Girl’s Night Out at the Florida Film Festival

Join me in Orlando for Opening Night of the Florida Film Festival. Celebrate with us on Friday, March 27 at the Enzian Theater to enjoy a fabulous night of film, sumptuous tastings and the beautiful Garden of Eden. After the Opening Film at 6:30 p.m., we will indulge in the Opening Night VIP Party (8:30 - 11:30 p.m.) where master chefs dish delightfully sinful morsels of aphrodisiac-themed, eclectic cuisines paired with superb wines. The evening's celebrity guests include Food Network sensation and master Iron Chef Cat Cora (pictured), along with the founding father of New World Cuisine Norman Van Aken. Tickets to this exclusive event are $100 and can be purchased by visiting http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=4gedgxcab.0.0.d4prjecab.0&ts=S0378&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpurchase.tickets.com%2Fbuy%2FTicketPurchase%3Fagency%3DTDC%26pid%3D6435529&id=preview.

Do Women Want "Women-Only" Floors?

We've heard the ongoing conversation about women-only hotel floors, which recently re-surfaced when Forbes ran the article “Women-Only Hotels Heat Up." According to the magazine, The Premier Hotel in New York’s Times Square has set aside one entire floor for women guests, so that women “wouldn’t have to worry about packing every little additional thing,” says the hotel’s general manager.

According to Forbes, the “Premier’s women-only rooms come with curling and flat irons, bath salts and loofahs, nail files, a vanity kit, yoga mats and women’s magazines (O, Self, Cosmopolitan) — all at no additional cost. The bathtub is oversized, and there’s a stool at the sink (with makeup lighting) so women can sit while doing their face.”

And The Premier isn’t alone as other hotels are adding women-only floors. But, if this is such a good idea, then why have some hotels scratched the idea of female-only floors? About two years ago Marriott made a complete turnaround after announcing that there would be a female-only floor in its new hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan citing legal issues versus gender preferences.

Our main question: Do women really want their own hotel floors?

Love In 90 Days?

My friend, Dr. Diana Kirschner's one-women PBS Pledge Special, Finding Your Own True Love, based on her book, Love in 90 Days, will start airing this weekend. For more details, visit www.LoveIn90Days.com.

Bringing Art & Culture to Small-Town America

My fantastic mother, Jeri, is the current president of the Highlands Museum of the Arts (MOTA). Mota recently held their very first National Juried Art Competition, which is no easy task with a small museum, small budget and in a small town. Congratulations to mom and her girlfriends (the PMSers) for all of their success with bringing art and culture to a small town community. I am so proud of you!

PHOTO: Jeri Wohl observes while Judge Ken Rollins reveals the winners.

Enjoy Girls Night Out at "Lady in Red" Event

Join me Sunday, Feb. 22 in Tampa at The Palm Restaurant (205 Westshore Plaza) for the exclusive Lady in Red Event from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. We will celebrate an evening of pampering for women complete with hors d’oeuvres, dessert and complimentary Red Velvet Cake Martinis made with Stoli Vanilla Vodka. Complimentary valet parking is available. Co-hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue. Tickets are $30 per person and a portion of the proceeds will benefit “1 Voice”. For more information, contact Mayra at (813) 849-7256 or malvarado@ThePalm.com. Hope to see you there!

Spa Week's YouTube Challenge!!

Spa fans, show us what you’re made of! Tell the world why you and a few of your friends deserve a day of beauty, courtesy of Spa Week. In your own creative way, make a video telling us why you should win, upload it to YouTube and send the link to videos@spaweek.com. Sing it, dance it, make puppets, include your friends – the limits are endless.

Just follow these steps:
Create a 2-3 minute video on why you deserve to win a day of beauty courtesy of Spa Week
Upload your video to your YouTube account (if you don’t have one, make one. It’s free & easy)
Email the link to videos@spaweek.com
The favorites will be notified and added to the Spa Week YouTube Channel.
The video with the most views wins, so tell everyone to watch!
The deadline is Friday, March 6th so get to it!

Thank You Mandy!

Many thanks to my amazing friend Mandy (or as some know her "MM"). She is not only a fabulous person and friend, but she is THE best tour guide in Nashville. Carly & I cannot thank you enough. We love you!

