travel – Page 3

Ten Reasons to Book a Trip to Four Seasons Ocean Club

May 14, 2019

woman wearing striped two piece dress at beach — // the views from the ocean club are amazing! //

striped top // striped skirt // sandals // chanel tote bag

Our family has always made a big deal about birthdays. Birthday trips started when we each turned 30 and now that all the kids are past 30, we decided to continue the tradition for the parents! With Jean’s big 6-0 birthday in April, we started to talk about a birthday trip for her. She knew she wanted to go somehwere warm and relaxing! Then we realized that Zika is still in most of the Caribbean, so we crossed that off our list. When we saw there was a Four Seasons in the Bahamas, The Ocean Club, and that there was a direct flight from Dallas and no Zika, we were sold!

We couldn’t have been more pleased with the Four Seasons The Ocean Club. It is a little slice of heaven and we can’t wait for our next trip back! Sharing ten reasons to book a trip to Four Seasons The Ocean Club below and images and outfit links from our trip!

Thank you for the memories Four Seasons Ocean Club and Happy 60th Jean!

beach view from bluff — // the prettiest blue water //

Ten Reasons to Book a Trip to Four Seasons Ocean Club

Direct flight into Nassau from Dallas: One of the biggest drivers, besides wanting to visit the Four Seasons The Ocean Club, was the fact that we can fly direct from DFW to Nassau. It makes your travel day that much easier, especially traveling with kids! We were blown away that the flight was just under 3 hours, too. Flying out of Nassau is also convenient – you clear customs right after security, so once you land in the US there is no waiting at customs!
Quick drive from airport to Four Seasons The Ocean Club: Not only is the flight to the Bahamas easy, the property is about 40 minutes from the airport, which makes it so convenient! We had a car service set-up that had car seats installed, so besides waiting for our husbands’ golf clubs, we were on our way about 15 minutes after landing.
Breathtaking views and beautiful property: When driving up to the The Ocean Club, you know it’s going to be special. It’s a beautiful drive up to the property from the main road, and the resort is tucked away at the end. Once you arrive, you check-in at the main house. It’s a cozy spot with views out to the ocean; your concierge meets you there in the library and checks you in. It’s the same place where the famous Martini Bar is located (you may recognize it from James Bond’s Casino Royale). It’s hard to describe walking out the back of the main house and just seeing the breathtaking views of the property and the beautiful color of the ocean. The grounds throughout the property are lush and full of so many tropical flowers and plants.
Butler Service: Each room includes a personal butler during your stay. Your butler will coordinate dinners, pick up clothing items to be pressed daily and coordinate housekeeping. He also brings nightly champagne and chocolate covered strawberries for the adults and milk and cookies for the kids. Your butler will unpack your luggage when you arrive and pack you up the day you leave! Another helpful perk; our butler would pick us up from different areas of the resort when the boys were too tired to walk. We took advantage of these amenities and it made our trip that much more relaxing! On our final day, when we returned from the beach and pool, our butlers had drawn up bubble baths and had rose petals strewn around in the bath and bathroom. It was such a fun surprise!
Kid Friendly: We were pleasantly surprised at how kid friendly The Ocean Club is. There are three pools, only one of which is adults only. Our favorite pool overlooked the beach, but there is a kids pool with walk in entry that’s perfect for the very little ones. There is a playground on the grounds and a kids club for kids 4 and up. We were happy to find out that kids under 5 eat free, too! When we have the boys with us on vacation, we book a sitter for at least one evening. That way we can have adult time and the boys aren’t expected to have a long sit down dinner every night. We love staying at Four Seasons properties because they have a pre-screened baby sitting concierge. Each sitter is background checked and is CPR and first-aid certified.
Spa: The Ocean Club Spa is unlike any spa we have visited. Instead of having a relaxation room that everyone shares, the spa has individual villas where your treatment is done. The villas are Balinese inspired, beautiful and so peaceful! The courtyard of each villa has an oversized tub and lounge bed. The spa uses Elemis products, which we love! Jean had a firming facial and Stia enjoyed a prenatal massage. Both were heavenly!
Beaches are beautiful: The sand is a light pink and so clean; and the water is warm and crystal clear. Plus, you are well taken care of on the beach with full service from Ocean restaurant or Dune, beach umbrellas, lounges, towels and iced bottled water! The Ocean Club has paddle boards available which made for a fun afternoon! There are also sand toys provided fortthe kids!
Dune is a must-try restaurant: Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is chef at Dune and we were not disappointed. The menu is French-Asian inspired with an emphasis on fresh seafood. We had dinner here twice and everything was just so good. We highly recommend the crispy salmon and yellowfin tuna tartare for appetizers, the local lobster tail was amazing and the steamed shrimp salad was so good as a light entree. There is also a very creative cocktail selection and well-curated wine list. We had such a fun birthday dinner here for Jean!
Infinity edge pool that overlooks the ocean: If we weren’t at the beach, we were at this pool! It has the best views and is such a great pool for little swimmers, too. We spent every afternoon here; swimming and eating lunch! The food is amazing and you really can’t beat the views.
The Ocean Club Golf Course: Our husbands typically play golf at least once on vacation and they loved playing the Ocean Club Golf Course. They said it was a beautiful, hard course and they loved it! The Ocean Club has a house car that will take you to and from the golf course.

