“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
Now that our party is over, I can focus on our next big thing. We’re heading to Seattle and Canada in T minus 8 days – eek! I love traveling, but I also love planning the trips almost as much. The excitement and anticipation is sometimes better than the actual trip.
One of my dream jobs is to be a travel planner (not a party planner as I learned this weekend). I absolutely love exploring new cities, researching where to stay, what restaurants to eat at, the hottest bars, the trendiest boutiques. Of course, the downside to planning other people’s trips is you wouldn’t actually get to experience any of the things you planned, which would definitely be hard for me.
As I’ve been planning our trip to Seattle and Canada, I thought I’d share with you some of my top tips for travel planning. {First, you should read my post from several years ago about how to dress while traveling: Travel Chic.}
And if you ever want any help planning (or need a trip buddy) I’m your girl.
Enjoy! xo
1. Set up price notifications to places you’re planning on visiting, or want to visit, so you can see how and when the prices change to ensure you get the best deal. (I currently use the Kayak iPhone app to do so.) However, be prepared to book quickly if you see a dramatic decrease in price because they go fast.
2. Decide if you really need a rental car. If you’re staying in a big city, it might be cheaper to use public transportation and/or walk. Don’t forget to take into account overnight parking rates at your hotel and public parking costs. For people like us in small towns like Bentonville, we don’t think about these things.
3. Crowdsource. Crowdsource. Crowdsource. The best recommendations are from other people. Post a status on Facebook and Twitter asking for recommendations. Ask your co-workers. You will most likely get inundated with tons of reccos, which is where the fourth tip comes in.
4. After getting recommendations, do your own homework. Don’t assume everyone likes the same things you do or eats at the same types of restaurants you like. Visit the website, look at the menu and look at reviews on Yelp.
5. When looking up reviews (for a restaurant, hotel, museum, etc.) always read the worst rated reviews. You can see if the bad things people are saying are legitimately bad, or just nonsense that’s dragging the ratings down.
6. Make your list of a couple things you must-do on the vacation (like for us in Seattle – visit the first Starbucks location, duh) but also leave time for wiggle room, whether for a nap or for that cute boutique you saw down the corner.
7. Once you get to your location, ask the locals their favorite places to go. We did this in New York last year and found the most amazing bar ever (Beauty & Essex) that we might not have ever found otherwise.
8. Eat local. I’m a huge proponent of no chain restaurants while on vacation. A huge part of a city’s culture is it’s food, so you need to get a true taste!
9. Pack comfortable shoes and basics you can accessorize with. Overpacking is never a good thing. It’s stressful because you can’t find what you need. It doesn’t really matter what you wear on vacation anyway (who’s going to know if you wore the same thing twice?!) AND you can fill your bag with stuff you buy shopping!
10. If at all possible, only pack a carry-on. You’ll save money and time. If you have to check a bag and you’re traveling with others, pack one big back and put several people’s stuff in it, then each pack small carry-ons too.
11. Lastly, plan things that you want to do. It’s your vacation! If you don’t normally like to go to museums, don’t assume you’ll enjoy museums just because you’re in another city.
Weekend Picturebook: Cabin in the Woods
One of the things I’m most thankful for this year is our Community Group. After we got married, husband and I started looking for a couples bible study to join. We searched on our own and couldn’t find one we thought would be just right. Of course, God already had a plan for the perfect group for us to join. We got a text message from a co-worker from my previous job asking to prayerfully consider joining their group. God clearly led them to ask us and clearly led us to say yes, because it has been the best decision we’ve made all year.
These are some of the most loving, generous, inspirational people we know and we are so so grateful to call them our friends. It has become so much more than just a group we go to on Thursday nights, but people we share life with.
I wrote this post yesterday, and this morning at church they happened to be talking about community. They shared a great passage about what it means to be in community (Acts 2:42-47) describing biblical community as studying God’s word together, praying together and breaking bread together “with glad and sincere hearts.”
Last weekend we rented a cabin on the Buffalo River together and had an amazing weekend of true community. See below some highlights from the weekend.
{Friday night Newlywed Game – where husband correctly guessed the two things that would be in my “wild night”. We also won the game.}
{Saturday morning mimosas and scrabble. It’s a rough life.}
{It was FREEZING, but we went hiking anyway}
{and relaxed with a brew…}
{and did some caving…}
{and celebrated a birthday…}
{then relaxed by the fire.}
{What a great group of people – and a random little girl who jumped in our picture!}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Halloween, Birthdays & Football, Weekend Picturebook: Little Rock
{Alderman Music Tour} Part 2: Nashville
Yesterday I shared highlights from the first part of our vacation in Denver. Now for the last leg of the tour – Part 2: Nashville.
