travel – Page 2 – The Sol Compass

Quechee and Woodstock, Vermont

Hello everyone, welcome back to another installment of our road trip through Vermont! We got off of 89 in search of Woodstock, but ended up finding gem after gem in Quechee, Vermont en route! After a short walk through the woods (less than a mile) we made it to the Quechee Gorge, the deepest gorge in Vermont!

There are some awesome restaurants in the area that we could have spent the whole weekend trying out restaurants in these two towns alone!

The Mill at Simon Pearce. What could be better than “America’s Most Romantic Restaurant”? One that uses fresh, local ingredients in a gorgeous setting!

Dana’s by the Gorge. A gorgeous brunch place located across the street from the gorge, Dana’s menu has a seemingly endless variety of pancakes, muffins, and even fried dough that I cannot wait to go back and try!

Worthy Kitchen. This burger joint has an assuming front a few minutes drive from the Woodstock center, but the inside is no joke. The gorgeous modern farmhouse interior is home to mouth watering burgers and a carefully curated list of local Vermont craft beers.

Mon Vert Cafe. This cafe was absolutely packed with tourists while we were there, but it is a great option for food in Woodstock. They have tons of sandwich and salad options, featuring tons of fresh ingredients from local Vermont and New Hampshire farmers! An older couple on a foliage expedition was kind enough to share their table with us and gave us some great lunch company in true Vermont fashion!

Bryan’s Outfit – Pants: Old Navy | Sweater: Old Navy | Shoes: TOMS

Down the road is the Quechee Gorge Village, filled with local Vermont treasures such as a Cabot Cheese sampling area, maple syrup, antique shop, and more!

Down in Woodstock the main appeal is just strolling the village area. The famous covered bridge, gorgeous houses, and stunning foliage provided endless eye candy everywhere we looked.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure to tune in next week for more of our adventures up north!

xo, C

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Mystic, CT

Hello everyone, welcome back! Last weekend B and I found ourselves in the charming seaport town of Mystic, Connecticut and had a great time eating and exploring our way through it. From Massachusetts it makes a great weekend getaway or even just a day trip!

Things To Do.

Mystic Aquarium. This is perhaps the most obvious answer, but the Mystic Aquarium really knocks it out of the park. Whether you have kids or are just a big kid at heart, I think everyone can enjoy a few hours here. They have a pair of beluga whales, a penguin colony, and a sea lion show; amongst much more. It can be a bit pricey, but if you live in New England you can try to find discounted tickets through your library or AAA office!

Mystic Seaport. The seaport is a reimagined 19th century village complete with a settlement and historic ships! It has an amazing location and you could easily spend hours here.

Olde Mistick Village. Essentially a large shopping center, Olde Mistick Village has tons of great options for food and shopping.

Mystic Museum of Art. The location of this museum cannot be beat. It’s right on the water near historic downtown Mystic. The coolest thing in my opinion is how many local artists it features. I love getting to see how natives view a place!

Charles W. Morgan. This amazing creation is the last wooden whaling ship left in the world… Need I say more?

Argia Mystic Cruises. We didn’t do one this past weekends, but from past experience I can say that the sunset sails cannot be beat. The boat is a perfect size to bring a small group and still not feel like you’re taking up the entire boat. And the views are exquisite.

Historic Downtown Mystic. The downtown area is filled with shops and great places to eat. It seems to be quite congested at times, but the waterfront boardwalk and unique drawbridge certainly make up for it.

Places To Eat.

Vault Coffee Roasters. Conveniently located next to the Mystic Aquarium, Vault has a cute little setting and a strong community vibe.

drwb @ 24. In the shadow she f the drawbridge lies this little gem of a bistro that B and I stopped in for brunch. It’s so affordable we almost went back for a second round!

Engine Room. If you’re looking for a burger or a cool spot with exposed brick walls, this is definitely your spot.

Sea Swirl. This little unassuming clam shack serves everything from jalapeño poppers and clams to ice cream and fish tacos. Grab something to go or pull up a picnic table to enjoy!

