of traveling to Mexico. It also links to recent stories in the press, including an article in the WSJ that says as long as you stick with resort towns like Cancun and Cabo and behave smartly, you're likely to stay out of harm's way. The risk of doing too many tequila shots or getting sunburned is another story.

Lindsay Price's Favorite Girls' Trip

On Monday night, we were delighted to get to meet Lindsay Price along with a select group of bloggers at a party to introduce the new Degree Fine Fragrance collection. Degree surveyed women to find out what they couldn't live without: 40 percent said chocolate is non-negotiable, while 35 percent said they wouldn't sacrifice lattes. For JSG it's travel, of course--though we are willing to cut back in other areas to find the funds for our next trip.

That's the idea behind the new Degree Fine Fragrance line--it's a luxury without the spendy price tag. The nose behind the scents is Ann Gottlieb who also helped create SJP's Covet and some of Carolina Herrera's and Calvin Klein's scents, among countless others. In a scent test with our SO, he liked the Sexy Intrigue scent the best--it's a blend of vanilla, jasmine and rose.

Watch the video to see what Lindsay will—and won't cut back on. Hint: She's wearing fab Fendi shoes that all the bloggers were drooling over.



As for her favorite girls' trip--that was to Napa with her friend, Wendy, when "they fell in love. Usually you would think wine country would be a romantic trip, but it's perfect for girls." Linsday liked that she could get drunk, get spa-ed up and come back red and blotchy and it didn't matter to her friend. During the day they biked around to vineyards for wine tasting. We want to go on the next trip!

Earth Day Favorites

Remember when you were a kid and you would ask your mom why there was a Mother's Day and a Father's Day, but not a Kids' Day? And she would inevitably reply that, "Everyday is Kids' Day"? We now realize Mom was being facetious, but we're not, when we say that's how we feel about Earth Day. Our world is a beautiful, irreplaceable resource that we deserves respect 365 days a year. And with these new programs and products, it's easier than ever.




When we met Dan Brestle, president of Estée Lauder North America last fall, we asked him about the company's commitment towards greater eco-consciousness. He told us that it was important to Lauder and that individual brands were making strides. He wasn't kidding. Estée Lauder brand Origins recently announced they are accepting used cosmetics for recycling, including compacts, mascara wands and lipstick tubes for recycling, regardless of the brand. In exchange, you'll get a sample of an Origins product. While you're at the Origins counter, we suggest you pick up A Perfect World Moisturizer. This moisturizer is one of our long time faves and for every jar sold through the rest of April, Origins will plant a tree as part of the Global ReLeaf program.



Kiehl's is another brand with longstanding environmental roots. Starting today, Kiehl's is donating 100% of its net proceeds from the sale of Restorative Argan Body Lotion to the Waterkeeper Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to keeping the world's oceans, rivers and lakes free of pollution. The bottle may look a little different that you're used to: Kiehl's had Adrian Grenier, Erykah Badu, Kelly Slater, and a team of students from Parsons The New School for Design each designed a label. Also starting today and running through Friday, Kiehl's is auctioning off items, including an Adrian Grenier Autographed Season 4 - Entourage DVD Set on Kiehl's Gives Back.


Environmentally-conscious fashion brand Loomstate is launching a lower-priced line at Target for a limited time. This owl T-shirt says it all!



We're also fans of Physician's Formula Organic Wear the first cosmetics line to receive the Eco-Cert seal. The products are paraben and synthetic-preservative free and come in packaging that uses 93% less plastic than traditional cosmetics.



Hotels have been paying attention to the eco-trend for a few years now. The NYPost has a handy checklist to see how green your home away from home is. Want to know what our favorite eco-friendly hotel is (shown above)?

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay

Girls' trips come in all forms. We wanted to take a trip with our girlfriend ShallowGal and were determined to make it happened one way or another, in this case with our (count 'em) six kids. So it was that we took a mini-vacay to the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, which ShallowGal coined our "Baycation."

The Hyatt Regency is on a secluded spot on the Chesapeake Bay and with its beautiful golf course and king-size spa, it makes a good choice for weddings and conventions.

We had adjoining rooms which were recently renovated and plush, including the largest bottles of amenities in the bathrooms we've ever seen. The rooms were spacious, even for our numbers, and bright and looked out onto the pool area and the Bay.

We had our hands full with our crew while we were there; but the hotel offered activities every hour for children: moon bounce, cooking demonstrations, swimming, putt-putt, face painting, crafts, movies and s'mores.

We toured the 18,000 square foot Stillwater Spa with the gorgeous Spa Director, Patti Dail, though we couldn't steal away for a treatment this time. The Stillwater Spa had a large number of treatment rooms and when we were there, they were all taken which was proof to us that they're doing something right. The spa offers treatments ranging from the Raven's view massage at the top of the lighthouse tower, to teeth whitening, to the River Stone massage. The spa will set up group treatments good for bachelorette or bridal parties in either the couple's room or in private suites in the hotel.

The Hyatt would make a fine girls' getaway (perhaps sans children next time), with its three restaurants, three pools, sailing trips, golf and, of course, spa.

On our way home we stopped at the Out of the Fire Restaurant in the super cute town of Easton, Maryland (think boutiques, coffee shops, and antiques). The server was skeptical when he saw our party of eight; but sat us quickly. The wild mushroom pizza and curry chicken salad were delicious.

Win Crest White Strips

We love white teeth (in fact, JSG's Annie is headed to the dentist today). What we don't love is the time it takes to get them. Worse than the waiting around is figuring out when we won't be around other people or drinking water for a period of time. That's why we're fans of the new Crest White Strips Advanced Seal. They form an airtight seal around your teeth so you can talk and even drink water while wearing them! Now that's multi-tasking!

JSG is happy to partner with Crest to giveaway 10 boxes of the new Advanced Seal product. All you have to do to enter is sign up for our soon to be launched newsletter in the box below before Friday:

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

For Email Marketing you can trust