BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Fab Find: A $9 Travel Jewelry Case

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You don’t need to spend a lot to get a practical travel jewelry case. In fact, you can snag a sleek, functional one for just $9 (or less, depending on the color) that will leave you with cash leftover to buy a new bauble to tuck inside. There are three hooks for necklaces on top, a place for your rings, and a larger compartment with a removable divider to accommodate larger pieces. The case is rigid so you won’t need to worry about anything getting crushed in transit.

Buy it online here.

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Travel Guide: A Weekend in Richmond, Virginia

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Richmond, Virginia had been on our travel list for awhile thanks to its burgeoning beer scene, but it wasn’t until we purchased the Graduate hotel’s “Hall Pass” package (read about it here) last summer that we decided fly to the historic city. In truth, we hesitated because we weren’t sure that we’d find enough to do to make a trip worthwhile. However, we were happily proven wrong with plenty to keep us busy during our three-night stay. Below, you’ll find some snapshots from our trip along with a list of our recommendations and “insider” suggestions.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Below, I’ve compiled a list of the things we’ve enjoyed in Richmond. I’ve also included additional recommendations as a sort of “insider’s list” with places to visit from Dave’s sister’s friend, Meghan, who works at Visit Richmond and from my Instagram friend Laura who used to live there.

SEE & DO

  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – We could have spent so much more time at the art museum. It has an impressive collection — the Fabergé collection being one of the highlights — with well-executed special exhibits. (We were there for “The Dirty South” exhibit.)
  • Quirk – Stop in to browse the gallery or get a cocktail, even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
  • Edgar Allen Poe Museum – Poe spent the better part of his life in Richmond. This museum celebrates his life and legacy. It’s dorky and I absolutely loved it.
  • Riverfront Canal Walk – Located along downtown’s riverfront, the Canal Walk stretches 1.25 miles along the James River and Kanawha and Haxall Canals. You can walk, bike, or take a boat tour along the canal. Read more about its history here.
  • Virginia State Capitol – Even if you don’t want to tour the capitol, the grounds around the building are pretty with statues and government buildings.
  • Richmond Mural Project – Back in 2012, Richmond embarked on its goal of creating over 100 murals in just five years.
  • Explore Shockoe Slip – This area of the city was founded as a trade post in the early 1600s and is now the location of shops, restaurants, and businesses. It’s fun to poke around and walk the cobblestone streets.
  • Explore Shockoe Bottom – This area of the city has a somber past as the location where slaves were brought into town. Now, it’s a charming, industrial neighborhood with cobblestone streets, murals, restaurants, and shops. I stopped in at Shockoe Bottom Clay where I purchased a wood-fired ceramic vase by local artist Jocelyn Sandberg, which I think is actually the piece in the upper right of this image.

EAT & DRINK

If that last bullet of food recommendations is any indication, we need to make another trip to the city just to dine!

OUR STAY & TRANSPORTATION

I wanted to add a few notes about transportation and accommodations. We stayed at the Graduate hotel, which you can read more about here. As far as transportation is concerned, you can absolutely get by without renting a car if you’re planning to stay in the city. Ubers were plentiful and the city has an incredibly easy bus rapid transit (BRT) system to get you to the different neighborhoods quickly and efficiently.

For more travel guides, click here!

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Travel Guide: Door County, Wisconsin

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I’m so excited to share our recent trip to Door County with you! We’ve been eager to go back ever since we went last summer. A weekend of social distanced activities, hiking, outdoor meals and drinks was just what we needed in the midst of the pandemic and this year was no different — with the exception of a lifted mask mandate. It was the perfect way to wrap up summer 2021 and staying at the recently opened (and beautiful!) Dörr Hotel made it even more memorable!

If you’re not sure where Door County is, it’s Wisconsin’s peninsula (or thumb if you think of the state as a mitten). It’s nestled between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, so you’re looking at water-related activities and lakeshore views. Door County is also famous for its cherries and there’s no shortage of cute farm stores for you to stock your pantry with preserves and pie fillings. Everything is close to each other up there, so it’s common that you’ll be zig-zagging between the towns during your stay.

OUR STAY

Seriously, Door County was in need of a chic boutique hotel and the Dörr delivers! The Scandinavian-inspired hotel is located in Sister Bay and opened in May of this year — and it’s beautiful! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves in terms of the design. Aesthetics aside, the hotel had a fire pit, cornhole, ping-pong, grab-and-go breakfast, a small bar (with surprisingly good draft options), private balconies for most rooms, among other thoughtful amenities. (We weren’t the only ones in love with the hotel; many people checking out were already booking dates for next year!)

