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How to Explore Your City Like a Tourist

October 16, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Vinyl Printed Brick Photography Backdrops

Whenever the travel bug bites, it’s incredibly tempting to book a ticket to a new city or country to explore. However, jet-setting or even spending a weekend away isn’t always feasible due to limited vacation days or financial restrictions. If you’ve found yourself in that boat, don’t worry. Taking time to explore your own city through the lens of a tourist can be just as satisfying — and I’m sure you’ll discover pockets of your city with new-to-you hidden gems or hot spots that you didn’t know existed. 

Clear Your Calendar

What a I love about staycations is that they force you to slow down and plan a weekend that’s all about getting out, dining out, and giving yourself an out from your to-do list. In order to fully be present and get the most out of the time in your city, you need to clear your calendar. Take time off from work and other responsibilities to play hooky around the city. Extend your weekend by adding in Monday and Tuesday for a four-day adventure. Additional time away from the office will distance you from your 9-to-5 job, making you feel more relaxed and refreshed when you do make it back. This also means shirking your to-do lists at home. The chores and projects will be there when you “return” to your normal routine, just like they would when you go out of town.

Do Your Research

Why not approach your staycation the way you would a full vacation? Pick up a local guidebook and scour travel websites to find museums, activities, and events. Check Yelp for new restaurants to try. Peek at Instagram and see what others are geotagging. Add all of these ideas to a Google Map so you can start to plan your adventure. When you live in a city, it’s easy to become complacent and overlook the attractions that make your city appealing to visitors. By approaching your city like a newcomer, you’ll have a renewed appreciation for your hometown – and you’ll be able to recommend activities to other visitors afterward.

Plan Your Itinerary

After you’ve earmarked a handful of activities, plan an itinerary that includes restaurants and bars to visit, along with all of the must-see activities you’d like to do. By creating a fun-filled checklist, you won’t feel tempted to just head home and kick back on the couch the rest of the day, which leads me to my next suggestion…

Stay at a Hotel

If your budget allows — and since you saved a ton of cash on the expense of getting to a destination — treat yourself to a hotel for at least one night during your staycation. Pack your suitcase (love this one) and splurge on a spot in the city’s most bustling area to stay out late, and then sleep in the next day and order room service. If your hotel has a spa, even better. Breaking your routine — and physically getting away from the chores at home — will make you feel like you had a true getaway.

Take Photos

As with vacation, you’ll want to document the fun! Take your camera and snap photos throughout the city, making sure to appreciate the unique features and interesting architectural design you might otherwise overlook. I did this when I worked with Toyota earlier this year on a “48 Hours in Madison” post. Embracing my local tourist made the weekend so much fun and I had a renewed appreciation for the city. Post your photos on social media and tag your local convention and visitors’ bureau and use any hashtags your city and state’s tourism board uses on their social media. It’s a fun way to show off how fabulous your hometown can be and they just might share your image!

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image via Unsplash

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Staycation, travel

Portland Travel Diary

September 19, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Portland Travel Guide

Portland was never on my list of must-visit travel destinations, but when Dave’s company sent him there to assist with an office move, I jumped at the chance to visit the city since his flight, his meals, the hotel, and the car would be paid for. Sure, he had to log hours at work, but that was a minor inconvenience when we still had every evening together and most of the weekend to explore. And after just a few days, I was smitten with Portland. I went on the trip with the misconception that Portland would have a granola-crunchy-hippie vibe, but that wasn’t the case. I mean, sure, there’s legal marijuana and plenty of Birkenstocks, but it’s a vibrant city that’s pulsing with creativity. That doesn’t even take into consideration the majestic coastline a short drive away, the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, and Mount Hood’s stunning addition to the skyline. I didn’t expect to be blown away, but I was and I’d love to visit again — but this time without any work requirements for Dave! Below, you’ll find photo highlights from the trip and a list of the things I recommend that you add to your own Portland itinerary.

A mural in downtown Portland.

A mural in downtown Portland.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach

STAY

We stayed at Hotel Rose, which is a Staypineapple property. While the room decor was eclectic and not in a good way (it felt like it was a newly acquired hotel that hadn’t yet been redecorated, but I don’t think that was actually the case), everything else about the stay was wonderful. Those staffing the front desk were exceedingly helpful, and they even set out pineapple cupcakes for an afternoon snack. The location was perfect for walking to just about everything we wanted to do. However, my favorite part was the bedding. Staypineapple properties have a separate duvet for each guest, so you kind of wrap yourself into a taco with it while you sleep. We first experienced that sleeping arrangement when we were in Denmark and it’s nothing short of amazing to snuggle into your own cloud. Plus, your partner can’t commandeer your half of the covers.

