Big/Huge Update and Hotel Talisa Recap

OMG - HI!!!

It's been a minute, guys! A lot has changed since I wrote my last post... and if you follow me on instagram or facebook, you know that Jonny and I are expecting a little girl in June (this is a mocktail in my hand (btw)! We are OVER THE MOON excited and can't wait to meet the little lady.  I have to admit, posting during my first trimester was hard and became nearly impossible because 1) I felt like crap and 2) I am not the best secret keeper (especially when it is super exciting news!).  I am so used to sharing everything in my daily life with you guys and I felt like all I wanted to do was ask for advice and shout our fun news from the rooftops and since Jonny and I decided we were going to wait until after the first trimester to share the news I really just shut down and felt I couldn't write at all.  Not to mention, it was a little hard to want to prepare for shoots when I'll I wanted to do was be in my bed, watching bad TV during most hours of the day and eat nothing but clementines during my waking hours.   

I am now 20 weeks and I seriously can't believe that we are already half way there.  Although the first trimester slowly ticked by, since week 12 I have felt great and it feels like I blinked and we are half way! Baby (we call her Booglet) and I both grew a lot last week and I felt her first kicks right after our ultrasound last Monday which was the most bizarre and incredible feeling all at the same time.  She is growing and I plan on doing a much better job documenting the second half of this incredible time in our life and I am certain that I will have some questions that you will all have tips for a first time mommy like me!

I am so excited to share some more big news in my next post - I am embarking on another huge adventure and cant wait to share the exciting news with you guys!!! Hint the Denver Darling family is growing too :).  Any guesses?

A few weeks ago, Jonny and I joined our friends for a ski weekend in our favorite ski town.  I have shared a few other Vail guides (here and here).  We spent the weekend at the new Hotel Talisa which was the perfect ski in ski out spot for the guys and the perfect place for me to relax with plenty of snowshoe trails for me and Stanley.

We used to visit this same property as a family growing up, but it definitely did not look like this.  The Hotel Talisa gave the old property a complete update and refresh - the rooms are so comfortable and spacious and we all enjoyed some of the most delicious meals that we had ever tasted.  I think you can truly the quality of a hotel by the extra touches put into the room and being pregnant I go to the bathroom about 25 times a night and I was so pleased by the automatic/nightlight features in the bathroom so I didn't bump into things every time I got up (it's the little things guys).

The Hotel Talisa is located just outside of the main village and they have a shuttle running constantly between the hotel, Lionshead, and Vail Village.  We rarely used the car throughout the weekend because parking in the village can be such a pain and the shuttle made it super convenient.

I had a ton of questions about this stay and hope I answered them all!! We truly had a blast and can't wait to go back.  

I also got this poncho last year, it is perfect for a mountain getaway (and pregnancy!) - it is sold out, but love this one, this one and this one too! And so far these jeans have been my only maternity splurge (thanks mom!) and wear them all of the time.

Escaping the Colorado Cold to Scottsdale

Hi Friends!!

I am so happy to that the sun is finally shining in Denver!! Last week was freezing and reminded me that I never shared our sunny trip to Scottsdale.

Last month Jonny and I were supposed go on a two week European tour (our second attempt at the trip), but #life and we had to cancel again.  We were both incredibly bummed and knew we had to book a trip right away.  Not to mention we were about to have our first snow in Denver and neither of us were ready for it.  We quickly looked at easy trips from Denver and knew Scottsdale would be the perfect place to lift our spirits and escape from the chilly early winter weather.

I have visited Arizona a few times, but everything about this weekend was completely unexpected and Jonny and I fell in love with the sunny city at every turn.  I arrived a day earlier than Jonny, and started the long weekend at the Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia. 

I was in total awe the moment I pulled into the driveway at the Omni.  Honestly, I should have researched the hotel better because I had no idea what an incredible resort it was.  We have several hotels with the same ownership here in Denver so I pictured something more business and conference like - when I say I was in awe, I was truly amazed by every little detail of the gorgeous property.  They have several delicious restaurants - I highly suggest the "Tapas Experience" at Prado.  After getting in pretty late, I wasn't sure I wanted to have a big dinner and the small plates at Prado were the perfect late night treat! 

I got up bright and early to take in all of the beautiful sights at the Omni - and again was surprised when I stumbled upon an outdoor spinning class overlooking Camelback Mountain.  I am always able to relax more when I get a nice sweat in - and I had big day of relaxation ahead of me! 

After the gym, I headed to the Joya Spa, which I can easily say is the most creative and one of the most beautiful spas I have experienced.  The staff ensures you are on a relaxation journey right from check in - and even stopped to remind me to set my intention at a giant crystal upon entering the spa area.  After my Hammam scrub (so cool), and massage, I sat poolside all afternoon long on the rooftop of spa and enjoyed a delicious lunch.  It was truly heavenly. 

I finally (reluctantly) left the spa and packed up to go to our next hotel for the weekend, Mountain Shadows, which was just down the road.  I really did not want to leave, but was again wow'ed when I checked in to Mountain Shadows.  From the front the hotel isn't very flashy, but everything on the inside is sleek, classy, contemporary and and truly stunning, and the staff was over the top friendly!  It is really hard to say which hotel I liked better because they were both amazing.

I met some local friends for wine tasting on the Scottsdale Wine Trail that evening, which was such a fun way to see the town.  We landed at FnB - a hidden gem, and local favorite where Jonny met up with us for dinner (starving just thinking about it!!).  The food is fresh and flavorful and I loved meeting owner and beverage director, Pavle... he shared his delicious wine that he curates himself which was so special!

There is no way Jonny would let me get away with planning a warm weather trip without a little golf, and although Mountain Shadows has a beautiful 9 hole course of its own, Jonny was dying to play at The Boulders about a 30 minute drive from town.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch with a view at The Grill and then toured the property, even saw a bride and groom taking pictures before heading back to get ready for a memorable dinner at the Fat OX.

