Going Back To Cali
I have been super MIA from actually writing blog posts and I promise to get more on top of it but recently got back from a quick trip to San Diego and had a blast! I have family that lives there but I haven’t been in six years! We went to celebrate my cousin’s daughter’s (Makenna) birthday and it was so special. The last time I was in San Diego my cousin was actually pregnant with her so its amazing how times change.
Whistler, Canada
One of my favorite things to do in the winter is go on cold vacation. I know everyone thinks its crazy and they like to go on vacations to escape the cold but there really is nothing more beautiful than sitting in the cold weather and looking at the beautiful snow coming down. My big cold vacation for this winter was visiting Whistler Canada, which was oh so gorgeous! A great hotel, great restaurants and a great atmosphere made for an amazing trip!
My Three Favorite Restaurants in Cleveland
Red Steakhouse:
If you love steak than this is the place for you. I have never been disappointed with a meal here ever. Now I am a type of person that if I’m at a steakhouse I et a steak, if I’m at an itlain restaurant I eat Italian and so on. Knowing this it still makes me happy that although they are a steakhouse they have a very vast menu including multiple pasta dishes and seafood selections. Usually when I’m out I’m with other pope so to me it’s so great that they have so may options so that everyone can be happy. Saving the best for last they have a dessert of donuts that I have been dreaming about since my first time there. They come out fresh and hot with three dipping sauces that left me wanting to go back literally everyday. Seriously a must try.
http://www.redthesteakhouse.com
Lola:
Lola is the creation of acclaimed Chef Michael Symon (he’s on the abc show The Chew) and it lives up to the hype. He is originally from Cleveland so you can find many restaurants around Cleveland under his name. He most recently opened a new BBQ restaurant in the downtown area. When you first walk into the restaurant the bar literally glows and I always think this makes for such a cool and exciting focal piece. They have great cocktails, my favorite being their singnature “Lola Cocktail” that comes in a martini glass with a little sprig of basil on top and a lavender glow on the bottom. Any place that has great cocktails can count me in. After cocktails comes their food and everything I have ever tasted there has been fantastic. I love their seafood selections and whenever I go for the scallops I have never been disappointed. This place is often packed but it is easy to see why.
https://www.lolabistro.com
Fahrenheit:
One of my favorite finds in Cleveland! The main area in downtown that is filled with restaurants is called East 4th street and the other two restaurants are located there, however, this one is not so it took me a little longer to find but it was worth the wait! I had fantastic tuna there and a grilled avocado appetizer that was so delicious and different! Although I have never been able to get there for brunch I have seen pictures that look fantastic, including captain crunch pancakes (omg)! Also on Wednesday they have half off wine which is just such a win for us all. For sure one of my must tries!
http://www.chefroccowhalen.com/mobile/fahrenheit-cleveland/index.php
Everytime I visit I always love to try new places! Any recommendations please send to me! Happy travels! Xoxo
Euro Trip: London and Denmark
When I think of London I always think of one of my favorite Friends episodes when Joey constantly shouts “LONDON BABY!” and runs around everywhere in full British garb. It’s my first time in this beautiful city and it is everything I thought it would be and more. The architecture is simply stunning. The castles and palaces make me want to be a royal and move right in with William and Kate(not that I didn’t want to before). I am a big lover of old time and classic architecture and design and this is exactly what London embodies. Walking around I feel like I took a step back in time.
Along with the castles we also took in tourist attractions such as Big Ben, The London Eye, Trafulgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Westminster Abby, They all had such beauty to them. Big Ben was under construction while we were there but it didn’t make it any less interesting. I was also a sucker for all the red telephone booths and double decker buses. To me it just screamed London and made it everything I was hoping for. What was really cool to me that they had many double decker touring buses with different themes. I saw one that was haunted and another one that provided high tea. Everywhere you looked things were just more and more interesting.
