Summer Road Trip: Utah

Hey everyone! I feel like it's been forever since I last posted, but I'm back with a little recap of our Summer road trip. I'm breaking it up into two parts, and today is all about Utah.

It was our second time visiting Utah, but it was our first time exploring places like Bryce Canyon National Park and parts of central and northern Utah. The first time we went to Zion before heading to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Zion was absolutely majestic in size and scope, but Bryce Canyon was just so unique in its beauty. I've never experienced anything quite like it. We were only there for half a day, but it was plenty of time to get out of our jeep and take in the breathtaking views within the park. There's a shuttle system that picks passengers up and drops them off at various lookouts and points, but for time's sake Nate and I just drove ourselves and that worked out just fine. It really depends on your schedule and how long you'd like to explore. This was on the first leg of our trip so we were extremely excited when we finally looked down into the canyon!

Bryce Canyon National Park

If and when we go again, I'd like to hike one of the trails leading into the canyon! It truly looks magnificent. The rust colored rocks jutting out like bony fingers...I was mesmerized. It's definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen. The weather was really nice too which made the experience all the more pleasant. They don't allow dogs so we left Nettie in our trailer with the air conditioning running. We camped for one night at Ruby's Inn (a very nice campground with all the amenities) and I highly recommend camping there because it's a mile outside of the park. 


After spending one short night and part of the next day at Bryce Canyon, we headed to Bear Lake on the border of Utah and Idaho. It was a steep drive going through the mountains, but the drive itself is so beautiful that we didn't mind it one bit.

On The Road In Utah

I couldn't help but snap a ton of photos of Nettie. We try our best to include her on our camping trips, and she was happy as can be!

Bear Lake

We stayed at Bear Lake for three nights and four days. The resort town was so quaint and charming, and the lake itself was enormous with clear blue water. We swam, rode bikes, and enjoyed the scenery. 

Must-Stops

If you're ever in Bear Lake, you MUST try the crepes at crepes and coffee. I got a traditional sweet crepe with nutella, and Nate got a savory crepe with turkey and avocado. Their ice coffee was delicious as well. I wish more cafes out here in California offered crepes! I could eat one every morning. 

On the way back from Wyoming towards the end of our road trip, we stopped at a creamery in Beaver Utah. I'm a huge cheese lover so naturally I had to buy some cheddar cheese curds. Don't forget the milkshakes and ice cream though. I seriously gained 6 pounds on this trip! Well worth it.

Utah is such a beautiful state. The southern part is desert terrain, while northern Utah is filled with mountains, rivers, and plenty of greenery. I must say that out of all the states I've been to so far (and besides Hawaii, which is certainly the most beautiful in my opinion) Utah is just stunning! It's a must-see, especially if you love the outdoors.



Thank you guys for all the well wishes on my Instagram stories while we were away! Doing a few stories here and there was a fun way to document the trip.

I'll be back next week talking all about Yellowstone national park and Wyoming! Plus I have so many other posts to share so stay tuned :)

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What I'm Packing For A Summer Road Trip

 I'm so excited because in exactly two days, we are off on the longest Summer road trip we have ever taken. It's been months in the making and now it's finally here!

For those of you who might have missed it, myself, Nate, Nettie, and a couple of our dearest friends and their family are all hitting the road and going to Utah, Wyoming, and ending in Las Vegas Nevada. Nate and I did a similar trip a couple years ago when we ventured out to Zion and the Grand Canyon, but this time will be much different. For one, we won't just be flying by the seat of our pants and camping out in the woods alone, sleeping in our jeep (yup, we did that). This time we booked four different campgrounds to stay in. Also, we'll be traveling and sleeping in an RV which is much more pleasant than a small jeep!

I can't wait to make new memories and see more of America. Experiencing it with friends is an added bonus, and something I'm sure we'll reminisce over for years to come.

Target shorts & top, Madewell bag, Steven sandals, Similar hat

Packing for a 10 (yes 10) day road trip seems daunting, and actually it has been. But since we are mostly planning on swimming, doing some light hiking, and sight-seeing along each stop on our path, I decided to keep it as simple as possible. I really don't have the room to over-pack! I'm bringing:

a handful of casual tees and tank tops
3 pairs of shorts
1 pair of jeans
2 pairs of leggings
1 jacket, 1 sweatshirt
2 bathing suits
3 casual dresses
2 kimonos that can double as bathing suit coverups
1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of espadrilles

I figure if I need to wash anything, I can do so by hand and hang the item to dry. I love clothes, but when it comes to camping, I have a tomboy side...or really, just a zero F's given side. You have to just go with it!

