After a nice long night sleep we were ready to start our Pre Event days with our sweet friend Cynthia Vartanian who lives near Manhattan Beach. She whisked us away in her beautiful BMW & took us to Riverside California to see the beautiful old Mission Inn. This was originally an old Spanish Mission (if you close your eyes you can almost feel the Spanish Monks still walking amongst you in the different areas). It has lovingly been restored to a beautiful five star Hotel & Spa.
See the girlies down the long lush green coridor?
The front desk & Lobby area. I LOVE the flower arrangement on the corner of the check in area. The flowers in California are amazing!!!!
Oh how I would love to come at Christmas with Hubby & stay here…. sitting in front of this fire place. This little piece of paradise is very close to where my precious Sandy lives.
The outside patio looked up to these rooms…
The architectural work on this beautiful place is mind bending.
There is an amazing Rotunda under that dome. And I loved the old glass in the top!
The Chapel was so beautiful!!! I would have loved to see the inside! They do give tours but, we didn’t have time to sign up for that.
The fountain outside the doors of The Chapel had the most beautiful sound.
The tile work was stunning!!!!
These cuties (Debby & Cynthia) thought so too! Thanks for the loan of the photo below Lulu (my camera decided to let the battery die about this time).
The stained glass windows took my breath away! They were everywhere!
One last look at us enjoying the inn..
After this it was off to eat Mexican Food in the courtyard below & a yummy strawberry margarita!!!! And then to the cupcake store that Cynthia said we HAD TO TRY!!!!! So those pounds are you girlfriend.
And shopping…. Stay tuned for Day Three soon. Thank you Cynthia! You are a tour guide extraordinaire!
HUGS! Charlene
That is so gorgeous !!
ReplyDeleteYou are making me homesick !
xoxo
Lori
Hi Charlene!
ReplyDeleteI couldn`t believe I actually won a giveaway and it`s a good one! Cindy was so generous to giveaway Magnolia Pearl bloomers. Hope you had fun on your Roundtop trip. I`ll be out of pocket till Sat. Sure hope you get rid of that bug for good. I never got that nasty flu.
Have a great week!
Blessings sweet friend~
Kim
xxoo
Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! You know...all the years I've lived in California, I've never been there! Going to have to change that sometime VERY soon!
ReplyDeleteThat cupcake shop? YUM! Worth every calorie, I'm sure!
Looking forward to seeing more, my friend!
Julie
Hi Sweetest Friend of Mine...
ReplyDeleteI didn't know y'all went to the Mission Inn! When you were headed there, if you had looked to the distance you would have seen some mountains & those mountains are where I live. My brother got married in the chapel at the Mission Inn & we go every Christmas for the Festival of Lights...you & Larry would adore it at Christmas. It is absolutely stunning!! I so wish one year you would think of coming out for a visit there. The 1st night & the turning on the lights event is always the friday after Thanksgiving. If you'd ever like to be away for Thanksgiving that would be the weekend to go there. I think 20,000 people show up to watch that place light up in complete MAGIC!
Thanks for sharing your pictures with me friend & for oh soooo much more...TEXAS was divine!
Love my people...
Susie Pearl
Yes Charlene, Christmas time IS magic there. We've been there many times and enjoyed each and every visit. Waiting for more pics...
ReplyDeletetootles,
bunny
Dear friend, wasn't it an amazing part of our visit to So Cal? The photo's are delish ~ I still am in awe of the beauty of the Mission and the gorgeous architecture, stained glass windows and tile work!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you are feeling better! I need to hear about Round Top...I know you are super busy this week and so maybe we can talk the following week! I miss you, LuLu, Sandy, Kim and Cynthia so much!
Love,
Deb
A few years ago I lived a few minutes away from the Inn. I actually attended a friends baby shower there. It was a buffet held in the courtyard and was absolutely perfect. I was pretty spoiled to get to go shopping downtown(at the stores you probably visited)on a regular basis. I now live in "The OC" but I'm still only about 45 minutes away. I miss the frequent trips there, having lunch with friends.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your stay to the fullest,
Irma
Fab posting Charlene! We really did have so much fun!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Hello Miss Charlene!
ReplyDeleteOh My Goodness! Your Trip to Roundtop! What a Wonderful Place!What a Wonderful Girlfriend Trip! You are Truly Blessed with so Many Wonderful Friends!I have seen a few Pics. Can't wait to see Yours!
The Mission is Beautiful! A Little Piece of Heaven I Think!
Hope you are having a Wonderful Wednesday!
Hugs
Jill
Gosh...these are beautiful pictures Charlene! I know I would have loved to be there....
ReplyDeleteI've never been here either looks quite wonderful. That bear in the upper window looks interesting that intrigued me.
ReplyDeleteHi Charlene! It's good to catch up with you...this looks like a fabulous trip! Stop by for a visit and be in touch!!
ReplyDelete