Pregnancy Style during the Holiday Season

It’s December and it is time to show your holiday spirit if you haven’t been already! Being in my third trimester rules out a lot of clothing I have worn in previous years. Luckily there are a lot of sales going on at this time of year and tons of cozy clothing available making this last stretch more comfortable.

While there is no shortage of advertising for maternity clothing, I have mostly avoided buying them as not only are they expensive but I can’t see myself wearing most of them again.  I have tried to shop at the same stores I typically frequent and just upsize as I figure I will be able to wear these again.

Here are some suggestions on clothing to buy while being pregnant for the BEST season of the year, where to find them, current sales and just ideas to help you find your pregnancy style!

For Comfort: 

It’s time for leggings!  Not only because my jeans haven’t fit in awhile…  Although, I was able to rig them for a little while with the hair tie trick.  Over the past month I have found several pairs of cheap holiday leggings.  I bought 2 pairs from Marshalls for $7 and 2 pairs from JC Penney for $7 each.  After wearing all of them the ones from JC Penney have held up better, and are my favorite.  I have gotten so many compliments on these leggings and the best part is they are cheap, comfortable, and so festive.  The leggings from JC Penney are the two pictures on the left and the ones from Marshalls are the two pictures on the right below.

I recently tried out a flannel shirt for the first time in years, after borrowing one at my Mom’s house.  They are soooo cozy and I love the buffalo plaid look.  Flannel couldn’t be more comfortable and is great for a pregnant belly!  You can either button it or layer underneath and leave it open.  Another great thing is most are not meant to fit snug to your body so you may only have to upsize by one size.  I have the Red Plaid Flannel Two-Pocket Boyfriend Shirt from Express which I bought 50% off and that sale is still going on (picture on left below). 

I am also loving cardigans!  I layer underneath them to keep the bump warm.  These are also great because you may be able to order a similar size to what you wore before pregnancy and thus be able to wear it again.  My favorite for this season is the Sherpa Open Front Cardigan from Abercrombie (picture on right above).  I bought it for 50% off and it is still on sale for $44.  It is the coziest thing I own and feels like you are wrapped up in a blanket!  Who doesn’t love Sherpa?

You can’t forget your feet now, to keep warm or just cozy try Field & Stream Cozy Cabin Slipper Socks from Dicks Sporting Goods.  They are currently buy one get one free.  They are super soft and warm.  I have not only bought these for myself (one for home use and one to take to the hospital), but for my husband and a few others as gifts.

For special occasions and parties:

For special occasions or holiday parties, I again didn’t want to buy something I could not wear again.  I ordered dresses from multiple stores trying to avoid maternity dresses, just upsizing but they typically didn’t come close to fitting or if they did they had the fit and flare style and just made me look double my actual size!  Then I ran across the Reversible Floral/ Filigree Print Knit Sheath Dress at White House Black Market.  In being a frequent shopper at this store these typically have a lot of stretch in them.  Also, the reversible factor is awesome!  You probably have more than one event to attend this season and you can save money by only buying one dress, yet having two separate styles to wear.  The dress is $110, but the whole store is 40% off still and if you are a rewards member you get an additional 5% off at checkout.  I was able to size up by one size and it fit perfect, just showing off the adorable bump.  I paired one side of the dress with the Crystal-Bow Velvet Belt  is also found at WHBM (right picture below).  It has three different sizing snaps on each one, so I will be able to wear it again after pregnancy, I have it on the loosest snap.  They sell the matching Crystal Bow Shoe Clips, but they are sold out online.  You may still be able to find this in the store to add some bling to your outfit.  

Another dress that is super cute and reversible is the Ultimate Reversible Floral/ Solid V-neck Shift Dress also found at WHBM.  On the front side it has flowers along with a nice port color shifting to black at the bottom, perfect for the holiday season (left picture below).  The other side is a solid black (right picture below).  I also paired the crystal bow belt with both sides of this dress.

For those holiday runs/ walks:

If you live in Atlanta or any big city you probably know about the customized gym shoes that different shoe companies make for big events.  In Atlanta every year Mizuno makes a new pair of tennis shoes for the Peachtree Road Race which has 60,000 runners each year.  I love unique shoes and just running shoes in general.  My husband found the ULTIMATE Christmas tennis shoe for me…. wait for it… the Ugly Sweater Levitate 2 made by Brooks.  The shoe not only looks amazing for the holiday season, but it jingles all the way.  Literally there are small bells attached to the shoe laces.  Don’t worry you can remove them, but I find it fun to leave them on.  It’s always amusing to walk by someone and see the perplexed look and smiles while they try to figure out where the jingling is coming from.  Every time I have worn these shoes, especially when paired with my cozy holiday leggings above I always get a smile from those at the gym or that I pass while  walking, along with a “Don’t you look festive!  Happy Holidays!”  I bought these when they were 25% off from Dicks Sporting Goods, but other stores carry them too like Road Runner Sports.

For the scrappy:

One issue I have run into is that I can’t button any of my winter coats!  I also don’t want to go and buy additional coats and jackets unless I have to.  They are expensive and I know I won’t wear them again if they don’t fit like my current ones do.  Luckily I live in Atlanta and the weather has been very nice so I have gotten away with layering and wearing baggier sweatshirts that I owned previously.  On the colder days you may be able to raid your partners closet to see if one of their coats fit.  I have done this a few times and they actually fit perfectly and do not look bad at all, since they were a simple black bubble jacket.  Try this before hitting the store for new jackets.

Happiest of holidays!  Hope this gives you some additional ideas than just traditional maternity clothes.

Social Media Pregnancy Announcement

It seems like every day one of my friends is announcing they are pregnant on facebook in some unique way.  There are ideas all over Pinterest, Etsy and Google advertising cute ways to announce you are pregnant.  However, we all want ours to be unique and to fit our personalities, right?  Take in all the ideas and think about who you are and what fits you best.

You will first need to decide when you want to make the announcement.  We waited until about 16 weeks, so we were safely passed the 1st trimester, had two ultrasounds and baby was healthy.  Make the announcement when you feel comfortable in your pregnancy to do so, as you will hear many more times throughout your pregnancy- every pregnancy is different.

Our announcement included “And so our greatest adventure begins….”.  It fit us perfectly as of all the travels, experiences and memories we have had this is sure to be our greatest adventure together.  Then I tied in LOVE, creating two t-shirts, LO for my husband and VE for me.  I opted several times throughout pregnancy to do some do it yourself (DIY) work as these shirts and props get expensive!  Once you have the basic supplies it makes it easy to create more.