I'm taking very minimal products with me that can perform double duty. For example, the cream shadow sticks from Glo can also double as eyeliner. The bronzer and highlight palette can work as eyeshadows and blush. It's all about effortless beauty when you're on a road trip. In fact, I'm sure some days I won't wear anything besides sunscreen and a little concealer. 

I definitely plan on writing about my experience once we get home. In the meantime, I'll be back with my monthly edit next week!

Linking up with On The Daily Express and Straight A Style

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The Riviera Palm Springs

The Riviera hotel in Palm Springs is truly an oasis in the desert. Located in downtown Palm Springs, it's incredibly convenient for exploring the surrounding area. You can soak up the sun and lounge by the pool during the day, and go listen to live music at night. I've stayed in a few different resorts over the years in Palm Springs, but The Riviera is now my favorite. In fact, we plan on making the trip an annual visit.

Everything about the place exuded glamour, luxury, and relaxation. The resort is divided into sections, and each section is centered around the large pool and patio area. I loved all of the flowers blooming, as well as the shady trees and large palms that surrounded the property.

1600 North Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs

The lobby of the hotel was gorgeous. As soon as I walked in, a citrus scent wafted through the air - it was honestly kind of intoxicating! I can still smell it as I type this. I also really loved the color scheme in the lobby area with white and pops of blue, green, and pink. I need one of those pink velvet chairs for my office! Everything was just so beautiful and well done.

While compiling these photos, I realized I didn't take a single picture of our room! It was just as luxe as you'd imagine though. It felt private, the bathroom was spacious, and the bed was supremely comfortable. 

The pool/patio area was inviting and we spent a whole day there drinking and lounging. There was a nice mix of people, from couples looking for some pampering, to families with small children, and of course plenty of singles wanting to party. I really loved the variety. On Saturday, a DJ played music and everyone was dancing in the pool. If that's not your scene though, Sunday was more low-key although music still played through the loud speakers. 

We ventured out to eat for most of our meals but we did have breakfast at Cafe Palmetto. I got their eggs benedict and it was the best I've had! I think it was the hollandaise sauce that was so rich and creamy. It's a must-try!



Nate and I did many of the same things that we did on our day trip last year, so I'm including that post in case you're wanting some recommendations for things to do and see!

Overall, this is one of the nicest resorts I've ever stayed in and it was a wonderful experience. I would recommend it to anybody who is visiting Palm Springs! Definitely an A+

This post was not sponsored in any way - I mean, I wish! 

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Playa Del Carmen & Tulum: Thoughts, Tips, Photos

Last Christmas, my best friend surprised me with a note that listed a few destinations for our annual girls trip. "Pick a spot" she said. Um, okay! New Orleans, Chicago, and Seattle were all potential locations, but after going back and forth, we decided to leave the states. She had Tulum on her wish list, and undoubtedly it's become really popular over the last few years. I didn't know anything about it, but after some quick research I knew that it would be the perfect area to explore. Katie has a close friend that recently moved to Mexico City, and he insisted that we also include Playa Del Carmen in our plans since it's nestled between Cancun (the airport we had to fly into) and Tulum. We thought Playa Del Carmen would be a fun stop for a night...then it turned into two nights...and we went back again the day before we left Mexico. It was completely unexpected! Tulum was supposed to be our crowning jewel, and don't get me wrong, it really is stunning! But Playa Del Carmen stole my heart.  

Playa Del Carmen: 

It's forty-five minutes south of Cancun. You can take a shuttle, ADO bus, collectivo, or taxi from the airport depending on how much money you want to spend. It cost us about 50 USD for a taxi but we didn't have to make any stops along the way so it was definitely worth it. I will note that cash is king at least in that part of Mexico and exchanging dollars for pesos is the way to go for both parties. I barely used my debit card at all. Reception was spotty so having a good amount of pesos on hand made everything much easier (and cheaper in the long-run). 

Playa Del Carmen is a vibrant, colorful town. Street art and painted murals are everywhere. I found it to be so inspiring. 

