#10: Viva Palm Springs - a Babymoon Getaway

This past weekend Joe surprised me with a babymoon to Palm Springs! We left LA on Friday after work and stayed for two nights at the Riviera Resort and Spa. It was pure relaxation (minus the Friday night traffic).

Friday night we grabbed a late dinner at the resort's restaurant, Circa 59. We sat outside next the fire, and under hanging lights and enjoyed some Manchego-stuffed Dates wrapped in bacon, Pomegranate-Citrus Salmon and Lemon Risotto, Beef Tenderloin and Purple Potatoes and finished off the meal with a Toffee Bread Pudding, topped with salty butterscotch!

We started our Saturday morning with massages at the Spa Terre. Then we lounged by the pool all day and got caught up on all our magazines and books. Joe sipped on frozen drinks for the two of us, and I enjoyed some fruit smoothies. It was nice to get away and do absolutely nothing. Our weekends have been packed with errands, condo updates and baby prep - so to spend some time together by the pool was perfect.

For Saturday's dinner we went to Copleys, which is a restaurant on Cary Grant's old estate. The ambience was amazing - we sat outside on the front porch. It was another good meal - Joe got the Beef Tenderloin topped with Beef Short rib, served with potatoes and pumpkin mac n' cheese and I got the Chicken stuffed with Sun-dried Tomato and Goat Cheese, served with potatoes and green beans. Of course I saved room for dessert - the Apple Crumble topped with homemade cinnamon ice cream!

On Sunday we enjoyed breakfast by the pool and a late checkout. Then we headed to the other side of Palm Springs to have brunch at Norma's, at The Parker hotel. The hotel and grounds were something to be seen, like an adult version of Alice in Wonderland. Everything was over-the-top in an retro-chic kinda of way (designed by Jonathan Adler). The food at Norma's was superb, and completely over-priced. We thought brunch is LA was expensive - until we saw Peach Pancakes for $18 on the menu (but they were absolutely heavenly)! It was a fun experience to do once.

Now it's back to the grind. We have 30 days until his due date! Joe and are looking forward to his arrival and are getting our hospital bag packed, or as Joe calls it..."our go bag".