I recently read an article in this month's Fast Company issue (with none other than Queen Bey herself on the cover), that basically summed up why millennial women are the new target demographic among luxury goods that were once marketed almost exclusively to men. I found the numbers to be the most interesting (but perhaps not all that surprising either). Since 2000, one-third more women than men have graduated from college, thereby outpacing them in wage growth, with many analysts predicting that by the year 2020, women's wages will overtake men's.
Of course, we still can't deny the fact that women earn 79 cents for every dollar our male counterparts make -- but it's exciting to see that perhaps, in some ways (heck, a lot of ways) this reality won't last and can't last, much longer. I'm not denying there are a lot of other factors (like class divisions, access to education etc.) that also play a huge role in this future that require social and political climate changes, but it's there nonetheless.
Where am I going with all of this? The article cited how car companies are no longer casting the female for commercials necessarily as the "girlfriend" or "wife" role -- although this stereotyping does largely still exist. But a lot of companies are focusing on women more so as the driver. The decision maker. The boss. The owner of the car. And it's about f*cking time.
So I guess once I touched down in San Francisco and picked up my BMW rental for the weekend, I couldn't help but smile at that thought.
As I've mentioned before, this is my first proper visit to Italy since living here in the country almost 10 years ago. And while it's usually safe to assume a lot can change in a city over 10 years, I really wanted to believe a lot would be the same, especially in a city like Rome. I'm happy to report that this was exactly the case. Of course, construction and renovations may have changed the and lifted the city in some much needed ways, but the overall feeling I had when I was there: that same exact surreal magic that I experienced over 10 years ago.
Walking past the Trevi Fountain, past the Pantheon, looping around the winding streets that lead you to ruins and eventually the colosseum. Ducking into unmarked alleyways for the promise of gelato. Hearing the gentle, low hum of nearby church bells. The sun setting over the Vatican, blazing the sky in pinks and reds and oranges. I was left in awe, much like I was left in awe all those years ago.
What made it extra special for me this time, was that I chose to walk everywhere, even to spots that were clear on the other side of the city. I felt like if I was in Rome, I had to see Rome and do Rome, just as the Romans do. For that reason, I exhausted more than my fair share of espadrilles and sandals (naturally), but when my friend Angie met up with me on her first night in town, we decided to make a special evening of it. I had these lace Imagine Vince Camuto wedges (originally scooped up for a wedding that I have later this summer) packed just for this reason -- they were exactly what I needed to elevate the outfit, but also navigate the cobblestone streets with ease. I even had a few local women stop to ask me who my shoes were by -- which in my book, when a stylish Italian woman covets your shoes, it's the highest form of flattery.
This post was in collaboration with Imagine Vince Camuto. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Before I go on any big trip that I know I need to pack a solid wardrobe for, I like to immerse myself in some film inspiration. Naturally, for this trip, the classics were thrown on. La Dolce Vita. Roman Holiday. Both great for that Italian glamour I was hoping to evoke while I was over here. But the dark horse this time around actually surprised me -- an old favorite that I haven't watched in years -- The Talented Mr. Ripley, which if you recall, actually bounces around all over Italy, Mangia, Venice, Rome, the Amalfi Coast. It's 1950s sun-drenched Italy at it's sartorial best -- from Matt to Jude, from Gwyneth to Cate.
And while Marge definitely steals the show as our leading lady (remember her dress for the opera night -- divine!), it's Cate Blanchett's character, Meredith, that stuck with me most this time around. Albeit, her role is secondary, but her outfits were always on point -- silk scarves tucked into her collared shirts, perfectly coifed, softly waved hair, little cardigan sweaters buttoned all the way up. But her summer suits were my favorite! So sharp and clean. And very much the inspiration for this all all white summer suit from the Edition Collection via Express you see here.
We had originally intended to shoot this outfit at the Spanish Steps, to pay homage to where the cast often met to talk about Dickie Greenleaf, but unfortunately they were closed for renovations. We did luck out though at a nearby hotel, Hotel de Russie, which had the exact carefree, sunny Italian vibe I was hoping for -- and this little short suit (and darling lace shorts!) was the perfect complement. Crisp and cool, to beat the afternoon heat, and easy to transition to an evening out near Piazza Popolo, where we ended the evening sipping rose on a rooftop. I like to think Meredith would approve.
This post was in collaboration with Express. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
I'm currently writing this (quick) post from a very busy JFK, waiting for my oversold flight to Venice to start boarding. Fingers crossed I make it and by the time this post goes live, I'm riding in a gondola on the Grand Canal.
If not, I'll be sipping wine from another airport, determined to hop over the pond still. Either way, Italy, I'm coming for you! I hope you're ready.
In the meantime, if you guys have any restaurant, bar, cafe recommendations for Venice and Rome, I would love to hear them! Until then, arrivederci! Baci!
I was midflight, somewhere over Oklahoma likely, on my way back to New York from Vegas, when my friend, Antonietta (who you met here), texted me. I took a break from my emails to peek at her iMessage.
"Want to meet us in Turks & Caicos tomorrow?"
My knee-jerk reaction was to 1.) get excited and then 2.) feel disappointed, because who does that? Plan last minute trips, while midair from another trip? Certainly not this girl. And certainly not this girl who has a manager at an office somewhere to check in with. I most certainly had to decline the offer.
And then I had to remind myself, I'm not that girl anymore. I make my own hours. I answer to myself. I can work from practically anywhere, as long as the wifi signal is strong enough. While this lifestyle comes with its own extreme ups and downs (all of which I'm still adjusting to), I think one of the main aspects I appreciate most is the freedom to roam that it allows. It's something that I always craved while working in a corporate environment and now that I have it, it's something I have to remind myself that I have. Funny how that works, huh?
Of course, it all comes with a good amount of due diligence and responsibility. I have to be realistic with myself, what I can afford and what makes sense for my content direction. But when those stars align (stars that I worked hard for, mind you), I've been telling myself to just say YES more. That's why I took this big leap of faith in the first place, after all. All of which, wouldn't be possible, if it weren't for you, dear readers, to help me get there. For that, THANK YOU. Truly.
Last weekend, I joined the Moët team for an afternoon of bubbles, sunshine and more than our fair share of Australian sailors. (Please note, I refrained from calling them seamen -- because it would just make me giggle too much.)
America's Cup. Such a great way to officially kick off summer. And NYC decided to grace us with beautiful weather to boot. Since we're on the brink of another hopefully sunny weekend, I'm going to keep this short and sweet for today in hopes you can hop out of work early. And go walk through the park. And get some ice cream. Or heck, go find yourself an Australian sailor. There's quite a few of them here in New York. 😉
If you're like me, you've probably watched more than your fair share of Audrey Hepburn movies (and maybe subjected a few boyfriends to it as well). And while, yes, Breakfast at Tiffany's will always hold a special place in my heart, it's actually Funny Face that made me truly fall in love with Hepburn. Between the custom Givenchy gowns, the singing and dancing in Paris and, of course, who can forget, the beatnik cafe dance off (thereby inspiring low ponytails, turtleneck sweaters and cropped ankle pants for years to come), Funny Face is probably one of my favorite Hepburn films.
So when I landed in Paris last month, fresh off the plane for my marathon, you can imagine I couldn't help but think about the scene where her editor, the photographer and Jo all traipse around Paris for their first 12 hours, doing anything and everything they feel like. Hopping to cafes, ducking into museums, walking along the Seine -- whistling bonjour and cooing merci at every opportunity.
And as cliche as it sounds. Paris really does have that effect on you, doesn't it? It's that feeling of fleeting delight, of afternoon indulgences, of turning around just one more corner to see what little tucked away store might await you. It's magical and enchanting and mesmerizing and if you give it just the right amount of time, on just the right afternoon, in just the right pair of cobblestone friendly heels, you feel unstoppable.
Naturally, when Via Spiga invited me to join them as their May Footprint influencer (you can read my interview here!), I jumped at the chance to sport their shoes in Paris. For exactly that type of afternoon. I love this particular pair (the Dorians, which you can snag here), as I'm always looking for a new nude spring heel each season -- one that transitions easily from day time wear to evening (perfect for those expat whims when you just don't want to go back to your hotel and admit that the day is over) -- and this pair does exactly that. They carried me from the Eiffel Tower steps at the Trocadero, to the Seine, to a few cafes and eventually a long scenic walk back to the Champs-Élysées.
And yes, I may have been whistling bonjour and cooing merci at every opportunity. As any good Hepburn fan would do, naturally.
This post was in collaboration with Via Spiga. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
With every step on the pavement, my hip was throbbing, like a pendulum keeping time with my body. I'd breathe in, step, the dull ache nudging my side, breath out, step. Repeat. To my left and to my right, my fellow runners were walking, running, gasping, wincing from pain just as I was, and yet here we were, at mile 20. Six more to go. Making our way back to the start line near the Arc du Triumph in the city of light. Paris. And my body was keeping time, with every step of the way.
