I have always been a big fan of the Fruit of the Loom brand! To me, Fruit of the Loom equals comfy! From low rise hipsters to boxer briefs, to hoodies, sleepwear and socks, they’ve got me covered! I can’t believe they’ve been around for over 160 YEARS!! It makes sense, since they truly take pride in their heritage and always stay focused on authenticity!
I have been fortunate enough to visit many Ritz-Carlton properties (we got engaged at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe), but this one is easily one of my very favorites. The beautiful surroundings, the amazing amenities and the top-of-line staff just can’t be beat. Of course, there’s a little nostalgia mixed in there too!
When Kevin would retreat here he would be busy pretty much all day. I’d make my way to the beautiful gym or down to the beach. Read a book, snack, stretch… you name it! When he would finish up, we would meet for a sunset cocktail and dinner, then we would head down to the beach to listen to the waves crash in. Those are some of my very favorite memories of the first few years of our relationship.
Mckenna and I decided on the Royal Palms in Phoenix for our little girls staycay. There are so many beautiful resorts in the area, but we especially love Royal Palms because of how beautiful it is. It’s so charming and quaint, it literally feels like you’re in Europe! I honestly forget that I’m still in Arizona, and I really don’t live far from the resort.
A few tweaks to my daily routine has helped me find a little more inner peace. I used to make time for all sorts of daily rituals that make me happy like reading, meditating, yoga, taking a bath, or going for a walk. However, having a kid really does throw a wrench in things (a good wrench, but a wrench nonetheless). Most of your day is highly unpredictable, making organization feel like a foreign country. So something as simple as scheduling in a few moments to yourself may help you like it does me.
Feeding my family nutritious food is a no-brainer. I love teaching Nixon about the healthiest and freshest options when it comes to eating! Heritage Breed eggs by Happy Egg are some of the freshest eggs I've ever tasted! But equally important is the sustainability of our foods. Happy Egg thrives under natural conditions and come from several small family farms throughout Missouri and Arkansas.
T. Cook’s has been the go-to dining destination for more than two decades and Valley foodies have a whole new reason to visit now that Chef Alex Robinson has taken over as executive chef, bringing with him an exciting take on Mediterranean cuisine that combines his California sensibility with French techniques.
At 33, Chef Alex has worked in some of the country’s best five-star resort kitchens including The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago; Four Season Resort Jackson Hole, Four Seasons Hotel Denver, Four Seasons Hotel Boston and Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.
Other than the services, this beautiful spa (who recently went through an insane renovation) offers a sauna, steam, hot tub and resting room and obviously the gorgeous rooftop pool I mentioned earlier. I AM OBSESSED with this spa. I am going to be doing a full roundup of Phoenix spas asap, but I can tell you right now, this one is up there!
Napa is one of my favorite places to visit. And depending on what time of year it is, it’s so fun to pack for! I love visiting when the weather is on the warmer side, but not too warm! So, spring and fall end up being the perfect time for me to go. But even in the summer, the nights can be brisk. So I always recommend packing a layer or two. Soft, light and flowy sweaters are perfect for any time of year and can easily be taken off. Even though the weather is cold in the winter, it’s still NAPA and it’s still magical, just remember to pack accordingly.
I’ve put together a little packing guide so that you don’t forget a thing.
Carneros Resort and Spa is hands down, one of my favorite resorts in the valley. It is truly one of the “finer things in life”… the service and staff are incredible, the rooms and beds are luxurious, and mostly importantly, the food and wine are OUTSTANDING. Carneros is home to 100 cottages, suites, and residences. All surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and scenic vineyards.
2018 was a big year for women. In a lot of ways, it may have been the best year in the history of women – ever. Last year brought increased attention to the Gender Gap in the workplace, breaking through the Glass Ceiling, pay inequality and of course, the #metoo movement. The result is that women continue to encompass more and more leadership roles within executive teams, company Boards and politics, there is a spotlight on unequal pay and there’s accountability and consequence for bad behavior from powerful people that abuse that power. Much of this attention focuses on men behaving badly and there’s no denying that it can be difficult as a woman to feel like you’re on a level playing field sometimes. When men behave badly in a professional setting, it can range from simply being over-patronizing to downright predatory. But in my opinion, there’s another issue at hand, one which can be just as damaging for women that isn’t often discussed because it’s, put simply, harder to pinpoint. And that is when women fail to support other women.
Right down the road from my house is a very relaxing place nestled within Camelback Mountain called Sanctuary Resort. It is truly an experience of a higher level of luxury and glorious renewal… and no doubt lives up to its name, Sanctuary. This beautiful Scottsdale luxury resort begs to you let go and reconnect to yourself. Something I’ve been having trouble finding lately.