Jonny and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at Fat Ox - 1 bottle of wine turned to two and we ate our weight in tiramisu. Such a fun date night spot!!

We planned to leave late on Sunday so we could enjoy a full day of fun before heading home to the snow and we were so glad we did.   Arizona Outback Adventures picked Jonny and me up early for a kayaking tour down the Salt River. It was such a great activity and way to see the beauty of Arizona in such a fun way.  Our tour guide mentioned that we may get lucky and see some wild horses on our trip... and to our surprise I almost ran right into them as they were crossing the river... such a cool experience!

After returning from our excursion we enjoyed the gorgeous Mountain Shadows pool in one of their poolside Cabanas for the rest of the afternoon.  It was the perfect spot to spend a Sunday - I could relax in the pool and Jonny caught up on football since there were TV's in each cabana.  I was thinking this would be the perfect place for a bachelor/bachelorette party! Before leaving for our flight we had one last amazing dinner at Hearth '61 which is conveniently in the hotel and overlooks the gorgeous pool.  We honestly thought about staying an extra night because we were having so much fun.  As I type we are planning our next trip and can't wait to get back there!!

Scottsdale trip recap

• Where to stay: Omni Scottsdale Montelucia and Mountain Shadows
• Where to eat: FnB, and Fat Ox
• Where to play: Joya Spa, Scottsdale Wine Trail, Golf at The Boulders, and Kayak the Salt River with Arizona Outback Adventures

xo

This post is in collaboration with Experience Scottsdale.  As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Family week in Aspen Highlights

When you are from Colorado, loving the mountains is in your blood.  Jonny and I are both natives (and our parents too!) so we spend as much time at altitude as possible.  Last week, I got to spend some quality time with my mom in Aspen.  Jonny, Zoe and her boyfriend, Pete, joined for the weekends.  I always feel so relaxed and at peace when I am in the mountains and even more so when I have all of my people in one place.

Jonny, Zoe, Pete, and I rode from Snowmass to Aspen and met mom to wander around the farmers market then enjoy a picnic afterwards.  The ride was not as downhill as we had anticipated, but it made our huge picnic even more enjoyable! The trail from Snowmass Village to Aspen is about 10 miles with about a 2 mile uphill stretch.  It is a great workout and you can do a one way bike rental.  Thank god because I would not have been able to ride back.  We rented from Aspen Sports and they were so helpful and made renting a breeze!

Before the whole gang arrived, mom and I had some great girls days! We would work out, then eat a fresh breakfast or lunch - 90% of the time at Spring Cafe (its amazing!), sit outside with the pups and work and have a glass of wine on our patio or at Bodega then head to dinner.

Our favorite dinner spot was BB's Aspen - I have walked by many times before and never had the chance to stop in.  The staff was so wonderful and the food was even better! It is hard to say what my favorite dish was - but although we were full, couldn't put our spoons down over the sticky toffee pudding!

Jonny and I started taking an annual summer trip to Aspen a few years ago.  This was the first year that we didn't stay at The Little Nell since we had a larger group, but we were sure to stop by and say "hi" to some of the friends we have made and check out the new happy hour menu at Ajax Tavern (yumm!) and the living wall which changes every summer.

I wore this $20 cropped jumpsuit to our last dinner in Aspen at Jimmy's Aspen.  Jonny happened to be wearing a matching shirt and refused to change, so we looked like quite the gingham clad couple!  I will link the rest of my looks in the scrolling gallery on the bottom of my site!!

 

Highlights:

1. Aspen Farmers Market
2. Picnic from the Butchers Block (did this last summer too!)
3. One way bike ride - Snowmass to Aspen
4. Spring Cafe
5. BB's Aspen
6. Jimmy's Bodega and Jimmy's Aspen
7. Rim Trail

Hotel Indigo Denver

Dress (50% off!)// Shoes // Weekender // Purse // Hat

Last week Jonny, (Stanley), and I had an extra special date night and the opportunity to experience the new Hotel Indigo Denver - Downtown.   It was our first full week in Denver in over a month so it made date night and playing tourist around Downtown that much better.  Jonny and I live just west of Downtown (in Lohi) and rarely cross the highway because many of our favorite date spots are just around the corner from us, so even just the small (8 minute drive) distance was a welcomed change of scenery for our little staycation!

Anywhere there is a hotel greeting dog you can bet it is going to be on the top of my list of favorite hotels, but when it is a Golden oldie like Sir Charles Barcly and his job title is "Hotel Ambassador/Greetings Guru" I knew I was going to love Hotel Indigo that much more.  The staff could not have been more accommodating and eager to make our stay wonderful even though Stanley was a bit on the rowdy side at check in (#typical)- they welcomed him with open arms!

PJ's old (Forever 21) similar options here, here, here!

As I mentioned, we live a stones throw from the hotel, but once we arrived we were able to forget about our car and check out some of our favorite spots that we don't get to often enough Downtown - like Union Station.  Hotel Indigo's central location is ideal if you are visiting since it is in the heart of Downtown and most of the major attractions are within walking distance.  We are currently researching spots for our trip to Europe next month and walkability is always the most important thing to us!

Dress (almost sold out) similar here and here // shoes // purse // sweater

I have been hearing rave reviews about Hearth and Dram since it opened, but had not had the chance to try it!  I knew it was near the hotel, but did not realize it was directly through the lobby until we arrived (not sure why I did not put the two together)!  It may have been a little too convenient as we ended up having drinks there once we arrived and then I met Lacey and our friend and photographer Jenna there for lunch the next day.  We enjoyed ourselves so much that lunch turned into happy hour - 4 hours later.  I would say that is definitely the sign of a successful and delicious lunch! The drinks were so creative and we were all impressed by the pretty plating (food wise and actual plates).  My favorite thing we had was the salmon appetizer and I was not even remotely excited at the idea of ordering salmon over cheese, but I can't stop thinking about it! 

