C & C on the Move: The Greenbrier

As I said earlier this week, we've been on the move. Last weekend we headed South so Dr. B could cash in on his birthday present -  a stay at The Greenbrier. We made it a three-day weekend, driving leisurely to West Virginia on Friday down Skyline Drive and taking in the incredible fall colors. While it adds to the drive time, it's a gorgeous way to see the true beauty of Virginia.

 

 

Over 200 years old, "America's Resort" as they call it, is well known for its congressional Cold War bunker and the decorative stylings of Dorothy Draper.  





This was our first visit, and it didn't disappoint. It is a true resort, with something for everyone. We parked our car on Friday and drove it out on Sunday. The golf course is gorgeous, and we'll definitely be returning for a round in the future. We did see a lot of it walking a 2.5 mile Valley View trail around the course and during our 5-mile morning hike accessed from that same trail. They had me at hiking.

 

 

The tennis facilities are incredible, including a "Center Court" where I'm sure they've hosted the best of the best. We also learned that their state-of-the-art sports complex regularly hosts NFL teams - including the Cardinals who were there last week between east coast games.   

 

 

Dr. B and I spent a few hours at the Gun Club, sport shooting.



 

And we scoped out the pool, spa, bowling alley, movie theatre and casino for our next visit. There's so much to do it would be impossible to fit it into one weekend.





 

Aside from all the activities, what really sets the hotel apart is the incredible decor. Dorthy Draper, the original interior decorator, splashed her "modern baroque" style all around the hotel and it's truly what sets this place apart. While it's definitely over the top, it works. Our room was no exception, with three different floral prints.



  

 

It was the perfect backdrop for a pre-dinner photo.  



 

 

This is one of my most favorite spaces in the entire hotel. There's just something about the big bows and pops of yellow and green paired with the classic black and white floor.  



 

Our first night there after dinner Dr. B and I spent an hour wandering the hotel taking in the myriad patterns. A sampling of carpet for your viewing pleasure...



 

And I'm pretty sure we only scratched the surface of the wallpaper. I'm dying to see inside all of the guest rooms.



 

It was the perfect weekend to recharge, enjoy the beauty of the fall and take full advantage of how much the area has to offer within a pretty short drive away. We'll definitely return.

 



C & C on the Move: Maui Part 1

Aloha!

If you follow us on instagram you probably know that Dr. B and I just got back from an amazing week in Hawaii (sorry for the insta-spamming - it's just too pretty not to take a million pictures).

I've got so much to tell you about the week - where we stayed, what we did, and, of course, what we ate! I've even got an outfit post that doesn't involve a bathing suit and a cover up! So instead of writing the Moby Dick of blog posts, I'll break things up. Starting today with a few general tips and the 411 on our base camp for the week. First, a few things to know before you go. Make sure to download the GyPSy Guide app. For $9.99 you've got a built-in tour guide that automatically plays information when you drive by interesting stops or historical sites - and you don't need a cellular or data network (which is especially nice for the road to Hana - more on that later). I would recommend bringing a phone charger to plug into the lighter to make sure you've got unlimited listening pleasure! My favorite tidbit that I learned...they used to put whale vomit in perfume (verified here)!

And, if you're going to get one guidebook Maui Revealed is the way to go. If you don't get around to picking it up before your trip, they sell it at Costco right by the airport. Which leads me to my #1 tip. Make sure to hit Costco when you arrive. Maui isn't cheap, and it's a great place to pick up snacks, beer, wine, liquor, and everything else you need for the week. It's also the best (and least expensive) place to pick up treats for friends and family (macadamia nuts (dark chocolate covered is my fav), coffee, etc) and fill up your rental car with gas before you leave. 

Now to our home for the week. And when I say "home," going back to Maui felt in some ways like going home. Our family has some long history with the island, specifically Napili Kai where Dr. B and I stayed. My grandparents' ashes are off the coast there, Regan and I were baptized in Lahaina when we were three months old, and before my parents started going to Baja, we spent many a holiday at Napili. I hadn't been back in over 25 years, and while much had changed, it was also the same and just as special as I remember. 

Situated on Napili Bay on the Western side of the island, Napili Kai Beach Resort was founded in the 1960s and still has that "old Hawaii" feel that so many of the island's other resorts can't claim. From "putting parties" and 50 cent drinks to a weekly hula show from local children, Napili gives you enough "on-campus" events that if you don't want to leave the resort the entire time you don't have to. Dr. B and I had nightly "Maui Invitationals" on the 18-hole putting green in front of our room (our view below) - including two holes-in-one by me! 

And because most of the rooms are appointed with a fully-stocked kitchen, you can cook as many or as few meals as you want at the resort (our room was in the newly renovated Keaka II in a "family studio"). This is a great way to stay on track with healthy eating and to keep vacation costs down. And nothing beats a sunrise or sunset meal on the lanai. 

Did I mention the beach? I'm not sure you can find a prettier spot to snorkel, sunbath, paddle board, boogie board, you name it. 

