The post our 10 favorite chicago restaurants appeared first on But First Koffee.
]]>We’ve been right on the river bent in River North for the past 7 years and so so so spoiled with the food that is just minutes away from our doorsteps. West Loop is a 15 minute walk, River North is peppered with amazing restaurants, and we are so close to West Town. The list of our favorite restaurants could easily be 50 long. But the following 10 hold special places in our hearts, are ones we go to over and over again, and are always my first choices when planning a meal for out of town visitors! While we love trying new, fun and trendy places, we are creatures of habit and find ourselves going to our favorite restaurants over and over again.
the first restaurant we became regulars at, our very favorite sushi spot, & the BEST ginger dressing you will ever have in your entire life. we know most of the staff and they came to our condo for a private sushi party for my 30th birthday! we go so often that bb knows her order and knows to ask for the kids chopsticks, which she is a pro at, by the way. honorable mention sushi spots- Arami, Kai Zan, and Momotaro
this is our home away from home. sitting at the the bar with a glass of wine in my hand is my happy place. I think they have the best wine list in the city. fun fact, we have probably eaten there over 100 times, but I have never once made a reservation or sat at a legit table, we always sit at the bar. oh and their wedge salad is my favorite salad of ALL time
3 greens has been many things over the 7 years that we’ve lived here, but the current coffee shop/small cheval/salad bar is magnificent…we basically keep them in business and pop in for a coffee, salad or burger at least once a week. oh and their oatmeal raisin cookies are INSANE
another one of our favorites where we have actually never sat at a legit table. love coming here and sitting at the bar. you can watch them hand make their pasta. their octopus and arrabbiata pasta are my favorites. and the butterscotch pudding gives me all the heart eyes.
we went last night for a quick packing break and we got all of our favorites…bao buns, scallion pancakes, pork fried rice and beef with broccoli, YUM. I love it here, its a 12 minute walk from our house, and so kid friendly.
I’ve talked about our love for a good steak before. it’s basically the only food preference blake and I have in common, on all other things we are polar opposites. we have been to every steakhouse in the city, and this one wins HANDS DOWN. their brussel sprouts are like crack and the steak is insanely good. you can go ahead and judge me, but I ate an entire 12 oz bone in filet the last time we went. honorable mention steak houses – swift & sons, chicago cut, prime & provisions
whether you’re a chicago resident, suburbanite, or visitor, this place should be on your list. I love it there so much. you can furniture shop with a glass of wine or coffee in hand and finish it off with an amazing meal in the most gorgeous space. don’t go on the weekends, it is a mad house.
old school, cozy italian at it’s finest. one of our favorite things to do as a family is go to the lincoln park zoo and come here for dinner after. the conchiglie alla sarda is my favorite pasta dish in the city. it’s insanely rich, super unhealthy & crazy delicious.
another one of my favorite dishes in the entire city, their brussel sprout salad. we got it takeout last week, but also LOVE walking into RPM without a reservation and sitting at the bar.
the quintessential chicago summer patio, in my opinion. but still so cozy and delicious all winter long. and the best al pastor tacos of all time. honorable mention mexican food: Mercadito, which has definitely fallen out of it’s prime, but the carnitas de puerco tacos will forever be one of my favorite dishes in the city.
Which restaurants would be on your Chicago bucket list?!
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First of all, how pathetic is George in these pictures :(! Whenever I am packing, he turns into my human shadow and will NOT leave my side. So sad. I don’t understand why, because whenever we travel he stays with my parents who have a huge backyard, a great dane (who is George’s bff for life), and they feed him human food all weekend. My mom actually brings him a midnight snack in their bed every night because she swears he sleeps better when he has a snack before bed…so he lives like a king when we are gone.
I never appreciated the virtue of being able to travel light until I had BB. Now, when I am traveling without her, there is no greater feeling than being able to travel light (sans diaper bag, stroller, crackers, more crackers, stickers, more stickers, etc.). I used to be that crazy girl that packed her largest suitcase for a weekend trip. NO MORE. I am proud to say that I packed for an entire week in France in a carry-on. And I did it again this weekend for a trip to Vegas! I have come a long way. But, there is an art to traveling light. So here are ten tips for traveling lighter:
1
PLAN AHEAD
For my fellow mamas, this is easier said than done. If you have the time and can think through your trip, it is worth it. I always add a new note in the note app on my iPhone whenever I have a trip coming up. In the week leading up, when I have an extra second I add to it. Lay out a basic itinerary so you can think through the types of outfits you need. Here is a screenshot of what mine looked like for Vegas!
