Sweetie makes a movie: “Secrets and Toys”

Sweet  May 14

dalila 470x351 Sweetie makes a movie: Secrets and ToysOur pal Dalila Ali Rajah from “Cherry Bomb,” “Gray’s Anatomy” and lots of your favorite television shows wrote a rad movie. She’s trying to get it made. Here’s the story in her own words:

I am an actress, producer, mommy and activist. I have recently taken on the challenge of making one of my dreams come true. I am making a short film that I wrote. The amazing Cheryl Dunye (“Watermelon Woman,” “Stranger Inside,” “Mommy is Coming”) is directing, and Darryl Stephens (“Noah’s Arc,” “Private Practice,” “Big Gay Movie”) is starring with me.

The film is a funny, sexy, delightful short film about a mother and daughter who discover through a comedy of errors the secrets they have been keeping from each other. It’s fun, touching and shows some lovely diverse images of queer people of color. I would love your support in getting it made.

For many years I have spent most of my time mommy-ing my incredible daughter and giving the rest of my free hours to creating change in the world either through opportunities like Sweet’s voluntourism or by fighting for our equal rights as an activist. This is the first time I’m really stepping forward full tilt to do something that fulfills one of my dreams personally.

I would be honored to have your support of my film. It would mean so much to me. Partially from a very personal place where my two-year-old self always dreamed of doing this, and partially from a place of knowing how incredibly important visibility is, especially for queer people of color.

I was blessed to have a great support system of friends during my coming out process, but still found most of the media and even LGBT film lacking people who looked like me. Help me make a fun film that adds to the diverse stories of women in our community. For more information, please visit SecretsAndToys.com.

Nothing Sweeter than Candy

Sweet  May 2

candy 470x264 Nothing Sweeter than CandyThe No. 1 reason Sweet vacations are so awesome are the people we attract. Case in point, Sweetie of the Year nominee Candy Parker embodies our philosophy of debauchery and do-goodery to the Nth power. Since we met her on her 50th birthday in Isla Mujeres last year, she’s taken booked five more Sweet trips, done two community service projects, organized the creation of a charity cookbook to benefit the Cozumel Humane Society and written a story about her Sweet experience for Curve Magazine.

As a solo traveler, Candy was worried about coming on her own, but she quickly became the leader of a very wild pack of solos. Her friendliness is a magnet that draws in Sweeties, old and new. Read the rest of this entry »

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Actress, comedian, Sweetie: Meet “Shameless” Rakefet

Sweet  Apr 27

21 Actress, comedian, Sweetie: Meet Shameless RakefetEver wonder what it’s like to work on a film with Adam Sandler, Jennifer Anniston or Sasha Baron Cohen? Sweetie, actress and comedian Rakefet Abergel knows. With dozens of film, television and commercial credits, she’s making headway in Hollywood from “Shameless” to “iCarly.”

When did you start acting?
I’ve wanted to be an actress for as long as I (or anyone else) can remember. I must have come out of the womb singing show tunes. I always loved losing myself in a character or feeling the gaze of an audience on me. I lived for the excitement I felt backstage while doing a play or while performing self-choreographed dances and skits with my siblings. Read the rest of this entry »

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Sweet Hard Rock Vallarta

Sweet  Apr 23

hardrock vallarta Sweet Hard Rock Vallarta

We’re taking over the entire newly remodeled and rebranded five-star, all-you-can-eat-and-drink Hard Rock Vallarta (formerly Vallarta Palace). There’s a jacuzzi tub in every room, 24-hour room service, world-class spa, exquisite cuisine, friendly service and more.

Yes, it’s the same award-winning hospitality you’ve come to expect from Palace Resorts in a shiny new Hard Rock wrapper. We’re excited to be among the first to break in this resort.

Located in Nuevo Vallarta, our resort is the perfect springboard for a myriad of cultural, historical, ecological and lesbian-friendly activities in Mexico’s No. 1 LGBT hotspot. Your $1,500 per room at-resort credit covers most of these activities. Or use your credit for an indulgent spa day. It’s your vacation. Do what makes you feel good.