I rounded the narrow park corner, making sure to pay attention to route signs indicating when my next water station would be, when a fan sign caught my eye, glitter and puffy paint; it's owner waving it excitedly back and forth. I thought to myself, "How very American of them..."
I squinted (mainly because at this point, the sun was pretty high and sweat was already dripping down my forehead, making it hard to focus on much of anything), to make out the following:
"If Britney Spears can survive 2007, you can survive this race."
And suddenly, I couldn't help but laugh. Out loud. And my very obviously American friends cheered at my recognition of the pop culture reference going on here, high fived me and yelled, "You got this, Krystal!"
At this point, I had to remind myself, my name was very clearly written on my race bib on my chest, but for a second, I almost felt like these people knew me and knew I could make it just six more miles.
So I told myself, "You run six miles all the time. You can do this."
Without hesitating, I turned to my now blasting Spotify playlist, and switched to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" as we approached the Bois de Boulogne, the final leg of the race. My body keeping time to my hip, my breathing and now, Freddie Mercury's anthem-worthy voice.
If you're curious what else I listened to for the rest of the race, keep scrolling! My full Spotify playlist is below...
Huge thanks to Equinox for helping me get race-day ready and to the Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées Hotel for being the best home base a marathon runner could hope for while traveling.
And an even bigger thanks to all of you guys who sent me encouraging tweets, messages, emails, DMs and Snapchats during the race! It made all the difference, every step of the way!
"This is what you do on your very first day in Paris. You get yourself, not a drizzle, but some honest-to-goodness rain, and you find yourself someone really nice and drive her through the Bois de Boulogne in a taxi. The rain's very important. That's when Paris smells its sweetest. It's the damp chestnut trees." ~ Audrey Hepburn, as Sabrina Fairchild in Sabrina
I absolutely love that quote from Sabrina because I think it captures so many sensory cues to Paris. The dampness in the air come springtime. The sweet scent of chestnut. The promise of a smile from a stranger. The idea of an afternoon spent wandering with no where to be, but perhaps that cafe just up around the corner that you've never been to and possibly that old bookstore afterward. Until you're eventually back out in the evening air, walking to wherever you're walking back to, rain now seeping into your coat that would otherwise bother you in any other city, but you don't call for a cab. Not here in Paris. No, you walk back, with everyone else now walking back in the rain, unbothered and smiling. Because you're in Paris! The city of light, the city of love, the city where you wouldn't dare miss a chance to take the long way back home.
If I'm romanticizing a bit too much, forgive me. I hadn't been to Paris in over 10 years, and the previous trip was drastically different. I was a sophomore in college, studying abroad in Italy, doing the backpacking thing on the weekends with a ragtag team of friends. It was, hands down, a beautiful way to experience the city. After all, it is Paris. But to say I had been looking forward to this second trip around with my mom would likely be a huge understatement. And while I don't expect this little guide of mine to be as nearly comprehensive as say others' guides to Paris, I did want to share a slice of our time there, especially since I received so many wonderful recommendations from you guys! So, without further adieu...
For starters, let's talk cafes...
I think it's always very telling when locals in a certain city give recommendations and they happen to highlight a disproportionate amount of a certain type of business. For New York, I think most folks can ramble off a ton of great, boutique bars. For San Francisco and the Bay Area, folks love fro yo and niche bakeries. For Paris, it's cafes. I think once we landed, I had accumulated at least 15 different "must-try" cafes on our to-do list, each sounding more amazing than the last. Unfortunately, my mom and I didn't get through all of them, but here were our favorites.
Cafe Kitsuné: Hopping over to this little spot near Le Palais Royal was easy most mornings as it was a short metro (or brisk walk) away from our hotel on the Champs-Élysées. It's small, cozy and tucked away in their beautiful courtyard and secretly made me wish I could have been born in Paris, working at that shop, writing my poetry in between customers.
Angelina: Perhaps more than a cafe, Angelina came recommended so many times, I lost count. I also lost count of how many cups of the hot chocolate we drank. Let's just say, I had to work a bit harder during the marathon to run these bad boys off.
Holy Belly: Also, more than a cafe, Holy Belly reminded me a lot of some great American brunch spots back in San Francisco and New York. The wait was a bit crazy, but the breakfast tacos were certainly worth it.
Ob La Di: Delicious and insanely Instagrammable. Usually the main criteria we're all looking for in a cafe, am I right?
And then sweets?
We made a few obligatory sweet tooth stops along the way. Because how can you not, when in Paris?
Ladurée: Of course, this was a no brainer. Especially considering we were staying at the Marriott on the Champs-Élysées, right down the way. And even though I indulge in the SoHo shop every once and a while, something about a Ladurée just never gets old, oui?
Pierre Herme: Because stopping off at more than one macaron spot is mandatory when in Paris. Between the two, while I think Ladurée has the instantly recognizable charm, there is something to be said about Pierre Holme's macarons (in all honesty, I thought they were better, but I realize those are fighting words).
La Droguerie du Marais: On my first visit to Paris years ago, we stopped off at many a street vendor for many a fattening crepe (usually an entire meal by itself). This crepe spot came highly recommended from a reader's email and I really wish I had gotten a photo of my mom's reaction after her first bite of our Nutella and banana crepe. Absolutely priceless. We may have gone back. A few times.
A moveable feast indeed...
I'd by lying if I didn't admit to daydreaming a bit about Hemingway's Paris while we were roaming around -- cafe rendezvous with F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, splitting bottles of wine with Gertrude Stein, wandering city streets late at night with James Joyce. It made stopping into restaurants that much more of an experience, thinking "what would Hemingway think of our little dinner party of two tonight? Would he want to join us?"
Les Papilles: Truly the pièce de résistance meal of the trip. Without a doubt. It's an intimate, traditional French restaurant, tucked away in the Latin Quarter -- with a menu that changes every day. No variations. No options. Your server runs through your four courses, encourages you to pick a bottle of wine from their floor to ceiling wall of options, and then you sit back and relax. Butternut squash soup. Lamb ribs. Poached pear panna cotta. My mouth is literally watering at the moment.
Brasserie La Lorraine: This stop actually happened rather serendipitously the evening after our marathon. I headed out with a few of my fellow runners, all of us slightly limping at this point, for a hearty steak dinner, preferably near our hotels off the Champs Elyses. And we were not disappointed by the filets served at Brasserie La Lorraine. I think what was even more memorable for me was the incredible people watching you can do here at this restaurant. I love watching couples, young and old, meander in and then coming up with their stories -- how they met, how long they've been together, who's seeing a mistress and who's lying about her age. I do this often in New York, but it's such incredible fun in Paris!
Ellsworth: So I typically try to avoid restaurants in other countries that specialize in American cuisine -- because it almost defeats the purpose, right? But Ellsworth, known for their spin on American comfort food, came highly recommended numerous times, just for the fried chicken alone, so I finally caved. It's small so I definitely encourage you to make a reservation, but my main thing to say about this place is this: if you happen to be caught walking back in the rain, I hope you offer your umbrella to a cute stranger and invite them here for an impromtu date (I realize that would require you to have some sort of previous reservation, but let's not get caught up on details here). I loved this little restaurant -- classic Parisian charm that makes you want to lean in a bit closer at your already small table.
Where we stayed and what we got up to...
Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées Hotel: Of course, where to stay in Paris? Each neighborhood has it's own unique charm and flair that deciding almost becomes like picking a favorite child. Or in my case, a favorite corgi. As you may recall, I headed down to Mexico with the Marriott team for their JW opening in Cabo back in January. After chatting with their team about my upcoming marathon in Paris (several of their team members are big runners as well), I was ecstatic to hear they wanted to partner together for my Parisian stay, specifically for their Champs-Élysées hotel. Not only were we so conveniently located to the Metro making it easy to hop around town, but the marathon start line was literally at our doorstep on the Champs-Élysées (always a plus when you have an early start time). The property itself is stunning -- our room in particular boasting the most darling of balconies overlooking the bustling avenue down below. But I have to say, most of this pales in comparison to the staff, all of whom was incredibly kind, thoughtful and incredibly patient with me and my unfortunately sad knowledge of French. Each night we had a lovely treat waiting for us on our bed (yep, more macarons) -- it really did feel like we were returning home each evening, after a day of exploring, eating, getting lost and getting found again.
As far as what we did? This is where I'll happily admit, I was a tourist all over again. The Eiffel made me smile, the Louvre made me swoon and the Tuileries Gardens made me sit and sigh. And it's exactly what my mom and I had planned to do. A revisiting of familiar places that make you look at them again with new eyes. Or as Sabrina so aptly puts it:
"Oh, but Paris isn't for changing planes. It's for changing your outlook, for throwing open the windows and for letting in...letting in la vie en rose."
