TheEssentialist

15/08/2024

My Vacation Mood is…Playful, Happy, Adventurous, Bold and Brave!🌞🐠🌴🏝️

What defines your vacation mood!? Whether I want to ride a horse on the beach in the Bahamas or if I am eager to try a unique rafting experience in Jamaica for the first time🐠, I am always exploring ’s SUN guide🌞 to get inspiration for my next vacation! They have over 60 destinations to choose from and some of my favorites are more hidden gems like St. Lucia where you can explore waterfalls and Barbados where you can find the clearest water and swim with sea turtles! 🏝️

There are endless vacation options to choose from and they have over 600 hotel partners! Before we know it, it is going to start getting cold outside so now is the perfect time to plan that sunny getaway.
Tag your favorite travel partner ✈️🍹🐠🌞
Start exploring the Sun Guide and find your next destination at dreamofsun.aircanadavacations.com!

31/07/2024

Just a few snaps from my last Paris trip in the Fall in honor of the ! Who else is into the games?! I personally love watching the summer games but just haven’t gotten super into it this year. The opening ceremony stirred up quite some controversy though. Any thoughts?! I’m just over here rooting for the under dogs ;-)

29/07/2024

Just a couple more weeks until our family vacation to Europe and I can’t wait to explore more with my little one! He is 3.5 now and it is such a fun age to finally travel with! Just a momma in bliss over here planning our travels 🤍🥹

21/07/2024

My travel guide to visiting ! Save this post for your next visit.
1. Catch the sunrise at Emerald Bay. This was my favorite moment because this location is absolutely breathtaking and when you get there in the morning you get it all to yourself and it is extra peaceful.
2. Stay at at one of their cozy, unique and private cabins!
3. Take a dip in Lake Tahoe! The water can get cold, but if you are smart and it is a hot day, nothing beats the feeling!
4. Hike Lower and Upper Eagle Falls! The views are worth it and it makes for a fun adventure in nature.
5. Take a wine tasting boat tour with and take in the views of the lake, drink fabulous wine and learn a lot of great history along the way :)
6. Catch a bonfire and grab a crafted beer at as the sun sets

19/07/2024

Take me back to the magical town of Matera🤍 I think this destination exceeded all of my expectations and just left me yearning for more. It’s romantic, it has rich history and charm and and and… I just want more of it 🤍

18/07/2024

Probably one of the neatest beach clubs I have ever been to, this is located at and it is simply fabulous!🤍 add this iconic spot to your Dubai bucket list!

06/07/2024

Memories from my favorite day with my favorite person in one of my favorite places 🍋Forever grateful for the life we are building and the people we have grown into🤍

25/06/2024

Camera crumbs from 🤍this new property definitely stands out and is quite beautiful. I personally love the architecture and the focus on art throughout the entire property. We ate lunch poolside at their Nobu restaurant and took in these views.
Wearing

20/06/2024

Currently where my mental state is as I battle the intense heat wave we are experiencing this week! I’ve either been plopping myself in the pool or hiding inside where there is some relief! Currently sharing in mg stories the incredible weekend I had in Lake Tahoe 🏔️🚣🏽‍♀️🏖️.

18/06/2024

Some summer punch vibes and some of my favorite destinations to travel to. Europe is absolute gorgeous this time of year and I can’t wait to get myself back there. The food is to die for, the vibes are on point and I personally am obsessed with all the colorful and retro umbrellas. Which of the six locations is your favorite?

1. Oia, Santorini
2. Fire, Santorini
3. Menton, French Riviera
4. Portofino, Italy
5. Positano, Italy
6. Menton, French Rivieria

Follow me for more summer adventures!

08/06/2024

Some of my favorite moments working with this year! A couple months ago I had the opportunity to fly with them in business class to watch the Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong! I can truly say I have never had a better flight experience in my entire life and was in awe of everything Cathay Pacific!

04/06/2024

Cookie crumbs from my trip to Tulum in March! I never even finished everything I got up to because another trip came up but here are some of my favorite moments from the trip and some of my favorite places. Tulum has changed dramatically in the past few years. It’s definitely a hot spot, it’s busier, pricier and a little stuffier from my perspective but I still have a soft spot for the architecture and ambiance (in certain spots). Have you been to Tulum recently? What are your thoughts ?