2
PICK 2-3 FAVORITES TO STYLE YOUR OUTFITS AROUND
I have and always will be a repeat outfit offender. I love finding a great piece that you can style a million ways. And traveling is my favorite time to do this. Shoes are the most important part of an outfit to me, so I would way rather wear the same dress three days in a row with three different pairs of shoes than three totally different outfits. Smaller accessories, like belts, jewelry, and mini crossbody bags can turn one dress into three totally different outfits! Here are the three items I formed my outfits around this trip:
1- My favorite item I’ve purchased so far this winter, a velvet Current Elliott dress
2- A pink Topshop blazer
3- My go-to leather pants
3
PLAN YOUR AIRPLANE OUTFIT
I will never understand those people who manage to look effortlessly chic for the airport. I always look like an Olsen twin on a bad day (you know what I mean). To save precious carryon space, wear your bulkiest shoes, bulkiest jacket and bulkiest sweater (for cold weather vacations). I also usually wear workout pants that I will recycle for a workout when we get there.
4
TOILETRIES
If you’re staying at a hotel, think about the amenities that will be there. I never pack a blow dryer (even though the hotel dryers take 1.5 hours to dry my hair), and I never pack shampoo/conditioner/body wash. If your “must bring” products are bigger than 3 oz, buy travel size if you can or get a tiny bottle in the $1 section of Target! We travel a lot, so I have all my travel size toiletries ready to go in a makeup bag, which makes packing really easy.
5
PJS
So, I am a big comfy clothes/pajama person and I want to be extra comfy when I am on vacation. But comfy clothes and pajamas are major space hogs. So I always call the hotel and see if they provide a robe in the room. If they do, I ditch the comfy clothes and pjs entirely.
6
EXTRAS
Even when I have the time and plan out every single outfit, I always feel the need to throw in an extra or two. BUT, now is not the time to throw in that awesome top you’ve never worn. If you don’t wear it at home, you probably won’t wear it on vacation. If you need to throw in some extras, throw in those tried and true pieces. The pants that look good every time, your favorite jeans, or that sweater you’ve worn 100 times.
7
PACK SMART
My mom taught me the best travel hacks. Always roll your clothes, they take up WAY less room when they’re rolled. And stuff smaller items, like socks and undergarments, into your bigger shoes. This saves space AND keeps your shoes from getting deformed.
8
UTILIZE EVERY SPACE YOU HAVE
My go to travel items are my carry-on suitcase and my backpack. When I pack my suitcase, I always leave out my toiletries that I’ll need to use the morning we travel, my electronics, and my camera. Those all go in my backpack at the last minute.
9
THINK SMALL
If you’re trying to pack light, now is not the time to pack your massive purse. Grab a small cross body or clutch. It is also not the time to pack four different jackets. Jackets take up a ton of space, so wear your biggest one on the plane and maybe pack one other. For this trip I grabbed my tried and true black Moto jacket that can fold up into a tiny ball.
10
BUY AN AWESOME CARRYON
All carryons are not created equal! Some hold WAY more than others. For an entire post on carryons, see HERE!
More travel posts to come! xoxo
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]]>The post Paris walking guide appeared first on But First Koffee.
]]>Unfortunately, my husband’s work makes it near impossible to travel internationally 10/12 months of the year. So we are pretty much confined to July and August for travel. Which means, I need to keep this travel bug contained for the better part of 6 months. So, to pass the time I will just be over here planning itineraries and looking through my old travel pics. Anyone else have millions of itineraries planned for trips you have never taken?? Yep, that’s me.
In the meantime, I thought I would share a walking guide to Paris, my all-time favorite city in the world (shocking). So here are my favorite neighborhoods to get lost in and stops you MUST make along the way.
First, it is important to understand how Paris is laid out. It is divided into 20 different arrondissements, which are basically just different neighborhoods in the city. The Seine divides Paris in half, separating the Left from the Right bank. You cannot travel to Paris without doing both sides of the Seine, because they are equally amazing yet so different.