S&P Oyster Company. You definitely pay for the river view and the romantic, cafe-light induced ambiance… But boy is it worth it.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Do you have any favorite places in Mystic?

xo, C

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My Boston

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship with Boston. I can say with a great deal of certainty that the Boston I know is not the Boston that tourists may find in the average guidebook.

Newbury Street, Boston Common, Prudential Center… These are all places that people recognize, and maybe even identify, as Boston. They are indisputably amazing parts of what makes this city unique. I was brought up with a parent (hi Dad!) who traveled frequently and was absolutely set on finding his spots in different cities. Anywhere from New York City, where my parents met 30 years ago, to small towns in Switzerland, he can give a rundown of his favorite spots. Seeing this adventure he was constantly on, falling in love with food and culture alike, I subsequently set out to on my own adventure. This search led me outside of past the top ten attractions, into hole-in-the-wall jazz clubs, new restaurant openings, and neighborhoods not on the Freedom Trail that have equally amazing things to offer.

My parents may have met in New York City 30 years ago, but I was born and bred in Boston. This has led to some comical differences between generations, but I think everyone born in Massachusetts can relate when I say “As first thanks… Boston for raising me.” I am and always will be proud to be from this free and fiercely independent birthplace of America. Boston has always been a revolutionary town steeped in deep history that is impossible to escape, and I find the soul of the city echoing through my actions every day.

Today I want to kick off a fun new series with you, sharing My Boston and how I learned to fall in love with different neighborhoods in my city.

As I try out new places, experience new things, and buy from new retailers; I will be sharing my experiences with you in a “By Neighborhood” post series.

Kicking off this series I’m sharing 5 Things I Love About Boston.

It is incredibly healthy. I love seeing bikers, runners, and even the occasional roller blader getting their exercise in on the esplanade every morning, and I love the accessibility I have to fresh and healthy food here. Plus, being around such healthy humans makes me a lot less likely to fall off the wagon ;).
It’s America’s Walking City. It’s pretty remarkable that I can walk from my favorite restaurant in Southie to my favorite cannoli in the North End in 45 minutes. This makes Boston an excellent travel destination because you don’t need to worry about a rental car.
Spring, summer, and fall are absolutely radiant. (Sorry, I cannot say the same about Boston winters).
History is inescapable. The Old City Hall and State House are tucked in between skyscrapers; and Revolutionary heroes Paul Revere and Samuel Adams are buried right downtown on the city’s built in map-The Freedom Trail.
Variety. You can watch the world class Boston Pops one night and then head to Fenway to catch a Sox game the next. Boston is full of unexpected things and unless you want to party until 4am… I promise we can find something for you here.

Thank you all for following along on my adventure of falling in love with my own city. I can’t wait to share all the things I love about it with you.

xo, C

Get a kick start on planning your trip on MassVacation.com!

Belle Meade

Good morning everyone, happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend! Today kicks off my mini series of posts from our Tennessee trip! We had beautiful weather while we were there, and spent one gorgeous afternoon at the Belle Meade plantation. The day started off with a tour of the mansion, including some background history of Bonnie Scottland (ancestor of 104 Kentucky Derby winners!) and the Harding-Jackson family influence throughout the Civil War era. The tour ended with a wine tasting in the Winery, a small shop filled with wines and gifts alike!

I could not be more excited to have a chance to wear this pink lace midi dress. It was perfect paired with a little denim jacket, and comes in tall and petite sizes, so you can definitely find you find your perfect length!

