1. Have Travel Hostess book really cheap flights so no one has any excuses to not attend.
2. Give Travel Hostess her "Official Wand" thus renaming her "The Queen." This wand can be used for any and all reasons the Queen decides. (ie- not following a rule previously published in the "Official Rule Book of Women's Retreat.")
3. Misbehave on plane, thereby bringing joy to all those around you.
4. Upon arrival at destination, go immediately to deck to see and hear the ocean. It matters not if it is cold- you must sit on deck and partake in ritual of passing out the "weekend survival kits."
5. Survival items include but not limited to: Tiaras, Feather Boa's, Scarves, jewelery, Flasks, Bookmarks, Flip Flops, Name Tags (in case you forget who you are at any point during weekend.)
6. You must put on and model as many survival items as you possibly can at once....
(D does a fine job of displaying multiple items....)
(C has it going on too.....)
(Have you noticed how color coordinated everyone is? The Queen has special powers and did a fabulous job in making everyone look their best. Even if a little wind blown, M looks special.)
7. Now this next step is very important. You should have chosen a beverage of choice for the weekend. It is okay to choose more than one, but really, don't over do it. Less is more and it just gets too complicated once you have to keep running to the "Beverage" store. And for heaven's sake, check on their hours before driving all over Hwy 17 in search of ingredients. Our choice for the weekend came down to a Day time Beverage and a Night Time Beverage-
Bloody Mary's for when the sun is up and Cosmo's for after sundown.... this little number was extra spicy and very delicious.
I might add, this beverage is a necessity for early morning sunrises. (Don't M's nails look beautiful? She had a pre-retreat manicure and I must say, it was well worth it!)
8. Wear comfy shoes/flip flops and be prepared to spend the day shopping!!
Walk at brisk pace as there are many stores that need visiting.
9. Eat lunch, (we have to keep our strength up...) have waitress personally bring out each and every dessert on the menu to help us decide what we'll order to go, have waitress stand on chair to take photo so gravity is working for us, leave restaurant to continue shopping, knowing that once again our little group has brought joy to all those around us.
10. Try on and buy as many shoes as possible. (Consider ways to use this photo for blackmail in the future.)
11. Return home from shopping, display purchases on table, make beverage and peruse purchased items at leisure.
12. Decide sunny day spent on beach trumps day trip to Charleston. Read, Relax, walk on the beach-in no particular order or time schedule...
Collect sea shells, sea glass, watch for dolphins....
Let the sun shine down and warm you down to your little pedicured toes...
Enjoy the sights, wishing this was your reality, knowing you probably wouldn't appreciate it as much if it was.....
Meet a real "surfer dude" and ask him to apply for job as personal cabana boy....
Toast to a fabulous time, fun and friendship....
Admire sparkly things a hypothetical friend made you purchase...
Say goodbye to the beach....
Cherish the new memories made and look forward to new ones to come!!
A big thank you to all my girl getaway pals- I had a wonderful time- I laughed until I cried (not piddled, M.) and came home refreshed and ready to carry on....Thanks to my family for helping me get away....Looking forward to adding to the rule book next year! XOXOXO