If you find yourself in Denver I can't recommend Hotel Indigo enough.  The whole experience was wonderful from start to finish and we can't wait to go back!

This post is in collaboration with Intercontinental Hotels Group . As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Lemon Picking and the Perfect Print

Hi there!

I somehow completely spaced blogging some of my very favorite pictures from my Palm Springs trip last month. What. The. Heck! #oops

As you know, I went to visit my grandparents.  We had the best time.  Nana showed me around their property and we spent time playing cards and picking fruit from the trees surrounding their house.  My grandmother is almost 89 and one of the best bridge players in Colorado.  That is amazing in and of itself, but her love for cards keeps her young and she is one of the whitiest people I know.  

I had a quick photo shoot with a local photographer Erica (if you are ever in need of a photographer in Palm Springs - she is a doll!) and my nana asked if Erica could ever use any of my grandmothers printed pictures in her photography and on my blog, so we said she should hold her photo (above) so I could be sure to include it in the post :).

I have more of these Jackie cardigan sets than is probably ok to admit, but I think they get the more use than almost anything in my closet.  I wear them mismatched like I did here or as a set for luncheons and meetings.  This cardigan comes in an adorable set and has just been restocked in all sizes!  I also love this original plain cardigan that comes in 13 colors and on sale ($29-$49).  One of my other favorites is also on sale with limited sizes available - I wore it (here and am wearing an xs).

My skirt is old and one of my go-to summer pieces.  I found similar options here, here, and here that would be perfect for casual brunch or date nights. My tank is from local boutique Inspyre - (they have great graphic tees!).  And you can still get my wicker and leather crossbody here - it is the perfect size if you have a summer vacation planned!  You know who got a hold of mine (seriously nothing is safe with Sir Stan around!), will be getting another one for our upcoming trips.

The Perfect Colorado Road Trip

Hi there, happy Friday!

In case you missed my Instagram story from last weekend.  I wanted to be sure to fill you in on our fun filled road trip that we took over the long weekend.  Until our road trip to Montana last summer, I had forgotten how much fun they are.  When my sisters and I were little we would take one long road trip as a family a year.  We would pack up our suburban, make a bed with sleeping bags on one row of the seats and listen to The Lion King on repeat (my poor parents).  

This was similar, except with two of Jonny and my best friends and we replaced sleeping bags with dog beds and The Lion King with Hamilton (poor Molly and Brandon).  I guess some things will never change.  

We left Denver Thursday evening and stayed at our cabin in Silverthorne to get an early jump on the drive to Palisade Friday morning.  Palisade is about four hours from Denver (3 from Silverthorne) so we got there just in time to enjoy lunch on the patio (with the pups) at Palisade Brewing Company.  We checked into our adorable airbnb that was set on the sweetest little farm.  Our puppies had a blast playing with the baby goats on the property and swimming in the Colorado River right behind the house. 

We reserved the rest of the afternoon for exploring the Palisade wineries (which I was pretty skeptical about)... We first picked up our cruisers from Rapid Creek Cycles - they were so nice and helpful mapping out our route and gave us so many wonderful recommendations - I can't recommend them enough.  I had no idea the wine tasting would be so extensive in Palisade.  I have always known that Palisade was known for their peaches, but I have never thought of Colorado as being hot spot for vineyards. Honestly, I don't know exactly what I was picturing?  Something like 3 or 4 tasting rooms lined up in a strip mall, maybe?  But that wasn't the case at all.  The bike rental shop gave us a map with a 7 mile loop with wineries scattered throughout.  I was still skeptical.  After our first stop, I was on board, and after our second stop at the Meadery (honey wine) I was in love! The scenery could not have been more beautiful - pastel homes and buildings, lush gardens and wineries, rivers, and the prettiest backdrop all along the way.  We are all already planning our next trip for the Wine Fest this fall. 

Before leaving Palisade Saturday morning, we took our time and grabbed breakfast at the Slice O Life Bakery (they had amazing peach and lavender lemonade!) and got on the road to Telluride.  Telluride is another gorgeous 3 hour drive from Palisade through several small towns and over a scenic pass that drops you into town.

We checked into The Lumiere. OMG. We were all so impressed with this hotel.  The staff, the accommodations, and their doggy hospitality.  Upon arrival, they upgraded both of our parties to ensure that we would have enough room for our pups to play.  I have stayed in some pretty rooms before, but this was definitely one of the biggest!  I feel like I always write about shoulder/mudd season in Colorado because it is definitely our favorite times to travel.  You get beautiful weather and the mountain towns are still sleepy so you can find incredible deals too!

The Lumiere is located in Mountain Village so we rode the free gondola into town for most meals/activities.  Our first night we went to Sidework, a speakeasy in town, and had an early night before our hike Sunday morning.  Sunday, we hiked the Jud Wiebe Trail, which was the perfect intermediate hike (about a 3 1/2 mile loop plus an extra mile to go back and see the waterfall).  We had lunch in town afterwards at Brown Dog Pizza, the puppies snoozed outside with about 6 other dogs at the dog parking spots (so cute!).   We also loved dinner at Oak 221 and our lunch on the way out of town at The Butcher and Baker. 

We all agreed that we could have spent weeks exploring Telluride.  It is definitely my new second favorite mountain town (Vail will always have my heart).

Have a great weekend! 

xo

Garden of the Gods Club Girls Getaway

Hi Friends!

