Trip to the Beach!

Happy Monday everyone! We had a great weekend which included 1. a lot of work, 2. a trip through the mountains 3. on the way to the beach and 4. the Super Bowl. I have been waiting for awhile now to get a short break from work to be able to make a trip to the beach. We've been keeping very busy and with Valentine's Day right around the corner there has been a lot to prepare and get ready for that big day. Saturday night we had one of our employees close the last hour by himself so we could attend the alternative service offered at the church we have been attending. Sunday mornings we usually have one of the employees open so that we are able to attend church. This Sunday, since we had already gone on Saturday night, we were going to try a different church nearby that has caught our eye. Well, turns out, our employee's alarm didn't go off and therefore he was an hour late...sooo...new church was almost over by the time our employee arrived at the store. Instead of arriving with 20 minutes left in the service we decided to take a drive up in to the mountains. The view overlooking Lake Elsinore was amazing!

 I love the view of the lake and seeing the mountains in the distance! Gorgeous!



Since we were already on this accidental and unplanned road trip.......not to mention already 3/4 way up the mountain.....we decided to keep driving. The view driving through the mountains was amazing!! (Not so fun on the driving part...lots of turns and narrow roads...but the view was worth it....(especially since my wonderful husband was driving..and not I=))

After driving a little ways and realizing we still had a couple hours before we needed to be back at the store, we decided to go to the beach! (Yay!!) Not to mention, and all Midwestern-ers don't hate me now :S....the 80 degree weather yesterday made it perfect!

It was great! I only wish we could have had more time to spend here instead of going back to work...maybe next time! Also, I'm not really sure how it happens, somehow whenever we randomly decide to go to the beach...I'm always wearing heels...not the most beach appropriate shoe.

After our quick random trip to the beach we headed back so I could work the afternoon while Rob got to enjoy the Super Bowl. One final picture of us on top of Lake E.

Have a great week everyone!!

Chocolate World

Can you believe it's already February? I can't believe that in less than 2 weeks it is already Valentine's Day. V-Day is a big deal when you're in the chocolate business! I am so excited and I love getting everything together for this special holiday! Heart shaped boxes, lots of chocolate dipped strawberries, and truffle assortments!

As most of you know, we also just had our Re-Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony this past Friday. In addition to this event we also decided to take on some hefty remodeling projects in order to give the store a new look! Three days before the event we hired painters to take down the wallpaper and paint. We updated the lighting in and hung neat pendant lights! Also, we received our RMCF graphics in the nick of time (2 hours before the event), but with the wonderful help of the mall we were able to get them hung up just in time! So in short, the store is looking a lot different and a lot more 21st century! I love the new look! The event went off with a bang and we are soooo thankful for all of the mall management staff as well as Craig School of Business staff who was able to be here and be a part of this event with us! You were all a huge help, thank you so much!

In other news, I'm looking so forward to my friend Kari Haywood's visit from the bitter temperatures of the north east! Only a little more than 2 weeks away and we'll get to see Midwestern faces again! Wahoo!! I don't mind sharing the sunny Californian weather, not at all! Come one, come all!

I included some pictures of the remodel process:

The original look (wallpaper, shelves, and all)

Goodbye wallpaper and dated lighting.

Hello paint, graphics, and new lighting!

Hope everyone is doing well and all the Midwestern-ites are keeping warm! I'm sending warm thoughts your way!