First, my overall thoughts on Japan: LOVED it. I certainly have not been to very many foreign countries, but this country is one I would want to visit again. The cities were noticeably clean and safe, and the people were genuinely welcoming and friendly. It’s a culture that is very much about respect. No one is in a hurry, but everyone is on time. Food is prepared with immaculate precision. There is no garbage, litter, graffiti, or the usual smells that you might find in some larger cities. (For that matter, there are hardly any trashcans. If you have trash, you take it with you which really makes you think about your consumption. You want a cup of coffee? Have a seat in a cafe and drink a cup from a real mug.) The parks are pristine; public restrooms are very clean; taxi cabs are well-kept. The language barrier did not feel very difficult, and when we had no other option, we just used Google Translate on our phones.

As far as costs, there is a reason why you probably know someone who recently visited or is planning to visit Japan. The exchange rate right now makes it a very favorable time for Americans to visit. Americanized hotels and things like that are going to be pricey, but the local restaurants and attractions are very affordable. For example, one night in Kyoto, a great Yakiniku (tableside BBQ) dinner with lots of high quality meats and rounds of drinks was somewhere around 9,500 yen, or about $60 USD.

I cannot take any credit for planning or booking our trip as another member of our group took the lead on that. He made the itinerary through a company called Firebird Tours, and while I can’t really attest to the planning process or the ease of working with them (because I did not actually communicate with them), they did plan a very thorough trip for us with seamless, guided transportation between cities. The walking tours in each city do lean pretty heavy towards Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples, and once we had seen a few of those, we did ask some of our tour guides to pivot and take us to the local markets, the restaurants they like to go to, the local underground bar, etc. – and they were usually happy to do so.

We flew from LAX to Tokyo, and there’s just no way around it, the flight is long. Gather all those credit card points and upgrade if you can, and then take a redeye. (We did not take the redeye, but in hindsight, it may have been a better idea. We left on a Monday morning and arrived late Tuesday afternoon.) We did however have amazing seats which really helped eliminate loss of time for jetlag once we were there. Are you sick of reading yet? Because here comes the tour…

First Stop: Tokyo We actually landed in Tokyo on my birthday, and after a long flight, customs, and airport transport, The Conrad Tokyo was a beautiful sight for sore eyes. It’s a high rise hotel near the city center with beautiful views, luxe rooms, and a very friendly concierge that was key in booking a couple of our dinners while we were there. (For the most part, meals were kind of done on the fly. Pop in here, stop there.) The Conrad is definitely more Americanized and offered a Western-style breakfast every morning that I have to admit I really appreciated. I would say the one downside to the hotel is that location-wise, it’s a business area so the districts we wanted to check out weren’t very walkable. (But taxis are very cheap and easy to find, so it wasn’t really an issue.)

While most of our meals in Japan were really affordable, dinner at mon cher ton ton at The Peninsula Hotel was definitely a splurge that was probably the most WOW meal of the trip. This is traditional Japanese Teppanyaki where a chef (or in this case, team of chefs) cook right in front of you. The food was incredible, and the service might have been even better. I would 100% recommend booking this one for a really special night. Also, the hotel was stunning. I would definitely look into booking it if we make it back to Tokyo.

We loved checking out the Tsukiji Outer Market (local fish market with lots of different food options), and enjoyed a nice afternoon shopping and sipping around Shibuya with the prettiest fall tree-lined streets. We did try to wander down the Harajuku district but found the crowds there pretty unbearable. For high end shopping and strolling, Ginza is sort of a Mecca, and Eric and I found the best little basement bar in the area called Bar Penguin. The bartender there tried to help us out with dinner reservations but then finally typed his favorite local burger joint into my Google translate and we walked there. (BROZERS’ was the place, a funny little American style diner, and the wagyu burger was exactly what we needed.)

A couple members of our group really wanted to see a Sumo match, and we learned that the six Grand Sumo tournaments are during the odd months of the year. Unfortunately for us, the November tournament was quite far from us in Fukuoka. Firebird set us up with a Sumo Practice at a Sumo Stable in Kawasaki where we watched a practice, were invited to participate (I opted out), and then shared a hot pot lunch with the Sumo. If something like this is on your list, it’s a pretty well-done tour.

