Chicago

July 03, 2021

“Don’t listen to what they say. Go see.”

— Unknown

Chicago is one of those cities that you have to visit in the summer. I’ve been to Chicago several times before but this time I got to really experience the city in a whole new way. You can see all that Chicago has to offer in just a couple of days. My boyfriend and I spent the weekend here, enjoying some amazing views and some really good food. Keep reading to learn about some of my recommendations and take notes for whenever you visit the big city in the midwest!

Stay

I recommend booking a hotel stay in the downtown area. It’s super convenient to the closest shops, restaurants and attractions. We stayed at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel right next door to the Louis Vuitton store. The hotel was not my favorite but was walking distance to a lot of places we visited. It would have been nice to have more space in the hotel room, as it felt small. Try to be mindful when booking as the pictures can sometimes be deceiving of the space you actually get.

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Booking information is on their website. Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago

Transportation

For our trip, we chose the cost effective route as Uber and Lyft prices have drastically increased. We were going to be pretty close to everything anyway so we chose to purchase 3-day CTA passes to be able to ride the subway and bus unlimited times the entire trip. These were only $15 a person, an extra $5 if you were purchasing a new card. We were able to take the subway directly from the airport all the way into downtown Chicago. This was super convenient and hassle free. Not to mention, cheap! We were already used to public transit from being out on the east coast, so it wasn’t a big deal to us. Chicago’s subways are MUCH cleaner than New York’s by the way! Of course at night when we went out, we didn’t ride the subway or take public transit because the safety risk. Be sure to keep that in mind.

Another way we got around was with bikes. With Lyft you are able to check out a bike and receive the first 30 minutes free. This is another cheap option but also give you an adventure at the same time.

Food

Of course each city is known for their food and Chicago is no different. We made sure to check out some Chicago favorites and get our thoughts.

Breakfast/Brunch

Tip: Check in on Yelp to join their waitlist way ahead of time. Their wait is typically a few hours long, so do not be surprised. I promise it is worth waiting!

We love a good ambiance! Great drinks. If you’re coming with a large group, they have mimosa towers and mimosa kits! Definitely check them out!

Lunch/Happy Hour

Tip: Do not come if you’re starving — the deep dish takes an hour to make! SO worth it though!

Currently do not have happy hour deals BUT the drinks and the view are amazing! Be sure to check out their swing for the best photo op.

Overhyped Recommendation: Harold’s Chicken. For me personally, the chicken was not very flavorful. The sauce they have wasn’t that great. I’ve definitely had better chicken. You wouldn’t be missing out if you passed on this one.

Dinner

Nico Osteria

To my surprise, my favorite part about this restaurant was their cocktails. I’m not sure who was bartending that night, but they knew what they were doing. Ha! I ordered their popular Rigatoni pasta which did not disappoint. Check them out if you’re in the city.

Things To Do

I’ve included a few free options too!

Catch some amazing views of Chicago’s skyline while also enjoying the sunset.

If you love art and museums, this is a great one to check out!

In the summer, the Navy Pier offers free firework shows weekly.

San Diego

May 01, 2021

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”

— Hilaire Belloc

San Diego has been on my list of places to visit for quite a while. I must say.. it lived up to everything I thought it was and more. The itinerary for this trip was developed months in advanced because you can never be too prepared. Am I right?! I didn’t know how overwhelmed I would be when narrowing down the ‘must-see"‘ places! So much that I am going to need to revisit at a later time to experience it all. Hopefully I can help out with saving you the time and research that I went through and cut right to the chase. In this blog, I will highlight some amazing restaurants and locations that completed my trip to San Diego.

Stay

Finding a place to stay for 8 people was difficult but the gem we found just east of downtown San Diego was perfect! Who doesn’t love a view of the sunset every night from the comfort of a couch? The amenities were accommodating for everyone. Not to mention, we were only 15 minutes away from downtown which was super convenient.

