Happy Monday! I’m so excited to share our guest room refresh with you! When my daughter recently left for college she ended up taking some furniture and bedding with her so I thought that it was a perfect time to give this space a nice refresh! I absolutely love this space… it might be my favorite room in the house. The painted white tongue and groove walls have always made this space feel cozy yet clean and bright.
The only downside to this space is it’s small, so space saving furniture is a must. Because of this we skipped a space hogging dresser and went with a storage bed for all our drawer needs. Besides this one we have another one in our room. I absolutely love our Pottery Barn storage beds and I’ve been meaning to review them on the blog for a while now. It’s on my to do list! One minor drawback with storage beds, though, is that if you plan on opening them often like we do you’ll need a floating nightstand. If your storage bed is more for long term storage you can simply move a regular nightstand out of the way to open it, but that wasn’t an option for us. I really love floating furniture, it is great for small spaces because it tricks the eye and gives the illusion of more space.
I wanted to introduce a bit more color and contrast into the room so I went with these 26 inch pink pillow covers from Etsy, they really makes the room pop! I love pillow covers because they’re easily washable and easy to switch out when you need a change. You can find pretty much any size pillow insert on Amazon so that’s my favorite home decor, pillow covers, and they barely take up any storage space when not in use.
I updated the wall art for a more modern look, black and white photos and prints are my jam, I can never get enough. I love the clean, crisp, vintage look to them. Funny thing is in Scotland I actually got to see a highland cow in person and feed it a carrot. He was adorable and he licked me with his scratchy tongue and guess what? I didn’t get one photo! Do you ever go on vacation, have an amazing time, and forget to get a photo? We took so many great photos in Scotland and I’m just kicking myself that I didn’t get a cute cow photo too… I didn’t know how trendy highland cows would soon become! I went with Art.com for this print, I’ve bought from them for years and they never let me down.
I’ve always loved rooms that are decorated with a heavy black and white scheme but I still need color here and there. I don’t know what it is but ever since we moved into this house I’ve been obsessed with the color teal. I’ve bought a teal sofa and painted my cabinets and doors teal so naturally when I was looking for an accent chair my eye kept catching teal. This chair is such a great affordable price and it’s stunning! It’s always scary buying furniture online, you never know what you’re going to get! I love how the room came together with just a few simple changes!
It seems like we haven’t had a lot of home updates or projects going on, but soon I’m excited to share with you our progress in the loft! We’re just waiting on carpet and in the final stages, the same with the kitchen too, knock on wood everything goes to plan!
Ever since we returned from Maine I’ve had blueberries on my mind. First of all, if you haven’t read my Maine Eats blog post make sure you do! We literally ate our way through the state, and much to my surprise the state isn’t only known for their lobster but also for their blueberries! I will admit I ate an absurd amount of lobster and I did indulge in a few blueberry desserts but not the blueberry cocktails.
At nearly every restaurant I saw some sort of amazing blueberry cocktail creation, our waitress almost broke me one night but I held out strong! It’s one thing to eat my way through Maine but once I start slurping 500 calorie blueberry cocktails it’s pretty much over for me. I may have split some blueberry desserts with Brian, but as much as I wanted to I left those sugary blueberry cocktails alone. But now cut to a week later and I’m still thinking about them. So ahem… may I introduce you do my own skinny girl blueberry lime gin cocktail recipe?
At just 125 calories per drink and 4 carbs this is my creation of Maine in a cocktail. These delicious cocktails are purply and pretty, low in sugar. and full of blueberry anti-oxidants!
I cut out the sugar by using my favorite alternative, liquid stevia! Mixed with a small amount of blueberry juice, there is a perfect balance of sweetness with no awkward aftertaste. You can find blueberry juice at many grocery stores, this is the one I’m using. I’m using regular juice but divided into a small portion per drink the calories and carbs are still quite low.
I made Brian do all the calorie and carb math… he loves math, so I often assign him math projects. He was extra eager for this one because it involved getting a cocktail as a reward afterwards!
5drops liquid stevia (add more if you prefer it sweeter)
3tbsblueberry juice
1/4lime wedge, squeezed
2-4ozsparkling water
Instructions
In a glass add gin, stevia, blueberry juice, and lime juice and mix together.
Add ice and top with 4 oz of sparkling water.
Garnish with fresh lime and blueberries.
Nutrition
Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g
I did this cocktail recipe the lazy girl way, meaning I mixed all the ingredients in the glass, gave them a swirl and then added ice and sparkling water. If you’re feeling fancy and want to get out your cocktail shaker you should totally go for it. I get it… sometimes I feel cocktail fancy too. Add all the ingredients except the ice and the sparkling water, shake, pour and add the ice and sparkling water while doing a twirl… you are truly fancy!
This is the perfect skinny cocktail for a hot summer day! It’s blueberry deliciousness! If you try it let me know what you think!
As promised, I’m back and ready to share our incredible eats from Maine! Brian and I love food and Maine was straight up a foodie paradise for us!
A little bit of history on how I became such a lobster lover. Going to seafood restaurants growing up, my parents would scan the menu and say “Laura, order anything you want except the lobster.” What happens when someone tells you not to do something? Curiosity gets the best of you and naturally you want it, I was literally 6 years old begging for the lobster. Most of the time I would get my way, dinners that just had the tail were a breeze. On occasion as a small child I would order a whole lobster, literally have no idea how to eat it, and I would look up at my parents for help. My dad would whack away at it, getting whatever meat out he could. Growing up in North Texas we had no freakin idea how to properly eat a lobster, it was pre-internet, but we tried. From my memories even the waiters didn’t even fully know how to shell and eat a lobster.
Naturally throughout my childhood and into my adult years if something said it had lobster in it I ordered it. Ordering lobster was no longer a way to irritate my parents, I had actually developed a true love for the taste of it.
Cut to many years later and my cravings for lobster have only intensified and I’ve fully converted my husband into a lobster lover too. I’ve learned that warm water lobster in my opinion isn’t good and that Maine lobster is the only lobster for me.
Living in Colorado, multiple times a year we have to order Maine lobster and it’s downright heaven. I’m like a puppy dog wagging it’s tail waiting for UPS to arrive with my fresh lobsters. I’ll get down my enormous lobster pot (it’s so big I store it in the attic) and we have a lobster cooking party, making our own stock from the shells and making every delicious lobster recipe possible. Try Ina Garten’s Lobster Pot Pie!
So now that I’ve convinced you that I love lobster, let’s talk about the amazing food we devoured on our trip! But first if you haven’t yet, be sure to read my Bar Harbor, Maine, and Acadia National Park blog post!
For those who love a good fresh lobster smothered in butter but just can’t be bothered wearing the bib or putting in the work then the lazy lobster is for you! At the Asticou Inn you can order a lobster cooked fresh to order, completely shelled and ready for you. Shelling a lobster is a fun experience but it’s also a bit messy so this is a perfect option when you want to be fancy.