Portland, Oregon

Blue Star Donuts

Portland

The Voodoo Doll donut at Voodoo Donuts. | A hazy IPA at Great Notion Brewing.

Vegan ice cream at Salt & Straw

Vegan ice cream at Salt & Straw

EAT & DRINK

  • Belmont Fermentorium/Modern Times Beer – Fantastic beer lineup and a delicious vegan menu. I had the bulgogi tacos.
  • Blue Star Donuts – There’s a bit of contention over which bakery has better donuts: Blue Star or Voodoo. They’re both good in their own way. Blue Star’s unique flavor profiles really allow the individual ingredients to shine. We tried the blueberry bourbon basil (my favorite), the chocolate almond ganache, the horchata-glazed O.G., and a powdered sugar donut.
  • Grassa – Fresh pasta in a no-frills atmosphere with shared tables. You order at the counter when you first walk in.
  • Great Notion Brewing – We liked Great Notion so much that we stopped by two more times during our short trip. Their hazy IPAs are incredibly juicy with a depth of tropical notes. And you have to get the buffalo tostones, which are fried plantains tossed in buffalo sauce and served with a jicama slaw. (Fair warning: they’re incredibly filling. Dave and I made the mistake of ordering them and an entree each the first day, and it was way too much food.)
  • Loyal Legion – Loyal Legion was another favorite on the trip where we stopped a couple of times. They have an impressive beer lineup with 99 Oregon beers on tap, and a delicious $6 smash burger.
  • Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen – We had heard great things about Luc Lac, which was near our hotel, but the wait was staggering each time we thought about popping over for dinner. On a whim, I called to see if I could place an order for carry out. I could, and better yet, it was ready in roughly 15 minutes. Sure, our hotel room didn’t have the same ambiance as the restaurant did, but it didn’t matter at that point.
  • Salt & Straw – I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ve become lactose intolerant in my old age. Fortunately, in a city full of vegans, there are plenty of dairy-free items to eat — including ice cream! Salt & Straw has a wider variety of options for dairy lovers, but they always have one or two options on hand for people like me. I loved it.
  • Sizzle Pie – You can either get a whole pie or order by the slice. We ordered our slices to go (including the garlic-heavy Napalm Breath) and sipped on PBR while we waited.
  • Sparky’s Pizza – Another pizza-by-the-slice joint. It’s pretty basic and divey, but a good option for a cheap meal.
  • Stumptown Coffee Roasters – Stumptown is a PNW favorite for good coffee.
  • Voodoo Donuts – I refuse to stand in a long line for donuts and the only reason we stopped here was because it was close to Dave’s office, and it was fairly early in the morning so the line was roughly 10-15 people deep. They were good, but if the line stretches down the block like it’s known to do, skip it and wait for a week day.
Portland, Oregon

Loyal Legion

Portland Art Museum

Portland Art Museum

Portland Art Museum

An installation at the Portland Art Museum.