After 3 nights in Tokyo, a driver picked us up and drove us two hours + a ferry ride to:

Second Stop: Hakone We kicked off our visit to Hakone with an Ashi Lake Cruise by ferry boat and then a tram ride on the Hakone Ropeway which provided for some pretty spectacular views. Hakone is known for its onsen which are traditional Japanese hot springs containing high levels of natural minerals. Our hotel, Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara, featured gender segregated indoor and outdoor baths as well as private hot spring tubs for every room. It could be a nice little retreat for those who love a relaxing hot tub dip, but Eric and I were glad we only had one night there. The hotel and its restaurant were nice but VERY traditional which meant wearing a traditional Samue set to dinner (optional but I obviously loved it) and a very hard to navigate dinner menu for me followed by airplane snacks in the room.

The following morning, a car picked us up and took us to the high speed bullet train with tickets to…

Third Stop: Kyoto When anyone asks which city was my favorite, I have a very hard time choosing, but MAYBE it was Kyoto. It’s definitely an older city, a cultural center, and an amazing place to just roam around. The bullet train from Hakone took a couple of hours, and it was very pleasant. (We did get first class tickets for the bullet train which I would recommend if you are traveling around with luggage – it helps to have the space.) We checked into our hotel, and Eric and I decided to take the day off from the tours. Instead I headed to the spa at the Four Seasons for the most relaxing facial, and 10/10, I would do it again.

For dinner we walked from our hotel to the Nakagyo Ward which is absolutely where you want to be. You’re basically roaming around back alleyways that are lined with restaurant after restaurant, this way and that way, hidden behind sliding doors and curtains – it’s wild. You’ll find everything here from sushi to yakitori (chicken skewers) to yakiniku (tableside BBQ) and speakeasy bars. (And if that’s what you’re looking for, make sure to stop into Bar Alchemist for great cocktails in the coziest space.) We also spent some time wandering around Nishiki Market which is where you’ll find lots of local food and vendors.

After two nights in Kyoto, we took the bullet train about 40 minutes to…

Fourth Stop: Osaka If you ask Eric which city was his favorite, he’ll probably tell you he’s undecided but wishes that we had more time in Osaka. If Kyoto is a bit more old school, Osaka felt really bright and shiny. (But that could be because the weather was so much nicer while we were there?) We stayed at The St. Regis Osaka which was far and away my favorite hotel of the trip. (I know, I know – very Americanized. Sue me.) It was just beautiful and beyond comfortable and decked out for Christmas.

We had a wonderful tour guide in Osaka who took us through the popular shopping districts (Nippombashi and Soemoncho are a couple I recall) selling local food, clothing, knives, chopsticks, you name it and then to a pretty great fried chicken spot for lunch. We also checked out Orange Street which was a cool area for vintage shopping and lesser known street brands. For dinner, our guide recommended this sushi spot that was walkable from The St. Regis, and we had a great night there. The chef noticed that a couple of us (the girls) weren’t as adventurous foodwise as others (the boys), so he brought out some delicious steamed fish and crab, enjoyed some sake with us, and then demanded we become Facebook friends. If we find ourselves back in Osaka, we will definitely be taking our seats back at his table.

We would have loved to spend another day walking around Osaka, but instead we took a…

Day Trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima Admittedly this day was a trek. We took the subway to the bullet train to another train to a ferry boat to Miyajima. It’s a small island outside of Hiroshima, and it was seriously beautiful. The scenery and temples were something to see, but the little deer really stole my heart. They were everywhere – lounging on the sand, following tourists around, rubbing their little heads on your hand like a puppy – I couldn’t get enough.

We enjoyed a little ramen and tempura lunch and then headed to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum which unfortunately was a big bust for us due to the crowds. I have never been packed into rooms with more people, shoulder to shoulder, overheating, all shuffling around trying to figure out how to either see the exhibits or get to the exits. The tickets were way oversold and packed with school fieldtrips, so if you’re interested in that one, buyer beware. We made the trek back to Osaka for our final night then took the bullet train back to Tokyo the next day to make it to the airport for one last stop before home…

Aloha from Hawaii On our way home, we stopped in Hawaii for three nights, and after all the go, go, go in Japan, it was such a nice way to wind down from the trip. Plus, when we finally made it back to Southern California, the two hour time difference felt like nothing. We left Tokyo at 9:00 pm on Wednesday night and arrived in Honolulu at 9:00 am Wednesday morning, time traveling backwards towards America. (If given the option, a redeye is definitely the way to go.)