Photo from: Girls Guide to Paris
If you are looking for the tourist’s guide, this is not it. While it would not be a trip to Paris without taking in a few tourist sites, like the Eiffel Tower or Sacre Coeur, I prefer to spend the majority of my time in Paris roaming the streets in pursuit of food + shopping ;).
MONTMARTRE
18 arrondissement
Montmartre is equally charming + overrun by tourists. This area of the city can get CRAZY crowded, so I would recommend waking up bright and early and having the streets to yourself. Paris really doesn’t start to wake up until 9 or 10am, so grab an early coffee and make your way up to the 18th. Montmartre is crowded for good reason. The views of Paris cannot be beat and the streets are SO colorful. It feels like what I would imagine Paris was in the 1920s, quaint and filled with tiny terraces and authentic cafes.
Sitting at the top of the hill is the Sacre Coeur and a majestic carousel. I would highly recommend making this your first stop and taking in the views of Paris from the top!
From the Sacre Coeur, make your way up the hill to Le Consulat. If you can snatch a table outside, bravo. But be warned that it is probably overpriced and a half dozen tourist groups will walk by during your cup of joe. If not, just a passing by is worth your while. Again, this will undoubtably be overrun by tourists by midday, but for good reason. The street it sits on (before it is packed shoulder by shoulder with people) it quintessential old world Paris and needs to be seen! It looks like it is straight off a postcard.
Make your way back down and stop by the Le Moulin de la Galette. You will immediately recognize the facade and windmill, which have been immortalized by countless artists. We did not eat here, but if you can get a table, I have heard the food is amaz.
You MUST walk past Le Maison Rose on your way back down. It is a tiny pink cafe surrounded by a wall of ivy. We stopped in here for a bite because, well, it is a pink restaurant in Paris, so that is reason enough.
Another place that is worth a walk past simply for the the green storefront + lavender vines.
SAINT GERMAIN DE PRES
6 arrondissement
Saint Germain is in the heart of the left bank and might be the best walking neighborhood in Paris. I think Saint Germain will forever and always be my favorite arrondissement of them all. We stayed here on our honeymoon because we really wanted to buy a piece of artwork on our honeymoon as our wedding gift to eachother and St Germain is known to be the artist/gallery hub of Paris. We fell in love with it for a million more reasons.
Because macarons. That’s it.
It is kind of a tradition of mine to make this my first stop when I get to Paris. I love everything about this place…the tiny, crowded outdoor seating, the snotty waiters, the overpriced salad, and the views + people watching you take in while sitting there. It opened in the 1880s and since then it has been flooded with the creme de la creme of Paris. Sit, eat, watch, enjoy!
Home to the Luxembourg Palace and gorgeous grounds, this makes the perfect stop for an afternoon stroll or snack on a park bench. Last trip to Paris, Blake and I picked up croissants, baguettes (carb + carbs + carbs while in Paris) and a bottle of wine and enjoyed it next to a gorgeous fountain in the gardens. I should mention that we never quite figured out if we were breaking any laws by drinking a bottle of wine in the park, but no one stopped us so we will consider it a win.
If you are looking to do some serious damage and accomplish all your shopping in one place, this is the most charming shopping mall you will ever meet. When in Europe I am usually overcome by a strong desire to take advantage of the Euro savings and shop some of Paris’ finest brands. While I would love to drag my husband up and down Avenue Montaigne and hit every single store front, that makes for a rather grumpy afternoon. So, Le Bon Marche is a one stop shop with the best shoe department in the world, which makes for a very happy wife and husband. If you want to stop into Saint Laurent and it’s friends, Saint Germain has a smaller storefront for most of the big designer houses.
I went here for the first time with my parents on my first ever trip to Paris :). A fight broke out in the back of the restaurant between a bunch of drunk old men! It was a very memorable dinner. But it was and always will be the most delicious seafood in Paris, in my opinion. This is on the pricier side, but they have an awesome/cheaper lunch menu. And, it’s sister restaurant, Semilla, right across the street is also great and has a more casual feel.
LE MARAIS
3 & 4 arrondissement
I have to be honest, until two trips ago, Le Marais was not even on my radar. I had never ventured to that part of Paris and really had never even heard of it. Two trips ago I stayed on the Right Bank for the first time, so I walked through Le Marais by chance on my way to a restaurant, then again the next day on my way to another restaurant, and the same thing the following day. Well, turns out it is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris and is in the midst of a food revival. Almost all of the restaurants on my must try list are in Le Marais, or nearby. The streets are quaint, cobblestoned, and lined with vintage shops. If that doesn’t sell you…I don’t know what will. I loved Le Marais so much, that on our last trip I picked our hotel solely off its proximity to it.