Locations:tulum.park beach

01/06/2024

Hope you are all having a beautiful weekend! I decided last minute to drive to Chicago to surprise my see my family and spend a weekend where I consider home! So far, I have been to Portillo’s, I’ve had authentic Mexican food and I 100% plan on having a deep dish pizza! Chicago just hits differently and it feels sooo good being 🏡

25/05/2024

Happy Saturday everyone! I am having a slow weekend in and spending my Memorial Day just relaxing at our home as the weather is getting nice! Sometimes, slow weekends are the best and even though I love traveling and am incredibly passionate about it, nothing quite feels like a relaxing weekend at home 🤍
What are your weekend plans looking like and where are you spending it?

22/05/2024

Cookie crumbs from The Cote d’azure! These are all oldies but goodies in my opinion from my time in The French Riviera from a few years ago when we rented an in the city of Nice! We used it as our base and spent everyday exploring different towns along the coastline! It’s a really amazing place to spend the summer and it has become one of my favorite destinations of all time.
If you stay in Nice, which I highly recommend, you can enjoy daily farmers markets, a vibrant day and night scene and some of the most incredible cuisine as it is a mixture of Italian, French and Mediterranean. Another great option it is to a day trip to The French Countryside where you can enjoy the most delicious wine, see the lavender fields if in season and visit all the charming villages that look like they are right out of a storybook.
We also got engaged on this trip 🤍

18/05/2024

Arrived to the enchanting world of ! I had the pleasure of spending a long weekend at the extraordinary hotel that casts a spell on all who enter. Nestled in the heart of Dubai, and at the center of the Palm, this property is known for its dreamlike architecture, breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and for its world-class amenities! We were mesmerized by the underwater Aquarium where we enjoyed a yoga class and also took a peak at their underwater suites! Also, we spent an entire day at their thrilling water park and the adventures did not stop there. I can’t wait to share everything we got up to but in short, we had the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure and it made for the most unforgettable stay! Stay tuned ✨

15/05/2024

Italy on my mind… I skipped a European Sumner last year and now it is simply all I can think about! I am eager to get my bum back to Italy, Spain, Greece, to Southern France to just about anywhere and everywhere in Europe! It always holds a dear place in my heart as I have roots in Europe and I forever feel drawn to it. 🍋
Where will you be spending your summer?!

05/05/2024

Cookie crumbs from my epic time in ! We had such an incredible time, as always, hanging out by all the pools, indulging in all the fine dining and getting up to all our favorite things in Las Vegas! This time we stayed at a new hotel, and loved it so much, we literally didn’t leave the entire day! Also we saw a show at the brand new and it was incredible! I highly recommend it. Every Vegas weekend is special in it’s own way because we do a blend of old and new and it keeps us always craving for more!

30/04/2024

Reflecting on the last 6 months and all the opportunities I have been so grateful for. This was taken on a trip with and I remember sitting in this exact moment and thinking to myself I wonder what is next. Fast forward to now, and I can’t believe all the things I was able to experience through my work. It’s easy sometimes as content creators to get into this work mode when we are on PR trips because they are in fact work, but when you take a step back and take in everything, it is a beyond humbling feeling. If it wasn’t for social media, I probably would not be able to experience half (if not more) of what I already have and I am always so grateful for the opportunities that come my way. It is because of them that I am able to see this beautiful world and share some of it with you. I don’t think I say it enough, but I am so so grateful for my community and for all of you that are here! Thank you ✨

11/04/2024

Camera crumbs from my trip Hong Kong with and ! This was my first time visiting the city and loved every second of my time here! The city is so vibrant and lively and has a little bit of a retro feel to it. We had a nonstop flight with Cathay Pacific and arrived feeling refreshed and ready to explore!
This is my fifth Shangri-La hotel I have stayed at and I always feel like I am at home when staying there. The staff is lovely and always goes above and beyond. The food is so good! If you haven’t dined at their signature restaurant, Shang Palace, it is an absolute must. I also appreciate the attention to details and find myself eager to revisit.

