Travel Archives - Page 2 of 8

Spring in Québec City

August 3, 2018 by Emily 3 Comments

Throwing it back to MAY right now fam. Timely recaps are so 2014.

Anywho, let’s file this one under: Best trips ever? Who knew a city on this continent could have so much charm? I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when Husband suggested spending Memorial Day weekend in Québec City…like ~~what the figawi~~ why? But I could not have fallen more in love with this sweet region. We might as well have been in France, and not just because of my lack of French.

Anyone I interviewed about QC activities prior to our trip told me sorry, can’t help ya, I’ve only ~~underage drank in~~ been to Montreal, or I’ve only visited Quebéc City in the winter. We seemed to be the minority planning a visit in May, but that didn’t make it any less special. Soooo cutie pies, here’s my guide to Québec City in the spring!

[ stay ]

Hotel du Vieux-Québec // We LOVED this boutique hotel, and the central location could not have been better. Complimentary breakfast served to your door in picnic baskets may or may not have been the selling point, yet I’m pleased to say every other aspect of Hotel du Vieux-Québec measured up.

Château Frontenac // BUT I don’t dare hit publish on this post without mentioning The Frontenac, truly the skyline of Québec City. I don’t need to have stayed in this grand pile of bricks to vouch for it; there’s a reason it’s one of the most famous hotels in the world, and we look forward to cozying up there during our next Christmastime visit.

[ play ]

We walked the hell out of Old City. and were so content doing so. The DOORS my dears. Oh the architecture and colors and details just made this trip. Here’s a whole Québec City doors post for ya.

Suck up the tourist trap fee and take the 30-second funicular ride down to Quartier Petit-Champlain for adorable storefronts, plentiful outdoor ~~drinking~~ eating options, and a real taste of Old Québec.

Don’t lock your car up for the whole trip though; a drive to and around Île d’Orléans is more than necessary, for Cassis Monna & Filles if nothing else. This winery & gourmet boutique offers ~~an easy way to get tipsy fast~~ all-day wine tastings for a whopping 8 dollars. And if you visit just a couple weeks later than we did, you’ll get to enjoy their summer restaurant and ice cream shop too.

Then scoot on down the road to Montmorency Falls. You adventurous souls can ~~sign your life away~~ zipline across the falls, or take a leisurely stroll across them like moi. Park at the top of the falls, walk across and down, then take the cable car back up at the end of your stay. Pictures just refuse to do this place justice.

[ eat ]

Lapin Sauté // Hey so fun fact, lapin means rabbit. Amazing, amazing meal at this Petit Champlain eatery, but just keep that translation in mind. Slightly shocking revelation once we looked down at our menus.

Batinse // Get ya grams out girls, Batinse is cute as heck. Trendy interior, cute deck, colorful cocktails, and a crazy fun eclectic menu.

Bistro le Sam // Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Bistro le Sam is an upscale joint within Château Frontenac. Be sure to request window seating with your reservation – that experience is next level.

Chez Jules // Right in Old City, and the perfect place for a midday ~~cocktail~~ cappuccino.

Bar Artefact // So trendy it hurts. We had the best time chatting with our waiter at this chic hotel bar – their cocktails are incredible and the decor is like West Elm on crack.

And no matter where you end up, please, for all things holy, order the poutine.

À bientôt Vieux-Québec! ‘Til next spring?

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The Best Kind of Surprise

July 13, 2018 by Emily 3 Comments

Hiiiii!

Feels like it’s been a minute. I’ve been avoiding adding any extra screen time to my day ~~Instagram doesn’t count~~ in an attempt to soak up these dog days of summer or whatever. But since I’m sure you’re all beyond desperate to read something that isn’t about about Trumpsicle or the gd Nordstrom Fricking Anniversary Sale, I thought I could be of service. Sooo #tbt to part dos of my weekend in Camden, Maine.

Let’s ignore the appalling fact that in the nearly 30 summers I’ve spent in Scituate I have never taken a sailboat ride around the harbor and be smart about this: If you’re going to visit a harbor town, you are going to get yourself on a sailboat. The Whitehall Inn team took us to do just that on a particularly sunny Saturday. Enter:: The Schooner Surprise.

