The Ultimate Hat Shop: Beaver Creek Hats Let’s talk fashion—specifically, Western fashion. Buying cowboy hats while in Jackson was at the top of our list of things to do as soon as we got there! We literally checked in and went straight to Beaver Creek Hats, and I’m so glad we did. While some hats are a few hundred dollars, they do have a good selection of hats at a lower price point as well. I purchased the cutest green cowboy hat for $200, and had it branded as well. For three brands, it was $30. Blake found a cream cowboy hat for $200 as well. They are an investment, but this is the hat shop to check out, if you’re not wanting to spend $500+ on a cowboy hat. Check out my video of our experience here!  Hiking to Delta Lake: An Adventure You Can't Miss One of the highlights of our trip was hiking to Delta Lake. If you’re up for a challenge, this trail is a must-do. This hike is NOT for beginners. It is intense, and it’s about 7 miles long, which took us about 5 hours to complete with breaks for water/food and photos, but it was TOTALLY worth it. I’d 100% do it again. Picture this: you’re trekking through gorgeous forested paths, crossing rivers, and then BAM—there it is, Delta Lake, with water so blue it’s like the sky dropped down for a swim. We spent a solid hour just soaking in the views and snapping pics that don’t even do it justice. Pro tip: Start early to avoid the crowds, and don’t forget your camera—you’ll definitely want to capture the beauty of this place.  Off-Road Fun: UTV Ride with Off Grid Jackson Hole We did a half-day, self guided UTV ride with Off Grid Jackson Hole. It’s about an hour outside of town, but totally worth the drive. Just the hour drive to the ranch was worth it, to be honest! We weren’t prepared for the frigid morning, so make sure to dress in layers if you start at 7:30AM like we did! We rode through rugged trails, splashed through streams, and saw wildlife! We had the best time exploring the mountains on a UTV! Check out my video of our experience here  Teton Village: We decided to spend a rainy morning at Teton Village, and we were so happy we did because we were able to see a Moose and her baby! It was so cool to see, but we were told to stay a good distance away because moose can actually get really aggressive if you get too close. Jackson Hole is very strict about the distance you stay from wildlife, to not disturb them, and to keep everyone safe! We were planning to ride the gondola to the top of the mountain, but it was a bit too expensive in our opinion. It’s $50 to ride the gondola, and the reason I wanted to ride up was to enjoy waffles from Corbet’s Cabin, but it was closed for the day. We walked around the shops, but didn’t find much more exciting other than the moose. Exploring Jackson Hole and the Grand Teton National Park: My favorite part of the trip was honestly just riding in the Jeep, that we rented, and exploring the Grand Teton National Park. We stopped by many popular spots, that I’ll list out below. I’d highly suggest taking a day to drive to Delta Lake, and then exploring through the national park. The mountains were incredibly mesmerizing.
Shop My Jackson Hole Outfits I totally leaned into western fashion on this trip, and realized I really love the western vibes! I’ve linked all of my outfits on my LiketoKnow.it, so if you need any outfit inso, check mine out here! So there you have it—our Jackson Hole adventure in a nutshell! Whether you’re hiking, eating, shopping, or just soaking up the stunning views, this place truly has something for everyone. I hope this guide helps you plan your own Jackson Hole getaway. Until next time, happy travels!
