Travel – Page 5

48 Hours in Madison

May 25, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

It’s not often that I explore my hometown like a tourist, so when Toyota reached out and asked if I’d be interested in taking a Prius out for a spin in Madison to share some of my favorite local haunts as part of its #MyTownMyPrius campaign, I jumped at the chance. And talk about a perfect partnership; Madison is largely focused on eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives, especially in my neighborhood on the east side, which makes the Prius right at home on our isthmus. (I can get on board with driving a hybrid vehicle, but a mulch pile is another story.)

Below, you’ll find a two-day itinerary with some of the best that Madison has to offer, and I’ll admit that it wasn’t an easy task to narrow down what a perfect 48 hours in Wisconsin’s capital city would look like. If you have any questions or are in need of more travel recommendations, please let me know in the comments!

A bouquet from the Dane County Farmers’ Market.

Clockwise: a pitcher of beer at the Union Terrace, the Terrace’s iconic chairs, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Wisconsin State Capitol

Lake Mendota

Dinner at Lucille on the Capitol Square.

SATURDAY

8 a.m. – Dane County Farmers’ Market

Start the day at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, the largest producers-only market in the country with approximately 275 vendors. Located on the Capitol Square, the market offers fresh produce and meat, flowers, breakfast pastries, squeaky cheese curds, and the crowd favorite: hot and spicy cheesebread from Stella’s Bakery. (You’ll know you’re getting close when the counterclockwise traffic flow comes to a halt.) In need of caffeine? There are plenty of options, but the two I’d recommend are near each other on South Pinckney Street across the street from the market: Graze for “Magic Coffee,” a concoction of half and half, cinnamon, brown sugar, coffee and espresso, and Colectivo on the Square.

10 a.m. – Admire the Local Architecture

Pop in for a tour of Madison’s most iconic buildings: the State Capitol. The capitol building dominates the Madison skyline thanks to an ordinance that no building within a one-mile radius can be taller than the base of the dome. You don’t need to participate in a formal tour, although they do exist, to admire the impressive dome and enjoy the sixth floor observation deck. Afterward, take a short walk down to another iconic Madison building: Monona Terrace, which is located on one of the two lakes that make up the downtown isthmus and was first designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938. You can take a tour, stop in for one of the community events, or just enjoy the Rooftop Gardens.

1 p.m. – Lunch on the Square

Restaurants around the Square are busy when the farmers’ market wraps up near 2 p.m., but there are too many good options to skip this area of the city entirely. Here are a few I’d recommend:

The Old Fashioned – Inspired by Wisconsin taverns and supper clubs, this Madison icon is one of the best places to get fried cheese curds in the city (and definitely the best spot on the Square), which are everyone’s favorite bar snack. Serving sizes are generous and you may want to consider splitting a meal. And, don’t forget to order a brandy old fashioned. Wisconsinites are one of the top consumers of the liquor in the U.S.
Canteen – Craving tacos and tequila? This is your best bet.
The Coopers Tavern – This gastro pub features a solid beer menu and hearty food with locally sourced ingredients. The grilled cheese is my favorite with a mix of fontina, gouda, and applewood-smoked cheddar cheeses, topped house-made tomato jam on sourdough.
Graze – This is a great option for a farm-to-table experience. Get the bibimbap burrito, which is enough to feed two people if you’re not terribly hungry after eating your way around the farmers’ market.
Field Table – This restaurant-meets-market offers a rotating menu of seasonal ingredients in a contemporary setting. Their cocktail program is exceptional, so even if you don’t eat here, stop in for a tipple.

2:30 p.m. – Shopping and State Street

Walk off those lunch calories by continuing your journey around the Square and popping into local shops like Fromagination, a favorite for local artisan cheese. (You may want to consider putting cheese in your check bag. While you can bring it in your carry-on, apparently cheese is too dense to X-ray and your luggage will be hand searched.) Once you’ve gotten your fill of the Square, head down State Street, which connects the Capitol to the University of Wisconsin campus (my alma mater!), and is bustling with shops, restaurants, and bars. The street itself is open only to buses and cyclists, so feel free to dart back and forth between sides. Be sure to visit the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, a free art gallery housed in a beautiful downtown building that’s great for an Instagram-moment on the glass staircase, and pop into the museum’s gift shop. (If you happen to be at the museum in the evening, visit the rooftop restaurant Fresco, which opens at 5 p.m. Snag an outdoor seat for dinner or cocktails.)

