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Travel

Wu Haus Trips: Guide to NYC

As you may know, I love to travel. And there’s one city I’ll always return: New York. It almost feels like a second home at this point. Growing up in Connecticut and having my whole family still based in the northeast makes me feel intrinsically tied to NYC. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a city I’ve loved since the first time I visited when I was 6-years-old. I even wrote and illustrated a book in first grade all about my first visit. My parents still have the spiral-bound book at their house.

There’s an energy in NYC that’s like no other city in the world. It makes me feel alive in a very particular kind of way. I’ve spent a lot of time there over the years, and it’s a place that always has something new to offer. I’ve connected with SO many amazing creative people living in NYC that inspire me in all kinds of ways. I’ve hosted some of my best Wu Haus events to date in NYC. And I’m always looking forward to my next visit to one of my favorite cities in the world.

As you probably know, NYC is constantly changing. This guide is a very small sampling of what the city has to offer. I tried to list places I frequently visit, but this guide just barely scratches the surface. I plan to add to this guide in the future when new favorites pop up. I would also love to hear your NYC recommendations, so please leave a comment on this post if I missed a place you love.

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STAY

Sister City – Modern, minimal new space by the Ace Hotel. Really yummy food in the lobby restaurant, Floret, and great happy hour/drinks with a view at the rooftop bar, Last Light.
The Ludlow – The bathtub alone is worth the stay.
Wythe Hotel – Great BK location + rooftop bar.
PUBLIC Hotel – Hip, modern hotel with lots of happenings.

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EAT

Dimes – I never make a trip to NYC without visiting Dimes. An absolute favorite.
Uncle Boons – The 2-hour wait is standard, but worth it. Spicy + delicious.
OCafe – My dear friend Fernando’s cafe and one of my favorites in all of NY. Amazing neighborhood vibe. Simple, delicious food. Great coffee and matcha.
Golda – This Bed-Stuy place is adorable. And the food, pastries and matcha are all excellent.
Gertie – A new spot I just went to on my most recent trip. Love the vibe in here. All day cafe. Great bar. Delicious food.
Kiki’s – A NYC staple. Get the lambchops.
Cafe Mogador – This is the spot. It’s been around forever, and the food is consistently great.
Lovely Day – Cute, cozy spot with reasonable priced Thai food.
Prince Street Pizza – Thick-cut slices are pretty memorable, as is the whole experience. Standing room only.
Diner – Classic BK spot in an old train car. Get the burger.
Flora Bar – Beautiful space and great for a stop after visiting the Park or any of the museums.
west~bourne – Delicious, healthy menu. Great spot for lunch.
Vic’s – Modern, seasonal Italian food that hits the spot.
Lilia – Two words: handmade pasta.
Tacombi – Fave taco spot in NYC.
Superiority Burger – Veggie burger dreams come true.
Scarr’s Pizza – Best slice. They also mill their own grains, which is v impressive.
Shake Shack – The only fast food I’d really ever eat.
Russ & Daughters Cafe – A great experience and delicious menu.
abcV – An incredible dining experience. All vegan. Get the whole head of cauliflower.
Los Tacos No. 1 – When you’re in the mood for tacos…
Souen – Old school macrobiotic spot. Delicious and v healthy.
Hanoi House – Delicious Vietnamese food. Order lots and share with the table.

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DRINK

The Ten Bells – One of the best natural wine bars in the city. Amazing selection and unpretentious.
Amor y Amargo – My dream bar. Specializing in bitter drinks.
Sel Rrose – Great place for a cocktail or glass of wine.
Reception Bar – I’m not a huge specialty/craft cocktail person, but this place does it right. And the interior is an absolute dream. Definitely Wu Haus vibes.
June – Great natural wine bar and food.
Matchaful – One of my favorite places for a matcha. And now serving food!
MatchaBar – Classic and good.
The Alchemist’s Kitchen – You can really go to town with the herbal tonics and elixirs at this place. Also have a great retail space.
Wildair – Lovely place for drinking natural wine. The menu also happens to be delicious and well curated.
The Fly – Combined my love for natural wine with rotisserie chicken. Win-win.
Homecoming – Plants + coffee = love.
Chalait – I love when a place has great coffee and great matcha.

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SHOP

Oroboro – One of my favorite stores ever. Lovely curation and some of my favorite designers.
Rachel Comey – Love her stuff. Clothing, shoes, accessories. Always on point.
Apiece Apart – Beautiful, feminine clothing. Cute homewares shop attached.
No. 6 – Best clogs and a great collection of women’s clothing.
Mociun Home – Fun collection of homewares.
Dimes Market – Love this little market. They sell everything from Sun Potion to fresh produce to WALTER.
Wine Therapy – Favorite natural wine shop in NYC. Can’t go wrong here.
Kalustyan’s – International food heaven. This place is definitely worth a wander.
CAP Beauty – Great facials at the spa and a well curated health + beauty focused collection in the shop.
ABC Carpet & Home – Great place for gifts and for general inspiration.
Coming Soon – Small, cute design shop in LES.