DAY ONE

We arrived in Sturgeon Bay, the southernmost town in what’s officially considered the tourist area of Door County, around 4 p.m. and stopped by Renard’s Cheese Store to pick up a bag of fresh cheese curds (the squeakier, the better!) for the remainder of our drive to our first stop: Whitefish Dunes State Park. Whitefish Dunes is right next Cave Point County Park, which is known for rocky cliffs along Lake Michigan. The two parks connect and since we have a State Park sticker, we opted to park at Whitefish Dunes where it typically has ample parking space available when the other park is busy. The coolest part of the parks is watching the waves crash against the rocky shoreline when it’s windy. You can even feel the ground move beneath you as water makes its way into the crevices below. After an hourlong hike, we headed up to Sister Bay to check-in at our hotel, went to Wild Tomato for dinner (delicious!), and ended our evening with a couple of drinks at Al Johnson’s Stabbur (an AstroTurf’ed outdoor beer garden).

DAY TWO

The next morning, we went to Al Johnson’s main restaurant for breakfast. It’s a Door County institution, stopping people in their tracks for one very particular reason: there are goats grazing on the grass roof of the building. It’s part of the Swedish charm of the place. While the restaurant usually has a long wait to get in, apparently the week before Labor Day is a quiet one in Door County and we were seated right away. We split a savory breakfast and an order of Swedish pancakes topped with Door County cherries. After breakfast, we went to the Cana Island Lighthouse, the area’s most iconic lighthouse standing for over 150 years. After parking our car on the mainland, we took a tractor over the causeway to the island itself. The lighthouse tower was closed for tours the day we were there, but we were able to explore the island and tour the lighthouse keeper’s quarters before heading back. Afterward, we stopped in Bailey’s Harbor for a quick lunch and a beer at Door County Brewing Company, then we were off to Peninsula State Park to see the lighthouse, wade in Lake Michigan, and climb their new lookout tower. We stopped by Bad Moravian in Ephraim for a beer before heading back to our hotel to fresh up for dinner at the Wickman House. We had made reservations a month prior and it was the best decision. The restaurant is in what looks like an old farmhouse and inside the atmosphere is quiet and intimate, the staff is friendly and the food and drinks were amazing. (I’m still daydreaming about the smoked whitefish cake with kimchi remoulade!) We spent nearly two hours dining. The place was even more magical as night settled in and the string lights outside twinkled.

DAY THREE

We kicked off our last full day in Door County with iced coffee and a breakfast sandwich to go from Skip Stone Coffee Roasters and then drove over to Seaquist Orchards Farm Market where I dropped $75 on a variety of cherry products including cocktail cherries, cherry syrup, cherry pie filling, cherry salsa, etc. — and cherry turnovers that we enjoyed at Ellison Bluff County Park overlooking the water. With sugar coursing through our veins, we made our way to my favorite natural area in the state: Newport State Park. We went on a three-mile hike through a fern microhabitat before continuing along the bluffs to the water and enjoyed a short break at a secluded beach clearing. Once we had our fill of nature, we decided to stop by Fish Creek to browse the shops where I bought a pair of earrings at Sister Golden and a ceramic cup from TR Pottery. Then, it was finally time for our second annual Door County mini golf showdown. There are two places for mini golf: Red Putter (old-fashioned, no frills) and Pirate’s Cove (more of an elaborate theme). I won last year’s game at Pirate’s Cove and [sadly] Dave beat me this year at Red Putter. Our next trip to Door County will cinch the championship for one of us. We celebrated his win with a beer at Peach Barn Brewing, a new brewery in the area that was just alright, but had a pretty outdoor space. We decided to go to Husby’s for pub fare (and a surprisingly good chicken Caesar salad) for dinner before ending our getaway with a brandy old-fashioned across the street at Sister Bay Bowl and a nightcap back Al Johnson’s Stabbur.

DAY FOUR

I had one very important to-do item on our last day: stop by Lautenbach’s Orchard for a few jars of their cherry jalapeno spread. I bought one last year and went through it all in record speed, smearing it on grilled cheese sandwiches. A year was too long to go without that taste sensation and now I feel like I have a sufficient supply to hold me over until our next trip to Door County!

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Below, I’ve compiled a list of the things we’ve enjoyed in Door County, along with a couple of things that remain on our to-do list for next time!