boy walking along beach with sand toys — // we built sand castles every day //

dolphin swim trunks // rash guard

woman outside dune restaurant the ocean club — // heading to breakfast at Dune //

white top // shorts // belt // sandals // chanel tote bag // head band

courtyard view at Four season the ocena club — // the grounds heading to the spa //

family seated outside dune restaurant — // the whole family! //

tiered maxi dress // prada tote bag // sandals // shirt dress // sandals // straw clutch // floral midi dress // sandals // port aransas short set // port aransas bubble

woman seated on window ledge — // views from dinner at Dune //

tiered maxi dress // prada tote bag // sandals

woman and toddler walking on beach — // henry and gigi //

blue striped swim suit // t-shirt // hat // gingham trunks // rash guard // hat

woman blue maxi garden terrace — // walking the beautiful versailles gardens //

tiered dress // prada tote bag // sandals // sunglasses

woman paddleboarding — // paddle boarding one afternoon //

blue striped swim suit // t-shirt // hat

man and toddler seated on paddleboard — // william loved it //

rash guard // floral trunks // swim trunks

couple standing in ocean on beach — // beach babes //

black swimsuit // swim trunks

mom and daughter standing on ocean shore — // happy to celebrate this special lady! //

white ruffle swim suit // hat // blue striped swim suit // t-shirt // hat

toddler boy looking out to ocean — // it was hard to keep him off the beach! //

rash guard // floral trunks

three women in maxi dresses — // had the best family trip //

tiered maxi dress // prada tote bag // sandals // shirt dress // sandals // straw clutch // floral midi dress // sandals

couple having drinks on patio — // pre-dinner drinks at Dune //

// floral midi dress //

pregnant woman holding toddler with toddler on the beach — // bahama mama //

navy ruffle swim suit // hat // sunglasses // navy rash guard // lemon boardies

two toddler boys adirondack chairs — // cutest little beach babes //

port aransas short set // port aransas bubble

toddler boy walking on the beach — // wild one! //

navy rash guard // lemon boardies

two toddlers climbing palm tree with dad — // the boys loved laying in the hammocks and climbing the trees before bed //

// hippo pajamas //

butler delivering champagne — // nightly champagne and chocolate covered strawberries for the adults and milk and cookies for the boys //

toddler boys toasting with water glasses poolside — // our favorite pool //

gingham trunks // rash guard // hat

three women wearing maxi dresses overlooking beach — // before Jean’s birthday dinner at Dune //

gingham dress // prada tote bag // green floral dress // straw clutch // orange and white striped dress

family gathered before dinner — // the adults celebrating jean! //

gingham dress // prada tote bag // green floral dress // straw clutch // orange and white striped dress

toddler boy kissing grandmother on the beach — // beach kisses for gigi //

eyelet swimsuit // hat // dolphin swim trunks // rash guard

couple standing in the ocean at the beach — // the best birthday trip! //

eyelet swimsuit // hat // swim trunks

baby boy asleep at the beach — // henry napped everywhere: the beach, pool and his stroller //

