This one took me a long time to pull together as I have a lot to say! Two weeks ago, my best friend and I met up in New Orleans for a fun girls’ trip (three nights) and had the most amazing time. This was definitely one of the most fun trips I’ve been on in a long time. I partnered with New Orleans & Company on this and they built us the most incredible itinerary based on my (and likely your) interests: art, shopping, food, and cocktails! I have to tell you: I knew that New Orleans was going to be a fun trip. But truthfully, I had no idea just how much the city had to offer. I just found out that Breeze has inexpensive direct flights from Charleston to New Orleans and am already planning my next trip back!

New Orleans Travel Guide

Where We Stayed:

We stayed at Maison de La Luz and really loved it – I would go back in a heartbeat. It’s a sister property to The Ace and so, so chic and elegant. Every element was just perfectly designed. Our rooms were perfect, and it just felt like every little nook and corner of the entire property was thoughtfully crafted. The team was so helpful and wonderful as well… I cannot recommend it enough.

The downstairs restaurant is great too – they have an amazing breakfast buffet. I also really loved their morning coffee service – you tell them what time you want coffee and they set it outside your door.

What to do:

Art Galleries

Rodrigue Studio (Royal Street)

This is home to George Rodrigue’s work and the infamous Blue Dog paintings. A fun thing that happened was that I visited his gallery on Thursday and then we were at the sculpture garden on Friday and we saw some of his work there as well. It’s iconic and hard to miss!

Frank Relle Gallery (Royal Street)

Frank Relle’s photos are stunning! He is based in New Orleans and focuses on long exposure night photos. I was blown away by his work.

Ashley Longshore (Magazine Street)

I have been a longtime fan and follower of Ashley Longshore (I don’t think she really needs much of an introduction but if you are not familiar, check out her instagram!), so it was really fun to get to pay a visit to her (bright, irreverent) space on Magazine Street and see her work IRL. This is an absolute must if you visit New Orleans.

Jonathan Ferrera Gallery (Julia Street)

We were particularly enamored with a hanging sculpture in the foyer here. The way that it collected and reflected light made it appear to be moving, even when it was completely still!

Studio Be

This was really cool. Studio Be is a 35,000 square foot warehouse and home to local artist, Brandan ‘Bmike’ Odums’ first solo project. The show depicts the stories of revolutionaries, heroes and everyday New Orleanians.

Shopping:

Royal Masks

I stumbled into this store and just loved it. I love masks, costumes, and Halloween and was so excited to see all of their masks! Just a fun little spot! I wound up buying two masks… both cat faces.

Krewe

I have been a longtime fan of Krewe’s eyewear (they are based in NOLA and have gorgeous sunglasses) and was thrilled to stumble upon their storefront on Royal Street. I ended up buying a pair of sunglasses.

329 Vintage

This place is worth the trip to New Orleans alone. The front of the store is all vintage designer costume jewelry (think Givenchy, Chanel – so much Chanel, Gucci, etc). And a treasure trove of harder to find things (they have a giant case of resin jewelry), cases of little extravagances like a Gucci ash tray (love an ash tray as a trinket dish or Hermes playing cards). But the real gem is the room in back, full of antique glassware. We both lost our minds a little, each of us purchased and shipped home a few sets of beautiful glassware.

Moss Antiques

We had the most fun playing with jewels at Moss Antiques… there is a ruby ring that will haunt me!

Century Girl Vintage

This felt like stepping into someone’s really gorgeous closet. So much great vintage (my friend wound up buying a Burberry check mini skirt at a great price!) plus the brand’s signature line. Lucky for us, they have a fantastic ecommerce site too!

Sunday Shop

This was a very very cool store, it felt like you were in some cool artsy Brooklyn friend’s home. It even smelled amazing (the incense they burn is for sale, naturally!). A great spot for housewares and gifts!

Music + Museums:

Jazz Show at Preservation Hall

An intimate acoustic jazz concert in the heart of the French Quarter (on St. Peter Street). This was so much fun. The show is about 45 minutes long (we went to a 6:15 concert one evening before dinner!) and is the perfect thing to do to start out your night. I will mention that they do not have a bathroom or any drinks… so, use the restroom before you go and maybe bring a bottle of water with you (it was hot and I was thirsty!). You can get tickets here!

Drink & Learn Tour

I wasn’t so sure about this tour (big group outings are just not my thing!) but it ended up being the most fun! Hosted by Elizabeth Pearce (fun fact: she also has a podcast about the history behind our favorite drinks and does virtual cocktail classes!) walked us through the French quarter as she took us through the stories and history behind three classic New Orleans drinks: St. Charles Punch, the Sazerac (New Orleans’ official drink), and The Hurricane. It was fun and informative (and just the right amount of boozy – I couldn’t finish all three drinks but they were delightful!). I definitely recommend doing this after a meal (we had lunch beforehand).

New Orleans Museum of Art & Sculpture Garden

This museum wound up being one of my favorite parts of the whole trip! It is about a 15-20 minute Uber ride from downtown but so worth the trip. NOMA is the city’s oldest fine arts institution (it opened in 1911 with just nine works of art!). Today, the museum has an incredible permanent collection of more than 40,000 objects and is one of the top museums in the South. My favorite part was the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. We spent hours just wandering through all of the sculptures. It is one of the most important sculpture installations in the United States, with over 90 sculptures situated on a beautifully landscaped site among meandering footpaths, reflecting lagoons, Spanish moss-laden 200-year-old live oaks, mature pines, magnolias, camellias, and pedestrian bridges.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

The Ogden Museum holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art. We particularly loved getting to see the art of Gregory Saunders (his graphite drawings look like photographs!) and the Ralph Eugene Meatyard photography exhibition (macabre but so good!). It’s also worth noting that the Contemporary Arts Center is a great art museum and just across the street. We did not go as they were in between exhibits but I would really like to visit next time!

JAM NOLA

JAM NOLA stands for Joy Art Music. The exhibit features 17 different rooms/shows of pure joy, highlighting the best of the city: the iconic art, music, food and theatrics of the city through the eyes of over 30 local artists. Definitely worth making your way through. We did not need the full hour but really enjoyed our time here.

Where We Ate:

Jewel of the South (Dinner)

This spot is famous for its cocktails (created by Chris Hannah who has won an award as US Bartender of the Year), but we had an incredible meal here! I highly recommend doing the caviar appetizer as it is served with these giant potato beignets. We also really loved the burrata and the short rib. It’s located in a beautiful 19th Century Creole Cottage – felt like we were in someone’s old home… a beautiful courtyard, a vaulted dining room… it’s a cool space (with GREAT cocktails and food.

Brennan’s (Breakfast)

We had a really nice traditional breakfast at Brennan’s on Royal Street. Brennan’s is a bit of an institution in New Orleans – they’ve been around since 1946! The menu borrows influences from both French and Spanish offerings. They are famous for their posh breakfast (we loved it!) and Bananas Foster for dessert (it was too early for that but it’s on my list for my next trip back!!).

