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Palm Springs and Palm Desert, California
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is my favorite warm weather airport. I love that when you walk out of the gate area and head to baggage claim, you are outside. There’s nothing like blue skies, palm trees and mountains in the distance to welcome you to Palm Springs. I’ve been to Palm Springs and Palm Desert several times; I’m certainly not an expert, but here are a few of the places and things I enjoy about the area.
As I’ve suggested before, when traveling to a new place, a little research goes a long way to ensuring the best trip possible. Always ask friends for recommendations, especially those whose travel style is similar to yours. Check out TripAdvisor and the local tourism sites, such as visit palm springs. Google “blog” followed by the name of the place you’re going, such as “palm springs” or “palm desert” to pull up blogs about the area, resort, etc. Also, start following Instagram accounts and tags related to the place you’re going. In this case, try following: visitpalmsprings, palmspringslifemagazine, palmspringsdoortour and #palmsprings, #palmspringslife, #palmspringsarchitecture, etc. Once you follow a few of these, you’ll find more accounts and tags to follow that fit your style.
Palm Springs
Downtown Palm Springs is all about Mid-Century Modern. From the old Hollywood resorts to stores like Shag and Trina Turk and the amazing houses with bright front doors, this area celebrates all things Mid-Century Modern.
Where to Stay:
The Avalon Hotel and Bungalows – sunrise from room 108 - The Avalon Hotel and Bungalows – Book a bungalow or courtyard studio for a room in the original buildings, rumor has it that courtyard studio #108 was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite room. Chi Chi restaurant is on-site as well as three pools (one adults only) and the Estrella spa.
- Parker Palm Springs – The only way to explore the hotel’s winding pathways and sprawling grounds is to book a Jonathan Adler decorated room as there’s a security guard at the grounds entrance checking for room keys. However, the bars and restaurants are open to the public. Make sure to check-out Counter Reformation and book a booth at Mister Parker’s for dinner.
- L’Horizon Hotel and Spa – Formerly a private residence of a Hollywood movie producer; renovated in 2015, the grounds now consist of 25 bungalows and an open-air spa and restaurant. So.Pa restaurant is open to the public; if you have a group of four or less, request one of the four booths for a great view of the entire restaurant.
- Vacation Rental – If you’ve always wanted to live in a midcentury modern house, consider renting a home from VRBO, airbnb or one of the many local home rental companies in Palm Springs.
What to Pack:
During the days, pack for your activities. For pool side lounging at your resort think Hollywood glam and bring a caftan, big sunglasses and a floppy hat. If you’re going to venture out for hikes, golf, tennis, etc. pack appropriate clothing, shoes, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. For dinner, leave your black outfits at home and break out the bright colors and fun prints. If this isn’t your style, bring a bright colored clutch or buy a patterned scarf to tie onto your handbag for a pop of color. The desert gets chilly quickly after the sun sets, so always throw in a wrap or light jacket.
Transportation:
If you’re planning to spend the majority of your time in downtown Palm Springs, you won’t need a car. For some reason, Lyft worked better for us than Uber while we were in town. If you are heading to Palm Desert or would like to explore outside of downtown, rent a car. The car rental at the airport is super easy and fast. After you pick up your rental keys, walk right out the baggage claim door to the car rental lot – no shuttles.
Restaurants:
There are many great restaurants. Check Trip Advisor, Yelp, Open Table, Resy, etc. Here are a few of my favorites.
Farm – Bloody Marys - Farm – a farm-to-table French style restaurant for breakfast or lunch with a lot of great outdoor seating, the bloody marys were really good, order a side waffle for the table to snack on while you wait for your meal. You won’t be dissapointed.
- Wilma & Frieda – delicious breakfasts, get the biscuit with homemade jam as your bread option, the pastry case looked amazing (there’s a location in Palm Desert, as well)
- 4 Saints at the Kimpton Rowan – rooftop bar and restaurant with views of the San Jacinto mountains, great cocktails, reserve a table on the patio for the best views
- Melvyn’s Restaurant – old Hollywood style, classy and elegant with table-side cooking; after dinner hang out in the Casablanca piano bar
- Workshop Kitchen + Bar – farm-to-table menu with craft cocktails, there’s a large community table in the middle of the restaurant so if you’re with a group of 4 or less, request a booth when booking
- Chi Chi at the Avalon Hotel – great cocktails with pool-side seating, several great menu items including avocado toast, acai bowl and banana bread; make sure to check out the lounge area behind the bar
- Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey – great cocktails and delicious sushi
- Del Ray at Villa Royale – A fun tapas style venue. I love a good cocktail, but I think the drinks try a little too hard to be “different.” In a town that celebrates old school classics, it would be fun to see a few vintage cocktails on the menu. I love a great moody bar / speakeasy; but it is VERY dark inside. If it’s cold or rainy this is definitely a cozy, intimate place to be for two people, four people max. If it’s warm outside, I think a table in one of the alcoves or by the outdoor fire would be amazing.
