We had the best time in Switzerland with our friends from college and I think we've officially found our new mountain weekend spot! After talking with our friends, we realized we had all purchased flight deals to Europe around the same time in September so we planned to meet up in Wengen (VEHN-gehn), Switzerland. 

|Outfit Details: Under Armour ColdGear Leggings, UnderArmour ColdGear Long Sleeve Shirt, UnderArmour ColdGear 1/2 Zip Pullover, Abercrombie & Fitch Fleece, Columbia Wool Socks, Sperry Duck Boots, Chloe Sunglasses (similar here), Lo & Sons The Claremont Camera Bag

We stayed at two different hotels which I loved from a travel planner perspective because I was able to scope out two places for the blog! I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

Dan and I stayed at Hotel Caprice which has epic views of the mountains and a divine onsite restaurant, where we met up with our friends for dinner on the first night. We had drinks on our balcony later that night and I guess we were a little loud because the neighbors complained. Oops, sorry neighbors!

Candace and A.D. stayed across the street from us at Hotel Falken, which is this amazing historical hotel that A.D. had visited on his last trip here. We had drinks at their place on the last night and I was falling in love with all of the beautiful details, including gorgeous antiques and photos of the property from the early nineteen hundreds. Also, like everywhere in Wengen, the views are gorgeous.

Wengen is such an adorable mountain town. There are no cars allowed and it is perfectly small, so that it is easy to walk into town to hang out at the pub or eat out at the various restaurants. On our first morning, we met up with our friends at the Coop to prepare a picnic for our journey to the Jungfrau (Yoo ng-frou) Top of Europe, named for being the highest railway station in Europe.

The journey includes taking a cable car from Wengen to Mannlichen, hiking (read: walking at a high altitude) to Kleine Scheidegg, taking the train from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfrau Top of Europe, returning to Kleine Scheidegg, and finally taking another train back to Wengen. You can and should buy all of your tickets on the day of your travel because weather can be a factor.

I won't lie to you, it is not a cheap trip. We determined that the Swiss Half Fare Card would be the best deal for us, which provides 50% off all qualifying train and cable car trips within Switzerland. The Jungfrau website does a good job of detailing all of the different prices and methods of getting around the region. We also worked with someone at the SBB customer service desk in Geneva to purchase all of our train tickets and determine what would be the best deal. 

All costs aside, the panoramic vistas throughout the entire journey make the trip more than worth it! I was so amazed and could not stop taking pictures. Luckily, our friends like taking pictures too. 

The weather changed very quickly on us. We would see clouds one minute, then clear blue skies, then suddenly we would be enveloped in snowfall. It made for a very exciting journey and we seriously had so much fun. 

The first opportunity to refuel and refresh is at a little restaurant along the trail with amazing views, an outdoor patio, and a observation tower. Further up the trail is Kleine Scheidegg station where you will find more food and drink vendors, picnic tables and bathrooms.

This is where we decided to have our picnic, and A.D. tried the bratwurst and sauerkraut too. We had intended to make a photo of our picnic, but we were suddenly famished and the altitude was beginning to make its impact. We ate quickly and then purchased our tickets for the train up to Jungfrau. 

The train drops you off inside a cave and you wander through the various paths to the scenic overlook. Inside the caves are many exhibits including an Ice Cave with ice sculptures and many artistic and historical tributes to the engineers and workers that built the railway up to the Top of Europe. 

There are two main outdoor overlooks which provide absolutely breathtaking views. Be warned that it is absolutely freezing, though. The weather kept changing from partly clear skies to cloudy and snowy with high winds.

I waited patiently for clear skies so that I could take better photos and I think it almost gave me frost bite! I was warmly dressed but had somehow forgotten gloves which would have been helpful while taking pictures. Luckily there is an indoor area which is heated.

We were all chattering and chilled to the bone by the time we left. On the return trip to Kleine Scheidegg the train conductor handed out delicious milk chocolate which was the perfect pick me up. For our last meal in Wengen, we ate at a restaurant called Pasta & More which definitely hit the spot as we were starving. After sharing drinks back at Hotel Falken, we said farewell to Candace and A.D. and packed up for our early morning train ride to Lake Como. 

Switzerland, you were a dream! Eventually, I will come back and stay for more than two nights. 

Fall in Houston is really more like a mild summer. When the true summer heat finally let up in October last year, Dan and I drove 30 minutes south to finally explore Brazos Bend State Park. We've been in Houston for five years and yet had not heard much about the park. Then a friend attended a barbecue there and returned raving about how beautiful it was. 

The park is a tribute to the Southeast climate including 37 miles of beautiful Spanish moss covered trails and many lakes where over 200 alligators and various other wildlife live. It is a great place for hiking (read: walking), biking, horseback riding, fishing and picnicking with family and friends.

We arrived around golden hour and paid the $7 per person fee to enter. Then we parked by Elm Lake where there were many picnic tables and families enjoying the beautiful weather. We walked around Elm Lake towards the observation tower at 40 Acre Lake where you can easily spot the alligators. (See the trail map here)

We didn't have to walk far before we spotted our first alligator. I was actually taking a picture of something else and the alligator casually swam into the frame disguised by the algae covered water. I was totally surprised! 

Apparently the alligators can be found on the trail, so you're advised to stay at least 30 feet away and of course no swimming in the lakes where they live! You can bring your dogs but they recommend keeping them on a leash.

In our case, all of the alligators we saw were thankfully at peace in the water. As the sun began to set, we headed back to complete the loop around Elm Lake and get back in the car. I wouldn't want to hang out there after dark with wildlife (including some ginormous spiders) on the loose, but camping is an option for anyone who's up for it!

There is also an observatory on the property that you can visit on Saturdays from 3pm-10pm. We went on a Sunday, so we'll just have to go back to check out this awesome feature! I definitely miss being able to see the stars after living in cities for so many years. 

|Outfit Details: UnderArmour HeatGear Leggings (I swear by these!), Loft tank top, Columbia hiking boots, Target round tortoise sunglasses

On our recent trip to Europe, I left the last day completely open and unplanned. I am so glad we found our way to Ghent, Belgium because it is now one of my favorite cities.