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SEE/DO

The Whitney – LOVE this place. The art is great, it’s not huge/overwhelming like some of the other museums, and the views are incredible.
MoMA – One of my favorites.
The Met – Try to go when the Costume Institute exhibit is happening. Every year May – September.
Central Park – Classic. A must.
The High Line – Some green in the city. Great views. Get there early.
Brooklyn Bridge – You gotta walk over it at least once in your life. The first time I did it in the middle of winter during a blizzard, and there wasn’t a single other person on the bridge.

August 14, 2019 2 comments

Lifestyle Travel

Outside the Haus: Guide to Camping

The Wu Haus Guide to Camping is here! And just in time for the real start to summer. One of the best things about living in Portland is being in such close proximity to beautiful and diverse landscapes. Within a two-hour drive, you can take in the grandeur of the Pacific Ocean, mountain bike along rivers, hike through national forests and summit mountains.

The natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest was a huge draw for me when I decided to move here from the east coast, and it’s a gift from Mother Nature that I try to fully immerse myself in when I can. Camping is such a fun way to unplug and live more like our ancestors used to, without constant distractions and fully aware of what our earth provides us – clean water, shelter, nourishment and more. There’s nothing better than watching the stars at night and feeling that connection to nature that is easily lost in our day-to-day.

Camping can look very different depending on what your comfort level is. Some people love more basic, bare-bones style camping, where you hike in to camp at a remote spot vs. camping grounds and get by without any running water or bathrooms. Others prefer to “glamp,” where you have several modern-day amenities like showers and even structures with A/C. All of it can feel intimidating for those who haven’t done it much, but with the right resources and preparation, you can be pitching tents and loving life outdoors in no time!

If there’s anything I didn’t cover in this post, but you’re dying to know, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment on this post.

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Reserving a Camping Spot + Resources

Consider amenities

The first thing you want to do is decide what kind of camping experience you want to have. Some parks have different sites that offer varied amenities. For example, one park can have a campground that allows you to hook up your RV to electricity and water services, and another campground that doesn’t. If you’re searching online, make sure to carefully read the amenity details before you make a reservation, and consider calling or emailing the park with any questions you may have.

We have a T@B teardrop trailer that we purchased lightly used a couple years ago that we love to take camping. We don’t usually hook up to power or water because we have a solar panel that we hook up once we get to our site. Our trailer had a bathroom that we’re in the process of converting to a closet because we don’t use the toilet or shower. The sleeping area can be folded up to a table with bench seating when not in use. The kitchen is around the back of the trailer and included a refrigerator and sink, though we still use our Yeti to save on power. We still do tent camping/hike-in camping from time to time because bringing the trailer isn’t always an option, and hiking in to camp spots gets you away from people and into more remote locations.

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Reserve ahead
Some campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis. These are a great option when other campgrounds are already booked. If you do go this route, I recommend that you either go earlier in the week if you can, or make it a long weekend by starting your camping trip on a Thursday. I also suggest you head there as early in the day as possible, and even consider packing up your car the night beforehand. This will help your chances of getting a spot. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in mind, just in case things don’t work out!

For campgrounds that do take reservations, I recommend booking as soon as you can. Some campgrounds book out months in advance for the busier seasons. If the campground you had in mind is already booked for the summer, consider trying to make a reservation for next year (or whenever you’d like to try again). It will be something fun to look forward to!

Resources for finding campgrounds

If you’re not sure where to look for campgrounds, a good starting place is your state’s Department of Parks and Recreation website. Here are some other great resources when searching for the perfect campsite:

Allstays: Camping app with helpful search tools and filters
Campendium: App with crowd-sourced reviews of RV and tent campsites
Go Camping America: Resource for privately owned and operated campgrounds
Hipcamp: Like Airbnb for camping! This app allows private landowners to set up reservations for people to camp on their land.
National Park Service: U.S. agency that manages all national parks. This is a great site for learning about different national parks.
Recreation.gov: Reservation platform for national parks. This is the site where you make your actual reservation.
Reserve America: Website that manages online campsite reservations for most U.S. government park lands campgrounds.
The Dyrt: Another great app featuring crowd-sourced reviews on campsites

What to Wear

When packing for your camping trip, I suggest checking the area’s weather forecast to get a general idea of what to expect. We all know that weather can be unpredictable, but this can at least serve as a starting point.

Clothes

It’s generally a good idea to think in layers. Always bring fabrics that breathe, like cotton and linen, for the hot summer months. For mid-layers, consider long-sleeved shirts as an added layer of protection against the sun, wind and mosquitoes. For outerwear, make sure to have a moisture-wicking jacket with a hood and possibly even a warmer coat for cold nights. I don’t love wearing the same outfits every day, so I try to pack pieces that mix and match well! I’m a huge fan of bringing jumpsuits and rompers on camping trips. I usually bring a cotton or cotton canvas one. They’re easy to wear and layer with.

For the night time, bring warmer socks (I recommend Smartwool) and keep a beanie or warm hat and even gloves in your sleeping bag, in case it gets cold. Unless you’re in a climate that doesn’t cool down much at night, I recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants to bed. Always change out of your day clothes into dry clothes before you go to bed.

