Travel
Captivated by Captiva
May 3, 2017
If you find yourself in the same situation as me, I highly recommend fleeing to Captiva. This island has beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants, and wonderful hotels. Here's how I spent my week:
After a sleep deprived travel day, we arrived at Tween Waters Resort. We immediately threw our bags down, sprayed on some SPF 5,000 (New York has deprived me of any vitamin D), and headed out to find the pool. Armed with my aviators, Lily Collins' new book (which honestly, I wouldn't recommend), and a pina colada, I got to work on my tan.
The next few days were a blur of laying in my cabana on the beach, snacking on nachos by the pool, catching up on my favorite podcast (The Lady Gang), and reading everything from Vogue to The Circle (recommended reading!).
Thanks to all of my time on the island, I am basically a certified Captiva travel guide, so let me tell you some of the things I feature about this vacation spot.
If all of the lounging is making you stressed, I highly recommend the Spa at Tween Waters for a well deserved massage, facial, or mani/pedi.
After your spa day, hit the water for a dolphin viewing or a sunset cruise with Captiva Cruises where you will find full bar service, knowledgeable tour guides, and probably a dolphin or twenty.
Everyone knows that calories don't exist during vacation, so obviously finding good restaurants is a must. Some of the best places to get some amazing food include The Captiva House (design your own sushi), Doc Ford's (the most historic Captiva restaurant), and The Mad Hatter (fancy and fun). Although eating in a restaurant can be great, I have to admit my favorite dinner was a pizza picnic on the beach at sunset (bring a blanket and play some Jimmy Buffet!).
So grab your bathing suit and sunnies, and tell your boss you're taking a few days off. The beach (and the pizza) is waiting!
Exploring Nashville
March 30, 2017
Unfortunately, I was only able to spend two days in this adorable city, but here are some places that I think are definitely worth a visit!
After arriving and dropping our weekenders at my friend's apartment (who's neighbors include Taylor Swift and Hayden Panettiere, which I wasn't complaining about) we headed to Fido Cafe. This cafe is a cute and casual place to grab a coffee (I recommend the Evergreen) and a little breakfast (check out the salmon scramble).
Once we were full of breakfast, we took a short tour of the town and ended up at Belmont University, where we explored the amazing lawns, chapels, and theaters. We took a few minutes to have a photoshoot at some of the prettiest parts of the campus!
The day was full of rushing around, so many sites so little time! We left Belmont to drop-off Alie B. at her theater (the real reason we were there was to see her as Carrie in "Carrie: The Musical"). We still had some time to kill before the show, so we headed to do one of my favorite activities: shopping! We killed time shopping at Green Hills Mall (we spent most of our money at Free People, oops). After the impromptu shopping spree, we headed to watch "Carrie", which was creepy as well as beautiful (and it helps that it is one of my favorite musicals).
The post-show hunger kicked in, so we headed to Two Bits, a local Belmont spot. They served us yummy drinks and great food, so it was a great way to celebrate our talented friend.
The next morning it was time for us to get back home, but we did make one last stop for brunch at Frothy Monkey, which was my favorite Nashville spot. I highly recommend the rosemary honey latte!
Overall, this trip brought a magical weekend with amazing friends. My only regret is that I couldn't stay longer! Hopefully this little guide helps you if you ever find yourself in this gorgeous town!
10 Walt Disney World Do's & Don'ts
February 17, 2017
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be very overwhelming. How are you getting there? Where are you staying? What park is best on which day? Where are you going to eat? What Fastpasses are you going to get? Seriously, it's a lot to think about! I've been going to Disney World for almost 23 years now, Disney World is my happy place and I love sharing why I love it with people, but it took me a while to figure out all the tips and tricks that are needed to make a trip to Disney World truly special. Don't worry though, I've laid out my top 10 tips for you guys!
1. DO Make plans
Every aspect of the trip doesn't need to be planned out, but you really can't go on a Disney trip without having some things planned. Give yourself time to do your homework and learn all you can about how to best plan your trip. There are so many resources out there, I would look to Pinterest to get started. You can find maps, reviews, menus, crowd calendars, tips and tricks, etc. to really help you understand how to plan a successful trip. Get your dining reservations booked, figure out how you're getting there, where you're staying and buy your tickets in advance.
