Always Going Back: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

January 4, 2019 / Travel / 2 Comments

Red chenille sweater; Apparis coat; Spanx leggings; Free People scarf and hat; Hunter boots and boot socks; Zac Zac Posen handbag; Ray-Ban sunglasses SheIn sweater (c/o – 20% off with code Nik20); Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Free People scarf; Zara hat (similar here); Carve Designs coat; Ray-Ban sunglasses Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Carve Designs coat; Free People scarf and hat; Ray-Ban sunglasses – view from the deck at The Bird Sleigh ride through the National Elk Reserve Flights at Snake River Brewing The Wort Hotel Madewell jeans; SheIn sweater and teddy coat (20% off with code Nik20); Marc Fisher OTK boots (on major sale); similar plaid scarves; Zac Zac Posen handbag; Amazon hat; Ray-Ban sunglasses – shot at the Wort Hotel A couple of weeks ago, Eric and I and a few friends headed back to one of our favorite spots on the planet: Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Eric had been to this magical place before, but I first experienced it with him and a couple of friends last December. We had so much fun that we decided to make it an annual thing, head there every December with whatever friends wanted to go. Buuut, then we couldn’t wait that long and decided to check out Jackson in the summertime too. Both seasons were amazing, both worth seeing.

This year we once again found ourselves in the penthouse at the White Buffalo Club. (I highlighted that in this post, and while it sounds and is way bougie, it’s so ideal and actually affordable for a group.) When people ask why we love Jackson so much, it’s really hard to pin it down. This trip, we roamed, we listened to live music, some skied or snowboarded, I once again met up with Erin to snap a few photos, we ate ALL the food, and mostly, had all the laughs. Below are a few tried and true favorites and a couple of new spots that we loved.

Breakfast at Persephone Bakery – The last couple of times that we visited Jackson, we picked up a few delicious pastries from Persephone, but this time, Erin suggested trying the full-on breakfast menu there after we shot a few photos around town. And OH MAN. It’s pretty much a full menu of everything I want to eat for breakfast. I was seriously tempted by the bread pudding French toast, thought hard about the shakshuka, and eventually landed on the Scone Skillet (a gussied-up version of biscuits and gravy) and had no regrets.

Dinner at The Silver Dollar Bar at The Wort Hotel – During our first full day, most members of our group were snowboarding, so when it came time for dinner, we were all pretty beat. (We even had tickets for a concert in Teton Village that night that we opted to skip.) So we picked an old favorite that we stop in once (or several times) every time we visit Jackson. The Silver Dollar Bar is a comfy spot with live music, friendly staff, and hearty food to keep you warm, and we always eat in the bar where it’s casual and cozy. I usually go for the chili, but a friend ordered the beef pot pie which was the table favorite.

Breakfast at Cafe Genevieve – Be still my Southern heart, Cafe Genevieve was just as good as I remembered. It’s seriously the coziest little cafe that feels like you’re in someone’s home, and the menu is packed full of things I want to order. This time we slept in a bit so I was feeling more of a lunch mood. The grilled cheese and tomato soup did not disappoint, and neither did the bloody Mary complete with candied bacon. YUM!

Beer flights at Snake River Brewing – With full bellies and a few free days ahead of us, we set out to explore, and what do you know, after a swing through Town Square, I led our group right over to Snake River Brewing. I remembered that when we visited the year before, there was a wood-burning fire so that we could warm up while having a local brew. This year, the fireplace was empty, but the $15 beer flights (and a giant soft pretzel for me) kept our group happy for a while.

Lunch or afternoon snacks at Bin 22 – This favorite little wine market is only about a block or two from The White Buffalo Club, so obviously we found ourselves back at the Bin…several times. Grab a bottle of wine for the road, or sit down and stay a while with meats, cheeses, and small plates. Eric fell in love with the oxtail soup here this trip, made everyone go back the next day to try it, and has been raving about it ever since. I can’t really speak on the oxtail soup (I didn’t try it, sorry!), but I was super jazzed on the housemade meatball.

Dinner at The Blue Lion – This one was a new one for us. It came highly recommended and is located literally about 10 steps from our door at the White Buffalo Club, so it was a no-brainer for dinner one night. It’s a dinner-only spot situated in an old house and has live acoustic guitar music most nights – basically, it’s cute AF. Most of our group had the lamb or the elk and enjoyed it, and I loved the trout amandine. We would definitely go back here on future trips.

Brunch at The Bird – Bird, bird, bird…Bird is the word. Eric and I LOVED stopping into The Bird over the summer, and on this trip, it was a collective group favorite again. We Ubered over to The Bird (it’s a bit out of town) and ended up spending more than a couple of hours watching the snow, catching a couple of games, mimosa-ing, and (duh) eating the dank ass food. For me, the burgers are where it’s at, and with a ton of options to choose from, I’m going with the American cheese, grilled onion, and fried egg covered Slue. Don’t judge me. And once you’re fat, full, and happy, hop in their shuttle for a free ride home.

Sleigh ride through the National Elk Reserve – Jackson is home to a huge National Elk Reserve, and the last time that I ventured into it, we were a little too early for the elk. For this trip, though, we were right on time, so we took a horse-drawn sleigh through the reserve. The whole tour took about an hour, and while it was admittedly a little uneventful at times, we did get to see some pretty big elk up close and personal which made it totally worth the $25 (per person) we spent. Also a side note: bundle up because it’s COLD in the winter.

Drinks and chili at the Rustic Inn – After the sleigh ride we headed across the street to the Rustic for a drink before dinner and mostly to thaw out. The bar slash restaurant area is tiny but so cozy, and the staff that we met was super friendly. The whole inn (resort really) is situated creekside and boasts some pretty sweet creekside rooms and cabins. Eric and I hadn’t even heard about this place before, but we’ve decided we definitely want to try and stay here on a future trip.

Apps at Snake River Grill – I’ve chatted about this place in my previous two Jackson recaps, but good God, Eric and I love Snake River Grill. The main courses are seriously dee-lish, but this time around we stacked up the apps and went IN on the small plates. The steak tartare pizza is Eric’s go-to, and the lobster spring rolls and truffle tagliatelle pasta are new faves of mine.

Drinks and snacks at Roadhouse Brewing Co. – This is a newer spot right on the Town Square that we stopped into before heading to the airport, and the beers that I tried were GOOD. I loved that we could create our own flight of locally-brewed beers, but I will admit that the service here was…bananas…in a bad way. (To be fair, they were brand new, so we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one.)

xoxo

Visit Here: Jackson Hole in the Summer

August 10, 2018 / Travel / 2 Comments

Happy Friday, friends! Today I’m so excited to recap our recent summer trip to Jackson, Wyoming. (You can check out the first half of the trip here.) Eric and I visited Jackson Hole back in December with a couple of friends and absolutely fell in love with the town. We had a blast in the winter but knew we wanted to see Jackson in the summer…and spring and fall.

