Newport, Rhode Island

hat: Soel Boutique (similar here)...poncho: Forever 21...turtleneck: old, similar here

jeans: Rag & Bone...boots: Tory Burch old, similar...bag: J. Crew Factory

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of heading back to the East Coast to meet up with my good friend from high school, Kristin. You might remember that I mention from time to time that I'm originally from New Jersey. I love Jersey and miss it often so having a long weekend to run around the Boston area gave me a little taste of home.

We started off our first day by going to tour the mansions in Newport, Rhode Island. These homes are absolutely gorgeous and the setting is amazing. Seeing the ocean seriously made my heart sing. There's something about being by the shore that you just can't beat.  We toured The Breakers and Marble House; both of which were previously owned by the Vanderbilt family and are absolutely iconic for the time period. You can learn more about the Newport mansions online at www.newportmansions.org/.

In Newport you can stroll along the Cliff Walk to get a view of the mansions from the outside; but my favorite part is getting to see all of the details inside. They are fully furnished in original pieces from the era and you feel as if you're being transported back to the 20's. Think Gatsby :)

Since I had such a great experience I wanted to share with you some photos from my day touring the mansions. Interior photos were only allowed in certain areas so I apologize for mostly posting exterior photos, but in my opinion the outside of these homes were just as gorgeous and detailed as the inside.

I hope you enjoy!

Guide to Las Vegas

I have lived in Utah for the past 5 and a half years now and one of the many things that I love about living in Utah is that Las Vegas is only a short road trip away (about 5 hours to be exact). I find myself in Vegas at least 5 times a year for various reasons. I love Las Vegas for 3 reasons:

1. Amazing Resorts
2. World-Class Dining
3. Incredible Shopping

For me Vegas is a place to relax, unwind, and live it up for a short vacay. Last weekend I took a quick day trip to Vegas with my sisters. It was so fun to spend some time relaxing with my favorite girls. We stayed at the Cosmopolitan and it was fabulous! Here are some highlights from the trip.

I thought it would be fun to do a post on my favorite Vegas spots. If you're ever planning a trip to Las Vegas these are my recommendations:

My 3 Favorite Vegas Hotels

Each of these hotels are modern, trendy, and well kept. You can also usually find rooms for a decent price if you're booking for the weekdays or off-season. Make sure to do your homework because rates can fluctuate drastically and make even the nicest hotels very, very affordable.

1. The Cosmopolitan- This is a really sexy hotel. I would recommend this place for a romantic getaway with your significant other. Great restaurants and word-class shopping at The Crystals mall. We loved our room which is pictured above. We also had an incredible view of the Bellagio fountains which was just magical.

2. The Palazzo- I really like the suites at the Palazzo. They are very spacious so if you're coming to vegas with a group and want to split a room I would recommend the Palazzo  You can get one room with 2 Queens and a pull out couch so you could easily sleep 6 people if needed. Great location for a girls trip.

3. THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay- I loved the modern decor in the rooms. I really enjoyed my suite at THE Hotel because it had a separate living area from the bedroom making it feel more spacious and comfortable. The best part of this hotel for me is that you can use the Mandalay Bay "Beach" pool which is awesome!

My 3 Favorite Vegas Lunch Spots

Finding a great location can be tricky because you want a great meal but you don't want it to break the bank because its only lunch. These restaurants offer great choices at a variety of price points.

1. The Verandah at The Four Seasons- I have eaten at this restaurant a number of times and their lunch menu is fabulous! You also can't beat the classy surroundings of The Four Seasons Hotel. If the weather is nice enjoying lunch on the patio is delightful. Who doesn't love dining al fresco? You'll want to order the "V" Burger and then thank me later.

2. Grimaldi's Pizza- I kind of stumbled upon this place with my sisters and it was delicious! It is not exactly fine dining but the pizza is amazing and it is very affordable. Plus there is a location at the Fashion Show Mall so you can stop in when you get hungry after a full day of intense shopping.

3. Mon Ami Gabi- Located in the Paris Hotel & Casino this restaurant made my list because of the ambiance. Make sure to get a seat either on the patio or in the greenhouse area; it is just so cute. Also, eating fancy French food is a fun change from the norm. You do not want to skip the French Onion Soup...it is to die for.

My 3 Favorite Vegas Dinner Locations

I'm all about splurging for an amazing dinner when I can. These restaurants may not be so friendly on your wallet but they are so dang good you won't mind the investment.