After the tour and wine tasting, we easily could have spent hours exploring the beautifully landscaped grounds around the plantation and learning more about Uncle Bob Green and the horses!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Remember to stop back in for more Tennessee outfits and itineraries!

xo, C

Packing Tips

Step One: Cosmetics

The reason toiletries are up first is because they are all packed so early I don’t even have to think about them. If you’re a long time reader you may remember in my last packing post I mentioned that I have a travel sized toiletry bag (or two) ready to go at all times. I know the small sized products are more expensive, but the peace of mind having them packed and ready to go is 100% worth it to me, instead of having to try to pour my products into these tubes. Michaela and I left at 6:45am yesterday morning and it was nice not to have to remember to pack everything after I went through my morning routine. Just throw the bags into the bags the night before and we are on our way!

My biggest setbacks when traveling are I am a huge germaphobe with a tendency to get dry skin/eyes/etc when 30,000 feet in the air. Michaela bought these Truffle pouches for Christmas and let me tell you they are the real deal. The small size is TSA Approved and perfect for your carry on. I use mine for the inflight essentials (eye drops, lotion, hand sanitizer, facial water, mouthwash, face wipes, dry shampoo, deodorant wipes, all the things a germaphobe may need). These are my all-time favorite phone wipes, and I love that they come in this cute pouch to help organize my face wipes, antibacterial wipes, phone wipes, and deodorant wipes in my Sole Society backpack (similar here)! This gives me the opportunity to store the larger size in my suitcase with my skin and hair products that I won’t urgently need.

I buy the small gift sets of skin/hair products when they come out around the holidays. I can put them in my trusty travel bag and know that I’m set for most of the year. I have this FAB one, this Clinique one, and a VERB one (which is no longer available, but you can buy travel sizes of the shampoo and conditioner, or try this one, this one, or this one). Other products I keep in my suitcase include my toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, a mini micellar water, and a small amount of cotton rounds. It saves me so much time packing knowing that I don’t have to round up my grooming products every time I travel (or even spend a long weekend with friends or family!)

Step Two: Clothing

Think about the number of outfits you need and subtract one. You still won’t wear everything you pack.

Stick with a color palette. It gives you multiple outfits while simultaneously giving you flexible to adjust your outfits based on the weather or your mood while you’re traveling. My Tennessee palette is anchored heavily in blush and denim, with olive and navy strewn throughout.

I never bring heels while traveling for leisure unless I have a very specific occasion planned. I hardly ever need them, especially when there are so many beautiful flat sandal options these days that work for both day and evening purposes. Plus walking around all day hardly ever leads me to say ‘yes, give me a pair of stiletto heels’.

Merino wool can be worn forever and is the absolute best and most versatile travel material.

Do you have any must have packing tips?? Share them in the comments below!

xo, C

Apps I Love

Welcome back friends! Today I’m talking about apps. Obviously, like most of you, my five most used apps are Spotify, Instagram, VSCO, Snapchat, and Messages. These are all fantastic apps that I use every day, but they aren’t necessary apps that make my life easier or more well rounded. Think about all the functional holes still left in your digital life.

OneNote. OneNote is probably my favorite app of all time. The best way to describe it is as a digital notebook. Or notebooks, plural. As someone who really loves traditional notebooks, I honestly did not expect to love OneNote as much as I do. I have it downloaded on my phone, iPad, laptop, and desktop computer, because it syncs across all my devices. No more lugging four different notebooks from your home, to car, to office, to car, to home…. Everything you need is updated and present whenever you need to access it. The is amazing to say the least. For very little effort, you can have your notes organized however you like best, right down to tags and color coded details. For example, I have a blog notebook filled with ideas I’m currently working on, spreadsheets, and forms; and a personal notebook with travel itineraries, job applications, and Whole30 ideas. It’s compatible will all MicrosoftOffice suites and continually finds new ways to surprise and delight me.

Slice. As an avid online shopper, I love that Slice tracks all my packages and let’s me know when they are expected to arrive and even sends me a notification when they are delivered. It syncs with your email, so you don’t have to do anything to update your current shipments!

Venmo. I’m actually pretty surprised at how many people I know that don’t use Venmo. Squaring up with people financially can be such a struggle these days, especially since I have cash on me approximately 1 out of 67 days. The only thing I hate more than having to bug someone about money is owing someone money. Luckily, Venmo makes paying your friends back so easy. You can pay or charge someone instantly, and not have to worry about forgetting, having a check on you, etc.

