We were on some meandering cobblestone street in Montmartre when I found myself typing Paris into the search bar of my own site. What was the name of that restaurant we loved? And then again the next day as I internally inquired about the oat milk latte I had last spring around the corner from our hotel. As someone who doesn’t frequently blog anymore, I appreciated in these moments all of the diligent keeping of details over the past decade that allowed my favorite places to be found with just a few clicks. I knew at some point I would have to document this trip, too– the first time we took the kids abroad, the first stamp in their passport, and our first time in Paris with kids!

Our Paris with Kids Itinerary:

• Day 1: Travel from Austin to Dallas then Dallas to Paris
• Day 2: Arrive in Paris at 9:25a
• Day 3: Paris
• Day 4: Paris
• Day 5: Travel by train to Marmande, a little town outside of Bordeaux
• Day 6: Marmande
• Day 7: Marmande
• Day 8: Marmande
• Day 9: Travel back to Paris
• Day 10: Paris
• Day 11: Paris to Dallas, Dallas to Austin

We broke up our time in Paris with a trip to the countryside to visit friends. It was a place where they could run around, swim, jump on a trampoline and be true free range kids. It was a nice break from the busy streets of Paris and felt so refreshing. Our kids were five and nine at the time of this trip.

HOTELS:

Back in the spring of last year (2022) we stayed in the 6th (Saint Germain) and loved it so much. It’s quaint, although lively and bustling at all hours, and filled with charming shops and restaurants, historic buildings with big colorful doors and cobblestone streets. 

Most European hotels do not allow more than two people in one hotel room, so we knew we would need to book adjoining rooms or a family suite. I found a spot in a great location and booked a Family Room that said it was two rooms and would accommodate four people at Hotel Odeon (the lobby is pictured above). It turns out it was just two separate rooms, not adjoining, so something to be mindful of when you’re booking a hotel room in Paris. This is where we stayed the first part of the trip. Besides the room situation, I would recommend this place. The location was wonderfully walkable and on a street that dead ended at the Odeon Theatre. It was full of quaint bookstores and across the street from the delicious Le Comptoir du Relais.

La Maison Favart

Our hotel (pictured above) when we arrived back in Paris for our last two nights, Maison Favart, was the opposite scenario! We had the most amazing two bedroom apartment complete with two bath tubs, a living room and a full dining table. It felt so luxurious and was in the 2nd arrondissement which felt very quiet and local. As much as we love hanging out in the 6th, there was something we really loved about this quieter neighborhood that was more central to everything on the Right Bank. Special thanks to Claire from Where Next Adventures for finding this perfect spot for our return to Paris!

I said when we left Paris last time that if we came back with the kids I would book an AirBNB, but gosh I do love hotels. That said, it’s much more affordable to book an AidBNB as a family as opposed to two hotel rooms. Just be aware that many places do not have air conditioning if you’re traveling in late summer. 

Much to the delight of these Texans, we had wonderfully cool weather and found ourselves in sweaters most days.

ACTIVITIES:

The two things the kids were most excited about were the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. You should book tickets in advance for the Eiffel Tower otherwise you’ll have to wait in line for hours. You can book those skip-the-line tours, but they’re pricey and not necessary if you just book in advance.

Our First Day in Paris with Kids

We did the Eiffel Tower first thing after we landed. Well, we dropped our bags off at the hotel and had lobster rolls at Homer Lobster. Not very Parisian at all, but they’re delicious– we had them last time– and they’re quick and convenient. For the Eiffel Tower we had stair tickets so we climbed a million stairs and my calves were sore for days! Ha! After, we rode the carousel right there at the Pont d’lena and then crossed over the bridge and played at a small park there for a minute. It’s the Jardin d’enfants at Trocadero Garden. Afterwards we walked to Carette at Place du Trocadero for their famous hot chocolate with whipped cream– not to be missed! Afterwards, we walked back to Saint Germain, had dinner at Le Comptoir du Relais and were asleep by 7p.  I was armed with melatonin gummies on my nightstand should a child have awoken wide-eyed at midnight, but much to our delight we all slept 12+ hours and awoke the next morning.

Day 2: Paris with Kids

We started the next day with coffee and croissants from Cafe Malongo and then a walk to the Luxembourg Garden to play at the playground which did not disappoint. It costs a couple of euros and they're not open all hours, just two things to be aware of if you're planning a trip. The girls particularly loved the zip line! After, we picked up new art supplies from Rougier & Plé– colored pencils, leather pencil bags and small journals that all fit into their fanny packs. They were so useful to have at restaurants over the course of the trip! Next we had breakfast at Loulou’s– 10/10 recommend for charm and delicious breakfast and coffee. 

Visiting Montmartre

After that we took an Uber to Montmartre and started on the walking tour that I downloaded from Zoe at The Petite Guide. Our time in Montmartre was some of the best and most memorable of the entire trip! We didn’t plan to have the kids portraits done there, but we did and it was such an experience. Each girl chose their artist– there are so many different styles and mediums on display– so their portraits are very different, which I love! They run between 80-100 euros. 

Visiting the Louvre and the only Louvre Entrance You Need to Know About

Next, we headed to the Louvre. I still don’t exactly understand what happened to us at the Louvre but it was magic! We went to the Carousel entrance which we heard was better than the pyramid entrance but the line was still many hours long, even with having pre-purchased our tickets with an assigned entrance time. In the moment, we decided it wasn’t worth it and that we just wouldn’t get to it this trip. We were leaving the tuilleries and stumbled upon the Port des Lions entrance. It almost seemed like an employee entrance? You can’t enter with a large bag or helmet as there are no lockers and you must have pre-purchased your ticket, but there was not a single other person in line. It kept feeling too good to be true but we turned a corner and there was the Mona Lisa!

We grabbed Cafe Kitsune for coffee afterwards and meandered through the Palais Royale. It was a spectacular day!

I start to lose track of my days and itineraries here, but here are a few other things that we did and loved:

Paris Art Museums with Kids

I called this trip the Greatest Hits Art Tour of Paris. We didn’t stop on every floor or bother with the audio guides. We found the most recognizable and iconic pieces and plotted our path between them. One morning we started at the Musée de l’Orangerie 15 minutes before they opened. They open an hour before the D’Orsay– just a 10 minute walk away through the Tuileries– so we were among the first people inside the l’Orangerie to see Monet’s inspired water lily paintings in the two expansive rooms. It is such a must-see if you can get there before the crowds! It was raining so our dreamy walk through the Tuileries became an Uber ride between museums. Once in the D’Orsay, we went straight to the 5th floor for more Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Dega and, most importantly for our budding artist, Van Gogh’s Starry Night. We were able to do both museums in less than an hour and a half.

Centre Pompidou and the Children's Exhibit

On a separate day we did Centre Pompidou where Parker saw her first Frida Kahlo in person, among incredible other works. There is a children’s exhibition on the second floor where kids could manipulate these foam pieces into their own structures. The exhibition changes every six months and was very cool and fun for them. There’s a small chapel next door that we wandered into while we were waiting for our entrance time at Centre Pompidou and it was very beautiful. To note, you really have to have tickets and entrance times for almost everything right now in Paris. Centre Pompidou was the only place that really enforced the entrance time. We were early, not sure if it would have mattered if we had been late.

We spent a couple of hours one evening at the carnival in the Tuilleries doing everything from riding the ferris wheel to playing classic arcade games and letting the girls ride this little mini roller coaster. Aaron and the girls went through one of those fun house/maze type things and had the best time! The girls had cotton candy and so much fun!

Don't Miss Rue Montorgueil

One morning, on our way to Centre Pompidou, we just happened to pass by Rue Montorgueil. Once we started down the cobblestone street, I realized that I knew this rue from past recommendations. It was a paradise of food shops and market stands. The girls picked out the juiciest peaches and we marveled at all of the offerings. There was an entire shop devoted to tinned fish. The street was a special sight to behold and would totally recommend making it by here. It’s nearby Parisian Cafe Artisanal which was a great spot for hanging out and had delicious coffee and pastries. (Aaron voted this his favorite coffee in Paris, which is high praise for this discerning man!)