I am so happy to see a little bit of sunshine this week.  Last week was pretty gloomy, I was starting to think I lived somewhere other than Colorado.  The weather here can definitely be unpredictable, but it is typically sunny more often than not, so several gloomy days in a row had me in an unusual funk!

Luckily the weather just missed my girls weekend with Leah from Eat Pray Wear love, and Lacey from My Boring Closet at Garden of the Gods Club and we were blessed with a couple gorgeous days in Colorado Springs.  We were able to enjoy views from the beautiful infinity pool overlooking the Kissing Camels rock formations and could even see Pikes Peak!

Colorado Springs is only about an hour and a half from Denver, but our trip a few weeks ago, was my first time to Garden of the Gods since I was a little girl.  It is absolutely stunning and I can't wait to go back with Jonny.  He is a huge golfer and I can imagine the views from the Kissing Camels course are fantastic.

Obviously no girls weekend would be complete without room service and a trip to the spa.  After filling up on our delicious spread I went to join Leah and Lacey at the Spa at the Garden of the Gods Club.  My back was a little sore for some reason so asked for an extra deep tissue massage and it was amazing!  After my massage, I relaxed in the cozy relation room and sat in the Himalayan Salt Room before heading to my pedicure (also amazing!).  I felt so relaxed and beyond pampered.  I am actually getting sleepy just thinking about it.

The Garden of the Gods Club is a private country club as well as beautiful resort.  Since staying there several friends have told me that they have attended some amazing weddings here as well (I believe it!).  We enjoyed the yummiest tasting dinner at the formal restaurant at the Club.  And I can't say enough about our knowledgable server and each member of the staff that we encountered.

You may remember, I left a little early so I could get home to see a movie with my mom for Mother's Day.  I did miss out on a visit to the BodPod which is a pod that accurately calculates fat vs. lean muscle mass. I definitely hope to try it sometime soon to get an in depth understanding of my caloric needs as well as possible health risks.  Cool, right?!!

I am starting to pack for a fun road trip Jonny and I are headed on with some friends this weekend.  I would love to hear about the summer trips you have planned.  As always let me know if you have any questions or suggestions of things you would like me to cover!  You can shop all of our looks in the scrolling galleries (above or below within this post!).

This post is in collaboration with Garden of the Gods Collection . As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Palm Print in Palm Springs

Happy Friyay, Friends!

I've sure missed you guys! If you follow me on Instagram you may have picked up that I had a packed travel itinerary last week.  I started out in Palm Springs visting my grandparents and it was so nice to spend uninterrupted, quality time with them.  As we all get a little older I do my best to take in and cherish every moment with my loved ones.  And this time with my Nana and Papa was especially important because I rarely get to spend more than a few hours at a time with them.

Photography: Erica Mendenhall // Location: Palm Springs, CA

When I was deciding what to pack for Palm Springs, Scottsdale, and Chicago, honestly I was a little overwhelmed! The idea of squeezing outfits for three cities, multiple events, and very different climates made my head spin a bit.  At the end of the day, I had a few things that worked for me (more on that next week!).  But the one thing I knew was I wanted to find the perfect palm print to wear while I was in Palm Springs.  And I was thrilled when I found these palm print overalls!

Anyone else been resisting the overall trend? Me too. I thought these were a great way for me to ease into it! They are advertised as a romper (or playsuit.. potato/pot-a-to), but they definitely need a little top under (I like this one, this one with ruffles or this one $12), so I think they are definitely in more of the overall category!  I opted to size up so the shorts would be longer, but if you are looking for a tighter/shorter fit I would say it runs true to size.

While I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get ready for my trip(s).  I stopped by a new boutique in Denver, Billie and got these sunnies and this adorable lemon print top!  This clutch is so perfect for vacation and summer and I even wore it dressed up in rainy Chicago.

What are your Cinco de Mayo or Derby plans this weekend?!  

xo

Easter Mountain Weekend

Hi Friends!

Photography: Jenny Nelson

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.  I was lucky enough to spend the entire weekend with my family.  Jonny, Zoe, my mom and I spent the Easter weekend enjoying Spring Back to Vail which was an absolute blast! Anytime you are able to ski in shorts/leggings and grill mountain top it is sure to be a great time!  If you watched my Instagram story, you saw that Jonny participated in the World Pond Skimming Championship.  If you don't know what I am talking about (here) is a little video, and no he didn't make it across... he is already planning out his strategy for next year!

As we get older, it seems quality time with our families is harder to coordinate.  With busy schedules and double (sometimes triple or quadruple) the family to visit on holidays, it can sometimes be hard to slow down and truly enjoy the time with our loved ones.  My heart is always so full after time with mine - as I am sure yours is too! And I am always reminded how important making time for quality time is.

I originally brought this dress ($24) and blazer for Easter brunch (please excuse the wrinkles... I packed in about 3 minutes 🙈) but it was so sunny and warm I ended up wearing it to dinner one night instead.  My furry blazer is currently sold out, but I am sure will be restocked soon.   My dress is great for lunch meetings and I have a friend or two that I have already promised to lend it to for their bridal showers.  The weight makes it a perfect spring/summer transition dress and I love the bow and fringe details.  

Each spring I always stock up on things that I know I will need next fall/winter because you can always get the best deals.  For me, right now, I know I am looking for skis and snow pants (I like these and these).  But it is also a great time to snag boots that you have been eyeing! I like these $70 ( 5 colors!), these $59, and these $70.  Have you found any great spring sales?  I would love to know what you are looking for!

Have a wonderful day!

xo

48 Hour Girls Getaway Vail Itinerary

Hi Guys!

Location: Four Seasons Vail // Photography: Jenny Nelson

It has been a week since I returned from my fantastic girls weekend in Vail with Emily and Victoria.  I shared a little about the first part of our trip (here) - it was such a refreshing and welcomed time with old friends.  