1. Sushi Samba- This place will blow your mind. Absolutely everything I've had there is amazing but I do have to say that the sea bass skewers took the cake. Make sure to come ready to try many items on the menu. This is a place where you'll want to stay a long time and taste a lot of things. (located in The Palazzo)

2. STK- Get the filet with the truffle butter and enjoy. Oh and get the lobster mac and cheese too! Everything here is to die for. Best steak I have ever had...period. You HAVE to try this place. (located in The Cosmopolitan)

3. N9NE Steakhouse- Located in The Palms this restaurant has a cool club-like feel complete with a DJ playing the latest hot songs. Everything is delicious.  If you're looking for quantity this is a good place. Last time I was there they offered a 7 course pre-fix menu that was delicious, reasonably priced, and a TON of food.

My 3 Favorite Places to Shop in Vegas

1. The Fashion Show Mall- All of my favorite stores are here. Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks, lululemon,  Zara. This is one of my favorite malls ever! Make sure to have lots of time (and money) to spend here.

2. The Forum Shops- Many different types of stores ranging from the super exclusive to your more everyday names. You can shop at a variety of stores and then you can stop in to Max Brenner for a yummy dessert after shopping!

3. The Las Vegas Premium Outlets- They aren't kidding when they say "premium." Many of your favorite brands have outlet stores here such as Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Theory, and Michael Kors. I come here every single time I'm in Vegas and usually find some amazing deals. You do not want to miss out on this place. 

So there you have it, my guide to Las Vegas! If you have any questions or want some other suggestions please leave me a comment and I'll respond!

Grand Cayman

My husband Nic works for the company Adobe and they have the awesome policy of having a total office shut down the week of the Fourth of July for a summer break. That meant the hubs got a break from the office AND we were free to take a vacay with some friends.

When we arrived in Grand Cayman I got that great feeling I get when I'm in a tropical location. The smell, the moist air, the slight breeze...its intoxicating. We took a taxi to the Ritz-Carlton where we stayed that night. We decided to fly in a day before the rest of the group arrived so we had a bit of alone time. It was like a second honeymoon! The resort was right on Seven Mile beach which is truly beautiful...but very crowded.

 

We loved the Ritz. The service was great and the food was amazing, as usual! We enjoyed a romantic dinner on the beach that night. It was definitely a highlight of the trip for me.

The next day we met up with our friends and headed to the other side of the island called Rum Point. We stayed at an awesome home there with a private beach. It was heaven. We spent most of our days at the pool or on the beach.

Big thanks to Glade for inviting us and organizing the trip! We had so much fun and are so thankful that you thought to invite boring married people like us :)

If you go to Grand Cayman you have to go to Sting Ray City. It is so much fun. Tons of sting rays just swim around you. They are so friendly and let you pet them and even hold them if you're brave enough. That was for sure the highlight of the trip for me; but since we didn't want to ruin our camera I don't have many pictures.

Honeymoon: The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

This post isn't really about the activities that took place on our honeymoon (I'll get to that later); its about the resort itself. Seeing as this is a blog about design I wanted to share my thoughts on the decor at The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

The day after our wedding we were whisked away to a week of relaxation on the island of Maui. It was a total and complete dream. The service was impeccable. The food was absolutely to die for and the 5 pounds I gained was a testament to that. It was a beautiful resort with breath-taking views complimented by furnishings that were tropical yet upscale. I was most impressed by the gardens and lawns; they were meticulously kept to the point where the grass and flowers did not even look real!

My favorite spot at the resort was definitely the Serenity Pool (photos below). It was so relaxing to hear the bubbling of the water in the hot tubs while laying out and enjoying paradise. The attendants would come around periodically to refill your water, provide you with treats like fresh pineapple or an Otter Pop, spray you with a cooling mist and give you cucumbers and a cold washcloth to place on your eyes. Like I said, the service was impeccable! I also thought the Missoni cabana (photo above) was so chic. We obviously did not want to pay the $1000 a day to sit in it though!

 I would say the only disappointing part about the resort stylistically was the bedrooms. It was only OK. Here are the best pictures I have of it (below). I must say that the bathroom was INCREDIBLE though. It was huge and absolutely covered in Marble (my favorite stone). It was excellently functional too. I really enjoyed getting ready there every day.

I LOVED this resort. The Hotel and Spa are gorgeous and you can't beat the location. I would definitely recommend staying here for your next trip to the Hawaiian Islands!.