Top: Portland Japanese Garden | Bottom: International Rose Test Garden

Top: Portland Japanese Garden | Bottom: International Rose Test Garden

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach


DO

  • Cannon Beach – The Sunday of our trip was the only day Dave didn’t have to do anything at the office, so we decided to take the 90-minute drive to the Oregon coast. I’m so glad we did, too, because it was my favorite day of the trip. We first stopped at a local coffee shop for caffeine and brunch before walking along the shore to Haystack Rock, the iconic 235-foot sea stack featured in Goonies. We arrived as the tide was going out and by the time we got to the rock, the tide had receded and we were able to see the marine life living in the tide pools. Afterward, we went back to town for taffy at Bruce’s Candy Kitchen and drove to Tillamook to check out DeGarde Brewing. We thought about getting lunch at the famed Tillamook Creamery, but my goodness, that place was a zoo. They had parking lot upon parking lot and droves of people going to the facility. We skipped it since we’re already spoiled with amazing cheese here in Wisconsin.
  • Portland Art Museum – I went to the city’s art museum one afternoon while Dave was at work and spent a few hours looking at the exhibits. My favorite was the section about the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. Growing up in northern Wisconsin, I’m familiar with the artistry and traditions of the Ojibwe tribe. To see nautically inspired artifacts from people who lived along the Pacific coast was really interesting. I especially loved the whale headdress.
  • Portland Japanese Garden – Portland is home to one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan itself. Spanning 12 acres, the property features eight separate garden styles, a traditional tea house, decades-old bonsai trees, and a breathtaking view of Mt. Hood.
  • International Rose Test Garden – Right across the street from the Portland Japanese Garden is a free rose garden with over 7,000 rose plants and approximately 550 species. You can read the history of the garden here, which sheds light on why Portland came to be known as the “City of Roses.”
  • Saturday Market – On Saturday morning from March through December, you can head to the river for the Saturday Market. It’s a local arts and crafts market with plenty of food vendors.
  • Multnomah Falls – A 30-minute drive from Portland along the Columbia River Gorge will get you to Multnomah Falls. When we were there, all of the hiking trails were closed due to the Eagle Creek Fire. However, we were still able to take a photo of the 620-foot falls and walk out on the upper viewing bridge. The parking situation is a bit cumbersome. The lot is located in the median of the highway with one-way entrance on either side. On our way from Portland to the falls, the lot was full and we were instructed to stop at another park and take a shuttle to the falls. It was the morning of our return flight and we weren’t keen on the idea of leaving the car with all of our luggage at another location in case the shuttle service was unreliable for timing. So, we continued along the highway all the way to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. We took a quick look around and then headed back toward Portland, figuring the falls were a lost cause, but the other side of the lot was open and we were able to wait for a space.
  • It’s legal… – Serra is an Instagram-friendly marijuana emporium, if you’re into that sort of thing.
  • Photo op – You’ll want to take a photo of the White Stag sign — it’s that iconic “Portland Oregon” sign that you see everywhere. Get your photo from the Burnside Bridge.
Canoe

Canoe

Serra

Serra

SHOP

Portland has a great selection of stores, even though I didn’t make it to nearly as many as I would have liked. Of course there was the requisite stop at Powell’s Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore. You could spend hours getting lost in there, browsing the aisles (and multiple floors) of new and used tomes. I loved Canoe, where I purchased a beautiful glass bowl made by Portland artist Lynn Read. Of course I also went to Schoolhouse Electric where I wanted to buy just about everything in the store. We bought these sconces for our living room before we visited the store in person and the craftsmanship is incredible. I’ve been a bit of a Schoolhouse fan girl ever since and it was fun to see everything on my wish list in person. (It’s all amazing. Obviously.) I also went to Jacobsen Salt Co. when I was in the neighborhood and procured garlic-infused salt (use it as a finishing salt), habanero-infused salt, and sea salt licorice. The Portland Japenese Garden has a nice gift shop with locally made pottery, of which I purchased a small decorative bowl.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Multnomah Falls

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: City Guide, Oregon, Portland, Travel Guide

Darling Denim

June 12, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Madewell Denim Pintuck Cami Dress

I hesitated to buy this dress when I first saw it online. Not because I didn’t fall in love with it, but because I haven’t been enthused about buying much of anything at full price lately. I figured that since it was available on the Madewell site, Nordstrom, and Shopbop, I had a fairly good chance of snagging it once a discount was available. Then it started to sell out quickly and my resolve went out the window. I’m so glad it did, too, because this dress is absolutely perfect for summer. I love the interesting details at the fitted bodice that garnered compliments throughout the day, and the loser fit throughout the midsection that felt breezy in Austin’s stifling heat. And wouldn’t you know that two other full-price purchases I made recently are also my absolute favorites for the season? I snagged these sandals that I mentioned in Friday’s post (gorgeous) and these clear earrings (so good). Sometimes it’s worth forking over your money for the good stuff.

Madewell Denim Pintuck Cami Dress
Madewell Denim Pintuck Cami Dress
Madewell Denim Pintuck Cami Dress

Madewell dress | Tory Burch tote (old) | Soludos espadrilles | earrings from Austin (similar) | Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses (old; similar)

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Filed Under: Outfits, Style, Travel Tagged With: Austin, denim, denim dress, madewell dress, soludos espadrilles, style, summer style

How to Prep Your Car for a Summer Road Trip

June 6, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Road Trip Prep With Theisen's

It’s no secret that we love to travel and now that it’s finally summer, many of our favorite destinations are just a drive away. Few things are more freeing than hitting the open road with the windows rolled down and wind blowing through your hair, leaving the stress of work miles and miles behind. It’s as easy as picking the destination, researching quirky roadside attractions and detours along the way, and putting pedal to the metal (in a responsible manner, of course).

If an iconic American road trip is on your agenda this summer, you’ll need to prep your car for the journey. I recently had the opportunity to partner with Theisen’s, a Midwest retailer specializing in home, auto, and farm goods, to get my car ready for road trip season. The retailer has great prices on everything you need to keep your car looking good and running smoothly, along with essentials to improve your road trip experience before you pull out of the driveway. Read on for must-dos and must-haves for your highway hiatus.