Another interesting experience was attending a soccer (or futbol) game in London! It is incredible how much every fan is into the sport and how seriously it is taken. The atmosphere was amazing with people on the streets and cheering fans everywhere. The stadium was really cool to see! All the pubs were full of die hard fans and it was so interesting to be emersed in this culture. My father and brother are huge soccer fans and love the English Premier League (which is England’s soccer league) so it was even more amazing to watch them enjoy it as much as they did. We got to see Arsenal play West Ham in Emirates Stadium. Arsenal (the home team) ended up winning and it was an experience I will never forget.
We stayed at two hotels , The London Edition and The Grand at Trafulgar Square.
Trafulgar Square is a big tourist attraction so it was really cool to stay there. It has magnificent fountains and of course there are great restaurants everywhere. The first time we walked by the square there was a Japanese festival going on packed with people and tents with different Japanese foods. They continuously have different festivals taking place which makes for a cool experience. The hotel itself was beautiful, filled with marble and drapery which is always a decor that I love.
The other hotel we stayed at was The London Edition and although both were nice I do have to say staying at The London Edition was probably the best part of the whole trip for me. It was in Fitzrovia which is like the London equivalent to New York’s Soho. The hotel was magically gorgeous. Every night the bars were full and it was easy to see why. The service was impeccable! Everyone was so sweet and the drinks and food were delicious. We ate at the restuarant in the hotel which was called Berner’s Tavern. The food was amazing and if I lived in London I would want to be there everyday. The walls were filled with amazing art work enhanced by high ceilings and gorgeous chandeliers. Everywhere I looked I was in awe of its beauty. The bartender even told me that Donatella Versace once stayed there which of course made everything that much better! Anywhere that Donatella Versace once stayed is a place I never want to leave.
One of the nights we ate at a place called Ember Yard which also prepared wonderful food! It was a tapas restaurant so plates were small but everything was delicious. The beef and bone marrow burger was insane, along with the chilean seabass carpaccio. We also ended the meal with a large plate of pork belly which was out of this world. Often times I don’t love pork belly because of how fatty it is but this one was so perfectly cooked and delicious. I found it on the internet and figured we would give it a try and so glad that we did.
Another favorite was a restaurant called Massimo which was inside the Corinthia hotel. The hotel itself was so gorgeous and the restaurants went right along with it. Corinthia was originally a British government building opened in 1885 and was recently restored in 2011 and wow did they do a great job. Along with the decor Massimo’s food was delicious. It was Italian cuisine and I enjoyed a fabulous cheese plate, a lobster bruschetta, calamari and a pumpkin ravioli. I don’t know why but I have always heard that London wasn’t known for having great food but I must say that those restaurants proved that myth wrong for sure.
We stopped for drinks and snacks at the Ritz and its beauty speaks for itself. It is on the way to Buckingham Palace so if you get a chance to visit this gem it will be worth your time.
It was hard to dress on this trip as I often wanted to be comfortable because we were doing so much walking. While in London of course I had to wear Burberry. So i wore my Burberry button down and matching Burberry booties that I found at the end of last winter. I was also excited because I was able to wear my Chanel espadrilles for the first time! I was so excited when I bought them because it was my first pair of Chanel shoes! The shirt I matched with them was a cold shoulder top that I had ordered from Boston Proper. They don’t have any traditional brick and mortar stores so it’s an online only website. I do love a wide variety of their clothes. They often have cute options and although it stinks that you can’t try the stuff on first they are really easy with returns. I also love how their clothes fit very well for my body type and are extremely comfortable. I wear this shirt all the time and have always loved it!
Burberry button down:
Denmark:
In addition to London I also got to enjoy the beauty of Denmark. My father is from Denmark and got transferred to the states when he was in his early twenties. He then met my mother at work and basically as they say…the rest is history. His entire family, parents, brother, my aunt and cousins all still live there so he is the only that lives in the States. The purpose of this trip was to visit for my grandparents who were celebrating their 60th anniversary. First off what a blessing that they have created such a solid and amazing relationship that has lasted 60 years. They have raised two successful sons and now get the joy of not only enjoying their grandchildren but also their great grandchildren. I have been to Denmark many times to visit my family but I haven’t been since I was 17. I found that this trip was the first time I could really appreciate the culture and all that the country had to offer.
