Guilty's going Green and it's long overdue. .

There is not enough Crown Royal Maple to dull the pain of working 140 days straight.

There is not enough Don Julio tequila in my shot glass to quench my thirst for fun.

Perhaps a change in my vacation plans is afoot. I am actively searching the web for opulent accommodations and cheap airfare.  That dicey combo is always a fantastic search criteria.  We have had enough of drudgery of winter. The recent cold snap has empowered us to fight back against the extreme weather with a Guilty vengeance. We considered several options like a 3 day trip to Vegas or a Manhattan getaway weekend that includes a shopping spree at Brooklyn's Smorgasburg.  That weekly open air market is a Guilty Pleasure sanctuary.

Both of options sounded good, but we need mountaintops.  Guilty and Thin Mint are planning a winter getaway to Snow Basin.  It's one of the Guilty's favorite hideouts, Removing yourself from the paralyzing process of work and skiing where the Eagles glide, is the key to my relaxational recovery. Skiing in Utah with a stopover in Colorado in late March is a Guilty Dream.

Guilty's going green and it's long overdue.

Dreaming of Festivus Dinner while making a Big Time Holiday Breakfast. Guilty Pleasure x 2 . .

My lofty station as the Patriarch of a remarkable family makes everyday special. Nothing is more rewarding than being a Dad and that's especially true on a Holiday morning.  Everyone sleeps in and Guilty has the house to himself.  I can do a lot of damage before 7 am with a skillet and a dream. My gourmet breakfast will feature Chevre/blackberry stuffed French toast, eggs over easy and spiral ham from the best Ham recipe in the world.  Check it out. Preparing breakfast for the Guilty Gang with our dog on the assist, is a great way to start any day.

I went to bed last evening looking forward to a very Guilty holiday. Great Cinema, Great food and Great company.  AWESOME!!!  After seeing American Hustle, we will be hosting friends and family for a scrumptious Festivus Dinner.  And for all of you keeping scoring, Junior Mint and the Shifster are in charge of board games.  There is always a Scrabble controversy brewing when generations compete.  Love it!
We've asked Shiffie to roll 'dem magic bones first and pass on the knowledge.  No grudges allowed.

This year's feast will be our best secular celebration ever. Some people are Merry once a year. Other people share joy everyday.  We like that second approach to life much better. No exceptions are allowed!  When you start showing up in the front row, you must celebrate Living Well everyday. It's the Guilty Dogma and it's more than just mere words.  Invest in your key relationships and marvel at the results.  Sharing a Primo moment is always a Game Changer.  But don't forget, receiving a Guiltorious present from the family is even better.

It's great to be Dad.

I want mine, you got yours

The event calendar has slowed to a crawl with several elegant Holiday dinners going out the door.  As the kitchen begins to exhale, the chefs don their Elf costumes, reroute the sled and shop like it's judgement day. So many gifts to purchase and so much traffic to avoid.  It's like appearing in an episode of Survivor. Making up for lost time is easier said than done, but we do it deftly.  And we do it with love. We have some very dedicated employees with joyous families.  Putting your family first is the greatest Guilty Pleasure of all.  But so is taking care of yourself.  The magic of shopping for others only works if you spoil yourself as well.

Sometimes it's procuring a rare Brazilian Rum like Leblon Cachaca.  That Amazon firewater works for me. If you have not stoked the embers with that Guilty Pleasure, you are missing a special moment. Other times it's a timeless fashion like Thin Mint's hand sewn boots from Portland Oregon.  The quality of her new leather boots is magnificent and the look is sublime. This ability to balance the beam between giving and receiving will always enrich to your good character.  Do not miss out on the opportunity to play it forward.  It's so worth it!

One domain where Guilty definitely knows his good fortune, is the catering kitchen. I may be in charge in the Executive Suite, but once I walk through the commissary doors, everything changes. Thin Mint is the Boss and she's the BOMB .  With a refined pallet and extensive knowledge base, Thin Mint is the keeper of the flame. She is remarkable on so many levels.  Just ask any of our staff or discerning clentele.  With a warm smile or cool refrain, our Executive Chef can teach, motivate, delegate and inspire.

Our staff is always learning new techniques and our clients benefit from that evolution. The need for menu development never stops and our staff knows that innovation can happen 24/7. For a Guilty Soul like me, it's always fun in the kitchen.  It's hard not to be gleeful when there's sweet and savory to explore.  Like a New Year's Day parade, an impromptu Guilty Pleasure moment is always worthy of the front row.  Here's a photo from Thursday's dessert sampling.  It's good to be Guilty.  Every Day!!!

Living Well 24/7 in Malaysia is a Guilty Path

Interest in the Guilty Pleasures Club has never been higher and everyone in the commissary can feel the buzz. We are one humorous article away from stardom and our Guilty vision will not be denied.  The GPC has developed a loyal following that spans the globe and our readership increases everyday. There have been countless requests for online interviews and Podcasts.  And why not, our club members have great self-esteem, big time dreams and excellent taste. It's an awesome vibe to inspire so many overachievers. Guilty may trumpet the message, but the credit goes to our culinary team and event staff.  We have touched a very hot topic.  Living Well 24/7 is our Guilty Mission.