Road Trip Prep With Theisen's

GIVE YOUR CAR A CHECKUP

Keep your vehicle in optimal shape on the road by proactively giving it a once-over before you embark, making it less likely that you’ll have to deal with a roadside hassle along the way. Here’s what you’ll want to address:

  • Is your oil change is up to date or do you need to add more?
  • Is there enough air in your tires? (If they’re worn out, now’s a good time to change them. Browse a selection of tires to fit your needs and budget here.)
  • Are your windshield wipers are in good repair?
  • Is the battery’s condition is up to snuff?
  • Have all fluids been topped off?

Road Trip Prep With Theisen'sRoad Trip Prep With Theisen's
Road Trip Prep With Theisen's

BUILD A CAR EMERGENCY KIT

Years ago, my dad bought a car emergency kit for me as a Christmas present. I’m sure I rolled my eyes at what I perceived as an overprotective gesture, but I have to say that it’s one of the gifts I’m most grateful for — and one that I’m grateful for never having to use — although I probably should have when my car was stranded on the interstate after a mechanical fluke. I’ve since added roadside assistance to my car insurance plan, but that’s not a substitute for having a true car emergency kit in tow. Here are some of the items you’ll want to have in your summer emergency kit:

  • Spare Tire – Double check your spare tire and ensure the tools necessary to change a flat are in the correct location.
  • Emergency Signals – Make sure your car is visible by using road flares, reflective emergency signs, or neon ties. Only use your emergency flashers when you hear approaching vehicles so you don’t waste gas or battery power.
  • Jumper Cables – Choose jumper cables that are at least 16 feet long in case the person jumping your car is parked behind you.
  • Tire Sealant – Don’t let a flat tire strand you on the side of the road. When your car signals low pressure, find the leak and use an emergency tire sealant as a temporary fix until you arrive in the next town.
  • First-Aid Kit – You don’t know what might happen in a minor accident and it’s best to keep a first aid kit and medications on hand just in case. Also, include an eyeglass repair kit to fix any minor mishaps or loose arms on your prescription lenses or sunglasses.
  • Emergency Blanket – Check the camping section to find emergency preparedness items, such as a reflective blanket.
  • Flashlight – Keep a battery-free, wind-up flashlight in your car. You can also use this for light inside the passenger cabin to catch the attention of oncoming vehicles.
  • Battery-Powered Radio – You might be tempted to just use the radio in your car, but that will drain your car’s battery. Instead, pack a small battery-powered radio and extra batteries to listen to emergency warnings and road conditions.
  • Food – This will be covered below, but you’ll want to have some nonperishable snacks like energy bars, granola, and dried fruit. You know, more than just candy!

Road Trip Prep With Theisen's
Road Trip Prep With Theisen's

CLEAN YOUR RIDE

You’re going to be spending a lot of time behind the wheel on a road trip, so give the interior a thorough wipe down and vacuum the floors before you hit the road. The following items will get your car in pristine condition, and all of the wipes listed below fit easily in your glove box for touch ups along the way.

  • Shop Vac – I didn’t realize how much we’d like having a shop vac until we finally owned one. It’s handy for vacuuming out a car and for other garage-related needs, and does a much better job than a handheld vacuum cleaner.
  • Microfiber Cleaning Cloths – These collect dust easily for quick touch up for your interior.
  • Armor All Ultra Shine Wash Wipes – If you’re like me, a car wash is a must before a road trip — and nothing is more annoying than getting something on it immediately afterward. These exterior wipes easily remove grime, insects, and bird droppings.
  • Armor All Protectant Wipes – Sometimes the interior needs more than a dusting to keep it in tip-top shape. Store these in your vehicle when things get messier.
  • Armor All Glass Wipes – Did you smudge the window pointing at a roadside oddity? You’ll need these.

Road Trip Prep With Theisen's
Road Trip Prep With Theisen's

PACK BEVERAGES & SNACKS

What’s a road trip without a bevvy of beverages and snacks? Honestly, a boring one that isn’t worth taking. I’m mostly kidding, but having a selection of healthy snacks and indulgent treats will curb some of the impulse to head the drive-thru window at a fast food joint. Pick up an affordable cooler and pack it full of your favorite snacks and beverages, along with a caffeinated option when you need a mid-afternoon burst of energy. A reusable water bottle is an eco-friendly choice that takes the place of buying a plastic bottle at a gas station. I’m crazy about this one from Yeti. Not only is it my favorite color, it holds a lot! (The packaging boasts that this particular one can hold four mint juleps. Good to know for when you’ve made it to your destination and parked the car!) They do make a slimmer option for cup holders, too.