Ted. I absolutely love watching Ted talks. Any time I have 20 minutes to spare, I usually watch the most recent one, or delve into the archives to find something cool. Trying and learning new things is incredibly important to me, and Ted talks are a really easy way of exposing myself to something different. This app is sleek and easy to navigate, which is all it really needs to be while delivering the talks to my iPad.

Google Trips. As a lover of Google Flights, you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered Google Trips. Google’s attempt at creating a one stop shop for travel planning scans your inbox to save all your reservations, and uses Google’s unlimited knowledge to help you plan your itineraries. Best of all, you can use it without internet. Hello, traveling abroad like you’ve never seen it before.

Do you guys have any ride or die apps I should try out? Leave them in the comment section!

Have a great day!

xo, C

2017 Travel Bucket List

(photo by me, first published in this post)
2016 was a pretty solid travel year for me. The year was filled with weekends in my favorite New England cities, visiting my family in New York City and going back again for my beloved New Yorker festival; but it also contained a lot of new experiences.

My first new trip of the year was to our nation’s capital in March to see the cherry blossoms. I had only spent one day in Washington D.C. before, so I loved the opportunity to embrace the food, architecture, and history of the city at such a beautiful time of year. My sister and I took a summer road trip to Saratoga Springs and spent some time at The Great Sacandaga Lake. I went to Texas for the first time with my best friend as we spent five days in Austin, then my mom and I went down to Philly to see my favorite songwriter (and also the Liberty Bell). At last I ended the year in front of Cinderella’s Castle in Walt Disney World with my four best friends in the entire world.

I feel so lucky to have been able to travel to all the places I have been. When I was younger, my dad was always traveling for work and coming back from around the globe with the most amazing stories. A postcard from Neuschwanstein, a Turkish eye, and Swiss chocolate stand out in my memory as triggers of places I wanted to see, cultures I was craving experience in, and food around the world I had to try. My parents blessed us with many vacations throughout our lifetime as well, taking us from the beaches of Hawaii to the museums of London, making sure we paid attention to the history lessons and absorbed the culture existing around us.

My early 20s were something of a mess as I stumbled my way through mistakes and learning what I wanted and what I needed to do. What I’m most grateful for during this time was the travel experiences I was fortunate enough to have. The time I spent in Europe, California, and Bermuda sticks out to me as places where I was staggeringly aware of myself and what I wanted, and that self-awareness gave me a lot of the confident direction I have today.

I know that in 2017, traveling will continue to be important to me. While I never know how many opportunities I will have, these are some of the feasible places I hope I’ll be able to make it to!

Pacific North West

Seattle and Portland have been very high on my list for quite a while now. If I have the opportunity to travel to a west coast place of my choice this year, I highly suspect it will be here. Everything from the cities to the mountains I am dying to explore.

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Big Sur

A road trip up (or down) Big Sur is one of those things I just know I have to do. Whenever the opportunity arises, I will definitely say yes to it.

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Toronto

It’s been several years since I made it over the border and into Canada, but I have never made it to Toronto. Last year my mom was in Toronto with a group of friends and she told me I would absolutely love it. Sounds like a good enough reason to me!

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Havana

Now that JetBlue is flying to Cuba and US Cuban relations are better than ever, Havana has been promptly bumped to the top of my travel list. This year would be ideal, before the flocks of tourists force the country to adapt and change some of its culture and purity to appease the masses. I would love to go experience the arts and culture of a place that has for so long been untrodden by tourism. And also the cars. Definitely the cars.