We were flying into Paris from Greece, so I gave Dan the option of staying in Paris one night and catching the Eurostar to Brussels for our flight home or spending the night in Ghent, a popular university town thirty minutes north of Brussels. When we arrived at Paris Gare du Nord, of course, Dan picked the option that gave us more time to get to the airport the next morning.

He definitely made the right decision. Ghent is such a beautiful town, especially in early Fall when we were there. The city is marked by the rise and fall of medieval courts, whose history is preserved in the architecture around the city. It is also a biking city, which I think helps keep the city so clean. Seriously, the number of bikes we saw was incredible. 

We booked a last minute stay at Hotel Carlton, which is conveniently located right near the train station. The owners of the hotel are brothers and could not have been more accommodating. They provided maps of the city and went over all of the key spots to see.

We didn’t arrive until evening so we rushed out into town to try and catch the last light. We walked through this gorgeous park called  . Then we followed the river through town to the stunning facades of the Korenlei and Graslei, two streets that run along the river and are lined with the pointed row houses Belgium is known for. 

We continued on along the river towards Gravensteen castle. The castle is open for visitors and you can actually climb to the top of the tower. Unfortunately, we had arrived too late in the day so we simply admired from the outside.  

There is plenty more to see and do in Ghent, but I have to say it was perfect for the little time we had. As we walked through town, I noticed several cute cafes and shops that I would love to explore on another trip when we have more time. When we go back, we’ll be sure to rent bikes to ride around the city, spend more time learning the history, and drink wine along the Korenlei and Graslei like the locals do.  

|Outfit Details: Fab'rik Bohemian Maxi Dress (old, similar here and here), Lo & Sons Camera Bag, Target Nude Wedges (old, similar here, here and here)

A few weeks ago, we went back to Atlanta for a friend's wedding in North Georgia. While we were there, we made a special stop at some sunflower fields (see here) and hung out with a few of our favorite people. 

We stayed at the Loews Atlanta Hotel right near Piedmont Park and Cafe Intermezzo. I was proud of myself because I brought workout clothes and actually took advantage of the amazing gym in the hotel. The concierge was also really nice about helping me return my Rent the Runway dress via UPS drop box. 

On our last day, the weather quickly dropped into the 30's. I was lucky that I had brought enough tops to layer up and a classic trench coat which actually kept me pretty warm. After checking out of the hotel, we walked next door to enjoy gourmet hot chocolates and one last meal with our friends at Cafe Intermezzo.

I remember the cafe being a popular date spot in college for specialized hot drinks and an amazing selection of desserts. The interior is cozy and intimate, and a tribute to the European coffeehouse in hopes that Americans would slow down and enjoy.

I tried the Deluxe White Hot Chocolate, and learned that you have to wait for the white chocolate chips to melt and stir them into the drink to make it extra sweet. Afterwards, we said goodbye to our friends and walked over to Piedmont Park to enjoy the fall colors. 

Finally, we checked out the popular Ponce City Market. Make sure to go with an empty stomach... and someone who likes to shop (*ahem*). Keep scrolling for my full list of things to do in my old stomping grounds. 

|Outfit Details: Cuyana Mini Saddle Bag, Kate Spade Sunglasses, Pink Sweater (old), WAYF Lace Top (sold out, similar below), Paige Cropped Jeans, A&F Classic Trench (sold out, similar below), Kate Spade Black Boots (old, similar below), Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote 

People have asked, so here is quick list of things to do for someone who has never been to Atlanta. This is all on TripAdvisor, but I've added some (hopefully) helpful annotations.

Things to do in Atlanta:

• The Belt Line: a walking and biking path through Atlanta. A good starting point is from Piedmont Park and head south. There is limited street parking or you can pay to park at Park Tavern.
• Ponce City Market: a luxury shopping and dining center in a historic building. You can drive and pay to park or access via the Belt Line. There is a rooftop restaurant with views of the city, as well as, a rooftop overlook, but the overlook area is sometimes booked for private events.
• Piedmont Park: beautiful park which usually has events going on including Music Midtown in September, great for a run or walking the dog to the dog park, and you can grab a drink at Park Tavern.
• Virginia Highlands: This is a cute neighborhood with great restaurants and shops. Check out the new Empire South boutique that my friend owns! 

Eat & Drink: this is pretty much the main activity here. I'm not a local anymore and was honestly never the person to ask for restaurant recommendations but here are a few I can vouch for. 

• JCT Kitchen and Bar
• Cypress Street Pint and Plate (for the buffalo chicken sandwich)
• Taco Mac (for the cheese dip I've been eating as an entree since high school)
• Fellini's on Howell Mill Rd (this is my favorite pizza place, try the white pizza and the house salad with the house dressing)
• Six Feet Under (ironically a rooftop seafood spot with views) 
• Einsteins, The Nook, West Egg Cafe, Tap, Joy, or Egg Harbor Cafe (for brunch)
• Waffle House, preferably on Tech square (if you don't go here after a night of drinking, did you even go out? Please eat a grilled cheese, a chocolate chip waffle, and hashbrowns smothered and covered for me!)
• Little Trouble (speaking of going out, this place is all the rage, pics or it didn't happen)
• Ormsby's (for some classy fun)
• Victory Sandwich Bar (a fun spot off the Belt Line to drink a Jack & Coke slushy, snack on some gourmet popcorn, and play some games)
• Sweetwater Brewery
• Flip Flops (an Ace from the Real World original; try the jet fuel, lol)
• King of Pops (started as a little popsicle stand and now they have a permanent spot at Ponce City Market and Inman Park, both accessible from the Belt Line)

Things to do once or on a weekend trip:

• Georgia Aquarium: a really nice aquarium with Whale Sharks, Dolphins, Penguins and more. 
• World of Coca Cola: worth a visit at least once for the sampling room to try every type of coca cola product in the world.
• SkyView Atlanta: a classy ferris wheel on the edge of midtown and downtown with great views of the city. 
• Jackson Street Bridge: if you're a Walking Dead fan, this is where you can find the classic view.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden: I've honestly never been here, but it's bound to be Instagram friendly. 
• Fox Theatre: beautiful theatre for catching a show; we had formals here in college.
• High Museum: Atlanta actually has a pretty great network of artists, home to an incredible art school, SCAD. You can usually always find great exhibits at the High Museum if you're into museums. I saw the Terracotta Soldier exhibit here a few years back. 