A huge merci is in order to the Marriott team for hosting me and my mom during our lovely stay in Paris. We both hope to be back very soon. And who knows, maybe I'll try the marathon again, next year! (Stay tuned for tomorrow's post -- I'll be sharing my marathon experience then!)
OUTFIT DETAILS: Katie Ermilio striped dress (similar style here) // Sarah Lai floral dress // Self-Portrait lace dress
This post was in collaboration with the Marriott. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
It's always around this time of year that I get a bit restless. And while I have my sights set on a few overseas jaunts in the coming months, I do love the idea of packing up a getaway car and just driving west. Last summer, Lydia and I got a bit lost in the wilds of Utah, hopping from one national park to the next. And I loved every minute of it. The open road winding ahead of us, with nothing but Bob Dylan and the Stones barely drowning out the sound of our tires pounding the pavement, as we drove further and further into solitude. It was in those moments that I realized there's so much of the United States I've yet to experience and see -- especially when it comes to our national parks. So in honor of Earth Week (this week) and Earth Day (today!), I wanted to share a few of my favorite moments from that memorable road trip. The first of many to come, hopefully. You can see Parts ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR right this way.
It's in that spirit, that I also wanted to share an initiative Eddie Bauer (a brand I've been living in since last summer for all my outdoor activities), has in store for this week. As part of their #OneTree campaign running now through April 24th, they're encouraging folks to simply text the phrase ONETREE to the number 80077, which in turn will donate $5 to plant 5 trees. Plus, Eddie Bauer will match donations up to 75,000 trees.
And if you're itching to nab a getaway car yourself, Eddie Bauer is also giving away a trip for two to California's Redwood National Park (a personal favorite of mine). To enter, post a picture of a tree, a forest or any other earth-themed image to Instagram or Twitter and share your personal story as to why #OneTree matters to you. Please note, only one entry per person is allowed and the post must include the hashtags #OneTree and #sweepsentry, with a tag for @EddieBauer as well. You can see complete contest rules here. Best of luck and go west, young man (or woman!).
You can take the girl out of the West Coast, but you can't take the West Coast out of the girl.
It's true. It really is. As much as I've reflected on the past year (how crazy right -- it's been an entire year since I've moved to New York!), I've undoubtedly loved my time living on the East Coast. The pace, the energy, the people, the cities and of course, the learning experiences it's brought along the way -- definitely worthy of a life update post, which I'm working on at the moment. One thing I will say though is that I have to had to learn some new driving skills to keep up with the New York pace! If you want to learn about defensive driving new york is certainly the place to do it. The roads are very different to what I am used to on the West Coast. Thank goodness there are so many traffic schools in New York that can help people master the art of defensive driving.
But there's something about returning to California, even for just brief weekend visits, that remind me how much I loved my time living there as well. Nostalgia is a funny thing isn't it? It floods back almost all at once at the smallest triggers, a sunset, a song, a long drive home. And you're suddenly remembering former versions of yourself, former afternoons you've spent and the people along the way. Whenever I head back to California, no matter how brief the visit, I try to get my hands on a car -- any car -- to just drive down Highway 1 right before sunset. This past visit I was lucky enough to partner with Sixt Car Rental, who graciously offered this Mercedes GLA you see here. It was the perfect steed to literally drive off into the sunset -- and with the right oldies blasting on the radio, I couldn't help but smile about all the good memories California holds for me and will likely always hold for me.
This post was in collaboration with Sixt Car Rental. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
There's an interesting thing that happens when you embark on a cruise ship. OK, actually, there's a few interesting things that happen. The first, and probably the most obvious one, is that you immediately become painfully aware of your balance (or lack there of once the ship starts sailing). And the second, you will never really understand what a nautical knot is. Trust me on this. Many of the staff will try to explain it, but your landlocked brain, much like mine, will find it hard to grasp. And the third? At times, you'll find yourself wondering how you could possibly eat another meal, but once that fresh mahi mahi comes out of the kitchen, you forget all your stomach woes.
As for what else happens on a cruise ship? Well, the rest is nothing short of an adventure (which trust me, I had my reservations about at first -- but am now a proud believer). And to borrow from my friend David Foster Wallace's piece on cruise ship sailing (mainly the writing format, not necessarily his sentiments about cruising in general), I'd like to share with you a little slice of our week long experience, sailing through the Caribbean Sea with Celebrity Cruises aboard the Silhouette last month.
Ready? Great!
I can now say that I've done and loved the following...
I've watched some of the most amazing sunrises over stretches of nothing but ocean. And then watched some of the brightest burning sunsets I've ever seen, turning the sky the most amazing shades of pink and orange and a really soft shade of fuchsia. I've cracked my stateroom balcony door each night, just to hear the hum of the ocean. And before finally dozing off each night, I was amazed at how well the sea can softly rock you to sleep.
I've tried the most amazing ceviche made my a man named Dwayne in St. Maarten. (We then tried to convince Dwayne to move to New York to open another restaurant there. He didn't bite but was flattered by the offer.) I've sailed around the waters of St. Kitts on a catamaran, sipping a locally brewed beer. I've hopped around the cobblestoned streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, amazed that each building was more vibrantly colored than the last.
I've sipped a margarita before noon. I've eaten my own weight in fresh fish. I've mastered the art of "days at sea" -- days where your captain high tails it to the next stop -- giving you the excuse to just lay by the pool with nothing to worry about other than what cocktail you should order next.
I've had the pleasure of meeting some of the most incredible staff around, including the captain of the ship -- all of them hailing from different parts of the world, with different stories to share. I now know how the many kitchens operate on board such a large, floating hotel (and it's nothing short of a science!). I've seen how an entire boat gets into the St. Patrick's Day spirit (and may have even joined a conga line briefly for the occasion).
I've watched Broadway-caliber shows each evening (many of which left songs stuck in my head and my foot tapping well into dinner). I've watched how world-class chefs shop at local island food and fish markets (the trick to fish is to make sure the eye is still bright and not clouded over!). I've taken the most amazing naps in one corner hammock on the 12th floor deck. I've run 4 miles each morning at sea (and was surprised at how well I managed to not notice the rocking of the ocean while on the treadmill).
I've finally learned how to remember the difference between port and starboard (left and right, respectively -- just think "port" has 4 letters just like "left" does). I've sipped a 12-year aged rum that made me rethink my love of whiskey. I've experienced impeccable hospitality -- from my stateroom attendant to the captain himself -- all of them sharing the same goal -- to get us to just relax. And smile.
But perhaps best of all, I shared everything above with some of the best travel companions around. Thank you Ali, Christine, Lisa, Tommy and Stuart for being the best sea-faring expats a girl could ask for.
And thank you Celebrity Cruises for reminding this at times crazed New York girl it's OK to just unplug for a bit. And sip a Corona (or two) before dinner.
This post was in collaboration with Celebrity Cruises. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Perhaps it's just me, but there's something about checking into a beautiful hotel that makes me feel like a little girl. In the best way possible, of course. Almost as if it's my excuse to dress up, jump on the bed (at a reasonable hour, naturally) and order room service pancakes (regardless of the hour). Then there's the fact that everyone insists on calling you Ms. Bick that always makes me giggle a bit to myself. Ms. Bick just reminds me of my mom, so I can't help but look over my shoulder to check for her when called it.
Yes, at the risk of this being the most first world sentence I've ever typed here on This Time Tomorrow, beautiful hotels are my weakness. And getting to stay at them? An absolute dream, one that I don't take for granted.
This past fashion week, I had the opportunity to check into my new favorite hotel here in the city. Langham Place, located in the heart of Midtown at 5th and 37th. Granted, this downtown girl doesn't make it uptown that often, let alone, midtown, but that's the beauty in staycations, right? It allows us to see a new part of our own backyard, restaurants and shops alike, and of course, skyline views from my 19th floor bedroom didn't disappoint either.
Amidst the craziness that is fashion week, it was so nice to come back to this (not so) little refuge high above the city, each night. Langham Place boasts some of the largest rooms in the city, and upon walking into mine, I was blown away. (Let's just say, several of my West Village studios could have fit in there.) After a day of trekking around the city, bundled up in layers and not so functional shoes, I rested easy knowing that a nice long bath soak, a fuzzy robe and a bottle of wine were waiting for me. Oh, and putting a little Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald on was the cherry on top each evening.
As far as hotel amenities go, I loved that I didn't have to look far for great food (another first world priority, I know). Most evenings I ducked into their downstairs lobby bar and lounge, Measure, for a hearty bite and night cap and on one certain special Valentine's Day evening, I might have popped upstairs to their Michelin-star rated restaurant, Ai Fiori, for a delicious six-course meal for two.
Huge thanks again to the folks at Langham Place for hosting me. You certainly made this fashion week attendee feel right at home in Midtown and I hope to join you again soon!