And the location can't be beat - there are some of the island's best restaurants within walking distance (more on that later), Lahaina is a 15 minute drive away, and the west side doesn't have that same touristy feel as other parts of Maui. It's definitely a more low-key environment. That being said, if you're looking for night-life and a modern, swanky vibe, this isn't your place. But, if you, like Dr. B and I, love a more unique experience, want to savor the hospitality of local staff, and appreciate that people return every year for decades, Napili Kai is your place. One day when we have a family, we'll come back to Napili so our kids can experience what Regan and I so fondly remember. 

Check back later this week for Part 2 of C & C on the move in Maui! 

Sabine

Last week, Blaire Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific posted this photo of herself (the whole blog is photos of her) in this adorable top. Of course it was sold out. That is why clothing companies pay bloggers like her and give them free clothes...all she does is wear a top, post it on her blog and BANG, 20 minutes later...SOLD OUT! 

Since I liked the top so much, I figured it was worth checking out the other items offered by the brand, Sabine. Here are some of my favorite pieces, all available on Piperlime.

All of these styles are so easy. They scream " Mexican vacation". Maybe I should buy a few pieces so that I have a reason to go on a Mexican vacation. :)

Let Freedom Ring

The Mini Fashionista would like to wish all of our C&C readers a very happy Fourth of July from Sun Valley, Idaho. 

Giddy up Cowgirl! 

C&C on the Move

Katie and I spent last week with our family in La Paz, Mexico celebrating my parents' 40th wedding anniversary! It was a week filled with family time, eating, drinking and recreating.

This was our first time spending a week in La Paz. We've spent 25+ years at Punta Pescadero, so it was hard for me to go somewhere new, but we had a great time, and I will be more than happy to go back again soon.

We stayed at Costa Baja, a resort, marina and spa. We had a pool right near the house (top photo) and a fantastic pool at the beach club (bottom right). The photo on the left is the view from my parents' place. 

Katie and I enjoyed some nice long walks, barre3 on the patio, and cruising on the boat. 

The Mini Fashionista rocked her beach style...she's far more fashionable than her mom! 

Katie and the Mini had lots of quality time (top left). The Mini and I drank a few limonadas (top right), and she spent hours in the sand and at the pool. It's a rough life!

Another fun highlight of our trip was seeing the Venus, a 236 ft yacht designed for Steve Jobs. I have named it the iyacht. Sadly, he never saw the boat. It was designed by Philippe Starck's design company Ubik and built by Fedship for nearly $170 million US Dollars. The design lines look exactly like an Apple computer. It's really a site to behold. Rumor was they filled up with gas: 29 Thousand gallons for $125,000 dollars! WOW! 

Anyway, for anyone who wants to visit Baja and avoid the crowds of Cabo, La Paz is a hidden treasure and so is Costa Baja. If you happen to go there, I have one last suggestion... Il Rustico. This is the most amazing Italian restaurant. It's owned and run by an Italian couple and the food is crazy good. It's a heavenly slice of Italy in Mexico.

C&C on the Move

This past weekend my +1 and I left the Mini Fashionista at home and headed to Colorado. Our agenda: 1) Client meetings (for my +1), 2) Visit with college friends (for me) and 3) The Snow Mountain Stampede XC ski race. 

We spent Thursday night and Friday morning in Denver, and then headed into the mountains to stay just outside of Winter Park at Devil's Thumb Ranch. Two years ago we had lunch at the ranch after my husband competed in the Snow Mountain Stampede. After that short visit, we knew that we had to come back and stay for more than a few hours. It is a winter paradise.  

The main lodge was modeled after Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood with a hexaganol center room. The grounds of the property are breathtaking. There isn't a bad view to be found. The accomodations include lodge rooms and cabins. 

Fortunately for us, all the lodge rooms were booked, so we were "forced" to stay in the newly built High Lonesome Lodge in one of the 1000 sqft guest suites. It was pretty fantastic! 

On Saturday we competed in the Snow Mountain Stampede. The race conditions were not ideal, with snow and wind gusts over 25 mph. While my +1 raced 42K, I decided that I would stick to the 21K race. Going to an altitude of nearly 9,000 feet from sea level is not an easy physiological feat (It takes 1-2 weeks for your body to acclimate), so I decided to play it safe.

Well, it paid off! I ended up placing 2nd overall and 1st in my age category.

Then it was back to the ranch for some R&R. We spent the remainder of our visit, Saturday, Sunday and Monday relaxing, skiing, eating and savoring some adult alone time. I even got to enjoy an 80 minute massage at their spa. HEAVENLY! 

It was hard to do too much sitting around because the trails at Devil's Thumb are so spectacular. 

We did manage to balance our outdoor activites with some indoor activites: reading, checkers and the aforementioned eating and drinking. The Lodge has two restaurants and a coffee shop all with great menus. We did not go hungry! 

Not only is Devil's Thumb Ranch a great place for some adult R&R, but it's also extremely family friendly.  With a pool, theater room, ice rink, sleigh rides and countless other activities (any interest in laser biathalon?), the Ranch offers something for everyone. I have no doubt that we will be back here again very, very soon. 

After weekends like this I feel so fortunate. I feel lucky to have in-laws to watch the Mini Fashionista. I feel lucky to have the means to travel and exerpience such incredible places, and most of all I feel lucky to have an incredible +1 to do it with. Life is good. 

Keeping It Real

So now that I've shared our vacation photos full of beautiful vistas, smiling faces, delicious food and fun sporting activities. Let me keep it real (remember my promise) and talk about the reality of traveling to Europe with a toddler.

For those of you without kids (or those with) who don't enjoy hearing other people talk about their kids, you probably want to stop reading now. Tomorrow we will be back with kid free content, I promise!

Back to the reality of traveling overseas with a toddler.....it is a lot of work. It can be fun, but those moments are often fleeting. We had many highs and lows during our two week adventure. You saw the highs in our photos, and now for the lows. Here is my "keeping it real" Top 10 worst things about traveling with a toddler list.

Top 10 Worst Things about Traveling with a Toddler 

10. The in-flight entertainment consists of keeping your toddler entertained (I brought 3 books and only read 54 pages in 2+ weeks), and occupying a child for 10+ hours on an airplane requires coloring books, crayons, DVDs, books, stickers, food and so much other stuff you don't have room in your bag for the aforementioned in-flight entertainment anyway.

9. Consider yourself a Sherpa. Forget about your sleek roller bag, your designer handbag and Starbucks coffee cup in hand...Prepare to carry a backpack, a carseat, a carry-on suitcase and whatever other items you and your little person might need in a 24+ hour period of time. And it must be said, carrying all this stuff doesn't look chic. It just looks heavy and like a lot of work, and it is!

8. You must pack as if your luggage will be lost (because it will be), so make sure you have what you and your toddler need in the carry-on arsenal (see #9).

7. You will be "those" obnoxious people going through security who have 10 bins full of your 6 bags, 4 electronic devices, 3 coats, 2 pairs of shoes, and multiple bags of liquids, and it will take forever, and inevitably, you will forget to take something out of the bag and back-up the entire line.

6. Your toddler will not eat when or what you want them to, making meal-time in a restaurant challenging, to say the least. As a result, you will give them something you would never allow at home,  like Sprite (I am ashamed).

4. Your toddler will not sleep when you want them to, which means you will not sleep either. Prepare yourself for feeling like you have a newborn again...at least for a couple of days.

3. Your toddler may ask to go "home" multiple times a day, and that will make your heart hurt, just a little.

2. Sadly, your toddler has no idea that "home" is a nine hour time difference and thousands of miles away, and there is no way for you to explain it.

1. Inevitably you will end up getting spilled on, peed or pooped on, puked on, or all of the above while on the airplane, so make sure to bring a change of clothes for yourself and your little person. Remember, you have a carry-on (see #8).

So there you have it, some of the worst things about traveling overseas with a toddler. There are certainly others, but I must be blocking them from my memory.

In closing, if you are thinking about taking your toddler on a "big trip" just for fun, I will tell you that it won't always be fun. If you have a reason for an overseas trip like visiting family, a wedding, work etc then by all means, go for it. While there will be plenty of crappy moments, they will be equaled in number by the ones that make you laugh and smile. Honestly, I'm hoping that over time the pictures will only bring back the happy memories and that those hair pulling, head banging ones are a thing of the past. I think they will be.

Italy, Take 2

Part three of our European adventure took us to a beautiful town in the Dolomites called Fie allo Sciliar. We stayed at an incredible hotel called the Emmy Hotel and Family Resort. 

The view from our room was breathtaking!

Let me say, the Italians know how to do family vacations. Everything about this hotel made it enjoyable for both parents and children. We had an adorable sheep in our room for the Mini Fashionista to ride on. 

They had both an indoor/outdoor pool, a kids wading pool and a playroom, which we didn't get any photos of.

The hotel provided breakfast, dinner and a delicious afternoon snack! There was a fruit bowl too. 

The restaurant included special food for the little people, child size cutlery and plastic plates, cups and bowls. The Mini devoured the vegetable soup! 

Fie allo Sciliar is located near the very popular ski area called Sesier Alm/Alp di Siusi. To get there you take a gondola up about 3,000 feet to a winter wonderland complete with a village, hotels, shops, alpine and XC skiing and walking trails. 

We went for a short winter walk (The Mini refused to get in the backpack), visited with some horses and had a hot chocolate and apple strudel. 

 

Our second day in the Dolomites we drove about an hour to Val di Fiemme for the XC World Championships. These races are second in grandeur to the Olympics and draw a huge crowd of XC skiing fans from around the world. This was a big deal to ski racing fans!

This "band" was awesome!

I think we could call this guy a "fanatic"!

And maybe this one too! Clearly the Mini Fashionista was over watching XC ski racing...

It was a fun event and a great way to finish our time in Italy! We then got back in our Vito van, drove the 3+ hours back to Munich and stayed the night before flying home. 

If anyone is interested in knowing more about our travels, hotels, etc. please feel free to contact me! 

Ciao!