Jonny, and Emily's husband, Tom, go on an annual boy's golf trip so we decided we definitely deserved a retreat of our own.  Emily and I met in college when our husbands (then boyfriends) were roommates.  You can imagine the immediate bonding that takes place when you are the only two females visiting in a mice infested frat house (not kidding!).  9 years later, we live on opposite sides of the country and it never feels like a day has passed when we get together.  Em introduced me to her childhood friend Victoria at her bachelorette and we hit it off and have been planning our reunion ever since.

I am often asked about my favorite places for a girls trip in Denver (check out some of my favs here, here, and here), but it is no secret that I love Vail and with the mountains so accessible I always recommend getting out of town to enjoy the scenery a bit if possible.  

Upon our arrival on Friday at the Four Seasons Vail we were greeted with the most beautiful display of goodies.  I am always so impressed by their attention to even the tiniest detail.  My friends pointed out they even replicated my logo on a piece of chocolate, which made my day!  After getting settled in, we went down to The Remedy Bar for an afternoon drink before heading out for some exploring.

Whenever friends visit for the first time I am always overly cautious about everyone staying hydrated.  Altitude sickness is a real thing, guys so we were sure to drink lots of water on this trip and you should too!  Next we walked around town and stopped at a few of my favorite boutiques (shared them here!).  We obviously worked up an appetite so stopped in the Red Lion for a quick snack.  We were bummed that we had just missed the live music (my favorite!), but the delicious nachos almost made up for it!  We had a light dinner at an adorable local spot - Up The Creek (more about them here) and went to bed early to prepare for a fun filled Saturday!

Emily and I got up early to ski Saturday morning, although the snow left little to be desired, you still can't beat clear blue skies and sunshine on the mountain.  Victoria has never skied and decided she was going to enjoy a relaxing morning at the hotel before meeting up with us.  Since Victoria had never been on a chairlift before we wanted to make sure that she was also able to enjoy the views so we made reservations at the 10th (insider tip: if you are not skiing and purchase a chairlift ticket for $40 they will give you a $20 credit to the restaurant).  It was beautiful and we were able to eat outside on the patio and soak in some sun and scenery before heading down for the afternoon.

I think we would all agree that the highlight of the weekend would definitely be the Remedy Spa.  Emily and I both had the Mona Massage which reminded me of a Lomi Lomi/Hawaiian style massage and Victoria had a deep tissue! We all loved our treatments and then they gave us chocolate dipped pineapple and we saw the make your own hot cocoa bar and we thought we might actually be in heaven.

It was a busy weekend in town so I reserved a large table well in advance at Mountain Standard for the three of us and several other friends in town.  It is always a fun atmosphere and food is so unique and delicious.  

Sunday morning we took our time getting ready and packed up.  I had heard great things about Vintage - the new brunch spot right across the street from our hotel.  We walked over without a reservation and  were lucky that they were able to squeeze us right in - considering, as we were leaving there was a line out the door.  Honestly, they have my ideal brunch and I was sure to make reservations for Easter! It has the perfect mix of sweet and savory options.

As you know, I am a pretty indecisive person, so ordering is always a chore and with their menu, although everything looked yummy - I knew exactly what I wanted!  After brunch we packed up the car and Emily could not leave town without a trip to Garfinkels and comparing the nachos to  Red Lions'.... so we did (yolo? We skied it off??).  It was another gorgeous day so we sat on the patio and enjoyed the sun before heading back down the mountain just in time for Big Little Lies, which was THE BEST!! 

It was obviously a packed weekend with lots of fun and food and I wouldn't change one thing! I always love getting your questions and emails so please let me know if you have any questions or anything you would like me to cover!

xo

This post is in collaboration with Four Seasons Vail . As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Springtime in Vail and a Nordstrom Giveaway!

Happy Monday Friends,

I am just getting home from the best weekend in Vail, with two wonderful friends.  Its hard not to feel rejuvenated after a few consecutive days filled with laughing until you cry, a dreamy spa day, delicious food and a few yummy cocktails... Am I right?!

My friends Emily and Victoria booked a last minute trip to Denver and after finding out that Victoria had never visited the Rockies, Em and I quickly agreed that a majority of the trip should be spent enjoying our beautiful mountains.  We spent the weekend at the Four Seasons which was the perfect spot for a girls trip! And I can't wait to share our 48 hour itinerary later this week so be sure to check back!

Springtime in CO, and particularly in the mountains can be extremely unpredictable - the girls had a difficult time packing because our forecast was so all over the place.  It called for 70 degree weather one day, snow the next and even a little rain mixed in.  One of the things I love most about Colorado is our varying conditions and that we can pretty much count on sunshine at some point every day.

Layering pieces are perfect for spring mountain days! And right now, you can find some serious steals on great staples like my camel coat (similar here $70).  My turtleneck is $14.99 with code KNOTKIDDING.  I wear these jeans - all. the. time. sadly, they are not on sale, but this VERY similar pair is  (also love these $60).  My boots from EMU Australia are the perfect weight for chilly spring days and I love that the metallic can make any plain out a little more fun!

I have a great giveaway for you today! I have teamed up some fabulous other bloggers to bring you a chance to win $1000 to Nordstrom! I did one of these giveaways a few weeks ago and got great feedback from you guys that you found some new blogs so I hope you enjoy this one as well - and good luck!!

Now…it’s time for a fabulous giveaway! I’ve teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to give YOU a chance to win: a $1,000 Nordstrom Gift Card, just in time for some spring shopping!

Simply enter below by completing the rafflecopter. You’ll receive one entry per completion. This giveaway is open internationally and runs until 4/17. Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!

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Spring Break Essentials

Hello Friends!!

With spring fever in full effect and seemingly everyone escaping to warmer weather for spring break, I wanted share my spring break essentials and a few things that made it into my carry-on.

