When I think of Easter, I often think about how special and beautiful my mother always makes the holiday. She makes our family’s recipe for dinner rolls, passed down from Welsh women one generation to the next; heat rising off them as they sit waiting in a bread basket. And she always has the most beautiful Easter baskets prepared. (Just like our stockings at Christmas, the adults are not forgotten!) In each Easter basket, my mother places a spring Steiff animal. Some years we’ve received baby chicks, lambs, or bunnies… The animals may vary, but we always look forward to finding them in our baskets Easter morning. This year, I was thrilled to incorporate some spring Steiff animals into our breakfast table decor. I can’t help thinking little ones would be delighted by them!
Our breakfast table is where we eat most of our meals, so I usually decorate a tablescape in our dining room instead. But I knew I wanted to center my tablescape around these charming bunny egg cups I recently picked up; they are so quaint I knew they belonged on our rustic little breakfast table. The egg cups are currently only available in store, but I found one set on eBay and I also discovered another style of bunny egg cups I love. If you don’t typically use egg cups, they’re perfect for holding a soft-boiled egg steady as you tap off the top and dip your spoon in. When I was a little girl, my mother would make me a soft-boiled egg (four-minute boil) then cut a slice of buttered toast into thin pieces for dipping into the runny egg. They call this dish “egg and soldiers” in the U.K.
What Easter traditions do you celebrate in your family?
I’m a girl that loves snowy destinations. Especially here in Colorado; the sun is shining overhead, the ground is covered in fluffy mountain snow vs. the Midwestern ice slicks I grew up with, and there is a plethora of breathtaking snow-dusted views everywhere you look. This year, we only had a few snow days in Denver and I had been dying to visit Aspen after hearing so many glowing reviews from family and friends. So for my birthday, my husband planned the sweetest Aspen vacation. It had been over a year since we had vacationed for anything other than work, weddings, or to visit family, so we went all out and made it really special. Speaking of going all out… Another thing I particularly enjoy about wintry destinations is the ability to experience new restaurants guilt-free because I’m layered in scarves and sweaters. Let’s all raise a glass to those stretchy ski pants, shall we?!
Aspen is a tiny city in the Rocky Mountains that flourished with the Colorado silver mining rush in the 1880’s. Quaint little Victorian storefronts and houses still dot the picturesque town; the saloons and boarding houses having given way to designer boutiques and five-star restaurants. If you’re sensitive to altitude like I am, you may prefer 8k ft. high Aspen to other mountain towns at higher elevations. And unlike other mountain towns I’ve visited, there’s truly something for everyone in Aspen, even if you don’t like skiing.
After hearing how many celebrities frequent Aspen, I was concerned it would be too flashy and loud for my taste… Not the case. It’s definitely a luxurious spot to vacation, but it’s luxe in a casual way that also allows you to wear a cowboy hat and jeans to the best restaurants; relaxed in a way only the American West can pull off. Think Ralph Lauren style: cozy sweaters, lots of denim and leather, cashmere blankets, and vintage maps and Native American prints on the walls.
Below I’ve organized all my favorite stops, eats, and shops to help you out if you’re planning an Aspen getaway. (Trust me, you will after reading this!)
Where To Stay
If you haven’t spent much time at altitude, you may want to be a bit careful when traveling to the mountains. You may have a headache, feel queasy, and alcohol will affect you quickly. Be sure to stay hydrated and request a humidifier from the hotel ahead of time. Our hotel even refilled our water tank each day and night.
We chose to stay at the St. Regis because of the resort atmosphere. Spacious rooms, plenty of outdoor space, and a luxe spa make this a great destination for those who like a large hotel property with spaces to explore. The on-property restaurants were delicious and each night we took advantage of the outdoor fireplaces with hot chocolate and s’mores, then soaked in the hot tubs surrounded by a patio with a heated floor. Even a week wasn’t enough; we wanted to move in!
My readers told me so many great things about this rumored-to-be-haunted property, we had to stop by and have lunch here one day. Although its an Auberge resort, the Hotel Jerome will be right up your alley if you’re into boutique hotels because of the intimate atmosphere and vintage touches. The interior is moody, romantic, and perfectly Aspen.