dolphin swim trunks // rash guard // blanket

view out to beach and ocean — // so beautiful //

mom and toddler at breakfast overlooking beach — // breakfast views //

embroidered dress (similar here and here) // sunglasses // colorblock jon jon

woman standing on boardwalk above the beach — // first night at the ocean club, taking in the views //

denim tie-front dress // bow sandals // necklace and charms

grandfather chasing toddler on lawn — // so much space for the kids to run! //

striped short set // white linen shirt // ag pants // loafers

Cheers,

Stia, Jean and Katherine

How We Spent our Weekend in LA

April 2, 2019

tassel coverup dress hermes sandals beverly hills hotel

For my birthday, my husband said “LA or New York?”, he was planning a weekend away for us and I was so excited. I chose LA – the thought of having some warm weather sounded so appealing to me! We picked a weekend in March that worked for us and made sure my parents were available to watch the boys! We had the best time relaxing, eating and shopping and it was so nice to get some time away, just the two of us. Sharing how we spent our weekend in LA below!

packing suitcase — // what I packed for LA //

tote bag // sandals // yellow dress // tasseled dress // leopard dress // mules

lunch beverly hills hotel — // lunch at the ivy //

puff sleeve sweatshirt dress // loafers // tote bag

mccarthy salad the beverly hills hotel polo lounge — // lunch at the ivy //

// sunglasses //

red sweatshirt dress prada tote bag — // shopping on rodeo drive //

puff sleeve sweatshirt dress // loafers // tote bag

four seasons LA — // the most beautiful flowers at Four Seasons Los Angeles //

Saturday

Checked into Four Seasons Los Angeles Beverly Hills: We landed early and our room wasn’t quite ready, so we went to the Spa to change clothes and freshen up after our flight. We were so pleased with the hotel, our room and the service at the hotel. There is also a house car that will take you anywhere that’s a few miles from the hotel- super convenient!
Lunch at The Ivy: We walked to the Ivy from the hotel and it was nice to get a walk in after the flight. We had a great table on the patio and enjoyed a big lunch. I ordered the grilled vegetable salad with onion rings and Caleb ordered breakfast tacos.
Shopping on Rodeo Drive: We decided to head to Rodeo drive to do some shopping. With almost any store imaginable, we strolled and shopped for a few hours until I got too tired and we decided to head back to the hotel until dinner.
What to wear: I opted for this puff sleeve sweatshirt dress with loafers and a big tote bag. It was comfy and put together, too. I brought along my jean jacket because it got cloudy in the afternoon and cooled off quite a bit!

sweater maxi dress // jean jacket // mules // tote bag

cocktails — // cocktail for him and mocktail for me //

Saturday Evening

Dinner at Catch LA: Highly recommend visiting Catch while you are in LA – even if just for a drink! It’s on the rooftop and you get great views of the city – not to mention the decor is beautiful! We had mocktails and cocktails at the bar before heading to our table. The food was wonderful, too! We shared all different kinds of dishes and each one was better than the last.
What to wear: It had cooled down quite a bit, so I wore this sweater maxi dress with jean jacket and mules.

breakfast granola fruit croissant iced coffee — // breakfast at republique //

yellow tiered ruffle dress prada tote bag hermes sandals — // the beautiful gardens at the Getty Museum //

yellow dress // sunglasses // sandals // tote bag // jean jacket y

yellow rufle dress prada canvas tote hermes sandals — // view from the Getty museum //

yellow dress // sunglasses // sandals // tote bag

couple smiling navy polo shirt navy rick rack swim suit — // back at FS Los Angeles to relax by the pool //

one shoulder swim suit // sunglasses // skirt

navy rick rack swim suit embroidered coverup skirt prada tote — // one of my favorite new swimsuits //

one shoulder swim suit // sunglasses // skirt // tote bag

Sunday

Breakfast at Republique: We loved this breakfast spot. The coffee was delicious and we were there early enough to not have a wait!
Visit the Getty Museum: After breakfast we visited the Getty Center – it was beautiful! We walked the museum and the gardens and spent a few hours there.
What to wear: I had just ordered this yellow dress and wore it with sandals and brought a jean jacket because museums are always cold!
Head back to the hotel and relax by the pool: The hotel has a great pool that is located on the terrace. We were tired from our morning out, so we decided to do lunch by the pool and relax there for the rest of the afternoon. It was a beautiful afternoon, and we just read and enjoyed a leisurely day before dinner!
What to wear: I finally got to wear this one shoulder swim suit that was backordered from our trip to Hawaii! I wore this embroidered skirt as a cover-up.

