Adventuring with the Capital One

Hi there - I am so excited to share this post as a Capital One Partner!!

I know, I am just as shocked as you must be to hear from me so soon! I think I must be getting my groove back (hopefully!). I say that, and I am sure tomorrow will not go anything as planned.

Since Lily was born I feel like we have been burning the candle at both ends. I know it should be expected as a new parent to feel a little tired and busy, but I am learning something new everyday as a new mom and a new business owner and the learning curve has been crazy the last few months with both.

So I was thrilled when Capital One invited me to Grandoozy to experience their Destination Venture Dome and to have a parents night out on them. Jonny and I have been pretty lucky and Lily has been a very easy going little lady and we have been able to go out on dates with her (quite a bit) since having her, but this was our first night without our little gal. It was hard, but also nice to have some grown up time! We had planned to leave her with my mom for the night and ended up all spending the night over there because we couldn’t be away from her all night.

Jonny and I always love spending time with Capital One. Last year we learned so much managing our finances as a couple at the Capital One Cafe and this time we had a blast figuring out what kind of vacationer by taking the Venture Card Quiz…. shocker I am a “relaxationionist” and Jonny is an “adventurist”. We got to hang out with Ben from The Bachelor - a few of you asked if he was nice. Yes, he really was!

Jonny and I are hoping to make it to the Venture Dome as it comes through town a few more times with a few more exciting guests!

October 20th through the 21st in Cherry Creek

December 15th through the 16th at the Rink at Belmar

January 5th through the 6th at Skyline Park. 

For more information visit: destinationventure.com

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!

#BecauseImALady

Morning Guys!!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and start to your week.  We had such a relaxing/low key weekend with zero obligations and it was exactly what I needed.  The past few weeks have been busy.  Packed to the brim with travel and fun celebrations that I can't for one minute complain about.  But sometimes a weekend in with Jonny and Stan and homemade soup from my momma is just what the doctor ordered.

Because I am a lady in 2017 date night no longer fits one mold.  Staying home and cooking with my boys or ordering takeout so we don't have to clean up the mess gets me just as excited as dressing up for a night out.   

I love that Talbots its promoting real women in real life with their #BecauseImALady campaign because life isn't always exactly the pretty picture we paint on intagram (says the girl sitting in her mismatched p.j's as she types).  I think it is an important message.  They are also having a huge friends and family sale and you can get my whole look for 30% off! 

I have been living in these leggings - I am always so pleasantly surprised when I put on a pair of petite pants and they just fit perfectly.... no alterations need, woohoo! And these hit right at the ankle and are thick enough to wear to work, and thin enough to go in a boot.  My coat is the perfect fall staple with a little feminine flair! I love the ruffle detail on the front that makes it unique from my other camel coats (#cantstopwontstop my camel coat love affair).

Jonny and I do have a big night out planned for later this week and hope you can join us! I have mentioned a few times on social media that I am co-chairing a new event, Rev The Runway, for National Jewish Health on November 2nd.  It is going to be a fun night with lots of food, fashion, delicious cocktails and a great live and silent auction all going towards a wonderful cause!  Hope to see you there!!

xo

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

Catching Up and Weekend Celebrations

Hi Friends!!

I just finished a weekend full of beautiful celebrations for all of the people that I love.  There is really nothing better than a weekend filled with catching up with friends and family from all over.  It was back to back events and running around and lots of decorating, but I would not trade it for the world!!

We started out on Friday by going to The Whisky X a new event to Denver - typically when events are just getting off the ground it takes a while for them to gain momentum.  When we arrived, we couldn't believe how many people were there, excited to get in and sample all of the Whisk(e)y and food.  Side note, did you know that the liquor can be spelled Whisky or Whiskey depending on where it came from? Honestly, I am not much of a whisky drinker at all, but the event itself was a blast!!! And the food we sampled was delicious!  I went with Jonny, Zoe  and her boyfriend, and two of our cousins in town from Oklahoma and we all had so much fun!!

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early for a busy day of baby showers and brithdays! We started the day with a shower for my sister in law (Linnea) at my other sister in law (Erin's) house.  I got some fun sparkly decorations from a great Etsy store (Confetti Momma) I'd highly recommend her!! We snacked on waffles from  likely the yummiest waffle truck ever - Erin's brilliant idea - and enjoyed each others company and the lovely fall weather.