Enjoy! xo
{dinner night 1: family-style good ol’ southern cooking}
{honky tonkin’ at Robert’s Western World}
{enjoyed delicious lunch + coffee at T.Swift’s favorite coffeehouse in Hillsoboro Village}
{pretending like we were in Greece at the full-scale parthenon replica}
{the BEST sandwich followed by the BEST ice cream – YUM!}
{great live show at Two Old Hippies}
{brunch – the best meal of the day}
{tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium}
{TAYLOR SWIFT – IN SECOND ROW SEATS !! I was literally dying. Greatest show ever!}
{Alderman Music Tour} Part 1: Denver
We’re officially home sweet home from our #AldermanMusicTour. We had a wonderful, relaxing vacation. Today I’ll share some photos from Part 1: Denver and tomorrow will be Part 2: Nashville.
Hope you all had a wonderful week! xo
{beautiful walks in the morning to get coffee + enjoy the gorgeous, old homes}
{new favorite beer – Breckenridge Agave Wheat, and the fries were pretty good too}
{one of our three wonderful hosts – cousin + husband not pictured}
{brunch! bottomless mimosas + chicken and waffles is always a good thing}
{“Come quickly. I’m drinking the stars!” – Dom Perignon)
{day trip to Colorado Springs – Garden of the Gods was amazing}
{stunning Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel}
{the BEST tacos I’ve ever eaten in my life and the best churros – ate them too quickly to get a picture!}
{first leg of the Alderman Music Tour – The National at Red Rocks Amphitheater!}
life lately + blogging hiatus
Life lately has been busy, busy, busy. Along with moving and getting settled in I’ve had some big projects going on at work that have been taking up a lot of time (hint, hint: follow @Walmart on Instagram). I’ve had hardly any time to blog and when I have had the time, spending more time on a computer did not sound appealing.
Other than moving and working, see a few life lately highlights below.
{Jersey Boys at the WAC}
{Sidecars at Club Frisco}
{several evenings in downtown Bentonville, pictured – Tusk & Trotter}
{Calling the Hogs with these fun guys}
Saturday we head off on our next adventure to Denver and Nashville. One day while drinking mimosas on a patio, husband and I dreamed a dream that we could see his favorite band (The National) in concert and mine (Taylor Swift) in the same week, despite the shows being across country. That dream has officially turned into reality.
We will see The National at the breathtaking Red Rocks Amphitheater outside of Denver and spend a few days in the city with my cousin and her husband. We then head to Nashville where we will meet up with my parents, and Mom and I will see T. Swift (for the second time because she’s amaaaaaazing). I am BEYOND excited and so ready for a week-long vacation.
21st birthday trip – Taylor Swift in LA!
See you in a few weeks! xo
Weekend Picturebook: Little Rock
{T-Dub, aka Theo Wiley, is the cutest}
{lunch + shopping at The Promenade at Chenal}
{lounging with family + pups}
{sushi at RJ Tao}
{SO glad we got to spend time with this guy}
{had to stop by for a whatta-burger on the way home}
xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Kansas City, Weekend Picturebook: Las Vegas
#EssenceFest
A few highlights from my trip to New Orleans.
{first stop: cafe du monde}
{WM Mom interviewing Steve Harvey}
{Walmart Welcome Affair, House of Blues}
{Fantasia – interviewed her earlier in the day and she was terrific}
{Walmart booth at the Convention Center}
{Trey Songz !!!}
{first concert: LL Cool J}
{Walmart Lounge in the Superdome}
{eclectic dinner in the French Quarter}
{SO excited for Beyonce!!}
{Queen Bey!}
{I have the BEST husband <3}
{and the sweetest puppy! home sweet home.}
xo xo
Weekend Picturebook: Kansas City
{Drinks on the patio, Country Club Plaza}
{Shop. Relax. Repeat.}
{2nd anniversary dinner where we dreamed about where we’ll be in another year}
{Sunday brunch, Westport Cafe and Bar}
{Star Trek: Into Darkness, Alamo Drafthouse Mainstreet}
{beer flights + pizza, Flying Saucer}
{fireworks show from our hotel balcony}
{parting lunch, blanc burgers + bottles}
{rainy Memorial day – until next time KC}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: St. Louis, Weekend Picturebook: Las Vegas
life lately {media challenge edition}
So what did we do during those two weeks of our media fast? Here’s a peek at my life lately.
