My Favorite Things from the Last Year

January 18, 2026

Sometimes you just come across stuff as you travel or as you live your life and they are amazing! Looking back on this past year, there are a few things I bought or tried for the first time and ended up loving and I think are well worth sharing the knowledge – so here are my favorite things from the last year and why!

A year ago, I bought this Kate Space cross body purse and it’s become my go-to bag for both travel and home, and I get a ton of compliments on it! It’s two separate compartments which is super convenient, one for stuff you need to access regularly and one that safer and more hidden for stuff that you don’t need as often. It looks great with every outfit and I love the thicker cross strap. Hands-down, one of my best purchases this past year.

I became a published photographer this last year! My photo is published in Iceland Epic and getting this book in the mail and seeing my photo in there was a surreal moment. The book itself is gorgeous too with so many incredible photos of one of my favorite destinations, Iceland. Definitely a highlight of the last year and well worth the purchase for a gorgeous coffee table book!

Perhaps two of my all time favorite purchases happened this year – my Meta Glasses and my Apple AirPods Max headphones! I bought my headphones in London early in the year knowing I had a ton of upcoming travel and they have been such an incredible addition to my travel regiment. I love them dearly and can’t believe it took me so long to buy them. And then later in the year, I splurged on the new Meta Glasses and have been blown away by the content I’m able to create while seamlessly just wearing a pair of glasses. I can’t recommend either more! Both have been incredible purchases.

While on one of our trips to New York City this last year, we were eating at one of our favorite Spanish restaurants (which unfortunately no longer is there) and came across this delicious Spanish Rosé wine and I’ve been finding it at home every since! From the Basque Country in Spain, Getariako Txakolina wines have become my favorite which a light fruity flavor and a slight effervescence. I’ve been able to find a couple variations in my higher-end grocery stores in Portland and highly recommend if you like light and fruity rosé’s!

And lastly, I bought these pink barrel legs jeans at COS last year and they have become my very favorite! I love a good pink pant and these are the best and I wore them all Spring and Summer! While these are not showing on COS’s website anymore, here are 2 good alternatives (Option 1 and Option 2).

Here’s to more great finds in the new year!

Renovating Our Staircase and Upstairs Landing : At Home with LOM

January 6, 2026

A few years ago, during COVID, I did a gallery wall up the stairs of our 1920’s home in Portland. At the time, it was a project to get my mind off of everything going on in the world and allow me to reminisce about the places that I had traveled, not sure if we’d get to go anywhere ever again at the time.

Fast forward five years later and I’ve wanted to update that stairwell for a while, with new photos but also switching from black and white (and black frames) to add more color to our everyday life. And as that idea swirled, more ideas came to mind to update the upstairs landing in our house where the staircase leads as you take it upstairs. So during this Holiday Break from teaching, I decided now was the time!

I’m super excited with how it came out – specifically the two-toned walls in the landing and how it all ties together with some of the items we already had (the runner on the stairs) and the new items we added like the beautiful Pinch-Pleat Herringbone Curtains, a gold curtain rod, a Rechargeable Wall Sconce, and our beautiful new frames up and down the stairwell. So if you’re thinking of re-designing a part of your house that often seems overlooked like stairs or a landing, here’s your inspiration to start today!

Rechargeable Wall Sconce (no power needed) | Herringbone Carpet Runner on Stairs

Painting Kit for 2 Toned Walls | Notre Dame Sketch Print (similar)

Anthropologie Gold Curtain Rod (Similar) | Pinch-Pleat Herringbone Curtains | Gold Curtain Rings

Painting Kit for 2 Toned Walls

2025 In Review

December 26, 2025

As I look back on 2025, there were some incredible adventures and amazing new places we were fortunate to explore. Take a look through where we went this year and some of my favorite posts for each location!