Eating at Stewman’s Lobster Pound was one of my favorite places during our vacation. The lobster cocktail was similar to the mixture of a lobster roll and the lobster claws weren’t just decorative, they still had the tender claw meat inside, yum! Claw meat is definitely my favorite, it came with a cocktail sauce and buttery mustard sauce.
We also ordered a whole lobster and we’ve taught ourselves how to easily shell a lobster but we still have had some tricky areas. When the waitress offered to show us her shelling tricks we were excited. Previously the tail meat has slowed us down, she showed us a few tricks and we can pop out the tail meat in seconds! I can completely crack a lobster in 2 minutes like a local!
Shortly after arriving I discovered that Maine isn’t just known for their lobster but also for their wild blueberries! You’ll find lots of blueberry cocktails, ice cream, desserts, and best of all blueberry pie! Maine blueberries are smaller and richer in flavor and higher in anti-oxidants. Our waitress told us that blueberry picking is such a big deal the schools will close so the kids can help pick the berries.
Feeling adventurous? Then you definitely need to try the lobster ice cream in Bar Harbor! It was unusual but all lobster lovers need to try it once! It tasted like a rich creamy vanilla ice cream with as you probably guessed lobster! Getting a large bit of frozen lobster mixed in ice cream was a little weird but I really liked the small lobster pieces throughout the ice cream.
Of course you’ll find lobster bisque aplenty around the island! I’m pretty picky about my lobster bisque and I know the true labor of love it is to make a batch from scratch. The bisque everywhere we went was downright incredible. This Lobster bisque from Paddy’s Irish Pub had delicious pretzel croutons!
When you talk about food in Maine lobster rolls probably come to mind and there are plenty with lots of variations. Below, this delicious lobster roll was found at the Otter Creek Market and I loved the addition of fresh minced basil!
Shh… please don’t spread the word but honestly when it comes to a lobster roll I’m team Connecticut style, served warm and toasted without mayo and dripping with butter. Having said that, I will never say no to any sort of New England lobster roll. Below, this roll was toasted and a lot dryer with less mayo but still not a true Connecticut style roll. Not complaining at all… it is lobster and I am in Maine not Connecticut after all.
Oh I need to give a shout out to all the french fries we ate, they tasted better than I’ve ever had. Extra crunchy, extra crispy, and extra good in every way.
“What’s with all the whoopie pies everywhere?” I asked Brian. Well it turns out whoopie pies are the official dessert of Maine and freakin good! You’ll find traditional ones everywhere, and we even had a blueberry one that was to die for!
Traditional New England style clam chowder is everywhere along the island and a true classic. This one here was picked up at a small roadside restaurant and is the best I’ve ever had in my life!
Inside Acadia National Park near Jordan Pond you’ll find the adorable Jordan Pond House Restaurant. If it’s a nice day ask for a table outside with lakeside views. They’re famous for their afternoon tea and popovers. Who doesn’t love a good popover? They also serve seafood and many other meals.
A bit of a warning, as of July 2021 they do not take reservations and the line to get in was the longest I’ve ever seen in my life at 11 am, right at their opening time. The line actually went all the way down the stairs by the trailhead. Available parking was also non-existent, nearby full parking lots were full on traffic jams. We returned later in the day at 3pm and it was much calmer and we luckily found a good parking spot.
Feeling like some tacos? Have no fear lobster lovers, you can find lobster tacos too! We enjoyed these delicious tacos at the Nor’Easter Pound and Market.
I don’t know about you but I love a good eggs Benedict! Of course, in Maine you can get an amazing eggs Benedict with lobster on it at The Looking Glass Restaurant while looking at panoramic coastal views! It’s the ultimate breakfast luxury and was walking distance from our hotel.
Craving something lighter like a salad? You can get a variety of garden and cobb salads with a delicious stack of lobster.
Move over crab cakes, lobster cakes are here! At the Terrace Grill you can have lobster cakes topped with grilled pineapple and a horseradish scallion remoulade… you’ll forget crab cakes ever existed.
Besides lobster, Maine is also home to lots of fresh fish including haddock. Another favorite from the Terrace Grille, these fish tacos include the freshest caught haddock with a cilantro lime slaw.
They add lobster to everything here, so be sure to try lobster pizza! This delicious lobster, smoked bacon, and jalapeño pizza was from Getty’s. You can dine indoors or grab it to go.
Did you know there is soft shell and hard shell lobster? I did not know this and it blew my mind! Hard shell lobster is much more common, so if you’ve ever eaten lobster it’s probably been hard shell. Hard shell meat is firmer and contains about 20% more meat, and they’re also sturdier lasting much longer outside of the water. If you’ve ever ordered Maine lobster online it’s 100% been hard shell.
Soft shell lobsters have recently molted and are growing a new shell, which tends to happen July-September. Soft shell lobster has less meat but it is softer and a bit sweeter. They’re also more fragile, and even shipped during ideal conditions they have a high mortality rate. I held a soft shell lobster for the first time during this trip and I although it looked the same I could feel the shell was much softer and bendy, almost like a fingernail.
Soft shell is much easier to crack open too, I was able to crack open the claw with my fingers. This soft shell lobster at Thurston’s was the best we’ve ever eaten in our lives! This rustic restaurant is right along the water and has an incredible variety of seafood to choose from, and the best whoopie pies!
This was my first time eating lobster stew, I was expecting something tomato based with potatoes and vegetables. So I was quite surprised to find lobster stew to be creamy and rich, with just lobster meat and a splash of sherry. We tried it at several locations and Thurston’s won for our favorite lobster stew!
If this hasn’t got you in the mood for lobster or wanting to travel to Maine then I don’t know what will! As I sit here writing this blog post in my Colorado home my mouth can’t help but thirst for the taste of lobster. Dear sweet Maine lobsters… steamed, boiled, and dipped in butter, I will think of you every day until we meet again on my plate.
OUR TRIP TO BAR HARBOR MAINE & ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
We just returned from a fabulous week in Maine and I’m so excited to share it all with you! I’ve always wanted to visit Maine, not just for its beautiful rocky coastline but also as you probably guessed, the lobster! For our week long vacation we decided to fly into Portland, rent a car, and head north where we would explore Mt. Desert Island. Pronounced “dessert” because the island is French, Mt. Desert Island is home to many scenic and popular spots including Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
Once we were settled in we made a promise to each other to eat as much lobster as possible, I mean it is lobster season after all! A few other seafood items did slip in but for the majority we stayed true to lobster based entrees. Can you tell how excited we were to eat our first lobster meal in Bar Harbor? Our waitress loved it! You can find my sweater here and Brian’s shirt here. If you’re curious about what all we ate don’t worry, my next blog post is going to be entirely dedicated to the amazing food we ate in Bar Harbor and the surrounding area.