Elizabeth Street Cafe (Lunch)

This may have been my favorite food of the whole trip! It’s located in the beautiful Hotel Saint Vincent on Magazine Street in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District (right near some very good shopping I might add). Their focus is on French-Vietnamese style cuisine. It’s casual but delicious. We sat in the shady garden courtyard surrounded by palm trees, munching on spring rolls, the restuarant’s signature ginger-chili oil dumplings, and more. Highly, highly recommend.

Commander’s Palace (Dinner)

It’s funny, the only other time I have visited New Orleans was a very boozy trip in my twenties and the only thing I remember vividly was going to Commander’s for a jazz brunch and being blown away by the food, the service, and the music! And so it was really special to get to go back again, this time for dinner. And my – it did not disappoint. We both had the pecan crusted fish (delightful) plus our own appetizers and then we shared the bread pudding souffle for dessert. Commander’s is in the middle of the Garden District and has been around since 1893! The restaurant is famous for its award-winning food and the incredible service. It’s like walking back in time. Also: the restaurant has won seven James Beard Foundation Awards… it is a culinary legend!

Peche (Lunch)

This came highly recommended both by you in the DMs and everyone we seemed to come into contact with! To be fair, we went on our third day and were feeling very full but we split a bunch of small plates and loved everything we tried, particularly the seafood salad, tuna dip, and crispy okra!

Bywater American Bistro (Dinner)

This was where we had dinner on our last night. It’s located very close to Studio Be and JAM NOLA, making it the perfect destination for after you check out those two things! We loved everything we ate. We started with a round of passion fruit Palomas (so yummy!) and then split a few appetizers and pastas. Casual and delicious… felt like a happy neighborhood spot. I love that they focus on working with smaller farms and using local ingredients.

Where we Drank:

Jewel of the South

While it is technically a restaurant and where we had dinner on our first night, this spot is all about the cocktails (it’s won several awards) so I needed to include it here!

Bar Marilou

This is the coolest bar ever – it’s in a former library! I wish we had one in Charleston as I would be a regular. The fun part was that it’s actually connected to our hotel! It’s a speakeasy style bar with mostly all red walls and shelves and shelves of books. It felt like drinking in a sexy library. Would be perfect for a date… an absolute MUST in my book.

Loa Bar

This downtown New Orleans bar is led by internationally recognized bartender Abigail Gullo, who has proven that “mixology” combines art, craft, and science. It’s inside the International House Hotel, which also happens to have an original Banksy in the lobby. Very much worth checking out!

The post New Orleans Travel Guide. appeared first on The Stripe.

When The Golden Door Spa invited my boyfriend and I to experience 5 nights on their property, I was immediately excited, but unsure what it would be like. I did know that Oprah and Julia Roberts are fans and that in 2019, Conde Nast Traveler named it the World’s Most Iconic Spa. But I had never done a full spa experience like this, where it’s a full week basically just dedicated to your body, your fitness, your health. Literally. You are either working out, being worked on, or resting. Friends of mine have done things like The Ranch in Malibu (where you hike at least 8 miles a day; a non-starter for me) or We Care (sounds unappealing; a liquid diet + colonics!) and they have never appealed to me. But daily massages + facials and good food? Appealing indeed.

Still, this would be something totally out of my usual realm. 6am hikes, and then spending the rest of your time until dinner at 6 doing a mix of workout classes and spa treatments. Would I survive? You know this: I identify as an indoor cat. I eat relatively healthy, work out 4-5 times a week, but I love my wine and have never met a cheese board I didn’t consider to be a soulmate.

The Golden Door is one of the top-rated, most luxurious spas in the country. It was founded in 1958 by Deborah Szekely and her then-husband, Edmond, and has welcomed some of the world’s most rich and famous. Think Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, and Zsa Zsa Gabor. I have been invited to write about some really cool experiences for my blog but this might just take the cake!

(The Golden Door very generously gifted us this experience in exchange for sharing it here and on social media).

Golden Door Spa Review

The Golden Door is located off of a nondescript road in San Marcos, CA (near Escondido; a little over a two hour drive from Los Angeles). The 600 acre property boasts over thirty miles of hiking and biking and a series of buildings inspired by Japanese honjin (inns). There is a traditional bath house, Japanese gardens, a bamboo forest, koi ponds, three pools, an entire farm (most of the produce we ate throughout the week was grown on site), an olive grove, and a massive collection of outdoor lanterns and Asian art. I’m probably missing something!

Retreat Options (Co-ed vs. womens week, etc!):

The traditional stay is a full seven days. We stayed 5 nights and four days, which is an option if you would like. I think you could even just go for three nights if you’d like. The most popular option is the women’s week and then they do maybe 5 men’s weeks per year and just two co-ed weeks per year. I desperately wanted to do the co-ed week, and persuaded my (skeptical, but willing) boyfriend to join me. I knew that he could desperately use the relaxation, and selfishly knew that I would have more fun with him by my side.

Our Co-Ed Week Experience

On the co-ed week it was mostly couples but there were also lots of single women as well. I had really wanted to do the co-ed week as I wanted to be able to experience it with my boyfriend… and also, as an introvert I felt more comfortable having him there. They cap each week at 40 people but it was still a little overwhelming at first! I’m really glad we were together.

We met so many fantastic people – a few of whom I really hope we will stay in touch with. There were a lot of couples celebrating big milestone birthdays, a few celebrating retirement, a couple celebrating that their last kid was out of the house, etc. And of course, there were a lot of executive types with really intense jobs, looking for a break! There was one couple in particular that we really bonded with. She is the president for a major retail company and he works in visual arts. They go to spa retreats like this probably twice a year. The reason they love places like The Golden Door is (after working a really stressful job) not having to make any decisions.

You put on your workout clothes in the morning (you could literally wear the same thing every day as they do your laundry for you), you don’t wear makeup, your meals are cooked for you… all you have to do is show up for your spa appointments and decide which activities you want to do. While my own job is decidedly less stressful than hers, that appealed to me too. All you have to do is show up and everything is just taken care of for you.

Check In & Arrival process

Pre-arrival:

Pre-arrival, you set up a call with the spa to talk about your goals for the week. You’ll also provide them with any dietary restrictions or allergies, your favorite exercises and activities, and any other pertinent details. One thing to note is that everything (besides your spa treatments and personal training sessions) is completely optional. So you could take 5 or 6 exercise classes in one day, or you could sleep in and relax. There is no shaming or guilt, it’s completely up to you.

Arrival:

We checked in around 4pm on Sunday. When arriving at The Golden Door you almost miss the entrance, at first glance it is unassuming and nondescript. Security is pretty tight, you call down and a gate is opened. From there, you take a quick COVID test (and are given tea + a ginger cookie while you wait). The valet took our bags and our keys, asking us if we’d like a complimentary car wash.

Upon arrivals, there was a tour of the property, forms and paperwork, and then dinner at 6:15. It was back to our room by 8, ready to rest up for a busy day one!