RESTAURANTS WITH A VIEW IN PARIS

There’s no shortage of restaurants with a view in Paris. Most of the lists will include some combination of :

• Monsieur Bleu
• Coco
• L’Oiseau Blanc
• Girafe 
• Les Ombres
• Le Ciel de Paris
• Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower
• Kong
• Calife
• Georges
• New York

Somehow Bonnie never seems to make the list, but we had the best experience AND the best view! Ever’s birthday was just a couple of weeks away and they sang Happy Birthday to her and delivered their take on a frozen snickers bar with a sparkling candle. It was such a core memory! They also served mac and cheese and had boneless fried chicken on the menu. After ten days of steak frites and burgers, it was the perfect last meal.

FANCIEST BATHROOMS IN PARIS

Being in Paris with kids means that you will inevitably see every bathroom in Paris. The good news is some are total showstoppers! I highly recommend using the bathrooms at Le Maurice (robots!) and Hotel Costes (gold swans!). We never had an issue finding a toilet. Even restaurants where we weren’t dining would gladly point us in the right direction when I inquired, “où sont les toilettes?”

WALKING WITH KIDS

We tried to walk most places. It’s just the most gorgeous city and the best way to take in all of the special details is with a stroll. When the kids would get tired we would either stop and take a break at a nearby cafe, coffee shop or even just a curb (pictured below) or hop in an Uber if we still had a considerable distance to go or were on a timeline. These girls walked between 5-9 miles every day that we were in Paris and were such good sports about it! Pack sneakers!

FOOD FOR KIDS IN PARIS

Our kids are typical American eaters, one more adventurous than the other. The great thing about Paris is that you can always find them a cheeseburger and fries! There was one afternoon where we had reservations for a pre-fixe lunch at Les Foodies and I just knew they were not going to be in the mood for a long and lingering lunch so we hopped across the street to Eataly instead. It felt like a betrayal to eat at an American Italian establishment in Paris, but honestly it was great and the kids were so happy. We ended with gelato and took a million pictures in the upstairs photo booth that are now some of my favorite souvenirs.

What to See in Paris with Kids:

• Eiffel Tower
• The Louvre
• Luxembourg Garden
• Centre Pompidou
• Musée de l'Orangerie
• Musée d’Orsay
• Saint Ouen Flea Market
• Montmartre and Sacre Couer
• Jardin de Tuileries and the Carnival

The Best Restaurants and Cafes in Paris:

• Square Trousseau
• Le Comptoir du Relais
• Chez Julien (pictured below)
• Kubri or Liza for mediterranean
• Mokonuts
• Hot Chocolate at Carette
• Bonnie
• Les foodies
• Eataly
• Le Bon George
• Cafe Francouer
• Pain Pain
• Breizh Cafe
• Pizza Chic

Our Favorite Coffee Shops in Paris

• Dear Jane (Pictured below)
• Boot Cafe in the Marais
• Partisan Cafe Artisanal- Aaron’s favorite!
• Cafe Malongo
• Cafe Kitsune
• Strada Cafe
• Fringe Coffee
• Saint Pearl

Best Shopping in Paris with Kids

• Art supplies at Rougier & Plé
• Poudre Organics Children’s Shop
• Shakespeare and Company
• Thanx God I’m a VIP
• BHV Marais
• Galleries Lafayette
• Bonton
• Le Bon Marche
• Tea Shop at Hotel Costes
• Merci
• Papier Tiger
• Frankie Shop

We had been home just a few days before I started a new Google doc. Spain, I decidedly typed into the title. Over the days and weeks and months since, I occasionally add to it: a small town on the Costa Brava here, a favorite AirBNB of a Conde Nast editor there. Jury is still out on whether or not we will head there this summer… decisions, decisions. One thing I learned this summer was to take the trip. At almost six and nine I had so many worries about the overnight flight, the jet lag, the walking, the list goes on, but it was truly a dream and I’m ready for our next adventure abroad!

In 2012, while living and eating everywhere possible in New York City, Alex Reichek started a blog. The site quickly became a repeat destination for readers across the globe as Alex parlayed her passion for the best restaurants and tastiest bites into a public relations career, representing some of the most talented chefs and well-known restaurants.

Today, she runs a PR, marketing, and strategic partnership company called Chekmark Consulting that focuses on food, hospitality, and lifestyle businesses in Austin. She was the obvious choice when we were thinking about who we could ask to speak on the best restaurants in New York City! Keep reading for all of her tops picks... and yes, I am tempted to book a flight just for that Sheeps Milk Cheese-Filled Agnoloti!

New York Food Scene

If you’re looking for new delicacies to hunt, consider the fact that just about every neighborhood in New York City has something to offer, by way of their food scenes. The city is one big melting pot and its food scene a catalog of foods new, classic, and globally inspired.

There’s truly something for everyone in New York‘s food scene.

via The Infatuation

via Open Table

1. Restaurant Marc Forgione - As a visitor, you might not spend much time in Tribeca, but it’s imperative you make it down here for this cozy, sexy, meal that will remain on your mind for months. You could say it’s fancy or you could just say Forge is a magician when it comes to his familiar food that tastes like an adventure. I always choose seafood, and the Halibut en Cruote with cauliflower is my favorite from any restaurant.

Lets be real, there’s a reason it’s called Proposal Sauce, and the true answer is because so many women have popped their heads in the kitchen to ask chef to marry them after devouring it! They should’ve waited until they tasted the 10 Minute Chocolate Chip Cookies or S’mores dessert in the end 🙂 Also, try the sizzling Chicken Under a Brick and the Hiramasa with the tricky Sechuan Button, I bet you’ve never had that.

via CATCH

via Instagram

2. CATCH or Blue Ribbon Sushi - Sushi is a must in New York. Whether you grab the affordable and fresh options for a quick lunch to-go or want something higher-end, there are endless options. The city has very respectable sushi chefs and omakase’s but I think the trendy experiences are more lively and thrilling. CATCH, located in the Meatpacking District is ideal for a ladies night on the town, bachelorette party, or a place to be seen. The tunes are bumping, celebrities flowing, and the dresses are out to impress. Get the Lobster Cantonese, Catch Roll, and save room for interactive desserts. For something still fun, try Blue Ribbon Sushi. Dive into the Sushi Sashimi Combination: the nigiri and sashimi pieces melt in your mouth.

via Prune

via Eater

3. Prune - This is a quintessential New York restaurant in the East Village. The pink chairs, handwritten menus, musty mirrors, tight tables give it personality. Chef Gabrielle Hamilton cooks from the soul using vegetables and ingredients that are in season and paying a lot of love with simple ingredients to create food you just want to eat! Go for the whole fish, creative vegetables, and wine. King is another newer restaurant on the west side that resembles this style of eating but a much smaller menu.

via Conde Nast Traveler

via Eater

4. Uncle Boons - I LOVE Thai food! This Nolita spot is ideal for groups wanting to eat well and simultaneously enjoy the dim lighting, wood panelling, scattered art and frames, and jungle like decor. I owe this restaurant for turning me into a curry lover instead of fearer! My favorite dishes are Mee Krob with Crispy Cauliflower, Khao Soi, Massaman Neuh with Boneless Beef Rib, and Rotisserie Chicken. They have family-style menus starting at $60 per person for large groups.

via Brooklyn Magazine

via Bun Boy Eats NYC

5. Lilia The reason to venture to Williamsburg is for Lilia! The natural lighting and airy space is relaxing and luxurious at the same time. The wood-fired Italian fare and homemade pasta is lighter than most yet still packed with flavor. Try Grilled Blowfish Tails, Lemon Spaghetti, Sheeps Milk Cheese Filled Agnoloti, and don’t miss gelato. Hey, if you’re lucky like me, your dining neighbors may share some of their dishes with you because everything just looks SO delectable.

via City Cakes

Have you tried any of these restaurants? Got any faves you'd like to share? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below! This post was originally published in 2019.

(This post was originally published in 2017. In light of all of the Quarantine babies that have been made, I thought it timely to revisit!)

I can not wait for you guys to read these tips for giving birth from some amazing experts in the field!

Giving birth is something I've been thinking about a lot, as you might expect.  These final weeks of pregnancy have had me reminiscing on Parker's birth and what this one will be like.  Gone is the naiveté of not knowing what to expect and instead my mind blows past all of the needles and machines and contractions to a place where all I can think about is this moment above, where we finally get to meet face-to-face, me and the babe I've been carrying with me since late last fall.  Will she look like Parker? Will she have hair?  What expression will she be making? I remember Parker's first expression as vivid as if it was yesterday.  As I found myself filling out the birth plan questionnaire given to me by my doctor, I decided it might be a good time to consult the pros and get some different opinions and tips for giving birth, the most ancient of practices, the one responsible for the continuation of the human race...