Now that you’ve covered the bases, you’re set to embark on your summer road trip. Let me know your on-the-road tips and tricks in the comments. And, I’d love to know what destination is on your itinerary this year!

Road Trip Prep With Theisen'sRoad Trip Prep With Theisen'sRoad Trip Prep With Theisen's
Road Trip Prep With Theisen's

WEARING – Old Navy top | Old Navy shorts | Soludos espadrilles (love these) | Warby Parker sunglasses | Helen Ficalora necklace (c/o) | Floto duffel bag | Tory Burch scarf | Paravel bag

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Thank you to Theisen’s for sponsoring this post!

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: road trip, road trip style, summer style, travel tips

My Favorite Dress in Austin

June 4, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

What to Wear in Austin, TX

This dress was undoubtedly my favorite thing to wear in Austin, so much so that I wore it our first full day in the city and then again another afternoon. I bought it last year from Urban Outfitters and the cotton dress is so breezy and, better yet, doesn’t need a bra. It’s amazing how much cooler you feel once you ditch a thick layer of foam! Now, I realize that not everyone is able to pull that off (it’s one of the perks of having a small chest), so I put together a roundup of some of my favorite pro-bra and anti-bra dresses from the retailer below. (I don’t know about you, but I never think to shop at Urban Outfitters until I need an inexpensive summer dress, and they’re a gold mine of hot-weather frocks. This one is my favorite of those linked in the widget below because of the pretty green and white pattern. I’m also a fan of this one.)

 

What to Wear in Austin, TX

Urban Outfitters dress (old; similar, love this one) | Tory Burch tote (old; I wasn’t able to find a similar one, but it’s the “Kerrington” style if you’d like to search on eBay.) | Sam Edelman sandals (also love these) | Wendy Mink earrings (c/o; similar here and here) | Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses (old; similar)

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Filed Under: Outfits, Style, Travel Tagged With: Austin, outfit, Sam Edelman Gigi Sandals, stripes, summer outfit, tory burch kerrington tote

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Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry.

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Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until la Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until late last year when we finally bought a bed, mattress, and a set of sheets. We used some of our own extra bedding (tucking in the generous overhang of our king blankets under the queen-sized mattress) and old bedside lamps from our bedroom: functional, but not quite the charming space I’d envisioned.
 
That started to change when I purchased the Popcorn Grid Coverlet from Schoolhouse — an item I’d been eyeing for years — plus some graphic floral pillows. Then came a bright blue round cushion and the sweetest Teig lamp, both generously gifted by Schoolhouse, and the room finally started to come together. You can shop my picks here: https://liketk.it/5f322

#Ad #SchoolhousePartner #SchoolhouseSpringStyle #SchoolhouseLiving #InteriorInspo #SlowDecorating #GuestRoom
Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hi Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hit peak bloom right around my birthday on May 30. My mom would fill a large crystal vase with fresh-cut stems, and their scent would waft through the house. 

Now that I live a few hours south and lilac season wraps up earlier, the blooms actually mark the start of my birthday month.

#Lilacs #LilacSeason #SpringFlowers #InBloom #BirthdayMonth #MayBirthday
Snapshots from the past week: • Spent quality t Snapshots from the past week:

• Spent quality time with my favorite cat

• Biked for Pacificos, chips and quac, and tacos at @bandit.tacos 

• Loved how the rain collected on the Lady’s Mantle I planted last year

• Dipped my toes (quite literally) into this year’s mesh shoe trend

• Snapped a lot of Lily content

• Drove home with a new lilac in the passenger seat
Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours this year, and the cute Teig Lamp from Schoolhouse is such a charming addition to the space. It’s named for the German word for “dough,” which is perfect for its soft, petite shape.

Find this and the other Schoolhouse items we’re using in the space here: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/bedknobsandbaubles/posts/e01ae8c9-38af-11f0-b5c2-0242ac11000b

(The lamp and circle pillow were gifted. I purchased the other items.)

 #schoolhousespringstyle #schoolhousepartner #ad
Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka do Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka dot of bright blue to punctuate our guest room bedding. 

#guestroom #bedding #schoolhouseliving #schoolhouse #landsend #homedesign
I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog of travel photos before we book our next trip. First up, photos of the gothic York Minster. I’m not religious in the slightest but I can’t resist stunning architecture and the opportunity to climb hundreds of cathedral stairs for a city view. This one only had a single rest stop about halfway up the flight of 275 steps for a closeup view of the flying buttresses — and a waiver you had to sign before your ascent to promise you’re healthy enough to make it.
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