jillivictorio@gmail.com /

School’s out for summer! We’re kicked off the kids’ summer break and hit the road on the last day of school to embark on our first ever camping trip in Texas.

We were avid campers when we lived in the Pacific Northwest, but have not had the opportunity to explore any Texas campsites since we’ve moved here until now.

Huntsville State Park, nestled in the Sam Houston National Forest, offers an idyllic setting for an unforgettable outdoor adventure. With its diverse range of activities, including fishing, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife, this state park is a perfect destination for families seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In this blog post, we will delve into the exciting activities and attractions that make Huntsville State Park a great getaway for families with kids.

 

Fishing Fun

Huntsville State Park boasts a great fishing dock accessible from the campsites via a short trail to tranquil lake that’s teeming with fish, making it an ideal spot for a family fishing expedition. Pack your fishing gear and enjoy some quality time with your kids on the water’s edge. Common catches include largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Don’t forget to obtain a fishing license, available at the park office, and familiarize yourself with any size or bag limits. Engaging in this classic outdoor pastime is a fantastic way to teach your kids patience, the art of angling, and the importance of conservation.

 

Hiking Trails Galore

Exploring the beauty of nature through hiking is a must-do activity at Huntsville State Park. The park offers a variety of well-marked trails that cater to different skill levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone in the family. The Prairie Branch Loop Trail, for instance, is a beginner-friendly trail that winds through the park’s diverse ecosystems, offering glimpses of towering pine trees, peaceful meadows, and serene lake views. The Chinquapin Trail, a moderate-level hike, presents a slightly more challenging terrain and rewards hikers with breathtaking vistas along the way. Encourage your kids to become nature detectives as you discover unique plants, animal tracks, and hidden treasures during your hike.

Wildlife Encounters: Huntsville State Park is a sanctuary for a wide array of wildlife, presenting countless opportunities for your kids to marvel at nature’s wonders up close. Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s resident white-tailed deer, squirrels, and rabbits as they meander through the forest. Birdwatching enthusiasts will be delighted to spot an array of feathered friends, including woodpeckers, warblers, and even the elusive bald eagle. Remind your kids to observe these creatures from a respectful distance and to refrain from feeding them, as maintaining their natural behaviors is vital for their well-being.  We did see a couple of alligators in the lake so be sure to watch out and take precaution while in and on the lake!

 

Fun On The Lake

Huntsville State Park Boathouse rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboats by the hour, all day or overnight.

Huntsville State Park Boathouse rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboats by the hour, all day or overnight.

 

Our Campsite

We got lucky booking our campsite so late in the season as we got a really good site facing the lake with lots of trees.

Camping Delights: After an eventful day of fishing, hiking, and wildlife encounters, unwinding at one of Huntsville State Park’s campsites is the perfect way to cap off your adventure. The park offers a variety of camping options, from tent sites nestled in the shade of towering trees to RV sites with modern amenities. Gather around the campfire to share stories, roast marshmallows, and bask in the tranquility of the outdoors. Our kids enjoyed the simplicity of nature, stargazing, and simply enjoying the peaceful ambiance of our campsite.

Conclusion: Huntsville State Park is a family-friendly haven that offers an abundance of activities for kids and adults alike. From fishing escapades to invigorating hikes and memorable wildlife encounters, this Texas gem has it all. So, pack your camping gear, don your hiking boots, and embark on an adventure that will create cherished memories for the whole family. A trip to Huntsville State Park is a gateway to reconnecting with nature, fostering a sense of exploration, and creating a bond that will last a lifetime.

What are your favorite state parks and campsite in Texas?

 

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

Finally made it back down to Austin after 13 years, this time with my husband and kids. The last time I was in Austin was in 2006 and 2007 for SXSW – before John and I were married, and before we had kids. A lot has changed but the rolling hills and trees I remember seeing were just as beautiful. Since both kids were on spring break the same week, we headed out for a fun weekend of outdoor adventures, kid-friendly attractions, and lots of yummy eats in between.