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My ultimate travel bucket list has a lot more far fetched locations on it, but at this time in my life I know that shorter trips to more accessible locations is much more feasible and will also bring a maximum amount of joy into my life.
Do you have any travel plans or wishes for the new year? Sound off in the comments below!
xo, C

Vacation Nightlife

Hey guys! Part two of my vacation round up here. Today I’m talking about my favorite ways to spend evenings on vacation. As someone who isn’t really about the nightlife scene and would rather find a killer restaurant than a hot new club, I feel the pain and pressure of finding things to do at night during vacation and that self-inflicted disappointment that maybe you’re going back to your hotel too early or you haven’t done enough yet.

As my best friend and number one travel companion, Jenn and I have a pretty good idea of what we want to spend our evenings doing. When we’re in Boston, you can usually find us at a concert or sporting event, finding a place with deliciously close proximity to eat at beforehand (or find cheesecake at after, whatever). So whatever corner of the country we’re zigzagging off to, we tend to follow similar patterns on vacation.

I think experiencing the sports culture of other areas in an underrated aspect of traveling. In LA I was mesmerized by the Staples Center and how theatrical the whole experience was (how apropos, Hollywood) and equally shocked that it was still half empty at tipoff-something that would never happen in Boston! In Texas, we ended up at the San Antonio Spurs game and had a blast exploring their new stadium and witnessing the way fans enjoy a game down south.

As the live music capital of the world, I knew I definitely wanted to see a concert while we were there. Going back and forth between small venues and mainstream acts, it became clear to me that I definitely wanted to see something at the Moody Theater. Seeing such a culturally significant theater such as the one ACL Live is filmed at seemed like a good way to spend an evening in Austin, but I couldn’t have imagined how much I would love it! I have a tendency to geek out over the strangest and weirdest things, like being outside, but the Moody Theater really hit the nail on the head with me. The sound quality is superb and from what I could tell every single seat in the house had fantastic sight lines to the stage. The open air foyer was perfect for a beautiful Austin evening, and the outdoor stairs provided fantastic views down 2nd Street. To call this “Music’s Best Address” is the best, most accurate statement of my concert attending days.

Since we live in the Information Age, there are a ton of online resources available that I’ve found helpful when planning trips, or even when I’m at home looking for something to do. I frequently use the Boston.com events calendar at home, and I get the BosTen Newsletter delivered to my inbox every Thursday with ten things going on in the city that weekend. When I was trying to find concerts in Austin I used Austin360, which is how I found out my Uncle Greg had a concert scheduled for one of the days I was in Austin (crazy). It’s also how I found out about The Lantern Fest, which was an incredible real life Tangled moment. If you have the opportunity to go to one next year I highly recommend it.

Our first day in Texas, we wanted to make sure we had something to do so we didn’t let jet lag tempt us into staying at the hotel all night. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema kept coming up while doing research, so we decided to give the Texas chain a try. Luckily the Ritz location was having a Rocky Horror Picture Show party (the same night as the TV special), and as an avid Rocky Horror fan I knew that would be a good option. This movie theatre absolutely blew me away. I wish there was one closer than New York City to me, because I would be there all.the.time. Serving everything from pizza and beer to big bowls of popcorn to warm chocolate chip cookies, this really takes movie going to a whole new level. 10/10 would recommend. As an added bonus, this particular location is right on Sixth Street. At midnight when the movie got out we walked out to a bustling street of nightlife. In lieu of cars, it was filled with people walking down the middle street going in and out of the seemingly endless bars. Walking back to the car we were offered free shots at least twice I believe from different venues (Thirsty Thursday is alive and well in Austin). Knowing that we would never have gone in search of the traditional nightlife scene, it was fun to get to experience it as a happy accident post movie!

Make sure you stop by tomorrow for a recap of San Antonio! See you then!

xo, C

Austin

Welcome back friends! I hope you all had an amazing weekend. Today I’m finally getting around to sharing my Austin trip. My best friend and I went down to celebrate our six year friendiversary (the significance of six years is thanks to this Lady Gaga song we had on repeat in our college dorm back in the day). It took a bit longer to assemble this one than my Providence and Philadelphia guides so please forgive me for jumping out of order!