For this trip we stayed at the Bluenose Inn, a charming hillside place with panoramic views of the ocean and islands. The sun rises early on the east coast so most mornings we were up at around 4:30 am drinking coffee to watch the sun from our balcony. Watching the sun create a beautiful orange glow onto the water was an unforgettable experience and totally worth waking up early for.
In Bar Harbor you’ll find dozens of boat rides and other excursions but we wanted to take this trip at a slow pace. We’ve had trips before where we were nonstop going, and for this vacation we wanted to relax and just wander. Action packed trips are amazing but slower ones without schedules are just as amazing. Besides eating the delicious food probably our favorite thing was just to grab a comfy chair and stare into the sea, watching the boats and the gentle waves.
Being early July we had a mix of sunny warm days and cloudy cool days and surprisingly only one day of rain with Tropical Storm Elsa. Below is the view from Stewman’s Lobster Pound, I highly recommend this restaurant! More on that in my next blog post.
Watching the tides change was a really neat experience as well. During low tide you can see the rocks and pebbles of the ocean floor and even dip your toes in the water in certain places. The water is definitely cold though!
You’ll have no problem finding fresh lobster anywhere on the island, you’ll find everything from upscale restaurants to small roadside places with the most delicious food. I’ve been a lobster fan since I was a child, but to my surprise I learned there is a hard shell lobster and a soft shell lobster. This was my first time holding a soft shell and I definitely felt a difference.
We spent 2 days of our trip exploring Acadia National Park, and it is stunning! To enter the park you’ll need to pay a daily admission or have a National Park Pass like we did. Below is the summit of Cadallic Mountain and as of now July 2021 it is a timed-reservation system with a 30 minute entry window and a separate admission price.
It a gorgeous drive to the top with curves and steep drop offs. Living near Rocky Mountain National Park I’m used to steep mountain roads but I can see how some might find this drive to the top a little scary!
The scenic Park Loop Drive was my favorite, this one-way road takes you along the scenic views of the coastline, to the sand beach, the famous Thunder Hole, and many other popular spots!
With any National Park in the summer time you’ll find high crowds. The first day we came to the park at 11 am and it was already packed with no parking and traffic jams everywhere. The next day we arrived at 5 am and it was pure bliss! We enjoyed many popular spots like Sand Beach and Thunder Hole all to ourselves! We did see other people here and there but for the majority of the early morning the park was quiet.
The entire trip was a dream and I was tearful when it was time to fly home. We are definitely planning on returning to Bar Harbor and Acadia in the future to explore other activities. In this blog post I wanted to focus on the simple beauty of the land on Mt. Desert Island in Maine and keep the food separate so it wouldn’t overshadow the beauty, but I’m so excited to share with you our delicious eats! Maine has so many wonderful things to eat besides lobster!
Happy Summer! Yesterday was a strawberry moon did you see it? Unfortunately I didn’t get to see it, but yesterday I celebrated the strawberry moon by creating this delicious no bake keto Strawberry Lime Mini Cheesecake. You know I love posting strawberry desserts… they’re my jam, but this year I’m switching things up with a keto recipe. I’ve been able to lose some of my 2020 weight gain doing keto and I thought it was time to celebrate with a summer dessert. These mini cheesecakes are a perfect way to celebrate summer barbecues and the Fourth of July… plus it gave me a reason to use my Le Creuset mini cocottes that I love!
If you’re wondering what makes this recipe keto friendly, that would be the almond flour crust, powdered erythritol sweetener, and high fat content. Part of the reason why I thrive so well on the keto diet is because I find fat so satiating.
Now let’s talk a little bit about powdered erythritol. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that comes in granulated and powdered form but it has 0 net carbs and is considered keto friendly. The best non-nutritive sweeteners are natural ones like stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol. These natural sugar substitutes contain few or no calories, meaning they won’t raise your blood sugar or impact ketosis. Having said that I truly believe all keto desserts should be eaten in moderation or on special occasions.
For this recipe I’m using a powdered blend of erythritol that is blended with monkfruit. I was able to pick it up at my grocery store, you can purchase the exact brand I’m using HERE. Although it’s a blend of monkfruit it’s 99% erythritol.
For this recipe you’ll need a hand mixer or a stand mixer. The majority of the filling is a mixture of softened cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and of course erythritol. To make sure this recipe is successful you’ll need to make sure your heavy cream is nice and cold. Once all the filling ingredients are blended you’ll need to whip the mixture on high until it’s nice and stiff. I want to stress that if the mixture is runny it will not firm up in the refrigerator. The firm texture comes from whipping, so make sure it’s nice and thick like the above photo.
To get that great strawberry flavor we blend fresh strawberries together in a mini food processor or a blender. If you don’t have one you can probably mash them with a fork. I just love the combo of strawberry and lime, it’s so summery and fresh! To get that great lime flavor we zest an entire lime and add it to the mixture. Be sure to save the lime and you can drizzle a squeeze of lime before you eat this delicious dessert!
These delicious treats are just over 4 carbs and so satisfying! A word about the serving size, the nutrition info is based off dividing this mixture into 10 equal portions and since these are no bake you can easily use any small dish you like… if you don’t have ramekins, little tea cups could work! Keep in mind if you split the dish up into less than 10 portions the carb count per portion will go up a little and if you make more than 10 portions the carb count goes down.
When it comes to calculating sugar alcohols it can be a little confusing. Generally speaking, half of the carbs from sugar alcohols can be subtracted from the total carbs listed on the nutrition label.
However, erythritol is an exception. If it’s the only sugar alcohol in the ingredient list, its carbs can be completely subtracted from the total carbs.
Optional - extra strawberries & lime zest for garnishing
Instructions
In a medium sized bowl mix together melted butter and almond flour with a fork.
Divide almond flour mixture into 10 small serving ramekins.
Wash strawberries and trim tops off, using a blender or mini food chopper puree the strawberries.
With a high speed mixer and whisk attachment, whip the heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, powdered erythritol, strawberries, and lime zest together on low speed until blended.
Increase the mixer speed to high and mix until the mixture has thickened. Do not add the mixture to the ramekins unless it has thickened.
Spoon the filling evenely on top of the crust and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Add extra strawberries, lime zest, and lime juice for garnish if desired.
Summer is nearly here and that means it’s time to start making travel plans! Last summer I really wanted to write an Estes Park summer guide but the reality was we were deep in Covid. We’ve lived in the Estes Park area for the last two years and before that we visited here every year for a decade, and I have learned a lot of information during that time.
If you’re familiar with North Colorado or Rocky Mountain National Park odds are you’re familiar or you’ve at least heard of Estes Park. Summertime in Estes is always busy so I thought I would put together a summer guide since COVID to help people with their travel plans. Notice I said the words since COVID. Colorado is cautiously opening up but COVID has still affected some businesses, restaurants, and activities. Things have been rapidly changing here and I’ll give you the most up-to-date information I know of, but it’s probably wise to double check things before you visit.