Last year I went to a bachelorette in Miami and learned the hard way that you should always have a few key pieces tucked away in your carry-on.  Since I was flying from wintery weather to 80 degree temps I was woefully unprepared and ended up purchasing a swimsuit, sunglasses, cover up, sandals, and some toiletries.  I have since learned my lesson and am now sure to include one day's worth of fun in my tote.

Here are a few things that I packed in my carry-on to Secrets Akumal (I like a plane to beach tote like this one $39 or this one $139):

A One Piece: I love that they double as a body suit so can be worn multiple ways. This pink one from Phax Swimwear is definitely a favorite - the deep V and low back are such flattering cuts and the bright pink is perfect for the beach. Also, love my gingham and bow suit $52, and this one $35

Bikini:  Always need a good bikini to work on that tan! I love the colors in this one - starting at $69, and the high neck cut of this one - starting at $49

Cover-up: A nice cover-up is a must.  I loved mine from Phax Swimwear (worn here) that was perfect for the beach but still lunch appropriate.  I also love this one and this one.  

Shorts: My shorts are old, but these $55 and these $78 are very similar and SO affordable $55 and I wear them all spring/summer long! 

Sunglasses: I wanted to bring sunnies that I wasn't scared would get scratched, sandy, or lost and these were perfect $12!  And these $200 are my favorites and I have purchased the same pair 3 times because I love them so much.

Sandals: If you can only take one pair of sandals, take these $117. They are nice enough for dresses and casual enough to wear to the pool.

Toiletries: Don't forget sunscreen, and bug spray

Highlights from Secrets Akumal

Happy Friyay!

We have been on a major spring like streak since I returned from Mexico.  It has been in the 60'/70's all week which has made for a nice transition from the tropical temperatures in Riviera Maya.  However, we know in Colorado we can just as easily have two feet of snow on the ground tomorrow, so I am soaking in the sun while it lasts.

A few weeks ago, I had a serious case of the winter blues... serious!! And I got an invitation to attend a viewing party of Top Chef at Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, where it was filmed, and I could not reserve my spot on the beach fast enough.  Apple Vacations and Amstar made this last minute trip seamless!  They booked everything and made sure transportation to and from the airport was a breeze.

Every direction I turned at the resort was simply picture perfect.  However, more importantly the service was wonderful.  We were greeted with cocktails upon arrival (big bonus points), and the staff made us feel right at home.  Several people have asked about the food because I guess all inclusive resorts are typically not known for their cuisine, and I have to say, the food was absolutely a highlight!  

Secrets Akumal has 7 restaurants and I was so impressed with each one.  Lacey and I loved the breakfast spread at The Market - the smoothies were the perfect start to my morning! And I also loved the all pink French restaurant, Bordeaux, and the sushi spot we dined at our last night.  I wore this dress with these comfy wedges ($39) to our progressive dinner tour which commenced in the main kitchen of the hotel with the most delicious and creative eight course dinner.  I could not have been more impressed!

For me, the most important part of truly enjoying a beach vacation is laying out.  Jonny would have something to say about that, so as much as I missed him, it was nice to be on a girls trip with some lovely ladies who understand the importance of soaking in some rays.  After spending a sufficient amount of time laying out and swinging on the swings at the beach bar we spent the afternoon relaxing in the Pevonia Spa.  It was the perfect way end to the day!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend - would love to hear what fun spring break trips you have planned! And as always, please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!

xo

This post is in collaboration with Secrets Akumal . As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Spring Break Dresses

Morning Friends!

I just got home from a beautiful few days at Secrets Akumal in Riviera Maya!  It is always so nice to get out of town for a few days, but no saying is truer than "Home is where the heart is."  It was hard not sharing such a beautiful place with Jonny and I am so happy to be home (a little tanner) today.

You know I am a dress fanatic, so it was nice to pack only one pair of shorts and jeans for the plane for this trip.  I had never been to an all inclusive resort  so it was such a pleasant surprise to not have to bring a purse anywhere.  Today also happens to be National Dress Day so I wanted to be sure to share a few of my favorite dresses from my Spring Break.  

I posted this dress (which is now on super sale $42!) on Instagram during my trip and got a lot of questions about it! I love the tailored fit of this shift (sometimes they can be boxy).  For sizing, I always check out Asos size guide because some things are tiny tiny and others run big.  This dress runs true to their sizing guide, I ordered a 4 and it fits perfectly (I typically wear 0-2 in most dresses).  The colors are a bit brighter than advertised which is so perfect for a beach trip, bachelorette, or vegas vaca!!  Also, big plus for me, 2 day shipping was a huge life saver since this was a last minute trip and you know I am not always the best about planning ahead :/.  

I immediately put this dress in my cart when I saw it - you know I can't resist a flowy dress with ruffles (under $60)! As you can see it does have a much deeper cut than I would normally wear, but "When in Mexico..." 💁🏽💃🏽! I would suggest fashion tape which I sadly forgot.  I love all of the fun earring styles right now, perfect for spring breaking too! My earrings $48 come in six other colors  (2 shades of pink!).  I also love these and these!  

Excited to share more from my trip with you guys!! Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!

2016 in Review

I am not going to pretend that 2016 was all kinds of rosy - this year was a lot of learning and growing for me, maybe you can relate?  Jonny and I experienced the heartbreak of losing close friends and our first doggy. But 2016 also brought us some wonderful memories that we were so lucky to share.  

We traveled to six beautiful couples weddings and celebrated with countless friends! Checked off a few gorgeous sights on our bucket list.

 I visited Zoe, my littler sister and best friend in NYC and now she is back home in Denver which makes me so so happy.  