- Copley’s on Palm Canyon – I loved this white tablecloth restaurant in what was formerly Cary Grant’s guest houses. (It was actually comprised of multiple, individual suites.) There is a huge patio with outdoor fires and heaters as well as a great indoor space if it’s cool or rainy. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing! If you have trouble getting a reservation, stop in for a cocktail.
- Mr. Lyons Steakhouse – the restaurant is swanky, but if you want good food with a little less formal vibe, try the lounge. Also, be sure to check out Seymour’s. A small speakeasy behind a velvet curtain inside Mr Lyons. There is also a large patio with an outdoor fire and bocce ball.
Things to Do:
- Check the “visit palm springs” website for activities and festivals during your stay. We were lucky enough to be in town during Modernism Week when the city celebrates Mid-Century Modern for 10 days with open houses, tours and special events.
- Aerial Tramway – to avoid a long wait, buy tickets 24 hours in advance online, at the top you’ll discover beautiful views of the city and great hiking paths, the temp at top is usually 30 – 40 degrees cooler than on the desert floor so if you’re planning to do this, bring a jacket and gloves
- VillageFest – every Thursday night from 6 – 10 PM Palm Canyon Drive between Amado and Baristo Roads is closed to cars and vendors fill the street with art, live music, food and assorted goods
- Art Museum – a great museum in an architecturally significant building with a rotating calendar of events
- The Modern Tour – small group tours of Palm Springs architecture that includes interiors of private homes, tickets sell out fast; if you aren’t able to get a ticket, try the Palm Springs Modern app for a self-guided tour of the area
- Modernism Week – If you love Mid-Century Modern, try to book your trip during Modernism Week. During this time you’ll have access to tours, houses and many fun events, like a Mixology Clinic.
- Door tour – if you enjoy the Mid-Century Modern homes, check out the door tour in the Indian Canyons neighborhood (map below)
- Several hiking trails – Tahquitz Canyon with a waterfall, Indian Canyon – includes Andreas Canyon lined with large palm trees and Seven Sisters Trail with another waterfall
- Desert Hot Springs is just North of Palm Springs and there are a few spas that capture the naturally heated mineral water for pools and showers, including Two Bunch Palms. There’s also an energy vortex in the area.
Frey House II on San Jacinto Mountain 
Indian Canyons North – Door Tour 
Door Tour – Polka-dots! 
Tahquitz Canyon Trail waterfall 
Post hike Aperol Spritz 
Two Bunch Palms Palm Desert
If you’re looking for a newer resort with all of the amenities in one place, drive 30 minutes Southeast to Palm Desert where there is no shortage of golf courses, tennis courts, restaurants and shopping.