Day/Weekend Trips:

• Historic Savannah: this beautiful historic city has plenty of fun things to see and do. It's close to some great beaches and waterfronts, as well. 
• Dahlonega/Helen: an old mining town, known for tubing the Chattahoochee river in the summer and hosting Oktoberfest in the fall. Check out nearby Amicalola Falls as well.
• Blue Ridge: classic mountain town, perfect for a cabin getaway. Check out Mercier Orchards and try the fried apple pie! Downtown Blue Ridge offers some great restaurants and a scenic train ride. 

In college, we always looked forward to our annual fall mountain weekend with friends in North Georgia. Since graduating we've tried to maintain the tradition, though it's gotten more challenging with all of us moving to different cities.

Last year we decided to sway from our usual destination of Blue Ridge, GA and rented a cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN instead. Dan and I flew into Nashville early and stayed for a night. (read here). Then we drove three and half hours to meet our friends at the cabin.

Pigeon Forge is a popular family vacation destination and a great home base for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains which border Tennessee and North Carolina. Driving through the park is absolutely gorgeous in the fall.

There are several hikes and waterfalls to explore, a beautiful valley called Cade's Cove, and endless scenic overlooks. We spent most our time just catching up with our friends at the cabin, but we did split up one night to explore the area.

Dan and I drove with another couple to Clingman's Dome which has some of the best views of the mountains, as well as, the leaf peeping in the fall. The drive is beautiful, although we kept getting carsick because the road is so curvy through the mountains.

After parking at the top, its about a 20 minute walk/hike up to a tower that offers the best scenic overlook of the mountains. It is understandably crowded with families and photographers during sunset. It was so beautiful though and I'm glad we were able to see a little bit of the Smoky Mountains on our trip.

Afterwards we met the rest of our group in downtown Pigeon Forge, where they had been riding the various amusement rides like go-carts. One of the go-cart parks is even lit up at night to look like Rainbow Road in Mario Cart. 

Downtown Pigeon Forge reminds me of the strip at Panama City Beach with several amusement park, themed restaurants, old time photo booths. We tried and failed to find a photo booth open after 9PM. We did find some great barbecue though at a place called Bennet's BBQ.

Have you ever spent a weekend in the mountains? Let me know where we should have our next mountain weekend! 

Last fall on our way to our annual mountain weekend getaway with friends, Dan and I stayed an extra night in Nashville, Tennessee.

I found the cutest Airbnb (see here) in the beautiful Belmont area, where we were only a five minute Uber ride from the live music strip on Broadway Street. We were also conveniently located within walking distance of 12 South Street.

Here we found plenty of great restaurants and shops including the flagship Draper James store where I was offered sweet tea and lemonade while I shopped Reese Witherspoon's southern style. The instafamous "I Believe in Nashville" mural is located in the alley next door.

As it was late October, we also happened upon this adorable pumpkin patch. This post looks basic, I know, but when you live in summerland (read: Houston, TX), fall and winter become seasons of nostalgia for cooler temps, fall style, and yes, pumpkin patch photoshoots. Nashville satisfied all of those things and more. 

|Outfit Details: Target Floral Dress (an old favorite, similar here and here), Dolce Vita boots (also my favorite, but old– similar here and here)

Last weekend we had an event to attend in Dahlonega, Georgia, so on our drive up from Atlanta we stopped at Fausett Farms Sunflowers.

I have been wanting to see the sunflower fields ever since our first trip to Tuscany, where we saw endless fields of sunflowers in late July. Unfortunately, we did not have time to stop and explore on that trip, so when I learned about Fausett Farms I knew we had to make a stop. Who knew that you could find sunflower fields in the fall?

I had planned to get there around five in the afternoon to be sure we were there in time for golden hour, but of course Atlanta traffic delayed us just enough that when we arrived the sun had already set behind the mountains. Despite the low light conditions, we still had so much fun photographing the endless rows of flowers against a fall colored backdrop.

Fausett Farms is a family owned sunflower farm that opens to visitors in late September to tour their 13-acre property. They even offer a fun, open trailer ride through the sunflower fields. It only costs $10 per car to visit and you can buy sunflowers which are cut right from the fields for $1 per flower. We took a bouquet to our event host who loved them! 

The farm updates the status and location of the sunflowers that are in bloom on their website and Facebook page, so be sure to check there before you go. It is also really close to the beautiful Amicalola Falls, Burt's Pumpkin Patch, the North Georgia Premium Outlets, and downtown Dahlonega, so it would be easy to make it worth the 1.5 hr trip from Atlanta for a full weekend of fall activities.

|Outfit Details: WAYF white lace top (sold out, similar long sleeve version here), AG Adriana Goldstein Jeans, Dolce Vita boots (old and my favorite boot ever, similar here and here)

The W Bali in Seminyak was the luxurious escape we didn’t know we needed. After giving Ubud our best (read here, here, and here), we honestly could not handle the heat and wanted to head back to the beach. I found a great last minute deal at the W Bali and hired the sweetest driver to take us there that night.

The customer service was incredible, every staff member seemed to be clued into our every need. I think my unintentional RBF even earned us a room upgrade and two free meals. After checking in after dark, we found our way to the chic lounge for a night cap.

Every space at the W is designed for lounging and intimate relaxation. The bars are filled with couches looking out over the stunning pool and crashing waves. The pool is surrounded by several round love seats and white canopied cabanas that are available for all guests to enjoy. There are even cushy bean bags to float on in the pool... although good luck getting one once the kids arrive. Yes, somehow the W caters perfectly to both adults and kids. 

We loved the location in Seminyak for the vibrant beach sunsets, the tasty cafes and boutique shopping. Both Cafe Organic and the Fat Turtle are amazing options for breakfast and right across the street from the hotel. Although you will need to take a shuttle to the street, which is about a ten minute walk from the lobby. 