And so we went. This time it was just the two of us, and we got to town with no real plans, no reservations, and no speed but slow. It was warm out, so the days were perfect for roaming around town, moseying into local shops, swinging through Grand Teton National Park, and grabbing a magazine to read outside in the town square. By nighttime, we were nursing our second or third food coma of the day and having zero regrets about it.

People have asked which season we preferred there, and it’s really hard to say. It’s just two entirely opposite ends of the spectrum, but we loved both. During the summer, there are definitely A LOT more people in Jackson, but it didn’t stop us from getting into anywhere we wanted to go. A pro of the summer though is definitely ease of moving around. When you don’t have to bundle up in ALL of the layers, walking a few blocks here, there, and everywhere seems like no big deal.

And so, here goes – a few favorite spots that we hit this time around. And we will definitely be back in any season – so let me know if we’ve missed any of your favorites in town!

Hotel Jackson – Y’all, I really cannot say enough good things about this hotel. I can’t decide what I loved most – the cozy room, the prime location, the beyond-friendly staff, or the restaurant. The room was pretty perfect for us – nothing crazy big, but nice and new with an in-room Nespresso machine and L’Occitane goodies in the shower. The location really can’t be beat either. It’s right in town so you can walk to pretty much everything, but it’s about a block or so off of the main street so it’s really quiet. The valet, doormen, and front desk staff were super friendly and helpful, and a bartender there introduced me to Bear Root Bitters, a new favorite of mine. (Highly recommend a few drops of the Habanero Ginger for spicy margaritas.) The restaurant and outside bar were both great, and I’m recapping those below.

Happy Hour at Bin 22 – This place is the cutest little combination of a small restaurant and bar with a market full of great beer and wines. We stopped in during our last trip just to grab a couple of bottles of wine, but this time we stumbled upon their happy hour at the bar. Glasses were around $5 (I think), and I got to try a couple of new-to-me wines that I loved.

Dinner at Snake River Grill – When we visited in December, we regretted not having dinner at Snake River Grill, so this time we made up for it by eating here twice. I’m pretty sure their Steak Tartare Pizza is one of Eric’s favorite meals of life, and we had a crispy fish taco appetizer special that really rocked my socks. This place is seriously delicious, and whether you go with steak, fish, or anything else on the menu, you really can’t go wrong.

Drinks at Smokin’ Iron at Hotel Jackson – The back patio bar at Hotel Jackson is serving up live music, super comfy adirondack seating, and SO MANY flights. Flights of beer, mimosas, bloody Mary’s, margaritas or sangria – pick your poison and then choose your flavors. Eric says I’m a sucker for miniature things, and he’s right because I totally love this concept.

Brunch at The Bird – We met a local (who BTW has this awesome company – seriously yummy bars) during happy hour at Bin 22 who suggested we check out brunch at The Bird. And he was so, so right. The burgers were delicious and served on English muffins, which may sound a little odd, but it totally works for brunch. Overall, the cabin-meets-bar atmosphere was super fun, the deck is dog-friendly, and the mimosas just keep flowing. The Bird is a few minutes out of town, but there’s a shuttle van that will pick you up and then bring you back to town afterwards.

Snake River Sporting Club – The last time we were in Jackson, we met a local couple at dinner one night and have kept in touch ever since. For this trip, they asked if we’d like to do pool time and dinner at Snake River Sporting Club, and after looking into it, we knew we’d be crazy to pass up the offer. Y’all, this place is something to see. The food was delicious, we had the entire patio deck to ourselves, and the views from both dinner and the drive in were incredible. It’s members-only, but if you happen to know someone in town who’s a member, ask them, beg them, force them to take you here. It’s bananas.

Sloshies at Creekside Market & Deli – Those same friends introduced us to Sloshies, and our lives may never be the same. They’re only sold during the summer months (hence why we never heard about them during our frigid December trip) and consist of fresh-squeezed juice and vodka that’s been swirling around in a slushie machine for hours. They’re like a frozen greyhound and are basically what summertime cocktail dreams are made of. I’m told there are a few places around that sell them, but we got ours (on multiple occasions, including on the way to the airport) from Creekside Market.

Lunch or Dinner at FIGS at Hotel Jackson – Lebanese food may not come to mind first when you think of restaurants in Jackson, but I’m telling you, this lunch was bomb. It’s located in the lobby of Hotel Jackson, so Eric and I grabbed one last feast here before heading home. The falafel sliders, kofta kabobs, and spicy hummus with homemade pita bread did not disappoint, and I legit thought about shoving the rest of the pitas in my bag for the plane ride home. I don’t eat Lebanese food often, but this is definitely the best that I’ve had.

xoxo

The lobby at Hotel Jackson Lunch at FIGS in Hotel Jackson Sharing flights at Smokin’ Iron Bar in Hotel Jackson Brunch at The Bird View from dinner at The Snake River Sporting Club

Visit Here: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

January 4, 2018 / Style Files, Travel / 4 Comments

Chenille sweater dress; fleece-lined leggings; similar faux fur coat; similar OTK boots; Strathberry handbag; Giraffe at Home scarf and gloves set; Ray-Ban sunglasses

Ever took a trip you loved so much that you changed your departing flight to give you just a few more hours and one more breakfast there? Today I’m excited to share more from our trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming that we took just about a month ago. This post has been a couple of weeks in the works, but I feel like it’s been planned for years. As I mentioned back here, Jackson Hole had been a bucket list destination of mine for a while, so when Eric and a friend of ours got to dreaming up a trip, I immediately hopped on board. As did a second friend, so tickets were booked and we were off.

So many people have asked Why Jackson Hole? and What did you do there? Where did you stay? If you’ve ever been, then you already know the Why – because it’s amazing. What did we do? Mainly, we roamed. (Our hotel was perfect walking distance from everything.) We went in all the shops around the town square, walked down all the cozy side streets, checked out the art, found a random bridge over the prettiest creek, and ate ALL of the chili. Below, a few of our favorite spots from the trip.

The Penthouse at the White Buffalo Club – Just typing that feels bougie AF, but hear me out. There were four of us – Eric and I plus two guy friends – and the week we visited was one week shy of Jackson Hole’s high season. (AKA, more popular, more expensive season.) For those reasons, it was actually really affordable and SO perfect for our group. There were three bedrooms, each with its own full bathroom, along with a kitchen, dining room, full media room, and an outdoor jacuzzi space on the roof, so everyone had their own personal space along with a ton of common space to hang out. In general, you’ll want to be out and about, exploring Jackson Hole, but some nights it was a whopping 9 degrees out so yeah, we appreciated being able to hang at “home” sometimes. When we do make our way back to Jackson Hole, we will most likely be parking it right back here. (And will most likely try out the restaurant then.)