One of our favorite things to do each day was simply explore the charming village of Aspen. Grab comfy boots and a hot coffee and weave your way through quaint bookstores, browse antiques, and pop into art galleries. Into art? Take a peek at the Aspen Art Museum. Or catch a performance at Wheeler Opera House or Theatre Aspen. History buffs might enjoy the Wheeler Stallard Museum or the Holden Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum. The breathtaking Maroon Bells were closed during our stay, but are said to be the most-photographed peaks in North America.
My husband surprised me with a dog sledding experience at Krabloonik. Located in nearby Snowmass, guests get to take in stunning Colorado backcountry views while being pulled by a team of sled dogs. Speaking of the pups, arrive a bit early so you can have time to meet the pups. We went on the twilight ride just before sunset, stopping halfway for a cup of hot cocoa by a campfire in the woods. After the ride, you can purchase professional photos of your adventure and have dinner in the Krabloonik restaurant. I can’t speak for the restaurant because we went back to Aspen for dinner, but the dog sledding experience itself is well worth it.
Isn’t it the best when you try something new and end up loving it?! That’s how I felt about snowshoeing. Similar to hiking, you can choose the trails that correspond to your desired level of physical exertion. The snowshoes allow you to stay on top of the snow and experience some of the most breathtaking views. We went snowshoeing up to lunch at the Pine Creek Cookhouse. Our snowshoe experience began by exploring the Ashcroft ghost town. After a brisk uphill climb, then a leisurely twisting snow path with incredible views, we reached the mountainside restaurant where we had lunch as the snow began to fall outside. We took the easy path back down the mountain and made our way into Aspen before twilight.
This place is seriously Instagram-worthy. Outdoor French bistro meets mountain town in the best way possible. It’s the perfect spot for lunch between activities or a cozy evening meal. They aren’t open for breakfast, but are known for their delicious crêpes!
This was our first dinner spot in Aspen and I loved it. Cache Cache calls itself an “upscale French American bistro” and though I found the French component a bit sparse, it was delightfully delicious. I had the foie gras and rainbow trout and both were done to perfection; the foie gras was especially creamy and flavorful.
TIP: In high altitude, I like to order a glass of rosé with ice cubes (wine connoisseurs feel free to cringe here) because I’ve found it’s the only way I won’t get a headache after even a half glass of wine.
So many people recommended this restaurant to me prior to our trip and when we sat down for lunch it all made sense; White House Tavern is part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group. Hillstone and Cherry Creek Grill are probably our two favorite restaurants in Denver; they’re cozy and consistent and delicious. White House Tavern has a mix of both menus along with a few unique items set in a tiny, quaint Victorian house. If you’re from Denver and looking to try new places, it might be best to experience Hillstone or Cherry Creek Grill in Denver and try some unique-to-Aspen spots. But as always, the Hillstone Restaurant Group is consistent so you’ll never leave one of their restaurants disappointed.
This was my favorite restaurant in Aspen. The interior feels like walking into an 1880’s saloon; it was dark and sexy and romantic. The food was honestly incredible; one of the best meals we’ve ever had. I started with the tuna tartare, had the Dover sole for my main, and we ended with the bread pudding. Best bread pudding I’ve had in my life. It’s worth just going for a coffee or glass of wine and that incredible bread pudding. We also noticed that the waiter kept checking on us from afar and left us to chat and enjoy our meal; that perfect balance is a true art. If you go to one restaurant in Aspen, let it be this one!
If you live in Denver and love sushi and seafood, you may have tried Matsuhisa in Cherry Creek. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa infuses creativity to Japanese cuisine; if you’ve never eaten at one of his restaurants, it’s worth a visit. The energy and vibe in Matsuhisa was more upbeat and exciting than other restaurants; this would be a nice spot for a girls’ night or for dinner before going out.
We spent over an hour in this shop, talking to the owner. This place is a fascinating little treasure trove of vintage pieces and one-of-a-kind antiques. There are WW2 binoculars and vintage Louis Vuitton luggage; just a great mix of pieces collectors will love.
We were walking one day and stumbled across this little gem of a bookshop. If my husband weren’t with me I would have spent hours browsing the stacks. I found a few books and a beautifully scented candle; it wasn’t difficult to find something in this shop! I’ve heard the bistro above the bookshop is delicious; it focuses on nutrient-dense, seasonal foods.
Another little gem we stumbled across! This little Victorian house is filled with beautiful consigned pieces, ranging from furniture to decor. You know I love the thrill of the hunt; scouring antique shops and estate sales for that perfect vintage item. I was happy to find a pair of framed original fashion sketches by Dior and Givenchy here at an absolute steal.