The Best Places to Eat in Las Vegas

All Las Vegas Posts Here

My Favorite Places to Eat In New York City

All NYC Posts Here

What to Wear in Northern Europe in March

All Amsterdam Posts Here

How to See (Most Of) Paris in 1 Day

All Paris Posts Here

Touristy Things to Do in London for Someone Who Hates Touristy Things

All London Posts Here

Foodie Spots to Eat at in DC

All DC Posts Here

Say Yes to Adventure

All Tokyo Posts Here

What to Wear in Shanghai in May

All Shanghai Posts Here

How to See Chicago in 2 Days

All Chicago Posts Here

Daytrip to Disneyland from LA – Everything You Need to Know

All Los Angeles Posts Here

A Fall Birthday Weekend in New York City

All NYC Posts Here

What to Wear in Paris in November

All Paris Posts Here

5 Great Places to Eat in Pasadena

All Los Angeles Posts Here

How to See (most of) Paris in 1 Day

December 16, 2025

So you’re headed to Paris but you only have 1 day to see the city? The good news, you can cover a lot of ground in 1 day in the City of Light and I’ll outline below how to do it. On my most recent trip to Paris, a family friend of ours was in town and had never been to Paris, so we had one day to show him around and see most of the sites. And while I always love a few days in Paris, if you have to see most of it in 1 day, here’s what you should do (and what you shouldn’t). Keep in mind – this guide is purely to see most of the landmarks in Paris but if you want to really enjoy the city, spend a few days and really enjoy one of my favorite cities!

Get a Day Pass Navigo Card

Before you start your adventure in Paris in a day, buy a Navigo card in the Metro stations and get a day pass. This will allow you access to Metros and Busses all over the city and allow you to get around super easily!

Start somewhere central.

We met our family friend at the Châtelet metro station, a central hub in the city. From there you can get anywhere you want to go and a lot of sites in Paris are on foot. From there, head towards the river!

Walk to the Seine + Notre Dame (along the path of Hôtel de Ville)

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As you walk from Châtelet towards the Seine River, walk along the route that takes you past the Centre Pompidou, a really interesting architectural landmark. Then head to Hôtel de Ville and marvel at the incredible historic architecture. From there, walk along the Seine and take in the Parisian views and wander over to Notre Dame. There will be long lines to get inside, so if you’re doing this in a day you’ll probably just want to spend some time walking around the exterior and marveling at the incredible Gothic monument. Before heading to your next stop, grab lunch at Cafe St. Regis on the Île St. Louis, directly behind Notre Dame – my favorite restaurant in Paris!

Walk to the Luxembourg Gardens

After a nice leisurely lunch, walk through St. Germain and the Left Bank towards the Luxembourg Gardens. And on the way, stop by Ladurée for some macarons to take into the park! Grab a chair on the nice day and marvel at the beauty around you in one of my favorite parks in Paris. This area is a lot more local and you’ll get a totally different feel than some of the areas on your tour of the city!

Jump on the Metro to the Eiffel Tower

From here, head to the nearest Metro station and head to the Eiffel Tower. Once you arrive at the Eiffel Tower, for a tip to avoid the crowds, head across the River towards the Trocadero and then walk down the stairs to the River bank. You’ll have unblocked views of the tower and no tourists around!

Take the bus up to the Champs-Élysées

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After a lovely time at the Eiffel Tower with unobstructed views and just taking it all in, use your Navigo Day Pass to jump on a local bus and head to the Champs-Élysées. You can exit the bus near the Arc de Triomphe and wander this famous shopping street.

Metro back to the Louvre + Tuileries Garden

Once you’ve walked the Champs-Élysées for a bit, jump on another Metro and head to the Place de la Concorde stop. Once you exit the Metro, head toward the obelisk and then into the Tuileries Garden. As you wander the gardens, you’ll see the Louvre in the distance. Walk through the parks up to the Louvre pyramid and explore the outside of the famous museum. And bonus points if the sun is setting by this point and you can take it in at this famous monument!

Paris in a day!

And there you have it, you’ve seen (most of) Paris in a day! Another spot to add if you have time is Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre up on the hilltop for the views.

Heading to Paris?

Here’s all our posts on the city!

How to Get Around Paris

December 9, 2025

How to Get Around Paris

I’ve been to Paris more times than I count and after all these trips, I finally have the information you need to get around Paris with ease! Paris is a big city and the landmarks that you’ll want to see are pretty spread out, so here is how to dive into the city’s public transportation systems and the easiest ways I’ve found to get around.