1. What are some common misconceptions about the child birth process and giving birth?

Christy Capet, MD (Austin Area Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Fertility):  It's a common misconception that labor is always fast, like in the movies. Lots of first time Mom's (and Dad's) think the first time a contraction happens or when their water breaks they should rush to the hospital by ambulance because they baby is coming any second! Labor is typically a long process the first time around average 14-24 hrs, occasionally longer in some circumstances. They stories you hear about women giving birth in the car or at home are typically after a woman has had a couple of children. They do tend to speed up but typically by then they know what to expect with how their body labors.  Another common misconception is that labor is predictable and/or controllable. Each patient, pregnancy, and labor can be different. Their may be certain complications that arise that necessitate modifications to birth plans.

Tif Greening, Amy Nevland & Cary Burtt - Co-owners of ATX Doulas: For some reason I don't think people really get how intimate of a process it is. It can be hard for a mama to progress when having friends and family in the room or hovering. I'm always surprised when mama's say "no one said it was gonna be this hard".

Jennifer Duxbury, via KC Parent, SAHM and writer: It's a myth that your second and third childbirth will always be easier.  The labor and delivery might not go as quickly or smoothly if you waited several years between pregnancies. Also, a c-section might be needed if your second or third child is not lined up in the birth canal properly or is larger than your other babies.

2. What are your thoughts on a hospital birth vs. a birthing center?

Dr. Capet: As an OB/Gyn that trained at the busiest obstetrical hospital in the U.S., averaging 42 deliveries per day in its prime from 2006 -2010, I wholeheartedly believe it is safest for mother and baby to deliver in a hospital setting. That being said, a hospital birth and a birthing center are often misinterpreted to convey what 'type' of birth one desires to have. One shouldn't equate a hospital birth with only a medicated delivery and thus a birthing center a natural or "unmedicated" delivery. I trained at Parkland Hospital and we had 3 labor and deliveries and 1 unit was dedicated to natural childbirth by midwives. One should associate a hospital with safety. You have all the capabilities of a birthing center (except a tub,- although some hospitals may do water births ours does not; we have showers for relaxations and pain management) with the added security that should something go awry we have the ability to make urgent interventions. In an emergency, time, training, and equipment can make the difference between life and death.

Beth Schwarting, Nurse Midwife in Oakland, California: The way we treat women in pregnancy and birth has come a long way from the dark ages of twilight sleep (think January Jones giving birth in Mad Men), forceps deliveries, and moms and babies being separated for days...but things still aren’t perfect.  The cesarean rate in most hospitals is much higher than necessary (reaching 34% across the country), and women are offered a variety of interventions that may offer little benefit and may be harmful in some cases. Some examples include not allowing women to eat or drink during labor, not allowing freedom of movement, and inducing labor for the sake of convenience.  Where you deliver your baby and who delivers your baby really can play a major role in whether you birth vaginally or by cesarean.  Consumer reports actually had a great article about this very topic.  But I’m not saying avoid a hospital at all costs! Many hospitals have obstetricians and midwives that support healthy birth practices What I strongly encourage, is you do research about your planned provider and hospital. The well-vetted website childbirthconnection.org has a list of resources where you can check things like hospital cesarean rates and other measures of quality care. Birth centers and birth at home are a wonderful choice for uncomplicated pregnancies. Women are usually cared for by a midwife and have the benefit of increased time for prenatal care visits and a relationship that builds over the course of the pregnancy. Wherever you plan to birth your baby, here’s a shameless plug for choosing a midwife. Midwives are committed to providing you with the information and resources you need so you and your baby can have the best outcomes possible.

Tif Greening: As doula I have to say that my thoughts are not really the ones that count. I am here to support my client: emotionally, physically and informationally. We love to support moms in all environments. Our goal is to educate and support. If we have mom's that are on the fence then we can share with them our knowledge and some resources for them to make a more informed decision.

3. Tips for giving birth - How important is it to have a birth plan before giving birth?

Dr. Capet: I think they are great! I pass out a 'Birthing Preferences form' and go over it with each one of my patients. The are helpful for a variety of reasons. First, it gets the patients involved and prepared for the labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Secondly, it helps guide the hospital staff to cater to your desires and needs. Our job is to help you achieve your goals so long as it is medically safe. Think healthy mom and baby = happy mom and baby! But keep in mind, a plan is just that, a plan. Always think of plan A,B, and C! They are not written in stone. Just because you said you wanted a natural delivery doesn't mean you can't change your mind and vice versa. The key to becoming and parent and of course parenting if flexibility!  Also, everyone tends to hyper focus on the labor process! Remember to keep in perspective that this 12-24 hrs is a very short window of time on the grand scheme of motherhood! I find that the real challenge for most moms is the "4th trimester" or 4th stage of L&D. Breastfeeding, sleep training, and maintaining healthy relationships with your spouse, partner, family and support system etc. Preparation for what happens immediately after birth is often overlooked.

Beth Schwarting: Researching and putting together a plan for the healthiest birth possible is a great idea. Sharing your ideas with your midwife or doctor should create dialogue and an open conversation. If your provider dismisses your birth plan or has a “no birth plan policy,” I’d say that’s a red flag.  That said, there is no way to plan all the details of your birth and a piece of paper will never be able to summarize the immensity of the experience.  A birth plan isn’t a guarantee that things are going to go a certain way (welcome to parenting!) but clarifying what is most important to you can guide you in choosing where you deliver and what kind of support you set up.  Here are two excellent websites with evidence-based research to help you make your plan:

http://www.lamaze.org/blog/birth-decision-guides 

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/maternity-care/ten-tips/

Tif Greening: Its a really nice exercise. It's a moment for our clients to ask specific questions and have a better understanding of what to expect... especially with the hospital process.

4. When should I go to the hospital?

Dr. Capet: For term labor precautions I like to use the 5-1-1 rule. No, this is not the telephone number you call in labor!! It means contractions every 5 minutes each lasting 1 minute in duration and for 1 hour. In addition anytime your amniotic fluid membranes have broken commonly referred to as "water breaking" you should go to the hospital for confirmation and admission. Of course there are other factors that warrant clinical evaluation such bleeding, decreased fetal movement, and preeclampsia symptoms (such as severe headache, elevated blood pressures, sudden onset edema in hands, feet, and face). Should you have any concerns you should contact your medical professional immediately for further instruction and advice.

Beth Schwarting: Labor is unique for everyone, it can last anywhere from a few short hours to over a day. Ideally you get to the hospital you are in active labor (when your cervix is thinning and dilated to several centimeters) – this is when your contractions get longer, more intense and more frequent. It will be very difficult to talk or concentrate on anything else but the contractions during active labor. A general rule of thumb about timing: For 1^st time moms, when your contractions are coming about every 4 minutes and last a full minute, and this pattern has gone on for at least an hour. If you’ve had a baby already, labor can be much quicker so consistent contractions every 5 minutes is probably safe.

Tiff Greening: It depends on what her goal is and if she is high risk at all. For a low risk, hospital birth where the goal is having a natural, vaginal birth, then we will try to support mama at home until she is showing signs of transition.

5. Tips for giving birth - What should I bring to the hospital? What do some people bring that I should really leave at home?

Dr. Capet: Pack like your are spending a weekend trip at a hotel: Camera, baby book, breast pump (bring yours so you can get comfortable using it and get education with lactation consultant if needed), robe/comfortable nightgown, toiletries such as face wash, toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner, phones and tablets and chargers, ear plugs, car seat INSTALLED.  The hospital should provide everything the baby will need except for a cute outfit to go home in and for pictures.

Beth Schwarting: Chapstick! Labor is a lot of work and you breathe hard. This makes your mouth feel super dry. So bring your favorite water bottle too. Of course hospitals have cups, but if you have a water bottle you always drink out of, you’ll want it!  If you’re a music lover bring a small portable speaker to sync up to your phone… Your favorite music can help you get through the hard parts of labor.  And don’t forget your charger!  Leave your skinny jeans at home. The first several days after giving birth, your uterus is still about the size when you were 20 weeks pregnant (at about your belly button). So bring comfortable (and stretchy!) clothes.