Where to Stay:
- The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage – set in a gorgeous cliff top setting with amazing views of the valley, there are two pools, a hot tub, and firepits scattered around the grounds – some rooms even have their own fire pit or outdoor fireplace; make sure to book at table at The Edge Steakhouse
- La Quinta Resort Waldorf Astoria – this beautiful resort has gorgeous rooms, five golf courses, several tennis and pickleball courts, a spa and several bars and restaurants
- JW Marriott – this resort has beautiful grounds with flamingos in the lake; it includes two golf courses, twenty tennis courts, several pools, a spa and a variety of restaurants and lounges – you’ll never need to leave the resort; there are traditional hotel rooms as well as golf villas
- Vacation Rental – if you’re staying for several days / weeks or going with a group, consider renting a house or condo from VRBO, airbnb or a local home rental company
Restaurants:
- The Edge at the Ritz Carlton – a high-end steakhouse with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of the valley; the grounds here are gorgeous, consider coming early to order a cocktail and walk around the resort
- La Quinta Adobe Grill – check out the beautifully terraced patio with Mexican food and live music
- The Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel – Instagram-worthy restaurant with Moroccan-Mediterranean fare
- Pacifica Seafood Restaurant – a delicious seafood restaurant at El Paseo
- Shorebird – a new steak and seafood restaurant at El Paseo, great vibe and delicious food
Things to Do:
- Check out the Palm Desert Visitors site for current events
- Sunnylands Center and Gardens – dubbed the Camp David of the West Coast, it has hosted several Presidents and dignitaries, tours available – book tickets far in advance
- Sports – there’s an abundance of golf courses as well as tennis and pickleball courts
- Professional Tennis – the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells every March
- Hike at Joshua Tree National Park or stroll through The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Dates are a thing here – make sure to try a date shake at Shields Date Garden
- Shopping – The Shops on El Paseo or Desert Hills Premium Outlets
- Coachella – music festival every April
Leave a comment with your favorite places to stay or things to do in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. As always, feel free to contact me with questions.
Enjoy your vacation!
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Suja Margarita
I had trouble coming up with a name for this margarita… “Yummy Margarita” seemed a little subjective. I’m pretty sure the alcohol offsets any of the probiotic properties of the Suja, but trust me when I say it’s too tasty to care.
1 1/2 ounces Patron Silver or tequila of your choice
1 ounce Cointreau
1 ounce fresh lime juice (If I’m juicing multiple limes, I’ll juice 1 lemon as well to make an unsweetened sour mix.)
2 – 3 ounces Suja Vibrant Probiotic (Ingredients include strawberry, raspberry, tart cherry and lemon juice.)
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Salt the rim (if desired) of a tall glass and fill with crushed ice. Strain over the crushed ice.
For those of you who haven’t discovered Suja juices yet, you can find them in the refrigerated fresh juice section / produce area of Target or Whole Foods.
Cheers!
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
The Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) are made up of over forty islands. Only a few of the islands are inhabited, with Providenciales and Grand Turk having the majority of the islands’ population. We stayed on Providenciales for ten days in January 2020. (Click on any blue words below for a link to additional information.)
Where to Stay:
See my previous blog post called “How to Get There and Where to Stay” for some general travel tips. Start by researching resorts online. I like TripAdvisor and local tourism sites. Always ask friends for recommendations, especially those whose travel style is similar to yours. Google “blog” followed by the name of the place you’re going, such as “turks and caicos” to pull up blogs about the area, resort, etc. I found a lot of great ideas from other bloggers. Use social media to see photos and learn about the area, resorts and restaurants. On Instagram, follow hashtags like #turksandcaicos, #gracebaybeach, #providenciales, etc.
Try to select several favorite resorts 9 – 12 months or more before your trip and sign up for their email lists. You will receive special offers that aren’t necessarily on their website. Note: The resort we stayed at had a HUGE Black Friday sale.
TCI was pretty quiet in January, which we loved. Don’t let the high temp in the upper 70s fool you – it gets HOT! We walked on the beach early in the morning (7 – 8:30 AM) and we were a sweaty mess by the time we got back. However, the sun sets early in January (5:30) and even though it’s still in the 70s you’ll want a wrap or light jacket.
We felt very safe on the island, but other than going out for dinner we didn’t roam around after dark. Just use common sense at night; stay in groups, don’t walk down a dark street and stay in the tourist areas. Tourism is TCIs main source of revenue and everyone we encountered was very friendly and welcoming.
Grab a copy of the free “Where When How” magazine in a grocery store entry or tourist shop when you arrive (they probably have these at the airport as well.) They also print a nice Dining Guide if you haven’t made all of your dinner reservations in advance.
We stayed at West Bay Club and really enjoyed the smaller boutique hotel experience. The ocean front luxury one bedroom suite was amazing (request a high floor so you can see over the palm trees) and the staff was wonderful. We were on a quieter section of Grace Bay Beach which we liked. And, there is a Kids Club if you’re traveling with children. See my Instagram account at cocktailsandgratitude for a video tour of our room. I also posted a lot of Turks and Caicos photos on my Instagram account in January 2020.