Accommodations & Amenities:

Our Room:

I loved our room. It is a little bit dated but that didn’t bother me at all (I did hear that the property is closing in December to renovate the bath house and several of the guest rooms). To be honest, I liked the mid-century vibe: it made me day dream a little bit, wondering which fabulous celebrities stayed there back in the sixties. Our room was a treehouse style. When you open the door there’s a place to put shoes and then a spiral stair case leading to a living room with a generous sitting area. This was nice as my boyfriend had to work a bit, so he had a spot to work if I went to bed early.

There was also a little alcove off the side of the living room where… the massage table is located. Part of The Golden Door experience is daily massages. Such a luxury, and nice that they keep the beds in room! And then there was the bedroom! I will say that all beds are queen beds and it’s typically (even for couples) one person per room. I am glad they put us together, I would have been lonely otherwise!

Amenities:

There is a bath house (literally RIGHT next to our room which was so nice) with a hot tub, sauna, and steam room. There were a few nights after dinner where my boyfriend and I would retreat to the hot tub in the bath house after dinner. Such a nice way to end the day. There are also several gyms, several group fitness rooms, a beautiful yoga studio (it’s up above the pool, also a bit like a treehouse).

They offer laundry on premises and also give you two comfy warmup sets (zip up, sweatpants, t-shirt). We opted to wear our own clothes but it’s a nice option. You do not need to pack much. They also discourage you from wearing anything other than workout clothes or a swimsuit… no jewelry or makeup necessary. The laundry was so great, if you put it outside your door by 8am you’d get everything back by the end of the day. This was really nice, I can’t tell you how happy I was to not have to pack a million workout outfits (and then come home with a suitcase full of stinky, sweaty, workout clothes!).

Dining:

During your orientation call, you will let the spa know about your dietary preferences. Any allergies or food sensitivities (or preferences) will be noted. You can also let them know your calorie meal plan. My boyfriend and I both chose the largest meal plan (1600 calories per day). I have to admit, I was worried that given the daily hikes, training sessions, and workouts it wouldn’t be enough food! We were fine. There are three meals throughout the day plus snack breaks. And if you are ever hungry, you can just ask the kitchen for a snack.

The food is really, really good.

In speaking to the other guests, the food is one of the things that sets The Golden Door apart from other spa experiences. Dinner is always a three course meal. On the first night, we had salad, black miso cod (a repeat guest told us that it was actually Nobu’s recipe), and creme brulee. I think that was the best night but it was always a treat. And I loved that we got a (small!) bite of dessert after every lunch and dinner. I will say that I had to adjust the way I eat… back home I typically have a small breakfast, a big lunch, and a smaller dinner. Lunch was typically the smaller meal of the day which took some adjusting. There was one day I only ate half of my breakfast… by 3pm, I was wishing that I had saved it.

I really liked how healthy the food was, without tasting like health food. One evening, Chef prepared the most delicious corn soup I’ve ever tasted. We were all looking at each other like “how is this not packed with cream!?” but he later explained to us that it was the leeks base (plus a little olive oil). I feel really inspired to up my own healthy cooking game.

There is no alcohol (well there is secret alcohol, more on that below!), but there is caffeine. I would not survive this week (or any week to be honest) without coffee! I will say that we had the most delicious fresh ginger tea every night after dinner. So I bought and juiced fresh ginger at home to make it myself!

Above is a glimpse of what my calendar looked like.

Fitness Program:

This retreat is highly focused on fitness, which was great by us. In the morning there is always an (optional!) 6:00am hike. You can choose between a one mile “meadow walk,” a three mile hike, and a steeper 5 mile hike (that starts earlier). We found the 3 mile hike to be just right!

Then, there are TONS of classes for all fitness levels. Sculpt, yoga, restorative yoga, trail running, pilates mat and reformer, pretty much everything you could ever want. Plus, sportier classes like pickle ball, tennis, and archery. I really liked the sculpt and yoga classes. And we had a blast taking pickle ball on our last day. The class sizes were nice too… there were never more than 5 people in my classes, so you get a really personal, hands on experience.

On top of that, you’ll be paired with a personal trainer. Depending on the length of your stay, you’ll have several sessions with that psame erson. I had the same trainer for all three of my personal training sessions throughout the week, Ellen. She was soft spoken and friendly but not afraid to make me work hard. We did a mix of weights, core exercises, treadmill intervals, and TRX. She kicked my butt.

Wellness sessions:

There were a lot of wellness sessions too. I did not go to any of the wellness sessions but if this is something you’re interested in, they had so many: lots of nutrition oriented talks about gut health, macros + sugar, etc! We kinda felt like it would be best to focus on fitness and the relaxation stuff and skip out on the lectures. I think the really wonderful thing is that you get to pick and choose and use the experience to what will serve you best!

Skincare + Beauty Treatments:

During my 5 night/4 day stay I had four facials. This sounds a little bit over the top but it was wonderful. The first day was a consultation and a shorter hydrating facial. The second day, she did some extractions, a lengthy facial massage, and a mask. The third day was a micro-current facial, and on the last day I upgraded to a hydra-facial which was an awesome deep cleanse. We also each had a pedicure (if you do the longer 7 day stay you will get a manicure too!) and a body wrap. If you do the longer stay more treatments are involved (I think an additional body wrap as well as a body scrub!)

My boyfriend had a back facial one day. He loved it! My only criticism of the facials was that I was surprised they used traditionally at-home devices (like the NuFace for example which I own and use a few times a week back home) as opposed to more spa grade devices. The products they used (mostly a mix of Golden Door and Eminence) were wonderful.

Monday – Day One!

Monday was our first full day! I am not naturally a morning person, so I tried to just keep myself on East Coast time… bed at 9, up at 5 or 6. The property offers three hikes every morning. The “meadow walk,” a 3 mile hike, or a 5am hike. We chose the three mile hike and I was pretty nervous about it (I’m bad at hiking!) but it ended up being really moderate. We ended up talking the whole time with another couple and it went by really quickly.

When we got back to the room, breakfast was waiting for us.

Every day you choose your meals for the next day. Breakfast is in your room and the other meals are in the common spaces. I had a vegetable frittata and my boyfriend had a Greek yogurt parfait. And we each had our own French press. We love our coffee!

After breakfast we had a little break and then I had a 9am training session.

Then it was 10am yoga with Francine, followed by a “broth and vegetable break.” I chose to skip the 11am class block (every hour has a different class block, you can choose what classes you’d like to take – or skip out in favor of relaxing!) and relax in the bath house. At noon I had my first facial of the week with Jennifer. Then it was lunch. Lunch was vegetable spring rolls with chicken. (I was still hungry to be honest!). After lunch I had a little break and then took a 30 minute sculpt class. That was the last of the hard work for the day. Then it was a 3pm massage (they come to your room – heaven!), a break, restorative yoga, and dinner!