Goodbye Nashville!

A Taste of Nashville

Carly and I were excited to sit front row at BB Kings (http://www.bbkingclubs.com/) for a concert that is part of the Music City Soul Series. We were completely impressed by Damien Horne (http://www.damienhorne.com/) as his amazing lyrics and incredible dance moves entertained the entire audience.

Looking for a quiet, relaxing evening with some good wine, we went to Café Nonna (http://www.cafenonna.com/) for dinner one night. After a fried calamari appetizer, I chose their signature dish, the Lasagna Nonna (layers of butternut squash, spinach, sage and ricotta cheese). It was delicious! I also dined at Bricktops (http://www.westendrestaurants.com/) and enjoyed their grilled artichoke and the ahi tuna salad. Across the street from Bricktops, I sampled a few appetizers during a meeting at Rumba.

Voted Best Nashville Caterer in 2008, we stopped for a bite to eat at the Copper Kettle Café (http://www.copperkettlenashville.com/), Mandy’s choice for best Sunday brunch.

Getting Trashed Nash Trash Style!

Carly and I had so much fun during our Nash Trash tour with the Jugg Sisters (http://www.nashtrash.com/). These crazy “sisters” take guests on a 90-minute tour of downtown Nashville on their pink bus with zany performances and jokes galore! We laughed the entire time…even as the Juggs jokingly referred to us as the Travel Lesbians (not there is anything wrong with that). Our next stop was the home of the Tennessee Titans, LP Field. We got the backstage, VIP tour of where the Titans magic happens…even their locker room and showers, which oddly fascinated us. It was cool to see where the owners sit and the VIP boxes for famous country music stars. Our last tour included a stop at the Country Music Hall of Fame (http://www.countrynusichalloffame.com/) where are favorite memorabilia was Elvis’ gold Cadillac and Faith Hill’s dress from her VH1 Divas Live performance.

Hold On - It's Valentine's Day!

On Valentine’s Day, I cooked breakfast (which is the only thing I can cook), made Bloody Jeri’s (named after my mom) and gave the girls their V-Day gifts, then it was off to take in some shopping in the 12th South area. We visited Katy K Ranch Dressing (http://www.katyk.com/) for vintage western wear, Moda Boutique (http://www.modanashville/) for the latest fashion trends and Serendipity (http://www.serendipity12th.com/) for some funky finds. After the shopping, we went to Elan Skin & Laser Center (http://www.elannashville.com/) to take advantage of the 50% off facials. After facials, there was more shopping as we made our way over to the Hill Center at Green Hills and shopped at Posh Boutique (http://www.poshonline.com/) and Francesca’s (http://www.francescascollections.com/).

After getting take out at Pei Wei (www.PeiWei.com), we headed home to get ready for our big Valentine’s Day evening. We were very excited to see the Nashville Predators (http://predators.nhl.com/) take on the Boston Bruins in a hockey game at the Sommet Center. After all, nothing says “I love you” like a great hockey fight!

After the game, we made our way to Lower Broadway to the infamous “Honky Tonks.” After a string of country songs, the band played Jimmy Buffett for the Florida girls and we felt like we were at home. Not to get too comfortable in one place, we made our way over to the Cadillac Ranch (http://www.cadillacranchnashville.com/) where I decided it would be a good idea to ride the mechanical bull. After 34 seconds of thrashing around and barely hanging on, I jumped off and ordered another drink. The girls and I proved that you really can have a great Valentine's Day with those special girlfriends in you life. I love you all and wish you a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend!

Have You Tasted Wine From Your Birth Year?

For the past four years I have been going to Nashville for girls getaways and I always find something new to do. For this trip, Carly and I stayed with my friend Mandy, who lives in Nashville. Our first evening in town entailed dinner at Tom Black’s house. Tom is considered the unofficial mayor of Nashville and is regarded internationally as a wine expert. As you can imagine, wine tasting with Tom is quite a treat, especially when you can explore his two never ending home wine cellars and select a wine from your birth year. I selected a Latour from 19?? and Mandy selected a Bordeaux from 19??. They were both wonderful! Tom is very involved with Nashville charities and offers his wine expertise and home to help non profits raise money and awareness for important issues. During the trip, I found out that he donated dinner at his home with Martina McBride and her husband and Brooks & Dunn and their spouses that sold for $80,000 at a charity auction. We felt very privileged and honored to dine with Tom.