We’ll enjoy a stunning white sand beach with palapas galore, an ample beach front pool with swim up bar and all the debaucherous shenanigans you’ve come to expect from a Sweet vacation.

It’s our second time visiting the area. Our community service partners are excited to welcome us back for our signature do-goodery.

PRICING

SWEET DEALS FOR SWEETIES

  • $100 per person deposit starts your monthly payment plan
  • First 10 bookings of no view superior room receive upgrade to oceanview superior room ($400 value).
  • First 10 bookings to PAY IN FULL entered to win a presidential suite (up to $3,000 value). The odds are ever in your favor!
  • $1,500 at-resort credit for each room.
  • Special pricing in all categories. Prices go up May 7, 2012.
STANDARD ROOM

itemImage 50 Sweet Hard Rock VallartaBeautifully appointed in a charming colonial Mexican décor, each guestroom offers WiFi, marble baths with a separate shower and double Jacuzzi®, cozy bathrobes Enjoy the convenience of in room wine and liquor dispensers containing whiskey, tequila, rum and vodka. The mini-bar contains sodas, purified water, juices and domestic beer.

Each guestroom at Vallarta Palace features:

  • Television with satellite
  • Designer bath amenities
  • Bathrobes and slippers
  • Laptop size digital safe
  • Individually controlled A/C
  • Coffeemaker
  • Direct dial telephone, alarm clock, hair dryer, iron and ironing board
  • 24 hour room service and turndown service with rich pillowtop chocolates

No view: $1,699 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

SUPERIOR DELUXE ROOM

itemImage 53 Sweet Hard Rock Vallarta

  • 1 king or 2 double beds
  • Double Jacuzzi
  • French style balcony
  • Liquor dispenser contains whiskey, tequila, rum & vodka
  • Mini-bar containing sodas, bottled water, juices & domestic beer
  • In room wine
  • LCD TV with satellite
  • Purified Water
  • Bathrobes & Slippers
  • Digital safe
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Coffee Maker
  • Direct Dial telephone
  • Alarm Clock
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Wireless Internet
  • Turndown service

Ocean View: $2,099 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

No view: $1,899 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

CONCIERGE

itemImage 54 Sweet Hard Rock VallartaPamper yourself with Concierge level Ocean Front accommodation for two guests with all the luxurious amenities of Deluxe rooms plus upgraded liquor brands and two 25-minute massages at the beach or spa treatment rooms.

  • 1 King
  • Double Jacuzzi
  • French style balcony
  • Liquor Dispenser contains premium whiskey, tequila, rum & vodka
  • Mini bar contains sodas, bottled water, juices & domestic beer
  • Satellite TV
  • Ceiling fan
  • Purified water
  • iPod doc
  • nightly petit fours
  • pillow menu
  • Special 24-hour room service menu
  • L’Occitane Bath Amenities
  • Bathrobes & Slippers
  • Espresso / coffee maker
  • Digital safe
  • Individually-Controlled A/C
  • Direct Dial telephone
  • Alarm Clock
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Wireless Internet
  • Turndown Service

Ocean view: $2,299 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

SWEET SUITES

Indulge yourself completely with totally Sweet suite, where you’ll find plenty of room to relax and unwind in comfort and style. With pull-out sofas, you can add up to two additional people. Ask Julie for details.

  • 1 King
  • Double Jacuzzi
  • French style balcony
  • Living room w/ sofa bed
  • Dining room
  • Bathroom
  • Liquor Dispenser contains premium whiskey, tequila, rum & vodka
  • Mini bar contains sodas, bottled water, juices & domestic beer
  • Satellite TV
  • Ceiling fan
  • Purified water
  • Farouk Bath Amenities
  • Bathrobes & Slippers
  • Bathroom scale
  • Digital safe
  • Individually-Controlled A/C
  • Coffee maker
  • Direct Dial telephone
  • Alarm Clock
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Wireless Internet
  • Turndown Service

Emerald suite: $2,999 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

Sapphire suite: $2,799 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

All prices are per person double occupancy. Single supplement add $999.

