Sunday Brunch

For the past few years, the "besties" (best friends) and I have made it a point to plan a long-weekend rendezvous in the fall.  We've traveled from New York to San Diego, but this year, sadly, we just didn't find the time (who can really?)...

So, we decided to go local!  Not all trips have to be coast-to-coast.  In fact, some of the best sights-to-see happen to be right in our backyard.  This Sunday post-Thanksgiving, we headed down Stringfellow Road (aka Memory Lane) to the historic town of Clifton, VA.  We planned brunch at a spot we were so excited to try, even our over-stuffed tummies couldn't stop us!

Trummer's on Main features Creative American cuisine that combines small-town charm with the fabulous food and service found in big cities.  Try not to fill up on the delicious house made pastries or the crafty cocktails, so you have room for the Smoked Salmon Tartare and the Fried Chicken & Virginia Toast.

After dining, we toured the quaint but cute Main Street.  Complete with antique stores, consignment shops, a winery and a railroad crossing, all they are missing is an adorable children's toy store, perhaps called "Mr. Knickerbocker's."  It was the perfect half-day reunion with the absolute loves-of-my-life.  Hopefully next year there will be time for plenty more!

Tire Tracks vol.1

Welcome to the first edition of a little thing I've dubbed "Tire Tracks."  Jason and I have now spent many holidays and long-weekends driving down 95-South to visit our parents in the Carolinas.  And we've determined that no road trip is complete without a soundtrack to pair it with.  Tunes can be hits of the moment or ditties that put you in the destination mood, whatever you need to get through 5+ hours or have something to stretch (dance) your legs to at the rest stop!

For this Thanksgiving holiday, I've chosen some hot new songs and a few to prepare us for the approaching season of yuletide!  Care to sing-a-long during your Turkey-day affairs?

Innocent, Taylor Swift - While I swoon for Back to December and wonder for whom it might be written, this ode-to-Kayne makes me embrace our almost thirties.

Firework, Katy Perry - I know, I know, she's maybe a little too gooey, but I love all things pretty in the sky and that resemble twinkle lights.  This anthem for self-confidence sparks (get it?) lots of belt-out opportunities.

Monster, Kanye West, Jay-Z & Crew - Guilty pleasure to rap and act like a bada**.  Oh, and Jason is obsessed with it.

Last Christmas, Cast of Glee - If you haven't already, this album must be purchased for your holiday collection.  And their rendition is almost as fabulously-cheesy as the show itself.

White Christmas, The Drifters - My favorite holiday song, sung in my favorite way (in front of the bathroom mirror), in my favorite Thanksgiving-night movie, to bring on my favorite season!

Room with a View

As mentioned in my previous post, I spent the last two weeks in October on a non-stop travel whirlwind.  Between Idaho, Maine and Florida, my favorite moment was resting in a hotel room where the designer finally paid attention to the view.  So often I find myself at amazing resorts in amazing places only to have the room completely disregard the amazing views.  Well, not at The Coeur d'Alene http://www.cdaresort.com/.  Located on beautiful Coeur d'Alene Lake, the high-rise building maximizes the spectacular scenes of the water and surrounding mountains.  And you don't even have to get out of bed to see it!

Photo courtesy of © 2010 Coeur d' Alene Resort

Oh how I love that a 1960s favorite, the sunken living room, and an electric fireplace make an appearance in this recently renovated, serene space that makes you truly want to miss out on the rest of the resort!

2 Weeks, 10 Flights, 5 Cities, 1 Blog

After the last two weeks in October and the start of National Blog Posting Month (http://www.nablopomo.com/), I finally realized I had something to blog about: travel. They may not be the most glamorous of experiences, but I've definitely come across some places to point out and tips to share. Between Jason and I, we've covered half the U.S., some islands and a bit of Europe. So many posts may be of past excursions, but I can't wait to also add some new ones! Our friends and family can finally keep track of us making stops on the map; covering topics such as the favorite restaurant in Pennsylvania, hotel in Florida or beauty product in flight. I promise not to take it so seriously and to have some fun while writing too. Here goes nothing!