09/04/2024

Just got back from an epic trip to brand new city and I can’t wait to share my experience with you! it was a jam packed weekend so I am a little behind on sharing but will start sharing my stories with you today so stay tuned :) I am normally more of a beach girl but I also love the energy of a big city and the one we just visited was one that left me wanting to see more of it.

04/04/2024

Just landed in a brand new destination and I am so so excited to share everything with you and be back in Asia! It is midnight here so I have yet to see anything but stay tuned and I will share all with you soon. Can you guess which location I made it to?!
, hidden gems, temples of thailand

28/03/2024

Name the destination or swipe to left ;-) I absolutely love exploring new destinations but going back to places I love is also very dear to my heart. So maybe I should back soon??

A fun fact about me if you didn’t know but I actually met my husband Ben in Vegas over a decade ago. It was Halloween night and I was dressed up a sexy nerd, he was costume less and we met and chatted for about 30 min at a very dark and loud club. We exchanged numbers and I flew home the next day and the rest is history. Once we started dating we were in a long distance relationship for about 5 years. I guess you can say we found love in a hopeless place 🤍
, hidden gems, sincity, Vegas, travelandleisure, assouline

28/03/2024

16/03/2024

Bring me back to paradise at .awhile! Truly cannot say an enough great things about this slice of paradise. They are private villas and honestly a vibe. A perfect place to bring the family or a group of friends 🌴Are we into the villa vibes?

06/03/2024

Photo dump from paradise .awhile! I loved this property for so many reasons and know this is a place I will continue to come back to for many years to come. If having a private and lush villa right on seven mile beach sounds like something you would like, this is the spot. It feels intimate, boutique-y and luxurious. This is a great option if staying at a big resort isn’t really for you and you prefer a home environment or plan on visiting with a group of friends or family!

13/12/2023

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This Christmas Tree located at Lotte New York Palace has always been my favorite Christmas Tree of all!! I love all the detail to attention and his it so delicately stands. This Christmas Tree has not been up for a couple of years due to construction in the area but this year it is finally back in all of its glory! New York City truly glimmers during the Holidays and it’s a wonderful place to visit for Christmas Break if you are looking to do something festive this year! 🎄🎁

06/12/2023

I remember on this day I felt a little sense of power standing in the middle of this masterpiece but the truth is, I am never felt so powerless in my life. It’s late at night and I’m having such a hard time sleeping. What is happening in the world right now has my heart breaking into more and more pieces by the day. I truly don’t understand that after 60 days (not that even 1 day is understandable) this war which has taken so many lives is still at large with no end in sight.
As I lay my child to sleep every night I can’t help but to think how lucky he is to sleep in a warm bed, have a full tummy and sleep with no fear. For many others this is not the case and it is unfathomable and gut wrenching. I have been following along everyday and watching all the horrific coverage and feel hopeless and useless because I feel there isn’t much I can do to make a difference. There are people on streets protesting everyday all over the world and yet it feels like no one in power hears them… or cares. My heart breaks continues to break. 🕊️

16/11/2023

Why should you visit plan a visit to Sheikh Grand Mosque and is it worth it? The answer is absolutely, yes! The mosque is a a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture and design. The Mosque is one of the few in the region open to non-Muslims and visitors are welcome to enter the mosque except during prayer times. It is made of more than 90,000 tons of pure white marble and decorated with delicate floral designs inlaid with semi-precious stones.

Things to know:
•There is a strict dress code and all visitors must wear long, loose-fitting, ankle-length trousers or skirts, long sleeves and a headscarf for women
•Abayas are no longer being rented. There are shops on site where you can purchase them. This one for example was $10 usd.
•There is a free 45 min guided tour offered to all.
•The mosque is free but you do need to register a spot to gain an access code.
•Best time to visit is right when they open or at sunset :)
Location:
, hidden gems, bucket list

12/11/2023

Photo dump from my trip to Paris in the Fall! Paris will always have a special place in my heart as I feel that many feel this way when they visit the city. It is romantic, it feels magical and I feel inspired every time I am there🤍
Currently obsessing over this leather mini from . Will link for you guys in my stories.
Shoes: