Of all travel the recommendations, this is by far my number one. Traveling light doesn’t necessarily mean you have to compromise on what you pack, it just means you have to pack “smarter”. I have been traveling to other countries since 2016 with just a carry-on for all of my belongings, and keep in mind – that was as a fashion blogger! If I can make it work, I swear anyone can. If you are looking to travel with less baggage, insure your belongings make it to your destination, spend less time waiting at the airport, and want to save on luggage fees keep reading.
save that space
First thing you are going to want to do is pop over to Amazon and order space saver bags. Get the ones that you can push the air out of and don’t require a vacuum. These bags are clear so you can easily see what is inside and come in various sizes. I like to separate based on what days I will be wearing what so that I don’t need to dig through, or open everything at once.
Hi friends! I wanted to put this post together to share what protocols I noticed Walt Disney World parks have put into place to keep everyone safe while enjoying the happiest place on Earth. Now I know, most people are probably still pretty apprehensive to visit theme parks or largely populated places so hopefully, this post can put some of your worries at ease!
Back in my college days, I worked at Walk Disney World, so I know what time of year is the “best” in the sense of least foot traffic. Personally, January February is best as you can ride pretty much anything your heart desires without too long of lines. That’s why my husband and I thought if we wanted to get a trip to Disney in this year, this would be the time to give it a go. Below I will list out all of the steps Disney has put into place to keep all of their guests and cast members happy, safe, and able to enjoy the magic.
First things first – the parks not only require tickets but also specific park reservations
This way Disney can control, and limit the number of guests visiting each day. If you purchase a park hopper pass then you have to reserve your first park and cannot “hop” to the second until after 2 pm. – Which is also dependant on park capacity for that day and availability.
A very special thank you to Getaway for hosting our stay. All details and opinions shared are my own.
i want to break free
If the chaos of our current world has you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and feeling a bit claustrophobic, well… you aren’t alone. Sometimes going back to the earth (quoting one of my favorite Jason Mraz songs), getting in touch with nature, and most of all yourself is just what you need to recharge and refocus. This is exactly what I did on our latest Getaway. For all of my fellow Houstonians, Getaway has a new location just an hour outside of the city; perfect for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle.
Have you ever wanted to go on a short camping trip in a remote space, but want a cozy bed and private shower? Well I have been wanted a camping experience just like this and was SO excited when Getaway reached out to me! First of all, I didn’t know we had one in Texas and so close, at just 3 hours from Houston! For us, this is the perfect amount of miles for a road trip, and did I mention they are pet friendly?! Yep that’s right! This is the ideal trip to take with your fur babies. So let’s dive in to the stay!
Check In & Communication
Getaway Dallas is located on 99 acres so you feel as if you have the forest to yourself to explore. There is no need to stop at a front desk to check in or out as everything is provided to you via email and text message including your key code to unlock the front door of your cabin! If you ever need anything, all you have to do is text and they will send a team member out to your cabin.
I am a huge fan of extended weekend trips. Jhonathan and I take them pretty often and love to fit as much as we can into the short time we are in the city. So for me, and extended weekend would consist of Friday (or late Thursday night) to Sunday or Saturday to Monday. And I’d like to add, these trips are always within the U.S. and consist of flights under 4 hours. I find it such a fun challenge to see just how much we can take in from a city in just a few days!
So our most recent trip was to Chicago. This was not my first time visiting the city so we did not hit the most popular tourist attractions as we have already done that. If you haven’t been before you MUST visit the Bean along with these awesome stops I will be sharing with you.
Accommodations
So on this trip I did something a little different and booked our rooms through Hotwire. This ended up being an amazing deal with us spending under $350 for all 3 nights! We stayed at Sofitel and the Freehand. Both hotels are located in great locations, but for me the Freehand was in the better location wise as it was close to everything we had on our list. We had some rain during our trip but so much was close by so it wasn’t an issue.
Shopping
While in Chicago we shopped at Topshop, Louis Vuitton, and Bloomingdale’s. If you are looking for some epic shopping on your trip then all you have to do is head for the Magnificent Mile, it’s Chicago’s version of New York’s 5th Avenue!
Bloomingdale’s was actually right across the street from our hotel and was a huge lifesaver once the rain began. They sell the most perfect travel bag! It is a tote constructed of plastic with a zip top. I was able to safely store my camera, crossbody and around town essentials easily so they could stay totally dry!
When we travel to new cities, Jhonathan and I started to tradition of purchasing a Louis Vuitton travel guide for that particular city. This tradition started after our first time here so we decided to pick the guide up on this trip.