Walk

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My favorite way to get around any city is just to wander and get to my destination on foot, however the miles do add up and sometimes this isn’t the best option depending on where you’re located and where you’re headed. However in Paris, walking is pretty easy and you can cover pretty far distances easily on foot as the city is set up for people to walk. Also one of my favorite ways to just take in the city and get a feel for it, is to explore on foot and wander towards your destination but enjoy the journey along the way.

Take the Metro

Nick and I have been taking the Paris Metro since we started going to the French city 15 years ago and it’s definitely gotten better over that time period! I love subway systems in every city we travel to and the Paris Metro is fast and convenient. My one tip is to buy a Navigo pass in the Metro station from the kiosks and if you plan to travel all over the city, buy the day passes. They are a little more expensive than going trip by trip but to make it easier and not worry about if you have enough on your card, they are the easiest. The kiosks have English options to walk you through the process – one tip though, some of them don’t accept tap payment so have a credit card handy to insert if it asks.

Once in the metro, use Apple Maps to show you which lines and which direction you want to go. There are maps everywhere in the Metro system to make sure you’re headed in the right direction. One other tip, if you’re going through the Metro with luggage, use the handicap entrances instead of the regular turn styles if available as sometimes it’s hard to get luggage through some of the turn styles.

Take the Bus

We stayed in a less central area this last trip to Paris and ended up taking the local bus lines multiple times because it was closer to where we were and we loved it. It was a great way to see the city above ground and have a seat while doing it. Your Navigo passes will also work on the Paris bus lines and it was easy just to tap your card when you get on the bus and take a seat. Just make sure you tap the “stop” button when you want to request your stop coming up.

Ride a Bike

Paris has also become very bike friendly in the past several years and there are bike share opportunities to rent a bike all over the city. Just be careful to stay in the bike lanes and follow the bike rules – many bike lanes have their own lights and stop signs.

Heading to Paris?

Here’s all our posts on the city!

What to Wear in Paris in November

November 24, 2025

More What to Wear posts for more destinations here!

We escaped for a little holiday escape to Paris in late November, spending 4 days in the city, and while it’s not our first trip to Paris (see all my posts on the city here), it’s the first time we’ve been so late in the year. We were also there during a really cold few days in the 20’s and 30’s F (it even snowed one day!) so here is everything you need to pack and what to wear in Paris in late November to stay warm and look cute!

What to Pack:

1 heavy coat that will go with everything (with a hood) – I wore a COS wool coat and it kept me warm the whole time!
1 pair of Converse for walking around the city
1 pair of boots for dinners and colder days that are comfortable to walk in
Warm socks! My feet get really cold so I brought my thick wool socks
Gloves! There wasn’t a day that I didn’t need my gloves. I wear mine that have the fingers that allow me to still use my phone with them on.
3 Scarves – I love a huge scarf to bundle up in and I brought 2 and bought 1 there
1 pair of Jeans for more casual days
1 pair of corduroys or something thicker for the cold days and for dinners
2-3 sweaters – I switched these in and out as needed
Ear Muffs and a Hat – I brought a wool beret and ear muffs and switched them in and out throughout the trip
Crossbody purse that’s easy to layer over your outfit
Meta Glasses – My dad brought these on our trip and I’m buying my own pair this week because I loved them so much!
A reusable shopping bag – I bring this on all my trips to collect things along the way

What I Wore:

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Heading to Paris?

Here’s all our posts on the city!

An Orange Lighthouse in Iceland

August 28, 2025

Years ago, Nick and I drove hours out to the Svörtuloft lighthouse on the Snæfellsnes peninsula of Iceland on a gloomy May morning in our tiny rental car. It was our first trip out to that part of Iceland and I remember looking at a Google Map that morning and thinking, this driving route doesn’t look too bad. Fast forward several hours later and several gravel roads in and I was thinking “maybe we should turn around.” This spot on the far Western tip of Iceland is not easy to get to and by the time we arrived, we were both glad to just be out of the car for a bit and standing in the coastal breeze, staring up at an orange lighthouse in Iceland. We still talk about this adventure and driving those gravel mountain roads all these years later and if you can get there, it’s a pretty special place on the island. It felt completely untouched, no tour bus in sight, and the bright orange against the gray ocean sky looking out over the water, I won’t ever forget that feeling.