This is a good place to start. It is a quintessential Parisian square lined with red brick buildings. Enjoy a coffee and croissant on a bench then pick the cutest street and just get lost in this adorable neighborhood!
The list of amazing breakfast places in Le Marais is long. This is maybe the best avocado toast in Paris. But that is the extent of their brunch menu. For my favorite brunch spots in Paris, see HERE!
Vintage shopping is always on my itinerary in Paris. It has some of the best vintage shopping in the world. Vintage Bar is a high end vintage shop with some AMAZING finds. Start here and venture onward. There are also some awesome art galleries nearby!
The antique shops in/near Le Marais are also awesome. Village St. Paul is a couple blocks worth of the cutest vintage/antique shops. It is ABSOLUTELY worth a venture in that direction!
If you are staying elsewhere in the city and want to make an entire day out of Le Marais, head to Au Passage for some of the best wine you will ever have. It was recommended to us as the hang out spot for Sommeliers on their off nights in Paris, so you know the wine must be amaz. We told the waiter what we like (my wine knowledge is seriously basic, so the extent of it was “full bodied red wine, NOTHING SWEET!”) and he nailed it. He was also funny and so eager to talk to us about the states and wine there and it was just a really fun experience all together. We got an app too, some steak chimichurri thing which was lick the plate good. Then we moved onto the final stop on my Le Marais list!
Whenever we are in Europe, we have to get some good old fashioned Italian style pizza. Da Vito might be our favorite we have ever had. Bold statement, I know. I don’t know if it is still technically Le Marais, but it is close enough to put it on this list. If you are making your way towards Bastille, it will be on your way. The pizza is to die for, but even better is the atmosphere and staff. It is teeny tiny, so come prepared to wait. But, there is an awesome speakeasy past the cooler in the back. Order an old fashioned and a champagne (served out of an old fashioned coupe) and sip while you wait for the gooey, cheesy deliciousness coming your way!
For more Paris recs, see my weekend guide to Paris, HERE! Paris, I cannot wait until we meet again…
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Reserve your car early
If you are like us and only drive automatic, those book up fast. Reserve your car early to get the best price and guarantee availability. The first time we took a road trip abroad, we did not know to specify automatic and they were sold out of all automatic cars (except a very nice and very expensive one). Blake, in his most cliché manly moment ever said, “it can’t be that hard, I’ll figure it out.” Well, turns out, it is THAT hard. One bruised ego later, we were on our way in a very expensive automatic.
2
Don’t overpay for insurance coverage
Before you leave, check with your insurance carrier to see what type of coverage you have. You might be surprised to find out that you are fully covered. Don’t pay for coverage twice!
3
Have proper identification
Technically, you need a passport and an international driver’s license to drive in Europe. We have never been asked to show proof of an international driver’s license, our regular license always suffices. But you could get a large fine if you were pulled over and didn’t have one. You can apply for one HERE for only $20. It’s probably worth the peace of mind.
4
Bring your car charger!
Road trips in Europe mean lots of Spotify and google map usage, which drain your battery. Somehow, I forgot ours this trip. We had a hairy moment when both our batteries were dead, but we were able to find our way home.
5
Avoid toll roads when possible
The whole point of driving through Europe is SEEING Europe. We try to stick to back roads and really take in the local spots along the way. In some countries, there are toll roads like the Italian Autostrada which have virtually NO exits. Once you get on, you are stuck for a long long way, and the tolls are expensive. The first time we pulled up to a toll and went to pay, we almost died when we saw 90 euro, yes 90. And that was the first of many. But others, like the toll road from the French Alps to the French Riviera, have the most scenic views through the mountains and are totally worth it. So, familiarize yourself with the toll roads in whichever country you are driving through.
6
Make sure your credit card has a chip
This goes for your entire time in Europe, but especially if you are roadtripping. Most tolls, train stations and gas stations will only accept chip cards.
7
Be spontaneous and pull over often
Don’t plan every moment of your road trip. If you see a road that is calling your name, turn down it. Some of our favorite stops along the way were entirely unplanned.