Below I’ll share with you my favorite things to do, Rocky Mountain National Park updates, favorite restaurants, and a few other helpful tips.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
If you’re coming to Estes Park in the summer then chances are you have plans to visit RMNP at least once while you are here. Whether this is your first time or you’re an experienced visitor, there has been one significant change that you need to be aware of – the timed entry reservation system. This was implemented for the first time last year because of COVID, but had been in the works for several years due to overcrowding in the park. Park visitation has been drastically increasing year after year for the past decade (not counting COVID in 2020), and this is the solution that park officials came up with to alleviate crowded parking lots and roads.
Let me stress this important point, the timed entry reservation system is completely separate from admission fees. You still have to pay a fee or have an annual pass to get in during guard station hours, which I believe are something like 5 am to 6 pm, but I am not sure about that. The reservation system requires that you also have a timed entry reservation during the hours of 9 am to 3 pm. Before or after those hours you don’t need a reservation to enter, but if the guard stations are open then you still have to either pay a fee or have an annual pass.
Now, here is another new change…this year they divided the park into two zones, the uber-popular Bear Lake Corridor, and the rest of the park. When making your timed entry reservation you can choose either zone, but if you don’t have a Bear Lake reservation then you can’t enter that area during reservation hours. On the other hand, if you do have a Bear Lake reservation you can access the main park also. Also please note that the Bear Lake Corridor requires a timed entry reservation all day (from 5 am to 6 pm). One last point to be stressed is that once you have entered the park using your timed entry reservation and paid your admission fee, you are free to enter and exit the park as much as you want the rest of the day. This is different from some other parks where once you’re in you can’t leave and re-enter. At RMNP you can. Go HERE to read about various entry fees and passes and to make your purchase, and go HERE to read more about the timed entry reservation system and to purchase reservations ($2 per daily reservation).
But besides Rocky Mountain National Park, there are many other things to do and see in Estes Park…
THE STANLEY HOTEL
Rich with history, you’ll find The Stanley Hotel with lots of fun stuff to do. This spooky historic hotel is known to be haunted with a few spirits, and after Stephen King stayed a few nights in Room 217 he was inspired to write The Shining (we’ve stayed in that room too!). Outside you’ll even find a Shining inspired hedge maze to walk through. History and ghost tours run daily and you can’t miss Aiden Sinclair’s incredible live shows! If you happen to be hungry there is also a restaurant there (dinner reservations recommended), a bar, and a coffee and ice cream shop in the basement.
SNOWY PEAKS WINERY
Snowy Peaks Winery has award winning Colorado wines with indoor and outdoor seating along with a super friendly and knowledgeable staff. Wine flights (seen above) are just $9 and a fun way to sample the amazing wines! A variety of cheeses, meats, crackers, and chocolates are available for purchase too. Snowy Peaks is open daily from 11-7 and they have live music every Friday on the patio in the summer.
MUSTANG MOUNTAIN COASTER
The Mustang Mountain Coaster is the newest addition to Estes Park. This alpine coaster has gorgeous views and lets you control the speed of your ride, fast or slow! Riders of at least 3 years old can ride with an adult. A single ride is $20 per person and a three pack ride is $35. Go for the three pack ride, it’s a great deal! Video of the experience is available for $10.
LAKE ESTES MARINA
Come to the Lake Estes Marina while you’re here and rent a boat, kayak, or canoe to cruise the lake in comfort and style. You can also bring your own boat and launch here for a small fee. Swimming and power sports are prohibited, but this makes for a more quiet and relaxing time on the water. Plus, we don’t want to scare the fish away! Fishing is available from your boat, the dock, or the shore, but be sure to get a license first. The marina also rents bikes and pedal carts for use on the Lake Estes Trail, and there are picnic tables and a pavilion nearby.
ESTES PARK AERIAL TRAMWAY
From late May to early September the Estes Park Aerial Tramway is open from 9-6. Covid restrictions have now been lifted and this tram is a great experience. You’ll take a 5 minute ride to the top with sweeping views of the mountains and the town, but once your ride ends the fun isn’t over! There is plenty to see and do at the top of the mountain. There is a gift shop, cafe, and plenty of mountain terrain to explore. The gift shop sells peanuts to feed the very friendly and chubby chipmunks that are around. They’ll come right up to you and some may want to eat out of your hand!
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Horseback riding – Sombrero Stables offers rides for those 6 and up. Whether you choose the 30 minute, 1 hour, or 2 hour ride you’ll see gorgeous views from your ride.
Main Street – A visit to Estes Park would not be complete without a walk down the main strip, Elkhorn Avenue. Here you will find many clothing and souvenir shops featuring Estes Park items and gifts, restaurants, candy and ice cream stores, and even a few Christmas stores.
Estes Park Historic Theatre – This historic theatre is the oldest single motion theatre still operating in the United States. Inside you’ll be swept back in time while watching today’s new and classic movies. A cafe is also available for drinks and snacks.
Rapid Transit Rafting – From June to September rafting trips are available from Estes Park for those 7 years and up. Half day trips are available on the Cache la Poudre and full day trips are available on the Colorado River, with lunch included.
Trout Haven Pond – This pond is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and a fun way to test your angling skills. Rods are available for rental and you pay for what you catch. They will also clean and pack what you catch. No license is required.
Coffee on the Rocks – Coffee, wine, beer, and snacks are available at this cute little coffee shop. There is plenty of outdoor seating along the pond with lots of friendly ducks and geese and it’s really fun to feed them! Cups of food are available for $1.
Green Jeep Tours – This tour company has a variety of tours to offer! Safari tours, hiking tours, brewery tours, and Grand Lake tours are available. This is a great way to explore Estes Park and the Rockies all while taking in fresh mountain air.
Estes Park Trolleys – This 3 hour tour is open from May-October and takes you up to some of the most amazing natural wonders in the lower level of Rocky Mountain National Park.
YMCA of the Rockies – Inside the beautiful YMCA camp you’ll find hiking trails, playgrounds, sports, arts and crafts, and even more family friendly activities available. Day passes are available for those staying off-site.
Golfing – Whether you are into mini-golf or the real thing, Estes Park has several courses to meet your needs.
Watch the elk – The Estes Park elk herds are world famous so be sure to take some time to drive around and look for them. In the summertime they tend to move up a little higher in the mountains to stay cool and avoid the crowds, but if you’re looking for them you’ll probably find them.
SHORT DAY TRIPS FROM ESTES PARK
If you’re looking for a quick get-away from Estes Park there are many of great options! Fort Collins, Boulder and Denver are easily doable in a day with plenty to do. But odds are you’re wanting mountain charm. Glen Haven is just a short drive down County Rd 43 switchbacks. There isn’t a lot to do in Glen Haven but the views are incredible and it’s a must to stop at the Glen Haven General Store for their famous cinnamon rolls! The Crosier Mountain trailhead is located near the General Store, depending on your skill level it can be a tough hike but the views are worth it!
