Tulum Travel Guide
2021-04-01 11:45:55Let me start out by saying this was probably one of the best trips I have ever been on. Definitely in my top three! Tulum was an absolute dream and I am going to help break down everything from price, where to stay, eat, etc.
Let me start by saying I traveled with two of my best girl friends. Which my husband was not the biggest fan of at first, solely because we were traveling to a different country, but we felt extremely safe in the city. I would recommend Tulum as a travel destination with a group of girl friends (would be so fun for a bachelorette party) or a couples trip. I do not see this being a romantic getaway for you and your man. We actually did an all inclusive in Tulum for our honeymoon and I am super sad thinking about all we missed out on. I would recommend not going the all inclusive route in Tulum because there is SO much more to see and do in the city.
WHERE TO STAY
Kimpton Aluna Tulum Is a brand new boutique styled hotel that just opened in Tulum this past December. When you immediately walk in you feel like you are definitely in Mexico with the boho, jungle vibes. The rooms were extremely spacious and there was plenty of room for Audrey and me to lay all of our stuff out! AKA make the room a mess in a matter of minutes 😉
The Kimpton is located about 10 minutes away from the main hotel strip in Tulum, which is where we spent everyday at. I preferred staying off the main strip, as it gets pretty rowdy at night! Just prepare for lots of taxis to and from the property, which the Kimpton will help you with. The Kimpton’s restaurant, Parallel 20, is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner and their food was divine. You can also layout by the rooftop pool and order food + drinks up there, which was extremely convenient. They are actually opening a rooftop bar + restaurant soon which looked stunning! We were saying we will have to go back ASAP to get the full Aluna experience!
TRAVEL
We flew American Airlines into Cancun from DFW, which was about a 2 hour flight. Super short! From there we booked a shuttle transfer with USA Transfers to and from the airport for $75 each. I could not recommend their shuttle service enough, as they took were extremely reliable and even had Coronas waiting for us when we arrived! Talk about A+ customer service 😉
As I previously mentioned, we took taxis everywhere. Audrey had heard that we could rent a car (which a lot of people do), but the thought of driving around in Mexico terrified me. LOL. The taxis worked out great and the Kimpton would help us secure one when we wanted to leave the hotel to head to the strip. Once you get to the strip there are taxis everywhere waiting for rides. My biggest tip is to make sure you negotiate the price they give you. We had drivers who only charged us $10 for a ride and some who tried to charge us $40. Negotiate. Negotiate. Negotiate.
WHERE TO EAT
Tseen Ja– I highly recommend making a reservation for a sunset dinner in this treehouse. And when I say treehouse, I mean actual treehouse. My mind is still blown from the set up! Their salmon sashimi was absolutely divine and the experience was unlike no other. Definitely pricier, but worth every penny for a nice dinner.
Meze- Mediterranean food & gorgeous ambiance.
Matcha Mama- Acai Bowls + smoothies & very Instagrammable
Rosa Negra, Tora, Chambao, Taboo- dinner + clubs! Tulum’s motto is you party where you eat so expect these places to get a tad rowdy after 10om. One night we literally were eating a wagyu steak while jamming to rap music. LOL! The experience is unlike no other.
WHAT TO DO
Beach clubs are the thing to do in Tulum during the day and after visiting I totally get why! These are some of my recs and I would say to make reservations a couple weeks out as they do tend to fill up (especially on weekends). Make sure you check the beach club’s site to see what the minimum spend is. Most were $50 and under, per person, which was easy to do if you hangout there drinking all day.
PRICING
Hotel: $200+ a night
Flights: $250
Shuttle: $80 round trip
Dinners: $50-$75+ a person (depends where you go and what you order)
Taxis: $10-$30 depending on how well your negotiating skills are 😉
Covid Test: $45 (which we were able to get done at our hotel)
RECAP
All in all, I am counting down the days until we visit Tulum again, which I am hoping will be this summer. Tons of friends and family have asked me to explain the trip and it’s super hard to put into words. We made so many memories and probably had one too many jalapeno margs.
When we go back we will definitely be staying for 4 nights vs 3, as we did not have enough time to do/see everything (such as the cenotes).
