Vacations Blog

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Just because our country’s in a recession doesn’t mean you can’t afford to go on that Girls’ Getaway you’ve been planning. You’ll just have to make some, uh, adjustments. For example, maybe you used to splurge on a four-day cruise on a private yacht where you’d sip Cristal out of a Manolo, but now you might just have to settle for a four-minute putt on the Balboa Island Ferry to pick up a Coke.

Here are some other ideas for you to stretch those pennies:

Before: Napa Valley Wine Train Tour, where an elegant rail car takes you through the scenic majestic wine region while enjoying gourmet meals and expensive vintages.

Now: Los Angeles wine tour, where you and your gal pals pile into your van and enjoy a five-hour tour of all the BevMo’s within a forty-mile radius. Crash at a local hotel, where you’ve only paid for two guests and then snuck-in your other three friends. Proceed to ‘sample’ all the varietals you’ve purchased straight out of the bottle. Splurge and split that $10 can of Pringles from the minibar.

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Before: “Sex And The City” weekend in New York City. Make like Carrie and her friends and take the city by storm: Designer boutiques during the day, fine dining and dancing at night. Stay at the posh Carlyle Hotel, featured in the movie.

Now: “Knocked Up” weekend in L.A. Drive by the Wilshire Boulevard offices of E! Entertainment, which is where Katherine Heigl’s character worked. Then head to the dive-y Del’s Saloon in Santa Monica to enjoy a couple of brewskies and to see where scenes from the movie were filmed. Then head on over to your brother’s friend’s house to play video games and pass the bong around, just like Seth Rogan and his pals did in the movie! Remember to bring along a condom so life doesn’t end up imitating art.

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Before: A spa getaway at La Quinta where you and your BFFs would enjoy pampering massages, spa cuisine and luxurious rooms.

Now: Head to the beach, where you and your posse can frolic in the healing waters of the Pacific. (Be on the lookout for signs of raw-sewage spills.) Take a barefoot walk in the sand for an instant pedicure! Save on meals by packing your own sandwiches and share a twelve-pack of water from Trader Joes.

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Before: Three-day shopping extravaganza to Fashion Island in Newport Beach. At night, rest your Bloomingdales-weary body at a nearby swanky hotel.

Now: Split the gas three ways for a trip out to the Outlets in Cabazon. Go ahead and have lunch in the food court, but remember to bring along the other half of that six-pack from Trader Joes so you don’t have to part with $2 for water. Sorry, you can’t afford a hotel, but if one of your girlfriends agrees to host a sleepover you can stay up all night admiring each other’s new purses.

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Along with the myth that everyone in L.A. has had plastic surgery, one of the big misconceptions about Los Angeles is that everyone has a swimming pool in their backyard. This isn’t true, of course – some of us can’t afford them because we’ve spent all our money on nose jobs and liposuctioning our butts.

So what do the unfortunate among us do when we need to beat the heat and cool off? Here are some ways you can take the plunge, or at least feel like you did.

Water Parks – We have two here, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Raging Waters. I have to admit I’ve never been to either, or to any other water park for that matter. It may or may not have something to do with an aversion to being immersed in water that is home to the body fluids of five-hundred strangers. But my tween daughters have been bugging me to take them, and I may just break down and, uh, take the plunge. I guess that’s what antibiotics are for.

Aquarium Of The Pacific in Long Beach – Okay, there’s not actually anywhere you can jump in and take a swim here, but there’s something so refreshing about watching the seals and sea lions glide through the huge tanks. Also, you can put your hands in the water in their outdoor Ray Touch Pool – at least your wrists will get a chance to cool off.

A Friend’s Pool – Besides a nice pair of Manolo heels, the absolute must-have accessory in Los Angeles is definitely a friend with a pool. I suggest seeking out these people with the determination one might reserve for finding a good mate or more importantly, a good plastic surgeon. Once you find them, nurture these friendships and you’ll be rewarded with numerous invitations to “come and swim.” Make sure you show up with a nice bottle of wine now and then, or at least a jug of chlorine.

The Beach – This is a no-brainer, and if I hadn’t already mentioned it ad nauseam in previous posts, I would extol the virtues of our wonderful beaches once again. Let’s just say you can’t have a bad time lying on the sand, frolicking in the waves and soaking up the sun.

Lake Balboa – Sure, it’s man-made and is usually totally overcrowded with families desperate for the sight of a body of water. But it’ll do in a pinch, especially if you don’t have the two hours it would take you to get to Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead. I don’t think swimming is allowed in the lake, but you can take a ride on a paddleboat or kayak. Word of advice: Don’t ignore the signs that say ‘Don’t Feed The Ducks’ since even one measly crust of bread will have an entire gaggle swarming you and may result in you having to throw away not one, but three perfectly good Subway sandwiches in order to get them off your back. Not that it’s ever happened to anyone I know.