Thank you Travelpro® for sponsoring this post. Get the Upgrade with Travelpro®!
Let’s start with the amazing Platinum® Elite Business Backpack ($239.99 ARV). Not only is it innovative and trendy, but it’s also super durable! The numerous pockets and zippers allow me to store all my essential travel items from chargers and personal care, to an extra outfit and a book. Seriously the amount of space within this bag is amazing! My favorite part about the backpack is it’s comfort. All the standing and walking involved with traveling for the holidays can be exhausting, but not once did my back or shoulders ache while wearing the backpack.
As for the Platinum® Elite Tri-Fold® Carry-On Garment Bag ($269.99
ARV), every fashion savvy person should have one of these in their
wardrobes. The garment bag can carry a couple of my favorite outfit pieces and keep them protected from the elements. Inside the garment bag there are also numerous pockets to hold accessories and smaller items, as well as padded roll-bars to guard against wrinkles.
The best part is that I can even get on a flight with these two pieces as my carry-ons! Along my journey home, the flight attendant even made a point to comment on how awesome and practical my Platinum® Elite Tri-Fold® Carry-On Garment Bag was! When a seasoned traveler compliments on the bag you know it’s a winner! Not to mention, Travelpro® has actually been the brand of choice for flight crews and frequent flyers for over 30 years, and that’s probably, because it goes through a lot of testing to make sure it will withstand anything it’s put through. Do yourself a favor and invest in some functional and fashionable travel pieces before the busy travel season that will be with you for years to come!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and
the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
It's that time of year again! The leaves have changed, an early snow has settled in; the holidays are just around the corner. During this time of year we travel far and wide to get together with friends & family we don't get to see frequently enough. Besides planning what to eat, which is arguably the most important, you should be focused on what to wear!
Gatherings will vary from casual to dressy this time of year, and knowing what to wear will have you feeling comfortable for any awkward small talk that awaits!
When deciding where to shop, look no further than Abercrombie for all your needs. Below I will highlight 4 looks; 2 casual and 2 a bit dressier/trendier for any holiday occasion
This look is all about comfort and casual. The days before any holiday are often hectic and busy. These Camo Joggers are comfy enough to lounge at home but stylish enough to run out for some errands. A pop of color with this Gold Heavyweight Heritage Logo Crew Sweatshirt is a comfy statement in a color of the season. And when you do run outside don't forget your Full Zip Sherpa Jacket to stay warm!
Gatherings will vary from casual to dressy this time of year, and knowing what to wear will have you feeling comfortable for any awkward small talk that awaits!
When deciding where to shop, look no further than Abercrombie for all your needs. Below I will highlight 4 looks; 2 casual and 2 a bit dressier/trendier for any holiday occasion
"Errand Running + Lounge Time"
This look is all about comfort and casual. The days before any holiday are often hectic and busy. These Camo Joggers are comfy enough to lounge at home but stylish enough to run out for some errands. A pop of color with this Gold Heavyweight Heritage Logo Crew Sweatshirt is a comfy statement in a color of the season. And when you do run outside don't forget your Full Zip Sherpa Jacket to stay warm!
"Night in With Friends"
Some of the most memorable nights are spent with friends watching movies, playing games and ordering too much take-out. When planning your look for the night this Color Block Flannel Shirt should be your first idea. It's fun, casual and warm. Pair it with all black so it isn't overshadowed!
"Dinner Out With Friends/Meeting the Future In-Laws"
When planning a night out this time of year it's important to prepare for the cold temps without sacrificing style. The best way to do so is by layering up! I am all about retro looks of late, and this Sherpa Denim Jacket is the perfect place to start a look. Pair it with this Varsity Intarsia Sweater tom complement the retro look and keep it fun! Layered with a complimentary turtleneck guarantees warmth. Complete the throwback vibe with these Corduroy Pants.
"The Big Gathering"
The evening has finally arrived. Your family and/or friends are gathering for the big holiday meal! You must put your best foot forward with courage! Seasonality is key with this one. Start off with this Vintage-Inspired Snow Flake Sweater. Layer with a complimentary turtleneck (I'm sensing a trend here) and this Sherpa Corduroy Jacket for comfort and style points. Alas, bring back those trusty Corduroy Pants to give this look a bit more of an elevated feel. It'll even keep you warm for that outside run to get more firewood!
I hope you all have enjoyed these holiday looks for any occasion! Drop me a comment and let me know which one was your favorite!
This Post is sponsored by Abercrombie, but all opinions are my own.
The Canadian Rockies
What's to be said about the Canadian Rockies that hasn't already? I will try to do justice to this majestic place, one that has been on my bucket list for a long time. Thinking back, I am truly inspired and humbled by the grandeur of this land. To start, there are many national parks that make up the Canadian Rockies, the three we visited were" Jasper National Park, Banff National Park and Yoho National Park. All of them hold their own unique value and are worth a visit. Join me as I share my journey through the Northern Rockies.