Think of a good hashtag, so you can use it in with all your pregnancy photos to remember your journey later on.

Items needed for DIY

  • Computer/ Printer to print design
  • Pencil for tracing
  • Freezer Paper (can be found at Walmart)
  • X-acto knife (can be found on Amazon)
  • Iron/ Ironing board
  • Fabric Paint
  • Foam brushes
  • T-shirts (used my husbands older white under shirts instead of buying new ones)
  • Piece of cardboard

Don’t worry too much if you aren’t that artistic, I definitely had some minor flaws in my final product but they were not noticeable in a picture.

Steps to create LOVE t-shirt

1.) Type LOVE in Microsoft Word and print in landscape format.  I chose a very large chunky block lettering to make tracing easier.

2.) Put piece of freezer paper over the printed pages and trace the word.  While doing this turn your iron on.

3.) Place a flat piece of cardboard (I cut mine out from an old box) behind the freezer paper.

4.) Use an X-acto knife to carefully cut the traced word out.  Be careful as that knife is sharp!

5.) Put the letters aside and use the outline of the letters to iron onto the shirt.  You will use this as a stencil to then paint inside.  For the word LOVE, you will need to also iron on the inner circle of the O.

Tip: Before ironing make sure you know where you would like to iron the letters onto each shirt.  Since my husband is taller than me, I needed to drop his letters on his shirt and raise mine up a little.  They were not placed in the same location on both shirts as I wanted them to be in a straight line when standing next to one another.

6.) Place the piece of cardboard (or ironing board) between the front and back of the shirt and begin ironing on the freezer paper stencil.   Be careful while doing this, as freezer paper is thin.  Once the stencil of LO is ironed on securely, add the inner part of the O and carefully iron this on too.

7.) Repeat step 6 for the second shirt (VE) and beware of my tip above for placement. Make sure to iron all edges near the letters as we will be painting over these.

8.) Once both shirts have their stencils ironed on, it is time to paint!  Pour some paint onto a disposable paper plate and use a foam brush to slowly paint inside the stencil.  While painting keep the piece of cardboard between the front and back of shirt to prevent any paint seeping through the front of the shirt to the back.  Repeat this step for each shirt.

9.) Check shirt throughout the next 15-20 minutes and if the color is too light than add another coat of paint to each shirt.

10.) Once the paint is dry, slowly peel back the freezer paper to reveal your fabulous new DIY shirts!

For our announcement we held up a onesie that said “And so our greatest adventure begins….. Baby K arriving January 2019”

Good luck on your announcement, it will be great!

Christmas in Atlanta

The hot summer days have come to an end, planning and cooking for Thanksgiving are over and now it is time for the most festive time of the year, the Christmas season! I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…. Perhaps we don’t want to wish for that in Atlanta, nobody wants to get stuck on the roads for hours if that happens!

Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden
Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

We have been lucky as the beginning of December started off unseasonably warm in Atlanta, which means we may have longer to enjoy the fall leaves and colors!  Just this past weekend we spent the day in Piedmont Park and took some incredible pictures of the changing leaves.  If you haven’t done that this season, I would head their soon before all the beautiful leaves fall and are subject to our numerous leaf blowers!

Piedmont Park in early December
Piedmont Park in early December

If you are looking for ideas of what to do in Atlanta this season, here are a few of our favorite:

1.) Enjoy the evening at Christmas with Atlanta Master Chorale at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University– This has to be one of our absolute favorite things to do this time of year.  This year the concert is December 15-16th (Saturday and Sunday). They are absolutely wonderful and this has been a yearly tradition for us the past 5 years.  Their voices are heavenly and there is nothing better than spending the night listening to them sing.

Atlanta Master Chorale Program 2017
Atlanta Master Chorale Program 2017

2.) Stroll through the Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens– This is yet another one of our favorite traditions.  We finally became members this year and every season the gardens surprise us with something new.  I don’t know how they continue to make Garden Lights prettier every year.  You can even enjoy a cocktail as you stroll through the garden in the evening. One of our favorite areas last year (which they have this year too) was Nature’s Wonders which includes 1,600 strands of lights with over 70,000 color changing lights that are synchronized to music and motion.  Definitely a must see this holiday season!

Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden- Nature's Wonders
Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden- Nature’s Wonders

Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden
Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

3.) See a show at the Fox Theatre– We saw Irving Berlin’s White Christmas this year which was amazing!  Unfortunately the last show for White Christmas has aired at the Fox, but you can still catch the Nutcracker and other shows to get you into the Christmas spirit this month.

Fox Theatre
Fox Theatre

4.) Join the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for their annual weekend of Christmas with the ASO.  This year it will be held on December 8th and 9th with two shows each day at 3 and 8pm.  A perfect time to enjoy Christmas carols and hymns!

5.) Attend Brookhaven Holiday on the Town– This is a great smaller holiday gathering, which includes Santa, reindeer (yes actual reindeer!), sleigh rides, store specials, Christmas tree lighting and more! It takes place in Town Brookhaven which is a smaller community allowing you to avoid crowds yet still see Santa (without reservations) and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Holiday on the Town at Town Brookhaven Reindeer
Holiday on the Town at Town Brookhaven Reindeer

Holiday on the Town at Town Brookhaven
Holiday on the Town at Town Brookhaven

6.) Drive to Christmas at the Biltmore– If you have time this holiday season take a drive out to Asheville North Carolina, which is about a 3 to 3.5 hour drive from Atlanta to visit the Biltmore House.  It is about 180,000 square feet (unbelievable, right?), has 65 fireplaces, a Banquet Hall with 70-foot ceilings and so much amazing history and priceless artifacts within. It is truly a magical place this time of year so book your stay and tickets early!  You can choose between the Christmas Daytime Celebration and the Candlelight Christmas Evenings or do both.  The daytime and evening visits are beautiful, but if you would like to hear a live choir, soloists, view the house in candle light and enjoy the enormous spruce tree lit up in front of the house than the evening self guided tour is for you.  You can choose to take a tour, rent an audio guide or do the self guided tour yourself.  We did the self- guided tour this time, as we have already taken a tour on a previous visit.  We read about each room through the pamphlet you can pick up at the entrance and there are knowledgeable guides in most rooms that can assist you with any questions and give you more information.  Also, don’t miss the conservatory which is filled with absolutely beautiful and colorful plants which certainly brighten your stay in winter.