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar – This place is just a staple in Jackson. When I told people we were going, anyone who had been before told us we had to stop in here. And truth be told, on our first night, we dropped our bags at the White Buffalo and headed to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar to grab a drink. In a serious It’s a Small World moment, we ran into a friend of a friend from Newport Beach who hooked us up with tickets to the Snocross races that were in town. Ever get to stand in the (imported) snow and watch snowmobiles race? Well, now I can say that I have, and we enjoyed it so much that we watched two nights in a row. But back to the bar – there’s live music and barstools that are actually saddles and some pretty good fried pickles to boot (pun intended). We found ourselves stopping in here multiple times.

Breakfast at Cafe Genevieve – This one I’m gonna say is one of my favorite breakfast places, like, ever. When it’s 12 degrees out, you find yourself really appreciating a good home-cooked meal, and Cafe Genevieve did not disappoint. It was the coziest little spot with what seemed like a Southern flair to me. I had the Grits & Eggs and we ordered biscuits and gravy for the table, so, you know, diet food. Everyone was super pleased with their meals here.

The Silver Dollar Grill at the Wort Hotel – For me, this was my favorite spot for both lunch and the nightlife, and I think as a consensus, it was everyone’s favorite chili. (I told you, we were basically chili-hopping.) There were live bands a couple of the nights we were in town, and the food here was so, so good. Anytime of day, you could stop in at The Wort and meet someone new to strike up a conversation with. And so we did.

Breakfast and sweets at Persephone Bakery – Admittedly, I missed breakfast here because I was in the National Elk Refuge at the time shooting a few photos, but the guys said it was great. Plus, Eric (knowing my probable FOMO) brought back a smorgasbord of things for me to try, including a massive Rice Krispies treat that I snacked on for the entire trip. (It was the holidays and vacation after all.) The next time we’re in Jackson, I’m definitely making it here to peruse the treats myself.

Snake River Brewing – This local brewery was another favorite of ours because it was such a cool place to hang. The boys tasted flights of beers while I had a soft pretzel as big as my head and an H2OMG Ale, all while thawing our bones next to a wood-burning fire. (The fire spot was so key.) Once you’ve thawed, bundle back up again and hit the vertical farm that’s across the street for an experience that’s both inspiring and slightly confusing.

Dinner or apps at Snake River Grill – On our last night in town, we had reservations at Local, but our server at Cafe Genevieve told us that we just had to check out Snake River Grill. So we decided to pop in for appetizers before dinner because that’s what you do when you’re on an eating tour and apparently really trying to pack it on for the holidays. I kid. Sort of. This place is cozy and nice, and the food was delicious. I think we were all pretty sad that we actually had to leave and go to dinner. The next time we are in town, we are for sure having dinner here.

Dinner and drinks at Local – Although we were sad to leave Snake River Grill, we really enjoyed our dinner at local. They’re known for their local steaks and such (which is why we went), and I was in it to win it with the list of sides – gimme all the truffled mac and cheese. Local also has really good craft cocktails. I had a favorite drink there, but unfortunately it’s no longer on their menu and I can’t for the life of me remember the name. So that’s helpful, Nikki, but in general, you can’t go wrong.

Overall, this was one of my favorite trips that I’ve taken, and there’s no hesitation when we say that we will be going back. And soon. The people, the food, the amazing scenery – there’s nothing not to love about Jackson Hole, except maybe for the freezing temps (which honestly I didn’t even mind). Which is why now we just have to go back in the summer, right?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Erin Wheat

Visit Here: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

August 1, 2018 / Travel / 2 Comments

Free People shorts; MagicSuit swimsuit (also have and love this print); Lilly Pulitzer coverup; Henri Bendel tote (similar here); Brixton hat; Ray-Ban sunglasses

Well, it only took me about three weeks, but I’m finally sharing my brief little travel guide for Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you probably noticed a few snaps from Idaho and Wyoming earlier this month. Eric sent me an email from work earlier in June with one quick question, Want to take a trip to Coeur d’Alene or Jackson Hole after the 4th? I responded with, Is this a trick question?

As a general rule, we never like to travel much during the summer when school is out because if we wait a bit, the crowds are much more manageable. But Eric knew that he’d have a couple of quiet days at work around the 4th, and before he could change his mind or have a meeting pop up, I started booking. Our original plan was to fly into Spokane, spend a couple of nights in Coeur d’Alene, and then drive to Jackson Hole (you can see my winter guide to Jackson here), stopping somewhere in between for a night.

But since it was the middle of summer, rental cars were few and pricey for the areas we wanted. Really pricey. For just a bit more, we could put a checkmark on a big bucket list item for Eric, so we flew from Coeur d’Alene to Jackson on a small Cessna plane. (You can see a photo of the plane below.) I was terrified, but in the end, it was such a cool experience. We’ll get to the second half of the trip in a later post, but for now, here’s a little recap of what we did, saw, and ate in Couer d’Alene.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort Spa – For our first night, we booked a Dine, Spa, and Stay package that included a $100 restaurant credit and a spa treatment. I got to kick off the trip with a massage, and it did not disappoint. The spa at the resort is beautiful and so cozy with a full view of the lake. I’m normally a facial-loving girl, but I got a Swedish massage and loved every minute.

Dinner at Beverly’s – Beverly’s is located on the 7th floor of the resort with the most beautiful floor-to-ceiling views of the lake, and the food was incredible. We had the seafood tower (photo below) and filets while watching the sunset over the lake. It was seriously a “pinch me, this is so pretty” dinner that I’d like to repeat again and again. After dinner, you can step into the bar inside of Beverly’s for live music.

Breakfast at Honey Eatery & Social Club – On our first morning in Coeur d’Alene, we were up early hunting for breakfast, and we learned that maybe the downtown area just doesn’t DO early. (I myself usually do not DO early, so no judgement here.) It’s a sleepy town on weekend mornings for sure, and lots of places were still closed. We stumbled upon Honey, a cozy little brand new spot with what seems to be a Southern flair, and oh man it was good. I wanted just about everything on the menu, but we went with the Chorizo Deviled Eggs, a Cast Iron Pancake, and a side of the Wild Rice Grits. And then it took all my energy not to head right back to the resort and crawl back in bed – it’s a breakfast spot worth visiting, 100%.