This beauty is turning ONE HUNDRED this year and likewise is one hundred percent worth taking a sail on. It’s your one stop shop for Camden, Maine day sails, sunset sails, even firework sails for you lucky ducklings who plan your trip accordingly.

S/o to my co-captains slash very brave passengers: Shauna, Steph, Julia, Emily, Maggie!

I hate the phrase “pinch me” with a fiery passion, but that was the only thing that came to mind during this stunning Camden Harbor sail. That and can you please pass me a mimosa?

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On a Lark in Camden, Maine

June 22, 2018 by Emily 7 Comments

I just had the most worth it weekend of mosquito bites in all of my 29 ~~and a half~~ years.

I first visited Camden, Maine in 2010. I was 21, so you can imagine what I was up to and it wasn’t museums and nature tours. But I fell in love with the town and the region. This is not the cheap white wine talking.

Known as where the mountains meet the sea, Camden sits just under two hours north of Portland on the coast. On the sweetest little harbor, specifically. Whitehall Maine, a recent addition to the Lark Hotels family, brought me up here to kick off summer in their beautiful woodsy modern summer camp of a hotel which just SCREAMS Maine in the best way possible. Like right now I’m writing this from a rocking chair on the front porch with a bowl of blueberry ice cream ~~wearing flannel~~.

There was lots of ~~indulging~~ relaxing with quite a few scoops of exploring, so here is my Camden, Maine travel guide for you kittens!

Dress | Suitcase

[ play ]

Downtown is everything a seaside New England downtown should be…tiny shops {I love Jo Ellen Designs, Glendarragh Lavender, and Sea Bags}, ice cream joints, and a view of the water no matter which way you face.

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the area between late June and July, visit the Glendarragh Lavender Farm for, you know, ~~the perfect Instagram~~ lavender fields.

Assuming you do not have an unwavering fear of ~~driving off cliffs~~ heights like moi, I recommend heading to the top of Mount Battie, especially at sunset. You can also hike it! Another thing I have yet to add to my resumé.

Wouldn’t be me a trip to Maine without a little lighthouse scouting. Curtis Island Light sits in a public park that is only accessible by ~~the bougey~~ boat. BUT, you can spot this gem from Curtis Island Overlook just outside of town. Here is a very embarrassing yet informative post written when I was 24 and considered myself a fashion/lighthouse blogger please don’t click please don’t click.

And a sail around Camden Harbor on the Schooner Surprise is going to be very, very hard to top in terms of my future summer plans. Chchcheck back next week for more about this!

[ stay ]

Right, so, Whitehall is perfect. And I’m not being paid to say that. Design director Rachel Reider has done it again {Click here to see her work at Blue on Plum Island!}. Colorful, modern, printed, it doesn’t exactly reek of Midcoast Maine, and yet it suits the town so well.

Lark’s signature small place breakfasts are one of my favorite selling points, though Whitehalls’s fire pit and back patio really take the cake here. My and Shauna‘s dinner-out plans were slashed as soon as we ~~opened the wine~~ plopped ourselves in front of the fire…one large pizza delivery and four hours later, we still hadn’t moved. And even though it gives off the vibes of an upscale summer camp cabin, the hotel dripping in luxe amenities, like Lather bath products, fluffy robes, and all the on-demand TV options and tech tools you could need in your room.

[ eat ]

Boynton McKay // 10 seconds in the door you just know this is the locals’ spot. Honor system coffee bar while you wait in line to order, and the most memorable breakfast burrito I have ever been graced with. Food Network Magazine also named it Best Breakfast in Maine. So there.

Cafe Miranda // A midcoast institution, and the absolute fattest menu I have ever seen. I do not think there is a single type of cuisine chef Kerry Altiero has forgotten. Asian, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and Thai alone were all represented at our table.

Ok if I’m keeping it 100, techhhhnically this funky little bistro is located in Rockland, but clearly worth the Uber.

The View at 16 Bay View // Roofdeck drinks overlook Camden Harbor? Absolutely.

40Paper Bistro & Bar // Italian, outdoor seating, creative cocktails and A+++ happy hour bites. Perfect on paper and in person.

The Red Barn Baking Co // An itty bitty adorable pastry bakery. What more do you need to know?