This shop has beautiful home decor and its where I discovered my new favorite candle brand, Baobab. They are giant candles that smell absolutely incredible. My favorite scents are “Feathers” and “Women”.
This moderately priced shop has a relaxed mix of casual clothing, shoes, and gifts. I found the softest long-sleeved ‘Aspen’ thermals here. It’s a great place to pick up a gift as well; I left with a charming canvas market tote and candles and fragrances from Maison Louis Marie.
Designer Boutiques
Aspen is known for the incredible high-end designers that line its snowy streets. It’s honestly so funny to see brands like Prada, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, and Dior in such a tiny, quaint little town. We do have some designers in Denver, but what I really enjoyed in Aspen was the lack of crowds and the attention the sales associates could give each customer. Take a peek in feminine, classic Dior. Louis Vuitton is worth a browse because they had a larger selection than the Denver LV. Moncler is a treat to go in because their wintry pieces are so timeless and high quality.
I love it when you do travel posts! We skied Winter Park this year and while the skiing was great, the town was missing something. I can’t wait to try Aspen! Thank you!
Thank you, Julie! It makes me so happy to hear you like this kind of post! I really love exploring and gathering all the details to share here. I think you would really love the restaurants and shopping in Aspen. Everything is so charming! Let me know if you go and try any of the spots I mentioned!
Do you remember when you were little and your mother telling you to come in from playing outside and take a bath sounded like the most dreadful thing you could imagine? And now (if you’re like me) you might be out somewhere lively and wishing you could magically teleport yourself back home and into the bath tub with a hair mask on your head?
The bath tub is my happy place; where I can relax and do a beauty treatment or two along the way. To encourage happy thoughts, I’ve surrounded myself with a framed picture of Paris, a wooden sign from our wedding ceremony, and a crystal jar stocked with bath bombs and bubble bars. In this post, I’m sharing my tried-and-true bath favorites I keep in this beautiful bath caddy with you. So get ready for a… Good, long soak.
This beautiful oil contains an intoxicating blend of over twenty-five pure flower and plant essences including organic lavender, petitgrain, and ylang ylang. I like to put several drops in the water for a little extra moisture and a lot of calming aromatherapy. If I’m planning on washing my hair the next day, I’ll give myself a little scalp massage with this oil, rub it into the ends of my hair, and twist my hair up into a bun for an overnight hair treatment.
I like to drizzle some of this luxurious honey bath in the water; it’s not really a bubble bath, but it does add a bit of suds and a little moisture too. I also use it for a deliciously-scented, luxe body wash mid-soak. My mother and I gift this product to one another all the time; it’s our favorite!
As I mentioned above, I keep a jar of bath bombs and bubble bars beside my bath tub. My favorites are from Lush Cosmetics; they come in the most gorgeous colors and are all handmade. We used to walk by the Lush store all the time when we lived in London and I remember being mesmerized by the bright piles of bath bombs and their scent that floated out of the store.
Do you like bubbles with your bath? Try this pretty pink Rose Jam Bubble Bar. Need extra moisture in the form of luxurious oil? Try this yummy Marshmallow Moment bath oil. Want a colorful bath with a romantic fragrance… And maybe a tiny floating rose blossom? Add the Sex Bomb bath bomb. Each time I use one of these, I feel so pampered; they make wonderful gifts as well!
If you’re more into bath soaks or bath salts with a bit less color and scent, try the bath salts from Fig+Yarrow here in Denver.
This buttery-smooth cleansing balm is so soft and hydrating on skin. It erases all traces of makeup, cleanses skin, and leaves a glowy complexion in its silky wake. Bonus? It comes with a gentle cleansing cloth too. I like using this as my first cleansing step to “take the day off”.
This scrub has the most perfect, creamy texture. It’s not too scratchy and is gentle enough to use daily, but is substantial enough to remove dead, dull skin. The result? Soft, illuminated, and brighter skin.
This quick mask packs quite the punch. It reduces impurities, absorbs excess oil, and minimizes pores. Use it to give your skin a weekly detox and help makeup go on more smoothly.
I prefer to use cleansing oil after a facial mask because I find that oils remove the mask without undoing the benefits the mask just gave to my skin. I can’t seem to find this peony cleansing oil anywhere, so I’ve linked another favorite cleansing oil of mine.