Tuesday, Day Two

We were tired and sore so skipped the hike. After a leisurely in room breakfast I waddled (I was so sore!) down to a 9am toning class. This was with resistance bands and was pretty awesome. After that, I had my training session at 10. I had been thinking I’d do an 11am yoga class but was SO SORE afterward, so I opted to lounge by the pool. Then it was onto the relaxing part of the day: a facial at noon, lunch at one. After lunch I took a myofascial release class, then I had a massage at 3. After the massage I had planned on going to a restorative yoga class but I was tired so I took a nap. Dinner was at 6 and then we just went back to our room to hang out and we were in bed by ten!

Wednesday, Day Three

I woke up sore in places I didn’t know could be sore! We started the morning with a 3 mile hike and then a stretching class. Then we both had separate training sessions. And then I went to yoga. Then broth and veggies and a “balance, gait, and posture” workshop. I have terrible posture and was grateful for this class. It was really helpful. Then it was a facial for me and a pedicure for my guy (he would not stop looking at his feet afterward, it was adorable). Then lunch and a “release and let go” class which was basically a nap/meditation – wonderful. And then, my 3pm massage, a stretching class, and dinner.

Thursday, Day Four

Thursday was my big pampering day. I had four treatments which just felt so over the top and luxurious: a massage, a facial, a body wrap, and a pedicure. It was heaven. I loaded up my morning with classes (a deep stretch class, a yoga class, a pickle-ball lesson!) and then after lunch it was allllll of the pampering and then a nap before dinner. It was our last group dinner and I honestly felt a little emotional to leave. We made some great friends on the trip and it was sad to say goodbye. There were a lot of hugs, following each other on Instagram, promises to keep in touch. (You will laugh, my nickname became Palm Springs Grandmother).

Overall Experience At The Golden Door Spa

We really loved our experience at the Golden Door. As we said to each other many times over the course of the weekend: “We are just guests in this world!” A full week costs $10,450 which is candidly not within our budget… but if it were, we would be regulars. We both really loved it and took a lot away from the trip. It was an amazing way to reset to healthy habits and I don’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed! My favorite thing was the in room massages. The food was a close second, same with the people. And the personal training sessions and workout classes were amazing. Who am I kidding, the whole week was amazing!

It is definitely expensive but between the personal training sessions, spa treatments, meals, classes, etc. you are also getting a lot.

The Aftermath

The biggest thing I noticed after our stay was that I just wasn’t craving junk food any more. I try not to say that foods are “good” or “bad,” but pre-Golden Door I had definitely found myself reaching for carbs, carbs, carbs… especially processed ones (white bread and bagels). I got home and found myself craving veggies and salads. It was also really nice to come back from vacation and feel like I was in better shape than when I left!

I felt a little out of my element getting back into the world. This might sound totally crazy but after a week where your schedule is planned so meticulously, you aren’t wearing makeup, you aren’t getting dressed, everything is done for you… I felt a little bit helpless! If I were doing this again I would place a delivery grocery order for the day I get back to fill the fridge with healthy groceries. I also recommend (if you are able to!) taking a day or two before getting back to work. I really liked that I had the long weekend afterward to re-acclimate myself back to society. And I know this sounds dramatic but my boyfriend agreed. We both just felt a little bit “off” getting back to real life.

General Things to Know:

There is wifi! And you can totally work a little (if you want) while you are there. They just ask that you not be on the phone in common areas. The schedule is flexible. The only things you “have to” do are your personal training sessions and spa appointments. But honestly, I wouldn’t go unless I wanted to do a lot of activities and classes. It just wouldn’t be worth it otherwise.

They have a “secret” wine service. Between 1-8pm you can order a glass of wine to your room. We did this on our last night!

Thank you to The Golden Door for having us.

The post Our Stay at The Golden Door Spa. appeared first on The Stripe.

What is Your Favorite Trip?

Pardon today’s blurry photos… they are from 2009! Today I thought it would be fun to share favorite trips (please share yours in the comments section, if inclined!). I have been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit and see some amazing places. But if I had to pick ONE favorite trip, I think it would be the trip I took to Greece back in 2009. I was between jobs (I had been laid off from my job at Procter & Gamble but got a new job at Coty). So I used my severance check to go to Greece for two weeks!

I was 27 years old and at the time I had never traveled alone, and only been to Europe a few times. My grandmother had told me stories of a summer spent in Greece and it just sounded magical. (It was.) I was pretty scared, and I booked the whole thing so quickly! I accepted got the job, told them I needed two weeks before I could start, and went straight home to book plane tickets and hotels.. And I think I left a day or two later? Sometimes I look back and think, “wow, that girl was pretty fearless!”

It was an amazing trip.

I started in Athens for a few nights and did all the historical stuff and exploring, took a ferry to Mykonos and spent a few days there on the beach, and then spent the bulk of my time in Santorini… first staying on the black beach (Kamari) and then the cliffs of Ouia. There were lots of hiccups and stressful moments but all in all, I had an absolute ball. There was no social media to document any of it… just blurry digital camera photos. I still think about this trip all of the time. Besides being one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been, it was meaningful, it was formative (it taught me how to love to travel alone), just really special.

The post What Was Your Most Favorite Trip? appeared first on The Stripe.

Now that I live here full time (!!!), I have been trying to keep my Charleston travel guide really up to date. If you are a long time reader, you already know that prior to moving here, I was obsessed with Charleston for a very long time. Pre-pandemic, I would visit at least every other month. It started with that press trip several years ago and I have been hooked ever since, even convincing (well, helping to convince… it wasn’t a lot of work) my parents to move to John’s Island. Now I’m realizing my dream: I moved last April, my sister moved last August…. we are all here and it is the best thing ever.

I just love this city so much. It’s hard to even explain it. But if you’ve never been, definitely add it to your list. It’s the absolute perfect weekend getaway.. the flight is just over an hour out of New York. In the meantime, today I’ve rounded up all of my favorite spots for you in one handy guide.  I try to keep this post updated as I try more and more Charleston faves, old + new but I feel pretty confident that I’ve captured most of the best spots!

**Updated September 15, 2022**

Charleston City Guide

Where to Eat

These are all alphabetized. I felt like it wouldn’t be fair to list them in any other order… I have so many favorite spots!

Bar 167 is Raw 167’s latest concept.

Located around the block from the original, this is a fun little spot, focusing on Mediterranean cuisine. We were worried that the small menu wouldn’t be enough to eat but we were wrong. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious. If the truffle butter is available, get that!

Basic Kitchen is a classic favorite.

It’s delicious healthy food but also with yummy drinks (get the beet margarita and the salmon bowl!) I love how open and airy it is and everything on the menu is really really good! They have a great outdoor dining area… it feels a little bit like LA.

Bistronomy by Nico has such fun, interesting food (think escargot dumplings) and great cocktails.

I really like sitting at the bar for drinks and a few fun apps.

Chasing Sage for farm fresh ingredients.

This is a delicious farm to table restaurant. I had been wanting to go forever and went with my girlfriends for my birthday. I highly recommend ordering the “everything for the table” where they course things out for you. Every bite was perfect!