Our weekend itinerary:

Travel Day

Picked Up Provisions at H-E-B

We always pick up snacks, beer and wine at H-E-B when we travel through Texas. I love it. Every H-E-B in each city has its own unique vibe and offerings and I just feel at home buying food for where we’re traveling to and staying at.

Checked in to our Airbnb– a beautiful 36 acre waterfront property in Volente on Lake Travis. The place was beautiful, secluded, comfortable, and had everything we needed. The water views from the home were amazing and the backyard was a dream. We loved being able to walk down to the dock to go fishing.

Day 1

Morning and Midday

Fueled up for the day with coffee and breakfast we made and went for a morning hike around the property’s trails and spent the rest of the day fishing with the kids on the dock.

 

Outfit Details: Shirt Jacket, Bike Shorts,  Chunky Sneakers

 

 

 

Evening

Ended the evening quesadillas for dinner and s’mores by the fire.

Day 2

Morning

Headed out for brunch at Hillside Farmacy. A historical landmark, with beautiful architecture and interiors, the food is just as beautiful as it is delicious. The building reminded me of a lot of the Victorian-era architecture homes in Capitol Hill and the Central District in Seattle. Reminiscent of the pharmacy it once was, but in a warm, friend’s-house sort of way. Small copper-topped and marble bistro tables surrounded by vintage pharmacy cabinetry – so much great design inspo!

Midday


Took a family stroll down South Congress Avenue, for unique shops, bustling eateries, and the lively vibe. Obligatory photos at the ‘Greetings From Austin’ mural, let the kids pick out penny candies at the circus-themed Big Top Candy Shop, and got our sweet fix at Amy’s Ice Creams . The Vietnamese Coffee flavor was my favorite.

Kendra Scott Flagship Store

Since it’s opening in 2018, I’ve been dying to check out the Kendra Scott Flagship Store on South Congress, and finally made it out here since we were here for the weekend. Even more design inspiration here! More than a retail shop, the Kendra Scott Flagship store is a total experience. I love when brands integrate consumer experiences in their retail strategy. You can find home design and decor inspiration here, shop her latest jewelry collections with custom creations, and even enjoy a frosé and baked goods at the Sips and Sweets cafe featuring pastries from Austin-based bakeries. The building used to be the old Hill Country Weavers, and the new architectural design preserves some of the historic, quaint charm.

 

Outfit details: Mock Neck Sweater.  Wide leg pants  Teva sandals

 

Evening

As the sun went down, we returned to our default outdoor venue/market/kids playground for live music at one of Austin’s kid-friendly outdoor concert venues at Central Market North Lamar . We frequent Central Market often because our kids love choosing what they want to eat from the market, while John and I get to grab our bottle of wine, beer, and charcuterie plate stuff, and enjoy the outdoor patio with live music while the kids play the playground.  Why aren’t there more establishments like this?

 

Day 3

Meal Highlight – La Tunitas 512

John and I will travel for food, real good food, especially good tacos. We’ve had our fair share of authentic Mexican food and street style tacos, and most recently babacoa. One thing I have not tried is birria and after eating this, I believe I’ve reached taco nirvana. Traditionally the meat is cooked in an earthen oven and served with a Chile broth. In Austin, the birria is done with brisket!

Photo by Sara Marie D’Eugenio

The only thing to order at La Tunita 512 is the birria de res tacos and most definitely that consommé. Also worth considering are the gringa tacos with melted cheese – omg!

So we ordered two platters full for take out and headed out to the Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake for a picnic with the kids and our birria tacos.

Tip: La Tunita sells out fast. Following their IG feed, they’ll let you know what’s available. They only make a certain amount each day and once they’re out, they are out!  The wait varies depending on the day, but we went on a Saturday and the wait time was about 20 minutes.