Take lots of cash and just do the math and convert it when paying. The workers prefer you to tip in American dollars, which is why I never convert my money to pesos when traveling to Mexico. I did end up using my credit card for a couple meals and had zero problems.
Take the trip and make the memories, sis! I promise you will not regret it.
Weekend in Dallas Recap
2021-02-08 08:17:00I live for a solid staycation. And I live for it even more when it involves staying at a hotel that makes you feel like you’re on a luxurious vacay. This past weekend we had my friend Nickie’s wedding in Dallas, so we figured we would make a little night trip out of it since we live about an hour away! Austin and I got the chance to stay at Hall Arts Hotel which was seriously stunning. Very upscale and modern with a Texas flair throughout.
Before the wedding we decided to meet our friends for drinks at Ellie’s, which is located on the second floor up the beautiful staircase from the lobby. We had a couple of drinks from their Valentine’s menu and they were seriously divine. And you know that’s saying a lot for this wine drinker.
Whether you’re visiting Dallas or looking to do a staycation I highly recommend the Hall Arts Hotel! The location is perfect for all the Dallas to do’s, but you might not even want to leave between the ambiance and Ellie’s being conveniently there. I mean there’s truly no reason you’d have to leave 😉
Happy Monday, friends! Have a fabulous week!
Fredericksburg Couples Getaway
2020-11-17 07:00:00There’s no denying my love for Fredericksburg, TX. Truly not a better combo than the Texas hill country + a glass of cabernet! This past weekend Austin & I road tripped to Fredericksburg for a long weekend to celebrate our third wedding anniversary with friends. Austin had never been and he left saying he would 100% go back. That’s rare, friend, because the guy is not a big wine drinker. So if your man is on the fence just take my word that he will love it!
This go around we had the pleasure of staying at one of Cozi Vacation Rental properties and it did not disappoint. From the down town location to the gorgeous renovated house it was seriously perfect for our three day weekend! This house would be great if you are looking to travel with a big group (girls trip, bachelorette, couples getaway, etc.), as it sleeps up to 12 people. Seriously SO spacious and has a ton of beds + 2.5 baths. And I cannot forget to mention the hot tub and pool! It was chilly at night and the hot tub was the perfect way to wind down after wine tastings all day!
When we arrived Friday night, we were greeted with an amazing cheese board + wine. It was the perfect snack as we were starving when we arrived! Cozi is also super unique as they have their Cozi Experiences (the cheese board is one of the many experiences to choose from)! They have countless options that you can choose to book to make your trip seamless and fun, but we personally got to enjoy an in home sushi chef Saturday night and an Italian cooking class Sunday night. Both meals were impeccable and were the perfect way to be greeted after being at the wineries all day! I mean who wants to go out to eat to a restaurant after drinking all day? Personally, I would prefer to eat dinner in my pjs + slippers any night of the week. 😉
If you have read my other Fredericksburg blog posts you know my love for Absolute Charm Wine Tours. They are the best to tour different wineries + have safe transportation while doing so. They pick you up from where you are staying in town and take you to multiple wineries over the course of 4 hours. You get to do a tasting at each, which is included in the price, and they get you home safely! You can read my other two Fredericksburg blog posts under my travel tab for more details on what they offer! Say hi to the driver, Barry, for me if you use them. He is THE best!
If you are headed to Fredericksburg and are looking for winery recommendations, below are my faves.
Signor Vineyards– the best ambiance + their wine is great! We spent all afternoon here Saturday and were extremely content!
Augusta Vin- it was our first time visiting this winery and it was beautiful!
Bingham Winery- not much ambiance, but they had our favorite wine. Seriously so tasty!
Barons Creek Vineyards- gorgeous property! I would recommend making reservations, especially during Covid!
Grape Creek Vineyards- perfect if you are looking to have lunch somewhere while sipping wine! Most of the other places do not offer a full menu so Grape Creek is great. Definitely look at making reservations!
All in all, we had the best time! I had been dying to take Austin to Fredericksburg so extremely happy it worked out for our anni! Let me know if you have any Fredericksburg questions- I am happy to help.
All outfit details are on the shop my looks tab and from FlourishInFrills.com!