Chez Nous is a really interesting concept as they only serve a few things each day.

Two appetizers, two entries, and two desserts! The best way to know what they are serving is to check out their instagram account. The space is tiny so I usually go in a small group. The food is always delicious… I would definitely say this is a must-visit while in town.

Chubby fish may be the best meal I’ve had here in ages

But be warned: they don’t take reservations, and people start lining up to get a table at 4pm. That being said, I kinda think it’s worth it? The wagyu tartare is beyond (I love the nori + rice preparation), the amberjack crudo is so good… and you have to get a caviar sammich!

FIG is another favorite favorite.

They recently remodeled the space. I haven’t been in to check it out yet, but I’m looking forward to it on my next trip. Everything on the menu is delicious. Everything. Listen to the waiters’ suggestions as they are all very knowledgeable. When I went for my mother’s birthday, they had just caught a fresh mackerel that day. I’m not usually into mackerel (I find it to be too fishy and oily) but the mackerel at FIG is epic. It melted in our mouths like butter… we ended up having to order another plate!

Hank’s has amazing seafood (I think they always win the award for best seafood in Charleston!).

It’s fancy… white linen table cloths and really, really good food (love their martinis!).

Husk

So I will be honest. I think that Husk is a little bit overrated. That being said, if you are looking for a classic Charleston Brunch (think pimento cheese, biscuits, and something fried)… go here. The food is delicious, but it’s very, very heavy. I personally love their bar even more (it’s in a separate building, adjacent to the restaurant), as it is a great place to grab happy hour. The cocktails are so, so good!

La Farfalle has such incredible Italian food.

I can’t decide which I prefer: this or Melfi’s (also amazing Italian, with a New York-ish vibe!). If you go, be sure to get the whipped ricotta, it is insanely good. I also love the linguini with clam sauce.

Leon’s Oyster Shop is one of my favorite places to grab lunch.

It’s best to go on a nice day… there’s lots of outdoor seating. Oysters, rosé, and the fried chicken sandwich. You don’t need much else in life.

Little Jack’s is owned by the same team that does Leon’s and it’s delicious.

This time around they went with a tavern type of vibe. Think burgers, truffle fries, yummy bar food. We call the Tavern Burger the “girl burger.” It’s the perfect size… not a slider, but not a full on burger. You’ll be able to eat the whole thing and still have room for dessert.

Maison has epic french food and maybe the best steak tartare I’ve ever eaten.

Seriously, so good. Same with their french onion soup preparation.

Malagon (by the same owners of Chez Nous) serves up incredibly delicious tapas.

I live for the white asparagus and any and all of their cured meats and cheeses.

Melfi’s

OMG the hype is real, this is some of the best Italian I’ve had in ages. Definitely get the Stretch Armstrong and the Cacio e Pepe!

The Ordinary is one of my favorite spots.

The cocktails are delicious, the oysters are incredible, and don’t even get me started on the crab toast. They have a great happy hour, I love to sit at the bar with a pile of oysters, maybe the fish dip, and a glass of cold Sancerre.

The Peninsula Grill

I have never eaten a full meal here, but go for the coconut cake. Just trust me. It’s incredible and they actually ship it worldwide.

Raw 167 is another spot that I am just obsessed with.

Great oysters, but my favorite things on the menu are the lobster roll and the tuna burger. The best thing to do is go with a like-minded friend or date (my sister is the perfect companion for this activity!) and split the two. If I were on death row, that would be my last meal.

Vern’s is a new favorite!

Fresh, farm to table meals… just always so good. It’s great for brunch or dinner. The Crudo is always exceptional and if they have the salad with bread crumbs, get that. Honestly, everything they serve is to die for. Vern’s has quickly become one of my most favorite restaurants in Charleston. I love the neighborhood feel; honestly, it reminds me a little bit of Brooklyn.

Xiao Bao Biscuit is another awesome spot for lunch.

The drinks are really delicious, and the cabbage pancake is unreal! Seriously. It sounds funny, but get it. It will change your relationship with cabbage forever!

The Zero George tasting menu is epic.

It’s a big splurge but so worthwhile. Perfect for special occasions.

Other Things to Do:

Bulldog Tours has such fun walking tours. We did a historical tour years ago but I really want to do a ghost tour at some point! I have also heard great things about Walk & Talk tours!

Go to the beach! Sullivan’s Island is my personal favorite but Folly Beach and Isle of Palms both have beautiful beaches.

Pampering:

I don’t have a manicure spot or a massage spot right now (I used to go to The Water Room before they closed – it is now Varnish Lane but I have not been yet). For hair (cut and highlights), I see Stefanie Hattaway and absolutely love her.

For facials and also Botox, I usually go to Ella Ora in Mt. Pleasant. I am a huge fan. They are amazing, but be forewarned – it takes months to get on the calendar! Completely worth the wait, I think that it’s a better facial than most places in New York. I recently had a facial at the new downtown location of Spa Azure and loved it – I also love the convenient Broad Street location.  I have heard really good things about the facials at Rawlins Studio too. For waxing I go to European Wax Center – nothing special but gets the job done. I’d love to find a spot on peninsula!

My Favorite Bookstores:

Buxton Books is a classic. It really has that neighborhood-y, local feel… and I love that they have so many fun events.

Blue Bicycle Books is my personal favorite bookstore in Charleston as they focus on used, rare, and local books!

Where to Drink

The Belmont is an old fav.

I go a lot. The cocktails are amazing. I usually will have a Negroni, although last time I went, we all got piña coladas which was totally weird (they’re on the menu!!) but also awesome.

Bin 152 is an amazing wine bar.

I wish we had one in New York… I’d be there every night! It’s owned by the same team that does Chez Nous, and their selection is really really good. I go here a lot, too! (It’s right around the corner from The Mills House, so kinda perfect if you stay there!)

Graft may be my new fav wine bar?

I love their wines, their personal recommendations, their Extra Sauce wine membership (great if you are a local), and their fun happy hours!

Vintage Lounge is another fun cocktail bar.

I love their cocktails and it’s such a pretty space! This is probably my favorite spot for a cocktail.

The Blind Tiger is just a great, fun dive bar (with a really pretty patio out back!).

Henry’s makes for a fun night.

It’s one bar with tons of different rooms all with different concepts. You feel a little bit like you are in a boozy party treehouse. I may be a little too old for it but it’s a fun place to go every now and again for a very specific type of night.

The Watch (the rooftop bar at The Restoration Hotel) is a great spot to grab a drink.

They have two large patios and an indoor space too which is nice when it’s hot out. The views of the city are amazing!

Where to Shop

So, the big shocker here for me initially was that Charleston has some really gooooood shopping. King Street pretty much has everything you could ever want or need. That being said, I never thought I’d be saving up to come shop in Charleston which is the case. I know it sounds nuts but I have better luck shopping here than in New York!

Hampden Clothing is my go-to.