SEE & DO

  • Cave Point County Park // Whitefish Dunes State Park {Sturgeon Bay} – If you have a State Park sticker, opt to park at Whitefish Dunes and walk over. Cave Point is known for its rocky shoreline along Lake Michigan. Make a point to go on the windiest day of your trip.
  • Cana Island Lighthouse {Baileys Harbor} – If you bring your passport along, you can get it stamped at Cana Island. Be sure to double check the schedule for climbing the lighthouse tower as staffing issues may impact the hours of operation.
  • Peninsula State Park {Fish Creek} – There’s a lot to do at this park, including a lighthouse, a scenic lookout point, hiking, and swimming.
  • Ellison Bluff County Park {Ellison Bay} – This small park offers a pretty view of the water.
  • Newport State Park {Ellison Bay} – We enjoy the Lynd Point/Fern Loop that includes part of the Europe Bay trail for roughly a three-mile hike. Wear a swimsuit under your hiking clothes if it’s warm as there are a couple of quiet areas to go for a dip.
  • The Ridges Sanctuary {Baileys Harbor} – A boardwalk through the woods and you can see the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, built in 1869.
  • Mini Golf {Ephraim} – Choose between Red Putter and Pirate’s Cove (or do both).
  • Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead {Sturgeon Bay} – Stop for a photo when you’re on your drive north.
  • The Hardy Gallery {Ephraim} – A graffitied barn on the water that houses a gallery.

SHOP

  • Renard’s Cheese Store {Sturgeon Bay} – Buy a bag of fresh, squeaky cheese curds for the rest of your road trip.
  • Seaquist Orchards Farm Market {Sister Bay} – More cherry preservatives and food items than you can dream of.
  • Sister Golden {Fish Creek} – Think of it as Anthropologie’s cooler artisan sister.
  • TR Pottery {Fish Creek} – Affordable ceramics. I’ve purchased something each year.
  • Lautenbach’s Orchard {Fish Creek} – Get the cherry jalapeno spread. If you’re into cherry wine, you can do a tasting.

EAT

  • Bearded Heart {Baileys Harbor} – I went here every morning during last year’s visit for the avocado toast.
  • Skip Stone Coffee Roasters {Sister Bay}
  • Ephraim Coffee Lab {Ephraim}
  • Chives {Baileys Harbor} – Especially fun if their food truck is outside.
  • Wild Tomato {Sister Bay & Fish Creek} – Wood-fired pizza.
  • Al Johnson’s {Sister Bay} – A Door County institution with goats grazing on the grass roof. The food is typical of a diner, but you can get Swedish pancakes topped with piles of Door County cherries. I wouldn’t wait an exceptionally long time to eat here, but it’s worth the stop if you’re able to get in right away.
  • Wickman House {Ellison Bay} – Make reservations here if you’re looking for a nice dinner with excellent cocktails.
  • Trixie’s {Ephraim} – Sister restaurant of Wickman House. We haven’t been, but I’ve heard wonderful things. It’s on our list for next time.
  • Husby’s {Sister Bay} – Pub fare; spacious outdoor bar.
  • AC Tap {Baileys Harbor} – An easy place to stop for a solid pub burger.

DRINK

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I stayed at four Graduate Hotels last month. Here are my thoughts — and highlights from each city!

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At the beginning of June, Graduate Hotels had a limited time offer for a $500 “Hall Pass” that allowed for virtually unlimited hotel stays in the month of July at their properties across the U.S. Like many of you, our travel plans were dashed last year thanks to the pandemic, and we’ve had wanderlust ever since — making this opportunity a no-brainer to get us out exploring again despite not having concrete plans when we booked the pass. We ended up doing four cities over the course of the month: Madison, Minneapolis, Iowa City, and Richmond. (Had our jobs been less busy that month, we would have squeezed in another city or two.) After staying in four properties within four weeks of each other, I thought I’d share my thoughts on the brand along with a few highlights from each city.

We kicked off our month of travel with an overnight right here in Madison. I’ve never stayed in a hotel in the same city I’m currently living in, which made the one-night staycation feel special. Like all of the Graduate properties, the Madison location pulls inspiration from its city, state, and university. The lobby, below, feels like a chic summer camp with the canoe light fixture and vintage decor. And those flamingos on the wildlife print? That’s a cheeky nod to Madison’s official city bird. As we discovered during the month, the hotels are typically renovated properties, so there’s some inconsistencies with the buildings themselves as far as upgrades and finishes are concerned. It often adds to the charm of the vintage-inspired design, but it’s something to keep in mind. (P.S. If you also have a collection of branded hotel writing utensils from places you’ve stayed, the hotel has you covered with branded pencils.)