[NWAFW]
From top to bottom: NWAFW, The Chancellor Hotel; Friday night with Amanda; Saturday night walking the runway with Piper; Butternut Squash Ravioli = amaaazing, Union Kitchen + Drinks
[TRIP TO OHIO]
From top to bottom: Getting dressed up to see musical Sister Act with Mom; Commercial shoot in Cleveland; My Ohio welcoming meal – margherita pizza, homemade meatballs, pasta, fried artichokes, 3 Palms Pizzeria; Sleeping with my Roxie baby
[EVERYTHING ELSE]
From top to bottom: Two-day work session with Facebook, 21c Museum Hotel; Curling up with a good book + good wine; Olli soaking up the sunshine; One of many game nights; Norman Rockwell Exhibit + The Rail + Club Frisco = perfect Friday night
xo xo
Weekend Picturebook: St. Louis
{wine + brie waiting for us at our midnight arrival, followed by a 3 1/2 hour catch up session}
{Pioneer Woman breakfast}
{beautiful, cold day}
{beer tasting, Schlafly Bottleworks}
{restaurant from Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
my entree: Schnitzel + Spaetzel, husband’s: off the menu Oak Roasted Pork = delish}
{chocolate martinis + banana split, Bailey’s Chocolate Bar}
{Sunday brunching + house coveting}
{such a WONDERFUL host for the weekend}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Las Vegas, Weekend Picturebook: New York City
The Three Week Cooking Challenge // Conclusion
WHEW. It was a long three weeks. In part because we were cooking every single night (a rarity in the Alderman home), but also in part because I was so eager to get to my birthday weekend in Vegas! In all honesty, I have no clue what we ate for Week 3 of the challenge, but we held on strong and ate in every night.
By the end of the three weeks, we were craving eating out (are we the only ones like that?? is that strange??) and luckily we were headed to a city with some of the finest and most diverse food you can find within a 2 mile radius. As I ate other people’s creations, I was reminded how much I love food and why I love eating out so much. It’s not the fact that cooking is difficult (sometimes it is) or that you have a lot to clean afterwards (usually it is) or that you have to plan ahead every single day what you’re going to cook (yes it is), but the fact that my cooking isn’t nearly as good as others. There’s not much fun in my cooking or much “brava.” It’s just food. But aren’t we supposed to really enjoy food? Well, I really enjoy food when it’s cooked by someone else.
All that to say, I don’t think I’ll ever be a master chef, but I have realized it’s not as difficult as I thought it was and it’s doable to cook every night. It also helps that I got a PERFECT new cookbook for my birthday from a dear friend – Robin Takes 5: 500 recipes, 5 ingredients or less, 500 calories or less, 5 nights a week at 5:00 pm – I mean, is there a more perfect cookbook for me?!
* * *
Now, enjoy some food porn from our Las Vegas vacation …
{sausage balls, XNA}
{vanilla + nutella creme puffs with banana gelato, Scarpetto}
{arugula + parmigiano reggiano salad, sausage + peppers pizza, Otto Enoteco – Mario Batali}
{housemade beer brat, Public House}
{brunch, The Wicked Spoon}
{decadence, Jean Phillipe Patisserie}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: The Three Week Cooking Challenge // Week 1, The Three Week Cooking Challenge // Week 2
Weekend Picturebook: Las Vegas
FRIDAY
{view from balcony, The Cosmopolitan}
{drinks at The Chandelier, The Cosmopolitan}
* * *
BIRTHDAY, BIRTHDAY!
{morning view + coffee}
{while husband lazes}
{ lunch: arugula + parmigiano reggiano salad, sausage + peppers pizza, Otto Enoteco – Mario Batali}
{won my first $100}
{dinner at Mix, Mandalay Bay}
{best view ever, Mix}
{“O” Cirque Du Soleil, Bellagio}
* * *
SUNDAY
{walking the strip, Monte Carlo}
{rode the New York New York roller coaster}
{awesome gastropub, Public House}
{relax}
{ready for dinner + drinks}
* * *
MONDAY
{brunch, The Wicked Spoon}
{The Conservatory, Bellagio}
{chocolate shots}
{world’s largest H&M, Shops at Caesar Forum}
{until next time … }
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: New York City, Weekend Picturebook: Tulsa & Oklahoma City
Las Vegas or Bust
Happy weekend, friends. In a few hours we’ll be off to Sin City to celebrate the big 2-4! Keep your fingers crossed we come back a million bucks richer. See ya on the flip side …
xo xo
Las Vegas Throwback
I’m heading to Vegas in T-minus 4 days. Here’s a look back at some of my other trips to LV …
{2010: 21st birthday with my bestie}
{2010: Tao}
{2010: my paparazzi shot of Paris Hilton}
{2010: Society of Professional Journalists conference}
{2012: one of my favorite photos (and best shows) despite the copyright marks}
{2012: father & son}
{2012: Tao}
{2012: chillin’ at the Wynn poolside}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: NYC Throwback 2007
NYC Throwback 2007
As I was posting photos from my weekend getaway to New York City, I was reminiscing about my last trip to the Big Apple the summer I graduated high school. So I wanted to share a few photos …
[Mom + great aunt Deane]
[first night out]
[took this photo just for my then high-school sweetheart, awww]
[first ever celebrity sighting … Fergie!]