8
Pick and choose the parts you drive
Roadtripping through Europe doesn’t necessarily mean driving the whole way. This trip, we had planned to drive from Paris straight through to Provence. When we went to pick up our rental in Paris, which we had pre-reserved, they said “sorry, we are out of cars.” As it was August and everyone in Paris was on vacation, every rental car place was sold out of cars. So, we hopped on a train to Avignon and picked up a car there. It actually saved us 5 hours (which would most likely have been on toll roads). We did have to drop one city we had planned to stop in, Lyon. But we will see it next time! The drive from Avignon to our tiny village was gorgeous and all backroads, exactly what we wanted.
9
Familiarize yourself with roundabouts
They are all over Europe and they take a little getting used to.
10
McDonald’s has free wifi
We stayed in really small villages throughout Provence this trip and had terrible service and no wifi. Sometimes, we just needed to read an email or two. All the McDonalds in France have free wifi and most signals are strong enough to reach to the parking lot!
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]]>So, when in Nashville…here’s the scoop.
WHERE TO STAY
21c Museum Hotel – This place is new and ultra trendy. It is part 24 hour modern museum and part hotel. Very cool.
Hutton Hotel – Located in the West End neighborhood, this place gets an extra star from me because it is pet friendly. And by pet friendly, I mean really pet friendly. Your furry friends are greeted with a pet bed, scratching station, and treats.
Thompson Hotel – Brand new and located in The Gulch, this place has the best views of downtown Nashville. Bonus, James Beard award winning chef opened an amazing seafood restaurant, Marsh House, in the hotel.
Omni Nashville – Located RIGHT downtown, steps off Broadway. It has a great rooftop pool!
WHERE TO EAT
When in Nashville you need to eat that good ole’ southern comfort food and the options seem endless. The food scene in Nashville is going crazy. When I first started going to Nashville about 10 years ago, there were good restaurants, yes, but there were not cute, trendy, amazing restaurants. Now, no matter how often we make it down to Nashville, I cannot keep up with the restaurant scene. I compiled my favorites, and some I am dying to try. My mother-in-law is always up to date on everything new and delicious around Nashville, so her favorites are below too.
Adele’s – This is a farm to fork restaurant and definitely top of my list for Nashville restaurants.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Hot chicken is a must, if you like spicy! This one is highly regarded around Nashville. Other hot chicken options are Prince’s Hot Chicken and Party Fowl (if you REALLY like it HOT)
Fin & Pearl – When I think about Nashville, I don’t think “great seafood.” But this restaurant has GREAT seafood! Honestly, everything we had here was amazing, and the vibe is really cute. It’s also in the Gulch, which is a must visit while in Nashville.
Merchant’s – We had our engagement party here, so this place will always hold a special place in my heart. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, this place is steeped in Nashville history. Originally a pharmacy/hotel in the 1890’s, turned speakeasy/casino/brothel in the 1920’s and now a delicious restaurant!
Pinewood Social – This place is cute and delicious. It is half restaurant and half bowling alley. A great place for Bachelorette parties, girls weekends, or just a fun winter activity in Nashville.
Biscuit Love – I am not a biscuit person. But, if you are, this is a must try.
Bartaco – This is a great taco joint on 12th Avenue South. One of my favorite things about this place, the walls are covered with awesome travel pics taken by the owner of the restaurant! How cool?!
Gray’s – If you have some extra time in Nashville and feel like venturing out to Franklin, which you definitely should do! This place is an old pharmacy turned restaurant. It’s cute and delicious.
Mere Bulles – Again, if you want to venture out of the city, this place is to-die-for. The fried artichoke are out of this world and so is the she-crab bisque. I always leave here with a well-earned stomach ache. The artichokes are so good, that last time we were in Nashville and couldn’t fit this into the itinerary, I ordered them to go for a snack. I have never been for Sunday brunch, but my mother-in-law raves about it and it is definitely on my wishlist. Added bonus, it is located in a historic plantation style house out in Brentwood, SO CUTE!
Homestead Manor – It’s easy to forget about the history surrounding Nashville with the amazing music and restaurant scene. But if you take some time outside the city, there are hidden historic gems everywhere. This place is an old Civil War mansion. There is a cute little restaurant and you can tour the grounds and house afterward (including the attic which doubled as a hospital during a Civil War battle, they actually show you the blood stains on the floor).