Fredericksburg Mother Daughter Trip
2020-03-04 19:53:16Girls trips are good for the souls. I mean who can argue? It’s something my mom and I swear by. We have made a pact to enjoy some form of girl’s trip just us two every year. Even if that means just doing a staycation in Fort Worth. And surprisingly this past weekend was our first trip just her and I, as we road tripped to Fredericksburg, TX. The small Texas town is known for all of the wineries, food and shopping. And if you know my mom and me you know we live for a glass of cabernet.
I actually visited Fredericksburg for the first time last May on a blogger trip. You can read my recap and to do’s here. My mom and I did a couple new things so I wanted to share, in case you are looking for a mom & daughter trip, bachelorette party ideas or just a weekend away with your significant other.
Stay
This trip was pretty spontaneous! Literally, we talked about going to Fredericksburg one minute and an hour later the trip was booked. LOL! The best kind of getaway, if you ask me. After browsing Airbnb, for what felt like 5 minutes, I found the cutest little house. I was pretty skeptical, because the space was new and there were not any reviews when I booked it. BUT let me tell ya it was the nicest and trendiest space ever. From the amazing travel guide the host provided, the fully stocked coffee bar and the quaint & quiet porch in the morning we could not have been more pleased. It was also super affordable and a $7 Uber into town. Note, it is definitely only big enough for 2 people, as there is just a king bed and one bathroom. However, if that’s what you’re looking for I highly recommend.
To Do
On Friday we had the pleasure of going on a wine tour with Absolute Charm. I previously worked with AC on the previous blogger trip and knew my mom and I needed to use them during our getaway. Some details… Barry, the ultimate bus driver, picks you up from wherever you’re staying in town around 1pm. From there you go to three AC selected wineries and enjoy a tasting at each. Charcuterie boards are available to purchase at most wineries and trust me, three tastings is more than enough!
Saturday came and we were not sure what we wanted to do. However, we figured since we were in the Texas wine capital we should definitely visit more wineries. We came across 290 Wine Shuttle on Google and it ended up being fabulous. You meet at a central pick up location and it takes you to selected wineries of your choice. The shuttle runs every 10 minutes between 10a-6p at all the wineries so don’t stress about timing! We paid our $30, Ubered to the bus stop, and hopped on and off at the wineries of our choice. Super convenient and safe!
Wineries
Signor is my all time favorite Fredericksburg winery, as the ambiance is a dream. If you go during the spring you will be blown away by the flowers and greenery. Perfect place to hangout on the patio during the day, sip a glass of rose and listen to the live music. The scenery makes you feel like you are not in Texas. Keep in mind the AC Wine Tour took us here and note that this winery is not part of 290 Wine Shuttle. You can obviously drive your own vehicle, but be smart and don’t drink and drive friend!
Barons Creek Vineyard was also gorgeous and super upscale. This was our first stop on Saturday where we did a tasting + had a charcuterie board and enjoyed a glass of wine. They typically have live music so also a great place to hang out!
Grape Creek is the most popular Fredericksburg winery as the wine is delicious and they have an amazing restaurant. If you plan to visit here and want to eat at the restaurant, I would recommend making reservations before as it was packed when we went on Saturday. They are also part of the 290 Shuttle for easy drop off and pick up!
Becker Vineyards was packed and had a ton of outdoor seating. Would recommend if you are taking the bus and needing ideas on where to stop.
Where to eat
Emma & Ollie is a breakfast and brunch staple in Fredericksburg. We dined here Friday morning and there was surprisingly no wait! The food is to die for and they do serve mimosas and other beverages in case you are trying to get your drink on before a day on the town!
August E’s has impeccable sushi. Would highly suggest you make dinner reservations, as it is one of the most popular restaurants in town. Also, order the crème Brule for dessert and thank me later. It was heavenly.
Grape Creek Vineyard not only has amazing wine, but delicious pizza and is a perfect stop for lunch. We had planned out our Saturday so we could enjoy lunch on their patio and we did not regret it! If you plan on winery hopping and need somewhere to eat that has more than a charcuterie board, this is your best bet.
All in all it was an amazing two day, three night getaway! Have you been too Fredericksburg? If so, I would love to know your favorite to do’s. I am dying to go with Austin next!
Fort Worth To Do's
2020-02-13 07:00:00This post is long overdue, as I regularly get DMs from ladies asking where to eat, shop and stay in Fort Worth. After a fabulous staycation at the Omni last weekend, wait no longer, as I am breaking down my favorite places in cowtown.
If you’re new around here, let me start off by saying I was born & raised about 20 minutes from Fort Worth. I had the pleasure of having my high school and college graduation parties in the Stockyards. I got married in the heart of the town. We had our rehearsal dinner at the iconic Joe T Garcia’s. I grew up going to concerts at Billy Bobs. Countless shopping memories in Sundance Square with my mom. All in all, you can say Fort Worth will forever have my heart.
Whether you live in the DFW area or traveling to Fort Worth for pleasure or business, I am here to share my favorite places with you.
Where to stay:
The Omni Fort Worth- this hotel is a must for the best skyline view. It is also walking distance to Sundance Square (tons of restaurants and shopping) and it is a super affordable Uber to the Stockyards. This hotel is also super special, as it’s where Austin and I stayed on our wedding night. If only that day wasn’t a total blur and I could remember all of the details. LOL!
The hotel also has a Bob’s Steak & Chop House, which is a great for a date night or more formal dinner. Other restaurants & bars at The Omni include the Cast Iron Restaurant, Whiskey & Rye & Wine Thief. Definitely options for every guest & palette.
Brunch:
Yolk- a delicious, classic breakfast in Sundance Square. Be prepared, because there is typically a wait.
Press Cafe- cutest coffee shop, wine bar & dining option. It is located super close to the Shops at Clearfork so dine here & then hit the Shops at Clearfork for the perfect girls day.
Social House- is great for more of a “bar” scene. Delicious brunch menu & located in the West 7th area, which is perfect if you are looking to have a Sunday funday!
Dinner:
Joe T Garcia’s- you can’t visit Fort Worth without eating Tex Mex or dining at Joe T’s. This restaurant is iconic, and after you go & experience the ambiance you will understand why. Note- there is typically always a line but it is definitely worth it. And you can enjoy a margarita in line while you wait! I would also recommend Joe T’s for a night out with several friends, not necessarily a date night. Also, don’t be shocked when they do not hand you a menu, because there’s only a few items on the menu + everything is served family style. You can definitely share the fajitas with one or two other people!
Gemelle– is super Instagrammable and has the best pizza hands down. Order the House pizza and thank me later. The seating is primarily outdoors, so I would plan accordingly. Gemelle is also super cute for happy hours & apps!
Lonesome Dove Bistro– is the perfect date night or special occasion restaurant in the Stockyards. Austin and I celebrated his birthday here last year and he has not stopped talking about the chili or the smoked venison since.
Woodshed Smokehouse- if you are craving BBQ, definitely head to Woodshed. Chef, Tim Love, is known for his Texas barbecue twist.
B&B Butchers- cutest date night spot that is in The Shops at Clearfork. Delicious drinks, dinner and a great ambiance.
Atico- this bar/restaurant is brand new in the Stockyards and has an amazing rooftop view. Don’t let it fool you that it is in a hotel, because it is beyond cute and super Instagram worthy. The sangria is delicious and not too sweet, if you are a wine girl like me. Go here for drinks and listen to live music in the Stockyards or at Billy Bobs after.
Shopping:
The Shops at Clearfork- if you enjoy designer items & Blair Waldorf is your spirit animal definitely head here. They have everything from Louis Vuitton, Neimans, Tiffanys, Burberry and more! Don’t be fooled though, they also have every girls favorite affordable shops like Kendra Scott, Evereve, Francesca’s and countless others.
Sundance Square- if you have never visited FW, definitely add Sundance Square to your list. The best shopping, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. You will leave thinking it’s the cleanest downtown area you have ever seen. Something Sundance Square takes pride in!
Stockyards- on the hunt for cowboy boots or western wear? The Stockyards have numerous stores to get every girl and guy looking their Texas best!
West Bend- a quaint area that has great boutiques! If you love all things pink and girly like me, you will die when you go into the store Dear Hannah. You can also head to Bartaco or HG Sply Co. for a bite to eat or drink!
Fort Worth has so much to offer and I hope some of my favorites will make your visit so much sweeter. Be sure to tag me in your Instagram Stories or posts if you visit somewhere from my travel guide. Would love to share with the rest of my girls!