2. DON'T Go Without A Budget
It's so easy to want to buy every single thing you see in the park. Usually, the merchandise is on point and you'll tell yourself you have to have those salt and pepper shakers that are shaped like the trash cans in Tommorrowland, but you also have to remember how much you spent on this trip and everything you still have to pay for - like food. Like I said, it is so easy to convince that little voice in your head that you're allowed to treat yourself, and that's why it's so important to have an idea of what this entire trip is going to cost you and allot yourself a specified amount for souvenirs and other non-necessity items. Of course, a budget that is a bit flexible is best, because let's be honest - you really do absolutely need those salt and pepper shakers!
Pro Tip: One thing I really like to do is watch Disney Hauls on YouTube to get an idea of things I might want to buy and how much they'll be so I can budget more accurately!
3. DO Use the My Disney Experience App
This app is the greatest. Seriously, sometimes I go on it even when I'm not at Disney because it makes me feel like I'm gearing up to go! In the old days (old days = like 3 years ago), you had to physically walk to an attraction to find out the wait time for it, you had to actually carry a map, and if you wanted to change your FastPass time from 10:50am to 2:30pm? Tough cookies. Oh, and the FastPasses were physical paper passes. Those were dark days. Actually they were great, but compared to what we have now with the app, the days were dark. This app makes Disney days so much easier! You can check wait times, make dining reservations, change/choose your FastPasses and so much more all in one place! Before your trip make sure you peruse the app a bit so that it's easier to use when you're actually in the park.
4. DO Take advantage of FastPass+
FastPasses are a necessity on a Disney trip. Basically, FastPasses let you wait in an expedited line that is much shorter than the standby queue. If it's a super busy time of year, like Christmas, it'll save you from having to wait on 100+ minute lines, but even if it's not busy you'll want to use them. You get to book 3 fast passes per day, and once you use those, you can book more. That's why it's important to use your FastPasses early in the day, so then you can book more FastPasses for the rest of your time in the park. If you are staying at a Disney hotel, you can book them starting 60 days from your visit and if you're an off-site guest you can book starting 30 days out. I highly recommend booking as soon as possible. Not taking advantage of these FREE gifts from the Disney gods would be a huge mistake. Plus, you feel like a total boss walking past everyone that's been waiting in the standby queue.
5. DO Stay On Property (if you can)
I've been to Disney World many, many times and I've had some trips where I've stayed off property, and some where I've stayed on property. If you don't know, staying "on-property" means staying at one of 31 themed hotels within the Disney property. Disney obviously really wants you to stay at one of their hotels, so they give you a few perks if you do. Perks like, free bus transportation to and from the parks, Extra Magic Hours, early access to FastPasses and more. To me, these perks totally make it worth staying on site, but you're also paying more for the luxury of a Disney hotel, so you have to think about if it's worth it for you. The hotels are tiered based on price - value, moderate and deluxe, with deluxe being the most expensive, so there's most likely a hotel on property within your price range. Trust me when I say this, staying at a Disney hotel really changes the whole vibe of your trip. Somehow it becomes 100x more magical.
My favorites: The Boardwalk Inn, The Polynesian and Coronado Springs
6. DO Live in the moment
In this world of technology that we live in, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone not on their phones. Sadly, even the magic of Disney can't prevent this. If anything, it's probably even more prevalent, what with all the awesome Instagram opportunities the park offers (do it for the gram, right?). I myself am guilty of probably spending too much time on my phone when at the Happiest Place on Earth - it's a hard habit to break. The great thing about being at Disney World is that you feel like you have left the real world behind and are in this magical place where you have no worries or cares. Please, leave it that way. It's ok to take that photo by the Bubblegum wall, but also make sure you're taking everything in and appreciating every moment that you're there. I've found that the most memorable moments from my past trips have been when no one was on their phones. Be present in the moment and you'll have the best vacation ever!