Christmas at the Biltmore- View of Biltmore House at night
Christmas at the Biltmore- View of Biltmore House at night

Christmas at the Biltmore- Winter Garden
Christmas at the Biltmore- Winter Garden

Christmas at the Biltmore- Foyer
Christmas at the Biltmore- Foyer

Christmas at the Biltmore- Library
Christmas at the Biltmore- Library

Christmas at the Biltmore- Conservatory
Christmas at the Biltmore- Conservatory

7.) Attend Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Shakespeare TavernThe Atlanta Shakespeare Company has been performing this show for over 20 years.  You can order food and beverages before the show to enjoy before or during the show and they offer drinks and desserts at Intermission.  They do not sell food during the actual performance.  You buy seats in a particular seating area and then it is first come first serve for the actual seat in that seating area once you arrive.  If you would like a better seat, try to arrive close to when the doors open.

Shakespeare Tavern- A Christmas Carol
Shakespeare Tavern- A Christmas Carol

Shakespeare Tavern- A Christmas Carol
Shakespeare Tavern- A Christmas Carol

8.) Ice Skate at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park- Enjoy a daytime or evening skate at the rink at Park Tavern.  If going during the daytime you can enjoy views of the midtown skyline and Piedmont Park while staying warm under the heated tent.

Park Tavern Ice Skating Rink
Park Tavern Ice Skating Rink

9.) Watch the Budweiser Clydesdales- They are making a one time appearance in Town Brookhaven on Saturday December 15th.  They are arriving at around 3PM and participating in a parade around the town.  I have never seen them, but this is something I will not miss!

There are so many more wonderful events going on in Atlanta this season, but these are just some of my favorites.  I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

 

The Best of Sausalito

Oh Sausalito, you steal my heart every time I visit.  It is truly a picturesque city on the bay and similar to the beautiful villages on the rugged coastline of Italy.  Whether staying in the city for a few nights or visiting for the day here are some of our favorite things to do.

1.) Eat or have a drink at The Barrel House– Our absolute favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Sausalito.  Put your name in for a table outside even if there is a long wait, it will not disappoint.  My favorite spot is at the bar outside that overlooks the bay and the San Francisco skyline.  I could sit here for hours with one of their delicious cocktails or entrees and just take in the gorgeous views.

Barrel House
Barrel House

Barrel House- View from seats on outside deck
Barrel House- View from seats on outside deck

2.) Stay at Inn Above the Tides- Splurge for a truly serene and unparalleled experience.  Book a room with a balcony and enjoy every moment as you sit above the bay and enjoy the amazing views.  We have stayed here twice in the same room, Queen with a balcony.  

Inn Above the Tides
Inn Above the Tides

Inn Above the Tides- View of Sausalito from balcony
Inn Above the Tides- View of Sausalito from balcony

3.) Take a walk along the waterfront– Take a stroll along the water and enjoy the cool bay breeze hitting your face, the vast views of the bay and rolling hills with homes scattered across.  There are several benches along the way you can stop at to enjoy the picturesque village and water views.

Relaxing on a bench in Sausalito
Relaxing on a bench in Sausalito

Walking path in Sausalito and view
Walking path in Sausalito and view

4.) Go for a run! One of our favorite runs was to Moore Rd Pier. The views here are just spectacular and the run itself had several pretty vantage points.  We are avid runners and having a chance to experience new and beautiful scenery when running is a runners dream.  On a clear day grab a selfie on Moore Rd Pier, you won’t regret it.  We have had the picture taken here on display for two years.

Golden Gate Bridge Vista
Golden Gate Bridge Vista

Golden Gate Bridge Vista
Golden Gate Bridge Vista

5.) Get lost in the shopping– Whether you are looking for a shirt or souvenir that says Sausalito, shopping for boutique clothing or art, or even shopping for children’s clothes there is a shop for in this quaint city for you.  There is even a Christmas store, called The Holiday Shoppe if you collect ornaments from all the places you visit like I do.  Jewelry by the Bay is a great store to pick up some jewelry, or other unique accessories.  I bought a hair clip here that I have received compliments on every time I wear it.  If you are looking for some cute baby clothing, look no further than Cha Cha Cha.  I am expecting a little girl and on the last trip to Sausalito I really found some great deals and adorable clothes here.

6.) Take a picture with the Golden Gate. There are a few options from the Sausalito side of the bridge to get great photos at.  Our favorite spots are Battery Spencer and the Golden Gate Bridge View next to the Lonely Sailor Statue.  The view at Fort Baker is a great vantage point as you are level with the Golden Gate.  The view by the statue is below the Golden Gate, but still beautiful.  I would try going when the skies are clear, but if you are on limited time it is still worth going no matter the weather.

7.) Visit the Avenue of the Giants– Muir Woods is only a short drive away.  If you have time, I would not miss these big beautiful trees.  There is nothing like staring up those huge trunks in awe of how big and old they are.

Muir Woods
Muir Woods

8.) Take the Ferry across the bay to San Francisco.  When else are you going to have the opportunity to cross the Bay, passing Alcatraz while enjoying views of the Golden Gate?  If you are not staying in San Francisco at all on your trip this is also a great way to travel into the city to spend the day or a few hours.  You can not only miss the traffic but the headache of the Golden Gate Toll.

Ferry to San Francisco
Ferry to San Francisco

9.) Visit wine country!  Downtown Sonoma is about 50 minutes and  Downtown Napa is about an hour.  There are so many amazing wineries to visit that you will most likely want to add a separate leg to your stay to experience them.  If commuting from Sausalito, be sure to take a tour, hire a driver or use a ride share so your commute will be safe after the wine tastings.

These are just a few of the many things you can do in Sausalito, but this quaint city is definitely worth a stop on your Northern California trip!

Pregnancy Reveal to Family

If you are like us, super close to your family you will probably want to let them know just as soon as you find out you are expecting like we did!  No matter how you tell them, whether it be creative or you just blurt it out their reaction will be just as excited and happy for you.

In this being our first child we wanted to do something unique, but that wasn’t expensive and could be done the same day.   We don’t live by either of our families, so telling them in person was limiting.  However, my husbands family happened to be visiting that week, so  in person it could be!  We waited until after work and bought a cake that said “I can’t wait to meet you Nonna and Papa!”  When we came in the door, we told his parents that there was something not quite right with the cake and to come take a look.  It was so cool watching them read the cake and see their amazing reaction!

My family was not in town at this time, but I still wanted to tell them immediately.  So what else would you do then FaceTime them!  We put the positive pregnancy test on the screen so as soon as they picked up that’s what they saw.  It was yet another amazing moment watching them realize we were pregnant! Screams of joy and excitement bombarded the other end.  How did we ever live without FaceTime?