 

Other family-friendly food places:

  • The Picnic, just one block from Zilker Park with 8-9 Austin food trailers including The Mighty Cone, Hey Cupcake!, Trudy’s, Acai Hut, Kebabalicious, Coat & Thai, Cannone Cucina Italiana, and Steel City Pops!
  • Salt Lick for bomb bbq and the large playscape for kids
  • Stubb’s (my favorite bbq sauce since 2006), love the venue too. Traveling with kids do the Gospel Brunch featuring family-style bbq, without kids plan to see a concert, and stay of beer, and bbq.

Other attractions with kids:

 

That’s it for my shortlist for an Austin weekend with kids. John and I are already planning a quick weekend trip back here without the kids. There are so many other spots I’d love to check out that are more date friendly for just us. What are your favorite Austin recommendations for food, culture and nature?  Tell me in the comments!

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

Just Back From…A Joie de Vivre Weekend in Napa Valley

When it comes to pockets of California that have been on my list to visit, Napa Valley has certainly been among the top three.  With picturesque mountains, endless spa options, a bustling food scene, more vineyards than you could dream of and copious amounts of wine, Napa Valley was the perfect choice destination for relaxation and pleasure.

As you might have seen on my Instagram – we recently spent a weekend in Napa Valley in October to celebrate my 40th birthday, that’s right the big 4-0!  What better way to spend a milestone birthday than with a relaxing weekend getaway in Wine Country?  While the trip was short (they always are), it was my first time visiting Napa and it was the perfect taste of Wine Country and I’m already eager to return for more!  Whether you want to relax and pamper or dine and drink wine, Napa Valley has everything you need to make your birthday (or any trip) a celebration.

When to go:

For our trip, we had a weekend in the beginning of October, which I personally think made for the perfect late summer/early fall inspired weather in CA: cool and crisp in the mornings and 70 degrees into the afternoons, then cool again in the evenings, perfect for layering and still wearing summer-to-fall outfits. Of course, a lot of travelers opt for the height of summer to visit Wine Country (June and July), but I have to say, the fall foliage and autumn vineyard leaves changing colors is stunning to see between September and October.

Below, is a recap on how I celebrated my 40th birthday with only 72 hours in wine country:

While I had my mind set on relaxation, I knew I also wanted to find a winery or excursion with a little something extra, because wine not? Below is a breakdown of our Friday-Sunday itinerary with details to follow and some of the snaps from our epic adventure and joie de vivre in Napa Valley…

THE WEEKEND ITINERARY:

Friday: 

4:00 pm: Check in at 1801 First Inn, Napa

5:30 pm: Wine Hour at the inn

7:00pm: Oxbow Market for dinner and snack haul

Saturday: 

6:45am: Hot Air Balloon Ride

9:30am: Breakfast at the Inn

11:30am: Lunch at Oxbow Market

1:00 pm: Tasting at Provenance Vinyards

3:00pm: The French Laundry Culinary Gardens

3:30 pm: Tasting at RH Wine Vault

4:45 pm: Dinner at RH Yountville

Sunday: 

9:00 am: Breakfast at the Inn

10:00 am: Check Out, drive back to the airport

 

OUR STAY

1801 First Inn truly exceeded our expectations. Located near downtown Napa, the inn is a beautiful historic Victorian with cozy and thoughtful touches throughout (coffee, teas, water, fruit available), conveniently located in town near the shops and restaurants we needed to visit, and a great starting point to get to the nearby wineries and other towns. If you’re looking for something charming yet, elegant and luxurious yet b&b-like, it really covers all the bases.

Check-In time, Carrie the innkeeper was so sweet to take our photo!

Outfit Details | Cardigan: Superdown | Jeans: Levis | Bodysuit: Alix NYC |  Boots: A New DayxTarget | Bag: Chanel 2017 Metier d’Art

Sweet hubby had some birthday treats with a personalized note set up in our room upon our arrival. There’s nothing better than cold bubbles and dessert after a long day of traveling.

It may have been our first airplane trip without the kids, but our first priority off the plane was to FaceTime with Jonah and Baron. Okay, first it was to check in, find food, wine hour and then, before we consumed, we called home.

Speaking of home(s), special shout out to my dad (aka Lolo) for allowing this trip to happen and watching our crazy kids.