Where To Stay: Hotel San Jose. Tucked away off of South Congress hidden inside a lush garden oasis is a courtyard of bungalow style hotel rooms. They really feel like a ‘home away from home’ as locals swing by for happy hour and a courtyard brunch, or as you walk right out the door and onto the street of one of Austin’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Also on South Congress is the aptly named South Congress Hotel. A trendy hotel with minimalist rooms, prime location, and a rooftop pool; it’s also home to the cutest little spot, Café No Sé.

Where To Eat: The food scene in Austin is absolute heaven. I honestly wish I had more than three meals a day just so I could have had an opportunity to try more of the places on my list.

The first group up is the chains. In-N-Out, Whataburger, and Mooyah are bountiful in Texas and in my opinion you absolutely cannot go wrong with a burger at any time of day, but especially as a late night option. The real rockstar in my book was Torchy’s Tacos. Damn Good tacos, as they “warn”, for a price so reasonable I think my jaw legitimately dropped the first time I went to hand a cashier my credit card. Also their guac is subtly spicy in a way I have never experienced out here on the East Coast. All this in a fast casual joint? 10/10 would recommend.

You cannot go to Texas and not get barbecue. That’s just sacrilegious. The first place on your list should be Rudy’s. Apparently people line up at crazy hours to get a bite of Franklin’s, but if that’s not your scene I guarantee Rudy’s will not disappoint you. A charming country store, Rudy’s gave us the biggest and most Texan welcome. After hearing we were first time customers, they started whipping up a batch of their most popular items as samples for their “friends from Boston”. Seriously the kindness and hospitality just absolutely floored me. Also it’s fantastic to be able to try a bit of everything before you make your move. Every piece of meat was more delicious than the last, but you absolutely cannot leave without trying the creamed corn or the spicy pinto beans! (Pro tip: grab some barbecue sandwiches from Rudy’s and take them with you on a “hike” (slighly elevated stroll) up Mount Bonnell and enjoy your barbecue with a view)! An added bonus: everything here is super affordable, so you definitely won’t feel bad about going back a second (or third) time.

Another barbecue option I would definitely recommend (though it is a bit pricier than Rudy’s) is Salt Lick. We tried this one in the Austin Bergstrom Airport, which was a bittersweet way to say farewell to Texas, with one last barbecue sandwich for the road.

The 2nd Street District in Austin is bursting with life. Downtown Austin combines the best of weird Austin with Texas hospitality. You could easily spend a day here popping in and out of all the different shops and restaurants. We visited La Condesa for some modern Mexican, and were able to sit outside under twinkling cafe lights comfortable in the upper 70 degree weather, and it was absolutely perfect. La Condesa is one of those places that instantly snatches up real estate in my heart with their interior design, from succulents and long wooden tables to bright colorful accents and crisp white chairs. Add in an al fresco patio and you already have a winner in my book, but it’s worth noting that the food is actually quite delicious also ;). We also stopped by La Condesa’s neighbor, Numero28, and were equally impressed. We had a beautiful lunch spot out on the patio, paired with a delicious panini made on pizza dough and a fresh Italian salad. I was pretty shocked to find such authentic Italian in the middle of the United States, but Numero28 really impressed me. The staff is incredibly passionate about their menu, and can go in-depth on everything from the pizza dough practices to the extensive wine list. One of our dining neighbors was really giving the server a run for his money with outlandish wine questions, but he volleyed them all with ease, relying on the depth of his knowledge. I was quite impressed!

The Oasis is a place you really shouldn’t miss if you are looking for something with that ‘wow’ factor on your trip. I cannot lie to you guys and say the food was anything more than mediocre because it wasn’t, but the views definitely make up for it. The Oasis property includes a brewery and sprawling restaurant, complete with three levels of decks overlooking the sunset on Lake Travis. I specify sunset because the Oasis is known as the sunset capital of Texas, and on this front they definitely do not disappoint. They don’t take reservations, so I would recommend getting there 45-60 minutes before sunset. You’ll probably still face a wait, but you’ll get to watch the sunset throughout your meal which will be well worth it! I probably could have gone around the grounds with a DSLR taking photos and be totally content, but here are the ones I managed to snag with my iPhone over dinner!