[visiting the Glamour offices]
[photoshoot in Central Park]
[on the Today Show]
[Naked Cowboy]
[with Lisa Rinna after Chicago – loved her from way back when in Days of Our Lives]
[Legally Blonde]
[terrifying pedicab ride]
* * *
Teaser for tomorrow’s post: The Best (and Worst) in Gossip Girl Fashion
XOXO
Weekend Picturebook: New York City
{Food + Drink}
[Friday fuel – Shake Shack]
[Blood Orange Cosmo – Casa Lever]
[Saturday Brunch – Balthazar]
[After-show drinks, Prohibition Punch – The Campbell Apartment]
[Salads + Spinach Risotto – Giano’s]
[Sunday breakfast – Magnolia Bakery]
* * *
{Sightseeing}
[The Boathouse – Central Park]
[Metropolitan Museum of Art]
[Soho]
[Rockefeller Plaza]
* * *
{Fun}
[Pawn shop > bouncer > nightclub – Beauty & Essex]
[Santa Pub Crawl]
[Nice Work If You Can Get It + Matthew Broderick (!!!!)]
[Stardust Cafe]
* * *
What a FANTASTIC weekend getaway celebrating my mother’s birthday! We ate, we drank, we walked, we crashed, we played, we laughed, we sang, we saw – we did it all! Happy Birthday Mom, I love you! ❤
XO
You may also enjoy: 10 things I want to do in NYC, thanks to pop culture
10 things I want to do in NYC, thanks to pop culture
1. Blare this song as my plane is landing into the city
2. Have a beer at MacClaren’s (How I Met Your Mother)
3. Have lunch on the steps of the Met (Gossip Girl)
4. Break out into song and dance in Central Park (Glee)
5. Share cosmos and gossip at a swanky bar (Sex in the City)
6. Longingly peer into the windows at Tiffany’s (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
7. Stay at the Gansevoort (Kim and Kourtney Take New York)
8. Enjoy a winter in the city and a summer in the Hamptons (Revenge)
9. Work at a magazine publication with a horrible, but brilliant boss (The Devil Wears Prada)
10. Go undercover and solve a crime or two (White Collar)
* * *
What have you always wanted to do in the city?
XO
January Getaway: Sundance 2012
Oh, Sundance, how I’ve grown to love you so. It all started 5 years ago for my 18th birthday…
{one of our best memories – gangsta parents}
{at Robert Redford’s Sundance resort for my birthday}
{beautiful.}
{best trip ever!}
{wish it didn’t have to end…}
We vowed to go back, and now that we have for my 23rd birthday we would LOVE to make it a yearly trip. Here are some tips for your trip to Sundance, because trust me, you need to plan one whether you’re a film lover, celeb obsessed, winter-weather lover or simply someone who loves a unique vacation.
*
1. Plan early. Ticket packages start with a sweepstakes you must enter into in the summer, and resorts fill up fast.
2. Didn’t get a package of tickets? Or didn’t get a movie you wanted? You can still stand in the wait list line. Yes it’s freezing, and yes there’s no guaranteed chance you’ll get in, but there’s always a way to make things fun.
{entertaining ourselves with Rock,Paper, Scissors}
3. Recommended movie showings: one in the morning, one at lunch time and one at night. Unless you plan on renting a car, it’s almost impossible to get through the city to see more than that with the city shuttles or resort shuttles.
4. Where to stay: Want to focus on shopping, the nightlife and the constant buzz of the festival? Stay on Main Street. Want more of a relaxing vaca with fabulous spa amenities, beautiful views and close ski lifts? Stay anywhere off Main Street, like the Canyons or Stein Eriksen Lodge.
5. What to wear: Fashion + warmth necessities – Tall, warm boots with good traction (i.e. lace-up Uggs); thick, down jacket with a hood (i.e. black, to go with everything, and preferably with a fur hood); scarves, scarves, scarves – these are the one thing that can set you apart and add fun colors and prints to your bundled up outfit, oh and to keep you warmer; a large purse to hold earmuffs, hats, hand warmers, gloves, festival passes, festival books, shopping bags, bottle of water, chapstick, bus schedule, sunglasses camera. Because baby, it’s cold outside.