This post was in collaboration with Langham Place. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Swimsuit: Cynthia Rowley here and here; Dress: Suno (from a previous season, more Suno here); Heels: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Celine
This probably goes without saying at this point, but I can't resist a good Mexican siesta every once and a while. Case in point? Just this past year alone, I've visited Cabo in May as well as August, experiencing completely different parts of the area and local flare both times. And as luck would have it, just this past week, I hopped back for more, this time for the grand unveiling of the JW Marriott, which opened it's doors earlier this season.
Click through to see more photos and read more about my experience across the border...
To say this trip couldn't have come at a better time is perhaps an understatement, as I'm just now starting to wrap my head around the need for frequent winter getaways. New York was just flexing her bitterly cold muscles as I was packing up my Cynthia Rowley swimsuits and hailing the first Uber I could find to take me straight away to JFK.
The flight, as it always is, was a little bumpy and despite some unfortunate delays and some serious hustling to make my connecting flight in Atlanta, I was sipping a cadillac margarita by 2pm local time, greeted with a warm "buenos tardes" by everyone I met. Those who know me, know I love any and every excuse to brush up on my Spanish (which much to Ms. Siddall from Galena High School's dismay, isn't great) but hey, A for effort, right?
Let's set the scene shall we? The JW Marriott line, as I learned upon arriving, boasts the luxury side of the Marriott family, in unique destinations like Cairo, Cusco and Caracas and now Cabo (alliteration was somewhat intentional). And what struck me the most, upon arriving, was just how much they let the surrounding environment and culture play center stage. For anyone who's spent time in Cabo, you know how nestled it sits next to a beautiful coastline -- your drive from the airport usually shows it off pretty nicely. Rolling desert hills that drop off pretty dramatically to these beautiful seaside cliffs, overlooking some of the bluest water, capping off in sprays of white, as tiny surfers down below try their luck. It always strikes me as oddly beautiful that such a seemingly arid desert oasis, sits next to such a lush coastline -- the juxtaposition is as jarring as it is mesmerizing. One of the biggest reasons why I love Cabo, truly.
And the JW Marriott? Nailed it. Where the surrounding properties exude a Spanish colonial villa flair reminiscent of Hotel California, the Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa went a different direction, modern, but still warm. Tall, grand entrances that open directly where you want them to -- to the ocean, allowing the perfect amount of breeze to roll through the lobby. Cacti and succulents are sprinkled throughout the property (an appropriate nod to the surrounding environment), amid palm trees and bougainvillea of course, and many, many pools, most of which seem to disappear just so out to the ocean at the right angle. There's something undeniably bewitching about the property when you roam around it. Slats in walls and window lookouts from different levels of the lobby allow the sun to cast some of the most amazing shadows throughout the day, especially as you're taking it all in from one of their infinity pools. I have to admit, more than once, I got a bit turned around while exploring the property, but really in the best way possible. It's almost labyrinth-like -- a delightful maze to get lost in.
As for the pools, don't get me started. I wish I was there right now.
While we were only in paradise for less than 48 hours, I do feel completely rejuvenated from it. Between the rooms, all with private balconies and not a bad view in the house, to the many delicious meals we enjoyed (including a breathtaking al fresco dinner in their courtyard), from getting my butt kicked at a morning beach boot camp session to Betty Who's private performance, this weary New Yorker returned to the States with a much needed tan and more than her fair share of sighs of contentment. Even if Jonas and 30 inches of snow were waiting for her back at home.
So Cabo, fourth's time a charm perhaps? This New Yorker will definitely be ready for you again in March. Oh gosh, let's be honest, more like February.
This post was in collaboration with JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
The scene: Much like any adventure you don't want to end, think of this as the comeback for our heroes. The part in which, much like perhaps most parents would do, they want you to sit and flip through their film prints and watch a little home video they whipped up.
So without further adieu, let's dim the lights and roll it...
In case you're just joining our heroes now, here's Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of this series.
This post was in collaboration with Eddie Bauer. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Note before you begin: There are a lot more photos to be seen after the jump, simply click "Read More" below...
There's a quote from Gustave Flaubert (hello, Madame Bovary) that goes a little something like this:
"It always sad to leave a place to which one knows one will never return. Such are the melancolies du voyage: perhaps they are one of the most rewarding things about traveling."
There are few moments when I'm traveling that I get this exact feeling. Granted. while I firmly believe that each trip, big or small, is unique unto itself, I don't necessarily get overcome with a feeling of finality when I visit, say Los Angeles or Seattle. And I'm not starting this post about Israel with this quote to say that I don't think I'll ever return to this pocket of the world. Quite the opposite actually. I know, in my heart of hearts, I will return back to Israel someday. The people, the history and the culture are just too rich, too kind and too fascinating not to.
No, this quote carries a lot of weight for me because it sums up, quite brilliantly, that feeling when you realize the exact moment you're in, that very second, is so incredibly unlike any other moment you could ever hope to recreate, that it leaves you simultaneously amazed and overjoyed by the fact you get to experience it, and also saddened by how fleeting it all is. It's that half second that you have to humbly appreciate what you're about to experience can only be described as once in a lifetime. They don't come around often. And, considering this is also a very contested part of the world, for a large number of reasons too lengthy to do justice in one blog post by someone who openly admits she is but a novice in these matters, it would be remiss of me to not acknowledge, that these particular moments may not easily present themselves again. Due to ever changing circumstances of the world we live in. But that's life and seize those moments, you must!
Does any of that make sense? I may be rambling, but perhaps by sharing some of these exact moments I had in Israel, I can better illustrate what I mean. Simple click "Read More" below to hear about the moments that have changed me for forever (10 to be exact!)...
1. Visiting the Western Wall: It should be noted, walking anywhere within the gated walls of the Old City in Jerusalem is a humbling experience. Every cobblestone, every statute, every corner bears witness to times that world religions to this day put great emphasis on. And to be able to walk amongst it? To say I felt incredibly small in the best way possible would be a sore understatement. In particular though, visiting the Western Wall, or the Wailing Wall, was perhaps one of my top highlights of the trip. Situated atop the hill known as Temple Mount to Jews and Christians or the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, it is considered one of the holiest sites and places to pray. A common practice, which I'm sure many of you have heard of, is to leave a written prayer note nestled between the large stone blocks you see in the photo above here. A whopping estimated one million notes get left every year by visitors alone. I wrote one for myself and my mom, before sitting back down to take in the wall quietly by myself for a few moments.
2. The Church of the Holy Sepelchur: Another thing that I should note, is that I don't consider myself an overly religious person, but rather someone who is fascinated by religion in general, and it's ability to unite us and, unfortunately at times, even divide us. Also situated in the Old City, this time in the Christian Quarter, is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is said to contain two of the holiest sites in Christendom -- the site where Jesus was crucified and the site of his empty tomb, where he was both buried and resurrected. Without getting into personal religious beliefs (because I assure you, that is not the point of this post), I do think there's something fundamentally amazing about getting to experience something like that first hand -- to touch, to feel, to see what many people in the world for thousands of years have revered and held close to their hearts -- it's a feeling of awe I've never quite experienced before.
3. The Dead Sea: A short drive from Jerusalem (probably no more than an hour by car), is the Dead Sea and I cannot recommend this enough. Given our short time in Jerusalem, this originally wasn't on our itinerary, but after some quick discussions and shuffling around of activities, we set out on the descent out of Jerusalem. I say descent literally because you're leaving Jerusalem, a city situated on a series of hills, to the absolute lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, measuring in at 1,400 feet below sea level. It's highly salty waters make it, yep, you guessed it, extremely easy to float and let me tell you, it was the craziest feeling ever resisting the temptation to swim, because there was absolutely no need to. We rubbed the mud all over our bodies and couldn't get over how soft our skin felt for days afterward.
4. Tel Aviv Fashion Week: The second half of our trip was spent in Tel Aviv, where we joined the incredible team behind Tel Aviv Fashion Week for a few days of back to back Israeli designs and shows. While I've been to New York Fashion Week numerous times before, there's something about experiencing one so far from home that makes you appreciate the universal beauty of design that pushes boundaries. Some of my favorite designers? Hands down would have to be Sample, Gadi Elimelech and Shani Zimmerman.
5. Tel Aviv Nightlife: I've read enough about Tel Aviv to know that their nightlife is second to none -- after all, they are dubbed the "Miami of the Middle East." So, while I definitely do not consider myself a "clubber" per se, I was excited to try out a few of their notable watering holes. Luckily, I had my friend Beca with me, who was down for the challenge. Some of our favorites included a cozy little bourbon bar, Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar, which we both agreed would be the ideal spot to take a cute, bearded date to, and Bellboy, a speakeasy style joint, with a flair for imaginative cocktails (some of them come in mini bath tubs and their oysters are delivered in a baby carriage).
