05.26.15

Travel Guide: Tulum, Mexico

Phew! After over a month of non-stop travels – I’m finally here to give you the 411 on my new favorite vacation spot – TULUM!

{Top: UNDER $30! // Pants: ON SALE under $12!// Sandals: Jack Rogers // Purse: Tory Burch c/o Shopbop // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Bracelet: Kendra Scott} 

For those of you who have not heard of this gem before, it’s a Mayan beach town in Mexico located about 1.5 hours outside of Cancun facing the Caribbean Sea. It could not be more different than most Mexican tourist spots or more magical and quant. (Honestly, this NY Times video puts it best!)

I was lucky enough to escape there for a week earlier this month with 9 of my favorites at one of my best friend’s house, otherwise known as Casa Carolina (more on that later!)

{Bikini: TRIANGL  // Sunnies: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop}

What to Expect:

Tulum is uber eco-friendly and that means solar power and for me, leaving my blowdryer at home. Prepare to enjoy days with air-dryed salty hair, minimal make up and sunkissed skin. In other words, paradise! Tulum is also home to many yoga retreats, spas and bikini boot camp. Most restaurants and bars have free wifi and we were lucky to have it at our house too but it really is a time to disconnect (no matter how many instagrams I took, I swear I relaxed & it was nice to not have cell service for the majority of the beach days).

What to Pack:

Below is a sample of what I packed on this trip. My suitcase was full of bathing suits that I lived in, cover ups, shorts, breezy dresses & tops, rompers (I took this one & this too), flat sandals & espadrilles, sunnies and minimal jewels and beauty products. Also, bring a light sweater as it can get cooler in the evenings.

Most days my hair was pulled back in a bun and air dryed (I swear it was the longest I went without using a blowdryer in my life). While I wore wedges a few evenings, I would recommend bringing shoes that you can easily wipe off. After walking everyday, most of my sandals were very sandy and dusty.

If you plan to go to the ruins, be sure to pack tennis shoes and comfortable workout gear (more on that below).

Equally as important to note is to bring plenty of sunscreen (this Irish girl is still burned!), big hats and bug spray. I even bought bug itch cream because the mosquitos can get bad!

{Dress: UNDER $30! // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Clutch: Similar Here}

Where to Stay: Casa Carolina

Most hotels in Tulum are boutique in size, eco-friendly (read: no AC) and serve as a restaurant, bar, boutique, spa and more (all in one!). While there are many fabulous choices, the best has to be Casa Carolina.

{Cover Up: Lilly for Target // Scallop Bathing Suit: PINK // Hat: Similar Here // Sunnies: Karen Walker c/o ShopBop // Beach Bag: Similar Here}

The photos speak for themselves but this house was perfect for our group and belongs to my best friend’s family. The 6,000 square foot villa sits right on the beach with 5 bedrooms, a rooftop, pool, hammocks, beach chairs, its own beachside palayas, patio terrace and large open living spaces. Every bedroom also has an ocean view, balcony and en suite bathroom complete with luxurious tolietries. The house literally comes with anything you may need from adorable patterned beach towels to bottled water and laundry services.

Casa Carolina also comes with two amazing staff members, Paula and Eric, who live on-site in a casasita as well as security in the evenings. They do everything possible to make sure your stay is comfortable from cleaning, cooking, bartending, grocery shopping and even finding & cutting down the freshest coconuts to drink beachside. (I’m also told a few celebrities have vacationed at this gorgeous villa but my lips are sealed there!)

The photos don’t even begin to do the property justice – but check more out here and whether you’re going with family, friends, for a wedding or for leisure – this place comes highly recommended by yours truly. (Oh and morning coffees on the rooftop weren’t bad either.)

{Pants: ON SALE under $12! // Sweater: LOFT // Necklace: Kendra Scott //  Sandals: Jack Rogers}

How to Get Around:

Taxis! I swear there are more taxis at any given moment in Tulum than in New York City. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a bit – but I was caught saying that more than once during our trip. Seriously, every time we stepped outside the house – there was a taxi passing by, or offering a ride or waiting.

Most places you can just walk along the street, however, for longer distances and into pueblo – taxis are all over. Just makes sure you have plenty of cash and/or pesos for your trip. (Oh and addresses are arbitrary – so know your KM and landmarks.)

Where to Eat & Drink (in no particular order):

Mateo’s Mexican Grill – We went here on the first night, reserved a large table outside and I ate the best fish tacos of my life (yes, life). Perfect bar setting for a group too!