The W Bali takes security very seriously. Every car and bag is inspected thoroughly upon arrival through the stunning bamboo tunnel. Then the car is allowed to proceed down a long and beautiful stone driveway which is purposely bumpy to offset any danger before it ever reaches the building. 

Finally, the rooms were wonderful, with the largest open rain shower I’ve ever seen and an equally large soaking tub. The W Bali is a beautiful property with flawless attention to detail. I am so thankful they were able to take care of us at such late notice.

|Outfit Details: Nanette Lapore Swimsuit, Marc Jacobs sunglasses, Kendra Scott Earrings, Gottex Bow Sunhat, Boutique Starfish Necklace (old, similar here and below), Lilly Pulitzer Navy Swing Dress (old, similar styles below), Gianni Bini Nude Wedges (old, similar styles below).

Sekumpul Waterfall(s) was the most amazing place we explored in Bali. I don’t even want to tell you about it because I want it to stay clean and clear of tourists forever. I felt like I was walking through a real life version of Rivendell (cc: LOTR fans).

We only had time for one full day excursion from Ubud, with a choice between the popular Mount Batur sunrise hike or the absolutely stunning Sekumpul Waterfall. I doubt you can go wrong with either, but I am absolutely happy with our choice.

The waterfalls are located about two hours north of Ubud in a very small village. Once you get there via a driver, you are strongly encouraged to pay for a guide. At first we were annoyed by this and felt like it was a scam, but in the end I couldn’t be more grateful.

Our guide had a broken arm in a sling and we were really worried about whether he was up for the trip since we are really fast hikers. He ended up being the sweetest guy who was thrilled to meet Americans, pester us about our politics, and offer detailed information about the waterfalls and the surrounding foilage which included mangos, guava, and aromatic plants like cloves and ginger.

He was also helpful in guiding us across rivers and taking our pictures– one handed! The path begins with a steep stairway down into the jungle with several vista points of the many waterfalls. At the bottom, there is a bridge to cross the river which forks between the two waterfall areas.

To the left is the most powerful waterfall I have ever seen, I can’t believe I was allowed to swim under it. We had to cross a pretty strong current to get there. The mist was so strong that I had to put my camera away and use my iPhone instead. 

To the right is another set of waterfalls and the trail is pretty nonexistent. We navigated across rocks and streams to get there. It was such an unbelievable experience swimming in these wild waterfalls, especially since it felt like we had them all to ourselves.

We had already had a full day visiting the Tegalalang Rice Terraces (read here), but if you leave early and head straight to Sekumpul, there are also several other waterfalls in the area and a famous water temple that you have probably already seen the gates of all over Instagram. A good guide will know how to get you there.

I highly recommend Made from Hire Bali Driver (+62 819 3311 6036). If he is unavailable, he will arrange another reputable guide for you. I emphasize this point because our original driver that came with our Airbnb (read here) left us with a really poor impression. He charged outrageous prices (for Bali), got lost on the way to each destination, and never offered any information or tips about any destination.

We probably would have seen a lot more if we had been with our first driver from Villa Campuhan (read here) who we absolutely loved or our third driver (via Made) who took us to Seminyak and was so sweet. Both of these drivers were so eager to teach us about Bali and offered several times to stop so we could take pictures. Please, learn from my mistake and make sure you hire a reputable driver because it can change your whole experience. 

In any case, these waterfalls will leave you speechless. I hope you get to experience them in person, but shhhhh, remember it's our secret!

|Outfit Details: Love my Nanette Lapore swimsuit! A few styles are still available and on sale shown below!

Everyone I know from Charleston tells the same story about their first time in the city. They visited, fell in love with the city, and decided they had to live there. With this in mind, I was curious to see if I would have the same reaction. One of the greatest things about Charleston for me is how close it is to some of the best east coast beaches.

Sullivan's Island is the clear favorite, so on a late Saturday morning we set out on our cute turquoise bikes from Zero George. We biked across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, through the adorable Mount Pleasant neighborhoods, and finally arrived at the long stretch of Sullivan's Island beach. The bike ride is about 10 miles and took us about an hour. The hardest part is just biking up one side of the bridge, but then you pick up so fun speed riding down the other side. 

I was surprised at how nice the beach was at Sullivan's Island. It was big and clean, perfect for a long walk on the beach or spending a day under an umbrella watching the waves roll in. We only put our feet in the water which was perfectly warm. I would have loved to spend the whole day swimming and relaxing on the beach. 

However, as we turned to snap a picture of the lighthouse from the beach, we noticed that a huge dark cloud had rolled in behind us. It was clear that we were about to get soaked. In hindsight, we should have just hung out at one of the many great restaurants on the road to the beach. We saw a clearing behind the dark cloud, though, and we ambitiously thought we could make it to the other side of the dark cloud before it started to rain. 

We were wrong. We barely made it to low land marshes of Sullivan's Island before we were caught in the storm's fury. The rain poured, lightning flashed, thunder cracked and rolled, and I pedaled my heart out soaking on my little bike.

Finally we made it to a condominium community under construction where the gates were open and we were able to take shelter under the elevated frame of a house. I was worried about keeping my Sony A7Rii camera dry and luckily, thanks to my new Lo & Sons leather camera bag, it was still in perfect condition.

We waited out the storm for half an hour, playing Garth Brooks "The Thunder Rolls" on Dan's phone. When the rain finally let up, we continued our journey back to Charleston. Sure enough, as we returned to the bridge, the skies were perfectly clear and blue again. 

We had an early reservations at The Ordinary which we knew we would need to cancel at this point. After taking a hot shower back at Zero George, and changing into some dry clothes, we were so thankful that The Ordinary was still able to squeeze us in at 7:30PM. It was truly one of the best meals we had in Charleston (read the Charleston Restaurant Guide here).

Now, we look back and laugh about our run-in with a storm on Sullivan's Island. I still think this was one of my favorite days. I love how bike friendly the city is and could easily see myself living in one of the perfect southern homes on Mount Pleasant. Dan and I both used to live near a beach and would love to live close to a nice one like Sullivan's Island again someday. As of now we are staying put in Houston, but we're glad to know that there are places like this out there.

|Outfit Details: Look #1 - A&F pink floral romper (old, similar styles below), Marc Jacob sunglasses, Target sandals (old, similar here), Lo & Sons camera bag, Look #2 - boutique pink shift dress (sold out, similar here), Club Monaco pink espadrille heels, Bali round rattan bag

Charleston is very well known for its fabulous restaurant scene. In fact, when I was researching things to do, dining out seemed to be the most popular activity.

Following this realization, I texted local friends in a panic because eating is really not my specialty. I am picky and take more pleasure in dressing up for dinner than actually eating or preparing it.

Additionally, Dan is not a big seafood eater and seafood seems to be the primary special on most of the menus. I was feeling helpless when it came to picking restaurants off of Yelp since every restaurant seemed to tout their oysters or shrimp and grits as the most popular dish. 

With the help of friends and some thorough research, we found our way to some of the most enjoyable meals we've ever had. Here is a list of the places we ate at and a few extra restaurants that we did not get to try, but friends assured us offered an amazing dining experience. The pictures are a mix of the Sony A7Rii shots and my iPhone 6S, since we try to actually enjoy our meals together instead of letting them get cold while I snap photos.

1. Black Tap Coffee: I couldn't pass up a visit to Black Tap Coffee when I see it featured on Instagram on a daily basis. We biked here on our way to Sullivan's Island. I had the popular lavender latte, which I meant to get iced, but the hot version is prettier anyway. It was good, but it didn't really taste like lavender to me. I don't know, I think it might just be good marketing because they know us basic girls love lavender. I think I was expecting something similar to the purple taro latte that I fell in love with in Bali. In any case, it was the perfect coffee shop and we both enjoyed sipping our drinks paired with a breakfast treat. The quiche was actually really good, too. 

2. Poogan's Porch: I liked Poogan's Porch so much, that we ate here twice. It was friendly and non-pretentious and it offered all of the southern food I was expecting, instead of the sometimes overeager foodie kind.

Our first visit was for brunch in there darling upstairs dining room. We drank many mimosas, and enjoyed a typical American style breakfast with eggs, bacon, grits, fruit, biscuits, chicken and sweet potato waffles... you know, the works. 

For our second visit, we made a reservation for dinner. We arrived early and enjoyed a drink at the bar downstairs. Then, we were seated upstairs on the outside patio, which I was grateful for since it was quieter.

If you know me, then you know that I always order the salmon if it is on the menu. The sweet tea salmon (sorry for the iPhone pic) was perfectly cooked, marinated and hit all the right flavor spots paired with creamy rice, asparagus, and lemon herbs. Dan said his steak was perfectly cooked as well. 

Make sure to stop by Poogan's Porch, you'll feel right at home.

3. The Ordinary: This was by far my favorite meal of the trip in the gorgeous interior of a former bank building. I should have put it first in the post, but Dan has a strict "no camera during dinner" policy, so I was only able to squeeze in a few iPhone 6S photos. 

We had an early reservation, which we cancelled after we got washed out on Sullivan's Island (funny story, read here), but they were still able to fit us in at the oyster bar when we arrived at 7:30PM. I actually loved getting to watch all of the oysters shucked and the guy working the oyster bar confirmed all of my order choices. Our waiter was super fun and helpful with the menu, as well. 

We started with a fun series of cocktails. Dan happily enjoyed the steak since Saturday is Steak Night, while I ordered a series of small plates. First, I asked for two of their smallest raw oysters, which came with four different sauces and a lemon. They were perfect and fresh and I tried really hard to get Dan to order one too. Sigh.

Next, I ordered the snapper ceviche, which the guy behind the oyster bar grunted his approval at and assured me that he had prepared that fish earlier and it was perfect in every way. I had never tried ceviche before and was intimidated by the fact that it is not cooked, just cured in citrus juices. Good lord, was it amazing, though. It honestly just tasted like the freshest guacamole ever, served with chips.

Finally, I finished with two fried oyster sliders, which I mean, I just keep staring at the picture and it is only an iPhone photo! Yum, get in my belly, and other Instagram captions. 

4. Husk: In full disclosure, we did not eat here, but the restaurant is too pretty not to post. This fine, southern style restaurant is very, very popular with tourists and locals alike. They also have a very nice space for grabbing drinks with friends.

People swore up and down to me that this place was worth visiting and I just couldn't get past the Pig's ears on the menu... not my thing. I'm looking at it now, though, and I'm thinking that I should definitely give the menu a shot next time, if only just to have a table in this beautiful restaurant for an hour or so. Also, many of these restaurants locally source their menus, so I really think that the fall harvest menu is where the magic is made. Stay tuned!

P.S. Husk is right next door to Poogan's Porch, so it was really easy to snap this picture.

5. Leon's Oyster Shop: This insta-worthy lunch spot was further away than we expected it to be on King Street, so we had to take a 10 minute Uber. The normally packed patio was empty because of the intense noon time heat, so we almost left thinking it was closed! Once inside, though we knew we had come to the right place.

I had already had my fill of oysters, so instead we tried the avocado toast, the siam salad, and the famous fried chicken sandwich. My favorite was the avocado toast. Also, I feel like I need to warn my fellow bloody mary fans, as it was just not right. In fairness, I probably should have ordered the more popular Frosé... yes that's right a rosé slushie. I was already fairly out of sorts from the night before, though, and this sounded like an extended hangover. 

6. Poogan's Smokehouse BBQ: I had a craving for Carolina style barbecue on my last day in Charleston. Back home in Texas, barbecue means three huge servings of meat and the sides are extra (and not very good).

In every other southern state I've ever enjoyed barbecue in, it means varying styles of pulled pork and the most delicious three sides you have ever tasted. I live for the sides! My go-to's are usually cole slaw, mac and cheese, and baked beans.

Luckily, South Carolina knows how to barbecue and I found my way into Poogan's Smokehouse BBQ on my walk back from the waterfront. I ordered my usual pulled pork, but switched up my sides to try the creamiest white cheddar grits and perfect bacon roasted brussels sprouts. 

7. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream: If you like ice cream, you will love Jeni's. There is a reason there is a line to get in, well actually two reasons. One is that it is definitely a touristy spot, right on King Street, and the other is that it is delicious.