We stayed with my grandparents at a beautiful summer house right near the beach. We were lucky to have fantastic weather and were able to take morning walks around town along with going to visit beautiful Copenhagen. Although much smaller than London, I truly loved Copenhagen. There are many cobblestone walking streets that made for the most perfect charming setting. The road with all the colorful restaurants/ homes was truly my favorite. Its right along a dock and the most interesting part to me was when talking to my father about it he reminisced when he was young man it was actually a very run down and unsafe area to be in. Obviously it has been gentrified and is a fabulous area and great tourist spot. We walked to streets and stopped to have lunch at a lovely little place called Hummer. There are outdoor restaurants all up and down that road so I really don’t think there are any bad places to pick.
My favorite indulgence in Denmark are all of the delicious baked goods! I am really not a big bread eater but visiting here I couldn’t resist! My uncle or aunt would bring fresh bread every morning along with pastries and wow were they delicious! Also while walking the streets of Copenhagen I had some churros that were truly out of this world! They come hot and you get to pick the toppings! I personally picked Nutella and nuts but there were so many options it was amazing! They also had waffle stations everywhere and delicious gelato. It was.a dessert lovers heaven.
Also one of my personal favorites are the “Pulsa Stands.” Pulsa is a hotdog and although I usually am not really a big lover of hotdogs these made me become one. They have something called a French Hotdog where basically the bun is like a pocket that the hotdog slips right into. Then it is garnished with a dressing that is a cross between a mayonnaise and a French dressing. Although very different from our typical mustard hotdog here in America, it was truly delicious and something I always look forward to when I’m going to Denmark.
This trip was truly amazing and something I will never forget. It was such a special occasion to be able to spend time with my family and enjoy all the beautiful attractions together. Europe is a magical place and to me so different from the United States which makes it so interesting to see how other cultures live and carry on in their days. As the saying goes “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” This I truly believe. Now it’s time to head home and enjoy a beautiful Northeast fall before the next adventure.
xoxo!
Sam
Lake Placid
As a person who resides in and loves the Northeast, this is one of my favorite places to visit. I first visited Lake placid about a year ago when i started dating my boyfriend. It was a place he loved and visited often. Although I had heard of LP, I had never really thought of it as a place to visit but wow is it worth the trip. The mountains and beautiful views are simply breathtaking. Every season has it’s own special beauty. The winter brings cold and snow where you feel like you are in an absolute frozen wonderland, the warmth of summer where you can boat around the lake, Spring that shows all the natural wild flowers and lastly, Fall where you can gaze at the stunning foliage.
Things to do
Hiking:
The reason my boyfriend found such a love for the place was because of his joy of hiking. There are over 46 mountains known as the “ Adirondack High Peaks” that are all over 4,000 feet in elevation. I myself have done two, Cascade peak and Wright peak. Cascade is the best for people who are not as experienced hikers but still looking for a challenge. Don’t get me wrong, although Cascade is known as an “easier” mountain it is still extremely challenging. When I hiked Wright we will just say there was blood, sweat and tears. By far one of the hardest things I’ve done. Hiked seven plus miles over Rocky terrain with 3000 feet of elevation gain. In the end it is always worth it at the top looking at the amazing views and seeing what you accomplished. For people who are not as into hiking or not wanting to do such extremes there are easier and just as beautiful walks such as the High Falls Gorge which has beautiful views of waterfalls and gorges. There is also a small restaurant attached that makes for a great lunch spot after the scenic walk.
http://www.lakeplacid.com/do/outdoors/summerfall/hiking/46-high-peaks
Olympics:
As many people know or don’t know the winter Olympics have been twice held in Lake Placid. It is most noticeably remembered because of the “Miracle on Ice” that happened during the Olympics in 1980 (where the movie Miracle came from). It is still currently the place where many winter Olympic athletes train. There is a museum that holds artifacts from those Olympic games which are very interesting to see. Also you can go to where the Olympic bobsledding team trains. It is truly amazing to watch how fast they go and how cool the sport really is. If you go during a time that they are not training you can even go on a bobsled ride yourself! Another great site is seeing the Olympic ski jumpers training site. You can go up to the top of the jump and see how high it is while watching them train and jumping at all times of year. It is incredible how high they are and how amazing it is that they have no fear jumping on skies at such heights. Also going up to where they jump from provides amazing views of the mountains and scenery.