Papaya Playa Project – The Beach Club here holds Full Moon parties and the venue is unlike any other in Tulum. I will admit that us girls were too tired after a long day of travel to attend the party (which fell on the first night of our trip); however, the boys stayed out late and had a blast without us.

Posada Margherita – Tulum is home to many ex-Pats from Italy and thus, produces amazing Italian cuisine. This gem is located right on the beach and something out of a movie screen – beautiful tables, lights and delicious fresh pastas and seafood. We split numerous bottles of vino here and enjoyed dining under the beach stars.

El Tablano – I enjoyed lunch here and my favorite margarita of the trip. It’s located on the jungleside in Tulum and outdoors as well. The entire menu is on a large chalkboard. It’s on the pricier side for lunch but well worth it!

Don Cafeto – One evening went left the beach and went into “pueblo” (town). This spot was authenic no-frills Mexican cuisine – it gave us a taste of the area and its culture outside of trendier spots. If you venture into pueblo – be sure to stop at Don Cafeto and order their queso! Live music played while we dined and we shopped through the markets after dinner. Just around the corner is a Bug Mojito Bar so be on the lookout!

La Zebra – Located right on the beach – delicious cocktails and margs by the pitcher. The deck is the perfect spot for posting up all afternoon.

Juice Stands – Don’t underestimate the small stands on the side of the road – I had a fresh mango – papaya juice one morning and chai latte from a small juice stand along the jungle side so really take time to explore and taste your way through Tulum.

Canopia – We stopped here for fresh coconut water – yes, in large coconuts. If you don’t have coconuts at your disposal like we did at Casa Carolina, I would recommend stopping by for one here!

{Dress: UNDER $30! // Hat: Similar Here // Sunnies: Karen Walker c/o ShopBop // Sandals: Jack Rogers // Purse: Tory Burch c/o Shopbop // Necklace: Kendra Scott}

Zamas –  Colorful chairs and tables + drinks out of coconuts? Check! We actually did not have enough time to dine here but passed Zamas many times and it came highly recommended as it sits at the end of the road with a gorgeous view.

Gitano – This spot came highly recommended to me by my New York friends and was also delicious. There are pink neon lights, a disco ball, chandelier in the trees and quite possibly the best guacamole & pork tacos. Try for dinner or for cocktails.

Hartwood –  Hartwood is probably the most talked about restaurant in Tulum, most recommended and might I say;  for good reason! It is only opened for dinner, however, they now take reservations (on the day of).  People start to line up around 2pm to put their name in. We were lucky with our big group to get a later spot one evening as we stopped in while shopping to get on names on the list. The menu changes each day and they bring a chalkboard sign to you. Fresh cocktails, beautiful atmosphere and delicious food  – both the ribs and filete coronado were popular.

Where to Shop & Spa:

Explore! There are so many little spots in Tulum and all on the same main road. Below are a few of my favorites but don’t underestimate the small gems you might come across just by walking along the jungle side. (Side Note: the “jungle side” is much HOTTER than the beach without the lovely breeze so dress accordingly & use bug spray!)

{Dress: UNDER $30! // Hat: Similar Here // Sunnies: Karen Walker c/o ShopBop // Sandals: Jack Rogers // Purse: Tory Burch c/o Shopbop // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Bracelets: Kendra Scott & Kendra Scott}

Mr. Blackbird – Quant little shop on the main road with sand for floors, leather sandals and unique jewels.

Josa Tulum – local designer with gorgeous tunics, cover ups and dresses.

Coqui Coqui – Explore their luxurious spa, perfume shop and boutique. It’s gorgeous and us girls went home with new candles. Also, if you’re going to book a spa appointment, highly recommend you book a treatment here!

La Tente Rose – Mexican Wine, Beer, Water & Spirits – enough said.

What to See & Do:

Beaches – Most of my time was spent beach side with coconuts, my favorites, magazines and a whole lot of sunscreen! The waves were perfect most days for boogie boarding as well.

IMG_7405 (1)

{Bathing Suits: PINK + H&M + Lilly for Target // Headwrap: SO many here!}

Tulum Ruins – A few of us hiked around the ruins one super hot afternoon – they are close by but spoiler alert – you can’t climb them, but you will meet a lot of wandering iguanas along the way!

