Tag:

travel

Ski

How to shop for a Ski Trip

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Women’s

scarf 2. ski sweater 3. gloves are under $10! 4. ski coat 5. sweater 6. moon boot 7. ski pants

Men’s

1. hat 2. beanie 3. sunglasses 4. sweater 5. marled sweater 6. T-shirt 7. ski pants 8. backpack 9. ski jacket 10. boots similar

In 20 days we leave for Vail, CO to ski as a family! I’m starting to pack now for our trip. I’m still waiting on some turtlenecks and goggles coming in the mail, otherwise I’m feeling good about packing early! I can’t wait for our private ski lesson and enjoying more snowy conditions than last year. I’ll be sure to capture many pictures of my kiddos in ski gear, because it is THE CUTEST. Admittedly, my 7 year old is a better skier than I am and went down more blues than I did! Sadly, that’s the truth! Which is your favorite ski sweater, coat?

See more pictures HERE from last year’s family trip to Vail!

FamilyTravel

Chicago Omaha 2018

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

skirt // cardigan

brass stool table // sandals // similar denim jeans // black jeans // buffalo check top // faux fur 

 

4 Takeaway Tips

Check @airbnb for cool rentals. Our place was 3 bed 3 bath and a pullout couch condo almost 40 floors up. It was the same price as a high end hotel, but had a nice kitchen and plenty of room to spread out. Plus the views were VERY instagram worthy. And that’s reason enough. We’ve become home bodies more and more, so staying in a great place is huge. We didn’t always feel like going out, especially when you love where you’re at. I got SO man questions asking where we stayed in Chicago. Here’s a link to our Airbnb.

Download Park Whiz app. We found parking for 3 nights for $60, a short walk away. I ended up finding a coupon code on Retail me Not (Not sponsored) for an extra $5 off. Hey, score!

Take the kids to the LEGO store. We scored big taking them to the Lego store in Watertower. I  ALMOST made up for the time I tried on 5 faux fur coats at Nordstrom with a couple Ninjago sets. Plus the cashier asked if this was a gift, and threw in 2 gift sets. Merry Christmas!

It Lived up to the Hype: Dinner/Lunch/Breakfast at 3 Arts Cafe in Restoration Hardware

We ordered an Uber and headed to the Gold Coast for some fresh interior inspo and yummy bites at the 3 Arts Cafe. No reservations needed, we walked in , sat down, enjoyed veggies and dips as an appetizer and a turkey club. Yummy! And listening to the fountain was so relaxing, even Levi enjoyed it.

While in Omaha, we visited the Omaha Zoo and Lauritzen Gardens. Two of our favorites!

We look forward to winding down this weekend at home. What are your plans?

Just as an FYI, I’m hosting a giveaway on Instagram today. Stay Tuned!

MatchesFashion is having an extra 10% off sale today – see my picks below:

Also, Nordstrom still has some great finds on sale now up to 40% off. See my picks below:

FamilyStyleTravel

Kauai Family Vacation

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

swim tunic cover up // denim short one teaspoon // sunglasses // blue dress Misa Los Angeles similar  // kimono and similar cute one // one-shoulder red dress // stripe flip flops

Reid was off 6 weeks for paternity leave and the doctors recommended traveling with a newborn after 5 weeks, so we jumped right through that 5-week window and decided to take a trip to Kauai. I know, crazy sounding, but it actually worked out great. Flying with a newborn is much easier than traveling with a 1-year-old. Levi pretty much nursed and slept the entire flight. 

 

Why Kauai?

We chose Kauai because Reid and I went there for our honeymoon and the island is familiar to us. We felt we didn’t need the added stress of flying somewhere totally new. We’ll do that when he’s a little older.  Also, the Lihue airport is chill and not big-city crowded. It’s the Garden Isle after all. For LA urban dwellers like ourselves who battle sirens, smog and traffic, the country is a breath of fresh air. Literally. I’ll substitute sirens for rooster crowing any day. Yes, wild chickens roam the island of Kauai!