The nightlife is amazing, and I'm not even talking about bars or clubs. Simply sitting at a restaurant or on a street bench makes for fun people watching, and live music was consistently in the background. We walked everywhere we went so getting around was easy. 

We stayed at The Thompson Hotel in Playa Del Carmen. 

Contemporary, friendly staff, and in the heart of Playa's tourist area. We loved it.

The rooftop was our favorite part of the hotel, and we had dinner and drinks there twice. The view was spectacular!

Zenzi is a beach bar and restaurant that we spent way too much time in! It just felt comfortable, the bartenders were helpful and extremely friendly, and what's better than dining on the beach? I highly recommend visiting if you're in or near Playa Del Carmen.

Tulum: 

After two days in Playa, we took a taxi to Tulum which is about an hour drive. We stayed in the actual town of Tulum at an airbnb for the first night, and then stayed at the beach for another night. The airbnb was adorable! Our hosts were also very accommodating. However, we wanted to see the difference between staying in the town versus the beach so we again changed plans last minute so that we could do that! One thing about traveling with Katie is that she is super spontaneous. It was cool to just go with flow rather than stick to definitive plans. Of course, I think it also caused some anxiety for me...but I dealt with it!

Overall, Tulum really is as gorgeous as it looks in photos. The white sand beaches, signature bohemian style, eco-friendly hotels, unique shops, world class cuisine, endless areas with swings and hammocks, plenty of outdoor activities...there's something for everyone! Our only gripe the entire time we were in both Playa AND Tulum was the seaweed epidemic. Normally the water is clear and turquoise; but since late 2014, seaweed has plagued the shoreline. We avoided going in the ocean because we really didn't see anyone going in either and there definitely was a smell present. I'm sure this time of year, with all the storms that pass through, added to that. I think most of the locals have gotten used to it and swim past the murky waters, but we weren't as brave. The cenotes however, are beautiful and clear for swimming! 

Again, we walked but bicycles are the preferred method of transportation in Tulum

Shopping in Tulum was such a cool experience! Sadly, nothing came home with me (I found a lot of things I loved but they were quite expensive). Of all the times to have sales resistance!

RosaNegra

GO HERE, JUST TRUST ME! 

Other Notes: 

Pack lightly, especially if you're staying less than one week.

If you aren't accustomed to humidity like myself, be prepared to sweat. A lot. My hair has never been frizzier, hence the lack of pictures of myself - that I will willingly share. 

Remember insect repellent! Katie and I both came home with some major mosquito bites. We forgot to wear some the night we went to Papaya Playa Project. Big mistake.

Pesos are king, and many places in Tulum do not take cards. 

Have some understanding of the language. We encountered many people who did not speak anything other than Spanish, so knowing basic words and phrases saves a lot of time and effort. Plus, it's a beautiful language :)

If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me or Katie a message! Her Instagram is @mrsktclark. She mostly posts travel related content that's really fun! 

 So my one question now is...where to next year? We shall see, but this will be tough to beat.

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Travel Anxiety

I'm still in the process of figuring out how I want to document my Tulum and Playa Del Carmen trip. It was such an incredible experience, and of course I want to do it justice. But for today, I wanted to write something meaningful to celebrate my 34th birthday.

Everyone always tells you about the fun things that happen on vacation but I want to talk about travel anxiety. I didn't realize the extent of mine. Every day I envy all of the women I see on social media,  jet-setting the globe while looking absolutely perfect in the process. They make it appear so easy!  Fortunately, I now know that travel (naturally) upends my entire routine and if I'm too stuck in my own head to recognize that, panic will ensue.  The fear will be there in the back of my mind, waiting to rear its ugly head; my determination to travel past the fear will be there too.

 Let me explain...

View from our room, Kore Tulum Retreat and Spa

Katie and I had the best two days in Playa Del Carmen. I actually prefer it to Tulum, but more on that later. We stayed at the Thompson for two nights, and then headed to Tulum Saturday morning. All day Saturday I had an awful feeling in my stomach. Of course I couldn't tell if it was something I had eaten, too many margaritas from the night before, or nerves but I just went with it and we ended up having a great time. We went out that night to a big beach party at the Papaya Playa Project, Tulum's famous night spot.