Check it out here!

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Food

If you’re all for good ambiance AND good food — these recommendations you’ll definitely want to try!

Breakfast/Brunch

Tip: If you’re planning to dine here, don’t schedule anything afterwards. Our wait was about 45 mins-1 hour. We just grabbed a drink at the restaurant below while we waited. IMO — well worth the wait! Definitely get their famous soufflé pancakes. SO BOMB.

Hidden Gem: Picante Taqueria Mexican Grill — best breakfast burritos and tacos you’ll have!

Lunch/Happy Hour

Café Coyote: 10/10 — really good drinks!

Perfect place to grab a bite if you are exploring Old Town San Diego.

Island Prime C Level: 10/10 — amazing views!

Bougie on a Budget: check them out during happy hour! I promise, just as good.

Dinner

Ambiance was a 10/10. The food was served tapas style — one thing to be mindful of. Service was not the greatest.

Their pizza is really good. The wine flights are a must! I wish the service was better :/

Things To Do

Top 3 spots to check out when in San Diego — you won’t be disappointed!

Walk the beach or grab a drink at the Sea Deck and enjoy the view.

Take a picture with sea otters and get a stunning view of the ocean!

Great photo op. Header photo was taken here :)

Dallas

March 11, 2021

“Fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.”

There are some trips that are perfect for a weekend and visiting Dallas is one of them. There’s quite a bit to do in this big city but I’ll share some of what I was able to experience during my time there. If you want to know where I got this amazing photo op, stay tuned :)

Things to Do

The one place you get a birds-eye view of the city.

Rooftop bar with the best view.

Bougie on a Budget: free admission.

XOXO Dining Room

If you’re looking for a dinner experience that never ends, this is definitely a stop you want to make. Dinner was really good from the drinks, the entrees, and the dessert. How can you pass up a cupcake wheel? The drinks and the cupcakes came out with sparklers. I highly recommend XOXO Dining Room if you are celebrating something. The party did not end here — this place has a hidden speakeasy. I challenge you to find it ;)

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Eats

Great brunch with a southern flare. Their chicken thigh sliders.. to die for! Can’t wait to go back.

The best tacos and margaritas for cheap! Check them out on IG — @laventanatacos

New York City

November 06, 2020

“When you follow your heart or your gut, when you really follow the things that feel great to you, you can never lose.”

— Rihanna

New York City is one place that went from a travel destination to somewhere I visit frequently. This blog post would be super lengthy if I shared everything with you guys. I’m going to keep it simple to the few things that I did while in the big apple.

Although this trip was during the winter months, I highly recommend that you visit during late spring/early summer for the best weather.

Tourist Destinations

Views from The Edge — NYC’s Observation Deck

Eats

Holiday Attractions

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This Winter Lantern Festival happens around December into January. It is located in Staten Island, NY at Snug Harbor. They have yummy treats including hot chocolate to keep you warm during the cold temperature. The lights are STUNNING! Honestly like nothing I have experienced before. I totally think it is worth being cold for a little bit. This is something you can do with the family or even a date night.

Philadelphia

February 23, 2020

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

— Maya Angelou

Celebrated Valentine’s Day in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. Some of you may know that it is the City of Brotherly Love. Whether you’re celebrating with your significant other or exploring the town with friends — there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This was not my first time in Philly but my first time during winter. I previously visited Philly during their MIA Festival and that was a different experience. This time around I was able to explore the city a bit and visit some of the city’s attractions. Stay tuned and keep reading to get the details of our fun-filled weekend!

Stay

We decided to book with airbnb for this trip, as they had quite a few affordable options. This particular listing was perfect for two — equipped with a full kitchen and living area. There was a market walking distance which was perfect for grabbing a few groceries to make breakfast. As far as location, it was pretty close to most of our activities — about a 15 minute drive. There is parking outside of the unit if you have a vehicle, which was nice.

Check it out here!