All in all it was an amazing trip that we will talk about for years and years to come. If you’re considering visiting Japan, my advice to you is to GO for it. (And pack your most comfy shoes.)

xoxo

A couple of weeks ago Eric and I spent three nights in Napa, and it was maybe one of the best trips we’ve taken. I had been to Napa once several years ago, but Eric had never been. To be honest, it wasn’t even fully on our radar because of the whole flying into San Francisco or Oakland and then renting/hiring a car for the hour plus drive to Napa thing. In general, San Francisco is just not on my to-do list for a long weekend, don’t come for me.

But game changer alert – JSX now flies directly from Orange County to Concord Airport, which was about a 25-30 minute Uber ride to our hotel. JSX is a great airline with no security, no bag fees, no BS – you show up 20 minutes before your flight and hop on. Where they fly is limited, but the prices are actually more affordable than other airlines – it’s pretty wild. We’ve had some delays with them, but for the most part, it’s been nice experiences.

So we booked the flight, made some plans, and once we were in Napa, it was pretty much all smooth sailing. We met some amazing people and had some great food and wine. When the weekend was over, I think we both agreed that we’ll be back soon. Below, sharing a little itinerary of our weekend and some places that are definitely worth checking out. Until next time, Napa!

xoxo

Where We Stayed: Stanly Ranch

Once we decided on a little trip to Napa, finding the hotel was the first piece of the puzzle. In random searches I kept coming across Stanly Ranch, and it stayed in my mind as the place I had to book. If you’ve ever stayed at an Auberge property before, then you know the level of service, the food, the rooms, the grounds and amenities – it just can’t be beat. It’s definitely a pricy choice, but after looking into a few wineries and dinner spots and being completely overwhelmed, I was sold on the fact that the Stanly Ranch Concierge would just figure it all out for me.

And that they did. Cam from Concierge killed it with the best itinerary. After a phonecall and a couple of emails figuring out our preferences, Cam booked all of our winery tastings, a driver for the day (if you can request Logan, DO IT), and dinner reservations for all three nights. His recommendations were spot on, and when we wanted to add a Sunday tasting last-minute, he was right on that as well.

The hotel itself is spacious and beautiful, and our room was just perfect. I don’t know how I didn’t get a photo of our bathroom with a standalone tub, outdoor shower, and heated floors – so nice. We loved having our little firepit patio to come home to, and it was the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast every day. I didn’t get a chance to check out the spa as it was fully booked for the weekend (should’ve booked ahead with Cam), but the restaurant is amazing and the boutique on property is a tiny Saks. If you contact them ahead of time they’ll stock it with your style and size. I didn’t do that but still managed to do a little damage. There are house cars on property, and when the valet isn’t busy, they’ll drop you off at local spots which was a nice little perk. Overall the stay was excellent, and I’d highly recommend.

Thursday

Dinner at Bear at Stanly Ranch – I knew that our first night in Napa we probably wouldn’t want to get to the hotel and then rush off to dinner reservations, so I scheduled an early dinner at Bear at Stanly Ranch. And after a couple hours of flight delays leaving Orange County, I was really happy about that decision. When we arrived to the hotel, we checked in, dropped our bags with the bell desk, and headed straight to dinner. (Luckily, it’s pretty casual.) We sat outside on their patio, and it was truly just a lovely, delicious way to start the trip. We loved the Kampachi and Crispy Rice apps followed by the Tiger Prawns and Whole Trout. Yum!

Friday

Breakfast at Stanly Ranch – We had tons of breakfast recommendations around Napa from friends, but we loved our room and our little firepit patio so much that we decided to just order breakfast to our patio every morning. And given the chance, I’d do the same thing again. I highly recommend the Spicy Tomato Poached Eggs, and Eric really loved the Wild Salmon Gravlax with the Buckwheat Waffle. So good.