Our living and dining rooms with an incredible view 
West Bay Club We aren’t a fan of all-inclusive resorts but if that’s your thing, there are many (check out Beaches – which is HUGE!) One of the reasons we don’t love all-inclusive resorts is we like to explore the area and a great way to check out other resorts is by booking a dinner reservation at their restaurant. Also, this has gotten us into many resorts where we couldn’t afford to stay, and this trip was no different. Amanyara is part of the exclusive Aman brand and is located on a very remote section of the island. I highly recommend making a reservation on Open Table for lunch as the several miles of bumpy, unmarked dirt road is very remote and there are no street lights. Also, you’re going to want to look around this incredible resort during the daytime. We were seated at The Restaurant at Amanyara – the more formal restaurant on the cliff. However, when you arrive, I would ask if you can eat at the more casual, beach-side restaurant. Note: there is a guard gate and you will NOT get into the resort without a reservation.
Photo from Amanyara Villas website What to Pack:
The island is very casual. During the day, a swimsuit and cover-up with flip flops will be appropriate pretty much everywhere. For dinner, a collared golf shirt with nice shorts for the guys and sundresses and sandals for the ladies are appropriate at even the fanciest restaurant. Bring a light sweater or jacket as the nights can get cool. We were lucky enough to have a washer and dryer in our suite, but I noticed several very nice public laundry mats if you need to wash clothes during your stay.
Sneakers – if you plan to go exploring, there are some remote rocky beaches where you’ll want to wear more than a sandal.
Baggies / chip clips – if you like to have snacks in your room; the humidity is high and you need to keep food sealed up or it will get soggy.
Again, it’s an island so everything is more expensive on the island. Bring sunscreen (the island strongly recommends reef safe sunscreen – Sun Bum is a nice brand), sunglasses, a hat and bug spray. Luckily, we never had an issue with bug bites, but I read several blog posts suggesting bug spray and I heard other visitors complain about being bit. Several restaurants did have bug spray available at the hostess desk.
Transportation:
Taxis are expensive (they charge per person) so if you’re not staying at an all-inclusive resort or right in the heart of Grace Bay where you can walk to several restaurants and shops, book a rental car. If you’re planning to explore the entire island, rent a SUV. We rented a hardtop Jeep Wrangler from Grace Bay Car Rentals. We felt confident on the bumpy, rutted dirt back roads and we also loved flipping back the top for a convertible feel. You do drive on the left side of the road; the road signs and maps aren’t the best and there are no stoplights (just traffic circles) so it’s best to get a feel for driving during the daytime before you tackle it at night. If you rent a car, definitely grab a copy of the “Where When How” magazine and tear out the fold-out map. The map from the rental car agency was useless.
Groceries:
Graceway is the main island grocer. There are three locations. Graceway Gourmet near Seven Stars resort definitely caters to the tourists with a large prepared foods section. We ordered a pizza from here one rainy night so we could just watch a movie in our room, and it was really good. They also have a full liquor area but note there are no liquor sales on Sunday, so plan accordingly. Graceway IGA is a larger grocery store off of Leeward Highway in what appears to be a newer retail area with a Fed Ex, GNC, pharmacy, book store, etc. There will be both tourists and locals here. I’ve heard prices are a little better at this larger location; but you’re on an island so be prepared, everything is expensive. There are several other grocery stores and small markets on the island, especially when you get closer to the airport / downtown.
Things to Do:
We explored the entire island during our 10 days there and my favorite was the drive around Chalk Sound. The water color in the sound is hard to believe. Stop at LasBrisas for lunch. I loved the shrimp and avocado salad with Wasabi dressing. There are also kayak rentals and pontoon boat tours available at the shop by Las Brisas.
Las Brisas, Chalk Sound Bambarra Rum – There are tastings of this local rum at FOTTCI (Flavors Of The Turks & Caicos Islands.) A cute market in the Grace Bay Regent Village area with a variety of gifts and goodies including fun napkins, candles, spices, coffee, tea, etc. (They are closed on Sundays.) We loved the Bambarra Black for our Dark and Stormy cocktails. You can also buy this rum at the Graceway grocery stores.
Dark & Stormy Cocktail Turks Head Brewery – I never tried the local island beer, but several restaurants serve it. You can take a tour and taste samples at the brewery.
Parasailing – There are multiple companies and if you are staying on Grace Bay, they’ll pick you up on the beach right in front of your hotel. We went with Captain Marvin.