7. DON'T Be Inflexible
Like I said before, I am a planner. I even plan my outfits for each park day like a month in advance! It's hard for me to go into a Disney trip without everything planned out. Since I was the one doing all the pre-planning, I was very determined to stick to those plans. Through the years though, I've realized that it's no fun to stick to a strict schedule - while I may enjoy making it, no one enjoys actually executing it! So I've become more flexible. I listen to the group throughout the day and kind of play everything by ear. If there's something someone doesn't want to do, or something someone wants to add, it's very easy to make changes to the plans. Being strict causes stress, which can ruin a vacation before it even begins, and honestly, there should be no stress on a Disney vacation!
8. DON'T Miss Out On Meeting Characters
I'll be the first to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of meeting characters. Some people absolutely love it and are so good at interacting with them, and some people are very awkward about it. I fall into the latter. For a long time, I didn't really go out of my way to meet any characters (plus, I was not really into waiting in those long lines). I would wave to them if I saw them on my way to an attraction, but once my younger brother got to the age where he enjoyed meeting them, I started waiting in those lines again. I remembered how magical it is to meet Mickey and Minnie, Peter Pan, Alice and all the others. It really does add some pixie dust to your trip and will provide you with memories you'll never forget.
Pro Tip: Use the My Disney Experience App to find where the characters will be throughout the day in each park!
9. DO Remember to be kind
It's hard to remember that not everyone thinks like you do. You can be in the happiest mood ever and there will always be someone who is in the worst mood ever. Yes, this is even true at Disney World. You're going to run into some not nice people while you're there and it will be super annoying, but the best way to counteract that person's negativity is to outshine them with kindness. I've heard incredible stories of guests going out of their way to make magical moments for other guests (read one here). These gestures don't have to be big (it could simply be a nice conversation) and it could really add to yours and that person's trip. Basically, be kind, mind your space and don't be obnoxious.
Pro Tip: Interacting with Cast Members is another great way to add some magic to your own trip. Strike up a conversation with one of them and you never know what will happen!
10. DON'T expect to do it all
Seriously, it's actually impossible. As many times as I've been, I still haven't even come close to doing every single thing. Walt Disney World is huge and they are adding to it all the time. Going in with the mindset that you want to do everything will only end with you being very tired and very disappointed. I read somewhere that on average, a person can get in about 8 attractions in a day at WDW, give or take a few depending on crowd levels. That doesn't even come close to how many rides there are in each park. Being realistic about what you can accomplish will make your time in "The World" much more relaxing and enjoyable. Plus, not accomplishing everything just gives you another excuse to come back ;) .
That's it guys! While all of this may seem overwhelming, the most important thing to remember is to have fun (omg so cheesy, I know, who am I?). Seriously though, whether you're there for one day or one week, a trip to Disney World is truly magical.
What are your best tips and tricks for a trip to Disney World?
Christmastime In New York City
January 23, 2017
In early December, Tara and I spent a girls weekend in New York. It was our first time seeing each other since September when she moved there, so this was a very important (and necessary) best friends trip! We didn't really have a concrete plan going into it. We had a few things we wanted to do and see, but we played it mostly by ear. The one thing I HAD to do though was go to Black Tap. It's been on my bucket list since last year, so around 10pm we jumped in an Uber and raced to Soho. Black Tap can have horrifically long lines so we had our fingers crossed that it wouldn't be bad since it was so late, and when we pulled up there was no one in line! The place was packed though (it's pretty small to begin with). But the guy there said if we came back in 20 minutes he would save the 1st spot that opened up for us (even though he technically wasn't allowed to). So we walked around the block a few times to kill time.
I don't know if you all know this, but NYC is filled with rats. Tara and I walked past a pile of garbage and she says to me "there's a rat in that pile" and I was in shock! Then, right on cue, a rat ran out right in front of us! I jumped like 10 feet in the air and screamed. Then I heard a voice say "relax it's just a rat", I thought it was God telling me everything would be alright, but it was just some weirdo drinking wine on a rooftop. Needless to say I'll never trust a pile of garbage again.
Anyway, we were able to get a seat once we came back and right away we ordered the Cotton Candy Shake and some french fries (because you have to dip fries in a shake, it's like the law). Let me tell you, it was everything I could have ever wanted and more! The shake was delicious, the place itself was really cool, and, an added bonus - they played The Backstreet Boys - so basically BEST DAY EVER. But seriously, look at this shake, it is to die for!