And of course, if you haven’t visited a Top Shop it’s the perfect stop for some sunnies and to get a glimpse at the latest fashion trends. I love the Chicago Mag Mile location!
Entertainment
We decided to head south to check out a White Socks game! The stadium is really beautiful and has such a fun feel to it! One of the coolest touches I noticed was that the vendors carried the snacks and drinks in old wooden soda crates! So cool! We purchased tickets of the club level which is honestly the very best deal! There was even an opportunity for us to visit a suite to play video games and watch the game from a closed in air conditioned space! – Yes, this is not like the stadiums here in Houston that feature retractable roofs, this space is always open rain or shine.
Jhonathan and I both watch Shameless which is set on the southside of Chicago, so while visiting the southside we had to try Frank’s fav beer, Old Style and ride the L.
Eats
Pizza, cheese curds, and Hotdogs all the way! Oh, and I ate a salad once.
Portillo’s – All I can say is yum, and it’s open late! Jhonathan got a Chicago dog here while I opted for a heaping plate of fettuccine Alfrado with garlic bread. We also both ordered sundaes to enjoy on our walk back to the hotel.
Sugar Factory – I would like to point out, we didn’t actually eat here. The wait for a table was 2+ hours but the bar was open seating, and since we were just getting a drink that was perfect! So note that if you are going just to get one of their amazing candy filled drinks you don’t have to wait, just head to the bar! We tried a mango themed drink with little penguin gummies and sugar coated orange slices. SO much fun to watch them make the drink and so much fun to enjoy! Also I’d like to mention the interior of this place is beautiful! It have an elegant feel to it, mixed with fun candy and alcohol!
Sights
So on this trip we kept the sights pretty minimal with just a trip to the top 360Chicago. This is a skyscraper that takes you up over 90 stories to panoramic views of the city. There is even a bar atop so you can have a nice drink, or even an ice cream while you take in the breathtaking views of Chicago. I highly recommend this stop as there was virtually no line! I feel like not as many people know of this in comparison to the Willis Tower Skyview so if you are short on time, stop here instead!
Chicago is such a great city, with so much to do and so much to see! I’m sure I will be adding many more travel guides for the city as we will definitely be back!
Today I want to chat with you all about Stay Alfred! If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Stay Alfred is a hotel alternative for travel! They offer furnished apartments in the center of some of the hottest cities, giving you easy access to local attractions with all of the comforts of home on your vacations.
We stayed at The Star, a historic building in downtown Houston that was renovated and converted into apartments. The room was a one bedroom with a full size kitchen, living room, bathroom, laundry room, and bedroom. The furnishings were neutral and beautiful making us feel immediately welcome and at home upon entry.
What You Need To Know
So I want to share with you the info that I would want to know before doing something like this! I always have lots of questions when trying something new, so I want to share with you the “check-in and out” process just so you will have a heads up and feel super comfortable! So before your stay, Stay Alfred sends you a detailed itemized email with your check-in and check-out time, amenities, parking, key access and drop-off, room number, and travel dates. They even provide you with picture references to make things easier! So for check-in, the keys are located in a digital valet on the wall of the lobby which has a touchscreen. You just follow the instructions provided to you via the email and steps prompted on the touchscreen and a small drawer opens with your keyfob inside. You then return it to the same location at the time of check-out. Super simple!
Location, Location
During our stay we walked a few blocks over to Minute Maid Park and enjoyed an Astros game! It was $1 hotdog night at the stadium so that was such a bonus, lol. Stay Alfred makes sure its locations are in prime areas so that you feel close and connected to whichever city you are traveling to. After the game we walked back over to the apartment and enjoyed a night in and even had a few girlies pop over for some wine and chit chat!
Their locations also offer you access to the apartments amenities. (Be sure to check their site to view what all is available at each specific location.) At ours there was a beautiful pool and relaxing patio area, which we made sure to enjoy.
So what really sets Stay Alfred apart in my eyes is that you can vacation like a local. You are staying in a building that where locals live, therefore you can get a real taste of the city. Also, since it is a real apartment, you lose the “living out of your suitcase” feel that often occurs on extended hotel stays. Here you can wash your clothes, hang them in the closet, and even fix a meal in a full size kitchen, just as you would at home! They also are perfect for groups! With 1, 2, and 3 bedroom options Stay Alfred is perfect for families and groups so that everyone can stay together with beautiful common areas but have separate sleeping quarters within the same place!