Parasailing Jet Ski Tour – We booked a two-hour jet ski tour with Caribbean Cruisin’. The shallow waters were beautiful and I would strongly consider kayaking in this area to get a better look at the water, sea turtles, etc.
Boat Taxi / Ferry – Caribbean Cruisin’ also offers water taxis to some of the other islands. Check their website for details. Many people suggest if you take a water taxi to Middle Caicos that you rent a car for the day so you can explore the island and beaches.
Clear bottom kayak – Great for viewing turtles in the shallow mangrove areas.
Whale watching – There are tour companies that offer an all-inclusive deal with a flight to Grand Turks and four hours of whale watching. Check www.wherewhenhow.com for current deals.
Provo Golf – This is the only golf course on Providenciales and it’s a David Faherty course.
Provo Golf Course Provo Ponies – I’ve heard this is a fun experience. You ride on the beach and in the water the entire time.
Potcake Place – This is a local canine rescue and if you want a puppy fix, you can walk one of the puppies available for adoption at 10 AM on Monday – Saturday.
Thursday night Fish Fry at Bight Park – Everyone told us about this event, but when we got there the DJ was crazy loud and the lines for fried food were really long. After standing in line for over 20 minutes and barely moving, we bailed and went to dinner at the beachfront restaurant called Zest at the Wymara resort next to Bight Park. There was only one other couple at the restaurant, and we had delicious fish tacos and a cocktail.
Spa services – Most of the larger resorts have full-service spas and are open to the public. Just be prepared to give a credit card number when booking if you are not staying at the resort. Most of the smaller resorts offer massages on the beach or in your room.
Favorite restaurants:
First, we were blown away by how great the food was. Granted, it’s expensive – after all you are on an island (think Hawaii pricing and you won’t be shocked) but eat at any of these restaurants and at least you won’t be disappointed with the food.
I strongly suggest booking at least a few, if not all, restaurant reservations in advance. There are a lot of repeat visitors / timeshare owners on the island who are all making their reservations before they visit, so the popular restaurants do fill up.
Note: Most of the restaurants add a service charge to your bill. The percentage varies by restaurant so be sure to check your bill before tipping your standard amount.
Coco Bistro is a top restaurant on the island and hard to get into, so make a reservation several weeks in advance. The outdoor areas are broken up into separate spaces, so you never feel like you are dining with a huge group of people. If you can’t get a dinner reservation here, there’s a great outdoor bar area and a food truck in an adjoining parking lot called CocoVan. We ate here our last night and based on recommendations we ordered the fish tacos, the Peking duck tacos, the poutine and the shrimp mac and cheese balls. Everything was great; and if you get there early, there is happy hour pricing on drinks from 5 – 6:30.
Grace’s Cottage has great outdoor seating areas with little porticos over several spaces, just in case there’s a little rain. Check out the gorgeous tile mural behind the bar. John had the duck two ways and said this was his favorite dinner on the island.
Infiniti Bar at Grace Bay Club has a gorgeous lounge and bar. The restaurant is in the huge Grace Bay Club resort. The food was good, but it felt a little cookie cutter since they’re cooking for hundreds of people each night. Definitely come here for drinks and sunset. The ambiance is amazing with tons of twinkle lights, really good live music and a fire breather on the beach. There is a more casual restaurant next door called The Grill (even though it’s casual, you still need to make a reservation.) Next time I would have drinks at the Infiniti Bar and try dinner at The Grill.
Margarita at the Infiniti Bar Seven at Seven Stars Resort was our fanciest dinner with an amuse bouche, lemon sorbet between courses and an amazing sommelier (definitely take advantage of her expertise.) Even though all of the restaurants are island / resort casual; this is a fancy place, so wear your nicest outfits.
Magnolia Restaurant and Wine Bar is located on a hill overlooking Turtle Cove. They are only open for dinner, but I’d highly recommend going early for a cocktail in their beautiful bar to check out the view before it gets dark. (The bar opens at 4:30, the restaurant opens at 5:30.)
Da Conch Shack is a casual beach side restaurant where you sit at tables on the sand while drinking rum punch by the pitcher. Fabulous! If you’re nervous about trying conch, order the conch fritters. There are several Potcakes (stray island dogs) that sleep on the beach and occasionally roam around looking for hand-outs, most of them are very polite.
