A Babymoon in Carmel

Hi there! 

We’re skipping the regular scheduled posting of Shoes-Day! to show you our Babymoon photos   Come on’, you’re excited right?  (Yeah, yeah, it’s okay if you’re not).

Whoever invented Babymoons and push presents really is a genius.  They both may seem like frivolous things, but the Babymoon in particular is quite necessary.  It’s meant to the be an opportunity (the last?) to spend some quality time together as a couple before the little one arrives.

Zach and I knew we didn’t want to fly anywhere – I have flown so much for work this year and wouldn’t want to fly more than 1 hour given that I’m in my 3rd trimester anyway.  We decided upon returning to Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel, where we got engaged 3.5 years ago

It’s a little less than a 2 hour drive and is really one of my favorite places on earth.  If you have not yet been to Carmel / Big Sur / Monterey, I highly encourage you to go.  The beauty is unparalleled!

Before arriving at the B&B, we stopped in downtown Carmel to walk along the sand:

Then we were off to the B&B and arrived just in time for warm cookies to be served.  Can’t beat that!  Here are some shots of our room and views from our private balcony:

We decided to just chill and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather on the porch before taking a drive:

His and hers hip shots

Kinda love these shots!

Before we knew it, it was time for the wine and cheese hour back at the B&B:

Cran-apple sparkling cider for now and some champagne for later

Since one night at the Tickle Pink is a whopping $500 with tax, we decided to make the absolute most of our stay and not go out for dinner, but have dinner come to us!

Dinner in bed?  Heck yes!

And watched a pretty nice sunset from our balcony:

The next morning, we had our breakfast delivered so we could relax in our robes and eat at our leisure:

Before long, it was time to say good-bye to Tickle Pink and hello to 80 minute hers and his massages – oh yes!!!

This was my 3rd prenatal massage, but my first massage doing the belly/boob hole thing on my tummy.  I think I prefer laying on my side, but the massage was lovely regardless!  And Sawyer seemed to enjoy it as well based on the wiggles and kicks he was going.

To conclude the day we walked around downtown Carmel and oooed and ahhhed over the yummy bakery treats and cute shops.

It was a truly perfect Babymoon!

Have you stayed in a B&B?  Any particular memorable one?

Am I missing any other fabulous baby-related luxury (aside from Babymoons and push presents)???

What’s your favorite place in  your state to visit?

Push it, push it real good

A little Salt N Pepa to start your Wednesday

Today’s topics is about “push presents.”  Have you heard of this?  If you’re a fan of the Bravo show Pregnant in Heels, then you’re probably in the know.  Oh and the show is hilarious and informative — check it out!

Wikipedia says the following about push presents:

A push present (also known as a “push gift” or “baby bauble”) is a present a new father gives a new mother when she gives birth to their child. In practice the present may be given before or after the birth, or even in the delivery room. The giving of push presents has supposedly grown in the United States in recent years.

A 2007 survey of over 30,000 respondents by BabyCenter.com found that 38% of new mothers received a push present, and 55% of pregnant mothers wanted one, though fewer thought it was actually expected.

Inneresting, no?

Well let me tell you, some day when I give birth, I’m going to be in the category of wanting (but certainly not expecting a push present).  And I’ve already found what I want.

Hello lover

While in SF for our anniversary staycation, Zach and I stopped by my favorite jewelry store, Lang’s Antiques.  And what do you know, I found this vintage gem.

This graceful and flowing all round diamond band ring, circa 1930, winks and sparkles with just under a carat of bright white European-cut and single-cut diamonds. A distinctive dazzler.

It fits perfectly on my right hand forefinger or middle finger and I am seriously lusting over it.  And it would go well with my 1915′s engagement ring.  Sigh….

This looks just right on my finger, I swear

The price tag, not so much.  Platinum vintage rings are not cheap, unfortunately.

Being that I cannot depend on a push present anytime soon, I’ve decided to set up a splurge account on top of my monthly budgeting.  So far, I’m nearly half-way there!

What do you think of push presents?

Do you like vintage jewelry?

What do you want to splurge on?