Join Me on Best Life Barb Show on Valentine's Day!

On Saturday, Feb. 14 (Valentine's Day), tune in to radio station 1190 WAMT Orlando from 10:00-11 a.m. when I do a live interview from a Girls Getaway to Nashville with “Best Life Barb” and “Sweet Lou.” The Best Life Barb Show is all about the BEST of the BEST whether it be food, drink, products, services, or even relationships. After appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Barb Simon (aka Best Life Barb) helps listeners LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE. Best Life Barb and Sweet Lou offer advice and encouragement to their listeners. They also offer the best guests on radio that can help listeners live their best lives. To listen tune your radio to 1190 WAMT Orlando, or go to www.bestlifebarb.com and press the button that says LISTEN LIVE.

Spa Week Loves Girls Getaway Guide

Many thanks to Spa Week Blog (http://www.spaweekblog.com/) for listing the Girls Getaway Guide blog on their list of "Blogs We Love." Check out this great blog for amazing spa deals! We love Spa Week too!

Nashvegas Here We Come

One more research trip to go and the Girls Getaway Guide to Nashville will be on its way to the printer. Nicknamed Nashvegas for all of its “bling,” Nashville is one of my favorite cities and I cannot wait to go back.

To follow me during my trip, go to www.Twitter.com/GetawayGirl to sign up for text message updates live from Nashville.

ARGH....We Were Invaded By Pirates

The girls and I had so much fun at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa last weekend. The annual event re-creates a real pirate invasion with the "kidnapping" of the Mayor of Tampa and infiltration of pirates throughout the Tampa Bay area. We watched the huge pirate ship "invade" us around noon as cannons were blarring, then the parade started around 2PM. It was fun to see all of the "Krewes" with their floats and the festive costumes and decorations that make this event so unique.

PHOTO: Meghan, Casey Wohl & Casey Wells with Armando of the Santiago Krewe.

The Getaway Girl on The Daily Buzz

FINALLY!!! I got the video posted from my Dec. 29 appearance on The Daily Buzz TV show, which is a nationally syndicated morning news program and is one of the fastest growing syndicated shows in America. It is currently carried in 148 markets, encompasses 39% of American TV audiences and is broadcast every weekday morning. To see the clip, visit www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net/News.html.

Join Casey Wohl at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa

Ask any Tampa resident and they will tell you that Gasparilla means boats, pirates, parades, concerts, merriment and more. The name and foundation of Tampa's traditional Gasparilla Pirate Fest come from legendary pirate Jose' Gaspar, "last of the Buccaneers," who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the late 18th and early 19th century.

Hope to see you in Tampa this weekend. For more information, visit http://www.gasparillapiratefest.com/.

Casey Wohl Listed on "101 Women Bloggers to Watch for 2009" List

WOW! What an amazing honor! Due to the wonderful success of the Girls Getaway Guide blog, I was listed as one of the "101 Women Bloggers to Watch for 2009." Many thanks to WE Magazine (http://www.wemagazineforwomen.com/) for this honor. There are several very cool blogs/bloggers listed on this site, so be sure to check it out.

Many thanks to Cheryl Isaac (http://www.startupbiztalk.com/) who let me know we are both featured on the list.

Interested in Quirky Marketing?

Interested in Quirky Marketing? Check out 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays, an eBook by Heidi Richards Mooney.

Quirky marketing is not about your run-of-the-mill everyday marketing tactic. It is more than that. It is a combination of the creative, zany and off-the-wall. It’s the ordinary marketing tactics taken to a new level - to create a more inspired, fun and interesting process for marketing products and services. In the Quirky Marketing Calendar you will discover 12 months of quirky, zany and creative marketing ideas from around the globe.

For more information, please visit http://www.quirkyoffer.com/.