Potcake at Da Conch Shack Drift Restaurant is on the beach at West Bay Club (this is where we stayed.) It’s a nice lunch spot. The gazpacho and fish wrap were really good.
Drift Restaurant Somewhere Café is also on Grace Bay beach and a great casual lunch spot. They have really good tacos. There’s an upstairs deck area that’s adults only at night, but we were only there for lunch.
There is not much night life in Turks and Caicos, which was fine by us. It gets really dark, really early so we found ourselves going to bed early and getting up early. It’s a great destination for a relaxing beach vacation. Feel free to contact me with questions and enjoy your vacation!
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Beauty Products
Is anyone else a sucker for celebrity endorsements of beauty products? This article about Jennifer Lopez’s favorite day cream just popped up and I promptly clicked the link and purchased myself a tube of the Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream. I mean they said it rivals La Mer (I’ve used La Mer!), it has a five star rating (amazing!) and it’s on sale for $33.75 (no way!) I think we can all agree that J Lo looks amazing for just turning 50 – of course, they don’t mention her rigorous workouts and diet – but if I can capture a little of her youth in a tube of lotion for less than dinner in a restaurant, who am I to turn away?
I selected the free shipping option, so I’ll receive my lotion between July 11 – 14. I will post an update on how I like this day cream after I’ve used it for a few weeks. (My first concern is there is no SPF, so I’ll need to add a SPF cream on top of this which might get too heavy, especially in the summer. But, maybe it will work for a night cream.)
What are some of your favorite beauty products? I’m actually influenced by all beauty product endorsements and reviews, not just those from celebrities. 🙂
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Things I Love – #10
All of these items are in our Chicago high-rise apartment, which I chose to furnish in a Mid-Century modern style. This is a very different style from the more traditional furniture in our 100+ year old house in Saint Paul, but I really love it. Since I was setting up this apartment quickly, you’ll see a majority of the furniture is from West Elm. Our company works with West Elm on the commercial furniture side so I was familiar and comfortable with the quality of their furniture. (Click on the photos below for more information.)
Overstock Safavieh Hudson Diamond Trellis Shag Rug I have several Safavieh shag rugs in our Saint Paul home. I love the feel and quality… and the price! This 9′ x 12′ neutral rug helped to define the living room space and really pulls the room together. (Don’t forget a quality rug pad will make even the most inexpensive rug feel luxurious.)
West Elm Urban Sofa in distressed velvet ink blue This is the first time I’ve selected a couch with color, but the ink blue really comes off as a neutral in the space without being boring. The back of the couch is low so it doesn’t block the view and if you remove the two back cushions, it’s wide enough for a make-shift guest bed.
West Elm Lucas Leather Swivel Chair in saddle The Lucas is a classic chair. After I ordered these chairs I noticed them everywhere, including the shared game room space at our Chicago apartment building and in several building lobbies. You can order it with stationary legs, but we love the swivel because we can easily swing around to view the Chicago skyline.
West Elm Mid-Century Pop-Up Storage Coffee Table in walnut This is a beautiful table with both wood and marble. It’s also practical because a portion of the table lifts up for hidden storage and for working on a laptop while sitting on the couch. (see below)
West Elm Mid-Century Tripod Floor Lamp A simple modern lamp that adds light but doesn’t distract from the rest of the room.
West Elm Retro Tripod Nesting Tables Two great tables that I actually separated in the living room. They’re just the perfect size for a beverage and appetizer plate.
West Elm Mid-Century Buffet, Acorn Our TV is mounted over this storage piece. It’s perfect for storing miscellaneous items like our laptops, extra blankets and paperwork.
Our Chicago living room. Modern Hanging Mirror from West Elm, Roman Numeral Wall Clock from Etsy, pillows from West Elm and Restoration Hardware. 
Our Chicago kitchen. Due to limited space, we chose to have counter seating and not a dining room table. The four Jones counter height stools in Blue Antique Stripe are from Pottery Barn. The sign is custom from Smallwood Home. 
The morning view from the Lucas chairs. 
The night time view. What do you think of the Chicago apartment? Would you like to see the bedrooms? Comment below.
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Berry Vodka Soda
I like this drink, because it reminds me of the canned hard seltzer drinks, except it tastes much better! It’s refreshing, not too sweet and low calorie. Note: It does take 3 – 7 days to infuse your vodka so you need to plan ahead. However, once the vodka is infused it lasts indefinitely; so I would suggest making up a jar of berry vodka whenever you have a cup of extra berries.