WHERE TO SHOP
12th Avenue South – My favorites here are White Merchantile, Imogene + Willie (AWESOME jeans), MODA Boutique, and Summer Classics.
Franklin – There is also a White Merchantile in Franklin, along with Jondie, Heylee B, and Kelly Spalding Designs.
Broadway – When in Nashville, you must boot shop. One of my first trips to Nashville I bought not one, not two, but THREE pairs of cowboy boots and I still wear them all the time. They are quality, handmade boots and hold up over time. Boot Country on Broadway has a buy one, get two free special, all year round. So if you are there with a group, it is definitely worth a stop!
WHAT TO DO
Bluebird Cafe – If you haven’t heard of this, you’ve probably been living under a rock. Infamous for where Taylor Swift was discovered and now crazy busy every night because of the show Nashville. But if you can get a spot or want to wait in line, it is always highly recommended by locals and visitors alike.
Honky Tonks – No trip to Nashville is complete without a few Honky Tonks for some good old live country music on Broadway. Tootsie’s is a must, as one of the oldest on Broadway, but take your pick, you can’t walk a half block without running into a few.
Station Inn – A true local music spot, with no frills whatsoever and known for discovering local talent.
Murals – Nashville has some pretty great mural wall photo ops. Some of the best are, I Believe in Nashville which is off 12th Ave South, the Draper James wall, also off 12th Ave South, and the What Lifts You wings mural in the Gulch.
Happy Travels!
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I wrote this mid-air, on my flight to Arizona for one of my best friend’s bachelorette parties. As I was swimming in mom guilt, I thought it would be a good post to write about ways I try to cope with it. Ten months into parenthood, I have left BB for three weekends. I wish I could say it has gotten easier each time, but it hasn’t. But there are a few things that make it much easier to go.
Don’t wait too long.
A seasoned mama gave me some really great advice before we had BB. She told me not to wait too long to get some time away from the baby. That waiting 6 months to take a night away from her baby actually made it harder for her to leave. So, we took this advice and left BB overnight for the first time when she was 3 months old. That might be too soon for some parents, but it was perfect timing for us.
Ease into it.
The first time we left BB overnight, we dropped her at my parent’s house, put her down for the night, and came back the next morning before she even woke up. I knew I was a 25-minute drive away and I knew she was in good hands. We had planned to sleep in, enjoy the morning just the two of us, and head out for her later that afternoon. Well, my internal mama clock woke me up bright and early, I sprang out of bed and I HAD to get back to her.
Find great help.
I have never worried for BB’s well-being while I was away. That would be a terrible feeling. If you feel like you have to leave detailed instructions for your husband/SO for a weekend away, something has gone terribly wrong. I did, however, leave him with a fully stocked fridge, clean baby clothes, a special treat (those disgusting break and bake cinnamon rolls he can’t get enough of), and every emergency number there is.
There is never a good time to go.
Each time I leave her, I feel like it is a terrible time to leave. But guess what? There is never a good time to leave your baby. This time, she was in the throws of becoming a new walker. I love watching her Frankenstein across the room, fall over, and laugh. I was so scared that when I got home, those early walking days would be over and she would be running around like a proper toddler. I was gone for 48 hours. She is still falling ever other step.
Find friends who understand.
Mom guilt exists separately and apart from all other emotions. Every time I leave, I am so excited for whatever it is I am going to do. Missing BB does not detract from that. Find friends who understand and allow you 30 seconds to miss your baby and then snap you out of it.
It’s ok to need time for you.
You are not a bad mom for wanting some time away on occasion. And anyone who makes you feel like you are, shouldn’t be in your life. Maybe there are super moms who never need a break. But that is not me and never will be.
Come back refreshed.
There is no better feeling in this world than coming home to your baby after a weekend away. If you spend the entire time pining for your baby, how are you supposed to recharge and refresh? I try to allow myself the uber ride to the airport to wallow in my sorrows. But then it is time to relish in that moment when you realize you don’t have to be searched at the airport because you don’t have formula in your bag!
In case you need that extra push to take some time for yourself, here are some pics from my weekend in Arizona. If you are looking for a mom’s weekend away, Arizona offers all of the best: food, fun, and fitness.
Restaurant highlights: The Mission, True Foods Kitchen, In-N-Out Burger (obviously).