Wine Hour

After settling into our room, we headed outside to the inn’s beautiful patio for a special Wine Hour and presentation by micro producers Elkhorn Peak. We tasted 4 different wines with delicious food pairings prepared by the inn.

 

FOOD AND DRINK

Oxbow Public Market

After our Wine Hour tasting, we headed into downtown Napa to check out the Oxbow Public Market and grab dinner and snacks there. This market is the perfect place to grab picnic foods and artisan snacks and wine, or a quick bite at one of the many local food purveyors and pop up restaurants. From fresh fruit and produce, to books and flowers, everything beautiful and fresh you could ever want and more you’ll find here.

Most gorgeous San Marzano harvest

Lovely little artisan bouquets

Being from the NW, I’ve missed having access to fresh seafood since moving to TX, so I really came here for the oysters and I had to try Hog Island Oyster Co‘s own. Safe to say, I got my oyster and clam fix and was one happy lady.  The Roots were also playing an outdoor concert along the river so we were able to hear the band play from our table! We ended the evening exploring more of downtown and finished with the rest of the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in bed.

Outfit Details | Sweater: Who What Wear | Jeans: Levis | Boots: A New DayxTarget | Hat: Nordstrom

Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise

A hot air balloon ride has been high on my bucket list of experiences.

If you are planning a trip to Napa Valley, one thing to consider is taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. For the wine enthusiast, you’ll get a unique view of the vineyards and valley from above. For the thrill seeker, you’ll be rewarded with sights that will take your breath away. A hot air balloon ride has been something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m so glad I got to experience my first flight for my 40th birthday with Napa Valley Drifters. 

We arrived just before dawn, met our pilot and watched as the crew quickly prepare for take off. The baskets attached to the vibrant balloons slowly started to rise, one by one. We finally hopped into our basket and, before we knew it, we were up in the air!

Ready for take off

Gaining altitude, everyone was mesmerized by the panoramic views of the valley just at the break of dawn. Moments later, we simply floated into the sunrise, up in the sky and watched the other balloons pass above and below our own. It was so serene.

Dawn

 

Sunrise

Valley views

3500 feet above!

Our hot air balloon ride lasted about an hour and we reached a total altitude of 3,500 feet above the valley floor. When our flight had come to an end, we landed in a field with two other balloons and waited as the crew came to meet us to help us unload. We shuttled back to the parking lot, and drove back to our inn just in time for breakfast. It was a lovely way to end our morning’s amazing adventure!

Outfit Details | Sweater: A New Day| Jeans: Levis | Boots: Danner , budget option here| Hat: Nordstrom

1808 Inn Breakfast

No matter if you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth, I highly recommend taking a hot air balloon ride to explore Napa Valley from the clouds! Overlooking the vineyards below from a bird’s eye view was unlike anything I’ve experienced.

 

Wineries

Provenance Vineyards

The first winery we had reservations at was Provenance Winery and Vineyards.

The grounds and vineyard here were laid back and relaxing, and we sat outside on the patio overlooking the orchard. This is a great place to do any gift-giving or to simply sit and relax outdoors for a while.

Outfit Details | Dress: Zara, similar here | Belt: Vintage | Booties: A New Day | Hat: Nordstrom

RH Yountville

The next winery and restaurant destination, also on my bucket list – the new RH Yountville (opened in 2018) is stunningly gorgeous. The multi-structure feels like it’s been there all along, with arbors and granite and an indoor-outdoor restaurant in a Tuscan style design, where shoppers can sit on sectionals while sipping local wine flights.  To be honest, as a food, wine, art and design enthusiast, I based my entire trip around RH Yountville.

The Restaurant

100-year-old olive trees at the restaurant at RH Yountville. Photo courtesy of RH

 

John always orders better. Rib eye sandwich with truffle fries

The menu features simple, California-inspired, comfort dishes like truffle grilled cheese, a ribeye sandwich, and lighter fresher fare like the grilled salmon.  I regret not getting dessert as I’ve heard the cookies are amazing – a trio of freshly baked, gooey chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with giant sea salt flakes. Ugh. Maybe I had one too many wines by this time and wasn’t thinking clearly, because who passes up birthday dessert?!