Singles
If you’re traveling alone, we’ll either match you with a roommate or you can pay a $999 single supplement.

Sweet Hard Rock Vallarta Cancellation Policy
If you cancel 90 days or more prior to your vacation, we’ll move your non-refundable $100 deposit to another Sweet vacation and refund the balance of any payments above your deposit within 30 days of receiving
your cancellation. If you cancel 89 to 1 days prior to your vacation, we’ll move your paid balance to the vacation of your choosing less a $100 per guest administration fee.

To cancel, call us at 877.793.3830 or email us at boohoo@discoversweet.com.

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Club Sweet Cancun

Sweet  Apr 23

cancun2013 Club Sweet Cancun

Picture this: 700 Sweeties, white sand beaches, weather too hot for too many clothes, music fills the air and now, it’s your turn to learn how to fly. What? That’s right, it’s your time to defy gravity at our flying trapeze school!

We are taking over the entire resort!

Club Sweet gives new meaning to the term "all-inclusive" at our luxurious 4-trident resort by including tennis, sailing, windsurfing and, yes, flying trapeze lessons at no additional cost.

Add three restaurants, bottomless almost-whatever-you-want drinks, a giant central pool, waterskiing, wakeboarding, snorkeling, volleyball, basketball and our signature community service projects, it’s practically heaven on earth.

But wait, there’s more! This venue includes an amazing theater where we’ll enjoy the best lesbian music and comedy.

Another reason we love Club Med’s Cancun resort, it’s Eco-Certified and won the GREEN GLOBE Silver medal in 2010. That totally rocks.

Like Cozumel before it, we do expect this resort to sell out and it will never be more affordable than it is right now. Save your space today!

PRICING

SWEET DEALS FOR SWEETIES

  • $100 per person deposit starts your monthly payment plan
  • First 10 bookings of garden or lagoon view club room receive upgrade
    to ocean view club room ($400 value).
  • First 10 bookings to PAY IN FULL entered to win an ocean front suite
    (up to $1,400 value).
  • Special pricing in all categories. Prices go up May 7, 2012.
Club Room

A comfortable and stylish Club Room with lagoon, garden or the ocean views on the first, second and third floors of the buildings.

club room 470x280 Club Sweet Cancun
Ocean view: $1,999 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

lagoon view 470x280 Club Sweet Cancun
Lagoon / garden view: $1,799 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one person plus $999 single supplement)

 

FEATURES

  • Air-conditioning
  • Coffee machine
  • European electrical plugs/ 220 Volts
  • Flat-screen television(s)
  • Hair-dryer
  • Iron and ironing-board
  • Mini fridge
  • Radio alarm
  • Security boxes
  • Shower room.
  • Telephone
  • U.S. electrical plugs / 110 Volts
DELUXE ROOM

Pamper yourself in this luxurious deluxe ocean front oasis where you’ll enjoy nightly turndown service, a plush bathrobe, cozy slippers, upgraded toiletries and a welcome gift.

deluxe 470x280 Club Sweet Cancun

Ocean front: $2,199 per person
Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy ($2,199 plus $999 single supplement)

 

FEATURES

  • Air-conditioning
  • Coffee machine
  • European electrical plugs/ 220 Volts
  • Flat-screen television(s)
  • Hair-dryer
  • Ironing kit (Deluxe rooms only)
  • Mini Bar (deluxe rooms only)
  • Radio alarm
  • Security boxes
  • Shower room
  • Telephone
  • U.S. electrical plugs / 110 Volts
SUITES

Enjoy a vast ocean view or ocean front room in which to indulge all your vacation whims plus a staff to cater to you in this exclusive 5-trident space.

suite 470x282 Club Sweet Cancun

Ocean view or ocean front: $2,599 per person

Double occupancy (two guests)

 

Single occupancy (one guest plus $999 single supplement)

 