Places to stay: we stayed in an AMAZING rental on Camelback Mountain. If you love to hike, this is the place to stay.
Things to do: Hikes, Camelback Mountain has two hikes, one easy (not so easy) and one more difficult. Poolside yoga, so many amazing yoga instructors will come to your rental and do a private yoga lesson. I highly recommend it!
Go, take some time for yourself, mamas. You deserve it!
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]]>The post Weekend in Paris appeared first on But First Koffee.
]]>With a 9 month old at home, work, and an all together hectic schedule, this was not a trip where I had every detail/outfit/meal mapped out and planned. Usually, I have a full itinerary and I fully vet every restaurant. This trip was a nice change of pace. The sole purpose of my latest trip to Paris was to eat amazing food, drink fabulous wine, and shop. So, if you are looking for a tourist’s guide to Paris, do not read any further.
Where to stay
I have always stayed on the Left Bank of Paris in my previous trips, but this time we stayed in the 9th arrondissement on the Right Bank at Hotel de NELL. For your first trip to Paris, I would stay in the 5th or 6th, but if it is your third or fourth trip, try something new! It was really fun to explore a new area of Paris and Hotel de NELL is beautiful!
My very favorite area of Paris is St. Germain de Pres. It has amazing shopping, amazing food, and you can walk to just about anything in Paris. Whenever we take a big trip, we like to pick out a piece of artwork during our travels. I love having little pieces of the world up on our walls at home. St Germain de Pres is historically the artist’s hub in Paris. You cannot walk a block without stumbling upon a fabulous gallery. Another plus, my very favorite Parisian café is in the 6th, Café de Flore. It is always my first stop.
Our favorite hotel in the 6th is Hotel Madison. Fun fact, we stayed there on our honeymoon and BB is named Blake Madison after both our alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Madison and our honeymoon hotel.
What to eat and drink
Paris is flooded with amazing restaurants. It is hard to go wrong. Some of my favorites from this trip:
Café de Flore: Quintessential Parisian café. The perfect first stop to sit outside and people watch
L’Avenue: Another delicious Paris staple. This was our first meal in Paris for our honeymoon. It has a heated patio, so you can sit outside, rain or shine.
Café Constant: A Michelin star we stumbled upon on our honeymoon. Went back this trip and it was just as amazing. Bonus, the Eiffel tower is a couple blocks away.
Dave’s: Hole in the wall Chinese restaurant. There is no menu and Dave takes everyone’s order personally. He will ask what you like and don’t like, then create a menu for you. Highly recommend!
Holybelly: The best brunch I have ever had in Paris.
Fragments: It is the perfect place to start your day with the most amazing avocado toast! And great shopping is just around the corner.
Hotel Coste: This hotel is steps from the Louvre and has a great lounge and bar area. And, it is the place to see and be seen. It is the perfect stop to enjoy a post-dinner glass of champagne.
Laduree: Macarons, obviously.
Where to shop
This trip we spent all of our time either eating or shopping. Personally, my favorite place to shop is St. Germain de Pres. You can find boutiques, vintage shops and most of the high end shops scattered throughout the 6th. Marais also has great shopping and a totally different vibe than the rest of Paris. If you are strictly interested in high end shopping, Avenue Montaigne is the place to be.
Picnic at the Eiffel Tower
Whether it is my first, second, or thirtieth time to Paris, I don’t think the Eiffel Tower will ever get old. But, the tourists and lines nearby can be a pain. This trip, we packed a picnic and people watched on the Right Bank of the river with a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower. After a couple days of hardcore shopping, it was nice to relax and enjoy the view. Paris, you are and always will be fabulous. I will see you again soon!
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]]>Although she has flown so many times, each time she has been at a different age and stage developmentally. I would love to tell you that we are now experts and have it down to a science, but babies don’t work that way. But, I can share 10 tips we have found helpful.
1
Fly early and often.
BB’s very first flight was a long-haul flight to Barcelona. She was about 10 weeks old and she slept the entire time. Things have only gotten harder from there. We had so many people tell us we were crazy to travel with an infant, but it was the easiest trip we have taken with her, thus far. I will share more tips about flying with an infant in a later post.
2
You know your baby best.