5 p.m. – Monroe Street

When you get to the end of State Street, lakeside beer will be tantalizingly close, but I’d urge you to hold off until the sun is about to set and head over to Monroe Street instead. Monroe Street offers over a mile of locally owned shops and restaurants to explore. A couple of favorites include Orange Tree Imports, a gift shop with an extensive selection of kitchenware, and Strictly Discs for new and used vinyl. Stop by our favorite restaurant for dinner: Brasserie V. It’s a Belgian-inspired pub with rustic, hearty food, addictive frites, and an extensive beer menu featuring local, American, and international beer. They have a cicerone on staff (the beer version of a sommelier) who directs the beer offerings, and any of their staff can help you select a beer to suit your tastes. It seems uninspired to recommend the burger, but I promise that their seasonal “V Burger” is always worth getting.

8 p.m. – Memorial Union Terrace

After dinner, head back to the end of State Street to visit the Memorial Union Terrace. Located on Lake Mendota, the Terrace is a favorite for university students and locals alike. Grab one of the iconic Terrace chairs (the green, yellow, and orange color scheme pays tribute to Wisconsin’s agriculture tradition), order a pitcher of beer, and enjoy the sunset over the lake. Check the Terrace After Dark calendar to see what free live music or movie is on deck for the evening. (In order to purchase beer, you technically need to be a Union member or obtain a guest pass here. They don’t always ask for it, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. You can always duck out of line, fill out the request form, and hop back in.)

Rent a Madison BCycle and take advantage of the city’s cyclist-friendly streets and trails.

Clockwise: browsing at the farmers’ market, one of the city’s latest hot spots for brunch and cocktails: Mint Mark, cheese curds aplenty at the farmers’ market, exploring the Capitol Square

Madison, Wisconsin Travel Guide | Robin Room Madison, WI

The Summer G&T at Robin Room on East Johnson Street.

The Wisconsin State Capitol as seen from Lucille at 101 King St.

SUNDAY

10 a.m. – Brunch

As you may have gathered by now, Madison has no shortage of incredible restaurants and there’s no better way to start day two than with brunch at a local haunt. Embrace the city’s farm-to-table focus at Forequarter. (A few things to note: the French press coffee will come to you in an actual French press. The small is a completely reasonable size for one person. The large is gigantic. Just get one large to split. Also, the everything bagel breakfast sandwich is good, but it’s surprisingly small for the price tag. Just keep that in mind if you’re ravenous!) Another brunch option worth considering is Mint Mark, one of the city’s newest restaurant that’s getting a lot of buzz, thanks in part to its adorable interior with banana leaf wallpaper and rattan chairs.

11:30 a.m. – Get Active

Madison is an active city, and it’s necessary given the amount of cheese and beer we consume! For those itching for a water activity, head to Lake Wingra and rent a canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddleboard, or paddleboat. But I would strongly encourage you to experience Madison’s cyclist-friendly roads and bike paths by renting a bicycle through the BCycle program. It costs $6 for a 24-hour pass, but you do need to dock the bike at another station within 30 minutes for each trip. (That shouldn’t be a difficult task when you take a look at the station map and realize just how many are available downtown!)

1 p.m. – Olbrich Gardens & Biergarten

Bike over to Olbrich Gardens where there’s a BCycle station for you to dock your bike at, and explore 16 acres of free outdoor gardens. The jewel of the gardens is undoubtedly the Thai pavilion, a gift from the Thai government to the University of Wisconsin. It’s surrounded by traditional Asian gardens and a reflecting pool. You can also pop inside the Bolz Conservatory for exotic plants. Afterward, head across the street to Olbrich Park and visit the Olbrich Biergarten for a lakeside beer, fresh cheese curds, pretzels, and mini bratwursts.

3 p.m. – Neighborhood Exploration

Head back out on bike to visit two of Madison’s most noteworthy areas: Willy Street and Atwood Avenue. These east side locations are really the heart of the city and you’ll get a feel for our vibrant (and slightly hippie) culture. Below are a few recommendations for each area.