6. Receiving a Kabbalah at the Western Wall: Beca tipped me off to this tradition as we made our way to the Western Wall. A Kabbalah is a red string or yarn bracelet believed to ward off evil. We received ours specifically at the Western Wall, where a rabbi tied them on us, blessing the string as he tied. The idea is that you make a wish while it's being put on you and when the string falls off, either days or, in my case, perhaps months later, your wish comes true. As of today, my string hasn't fallen off yet (and you can see it in many of my photos on my right wrist).
7. Shopping at the flea market in Old Jaffa: I love flea markets. So when I found out the old city of Jaffa (right next door to Tel Aviv) is known for their flea market district, we spent a good half day just roaming around, mulling through vendors shops and sipping on many of the juices that are available at every corner.
8. The food: I think I know why Israeli women are said to be so beautiful -- the food is both so good and incredibly healthy! We ate our weight in hummus, cous cous, fresh veggies, pita bread and the occasional lamb. My favorites included Vicky Cristina (situated in an old train station) in Tel Aviv, Mona (situated in an old art university) in Jerusalem and Puaa in Jaffa.
9. The beaches of Tel Aviv: We visited back in October, which was technically the end of their summer season, but it was still in the high 70s, low 80s (which the New Yorkers in the group soaked up happily). Their beaches are gorgeous and made for the perfect downtime spot between fashion shows.
10. Experiencing a Shabbat for the first time: Oddly enough, this wasn't something that was particularly planned for us to experience. It just so happened we flew in and landed on a late Friday afternoon. For those unfamiliar, as I was when we landed, Shabbat is Judaism's day of rest, in which work activities or activities that require great rigor are refrained from, starting at sunset on Friday until sunset the following day. For most of Friday evening and all of Saturday, very few cars were seen out on the road, a lot of businesses were closed and the Old City was buzzing with families walking around together and joining together for large group meals.
Huge thanks again to the Israel Tourism Board for inviting me to your beautiful country. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience and I hope to come back soon!
Forward Note: If you want to see more photos, simply click "Read More" below the text here.
Part Three: How the West Was Won
If you're just joining our Utah adventure now, you can catch PART ONE here and PART TWO here. And if you're up to speed, you'll be happy to know, I was saving the best, the coup, the piece de resistance of the trip, for the very last installment. This installment. The final chapter, in which our heroes stumble upon great heights, narrow caves and enchanted forests.
The scene: Ironically enough, the catalyst for this Utah road trip wasn't actually in Utah at all. It was in Arizona. The very southern border of Utah and northern part of Arizona to be exact, at one of the outer rims of the Grand Canyon National Park: Horseshoe Bend, which you can see in the photo above here. I've seen plenty photos of this particular bend in the Colorado River before, each one looking almost more fake than the last. Mother Nature has a funny affinity for things like that, huh? Where you almost could swear there's no way something was made like that naturally, especially over the course of many, many years and just by wind and water erosion alone. It's mind boggling and humbling. And terrifying when you're standing on the very edge looking down at it, holding your breath all the while. Occasionally, a strong warm gust of wind would come alone, reminding Lydia and I to take a few steps back. A cautionary note: there are no handrails. So step lightly.
It's a short trail hike out to the river bend overlook, no more than a mile from the highway, and it was incredibly hot when we set out on that particular day in September. A dry heat I hadn't experienced since my summers in Reno. And much like many of the great Grand Canyon overlook points, it doesn't fully hit you until you're standing on the ledge looking out and down over it. Personally, it took my breath away and all I wanted to do, for about a half hour, was sit on a rocky edge and just be next to it. And listen to everything and simultaneously, nothing at all.
Horseshoe Bend happens to be near another popular natural attraction, that being Antelope Canyon, which we headed to afterward and I highly recommend if you ever find yourself passing through Page, Arizona, you do the same. We opted for a late afternoon tour, which I think made for some incredible golden light for our photos (see the second photo above). What is Antelope Canyon? It's another incredible water creation -- flash flooding to be exact -- this one forming a narrow slot canyon with steep vertical walls that wind and curve in a maze-like fashion. We roamed through the northern part of the canyons with Navajo tour guides leading the way, all the while feeling like kids who stumbled upon this secret hidden world, nestled amongst the desert sandstone. Occasionally, light from overhead would creep through at just the right angle, casting some of the most incredible rays and shadows I've ever seen.
As for the forest shots you see here? This part of the trip was actually quite unplanned. For our last full day in Utah, we were driving back up north to finally settle in Salt Lake City before flying out the following morning. Along the way, we meandered through Sundance Mountain Resort (right outside Provo, Utah), at the recommendation of our Air B&B host, and I'm so glad we did. Taking the Alpine Loop (route 92), we wove in and out of the Unita National Forest, just at the precise moment when you can feel the shift from summer to fall. Crisp and golden. And the perfect convertible-top-down opportunity, which you better believe we took full advantage of. The perfect bookend to a wonderful, dusty, open-road roaming trip -- one that this traveler won't be forgetting anytime soon.
Huge thanks again to the Eddie Bauer team for collaborating with us on this trip! It certainly was an adventure that came at just the right time.
This post was in collaboration with Eddie Bauer. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
First outfit: Tank top: Anine Bing; Jeans: True Religion; Boots: Isabel Marant (from a few seasons ago, but similar style here); Bandana: H&M; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Forward Note: If you want to see more photos, simply click "Read More" below the text here...
Part Two: The Heist, AKA, Where Our Heroes Take the Money and Run
If you're just joining our Utah adventure now, you can see PART ONE here. If you're up to speed, welcome! Kick your feet up and stay a while. Here's where it gets good.
The scene: So where were we? The middle of Utah with spotty access to GPS, but we had our sights set on visiting all 5 National Parks in the state: Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion and Capitol Reef. Lofty, yes, but luckily, we had our trusty Mustang and a lot of good music to listen (and sing along) to.
Up until then, I had never been to Utah but I truly don't think there's a better way to describe Utah than looking at just how vastly different each of it's National Parks are. Where one boasts dramatic red rock vistas, with an almost lunar-like aesthetic, the next can be heavily forested, with classic goldenrod fall colors, classically picturesque to say the least. Utah is just as serenely beautiful as it is oddly mesmerizing, the landscape changing in just the matter of a few hours drive -- one of the biggest reasons I fell in love with it immediately.
My personal favorite? Zion, hands down, which you can see in the photos where I'm wearing workout gear here. For those of you who have been to Yosemite before, there's something about Zion that reminded me our great Northern California park. Vast, majestic, nestled amongst towering peaks, rolling forested hills and cascading waterfalls off stark, dizzingly high cliffs. And then there are the Narrows.
The minute our Air B&B host brought up the Narrows, I started a Google Image frenzy. And for good reason. It's breathtaking. It's a hike that follows the north fork of the Virgin River, stretching for about 4 miles, and for about a third of it, the river runs canyon wall to canyon wall, meaning, yep, you get right into the river. Water levels depend largely on recent rainfall so it's highly encouraged that you check with park officials before heading out, as flash floods can, and do, happen often.
Lydia didn't join me for this part of the trip, so I embarked out on my own. And in a weird way, I was happy to. Not many folks were out on the river that day -- and after about 20 minutes of heading upstream, I was completely alone, this small little speck next to canyon walls that reached vertically as high as 100 feet at times. To say it was humbling would be an understatement, especially as the sun started to set, the light changing rapidly around me, with only the occasional bird passing overhead. It was a quiet I had never experience before. And while I was hiking, I kept thinking of Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire." Admittedly, he wrote the book while he was serving as a ranger at Arches National Park, not Zion, but the sentiment of this particular work of his still rings true, especially this quote:
"Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirt."
After heading upstream for about an hour, I turned around to meet Lydia again and make our way back to our comfortable room back in town. But not before vowing to myself to visit more National Parks in 2016.
This post was in collaboration with Eddie Bauer. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Forward note: If you want to see more photos, simply click "Read More" at the end of the text here...
Part One: The Great Escape in Which Our City-Weary Heroes Take the Road
The travelers: Two city slickers hailing from New York, one part photographer, one part adventurer, two parts curious and itching to stretch their driving legs on open roads and see sunsets over mountain ranges they hadn't seen before. You know, making Thelma and Louise proud, minus the whole driving a perfectly good rental car over a cliff. Their accomplices? Two California love birds (a Bonnie and Clyde reference seems apropos, no?) collecting on that much-needed break from the 9 to 5 in Silicon Valley, and ready to hit 95 (mph that is).
The scene: The roads (and trails) of Utah.
The mission: To not utter the word "no" in the face of the open road.
The trusty steed: One wild-spirited Mustang (convertible).