Stacy, the owner, has the best eye. She brings in amazing designers that haven’t even hit New York’s best boutiques yet. She has an incredible eye, and it shows. You will walk in, and want everything in the store. Not to worry, the staff will have you covered. My sister and I both rely on Evelyn, our spirit animal who is both the store manager and one of the lead stylists… but the entire team is very knowledgable and helpful. I feel like all of my best investment pieces come from Hampden. Every time my sister and I visit, the one thing we have to do is pay Hampden a visit.

Croghan’s Jewel Box is a Charleston institution and a must-visit.

They carry the most incredible range of estate jewels, but then there’s also the Goldbugs line (made in house) – so many beautiful pieces! I wear these drop earrings constantly.

Beckett Boutique has a beautiful mix of contemporary clothing.

Beau and & Ro is the ultimate for pretty dresses.

They have their own private label line, too. The Annika is one of my favorite silhouettes.

The selection is smaller than Hampden but everything is meticulously selected… so many pretty things!

Coffee/Breakfast:

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits

There is nothing better than one of her warm delicious biscuits. Nothing. Fun fact: they have cream cheese inside the dough which keeps them extra moist and yummy.

The Daily is a great little spot for coffee and a grab and go breakfast.

Addicted to their breakfast burrito and the whipped feta toast.

Harbinger has great coffee and is the CUTEST little cafe.

Perfect place to sit and people watch and get some work done!

The Rise at The Restoration Hotel is another great spot for coffee.

I love their croissants!

Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap) has great coffee.

It’s a fun spot to work and the quiche is amazing too!

Brown’s Court Bakery

Their coffee is delicious, but their pastries are amazing. Just get their early as things go fast.

Baba’s on Cannon

This is an absolute favorite. Great coffee, great snacks (the ham and butter sandwich is just the most satisfying?), and also fun for drinks later in the day.

Sightsee Coffee Shop

This is such a sweet little spot. Really great coffee and a cute little shop in back too.

Brown’s Court Bakery great coffee and AMAZING pastries.

But get there early as all the good stuff goes fast!

Queen Street Grocery was my go-to when I lived here for 6 weeks.

Succcch great crepes and smoothies and their cold brew is amazing. I get mine with chocolate almond milk. Bonus: they sell beer and wine in the back.

Where to Stay:

Guesthouse is probably my favorite place to say but it isn’t a hotel.

It’s a collection of beautiful rental houses and apartments, all with a beautiful courtyard in the middle. The vibe is very similar to a hotel but you get more space, a kitchen, your own entrance, more privacy, etc. I did a longer post about them but I LOVE this space.

86 Cannon may be my personal favorite hotel in Charleston.

It’s a charming little bed & breakfast with just a few rooms. The owners are so kind and they have two beautiful dogs! You can see more of the property in this blog post.

The Restoration Hotel.

I love this spot. Right now it’s my favorite. They have big, cozy rooms, beautiful decor (the library downstairs is incredible with its fireplace and cobalt blue chairs) and the coffee shop (Rise) is one of my favorites. They also have a fantastic rooftop bar (The Watch) which is perfect for watching the sunset with a glass of wine.

The Planter’s Inn.

The Planter’s Inn is a favorite as it is luxurious yet charming, cozy, and very central. The perfect mix! The Peninsula Grill is also attached, meaning you can grab that yummy coconut cake on your way home! The only downside is that they don’t have very many rooms so getting a reservation can be hard (and expensive). But the service, cute rooms, and convenient location make it worth it.

Zero George is one of the most beautiful hotels in Charleston, and has been ranked one of Conde Nast’s best hotels.

I am absolutely obsessed. They also have a great restaurant. It is a bit of a hike to town and less central than the other two hotels I mention, but the beautiful space makes up for it.

The Mills House.

I want to love The Mills House. I really do. It has the most beautiful exterior (I instagram a LOT in front of those pink walls), and it has an amazing story (the original building actually served as the Confederate Headquarters during the Civil War). And when you walk in, the first floor is really lovely! That being said, the rooms are just meh. But I still listed it here as a) it’s pretty cool getting to stay in the old Confederate HQ and b) the location is great… it’s right there in the historic district and close to everything. I am probably going to get in trouble for saying this, but I hope someday someone buys this hotel from Wyndham and helps it realize its full potential.

But also make sure you visit Sullivan’s Island!

Poe’s Tavern is chill and relaxed and the perfect burger joint. It’s also dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe, which is pretty awesome. Get the burger.

The Obstinate Daughter is so delicious that it’s worth driving to Sullivan’s, even if you don’t have other plans there. I accidentally ordered the frittata (long story) and it was amazing. On another visit, we had the polenta fries (scrumptious) and I had the shrimp roll (like a lobster roll but maybe even better?) It’s a must. The line can be intimidating… bring a tiny snack to hold you over.

Coop has the best frosé. And so many flavors too. LOVE.

Home Team BBQ is my fav casual spot! Great pulled pork and tater tots, the salads are surprisingly good (I know, I know, who gets a salad at a sports bar, apparently me!) and the Game Changer is my favorite (very strong!) frozen drink.

Goldbug is my latest jewelry obsession. The designer/owner Ashley Reid Martin creates the most gorgeous (lightweight) brass pieces… perfect for summer/Charleston’s  humid climate where you want your accessories to be as lightweight as possible. The photos on her website don’t do the product justice, but her earrings are beyonnnd.

And also John’s Island!

My parents moved to John’s Island a little over a year ago. To be honest we probably haven’t done enough exploring BUT there are currently two places I really love!

The Wild Olive is by the same team that does The Obstinate Daughter and is absolutely delicious! My dad actually works there a few days a week. It’s some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had.

The Southern General is a little spot in a mall but has an incredible turkey sandwich. My mom and I like to split the turkey pesto sandwich.

The post Charleston City Guide. appeared first on The Stripe.

If you follow on Instagram, then you know that I just got back from the loveliest weekend away! I was at the Malliouhana (the Auberge Resort in Anguilla). It was my first media trip in a very long time and wow, it was incredible.

Anguilla is the most northern island in the Leeward Island chain of the British West Indies. I have compiled more detailed notes about getting there (and COVID related notes) at the bottom of this post but it is a short trip away from St. Maarten, Nevis and St. Barth’s. The Malliouhana is a luxury oceanfront resort right with the amenities of a resort, but a boutique feel. There are 63 beautiful rooms (we stayed in room 4 which is one of their Ocean View rooms… you can see a tour of it in the reel I posted to Instagram), with luxurious touches: spacious bathrooms and patio, a giant soaking tub, and breathtaking views of the water!

The property boasts three restaurants, two beaches (one is a private cove, the other has a restaurant with full service), two tiered infinity pools (plus, very importantly, spacious cabanas and day beds for lounging), a full service spa, and fun little touches like hidden TVs in the mirror of your room. The spa is incredible: I splurged on massages for my friend and I to thank her for coming (and helping me capture content), and we both agreed that the ginger and arnica treatment was one of the best massages either of us had ever had.