There are so many unique ways to announce your pregnancy to your family, choose one that represents your personality and works best with your circumstance.

 

 

When you find out you are Pregnant?!

I am adding a new section to my blog for pregnancy and first time Moms as I go through the same journey!  My husband and I are pregnant for the first time with a baby girl!  I am hoping to add some useful posts and share our experiences to help others going through a similar time in their life.

When I first took the pregnancy test and saw a double line, I told my husband who was then still asleep I “may” be pregnant!  He wondered how I could “maybe” be pregnant.  Ladies, as I am sure many of you are aware especially when trying to get pregnant and having those times where you almost imagine the second line showing, you don’t want to get your hopes up unless you for sure know you are pregnant!  Well this test was one of those maybes… a faint second line.

I always chose the early result tests, so I could find out as soon as possible and adjust myself to the healthiest diet possible.  Well, early result tests are more expensive and the ones that clearly lay our “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant”, while still being early result are even more expensive.  If trying to conceive for awhile this will make an impact on your wallet, which you don’t need when saving for the new baby.  Long and short I went to the store and splurged on the more expensive, very clear test which sure enough verified we were indeed “Pregnant.”

When you first find out you are pregnant it is such an exciting yet nerve wrecking time.  Many questions may race through your head…. Whose family should I tell first?  When should we tell them?  How should we tell them?  When do I let my friends know?  When do I tell my coworkers?  What dietary restrictions do I need to follow?  What do I need to stop doing?  Can I continue to exercise?  When should I schedule my first Doctor appointment?  How can we be good parents?  It can all become a blur, as you try to sort everything out.  Over the next several posts I plan to go into more details on personal experience and suggestions.

Take a deep breath in and then out.  Celebrate and enjoy this precious time!  Try to relax and put aside some of the many questions bombarding your head. You will make great parents and you have plenty of time to make the many decisions in the next 9 months.

Tell your family in your own time.  We chose to tell both of our families immediately as we wanted them to be a part of every moment, even taking the chance we could have some hard news to share later if anything unexpected happened.

Take your time telling friends and coworkers.  We waited until about 15 weeks to tell friends and coworkers our exciting news.  While this seemed like a long time, since it was our first pregnancy we wanted to wait awhile to be sure our baby made it through the first trimester and even a little beyond.

Talk to your Doctor about exercise and the activities you can continue to do.  As long as you are having a healthy pregnancy they typically allow you to continue exercises/ activities (within reason) that you were doing before.  Listen to your body, it will let you know when you need to slow down.  I was an avid runner prior to pregnancy, running several races a year.  I continued running beyond 30 weeks, however my pace and length dramatically slowed down by the end of those 30 weeks.  I always spoke to my Doctor at each appointment just confirming I was good to go on anything I had upcoming, which I recommend to anyone pregnant.  This week I am 33 weeks pregnant and I plan to walk a 5K on Thanksgiving.  I plan to continue being as active as my body will allow until I give birth, hoping it will help make the labor easier… We shall see!

Call your Doctor as soon as you find out your pregnant, some practices have different guidelines for when they want to set up your first appointment.  My practice wanted to wait until 8-9 weeks since my LMP, as they wanted to be sure the ultrasound would show the embryo.  It was nerve wrecking waiting for those 4-5 weeks after I found out we were pregnant to have the confirmation of pregnancy visit.  Try to relax and enjoy this time as your body adjusts to all the upcoming changes.

Finally, congratulations on your journey!  It is truly a miracle!

Hotel Gem in Mill Valley

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, but truly desire the tranquility of the Sausalito area with views of the bay?  Consider Mill Valley, just a short drive away.

In the 8 trips we have taken to Northern California it is always a debate on where to stay.  While some trips we have stayed in both San Francisco and Sausalito there are trips where you want to combine both of the cities into one segment so you can see other parts of beautiful California.

We have stayed in Sausalito a few times and have loved our time there, but not the price tag of the location.  There are few hotel options here, which helps drive the price tag up.  As an alternative there are many places that are a short drive from Sausalito, one being Mill Valley.

While we have considered staying in Mill Valley a few times, we always decided we didn’t want the extra hassle of driving into Sausalito.  If only we knew what we had been missing out on!  This trip we made the decision to stay at the Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley and it is not to be missed!  We booked the first two days of our vacation here and loved it so much that we returned for the last night of our trip.  Who wouldn’t love this view, right?

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony

Acqua Hotel

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Front of hotel
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Front of hotel

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Back of hotel
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Back of hotel

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View of hotel rooms
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View of hotel rooms

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Enclosed space with firepits
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Enclosed space with fire pits

The view from the back of the hotel was just beautiful and so serene.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside patio view

Complimentary Breakfast

The hotel provides complimentary breakfast and everyone in our party agreed it was the best we had on our trip.  Each of the 3 hotels we stayed at offered a complimentary breakfast.  The breakfast was served on the second floor.  You could sit at one of the many tables inside, or you could bring your breakfast on the patio outside on the first or second level.  There was also an all glass enclosed area on the 2nd floor that had gas fireplaces. You could enjoy the beautiful views while staying warm when the wind picks up, which we all know that bay breeze can be chilly!

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Scrambled eggs, sausages and veggie frittata)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Scrambled eggs, sausages and veggie frittata)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Bagels, breads, pastries)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Bagels, breads, pastries)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Cereals)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Cereals)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Waffle maker)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Waffle maker)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (hard boiled eggs and yogurts)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (hard boiled eggs and yogurts)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Toppings for oatmeal)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Toppings for oatmeal)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Breakfast Area
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Breakfast Area

Complimentary Wine and Cheese

There was wine and cheese served at 5 pm which was looked forward to every day.  One wine they served I am told was truly amazing and rivaled if not beat the taste of several wineries we visited this trip.

We were lucky to have stayed during some beautiful weather and one night we enjoyed the wine, crackers and cheese on the patio outside.  The other nights we enjoyed them in the glass enclosed area on the second floor, with the fireplaces turned on.  We were able to watch the sunset and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful water views from here.  Surprisingly the heat retention in the enclosed area was great!