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| Spirit Island, Maligne Lake | Jasper National Park |
Day 1: Arrival
Traveling is a balancing act, that takes great patience. I try to keep the end goal of where I will be on my mind while delays arise, and they did arise this trip. We decided to fly from NYC to Edmonton, but because of initial delays we missed our connecting flight and were put on a later one. This pushed back our arrival time by a few hours. We enjoyed the 4 hour drive to Jasper from Edmonton, and just before sunset we descended upon the park as golden hour peaked. It was quite a magical moment. We stopped and took it all in as we made our way into the town of Jasper. Once we arrived we grabbed some beers and food from Jasper Brewing Company before checking into Marmot Lodge. We decided to head to bed early and awake for sunrise the next day.
Day 2: Maligne Lake/Spirit Island, Valley of Five Lakes
One of the most famous places in all of Jasper National Park is Spirit Island. It is a small, mysterious island at the end of Maligne Lake. There are only two ways of getting there: renting a canoe and self paddling 26 km or taking a tour with Maligne Lake Cruise. Although the former sounds adventurous, it was below freezing temps so we opted for the cruise (book ahead of time as they sell out quickly). We departed at 945 and headed on our 30 minute journey to Spirit Island. The tour operator informed us of the geographic history of the lake and surrounding mountains en route, and before we knew it the waters turned a more intense color of turquoise. We were getting closer to the glaciers and Spirit Island. Upon arriving at the island, we were in awe of the sheer beauty. There were mountains all around us, and this stunning little island engulfed in this stunning blue water. We took our 15 minutes of free time roam and take pictures. Midway through, it started profusely snowing, making our moment that much more magical.
Along the journey back to the town of Jasper from Maligne Lake, we passed by Maligne Canyon, another noteworthy stop. This is an incredible slot canyon of glacial water consisting of a nature walk and many bridges overlooking the canyon I would suggest seeing the first 3-4 bridges as it gets a bit repetitive after a while.
We made our way back to town for some caffeine pick-me-up. There is one place worth going to in Jasper for baked goods and coffee, and that is the Bear Paw's Bakery. No joke we went there five times in 3 days!
After refueling, we made our way for our afternoon hike at The Valley of Five Lakes. This is a great walk/hike suitable for all people that circumferences five lakes, all varying in their own emerald/turquoise color. I definitely recommend the hike for its diversity and views of the lakes/mountains. It took us about four hours with a ton of time for pictures.
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| Spirit Island at Maligne Lake | Jasper National Park |
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| Spirit Island | Jasper National Park |
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| Maligne Canyon | Jasper National Park |
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| Valley of Five Lakes | Jasper National Park |
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| Valley of Five Lakes | Jasper National Park |
Day 3: Edith/Anette Lakes and Miette Hot Springs
An unusually cold winter-front had hit Alberta the week before we arrived, bringing with it a lot of snow and cold temps. This day was a particular example of these cold temperatures. It was simply too cold to do any long hikes, so instead we checked out the beautiful local lakes, Edith and Anette. They are just 10 minutes outside of town and offered beautiful views of the mountains.
We decided to check out the Miette Hot Springs since it was so cold. They're the hottest naturally fed mineral springs in all of Alberta. The ride to the Hot Springs was quite enjoyable as we ascended the mountains and entered a snowy winter wonderland. Before heading into the springs, we decided to hike the trail out of the parking lot along a creek. It was truly magical hiking through the dense, snow covered forest along a creek. It made us just chilly enough that we were yearning for the Hot Springs.
After about an hour of relaxing and defrosting in the springs, we grabbed some hot chocolates at the hot spring cafe and made our way out and back to Jasper.
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| Edith Lake | Jasper National Park |
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| Miette Hot Springs | Jasper National Park |
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| Jasper National Park |
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| Trail near Miette Hot Springs | Jasper National Park |
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| Jasper National Park |
Day 4: Icefields Parkway (Jasper -> Banff)
Another thing with traveling is you can never predict the weather. Our fourth day was intended to travel along the famous Icefields Parkway, which is a single road cutting through the Rockies from Jasper to Banff. There was dense cloud coverage this day, so unfortunately most of the journey the mountains were not visible. This is certainly one of the many reasons I will return.
Despite the hardship, there were plenty of stop along the way we were excited for. The first of which was Athabasca Falls. A powerful surging waterfall that we were able to stand right next to.
Next up was another, more impressive, waterfall: Sunwapta Falls. This was one of the most mysterious places we saw in our whole trip. There is an island that splits the water just before it falls. It's truly a site to see! For photographers looking for the right angle, you have to walk off the path a bit once crossing the bridge to the other side.