Friday we made plans to go to Laduree so get some tea and macaroons (because we fancy). Tara has been there a few times already, but I've never been there myself. It was very lavish and sophisticated and that's obviously what we're all about so it was a must. It also wasn't very expensive - which was awesome. We sat out in the garden area instead of the main room. It was so perfect, they had white fur throws on the seats and the Christmas tree was outside in the courtyard, so it definitely felt very cozy.
After watching a few episodes of Fuller House, we ended the day with a dinner in Soho at a restaurant called Emporio. It's very limited on space so I would definitely recommend getting reservations, but it is well worth a try. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxed. Note: It's a relatively expensive restaurant so we filed this under a #treatyourself moment, but we all need one of those every once in a while.
SATURDAY - We planned to go uptown and see all the Christmas decorations. We had to hit up Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue to look at the decorations. But first, we had to figure out how to get there. The regular trains weren't running (inconvenient much), so we had to figure out an alternative route. It also didn't help that the city was PACKED. SantaCon was that day so we saw so many Santas - 267 to be exact, seriously we counted.
We made it up to Grand Central Station on the subway and walked the rest of the way up. Since we had leftover pizza from the night before for breakfast (so adult of us) we were starving. We made a quick stop at Schmackary's, which is this amazing bakery that specializes in delicious cookies. It was just what we needed to refuel, plus we had already burned off all the calories from our pizza.
We made our way up to Rockefeller Center, and it was so crowded. The police had several streets blocked off to redirect the flow of foot traffic and it was so inconvenient. The tree was beautiful, as it always is. I love just taking a second to stand there, looking at the tree, and block everything else out as best I can to just appreciate the moment. It's a small thing but sometimes you need to remind yourself to take a moment to appreciate the small things. Another great experience to put on your to-do list for Christmas in New York is to see The Rockettes! The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has been a favorite of ours for basically our whole lives and the show gets better every year! Plus, seeing a show in one of the most famous theaters in the world is an experience in and of itself.
The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store definitely had everyone beat in terms of decorations. Their windows were a fashion lovers dream, they had a light show that went along to music, and the inside was a literal winter wonderland! Other great ones to see are obviously Macy's, Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bergdorf Goodman.
After we made a quick stop into Tiffany's (for reasons), we headed to our main destination - The Plaza. It is literal #goals and we dream of staying there one day. Of course, we were inspired by our main girl Eloise, and lucky for us there was an Eloise store on the bottom floor. We probably spent way to much time in there for people who did not have any children with them, but we had a blast. They also have a killer food court set up on the ground floor and you don't have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy it!
During the day, New York City at Christmastime is amazing, but at night it is absolutely magical. After we left The Plaza we wandered around a bit, just taking everything in and enjoying spending time together. We somehow wandered our way to a place any Gossip Girl lover will recognize - The New York Palace, aka home to the van der Woodsen's. Basking in all the GG glory that happened in this spot was the perfect way to end the day and walking back past Rock Center to see the tree one last time was icing on the cake.
Sunday was the most relaxed of all days, and we needed it after walking one hundred something blocks the day before. We went up to Nolita to have brunch at The Butcher's Daughter - but it was crazy packed. Without a reservation we knew there was no way we would get in there anytime soon, so we went searching for another place. Everything was so busy we hopped back on the train to the Financial District and ended up having "brunch" at Potbelly's. We didn't have a problem with this because we're both have massive heart eyes for this glorious sandwich shop. If you have the chance to have their Chicken Pot Pie Soup - DO IT. It's heaven in a cup, actually.
Then, we ventured over to the Seaport to see their Christmas tree and to see if The Taylor Swift Experience was an actual thing - it is. I would not recommend you go though, unless you are a die hard Swiftie, then who am I to stop you? It was the coldest day of the whole weekend so we were freezing our butts off, but South Street Seaport is a beautiful area - and we got to see where the Tommy x Gigi show was held during NYFW last September.
So that's it for our weekend in New York. We had an absolute blast exploring the city, binged the newest season of Fuller House and eating way too many Chocolate Peppermint cupcakes. A weekend with your best is always the best and doing in the city we both love made it that much better!
We'll be uploading a vlog of our trip this week!
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