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary wine and cheese reception
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary wine and cheese reception

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from tables outside at wine and cheese hour
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from tables outside at wine and cheese hour

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Wine and cheese hour by the firepits
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Wine and cheese hour by the firepits

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from enclosed space with firepits
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from enclosed space with firepits

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from 2nd level of hotel
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from 2nd level of hotel

Complimentary Fresh Baked Cookies

At 7 pm warm cookies were served in the lobby, which were delicious and something we always looked forward to.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary cookies in evening
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary cookies in evening

Junior Suite Fireplace

We reserved a Junior Suite Fireplace which is located on the 3rd floor.  The king bed was very comfortable.  There was a small living area in the room which we used to store our luggage.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from room
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from room

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony

The bathroom was spacious and had a tub and a separate walk-in shower.  There were dispensers in the shower containing shampoo, conditioner and body wash.  I enjoyed this as you didn’t have to try to squeeze out the last bits of shampoo from the small bottles typically provided, but you could use as much as you wanted.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Sausalito is less than a 10 minute drive from the hotel.  You can easily enjoy either the beautiful seaside town or take the ferry across to San Francisco.  You are also only about a 20-30 minute drive to Muir Woods.

Both Guadalupe and Judy, the sales manager provided amazing customer service and made our stay absolutely perfect!  This stay was part of our anniversary trip and they sure went out of their way to make it special with a bottle of wine and some  delicious chocolates.

We would definitely return and we are  sad we didn’t find this gem sooner!

 

First class service in San Diego

Where to stay in sunny San Diego?  There are so many beautiful areas to see and so many things to do.  We have been to San Diego twice and both times we have stayed in the Gas Lamp Quarter.  The first time it was an easy decision since we were travelling for a conference and it was at the Hard Rock Hotel where we had a negotiated rate.

The second trip was for pleasure and this was a much harder decision.  I did a lot of research on where to stay.  We were ultimately very torn between staying in downtown San Diego and La Jolla.  When we had visited last time our favorite place was La Jolla and we were in awe of it’s beauty.

A few criteria we were looking for were: newer hotel, beachfront, rooftop pool/ bar and a convenient location to restaurants as we did not want to rent a car.  In searching for these amenities, I quickly learned we would not be able to have them all.  We decided on the Pendry, as this hotel had recently opened in 2017, among other features.  We are huge fans of new hotels, who isn’t?  Another feature we look for in a hotel room is a walk in shower.  The Pendry’s shower is very unique, having glass on three sides and situated in the center of the room. Now don’t worry if you plan to share the room with someone you would like privacy from while showering, there is a curtain you can pull around the entire shower.

Additional perks added to our stay

After booking the hotel, with my type A personality I wanted to double check to make sure we made a good decision in staying at the Pendry and shouldn’t consider another hotel.  While doing my due diligence I stumbled across a website/ travel agent that offered added benefits through Virtuoso when staying at the Pendry, all I had to do was email them.  I was skeptical as the benefits were amazing.  They included a $60 credit for breakfast (for two) and an additional $100 credit for the stay.  We were staying 3 nights so the benefit came to $280.  While I was told by the travel agent that there was no guarantee that the benefits would be applicable, depending on how we had booked the hotel, I thought I would give it a chance!  Sure enough the perks were added.  The only hiccup was when the reservation was amended the price changed, so I had to call the Pendry.  I explained the situation and they immediately apologized and fixed the price.  At that moment I knew we had made the right decision as the customer service and ease was amazing.  

Pendry San Diego- Exterior
Pendry San Diego- Exterior

Pendry San Diego- Lobby
Pendry San Diego- Lobby

Our stay at the Pendry was 5- star service all the way, starting from the moment we entered the hotel to the moment we left.   We had just recently found out we were pregnant and when the hotel asked if we were celebrating something special we told them about our “new addition”!  The first night they surprised us with a very thoughtful note and two delicious cupcakes, one pink and one blue (since we didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl yet).  They were the best cupcakes I have ever had.  

Pendry San Diego- Sweet surprise in room
Pendry San Diego- Sweet surprise in room

Pendry Hotel Room

The hotel room was not huge but it was done very well.  The colors in the room were very calming and the space was used efficiently.  Our favorite bed is typically the Ritz Carlton, but this bed seemed just as nice.  We slept wonderfully each night.  The shower was very spacious and had two different shower heads.  Only one worked at a time but it was great to switch between the two.  There were two additional doors around the shower, one kept the loo in it’s own room and there was a sliding door to keep the area where you left the shower, next to the sink private.

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom sink
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom sink

Pendry San Diego- Turn down service
Pendry San Diego- Turn down service

Pendry Pool

The pool is on level 3, along with the fitness center and the spa.  The chairs surrounding the pool are very comfortable and there is bar service at the pool.  While we were there they had a Chandon party which was fun, while I couldn’t partake in the champagne I drank sparkling water instead.  They had a DJ there, it was part of their Sunday pool parties.  The weekend we were there it was sponsored by Vivue Cliquot.  They had umbrellas, pillows, champagne glasses and of course tons of their champagne for sale.

Pendry San Diego- Pool
Pendry San Diego- Pool

Restaurants on site

There were 6 different restaurants on site.  We meant to try more than just two, but that’s all we had time for during our stay.  The credit for our breakfast was good for Provisional.  One of the best parts of our day was breakfast there.  For the $60 credit we would try to maximize it as much as possible.  We varied our meal each day for the most part but every day we did order the market berries and sliced avocado.   The market berries were amazing they tasted so fresh.  Each morning we would get a cup of the complimentary coffee provided by Provisional before sitting down, so there was $60 available for just food.  Let me just say we ate very, very well.  Our entrees rotated and we tried the Create Your Own Omelette, Bourbon Banana French Toast, Pendry Breakfast, Nutella roll and Pain A Chocolate which were all great.  We happened to take back the Nutella Roll and Pain A Chocolate back to our room each morning to enjoy as a snack later in the day.

For the $100 credit we ate at Provisional for dinner, since we enjoyed our breakfast so much.  The dinner was good, but breakfast was better.

Pendry San Diego- Breakfast at Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile
Pendry San Diego- Breakfast at Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile

Pendry San Diego- Complimentary coffee
Pendry San Diego- Complimentary coffee

Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile
Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile

Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile
Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile

The hotel is located in the Gas Lamp District, which is a very happening area of San Diego.  You can walk to tons of restaurants, stores and even Petco Park, where the Padres play.  You also have a short walk to the Embarcadero and Seaport Village, a very cute area on the water to shop at.

Surprise gift after our stay

The first class service did not end when we left San Diego.  About a week after we got home we received a package from the Pendry.  Inside were a few wrapped presents and a sweet note.  There were two bears, one dressed in a pink Pendry shirt and one in a blue Pendry shirt for our sweet new addition (we did not know gender, as it was too early).  There was also a onesie that said Pendry San Diego Baby.  The thoughtful gesture will not be forgotten and truly made not only that vacation extra special, but also this extremely special time in our lives!  A special thank you to Alyssa for making our stay so memorable!