We ended the day celebrating Jonny's 30th at one of our neighborhood favorites - Postino (more here)! They are always our go to place for happy hour, and group gatherings because they make things so easy!!  They conveniently let me make a reservation for 12 - then 15 - then 20+ and happily accommodated our growing party.

Sunday was my Grandpa's (my moms dad) big 80th birthday party - we celebrated with about 120 of his friends and former colleagues and our huge family (I have 28 first cousins on my mom's side alone).  My dad and Nana and Papa came too.  We even had family fly in from Hawaii that we don't get to see nearly enough.  There is just something about having everyone you love most in the world all in the same place at the same time.

We have a few more celebrations this week - Papa's 92nd birthday tomorrow and Jonny's actual birthday is on Saturday.  Needless to say, October has been one big beautiful blessing of a month!

xo

Money and Relationships with Capital One

Hi Guys - Happy Friday!

Jonny and I just got back from celebrating our 3 year anniversary last weekend  – can you believe it?! Time certainly flies!! You can read one of my OG posts about our wedding here.  We have really been lucky to celebrate our anniversary back where it all began in Vail every year since our wedding.  It is truly a magical place!

Every year around our anniversary, Jonny and I reflect on all of the stars that aligned to bring us together nine years ago (holy moly!) and to get us to where we are today.  We reminisce about our early years dating, watch our wedding video, and talk about our goals for the future.  Early on in our marriage – and sometimes still – setting financial goals together was/can be tough.  When you get married, bringing two totally different backgrounds and mindsets together can be tricky.  And as similar as Jonny and I are (in pretty much every other way), we couldn’t be more different when it comes to how we value our finances…  I love to get my nails done, splurge on great shoes and never turn down a chance for a date night (obvi!), but Jonny likes to save for big experiences and fun activities that we can do together. 

Especially early on in our marriage we had to learn to adapt our individual spending habits to compliment our new life together.  And today, we know it is important to keep the communication open to make sure that our values are lining up and we are marching down the same (or similar-ish) path towards our financial goals. Jonny will never quite understand why I need someone else to do my eyebrows… and I will never understand his need to eat Chipotle daily?? (Girls, can you relate?) but we have adapted 😂.

When Capital One asked Jonny and me to partner with them on their upcoming Money and Relationship workshops in Denver, I jumped at the opportunity because I think this is such an important topic for new couples! They shared some interesting statistics with me like: three quarters (75%) of Americans who are currently in, or have ever been in, a committed relationship feel that setting financial goals with a partner is more difficult than setting goals as an individual. But, despite this sense of difficulty, nearly two-thirds (63%) would prefer to manage finances with a partner rather than individually. The challenge? More than two- thirds (67%) of those currently in a relationship admit that they don’t manage their expenses equally with their partner.

Jonny and I are so excited to participate in the Money Matched game at the Capital One Café onOctober 4th – a live “dating game” if you will, to see how well we know each other’s money values.  We hope you will join us – feel free to point, laugh, make funny faces, and participate!  And stay for the first Money and Relationships workshop that focuses on how our pasts have influenced our feelings about money. 

• What: Money Matched Game and Money and Relationships Workshop
• When: October 4th
• 5:00-7:00p
• Where: Capital One Café – 1550 Wewatta St. 

Hope to see you there!!

xo

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

How I stick to my fitness routine while traveling

Hi Guys!

It seems like I have been traveling as much or more than I have been home this summer, so I have really had to change my perspective when it comes to "routine".  I used get a little crabby if I couldn't make it to my class that I had planned or a workout with a friend, because my schedule has been all over the place I have had to adapt!

The last few weeks especially, I have received a ton of questions about how I workout when I am on the road.  My big secret... I try and stay as active as possible.  Truthfully, I feel like I am always more active when I am away because I want to explore.  I also indulge more so know that it is important to get a few more steps in.  I read something recently that said, "Count memories, not calories", and every time I felt a tad guilty eating that gelato, I told myself... F it - I am making memories here! 

When we are traveling our routine looks a little something like this: Jonny and I usually have a light breakfast while we both catch up on work, then head out for a walk or run.  When I am running in a new place I always surprise myself and can go so much farther because I don't know the route or trail and have less expectations when I start out.  When we were in Aspen I took Stanley on a loop every morning that I found out was double the distance of my normal runs (and at altitude!).  