0 Comments
 Blake and I had the most wonderful staycation in Charleston, and we even brought the two doodles! The city offers a fantastic opportunity for a dog-friendly staycation that you and your fur baby will cherish. In this blog post, I'm sharing our experience of staying at the Ryder Hotel, exploring the dog-friendly aspects of Charleston, and offering some valuable tips for traveling with your dogs. The Ryder Hotel, located in the heart of Charleston, is not just a luxurious accommodation option for you; it's a paradise for your four-legged friend too. Here's why we chose this pet-friendly hotel:
Charleston is renowned for its dog-friendly atmosphere, and you'll find many places where your furry friend is not just tolerated but genuinely welcomed. Here are some highlights of our staycation:
Tips for a Smooth Vacation with Your Dog:
Our Charleston staycation at the Ryder Hotel was a delightful experience for us and our furry friends. If you want to see more of our adventure and the pet-friendly charm of Charleston, head over to my Instagram! Don't forget to hit that follow button to stay updated with our future adventures! Give the doodles a follow as well! Planning a dream honeymoon in Jamaica? Look no further than Excellence Oyster Bay, a hidden gem nestled along the shores of Montego Bay. Blake and I looked at numerous resorts for our honeymoon, and we are so happy we decided to visit Jamaica, and stay at Excellence Oyster Bay. (TIP: Look up resorts on YouTube! We enjoyed watching videos to help us make our decision on which resort to book!) This adults-only resort offers an unparalleled experience of luxury, romance, and unmatched natural beauty. With its exclusive amenities, world-class service, and breathtaking surroundings, Excellence Oyster Bay sets the stage for an unforgettable honeymoon escape.The resort does a fantastic job of keeping everything in pristine condition! I work up around 7AM one morning to enjoy beach side yoga, and the grounds crew was out mopping the sidewalks, and painting anywhere paint was chipped! It was truly the cleanest resort I have ever visited! Immerse Yourself in Luxury Accommodations: From the moment you arrive, Excellence Oyster Bay pampers you with its accommodations.We felt welcomed the second we arrived as we were handed glasses of Champagne, and greeted as if the staff had been waiting on us all day! We checked in, and had to wait a few hours until we could see our room, but that wasn't an issue because we enjoyed lunch, some cold drinks, and sat by the beach reading our books! Once it was time to see our room, we were highly pleased with the spacious suite adorned with modern and elegant furnishings, a private balcony offering stunning views, and plush king-size bed that guarantede a restful night's sleep. Each room is meticulously designed with couples in mind, providing a romantic haven where you can unwind and create lasting memories. We loved our balcony pool, and the view of the ocean was amazing! Romance and Intimacy: Excellence Oyster Bay goes above and beyond to create an atmosphere of romance and intimacy. I'm not sure we will want to visit a family friendly resort until we have kids because it was truly so relaxing not being surround by loud music, and screaming kids! I highly suggest upgrading to the Excellence Club because you have access to numerous beaches, and pools that tend to offer more space and accommodations! Take a dip in the sparkling Caribbean Sea or opt for a romantic beachfront dinner under the stars, serenaded by the soothing sounds of the waves. Our beachfront dinner was one of our favorite memories from our honeymoon! The sunset showed off this night, and the sky was truly cotton candy colors! The resort's attention to detail ensures that every moment of your honeymoon is infused with love and passion. Unparalleled Culinary Experiences: Food lovers rejoice! Excellence Oyster Bay offers an array of gourmet dining options that will tantalize your taste buds. Indulge in a culinary journey with a variety of international cuisines, from traditional Jamaican dishes bursting with flavor to elegant French cuisine. The resort offers multiple restaurants and bars, including a beachside grill and a rooftop lounge! Don't forget to try the Jamaican dish, ackee! Blake and I both loved it! There is also a coffee shop, which serves delicious Jamaican coffee! We stopped in at least twice a day to grab coffee, desserts, or ready to go sandwiches! The sandwiches are perfect to pack on a day you have an excursion! The coffee shop also offers freshly pressed juice! Relax and Rejuvenate in Paradise: Pamper yourselves at the Miilé Spa, Excellence Oyster Bay's oasis of relaxation. Treat yourselves to a couple's massage, I promise you won't regretting time away from the sun for this! We wanted to book another one once ours ended! We also did the complimentary honeymoon hydrotherapy, but honestly weren't that impressed and would have rather skipped that to get back to the beach! Exploring Jamaica's Beauty: While Excellence Oyster Bay provides an oasis of tranquility, the resort also offers exciting excursions to explore the natural wonders of Jamaica. Take a catamaran cruise, explore the vibrant coral reefs while snorkeling, or discover the lush landscapes and cascading waterfalls on a guided tour. Immerse yourselves in the vibrant Jamaican culture. We visited Luminous Bay, which is a quick boat ride over from the resort! The water turns bright blue as you move! It's essentially charged during the day. We also rode horses on the beach, and through the ocean! We visited Dunns River Falls, which was pretty, but honestly so crowded, I wouldn't do this again. Blake, my husband, would say this blog post is incomplete if I didn't add in the fantastic snorkeling opportunity you have while at the resort. I was surprised he didn't turn into a fish with the amount of snorkeling he did! While the resort offers snorkeling gear you can rent for up to one hour, he opted to buy his own at the gift shop, so that he could explore outside of the marked area. While I sat on the beach reading and tanning, he brought me numerous shells, which were all so beautiful! Huge conchs, sea urchins, massive starfish, and more! He said he saw numerous sting rays, and lots of cool Caribbean fish as well! Snorkeling wasn't my thing, but it sure did keep him busy! Excellence Oyster Bay in Jamaica was the perfect spot for our romantic honeymoon destination. From its luxurious accommodations and intimate ambiance to its delectable cuisine and breathtaking views, this resort sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, Excellence Oyster Bay caters to all your desires, ensuring that your honeymoon is everything you've dreamed of and more. I think Jamaica was hands down Blake's favorite vacation we have ever booked. He has talked about it numerous times since we have gotten home, and continues to listen to reggae music! We will 100% go back to Excellence Oyster Bay to experience the beauty of Jamaica again! Trying to convince Blake we need a 1 year wedding anniversary trip! Packing for your honeymoon? I linked everything I wore on my Liketoknow.it! Shop HERE! I am so excited to finally share with you all of the details from our Bald Head Island vacation! I'll share everything from restaurants and coffee shops to things you can do on this adorable little island!