Oh man guys. I hate to brag, but it was bliss. I can’t recommend this postcard-perfect area, or the hotel, enough. MJF got me a Lark Hotels gift certificate for Christmas and it’s going to be preeeetttyyy hard to resist heading back up to Whitehall Inn. Maine mosquitos and all.

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Full disclosure: I received a complimentary stay at Whitehall Maine for the purpose of this review. All opinions and images are my own.

Beauport the Beautiful & My Guide to Gloucester

June 4, 2018 by Emily 1 Comment

Striped Tie Shoulder Top {on sale!} | White Jeans c/o | Similar Pink Sunglasses | Wicker Crossbody Bag | Gold Hampton Sandals

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. The best thing about Boston is how quickly you can get out of it.

I love this lil city with every bone in my body, but sometimes, you gotta say peace. Particularly during college graduation weekends and Red Sox Traffic Season. Within two hours—not even—of Boston sits so many postcard-perfect getaways, and we checked another off our list last month:: Gloucester, Massachusetts.

k, to be fair, Gloucester was actually one of the first places MJF and I ever visited together. And by visited I mean we drove through it and took a picture at the Fisherman’s Memorial. We needed a redo. So six years later we returned to celebrate our third (omgwtf) wedding anniversary at the Beauport Hotel.

[ stay ]

Beachside and conveniently right on the main drag of town, Beauport Hotel Gloucester checks all the boxes. Not too often in ye old New England will you find oceanfront properties that are also a two minute’s walk from “downtown.”

Yeah I said it, oceanfront. Like, walk outside your room onto the beach. Somebody please tell me why people are still choosing to ~~visit Florida~~ leave the state when oases like this exist a quarter tank of gas away. If you play your cards right the hardest decision you’re going to have to make is ~~white or rosé~~ beach or roof deck pool bar.

First though, good luck dragging yourself out of your heaven-sent bed and beaut-beaut-beaut water-view guest room. I have to give serious props to designers who can pull off what Beauport Hotel’s did. There’s a fine line between charming and ~~seriously tacky~~ slightly gimmicky when the word “nautical” is thrown around the conference room. Three cheers for Team BP nailing the former.

Most notable:: Whether you’re getting married or celebrating the fact that you still are, Beauport Hotel Gloucester is New Engand wedding heaven. Did I creep on a ceremony from said rooftop pool? Idk you tell me. #mazeltov

[ play ]

A short bike ride away:: The Fisherman’s Memorial, Stage Fort Park, and Eastern Point Lighthouse (#tbt).

A short drive away:: Rockport, Salem, Marblehead, and Newburyport—four other Massachusetts harbor towns I will never stop gushing about to innocent strangers on the street. Gloucester is a perfect midpoint and home base if you’re doing a North Shore tour.

And while it’s been a minute since I’ve done one, whale watches are such a New England ~~tourist trap~~ rite of passage, and Cape Ann is traditionally one of the better areas to catch them.

[ eat ]

Lone Gull Coffee House // Cozy couches, savory scones, and might-as-well-be-dessert lattes, Lone Gull seems to attract locals and tourists alike, and it’s not hard to see why. Grab your iced medium here before starting the day.

1606 // Whether you’re staying at the hotel or not, Beauport Hotel’s 1606 Restaurant and adjacent bar are worth the trip alone. It’s everything you could want in a traditional New England dining experience, down to the fresh cranberry cocktails and view of the schooner sailing past. I’ll be surprised if another month goes by without us slipping back up there to have a drink ~~or two or three~~ by the fire pit.

Seaport Grille // What you expect is what you get at a place called Seaport Grille. And I mean that in the very best of ways. Fried Ipswich Clams, Shrimp Scampi Flatbread, Haddock Tacos, Lobster Mac n’ Cheese, all with a view. When you say New England comfort food, this is where I want to be.

If you’re reading from Boston, listen up. Minications to towns like Gloucester shouldn’t be discounted based on their proximity to home. No security, no baggage claim, no trying to climb over the person sleeping in the aisle seat after your second diet coke. You can scoot up to a seaside resort and have your first drink in less time than it takes you to watch an episode of The Bachelor.

Andddd if you’re not in Boston? Not sure what you’re waiting for.