We added Sir Stanley to our family and we got to spend the holidays with both of our big families in beautiful Colorado.  It may not have been the year we had envisioned, but we feel so incredibly lucky.  Cheers to you and yours and to what 2017 may hold!

xo

Adventures with Woodzee

Hi Friends,

I hope you are having a great week so far.  I am getting so excited for Thanksgiving... I can't believe how quickly the holidays have snuck up on us!!  Jonny and I have a full weekend of fun ahead, first celebrating my Nana and Papa's 65th wedding anniversary (watch out for some adorable snaps on my instagram story), and then the first of about a million Thanksgiving feasts.  

I am pretty sure the pants that I am wearing here and love so much will no longer fit after next week.  Oh well... YOLO?  These distressed jeans are great, but I also love a bargain and found two pair for less than half the price (here $70 and here $59).

Jonny and I were so thankful to get a way last weekend before the craziness of the holidays begins.  We took Stanley on his first hike and Jonny golfed - which is semi terrifying because it means our ski resorts won't be opening any time soon :/.  I thought my new sunglasses from Woodzee were the perfect accessory to bring along on our weekend adventure.  I love that each pair is unique and made from buffalo horn.  Jonny got these! Both would make great Christmas gifts.  Also, think the tassels on my sweater are so fun, it is almost out of stock, so I found several more that I love (here, here and here!)

Have a great day! Cheers!

This post is in collaboration with Woodzee . As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Gone Glamping - Montana

Happy Wednesday, Friends

It's always a nice feeling to know we are that much closer to the weekend.  Remember last week when I told you I felt like we were going a million miles an hour and life was pretty busy?  Haha, well... Things have gotten even busier (cuter, but busier) around our house the past few days.  Saturday morning, Jonny and I picked up three six week old black lab puppies that we are fostering for the next two weeks until they are old enough for adoption events with Douglas County Canine Rescue.  And let me tell you, three tiny puppies can cut an already short day in half!  However, the sweetness overflowing from our house is definitely worth it!

Although becoming a bit distant, Jonny and I made some of our very favorite memories on our trip to Montana.  We have have been so lucky to visit some beautiful places during our travels together and we both agreed that The Yellowstone Collective Retreat was at the top of our list as one of the prettiest.  The sun sets late which gives everything the most incredible golden glow, and the water was clearer than either of us had ever seen.

As most of you know, I am a Colorado native, but that does not mean that I am a big fan of camping.  And when I say that, I mean, until recently, I have despised the idea of camping.  Growing up, we would camp in our backyard, but that is as far as I would go.  However, Jonny loves camping!  And in our vows I promised to go camping sometime.  Last year I found a loophole with Collective Retreats Vail and have fallen in love with - er "camping" or glamping (read about last years trip here).

Yellowstone Collective Retreats has thought of everything and has definitely made me fall in love with staying so close to nature.  Each tent is nestled between trees, down a private path and with two lakes to with only six tents it feels incredibly private and secluded.

We love that they make everything so easy - the staff at Yellowstone Collective Retreats invited us to join in on their farm to table dinner, which we heard was fantastic! But both trips, we have loved the chef prepared BBQ boxes that Jonny got the chance to show off his grilling skills.  Also, the gourmet marshmallows are the most delicious combinations we have ever had!  UGH - take me back, p - a - lease!

I knew it was going to be a bit chilly at night so I popped into Forever 21 for a few things before our trip, and love this top ($12.99) and this jacket is such a great weight for fall ($25).  My white jeans are oldies but goodies and these new booties are THE MOST COMFORTABLE I have ever worn! Jonny's jacket is from Ball and Buck.  It was the perfect weight for the chilly nights.  As I mentioned last week, Ball and Buck currently has a pop up store in Cherry Creek North and Jonny and I have loved getting him some new things that we wouldn't normally see in the mall.  Also, they are having an outfit your guy event this Thursday evening with some other great partners, we hope we can stop by!

Also, if you are in need of a photographer and you are in the Big Sky or Bozeman area we loved working with Jessie Moore.

Have a wonderful rest of your week!!

xo

Slowing Down Summer in Montana

Happy Friday, Friends!

Life has kind of gotten away from us since we got back from Montana.  Our quick trip to Montana the week before last was only a long weekend, but it was so relaxing with little distractions and time didn't seem to speed by as it has lately.

Jonny and I have both been busy with work and sometimes he has to work until the wee hours of the morning so this trip was some welcomed quality time.  Most people called us crazy for driving to Montana for just a four day day trip (drive time included), but we had such an amazing time.  And enjoyed every minute of the beautiful drive through the Tetons, a night in Jackson, and the windy roads and sights of Yellowstone National Park.  Jonny had never been to Yellowstone and I hadn't visited since I was very little so we broke the drive up with a stay in Jackson and a hike in the Tetons (that was beyond stunning!).

As we entered Big Sky, Jonny and I were already in awe of the beautiful scenery - we have always been partial to CO and our mountains, but Montana's are pretty spectacular.  We were greeted with open arms at The Yellowstone Collective Retreat at Moonlight Basin (literally a big bear hug from CEO Peter!) and had an absolutely unforgettable weekend.

We were completely unplugged all weekend which I am realizing it is such an important thing to do to step back and focus on what is really important.  This is my second time "camping" - yes it is very much glamping (more on that in my next post) but because of my last few stays at Collective Retreats (also here) unplugging from the world and being outdoors is really growing on me.

I can't wait to show you more from our trip - I have about a bazillion more photos to share with you.  It was just so beautiful and I am just in love with the experiences we have had at Collective Retreats.  It has been so nice reminiscing about our trip this morning and taking a second to slow back down before the busy weekend ahead.

However, now we get back to the hustle and bustle of Friday - Jonny and I are going to Urban Nights tonight, a fashion show that supports homeless youth in Denver.  We had a blast last year and I believe there are still tickets left.  We hope to see you there!