Willy Street:

Rewind – A well-curated vintage art and decor shop.
Madison Greenhouse Store – A plant store where you can also purchase chic pots for your greenery and decor items.
The Weary Traveler – Another bar and restaurant with locally sourced products. (I told you it’s a theme here!) I’m a fan of the West of the Andes Sandwich.
Working Draft Beer Company – One of Madison’s newest breweries, and a really good one at that. They’ve partnered with one of the best chefs in town to offer a dinner menu from 5 to 9 p.m. When they aren’t serving dinner, you’re encouraged to bring in food from a neighborhood restaurant.

Atwood Avenue:

Alchemy – Not surprisingly, this is another restaurant with food from local purveyors. I can’t get enough of their sweet potato fries that are more like potato chunks.
BarleyPop Tap & Shop – Both a beer shop and bar combined. Stop for a pint and then get beer to go. Dogs are welcome.
MadCity Music – Search for new and used vinyl at this neighborhood record shop.\
Monsoon Siam – Craving Thai food? This is one of my favorites.
Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace – Get a selection of à la carte tacos rather than going for a platter.

7 p.m. – Dinner on the Capitol Square

After spending time poking around some of the area neighborhoods, head back to the Capitol Square to cap off your weekend in Madison with dinner at Lucille.The decor is Instagram-worthy, the wood-fired pizzas are delicious, and the cocktails are perfect for toasting to your weekend getaway in Wisconsin! Cheers!

Brunch at Forequarter on East Johnson Street.

AC Hotel Madison located at 1 N. Webster St., near the Capitol Square.

STAY – The AC Hotel Madison is one of the newest hotels in Madison and would be the perfect spot for your stay. It’s near the Capitol Square, close to parking ramps if you’re not keen on valet service, the decor is sleek and sophisticated, the first-level bar makes an incredible Manhattan, and on the top floor you’ll find another favorite local restaurant: Eno Vino. It’s a wine bar and bistro that has some of the best views you can find downtown. (I love that the hotel opted not to make the top floors into suites and offered a restaurant instead. It’s a real testament to Madison’s community culture.)

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Thank you to Toyota for sponsoring this post!
(I wasn’t required to talk about the car’s features, but I already miss the wireless charging pad for my phone!)

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Review: Paravel Motorist 3-in-1 Backpack

May 3, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

As you may recall, last December I purchased my first Paravel piece: the three-in-one Motorist backpack. I thought it would be perfect for travel and now that I’ve actually taken it on a trip (see glimpses of it here and here), I wanted to give you a run down of the pros and cons in case it’s on your own wish list.

Pros:

This bag is ultra practical. As with many women, I get saddled with bringing all of the day’s necessities with me in my purse. Things like tissues, pain killers, and printed tickets don’t take up a lot of space, but I can’t tell you how annoyed I get by shoving my camera into a cross-body bag for our adventures. It doesn’t always fit well and the shoulder strain starts to bother me after a few days of lugging it around. This bag was a game changer. There’s more than enough room for the camera and other essentials, plus space to add any small souvenirs collected throughout the day. And, since it’s a backpack, the weight was evenly distributed and was comfortable to tote around.
When you unzip the bag, there’s a fabric gusset on the sides that extends about halfway up the bag. This helps keep your belongings from falling out when you need to get something.
It transforms into a shoulder bag (worn as such above), which is great for visiting museums that don’t allow backpacks. It’s also handy when you’re shopping. There’s a zippered pocket inside where I kept my wallet. It was easier to access when I wore it as a shoulder bag.
It’s durable and waterproof. It rained at some point just about every day in London, but we had one day where it drizzled constantly. I wondered how my things would fare in the bag and, as it turns out, they were completely dry. As for the bag itself, I never did wipe my bag dry after the rain, and it still looked new when it dried on its own.

