a lifestyle, family and travel blog
This year we spent Thanksgiving in Sonoma with our families. It was equal parts incredible and difficult. On the one hand, we love wine country, it's our happy place, and we'll take pretty much any excuse to visit but traveling with kids brings a whole new set of challenges - especially in Napa/Sonoma - which is NOT the most kid/baby friendly destination. But we powered through and really had a lovely time creating memories with our family.
We just returned from our first vacation as a family of four and honestly, I'm exhausted - LOL! Trips with kids really aren't all that relaxing but they're rewarding in their own way and it was nice to get out of the city, leave the craziness of selling the condo/buying the house behind and just spend time together before I head back to work. Click here to read our full Cape Cod Itinerary!
We booked this trip last minute, in true Kara fashion, when we realized this may be our only opportunity to get away before the baby arrives. It was a baby moon, family vacation, spring break and a celebration of me going back to work all wrapped up into one trip. We traveled with Palmer and Kevin was working remotely Monday - Wednesday so it wasn't a super relaxing vacation by any stretch but it was a nice change of scenery and a chance to see some sunshine. Click here to find out where we stayed, what we did and our favorite restaurants in Rosemary Beach!
Apparently it's a thing! We just returned from our family trip down to Rosemary Beach and I'm a bit obsessed with this area. I'm planning to share our full itinerary soon but first I want to cover the 30A area of Florida because I had never previously heard of it. Technically, 30A [aka County Road 30A] is about a 20-mile stretch in the Florida panhandle between Destin and Panama City.
I'm starting a series I've been wanting to do forever focused on visiting Chicago during the four different seasons. My plan is to highlight different things to do and places to eat that are fitting for that particular season. I've formatted this post like an itinerary and tried my best to remain geographically and logistically conscious since Chicago and it's charming neighborhoods can be challenging to navigate if you aren't familiar with the city. I want these itineraries to represent the best of Chicago and therefore will not being taking COVID restrictions into consideration. Click in to continue reading!
Kevin and I took advantage of a generous offer from my parents to watch Palmer while we snuck off for a mini getaway to Kohler, Wisconsin over New Years weekend. If I'm being honest, this trip was a welcome respite. I'd been feeling off since New Year's morning and this trip, however short, was the [...]
Another oldie but goodie from the archives! I figured I'd share because it's been exactly almost five years since my three girlfriends and I visited the island of Puerto Rico. Plus, since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory it's one of the few places open to American tourists right now. Without rereading the post first, the most memorable things from this trip include, the colorful and charming town of Old San Juan, snorkeling with sea turtles and sting rays on Culebra Island, beautiful Flamenco Beach [also on Culebra Island], the strangely good Chinese food at Tayzan and the tasty acai bowls from Bajuice Juice Bar. Read on for more details!
I can't believe it's been four years since I last visited Seattle. For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to live in Seattle. People think I'm crazy because of how gray and rainy Seattle is said to be. Our trip was really no different but I just love the Pacific Northwest. I spot checked and most of our itinerary still seems relevant so hopefully it's useful if you ever find yourself up that way.
We just got home from the most incredible anniversary trip to Oregon! The Pacific-Northwest has long been a favorite destination of mine and Kevin has never been so it seemed like the perfect getaway to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. Of course we're also in the midst of COVID-19 so we needed to find a destination that would allow us entry without a quarantine period coming from Chicago.
Like most people, we've had to cancel several trips due to COVID-19 and have been dying to get out of our city condo and travel somewhere - anywhere. Knowing the virus is still very much at large and airline travel is primarily for essential needs only, we needed to find somewhere within driving distance. Emerald Isle is a bit of stretch since it's a good 15 hour trip from Chicago but sun, sand and salt water were all trip requirements and geographically speaking, we weren't going to find anything much closer. Besides, Kevin and I never scare away from a good road trip.
KARA VALLARI 