Allenspark is a short drive and you’ll see amazing views of Longs Peak on the way. Similar to Glen Haven it’s a very small town, aside from the scenic views you can stop by Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock, which is absolutely stunning and you can pick up a slice of delicious pizza at the Rock Creek Tavern & Pizzeria. The Pizzeria is really charming and fun, however I highly suggest you call or check their Facebook page before heading that direction.
Lyons is a larger town with lots of quirky shops and restaurants, located down Hwy 36. Mojo Taqueria has some of the best tacos I’ve had!
If you take Trail Ridge Road (US 34) through RMNP and over the Continental Divide, the first town you will come to is Grand Lake. There you will find more shops and restaurants as well as more hiking trails and a beautiful lake with a couple of marinas that offer boat rentals. I could probably write an entire blog post just on Grand Lake, which I’ll probably do next! For now, though I at least want to recommend the Grand Lake Lodge for their restaurant and bar, Huntington House Tavern, which has stunning views and delicious food, and another delicious restaurant that we love called The Rapids.
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Bird and Jim – Shown above, this gorgeous restaurant is my favorite in Estes Park. The upscale food features lots of locally sourced ingredients. Everything is amazing, from the ahi tuna tacos to the pheasant chowder, it’s all delicious! Sunday brunch is a treat too, be sure and try a bacon bloody Mary! During peak hours this place gets really busy. Reservations are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.
Hunter’s Chophouse – With rustic wooden walls and antler chandeliers, Hunters features old fashioned mountain charm. They have a wide variety of unusual meats to choose from and an extensive wine list. Be sure to try the wild game brats sampler or the smoked elk carpaccio!
Twin Owls Steakhouse – Twin Owls recently moved into a new location too that includes indoor and outdoor dining with gorgeous mountain views. With an extensive menu you’ll find some of the best steaks and seafood around.
Smokin Dave’s BBQ – Definitely the best barbecue in Estes Park! Try my favorite, the pork green chili, or my husband’s favorite burger to tackle, the Manhandler! It’s definitely a popular place, so be prepared for a wait during peak dining hours.
The View – This restaurant is inside the Historic Crags Lodge and has beautiful views of Estes Park and the mountains. They shut down due to COVID but told us they plan to reopen in late June. The food was amazing and it’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. Definitely call to verify they’ve reopened and to check availability, I’ll update as soon as I hear more info!
Ed’s Cantina – Ed’s has a great riverside patio, and the best Mexican food we have found in Estes Park.
Cascades Restaurant & Lounge – Located inside The Stanley Hotel, the Cascades offers fine dining, the menu however is still limited due to COVID. Reservations are available at www.opentable.com.
Antonio’s Real New York Pizza – Hands down the best pizza in the area! They have so many creative pizzas to choose from! If you’re extra hungry try their 26 inch pizza! Dine in or pick up is available.
Burger’s and Gyros – Don’t let the shabby exterior of this building fool you, they have some of the best elk burgers, sides, and gyros! There is a drive-thru and also indoor dining available.
Nicky’s Steakhouse is another great favorite, but unfortunately it is temporarily closed due to a recent fire.
I didn’t review lodging because honestly there are too many incredible places! Whether you’re looking for a romantic place or a rustic cabin Estes Park has it all. If you’re thinking about booking a trip what are you waiting for? Not a summer traveler? Estes Park is also a great place to visit in the off season as well. VisitEstesPark.com has a year-round calendar of festivals and events you can see.
One of my favorite things about spring is the chance to freshen and update our home. I love changing up my home with the seasons but after the heavy winter season nothing is more satisfying than lightening up and brightening your home! So today I thought I would share five of my favorite tips for welcoming spring into your home!
GOOD OLD FASHIONED SPRING CLEANING
Nothing says your home is ready for spring than a good old fashioned spring clean! Purge all the winter clutter from your home and organize, organize, organize! This is my #1 tip for a wonderful spring home and it’s so therapeutic too!
STASH HEAVY WINTER ACCESSORIES
Say goodbye to those big heavy faux fur throw blankets, flannel sheets, fireplace logs, and all those pinecone accessories. Instead accent your fireplace with candles, swap out heavy fabrics with light fresh ones, and stash heavy decor items for ones that are bright and airy. This goes with home scents too. Toss those cinnamon spice candles and bring in fresh clean scents.
BRING THE OUTSIDE IN WITH PLANTS & FLOWERS
I love bringing new plants and fresh flowers into my home this time of year! Plants and flowers are starting to bloom and come back to life and so should your home. Adding these items into your home is the perfect way to add color and interest to your space and say hello spring!
ADD NEW TEXTURES
Nothing says spring (and summer too) better than bringing in fresh new textures into your home. Baskets, wooden trays, and accent pillows are a great way to add an earthy texture into your home. Heavy rugs can also be swapped out with lighter affordable indoor/outdoor rugs too.
UPDATE YOUR COLOR PALETTE
Spring is a great time to upgrade your color palette. In the winter I’m all about rich, warm, inviting colors and in the spring I like to welcome fresh bright colors and more neutrals into our home. A simple way to update your color palette is through throw pillows and light weight throw blankets. Framed art work and photos can easily be swapped out with nature and other lightweight prints.
Spring is such a terrific time to brighten your home up, and a spring home works well through summer too! A few simple changes can make your home shine! Do you have any favorite ways to transition your home from winter to spring?
It’s officially spring, who else is excited? I’m sharing one of our favorite family springtime treats that we make every year around the Easter season: birds nest no bake cookies! One year when my girls were little I made these adorable treats and ever since then they can’t have an Easter without them. They are now 17 and 19 and still ask for them and get excited when I make them, and they still have fun helping me shape each nest.
These springtime treats are the perfect festive treat and they’re so easy to make! Just 4 ingredients, a microwave, and some wax or parchment paper. It’s that easy and really fun making each nest!
In a large microwave safe bowl melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips every 30 seconds, stirring in between until they’re completely melted. Take care not to microwave them too long so they don’t burn. Once melted stir until smooth, toss in the chow mein noodles, and mix until blended. Spoon onto wax or parchment paper and shape into a nest. Top with candy, let them firm up, and you have the cutest treats!
Place the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a large microwave safe bowl.
Microwave in 30 second increments, stirrring each time until melted.
Stir until smooth and add chow main noodles, stirring until blended.
Spoon onto wax or parchment paper, shaping the nest, creating a slight low spot in the center to hold the eggs.
Add candy eggs to the center and let set until firm.
Our favorite candies to use are Cadberry candy coated mini eggs, Robin eggs, jelly beans, and Peep marshmallow birds. Not only are these Easter time treats easy and fun to make, they taste delicious too! Be sure to follow me on Instagram for my latest seasonal content! Wishing you a Happy Easter blog friends!
Sheet masks are the ultimate luxury for me. Don’t get me wrong… I love a good old fashioned regular face mask, but sheet masks are hands down my favorite way to pamper my skin. They’re easy to store and travel with and more sanitary than masks in jars.