We continued our journey down the parkway, taking in views whenever there were breaks in the clouds. There is a beautiful overlook just before the road makes a huge bend that's worth stopping to peer down the valley. Our next stop worth mentioning wasn't until we reached Peyto Lake, our first destination in Banff National Park!
This was one of the most anticipated stops of the trip and it didn't disappoint! After parking there is a short half mile hike up to the overlook. It was completely snow covered, making our hike a bit more challenging (more on this later). Once we arrived, our breaths were completely taken. This was the most stunning turquoise lake we'd seen yet! We hoped off the path (as per usual) and made our way to the treeline below for some unique views and space. This was a place not to miss for sure.
Since our drive down went quicker than planned due to the cloudiness, we decided to squeeze in one more stop to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Three National Parks in a day, what a dream! This was another great stop, as there was a quaint mountain lodge along the lake. We wandered the surrounding grounds and lake before heading in some warm beverages by the fire side. The lodge with the mountains in the back drop sitting on a truly emerald colored lake was amazing. After a disappointing start, this day turned out to be memorable!
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| Sunwapta Falls | Jasper National Park |
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| Peyto Lake | Banff National Park |
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| Emerald Lake | Yoho National Park |
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Day 5: Sunrise at Lake Louise
Remember that early winter cold-front I mentioned? Banff felt it's wrath much more than Jasper. Due to this a lot of the roads leading to some of the lakes were closed, to our disappointment. Our initial goal was to catch sunrise at Moraine Lake, but when we arrived it was closed and quickly diverted to Lake Louise ten minutes away. It was an incredibly magical morning, we arrived just in time as light revealed the misty lake, with an incredible glacial mountain as the backdrop. We bared the cold and enjoyed the stunning views as the sun illuminated the mountains peaks in an orange glow. This was a memorable morning that I will never forget.
We stopped in the Fairmont Chateau on the lake for some coffee to warm up before heading back to Banff for brunch at Coyotes Southwestern Grill. We gathered ourselves before heading to Johnston Canyon for an afternoon hike. The ice and snow was heavy throughout the park, so we decided to stop in Banff Adventures to rent some snow cleats for the hike, and we sure were glad we did.
Johnston Canyon was a beautiful hike/walk along a river slot canyon. Due to the cold temps, a lot of the trail was iced over and people struggled to walk. But the cleats made it a breeze and were a MUST. We hiked the entirety of the canyon to the upper falls, about 3 hours round-trip. Towards the end of the trail before the upper falls, there is a supposed secret trail that leads down to an incredible bend in the river and an odd shaped rock formation. Unfortunately it was bird nesting season in the area so the path was "closed". We investigated and found the spot, but decided not to go all the way down in fear of the $25,000 fine! Another one added to the list for our next trip to Banff!
We kicked it at our Air Bnb for the night and enjoyed sunset in the hot tubs
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| Sunrise at Lake Louise | Banff National Park |
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| Lake Louise | Banff National Park |
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| Hot Tubs at our Air Bnb |
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| Johnston Canyon | Banff National Park |
Day 6: Our Final Full Day
Can't believe how fast this trip went! A near cloudless sky awaited us, the first since arriving in Canada. You know what that means right? Sunrise!!! Isabella and I woke up at 6AM to drive to a famous photographers spot in Banff along the Canadian Pacific Railway called Morant's Curve. There is no official train schedule so we arrived early and took in the beautiful sunrise, completely alone! We waited for about 40 minutes until a train arrived - it was such a surreal moment to hear the chugging of the train fill the valley.
We took the local Bow Valley Parkway back to Banff and made a bunch of random stops along the way (local routes always preferred).
Next up was our big hike for the day, up to Lake Agnes from Lake Louise. It's about a 5 kilometer round trip hike with pretty steep elevation gains. Again, snow cleats are highly recommended as it was quite icy in parts. The trail ascended the mountain along Lake Louise through the forest. Every so often we would get a glimpse of the lake, turning more and more turquoise as we elevated our view. After an hour and a half we arrived at the top to Lake Agnes. The famous Tea House was unfortunately closed, but no worries as we packed our own snacks and beverages! We cracked open beer and cider and celebrated our hike and amazing times in Canada! We even made some local friends (birds and chipmunks were interested in our small feast).
We descended the mountain and made our way back to Banff, checking off almost all our goals for the trip! Only one more remained for myself. A clear night meant the opportunity to see stars at night. Isabella and I headed to Vermilion Lakes right outside of the town of Banff. I brought my tripod and camera and snapped away to my amaze!