My dream glass house or greenhouse!

Signature RH elements are found throughout the restaurant: stone fountains, opulent Rococo chandeliers, and cozy, neutral-toned RH furnishings, which of course, can all be purchased. But the 100-year-old, live olive trees are the main event, seamlessly blending the outdoors with the in — as do the picture windows, glass doors, and a glass roof that acts as a giant sky light. In the evenings, the ambiance completely transforms; the entire property glows, thanks to the massive chandeliers.

The Tasting Room

We made a tasting reservation at the RH Wine Vault so we could hang out early and enjoy the environment before our dinner reservations next door at the restaurant. The RH Wine Vault is the perfect place to enjoy a wine tasting experience outdoors in an unrushed and relaxed manner. I really could have stayed here all day. Like the restaurant, the Wine Vault emphasizes the outdoors, with several al fresco “living rooms” available for seated tastings. The ambiance and décor is nothing short of amazing as each seating area or grouping is designed straight of out of pages of the RH catalogs. Chandeliers hanging above every table added to the magical setting.

 

 The Galleries

Behind the restaurant and through a courtyard are two RH design galleries, where people are free to peruse home furnishings and antiques in the open-air rooms. We didn’t view the galleries while we were here, but I will definitely do so on our next visit on our own time.

 

The French Laundry Culinary Gardens

Another gem in Yountville is The French Laundry Culinary Gardens.  The French Laundry from chef Thomas Keller is among the most coveted dining experiences in the WORLD. The Michelin 3-star restaurant itself has a prefix menu that is $300+ per person, and books out 6-8 months in advance. I have never dined there, but during our day in  Yountville, I loved going across the street from this famed spot and exploring the 3-acre public gardens where they grow a lot of the vegetables that they use for their menu. It would be a dream to have dinner at TFL one day!

The culinary garden has a large hoop house where they grow all of their own starts.  A large table with flats of beautiful micro greens greet you as you enter the hoop house. There is also a chicken coup where they gather farm fresh eggs for the dishes and a bee area to pollinate the plants in the garden and provide honey for restaurant.

I appreciated this beautiful spot that Chef Thomas Keller has created. I recommend visiting this garden near sunset as the light adds a beautiful tone to the garden.

 

Pepperjam Verification

This weekend has been one of the most incredible trips I’ve taken and had some of the best experiences I’ll cherish forever. I can’t wait to travel here again as there are so many amazing towns within short driving distances and so many more wineries and restaurants I want to visit. Napa Valley has captured a piece of my heart.  It was the perfect birthday celebration weekend and I’m grateful to John for always making it so special and memorable. It will forever remain a highlight of my life.

 

 

 

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

I recently returned home from a weekend trip to Las Vegas with girlfriends whom I haven’t seen since moving to Texas. It was a fabulous reunion of sorts and an even more more fabulous weekend celebrating a milestone birthday for three of us turning 40 this year! (August, September, and October), so a weekend girls trip was in order.

It’s been 5 years since I last visited Las Vegas!  I’m not much of a nightlife’er/clubber these days, nor do I gamble much, I’ll try the slots!  But I do love food and can appreciate the culinary scene. So many new exciting restaurants and dining experiences have opened in Las Vegas in the last 5 years and you really have to pick and choose your itinerary if you’re only there for a brief time.

A few highlights of my 24 hours in Las Vegas:

 

The Venetian and The Palazzo are good options because every room is a suite and can easily sleep 5+ girls. As a perk, these stunning hotels are reasonably priced so it’s a good excuse to treat yourself. The cabanas and pool at the Venetian have been remodeled and just reopened so if you have time, definitely reserve a shaded spot early before the crowds.

It’s always fun getting ready for a night out with girlfriends with the Venetian rooms’ bathrooms large enough for everyone to get ready together and a large mirror for selfies and the perfect #ootd!

Sequin Night!