Fast forward all these years later and I feel honored and proud to have a photo I took of that orange lighthouse published in a beautiful new coffee table book by Assouline called Iceland Epic. It makes me even prouder to know that a country that has touched me so deeply over the years, lives on in the memories we create in photographs, now available to so many more to flip through and see how beautiful Iceland is.

What to See Along The Bund in Shanghai

June 18, 2025

The Bund in Shanghai is perhaps the most famous area to visit in the city and offers incredible skyline views and a beautiful walking path along the Huangpu River, but this lovely area of Shanghai also has a lot more to see along its path. Here are my favorite spots and what to see along the Bund in Shanghai.

Nanjing Pedestrian Road

This long pedestrian street is filled to the brim with shopping and food and stretches from The Bund up into the western part of the city. Connected to The Bund via crosswalk on the eastern end, you can get beautiful views of the skyline from this road as well as find all sorts of local and high end shopping. This area gets crowded at night particularly but we stayed in this area at the Shanghai Edition and it was a great home base to explore Shanghai.

Custom House

This incredible block of architecture showcases the remnants of colonial architecture in China. Restored beautifully, this group of buildings along The Bund connects history with modernity and blends seamlessly into modern Shanghai. Wander by and see the detail on these buildings on a beautiful day.

The Bund Finance Center

This famous architectural building is a must see – a facade that slowly moves throughout the day. Next to this beautiful building is a shopping mall and a lovely bakery called Baker & Spice where you can sit outside and take in the incredible view of this building and the skyline across the river.

Oriental Pearl Tower + Shanghai Tower Skyline Views

The best views in Shanghai are from strolling The Bund and looking East to the skyline of Shanghai including the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower on the city’s skyline. My favorite time of day was sunrise here as it’s fairly empty but if you want that sunset shot, be ready to brave the crowds, it got crowded after the sun started to set and the skyline lit up against the night sky!

Heading to Shanghai?

Here’s all our posts on the city!

What to Wear in Shanghai in May

June 6, 2025

More What to Wear posts for more destinations here!

In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what to expect when packing for Shanghai in May. I know that it often can be really hot this time of year and was actually in the 90’s the week before we went, but we got really lucky and had weather in the high 70’s and low 80’s the whole time we were there. It did have a little bit of humidity in the air which made it feel warmer, but overall, everything I packed was perfect for what to wear in Shanghai in May. The city overall felt casual in how everyone was dressed, so keep that in mind as you pack!

What to Pack:

1 Light Jacket + 1 Jean Jacket – I brought a jean jacket that I wore a couple days as well as a light rain coat – I never needed the rain coat in Shanghai but there was light rain in the forecast that never happened, so pack it just in case!
3-4 T-shirts – I brought a variety of t-shirts that I could mix and match with the pants that I brought and that I could layer with a jacket and that went with everything.
3 Pairs of Wide Leg Pants – I brought a variety of wide leg pants that I could mix and match during our trip to go with the t-shirts. I also prioritized pants that were cool when it did get hot like cropped and linen versions that I could dress up or down.
1 Pair of Lululemon Cargos – I traveled in these and wore them in the mornings down to breakfast before getting ready for the day.
1 Pair of Converse + 1 Pair of Sandals – For shoes, I wore my platform converse the majority of the time and then brought a pair of nicer sandals that I wore to dinners.
1 Nice Linen Top – I brought one linen top to wear for dressier dinners that I could mix with my linen wide leg pants.
1 Crossbody Purse – I’ve been loving my new Kate Space cross boy purse that has two sections and it was perfect on this trip.
1 Canvas Tote – I always pack a canvas tote in my suitcase to take with me as we explore and it comes in so helpful!

What I Wore:

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Boden Linen Tee (similar) | COS Pink Wide Leg Pants (similar) | Converse Platforms | Kate Space Crossbody Purse (similar) | Sunglasses

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Boden Linen Dress (similar) | Sandals (similar) | Kate Space Crossbody Purse (similar)

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Heading to Shanghai?

Here’s all our posts on the city!

What to See, Do, and Eat in Shanghai in 4 Days

June 4, 2025

There are just some cities you fall in love with – Shanghai was one of them for me. I wasn’t expecting it, but I was blown away by our time in Shanghai and honestly can’t wait to visit again. During our trip there, we were able to see a lot – both local and tourist spots – and found some incredible restaurants while we were exploring. So today, here is what to see, do, and eat in Shanghai in 4 days!

Day 1:

Check into the Shanghai EDITION located very conveniently on the Nanjing Pedestrian Road and super close to The Bund.

Start your day with a walk through Shanghai to get yourself oriented – starting with sunrise on The Bund with a view of The Pearl Tower, one of the famous buildings on the Shanghai skyline and before the area gets busy.

Then head to the People’s Square, a beautiful park garden about 20 minutes from the EDITION. After a walk through the park, grab a Didi (China’s version of Uber – download it before you go to China!) and head over to the W Hotel for lunch at The Kitchen Table. The view is spectacular here and the food is fantastic too! (Make a reservation beforehand though.)

After lunch, walk down to North Bund Green Land, a park area across the street from the W Hotel where you’ll have incredible views of the stunning Shanghai skyline.

For dinner, head to the B2 level of the mall across the street from the Shanghai EDITION hotel and choose a spot for dinner and then watch the skyline light up from the comfort of your room – the lights start on the buildings at 7pm.

Day 2:

Have breakfast at your hotel or grab a Starbucks (or a Luckin Coffee) and the jump in a DiDi again to Yu Garden. This historic area of Shanghai is beautiful, with old historic temples and complexes. It also has great shopping in the Yuyuan area around the garden. Stop here for an early lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant.

On the way back to the hotel (whether walking or grabbing a DiDi), stop by the Customs Houses on The Bund – these beautiful old colonials buildings are kept up so well and a beautiful example of period architecture.

For dinner, head to the Central Market (under the large cover right across the street from the EDITION). There are lots of restaurants in there to choose from. After dinner, head up to the EDITION rooftop where you’ll have incredible skyline views of the city at sunset.

Day 3:

Start your day by jumping on the Shanghai Metro and heading to the Pudong area of the city. This part of the city is where all the skyscrapers are and upon exiting the metro, you’ll be right in the thick of the tall buildings. Some highlights here are the Pearl Tower and the Pudong Apple Store (an architectural beauty). Then head down the street about 10 minutes to the Shanghai Tower and go up 118 floors to see an incredible wrap around view of the entire city. Go early though – it gets crowded!

When you exit the Shanghai Tower viewing area, stop in the food hall for some Peking Duck before wandering down the street to the Shanghai Aquarium.

After an afternoon rest, head back to the W Hotel for dinner at Yen. This was one of the best meals of our trip, serving a modern take on traditional Chinese food and it was delicious. Plus the view here is incredible and it’s a fun splurge meal. Also – coming from me as a designer, check out the bathrooms on the restaurant floor of the W Hotel – incredible tile work!

Day 4:

In the morning, grab a DiDi and head to the Jade Buddha Temple complex. This area is beautiful – both the traditional architecture and the temples themselves. We also found great souvenirs gifts here!

Then grab another car and head to the Bund Finance Center where you’ll get to see an incredible architectural marvel. The best spot to stop is to grab coffee at Baker & Spice and take in the incredible view.

For your final night, grab dinner near the hotel and take a final walk along The Bund at sunset, enjoying the magic of Shanghai!

Heading to Shanghai?

Here’s all our posts on the city!

Get a Day Pass Navigo Card

Start somewhere central.

Walk to the Seine + Notre Dame (along the path of Hôtel de Ville)

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Walk to the Luxembourg Gardens

Jump on the Metro to the Eiffel Tower

Take the bus up to the Champs-Élysées

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Metro back to the Louvre + Tuileries Garden

Paris in a day!

Walk

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Take the Metro

Take the Bus

Ride a Bike

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Nanjing Pedestrian Road

Custom House

The Bund Finance Center

Oriental Pearl Tower + Shanghai Tower Skyline Views

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