Also, this is Jonny's new favorite shirt.  It is from Ball and Buck, a Boston based mens store that is doing a pop-up in Cherry Creek through Labor Day.  He loves the cut of the shirt and I love all of the fun designs they carry!  As we transition into fall, I am loving long sleeves tops and sweaters like this one with distressed shorts ($46) - just the perfect combo on a crisp late summer evening. I hope you have a wonderful day and weekend, friends!  

• Accommodations: Yellowstone Collective Retreat at Moonlight Basin
• Photography: Jessie Moore

xo

Travel Diary - Krabi, Thailand

Good Morning, Friends,

With almost 20 inches of fresh powder outside our front door, I woke up wishing I could be immediately transported back to the beautiful beaches of Krabi, Thailand.  In Krabi, we were rarely without fruity beverage in hand and wore little more than swimsuits for almost five days straight..... ahhhhhh #takemeback

Jonny and I kept trying to describe how we felt while we were in Krabi and at the Centara Grand Resort, but the only adjective we could come up with was, "magical".  It was the most stunningly beautiful, relaxing, yet fun and perfect place that either of us have ever been to.... simply magical.

Swimwear: Phax Swimwear and Target Swimwear (top and bottom) // Cover up // Fedora // Necklace // 

Jonny and I witnessed the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets while we were in there.  One happened to be while enjoying my birthday dinner beach side - it was incredible.  We fell in love with Krabi it made our bucket list trip almost heavenly. 

• Accomodations: Grand Centara Beach Resort and Villas
• Travel tips: 

1. We loooved our hotel - so that would be my first tip, stay there! Staff was incredible and the hotel was beyond beautiful and pretty much set in a monkey forrest.  If you stay there, opt for "The Club", it includes a continental breakfast, afternoon snack (which is really lunch), happy hour (could be dinner), and evening cordials for $28 pp per day.  The sweet staff overheard it was my birthday and brought me a giant cake and played "happy birthday" on the over head speakers as we were leaving.   They definitely left a wonderful impression.
2. Rent a private long tail boat for the day.  For about $30 USD we had a captain and first mate and visited 6 of the neighboring islands around Krabi.  It was so fun exploring the islands and snorkeling the clear blue waters on our own time.
3. Hike the Monkey Trail into town.  There is a short, but beautiful hike out of the resort into town called the Monkey Trail.  We never saw any monkeys on the monkey trail (tons at the hotel), but found a fun swing and loved visiting the cute town.

Hope you are all staying safe and warm today! Can't wait to hear more about your travel plans.  I love getting all of your emails about your fun trips!

SE Asia Travel Diary - Bangkok, Thailand

Hi Guys,

I am so excited to share the first bit of our exciting trip with you.  I I have broken up the fun into several posts that I will be sharing over the next couple of weeks (otherwise this would be the worlds longest post!).  I have loved getting all of your emails and direct messages on Instagram about your travel plans and hopefully this will be helpful with your planning!  Please let me know if you have any questions at all!  

Apologies in advance, get ready for picture overload!  Jonny lost his phone before our second stop in Thailand so our sole picture taking device was my handy dandy i-phone which we took 3000+ pictures on!

Bangkok

Jonny and I started our crazy adventure in Bangkok.  We landed at 11pm and tried our darndest  to stay awake and paint the town red,  but a comfy bed at the Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit was much to inviting after the long flight and we were fast asleep almost before we stepped into our room.  We were so excited to get outside and make sure to take in every little thing that Thailand had to offer - we didn't want to waste a minute.  Jonny and I were up bright and early (14 hour time change was pretty helpful) and went for a jog around a beautiful park near our hotel.  

It was very warm, so after our run we got ready and I threw on a sun dress for sightseeing and we went on our way.  We had heard from friends that in order to visit temples, women had to have knees and shoulders covered so we packed a backpack with pants for Jonny, and a maxi dress and tee shirt for me (not the best look).  In hindsight I wish I would have brought something like this, this or this with me... it would have saved me from some embarrassing photos I will treat you to in Chiang Mai.

We happened to be touring Bangkok on a Buddhist Holiday and the only thing on our itinerary to see was The Grand Palace.  Because of the holiday, we were told it was closed until the afternoon, but a smiley, toothless, gentleman immediately capitalized on our naive, confused looks, and invited us on a tour.... and it was one of the best decisions we made!  

He organized a tuk tuk tour around the city to see all of the sights, including a boat ride through the canals, a stop at a beautiful temple where we watched a young man become a monk, and stopped (spent a little too much time) at James Fashion Factory, then finally back to The Grand Palace to tour once it was open.  

As I mentioned, we spent a little too much time at the silk clothing factory, but Jonny and I had a blast picking out fabrics and getting some beautiful custom pieces at a fraction of what they would be in the US.  When all was said and done, Jonny had a few new suits and shirts and I have a new pink dress I can't wait to show you (see the swatch in the corner of the picture?).  Even more amazing, they delivered it all to our hotel by the next morning and had us in for a second fitting somewhere in between... it was awesome! 

After all of the sightseeing, we stumbled upon our first of many street markets, and enjoyed our first of many Thai massages.  Jonny and I were already in heaven.  We realized that Thailand is the perfect travel destination for us because he loves a bargain and I love to shop.  

Can't wait to share more with you from our second stop in Krabi, Thailand next week!  Have a great rest of your week!!

• Accomodations: Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit 
• Points of interest: Canal Tour, Grand Palace, James Fashion International
• Travel tips: Bring comfy closed toed shoes (my Tory's were troopers pounding the pavement for hours on end, but wish I had brought a cute pair of tennies that pair with a sun dress: like these $80), bring short sleeve maxi's for temple touring like this one , this one,  or this one (so you don't have to "rent" clothing or buy not so flattering matching capris like we did).