PS – for more on this trip, check out the reel that I put together and my Anguilla packing list.

4 Nights at the Malliouhana Auberge

The reason for the trip was to cover the property’s brand new “Flavors of Malliouhana” culinary experience. This was the kickoff and is something that the Malliouhana will be doing on an ongoing basis: a series of residencies and collaborations with world-renowned chefs to celebrate the island’s rich gastronomic heritage. The Auberge invited a group of influencers, editors, and journalists down to experience the inaugural weekend!

The first chef of the series is Chef JJ Johnson. JJ is based in New York (you may know his restaurant, Field Trip – I’m planning to go next time I am in New York) and is known for the way that he infuses traditional Caribbean cooking elements into all he does. JJ will be doing a month-long culinary residency at Malliouhana (it started March 11th!) showcasing his signature cooking style and combining culturally relevant and locally sourced ingredients with a more global point of view

Over the course of the weekend we attended three different events. On the first night, JJ hosted a bonfire party down on the private beach (Turtle Bay), complete with rum punch and a ceviche making demonstration. On the second night, we had a giant dinner down at Leon’s. And on the third day, there was a Southern Soulful brunch at Celeste. Each event was more delicious than the last. My personal favorite was JJ’s Johnny Cakes with Smoked Trout dip… a family recipe.

The property has 3 amazing restaurants!

Getting there!

It is fully worth it once you are there, but getting there is a bit of a hike. If you are in New York, you are in luck: there are plenty of direct flights into St. Maarten. I flew through Atlanta. Once you get to St. Maarten, it’s a short (about 25 minute) ferry ride over to the island to Blowing Point and then about 10-15 minutes in the taxi. You will need to complete the immigration process twice; once in St. Maarten and then again in Anguilla. The trip took me about 14 hours on each side when you factor in airport wait times, immigration, security, transfers, etc.

COVID stuff!

You need to fill out COVID forms for admittance into both St. Maarten and Anguilla. You do not need a COVID test to enter St. Maarten (where you fly into) but you do need it to get into Anguilla. So this is confusing; the airline will tell you that you’re fine, but you really do need one or you won’t be accepted into Anguilla.

Also! When you arrive in Anguilla, straight off of the ferry, everyone must take an additional COVID rapid test. You’ll get results in around 4 hours but until you get your results, you have to quarantine to wherever you are staying. (If you’re staying at a resort, your quarantine is to just the resort, not your room!).

A giant thank you to Auberge for hosting me for the weekend and covering my travel expenses.

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I am so, so incredibly excited, as today I am off to Anguilla for the next four days. The Auberge Malliouhana invited a group of influencers down to cover their Flavors of Malliouhana experience (running through April) with James Beard award-winning Chef JJ Johnson. This is kind of my dream – a sunny vacation with incredible food? Yes, please. In my bag is lots of swimsuits, lots of books, colorful caftans, and of course… SPF (I am letting myself check a bag to bring full sizes of my favorites).

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Off to Anguilla

For one of the fancier dinners I’ve packed this Veronica Beard dress (new) and these amazing red espadrille wedges that I bought last year – they’re now on sale. Also, these would be a good alternative to the red espadrilles and they’re really affordable!

Summersalt sent me this fun one piece from their collaboration with Rifle Paper Co; I love how bright and happy it is!

Gold birks, always! Gold Loefflers, too. I am predictable.

This little rope bag is finally back in stock in all colors. I love it for a trip as it doesn’t take up much room in my suitcase but it holds all my beach necessities. Also, it’s only $18.

This may be my favorite one piece swimsuit ever. I like it so much that I bought it for my mom, too. Really though, Tory Burch can do no wrong when it comes to resort picks. I also packed this shirtdress and these sunglasses. And this pareo (on sale, perfect over the one piece).

This is my other favorite swimsuit. The fit is so good and the leopard is FUN!

I love La Vie Style House so much. Everything they make. The one I packed is actually red (a couple years old) but I love this one!

My fav Amazon coverup. Looks like expensive linen but it’s $25.

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

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I remember several years ago (in the before times/pre-pandemic), I had a work trip where we stayed in downtown LA. I didn’t properly explore it (besides going to The Last Bookstore which might be the coolest bookstore I’ve ever been to) and came back home feeling mostly underwhelmed, saying I wouldn’t stay downtown again. Since dating my boyfriend, that has changed! He’s shown me how much there is to explore here (especially all the museums, but also the proximity to Little Tokyo which is just the greatest). I have come to really, really like downtown LA and think my younger self was a bit of an idiot. There is also so much history and good stuff to explore.

Downtown LA Staycation

Downtown is a bit of a hike from my his place, so we usually only go there for daytime things (museums, mostly!) as it’s such a long drive back. I was very excited when The Ace invited us in for a staycation. We thought it would be the perfect chance to spend even more time downtown. Back to Little Tokyo (truly, it’s the BEST sushi ever), all of the museum-ing, and probably the best part: he surprised me with tickets to the philharmonic!

(Also, in the spirit of transparency, my friend from high school works for The Ace and offered us an amazing room at their discounted “friends” rate.) We stayed in one of the corner loft rooms, which I would highly recommend… you can see more of it on my Instagram (I have an LA highlight and a reel from this trip!) Like all Ace Hotels, we had a great experience. Our room was spacious and modern, the rooftop is especially lovely, and we loved the coffee shop downstairs.

The rooftop of The Ace is perfection – like an enchanted garden!

One of the most fun parts of downtown LA is all the history.

The old theaters, the ornate building facades… places like The Biltmore (above: we got drinks there and then wandered the halls, my favorite is all the old, glamorous photos from past Academy Awards as back in the old days, that’s where they were hosted!).

On our first night, we went to the coolest little speakeasy, The Varnish. The drinks were just beyond. (I recommend The Bramble, I swapped bourbon for tequila.) You walk in through an old Irish pub, there is live piano music… it’s just a fun, sexy little vibe.

The next day we went to The Last Bookstore (one of my all time favorite bookstores!) Afterward we went to LACMA, eating lunch in their cafe (below).

We had such a fun little date night on Saturday.

We started at Otium for dinner (we chose it as it’s such a quick walk from Walt Disney Hall but the food was exquisite). The highlight of our meal was probably the salmon tartare which is served lettuce wrap style with shiso leaves (beyond!). Then we walked over to Walt Disney Hall (an incredible building, designed by Frank Gehry) for the performance.

The next day, we went out to our friend’s ranch but in the afternoon, we went to The Broad (probably my favorite LA art museum!).

And then it was time for my favorite thing ever – sushi in Little Tokyo. Our go-to spot Sushi Gen was closed, but we had heard great things about Sushi Komasa and it did not disappoint. I honestly think that the sushi in Little Tokyo is better than Nobu, at a fraction of the price. Most of these spots don’t take reservations so get there 30-40 minutes before you want to eat, put your name in, and have a drink nearby!

The last thing we did (before my flight!) was drive to Pasadena to the Huntington Gardens.

