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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

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

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

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

xoxo

Where We Stayed: Stanly Ranch

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

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

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

Thursday

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

Friday

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday

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

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

Sunday

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

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

Tasting experience at Progeny

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

Tasting Room at Hudson Ranch

Farm Rio dress; Tod’s bag; Isabel Marant sunglasses

Breakfast at Stanly Ranch

Amanda Uprichard dress; Amazon heels; Bottega bag

Tasting Menu at Press Napa

Tasting Room at Cuvaison

Outdoor Patio at Cuvaison

Pool at Stanly Ranch

Isabel Marant sweatshirt; beek sandals (code MYSTYLEDIARIES10 for 10% off)

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Bison in Yellowstone National Park The view outside Lake Yellowstone Hotel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

Happy Tuesday, friends!  Today I’m finally sharing a few more snaps from our fall trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, and call me a slacker, but I seriously can’t believe this fun trip was over a month ago.  It really seems like every year once November comes, time really does start zooming by.  Blink your eyes and the month is gone.

But late or not I had to share a few more photos because the Tennessee foliage was seriously showing off at the time.  After leaving the colorblind-less lookout point at Veteran’s Overlook, we headed down the mountain and came across the prettiest open field.  To Eric’s delight (extreme sarcasm – hence all the solo shots of yours truly), we pulled over for a few more snaps with the talented Alaina Rene.

And in case you’re wondering, the answer is yes, I am in fact wearing a belt bag.  You guys, I did the thing I said I’d never do.  I’ve been anti belt bag since the first sight of that fanny pack resurgence a year or two ago, and I’ve stuck with my guns about that pretty hard.  But then I saw this under $20 faux fur one right before our trek to Tennessee and felt compelled to give it a whirl.

I must admit, it was a lovely day living freer than free, exploring around, taking a zillion iPhone snaps of the scenery and then heading to breakfast without worrying about a purse.  At some point I’m sure I was dang-near skipping.  And then somehow I managed to leave the belt bag in our rental car on the way to the airport, and that was the end of my carefree saga.  (Luckily it was empty as I’d already switched everything into my carryon bag.)

So, you know, I loved and lost (LOL), but overall, this trip was definitely a win.  Hope you guys have a great week ahead!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Alaina Rene Photo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo

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