Downtown:
The downtown or village of Lake Placid is great to walk around as it has great shops and restaurants .There is a hat store ( Where did you get that hat ) that I always love checking out. In the winter it is always so cold there so one of my favorite things to do is go check out all the new hats they have to coordinate with my warm outfits.
Skiing/ gondola rides:
During the winter there is great skiing on Whiteface Mountain. You can also take Gondola rides up the mountain at all times of year which offers stunning views at the top. You do have to purchase a ticket but the views are worth it.
Where we eat/stay
Whiteface Lodge:
I absolutely love to visit the Whiteface Lodge. One of the best things about it is there are two and three bedroom suites which make it easy when traveling with a big group. I went this past December with my mother, grandma, aunt and boyfriend and it was great because we all have our own space but can still meet in the kitchen to have some wine and hang out all together.
One of my favorite features is the heated pool. They keep it so warm that even in winter ( outside temp mostly below zero ) you can swim which is such a cool experience since you feel like you are swimming amongst the snow. The pool starts inside which is so helpful that you don’t have to be running in the snow in your bathing suit! You simply swim to the outside without having to leave the warm comfort of the pool.
Saving the best for last… the bar there is simply incredible. The bartender Zach is a mixologist and therefore makes scrumptious drinks made to order and no two are ever alike. It is truly an experience. He asks you multiple questions about your likes and dislikes and then concocts a signature drink just for you. It is one of my favorite things to do while visiting and everyone I take there never stops talking about it!
http://www.thewhitefacelodge.com
Lake Placid Lodge:
If you are looking for a romantic getaway this is the place for you! It is the only hotel situated right on Lake Placid which makes the views simply breathtaking. Very quiet and serene it is the best place to go and simply relax. The rooms are incredibly warm and romantic with log cabin feel, huge stone fireplaces and amazing hand made furniture throughout. The first time we stayed there we stayed in the Whiteface Suite which was simply amazing and even had a bed on our private balcony. Honestly it doesn’t get much better than that. They have two restaurants inside that are both fantastic (Maggie’s Pub and Artisans Restaurant). One of the coolest things to me is there are no TVs throughout the entire hotel. It makes for a great getaway when looking to spend time with someone with no distractions. At 4 pm everyday there is a boat tour around the lake that is one of my favorite things to do. I am not exactly a history buff but even I found it so interesting hearing about all the people who have lived there and all the history that surrounds the Lake. They also have kayaks to take out and a big fire pit with smores at night which makes for a cozy atmosphere.
https://www.lakeplacidlodge.com
Cabins:
When looking for a less expensive option, there are great cabins in the area as well that can be rented and keep you immeresed in the Adirondack feel. Many come with kitchens which I always love because especially if we hike all day we don’t want to go out to dinner and would rather just stay in and make a nice quiet dinner together. Dart Brook Lodge is a great option. We’ve stayed there and the grounds are always so pretty, everyone so friendly and the cabin always so quaint.
The Cottage:
One of my favorite places to eat it is a small little nook right on Mirror Lake which is located in the downtown area. The views are beautiful and the food is some of my favorite. The brussel sprout salad is one of the best I have ever had. There is seating inside and out which is great for a warm day to sit on the lake and stare at the surrounding mountains.
Smoke signals:
Located downtown this place has some of the best BBQ food I have ever had. I still have dreams of this place and want to go back again and again. The brisket and chicken wings are out of this world. Every time I think of this place I just wish I lived close so I could stop in day after day.