Cenotes – I opted to stay on the beach in lieu of snorkling around these but they come highly recommended and there are many spots nearby if you decide to be adventurous!

Long Walks + Yoga – If you’re into yoga, Tulum is your place! There are so many local spots to take classes and be fit on the beach. I also walked along the beach most evenings.

{Shorts: LOFT // Pom Pom Top: UNDER $12! // Sandals: Jack Rogers // Clutch: Similar Here // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Bracelets: Kendra Scott // Sunnies: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop}

& there you have it! Let me know if your travels ever take you to Tulum or if you’ve been before! I know I am counting down the days until I can go back.

05.18.15

Vacay Every Day with Palm Breeze

Right about now I am missing the beaches of Tulum – as I just got back into town recently from an amazing trip to Mexico. I wish I could live on vacation every day – seriously! Who doesn’t?

Well, today I want to share a way you have your own “staycation” and embrace the “vacay every day” spirit all Spring and Summer long.  I know that I plan to do so quite often along with the help of Palm Breeze.

One of the best parts of being on vacation is relaxing and spending time with those that mean the most to you – whether they be friends, significant others, family or all three (or even a solo trip by yourself). AND one of my favorite ways to do this and keep the vacay spirit alive even while home is to host everyone in my back patio – with drinks, a cookout and good music.

Palm Breeze is the perfect addition to this – it comes in two flavors – Ruby Red Citrus and Pineapple Mandarin Orange. My personal favorite is the Ruby Red Citrus. It’s light, refreshing and sparkling in nature. It tastes of citrus and grapefruit and is perfect for an afternoon cool-down as the warmer days approach. I also recommend serving it with ice!

It makes the perfect drink for guests who want something to quench their thirst and also perfect for afternoons full of magazines, lounging and sunshine (by yourself or with company!).

How do you staycation? Consider adding Palm Breeze to the mix and share with me below!

{Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Palm Breeze through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Palm Breeze, all opinions are my own.}

{Please Drink Responsibly.}

04.28.15

Skinnygirl Savvy Snackers Giveaway!

It’s no secret here on H&T that I love Skinnygirl snacks!

I’ve posted about them before as they are my go-to bars for road trips and before (and after) barre classes too. I also love the banana oatmeal dark chocolate one for breakfast – or at any time of the day for that matter.

However, what’s even better is that Skinnygirl Tasty Nutrition Bars just came out with new flavors. There’s now Lemon Swirl, Dark Chocolate Almond with Coconut and my personal new favorite – Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein (yum!).

And the best part? They’re gluten free for yours truly and don’t taste like it! They actually taste GOOD (which is hard to find in the GF world, trust me). They’re high in protein and fiber + low in calories. The absolute perfect snack on the go for those of us running around all day.

You can order them at SkinnygirlDaily.com or find them at your local Target too. H&T readers also receive 10% off all online orders with promo code HOSTING1.

If you haven’t tried them yourself, be sure to enter below for a chance to win a package with all 3 new flavors! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Skinnygirl is a partner of H&T. This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.}

04.16.15

Wedding Season with Tempo Tonight

With my sister’s wedding on the horizon, there have been lots of wedding-related posts the past few months. These have also been some of the most popular ones to date as I assume bridesmaid and bachelorette duties are something we can all relate to at some point or another.

Well, today I am happy to share something that will help with another aspect of your life – also related to weddings – hangovers (or as I like to call them “Irish Flus”) or lack there of thanks to my new can’t-leave-home-without item – Tempo Tonight!

If you remember, I first introduced you to Tempo Tonight in my “Welcome Bag + Hangover Kits” post from my sister’s bachelorette weekend. I traveled with a few boxes to Charleston and all of the girls tried them out on just the perfect weekend.

For those of you not familiar with Tempo, it’s an all natural hangover and detox supplement that is taken both before AND after drinking. This is unlike most so-called “hangover pills” that you only take after the fact. Tempo ensures the absorption of nutrients and eliminates toxins before they hit your system. It works proactively while you’re drinking instead of just the next day.

Their new packets come with 4 pills – 2 to take prior to drinking and 2 when you head home or after “last call” (cheat sheet below).

They now come in price-break packages for all your wedding needs too (see below and shop here)!