Currently it’s winter in Colorado, and due to Covid I haven’t had a facial or been to a spa in a year. So yeah, I’ve definitely been on a mission for a while to find the perfect sheet mask. I reviewed 20 different sheet masks that range in price from $3.99-$35. My only criteria was that each mask be sold as a single. Many sheet masks are sold in a multi-pack, but most of us want to try a single first before we commit to an entire expensive box right? No matter how amazing a sheet mask looked, if it wasn’t sold individually I didn’t try it, and then of course I wanted to try a few others but they were out of stock.
I’m 43 with acne prone skin. My skin was oily living in Texas, but since living in Colorado it’s more normal to dry. My main goals in using sheet masks were to hydrate, plump, and brighten my skin.
FYI: These reviews are not sponsored in any way. All sheet masks were purchased with my own money, and these are my honest true opinions.
SHEET MASK TIPS
While you’re pampering your face why not pamper your mind as well? Lie back, turn the lights out, light a candle, and listen to relaxing music. Use this time to clear your mind and pray or meditate to get the most out of your experience.
For the ultimate luxury after applying the mask use a facial roller over the mask. I use my rose quartz roller and it feels amazing! It’s easier to roll your face with a paper sheet mask on rather than a gel. Gel masks tend to roll off with the roller sometimes.
Don’t waste one single drop! I make sure to get every drop out of each package and massage the liquid goodness into my neck, chest, arms, and hands. Once you’re finished with your sheet mask if you still feel a lot of moisture rub it along your body, don’t waste anything!
I know some people will place used sheet masks in a plastic bag in the refrigerator to save for another use. I’m a germaphobe so I don’t do this, plus I make it a point to use all the liquid up so there’s nothing left to save.
Some sheet masks leave a sticky or tacky residue and it’s definitely not desirable. I’ve found that in most cases this went away in around 20-30 minutes once my skin absorbed the product. Some remained sticky afterwards, but once I applied my regular skin care and makeup it felt much better. A few stayed sticky with makeup all day, below you’ll see which ones they are.
1. La Mer Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask $35 – A single use $35 sheet mask is ridiculous in price, so I was expecting a lot from this mask. I left this mask on for 20 minutes and rolled my face with my quartz roller, It felt heavenly. Afterwards my skin looked bright and hydrated, with a slight tackiness that quickly absorbed. Minutes later I found myself quickly needing a moisturizer. My makeup went on beautifully and my skin felt incredibly smooth the rest of the day. It’s a great mask but I felt for the price it could have done more. I doubt I’ll use these again due to the cost. I also find it ridiculous that the sheet mask is packaged inside a box, it’s a waste of packaging.
2. JLo That Limitless Glow Sheet Mask $18 – This two piece mask had ear loops for the upper and lower mask to attach to. A bonus is you can walk around while wearing it, the ear loops soon started hurting my ears though. About halfway through my ears started hurting so I had to tear the mask to make the ear loops bigger. When I removed the mask my skin felt very hydrated and once the product finished absorbing into my skin any tackiness was gone. Oddly my foundation went on really splotchy, especially around my eyes and nose, so that’s a deal breaker for me. Again not impressed the sheet mask was packaged inside a box, it’s pure waste.
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Mask $3.99 – This two piece gel mask was slightly awkward to put on and didn’t cover the sides of my face well. It took me a while to figure out which side was the front, but it felt very soothing and hydrating while I was wearing it. Afterwards my skin had a nice peachy glow, but once the leftover serum dried my skin feIt uncomfortably tight. I quickly grabbed a moisturizer. This is a might be a great budget mask to experiment with if you live in warm, humid climates. Living in Colorado I have to pass on this one.
4. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask $6 – This mask had a very rich almost heavy feeling. It felt wonderful on my skin and after absorbing all the product I felt like I didn’t need a moisturizer. My only regret was using this mask during the day instead of night. My skin looked a bit greasy and I had to blot some moisture off to apply my makeup. This would be an excellent evening mask in the winter so your skin can soak up all the moisturizing goodness overnight. I’ll be buying this mask again when my skin needs a big boost of moisture.
5. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask $12 – This sheet mask gets the award for most drippiest, which was ok with me I love saving and using all the liquid goodness. Afterward my skin tone looked dewy and well hydrated. My skin was just slightly tacky after applying makeup, but I was ok with it. I definitely enjoyed this mask and if you do save masks in the refrigerator this is a good one because the extra serum in the package.
6. STARSKIN Red Carpet Ready Hydrating Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Face Mask $11 – I loved this face mask! Afterward my skin looked beautifully hydrated with a great glow. There was no sticky residue and once all the product absorbed I didn’t feel a need for a moisturizer. My makeup went on like a dream, it looked like it had actually been airbrushed. I kept looking at my skin in the mirror off and on all day because it looked that good. I’m a definite fan of this sheet mask after seeing the results.
7. Wishful Thirst Trap – Cocoon Mask $9 – This mask made my face itchy… maybe due to the caffeine? After 20 minutes I gladly ripped it off. I was worried I would have a reaction from the itching but luckily I didn’t. Skin felt hydrated afterwards but the itching makes this mask a no for me.
8. Sephora Collection Spirulina Face Mask $5.50 – This spiraling face mask says it focuses on hydration and anti-pollution. Years ago I had a bad experience with Sephora sheet masks on an overnight flight. It was my first time using a sheet mask and it left me wet, drippy, and very sticky, but I decided to push through and give Sephora masks another try. The package says to leave on for 5 minutes but that’s such a short time so I did 20. Surprisingly I enjoyed this mask, my skin felt hydrated and soft. It did feel a bit tacky after removing but that went away in 15 minutes. I actually preferred the Sephora Lychee mask a little more over this one, but this one is still a great option.
9. TONYMOLY I’m Real Aloe Mask Sheet $3.75 – Immediately the cutesy packaging threw me off but I decided to go ahead and give this sheet mask a fair chance. Instantly we were off to a bad start. The mask didn’t fit well over my eyes and mouth, I had to rip them to get them to fit. Instantly I felt the tiniest bit of irritation but I decided to push through. 10 minutes later I literally ripped it off. My skin was bright red, my eyelids felt extremely itchy and irritated, and my entire face was sticky. I ended up washing my face to get it off. This one was a hard no for me.
10. No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Serum Boost Sheet Mask $5.99 – My favorite thing about this mask is it has an attached neck mask included. As exciting as that was, I had a hard time keeping the neck mask in place, even while on my back. My skin had an undeniable glow afterwards, felt hydrated, and my makeup applied smoothly. At around $6 this is a fantastic budget mask that gives good results.
11. Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Double Wrapping Cream Face Mask $15 – This two piece cream based mask was one of the best face fitting masks I wore. It felt wonderful on my skin and afterwards my skin did look hydrated, plump, and firm. When I removed the mask I had a lot of white residue on my face that I was able to massage into my skin, this could possibly be an issue for darker skin tones. I’ll definitely be using this mask again, especially before taking photos.
12. TONYMOLY Intense Care Snail Gold 24K Hydrogel Mask $10 – I was a little nervous using this mask mainly because I had such a bad experience with the TONYMOLY Aloe, but also the word snail was throwing me off a bit. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this mask. Afterwards my skin looked plump and hydrated. I did a quick target run and again I had a skin compliment from a stranger and that’s with half my face covered with a mask. Will order again. At $10 it’s a definite repurchase for me. By the way this is the mask I’m wearing in the above photo.
13. Oh K! Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Sheet Mask $6 – This two gel piece mask had a pretty iridescent look. I wasn’t expecting much from this mask. I think it was the cutesy packaging. When I took the mask off my skin looked plump and had a nice glow. An hour later my skin felt very moisturized but also incredibly sticky. Although this mask gave my skin a nice glow it was the stickiest mask by far that I used. An hour later my face was still very sticky after using my skincare and makeup. A hard no for me.
14. Lancome Advanced Genifique Hydrogel Melting Rejuvenating Face Mask $15 – This gel mask felt great on and had a nice pleasant scent. After removing I felt some hydration benefits and my skin had a slight tacky feeling. Nothing really good or bad really stood out about this mask. It was pretty basic, some hydration but without any other benefits. I probably won’t use it again unless it’s on sale.
15. Dr. Jart+ Dermamask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution $6 – This is a fantastic hydrating mask for the price and definitely my favorite Dr. Jart+ sheet mask. Afterwards my skin felt and looked so nourished and hydrated. It delivered the perfect amount of moisture without being too heavy or sticky. My makeup also went on very nicely after using this mask. Being at such a great price I’ll definitely be repurchasing.
16. Sephora Collection Lychee Face Mask $5.50 – The lychee mask is listed as a moisture and glow mask. So far it’s my favorite Sephora mask and I loved the heavenly scent. I found it very hydrating but in a light feeling way, with no sticky residue. I do think my skin needed a little more moisture because I quickly needed a moisturizer, but at under $6 I still found it enjoyable and beneficial. When I’m looking to restock sheet masks around the $6 mark I’ll gladly pick up another one of these.
17. Dr. Jart+ Dermask Micro Jet Brightening Solution $9 – Not only did my skin feel fantastic after this, I glowed for days! I used this the morning before our Las Vegas trip. With the sun, alcohol, and lack of sleep Vegas isn’t exactly easy on the skin. This little gem saved my skin, I saw the lasting effects well into the week. Great hydrating and brightening mask.
18. Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber with Brightening Vitamin C Mask $14 – I thought this mask was such a silly gimmick, but the reality was the mask looked nothing like the cover. First you rub a cream on your face and they you apply a rubbery 2 piece cheap face mask over the top. It slid around and didn’t stay in place, and when I removed the mask I had lot of leftover residue that I eventually dabbed off. Later that day my skin did look good, but I won’t be repurchasing this because of the silly unnecessary amount of waste this product produced. Afterwards you’ll be left with an unnecessary pile of garbage.
19. Farmacy Hydrating Coconut Gel Sheet Mask $6 – I couldn’t get this mask to stay on properly, it kept lifting especially around my eyes and nose. Afterwards my skin felt hydrated and not sticky but I didn’t think this mask was anything special. There are many other sheet masks for around $6 I’d rather use.
20. Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask $22 – The nice thing about this mask is it’s dry so it’s mess free and reusable up to 3 times. It’s a great option when your skin needs a nice boost before a date night or special occasion. I definitely saw results, my skin looked fresh and plump the rest of the day and my makeup went on smooth like butter. If you do get 3 uses it makes the price a little over $7 per use which is more reasonable.
I loved so many of these sheet masks, and I’ll definitely be repurchasing them, but I decided to pick 5 overall winners.
I used all these sheet masks in a 4 week period, taking notes as I went. After using all of these masks my skin looked insanely good, almost like I had laser treatments done. So yeah, you can definitely say I’m hooked!
Does dry winter skin have you down? If so it’s time to indulge with this DIY rose petal green tea body scrub! I love creating body scrubs and this time I wanted to create the ultimate feminine body scrub.
Combining Rose petals and green tea with a double dose of skin hydrating oil is a perfect luxurious at-home spa treatment. Not only does it smell incredible it does magic for your skin. Colorado winters are brutal on the skin, but since exfoliating my body in the shower 1-2 times a week and using this scrub daily for my hands my skin is incredibly soft and hydrated.
I always like to give my scrubs a hint of color with food coloring for visual appeal, this is optional however. Just two drops of regular grocery store red food coloring creates this lovely dusty rose pink. If you’re worried about your towels staining have no fear, I promise it won’t stain. I have white towels and I’ve never seen a trace of color on any of our towels after using my scrubs.
A combination of coconut and grapeseed oil gives the skin incredible hydration. I recommend using refined coconut oil because it doesn’t have that coconut smell, but that’s up to you.
To create that heavenly rose scent we use rose petals and rose water. Rose petals are easy to find and affordable. Craft stores usually sell them in the soap making aisle or you can buy a huge food grade bag from Amazon like I did. You can also dry your own petals if your up for it.
Rose water is usually found at specialty grocery stores, cooking stores, and of course Amazon. I used this one. You can also use rose oil (good quality is expensive) or a rose oil blend. It’s more potent than rosewater so you’ll probably only need a few drops.
Another tip: If your rose petals are large like mine run them through a mini food processor or crush them by hand. By doing this 99% of the rose petals easily go down the drain.
I’m so in love with this body scrub (and my girls are too) that I created a larger batch than usual. Feel free to make a half batch if that works best for you. Or keep one batch for yourself and give another away to a friend who needs a little pampering too.
1/2cuprefined coconut oil (refined has no coconut smell)
2 dropsred food coloring (optional)
1tsprose water (or a few drops rose oil)
2cupssugar
1/2cuprose petals
4green tea bags, opened
2Tbsgrapeseed oil (olive & almond oil work great too)
Instructions
In a medium size bowl add coconut oil and mix with a spoon or fork until it softens up. Do not melt the oil!
Add rose water and food coloring to the coconut oil and stir to blend.
Add sugar, green tea, and rose petals to the coconut mixture.*If your rose petals are large crush them by hand or run them through a mini food processor.
Using a spoon, mix the ingredients together until it's almost blended, then use your fingers to completely blend the mixture.
Drizzle grapeseed oil evenly over the scrub mixture and quickly blend together using your hands.
Store in an airtight container.
Like all my body scrubs I recommend using them on the body only, not your face. In the past I’ve said it’s okay to use homemade body scrubs within 2-3 weeks. That’s just a general guideline, but sealed in airtight containers I’ve found a few body scrubs months later and they are perfectly fine.