Tif Greening: To me less is more... there are a lot of resources at the hospital and leaving with a baby and many bags of stuff seems intense. Some cozy clothes to chill in after baby, toiletries, snacks, car seat... if you forget something I'm sure your partner or a friend can get it for you.

6. Any tips for a successful, drug-free birth?

Dr. Capet: Preparation is key! Labor is a marathon! A complete physical and mental challenge. You can't just wake up one day and decide your going to go out and run 26.2 miles! Likewise for labor. You need training and preparation. You need to be in optimal physical shape. Studies show that women who are physically fit have shorter labors and achieve spontaneous vaginal delivery more frequently then those who aren't.  Maintaining an active life style by achieving 10,000 steps/day is recommended with cardio/aerobic exercise. Additionally you should invest in natural child birthing class. These classes should focus on coping and relaxation techniques. Hypno-birthing and Empowered-birth ATX are some of my favorites locally.

Beth Schwarting:  Yes! Hire a doula! There’s really good research that shows having continuous labor support reduces the use of epidurals and other pain medications.  Labor is intense!  A doula is a well-trained professional whose job it is to support you and your partner physically and emotionally.  Even if you have a midwife (like I did), their main job is to ensure you and your baby’s health and safety. Although a midwife certainly cares about your emotional and physical comfort, they may be busy taking care of other families, especially in a hospital setting.  My partner was totally on-board for my plans to have a un-medicated birth.  He’s exactly who I want around when I’m exhausted, beat-down, or frustrated.  He’s also listened to hundreds of birth stories and has probably overheard more than a few phone conversations like “So is that a clear watery discharge coming from your vagina or does it look more like brown snot?”  So in many ways he'd be the perfect person to support me during labor.  But when it time for me to give birth to our son, I was so glad I had a doula with me.  I was really loud and vocal while simultaneously completely sucked into my internal world.  I barely opened my eyes for hours and spent most of the time in a dark bathroom. I was a drunken grizzly bear lumbering around, trying to crawl up the walls. I remember briefly looking at my partner and he really wanted to help. And he would have done anything.  But all I wanted was for him to know I was in a lot of pain, but I was also in a groovy rhythm from the hormones and I didn't want to come out of my internal world to think or talk. I was so happy to have the doula explain that the process was normal, we were safe, healthy and things were moving along fine.  He didn’t need to worry. I didn’t need to worry. Yes please, hire a doula.

Tif Greening: Have a supportive team and stay home as long as possible.

Wow!  What an amazing collection of tips for giving birth and even to help you enjoy the experience! I really hope these have helped you as much as they helped me!

Be sure to check out these other posts for more tips for giving birth and what happens after you have them!

Real Talk with Real Moms || Birth Stories

Real Talk with Real Moms || Going from One Kid to Two

Real Talk with Real Moms || Our Nightly Routine

I would love to hear what your birth experiences were like - what tips for giving birth do you pass on?  Be sure to leave me a note in the comments below!

I have very distinct memories of my first mommy and me experience when Parker was a baby. It was early summer and almost every mom had the same question: "Help! We are traveling soon and I don't know what to bring on the flight for the baby!" Now that Ever is a full blown 2 year old toddler and Parker is in elementary school, our list looks a little different. I also like to think that I have refined the list to near perfection after a couple dozen flights with the kids. Below is the packing list that includes exactly what I take on the plane for my kids now as well as my favorite carry-on backpack ever for traveling with kids!

(Here is the link for my travel backpack for those who have been asking! This post was originally published in February of 2020, the irony is not lost on me!)

First, just know that travel with children is like the hiking the Himalayas-- the highs are higher and the lows are lower. With every travel hiccup I've learned from my mistakes and try to do my best to prevent them from happening again, but they're inevitable. Sooner you can breathe through it and adapt to the situation, the happier you will be!

First a few frequently asked questions about packing for kids:

Can a child have a carry-on?

Yes! On most airlines, each ticketed passenger including children are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item like a purse. Be sure to double check with your airline first. I choose not to pack a separate bag for any child that can't or won't carry it themselves. It's more efficient for me to pack that child into my own back than for me to carry two separate bags.

Can you bring food on the plane?

Yes, you can take almost any food on the plane. The only rule is that it can't exceed 3.4 ounces of liquid material. I pack a lunch for the girls every time we fly and I have never had any problem getting it through security.

Can you bring your own water bottles on the plane?

Yes, I always pack each of us our own empty water bottle on the way to the airport. Once we are through security, I fill each of them up at the water station. It saves plastic bottles as well as $5 each on water!

The following items are exactly what I pack in my carry-on when I travel with my kids:

• empty water bottles that I fill up after security
• a bento box with real food
• headphones
• iPads
• extra clothes for Ever (2 years old)
• diapers
• wipes
• sanitizing wipes
• extra plastic bags
• tissues
• 2 board books
• stickers
• coloring activities
• gummies for bribes only!
• air pods (for me)

1. Empty water bottles that I fill up after security: We currently have these that I love, but I might get these because the slimmer shape will fit better in my backpack.
2. A bento box with real food: It's so easy to eat only sugar and carbs when you're traveling, but then we so often feel terrible. The same is true for kids! I try to pack their food for the plane like I do for school so that they also get plenty of fiber, protein and whole foods. I pack each girl a bento box and then have a couple other snacks separate that I can pull out. We use these and these for their bento boxes. Neither has ever leaked on us.
3. Headphones: I love the foldable headphones for space purposes. The volume range is also geared for kids so that they can't play their favorite shows at dangerously loud volumes.
4. iPads: Aaron and I pack our iPads for the kids. This will be Ever's first flight with an iPad. Any rules we have about screen time go out the window on a plane. We load them up with their favorite shows a couple nights before and make sure they're charged and ready to go before the flight. Make sure to turn the iPad completely off before packing in your carry-on bag. You would hate for it to turn-on while in the bag and drain the battery.
5. Extra clothes for Ever (2 years old): We probably should also pack a change of clothes for Parker, but at some point you do run out of space so we just pack extra clothes for our youngest and have never had a problem. For younger children, or potty training children pack a couple of extra sets. Parker notoriously pooped through three sets of clothes when she was 3 months old on her first flight. Must have been something about the elevation or cabin pressure!? It was crazy but she was dressed in just a t-shirt and socks by the time we landed!
6. Diapers: I pack most of our diapers for the trip in my suitcase and try to limit just what I'll need for the flight in my carry-on. One thing to note about changing a diaper on a plane: Always ask a flight attendant for a bag for dirty diapers prior to changing the diaper. They'll usually want to dispose of it in a separate trash can from the bathroom so that it doesn't stink up the entire plane. Change the diaper, drop in the bag, tie it up and then inquire about the best place to dispose of it.
7. Wipes: These are so multi-purpose! Perfect for sticky faces and hands as well as diaper changes.
8. Sanitizing Wipes: You might think this is crazy, but Aaron always stands in the aisle with the kids while I sanitize the entire row- seats, arm rests, seat belts, the windows and oh my gosh especially those tray tables! I also remove all of their seat back pocket memorabilia and put it away until we land so that they don't destroy it or contract the coronavirus. (JK, but not.) If I'm not traveling, you'll find me with those all-natural Whole Foods wipes. Not here! I go full on disinfectant when planes are involved!
9. Extra Ziploc Bags: I am so anti-single use plastic for everyday life, but sometimes on a plane you just need a Ziploc. It can come in handy for leftover food, dirty clothes, something that accidentally gets wet, dirty diapers and so many other things!
10. Tissues: I love these slim packs of tissues. Something about the plane brings out the runny nose in kids.
11. Stickers: Especially for toddlers, this book can provide so much entertainment. Plus, bonus points for exercising their fine motor skills. Each page of stickers is followed by a page where they can place the stickers.
12. A Board Book: Especially if I'm trying to get Ever to nap, having a board book is a way to maintain some of our nap time routine and give her those cues that she is used to.
13. Coloring Activities:I love these water coloring books for kids on a plane. They're a perfect mess-free plane activity and you don't have to worry about an entire pack of crayons rolling down the center aisle.
14. Something for Bribing: This will look different for every family but in our family it's the red packs of Annie's fruit snacks. I hide them away and pull them out only when I really need them.
15. Something for Consoling: Parker had a lovey that she adored at Ever's age so we never left home without it. Ever doesn't really have one thing that she's attached to that way, but she does love baby dolls so I try to always pack a small one for her.
16. Air Pods: It's laughable that the only thing I pack for myself amidst this sea of things is a tiny set of air pods! If the kids are content, I'll listen to a downloaded podcast, make notes on my phone or take the time to delete the photo bursts in my phone library that my kids leave me or other unnecessary data.

Airplane Activities for toddlers (ages 2-4):

• stickers
• water coloring books
• window clings
• lacing toys
• board books
• playdoh
• washi tape
• baby doll

Airplane Activities for kids (ages 5-8):

• stickers
• card games
• nail stickers
• coloring books + colored pencils
• origami book and paper
• beads and strings to make jewelry
• playdoh
• travel spirograph
• washi tape
• tablet with headphones
• highlights, national geographic and bravery magazines

Plane Snacks for toddlers and kids:

• goldfish
• veggie straws
• bowtie pasta
• popcorn
• tortilla chips
• cucumbers
• pretzels
• toast
• bananas
• grilled cheese
• cheese quesadillas
• fresh fruit
• kale chips
• hummus
• fruit snacks
• granola bars

My favorite travel backpack (featured!) is by Calpak

Photography by Katie Jameson

TRAVELING WITH KIDS? YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE POSTS:

How to Travel with Little Kids

What to Do in Washington DC with Kids

8 Tips for Taking a Family Trip

San Diego with Kids

What to Do in Mexico City, A Travel Diary

The Best US Cities for Fall Travel

Instagram is good for a lot of things. For example, it's good at reminding people exactly where you vacationed this summer... or last (#tbt!). It's also good for normalizing things that may have once been deemed taboo. I would like to make the case, though, that in a world of mega fast growth companies and even faster fashion, the app is best at giving us the ability to connect with the small, reputable brands who are still doing something really interesting in the (fashion) world. For example, my serendipitous discovery of the the brand Lizzie Fortunato. These Pietra Earrings are begging to be worn with my Alexander Wang jeans I bought that time I was supposed to buy a dress for an event (oops) and this Venice Heart necklace is the everyday-where-with-anything necklace I didn't even know I needed. Are you as obsessed as I am? Don't even get me started on the headbands. Keep reading for our full interview with the sister duo and some seriously sage style advice...

Tell us about yourself! What’s your name, where do you live, who do you live with, what do you do?

Lizzie: Lizzie Fortunato; I live in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn with my husband Peter and am the co-founder of my namesake accessories line (Lizzie Fortunato), which I started 11 years ago with my twin sister Kathryn.

Kathryn: Kathryn Fortunato, I live in Brooklyn, NY and work in Soho, NYC. I am a co-founder and the Director of Sales & Operations at Lizzie Fortunato.

What does a typical day look like for you?

L: As a small business owner, every day is varied and hectic and different however I usually get up around 7:00. If I don’t have morning breakfast meetings or obligations in the office, I’ll try to hightail it to a pilates or yoga class in Manhattan and shower and change there before heading into work. Once in the studio I’m constantly bouncing between my desk where I’m working on specs, design and development and the rest of the office; I check in frequently with the production team and make sure there are no hiccups with sourcing materials or getting pieces made and I also work with closely with our digital brand manager on instagram, collabs, and social so I’ll touch base with her throughout the day too. I’m out of the office often too; meeting with other designers, editors or friends in the industry and also visiting with suppliers and vendors in New York City’s diamond district. I’ll head up there to pick out beads and stones or to talk to a metalsmith about new designs, so in general it’s a lot of running around! On evenings when I don’t have obligations I usually work till 7 or 7:30, then I take the subway home to Clinton Hill where I’ll make dinner with Peter and if I’m not falling asleep try and read or watch TV (right now it’s Big Little Lies Season 2 & Killing Eve).

K: 7:15 alarm and pretty quick turnaround at home, I am good at dressing quickly (I like to think about my outfit the night before) and love to be in the office with a coffee combing through emails before the day gets too hectic. My days are a mixed bag of internal meetings (around our line’s production, wholesale strategy, direct e-commerce business, upcoming look book shoots – we think about it all!) and running around NYC – where we still do over 75% of our line’s production.

(woven bag, Lizzie Fortunato)

Tell us about your daily uniform:

L: Most often it’s high waisted denim or white jeans with Tretorn sneakers or sandals and a solid color top. I wear a lot of white button downs, black tanks and striped Ts and accent these basics with accessories (layered necklaces are a go to for me!) and a blazer or jacket. And if I’m craving something not so basic then I just love a leopard print!

K: I am petite so I love a high-waisted tailored pant cinched with a Lizzie Fortunato belt (I live in our belts, I keep 3-4 at home on rotation). I wear a lot of solids because I dress up my look with statement necklaces or earrings but if I am going to wear a print then I choose a robe or trench style from Dries van Noten.

Never say never. But I don’t do a lot of athleisure. And I don’t wear jeans to the theatre.

Have you always had a very strong personal style point of view? How has your style evolved over the years?

L: Completely yes. I remember spending a lot of time getting dressed for school even as an elementary school student. And I’ve also always been passionate about clothes. I had a pair of yellow jeans when I was about 10 that I was in love with... I think I probably wore them a few times a week; I would pair them with a white poets blouse and I thought I looked amazing! In high school, I made a lot of my clothes and in college, when I started making jewelry more seriously, I was always accenting my outfit with something I’d created. I think my style has perhaps gotten simpler over the years because I’m so busy running a business and bouncing all around the city. I’m not a huge shopper, but I’m really into investing in wonderful basics (the perfect pair of jeans, fabulous black boots, a white Row boyfriend blazer that I always come back to) that I can then differentiate with my accessories. I’m all about sophisticated, simple pieces that I’ll own for a very long time and really good jewelry to compliment those pieces!

K: Well unlike Lizzie I started my career on Wall Street. Lizzie used to joke that I did not know how to get dressed (even for a fun dinner) without wearing a blazer – so needless to say I still have a lot of blazers in my wardrobe, but cool ones! I think I’ve always erred towards a clean, classic and “neat” aesthetic, maybe as a result of my early days in a super corporate environment. Since becoming a creative entrepreneur I think my style has become a bit edgier and since becoming a mid-30-something (from a mid-20-something), my style has become more sophisticated and mature (less skin is cooler!).

What’s the one thing you own in multiple color ways?

L: Hmmm … Nothing! I am really not a huge shopper and am into buying better and fewer. Actually,  I own a handful of striped shirts. You’ll see me in a striped T (most recently, from Kule) and jeans a few times a week.

K: Lizzie Fortunato Georgia Belts

What’s one thing we will never find you wearing?

L: Never say never. But I don’t do a lot of athleisure. And I don’t wear jeans to the theatre.

K: Stretch pants except to a workout class.

Favorite place to shop in New York?

L: John Derian, Primary Essentials and DeVera for homewares and inspiration. Rachel Comey on Crosby for great clothes I’ll wear on repeat. Bergdorf Goodman for Dries Van Noten (my favorite). And Illesteva for glasses frames.

K: We just moved the Lizzie Fortunato Studio (open to shop by appointment!) to a magical little strip of south Soho where there is still a lot of really great retail (that has not been completely edged out by the mass market stores). I love the Apiece Apart store on Broome Street and Clic Gallery right next door. Around the block is the NYC-outpost of the amazing home store Primary Essentials (they’re original location is in Brooklyn) as well as a few other favorites: Kirna Zabete for high fashion, Oroboro for cool clothing finds and Warm boutique for surf-inspired “cool” attire. All of these are truly in a 5 block radius!

Best style advice you could give to someone who is struggling with their personal style?

L: Buy less and buy better. A well-made, nicely tailored piece in quality fabric can make you feel like a million bucks.

K: Dress for your body! Well made clothes can be flattering on any body type and it’s a matter of figuring out what works for you. And invest slowly but surely in classic and well-made pieces; the cost of fast fashion on the environment and the people making it is really bad and not worth the 1 month you might enjoy the piece.

Enjoy this post? Be sure to check out all of our My Daily Uniform features!

If you've been here for awhile this is going to be old news to you, but if you're new here let it be known that I think outerwear is one of the best wardrobe investments. In the winter months, if the temperature drops below 50 you will rarely see me in anything else. Think of them as your outfit's way of making a good first impression. Keep reading for all of the best coats I tried on for winter! Which ones are your favorite?

Neutral Plaid Overcoat, dRA

Faux Fur Coat, Soia & Kyo

Quilted Jacket with Pockets, Mango

Water-Repellent Quilted Coat, Mango

Leopard Coat, J.Crew

Teddy Sherpa Coat, J. Crew

Quilted Parka with Hood, Mango

Faux Shearling Long Coat, Mango

Forest Green Wool Cocoon Coat, J.Crew

Jeans, Levi’s || Shoes, Huma Blanco

Photography by Katie Jameson

Enjoy these posts?! You can see all of our try-on sessions here!

You might have noticed that we beat the Texas heat for the cooler temperatures of Santa Fe, New Mexico last month. We were already planning to drive to Colorado and figured a stop in this city that we fell in love with in 2018 would be the perfect spot. The last time we stayed in Santa Fe, we split our time between a rental home and the Four Seasons Resort and decided to opt for the Four Seasons again this time. I received a lot of questions about the hotel in my DMs and figured this favorite spot of ours deserved an entire breakdown.  (For more, check out our What to do in Santa Fe post and 5 Best Restaurants in Santa Fe.)

Why we love Santa Fe for family trips

In some ways, Santa Fe is not the most kid-friendly city. For one, many restaurants don't offer high chairs. Not just high-end restaurants either, cafes and burger joints, too. Secondly, there don't seem to be a lot of kids in Santa Fe. The demographics of the city skew older which could be a reason for Santa Fe not feeling overly accommodating for kids. That said, don't let this deter you! Santa Fe is one of our family's top places to go together! There are an abundance of easy hiking trails that allow kids to stretch their legs and test their bravery. There is a deep-rooted history and expressive Native American culture found here that allows for a meaningful learning experience. There are new flavors for kids to taste and an ample amount of art from Georgia O'Keefe to Meow Wolf for young, curious minds to explore.

How to get to Santa Fe

You can fly directly into the small Santa Fe Municipal Airport from hubs like Phoenix, Denver and Dallas. From other airports, it's an easy flight directly into Albuquerque followed by a quick 45 minute drive to Santa Fe. For this trip, we actually drove the 10 hours and 45 minutes from Austin, stopping overnight in Lubbock, Texas. 

What we love about the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado

Like I mentioned earlier, we first stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Santa Fe in 2018, when Parker was 4 years old and Ever was 10 months old. We had already been in Sante Fe for 5 nights and were contemplating if the trip was too long. The moment we arrived on the property, though, we fell in love. Here's why...

The Room

During both of our trips we have stayed in the Sunset Suite which is an incredible option for families! It's a casita style space that boasts a spacious primary bedroom with a large bathroom and over-sized soaking tub. The bathroom is so big that we easily rolled a full-size crib into it for Ever to sleep in during our first trip when she was a baby. The bedroom is separated from the living area with two big double doors. 

(Girls' ribbed knit sets from La Paloma)

The living area is complete with a small table and chairs, wood-burning fireplace, a kitchenette, half bathroom and a sleeper sofa where both of our girls slept this time. Both the living area and the bedroom have double french doors that open to the same large patio complete with a fireplace, hammock, table and chairs, and chaise lounges. The design feels minimal-modern-southwest and the overall vibe feels like a restful retreat. (And oh my gosh, the bed is so comfortable!)

(You can check out the video room tour saved in my Santa Fe Instagram highlight here!)

The Food

This is not your typical hotel fare. We met the new chef at Terra, the restaurant on the property, on our first night and cannot say enough about the delicious things we ate that evening. There was a fresh-from-the-garden tomato salad with citrus and watercress, a shrimp paella that was bursting with flavor and so many other delicious bites. When Parker mentioned that she loves strawberry lemonade, they whipped a couple up fresh for her and Ever. 

We ate at Terra every morning for breakfast and loved the variety. Aaron said their omelettes were "perfect" and the Huevos Rancheros that I ordered every morning was among the best I've ever had. There were so many options for the girls, too! They loved the blueberry pancakes best– crispy on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle! Perfection!

The Pool

The pool at the resort is up at the top of the property near the fitness center and yoga room. We've never found it overly crowded or busy and love ordering food and drinks there in the afternoon, especially after a morning of hiking! The pool cabanas were new for us this trip! You can reserve them for certain hours and enjoy food and beverage service. I highly recommend ordering the shrimp tacos and Parker would say the same about the strawberry lemonade! 

The girl's swimsuits are Bella Bliss for Frances Valentine

My swimsuit, J.Crew || My favorite white shirt, Grayson

The Property

The idyllic 65-room resort is set on 57 rolling acres in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Santa Fe. It's just a 15 minute drive to downtown Santa Fe and the square of shops and restaurants, but feels much more removed. Both times we have visited, life seems to slow down in the best possible way when you're on the property. All of our meals  are eaten outside and the girls regularly adventure off the patio collecting pinecones and other "treasures" while Aaron and I finish our meal and chat. The sunsets and sunrises from our casita patio are epic.

Pro tip: Hit up the firepit after dinner for complimentary s'mores by the fireside!

Above: my dress, Sezane || Ever's look, The Dopple || Parker's dress, Zunie Kids

S'mores looks: my skirt, Jenni Kayne || Ever + Parker, The Dopple

The Guided Adventures

During both of our Four Seasons Santa Fe stays we have signed up for a guided adventure. This time our guide was Joe and we explored the Tsankawi Prehistoric Site at Bandelier National Monument. It was a beautiful hike through the unexcavated prehistoric sites, past wildflowers and up and down a pair of wooden ladders. 

While we've done plenty of solo hikes with the kids, it's really cool to do it with a local who has experience in the trails and can speak to the history, plants and landscape of the area. Joe is on the Santa Fe Search and Rescue team and well versed in all of the area's trails! He was a wealth of knowledge about the area! We enjoyed his company so much and so did the girls. Ever took to calling him Uncle Joe for most of the day! Joe taught Parker about lichen and she has enjoyed pointing it out to us on hikes in Texas and Colorado ever since.

Current favorite legging, Lululemon || Always favorite sneaker, Hoka Bondis

The People

At least a dozen times during our three days in Santa Fe Parker exclaimed, "The people here are so nice!" It's true. Everyone we encountered at the Four Seasons resort was so warm and welcoming, in a calm and low-key way that makes you feel like you've met relaxed and like you've met before. The service and hospitality is truly unmatched!

Until next time, Santa Fe!

Have any questions for us? Leave them in the comments!

Photography by Aaron Pinkston

Many thanks to the Four Seasons for hosting us!

As an Austin native, Ashley Landheer knows her restaurants... She also travels the world non-stop while working remotely. She is the epitome of effortless cool. For years Ashley lived only a short drive away from this European-style ski town, so naturally Aspen is her favorite winter destination. We caught up with her recently and asked her to dish on the best restaurants in Aspen! Keep reading for Ashley's favorite places to dine in town! (PS. Did we forget one of your favorite places to dine in Aspen? Leave it in the comments!)

Aspen A Great Place For Foodies!

Aspen has become quite the foodie hub. This beautiful town tends to get a lot of press for its Food and Wine Classic, but there are so many under-the-radar nooks and great things to do year-round to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. The food and beverage scene is fun and spans from simple pleasures to amazing dining.

Best Restaurants In Aspen

1. Clark’s Aspen

Clark’s is my number one favorite dinner spot in Aspen! It has it all-- great service, phenomenal food and amazing cocktails. The interior design is a dream, and the fireplace makes it extra cozy on those snowy Aspen evenings. The lobster roll is a summertime favorite, especially when paired with a glass of rosé. On chillier evenings, the clam chowder is a good move. 

2. Matsuhisa

If you are looking for a restaurant with a sexy vibe, Matsuhisa, the namesake restaurant of chef Nobu Matsuhisa, is the place to go. It's the perfect spot for a date night or girls night! Have the server choose the dishes for the table, they alway curate the best combinations. The Crispy Rice with Tuna is not to be missed. Also, the Seabass with Dry Sake is incredible. Truly every bite on this menu is meant to be savored. 

3. White House Tavern

The White House Tavern resides in the historic A.G. Sheppard House at 302 East Hopkins Avenue. The house was built in 1883 on a lot purchased from Isaac Cooper for $300. It's a great casual spot for both lunch and dinner. Try and get a table outside if the weather is nice. The crispy chicken sandwich is life changing! The Gulf Coast Style Fish Sandwich is pretty fantastic, too! You can also order an array of bites and shareables for the table like Peruvian Chicken Meatballs and Deviled Eggs!

(Image via Rowland + Broughton)

(Image via Reagan Byrne)

4. Steakhouse No. 316

If you're looking for a true traditional steakhouse with an incredible menu, Steakhouse No. 316 is the place to go in Aspen. Think red velvet tufted booths and barely there mood lighting. The building was once a brothel, but now plays host to a different crowd year round. Insider tip: Steakhouse No. 316 has a great bar menu. Pair the Steak Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Fontina with the Alpine Summer Apertif. This is also a great spot for hosting large groups or parties. 

(Images via 303 Magazine)

5. French Alpine Bistro

The French Alpine Bistro is a local gem. It’s a cozy candlelit hideaway in the mountains that transports you from Aspen to France. Upon entering you'll be greeted by rustic decor, cozy sheepskin draped throughout the space, and antiques covering the walls. There's no better place to spend a cold night than at the bistro with a bowl of French Onions Soup, Mussels and Frites or the Wagyu Burger.

(Image via Aspen Wedding Guide)

(Image via Zagat)

After Dinner Drinks In Aspen, Colorado

After a delicious meal, you want a tipple or two! Jimmy's is an institution. You can stop by for one of the best cocktails in the city. If you fancy mezcal, Jimmy has the best selection in the state. Jimmy has pushed the envelope for mezcal and tequila for years. Stop by and ask him to walk you through a couple of his favorites. You won't be disappointed! If wine is your gig, Jimmy has a great, well-balanced wine list with gems from all over.

Aspen Food And Wine Classic

Aspen's culinary reputation may be most recognized by the Aspen Food and Wine Classic each June. It's well worth the trip back in the summer! Join celebrity chefs, renowned winemakers, and epicurean insiders for a spectacular weekend June 19-21, 2020 at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen. This premier culinary event consists of three incredible days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and panel discussions led by world-class chefs and wine experts. It's well worth the visit!

Top Tips For The Best Restaurants In Aspen

• If you want a cozy place to eat, you can't go wrong with Clark's or the French Alpine Bistro.
• Going out for a date night? Matsuhisa is the place to go, a seductive atmosphere and a lovely romantic ambiance.
• Looking for a casual lunch? Pull up a seat at the White House Tavern
• Want the best steak in town? Head to Steakhouse no. 316!

Check Out These Other Great Restaurant Guides

The Five Best Restaurants In Nashville

Where To Eat In Austin

5 Best Restaurants In Vancouver

Where To Eat In Australia

PS. Enjoy this post? Check out all of our best restaurant guides here!

I'm no stranger to a meal plan. Every Saturday afternoon like clockwork Aaron takes Ever upstairs to put her down for her nap and I settle in with my laptop and a homemade oat milk latte, ready to tackle the plan for the week. With no shortage of food blogs and digital recipe publications, though, why does it feel like I always reach for the same weeknight meal ideas?! I posted something to this effect on Instagram stories and two types of responses came flooding in.

Your Favorite Weeknight Meal Ideas

The first were your own weeknight recipes ideas, the staples that find their way to your table week in and week out. The second, often times from the same person, was the same cry for help that I was experiencing. A few dozen "please share!s" later and I was editing this post. Almost all of these weeknight recipe ideas came from you guys on Instagram, with a few of my own are peppered in. Did we miss a favorite of yours?! Leave it in the comments!

Sheet Pan Crispy Salmon and Potatoes

This sheet pan supper will show you just how quick and simple it can be to get a salmon dinner on the table any night of the week

via The Kitchn

Sesame Chicken Noodle Stir Fry

It’s quick and easy to make, as you might have guessed from the title.  It’s made with a zillion veggies from my CSA, like broccoli, carrots, and bright bell peppers.  It’s made extra-flavorful with a simple sesame-soy-ginger sauce.

via Gimme Some Oven

Artichoke Ricotta Flat Bread

Cheesy, artichoke filled flatbread that's so easy to make!

via Half Baked Harvest

Skillet Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs

These Skillet Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs are an amazing one-pan skillet meal. A mouth-watering recipe done in 30 minutes with only 262 calories per serving!

via Joyful Healthy Eats

BBQ Tofu-Stuffed Pita Pockets

These delicious BBQ tofu-stuffed pita pockets let you keep vegan on a budget. Even if you're not vegan, these little pockets of yumminesswill be a hit!

via Brit + Co

Veggie Curry

This curry is quick and easy to make and packed full of veggies. Made with summer squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, carrots, chickpeas, and coconut milk served over farro.

via Food 52

Baked Potato Bar

Create a Baked Potato Bar for your next party, potluck or tailgating event. It’s a fun and festive way to feed a crowd, and the topping possibilities are endless.

via Platings and Pairings

Crack Slaw

This is hot, fast, easy and loaded with everything good for you protein and veggie-wise. What a way to get in your vegetables!

via The Kitchen Magpie

Sausage and Bell Pepper Skillet

This is pretty much the easiest of easiest 5-Ingredient weeknight meals. Aside from the minimal ingredient list, the actual process of putting this together and getting it on the table is pretty much the easiest thing ever.

via The Defined Dish

Baked Pasta with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

This is a dream of a baked pasta dish — not too heavy, not to rich or gooey, tons of crunchy edges.

via Smitten Kitchen

Turkey Meatballs with Garlic and Pesto

Turkey meatballs with pesto and garlic are seared and simmered in a rich and delicious tomato sauce. serve over a bed of spaghetti, it’s the perfect dinner

via Cafe Delites

Korean Pulled Pork Tacos

This korean spiced pulled pork + kimchi is the best combo ever! A real crowd pleaser!

via The Defined Dish

Asian Quinoa Meatballs

Healthy, nutritious and packed with so much flavor. Perfect as an appetizer or a light dinner!

via Damn Delicious

Five-Ingredient Trader Joe's Tacos

Easy, delicious and perfect for weeknights meals!

via Cup Of Jo

Turkey, Green Bean and Basil Stir Fry

Another satisfying Whole30 dinner made with 5 ingredients!

via The Defined Dish

Spaghetti Margherita

If it's summer and you’re thinking of every way to avoid turning on the oven, but not eat a sandwich or salad! Making Spaghetti Margherita involves the stove top, but only for a few minutes.

via A Bountiful Kitchen

Sheet Pan Chicken Chili Lime Fajitas

An easy sheet pan dinner filled with restaurant style chicken fajitas, peppers, and a zesty chili lime seasoning. Be sure to serve with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.

via The College Housewife

Shrimp Scampi

You won’t believe how easy this comes together in just 15 minutes – perfect for those busy weeknights!

via Damn Delicious

Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo

There’s lots of hidden greens in this Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo. It’s a complete meal and only takes 15 minutes to make. A leisurely 15 minutes – no rushing, no pulling out every appliance in your kitchen. This is a really simple but really tasty dinner that only requires a handful of ingredients.

via Recipe Tin Eats

Italian Sausage Soup

Italian Sausage Soup with collard greens, white beans and diced tomatoes. Your entire family is going to love this easy to make hearty soup, and even better it’s only 180 calories a serving!  This creamy soup is dairy free, keto and low carb.

via Brooklyn Farm Girl

Greek Lemon Chicken Bowls with Sizzled Mint Goddess Sauce

Bringing you all some springtime vibes with these Greek Lemon Chicken Bowls with Sizzled Mint Goddess Sauce. Grilled Greek chicken (or roasted), served bowl style with orzo, roasted peppers, avocado, feta cheese, cucumbers, and the most deliciously addicting sizzled mint goddess sauce. It doesn’t get easier or more delicious than this grilled chicken…simple, quick, extra colorful, super flavorful, and so delicious. The perfect dinner to serve any night of the week!