Want The World

Lots of photo ops around the Venetian and lots of friendly people willing to take your photos!

 

 

As the world’s tallest observation wheel, at 550-foot-tall the High Roller is an unforgettable experience. The Happy Half Hour ticket gives you a thirty-minute ride with an open bar. We opted for the cabin without a bar and just bought drinks at the lobby entrance.

Tip: Go just before sunset for the most amazing cotton candy color skies as the Las Vegas lights illuminate the landscape. Bonus if you remember to look down to watch the Bellagio fountain show!

Outfit Details | Sequin Bralette: (sold out) For Love & Lemons | Sequin Jacket: LPA | Pants: Zara |  Sandals: Sam Edelman

You’ll definitely have the best view of the Strip!

 

The Dorsey at The Venetian: Dance the night away to one of its DJs, or chill on the sofas and chat with your besties over drinks at this local spot.

 

 

My favorite day of the week, or my favorite meal of the day: BRUNCH!

Brunch Look…

Outfit Details | Cropped Knit Top: Zara | Pleated Pants with Belt: Zara (sold out), similar here | Purse: Rebecca Minkoff |  Sandals: Sam Edelman | Sunglasses: Le Specs Lolita

 

A girls trip isn’t complete without brunch. Opened in 2015, Bardot is Chef Michael Mina’s latest restaurant at Aria Resort & Casino. To create the brasserie’s menu, Chef Mina and Executive Chef Joshua Smith drew inspiration from travels to Paris. The menu offers classic French fare executed with a modern twist.  Bardot is the American take on a French brasserie—the beautiful yet contrived variety.

L’atmosphere

The space is stunning: a gorgeous glass square bar, beautiful wood paneling, stunning floral arrangements, and of course marble and brass everywhere. If this is the Las Vegas take on Paris, I’m OK with that.

 

Bardot’s version of the Croque Madame… The Double Decker Ham & Brie

One my favorite things to order at any French cafe is the Croque Madame or Croque Monsier. BARDOT’s version of a Croque Madame is piled high with Paris Ham and Gruyére Fondue then topped with an over-easy organic egg – yum! So glad I changed my order at the very last minute. If you’re going to have one meal with carbs, have it here and with this.  So. Worth. It.

Short Rib Bourguignon Croissant Benedict

I had a bite of my friend’s Short Rib Bourguignon Croissant Benedict – puffy, flaky, housemade croissants topped with poached eggs, sauteéd kale and short rib Bourguignon. So delicious!

 

 Toasted Marshmallows

Toasted Marshmallows birthday treat from the kitchen!

That said, I will return to Bardot each time I’m in Vegas, as you can’t beat a beautiful French brasserie for brunch.

 

Hello Kitty Cafe Las Vegas

To walk off brunch, we strutted our full bellies over to the new Hello Kitty Cafe at The Park, just opened in July, located on The Strip between New York-New York and Park MGM.

The Mini Cafe Pop-Up offers a fun outdoor cafe experience that celebrates all things Hello Kitty and Las Vegas, along with collectible merchandise and themed treats. The pop-up is the first of its kind in Nevada, following the success of its sister locations in California, which include the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe in Irvine, and Hello Kitty Mini Cafe in San Jose CA.

Our final afternoon together sharing Hello Kitty’s global message of friendship and happiness, before I parted ways with the girls and as we head back home to our families, kids, and our daily lives at home.

I had to pick up some cute sweet treats for my boys!

Do you have any travel tips for visiting Las Vegas? Let me know down below!

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

  1. Traditions & Something New

Peonies (our wedding flower) on every anniversary, June 21

For our ten year anniversary, we renewed our vows in Hawaii and took professional photos. A year later on our eleventh anniversary, John and I woke up excitedly that we didn’t have to work this day as we both took the day off, and beautiful peonies (our wedding flower) greeted me on the breakfast table. I also got a text from our contractor that he was on his way to our home to start demo on our kitchen that morning – exciting times! (More to come on our new reno project). John and I exchanged the traditional wedding gifts. We usually have an idea of what we’re getting each other, but it’s still fun choosing and shopping for the gift. The traditional gift for an 11th wedding anniversary is Steel. We knew exactly what we wanted to gift each other as it is also something we’ve needed for the house and that we’d get a ton of use out of. I’ve wanted these steel Yeti wine tumblers for quite sometime to use at the pool, or while traveling/camping. Yeti makes really great high quality ones so I got John a black steel wine tumbler and he got me the pink steel wine tumbler. Cheers!