Pendry San Diego- Surprise present sent to our home

Pendry San Diego- Surprise present sent to our home
Pendry San Diego- Surprise present sent to our home

New Hotel in Healdsburg

Planning a trip to Sonoma or Napa for Harvest and need a hotel?  Look no further than one of the newest most reasonably priced hotels for the value, Hotel Trio in Healdsburg.  They just opened a few months ago, and we had the pleasure of staying here earlier this month.

It was quite a debate on where to stay in wine country as we were only staying for 2 nights and wanted to visit wineries in all different AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas).  Healdsburg is a great option as it is located near Alexander Valley, and who doesn’t love a great Cabernet from this AVA?  It also provides direct access to Napa.  If you don’t know, it can be kind of tricky traveling between Napa and Sonoma.  If you are wanting to visit both areas you can either spend a few nights in each area or try to stay next to one of the roads that cross over to the other.  There is a mountain range between Sonoma and Napa so you have to take CA-128 through Alexander Valley, Petrified Forest Road which you can access through Calistoga if coming from Napa or CA-12.  We took CA-128 so we could visit some wineries in Alexander Valley as we crossed from Sonoma to Napa Valley.

Alexander Valley

The best part about this hotel is that it is new and has not become as expensive as most of the other hotels in the region.  If you have been to this area before you know how pricey rooms can be, even when the hotel is 20+ years old.

The entrance of Hotel Trio
The entrance of Hotel Trio

Hotel Trio- Interior lounge area
Hotel Trio- Interior lounge area

We were able to book two rooms at $199 per night (not including taxes/ fees) for two nights and we did this last minute.  It was a little risky since it was a popular travel time, but we took the chance based on the trends we were seeing.  When we arrived at the hotel it far exceeded our expectations.  We had the Studio, 1 King, Sofa bed.  There was a full kitchen, with a refrigerator, small cooktop, microwave, sink, and cabinets full of plates, silverware, pots, pans, bowls, and glasses, basically everything you could need on a getaway.

Hotel Trio- Kitchen
Hotel Trio- Kitchen

Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies
Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies (plates, glasses, strainer, pyrex dish and measuring cup)

Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies
Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies (silverware)

There was a nice breakfast bar that had two stools to sit on.  The living room had a couch and a desk.

Hotel Trio- Living room
Hotel Trio- Living room

Hotel Trio- Living room and desk
Hotel Trio- Living room and desk

There was a large TV on the dresser which swiveled to face the living room or the bedroom.  Since this was a studio the bedroom, living room and kitchen were all open to each other.  The king size bed was extremely comfortable, and the room was very quiet.  We could not hear any of the other guests.

The door to the bathroom was a sliding door, very modern.

Hotel Trio- Sliding door to bathroom
Hotel Trio- Sliding door to bathroom

In the bathroom there was an area to put makeup on as you first walk in, which of course I loved having that extra space.

Hotel Trio- Additional mirror and space in bathroom
Hotel Trio- Additional mirror and space in bathroom

Hotel Trio- Bathroom
Hotel Trio- Bathroom (Additional mirror and space in bathroom, makeup nook)

The closet was located in the bathroom, across from the additional mirror. There was a little shelf on the wall above the sink, which I also felt added something most hotels don’t include.  I was able to put my toiletries on the shelf and not by the sink avoiding any water that inevitably splashes.

Hotel Trio- Bathroom sink
Hotel Trio- Bathroom sink

The walk-in shower was large, with a sliding door.

Hotel Trio- Shower
Hotel Trio- Shower

Every morning they offer a very generous complimentary breakfast.  The hours vary from weekday to weekend.  Monday- Friday breakfast is served from 6:30 am-9 am and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am-10 am.

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Scrambled eggs and egg whites, bacon and sausage)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Toppings to add to your eggs, including tortillas to make a breakfast burrito)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Variety of fruits)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Yogurts, fruits, cheeses and hard boiled eggs)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Waffle station)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Variety of condiments)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cereal and oatmeal station)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cooked oatmeal)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Bagels, bread and pastries)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cold Brew)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Fruit juices)

There was a nice pool and lounge area outside.  Great place to hang out if you have had enough wine tasting for the day.

Hotel Trio- Pool
Hotel Trio- Pool

Hotel Trio- View of pool from room
Hotel Trio- View of pool from room

There were several tables set up outside that you could either eat breakfast at or enjoy later in the day when the sun would hit that area.

Hotel Trio- Patio
Hotel Trio- Patio

There were two grills  that could be used if you wanted to spend the evening in.

Hotel Trio- Grill
Hotel Trio- Grill

During the day you could partake in bocce by the pool area.  If you wanted to play at night they had lighted bocce balls you could ask for from the front desk.

Hotel Trio- Bocce Court
Hotel Trio- Bocce Court

In addition to all of this there were a few fire pits, which can definitely be used in the cooler evening nights in Healdsburg.

Hotel Trio- Firepit/ Patio
Hotel Trio- Firepit/ Patio

There is also a small fitness area in case you want to workout on your vacation.

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Two nights a week they offer complimentary wine tasting.  There is also a bar downstairs.

Hotel Trio- Bar
Hotel Trio- Bar

The concierge Ramon was fantastic.  He really knows wine country well, and can offer suggestions based on what types of wine or what types of experiences you would like.  He also made our Anniversary trip so special by having the chef make two small desserts for my husband and I to share.  He also put balloons in our room with a special card.  It really added a special touch to our stay.  Thank you Ramon!

Hotel Trio- Anniversary balloons
Hotel Trio- Anniversary balloons

Anniversary Dessert
Anniversary Dessert

The location of the hotel is great.  There is a super market right across the street to stock your hotel room with.  Then downtown Healdsburg is only about a 5 minute drive.  Need not worry if you want to wine taste downtown the hotel does offer shuttle.

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Shuttle to Downtown Healdsburg
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Shuttle to Downtown Healdsburg

This is our 8th trip to Wine Country and definitely one of our favorite hotels in this area.  We would come back again!