I definitely recommend checking out Stay Alfred for your next vacation or staycation! They have wonderful locations, and great prices for all sizes of traveling groups!
When you have only a day to visit the nation’s capital, what all do you have time to see? What do you wear? Are all of the locations easily accessible? Well I am here to answer those questions!
First of all, I’d like to start off by saying I think January-February is a great time to see D.C. because there aren’t lines! This really optimized how many stops we were able to fit into out day trip, not to mention that the weather is PERFECT! All you need is a sweater and maybe light jacket.
On our trip to D.C. we were able to visit:
- The White House
- Lincoln Memorial
- Reflecting Pool
- Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
- National Archives
Honestly this was a lot of stops to fit into one day, but with no lines or crowds it was totally doable!
But, what do you wear?
So when touring you want to be comfortable, BUT you are going to be capturing pictures you are going to keep forever sooooo you want to look nice, AND be able to go from museum to dinner without having to change. The ensemble I selected was not only comfortable but on trend and so stylish! I was warm, my feet didn’t hurt, and I never looked underdressed.
I choose a soft knit sweater from Express, oversized Quay sunglasses, a metallic accordion pleat skirt, a knit beret, and over the knee boots. I think the skirt color, along with pleating detail is what really dresses up this look, along with the crisp white. I was able to comfortably walk everywhere and never felt underdressed while out and about. So I think this style is perfect for travel and transitioning from day to night.
Now on to what all we did!
Note to self: Monuments are open 24/7
This is important to keep this in mind, as you have no time restraints when planning out tours and stops to these locations. That means you can stop at the memorials very early in the morning before the museums open, or late at night when everything else is closed – depending on if you are wanting pictures during the day or not. We chose to fit in the monuments after touring the Smithsonian and National Archives.
Museums are only open from 10-5ish with last tours starting around 30 minutes prior to close.
I am pointing this out because the museums are only open for a short timeframe so you have to time them right if you are wanting to visit multiple locations in a day. There are also no tickets to be purchased because everything is free. That is why I think it is important to map out your route, and have a game plan before heading out.
Okay so now that all of that is out of the way, here is how we spent our day!
9:00AM Breakfast at the Juniper.
The Juniper is the restaurant located in the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown which is where we stayed. For info on the hotel and our accommodations click here!
10:00AM Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
We decided to conserve our energy and Uber to our first stop for the day. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum was awing. The sheer size of some of the pieces they have will stop you in your tracks! Jhonathan was like a kid in a candy store, and I felt like I had to pry him out of there just so we would be able to make our remaining stops for the day. The museum is cataloged and organized so well! No matter what era of aviation interests you, they have it! Not only that, but they have artifacts and pieces that transport you through time….not literally but, you know what I mean. We even took a spin in the flight simulators they have available! Here you can do barrel rolls, fly a jet and even be a gunner! Needless to say we both very much enjoyed all this museum has to offer.
12:45PM National Archives
Just a short walk across the street we arrived at the National Archives, and after a brief security scan we were inside. Sadly, there is no photography allowed in the Rotunda but getting the opportunity to see the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights with my own eyes was such an incredible experience. There are many other historical documents and rooms to visit while in the Archives building, but as we has a lot to still do, we only attended the Rotunda. I also recommend stopping in for your souvenirs while at the National Archives because there is a little bit of everything D.C. related available in their shop and its fairly priced.
2:00PM Joe’s
It’s about a 15 minute walk from the Archives to the White House so we decided to hop over to Joe’s on the way. I ordered mint ice cream with hot fudge and chicken wings – yes I know, what a combo, and Jhonathan also ordered a mule. The architecture of this building is exquisite, and so welcoming. After a rejuvenating snack it was time to see the White House.
3:00PM The White House
We walked by the White House and took pictures, but did not tour or stay in the area for long. There were many protestors out, and the grounds were double barricaded. I really only wanted to see it in person, so I got to do that and check it off of my list.
3:45PM Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool
We Ubered from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial as it would have been a 25-minute walk. This is totally walkable, but we didn’t want to loose sunlight so we opted for the 5 minute Uber ride. I definitely think the monument was the most moving thing I saw on the trip. The sheer size is overwhelming and the words, so meaningful. This is a MUST for anyone traveling to D.C.; I think all of our stops were, but this one even more so. We stood atop and looked out to the reflecting pool with a beautiful clear blue sky as the back drop. Such a perfect way to end the day. On our way out, we spotted a lady taking pictures of her two golden retrievers so I had to snap a pic of the cuteness.
6:00PM
We finished the evening back at our hotel, the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown for dinner in their lounge. The perfect ending to a lovely day!
