Downtime at Shutters

The stressful, but fun photoshoot is over, the look book laid out and ready to print, so finally some downtime...my choice, Shutters on the beach in Santa Monica. My favorite getaway just down the street on Pico. Two reasons to celebrate and splurge - the end of my photoshoot and my 7 year wedding anniversary. Shutters is the perfect escape for a quiet, luxurious sleepover with its super-silky cotton sheets, plantation shutters, comfy robes, and soothing bath salts. Ahhh, what's better than relaxing in a pile of pillows in bed after a relaxing whirlpool bath, and watching a little Arrested Development? Nothing like taking the mind off work. The only bummer was the rainy, February chill at the beach, which rules out poolside lounging, but hey, we made the best of it! I highly recommend keeping dinner simple with just a hop across the street to Catch, the seafood restaurant at Casa del Mar. After a yummy (and much needed) pomegranate martini, we enjoyed chilean sea bass, monkfish, and roasted brussel sprouts (total comfort food.) The highlight of the dinner, though, was spotting a Stacia in the restaurant. The woman at the table next to us, was chicly wearing my Haiku bamboo/cotton cocoon sweater from last Fall. It's always sort of surreal seeing someone wearing one of my sweaters in public. Finally, top off the stay with a scrumptious brunch at the Coast, Shutters recently remodeled Pedals restaurant, with its diner-style bar and up-close and personal view of the bike path and Santa Monica beach. Despite the gloomy weather, it was a great February escape. Now back to reality and the trade show circuit...