For more suggestions on where to stay please see my previous post on hotels in Sonoma and Napa  http://wyzetraveler.com/sonoma-napa-hotels/

For more information on Hotel Trio please visit their website  https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stsri-hotel-trio-healdsburg/

BMW Performance Center Delivery

The experience and excitement of PCD started well before we left for Spartanburg, S.C.  Shortly after we ordered our car my husband mentioned Performance Center Delivery and that we should look into it.  I did a little research and I was in!  We reached out to our dealer, who said he was going to suggest we do this as we live only a few hours from Spartanburg.  Our dealer set it up for us and all we needed to do was confirm the date worked for us.  I was excited and nervous to go on a track for the first time and of course elated to pick up our brand new car!  I did not know what I would be getting myself into, nor that it would be one of the greatest and most memorable experiences of our lives!

Anticipation of PCD

After looking up PCD in both the US and Germany (they offer European Delivery too- which also looks amazing), I decided I wanted to do something unique for our trip by buying or creating matching t-shirts.  I looked online for awhile, found a few shirts that we really liked but of course were no longer sold. I then looked into the process of having one made.  I found an image online we really liked and contacted the graphic artist, Vanisara to see if she either made shirts or if we could use her design to print one.  She was so nice, and let us use the design.   If you like this design she has a few other awesome BMW designs that you can check out at: www.vanisara.com/alphabet-paper-project/

I used photoshop elements to change the color of the M and make a few adjustments. We also wanted to incorporate our two cars the M3 and M40i on the shirt, so I created our sleeve graphics in photoshop.  I tried to create the stripes as close to the Motorsport colors as I could.  Finally, came the back of the shirt which took a little more creativity. I created the Motorsport symbol in photoshop, added the three thin lines representing the colors and then came up with the slogan “Welcome to Motorsport”.   

As PCD was rapidly approaching we determined what else we may need for the course.  We bought a GoPro to capture our driving experiences as we had never done anything like this before, along with a car mount.  At exactly 3 weeks out we booked our one way flight to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP).  We were told not to book our flight until 3 weeks before your delivery date as there may be unforeseeable circumstances that may cause a change in your delivery date. We also booked a night at the Village Inn at the Biltmore to stay the night after we completed PCD on our drive home.  

If you have any questions about PCD, the customer service team is very responsive. You can email: PerformanceCenterDelivery@bmwmc.com

Arrival at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)

We received 5 star customer service from the moment we landed in Spartanburg, S.C.  I called the Marriott once we landed and told them we were with BMW Performance Center Delivery, they took our name and said the driver would be there in 10-15 minutes.  By the time we exited the airport the driver was already waiting outside by a white X5. Our driver helped us put our bags in the car and was very energetic about what we had to look forward to the next day.

Greenville Marriott

Once we arrived at the hotel we were greeted by the bellman who took our bags and ushered us to the front desk.  He also offered to make reservations at Artisan, the restaurant where we were able to have a complimentary 3- course meal.  Every individual we came in contact with provided great customer service and greeted us with a smile. It certainly made a difference in our trip!  The front desk clerk gave us our welcome packet, room keys and a complimentary drink ticket for each of us to use at the restaurant.

The bellman took us up to our room with our bags.  Our flight was after work and we arrived at the hotel around 9:30 PM.  The 3- course meal was offered in the restaurant until 10 PM so we headed right back down for dinner.  

Complimentary 3-course dinner at Artisan

The service at the restaurant was nothing short of what we had received since our arrival.  We were given the BMW menu, which offered many items and they all looked great.

BMW 3-Course Meal Menu

I ordered a Caesar salad, Shrimp and Grits and the Georgia Peach Cheesecake. My husband ordered the Scratch Made Soup, 5 oz Filet Mignon and Georgia Peach Cheesecake. The food was fantastic!

Caesar Salad

Shrimp and Grits

5 oz. Filet

Georgia Peach Cheesecake

Complimentary Breakfast Buffet

The next morning we had a complimentary breakfast buffet at Artisan, which began at 6:30AM.  It had everything you could want from Pancakes, French Toast, Eggs, Fruit, Hash Browns to Made to Order Omelets and more. They also left a carafe of coffee on your table.

Breakfast Buffet

Breakfast Buffet- Made to Order Omelettes

Arrival at PCD

The shuttle picked us up around 7:40 AM to take us to the BMW Performance Center.  The drive was fairly quick with us arriving by 8 AM. We walked into the performance center and were greeted by many BMW staff, along with two X3 M40is on the main floor.  One was in the Phytonic Blue and the other was Alpine White. We ordered the X3 M40i in Alpine White, Black Vernasca Leather with Blue Contrast Stitching, Rhombicle trim, 21-inch wheels in Cerium Gray.  While we were not certain this was our car, it was the exact combination we ordered. Prior to ordering our car we had not seen the Black Leather with Blue Stitching or Rhombicle trim in person.  We immediately knew we had made the right decision and couldn’t have been happier with the styling!

Shortly after walking in we were welcomed to PCD and introduced to all the individuals who would be leading our day.  We were divided into two groups, one group would go with the BMW Product Specialists first, who would show us how to use all the features on our cars, while the other group was going to the classroom and the track to test out a car similar to the one we ordered.  

Classroom Session

We went to the classroom first and learned some skills from Jim to apply to future driving, the course and what to expect for the day.  Our three course instructors were Andy, Jim and Arnold.  They were amazing and really made the day memorable!

Classroom Session

Time to hit the track!

We then went outside to pick out our vehicle. We had a silver X3 M40i for the first part of the day. We quickly hooked up our GoPro, so we could catch all the amazing experiences we were in store for.  There were about 4 other vehicles in our group. Three were the X3 M40i and the other was an X5 M.

Time to hit the track!

Our car for the day- Silver X3 M40i

How fast can you stop with BMW ABS brakes?

The answer is VERY fast!  Our first stop on the track was to test out the ABS brakes.  We started off accelerating at 40 MPH and stomping on the brakes as hard as we could when we reached the specified stopping spot.  It was truly amazing how quick BMWs can stop. We then progressed to 45, 50, and 55. Andy really tried to get us to punch the brakes as hard as we could- he made these exercises entertaining.  It was great to learn what the car is truly capable of, especially since braking is such a huge part of my daily commute in the city.

The next segment was autocross.  The track was set up with cones to weave in and out of and help make the track more exciting.  We were spaced out so we would be able to accelerate and take the course as fast as we wanted to. This was our first time on the track and it was amazing! We both really pushed the car and had a great time!  I never knew how fun it would be to be on the track, and even more so I assume because it was not our car. I was also shocked at the power the X3 M40i has, it does not feel like an SUV at all.  The 0-60 time is about 4.6 seconds (maybe faster!), and the car is very quick and nimble at the lower speeds too.

Ready to Autocross!