There is so much to see in D.C., and I am definitely interested in going back to see more; but for one day in town, I think these stops are a must if it’s your first time in the city. Thanks for stopping by, and look forward to my upcoming NYFW posts as I will be traveling there in ONE WEEK! <3
During my brief trip in Washington D.C., I wanted to stay somewhere that was close to everything yet quaint and luxurious. The Fairmont was the perfect fit!
(stay tuned until the end of this post, because I will be sharing some fun events the hotel has coming up in the next month!)
The Fairmont Washington, D.C.,Georgetown was recently renovated, and man is it glamorous! I instantly fell in love with all of the lobby’s decor, full of plush jewel tone pillows, high back chairs and sparkling geometric sculptures.
Throughout the hotel there are subtle hints of history, with presidential and D.C. monument inspired artworks. This adds such a customized feel to this Fairmont location, and a charming warmth of heritage without the feeling of being themed.
Georgetown
This adorable town is filled with cute shops and eateries all within walking distance, creating picturesque moments any time of the year.
During my stroll I of course had to stop in somewhere for a treat, and this decadent chocolate mousse cake did the trick!
Check-In
The room we stayed in faced inward to the courtyard, with a balcony that provided a beautiful sunset view. The rooms also pay a subtle tribute to our nation with artwork of the president’s signatures and stamp collages, to name a few.
We were also welcomed with a cheese and fruit plate, along with rosé; perfect after a day filled with travel.
Early Riser
After a comfortable, and restful night’s sleep we started the morning off right with a hearty breakfast at the hotel restaurant; the Juniper. Jhonathan opted for the pancakes, while I tried the buffet. This cozy restaurant has French parlor vibes with beautiful bright windows welcoming in natural light, marbled tile and lantern sconces. The buffet was well assorted with sweet, savory and even healthy options! I went with eggs, bacon, a pecan sticky bun, fresh fruit, potatoes, and spinach apple juice.
Following a filling and energizing breakfast at the Juniper, it was time to tour the city. Here I have added in a few highlights from the stops we made, but will create a separate post for all of the details, like how I captured this shot of these cuties!
Evening Dining
Exhausted after a full day of sightseeing, we concluded the evening with dinner at the the hotel Loggia Lounge. For eats we dined on appetizers of crab cakes, calamari, oat and walnut bread with honey butter, and concluded with salad and steak. Our meals were beautifully prepared and cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the upscale lounge setting, perfect for chatting, enjoying a meal, and relaxing after a busy day.
For drinks, we had the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Bee-tini. Not only is this drink smooth and sweet but also special because the honey is actually produced on the roof of the hotel from their own bee colony – how cool!
And now for the fun! While at the Fairmont, I was informed of all of the upcoming events they will be hosting and wanted to share that with you!
Super Bowl Sunday
The hotel will have the big screens ready for action with ample viewing space of the big game. There will be a buffet of sliders, chicken wings, pretzels, and nachos to dine on for $20 and specialty drinks and beers ranging from $4-$10. The party gets started at 5:00 and no reservations are necessary, so make sure you are there!
Valentine’s Day
The Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown has two very special Valentine’s events planned this year! First is the Engagement! If you get engaged at the hotel during the days of the 9th – 13th you are entered for the chance to win a free nights stay with champagne at the hotel on Valentines. One winner will be chosen each day for the 5 days, so that’s 5 winning couples. Out of the 5, one will be upgraded to a suite! How amazing is that?!
There will also be super cute themed beverages at the bar and lounge during this timeframe so be sure to stop by for date night to enjoy a love themed beverage. And lastly, on Valentines the Juniper will be serving a four course meal from 5:00 – 10:00 pm with delectable steak and pasta options, and of course let’s not forget to mention amazing desserts!
Guys this is just a glimpse at what the hotel is offering! They are always creating special experiences for their guests and finding ways to make everyone’s stay rememberable and spectacular. So if you are in the D.C. area and are looking for a chic bar to visit, or a delicious meal to enjoy, or are searching for that perfect location to stay at for vacation, this is the place! I know I will be back the next time I travel to D.C.,they have everything I look for when I am staying at a hotel, and more!
A very special thanks to the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown for hosting me for the weekend!
So this past weekend Jhonathan and I took and impromptu trip to Seattle! Since this was the first time visiting there for the both of us, and seeing as we were only going to be there for the weekend, we wanted to pack in the best spots possible for the time-frame we had. So if you ever find yourself on a layover in Seattle, or just have a day to explore there, here are some must-see places!