Sunday Night

Dinner at Culina: We originally had plans to eat at A.O.C but since we had a late lunch and weren’t all that hungry we decided to head down to the restaurant at the Four Seasons for dinner. We sat at the bar and enjoyed a salad and pizza, every pasta dish that we saw looked amazing, too! The house made gelato was wonderful – fyi!
What to wear: I wore this leopard maxi dress, sandals and my jean jacket again!

alfred coffee melrose — // breakfast and coffee at Alfred //

interior console table white ottoman — // visited Violet Grey //

pregnant woman navy maxi dress hermes sandals — // shopping along Melrose //

knit maxi dress (similar)// jean jacket // sandals // tote bag // earrings

zimmerman dresses LA — // love all the florals at zimmerman //

palm trees against blue sky LA — // we had the most beautiful weather //

salad The Ivy restaurant — // mccarthy salad from the beverly hills hotel //

couple on patio beverly hills hotel — // until next time LA! //

tasseled dress // tote bag // sandals

Monday

Breakfast at Alfred Coffee: We took the house car to Melrose and had a light breakfast. I tried the famous ice vanilla latte (with half the syrup) and it was delicious!
Shopping on Melrose: Melrose is a charming street with a lot of boutiques. After we grabbed coffee, we walked and shopped – it was a very laid back experience!
What to wear: I wore this knit maxi dress and jean jacket for the morning since it was still somewhat cool. It’s from last year and sold out, but this one is similar.
Lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel: This hotel is a must see if you are in Beverly Hills. We had lunch and enjoyed the beautiful weather before heading to the airport for our late afternoon flight! I had the McCarthy salad and Caleb ordered the burger – both amazing!
What to wear: After breakfast it warmed up quite a bit, so I changed into this tasseled dress for lunch.

Shop How We Spent our Weekend in LA:

Cheers,

Stia, Jean and Katherine

a day trip from london to windsor castle

August 13, 2018

// up close with the guards – William didn’t want Gigi to get too close! //

London is one of our favorite places to visit for so many reasons! We love to visit our family there, there are one million things to do in the city and so many wonderful places to go and things to see just a short train ride outside of the city.

Windsor Castle

One of our favorite day trips from London is Windsor. It’s just a short train ride which, if you have children, is an adventure in itself for them! The train is such an easy and relaxing way to travel and before anyone realizes it, you’ve arrived at the station in Windsor and Eton Riverside. Our first stop is usually Windsor Castle which is at the top of a charming street through the village of Windsor. Touring the castle is fairly short; William was interested in everything we saw and all of the stories behind the different rooms. Seeing Queen Mary’s Dollhouse is usually a highlight, but this time it was closed for repairs. Just means we’ll need to go back on our next London trip. The other neat thing about visiting Windsor Castle is seeing the guards up close! They do the official changing of the guards every so often and you can get close enough to take a picture.

St. George’s Chapel

Within Windsor Castle is St. George’s Chapel, which is the place where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle… so of course we had to go see it. The Chapel is fairly small and intimate, holding only 800 people, and it’s absolutely beautiful! Sunday services are held in the Chapel and they are open to the public. We would love to go to a service the next time we’re in London.

Eton

Eton is a quick walk from Windsor Castle, just across the River Thames. It’s a special place with lots of memories for us – we used to always head down to see/feed the swans since we were babies! During our visit this time, William and Henry had their first experience with the swans and they loved it. After seeing the swans, it’s a nice stroll across the river into the town of Eton. The George is a favorite pub there and it’s kind of a tradition for us to stop in for a drink. It was such a beautiful day, so we sat out in the garden for bubbles and beer before hopping on the train back to a London! The perfect ending for a day to trip to Windsor.

on stia: embroidered top/skirt // white jeans // crossbody bag // slide sandals // sunglasses (similar for less)

on jean: denim jumpsuit (more sizes here) // crossbody bag // bow sandals // sunglasses