As 2015 is perhaps too quickly coming to a close, it only seems fitting that I share one of my favorite trips of the year, that being one epic road trip through Utah, over the next few days. It came at a time, as most good road trips do, when I desperately needed an escape. And escape we did. From city-life. From standstill traffic. From work. From obligations. From emails (sorta). From all the things that somehow always find a way of sneaking in even when you think you've shut all the doors and windows. And mail slots. Darn mail slots.
What were we looking for? That content sigh of relief when you realize your biggest decisions for the day are what classic rock band do we want to listen to next in the car? (Stones, Doors and Beatles didn't disappoint.) Or what arch should we do sunrise salutations at? (Broken Arch in Arches National Park.) Or my personal favorite, how do you set the darn cruise control on this thing? (We never quite figured that out -- although we loved our Mustang just the same.)
So what did we find? Tune in tomorrow for PART TWO: The Heist. Until then, click through to see more photos from Arches National Park and Canyonlands.
This post was in collaboration with Eddie Bauer. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Just a heads up for this post: There are A LOT more photos to see. Simply click "read more" below the text here to see the rest. And trust me, you'll want to see the rest.
As someone who's originally from Nevada (Northern Nevada to be exact), I've always had this love/hate relationship with Vegas growing up. Albeit, hate is a strong word. Perhaps it's more of a distaste? A moderate disliking? An indisputable intolerance?
Don't get me wrong. There's a love side to this relationship, too. Ever since I was young, I've logged plenty of family vacations down to Vegas, numerous road trips with friends for college football games (go UNR!) and have even had the occasional drunken gambling spree with girlfriends when we were passing through after a jaunt to the Grand Canyon. I don't think I could argue with the statement: Vegas doesn't disappoint for a good time.
But then the third day in town hits. And I usually wonder (with a pang of a hangover headache settling in), "OK, should I pack up now?"
I think I can pinpoint this to a few things. First, as much as I love playing Blackjack and a few kitschy slot machines, I hate losing money and will usually bow out once I've lost $50 (which happens pretty quickly). This is why when I am back home, I try to stick to playing games with a no deposit bonus, like the ones featured in this Handpicked Casino Bonuses guide. This way I get to hold on to my money for a little longer.
Second, I like to mix things up when I'm on vacation. There's something about just staying inside a casino or a hotel the entire time that gives me cabin fever (which for the most part, a lot of my past Vegas trips have been centered around just hopping from casino to casino). This is why sometimes, when I actually want to play some casino games, I will opt to play them online instead and head over to fb88 bet for win for a bit of gambling fun from the comfort of home.
Do not get me wrong, I definitely wish there was something I could do to improve my gambling skills! My poker face definitely needs some work. One of my best friends loves online casinos and she has recommended that I should try playing some Pkv Games. There is so much choice nowadays if online gambling is more your thing. Practicing online before hitting up a land-based casino is a great way to learn the ropes too. What do you think, do you enjoy online casinos?
So where am I going with all of this? Well, this rambling preamble is simply to say: after this last trip, my mind has changed about Vegas. Drastically.
So what changed you ask? For starters, our hotel made all of the difference. I, along with a handful of other bloggers and influencers, was invited out to experience The Cromwell, a new boutique hotel that recently opened on the Strip, directly across from Caesar's Palace. You're probably wondering, as I was at first, what difference is a boutique hotel going to make, if you're still on the Strip?
Let me put it this way: even with the ringing, buzzing and dinging of the casino floor, I didn't quite feel like I was in Vegas anymore. Instead of the typical dimly lit, "I-can't-tell-what-time-it-is-outside" feel, there are windows letting daylight in. Their casino floor bar, Bound, harkens to Vegas lounge bars of yesteryear (with zero gambling inside it and a rotating lineup of musicians on hand). Instead of a cloud of cigarette smoke, there's a faint hint of cologne. And the decor. Oh, man, the decor. One part gentleman's parlor, one part lady luck and a whole lot of whimsy (some rooms even had pinball machines in them).
As for the rest of our stay? I think it made me see Vegas with fresh eyes. We hopped around to different museums and art galleries, including the Martin Lawrence Art Gallery (which boasts the likes of original Warhols and Picassos) and the newly opened Neon Museum (home to all the old neon strip signs of years gone by -- incredibly cool!). And for our last evening in town, we rode The Highroller (the large ferris wheel seen in the first photo), which is actually 100 feet taller than the London Eye and even includes a mini bar in some of the pods (because you know, when in Vegas).
It should also be noted that I now know how to play craps thanks to a very patient instructor at The Cromwell. I think I might stick to Blackjack still, but it never hurts to switch things up, right? Playing Blackjack just comes easily to me so it makes sense to stick to it. Once you get the hang of it, it should come easily to you to. You might want to simulate your strategy and make sure you're performing at your best before you play with big money. I just find Blackjack a little more thrilling than any other game and I always have a good time, even if I lose money.
All in all, there's something undeniably happening in Vegas right now -- a little renaissance almost with more culture and renowned restaurants opening up that reminds me of what it might have been like in years gone by when Sinatra, Bogart and Martin were prowling the town. A return to glamour. A return to glitz. A return to magic.
Huge thanks again to The Cromwell for hosting me! I think it's safe to say, I'll be back in town soon! And huge thanks to my fellow companions on the trip. I couldn't have asked for a better Rat Pack to hit the town with.
This post was in collaboration with The Cromwell. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
You all have heard me romanticize the California coast numerous times. From wine country just north of San Francisco, to Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz...the list goes on and on, and it's one of the huge reasons why I love the west coast so much. The ease to which you can escape the city, with nothing more than a half tank of gas, some tunes and hopefully someone cute to take turns manning the wheel.
Of course, once I moved out to the east coast, I've been meaning to stretch my legs to see what upstate New York has to offer as far as city retreats. My list is pretty extensive at the moment. Catskills. Woodstock. Niagra Falls. But at the top? Hands down Hudson Valley. I remember chatting with Mike from Taylor Stitch during a recent shoot I did with the brand and he swore up and down that Hudson Valley was soon to be New York's next "Montauk." Take that as you will, but I knew I had to get myself there soon, before the rest of NYC decided to flock there.
As luck would have it, a few weeks back, the lovely folks at Garnet Hill had just the retreat I had been looking for planned, with the perfect amount of relaxation, exploration and appreciation for perhaps one of the gorgeous areas I've seen in the fall yet. I'm not exaggerating when I say, the colors blew me away. And don't get me started on our train ride out there. I'm a complete sucker for train rides.
Here's a little taste of our city retreat, including, but not limited to: local wine tasting, the most picture perfect countryside homes, s'more making and golden afternoon runs. I'm already trying to figure out when I can visit next...
As much as I love New York, I also love being on the move. Give me a week off, a large departure board at JFK and I'll figure out the rest while I'm en route to my final destination via some albeit quite slow on-board wifi.
I guess my life lately has been a slew of flights, security lines, checked bags and noise canceling headphones. And I'm not complaining, it's been a lot of fun -- some for work and some for pleasure (more to come on our Utah road trip soon -- for now, these photos snapped at Horseshoe Bend will have to do!). Of course, this means, I've gotten some pretty decent practice at whittling down just the essentials -- which makes packing up on a whim relatively painless.
So what gets packed first? My beauty bag. There's nothing that scares me more than arriving at my final destination and having to hunt around for the nearest drugstore to pick up odds and ends I forgot. Since I like to streamline as much as possible, I keep my makeup pretty minimal (read: BB cream, some bronzer, mascara, eyeliner and an eyebrow pencil) with a few makeup removing tools that do some heavy lifting.
I was recently introduced to Simple Skincare by a girlfriend of mine (honestly, where would we be without our girlfriends?) and have been trying out their micellar wipes and cleansing water as part of my evening routine while on the road. As someone with pretty sensitive skin (especially when recycled airplane air seems to take a toll on me each time), I've been really impressed with how gentle and hydrating both have been -- while still doing the trick and getting all my makeup off.
The wipes especially have been my go-to for inflight pick me ups -- I'll usually throw them in my carry on and bust them out once we land so I can look somewhat alive (and human-like) at baggage claim. Or if you're on the road, like Lydia and I were for about a week, it's a great way to give your skin a much-needed-pick-me-up after being behind the wheel for several hours at a time (convertible air will take a toll on you!).
This post was in collaboration with Simple Skincare. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
I mentioned this last week in my initial Cabo recap here, but it's hard to really go wrong with any resort when your morning itinerary includes: waking up to the sound of the ocean and bottomless margaritas that no one judges you for. But! The Cape Hotel! This is a bold statement, but I truly think it's one of the nicest hotels I've ever stay in.
And here's my rambling reason why.
It's not necessarily that the resort itself is beautiful. Because it is. Stunning, actually. The architecture sets it apart from every other resort nearby (thanks to lead architect Javier Sanchez), every detail of the decor is unique and chosen thoughtfully (and needs to be in my apartment, ASAP) and there was a copper tub in our hotel room. A copper tub. I'll let that last one sink in for a minute.
