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.

Dancing poolside at Bluefields Bay is always a Guilty Pleasure.

Wow it's really bitter cold outside, especially for early December.  Unfortunately, the weather on the East Coast is about to get considerably worse this weekend. Remember last year when everyone was complaining that it was too hot for the Holidays. Too hot??  Were they serious?  It my world it's never too hot for the Holidays unless it's 90 degrees and I am dancing poolside with Thin Mint in Bluefields Bay, Jamaica.  But that's a different kind of hot, now isn't it?  Smokin' hot of course.

What could be better than chillin' underneath an Almond tree on December 25th, especially with an Ultimate Mudslide or two in hand?  And don't forget those tantalizing tropical breezes!  There is no greater Guilty Pleasure anywhere than being at these amazing Villas in Jamaica for Christmas and New Years.  The Moncure Family and their staff can anticipate all of your Guilty Pleasures. Their six pristine properties provide world class service and hospitality.  The delicious food at each Villa is a five star dining experience. Renting a Villa from the Moncure's is very similar to an opulent stay at the Ritz Carlton, but it's much more private and Guiltorious. Honeymooners should take notice of the Cottonwood Cottage. It's the perfect location for a very luxurious, active and romantic week in the Caribbean.  After 24 years, it's time to plan our return trip.

Remarking that it was too warm in December was last year's bellyache.  This year it's the other side of coin in the City of Brotherly Love and we need to be proactive. So lets light the fireplace on Pine Street, pass the steaming hot cocoa in Berwyn and share the Dancing Bear blanket in Trooper. Mercy me, we still have over three months to Springtime.

We definitely both need a vacation intervention by the Lords of Guilt.  Now wouldn't that be miraculous!!!

It's time to enjoy self-serving moments of Guiltorious pursuit

It's time to enjoy self-serving moments of Guiltorious pursuit

There have been many times where the Guilty Pleasures Club has been asked "What is the definition of a genuinely Guilty Act?"  Not criminal endeavors of course, but self-serving pursuits of pleasure in a "Moi" sort of way. Everyone has their own Guilty Pleasures and I have too many to count.

I have to ask myself, when and how did it all start.  Was it falling in love with the word Smorgasbord on vacation or could have been when I sneaked an ample sip of my dad's Crown Royal on a cruise ship to the Caribbean?  Looking back, the High School years offered many innocent and indulging moments of self-serving guilt.
When I am at work I have Guilty Pleasure moments all day.  Today's guilty pursuit might be looking for Thanksgiving treats in the pastry department while everyone is in a staff meeting?  The answer to that question is easy, "Guilty as charged." It's fairly well known that I have a PhD in sneaking food guilt. Besides, I make much more sense after eating two pieces of Chef Ameerah's outrageously delicious sour cream coffee cake. When it's still warm, there's a third piece calling my name.

I have been known to find personal satisfaction with an occasional case of "First in line Guilt."  When I am traveling, especially with family, my guiltorious behavior might include sneaking to the front of check-in line when you have only 20 minutes to catch a flight to Portland to go Salmon fishing in Astoria  And why not take drastic measures...the security line at Philadelphia International can be longer than a football field? "Me first" guilt never gets old. Anyway, missing that flight to Oregon was not an option. We both know that!

Then there is Summertime Guilt. Imagine stopping by a Wawa on a scorching July afternoon where the asphalt is 900 degrees and all that can cool you down is a ice cold milk shake or two? There's no time to drive to Ray's Drive-in for a fix. You need that liquid ice cream rush now! Heat salvation is always free pass anywhere on Planet Guilty.

Self preservation is a Guilty-filled experience. Accept the truth and join the club!

Last sunrise in paradise...

While it's sad to leave such a beautiful place, we are excited to be returning home!

But before we go...one last sunrise:

Guilty is taking a break...

where the living is easy, ...

the sunrise's breathtaking, ...

and the pool and ocean become one and the same!

 Ahh paradise.

Guilty's Due....

Guilty...Guilty...GUILTYYYYYYYYYYYY... Those tropical winds are calling my name and I am so there.

Our trip to the Seaside Cottage at Round Hill is going to be a life defining moment in a truly legendary life.
Check out these photos of our vacation villa in Jamaica.  OMG

http://www.jamaicavillas.com/villa/seaside-cottage-at-round-hill/photos

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