First, let's chat about the arrival process. In order to get on to the Island, you'll have to buy tickets for the ferry which runs just about every hour, but double check here before arriving! My biggest tip for arrival is to make sure you have packed strategically. You'll see a lot of families travel with big storage bins, which you can buy once you get there, but they are definitely cheaper at Walmart if you plan ahead! I always pack in a roller suitcase, plus we brought a Yeti cooler full of food and snacks because there is only one grocery store on the island and they are not always fully stocked, plus it's expensive! Your luggage can be dropped off to be loaded and unloaded off the ferry for you, or you can carry your luggage, but it is not recommended. You can shop all of my travel must haves on my Amazon storefront by clicking here! You'll want to schedule a pick up from the Bald Head Island trolley once you arrive if the place you're staying includes a golf cart in your rental, or rent a golf cart. Either way, a golf cart is your only form of transportation, which is one of my favorite things about the island! There are two options for where to stay on the island! You can stay in the BHI Inn, which I did with my family when I was little! It's super cute, but if you have a large group, I highly recommend renting a beach house. Check out all of your options here! My family likes to pay for a temporary club membership, that way we have access to a pool, plus fine dinning restaurants. We have been temporary members at both the Bald Head Island Club, and the Shoals Club, but I prefer the Shoals Club! This past trip we really enjoyed our dinner at Aqua! The food was delicious and the drinks were refreshing! I highly suggest the Sumer Pesto Linguine! There are 12 different places you can enjoy a meal while on the island. Included in those 12, are two coffee shops. I personally enjoy Sandpiper coffee and ice cream. The specialty coffees are delicious! I really wish we had a Sandpiper coffee shop in Charleston! We always grab dinner at Jules' while on vacation as well. They have lots of options, and a great kids menu. I also really enjoy the pizza from The Wisp. When it comes to things to do on the island, it's pretty much all outside, besides shopping of course! You can rent bikes, surfboards, paddle boards, kayaks (single or double), and canoes. You can also take surfing or kiteboarding lessons or book kayak and surf fishing tours! We rented paddle boards last summer, but this summer, I decided to get as much beach and pool time as possible! Most beach house rentals have beach chairs, but you can also rent beach chairs if you need to. I highly recommend going to see Old Baldy if you have kiddos with you! We always went up the historic lighthouse as kids, and I went back for the first time in over 10 years this summer, and still enjoyed the view! Heads up though, it's 108 steps! The lighthouse is North Carolina's oldest lighthouse and one of three that once graced BHI! I won't elaborate too much on shopping just because there are only a handful of stores, and I suggest venturing into all of them! My favorites are East Beach Surf Shop, Silver Peddler, and Island Passage! I absolutely love Bald Head Island, and think it is the perfect spot for a family vacation or a getaway with your other half! My biggest advice when traveling to the island is checking out baldheadedisland.com! The website is beautifully put together, and should answer any questions you may have, however don't hesitate to email me if you have any other questions that I may be able to answer! I hope this blog post helps you plan your trip to Bald Head Island! Have fun! You can shop all of my Bald Head Island vacation outfits on my Liketoknow.it storefront by clicking here! As I sit here on the first flight back home, I’m reflecting on the last week in the Dominican Republic, serving on a mission trip with the Paradigm Foundation. I am full of emotions - happy to have helped impoverished communities a little bit, sad I couldn’t do more, blessed to go back to my home in Charleston, but also worried about the people in the communities we served because of how much they don’t have. From food, to showers, clean water, and more, but I also know that God did not send me on this trip just to have me worry about everyone I met while serving. Instead, I will continue to pray for the Dominican people in the communities we served. I will continue to pray for the Paradigm Foundation as they move throughout the community to build more homes.