Confession: I actually have been (failingly) avoiding dairy all year, but people will not shut up about this place, so I broke my diet for the thousandth time because lavender ice cream is just something I need to try in this life. Spoiler alert: it tasted more like berries with a lavender essence...still tasty though, especially after the insane Charleston humidity.

I also tried the Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Chips and the Sweet Cream, because they reeled me in with their cute trio flight serving size garnished with a waffle cone.  Their flavors change all of the time and right now they have a Churro, a Sweet Potato with Torched Marshmallow, and a Pumpkin Spice that are making me want to plan another trip to Charleston.

8. The Restoration: We met friends here at the popular rooftop bar and had the best time... maybe too much fun. It was not too crowded and the drinks were great. 

Other restaurants our local friends swear are amazing:

• Zero George Restaurant (see my post on the hotel here): fine dining, reservation required, great for special occasions. We knew we didn't have time for this lengthy five course meal, so this will have to be something we try next time. 
• Cannon Green: Zero George's sister property for a classy meal in a great space. We actually tried to go here but it was closed for a private event. Next time!
• Chez Nous: cosy French restaurant, fine dining, reservation recommended, great romantic date spot.
• SNOB (Slightly North of Broad): southern and low-country, fine dining, reservation recommended. Tell them about any special occasions to be hooked up with some freebies! Our friends went here for their anniversary and raved about it.
• The Darling Oyster Bar: trendy seafood spot on King Street, great for oysters.
• Magnolia's: refined southern cooking, reservations recommended, great location in historic Charleston. I'm looking at pictures of this place now and wishing we had squeezed it in, it looks so good!
• Hall's Chophouse: popular steakhouse, reservations recommended. They also have something called a Gospel Brunch which sounds heavenly. 
• Indaco: Italian, you know because apparently there are other choices besides seafood and low country fare. Our friends love this spot because its "near all of the fun bars."
• Butcher & Bee: popular for breakfast and brunch, great for lunch and dinner too, not downtown so will need an Uber/Lyft.
• Callie's Biscuits Hot Little Biscuits: this one should be self-explanatory.
• The Grocery: described as a great neighborhood spot with an innovative, seasonal menu. It looks like a foodie place to me, but the brunch does look delicious.

One of my favorite things about Charleston is how easy it is to walk or bike to all of the gorgeous sights. Similar to Europe, the emphasis on historic preservation has ensured that the city maintains its original charm including the colorful, seaside row houses.

On our first morning, we set out to explore from our home base at Zero George, a gorgeous boutique hotel you can see more of here. After a delicious breakfast at Poogan's Porch, we walked the short distance to East Bay Street to find the famous Rainbow Row, a series of thirteen colorful historic homes. Then we walked a few blocks down to Waterfront Park to find the iconic Pineapple Fountain.

According to Charleston Mag, one of the pineapple's many associations with Charleston stems from the custom of early sea captains who would spear a pineapple at the entrance of their home to signify that they had returned safely from their trading expeditions and the home was open for visitors. Today, the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and welcome, which can be found in the decor around the city. 

I certainly felt welcome in this southern city and found myself dreaming of what it would be like to live in one these gorgeous homes. As we walked along Waterfront Park, we also found a stunning view of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and fisherman leisurely fishing from the docks of the Charleston harbor. I wish I lived this close to the water so that I could get my daily dose of the sea breeze. 

Which house would you pick in historic Charleston?

|Outfit Details: A&F chambray romper (sold out, similar here), Lo & Sons Claremont camera bag, Marc Jacobs sunglasses, Target navy striped sandals (old, similar here)

On my first trip to Charleston, Zero George Street was the obvious choice for our stay. As I've mentioned before, I am a big fan of finding boutique hotels that provide a unique local experience. I felt right at home in this beautiful enclave of classic Charleston homes and carriage houses.

We loved spending the warm summer mornings on the patio sipping coffee (or tea in my case) and eating the yummy bag of chocolates they left for us each night at turndown. During the day, we borrowed there trendy turquoise bikes to cruise around town. One day we even rode across the bridge to visit Sullivan's Island, an adventure you can read about here.

Charleston is a very bike friendly city so we found this to be our favorite way to get around, even though everything is within walking distance. Zero George is perfectly located about a ten minute walk to all of the classic sites like the Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park, the colorful houses of Rainbow Row, and all of the great shopping and dining found on King Street.

At the end of the day, we were grateful for the large rain shower and luxurious bath products to wash off the humidity that the Deep South is known for. Plush white bed linens ensured we rested up for the next day of activities. The friendly staff made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our stay.

We had dinner plans with friends at other restaurants during our short weekend stay, but next time we visit I will absolutely be sure to make a reservation at the Zero George Restaurant for a fine dining experience. They offer cooking classes in the beautiful kitchen as well, which I accidentally walked in on and it looked really fun! 

I cannot wait to visit Charleston and Zero George again, it truly felt like coming home. 

I have spent many long summer weekends on Cape Cod and somehow I have never tried one of their famous lobster rolls. You can find lobster souvenirs all along the Massachusetts coast, and yet I have only tried lobster once on a Caribbean cruise ship and once in Mexico. Both times it was really chewy and I did not like it, so I haven't been super eager to seek out the best lobster roll spot on the Cape.  

This past summer, I finally found a spot that looked worthy of my final lobster taste test. Sesuit Harbor Cafe is a trendy seafood shack right on the water in Dennis where Dan used to be a beach lifeguard. We showed up right after lunch time, so the line was not too bad.

We ordered at the counter and then the food was brought out to our picnic table. The restaurant sits right on the busy harbor so it was fun watching the different boats cruise in and out. I am happy to report that when my lobster roll came out it was perfect and I actually loved it! The cole slaw and fries that came with it were pretty good, too.

Afterwards we walked along the beach to work off our full tummies. We will definitely return to this spot on future visits to the Cape. 

|Outfit Details: Club Monaco striped tank, Oliver Peoples red sunglasses, white skinny jeans (old, similar here), Kate Spade New York red crossbody bag, Target striped sandals (old, similar here)

We travel to Cape Cod about twice a year to visit Dan's family. I still can not get over that he grew up in such a beautiful place. Over the years, I've heard him recount stories of bonfires on East Sandwich Beach as some of his favorite memories. We switch up which beaches we go to all of the time, but this time we were feeling a bit nostalgic.

