Oh Casa de Mita How I LOVE YOU

Last month, me and my bud Lis, took off for my #1 standby, Casa de Mita.  This amazing spot on earth has become my 100% guarantee refuge from all things CRAZY.  The minute I get there, a quick pitstop is made at the marina to grab a frozen marg.  Mind back on track - CHECK.

45 minutes after landing in Puerto Vallarta, I'm skipping through the front gate of a place that has come to feel like my home away from home.  Lalo and Memo are on the make - laughing a mile a minute and ready to whip me up another drink...pronto.  The smells bubbling out of the kitchen make me woozy with joy, and the very idea of seeing Thomas for a 90 minute massage is enough to drive one to tears.  A spy thriller is in hand immediately, clothes are yanked off, and a tan is on the happs.

Memo looks super fly in my Ray Bans (I'm gonna have to procure something of the like for him and Lalo next trip down) and these boys just keep me laughing and truly happy all day long.

Activity on the beach involves all makes and models - dog lovers, sand joggers, intent fisherman and oyster harvesters, couples strolling about, families enjoying the day - but mostly it's deserted. 

The pool is heated - oh so gently.  Which brings me to the swim up bar.  I mean - what a dangerous place to find me and Lis (and me and Chez last time) at the top of the day.  It really sets the right tone for how life should be lived.

A fresh bottle of champagne is popped at lunch or dinner, or breakfast if you want...just when you are ready for a beach stroll and a quick nap.  All chilled glasses, all top shelf.

Now if I sell one of these shows I'm currently pitching, guess where I'm headed? :)

Casa de Mita - go now.

Italy Down South - Just Below Tecate, Baja

I've never been a gal who was into super fancy food.  I'm more into the overall make-up of a place.  Homegrown ingredients.  Smiling hosts.  Owners bangin' around in the kitchen and the front of the house - serving food, bussing tables, making drinks and chatting with the customers.  It's how I'd do it at least, all with a nice chilled glass of something delish in hand. 

La Manzana Verde is this exact spot.  I've flown past it a billion times on the way to and from points further away - and never stopped - what a shame.  I just love the whole joint.  The canned veggies lining the shelf, the chaos of being a one-man shop, the old guy wobbling around out in the backyard, the fresh herbs beside the al fresco tables, the time it takes to make pizza from scratch, the laugh a minute vibe - just all of it. 

The idea of pulling up a chair to the bar, having a glass of local red, and really just tossin' on an apron to lend a hand - all while practicing my Spanish really just makes me happy way deep down in my soul.  Dog's welcome.

We even took the pizza to go and had it that night once we were back home cozed down on the FLO.  Probably a 2-lb cheese fest, but it was just so fresh, so full of love, so tasty - why not bring happiness with you?

Back When Flo Was Being Ripped Apart...

I knew I was going to create something wonderful to live in, someplace to call home for a good, long spell.  And, I did.  With the help of many, it all came together into a wee oasis that I still can't believe is mine.  But the time has come for change again. 

Time to curate even more.  Across all levels of life.  Things I own, places I go, how my time is spent.  Projects I choose to work on, how I choose to move my body, what I put in it.  Good new vibes are in the air and summer is on the way. 

Every day I just want to discover something new, eat something fresh, laugh something fierce and learn even more.

All these old bones, much like good ole girl Flo's, are about to get re-checked for a whole new way of living.

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