It's also not because of the private beach situated right out behind the property. Which, of course, is a fun little treat when you're floating in the infinity pool, watching other hotel guests coach their 10-year olds how to catch waves that would make a grown woman like me cry and paddle ashore.
And it's also not because no matter where you are on the property, you can always see El Arc de Los Cabos in the distance. But, this of course, made for some awesome cotton candy sunset views that I won't soon forget.
So why exactly then?
The staff. I've never met a more kind, gracious and all around lovely hotel staff and I sensed it the minute I arrived. As I mentioned last week, my initial flight out of JFK was canceled due to engine problems, which meant I had to trek back into Manhattan for the day and fly out the following morning. Needless to say, I was weary and jet lagged when I showed up at The Cape Hotel and in need of a very stiff drink. When we pulled up the driveway to the resort, I was immediately greeted by several members of the hotel, including Ivan, the sweetest bellhop I've ever met and David, one of the staff leads and my personal savior as he ordered said stiff drink for me.
Everyone knew my name. They all knew my flight situation. And they all kept saying how glad they were that I arrived safely. All of this might to be expected since my friend had already arrived the previous day and had filled them in, but something about it felt very genuine. I didn't feel like I was just checking into another hotel with the obligatory "we're so happy you're staying with us" being thrown out casually. I felt like I was returning somewhere that I had already been before and they were actually just happy to see me. And that's a really nice feeling.
The rest of our stay was, as you might expect, absolutely beautiful -- and the staff at The Cape Hotel really deserves the credit here for a number of reasons, the top three being: 1. they indulged my attempts at speaking Spanish 2. each morning we had a different floral arrangement on the bed and 3. they made some wonderful recommendations for what to see and do in the area that we might have otherwise missed. (I always love getting a local's perspective.)
Oh and let's not forget. They called me señorita the entire time. Done. Deal.
Huge thank you to The Cape Hotel for hosting us and showing us such a lovely time. I, for one, have a feeling I'll be back very soon.
This post was in collaboration with The Cape Hotel. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Because after the flights are booked, the next step is scooping up a new bathing suit (or two). Admittedly, I don't splurge on swimwear very often so when Cabo was officially on the books, I decided to take the plunge on this Marysia bikini I had been eying for forever. Several scalloped tanlines later, and I'm still beyond happy with the decision -- of course, it was perfect for sitting poolside at The Cape Hotel (I mean, look at that view from the infinity pool) but I could just as easily see it doubling as a crop top alternative with a high waisted skirt of some sort.
Looking to jet off for one last summer hurrah? Here are a few other favorites that I would have loved in my suitcase before taking off.
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.
This post was in collaboration with The Cape Hotel. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Because nothing says vacation quite like white linen everything -- especially this dress from Reformation, which has quickly become my MVP for the season. We shot these photos on our last day in Cabo, out on the private beach at The Cape, which was the perfect refuge for end of the day cocktails and sunset viewing. My only regret is that no skinny dipping was to be had out here -- perhaps a reason to go back sometime soon though? 😉
In case you missed yesterday's trip recap, hop over right this way and be sure to check back next week for even more ocean views from Cabo! In the meantime, hope you all have a great weekend!
This post was in collaboration with The Cape Hotel. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Confession: While writing up this travel recap, I may or may not have gotten in the mood by listening to the "Fun in Acapulco" Elvis album. It's amazing what a little Mexican trumpet fanfare can do to shake up the work week and instantly make you feel like you're south of the border again. This place is like paradise, but also make sure you have checked out the latest travel vaccines for visiting this wonderful slice of heaven. Having a Corona in hand doesn't hurt either (so please excuse any typos that might pop up here).
Another confession: While I do miss waking up to sound the sound of the Sea of Cortez gently lapping outside our hotel room and salty margaritas before noon, I think the serious withdrawals are due to the fact everyone called me señorita while I was there. Can we make that a thing here in the States, already? It sounds so much better than "ma'am" or "miss" or "hey lady!"
Now that we have those two housekeeping items out of the way -- let's dive into Cabo, shall we?
Rewind just a few weeks ago, when I was busy hopping around between Boston, Chicago and DC for work and practically living out of a suitcase each weekend. I was rundown and in desperate need of a big, fat, PAUSE button. When an old friend invited me to tag along down south for a few days, I didn't think twice about it. Two bathing suits were quickly thrown into a bag and more hats than I'd like to admit were tucked away in my carry on, with the promise of slow ocean days and even slower burning sunsets calling my name.
Admittedly, each time I head down to Mexico, I always toy with the idea of becoming an expat, imagining myself renting out some little oceanside villa. After all there are so many gorgeous villas you can rent in Cabo. I could picture myself working on my novel during the day and then heading over to the local bar in the evenings, serving up mezcal margaritas to the same 4 or 5 patrons each night. I'd be lying if I said this little daydream didn't sound really tempting during this past visit, I admit I even looked up Cabo Real Estate Services online to see what properties were within my price range. But I digress.
Here's a little recap of what we did, saw, sipped, ate and generally enjoyed while down south. And for the folks who have been to Cabo before, would love to hear about your favorites in the area! Please let me know in the comments below and let's compare notes!
Go Adventure:
1. El Arco de Los Cabos: This recommendation probably goes without saying -- but if you're in Cabo, you have to head out to Land's End, where you'll find the infamous rock arch formation that is widely used on all Cabo postcards. It's a short 15-20 minute boat ride from shore (you can see our see trusty boat in the photo below) and it is absolutely breathtaking. Considering it's the extreme southern end of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, there's something very remote feeling about it, even though you're not far from the surrounding towns -- like it's the last stopping point between the world as you know it and the unknown. Depending on what boat tour you take, they can either circle you around the arch (which is what we did) or they'll let you swim ashore and head to Lover's Beach. Tip: Be on the lookout for sea lions!
2. Surf's up: Baja is known for their surf and all two of my actual surf classes have been down south in this part of the world (the third was actually a Tinder date in San Franciso -- but let's save that story for another day). My general thoughts? Depending on which beach you go to, their waters can be actually pretty easy for beginners like me. This past visit, we went ahead with the surf company High Tide, with the captain of their surf division, Alan, as our instructor. He was patient, hands on and determined to help everyone catch a wave. Admittedly, we had some harsher winds than usual, which made our breaks a bit choppier (excuses, excuses, I know), so yours truly was tossed around quite a bit. But I caught a few and Alan taught me some Spanish along the way! All in all, successful day.
3. Carve out time for sunsets: Because you should. And not enough recaps emphasize this. The sunsets are absolutely beautiful down here. Grab a cadillac margarita for the show.
Go Eat & Drink:
1. Flora Farms: We actually saved this for our last night in town, but I'm going to start with it first and say this: GO EAT HERE. It's a bit off the beaten path (OK, a lot off the beaten path. During our cab ride, we both whispered to each other saying that this might be a scene from Breaking Bad where we're going to get dropped off in the middle of the desert and have to call Sal to save us). But alas! It was well worth the long drive down a pothole-ridden dirt road, because when we finally arrived, we were greeted by the most darling little oasis of a restaurant, farm and village all combined into one, smack dab in the middle of the Mexican desert. Founded by a few expats, Patrick and Gloria Greene (oh heyyy, perhaps they can help me figure out my expat exit strategy!), Flora Farm is a 10-acre farming community and refuge, with everything grown on site pesticide-free, and then eventually used over in the restaurant (now that's farm to table!). The decor and layout of the entire place is darling -- very open and airy, almost as if you're walking into someone's backyard garden/patio space for a quiet dinner. Oh, and the twinkling string lights that crisscrossed the entire grounds definitely don't hurt either. I opted for the beet gnocchi, which was delicious, but immediately wished I had gotten the ribs since I literally stole every bite my friend would allow from their plate.
2. The Office: So at first glance, this is very much a "make some bad spring break decisions here" kind of place, but sometimes, it's fun to throw the wild card in every once in a while, right? Plus, the colors of this place were unreal (go check out the second photo in this post to see what I'm talking about). Head here for some casual afternoon drinking -- the people watching alone is worth it (that and the guacamole and ceviche). Tip: If you're like me and your last conversation in Spanish lasting more than 5 minutes was back in high school, do not (I repeat) do not raise your hand as a volunteer. For anything. Chances are, you have no idea what you just volunteered for. And let's just say, I learned this the hard way. 😉
3. Manta: Granted, I actually missed this spot (my darn flight from JFK was canceled, so I had to fly out the following day), but luckily, my friend was able to take full advantage the first night in (and shared the photos to rub in my face a day later). Situated at The Cape Hotel (where we enjoyed our stay - more on that in the next section), Manta is teased as a "comfort seafood" restaurant, which my friend adamantly confirmed, with the ceviche being the hands down favorite. Forutnately for me, executive chef Enrique Olvera has his other renown restaurant Cosme, right here in New York. Looks like I know where I'll be going this weekend. Who wants to join?