I read every blog I could find about traveling with a baby before we took BB on her first trip. The most popular recommendation is flying at night, supposedly the baby will be tired and sleep the entire flight. Maybe some lucky parent out there boards an evening flight and enjoys a glass of wine while their kid catches some zzzs. That has not been our experience. BB does MUCH better flying earlier in the day. You know your baby, pick the time of day when your child is happiest.
3
Remain calm.
We have taken flights where we are frantic, rushing through the airport, bags everywhere, your basic nightmare. Kids pick up on that, and no one likes a frantic baby.
4
Check as much as you can.
Have as many free hands as possible. I always wear BB through the airport, so we check her car seat, stroller, and just about everything but a diaper bag or backpack. Which brings me to my next tip…
5
Use a backpack as your diaper bag.
Especially, if you are traveling alone with a baby. Again, free hands are key. It also makes certain necessities, like going to the bathroom, much easier. Unless you plan to hand your baby off to a stranger in the next stall, keep wearing your baby and backpack and work those thigh muscles.
6
Distractions, oh so many distractions.
The first couple flights, our diaper bag was bursting with enough diapers and formula to survive a month on a desert island. Unless you are traveling to some extremely exotic or remote location, pack enough diapers and formula for your travel day and put the rest in your checked luggage. If your luggage gets lost, god forbid, you can run to the closest grocery store. Fill that diaper bag with some favorite toys. And, when in need, resort to the safety pamphlet.
7
Pack a change of clothes, for mama and baby.
Between boarding our flight to Barcelona and takeoff, BB had a major blowout that got all over me. Luckily, I always pack a change of clothes when I am on a long-haul flight. Now, I pack a change of clothes even if we are just flying an hour. Also, make sure to pack a wet-bag for any dirty clothes.
8
The 24 hours before the flight are the most important.
Before BB, I usually spent the day before traveling packing or running errands. Now, all packing and errands are done two days before, so the entire day before can be devoted to maintaining her nap schedule and bedtime. We also try to have a very relaxing day before travel. No play-dates or things that could throw her off schedule.
9
Feed during takeoff.
Whatever your preferred method of feeding, bottle or breast, do it during takeoff. Luckily, we have not had a problem with her ears. But, we have sat a few rows away from some sorry sucker who forgot to feed their baby during takeoff. It was a rough flight.
10
Get over the germs.
Our first couple flights, I disinfected every single surface. The airplane seats, the tray tables, the seatbelt, and god forbid I let her touch the magazines in the seat pocket, her hands would be sanitized in an instant. Now that she is past the infant stage, I just cringe and let her play til her heart’s content with every germ-laden safety pamphlet.
I linked our travel essentials, below.
Travel and travel often!
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With less than 48 hours on the docket, priorities were food and shopping. We managed to pack a lot of meals into a relatively short time in NYC. On the menu this trip was…
A slice at Joe’s on Carmine Street when we landed
Bagel and lox at Murray’s Bagel on 6th in Greenwich Village for breakfast
The MOST amazing sushi lunch at Sugarfish, absolutely the highlight of the trip
Dinner at Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs, SO CUTE
Brunch at Nomo
Lunch at Le Coucou, great food, bad service
…and a cronut at Dominique Ansel bakery. Ya, I told you it was a lot of food.
When we weren’t eating, we shopped in Soho, went to the Chelsea market, and went to a Ranger’s game. It was a quick and successful trip to NYC. Already planning our next trip, mainly to go back to Sugarfish!
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Chiang Mai is not a massive city, like Bangkok, so you can easily explore the city center in a half-a-day. For this reason, we opted to stay at the Four Seasons outside of the city center. Asia knows how to do luxury, and this was luxury at its finest. The service was impeccable, the grounds were immaculate, and the food at the resort was some of the best we had on the trip.
Before going to Thailand, I thought Thai food was your basic pad thais and such. Northern Thai food is a whole different animal and there is no better place to try it than Chiang Mai. Although, we started every morning with french toast and waffles on our terrace. One of the reasons we chose the Four Seasons was for their cooking class, which gets rave reviews. We did a private cooking class, complete with 12 courses. We ate like Americans and had to be rolled out of there. So much food and every bite was delectable.
When we weren’t eating or riding an elephant, we spent the rest of our time in Chiang Mai exploring the city center, visiting Doi Suthep, and biking through the countryside (which I would highly recommend!). Chiang Mai, you were fabulous.
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