The next day, I was a complete and total wreck and it wasn't a hangover. All I can say is, I had a full-blown panic attack and it did not subside for 24 hours. I stayed in our hotel room, pacing, shaking like a leaf, crying, and trying to slow my heart rate. I thought I was dying, I remember asking Katie if I should call a doctor. I felt terrible for her, who I don't think has ever seen me quite so bad before. She tried so hard to ease my mind, but anyone who suffers from anxiety/panic disorder knows, there isn't a single damn thing that anyone can do or say. I appreciated her comfort though. I thought she was going to get angry or frustrated by the situation, but instead she stayed with me even though I kept telling her to go do some sightseeing on her own. So there we were, in one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen, staring out the window of our hotel room.

I keep wondering, "why can't I fix this one thing in my life?" It's exhausting being this way, although I don't know anything different. It makes me angry, powerless in my quest to control my own mind and subsequently my own body. I didn't sleep a wink that night, but there was an upside to that - I watched the sunrise the next morning from our balcony. This warm feeling washed over me, and I started crying. This time not out of fear or worry, but out of gratitude.

Tulum Sunrise, 9/3/2018

I listened to way too many people who discouraged me from going to Mexico. I let their experiences shape mine, and I think all of that negative talk got the best of me. I was definitely out of my comfort zone, and of course that triggers anxiety. Although I spoke Spanish as a child, I sadly let the language slip by in my teens and it's been hard to pick it back up. That's one of my biggest regrets in life. But since practicing while in Mexico where many of our interactions were only in Spanish, it's coming back a bit. My mom is only speaking with me in Spanish now. I want to get in touch with my roots. I want to be stronger, more capable. I'm proud of my Mom for getting out of her comfort zone and coming to this country with nothing but the clothes on her back, working her way through Los Angeles, and obtaining her citizenship. I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been, a tiny 4 foot 11 woman who barely spoke English. I thought of all of these things watching that Tulum sunrise, and the anxiety and all of my physical symptoms went away.

I was also so so grateful for my friend Katie.

We ended up having a gorgeous day in Tulum, and the travel anxiety vanished as quickly as it came.

I've decided that I can focus on the one day out of our trip that was a disaster, but instead I'm choosing to focus on the four days that were magical.

I had to write this. I apologize for its length! I just wanted to keep it real. Not every travel moment is Instagram-worthy. Actually, the moments in which we truly live and grow aren't. Let's all keep that in mind as we follow social media stars around the world, okay? I certainly will.

The magical days in Mexico will be up next week, and I hope you'll stop by again.

Linking up with Gina and Amy Ann. 

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What I'm Packing for Tulum

I leave on my trip to Tulum late next week, and naturally I wanted to share what I'm packing. Below is everything I'm bringing, minus a couple bathing suits and athleisure for any hikes or more rigorous exploring. We are going for 5 days, so packing light is key. I'm not much of a traveler, but when I go away for less than a week, I make sure to bring items that can easily be mixed and matched. It's essentially a mini capsule collection where I won't have to think too much! I didn't realize it until putting this collage together, but lighter neutrals, blues, and greens seems to be the general theme for my tropical wardrobe - light, and hopefully airy!

Keep in mind that Tulum is typically really hot (I think 80 degrees is the annual average), and we are going in the dead of Summer. I have family that live in Guadalajara, but my last visit to Mexico was ages ago so I've been reading up on travel blogs.

What I'm packing for Tulum:

• Two denim shorts
• Two pairs of sandals, one pair of flat espadrilles
• Two kimonos
• Two dresses, one that's a bit dressier and one that's casual
• Two camisoles
• Three tops/tees
• One bathing suit coverup
• Two bathing suits
• Pjs
• One "workout" outfit
• One crossbody bag
• One tote for the beach/pool
• One hat
• I *may* add my pink mini skirt

A side note on the crossbody bag: I returned this one that I got during the Nordstrom anniversary sale. It felt a little cheap to me unfortunately, and the color was also unexpected. I ended up getting this nylon crossbody from Target of all places, and I'm really happy with it so far. However, two reviews on the website say that the strap broke! I'll report back...

 Most of these pieces are basics, and I find that they are the easiest to pack in a small carry-on suitcase. I'm bringing minimal beauty products as well, mostly sunscreen! We plan on taking some fun outfit pictures while we're there so I'll of course share any once I get back. In the meantime, you can see more details of my Tulum wardrobe below. I'll be back next week with an outfit post 💗 

Linking up with Gina and Amy Ann

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