Progeny – This was our first stop on Friday, our wine-tasting day, and it was a really beautiful start to the day. We were greeted by our host Anthony who was fun and funny and bubbly and just so knowledgeable – it was clear that we were in good hands. We booked a wine and cheese pairing experience, and it was a very private, personal tasting in their beautiful library. Literally, I think Eric and I were the only guests on the property at the time. Their Reserve Cabs are delicious, and we loved the thoughtful food pairings – I could eat that ricotta stuffed peach bite every single day.

Hudson Ranch – Our second winery stop was more of a (giant) ranch vibe and included a beautiful farm tour of their home-grown veggies, flowers, and championship gourds. (Seriously, gourds hanging from a lattice ceiling that were taller than us and destined for a local gourd competition.) We roamed around, tasted some fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes, and took in some giant sunflowers before sitting down to a beautiful sunroom style tasting. We tried their Chardonnays, a couple of red blends, fresh pressed olive oil, and some duck fat popcorn that Eric loved. Chardonnays aren’t really my vibe, but Eric said those were really good as well.

Hammel Family Wines – Our third and final stop of the day took us to Sonoma which was a little further out than I wanted to go, but I’m so glad that we went. (Also, it was only about 20-25 minutes, not bad.) Hammel Family Wines is situated up high and boasts some pretty incredible views. We had a private tasting in their indoor salon followed by a brief cave tour to see how the wines are aged, stored, closely watched, all that jazz. I thought it was interesting, and we loved their reds so much we decided to join their club.

Dinner at The French Laundry – It’s a Napa Valley staple and a place that Eric and I both wanted to try. (Don’t tell him I told you, but Eric has a French Laundry cookbook that you’ll find him flipping through from time to time.) Reservations are tough, but we got on a waitlist thanks to a friend’s recommendation about 3-4 weeks out. They called me the week of our trip to offer us a 4:00 reservation for Thursday and (thankfully with our flight delays) we decided to take a chance, turn it down, and get back on the waitlist. We lucked out and got in on Friday night, and it was an incredible experience. We chose a Chef’s Tasting Menu along with a wine pairing, and they took care of the rest. It was a splurge in every way possible, but it was something that we’re glad we did.

Saturday

Lunch at Morimoto Napa – After our very full Friday, Saturday morning started off nice and slow, and I was so glad that we hadn’t made any plans. After coffee and breakfast at the hotel and a quick dip in the spa, we decided to roam into downtown Napa around midday. We both love sushi, so Morimoto was an easy choice. (I’m also obsessed with their Black Cod dish after having it in Hawaii last year.) We sat at the bar, had a nice little low-key lunch, and then roamed a bit around Downtown Napa afterwards. There were some cute little spots for wine-tasting along the river, but we decided to skip and head back to the hotel for the afternoon.

Dinner at Press Napa – Press was another recommendation by our hotel concierge, and it was another hit. It’s a small-ish St. Helena Michelin-Starred restaurant, and anytime we mentioned to anyone that we were going to Press, they told us how great it was. We were seated on the patio, which to be honest was a little meh in atmosphere, but the service and food definitely made up for it. We did the Tasting Menu, and I’m sure I’m not supposed to say this, but I liked the food here better than The French Laundry. More my style, not SO out there. The soft shell crab app was the best I’ve ever had. Also, a soft pretzel served with caviar. Sign me up.

Sunday

Cuvaison – We only made wine-tasting plans and reservations on Friday and kept the rest of the weekend open, but by Saturday night, we realized we should pick out one more winery for Sunday since our flight wasn’t until 4:00. I emailed the concierge at Stanly Ranch and just asked for “something near the hotel” and he suggested Cuvaison. It far exceeded my expectations with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the entire beautiful property. It was more of a relaxed vibe with a couple of comfy couches which we loved for our last day. This was also the only winery where Eric could taste some whites and reds and I could stick to all reds. It was the perfect last winery for our trip.

Lunch at Bouchon – After Cuvaison, we decided to head into Yountville for lunch. We didn’t have reservations which can be a little problematic on a busy Sunday, but we were lucky enough to score a couple of bar seats (which we kind of prefer over a table anyway) at Bouchon. There we got a little rundown of the area (Yountville seems to be the spot to be, and next time we will definitely spend a little more time there), and I had the best French onion soup of my life. I tried to share it with Eric, but he was chatting and somehow it just disappeared. Before heading to the airport, we also managed to snag some to-go goodies from Bouchon Bakery up the street to take home with us.