Kauai Family Trip Roundup

Here’s a list of our faves to help you plan your next trip:

Where we stayed

Suite Paradise. We stayed in a condo which had a kitchen and plenty of room for the 7 of us. We had a garden view and can’t complain because the price was right. Suite Paradise has a variety of units available at various price ranges. All reservations include a resort fee with access to the Poipu Athletic Club. The kids loved the pool with slide and Reid loved the gym. They also have tennis and basketball courts for the real athletes.

Favorite Beaches

Our favorite beach was Polihale Beach. It’s totally remote but not kid friendly. So our favorite kid-friendly beaches are:

Beach at Sheraton – Kiahuna Beach

Best for a quick family swim, boogie boarding and lots of surf lessons going on if you want to give it a shot.

Baby Beach or Poipu Beach

Great snorkeling, but you will need water shoes because of the rocky bottom. We saw incredible fish, eels, sea turtles and sea lions. There is also an island you can swim to.

Best Coffee

This is a big deal because everywhere we go we look for GOOD COFFEE. This is hard to master because good coffee is really hard to find IMO.

Little Fish Coffee. Reid rated that a 5 since it tasted a little burnt for the drip version. Maybe the custom pour over would have been better, but Reid didn’t give them a second chance. The place was packed for breakfast with outdoor seating and a total surfer vibe.

Living Foods Market had the best coffee. I ordered the almond milk latte and he ordered one large regular coffee. No burnt taste and we’re going back next time.

Eden Coffee is a cute little food truck with smoothies and coffee. We got to know the owner and he has a family very similar to ours so we immediately bonded and instantly followed them on Instagram because I feel like we are old family friends now.

Best Nature Seeing

Spouting Horn

It’s a quick little stop off from the main highway along the coast. It’s a cave that spouts water up to 30 feet in the air as the waves come in. It was pretty impressive and fun to watch. The kids really dug it and loved hearing the funny sound it makes.

Waimea Canyon 

The drive to Waimea Canyon was amazing as you go from sea level up to 3,000 feet above. There is a lookout point to view the canyon which is considered The Grand Canyon of the Islands. You can see a waterfall in the distance. We suggest picking up food in the city of Waimea and having a picnic in the Waimea National Park. We also grabbed shaved ice at Jo Jos on the way back. A local favorite.

Best Shaved Ice

Shave Ice TegeTege

Shaved ice is a known dessert for Kauai. We suggest Shave Ice Tege Tege, in Kappa. A local friend Reid made in the Poipu Gym recommended it. For those who hate food coloring, this food truck offers the only 100% organic Japanese-style shaved ice. The kids picked grapefruit and Meyer Lemon flavors. Bring cash though, it’s cash only and Reid and I only had enough cash for the kids.

Best Ice Cream

            Lappert’s Hawaii

While the kids hunted after the best-shaved ice, Reid and I sought after ice cream. Lappert’s in Hanapepe was our favorite. Rich and creamy and made right in the back of the store. It’s been around since 1983 (that’s not old is it?).

 

The kids are asking us to book our next return trip ASAP and I actually agree with them. Comment below on your favorite Hawaii experiences. I’d love to get more ideas for our next trip!

GIFT GUIDEStyle

Airport Style

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel
1. Tee
3. Cardigan (this cardi is like a hug)

4. Summer Fridays Mask

5. Joggers (I wore a small)

Whether you’re heading East or West Home, or staying in, you won’t be able to pass up these tried and true basics that work for airport style or pancake duty. I used these sunglasses while we were traveling since they actually stayed on my head during airport security with 7 people! I also love this face spray that comes in a travel friendly size to lock in the moisture. To fight dehydration, using a maskduring the flight is a must. As for luggage, we had the boys share a carryon bag from AWAY and the girls shared a carryon AWAY bag. This eliminated too many bags and avoided silly bag fees. More gift guides to prepare you for the holidays and forthcoming info on our family in Kauai. Stay tuned!