[ Beauport Hotel Gloucester ]
55 Commercial Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts
978.282.0008
click here to book

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Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary hotel stay and meals from Beauport Hotel for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Spring in New England: A Wicked Good Time

May 11, 2018 by Emily 2 Comments

Every year, after seven months of ~~torture~~ winter, spring {supposedly} arrives in New England for the long haul. And all hell breaks lose.

People claim that Bostonians don’t know how to drive in the rain, but I claim they don’t know how to function in the warmth. The T breaks. The turkeys come out. The Bruins lick opponents. The Barking Crab resembles the Hunger Games. And girls will quite literally fight each other to get the perfect Instagram of millennium pink blossoms. I sh*t you not there was a line of women with iPhones standing under a tree on my commute home last week. Hope they don’t have the same followers.

But, it’s all worth it. I learned that ten years ago when I first moved to Boston. That first day when it’s warm enough to don ~~Forever 21 daisy dukes~~ a sundress in the Common…everyone may lose their mind a little bit, but our spirits sure are lifted.

ANYWAY the point of this all is there’s a lot of good around here in the springtime, namely a lot of ~~Instagram heavens~~ New England flower farms. We scooted down to Johnston, Rhode Island last weekend for a couple hours at Wicked Tulips Flower Farm. A couple minutes in I ~~almost~~ forgot about the photo ops. The U-Pick part is just half the fun, if it weren’t for the 63 family photo sessions going on I would have wanted to park in the fields all day.

Gal Meets Glam Courtney Dress | Navy Bow Sun Hat | Wicker Purse | Jack Rogers Hampton Sandal

Like the aforementioned brains of all New Englanders, Wicked Tulips Flower Farm gets NUTS. You would have thought we were in Disney World. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time, and I cringe for every person who drove in a single file line down that dirt road without knowing this. They sell out days in advance for the weekend.

If you’re planning for next season, hold off until week 2-3 when the fields are more filled in. Don’t wait too long or you’ll look like a basic b*tch following the crowd.

Until next year!

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Postcards from Palm Springs

April 27, 2018 by Emily 2 Comments

~~A little~~ ok two hours out of the way on our Pacific Coast Highway road trip sits the whacko little oasis that is Palm Springs. Driving in, I wasn’t sure if we had just entered a retirement community or a bachelorette party.
I was into it.

[ stay ]
Have $600 a night burning a hole in your pocket? The Parker.
Here for the Instagram? The Saguaro.
Why can’t I live here? Holiday House.

Or you know, there are an alarming number of Palm Springs Airbnbs that get the job done as well. I was sure we were going to unlock the door to a too-good-to-be-true situation, but our Airbnb at The Twist Palm Springs was a perfect oasis at a really cute price. Pool, bikes, private patio, mini golf, with all the style and flair of PS.

[ play ]
We were exhausted by this point ~~lol it had only been 4 days~~ and so ready to sit in that California sun. But Palm Springs is known for its colorful mid-modern architecture, so I wasn’t going to let two days is this unicorn land pass me by without some ~~door stalking~~ exploring.

Best way to do it? By bike. Easiest mode of transportation to make a quick getaway when the owner of the house ~~calls the cop~~ comes out.

[ eat ]

The Pantry // The Holiday House’s poolside restaurant is open to the public for brunch+lunch and so worth the shame of the awkward “no we will not be charging it to our room” conversation.

Norma’s // Lord may this please be the most expensive breakfast I ever give into. The price you pay for a photogenic meal. Tbh though I am still dreaming about that $27 sweet potato hash, and it was worth it for a ticket into the Parker Palm Springs. Just be glad I didn’t order the $100 caviar-encrusted omelette.

Bootlegger Tiki // I have been dreaming about this tiki bar since five minutes after we left it. Bonus:: It’s next door to your humble abode at The Twist Palm Springs!

Bill’s Pizza // Yeah, we ate pizza in our room on vacation. Persecute me. Have a slice of Bill’s and you’ll understand.

El Jefe // A meal (or just coffee!) at El Jefe is your ticket into the colorful Saguaro hotel if you aren’t staying there. That, and I think some flirting with whatever bachelor party is currently parked there will work too.

Similar dress 1; 2

Next time, I’m flying straight into PSP and soaking up more than a day and a half there. There are wayyy more doors calling my name, and a Desperados Downfall on the rocks. No salt.

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Cute Suit! Vintage Trolley Suitcases Under $200

April 13, 2018 by Emily 3 Comments

*image via

As far as guilty pleasures go, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to have a ~~wallet draining addiction~~ thing for handbags, you know? You use at LEAST one every day, they aren’t that hard to store, Kate Spade is always having a sale…

Pretty sure what’s less than acceptable is my recent craving for vintage(y) suitcases. Do I really need three trolley spinners? No. Are they ~~Instagrammable~~ cute as hell? Yes.

Steamline Luggage & Globe Trotter unfortunately cost about the same as a 4-day trip to Iceland, so I’ve done the dirty work for you and rounded up some options more fit for us commoners. Click the images to shop these vintage trolley luggage choices!

{Shopping guide may not be visible in email or on mobile devices. Please visit desktop version for optimal experience!}

Also not on brand but how gosh darn cute is this one?

Bon voyage! xx

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Jet Set Chic’d: 17 Mile Drive & Point Pinos Lighthouse

March 16, 2018 by Emily 4 Comments

We’re baaaack!

Wow wow what a whirlwind. Easily one of the least relaxing but most fun trips we’ve ever ~~gone broke for~~ been on. Every time I visit California, which has been a hefty handful now ~~since it stole half of my friends~~, I appreciate it a little more.

I can’t w8 to share a Pacific Coast Highway guide with you, but here’s a little snippet ~~because I used to be a fashion blogger?~~ I, admittedly, remember few things from a trip my family took to this area when I was young ~~thanks Dad’s clients~~. But I do remember the increíble views from 17-Mile Drive—which runs through Pebble Beach and is bordered by Monterey, Carmel, & Pacific Grove—and thinking, this is something I hope I never forget. And well looky there, so far so good. Doing it with MJF was a nice reminder though.

Just off of 17-Mile Drive is Point Pinos Lighthouse, so like, that obviously took up an hour of my day. This is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast and one of the most decked out I’ve come across. It looks like something an American Girl Doll would have lived in ~~you’re welcome Mattel~~. Though I did just tried Googling it to give you some interesting facts ~~that I didn’t listen to~~, and was suggested “Point Pinos Lighthouse haunted” so there’s that.

As previously discussed, I was underdressed the entire trip, as in I was wearing gladiator sandals while my friends in LA were in snow boots. TG for this cardigan wrap I picked up at The Paper Store the night before we left—def helped to tone down my winter white look that received a stare or two ~~from jealous onlookers~~.

More soon, chickadees!

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California Here We Come

February 15, 2018 by Emily 3 Comments

*via

Current status: In a winter slump and ready to GTFO of New England for a second.

We ~~spontaneously~~ ok still gave ourselves a month’s notice booked a flight to SFO and are buckling up to do the Pacific Coast Highway. Pulling over for nights in Carmel, Santa Barbara, and LA, plus a little jaunt west to Palm Springs.

What TF should we do along the way?! Give me your best California road trip recs: Leave me a note in the comments or shoot me an e at shellchicd{at}gmail{dot}com! ~~I’ll give you a shoutout if we stop there~~ lol like you care.

Thanks oodles!

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Doors of Paris

January 29, 2018 by Emily 3 Comments

A few weeks ago, I went to a new dentist who, so kindly, asked me about myself and what I like to do in my free time. Pretty sure no one has asked me that since ~~my last awkward pre-Tinder date~~ 2012, so I panicked, first almost blurting out that I dance, only to remember that me and my aching body closed that book back ~~before the country went to shit~~ when we still had Barack and Roll in office.

Then I thought, read, but any normal person is going to follow up with “what are you reading now” and I didn’t want to have to tell him The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo.

Next, blog, but I prefer my dentist not find out about the chocolate and cocktails diet shell chicd dot com fails to hide.

15 awkward seconds later my hobby of door hunting finally came to mind. I tried to cover it up by telling him “photography,” but the chatty bastard did in fact go on to ask what kind. And now my new dentist office will be warning all patients with colored and/or interesting front doors and houses to set up additional security.

FORTUNATELY my creepy love for photographing architecture is not frowned upon in Europe, or at least no more than any other American tourist act. Here are just a handful of my favorite doors of Paris.