Burgers from Hudson’s Hamburgers – After breakfast, we roamed around town a bit, popping into small shops, walking around parts of the lake, and exploring some of the side streets. We noticed a tiny little burger place with a line out of the door and so many people crowding around. We had seen similar lines the previous day, so obviously we had to know what all the fuss was about. And it was worth the fuss. It’s a tiny little diner-esque place with only a few (taken) seats, so we took ours to go. The burgers are pretty simple – high quality meat, cheese, house-made ketchup and mustard with a little tang to it, and pickles. No lettuce, no onions, no tomato, no fries, no need. No credit cards either, so make sure you have cash – about $3 for a cheeseburger. A couple of days after the trip was over, I told Eric I could REALLY go for a Hudson’s burger, and he definitely agreed. (And to be honest, I could go for one right now.)

Lakeside Infinity Pool – So the pool at Coeur d’Alene Resort is beautiful. It’s an infinity pool on the edge of the lake, and they have an amazing water taxi waiting to shuttle you there. Grab a beer for the ride from the little dockside bar before you go. Unfortunately though, the pool is one of our only complaints about the resort. Like I said, it’s beautiful, but it’s pretty small. And since we were there in the middle of summer, it was full of kids. While we’re certainly not anti-kids, it’s always nice when a resort has a separate pool for families so that while you have your cocktail in the infinity pool overlooking the lake, you’re not being targeted by the nearest cannonball. That said, this would probably be solved if you went when kids are back in school. (And also, some of the little goggle-wearing kiddos were pretty cute.)

Lake Boat Cruise – Admittedly, Eric was a little anti on this one at the beginning, but I really wanted to cruise around the lake and check out the homes and cabins from the water. #Stalker, sorry. But I’d say it was worth it, and Eric now agrees. There are two levels of seating and a full bar on board, but definitely get to the boat early if you want a seat up top or a drink without waiting in an extremely slow-moving line.

Snacks or Apps at Whispers – If there’s one thing that Eric does on vacation, it’s EAT, so when we stopped by Whispers for a glass of wine before dinner, I should’ve known there would also be food involved. We (and by we, I mean he) ordered the Hummus Sampler and the Cougar Gold Melting Pot, a cheesy artichoke and onion dip, and both were delicious. We also sat outside on the deck and met a couple who let Eric and I pet their dog for probably longer than socially acceptable. So that was also a win.

Dinner at The Cedars Floating Restaurant – This place is also owned by the resort, but it’s off property so they provide a shuttle to get you there. (Side note, the shuttle drivers for the resort are awesome. They can tell you everything you want to know about Coeur d’Alene…and answer Eric’s 100 questions too.) But, back to Cedars, it was so good. We shared a local trout appetizer, had more king crab legs, and made a round or two by the salad bar. (The salad bar there is seriously legit.)

xoxo

AGolde shorts; Lilly Pulitzer shirt; Sam Edelman sandals; similar hat The Coeur D’Alene Resort Spa Dinner at Beverly’s AGolde shorts (also here); Vacation sweatshirt; similar round handbag; similar hat Breakfast at Honey Sunrise from our balcony Snacks and sips at Whispers Striped romper; pearl-embellished sandals; similar round handbag; (and our ride out of Coeur d’Alene) Coeur d’Alene from above

The Cold Weather Essentials That Actually Work

January 8, 2018 / Style Files, Travel / 0 comment

Spanx leggings; Loft sweater; Free People scarf and beanie (c/o) Shopbop – snag the hat and scarf on sale here; Carve Designs jacket (c/o) – also love this black version; Hunter boots and fleece socks; Ray-Ban sunglasses

Last week I shared all about our December trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and mentioned that it was just a little COLD. There was no snow, but we did get a night of 9-degree temps, so, you know, pretty chilly. Luckily for me though, I was way prepared and packed my suitcase (OK, suitcases, plural) with all of the cozy things.

I’ve got another chilly trip in just a couple of weeks (Sundance, YAY!), and since half the country is currently freezing their tails off, I figured I would share a few of the cold weather essentials that saved my butt from the crazy cold in Jackson Hole.

Carve Designs Down Puffer Jacket (also love the black version here) – This jacket is so lightweight and easy to pack, so I had my doubts that it would actually be warm enough. And I’m happy to say that I was so wrong. The hood and “handwarmer” pockets are lined in the softest fleece which made a world of difference – as long as I had my hood on and my hands in my pockets, I barely noticed that it was, oh, nine degrees out one night. Plus, I loved all of the zipper pockets so that I could leave my handbag at home and just carry the essentials in my coat.

Free People chenille infinity scarf (on sale) and beanie – You know I’m ALL about ALL the chenille things this year, and this infinity scarf and hat combo just may be my favorite. I’m seriously thinking I may need to snag the blue version for an upcoming trip to Utah.

Free People oversized fringe scarf – This one was also super warm – wrapped up tight, it seriously helped a sister out while watching the snowmobile races and on a morning out in the National Elk Refuge.

cabi Layer Turtleneck (similar version here) – I have a couple of these layering turtlenecks from last year, and I wore one every single day of the trip. A snug-fitting first layer is a must for me, and these easily layer under pretty much anything.

Hunter boots and fleece sock inserts – Layering up my frozen toes was KEY. I had seen a ton of photos of gals wearing their Hunter boots in snow, so I decided to order them for the trip and give them a whirl. The boots alone would have been pretty chilly, but paired with the boots socks (and these cozy socks as a base layer), these were super warm and comfy for roaming around town.

Ugg boots – Although it was SUPER cold in Jackson Hole, there wasn’t much (if any) snow on the ground so Uggs worked just fine for the daytime for me. For nighttime though, I definitely would have needed a taller pair like this one or these.

Faux fur lined footless tights (and these fleece-lined footless tights) – Y’all, these were AWESOME for beating the cold. I picked them up at Target a couple of hours before we left for the airport, and I was so happy that I did. Besides the one day that I wore jeans, I lived in these faux fur lined footless tights and can’t recommend them enough for cold climates.

What cold weather gear do you guys swear by?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Erin Wheat

Travel Recap: Lone Mountain Ranch

November 10, 2020 / Travel / 0 comment

Similar sweater and here; similar beanie; Keikico travel blanket (use code MSD20 for 20% off); Walmart boots; Quay sunglasses Lou & Grey pants; All in Favor tee; Barefoot Dreams cardigan; Amazon mules; similar beanie; Quay sunglasses; Gold & Gray long necklace Spanx leggings; Walmart sweater, boots, beanie, and sherpa coat; Keikico scarf (20% off with code MSD20); H&M faux fur bag Madewell jeans; Amazon plaid flannel; Carve Designs coat (similar here); Walmart boots; Wool socks; Quay sunglasses; similar Free People scarf Spanx leggings; Walmart sweater, boots, beanie, and sherpa coat; Quay sunglasses; Keikico scarf (20% off with code MSD20) Bison in Yellowstone National Park Spanx leggings; Walmart sweater, boots, beanie, and sherpa coat; Quay sunglasses; Keikico scarf (20% off with code MSD20)

Happy Tuesday, friends! If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you probably noticed more than a couple of snaps from a snowy winter wonderland recently, and today I’m sharing a bit more about our trip to Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana.