During our trips Jonny and I try and get at least 30 minutes of cardio in, and more if we know that is going to be the only exercise that we get for the day.  If we are going to be sightseeing all day long, we might attempt to walk ourselves through a yoga flow or follow a fun youtube video.  My mom got me hooked on these dance videos (I am awful, but they are a blast), and Lacey showed me these when we were in Mexico which are great 15 minute workouts.

These are some shots from our ladies day out when Ali was in town. Lacey and I had so much fun showing her around to some of our favorite spots... and attempting cartwheels for the first time in probably 15 years.  We are wearing the silkiest leggings I have ever put on.  These Ultracor leggings are so soft that you feel like you are actually naked.  I love the fun designs and each pair has built in underwear!  They are a bit pricier than your average workout legging, but they definitely stand out!

Be sure to pop in to Garbarini to take a peek at this line for yourself!

Summer to Fall Dresses with my girls and Garbarini

Hi Guys!!

Wow, am I glad to (see) you!! I tried to get this post up last night and my site was down for about 15 hours so thanks for your help and understanding, especially since things have been a little slow the last week while I was enjoying time with my family in the mountains. Every time I sat down to write a post all I could think was: I need to be outside with Stanley breathing the fresh air, soaking in every minute with my people, and enjoying the mountains. And the 8 year old in me just could not sit still longer than 5 minutes to get a post out.  But HIIIIIII, I am back!! I missed you all and can't wait to share more about my trip later this week.

Before heading to Aspen I spent the day with two of my favorite blog friends - Lacey, who you all know by now, and Ali, one of the lovely Chicago ladies Lacey and I met on our trip to Mexico last spring.  I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again (a million times) I am so thankful for all of the people that blogging has brought into my life.  First of all, all of you! And the wonderful friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise.

We partnered with Garbarini, one of the oldest, high end boutiques in Denver to share some dresses that are perfect for this awkward time of year... when it is too warm for fall clothes, but their is a hint of the season turning.

Location: Union Station/Cooper Lounge // Photography: Jenna Sparks

I'll be the first to say it, I was not "wow'ed" by my dress when I first saw it on the hanger.  You probably know by now, that I am drawn to bright colors and pretty patterns.  However, once I put this dress on I changed my tune... I love the feminine fit and flare and the ladylike lace trim and the fabric is perfect for these transition months.  My exact dress is available at Garbarini, but I also love this $37 option and this one too! 

Ali and Lacey are also wearing dresses from the same designer. I love the patterns, and flowy - lightweight fabric of both of their dresses.  They would be perfect layered with this $98 leather jacket as the days cool off, and great simply paired with a pair of fun earrings (I like these!, these and these) until then!

Get all of our looks at Garbarini (they ship worldwide!) or scroll the gallery below.  

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

Celebrating August with J.Crew Event

Happy August Friends!!

I know, I know, I am a day late - but still, a new month always feels like a time to celebrate and hit the refresh button.  Yesterday, a friend of mine said that August is like the Sunday of the year 😂😂😂... I get it, it means summer is coming to an end (but not for a while!).  I am hosting an event with J.Crew tomorrow (August 3rd) at Cherry Creek from 6-8 to preview some of their pre-fall collection and show you how I transition my summer wardrobe through these next few months!  They are offering an additional 20% off of a $125 purchase to Denver Darling guests!!

I wear white jeans all year around.  I would say my white jeans are easily the thing I wear most in my closet, and I just bought these because as you have seen here, here, and here - I get a lot of use out of my white denim (especially during transition months!).  

I thought this top would be perfect for our (quick) trip to Italy later this month. The embellishment is so pretty and pretty much the exact shirt I would draw up for myself if I could!  BTW, since last week, we have decided to still go to Italy for a few days to see our friends get married - the jet lag is going to be REAL, but we are still so excited and are planning to finish our original trip at the end of September.

For sizing: I got this top in a 2 and have a similar top in a 00. I like the looser fit of this top, but if you are looking for a tailored fit size down.  My shoes are from a new site (Guilty Soles) - I have a few pair from them and have loved them all, but they run a bit big! I would say size down at least a half size.

Hope to see you all TOMORROW for a little shopping fun drinks, and treats at J.Crew Cherry Creek!!

xo

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

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!

What is the Anniversary Sale?