Mirror Lake Inn:
Although I have never stayed in the hotel I have eaten at the restaurant and it is great stop to make. I went at Christmas time and all of the decorations made for a wonderful experience (including a tree made of beautiful poinsettas). Great bar atmosphere and great food to follow.
Hope everyone gets to visit and and enjoy LP as much as I always do!
xoxo
Rhode Island
Ah I’m blogging! Scary but exciting! Just got back from the beautiful state of Rhode Island and wow is it a place to chat about. If you have never been to Newport its a definite addition for the bucket list. The views are stunning and all the mega yachts the marina are simply breathtaking. Lots of fun restaurants, cool hang outs and great shops.
After our stay in Newport we headed down state( about a 45 minute drive ) to stay in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Although less of a town feel, this place was wonderful. The hotel we visited was one of the prettiest I have ever seen, which made it easy to see why they are rated 5 stars by Forbes year after year. The surrounding homes are so marvelous,quaint and private it inspired Taylor Swift to purchase a $17 million dollar home there. (I asked the bartender, he said he’s seen her family but never her)
Newport:
Where we stayed:
In Newport we stayed at Gurneys. The views were marvelous and I loved our room. We had our own private deck that overlooked the marina which was stunning. We ate lunch as well as snacks and drinks by the fire at night. In the morning we enjoyed breakfast and I will say the food was great. The only thing (and I don’t like to complain) was the service left much to be desired. During breakfast, guests were getting so frustrated with the delays that the manager had to comp a couple of meals . I probably waited 45 minutes to an hour for my breakfast of smoked salmon. I don’t mind waiting but it was a bit excessive, plus having to flag down a waiter anytime you wanted coffee became exhausting. Enough complaining, the hotel offered a great water service from the hotel into the heart of downtown Newport. The ride took about 10 min but the close up view of all the amazing boats moored in the bay was breathtaking.
Last time we visited Newport we stayed at a place called 41 North. The only reason we didn’t stay there this time was because it is a small hotel and books quickly. Since this was a last minute trip it was already full. We did however go there for dinner and loved it just as much as the first time! The views and food are great along with the service. The hotel itself is so lovely and everyone so accommodating.
Watch Hill:
In Watch Hill we stayed in the Ocean House which I seriously wish I could live there. From the gardens to the food to the service everything was perfection. My new obsession with hydrangeas comes from here and their gardens. They have activities going all the time (even an adorable little croquet field with an instructor who comes and teaches you how to play) plus it is right on the ocean so you can just lounge all day. They also have a “Secret garden” by Vueve Cliquot so basically everything I could ever desire. I seriously can not talk highly enough about this place and hope to go back again and again.
While we were there they had a clam bake which was my first clam bake and I loved it! All the lobster, clams, mussels, corn, clam chowder and chicken you can eat. Also beer and wine was included which always helps. The clam bakes are usually held outside but it was supposed to rain so ours was inside but still wonderful.
Between the two locations I will say that Newport has more of a town and more things to do so depending on what you are looking for both options are great.
Outfits:
Obsessed with this dress by Show Me Your Mumu! I found it at Bloomingdales and have wanted to wear it everyday since! it is actually currently on sale! But I am now looking into everything this line sells because I love all of their cute flowy dresses!
link to the dress is here
Another newbie by Lilly Pulitzer that I love! I am a big fan of Lilly Pulitzer for summer and feel like sometimes you can’t get me out of it. It’s hard when they fit so well and I can just throw them on and go and still feel pretty. Shop it here
Happy Summer!
xoxo
Jackson Hole:
Sunglasses: Prada, coat: Canada Goose (the warmest), scarf: Louis Vuitton, bag: Chloe, gloves: Ugg, jeans: Hudson, boots: Sorel 
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is one of my favorite places I have ever visited. Never would I have thought I would visit there because I usually like more warm vacation destinations and I am not a big skier but wow am I glad I took the trip. Just walking off the airplane and viewing the breathtaking mountains I knew this was going to be a trip I would never forget.