One of the first things you learn in a Guilty Neighborhood is that there are many benefits to having a bountiful pantry and then celebrating your full plate.  However, it's the sharing of your good fortune that really illuminates your Guilty Path to enlightenment. The beacons of light that you exchange along the journey become the jewels you cherish the most.

Nowhere is the passion for Guilty Pleasures more popular than in the island country of Malaysia. With it's British heritage, Malaysia is more of a regional empire than a country. Take a left at Singapore, cross the South China Sea and you have arrived in one of the worlds most incredible nations. Malaysia a booming economy, incredible cities, beautiful beaches, rain forests and lots of Guilty Pleasures Aficionado's looking to share their favorites with Guilty, Thin Mint and the gang. How great is that?


The food in Malaysia looks incredible and so fresh.  The open air markets capture your pallet and enrich your epicurean experience.  Planning our trip is a 2014 project.  We cannot wait spend weeks exploring Malaysia and savoring the many Guilty Pleasures in the Far East.  We love all adventures, but especially tropical adventures.  It looks like Guilty has found his beach.

Traveling globally and then dining locally makes for a wonderful trek.  We are so there!

Sweet 16 Tournament of Luxury Vacation Villas

Vacation time is coming up fast and Guilty could not be happier.  We fly out next week.  When it comes to a well-earned island retreat in the lap of luxury, it's all about the numbers.  Three and half acres on a mind blowing beach. Nine nights in a beautiful island paradise.  Twenty seven gourmet meals prepared by a private chef and countless memories just waiting to be forged.

Guilty searched long and hard to find just the perfect family getaway. My extensive quest for summertime bliss was a labor of love and a commitment to our never ending  high standards for the Guilty Pleasures Club.  Fortunately, there were numerous vacation options available with cool island breezes, tropical sunsets and family friendly summertime prices. From St. Croix to the Roatan Island in Honduras to Nicaragua and back again, we found a treasure chest of stunningly beautiful villas that met all of our lofty expectations.  It was an exhausting and successful journey in search of opulence, family adventure and fiscal sanity.

In fact, in the end, there were so many amazing choices for us to consider, that making a decision was really the hardest part.  Would we escape to a breathtaking beach in El Salvador or the spectacular Pacific Coast of Nicaragua?  Would our stay in paradise be on an isolated beach on Bonaire or perhaps a cliff side palace in St. Martin?  Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.  I drove Thin Mint crazy at first.  But then, like the visionary she is, my beautiful bride of almost 23 years, saw the light, 

We decided to put together a Sweet 16 Tournament of Vacation Villas to share with our luxury-minded legions. However, just whittling the list of vacation options down to only 16 finalists was a difficult task unto itself.  Let alone, choosing just one.  Of course, as always, Guilty and Thin Mint would not be denied.  Here are the 16 finalists for the first ever Luxury Villa Showdown.  Just like March Madness, our fiercely competitive tournament is destined to become an annual event with stunning upsets and big surprises. 

http://www.vrbo.com/347898#photos Ranked # 1.  Incredible waterfront property in Honduras. The Kissing bug epidemic in Central America and Mexico scared us off.

 

http://www.vrbo.com/252475#photos  Bequia property ranked # 2.  Just an amazing home.  Airfare was a little high for a family vacation.
 

http://www.vrbo.com/257646#photos

Ranked # 3. Jamaican 3.5 acre waterfront estate. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner. Lot's of  Guiltorious Glee looming with an outdoor shower and a well-trained staff of five.The Villa is next to the world famous Round Hill resort. www.roundhill.com  This spectacular property is a winner on every level with too many perks to pass up. 

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p296694#photos  Ranked # 4.  St. Martin villa on Dawn Beach.  An awesome property.  Love this house, but we have been to the island too many already.

http://www.vrbo.com/143126#photos  Very nice property in St. Croix.  Ranked # 5.  I love this Villa on the cliffs 

http://www.vrbo.com/175999#photos  Ranked
# 6  Incredible all-inclusive for 6 people in Nicaragua.  OMG  Same kissing bug concerns.

http://www.vrbo.com/218687#photos  Ranked # 7.  A fantastic property on Grenada.

http://www.vrbo.com/219216#photos  Fabulous for the money in Nicaragua.  Ranked # 8. 

http://www.vrbo.com/216040#photos Ranked # 9.  A very nice Jamaican property with staff. 

http://www.vrbo.com/40246#photos  Great waterfront property in Antiqua.  Ranked # 10   

http://www.vrbo.com/233134#photos Wonderful oceanfront property in El Salvador.  Very tropical and inexpensive.  Ranked # 11, 

http://www.vrbo.com/52036#photos  Ranked # 12.  Great waterfront property in Negril . 

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p227082#photos  Bonaire property ranked # 13. On the beach in dive central

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p334879#photos  St. Thomas property on the cliffs above the water. ranked # 14. 

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p927563#photos  Ranked # 15 a St, Croix property.  Very nice. 

http://www.vrbo.com/271990#photos  A fantastic  treehouse in Nicaragua above the ocean.  Ranked # 16