FEATURES

  • Air-conditioning
  • Coffee machine
  • Flat-screen television(s)
  • Hair-dryer
  • Internet connection
  • Ironing kit
  • Mini Bar
  • Radio alarm
  • Security boxes
  • Shower room
  • Telephone
  • U.S. electrical plugs / 110 Volts

SERVICES

  • Concierge Service
  • Continental Breakfast
  • Daily turndown service
  • Bathrobe and slippers in room
  • Deluxe toiletries
  • Mini bar filled and restocked daily (soft drinks)
  • Access to the private pool in the Jade building
  • Delivery of bags to room
  • Champagne served by the glass from 6 to 11pm

All prices are per person double occupancy. Single supplement add $999.

Singles
If you’re traveling alone, we’ll either match you with a roommate or you can pay a $999 single supplement.

Club Sweet Cancun Cancellation Policy
If you cancel 90 days or more prior to your vacation, we’ll move your non-refundable $100 deposit to another Sweet vacation and refund the balance of any payments above your deposit within 30 days of receiving your cancellation. If you cancel 89 to 1 days prior to your vacation, we’ll move your paid balance to the vacation of your choosing less a $100 per guest administration fee.

To cancel, call us at 877.793.3830 or email us at boohoo@discoversweet.com.

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Sweet South African Safari

Sweet  Apr 23

sweetSAsafari Sweet South African Safari

316340 2591307820731 1195707704 3115014 1338100812 n 88x88 Sweet South African Safari

Join Sweet for a luxurious and unforgettable journey through South Africa. From the urban jungle to the wild savannah, we’ll explore the best of South Africa with our expert guide Jody Cole, whose passion for Africa has transformed her life and the lives of those she meets. Prepare to have the time of your life in one of the most amazing places on earth.

Meet your Sweet guide Jody Cole on Facebook

ITINERARY
September 15, 2013: Welcome to Cape Town!
You will be met on arrival and transferred to More Quarters (20 min), where you’ll spend four nights in your very own luxury one-bedroom apartment. More Quarters offers guests a stay in Cape Town which combines the benefits of a hotel with the independence of a luxury apartment. Its charm and character is matched with its desirable location amongst the popular restaurants, street cafes and stylish boutique shops of the vibrant Kloof Street, making this hotel a unique leader in Cape Town. Breakfast included everyday. Welcome dinner included. Otherwise, all meals and drinks are on own. Laundry service available for an additional fee.

Sept 16, 2013: Cape Peninsula Tour
We’ll enjoy some of the world’s most spectacular views as we explore the fishing villages that dot the Atlantic coast. Keep your eyes peeled for Cape Fur seals.

Sept 17, 2013: Winelands Tour
We’ll visit world-class vineyards and wineries, taste award-winning wine and savour the natural beauty of South Africa’s wine country.

Sept 18, 2013: Community Service with African Impact
We’ll spend the day exploring Cape Town and a few hours doing community service with locals.

Sept 19, 2013: Travel from More Quarters to Cape Town Airport
All aboard, Flight SA 8663 to Kruger Mpumalanga departing! Today, we’re moving from Cape Town to the Manyeleti Reserve. Literally, “place of the stars,” Manyeleti will shine brighter with an infusion of Sweeties at it’s luxury tented camp, Honeyguide Mantobeni, where we’ll spend three nights enjoying top-of-the-line tented rooms,
all-you-can-eat-and-drink, amazing service and prime Big 5 viewing from best-of-class safari vehicles. Lunch and dinner not included on travel days. Otherwise, all your meals and beverages are included (except top shelf and imports). Complimentary laundry service.

Sept 22, 2013: Travel from Honeyguide to Lion Sands in the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It’s raining elephants, hallelujah! You don’t get much better than a luxury, all-inclusive chalet where you have a 100 percent chance of seeing an elephant or a rhino and an 80 percent chance of seeing all the Big 5 in one place. Plus I used the words “luxury” and “all-inclusive,” so you know you’re in for a treat. We’ll spend three nights enjoying the first-class service and animal viewing. Lunch and dinner not included on travel days. Otherwise, all your meals and beverages are included (except top shelf and imports). Complimentary laundry service.