Tasting experience at Progeny

Ulla Johnson dress; French Connection heels; Bottega bag; Isabel Marant sunglasses

Tasting Room at Hudson Ranch Breakfast at Stanly Ranch

Amanda Uprichard dress; Amazon heels; Bottega bag

Tasting Menu at Press Napa

Tasting Room at Cuvaison

Outdoor Patio at Cuvaison

Pool at Stanly Ranch Denim skort; t-shirt bodysuit; H&M cardigan; beek sandals (code MYSTYLEDIARIES10 for 10% off); Bottega tote

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

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

And just like that, it’s Christmas Eve, y’all.  And I’ve got one thing to say about it: WILD.  The holidays always seem to fly by, but this year in particular, I’m over here scratching my head wondering where the last month has gone.  I’m sure it’s because, as I mentioned in my last post, I’ve spent lots of time traveling over the last month or so (and this year in general).

Warm weather trips, cold weather gear, dressy staples, casual exploring gear – I’ve packed and unpacked a few times this year, and I have to say, I’ve gotten pretty good at it.  I am ALL about our hard case luggage from Ricardo Beverly Hills.  It’s been tough enough to last through a ton of trips and fits SO. MUCH. STUFF.  (Because let’s be real, I’m not always the best at editing down the packing list.)

And when it comes to carry-on luggage or just a bag for short trips or errands around town, I seriously love everything MZ Wallace.  My friend Jenn introduced me to the brand years ago, and I’ve now got a few different styles.  The fabric is super durable, there are a ton of interior pockets and pouches, and the straps are so comfortable to carry all day long.

The latest bag I’m loving?  The Large Metro Tote is seriously so nice.  I love the larger size, the zipper closure at the top, and the sleek, easy design.  I used this tote on a recent trip home to Louisiana with Weeze and managed to fit a full-sized blanket, my computer, and ALL of the other puppy necessities with room to spare.  I put all my purse essentials in the Metro Pouch and used it as a clutch once we got to New Orleans.

If you’ve got travel planned for the new year and want to get organized, check out MZ Wallace to get your act together, girl.  Merry Christmas Eve, friends!

 Madewell jeans;  Lou & Grey sweater (40% off);  MZ Wallace pouch;  Marc Fisher OTK boots;  Quay sunglasses

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

Thank you Tennessee Tourism for sponsoring this post. Plan your vacation to Tennessee, and experience the beauty with more to see !

 Spanx leggings;  Carve Designs sweater;  Hunter boots;  plaid scarf;  Eric’s Pendleton shirt

Happy Thursday, friends!  If you’ve been following along on Instagram then you know that Eric and I recently took a weekend trip to Knoxville, Tennessee.  It was a quick trip, but we tried to pack it all in.  We ate, we drank, we saw so many pretty views – including a “colorblind-less” view for Eric.

Veterans Overlook and Eric’s Colorblind-less view – Our Sunday morning at Veterans Overlook was the coolest part and the entire point of the trip.  Tennessee has some of the most beautiful fall foliage that I’ve seen, and Tennessee Tourism has done something really cool so that more people can enjoy it.  They’ve installed “Colorblind-Less” Viewfinders at several scenic spots around the state, and fun fact, Eric is colorblind.  We drove out to Veterans Overlook on Sunday morning, and although it was super foggy and overcast, we were excited for Eric to try out the viewfinder.

And his immediate response?  “Wow.”  For the first time, he saw a huge fall landscape that was, in his words, more vivid, more colorful.  He would look in, look up, look in, and look up again.  He also turned the viewfinder on me and decided, thankfully, that he still liked what he saw.  Could’ve really ruined the trip!  All jokes aside, thank you to Tennessee Tourism for such an amazing time in Knoxville.  We are so grateful to have gotten to explore a little bit of Tennessee and love that Eric got to have a little glimpse into a colorblind-less fall.  Read on for a few more favorite spots from the trip.