Another place of interest to me that might benefit my fellow Bostonians out there is B.D. Riley’s. This Irish Pub on Sixth Street is the official Patriots fan club of Austin and home to our fellow Pats fans! Jenn and I stopped in Sunday afternoon to catch the Patriots game and this place was absolutely packed with Patriots fans decked out in their jerseys for game day. It was so cool finding the home where so many New England fans gathered and connected with each other over our beloved Brady!

Opt Outside. There is no shortage of outside activities in Austin. The aforementioned Mount Bonnell is a great activity, albeit a short one, and may be out of the way if you’re staying downtown and not planning on venturing to the northwest part of the city.

We took a beautiful walk along the new Boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake and took in all the beauty of nature and the unobstructed views of downtown Austin. The boardwalk was a great home for everyone to coexist, runners and bikers exercised, moms pushed strollers, and Jenn and I strolled leisurely chatting about the 40 degree weather we were returning to back home! We also went to Zilker Metropolitan Park, home of Austin City Limits music festival.

The Domain is a sprawling outdoor mall that I would probably spend too much time (and money) at if I lived in Austin! Being able to shop outside in beautiful warm and sunny weather is something I will sorely miss over the New England winters. There is no shortage of restaurants with outdoor patios to dine at, and there is definitely a store for everyone!

South Congress was one of my favorite parts of Texas. I loved the feeling that I had traveled back in time as soon as we crossed over Lady Bird Lake. Everything from a cowboy boot shop to a Warby Parker store can be found here. The flagship Torchy’s Tacos takes up an entire block and looks like Radiator Springs (a fictitious town off Route 66 in Disney’s Cars). The Austin Motel actually has a drive up check in spot and red and white striped umbrellas like something straight out of the 1960s (I actually have zero idea if this is even close to being historically correct, but that’s the vibe I got. Please correct me if I’m mistaken)! We walked up and down this street checking out the cafes and food trucks, window shopping antiques and Kendra Scott jewelry. The character of this eclectic little street just tugged at my heart strings and I wanted to do all of my Saturday shopping there every week! South Congress is also home to the popular Continental Club, and its sister bar the Continental Club Gallery, which are among the many reasons I recommend staying at one of the charming hotels on South Congress!

The Texas State Capital is nothing short of impressive. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and the pink Renaissance building is like nothing else.

Tomorrow I’ll be sharing what we did for nightlife in Texas, and some of my travel suggestions for planning evening activities, so make sure you swing by for round two!

xo, C

Philadelphia

Hey guys! Welcome back. Today I’m sharing some of my photos from Philadelphia. I met my mom in New York and we drove down for a quick 24 hours. I’ve always wanted to visit Philly and when I saw that my favorite songwriter was going to be promoting his newest album at Milkboy it seemed like the perfect excuse to go.

The parallels between Boston and Philadelphia are so strong I felt right at home in the heart of this Revolutionary city. History is impossible to escape in the city, even as du jour farm-to-table restaurants pop up and vibrant trends show up in the boutique shops fresh out of NYC. It’s hard to ignore the similarities between Elfreth’s Alley and Beacon Hill; and Independence National Park and the Freedom Trail.

We chose to spend our day in Center City, enjoying the charm of Old City and soaking up all the knowledge and history of the Museum District. Given another day, we definitely would have headed out to the Museum of Art to snag a classic Rocky picture (but also because when have you known me to pass up a good art museum?!) so I know there will definitely be a ‘next time’ of the rather soon variety!

Federal Donuts needs to be right up at the top of your food list (yes, right next to a cheesesteak). Their fancy donuts are absolutely out of this world and really take donuts to a whole new level (as my wise dad says, “everything works in a donut”).

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

xo, C