There is always a lot of hype around the "Anniversary Sale" and that is because it is one of the biggest sales of the year put on by Nordstrom.  If you have been following for a while, you know that I am Nordstrom lover - and the Anniversary Sale offers a chance to preview and grab fall staples at a fraction of the price... score!! Early access for Nordstrom card holders begins today - July 20th and is open to the public after that through August 6th (but the hot items go quick!!).  I will be updating my Anniversary Sale Shop at the top of the page throughout the sale so be sure to check back!  And tomorrow will have a few shots from my try-on session and picks today.

Happy Shopping!!

Master Bedroom Update PT. 2

Hi Guys!! Happy Saturday!

Jonny and I have been away from home A LOT recently... and him even more than me since his job has him traveling frequently during the week.  As I mentioned last week, we decided to make some updates to our home to make it... more homey.  And our bedroom has become such a cozy and relaxing retreat for us to come home to.

After living together for 7 years and in our current home for 4 we decided it was about time we upgraded our furniture.  I know, what you are thinking... about time, right?  However, the bedroom furniture we had was... fine(ish).  But we have been so happy with the change and I actually understand the people that say their bedroom feels like a sanctuary because their is literally no place I would rather spend my time than our updated bedroom.

When I posted this picture on instagram - I got a lot of questions about the specifics of our bed, and bedding so wanted to be sure to share them with you!  Our bed is the Regina from Joss and Main it also comes in 5 other colors (including pink!) and they carry the same style at  Wayfair.  I love the tufted style and searched all over the perfect one.  I do also love this canopy style, this taller frame, and this pink bed!  

We got our bedding as a wedding gift almost over two years ago, but we are just now able to use it because we ordered everything in a King and our old frame was a queen.  Going from a queen to a king... O.M.G. its the best!  And it is so nice to finally use our bedding that we have been saving.  Also, we chose to register for colors that were timeless and gender neutral and still available here almost three years later!! I love that our quilt that we keep folded at the end of our bed, it has such pretty detail and is so soft! We chose to accent with this paisley pattern and linen Euro shams.

We are heading to the mountains today for the holiday and I am already a little homesick, but excited for some fresh mountain air!! What plans do you have the holiday?!!

Master Bedroom Update and DIY Shoe Wall pt. 1

Hi Guys!!

I am finally feeling rested after our four days at the Aspen Food and Wine Classic today.  It was one of the funnest experiences I have had and can't wait to give you the full recap later this week, but it is always nice get home!  As I mentioned last week, Jonny and I are traveling quite a bit this summer and our master bedroom update has made for such a relaxing (and organized) space to come home to!

Until recently, for the last four years that Jonny and I have lived in our house, my shoes scattered our closet floor and various areas of our house.  Obviously not his favorite thing about me.  Now I (almost) look forward to unpacking because our home looks and feels so much more organized with the addition of some extra storage.

When I posted this photo of our new shoe wall on instagram a few weeks ago, I got a lot of questions about the specifics.  And I wanted to share exactly what we got because we did this update for a fraction of what I thought was possible.

I figured a ceiling high, book shelf would have to be custom built, which means $$$, but after a little research I found that this would be perfect! And we purchased and installed ours for under $200.  We bought the $69 Billy Bookshelf from Ikea, with the $35 extender for an extra shelf and 3 extra shelves $10 each.  I paid $80 for Ikea to deliver and assemble (so worth it!).  If you do not have an Ikea near you, it is also available on Amazon for a bit more!  I almost purchased this one originally (love the detail!), but I love the versatility of the Billy.

I added 3 extra shelves in addition to the extender on top which gives me plenty of storage.  I love that you we were able to move the shelves around and have space for heels, boots, and flats.  And we also made a shelf for that fits several baskets for my flip flops and slippers.  These are the baskets that I have, but I LOVE these and this 3 pack is great too.

Along with this $12 clothing rack I purchased that day to help with planning outfits for upcoming trips and shoots, our bedroom was instantly more organized and I can't believe that we have gone as long as we did without the extra storage (especially since it can be done so affordably!).  

I will be sharing the details from the rest of our bedroom update next week.  And as always please feel free to send along your questions!!

The Full Scoop on Shein

Hi Guys!

I am packing and planning away for a busy weekend ahead in Aspen and then a few trips in the coming weeks.  I am heading up for the Aspen Food and Wine Classic this weekend - something that has been on my bucket list for a long time, so am pretty dang excited!! If you have been, would love any tips!! 

