My mom and I used to play Yahtzee and whenever I was throwing really shitty dice, she’d tell me I needed to “think sixes” or whatever number or combination I was going for. This stuck with me and now, when Chris and I play Yahtzee (shut up, sometimes we switch it up and play Scrabble) and he’s throwing shitty dice, I give him the same advice my mom gave me. “Think fives!,” I’ll holler. “C’mon fives!” You have to BE the dice, you have to SEE the numbers you want to appear. It sounds hokey, but trust me, it works.
Keeping this in mind, let’s hearken back to a couple weeks ago, when the lovely Kristin (NOT Kristen) from Camels & Chocolate posted a Cambria Suites weekend getaway giveaway on her blog. YOU KNOW I jumped on that like flies on leftover picnic food and entered to win. I also Twittered about the giveaway, so that I could get an extra entry into the contest. Now, here’s where my mom’s advice comes into play: I thought POSITIVE THOUGHTS about winning the giveaway. I SAW myself winning.
And then? AND THEN I WON!
Now here’s the hard part: Chris and I need to choose where to go (what, you don’t feel bad for me?) Where we go will depend on a few factors: 1) If the hotel is available the weekend we want; 2) If Southwest flies there directly, or at least easily, from SMF; and, this is where where you come in, 3) Your sage recommendations!
Below is a list of all the Cambria Suites locations we have to choose from. I’ve made a few notes on the places we’re definitely interested in, as well as those we’re definitely NOT interested in (ahem, Indianapolis, ahem.) However, I did list all the locations, you know, in case you think we would be making a horrible mistake by not going to Green, Ohio or someplace. Also, to help YOU help ME, you should know that we love food, booze, and live music.
Denver, Colorado
I have actually been to Denver, for the DNC Convention almost two years ago. Sadly, my entire time there was spent highly stressed out and working my ass off, so I wasn’t able to take advantage of the Mile High City like I would have liked.
Other locations in Colorado: Fort Collins, Pueblo, and Aurora.
Dania Beach, Florida
My husband isn’t totally sold on going to Florida. Since I’ve only ever been to Boca Raton, I can understand his hesitation. But still…Any sort of BEACH sounds lovely right about now.
Savannah, Georgia
This might be fun! Go to Lady & Sons, meet Paula Deen, then DIE OF EXCESSIVE BUTTER INTAKE.
Boise, (Who’s the hoe?) Idaho
I’ve always wanted to go to Idaho. Chris has been, but only to the Washington-Idaho border towns, because cigarettes were cheaper in Idaho. This was in college, by the way. Not, like, yesterday.
Indianapolis, Indiana
So I don’t really have an interest in going here. I blame that one homely-looking Manning brother. Oh wait, that could be either of them.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
I can’t think of Baton Rouge without saying “BAT-ON RUUUUUUUGE!” all French-like.
Morrisville, North Carolina and Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
My knowledge of the Carolinas is limited to John Edwards (asshole!), Tar Heels (whatever those are), and greenery. Seems like a nice place, minus John Edwards.
San Antonio, Texas
I’d love to go to Texas, but my husband isn’t so thrilled. That said, I know nothing about San Antonio, so maybe it sucks? Is this where the Alamo is?
Falling right into the I Don’t THINK So Group: Noblesville, Indiana; Plainfield, Indiana; Traverse City, Michigan; Bloomington, Minnesota; Maple Grove, Minnesota; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; Akron-Canton, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Green, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Appleton, Wisconsin; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Madison, Wisconsin.
What do you think? SHOULD we book flights to Traverse City, Michigan after all or check out BAT-ON RUUUUUUUGE instead? I’d love to get your thoughts/suggestions/recommendations!
And, AND, to make it worth your while (and also to pay it forward…learned that one from Haley Joel Osment), I’m going to host a little giveaway of my very own! Like Oprah, I’m going to send one lucky person a few of my favorite things! Sadly, you’re not all getting a car, however, I do promise that my favorite things are cool (ahem, I hope you like makeup and beauty products.)