Where We Stayed
Our accommodations were at the W Seattle. This hotel is not only beautiful with modern appointments, but it also features great live entertainment in the evening, comfortable spacious rooms, excellent customer service, and is walking distance from a lot of sights!
Favorite Breakfast
Sweet Iron seriously has the best waffles EVER! Just two short blocks from our hotel, this trendy breakfast spot was a must! Jhonathan and I tried two from the menu, one sweet, the chocolate dipped waffle, and one savory, the bacon with maple syrup, and loved both! The waffle is so soft and made to order. All ingredients are fresh and served to perfection. I also ordered hot chocolate, which was the optimal choice to finish off breakfast.
For Pictures
I know everyone wants to see the space needle, but how do you get a great picture of it? Go to Kerry Park! Kerry Park is on the Queen Anne hill, about a 15 minute drive from where our hotel was located. This park is on a hill, and provides the perfect view of the skyline, and on a clear day, Mount Rainier! We weren’t so lucky to get a glimpse of the mountain, but we were able to get the skyline.
The Market & Starbucks
After breakfast, we walked over to the market and stopped at the very first ever Starbucks! I of course had to pick up a few souvenir mugs, coffee, and get myself a hot cider to drink.
The Pike Place Market was not at all what I expected! It was so large with many floors and seriously has a shop for everyone! There are levels of stores, from fish, tea, to magic stores, comic books and collector model cars…everything! You could honestly spend an entire day here, there is just so much to see!
Quick eats
One of my favorite things about NYC is the easy access to food, i.e. street food (hotdogs and chicken kabobs) We found a park area across from Macy’s that had just the thing!
Speaking of Macy’s, since we were visiting in December they had their window displays set for Christmas and it was totally amazing!
And yes, if you a breathing, I am sure you have heard of Christian Grey. Well this is where he lived in the movies and the books. Sooooo obviously I had to take a quick snap of the Escala on our walk.
Bars
So the two bars we had to check off of our list on this trip were: Canon and The Nest.
Canon is a whiskey bar with a spirit collection of over 4,000 labels serving AMAZING specialty drinks in quirky serveware, with the perfect amount of gastro/old timey vibe!
The Nest is a rooftop bar in the Thompson hotel. It features beautiful views of the city and an amazing space to relax and have a drink while watching the ferry, ferris wheel, and city life.
Seattle is such a great city, and I cannot wait to visit again! Even though it rained the entire trip, that didn’t take away from the fun! I will mention I did not expect the amount of hills! LOL so yes, keep that in mind if you plan on walking, phew! But I did love that even with the rain my hair did not mess up! There is not all the humidity like we have here in Houston so I could actually fix my hair and it would hold through the weather!
The buildings are beautiful, the transportation is easy and convenient, the food is great and I cannot recommend it more! Next time I’m planning on checking out the mountains so I guess a spring or summer trip is is store?!
For my birthday weekend I wanted to relax and have a staycation, and what better place to do so than the newest downtown Houston destination hotel, The Hotel Alessandra!
This beautiful, and might I add, glamorous hotel offers it all! From a sleek bar lounge, to a full dine in restaurant, spacious outdoor pool with a skyline view, and plush guest rooms I could not have picked a better place to unwind!
The Room
We were in a corner room so the views were spectacular! All of the appointments from bedding to the tile were perfectly selected to create a chic ambiance. I personally loved the emerald green accents, complimented by their white embroidered logo.
Amenities at a Glance
For dinner we dined at the Bardot. This in house gastro-plush bar features a fabulous view of downtown, and comfortable relaxed seating. We decided on chicken strips and a burger (so there would be plenty of fries) I must say the burger was spectacular! SO GOOD! I am thinking about going back just to eat at Bardot! The food and ambiance were perfect, and with the excellent selection of specialty drinks they offer, it is the ideal location for a date night.
Even though it was a bit chilly, I wanted to check out the other on site amenities! The Alessandra offers an outdoor pool area which was so beautiful! Again, the view of downtown seemed within arms reach and the patio chaise were perfectly placed for a retreat within the city. The the gym offered everything you need for a well rounded workout all nestled perfectly in a floor to ceiling windowed room. Soon there will even be a spa available on property – even better!
Check out the Hotel Alessandra if you are visiting Houston on vacation, or just want a weekend staycation like I did. It is the perfect hotel to unwind, but also keep you in the center of everything, just step outside and you are in the heart of downtown! I would also like to add that it is right next door to a Forever21 so shopping is just inches away! What else can you ask for?