His parents are retiring soon and moving down south, so we won't always have a reason to come visit. On our last morning we woke up early and went for a walk on East Sandwich Beach. Summer on the Cape is not for the faint of heart, as the tourists completely take over the small towns, so we were shocked to find we had the beach almost to ourselves. 

This blue and white striped cover up was the perfect outfit for our breezy morning walk. I loved it so much when I first saw it on REVOLVE that I pre-ordered it all the way back in April. I was worried it would be baggy, but it was actually really flattering. I wore a bathing suit underneath since it is a bit short, but it is perfect for a casual beach day and savoring the last warm days of summer. Of course, back in Houston it will be warm pretty much all year long so I am sure I will wear it again and again.

My basket bag is from Bali and I absolutely love it! I know, I know, it is so basic... a drunk guy at an Astros guy actually stopped to ask me if it was a tortilla holder and I laughed because it totally does look like one. It is seriously my favorite bag, though, because it goes with everything and I love that it reminds me of our travels in Bali (see here, here, and here). 

| Outfit Details: Lovers + Friends x REVOLVE dress (also in gingham here), Chloe sunglasses (old, similar here), basket bag (from Bali, also here), Gottex bow sunhat

We finally made it to the Grand Canyon! After arriving in Phoenix Saturday morning and completing a packed itinerary, including the Devil's Bridge Trail in Sedona (here), Antelope Canyon (here) and Horseshoe Bend (here) in Page, we were thrilled to finally make it to the one sight you have to see when visiting Arizona! I was fully expecting the Grand Canyon to be all hype, but it really is grand.

The drive from Page was about two and half hours. We left right after lunch and got to the first overlook by about 4:00pm. Right after you pay to enter Grand Canyon National Park, there is a visitors area on the right which offers restrooms, a gas station, and a towering overlook giving your first look into the park. As you drive on towards Grand Canyon Village, there are several areas to pull over and capture a scenic overlook of the canyon.

Finally, we arrived a Grand Canyon Village which is huge. The parking lot was full of tour buses and camper vans. There are more restrooms, concessions, as well as, an educational center to learn more about how the canyon was formed.

As we reached the edge of the canyon, we joined the crowds of people looking for the best view of the canyon. There is a long walkway around the edge offering several viewpoints.

The best viewpoints however are the ones that you can hike to. You edge down these would-be trail paths and hike to the cliff hoping for a chance to get as close to the edge as possible.

Once again, I must emphasize that this is dangerous and one gust of wind could send you over the edge, so please exercise caution. You will see tons of people doing the same, though, and there are no fences or signs warning you against it. 

We stayed at the canyon until just before sunset. It was getting cloudy so we weren't sure if there would be much of a sunset to see. We also had a very long drive back to Phoenix ahead of us. The almost four hour drive is incredibly scenic. I was so surprised on this trip to see mountains and pine trees in addition to the expected red desert scenes. In fact, my sister was eager to see a cactus, and we didn't find a single one north of Phoenix. 

Thanks to my little sister for joining me for a spontaneous check off the bucket list! We proved that you can see the Grand Canyon and more of Arizona in less than 48 hours. 

Between the lavender fields and now antelope canyon, I am starting to think my bucket list is purely inspired by desktop background images. Regardless, visiting early Lower Antelope Canyon was a huge check off the list for both my little sister and me. We drove in from Phoenix the night before our reservation with Ken's Tours after visiting Sedona (seen here). 

I have to admit that none of the accommodations in the Page area fall into the luxury travel category, except of course Amangiri which is just over the border in Utah. Instead, I booked an affordable one night stay at the Lake Powell Resort. The rooms are similar to a Holiday Inn Express and the views are absolutely unmatched (see here). The resort put us an easy 20 minutes away from Lower Antelope Canyon which is centrally located in Page, AZ. 

We booked a 9:00 AM reservation with Ken's Tours per recommendations on TripAdvisor. In the summer, they will cancel any tours as soon as the temperature reaches 100 degrees for your safety, so it is important to book an early tour. You will have to wait at least 30 minutes plus to enter the canyon as the guides wait for other groups to exit the canyon. Also, the light that the Lower Antelope Canyon is famous for occurs around 10:00 AM in the summer, or closer to noon the rest of the year.

Another thing to note is that they do not offer photography tours in the summer, which means you will not have as much time to take pictures. This means you cannot bring tripods or plan photoshoots during this time. Obviously, I was able to get plenty of photos, but the guide was definitely trying her best to politely move me along.

It is important to pay attention to the guidelines for reservation which require reconfirming your appointment 24 hours prior and arriving at least 30 minutes prior to complete check in. Be sure to bring cash for the reservation for faster check in. Also, note that there is a park entrance fee in addition to the tour guide cost and it is recommended that you tip your guide at the end.

Remember to wear comfortable shoes, like hiking boots or tennis shoes and don't bring to much stuff with you. At the beginning you have to walk down a very steep stairwell one by one into the canyon. There was a family in front of me that had a baby and like four shopping bags (from where I have no idea) who definitely struggled with this task. After that the trail is narrow and flat. I think I spent the whole time looking up because the light in the canyon is truly stunning. 

The guides were really helpful in taking pictures because they know all of the important shots and what settings to use. Some guides are helpful with which settings to use on DSLRs, but others like my guide were more experienced with the iPhone. On the iPhone, the recommendation is to use the Chrome filter which is found in the camera settings to bring out those purple hues in the shadows. For DSLRs, it's just important to shoot in RAW and set your ISO really high since the camera will need to perform in varying and low light conditions. My Sony A7RII is perfect for low light situations so I think the photos came out well, but I do wish I would have had more time to steady my shot to ensure sharper images. 