Cons:

Even when the straps are all tightened to the last hole, the bag still doesn’t fit flush against my back. (You can kind of see what I mean here.) This means it’s always kind of dangling a bit. It’s an intentional design feature, as you’ll see in one of their shots here, but it made me paranoid that I’d whack someone with my backpack when I was in crowded areas. I’m planning to take it to a leather shop to have additional holes added to the strap so that I can shorten it more.
The outside pocket has a magnetic closure. When the backpack is clean, you can’t even tell that it’s there. But after each stretch on the plane, the front rubbed against something filthy and left a circle right around the magnetic closure. It was easy to clean off with a damp rag, however. (That’s definitely the benefit of coated canvas.)

Bottom Line:

I love it. It was incredibly practical for a week of exploring, plus it’s chic. (Always a winning combination.) It also gave me a lot of confidence for purchasing other Paravel items. I’ve already snagged the crossbody capsule (see it here) and I adore this foldable suitcase (although I’m kicking myself for not getting it when the green colorway was available). Sign up for Paravel’s mailing list at the bottom of their home page for 10% off your first purchase and keep an eye on their social media account as they sometimes offer discounts. They also extend a discount offer with your package so that you can continue to build your collection.

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What I Wore in London

April 26, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

I made a concerted effort to pack as lightly as possible for our trip to London. After dozens of vacations, I finally realized that I’m likely to wear and rewear my favorites. While I’d love to be the type of blogger who takes outfit photos on each of her adventures, I’m not. I’m way more interested in sightseeing instead of location scouting, and oftentimes that means I favor the more practical pieces in my wardrobe that rarely make it to the blog. I’ll admit that it doesn’t make for the most exciting packing list, but it did make getting dressed a breeze in the morning! Plus, paring down on clothing means there’s more room in my suitcase to bring home treasures. (Admittedly, I brought a few extra pieces that didn’t get worn, like a black dress and loafers.) Below, you’ll find a list of everything I wore while I was in London.

WHAT I WORE IN LONDON

J.Crew trench coat – With the amount of rain and misty days that London gets, this was such a practical jacket to have in tow.
Lululemon lightweight jacket – I actually brought this to wear on the plane with an oversize sweater and yoga pants, and didn’t expect to wear it while we were in London. But there were a few warmer days that the trench felt like too much and when we were just heading out for evening beers at a pub, it was nice to stash things in the zippered pockets and not bring a bag.
Gap jeans – I’ve been losing weight and brought these jeans in a larger and smaller size on the trip. After the first two days, the larger ones were much too big and I wore the smaller size the rest of the trip. (Yes, I’m totally bragging, but I’m really excited! I’m going to order the next size down, too, since they’re on sale right now. May as well be optimistic, right?)
J.Crew striped long sleeve t-shirt (plus an old one from Banana Republic) – A striped shirt is such a classic piece and I felt pulled together for a day of exploring when I paired it with the rest of my daily uniform.
J.Crew crew neck sweater (both black and grey) – If you don’t have these sweaters yet, you’re missing out. The price point is great, especially when they’re on sale, and they hold their shape throughout the day. I own half a dozen in various colors.
Banana Republic grey v-neck sweater – What I love most about this sweater is that it’s machine washable.
Old Navy umbrella – Truth be told, this Old Navy umbrella is questionable quality, but I loved the stripes. You might just be better off going a more practical route for this item rather than picking one just because it’s cute.
Garnet Hill scarf – As many of you know, I’ve had a relationship with Garnet Hill for a couple of years now. I received this cashmere scarf from one of our first collaborations and it’s one of my favorite travel items. It’s so soft and generously sized that I also use it as a wrap on the plane, but it’s not so large that you can’t wear it as a regular scarf. (You can see a glimpse of it in this photo.) There’s a dark grey version on sale for $88 right now, but I think the scarf warrants the money even at full price. It really is beautiful.
Karen Walker sunglasses – We only had a couple of sunny days, but these were great for hiding my tired eyes since I was sick for part of the trip!
Vrai and Oro stud earrings and Monica Vinader ring – For as much of a jewelry hoarder as I am, I try to pare down my gems to everyday pieces on vacation. What that means definitely depends on the vacation. Since this wardrobe skewed more classic and comfortable, stud earrings and my favorite ring fit the bill. On a tropical trip, I tend to bring statement earrings and long pendant necklaces.
Paravel backpack – This was the first trip I’ve taken this backpack on and it did not disappoint. I have a full review in the works, but suffice to say it’s worth every penny. It’s durable, rain resistant, easy to clean, and has ample room for everything you’ll need (and collect) during the day. Plus, it transforms into a shoulder bag, which is great for museums that don’t allow backpacks.
Peds no-show socks – I bought a dozen pairs of these socks for the trip and love them. On colder days, I wore the Smart Wool version.
Puma sneakers – We walked an average of seven miles a day, so sneakers were a must.