You may have seen this dress on my Instagram story last week as I was starting to pack for this weekend and I got several questions about it.  Many of you may recognize it as the Self Portrait  ($510) dress of the season, but actually it is a fantastic dupe.  

I am often asked what I think about Shein and similar retailers like Chicwish and I must say, that I am always pleasantly surprised with the product.  In no way is the fabric quality what you would get if you were spending 5 or 10 times the price, but for trendy pieces that aren't worth the investment the fabric is perfect.

When I first ordered from the site, I had a hard time believing that they were legit.  With prices of dresses and tops usually below $20 it sounds a little too good to be true.   However, 9 times out of 10 I have had a good experience (taking this amazing skirt this weekend, and remember this?).

I have 4 rules that I use when shopping these online retailers that always ensure that I end up with good product and not disappointed.

1.  Read the reviews! I know this sounds obvious, but it is so helpful in ensuring you get what you want.  Usually someone has tried the piece before you and if they hated it or loved it will leave a review (see reviews from my dress here).

2. Set expectations! Know you are not getting a $500 dress for $20, but you can still find some fun/trendy pieces without breaking the bank! 

3. Order early! If you find something you like, don't wait.  Shipping can take a few weeks since it is coming from overseas and if it is a popular item even longer.

4. Mix and Match! Mix your new pieces with old investment pieces and no one will never know what a bargain you got! (Unless you are me and you share it loud and proud)!

My dress and the original are in the gallery below (on the blog) so you can compare yourself.  Hope you have a wonderful week!

xo

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

My Favorite Happy Hours in Denver

Happy Friday!

I always feel like summer has truly arrived when Memorial Day Weekend is here.  I have been getting a lot of questions about the nightlife and party scene in Denver.  And although my days of last calls and dance clubs are well behind me (mostly... last weekend was a fluke, guys!) long happy hours in the sunshine are my jam! I wanted to share my list with you guys of my favorite places to happy hour in Denver!

1. Postino

On a typical warm weather week, you can find me, Jonny and Stanley on the patio of Postino, enjoying $5 peach bellinis (me) and $5 pitchers of Saison (Jonny), at least twice.  Their patio is huge so there is never a long wait for a great table and the staff is incredibly friendly (fun fact, my middle school boyfriend works there. Hi Tyler!) be sure to tell him hi if you see him.  My girlfriends and I (remember Bethany from this post and this post?!) love the $5 before 5:00 or $20 board and bottles on Monday's and Tuesday's which include a bottle of wine and 4 different bruschettas... yummmm!!!

2. Recess

On casual afternoon or evening with friends we love heading to Recess  (it is also neighbor to Postino so it is easy to go back and forth).  It is Stanley's favorite bar for for sure.  It is the most doggy friendly bar and we love being able to meet our friends for a fun pup date - my favorite happy hour deal are the $6 Moscow Mules and $7 bites 3-7pm Monday through Friday!

3. Tupelo Honey 

Ok, this is on my to-try list! Every time I have tried to go since it opened a few weeks ago something unexpected has popped up (seriously can't believe I haven't been yet!)! Any place that has a happy hour called "The Six Dolla Holla Ya'll" sounds like somewhere I want to be and $6 glasses of wine, $4 tall boys, and $8 Cherry Bomb Frozé definitely is definitely a perfect happy hour!

4 Mizu Izakaya

Mizu opened recently in Lohi and since we rarely leave our little bubble, Jonny and I were thrilled to have a new sushi spot in the neighborhood! They have $5 rolls and drinks and apps before 6pm and after 9pm.

5. Coperta

Coperta recently hosted our first Blogger Social Club event (filling you in on this more soon - in the mean time sign up here if you are interested!) and the drinks were so delicious! They made the prettiest aperol spritzes which are $5 for their Apertivo Hour.  They also serve yummy snacks for $3-$7 2-6pm Monday through Friday and 4-6pm on weekends.

6. Quality Italian

Just yesterday a friend of mine and I were stopped at the mall and a group of people asked us where they should go for drinks in Cherry Creek.  I immediately sent them to Quality Italian.  The scene is so fun and food is seriously heaven in your mouth! Not happy hour, but still amazing, they did just open for brunch - woo hoo!!!

7. The Way Back

The Way Back has the most creative cocktails I have ever tried.  The bartender was like a mind reader.  I told him specifically what I didn't love and he brought me my favorite drink that I have ever had (I wish I could remember all of the ingredients... but it was delicious!).  Take a peek at their yummy happy hour menu here!

