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It’s no secret that Barcelona is one fashionable town. However during one of my many trips to Barcelona, I stumbled upon an art studio and craft store tucked-away in the Born district selling handmade knits, totes, jewelry and more. My favorite designs came from the creative duo behind Sirena con Jersey, or Mermaid with Sweater for you non-Hispanophones.

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Happy, although a bit saddle-sore from riding the range, we gave our horsies a final pat and drove to the Hadsten House Inn and Spa in Solvang. Don’t let the modest exterior throw you, the HH is so not your everyday motor lodge.
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The American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AH&LA) announced the winners of the AH&LA Achievement Awards, part of the annual Stars of the Industry Awards, which honor stand-out initiatives at hotel properties. In a ceremony held during the AH&LA Summer Summit at the Hilton Chicago, these awards, which have been awarded annually since 1966, distinguish individual hotels that have developed outstanding programs, events, and campaigns. Winners were chosen for awards in the categories of Good Earthkeeping, Guest Relations, Outstanding Community Service, Special Events (one-time event and ongoing), as well as exceptional diversity initiatives.

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After a week-long, action-packed birthday celebration in Santa Barbara,we decided that the best possible icing on the cake would be to finish the trip off with a final stop at the famed Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. As soon as you enter, you’ll understand how this glam resort walked away with the Triple A, 5 Diamond Award three years in a row. If you’ve never been, put it at the top of your to-do list. If you have been, you’ll be looking for any feeb excuse for a return visit to savor the relaxed luxury that this dramatically landscaped 220 acre golf and spa resort provides.
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“I’m sorry, I did not recognize you with your clothes on.”

How many times can you use that line? Well, I got to use it while I was at the ABC studios in San Francisco when our MAN Gilles Marini was hanging out in the green room for his segment on View From the Bay. He was there with his Dancing With the Stars partner Cheryl.

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The Napa River Inn, located right near beautiful downtown Napa, has some great summer packages. Check out their Girls Gone Wine trip, which, apart from the totally icky name and slightly odd marketing, sounds pretty great. Check it out:

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