So, advise away! Also, since it’s how I technically won MY major award, if you Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment that you Tweeted, you’ll get an extra chance to win. I will pick a winner at 10:00 AM PST on Friday, February 26th.
Yes, San Antonio is where the Alamo is and also, The River Walk is pretty cool.
I recommend Denver because we went there for our fam vaca last summer and I did a bunch of fun things and ate a bunch of awesome food and put together a list of things to do, over on Style Lush, so there you go, vacation planned. š
oooh go to Savannah Georgia. I have always wanted to go to Georgia for reasons I am not even sure of yet. It just seems like it would be a beautiful place to go.
DENVER! It’s gorgeous!
I would vote for Denver, I mean you’ve been but not really. I drove across the country to Cali and by far my fav state was Colorado, even if I stayed in a skeevy hotel, and saw a tree growing out of a wind mill, and located a random cow in the absolute middle of nowhere. I mean randoms right? And the most beautiful mountains, oh the mountains. Fresh air. Hello, Colorado!! Have fun planning.
Ever since I read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” in high school I have been dying to visit Savannah, Georgia. For that reason alone, I say go to Savannah!
Minneapolis/St. Paul are GROOVY cities. They have a vibrant downtown, lots of cool theater. Good restaurants and this really neat system of connected walkways. I would wait until the weather warms up a skitch, but you should reconsider before throwing them on your – will no go list.
Also – congratulations on winning! That mother of yours is a smartie. š
Savannah!! Savannah!!
Yippeeeee! Personally, I would pick Savannah. LOVE that city. Love. The North Carolina triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) is pretty rad, too.
I’m going to say Savannah b/c that’s what Kristin said, and she’d know š I have to echo the person earlier who said not to disregard Minneapolis-St. Paul as a great city, though!
I tweeted!
I vote for Georgia for reasons mentioned above (and because I verily love The South), and/or North Carolina.
(Hip, hip! for great trips.)
Definitely Savannah!!! I’ve probably visited the city over 20 times and it never gets old. It’s such an enchanting and romantic city. I promise you it’s one of those places that you won’t want to leave. If you end up choosing the city let me know and I can give you a list of things to do/see there! Congrats on winning!!!
Come to Savannah… because I’m here! And thats really all that matters.
Savannah!!!!!!!!!!
Savannah. My husband went to college there and he makes it sound so amazing. I am definitely going to check it one day.
I’d go to Boise or North Carolina. Off-the-beaten path places but (supposedly!) so beautiful.
I was thrilled you won, you lucky lady you.
I entered 2 š but happy 4 u niecey. Yes, Savannah. In the spring. THAT would b gorgeous. Just bring a box a choc-lates.
I vote for Savannah! One of my best friends has been vacationing there with her husband the past few years because she says it’s beautiful and fun, and the food is great.
Enjoy, wherever you go!
ooo, i would have a hard time choosing between Denver & Savannah!!
I think Paula Dean might reeeeeeeeeeeeeel me in if I were you tho. Mmmmmmm buuuuttttter LOL!!
I’d flee for the beach, any beach so I guess I have to say Florida…even though in everyday life Florida isn’t really where I’d recommend to anyone, at this time of year, all I can think is BEACH.
congrats on the trippy trip.
OH and I forgot to mention that in Savannah, you can drink on the streets. You can literally get a To-Go cup of booze. So, basically Savannah is an instant win.
I live in Baton Rouge, and honestly, the coolest thing for you guys here would be that New Orleans is only an hour away. I hate to sell out my own city, and Baton Rouge has some great restaurants and such, but it wouldn’t at the top of my list for a weekend getaway unless you’re a college student who wants to go party with LSU kids, or you want to sleep here but drive to New Orleans!
If I had to choose, I would pick Denver or San Antonio.
I feel guilty, so I will say Baton Rouge DOES have the Mall of Louisiana and is the capital of the state. I mean you can get the Mall of America in Minneapolis…but we do have that. š It’s also crawfish season, yum yum.
I’ve always wAnted to go to Savannah.
Ok, positive thoughts, POSITIVE THOUGHTS. Now off to tweet….