8. Linger

Always a fan fav. Always has been, and always will be on my list for friends when they are coming to visit to stop by for happy hour, dinner or bottomless brunch! And the rooftop is the perfect spot to sit and and enjoy views of the city in the summer (see a few pics from last summer here).  I love their $6 prosecco, $5 cocktails, and $5 snacks Monday - Friday 4-6:30!

9. Avanti

They don't have any specials per se, but it is one of the best views of downtown and it is the perfect place to go with a group because of the cafeteria style set up! Drinks are typically about $10

10.  Toss Up

It was a toss up between Los Chingones, LaLa's, and the Art Hotel's Fire Lounge and my friend Molly we are traveling with this weekend broke the three way tie and said that she and her fiancé love the views at the Fire Lounge!

We are just leaving on our Colorado road trip, what are your plans for the long weekend?! Would love any recommendations for Palisade or Telluride!

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!

Evening at Alamo DraftHouse

Hi Guys!

Last week was an absolute whirlwind! I was playing catch up all week from my travel the prior week on emails, meetings, calls, and events.  Sometimes I feel like going out of town can be so stressful because I have so much to do when I get back.  The house is a disaster, my suitcase has exploded and taken over our bedroom, and I always have to retrain my body to get back on a regular workout routine (thats for a whole other post).  Luckily I had carved out a little time for fun in my schedule - and the grand opening of the Alamo Drafthouse did not disappoint! 

When Jonny and I first started dating we saw a new movie every week.  As our schedules have gotten fuller, we are pretty picky about how we spend our time and until now have not had the option to enjoy dinner AND a movie in the same venue unless we  drive at least 30 minutes from Denver. So I could not be more thrilled that their is now an Alamo Drafthouse (Sloans Lake) so close to us.

I bumped into a familiar face (Lacey from My Boring Closet - you met her here and here), at the grand opening and before exploring the theater, we were greeted by some rapping magicians on a tilt-o-whirl tuk tuk (I think??)... they insisted we take a ride and "raise the roof", which we of course could not pass up!  I doubt they will be at every movie, but they definitely made for a wonderful first impression.

Jonny and I are already planning our next movie date and can't wait to try the full dine in movie experience.  If you saw my instagram post last week, then you know that the weather was INSANE so getting dressed last week was a little interesting.  I went with this new favorite, lightweight top ($16) (also comes in white)! I have worn it with these white jeans ($59) and these navy shorts ($125) too!  And I wore my favorite OLD sailor trousers, so I am sorry to say they are out of stock, but I found a very similar pair here ($35) and here ($40).

What great movies have you seen lately? Would love to hear your recs!

xo

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Alamo Drafthouse. The opinions and text are all mine.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

My mom's birthday is a couple days before Mother's Day and this year I wanted to surprise her with something extra special.  My momma has always been my best friend and biggest style inspiration and I know she would love a great spring sweater set (like this vacation ready one - only a few sizes left!) or summer scarf (like this one!) any day of the week.  But when I was scrolling through Minted's site for artwork the other day this personalized foil recipe card jumped out at me and I couldn't stop thinking about my grandmother's banana bread.

When I think of my grandma. I think of the way her house always smelled like a bakery when we walked in.  She was always making something yummy and was well known by her neighbors for her baking, in particular her banana bread.  I keep her recipe card in my kitchen to keep her close and when I saw the option to customize, and frame a recipe card, I knew that would be the perfect gift for my mom this year (I have instructed her not to read this post until Monday in case you were wondering).  It was super simple and you can still order one in time for Mother's Day, but will need to select expedited/rush shipping.  Right now, they are also offering 30% off graduation announcements with CODE: GRADMORE30 through 5/15.

I had originally put this adorable recipe book in my cart for my mom, but after finding her Minted print I ended up getting it for myself (oops!).  If you caught my IG Story over the weekend, you may have noticed that I attended two baby showers and a birthday.  And my favorite way to organize gifts recently is to package several items together with a fun theme.  For instance, I would package this candle (25% off with code mom17) , with this book, some toffee, and these jammies for a relaxing theme.  Or this adorable mug, with this tea pitcher, an assorted tea tasting chest with this monogrammed journal for my nana because she loves tea and journaling (like me!) to start her day.

xo