  • Bachelorette Package – 2 Boxes 
    • Good for 12 people for two nights
    • $85 ($90 value)
  • Rehearsal Dinner Package – 3 Boxes
    • Good for 36 people 
    • $120 ($135 value)
  • Wedding Reception package – 9 Boxes
    • Good for 100 people
    • $360 ($405 value)

These have easily become a part of my weekend routines or even when I know I’m going to have a few drinks after work. Since college, I often complain that I get a headache and feel sick even just after a few glasses of wine. Well, Tempo has helped tremendously with that and I wake up sans a hangover and can more easily start my day compared to before. I’ve also let friends, both male and female, friends try it and they’ve also seen positive results. Now, that certainly doesn’t mean you have an excuse for excessive binge drinking but if you’re like me and you get an Irish Flu every now and then, you must try these yourself!

Today, I wanted to also share the new packages that Tempo has launched for weddings! As you might know, wedding weekends are often long and full of events after events. Between luncheons, showers, rehearsal dinners, welcome parties and then the actual day of and reception – you consume many mimosas, cocktails and then some!

One of the most important days for us girls not to feel hungover is the morning of the actual wedding. Whether you’re the bride, bridesmaid (or even a guest or groom!), waking up early, starting hair and make up and being “on” all day can be quite tolling even on a non-hungover Harriet or Hank. This is where Tempo would make perfect little gifts to include to your bridesmaids so they can feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed come an 8AM call time even after a too-much-fun rehearsal dinner the night before. (You could also include and give these out to wedding guests.)

I know I will certainly be using a few packets for my sister’s big weekend soon.

Happy Wedding Season and Happy No More Hangovers! Cheers!

{This is a sponsored post by Tempo Tonight. All opinions are my own.}

04.14.15

Charleston Bachelorette Party Guide Part Two

If you’re reading today’s post, I hope you caught up on my Bachelorette “Welcome Bags” post (and hangover kits!) + Part One of my Charleston Bachelorette Party Guide. I’m back now with the long-awaited part two deets!

Saturday Evening: Roaring 20’s + Games + Dinner & Cocktails

After we finished up our blowouts at Tease on Saturday afternoon, we headed back to the house to get ready for dinner. We had bubbly, cocktails and played a few games – notably, “What’s in Your Purse” by WPD.

A common bachelorette weekend trend is everyone wears black (or a color) and the bride goes out in white. Well, I wanted to put a twist on this trend and have a theme that my sister would enjoy too.

The theme for the night was Roaring 20’s (fitting for Charleston!) – so think Great Gatsby-ish, flappers, headpieces and yes, we had long strings of pearls to wear out. The only rule was that you couldn’t wear white but everyone dolled up in dresses, sequins and all things 20s. We also wore flash tattoos on this evening and more stickers.

After drinks at the house, we headed to dinner at the delicious O-Ku Sushi in Downtown Charleston. My sister loves sushi and it was the perfect atmosphere for a large group of girls – delicious sushi items to split, crafted cocktails, gorgeous decor and beats!

O-Ku is also within walking distance to The Cocktail Club and other Charleston Bars. If you’re in the mood for a more “club scene” – Republic is also close. We headed to The Cocktail Club after dinner and took over a large portion of the bar. In warmer months, I love Cocktail Club’s deck too so be sure to check it out if you’re planning an outing in Charleston. (These Florida babes were a little too “cold” to step outside long.)

Sunday: Surprise Private Barre Class + Farewell Brunch

My sister’s last “date card” surprise was given to her as she woke up on Sunday morning. She thought we were just going to have a big brunch and everyone would head home, but we still had more fun in store for her.

To give you the background on this “surprise” (as not all brides might enjoy a workout on their bach weekend) – Megan had always told me how fun she thought a yoga class would be on a bach weekend (YEARS ago) and well, I never forgot that little comment. Flash forward 5 years and her and I have both become addicted to barre (seriously, we never miss it!) so I couldn’t imagine a weekend without it somehow included.

She woke up to another bag (Wifey bag sold here) full of goodies including Pointe Studio barre socks for her and all the girls, Emi Jay “See You at the Barre” tank, a new Lululemon sports bra, AND a tutu to wear to class (a la Target kids). (I also threw in the “husband is the new boyfriend” tee for her to wear post wedding).

My friend Margaret works for Pure Barre HQ so she put me in touch with the owners of the Charleston studio and we worked to put together a private class for our group on Sunday morning. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, everyone wore the “welcome bag” cocktail tees, patterned barre socks, hair ties and last night’s hangovers. After we LTB and tucked to our heart’s content, we enjoyed mimosas at the studio and headed to a much-needed southern brunch.

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