I’m working on a comprehensive insider’s guide to Madison, so it’s difficult for me to share real highlights from the city with this stop! That said, we started our evening with lakeside drinks at the Memorial Union Terrace, followed by deep-fried cheese curds at Camp Trippalindee (the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant) and dinner at Nattspil, a Madison staple serving up the city’s best three-cup chicken in a dimly lit, intimate environment. There’s no signage on the door, so check Google Maps when you’re nearby.

Shhh…I kept this cute pennant! The hotel’s social media information is on the back with a plea to tag them in photos if the pennant happens to find itself in your suitcase, so I think it’s okay!

It’s been a long time since we’ve made the four-hour drive to Minneapolis and this was the perfect excuse to make it back for a two-night stay in the Twin Cities! The location of this Graduate property is right on campus, which isn’t the most convenient in terms of being a tourist, even if it was my favorite in terms of design with the outdoorsy upholstered headboard, a nod toward the university’s hockey team with the throw blanket, and the wallpaper selections: herringbone in the bedroom and fish in the bathroom. And if you find yourself curious about the in-room art while you’re staying at a Graduate hotel, you can use the AR mode on the brand’s app to scan the pieces in the room to learn more — and some even have interactive games!

Minneapolis highlights: Walk through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to snap a photo of the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry before exploring the Walker Art Center. If you love old houses, check out the American Swedish Institute for a tour of the historic Turnblad Mansion. For those looking for a bit of nature witihout venturing too far, visit Minnehaha Regional Park, one of the city’s oldest parks that features a 53-foot waterfall. Dining and drinking took us to breweries throughout the city with favorites being Surly with its beautiful and expansive outdoor space (and excellent food — get the pretzel supplied by local favorite Aki’s Bread Haus), BlackStack Brewing (the plant-filled tap room warmed my Millennial heart), Fair State Brewing Cooperative, and Indeed. We also enjoyed the North Loop Galley, which has food stalls from various local eateries, where we had Detroit-style pizza at Wrecktangle.

Iowa City was a surprise hit! My expectations were shockingly low after reading numerous blogs and visitor’s guides that started their recommendations with variations on a theme: “First leave Iowa City…” They are seriously underselling this quaint college town. Plus, it’s a UNESCO City of Literature — and only the world’s third, following Edinburgh and Melbourne. The city’s literary history influenced the Graduate’s lobby and coffee shop with books and pencils adorning the walls. The decor also pays homage to the university’s mascot — the hawkeye — with nods to the iconic movie Field of Dreams, and boasts its connection to Eskimo Pie desserts. This Graduate location was hands-down our favorite of the bunch, and they even included a welcome bag in the room with snacks, and a branded koozie and glass water bottle. (Speaking of which, a bottle of water in the room will run you $5.)

Iowa City highlights: There’s a pedestrian mall near the hotel and side streets with shopping, restaurants/bars, and murals. Take time to wander around and duck into the boutiques. You can walk up to see the Old Iowa Capitol Building and then duck into the Museum of Natural History. Admission is free and you can see Rusty the Giant Sloth. For eating and drinking, we loved Big Grove Brewery (they also have a solid food menu and a huge outdoor space), St. Burch Tavern for nicer fare and cocktails, and The Dandy Lion for brunch (get the chicken biscuit).

I have mixed feelings on the Richmond location, which I think is mostly due to the fact that the only room available at the time of booking was a handicap-accessible room, so everything was a touch lower than “normal” and the room was missing mainstays like a desk and a bathroom vanity. (The bathroom had the tiniest sink with the most ill-placed faucet that made washing my face a challenge.) The room design was also a lot more sparse than that of the other properties we stayed at. It seemed to be missing the special touches that made the other hotels so charming. Don’t get me wrong, the hotel staff was lovely (we had an erroneous parking charge that was easily cleared up), the location was good, and the stay was nice overall — plus, there was a pool and a rooftop bar — but I’m not sure I’d rave about this one to those visiting Richmond.

Richmond highlights: I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Richmond. It had been on our travel list for awhile thanks to its burgeoning beer scene, but we weren’t sure that we’d find enough to do outside of that to make a trip worth it. Happily, there’s plenty to do to keep yourself busy in the city! I’m going to do a dedicated travel post soon, but here were some of the highlights to add to your itinerary: Lucky AF for Asian fusion and sushi, Lift Coffee Shop and Cafe where we went for breakfast and iced coffee every day, Charm School for ice cream (including dairy-free options), the Triple Crossing brewery has solid beer options and excellent pizza, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Edgar Allan Poe Museum, and the Scott’s Addition neighborhood for breweries (The Veil and Vasen were two of our favorites; check out Starr Hill’s rooftop patio).

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Charleston Travel Guide

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It seems like everyone is going to Charleston lately — and for good reason: it’s an incredibly beautiful city that’s full of southern charm, picture-perfect streets, and incredible food! We visited the city back in April for a celebratory “vaxication.” It was our second time in the “Holy City,” and with roundtrip flight prices dropping substantially from Madison, I don’t think it’ll be our last time in the sweet South Carolina city. Below, you’ll find some snapshots from our recent trip, along with suggestions of what to see and do, and where to eat and drink.

SEE & DO:

  • Rainbow Row  & The Battery & Pineapple Fountain – If you’re heading to Charleston, I’m sure these photogenic areas are already on your radar.
  • The Beach – We visited Folly Beach both times we were in South Carolina. It’s a quaint beach town for an afternoon of swimming. Head to Lost Dog Café for breakfast and Taco Boy for lunch.
  • Aiken-Rhett House Museum – There are two main historic house tours in Charleston. There’s the Aiken-Rhett House, which is a historic preservation project, and the Nathaniel Russell House, a restoration project. Each has an audio tour available through the Historic CHS app (bring headphones). I preferred the Aiken-Rhett museum as it did an excellent job going through the historic features of the house, as well and discussing the lives of the enslaved people on the property.
  • Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site – There were a lot of recommendations for this online and it was a nice place for an afternoon hike. I don’t think I’d go out of my way for it, but it was a good option to break up all of the eating and drinking!
  • McLeod Plantation – We decided to do this tour because it’s a county park and that seemed more ethical than some of the other plantation tours. We had a wonderful tour guide who lent insight into the enslaved people who lived on the property and what they did once gaining freedom.
  • Fort Sumter – We did this on our first trip to Charleston and it’s worth taking an afternoon to take the ferry out to see it.

EAT & DRINK:

  • Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer –  A café that also serves beer with a cute outdoor patio. Check their schedule for live music.
  • Blind Tiger – The best outdoor patio with plenty of seating areas. 
  • Brown’s Court Bakery – Fantastic iced coffee and pastries (both sweet and savory). Ask them for their recommendation of the day. A lot of things sell out quickly, but whatever is left is still going to be amazing. We took our coffee and breakfast to a nearby park. If you’re visiting in the spring and they have their fresh strawberry rolls, get one! (It’s pictured above.)
  • Uptown Social – Head up to their rooftop patio! There’s a full cocktail program, a decent beer lineup, and good pizzas. They usually do a lunch special with a select pizza, too.
  • The Darling Oyster Bar – This was by far our best meal in the city and worth the splurge. We had oysters to start and I had scallops for my entrée. Loved ’em! Hot tip: they do have matchboxes, but you’ll need to ask for one.
  • Bay Street Biergarten – Lively atmosphere and a lot of outdoor seating. Skip the food, though, and just go for drinks and the ambiance.
  • Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits – Delicious, but don’t let their miniscule size fool you. They’re incredibly filling! That said, between this place and Brown’s Court, I’d suggest Brown’s Court for breakfast. 
  • Little Jack’s Tavern – Their burgers are expensive, but it was delicious. We had actually wanted to go to Leon’s Oyster Shop instead, but they didn’t have any seating available and suggested Little Jack’s as it’s their sister restaurant. It was charming inside and the service was excellent.
  • Breweries – Three of the brewery stops we liked the most were Charles Towne Fermentory, Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co., and Westbrook Brewing Company.

STAY: I wanted to make a quick note about accommodations. We stayed at the Hyatt this time around and it wasn’t great. It looks nice enough online and while I prefer boutique hotels, hotels and Airbnbs were so expensive when we traveled. We assumed the Hyatt would be good enough for what we needed. The first room we were given was, shall we say, “well worn” and had the most awful sewage-y smell. I did ask to change rooms and the new room was better, but it wasn’t as nice as the online reviews led me to believe.

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