The Tennesseean Hotel – After a full day of travel, this hotel was surely a sight for sore eyes and has since become one of my favorite places I’ve stayed.  I knew the hotel would be beautiful from the photos I saw beforehand, but the comfort and pleasant experience was seriously on another level.  From the beyond friendly staff, comfortable rooms stocked with Molton Brown shower goodies and Illy espresso, the coziest lounge for relaxing with lunch and a cocktail, and the best location that was an easy walk to Market Square, it really became our little home away from home.  It was the place we couldn’t wait to get back to at the end of the day, and when we make it back to Knoxville, I wouldn’t think of staying anywhere else.

Knox Brew Tours – Eric and I had no idea that Knoxville had such a fun and interesting beer scene happening, but I came across a suggestion for Knox Brew Tours and decided to buy tickets.  And we are so happy that we did.  We met at a local beer shop that was a quick walk from The Tennesseean Hotel, and for 45 bucks we hopped on the brew bus for tours and full tastings at four local breweries.  We enjoyed tasting the craft beers but also learned a bunch from our tour guide Ace and our driver Queso.  It’s a must and is also how we discovered the next must-see stop on my list.

Pretentious Glass Co. – One of the stops on the Knox Brew Tours bus was Pretentious Beer Co., a really cute little brewery with fun decor, a great outdoor space, and a door connecting it to Pretentious Glass Co. where you can watch glassblowers creating the most unique and beautiful glassware.  We could’ve stayed and watched all day (had to jump back on the bus), but we did purchase and ship home some goodies that we can’t wait to receive.

Breakfast and lunch at The Drawing Room in The Tennesseean Hotel – The lounge at The Tennesseean Hotel was seriously the best.  Big, comfy chairs, cozy couches, friendly staff, and some seriously yummy food.  We had breakfast here one morning and lunch with a side of football the next.  The low country boil (basically a seafood stew dish), fig and prosciutto flatbread, and burrata were all so good.

Three Rivers Rambler Train Ride – The Three Rivers Rambler is a train ride that takes you right along the Tennessee River.  We hopped on the 7:15 train, and to be honest, I’d definitely recommend booking one of the earlier departures so you can take in the scenery before it’s too dark.  Other than that, it was a pretty cool experience and is a really great option for families with kiddos.

BBQ at Sweet P’s Downtown Dive – From now on, whenever someone asks about the best BBQ I’ve ever had, I can easily say Sweet P’s in Knoxville, Tennessee.  This place came highly recommended (for good reason), so Eric and I stopped in for a late dinner after the Three Rivers Rambler.  And we are SO glad that we did.  We tried the dry-rubbed ribs, the garlic hot wings, mac and cheese, and cole slaw, and it all looked so good, I accidentally took zero photos.  The ribs were crazy good, and the mac and cheese alone might be enough to get me back to Knoxville.

Breakfast at Sugar Mama’s – Y’all, this place was serious Southern deliciousness.  We randomly stopped in and were so happy to find the cutest little spot with $1 mimosas, homemade pastries, lots of beers on tap, and biscuits galore.  Oh, and the pulled pork tacos loaded with mac and cheese, jalepenos, and pimento cheese?  A little bit life-changing.  Sadly, the day that we visited was actually the day that Sugar Mama’s closed its doors, but I’m still mentioning it here because the owners are in the process of opening a bigger location somewhere soon in Knoxville.  Fingers crossed it’s open when you go.

Exploring Market Square – This is a pretty idyllic town square that kind of looks like something out of a movie.  The Market Square area has a beautiful park area, restaurants, and cute local shops.  We roamed around, found the birthplace of the SEC (#winning), and stopped into Woodruff’s Downtown Grill & Brewery for one last beer sampler before heading to the airport.

xoxo

Above photos thanks to Alaina Rene Photo; Below photos from Eric and me

 Spanx leggings;  sweater hoodie;  Forever 21 scarf;  Tretorn sneakers;  Zara jacket (also love this one);  Gucci handbag Lobby of The Tennesseean Hotel Lunch at The Drawing Room at The Tennesseean Hotel Cozy room at The Tennessean Hotel Exploring around Market Square and the Theater District Forever 21 sweatshirt dress and scarf;  Tretorn sneakers;  Gucci handbag;  Quay sunglasses

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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

If you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you know that I spent a long weekend last week with Stella Artois at the Sundance Film Festival.  And it was awesome.  I had never been to Sundance before (or Park City for that matter), and I was super excited to get there and experience all the excitement firsthand.  We kicked off the weekend with a welcome dinner at 501 on Main, and the food was so delicious.