So, so beautiful. I loved exploring but my favorite parts were definitely the Japanese and Chinese Gardens. You could easily spend all day here exploring, I wish we had more time.

The post Downtown LA Staycation. appeared first on The Stripe.

2 Nights at High Hampton

This past weekend was one of the most relaxing and restorative ones in a long time. Four of my girlfriends (Molly, Chassity, Katie, and Jackie) and I went up to High Hampton (in Cashiers, NC – pronounced Cash-errrs, not Cash-ears, for the record!) and it was just the best ever. I realize this probably sounds silly and ignorant but as the token “Northerner” of the group, I didn’t know that places like this existed in the South. I went into it blind, completely unsure of what to expect. Luckily, I packed well enough but in my head, the South always equaled warm and all the cold and snowy getaways were further North. Not true!

High Hampton is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It’s one of America’s most beloved historic hotels with a 100 year history. Think of one of those Dirty Dancing style camps… laid back and easy, the sort of place a family would visit every single summer. The family that owns Blackberry Farm (high on my travel bucket list) bought it a couple years ago. They went about restoring the property in a really meticulous way that would maintain the character and unique appeal of the original buildings (vs. creating another Blackberry property). The result is something cozy and laid back (but also, very luxurious).

They invited my friend Molly (you might know her brand, Red Clay Hot Sauce) to come up for the weekend and lead a spicy cocktail making workshop (they are doing this really cool tastemaker series, the next one is with Gen Sohr). Molly invited us up as her guests and I absolutely fell in love with the property. I can’t wait to go back (especially in warmer weather when it gets unbearably hot in Charleston – it would be the perfect place to escape the heat). I already shared everything I packed and wore, as well as High Hampton’s Bloody Mary recipe… today I wanted to share more about the trip itself!

The drive was a little over 5 hours from Charleston.

The last hour of the drive is a bit windy, so be forewarned.

When we arrived, the staff greeted us and immediately grabbed our bags. We checked into a cozy cabin (Halsted Cottage) which could not have been be more perfect for a girls trip.

Our cottage was beautiful. You can get more of a sense of it from the reel I posted, but it was incredible. There were four cozy bedrooms (each with its own bathroom, including soaking tubs)

We started with drinks at the tavern. I highly recommend the caviar and potato chips. The chef sent those as a treat as he knew Molly, and they were just divine. For dinner we shared a bunch of things but my personal favorites were the wedge salad (I know that sounds strange but it’s the best wedge I have ever had!) and the pasta. But also: the steak tartare and the beef tenderloin!

The food was absolutely exquisite.

We opted to eat all of our meals on property (we almost ventured out for brunch nearby one day but the roads were bad and windy). They change the menu daily but if the wedge salad is on the menu, you have to get it! I realize this may be a strange recipe but it’s the best wedge salad I’ve ever had. The blue cheese isn’t quite as strong as with other wedge salads, making it light and refreshing and just perfect. On the first night we shared one… on the second night, we got our own!

Also, I was just so impressed with the service. I was telling my girlfriends to please remind me to go to the front desk to pick up a toothbrush (I always forget one) and the server overheard and brought one over to the table with dessert. So freaking thoughtful!

Basically, this place is a (very, very luxe) sleepaway camp. In our case it was sleepaway camp for adults but I think it would be great with kids too… I didn’t see any kids but the property felt super family-friendly.

I can’t believe how cold it was… we really had to bundle up!

Molly, in her element. I posted the famous Bloody Mary recipe yesterday and will be posting the rest of the cocktail recipes this week and next.

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One of my favorite things about moving to the South is the weather. As a general rule, I hate being cold!!!! But a funny thing has happened: I kind of (kind of being the key word) miss colder weather, especially bundling up in big warm cozy clothes. My teddy coat, my snow boots, ETC! (Both of these things are on sale, btw). A cold weather getaway was the perfect reason to bundle up in all my coziest, comfiest pieces.

Everything I Wore in Highlands, NC

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I totally realize that the Missoni pants might have seemed like an odd choice but they were one of the best things I packed. They’re knit like a sweater and incredibly warm. Paired with the knee high boots they made for the perfect cold night outfit.

This Gucci barrette is ridiculous but amazing. Favorite way to update a boring outfit.

Love my Birdies slippers!

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.

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Last week it was my boyfriend’s birthday and I wanted to do something special for him. Taking a proper vacation was not an option for either of us (we are both very busy w/work right now) but we wanted to make it a point to see each other and celebrate him, so I planned a little staycation (for him)/mini vacation (for me) at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. I had always really wanted to stay here. I’ve talked about having a “hotel bucket list” before and this was at the very top. We’d been for brunch at their restaurant on the boardwalk (Coast!) before and I’ve walked/rode bikes countless times along the beach in Santa Monica but I had never been inside the hotel or stayed there.

To say that the trip exceeded either of our expectations and was really special is a massive understatement. This was one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed. I loved the laid back vibes (we both remarked that it felt like we were on Cape Cod, it has a very New England-y/coastal vibe), the service was incredible, and I felt like we were both able to really, truly unplug and relax in just a couple nights.

outfit details: Joie Dress (from last year – similar options here, here, here, and here) // Vince Warren Sneakers // Amazon Sunglasses

2 Nights at Shutters on The Beach

I loved our room.

If you go, I can’t recommend springing for an Ocean View room enough. It’s a jump in price but worth every penny. Our room had two little balconies. Sitting out there with a glass of wine and watching the sunset was just heaven. And since it was quite warm (we had such great weather!), we opted to sleep with the doors open. Nothing is better than falling asleep (and waking up) to the sound of the ocean. Bliss.

Our room also had a giant soaking tub which I put to good use. I kind of loved the “window” between our room and the bath. Made it easier for us to chat while I lazed in the tub and he worked.

I had a lot of people ask me which I prefer – this, or the Proper Santa Monica, which I wrote about this past summer. While I absolutely loved our stay at The Proper, I think it would be this. I feel like The Proper has sophisticated uptown/city vibes whereas this is more beachy and laid back. The Proper is also quite a bit up a bit from the beach whereas this is right on the beach. If given the choice, I’ll always take the beach. Also the service at Shutters was just exceptional (like Four Seasons level). No shade to The Proper but the service and concern for our happiness was just next level.

This was on our first night. We each had a massage late in the day and then came upstairs and opened some wine and watched the sun set. It was so romantic and relaxing!

I highly recommend the spa.

I had a one hour massage and it was incredible. Nothing is better than getting a massage after a long flight!

We spent a solid chunk of our second day just relaxing at the pool. Plus eating quite a bit. Watermelon margaritas, avocado toast, a lobster roll… perfection.

On the morning we checked out, we sprang for room service which was such a treat. Nothing better than tucking into (a bagel and lox for me, an eggs benedict for him) a big breakfast, without having to leave the room!

My favorite place to sit and eat was on the main deck. We sat in the sunshine and ordered some white wine and a seafood platter. And fries, of course.

Disclosure: Shutters gave us a media discount on our room!

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