Our view walking off of the plane…yes -2 degrees!
Where we stayed:
We stayed at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole and I must say not only was it beautiful but the service was impeccable. It has been months since our trip and still everywhere we go we always compare and say how the service here was a step above anywhere we’ve been. The hotel is right in the Village and you look right at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort so you see the beautiful mountains and all the skiers and snowboarders coming down it. Since I’m not a big skier it amazed me everything these people could do coming down these giant mountains. The hotel had great restaurants inside and the breakfast was always fantastic. I am not a big breakfast person and I still dream about the tofu rancheros option they had every morning. Also at night they had a lounge with fantastic drinks. They had a drink made with ginger vodka that I loved along with a great take on a hot tottie that included St. Germain!
The view from our room. You would see people ski down the mountains all day…it was amazing.
We would have drinks nightly inside or outside, both had fireplaces and if you chose to sit outside they would hand you big warm blankets to stay warm. It was such and experience to sip a cocktail in the snow staring at the mountains with a warm fire and a big blanket.
Where we ate:
King Sushi:
Some of the best sushi I have ever had. We did a scallop shooter with raw scallop and quail egg which is one of the most adventurous things I have ever eaten but it was delicious! The duck buns for appetizer were to die for along with the surf and turf type roll that included lobster and wagyu steak…worth every cent of the $25 it cost. Also it is located right downtown so you can walk around the town before or after for great shops. The only warning I do give is that the restaurant is very very small so try to make a reservation, it is totally worth it.
Piste:
The best view in Jackson in my opinion, this restaurant is situated right on the top of the ski mountain. You have to take a gondola ride up and it is so worth it. We went at lunch time which I recommend because it is still light out so you can take full advantage of the views. The food is also fantastic. We went straight comfort food by having duck wings and mac and cheese and both were fantastic!
https://www.jacksonhole.com/piste-mountain-bistro.html
This was our view from Piste. You could watch all the skiers and snowboarders get to the top of the mountain and then decend down.
Amagani:
This is actually a hotel that we went and had dinner in. The food was delicious plus they gave us a tour of the hotel which was so helpful because now we have new ideas for the next time we visit. This hotel and restaurant was located in the mountains. The outdoor heated pool was an infinity pool looking over the mountains… I was in aw looking at it. It is for sure a place we will think of staying next time. It is very quiet and perfect for romantic get always. The food was also fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner.
https://www.aman.com/resorts/amangani/dining-experience
We got there early so it was quiet when we first got there which made for a romantic and sweet experience. Loved all the fireplaces and the incredible art work!
Mangy Moose:
A fun local place it seems to ALWAYS be hopping. We went on a Sunday when we first arrived. It was right in the village a short walk from our hotel. They had live music going and people simply ski and snowboard off of the mountain right into the bar. A very cool and relaxed atmosphere with fantastic bar food.
Watching the band was so fun and the food was great, you feel right apart of the mountain and outdoor atmosphere.
What to do:
Skiing:
Although I am not a big skier the mountain was breathtaking and I did go up to the top of it. It is rated one of the best ski resorts year after year.
This is where the people are skiing from! Elevation 10,450 feet!
Snowmobiling:
While there I went snowmobiling for the first time and wow was it an experience. We went all through the mountains and it was something I will never forget. We went with a group which included a guide named Dave who was fantastic. It was truly amazing going through nature that way.
https://www.jacksonhole.com/things-to-do/snowmobiling.html
Shooting:
I had never shot a gun before until Jackson. We went to a shooting range where they showed us everything about shooting. Although it my first time I was actually pretty good! I ended up hitting a target over 500 yards! Even though it was super cold it was a lot of fun and something I never thought I would do. (P.S. The guy in the picture on the website was our actual instructor and he was great especially working with a first timer like me!)
No I did not shoot the top one…I probably would have fallen down! Just holding it was a big deal for me, it was over 50 pounds!
Samantha Renee Hansen 