I believe whole-heartedly in travel-sized everything…tiny toothpaste, mini deodorant, sunscreen swipes, even travel hairbrushes. Full-sized toiletries are what can weight down your suitcase in a hurry…and have you heard about the outrageous baggage fees lately? But let’s face it, some of our favorites just aren’t made in travel sizes.
For most of these, I’d suggest getting travel bottles you like using, not the junky set in the drugstore. My favorite are GoToob by humangear as they have ID windows to recall contents (soap, shampoo, lotion), come in three sizes, are soft, and perfectly squeezable. Fill the bottles with just enough for the length of your trip. I literally count a squeeze for each day and then a couple extra, just in case. Then, remember to continue to use the remainder in the bottle once you return home so the product doesn’t just sit in the container and possibly spoil before the next trip.
For other favorites that don’t transfer into bottles so well, use samples. Most perfume counters and nicer cosmetic lines offer sample sizes for their popular and new products. Use any prescription lotions or potions from the dermatologist? Ask the doc, too, as they also often have sample sizes. Now, won’t packing be a lot easier? Well, okay, a little easier.
As soon as you get home from vacations, upload, organize, and (most importantly) label your photos with an online service like Shutterfly, Snapfish, or Kodak Gallery. Then immediately order a hardcover book of the trip. They make great coffee table books and you’ll be able to relive your vacations often. Plus, you’ll never look back at your photos and wonder, “Where was that?”
Nugaard Designs
Love the look of big earrings but hate the pull on your ears? Not only do these bold, glam earrings look great but they feel…well, you don’t feel them actually. These Golden Grass & Gold Chain Earrings by Nugaard Designs are unbelievably lightweight, weighing only .02 lbs. This pair, and many other pieces by Nugaard, are made of light Golden Grass which is a natural grass grown in Northwest Brazil and picked only once a year. You won’t even know you have jewelry on…which is why they’re perfect for traveling. No extra weight in your luggage! It’s all about minimizing, after all…well, with most things you pack. The Golden Grass disk measures 1″ wide and, with the gold plated chains dangling beneath, the earring hangs 3 1/2″. Guaranteed to turn heads. Snatch them up now at ArriveChic.com!
The Equinox Resort & Spa, Vermont
Even though the first day of Fall isn’t until September 23rd this year, I think it’s fair to say we all consider Summer over and done with after Labor Day. This past week, I’ve been dreaming about the leaves changing colors, the crisp, cool Autumn air, cozy sweaters & boots, and a warm cup of apple cider. Unfortunately, there’s no chance of that here in Miami. But I know exactly where to go…The Equinox Resort & Spa in Manchester Village, Vermont, an iconic 195-room resort.
My husband and I were lucky enough to spend the weekend at The Equinox a few years ago when one of my best friends got married at the resort. It was an unbelievable wedding and a weekend away with close friends that I’ll always remember. The rehearsal dinner was at The Red Fox Inn, a rustic yet romantic restaurant in an old red barn which was the perfect choice for a taste of authentic Southern Vermont. This 50 year old favorite has a bar downstairs which is THE place for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Annual Halloween Party, & Open Mic Night. But I think it’s best for grabbing a pint of local beer, hitting the pinball machines, and listening to live music.
Up For Breakfast
Another highlight included Up for Breakfast, a locally run restaurant serving gingerbread apple french toast and cranberry peach buttermilk pancakes. Don’t worry, you’ll work off some of the calories climbing the steep staircase up to the café on Main Street. The Manchester Designer outlets also weren’t far for me to get my shopping fix…thanks, Ralph Lauren.
The holidays were only a few weeks away and the resort’s traditional decor of warm burgandy & brown plaid and dark wood was complimented with festive touches of glimmering Christmas trees and fragrant garland throughout. The historic landmark hotel included a cute store off the lobby selling everything from local crafts to Vermont maple syrup, a brand new luxury spa with fabulous massages, and Marsh Tavern, one of their restaurants and the first building erected on the site, predating the Revolutionary War. Here you’ll find hearty New England fare including some pretty tasty burgers. The Equinox, and Manchester Village, had tons of character and I was so comfortable that I could have stayed for weeks…if only I didn’t have to get back to work in NYC.
Since then, The Equinox has been acquired by HEI Hotels & Resorts (it used to be part of Rock Resorts) and has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation and, from what I can tell and have heard, looks better than ever. The gorgeous new look was created by renowned designer Geoffrey Bradfield with famed architectural firm Baskervill Architects and was inspired by the work of famous Swiss sculptor Diego Giacometti. With cream walls and earth tones like forest green and chocolate brown, the resort now has a more modern feel without losing the original charm.
The Equinox Resort & Spa, Great Room
Homemade apple cider donuts are available for guests each morning and wine and cheese in the afternoon. You can listen to live music in the evenings in the Falcon Bar or snuggle up with blankets and hot chocolate by the firepit outside. Behind the resort you’ll find beautiful trails for easy hiking with your morning coffee or picnic lunch which is provided by request. As for dining post renovation, thankfully, Marsh Tavern is still going strong. One of the new restaurants, Chop House, is considered one of the finest steak houses in the Northeast and is known for their great service. The Colonnade provides grand country buffets during holidays in an elegant setting.