Step 1: Make the berry vodka
1 cup of berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.)
1 cup of vodka
Place your berries into a glass jar with a lid and pour in 1 cup of vodka.
If you want to get creative, add citrus zest, fresh herbs or a split vanilla bean to add additional flavors. Just make sure the vodka completely covers all of your add-ins.
Put the lid on your jar, give it a shake and place on a counter out of direct sunlight for 3 days. Give the jar a shake once a day to help the infusing process along.
Day 1 Taste the vodka after 3 days and continue infusing for up to a week if you want more flavor or color. Once the vodka has the color and taste you like, strain the infused vodka through a fine mesh strainer and place in a clean jar with a tight lid. (Discard the remaining fruit pulp, citrus peels, etc.) This infused vodka will last indefinitely.
Day 3 Step 2: Make your cocktail
2 oz infused vodka
5 oz club soda
Lemon or lime wedge
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add your flavored vodka and club soda. Stir gently. Garnish with a wedge of citrus and fresh berries, if desired.
Infused Vodka Cocktails Note: If you’d like more than 1 cup of flavored vodka, just grab a bigger jar and more berries.
Consider infusing your own vodka for other cocktails or martinis using the flavors you want in the cocktail. Some fun combinations: Lemon Zest and Lavender, Cranberries and Lime Zest, Watermelon and Mint or Cucumber and Thyme. If you’re trying a new combination of flavors, I would experiment with just one cup of vodka.
If you have a great infused vodka flavor combination, please share in the comments.
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Winter 2019
We are spending this winter in Florida. Last year we worked remotely from Scottsdale, AZ for February and March. Shortly after we arrived back in Saint Paul, MN we had an early April snow storm. So, this year we extended our travels by four weeks; we are working remotely from January 12 – April 12.
Our first vacation rental was in the community of Carillon, Florida between the towns of Panama City Beach and Rosemary Beach. It was a lovely, quiet, gated community with a bell tower that chimed and played songs at the top of every hour. Our house was very “Gone with the Wind” with two wrap-around verandas. The beach was at the end of our block and since the beach had a Southern exposure, we could watch both the beautiful sunrise and the amazing sunset. The towns along the coast: Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, and Grayton Beach were all adorable. There were some really good restaurants; although several restaurants were closed for renovations during January (their quietest month of the year.) While we were here, both of our children visited and I celebrated my birthday. It was a little chilly in January, but it was a great month and the community we stayed in was wonderful!
The Carillon Bell Tower (guest appearance by Sadie) 
Our rental house in Carillon 
One of three community pools, this one overlooked the beach 
Carillon Beach sunrise 
Carillon Beach sunset 
Our beautiful daughter, Kaitlyn 
The boys, Nathan and John Our second vacation rental was in Naples Park, Florida. We were about a mile from Vanderbilt Beach and a mile from Tamiami Trail (Highway 41.) There was a Whole Foods nearby and an abundance of amazing restaurants within 15 minutes of our rental. This was big city beach living. The beaches were lined with large hotels and high-rise condos. Luckily, our house had a beautiful new pool with a hot tub and a tanning shelf in the backyard where we could forget we were in the city once in a while. We were always busy in Naples – our neighbors from Saint Paul have a winter home in Naples and my parents visited as well as my cousin and her husband (from Lauderhill, FL) and several Minnesota friends. We didn’t visit the beach very often here but we spent a lot of time in our pool, shopping, boating, drinking and eating out. Very fun!
I spent many mornings drinking coffee in an Adirondack chair on the tanning ledge 
Cocktails at The Hampton Social 
Amazing salad and sushi at BrickTop’s 
Morning walk on Vanderbilt Beach before it was filled with people 
Who knew Sadie would love boating? 