We stayed at the Newpark Resort Hotel which was just a short drive from the Main Street / downtown area, and the rooms were so, so nice.  This room was seriously HUGE and included a gas fireplace, a kitchenette, and a big balcony with a jacuzzi on it.  Every morning I had my coffee in bed with the fireplace going, looking out on a snowy mountain view.  It was the best way to start my day and such a cozy place to come home to at night.

The Stella Artois team had the cutest lounge set up on Main Street, and it became our sort of home away from home on the trip.  It was a comfy spot to thaw out, listen to live music, grab a snack (thankfully since we could not get into any restaurants in town – everything was booked solid) and enjoy cold Stellas and Cidre hot toddies.  There was also a limited edition chalice shop helping to give access to clean water to communities without.  (You can find more info on that partnership here.)  This was also the place where we listened in on an amazing Women in Film panel, joined in on a Sunday night hip-hop dance party, and did most of our celebrity spotting.

On Sunday we went on a snowmobiling excursion, and it was SO MUCH FUN.  I’ll admit that I was a little nervous at first and maneuvering this beast machine was a little aggressive, but once I got the hang of it, I was hooked.  It’s really a shame that Orange County’s weather doesn’t support my new favorite hobby.  Guess it just means I’ll have to make my way back to the snow a little more often.

And then there were the movies – it was Sundance after all.  Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not much of a movie buff and don’t even watch much TV these days, but seeing movies in a tiny theater in the presence of all the people that helped make that movie possible was totally cool.

Kathleen and I saw Search together on Sunday night, and we loved it.  It was like a Dateline murder mystery (one of my TV faves) on the big screen set in this crazy cyber world we live in.  It was so cool to hear from the film’s director and cast during a Q&A after the movie, and afterwards we walked over to Twisted Fern for dinner.  This was definitely my favorite meal of the trip – the brussels sprouts appetizer, house red wine, and the lentil-mushroom burger were all amazing.  (Thankfully we could get into restaurants that were a bit out of town.)

Overall it was an amazing trip with some pretty great people, and when it came time to leave, I was pretty sad to go.  Sundance was such a cool experience, and Park City was so beautiful.  But after one last delicious bite to eat at the High West Distillery in the Salt Lake City Airport (thanks to this recommendation from Female Foodie), it was back home to the husband and the pup.

Here’s hoping everyone has a great week ahead!

xoxo

Thank you so much to Stella Artois for the amazing trip.  All opinions are my own.

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

It’s been about four days now, and I’m still on Cloud 9 from our trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming this past week.  It’s a place I’ve wanted to visit for so long and was a bucket list destination for a couple of our friends, too.  Eric had been a couple of times in the past, but it had been a few years and he was dying to go back.  So sometime in October, we picked out dates, booked the tickets, and made it happen.  And I have to say, Jackson Hole did not disappoint.

I’ve got a whole post coming up with where we stayed, where we ate (and ate and ate), and all that jazz, but today I’m sharing a few photos from a morning in the National Elk Refuge, just outside of town.  We didn’t see any elk because I think I was a couple of weeks too early, but this area was crazy pretty with views farther than you could ever see and each individual blade of grass covered in tiny ice crystals.  There wasn’t any snow during our trip, but believe me when I tell you – IT. WAS. COLD.

It was the kind of cold I’ve only experienced twice before during a couple of February New York Fashion Weeks, but unlike New York, this time I was prepared.  I lived in layers (and layers) and chunky scarves, and this Coalition LA jacket came in so handy.  It’s super thick and warm, and I swear when I put the hood on, my entire body was instantly warmer.  The huge pockets are also great because with so many layers, I wanted to ditch the handbag and just carry around the essentials with me.  If you’re headed someplace cold this winter (or live there), I can’t recommend this one enough because, bonus – it’s under $100.

Hope everyone is having a great week, and stay tuned for more posts from Jackson Hole.

xoxo

Photos thanks to Erin Wheat Photography