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Weekend Links + London Calling

April 7, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

By the time you read this, we’ll be in London! I know I’ve been talking about our trip a lot, but I’m so excited to get away for our first vacation in over a year. I hope you’ll follow along on Instagram at @bedknobsandbaubles! Cheerio!

Weekend Links:

15 ways to save money on a home renovation.
I never thought to spray paint wicker furniture. What a great way to freshen up a patio set!
Reviews of popular drugstore “gel” nail polishes.
This take on a spicy margarita pairs Cholula hot sauce with pineapple juice and adds a smokey twist.
22 design rules to follow for your living room.
There are two things on my wish list right now: this floral blouse and this gold pendant.
Beauty industry professionals dish on what products they think are scams.
The resale market is expected to surpass fast fashion in 10 years.
Sometimes a Starbucks breakfast is unavoidable. Here are the healthiest things to order.

Finds Under $50:

Pair this charming straw bag with your most nautical looks.
Linen pull-on shorts look comfortable for lazy summer days.
Kelly green stripes make this tie-shoulder dress perfect for spring!
And if you can’t get enough green stripes, take a look at this top.
Flower hoop earrings are so pretty!

Earlier This Week:

All but one of this week’s most coveted items are under $85.
Giving our home a springtime refresh with Cottage & Bungalow.
The cutest spring sandals.

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image via Unsplash

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Holiday Gift Guide for the Traveler

December 13, 2017 by jessica 1 Comment

This is always my favorite guide to work on, mostly because it gets me excited for upcoming trips that we have on the books! I tucked that luggage scale in Dave’s stocking a couple of years ago after our first trip to Belgium. We were dinged with a $200 charge for overweight luggage thanks to all of the beer we were bringing back, and we didn’t have enough time to rearrange things between both of our suitcases. Oops!

I chose items at a variety of price points with most coming in at $50 or less. I know how quickly gift costs can add up at this time of year! And, as with all of my guides this year, I’ve included a few unisex items because we’re not all shopping exclusively for women!

Cold Brew Travel Kit – Hot coffee is totally overrated; I’m all about the cold brew! I love this travel brewing kit to make your own iced coffee on the go!

Luggage Scale – As dull as this may seem, any traveler would be remiss not to have a luggage scale. It’s an inexpensive item that can save someone a lot of money on their next trip.

Backpack – Paravel really became a breakout sensation in the luggage world this year. This three-in-one backpack is at the top of my wish list with our trip to London coming up in April. It looks like the perfect size to store my camera and any goodies we find during the day without having to deal with the strain a purse can have on one shoulder. It comes in six colors and can be worn as a backpack, a shoulder bag, or a used as a top-handle tote. (We received Visa gift cards for our holiday gift at work and I’ve pegged this as my treat to myself. I’m probably going to go with the black one.)

Travel Guide – If your giftee has a trip on the books, get him a travel guide to help with the planning process! The Monocle travel guides are the perfect of mix of practical and entertaining. Plus, they’re attractive enough to leave out on display.

Luggage Tag – A leather luggage tag adds a luxe spin to a utilitarian item. You can have it monogrammed, too! If you really want to be a high roller this year, you can tuck a printed travel itinerary inside to surprise your significant other.

Hand Sanitizer – I never thought I’d say that hand sanitizer makes for a great stocking stuffer, but just look at how pretty the packaging is for this one from Aesop.

Travel Humidifier – I’m always complaining about how dry hotel rooms are, so I was really excited to come across this gadget the other day. All you need is a bottle of water to create a mini humidifier! It’d make a great gift for someone at work, too.

Airport Map – NOMO came up with an artistic Runway Series to showcase the runways of major national and international airports. Once framed, it makes for a striking piece of art that commemorates a special trip or favorite location.

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image source

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