If you follow me on Instagram then you saw a recap of what we did on each day Thursday - Sunday. I saved everything I shared to a highlight labeled ‘ DR Mission Trip,’ if you’d like to check it out! On this trip, we were able to see homes the foundation had built in years past, visit impoverished communities, work on a home that should be done in the next couple of weeks for a woman who lost her daughter while giving birth and was left with a special needs granddaughter, and attend a home dedication for a recently widowed woman. We also enjoyed time with another mission trip group, attend a Dominican church service, and we enjoyed many Dominican meals. It’s hard to pinpoint just one part of this trip to call my ‘favorite.’ I’ll talk about two things that stick out most. The first being the day we got to work on the home build site. We mixed and poured concrete to help create the floors of the home, and built the roof rafters. It was hard work. We were covered in sweat, sunscreen and bug spray, but I would do it all over again. While I know the woman who is receiving this home will feel blessed, I also felt blessed getting to help with the build. As a Christian, it is our job to lead others to Christ, and to give back to those in need. A mission trip is an incredible experience, and an incredible way to reset and feel close to God. I highly recommend going on a mission trip if you haven’t already! I was put in charge of children’s games for this trip, and while we worked on the home build, we also took the time to play with the kids. We drew with chalk, made salvation bead necklaces, played hopscotch, and lots more. We probably had around 30 children in the community out playing and hanging out with us, but two little girls named Gracie and Danielle, became extra special to me. We created a bond, and I was truly heartbroken leaving, not knowing if I will ever see them again. The second thing that sticks out is the home dedication. We must have had 25+ people in this tiny new home. We crammed in to sing worship songs, pray and give the new homeowner the keys to her new home. I had to fight back tears as I listened to the women sing ‘How Great is Our God’ in Spanish. It was beautiful, and all I could think about was the fact that these people hardly have anything and they are singing praise and worship songs as loud as they could to God. The Paradigm Foundation is a home building ministry. The foundation works with a local church to build homes for people in impoverished communities that need it the most. The church goes out into the community to find candidates for a home, and then Paradigm steps in to completely fund the project from the home to the furniture in it. The Paradigm Foundation goal is to get the family off the ground and into a home that is safe and will comfortably fit each family member to avoid overcrowding, which is a symbol of poverty. So - story time. On Sunday, our last day, the founders of the foundation met with church leaders, who told them that supplies cost has gone up, and they did not have the money to put furniture in the home that had been dedicated earlier that day. Of course, the founders are feeling defeated and upset that they were unable to provide, but they decided to stop and pray about it. In less that one hour, someone made a $2,500 donation, which will completely cover the cost of furniture for the home! Is that not amazing?! If you would like to get involved with the Paradigm Foundation you can visit their website and make a one time donation of any amount, or you can set up a monthly gifting. You can donated money for a home, bathroom, floor, and more. Thinking about going on a mission trip? There is also information on their website about how to get involved on a trip, but I suggest following their social platforms where each trip is announced and marketed. I had a few of you reach out about a ministry I shared, called Lily House, which helps rescue women from prostitution and sex trafficking. You can visit their website to donated and learn more. Please don’t hesitate to send me an email to [email protected] if you have any questions about the Paradigm Foundation, the mission trip, or Dominican Republic. I will do my best to answer your questions, but if I don’t know the answer, I will find out for you. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post, God Bless. |
Blog Posts:
All
My favorite fashion is affordable and comfortable! My hope is to empower women through affordable fashion & finds, but also encourage a sprinkle of a splurge because I believe we all deserve to treat ourselves every so often! I want to the girlfriend you never knew you needed! Thank you for stopping by!
 |