 

2. Anniversary Trip

We finally broke away from the kids for an overnight trip to San Antonio to stay at one of my bucket list hotels, the Hotel Emma.  John and I don’t get many date nights so it was nice to be out without kids for once. If we really wanted to, we could ask my dad to watch the kids and make date night a priority, but because he already watches Baron during the day, Monday to Friday, which is a huge help to us, we don’t want to take advantage of his time and we respect his time. But for  special occasions such as John’s and my wedding anniversary, we do make special arrangements in advance for childcare and we are so grateful for the extra time for John and myself.  I assume this may be a challenge with balance that many married couples with children face and understand that we could improve on this area in the following year. More on this later.

So today I want to recap our 11th wedding anniversary.

First things first- we NEED talk about this hotel. We first discovered Hotel Emma last winter on our first visit to San Antonio. We didn’t stay at the hotel, but we dined and drank around the Pearl, and toured the property and grounds. I just knew John and I would have to come back for a weekend getaway without the kids. As our 11th anniversary was approaching, we booked the last River Terrace room! It really might be the most gorgeous hotel we’ve ever had the pleasure of patronizing. You step onto the grounds and you feel as if you’ve been transported to Europe. Just look at this place-

Lobby

 

Lobby

Lobby

For starters, the attentive staff welcomes you with their signature cocktail La Babia, in their amazing library. For any fellow bibiophiles, this library needs to be on your bucket list asap.

Hotel Emma Library

The rooms are gorgeous. We opted for the River Terrace Room because this balcony!  The hotel was definitely a splurge but we don’t go out as often and we love treating ourselves on our anniversary so we went for it. Man was it the right decision. We’ve never felt to utterly spoiled at a hotel. This terrace was my favorite feature as it was our own private little sanctuary to enjoy a glass of wine, or morning coffee with a cozy fire and overlooking the river.

So in love with the bathroom design – vintage mixed with industrial and old world charm and all. the. brass. accents.

To our delight, a beautiful plate of chocolate covered strawberries that John had arranged was on our table upon arriving to our room. A surprise bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice and a handwritten note was left by the Culinary Concierge.

We headed up to the rooftop pool to check out the views before getting ready for dinner.

Outfit Details:  Jumpsuit: A New Day |  Sandals: Teva

We eventually pried ourselves away from the hotel and headed out to dinner and explored the Pearl District. The hotel shuttle will take you downtown but since our dinner reservation was so close to our hotel, we wanted to walk to dinner and enjoy the sights around the Pearl on this beautiful first day of summer.

Coincidentally, J-Lo was also leaving the hotel lobby at the same time as she was headed out to her concert that night. I don’t usually get starstruck, but I thought it was cool that even a-list celebs love the Hotel Emma.


For dinner we enjoyed a beautiful dinner at Cured, just a few minutes walk from the hotel.  We’ve always enjoyed going to out special restaurants in Seattle and the Eastside for our anniversary dinners, and we were looking for a comparable experience in San Antonio. We believe we found just the spot at Cured. At first glance, the building reminded me of one of John’s and my old favorite date night restaurants in Madison Park, Madison Park Conservatory (RIP) with its cozy atmosphere, reclaimed and exposed wood and brick interiors.

Cured specializes in charcuterie boards and house-cured meats. Overall food was delicious, ambiance was beautiful with warm exposed brick, ornate details and elevated updates throughout the interior in a historical atmosphere. The building used to be the Pearl’s Administration Building built in 1904 and has been lovingly restored. As you enter the building, a large charcuterie case shows off hanging meat in the dining room; it’s stocked with options like smoked vealwurst, smoked duck ham, and jalapeño sausages.