If you are wondering if the canyon really looks like these photos the answer is yes and no. The light is truly beautiful bouncing off the canyon walls and the colors you can see are shades of red, orange and gold. However, the purple is brought out in the shadows in post processing and the guides can point out which scenes are best for exposing this color. I loved my experience here, it is a must visit if you are in Arizona or Utah. After our tour we went straight to nearby Horseshoe Bend (seen here) which is another must see, followed by lunch at Big John's Texas BBQ in Page, and finally on to the Grand Canyon!

Visiting Horseshoe Bend was probably my favorite stop on our 48 hour Arizona trip (remember our first stop in Sedona here) because my little sister had never heard of or seen a picture of this iconic place before. I know, I'm still wondering how the Instagram and Pinterest and Environmental Science gods failed her, but it was honestly the best feeling getting to help someone discover something for the first time in such a genuine way.

We both marveled at the grandeur of this natural horseshoe shaped canyon, which by the way, has no fences or boundaries to keep you from falling over the very high ledge. We kept finding new ledges to peer over and dangle our legs* until we finally succumbed to the noon heat. I was the first to admit that I needed to back away from these perilous ledges or I might just faint due to rapid onset dehydration.

We had plenty of water in the car, but I really thought Horseshoe Bend would be a quick stop so we didn't bring any with us. The scenic (and dangerous) overlook is a short walk from the parking lot, so I thought we would just park and take a quick picture. I had even changed into my flip flops until a sign warned us that proper footwear was highly recommended. You can see why, as you wouldn't want to go chasing a flip flop over that cliff. One hour later, we had learned that there is a lot to explore here AND water is extremely necessary, at least at noon when we were there. 

Another thing I wish I had brought with me on this trip, especially for Horseshoe Bend, is a wide angle lens. I researched beforehand, and several sites said a 35mm was wide enough, but those people must be tall or something because I struggled to find a spot where I could capture the whole canyon in my lens. 

In any case, Horseshoe Bend was a very easy stop to add to our itinerary following our 9AM Antelope Canyon tour. The two popular attractions are only about 15-20 minutes apart in Page. Afterwards we drove the short distance into town to refuel at Big John's Texas BBQ with the best Texas barbecue you can find outside of Texas. As a Houston local of five years, I guess I can finally say I'm an expert on these things. 

*Please, note that caution should be used when visiting Horseshoe Bend. One gust of wind and your trip could go south very quickly. Approach the overlook at your own risk and exercise caution at all times.  

| Outfit Details: A&F jean shorts (on sale!), striped gold tank (old, but I love this Madewell one), Marc Jacobs tortoise shell sunglasses, Columbia hiking boots (similar here)

A few weekends ago, I flew to Phoenix to meet my little sister for a spontaneous girls weekend in Arizona. She was already going to be there for work and had asked me to help her plan her trip, so I booked a last minute flight to join her since Arizona has been on my bucket list for a while. We flew in Saturday morning and saw the Devil's Bridge (pictured here), Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon... all in 48 hours.

Before our two hour drive to our first stop in Sedona, we stopped at a Target to buy a styrofoam cooler and to stock up on ice, waters, gatorades and snacks to keep us going on such an intense trip. When we arrived at the Devil's Bridge Trail, it was pretty unassuming with very few signs pointing us in the right direction. We were so distracted by the beautiful views, we almost drove straight onto the rocky trail. Luckily we looked down just in time and noticed a parking lot back on our left. 

Once you hit the trail, there is a sign that points you toward the Devil's Bridge. Start walking that way though and suddenly the trail disappears and you are basically in the middle of the desert with a vague general direction toward the Devil's Bridge.  

We later learned that there are two different trails to get there. One is a longer more scenic trail which is a little confusing to follow, and the other is a rocky jeep path that some companies use to take tourist on an offroading trip to see the sights. You can walk on this path as well, just keep an eye out for the jeeps as they kick up a lot of dust. 

The hike is actually pretty short. In total, we were probably there about two hours with the hike only taking about 1.5 hours round trip. As usual, the longest part of the trip was stopping to take photos every two minutes. I would describe the trail as dusty, like walking on red sand, followed by a series of stone staircases leading up to bridge. The views of the surrounding landscape are completely stunning as you climb higher.

Once we saw the Devil's Bridge, I honestly did not know if I had the courage to go stand on it. My sister went first and I kept begging her to be careful because it looks so terrifying from the other side. I had read and she assured me that the bridge is much wider when you are actually on it, which was a relief. We both had fun taking photos and then several other hikers arrived wanting a turn on the bridge. 

By this time, we could see and hear a dark rain cloud thundering off in the distance so we hurried back to our car to avoid get soaked. Sedona has a lot of other activities to offer including Sliding Rock park and a trendy restaurant and spa scene, which I would love to come back for. However, we had a tight itinerary and needed to hit the road for our 3.5 hour drive to Page, AZ.

Next up, the beautiful Antelope Canyon. 

Outfit Details: UnderArmour HeatGear Leggings, Nike tank (similar here), Columbia Hiking Boots

Early one morning in Ubud, we set out with our tour guide to visit the famous Tegalalang Rice Terrace on our way north to Sekumpul waterfall. The rice terrace has been featured over and over on Instagram, so we decided to go explore for ourselves.

Honestly, it was not what I expected. The terrace is not out in the middle of the country as it typically appears. Instead it is accessible directly from the highway. We simply pulled over and parked on a busy street, and started our descent down some stone steps into the terrace.

It was completely free to enter (at least for us) and no sign greeted us with any pomp or circumstance. Our tour guide did not even go with us into the terrace. There is actually a collection of shops and homes on the street side of the terrace (where the Love Bali sign can be found), so unsurprisingly there were some young kids looking to take you around in exchange for a tip.

What the terrace did live up to is its zen vibe. If you come early, Tegalalang Rice Terrace is an absolutely beautiful and peaceful (save for street noise) place to wander around for an hour or so and clear your mind. As we were leaving around 9:00 AM, many tourists were already arriving, and our tour guide said that by noon the place is packed. So get there early, bring your camera, and you should have a nice time in one Bali's most popular spots.

|Outfit Details: VAVA by Joy Han Dress (sold out, similar here and here in black), Nanette Lepore Swimsuit, Chloe Sunglasses (old, similar here), Gottex Vivienne Hat, DV Espadrille Loafers