Go Stay:
The Cape: Alright, you may be wondering. How could you really go wrong with any resort down in Cabo, when it faces an ocean like the one featured above? And you'd be right. For the most part. Until you saw The Cape. And then you'd probably see why recapping this hotel in just a brief paragraph is actually quite hard. For starters, it's worth stating, we had no clue where to begin when it came to finding a resort down here but luckily, a few Google searches lead us to The Cape, one of the newest Thompson Hotel properties that literally opened up back in June (brand spanking new!) with some pretty noteworthy praise to date already.
Upon arriving on my first day, I could see why. Heading up the coast from the airport, you'll see a smattering of oceanfront resorts, each one of them more beautiful than the last, boasting a Spanish colonial flair, with bougainvillea wrapping around windowsills and simple, clean Mission style lines. Think Hotel California, if you will.
And for a second, when you're heading up to The Cape, you might think that's what's in store for you. Until you turn the driveway bend and see something quite different. My friend, being the architect buff (whereas I'm just an architecture fan), went through a little research craze over the hotel's lead architect, Javier Sanchez, and happily reported back we were in for a modern treat. The overall vibe is mid-century modern meets 1960s Mexican surfer lodge -- the overall structure is modern and sleek, with open-air vistas in all common areas so you're never NOT looking at El Arco de Los Cabos in the distance. The decor is where I freaked out. I mean, a copper tub. In our hotel room? Yes, please.
And that's where I'll stop on The Cape -- as I'll be sharing more snaps and stories about it specifically next week. In the meantime, I'd love to hear any and all stories you may have from your times down south in Cabo! Did you happen to volunteer for anything crazy like I did? 😉
This post was in collaboration with The Cape Hotel. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Perfect! Then perhaps you can relate to this as well -- something about this Jonanthan Simkhai number, when I shimmied into it last week, screamed Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" to me. The glove-like fit, the peplum, the cheeky netting cutouts -- I just couldn't help myself -- I had to walk around D.C. with that song blasting for a few blocks (and then some). And man, I have to say, there's nothing quite like having your own brass section kick in when you're walking (heck, can I say strutting in this instance?) down the street.
Does anyone else do this? Have mini soundtracks inspired by their day or perhaps something they're wearing in a particular moment?
As much as I harped on making sure to visit the monuments in D.C. at night, there's something special to be said about roaming around a new city early in the morning. Before the commuters start filling the streets, before your email notifications start to buzz, heck, maybe even before your coffee has kicked in. It's quiet, serene and you're left alone with your thoughts in a city you can truly see with fresh eyes.
Lately, I've been getting in the habit of going for early morning runs on my travels. I've found it's a great way to experience a city just as it's starting to wake up and stretch for the day. And for 30 minutes or so, you instantly belong, no questions asked, with a handful of locals (strangers to you really) running alongside you, all of them preparing for the day ahead. It then makes you wonder, if I lived here, what would my go-to route be? Where would I stop and stretch each morning? What coffee shop would be my ritual stop afterward? Who would be the guy I would secretly look forward to "bumping" into around mile 3?
It's like a sister life that you'll never really visit aside from little daydreams here and there. So...you keep running.
Stay tuned for more of this outfit next week! Snapped by Laura Metzler
If you've been following along on Instagram and Snapchat, you've probably noticed I've been doing more than my fair share of traveling lately for work. Not that I'm complaining by any means, as it's been a great excuse to visit some of the cities that have been on my bucket list for sometime now (hello, Boston and Chicago!). And this past weekend was no exception, when I hopped on down to our nation's capital to play tourist for a few days.
While cruising around D.C., it struck me more than ever just how expansive this country really is and how little I've actually seen of it. Admittedly, I get the travel bug pretty often -- especially around this time of year -- but I typically have my sights set on other countries, tropical beaches or jumping out of airplanes on the other side of the world. All of which is nothing to bemoan or take for granted. And yet, when I was looking out over the reflection pool, with the Vietnam Memorial to my left and the Korean War Memorial to my right and Lincoln staring directly at my back, I felt so honored to call this country my home. Memorials that I had only seen photos and clips in movies of were suddenly giving me chills (in 95 degree weather no less!) and I quickly felt so small, in the most beautifully, humbling way. It was a great reminder of just how much majesty we have right here in our very own backyard.
As for the trip itself, I'm happy to report that my good friend, Meg, was such a trooper for hitting up all the main monuments with me (I say trooper mainly because the humidity we were dealing with was no laughing matter!). When prepping for the trip, I knew we were going to be covering a lot of ground by foot, so I opted to skip out on my regular Canon DSLR and instead rely on just a camera phone. Given that I have to be pretty well versed in both iOS and Android platforms for work, I was excited when the folks over at Asus asked me to try out their latest device, the ZenFone 2, which is said to have a killer camera and post-editing tools. I definitely wasn't disappointed. I put the zoom to test at the White House and the low-light enhancement nailed the perfect shot of Lincoln, which is said to be best at night (and I will attest to this -- definitely go at 11pm when it's less crowded).
Plus, I just loved how easy and nimble it made sightseeing and traveling around town in general. No fussing with a lot of manual settings or lugging around my neck -- just grab, point, shoot and on to the next.
So what did we do exactly? Read on for some trip highlights and tips for your own DC excursion!
Go See:
1. Definitely give yourself at least a full day to walk around the National Mall. You'll hit up all the main monuments pretty much at once (Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, White House, several different war memorials, Reflection Pool etc.) Plus the grounds are just breathtaking -- tree lined paths and fountains everywhere you turn.
2. Get tickets for a show at the Kennedy Center. Unfortunately, Meg and I weren't able to snag anything in time, but we did stop by after a run just to visit the building, which is absolutely beautiful inside and out.
3. Speaking of runs, head to the Potomac River running path in the early AM. Great way to start the day as the locals do!
4. Root the Nationals on! I'm a sucker for baseball though, so this was a given.
5. Opt for the Lincoln Memorial at night. It's less crowded and he's completely illuminated from below, which made for some stunning photos (scroll down to see mine).
6. Walk around Georgetown. So many charming, ivy covered homes and historic little churches everywhere you turn. Plus, the bakeries were incredibly tempting...
Go Eat & Drink:
1. POV rooftop bar at the W Hotel: You can pretty much see it all from here! The White House, the Washington Monument, the Reflection Pool! It doesn't hurt that they serve up a mean Moscow Mule either.
2. 2 Amys: This came highly recommended by both Meg and Naomi of Love Taza and I have to say, neither of these ladies were overselling it. Some of the best pizza I've had outside of Italy.
3. Baked and Wired: I fell for this place the minute I saw their custom "Elvis" cupcake (with peanut butter and banana). Thank you very much.
4. Barcelona: We popped into here right after 2 Amys and it made for the perfect night cap, out on their sidewalk patio.
5. Le Diplomate: This came highly recommended on Instagram (thank you again for all your recs by the way!). I loved the Parisian vibe but probably not as much as I loved their chocolate hazelnut tart dessert, which I'm still daydreaming about.
Go Stay:
1. The Jefferson Hotel: While I didn't stay here for my trip, we did host our work event here and I immediately fell in love with the decor. It's always a treat when such a historic building gets converted to a modern day boutique hotel, while still remaining true to a lot of the original character and history of the property. The Jefferson nails this impeccably.
2. St. Regis: It's hard to go wrong with a St. Regis anywhere, but I especially loved this location as it was so central to all of the monuments. It made sight seeing at night a breeze.
This post was in collaboration with Asus. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
There's something to be said about returning from a vacation completely refreshed and relaxed. A newly acquired tan and perhaps a lingering buzz from one too many margaritas on the beach certainly doesn't hurt either (and gives you a little something to daydream about when you hit the office upon your return).
While I'm all for the camp of enjoying the above, I have to say, I'm a newfound fan of fitness retreats, which I had the chance to partake in just a few weeks ago with the folks from Eddie Bauer down in Baja, Mexico, testing out their latest Motion line for women. We started each day with a high intensity workout (thanks to Astrid Swan, who yes, kicked our butts each time), followed by either surfing or hiking some of the local trails, and rounded out the day with late afternoon swims or naps by the pool to rest our then sore bodies. If it sounds a bit exhausting, I have to say, while I ached each night when I was crawling into bed, I slept so incredibly well -- both my mind and body physically drained from a day spent well spent soaking up the sun and sea-kissed air.
Huge thanks again to the Eddie Bauer team for having me and the Rancho Pescadero Resort for hosting us. We had a beautiful time! And for my New York based folks, be sure to check out Eddie Bauer's recently opened flagship store in Union Square. I'm already planning a trip there soon to scoop up more pairs of these guys.
Here are a few of my favorite snaps from the trip...enjoy!
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.