FashionTravel

Our Babymoon at the Langham Pasadena

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

We kicked off our babymoon at the Langham Pasadena with cream tea time in The Club Lounge. The baby and I enjoyed cream, berries and English tea with cream and a cube of sugar, YUM!

It happened to be a really hot week here in Pasadena, so we waited until the sun came down a little to enjoy dinner at the Royce. Reid wanted to celebrate with a steak, I really just wanted a veggie burger. I ended up compromising on this one.

We had a corner room with a view over the pool and the San Gabriel Mountains. The grounds and gardens here are botanical and simply breathtaking! I mean, what would it feel like to get married here? You can’t help but notice the manicured lawns with paths that meander through the beauty. I told Reid, time stood still a little today, and that’s not a bad thing.

For day 2, we made a beeline to the club lounge for some potato and garlic scrambled eggs, a plethora of berries, fresh lattes (steamed almond milk upon request), muesli, fresh smoothies—you get the idea. YUMMY. After breakfast, we stopped by the pool and hot tub to cool down. I love the size of the hotel, it’s big but it doesn’t feel huge. They also had yoga outside for the community and supplied cold water by the pool and the staff is super friendly. I definitely will be back. Maybe with my party of 7 ;). 

BeautyNordstromShop

9 Travel Must Haves Under $55

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

1. Best powder bronzer – in “Laguna”I love color on my face without the dangerous sun rays.
2. Luminizer in “Champagne Rose” works for ALL skin tones, paraben free
3. Tan Towels I swear by. Remember to exfoliate and moisturize before applying.
4. My awesome $16 travel makeup bag I always get asked about
5. Body Polish A great exfoliant and smells amazing.

6. Jet LagMask Serious hydration on the go and works for most skin types!

7. Coconut Lip Gloss Only $12 and all natural.
8. Shea Butter I use this to rub on my belly and its only $12!
9. Serum Mist  So refreshing when you spray on the plane or at home.
Family

Our Family Trip to the Channel Islands

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Yesterday we took a day trip with my in-laws to Anacapa Island, 20 miles off the coast of Ventura. The best thing we did was buy a bunch of one-time use cameras for 3 kids and  1 pink instant camera my oldest saved up her money for. From the 1-hour ferry boat ride to the whale sighting to hiking around the island with a guide, 27 pictures on an instant camera went fast, but it was so much fun for the kids to capture the trip through their eyes.

We brought our lunch since there are no restaurants on the island. But we weren’t ready for the wafts of foul smells from the outhouses as we ate our picnic lunch. Yuck. Even though the smells and the nesting, and sometimes aggressive, western seagulls protecting their young, were among the cons of the trip, we still had an amazing time. The views were breathtaking. Something out of National Geographic with cliffs overlooking pebble beaches boasting sunbathing sea lions. So pretty.

If you go… don’t forget:

Water, sunscreen, cameras, snacks (in addition to lunch), dress in layers since the boat ride is chilly but the island gets hot. Also, don’t forget comfy shoes!

But if you ask my kids, in the end, after the long drive, the hike up, the 100 stairs, the squawking gulls protecting their young, they unanimously agreed seeing the huge blue whale and dolphins skimming our ferry boat was THE BEST part of the day. Go figure.

my jacket // jeans under $80! // cami similar // sneakers // sunglasses

OutfitsStyleTravel

My Weekend in Dallas with Rewardstyle

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Top and similar / Earrings // Leopard Clutch // Sandals // Jeans // Necklace similar // Sunglasses // Bronzer in “Laguna” // Sunless Tanner

Last weekend I spent with Rewardstyle! I have been with them since their inception, and if you’re not already familiar, this company has changed the fashion world! One of the highlights was, I was able to talk to my insta friend, fellow mom and multiple business owner Amber Venz-Box. We talked about her new venture “cherry” the downloadable app that allows you to order a mani pedi from your phone and they come to you. YES, I tried this service and LOVED it! Feels luxe when you can get a manicure and pedicure in your pj’s! Besides taking advantage of the great opportunity to network with fellow bloggers, I also attended for the seminars on how to best integrate home content into my blog and social channels. As most of you know, we are in the thick of renovating our the Lake Arrowhead house, and will be shortly furnishing it! I can’t wait to implement what I learned from this packed weekend! What do you guys think? I always value your opinion.