6. Where to spot celebs: (Yes, this is a very important topic.) Movies are the best place to celeb-spot. Premiere weekend they’re almost always there to promote their films. (Side note: we went to see Ice-T’s documentary The Art of Rap and he and Coco sat a row in front of us! Awesome.) However, they’re also all over Main Street, on the slopes and staying at resorts. So keep your eyes peeled everywhere!
{movie: Lay the Favorite, cast: Bruce Willis, Laura Prepon, Joshua Jackson}
7. Most importantly, there is a lot going on in the small town the week of the film festival – VIP parties and concerts, midnight movie showings, music cafes, bar specials – go out, see it all, experience it all. The atmosphere of a film festival is second to none.
{at the Day One party}
{Shopping on Main St.}
{Natasha Bedingfield}
Ready to plan a trip for next year? Call me.
My Weekend Was:
{Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs}
*seeing a new band with old friends – Andy Frasco, I love you.
*dancing like nobody’s watching ’til the wee hours with my best friend
*spending a full day in my pajamas on the couch, only leaving the apt for ice cream
*two fabulous impromptu afternoon naps
*incredible steak dinner cooked by the hubby
*a beautiful drive through the Ozarks to Eureka Springs
*driving through historic downtown windows down, 70 degrees, playing O.C. soundtrack – perfection
*a much-needed afternoon getaway with the husband + a reminder of God’s beauty all around us
*Sunday night – getting ready for the crazy week ahead with Desperate Housewives + late night hot tub
Weekend Picturebook: Colorado
The husband and I took a weekend trip to Colorado to see my parents in Loveland. Ask him how the trip was, and he’ll tell you without hesitation he’s ready to move, and after this trip, I’m inclined to agree.
{Loveland}
{Taking a shopping break with a ‘Rado brew}
{Pearl St. – Boulder}
{Red Rocks Ampitheater – unfortunately, I did not take this picture, but had to share the beauty}
{STS9 at Red Rocks – an experience we’ll never forget}
{ “cutest” Bloody Mary I’ve ever seen}
{the bike library – Ft. Collins}
{evening picnic}
{thank you Whole Foods for a delicious, unconventional picnic}
{Mom and her second baby Roxie}
{beautiful morning walk – goodbye Loveland, we will be back soon}
Weekend Picturebook: Kansas City
{Intercontinental on the Plaza}
{Balcony view}
{Always waiting – Anthropologie)
{Blanc – Burgers + Bottles}
{“Ham” Burger – ground pork, grilled pineapple, jalapenos, orange glaze + my new favorite beer – Apricot Wheat}
{Nap please!}
{After-dinner martinis – Flirtini + “Pear” Miscuous}
{and Chocolate Fondue! at The Melting Pot}
{Late night on the Plaza}
{Early morning at the market}
What did you do this weekend?
Travel Chic
How do you dress when you travel? Is it all about comfort? Style? Or in-between? I’ll never forget my mom telling me that my grandma was always dressed to the nines when she traveled – that’s how she was raised and that’s how she thought it should be. At first, I thought this was absolutely ridiculous, but as I grow older (and wiser, I hope) I’m starting to find a good balance between my grandmother’s legacy and my personal style for the airport runway.
First, let me share a taste from one of my new absolutely favorite books of all time that sums it all up perfectly – Classy by Derek Blasberg “Because if you’re not a lady, chances are you’re a tramp.”
Though it’s too small to read, you get the picture. At the airport (and life, of course), we want to be a lady, not a tramp. So here are a few celeb examples I think wonderfully depict airport fashion:
{Rachel Bilson – my go-to style girl. Simple, modest and chic.}
{Lauren Conrad – keeping warm in an oversized sweater, but pairs it elegantly with comfortable black boots and tights. And of course a hat, because you may not have time to fix your hair, but can still look classy.}
{Kim Kardashian – huge fan of her, huge fan of black, huge fan of leopard. Fabulous, fun outfit.}
{Cat Deeley – though the shoes are too odd for my taste, again love the all black ensemble with a statement bag – modern and comfortable.}
{Beyonce – while this isn’t exactly my style, it’s worth sharing. Her oh-so-comfy outfit is updated to more than pajamas with the cardigan, jewelry and heels.}
{Kim – I couldn’t resist a second picture that is a great example of how to update jeans for a classy airplane ride.}
So please share, what is your airport style?
m.davis xoxo 