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| Morant's Curve | Banff National Park |
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| Bow Valley Parkway | Banff National Park |
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| Lake Louise along the hike to Lake Agnes| Banff National Park |
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| Stary Night at Vermilion Lakes | Banff National Park |
Day 7: One more sunrise and departing
With the relatively clear skies in tact, we headed back to Vermilion Lakes for one more sunrise. Again, we were glad we did as the morning glow reflected off the mountain in a humbling way. A perfect ending to our trip. We had the car packed already and made our way back to Edmonton.
This was truly a trip to remember and one I've dreamt of for some time! Below I have some restaurant recommendations from places we hit. Drop a comment and let me know if you've ever been to any of these places!
Coffee & Restaurant Recommendations:
Jasper National Park:
Downstream Lounge
Bear Claw's Bakery
Banff National Park:
Wild Flour Artisan
Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar
Nourish Bistro
Balkan Restaurant
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| Photo by Pod Hotels |
Pull out the summer stripes and camp collar shirts because it's finally rooftop season! For those not as fortunate to abandoned the hot and humid streets of New York this summer, keep this list handy. Below are my 9 favorite rooftop bars in New York. Some are best for the views, others for the ambiance. Whatever your preference there's surely one here to suit your needs.
Azul at Hotel Hugo
West Village - 525 Greenwich St
Situated in a relatively quiet area of the West Village, Azul is a Cuban themed bar that takes your mind to a land faraway from New York. The decor is industrial, but fun and Caribbean colored. The drinks are also tropical and fun and sunsets here are A+ with one of the best views of downtown. The string lights at night add the perfect ambiance to your staycation.
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| Photo by Azul Rooftop |
Rooftop Reds
DUMBO - 299 Sands St BLDG #275
Love wine? Love rooftops? Love Brooklyn? If you're like me and the answer is yes to all three than Rooftop Reds is your spot. It is the worlds first rooftop wine bar that grows their own vines on the property. the vibe is very low key and relaxed and there is plenty of space. Come for the wine, but stay for the hammocks, cornhole and picnic tables.
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| Photo by CNBC |
Bar SixtyFive
Midtown West - 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor
Spoiler: This could be a bit of a tourist trap, but a must visit nonetheless. One of the iconic rooftop bars in New York, with sweeping views of Manhattan. The prices are steep but so are the views, and at less of a cost than visiting the Rockefeller Observation Deck. Come here for a special occasion drink, and dress the part too.
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| Photo by Bar SixtyFive |
Pod 39
Murray Hill - 145 E 39th St
Rooftop bar in Murray Hill you say? Before you scroll past, take a look at this unique location. Architected after the Roman Ruins, this Mexican themed rooftop bar is an oasis is an otherwise not so pleasant area. the views are classic midtown views, and the string lights add that homey ambiance. It is mostly standing room only and can get crowded during after work hours, but worth the wait.
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| Photo by Noah Devereaux |
1 Rooftop
DUMBO - 60 Furman St
A new icon of New York rooftop bars. 1 Rooftop sits atop the stunning 1 Hotel Brooklyn and offers unobstructed views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. This bar is subjectively one of the nicest in New York in terms of view and ambiance. It is only open Friday-Sunday and can tend to attract tourists. But get here early enough and mark your territory to take in a sunset to remember.
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| Photo by James Baigrie |
Mr. Purple
Lower East Side - 180 Orchard St
Situated atop the Hotel Indigo in a buzzing neighborhood. Mr. Purple is surprisingly not as tacky as you would assume. It is actually quite enjoyable with spectacular views. The indoor/outdoor bar is very spacious, but does tend to get crowded. The views are great in almost all directions, and there is a pool which is always cool. This is a great spot to get some summery drinks and get the summer tan in order.
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| Photo by Mr. Purple |
Gallow Green
Chelsea - 542 W 27th St
Sitting atop a warehouse in a quiet industrial street in Chelsea is a garden oasis. Gallow Green is intricately decorated with flowers and vines to create the perfect romantic situation. Sunset in here is stunning as the light over the Hudson Rivers shines in through all the greenery. Bring a date here and you'll be almost guaranteed another one.
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| Photo by Gallow Green |
Westlight
Williamsburg - 111 N 12th Street
The view of all views at the iconic Westlight. Sitting atop the rather large William Vale Hotel is a bar with one of the most awe-inspiring and sweeping views of all of Manhattan from the East River. The indoor bar is fancily designed with black and white tile and tall beamed ceilings. The open window layout lends to the sweeping views. the crowd and vibe is posh so don't be afraid to come here looking your best.
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| Photo by Noah Fecks |
Northern Territory
Greenpoint - 12 Franklin St
This massive, Asutralian themed bar offers one of the best casual vibes with stellar views in New York. Situated in the trendy neighborhood of Greenpoint, the crowd here tends to be local. This is the place to come if you're looking to get off the beaten path with a group of friends and simply have a good time.
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| Photo by Noah Devereaux |
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