Tips for Travel to Dallas

Where did you stay?

Hotel Crescent Court

Huge hotel and lots of amenities, service was a wee bit slow but it was during a large conference so delays expected.

Friends of mine also stayed at the Adolphus and loved it.

Where did you eat?

+ We at ShinSei for sushi, thankfully they had a good variety of vegetarian dishes as well.

+ The Concierge is your best friend. We asked for healthy vegetarian food and we were told to go to NORA, mediterranean cuisine that knocked it out of the park.

Also recommended to me but I didn’t have time to try:

Sixty Vines, Honor Bar, Royal Blue Coffee, Mi Cocina, Bird Bakery, and Dolce Riviera

What to do for fun?

+ Go Biking! Our hotel had bikes – use them! Did you know on average, you can burn up to 450 calories just biking 5 miles?

+ Get Coffee

+ Go visit the Dallas Arboretum

+ Shop at the Dallas Galleria

As always, my shop page is open 24/7 (including home products I’m shopping for currently) and don’t forget to follow me on the LiketoKnow.it App where I’m posting exclusive content.

Now, off to take my kids to the park because its truly feels like Spring.

Happy Monday!

OutfitsStyleSummer

How to Pack for a Hot Weather Escape

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel
1. Hat
7. Hobo Wallet I recently purchased this wallet and I’m obsessed. So much room!
I have had so many friends and followers message me about what to bring or buy to a warm weather getaway. Living in LA, and not being far from a beach or pool, here are some of my top picks and things in my beach bag. Don’t forget SPF, a good book, and leave your worries at the beach. I always bring my go-to cutoffs and a bunch of black and white tanks to mix and match.
 
Shop more swimsuits below. There are a lot on sale right now, like this stripe one-piece I just ordered, hurry up sizes are limited.
After all, they say, happiness comes in waves. Happy Friday!
FamilyStyleTravel

Our Family Getaway: Rancho Mirage

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

We had the opportunity last week to go as a family to The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs.  The brand ASbyDF invited us to stay for two nights and feature some of their gorgeous new arrivals. Needless to say, it was a beautiful desert getaway with so many amenities and natural beauty surrounding us. To name a few, the separate kids pool and adults vista pool, the spa (I got a facial) , Reid hit the gym and club lounge. The latter of which really made the trip.  The Club Lounge provides breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks from 7 – 10 at night.  Our room happened to be a couple doors down from the club lounge. So convenient and we goofed around in their for a little while. Our special last night, we ate dinner at State, a restaurant within the hotel. We enjoyed decadent burgers, steaks and excellent kids menu.  Oh and the kids finished their plates, thanks to the full day of swimming. As a special treat, the kids were invited into the kitchen to meet the chef, so cool!  They couldn’t believe the full size pig getting ready for a roasting.  If you’re planning a trip to Rancho Mirage, don’t miss these things:

STAR GAZING starts at 6:30, see the bright stars (If the weather permits…it usually does) and meanwhile enjoy a milky way candy bar.

HIKING you can go hiking around the hotel and nearby Indian Canyon. If we had more than 2 days, we would have loved to hike!

POOLS and hot tubs, we enjoyed the kids pool but there’s also a beautiful adult only pool with a spectacular view.

THE SPA you can use their hot tubs till 7:30 that day of service.

THE GYM has gymnastic rings and battle ropes for some HIIT (High Intensity Impact Training)

Have you been to Palm Springs or Rancho Mirage? Let me know in the comments below. And we are re-vamping the blog, so feel free to share what you’d like to see more of — stay tuned!

my parka // my dress // boots // hubby’s coat // little boy parka

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