Time to turn off the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)

Our next stop was the skid pad to drive without DSC (Dynamic Stability Control).  This time we parked our SUVs on the side of the road and took turns going on the skid pad in a 340i.

Our group for the day!

They had two cars going on the skid pad at a time, each one with one course participant and one professional driver.  I watched my husband go first and was amazed at the 360’s he did and the drifting. It was awesome watching from the side of the road as I had never seen a car do a 360 that close to me! Then I realized- I am up next, how can I do a 360 without flying off the road?!?!  I have no idea what I am doing!

I got into the car and adjusted the seat and mirrors and turned to Andy (professional driver) and said “how do I do what he did?”  He said just listen to me and we will be all set. So we started off around the skid pad and sure enough there was my first 360!  It was an amazing feeling and so much more fun than I could have imagined. I kept going and there was my 2nd 360- even better and more fun than the first.  We then did some drifting and headed off the track. This was one of the most fun events for me throughout the day and I still love thinking back to it! Knowing that I had a professional driver next to me made all the difference, and a more controlled environment.  Thank you Andy!

Practicing 360s together!

Skid Pad

Hot Lap- Are you ready?!?!

Up next was our Hot Lap with a professional driver in an M3.  We had Jim as our driver and he was phenomenal! Talk about an experience I will never forget.  First of all, he was so nice and made sure we felt comfortable and safe in the car the entire time while giving us the drive of a lifetime.  We started off with autocross and speeding around the entire track, then we hit the skid pad and we did at least a 360 if not more than we drifted for awhile and then left the track in the dust.  A ride to remember!

360 on the Hot Lap from outside M3

360 on the Hot Lap from inside M3

Drifting on the Hot Lap

BMW X Factory Tour (BMW Manufacturing)

We followed Arnold in our X3 M40i to the factory for the BMW Factory Tour (BMW Manufacturing).  I thought this would be one of my less favorite parts of the day, but it happened to be very interesting!  I am so happy the tour was open for BMW owners.  As we pulled up to the factory we noticed every single parking space was full and every curb had a car parked next to it.  There were a few reserved spots at the front for us, but it was amazing to see how many workers were in the factory at that time!

BMW X Factory

No cameras or cell phones are allowed in the building. We entered and were greeted by our tour guide who gave us headphones and glasses to wear.  She told us what to expect and how to stay safe. Our tour guide through the factory was great- she had a plethora of knowledge, kept our attention and really taught us a lot. The tour is always something I will remember and taught me a lot about my car. It truly made me proud to be a BMW owner.  Every car that is manufactured in the factory is owned by someone, whether it be an individual or a dealership. It was amazing to watch each stage of the car be put together and how much effort, time and precision goes into each step. One interesting fact is that the BMW key stays with the vehicle the entire time from the moment the paint is completed on the frame.  

Other Roads Course- time to off road!
After leaving the plant Arnold led us over to the off roading section of the course (Other Roads Course).  The first part was driving through about 2 feet of water. My husband drove through the water and it was awesome to experience this.  I would never have known the capabilities of my car and that it could go through that much water without being phased.

Driving through water

Almost through the water!

We then went to a rocky hill where we were guided to balance at a 45 degree angle on two wheels!  That was definitely an experience and at one point I thought we were going to tip over, but with the guidance of our instructor and the capabilities of the X3 M40i we were just fine!

The answer is no, if you lean to the right when your car is balancing on the left two wheels it will not help hold the car up, although we did try this.  All of our instructors made the course not only fun but instructional.

Balancing on two wheels!

We did make it safely back onto all 4 wheels and we continued onwards down the hill. I am shocked that our car could withstand that much of an angle and not be phased.



Hill Descent Control

Our last section of the Other Roads course was testing out the hill descent feature.  We drove to the top of a rocky hill and stopped.  We then pushed the hill descent control and took our foot off the brake and not touching the gas either, the X3 M40i slowly and at a consistent speed made it’s way down the hill.  You could increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle with the + and – buttons on the steering wheel.  It is a pretty cool feature.

Complimentary Lunch

We then took a break to enjoy our complimentary lunch.  We didn’t know what to expect, but it far surpassed what I would have thought.  We walked into the cafeteria and they had everything from burgers to chicken wraps to salad to grilled veggies to fries to dessert.  I asked what our options were and the lady behind the counter said “What do you want, we will make you whatever you like.” There are limitations I am sure, but they offered many more options than just the food laid out.  We enjoyed our lunch talking to other PCD drivers. Our group was from all over the Eastern part of the US.

Lunch in the Cafeteria


Taking delivery of our car!

Finally it was time to see our new car and learn all the ins and outs.  Just love this car- it’s the perfect size for us, 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and it sure sounds amazing when you start it up!

Our amazing new car!

Our X3 M40i in PCD showroom

Interior of X3 M40i

X3 M40i Engine

X3 M40i Wheel and Brake Pads

Our product specialist Josh was amazing- just like all of our instructors had been.  He started off with the basics for me as this was my first BMW, even though my husband is not new to the brand.  I set up BMW Connect- love this feature! I can take a 360 view of my car from anywhere, which I have used multiple times now.  I even took one in the PCD show room which is a cool picture I will be keeping. It is really nice when you are parked in a public area to check to see the surroundings of your vehicle remotely.  

BMW Connect- Remote View in PCD showroom

BMW Connect- Remote View at night accessed from hotel room

You can also check to make sure the doors are locked, circulate air through the car, and many more things. We also set up Apple Car Play and BMW Assist while there. The wireless charging in the car is amazing, along with the pano sunroof!

There are so many security features on this car and I am so happy we got these.  The car I had prior to this one had no sensors or cameras in it, and I didn’t realize how useful and how much safer cameras and sensors can make your drive.  I use the parking cameras all the time and the bird’s eye view is amazing when parking the car. I will sometimes turn this on when I am pulling into a spot too.

I had been ready to order the car without the security features, but I am so glad we opted to order all of them. The lane assist, collision and self park are great options.  We then learned about the different drive modes: Eco, Comfort and Sport Plus and how we could customize the driver profile with each of these. We received two keys and each key is programmed to a driver, one to myself and one to my husband.  Thank you Josh for walking us through every inch and capability of our new car!

Overall, Performance Center Delivery is the way to go if you can make it work.  I would not hesitate to do this again, and we have already recommended it to all of our friends and family.  I have never been much of a car person, but after this experience I now look forward to getting into my car, turning it on to hear the roar of the M40i engine and am proud to be a BMW owner and an M enthusiast.  Thank you to the PCD team for making this experience so memorable!

Time to go!

Great photo opportunity!

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