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places to go | scottsdale arizona
Scottsdale is full of interesting spots. We booked two nights at Hotel Valley Ho and dined at a few really delicious places that you should check out too if you’re ever in town. At Cowboy Ciao I had the most delicious salad with couscous and salmon. It’s called the Stetson chopped salad and you should definitely order it. Another favorite was Old Town Tortilla Factory. It was walking distance from the hotel and very charming. We sat on the patio and ordered margaritas and chicken tacos. The hotel had this really cool vibe and a classic midcentury modern design. Stick around Saturday afternoon for the pool party if you like cocktails, funky music and dancing. We also booked a sunrise hot air ballon ride with Unicorn Balloon Company. It’s smaller than some of the other companies in Scottsdale, but we had a great time, the views were gorgeous and after the flight there was a champagne toast. Before flying home we spent one more night in Scottsdale at the end of our trip. We dined at hip hang out Culinary Dropout and stayed at The Phoenician. This place was more expensive but it was so relaxing and luxurious and the pool was seriously stunning (they also left the most delicious chocolates on your pillow!).
sleep hotel valley ho | eat cowboy ciao | do hot air balloon ride
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We woke up when it was dark. Sleepily, we drove down to the edge of the canyon. There were other early-risers trying to catch the sunrise too. We sat in silence waiting for the sun to shine over the eastern edge. It only lasted a few moments but it was breathtaking.
I have so many adventures to catch up on (life in Barcelona, a trip to Italy and more adventures from the desert). I really want to document them all here and I will – soon.
photos taken by me in June 2012 at the Grand Canyon
a year in travel stories and photos
Looking back 2012 was a big year for us. There are still so many places on our must see list but I’m so grateful we had the opportunity to mark off a few this year and make some truly wonderful memories. Here are a few of my favorite travel moments from 2012 –
In January we escaped the brutal Chicago winter and landed off the coast of Mexico. We stayed at a beautiful resort in the Riviera Maya where we sipped pina coladas, ate fresh fruit and had our fill of the most delicious empanadas. We lounged in the sun and soaked in the pool. We took long walks on the beach at sunset and made a promise we would come back someday. 
We celebrated our first anniversary window shopping and wine tasting in Galena. We ate popcorn and made a list of all the things we wanted to do in our second year of marriage.
We spent ten days running around the desert with our best friends. We took a hot air balloon ride, drank too many John Daly’s and bought Indian pottery in Scottsdale. We hiked the Grand Canyon, watched the sun rise, ate lunch on the bank of the Colorado River and spent the night at the historic El Tovar hotel. We woke up to looming red rocks all around us in Sedona, drank prickly pear cactus juice cocktails and watched the sun set. We explored ruins, wine tasted and stared at the stars for hours wishing this trip would never end.
I flew down to Miami with my mom and my sister for our second annual girls weekend. We made breakfast every morning, ate lunches by the pool and drank all the peach bellinis we could. We sunbathed. We took naps when it rained. We stayed up late watching movies and slept in every morning. Returning home I felt rested and rejuvenated.
We rented a house in Michigan at the end of summer. We took long boat rides and ate corn on the cob. We stayed up all night playing card games and made s’mores around the bonfire. We took naps on the porch. I realized getting out of the city was exactly what I needed.
In September, we spent time in Tampa with family. We rode roller coasters. We ate lobster and drove to Clearwater for the day. I loved the way the ocean air felt.
Sharing these photos and stories makes me happier than I can say. I’d really like to thank you for following along with me this year. Twenty twelve was so good to us. I’m not sure yet where 2013 will take us but I know we won’t stay idle for long.
a gift guide for the traveler
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite gift ideas for the jet-setters in your life. This little guide hardly does the world of traveling products and accessories justice but I’m excited to share of a few of my favorites and a few I hope to see under my own the tree this year.
1 travel guide with an insider’s feel – Field Guide 01 Nashville Tennessee from Wildsam Field Guides ($17) 2 fashionable footwear with a pop of color – cameron women’s sneaker from Country Road ($60) 3 a pack for your back in a coral grid print – Dusen Dusen grid backpack from Pour Porter ($88) 4 the ultimate guide to North America’s must sees – The New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada by Barbara Ireland from Amazon ($27) 5 looks like a case acts like a wallet – iPhone case from eyn ($30) 6 a modern wall clock inspired by the City of Light – Paris clock from iluxo ($40) 7 show your city some love – city neighborhood maps from These Are Things ($59) 8 keeping your shoes, delicates and dirties separate – travel laundry bag by La Cerise sur le Gateau from Vitrine ($20)
a weekend in boston
I loved Boston – the classic gaslit streets and brick sidewalks, skyscrapers nestled next to historic sights, a one of a kind ballpark and tucked away pubs around every corner. The first day we walked until my feet refused to walk anymore – uphill, downhill, along the Charles River, down by the harbor, through the Boston Common and back.
Having a friend in Boston made the city feel extra special. Marjorie took us to places we never would have found on our own including a little cafe on Newbury Street where I ate the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had.
One night Marjorie and Adam took us to the North End. Our dinner consisted of roasted vegetables, fresh baked bread and pasta and endless glasses of red wine. We stayed at their cozy apartment in beautiful Beacon Hill. We toured Fenway Park, took a boat ride down the Charles River and spent time wandering around the Public Garden.
Boston was like a breath of fresh air for me. Our time there was perfect.
photos taken during our trip to Boston in October 2011