Dormy Grill
If you’re a golfer, head right to The Golf Club at Equinox which was ranked in the “The Top 3 Golf Courses in Vermont” by Golfweek and named one of the “Top 75 courses in the U.S.” by Golf Digest. After a round, have lunch at the seasonal Dormy Grill which can be found in The Equinox Golf Club clubhouse overlooking the beautiful Green Mountains.
More of the relaxing type? Then The Spa at the Equinox is not to be missed. Afterall, The Equinox was awarded “Most Excellent Spa Resort” by Condé Nast in 2010. This 13,000 square foot full-service resort spa incorporates regional products such as maple sugar, mineral clay, and wildflowers into their massage, facial, and body treatment services. You’ll also have access to a heated indoor pool, movement studio for yoga, pilates, or meditation, and a cardio room.
Adventurous and really want the full Vermont experience? Here are a few more options: Book a Hawk Walk with The British School of Falconry where a Harris hawk will fly from your gloved fist to the surrounding trees and back. Go off-roading on the rocky terrain with the Land Rover Experience Driving School while seeing the wildlife and wooded trails (they also pack you a picnic lunch). Learn how to shoot a shotgun or fly fish with the Orvis Shooting School or Orvis Fly Fishing School. Take a Field Archery class and learn how to shoot a bow and arrow through a guided woodland 3D targeted course. During winter months, downhill or cross-country ski Bromley and Stratton Mountains.
With the kids? Entertain them at the Montshire Museum of Science or the famous Northshire Bookstore, known for their outstanding children’s section. Go pumpkin picking, fly down alpine slides and stop for hot cider roadside. Snow shoeing, ice skating, tubing, and sleigh rides are also nearby during the colder months.
The changing leaves or snow covered mountains might be what gets you here, but once you arrive, my guess is you’ll probably be doing a lot more than staring off into the distance.
The Equinox Resort & Spa in Manchester Village, Vermont is the second longest operating hotel in the U.S., dating back to 1769. For 14 consecutive years, it has been named a AAA-Four Diamond Resort and in 2011 it was a Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Member Favorite for “Best Winter Adventures”. Departures Magazine has named The Equinox “The Number One Luxury Resort” in the Northeast and the World Travel Awards previously named it New England’s Leading Ski Resort.
Buying your child under 2 a seat on flights can seem silly since they can fly for free on your lap. But if you travel with the tots often, treat yourself (& the little one) every once in a while to the extra space. A great time is for the family vacation or during the holidays when flights are packed and definitely when traveling alone with them. Everyone, including those around you, will arrive at the destination much happier. Not convinced? Another way to try and get an extra seat is by booking the aisle and window seats. The last seat people will choose is the middle and you may just get lucky with the extra space. If not, usually people don’t mind giving you their middle seat so the whole fam can sit together.
Prime Italian
To celebrate my husband’s birthday, I made reservations at one of our favorite restaurants in Miami…Prime Italian. Most of you are probably more familiar with it’s sister steak house across the street, Prime One Twelve…another favorite of ours. But usually we prefer Prime Italian as we are Italian (ok, well I am by marriage) and it’s a little bit calmer.
We had the feast a couple of weeks ago and I think I may still be digesting. You do have to prepare yourself a bit for the enormous portions they serve, especially the meatballs…and no Prime Italian dinner is complete without the meatballs. I suggest fasting the day of your dinner reservation. Seriously, eat nothing.
To begin, they brought us their hearty loaf of Garlic bread (voted “Best Bread” by Miami New Times in 2010) and sauce…homemade, to-die-for, marinara sauce. Then we ordered:
Prime Italian Chopped Salad with romaine, spinach, artichokes, hearts of palm, chick peas, asparagus, grape tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, green beans, provolone, sopressata & house made italian dressing
Ricotta & Sausage stuffed brick oven meatball
Chilean Sea Bass over lobster mac n’ cheese with truffle oil
Rigatoni Alla Carbonara guanciale, pecorino & poached egg
Creamed Corn (smoked, spicy flavor)
Crispy Zucchini with lemon basil aioli
That was it, for 4 of us. Yes, four. Not enough, right? Well, we’ve been to Prime Italian before and we knew better this time than to order too much. Ha! We walked out with a large shopping bag of leftovers. Not so upsetting when every dish is amazing. The dessert options included fried oreos and I’m not sure what else. I started laughing as soon as the waiter mentioned more food.
The Prime Italian experience is best described as sensory overload in the most perfect way. Stacks of unbelievably giant tomatoes match the red glam chairs & glass lamps on the bar. Sinatra plays over the speakers and Louboutins click on the dark hardwood floors. The scent of garlic and truffle oil surround you. The warm air from the front door is a reminder that you’re in a tropical paradise and each bite you take tastes richer (and better) than the last.
Prepare yourself though as your 9pm reservation really means 9-ish. You’ll probably need a little more time to work up an appetite anyway for the spread that’s on the way. You didn’t really fast all day, did you?
Meet Ashley
Former NYC fashion industry girl, forever traveler, foodie at heart, and now Mom in Miami. My blog, Arrive Chic, covers the style I find in everyday life both on the road and at home, often with my two energetic little boys in tow.