What are you waiting for? Go turn your winter dry skin into winter happy skin.
Decorating for Valentine’s Day is always a dream for me. The roses, the hearts, and all the pink and red… I really can’t get enough. Having a well dressed table is always important to me during any holiday. It sets the mood and brings the family together in a fun and festive way.
Today I’m sharing with you this simple Valentine’s Day tablescape that you can put together in minutes.
SUPPLIES NEEDED
A platter of some sort
Vase
Roses, red or pink
Water and scissors for the flowers
Valentine’s Day themed candy
Valentine’s Day Decor, bowls, cards, anything really
Coordinating Pink, red, or white plates and napkins
Start by arranging the flowers in a vase. I find a rubber band is excellent for keeping flowers together when you’re using a narrow vase. No worries, if you cut a stem too short you can easily adjust it with the rubber band. Plus it’s much easier to change out the water using the rubber band method. If your vase is clear you can cover the rubber band with twine or ribbon instead. This is optional though.
Add the vase and any decorative objects you’re using to the platter. Fill the surrounding area with candy of your choice. Take care there is no water outside the vase that would cause the candy to bleed.
Now it’s time to set the table, so break out all those pink, white, and red dishes. I’m using my everyday white dishes paired with Le Crueset heart dishes. I bought them last year and as of now they’re unavailable, but hopefully they’ll make a return next year. You can still find some heart items on their website and don’t forget about Ebay. Um… I may or may not stay up into the wee hours of the night looking for retired Le Creuset items on Ebay.
Sniff… the napkins were Pier One. RIP. The vase was a find from Safeway, I’ve yet to find one like this online. If you live near a Safeway or sister grocery store check the floral section. I’m on a roll here, nothing is available! Haha… but all you need is just some V-Day inspo right?
Below are some Valentine’s Day themed items still available so you can set your own fabulous V-Day table.
Currently Le Crueset is offering free heart shaped ramekins with a $200 purchase, and Martha Stewart also makes a beautiful set.
Remember Ebay when your looking for retired or out of stock heart Le Crueset!
Red makes my heart sing for Valentine’s Day, but what about a pretty pink and white theme? Pink roses and conversation hearts with pink and white dishes? Oh my… I may just be doing that next year.
This tablescape so cute and quick to put together. What are you going to do with all that extra time? Eat chocolate of course!
Ouray, Colorado, known as the Switzerland of America, is such a beautiful and unique place to visit. We always like to take a winter vacation after Christmas and I discovered this little gem last minute while searching for hot springs. Pronounced “you-ray”, this winter paradise is surrounded by 13,000-foot snowy peaks from the San Juan mountain range, and has lots of relaxation and adventure to offer.
The town of Ouray seemed especially quiet after Christmas, which we loved. Having no traffic lights just made this snowy town all the more charming, and as long as you’re bundled up nice and warm a large majority of the town is walkable. There is so much to see and do, and I’m really excited to share all our hot and cold adventures with you! Ouray instantly has become one of my favorite Colorado towns.
In 2021, we’re still dealing with Covid, so of course not everything was open and that was fine with us. Just keep in mind if you’re reading this post-Covid there should be even more things available.
THINGS TO DO
SHOP ON MAIN STREET
I really enjoyed Khristopher’s Culinaire and the Ouray Bookshop was another favorite. There are lots of quirky stores and souvenir, clothing, and gear shops to choose from. There is also a small grocery store if you need to pick up a few items.
SOAK IN THE HOT SPRINGS
I’m definitely addicted to hot springs! Soaking in a 104-degree mineral pool is just heavenly. There are many hot springs to enjoy in the area including the Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa, where we stayed. They have a main hot spring pool and a private hot spring that is available by reservation. They also have a vapor cave which sounds amazing (but it’s closed currently due to Covid) and a spa below. Orvis Hot Springs is just a short drive to Ridgeway and gorgeous. There’s also the Ouray Hot Springs, which is perfect for the entire family with several pools to choose from and waterslides. The Twin Peaks Lodge also has a hot spring on site.
GO ICE CLIMBING
Ice climbing was another thing that excited me about visiting Ouray, they’re known for some of the best ice climbing terrain around. Seasoned ice climbers can climb for free at the Ouray Ice Park. If you’re a beginner like me have no fear. You can take a lesson from the San Juan Mountain Guides and have fun climbing the beginner route. It’s really fun to watch others climb too.
Ice climbing was actually easier than I thought it would be, that is once you get the moves down. It’s fun, but also a bit exhausting… and cold. The day we climbed was one of the coldest days, and it was heavily snowing. Having said that, Brian and I both loved it and can’t wait to do it again.
HIKE TO THE FALLS
I just love waterfalls, even if they’re frozen. Cascade Falls is an easy walk from the parking lot, even in the snow. Those who have hiking poles can walk up a little farther like we did. There is a surrounding trail nearby too. Box Canyon Falls is located near the Ouray Ice Park and quite impressive from what I hear but sadly it was closed the day we tried to visit. That’s okay, it’s just another excuse to visit again, right?
ADMIRE THE GORGEOUS ARCHITECTURE
There are lots of beautiful and unique historic homes and buildings all throughout Ouray. I just couldn’t get enough, I took photos of so many places! Driving and walking around the town looking at all the gorgeous architecture was really fun.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Telluride is a little over an hour away and makes a great day trip to ski, dine, or shop. Be sure to take the free gondola to Mountain Village it was the best gondola rides we’ve done.
The Wright Opera House is currently closed due to Covid but they plan to re-open when it’s safe. There are a few interesting museums in the area, and plenty of spas available too, which we didn’t have time to enjoy.
WHERE TO EAT
We had so many delicious meals, here are our favorite places where we ate.
Bon Ton Restaurant – Delicious Italian food with a neat underground location. Try the scallop pot pie appetizer!
Artisan Bakery and Cafe– Yummy breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Try the turkey salad sandwich!
Colorado Boy Southwest Pub – Locals say they have some of the best pizza in Colorado. We agree it was delicious!
Brickhouse 737 – Okay, we didn’t get to eat here but locals say it’s one of the best restaurants so I had to include it. Next time we visit (can’t wait) we’ll be sure to eat here.
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed at The Wiesbaden to take advantage of their private hot spring pool. The rooms were charming and sweet and the water felt amazing. Currently there is no breakfast or coffee due to Covid. The Artisan Bakery and Cafe was a short walk from our hotel, there is also another nearby coffee shop as well.
I can’t really speak for other lodging in the area since we only stayed at the Wiesbaden, but the Beaumont Hotel and Spa looked wonderful, as well as the St. Elmo Hotel. The Twin Peaks Lodge also has their own hot spring on site so that’s a bonus. When it’s possible we love to book through Hotels.com because you find the best price and you earn points for free nights.
Have I convinced you to visit Ouray? It’s such a unique charming town to visit in the winter and we can’t wait to visit again!