Eric and I first laid eyes on Lone Mountain Ranch during this road trip last summer, but they were completely booked at the time so we settled for a quick lunch before hitting the road again. We knew we wanted to eventually make it back for a stay, so we started looking into packages and summer dates sometime around January of this year. Obviously within a couple of months Covid-19 was the new reality, and that trip was shelved for the future.

Fast forward to sometime around the end of summer and I came across an Instagram ad that Lone Mountain Ranch was staying open through the month of October (something they don’t normally do) and offering incredible cabin rates for that month. For reference, LMR offers a bunch of different packages, but for the most part, it’s an all-inclusive experience that includes your meals, trail rides, horse-back riding, and tons of different activities. (And for additional reference, the packages are pricey.) But because it’s 2020 and nothing is normal, we were able to book a cabin for a sort of a la carte stay that was so perfect for us.

We stayed in the “Ouzel” cabin, and given the chance, I would 100% book it again. It was spacious but so cozy with a wood-burning stove fireplace and a clawfoot tub that I loved. There are no TV’s (which we both enjoyed), but the wifi and cell service on the property is excellent which made it easy to get work done when needed. Horn & Cantle, the restaurant on the property, is seriously delicious, and we ate there for every breakfast and almost every dinner. The Korean Chicken Wings were probably the best wings I’ve ever had, and the Vegan Enchiladas were a surprising favorite for a couple of meat-eaters. The entire staff was beyond friendly, warm, and so helpful, and going during Covid restrictions, we felt completely safe – mask rules were in effect in any building we entered.

When I first booked it, I figured we would get some pretty chilly weather. I wasn’t really thinking it would be covered in snow and -6 degrees during one of the days, but it honestly just added to the trip. We spent one full day exploring Yellowstone National Park, and after seeing it last summer on our road trip, it was pretty cool to see it again in the winter. The snow really does add a magical layer to the park. We spent Saturday eating and shopping in downtown Bozeman (about an hour from the ranch) and then a lazy Sunday in the cabin, sitting by a fire, reading a book, and watching the snow. (I had scheduled horseback riding that had to be cancelled due to the weather – even the locals were surprised by the amount of snow and negative temps in October.) Overall, the trip was incredible, and Eric and I both agree that we’ll be back to Lone Mountain Ranch, hopefully sooner rather than later.

xoxo

P.S. – We were supposed to leave on Monday and fly home, but we decided we were just too close to Jackson Hole to NOT go. (Jackson has been a favorite of ours that we try to visit at least once a year.) So we extended our trip a couple of days and took the rental car the four hours to Jackson. It was a short stay but totally worth it. (You can see a bunch of my favorite spots to visit in Jackson Hole here.)

Madewell jeans; Time & Tru sweater and boots; Wool socks; similar fur jacket; Saint Laurent handbag; Quay sunglasses Grounds of the Rustic Creek Inn Madewell jeans; Free People scarf; Time & Tru boots; Carve Designs coat (similar here); Quay sunglasses

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming: Our Summer Roadtrip Recap

August 13, 2019 / Travel / 0 comment

Denim shorts; swimsuit; coverup shirt; Tory Burch slides; straw handbag; sunglasses

Happy Tuesday, friends! If you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you probably saw a few snaps from a recent vacation and road trip that Eric and I took through Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. All in all it was a great trip, the longest one we’ve taken together actually. Can you believe I got Eric out of the office for two whole weeks? That’s never happened before, but it sure was great spending lots of time on the road with my best bud.

We kicked off the trip in Sandpoint, Idaho with a whole bunch of family members from Eric’s side – 18 of us, including a couple of kiddos and one all-star 5-month-old traveler. We stayed in this Airbnb which was really great for a large group – plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, spacious living spaces to hang out together, its own dock on the lake, and a great neighborhood for our morning walks.

We mostly just hung out, took it easy, spent some time puzzling, caught up on a little reading, ate 1,000 Doritos, spent a beautiful day on a pontoon boat, made s’mores with the littles, and watched one hell of a lightening storm one night. In the town of Sandpoint, here were a few of our favorite spots.

Lunch at Matchwood Brewing Company – One day a big group of us roamed around downtown Sandpoint for a little shopping, sipping, and general tourist-ing. We ended up at Matchwood Brewing Company for a late lunch and flights of beer. We loved that we could mix and match and choose the beers included in our flights, and the food was really good. If in doubt, get the soft pretzel because the stoneground mustard and spicy maple syrup that accompany it are the real stars of the show.

Dinner and Drinks at Forty-One South at The Lodge at Sandpoint – There were lots of restaurants to try in Sandpoint, but somehow we found ourselves at Forty-One South at The Lodge at Sandpoint for three different dinners. And for good reason. The view is beautiful, the outdoor deck seating is so ideal, and the food was delicious. Everything we tried – House-Smoked Trout Plate, Crab Lettuce Wraps, Crab Bisque (OMG!), Goat Cheese Salad, the Smoked Filet – was something I would absolutely order again.

Wine Tasting at Pend d’Oreille Winery – This is a cute little wine spot right in the heart of downtown that’s definitely worth a stop if you’re a wine-lover. Flights and tastings are really affordable, and I actually tasted and purchased a couple of bottles that changed my (previously prejudiced) California mind about Washington wines. The Bistro Rouge, Pinot Gris, and Red Dessert Wine were group favorites.

Shops at Cedar St. Bridge – Cedar St. Bridge is home to a public marketplace right in the middle of downtown Sandpoint offering touristy tees and souvenirs as well as some really great local shops. We loved all of the flavored oils, vinegars and sea salts at Gethsemane; the spicy, sweet pecans from Panhandle Nut House; and ALL the pickled things at The Pickled Kitchen.

Swimsuit; tie-dye bag; sunglasses Beer flights at Matchwood Brewing Company Sweater; shorts; straw bag; sandals; sunglasses Dinner at Forty-One South View from The Lodge at Sandpoint After hitting the road from Sandpoint, we really didn’t have a plan or any reservations for the rest of the trip. We knew that we had to eventually end up in Jackson, Wyoming because we had booked flights home from the Jackson airport, but we wanted to keep our options open and play it by ear for all of the nights in between.

We had gotten several suggestions for Bozeman, Montana, so we figured we’d check it out. While trying to “loosely plan” the trip ahead of time, I had searched and searched for Bozeman hotels that would fit our vibe, but my searches kept coming up short. This is probably because we were both last minute and traveling smack in the middle of summer when all the families with kids are traveling. By the end of our first day of driving though, we found the perfect spot.

Gallatin River Lodge – I had seen Gallatin River Lodge coming up in my searches for boutique hotels in Bozeman, but I never really considered it because, full disclosure, it was pretty pricey. When we were an hour outside of Bozeman with no other appealing options, I decided to give them a call anyway, and it turns out, if you call around 8:00 pm (when it’s still plenty sunny out in Montana in the summertime), you can get a really significant discount.

After separating from Eric’s entire family earlier in the day and driving 6+ hours, this place could not have been more perfect for our first night on the road. It’s actually about 20 minutes outside of Downtown Bozeman, in a pretty remote area, on a beautiful piece of property. It’s crazy quiet with huge rooms and a restaurant that served up one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. They also offer guided fly fishing trips, but we just enjoyed a couple of meals, caught up on sleep, and hit the road again the next day. The one (and only) thing we might have changed about Gallatin River Lodge would have been some comfy rockers, hammocks, or chairs outside to enjoy the beautiful views by the pond. Other than that, we would 100% recommend this cozy spot.

Gallatin River Lodge Gallatin River Lodge Shorts; Tee; Cardigan; Slides; Handbag; SunglassesOver the river and through the woods and several lookout points later, we found ourselves in Big Sky around lunchtime. The whole Gallatin area was so pretty and made for such an easy drive. We first made our way up to Big Sky Resort (which we quickly decided wasn’t really our jam) but lucked out and stopped at Lone Mountain Ranch on our way back down.

Lunch at Lone Mountain Ranch – This ranch resort was like something out of a movie – the prettiest grounds dotted with a bunch of idyllic cabins, outdoor firepits, horseback riding, trailrides, and one seriously yummy restaurant. The cabins were completely booked (I’m guessing months out and for a pretty penny), but we stayed for lunch on the deck of Horn & Cantle which was 100% worth it.

320 Guest Ranch in Big Sky, Montana – Someone at Lone Mountain Ranch told us that we should check out 320 Guest Ranch, so we called from lunch and booked it, site unseen. And it didn’t disappoint. Check-in was a bit of an unorganized mess (remote location technology problems), but once we got to our riverfront cabin, we were thrilled. The cabin was spacious, updated, and cozy, with a wood-burning fireplace and the cutest porch looking out on the river. The ranch itself offers tons of land to explore, a variety of horseback riding options, and great casual dining at the on-property restaurant. We loved our stay and would definitely recommend it if you’re in the area.

320 Guest Ranch 320 Guest RanchOn day number three on the road, Eric woke me up at 5:30 (IN THE AM) and we booked it to Yellowstone National Park. The entrance to the park was less than an hour from 320 Ranch, but Eric insisted that we had to get there early to beat the crowds and see the park at dawn. (Also, he’s a morning person. I am…NOT. But it was his vacation too, so I somehow made it into the car before he left without me.)

Yellowstone was awesome. It’s as beautiful as I was hoping it would be, a place that’s seriously worth seeing, and as much as I hate to admit it, it was really beautiful seeing it first thing in the morning. (Don’t tell Eric.) We hadn’t really planned on staying in the park, but once we were there, we figured we should try. We stopped at one of the lodges and asked if there were any cancellations for the night. (Lodges in national parks can be notoriously hard to book last minute, but Eric and I have had some great luck with cancellations in the past.) The lodges had nada, not a single room available in the park. I had seen something about Lake Yellowstone Hotel online the day before, so we headed that way thinking maybe we’d get lucky.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel – As soon as we turned a corner and saw this beautiful yellow hotel facing the most gorgeous blue lake, we had our fingers and toes crossed for an available room. It’s the oldest hotel inside of a national park, and it’s just plain cool. Keeping our string of luck going, we totally scored on a lake-facing suite (and a same-day discount to boot).

The room was updated and beautiful, with a comfy bed, spacious living room, and a black and white bathroom that I’d expect to find on Pinterest. The restaurant was SO good, good enough that we ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. (Pro tip – if you can only get a 10:00 pm reservation for dinner, show up at 5:00 and get on the waitlist. It moves quickly.) The lobby area is HUGE with tons of oversized, comfy leather chairs and couches looking out of giant windows onto Lake Yellowstone. Eric and I finished up dinner, grabbed a glass of wine, and hung out in the lobby with a book (for me) and a newspaper (for him). Staying here and waking up to the glass-like lake was a total experience that I won’t forget.

One thing to note: Lake Yellowstone Hotel does NOT have WIFI, and cell service is pretty minimal. It’s great if you’re looking to unplug, but if you need access to email or are looking to work a bit while you travel, you may want to look into one of the other lodges that does offer WIFI. There was a plug-in internet connection in the room, but it was very limited.

Bison in Yellowstone National Park The view outside Lake Yellowstone Hotel

After one last meal overlooking the lake, we headed out of Yellowstone and onto the last leg of our trip, and if you know us, then you won’t be surprised to hear that we spent it in Jackson Hole. We’ve visited a few times in the past and really just always love going back.

The Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole – This time we stayed at The Rustic Inn, and it might be my new favorite place to stay in Jackson. The property is beyond beautiful, the location is great, and the creekside cabins were really nice, perfect for lazy front porch hangs. Dinner at the restaurant was really good, and the included breakfast every day was delicious. (Eric and I are still trying to figure out how they get the bacon so perfect and crispy.) The spa was small but nice, and we enjoyed getting to hang by the pool for a few hours one day. The one (pretty big) downside to The Rustic was the customer service. It was almost comically bad. Everything from scheduling a shuttle to luggage delivery to even getting acknowledged when standing right in front of a check-in/checkout desk was met with so much resistance. I would probably still stay here again, but for a resort this nice (with a price tag to match), they really need to get it together on the service side.

Dinner at King Sushi – We’ve had LOTS of great food in Jackson over the years, and King Sushi is now at the top of that list for me. Holy moly, this place is so good. The fish was all super fresh, and the ramen was a serious day-maker. I’m not even a big ramen fan, but inspired by someone sitting by us at the sushi bar, I had to try it. And it was delicious. I could live off of that broth, and I’m still thinking about the tempura fried soft boiled egg. As we were finishing up our meal, I looked over and saw Ina Garten and her husband Jeffrey sitting down to a patio table. I mean, it’s gotta be good if it’s approved by the Barefoot Contessa herself, right?

Sandwiches and Sloshies from Creekside Market & Deli – My love for a good sandwich runs DEEP, and Creekside Market makes one hell of a sandwich. We discovered “Sloshies” at Creekside during our trip last summer but had no idea we were missing out on some seriously killer sandwiches. Now that we know, we’ll definitely be back. The fact that this place is literally right next door to The Rustic Inn meant that we were popping in and out of here like a couple of regulars.

Dinner at Snake River Grill (again) – I’ve chatted about this place before, but it really is a must for us anytime we’re in Jackson. Eric has to get his fix of the Steak Tartare Pizza, and this time we added on the Fried Duck Spring Rolls, Truffle Fries, and Crispy Pork Shank which were all delicious. If you’re looking to try SRG, I’d probably recommend reservations.

Burgers and beers at The Bird – I’ve also chatted about The Bird here before, but it really is one of our favorite spots for brunch or lunch. As soon as we made it to Jackson this time, we made plans to hit The Bird before heading to the airport to go home. What better way to fly than with a belly full of English muffin burgers and some sort of yummy craft beer? No better way to end the trip either.

Pants; tee; YSL handbag Pool area at The Rustic Inn

xoxo

Everyday Basics and Two Favorite Faux Fur Jackets

January 28, 2019 / Style Files / 0 comment

Madewell jeans (available in petite, tall, curvy, and maternity sizes here); cabi thermal tee (c/o); Shaci lavender and black faux fur jacket (also love this version; Plus sized style here); Dylan grey faux fur jacket; Steve Madden sneakers; Henri Bendel wallet clutch (similar here); Quay sunglasses

I’m not trying to kill my cold weather based readers or anything, but this weekend in SoCal we basically got a little taste of spring. Saturday was 82 degrees in Huntington Beach, and I had to double-check my phone to make sure it was still January. I legit thought I had time traveled or something, but nope. Still January. While I have no complaints about a little sunshine and warm weather, I was thinking for a minute that MAYBE I overdid it on the faux fur purchases for this year. But then I saw a low of 52 for later this week and thought, nahh, I’m good. (SoCal reasoning, you know?)

Also, I really can’t regret these two faux fur jackets because they are just so cozy and lovely and warm. The two-toned purple and black bomber (that comes in two additional colors and a plus-sized version) was just too fun to pass up. It’s plush and luxe and has the best hood for those ultra chilly days. And the grey and taupe one is a bit sleeker (slimmer) with a super soft knit lining. I scored it as a little souvenir from Jackson Hole, but you can skip the trip and Amazon Prime one right to your door. You really can’t go wrong with either, and they’re both under $100.

And then there’s the rest of the look – the jeans, easy black tee, and comfy metallic sneakers – that I just so happen to be wearing as I type this. It’s come to my attention lately that I definitely have a “uniform” these days, and for good reason. These jeans have become my ultimate go-to pair. They’re high-waisted, comfortable, and hold me in perfectly, and by now, I’ve worn them on the blog about 100 times. If you are looking for a good pair, I can’t recommend these more.

I’ve got an arsenal of black tees these days – short sleeves, long sleeves, and everything in between. Doing laundry lately looks like lots and lots of the same thing, and I’m not mad about it. I like super soft, slightly thicker fabric and a longer length and recently found these for under $15 that are SO good. (I bought 3 of them – no regrets.) And these sneakers are seriously the best. I bought them in camo a few months ago and wore them so much I decided I needed a second color. (I blame Amazon Prime for that one.) . It’s legit the everyday uniform that keeps on giving, and it just works for me.

I get so many questions from readers and friends about the pieces that every closet needs, and I think I’ve decided on this: find what really works for you, something you feel comfortable and confident in (without looking like a slob kabob), and embrace it. Currently, I’m loving that jeans, black tee, and sneakers life (with a fun faux fur every now and then) and invest in pieces like a handbag or piece of jewelry that I’ll have for years and years. (And then I keep said investment pieces away from the wild puppies around here because my mama didn’t raise a fool.)

What are the pieces that you’d consider part of your “uniform” right now?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Felicia Lasala

Double the Trouble: Meet Wilma

January 24, 2019 / Style Files / 2 Comments

Madewell jeans; Lou & Grey sweater (also here); ABLE boots (similar style here and here); Karen Walker sunglasses (look for less here); Filson leather leash

She joined us just about a month ago, and now that the holiday whirlwind is behind us, I wanted to formally introduce the newest little fur baby in our household. Meet Wilma! That’s right, I’ve completely lost my mind. Two dogs. Anyone who knows me knows that the first pup nearly drove me insane (Remember wayyyyy back here when I shared a little pup-date on baby Weeze?), and now I suppose I’ve really done it.

While Weeze’s wild baby Vizsla phase nearly killed me, we had finally gotten into the easy breezy swing of things around here. A three-mile walk every day and plenty of snuggles, and Weeze and I were two happy campers. So let’s add a wild new one to the bunch, shall we? To be fair, we knew we eventually wanted to add a second dog to the fam but decided to speed things up for Weeze’s biological sister. (Yep, they’ve got the same furry parents.)

I’d say that the best decision we made was to have the pups meet at the breeder’s house, on neutral territory. So in December before Eric and I headed off to Jackson Hole, we dropped Weeze off with her trainer slash breeder to hang out with Wilma for a couple of weeks before bringing them home together. The gals came home right before Christmas, and y’all, look at these two little nuggets on their first night home together. And then one week in during a nap together – melt my heart!

While the sleepy times and cute cuddly photos are pretty adorable, trust me when I say it’s been a wild ride this last month. I’ve had lots of messages asking if it’s way harder with two pups (especially from fellow Vizsla parents), and the answer is a little bit yes and mostly no. (As I type this, the rambunctious gremlins are WWE wrestling on my damn Pottery Barn couch, so you know, maybe the jury is still out.)

Personality-wise, they are so very different, and I’ll start off by saying it – Wilma is WILD, y’all. So wild. Eric and I call her “Bonkers” in the morning because girlfriend thinks it’s party time as soon as she breaks free from her crate. She is constantly hungry and on occasion can be found pounding her little paw in an empty food bowl while staring me down. I’m not even kidding. (In those moments, we refer to her as The Hoss.) In general though, she is just so sweet. Her tail is ALWAYS wagging, and she runs and greets every single person with so much love and excitement.

Overall, the puppy phase this time around has definitely been a bit easier. (So far, knock on wood, please, sweet Jesus tell me this is good puppy karma or something.) It really is true what they say – monkey see, monkey do. Wilma wants nothing more than to follow Weeze around all day and do every single thing her big sister is doing (including going to the bathroom OUTSIDE for the most part – glorious). And Weeze in turn has been very…patient. Luckily they get along amazingly during the day, but when Weeze gets a little too tired and old lady crabby, we try to keep little Bonkers away.

Do they make me crazy running around like banshees barking and playing in the house? One hund-o percent. But is it all pretty worth it once they’ve worn each other out and are both trying to squeeze up closer to me on the couch at night? Yeppers. And so, here goes another wild day with these two furry fools – hoping yours is just as fun.

xoxo

Visit Here: St. Regis Resort in Aspen, Colorado

January 9, 2019 / Style Files, Travel / 0 comment

BB Dakota skirt; thermal top; similar faux fur jacket; fleece-lined tights; Marc Fisher OTK boots (on major sale); Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap; Amazon scarf; Quay sunglasses St. Regis Midnight Supper Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Red Dress Boutique sweater; Apparis red coat (so many colors available here and here); Amazon beanie; Kat’s pink coat Apparis red coat; similar plaid scarf; Amazon beanie; Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap; Spanx leggings Tula face masks Lunch at White House Tavern Carve Designs sweater; Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Amazon scarf and beanie set; Quay sunglasses Hanging with the hilarious Hallie behind Hallie Daily (Snag a similar Yeti mug here) Miraclesuit swimsuit Madewell jeans; SheIn sweater (20% off with code Nik20); similar jacket (exact jacket in other colors here, size down); Marc Fisher OTK boots; Amazon beanie; Chanel handbag (look for less here); Quay sunglasses Pearl sweater dress sold out – love this cardigan style; Marc Fisher OTK boots; Chanel handbag (look for less here); similar faux fur coat (also love this one); Ray-Ban sunglasses Lou & Grey sweater; Madewell jeans; Marc Fisher OTK boots; Apparis red coat; Amazon beanie and scarf set; Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap Spanx leggings; Red Dress Boutique chenille sweater; Apparis red coat (so many more colors available here); Amazon beanie

Remember way back in this post I mentioned I had done a little traveling during the holiday months? Well today I’m finally sharing one last trip from 2018, and it was a good one for sure. Immediately after this trip to Jackson Hole (about 12 hours after, to be exact), I hopped on a plane to tag along with Kat at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships in Aspen, Colorado.

It was my first time in Aspen and hopefully won’t be my last. The town is beautiful and (to my surprise) pretty laidback, the people we met there could not have been nicer, and the St. Regis Aspen Resort was like a glorious holiday home away from home. Scroll down for a few of my favorite, must-see / eat / do spots in Aspen.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort – This was actually my first time staying at a St. Regis property, and oh man was this a good place to start. (And at Christmas time, no less.) The hotel itself was so beautiful with a plush lounge area for warming up by the fire, a quaint little library area, an outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi with serious views, the most delicious cocoa that I’m still dreaming about, and a beyond adorable and lovable hotel pup named Kitty.

The rooms were ultra plush with big, comfy bedding, tons of closet space, views of snowy Aspen, and a bathroom that was straight out of a design magazine. (I somehow didn’t snap photos of the room, but you can see a couple over on Kat’s recap.) The staff and service were phenomenal, and the location is ideal: ski-in / ski-out for those living their best sporty life and easily walkable to town sights, restaurants, and shops. It was also a super quick shuttle ride from the airport.

Drinks and apps at Mountain Social – After arriving to the hotel, we roamed around getting the lay of the land, snapped a couple of photos, and then settled in on a plush velvet couch at Mountain Social in the hotel lobby for some late afternoon nosh. We split a Caesar salad and the truffle fries because, you know, balance.

Dinner at 7908 Aspen – The welcome dinner on the first evening was just a couple of blocks’ walk from the hotel, and wouldn’t you know I find myself staring at a Southern-influenced menu? The chef at 7908 is whipping up New Orleans favorites like shrimp and grits, gumbo, and gulf red snapper, and everything I tried was delicious. As a table, we decided to split ALL of the vegetable sides with our meals, and I would highly recommend any of them. The carrot soufflé and crispy brussels were killer, and everyone who ordered the fried chicken raved about it.

Remède Spa at St. Regis Aspen – While others on the trip woke up and hit the slopes, Kat and I woke up and hit the spa for what was hands-down one of the best facials of my life. I’m pretty sure if I could make facials from Paige at the St. Regis a regular occurrence, I might just start Benjamin Button-ing. The spa itself is so pretty with ALL the things to accompany your treatment: sauna, steam room, plunge pool, waterfall room, and an oxygen room to help kick any fatigue from the altitude.

Lunch at White House Tavern – I believe someone recommended this place to Kat, and as soon as we walked in I was like, yep – this is the spot. It’s tiny but cozy, and while the salad we shared was meh, the fried chicken sandwich (which is served like sliders) was maybe the best I’ve ever had. So crispy and delicious, and that bread! I’m pretty sure I was telling random strangers that they should hit up White House Tavern after this lunch.

Shopping in Downtown Aspen – After a “light lunch” of fried chicken and a beer (oops), we decided to walk it off and pop into a few shops. The downtown area of Aspen is pretty small, but though she be but little, she is fierce in the shopping department. High end brands like Prada, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren mingle perfectly with smaller favorites like The Little Bird (packed with killer consignments), Forty Five Ten, and Olive LA.

St. Regis Midnight Supper – The Midnight Supper is an exclusive St. Regis dinner ritual that’s been around since the start of the hotel, and I’m so lucky that I got to experience one firsthand. It’s a super swank affair with several courses, wine pairings, beautiful decor, and (in my case) dinner convo with some new friends. Besides my girl Kathleen, I spent the evening chatting with Hallie (check out her blog Hallie Daily) and the fun team from Blade and Bow Whiskey.

Breakfast at The Velvet Buck – This cute little spot is also located inside the St. Regis, and after having their breakfast on our last morning, I was wishing we could’ve stuck around for a few more meals. The Breakfast BLT is seriously where it’s at, and the fresh squeezed Detoxify juice was just what we needed after Midnight Supper-ing and experiencing a bit of Aspen nightlife.

St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship – And now for the main event. The World Snow Polo Championship hosted by the St. Regis was the whole reason for the trip. I’ll be honest. I wasn’t familiar with snow polo before this trip, but now that I know, I’m thinking I’ve been missing out on my new favorite sport for all these years. The match itself is exciting, and watching it from a fully catered, heated tent with the bellowing voice of a polo announcer who’s just as enthused as one would think? It’s the blissfully bougie (and surprisingly un-uptight) event to see…and be seen.

Yurt Village / EMP Winter House – The St. Regis currently has a pop-up yurt village right outside that features the most beautifully decorated (and heated) yurts. It’s exclusive to AmEx card holders and currently taking reservations for dinners. On our last night, Kat and I joined the Blade and Bow Whiskey team (you can find it here) for Blade and Bow hot ciders, pastas, apps, and the MOST amazing Alpine Fondue that I’ll likely never forget. We’re talking the cold weather, cheese-lover’s dream served up in a yurt…with Baked Alaska for desert.

xoxo

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Double the Trouble: Meet Wilma

Visit Here: St. Regis Resort in Aspen, Colorado

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