Sept 25, 2013: Head home or extend your stay
All good things must come to an end, but not before an early morning game drive followed by breakfast. After our breakfast, we’ll take the scenic route to Kruger Mpumalanga where we’ll fly to Johannesburg for more adventures or a long flight home. Don’t worry, you’ll dream about elephants the whole way back. You’re going to love the elephants. They are like giant dogs, except you can’t pet them.

We’ll offer two ways to extend your trip: A two-day Johannesburg city tour, where you can explore Soweto Township and visit the Apartheid Museum and / or three nights at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. C’mon, you know you want to say you went to Zimbabwe. It’s so fun to say. Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe. Pricing and details to be announced.

PRICING
SWEET DEAL FOR SWEETIES
• $100 per person deposit starts your monthly payment plan (normally $750).
• First 10 to book receive a $200 airfare credit!

$8,950 per person
deposit: $750 per person
Minimum: 10 guests
Maximum: 24 guests
All deposits must be received by Jan. 1, 2013. All payments due May 15, 2013. There is no single supplement for this vacation.

 

FLIGHTS
We are working on a deal for our group. Please do NOT book your flights until you receive flight instructions from us in January 2013.

INCLUDES

  • Expert guide, total Sweetie and owner of Wild Rainbow African Safaris Jody Cole
  • Luxury accommodations at More Quarters, Honeyguide and Lion Sands
  • All meals unless otherwise indicated
  • All game viewing activities: morning and evening game drives and walks
  • All local brand drinks
  • All ground transportation and airport transfers as noted
  • Flight from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga
  • Flight from Kruger Mpumalanga to Johannesburg

EXCLUDES

  • International airfare from your home airport to Capetown and Johannesburg to your home airport
  • Passports, visas and permits (details will be provided)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommendend for a vacation of this caliber)
  • Immunization, inoculation and medication (details will be provided)
  • All other items of a personal nature
  • All services not specified above
  • Additional / extra activities
  • Beverages not considered local (top shelf and imported)
  • Optional tipping or gratuities

NOTES

  • Prices are subject to change without notice due to supplier, government bed levy, sales tax, VAT, fuel and any other unforeseen increases. We will provide you with as much notice as possible.
  • Shared Light aircraft chartered flights carry a luggage restriction of 35 pounds in total (carry-on and checked) per person in soft-sided bags only.

PASSPORT INFORMATION
No visa is required for South Africa; however, you need at least six blank pages in your passport. Additionally, your passport must not expire within six months of your return home.

IMMUNIZATIONS
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control web site for the latest information at CDC.gov.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to the cost of this vacation, a $750 per person non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking.

Life sometimes throws us curve balls (or hits us with pitches). No one cancels an amazing African safari for a happy reason. We want your cancellation experience to be as sweet as possible.

Our cancellation charges are determined by contracts we’ve entered into on your behalf with hotels, safari camps/lodges and local airlines. They charge us a cancellation fee, if we cancel a booking. Sweet does not mark up our cancellation fees. We work hard to minimize these charges with our vendors. If you have to cancel your Sweet South African Safari, do not delay calling us. We don’t want to charge you for a vacation you’re not going to take. Seriously, it will really bum us out.

Here are the cancellation fees for our Sweet South African Safari:

  • If you cancel 130 days or more prior to your vacation, we’ll move your non-refundable deposit to another Sweet vacation and refund the balance of any payments above your deposit within 30 days of receiving your cancellation
  • If you cancel 129 to 61 days prior to your vacation, you’ll pay a cancellation fee equal to 50 percent of the total cost of the vacation per person and receive a refund for the remaining balance you’ve paid.
  • If you cancel 60 days prior to the start of your vacation, you’ll pay a cancellation fee equal to 100 percent of the total cost of the vacation per person. Do not do this. If you do, please tell me you bought the travel insurance. It’s a small price to pay to protect yourself.

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