Loved the colorful skies after sunset 
Lunch and a little wine tasting at Cooper’s Hawk Winery 
One of the many canals in North Naples Our third and final vacation rental is in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. We are two blocks from the beach and walking distance from several locally owned shops, restaurants and bars. This town reminds me of a small lake town in Northern Minnesota. A lot of people get around the Northern part of the island on golf carts and beach bikes. We work during the days but once in a while we take a break to float in our little pool or take a walk on the beach. Everyone is very casual here… it’s a big night out if I put on make-up and I don’t remember the last time I saw John wear anything other than shorts. Sunsets on the beach are amazing and we rarely miss one. Around the second week in March we noticed an increase in traffic due to spring breakers. Since there is only one main road on the island and it can easily take 45 minutes to drive just a few miles, we agreed to utilize the free Island Trolley and Monkey Bus as much as possible. We’re really enjoying the slower pace of island living, but I must admit that I’m excited about stopping at our apartment in Chicago for a few days on our way home. Small town living is fun for a while, but I’m still a city girl at heart.
Misty Beach is the name of our little beach house in Holmes Beach 
The Beach – my happy place 
Sylvia, the flamingo, travels with us as our pool mascot 
Gorgeous 
Getting ready for sunset at The Beach Bistro 
Sunset drum circle at Manatee Beach 
Boating on the Gulf was so surreal… just water and sky as far as the eye could see 
The dolphins entertained us in Tampa Bay The three locations were very different and none of them are perfect, which is why we will continue our search for the next several years. Hopefully, after a few more years of travel and exploring, we’ll find a place we want to return to every winter. But until that time, we’re just grateful that we are able escape the cold and snow for a while.
Another adventure awaits -
Dark & Stormy
Several years ago we were lucky enough to visit a friend in Bermuda. In the time share lounge, they had an honor bar with ingredients and recipes for several cocktails. I mixed myself a Dark & Stormy. Whenever I drink one, I think of sunshine and pink sand beaches.
We’re currently on Anna Maria Island for six weeks and I recently had a Dark & Stormy. It tastes just as good on white sand beaches!
Dark & Stormy (photo bomb by Sylvia, the flamingo) 2 ounces Dark Rum (I used Goslings)
5 ounces Goslings Ginger Beer (regular or diet)
Lime wedge
Add ingredients to a glass filled with ice. Stir gently to mix.
Enjoy while thinking of your favorite sandy beach.
Cheers!
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Beach
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Family Pets
For anyone who has ever had a pet, you know they play an important part in your life. They are your companion, your confidant, your comforter, your constant.
I don’t know anyone with a pet who hasn’t talked about how it feels to come home to a pet who is SO excited to see you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been gone for 10 minutes or 10 hours – when you walk through the door you are greeted with unconditional love. This is more common with dogs than cats; but whenever I would sit down for more than 5 minutes, our dog and both cats would show up. It’s like an alarm would go off or something. The cutest part is when they figure out who gets to sit on my lap. Lately that honor always fell to Sam – our oldest animal who was also the alpha animal in our house. There was a certain amount of respect the other animals had for her that I can only assume was due to her age.
She was born in a barn on a farm and we brought her to the city when she was old enough to leave her Mom. One of our funniest memories was when we introduced Sam to Bodhi, our 90-pound golden retriever. John was sitting on the couch with Sam on his chest and Bodhi walked over to sniff her. Poor Sam was so scared that in an instant John had kitten diarrhea all over the front of his shirt. Sam soon learned that Bodhi was a gentle giant and she would sleep curled up next to him. She would even attempt to clean him, a very large job for a very small cat.
Just looking for some pets Sam was neutered and declawed but that didn’t stop her from wanting to be outside. She was great at catching mice; but luckily, she did not bring us presents. When we first let Sam outside, she stayed inside our fenced-in backyard. After a few months, she figured out how to jump up on the grill and over our 6-foot privacy fence. Sam would wander the neighborhood on occasion, but she really enjoyed laying on the sidewalk in front of our house where she could receive free pets and attention from people walking by. She even received a postcard from a neighbor who walked by our house and visited with her often.
Sam loved looking outside Sam was a talker. If you meowed back at her, she would “talk” for quite a while. The last two years Sam started losing weight (she was always a small cat – her top weight was around 6 pounds) and had trouble grooming herself. We switched her to soft food twice a day and I started brushing her and using a dry shampoo on her fur to help clean the areas she couldn’t groom any more. She loved to be brushed!
Looking out the window A few weekends ago Sam stopped eating on a Friday and she died sometime Saturday night. I’m so sad that I wasn’t there to hug and comfort her, but our son said he just knew what was happening and he gave her lots of extra snuggles and pets. She was even purring Saturday night before he went to sleep. Sam had been with us for over 19 years. RIP sweet girl.