via Half Baked Harvest

Grilled Chicken with Peanut Sauce

Chicken with Peanut Sauce is like chicken satay without all the work of skewering. Delicious grilled chicken is drizzled with a spicy Thai peanut sauce.

via Platings and Pairings

Veggie Spring Rolls

These veggie spring rolls are fresh, flavorful and fully loaded! They’ll take just 20 minute to throw together and will stay fresh in the fridge all week. Don’t even get me started on this creamy, dreamy tangy peanut sauce – you’ll want to put it on everything!

via Midwest Foodie

Pan Seared Salmon with Balsamic Glaze

Fresh salmon, pan-seared, then oven-roasted to finish – topped with a delicious balsamic glaze, This Glazed Salmon Recipe is SO GOOD!!

via Kylee Cooks

Chicken Biryani

A luxurious delight known worldwide and loved by all. Beautiful melange of chicken layered with long grain basmati rice and then slow cooked (dum) to perfection. Presenting to you today, the most easiest and the best Chicken Biryani recipe you will firmly adore.

via Cubes N Juliennes

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma with Sesame Sweet Potatoes and Hummus

Middle eastern seasoned chicken, roasted with sesame sweet potatoes, and served up bowl style with hummus, fresh naan, arugula, and even some feta too. This quick cooking, easy sheet pan dinner comes together in just about an hour. It’s colorful, healthy, and beyond good.

via Half Baked Harvest

Easy Weeknight Meals To Add To Your Weekly Meal Rotation

It's so easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to evening meals, but these recipes are really straight forward to make and and it's a great way to try new things and add variety to your week. Be sure to bookmark this page so when you are looking to try something new, you have a whole heap of recipes to chose from!

Weeknight Meals You Are Cooking!

What I love most about this list, is that they were all suggested by my Instagram followers! People, just like you are making these meals every night and they are so good they are happy to recommend them! Thank you so much to everyone for sharing your favorites with me!

Top Tips For Weeknight Meal Prep

• Prep in the morning. For easy weeknights, dinner plans should begin in the morning. Jean said that the best way to save money at the grocery story is to only go once a week. This means that some of your week's protein — raw chicken or beef — will be in the freezer. Start off your day by taking frozen meat from the freezer to the fridge for defrosting.
• Practice 'double dipping'. Once the family finishes off a healthy dinner, wrap up dinner leftovers and put them in the fridge for tomorrow's lunch. In one easy step you've cleaned up dinner and packed tomorrow's mid-day meal.
• If you really want to get more bang for your buck, double the recipe so you'll have plenty to bring for leftovers — and also freeze to eat at a much later date.
• Get creative! Plan delicious variations using the same recipe base. For example, when making a giant batch of meatballs. You can use them throughout the week in different recipes, like meatballs with spaghetti, meatballs on tortilla pizzas or meatball kebabs with roasted veggies.

Check Out These Other Meal Plan Ideas

• The 5 Day Vacation Detox Meal Plan
• Dinnertime and Meal Planning as a Family of Four
• The Double Everything and Freeze It Meal Plan
• How to Prep 3 Days of Lunches in less than 1 Hour

I always love hearing from you, so if you have a favorite I haven't covered here, be sure to leave me a note in the comments! I loved compiling this list and discovering more great recipes!

Without fail, come January I always feel in need of a detox. After weeks of cookie baking, festive dinners and general merriment, I find myself craving clean recipes. I have played around a bit with this one and feel like this is the perfect time to share it. It's full of clean, bright and nutritious ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your kitchen. Even better? Make the lemon garlic chicken marinade in the morning and you'll be able to make this dish in just 30 minutes come dinner. For a real treat, make this gluten-free bread to go with it and allow the bread to soak up all of the delicious sauce!

How to make this Healthy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a small bowl whisk together avocado oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, garlic, turmeric, cumin, rosemary, salt, and pepper.  
• Pour the lemon garlic marinade over the chicken and allow to sit for a minimum of 1 hour.
• Place chicken in a cast iron skillet (or an oven safe pan) along with the wedges of onion, lemon slices, and extra rosemary sprigs.
• Pour about half of the marinade over the chicken and onions.
• Place chicken in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. (About halfway through the cook time, I like to spoon some of the marinade from the pan over the chicken to baste it a bit and to keep it moist.)

Notes:

I served this with roasted spicy rainbow carrots (olive oil, cumin, chili powder, cayenne and salt/pepper, roast at 375 for 20 minutes) and fresh arugula salad (so simple-just add salt, pepper and olive oil).

Why is this Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe healthy?

It starts with turmeric which, be warned, will turn everything in your kitchen bright yellow if you’re not careful. But it’s not just known for its bright color, this ingredient has been credited with fighting inflammation, is a powerful antioxidant, and may give your brain a boost. If that’s not enough, I’ve teamed it up with lemon and garlic, each known as natural immune system strengtheners and cleansing to the body. This is not a trendy “clean eating dish”, it will actually help cleanse you from the inside-out! Not to mention the flavors are so delicious and satisfying. Even my husband the sceptic (and not a fan of lemon) thought this dish was the perfect palate refresher after our vacation.

Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe

This chicken is cooked in a skillet which is placed in the oven, which makes it a great option for a weeknight meal, there's no standing guard at the stove top! It's a really tasty dish with very little prep time, you just have to let that tasty marinade do it's thing!

Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

I used chicken thighs for this recipe, I find them much more flavorful and they tend to stay nice and juicy. You can substitute them for chicken breast if you prefer, just keep an eye on them so they don't overcook.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade

This lemon garlic chicken marinade is full of clean, nutrient dense ingredients that give the chicken so much flavor! To make the marinade, whisk together avocado oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, garlic, turmeric, cumin, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Chicken can be marinated for as little as 1 hour or as long as 24 hours. I like to make it in the morning while the kitchen is still dirty from breakfast and allow it to marinade for about 8 hours before I start dinner.  

Lemon Garlic Chicken Instant Pot Recipe:

This lemon garlic chicken recipe does well in an Instant Pot as well. Follow the instructions for the marinade and reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure.

Top tips for making this chicken recipe:

• Let the chicken marinade for at least an hour, longer if you can.
• Let the chicken come up to room temperature before you cook it and it will stay nice and tender.
• Cook the chicken in a preheated oven for the best results.
• Let the chicken rest for ten minutes before serving it.
• You can use this lemon garlic chicken marinade to make lemon garlic chicken wings as well!

Be sure to check out these other delicious and easy chicken recipes

Whole30 Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe

Simple Grilled Chicken Pineapple Kabobs

Gluten Free Crispy Chicken Wings with Garlic Teriyaki and Buffalo Dipping Sauce

 Smoked Chicken and Cheddar Quesadillas with Pico de Gallo

If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a star and let me know what you though in the comments below!

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Detox Lemon Garlic Chicken with Turmeric

This is not a trendy “clean eating dish”, it will actually help cleanse you from the inside-out! Not to mention the flavors are so delicious and satisfying.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword garlic chicken, lemon chicken, turmeric chicken

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

marinade 1 hour hour

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 3 servings

Calories 491kcal

Author Jen Pinkston

Ingredients

• 1 lb organic chicken thighs breast will work too
• 2 tablespoon avocado oil
• 4 tablespoon fresh organic lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoon raw honey
• 3 cloves organic garlic chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried organic turmeric
• 1 teaspoon organic rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ tsp. ground pepper
• 1 small onion cut into wedges
• Lemon slices for garnish
• Rosemary sprigs for baking

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a small bowl whisk together avocado oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, garlic, turmeric, cumin, rosemary, salt, and pepper.  
• Pour the turmeric marinade over the chicken and allow to sit for a minimum of 1 hour. (If marinating for longer, cover and place in the refrigerator. Before cooking, allow the chicken to come back to room temperature.)
• Place chicken in a cast iron skillet (or an oven safe pan) along with the wedges of onion, lemon slices, and extra rosemary sprigs.
• Pour about half of the marinade over the chicken and onions.
• Place chicken in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. (About halfway through the cook time, I like to spoon some of the marinade from the pan over the chicken to baste it a bit and to keep it moist.)

Notes

I served this with roasted spicy rainbow carrots (olive oil, cumin, chili powder, cayenne and salt/pepper, roast at 375 for 20 minutes) and fresh arugula salad (so simple-just add salt, pepper and olive oil).

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 896mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

Photography by Chase Daniel

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