The most scrumptiously-scented body scrub I have ever come across; I instantly fell in love with its fresh, energizing blend of lemongrass, coconut, jojoba, and vanilla. This gem of a product removes dry skin and then somehow melts to moisturize skin. A similar product made specifically for lips is this lip scrub.
This is the product that introduced me to facial oils. A secret of French women for decades, oils hydrate and nourish the skin in a way other products simply cannot. After cleansing and masking, treat your skin to extra hydration by jade rolling (see below) this beautiful brightening and tightening oil into skin.
Although jade rollers have been used in Asia for ages, they have only recently been embraced by the American beauty community. Rolling a cool, smooth stone like jade across the skin de-puffs and drains excess liquids, increases circulation, and rejuvenates facial muscles. I like jade rolling under my eyes in the mornings, but I’ve noticed massaging products into my skin at night helps to increase their absorption. Another tip? Tuck this baby into your bag with a small bottle of oil while traveling and jade roll mid-flight to prevent puffiness after landing.
After a really busy day I love to come home and have a bath to unwind. And these products look really amazing! I will be adding them to my shopping list. Thank you for sharing!
I love your style, so feminine and full of clean lines. I like your posts, it seems so much thought goes into each and every one and are very detailed than what I see on on most blogs. I do look forward to taking my time to read each post through and let it all sink in. Furthermore, I am so excited now that you have been posting more often. You have changed my lifestyle (be it fashion – styling classic pieces, home decor, and personal hygiene/grooming tips) for the better in so many ways !!
Cozy and home. Those words go so beautifully together, don’t they? I was thinking about cozy layers you could add easily to any outfit during this transitional month of March. And then my sweet little house sold this week; the house I lived in during college and law school, rented out to friends, and have been renting out ever since I left. About a million years ago, I wrote an article when I moved to Los Angeles and still felt homesick for my little townhouse and my friends in the Midwest. I discussed the concept of ‘home’ and what truly makes a place feel like we are home. In short, it’s the people around us. It’s the memories we make while in that place, the experiences we share with others.
I’ve seen friends posting about selling their houses and they often describe a bittersweet feeling; a tugging feeling that makes them hesitant to leave the place they lived when they first married, had their baby, or adopted their troublesome little pup. Now I understand that feeling. I’m so excited for the new owner to make memories of their own. But all the memories I’ve made in that place came rushing back to me this week. Sitting around the television in yoga pants with friends, crying over Blair and Chuck. Eating Lucky Charms at 3 AM while my friends and I studied for a morning Philosophy exam together. Dancing barefoot on the sofas with my roommates after a particularly fun night out. Crying over boys. Crying over getting into law school. Walking to the Saturday farmer’s market downtown. Meeting my future husband in the driveway behind our townhouses. Seeing my kitchen covered in case briefs; a depressing sight if you’ve never witnessed it. Deliriously staying up until 4 AM to watch the royal wedding with my best friends, burning my hand on the egg pan, and skipping my morning workout that day. Teaching myself to make YouTube videos from my bedroom; if you’ve ever seen any of my first ones, they’re awful. But making them gave me such joy. I hope the new owner makes memories that give them joy and make them feel hesitant to leave that house someday.
This wrap is kind of like coming home. It’s a cozy, comforting wrap that’s easy to wear; the arm holes help it stay on your shoulders or slouched off the shoulders around your elbows without falling off. You easily can add it over a tee and jeans or toss it over a fitted t-shirt dress. It’s one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. This bag is the original Louis Vuitton Manhattan; LV recently released a new Manhattan bag. I get so many compliments on this bag, but I have to say, all the hardware and pockets make it really heavy. I personally don’t mind a heavy handbag, but if you’re picky about this or have any shoulder issues, I would opt for another style.
Fit Details:The wrap is one-size-fits-all. This denim shirt I’m wearing is my favorite; it runs true to size and isn’t too long, so it can easily be tucked into pants or a skirt. The denim I’m wearing is sold out (I found one last size here) but I’ve linked a similar pair I like and you should go up one size for both brands.
Thank you, Lindsay! I really appreciate that. It is hard, but you’re right… Someday the house we’re in now will be difficult to part with because of all our special memories here. It’s true what they say; home is where the heart is.
oh my goodness your eggs are so cute!
briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com
Thank you, Briana! They’re just vase fillers… I bought two packages to fill this bowl. I love that I’ll be able to use them again next year!
xo Brittany