I loved everything we ordered, but favorite dish was the Beet, Avocado and Citrus Salad.  The flavors and textures just remind of the delicious farm to table foods we enjoyed in the PNW.

Aged pork belly, bresaola, smoked double barrel cheddar, pink lemonade jam

 

Avocado, Beet & Citrus Salad

 

Wagyu Beef Short Ribs

After dinner we ended the night with a gorgeous stroll at sunset along the famed San Antonio River Walk, followed by more champagne, macarons and turndown service.

River Walk

Outfit Details | Crop Knit Top: Zara similar here | Blazer: Wild Fable | Shorts: Prologue |  Sandals: Sam Edleman, similar here

 

When we returned back to our room, THESE were waiting for us. At Hotel Emma, turn down service comes with macarons. Every. Night. Winning.

Turn Down Service with Macarons!

We made ourselves right at home lounging in these amazing lightweight cotton Guyarobes by Dos Carolinas made exclusively for Hotel Emma.

 

In the morning, you can ring downstairs and hot, freshly brewed coffee magically appears in your room, or you can head down to the Library and enjoy the same freshly brewed Merit Coffee at the coffee cart with an assortment of continental breakfast pastries.

We opted to do both because the library is just so fabulous – had one cup of coffee there and brought more coffee up to our room to enjoy on our terrace.

I find that the best time for truly experiencing architecture during travel and resort amenities is very early in the morning before the crowds come down or arrive. Since becoming a mother I’ve been an early riser and just can’t sleep in. I am a morning person and love quiet mornings exploring hotel grounds without any distractions. The stunning Southerleigh is a hidden gem tucked in the Hotel Emma. Truly a treat for the senses, we got to admire all the rich architectural and design elements that went into this building and had the place pretty much to ourselves.

Pearl Farmers Market

I’m so glad we made plans to visit the Pearl Farmers Market. This has got to be one of my favorite farmers markets I’ve been and we’ve been to a lot!  The Pearl Farmers Market is held every Saturdays and set up along the beautiful outdoor space through the Pearl grounds, which is also just outside the hotel, hosting local produce, meat & cheese producers, fresh flowers, fresh baked goods, live music & cooking demos. It is also very family-friendly with a splash pad for kids in the middle of the plaza. This is the perfect spot to grab breakfast or lunch and a bistro table while the kids splash or run around the park.

Outfit Details | Dress: A New Day |  Sandals: Teva

 

Before checking out of our hotel, we had to stop by the gift shop to pick up a bottle of the most wonderful scent we experienced throughout the hotel during our stay – Milagros by Soular Therapy designed and produced this exquisite room fragrance exclusively for Hotel Emma. The spring and summer aromas of amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, and citrus greeted and followed us throughout the property and we wanted to experience the same aromas at home. I never knew ‘scent marketing’ was a thing but I’m now a believer!

Scent Marketing definition by Air Aroma: By using scent, brands are able to connect with consumers on a deeper emotional level, resulting in a more memorable experience. Scent can attract new customers, increase sales, heighten value perception, and expand brand recognition and customer satisfaction.

 

After a weekend of being wooed by Hotel Emma and her gorgeous architecture, attentive staff, macarons, champagne, and coffee, we were refreshed and ready to go home to see our kids and how the demo was coming along. Besides, isn’t that one of the best things about getting away? At the end, as much as we love a luxurious getaway, we’re ready to go home. And we’re reminded of how special home is and how much we love being at home with our little family.

3. Notes on 11 years of marriage

Over the years, each person learns that marriage isn’t all about spending every waking moment together, it’s more about discovering our individual dreams, talents and challenges and growing together and as one as lovers, best friends, partners, and companions. As a family.

Marriage is a time of constant learning and adjusting. It’s the time of endless self-discovery and growth. The journey continues, but every year there is something new. That, is my reality of our marriage in the 11th year.

What does your marriage look like today?