Go Red for Women - Remember Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day

Remeber to wear red tomorrow for National Wear Red Day. With female bonding and travel a rising trend, the opportunity to educate women in these groups continues to rise. One of the top activities during a girl’s getaway is to spend time with friends and exchange information. An important piece of information that all women should be talking about is the dangers of heart disease in women.

More women die from heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) than men, yet many women do not realize they are at risk. These diseases kill more women each year than the next five causes of death combined.

The contributing factors for this epidemic include:
*Lack of Knowledge
*Treatment Disparities
*Information Gap

In Florida alone, heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are the #1 killer of women; heart disease and stroke account for 33.4% of all female deaths in the state; nearly 76 women die from heart disease and stroke each day, on average; heart disease alone is the leading cause of death, accounting for 22,265 female deaths in the state in 2005; stroke is the #3 cause of female deaths in the state and accounted for 5,359 women’s deaths in 2005; more than 53% of women in Florida are overweight and obese; and 17.5% of Florida women smoke cigarettes.

Top 5 Things to Do Before Girls Getaway to Nashville

My friend Mandy emailed us the "Top Five Things To Do Before Our Girls Getaway to Nashville." Thought I'd share her list...it will no doubt be a fun trip:

1. Practice the gyrating moves Beyonce’ does in her video for “Single Ladies.”
2. Memorize the new Britney Spears album (so that we can all effectively sing “All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus” when we are in the middle of the dance floor).
3. Prepare your loved ones for the fact that you may not be coming home
4. Freshen up your karaoke set list…in case we make it to Lonnie’s one night
5. I was watching the movie Top Gun last night and it inspired me to want a call name (i.e. Maverick, Goose, Iceman). We should come up with “call names” for us.

Stay tuned! We leave in one week!

Girls Getaway to Montana

June 30 – July 5; July 7-12 & July 21-26
Girls Getaway to Montana, Livingston, MT

Overlooking the magnificent Absaroka Mountains of Southwest Montana, the Flatpenny Inn will play host to three fabulous girl’s getaways on 20 private acres. Just 23 miles from the Bozeman Airport and close to Yellowstone, this Inn is perfect for a summer getaway. All transportation, meals and a daily four-mile hike are included. The July 4 weekend will host the Livingston Roundup Rodeo and hundreds of professional cowboys will inundate this charming town. Limited to 6 girls per weekend. For more details and to register, visit http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/montana.html

Lady in Red Charity Event, Tampa - Feb. 22

Join us on Feb. 22 for a great Girls Day Out at The Palm Restaurant in Tampa (205 Westshore Plaza) as we come together to raise funds for 1Voice (www.1VoiceFoundation.org), a charity charged with battling childhood cancer. Saks Fifth Avenue will co-host and provide make-up and hair stylists, and the chef at The Palm is preparing a very special menu. Enjoy live music and a fabulous day with your girlfriends to benefit a great cause. For more details, call (813) 849-7256.

Recessionary Living Trend Alters Travel Interests

Experts say one of the top trends we will see in 2009 is that of recessionary living. Americans will look for long-term value, not just short-term happiness. In addition, they will place a higher value on quality versus quantity and we will see a movement where money loses prominence in people’s lives and is replaced with stability, peace of mind and sustainability.

Travel experts also see these trends spilling over into the $200 million girlfriend getaway market. Girls Getaway Guide series author and The Getaway Girl™ Casey Wohl has already noticed much more interest in girls getaway trips that cater to improving one’s mind, body and spirit and a decrease in the interest in getaways that focus on shopping and self-indulgence.

“In early January we released several of our trips for the year and had a lot of inquiries about the Girls Getaway to Montana and the Girls Ranch Getaway,” Wohl said. “In fact, we have already added two additional weekends to the Montana trip and are considering adding at least one more ranch weekend.”

The Girls Getaway to Montana will provide exercise with a personal trainer, side trips to Yellowstone National Park, white water rafting and other nature-based activities. The Girls Ranch Getaway will provide rest and relaxation on a 5,000 Florida cattle ranch, which will include movie night, cooking demonstrations, exercise and nature-based activities, including wildlife observation.

“It is apparent that women still want to travel and spend time with their girlfriends, but the current economy has shifted everyone’s priorities and vacation interests,” Wohl said.