Also consider what activities you plan on doing during your trip and pack accordingly. Don’t forget your swimsuit!

Shoes
The shoes you’ll want to bring depends on the terrain. If you’re headed to the beach, chances are a pair of comfortable walking shoes or sneakers and some flip-flops/water-friendly sandals are all you’ll need. If you plan on going hiking, make sure to bring comfortable, broken-in hiking boots. It’s also a good idea to bring fast-drying, lightweight shoes (like Tevas) for hanging out by the river and around the campfire (and for public showers!)

Accessories
Bandanas are like the Swiss Army knife of accessories! You can use it as a head scarf to help keep hair and/or sweat out of your eyes, dip it in water and tie around your neck to help keep you cool, or tie it around your ears to keep them warm at night. You should also bring items that help protect you from the sun, like sunglasses and hats with caps or wide rims.

Packing List
What to bring will depend on what kind of camping you plan to do. Your list can be longer if you plan to do car camping, where you will have access to your car next to your campsite. For campsites that require you to park and hike in, you’ll want to limit what you bring to the essentials that you can carry on your back or in your arms. For those scenarios, you’ll want lightweight everything (tent, sleeping bag + pad, single-burn flame for heating water, dehydrated food, a water filtration system so you can drink water from a river or stream, etc.) Here are example packing lists for each scenario:

For car camping:

For hike-in/tent camping:

Download the car camping list, here, and the hike-in list, here.

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Meal Prep

Wherever you go, always remember to respect the earth and leave no trace. Please follow your campground’s clean-up rules, as they may vary based on specific needs to the area, but as a general rule of thumb always pack out your trash and anything else you brought in. We need to honor and protect nature so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

If you’re planning to hike into your camp spot, I recommend bringing dehydrated food packs (available at camp stores like REI) and basic essentials that are lightweight and create minimal trash. REI carries a large variety of camp kitchen supplies to invest in if you think you’ll be regularly camping throughout the year. Any food items that can be heated or cooked using hot water are the best options here.

If you’re car camping at a campground and can bring a cooler to store your food, you have way more options. We have a Yeti cooler and though it cost a small fortune, I can say it really was worth the money. No other cooler really compares, and if you’re camping for more than 1-night, you’ll need a cooler that actually keeps your food cold.

For car camping, I recommend doing as much prep ahead of time as you can. Make a big batch of quinoa or another grain and store in quart-size containers to use throughout the trip. Pre-wash and chop salad greens (kale is best, as it’s most hearty) and store in large tupperware with a dry paper towel to absorb moisture. If using canned legumes, strain and rinse at home and bring alone in a tupperware. I recommend making soups and/or curries ahead of time, freezing them in quart containers and bringing them with you in your cooler frozen. This will allow them to keep longer on the trip. To cut down on waste, make your own dips, nut cheeses, hummus, pesto, etc. and opt for bulk items rather than prepackaged things.

Here a basic food prep/pack list with room for you to add to:

Download the PDF, here.

July 3, 2019 2 comments

Drinks Lifestyle Self-Care Travel Wellness

Finding Fluidity Retreat Preview

Wow! I can’t believe tomorrow is the officially start of summer. Really looking forward to river days and camping trips, but even with so many memories yet-to-be-made, I can’t help but be most excited for our Finding Fluidity retreat in October in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico, at the stunning Pachamama Mexico Boutique Hotel and Retreat Center! This will be the first (hopefully of many) international Wu Haus retreats, and I couldn’t be more excited to spend time with some of you in one of my favorite countries in the world. After the success of last year’s retreat, Coming Home, in LA, we decided we wanted to host a longer retreat with a beautiful natural setting. This very special retreat will be the only event I host for the remainder of 2019 and the only retreat until fall of 2020. Shannon and I are pouring so much energy into making this retreat unforgettable. Today, I wanted to give you a little sample of what you can expect.

We decided to call the retreat Finding Fluidity, as inspired by the resilient quality of water and how it’s strong yet graceful and moves with both force and ease. We live in a world that can often feel over stimulating. We have to deal with so much stress and commotion on a daily basis. This retreat is designed to help you learn to move through your life with more fluidity. To surrender more. To invite more ease into all that you do. Through the difficult periods, to learn to sit with the discomfort while still nurturing and taking care of yourself. This retreat is open to all people from all walks of life. We invite diversity in all forms and are here to support each of you on your own unique journeys.

If you’re interested in joining us in October, you can see the full retreat page here, and you can sign up here. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about logistics, programming, payment plans, etc..

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Sample daily itinerary:

7:15-8:30am Guided yoga/movement and meditation
9:00-10:00am Breakfast
10:00am-12:30pm Morning Session (ie: creative inspiration gathering + prompted writing, food prep + styling, adaptogenic herbs and elixirs, etc.)
12:30-3pm Lunch and free time (One-on-one sessions with Shannon + Alison, swim, beach, walk, sleep, relax, etc.)
3:00-5:30pm Afternoon Session (ie: breathwork ceremony, guided scenic hike, trip to Todos Santos, etc.)
6:00-7:00pm Dinner
7:00-bedtime Free time to relax, swim, read, write, reflect, etc.

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This retreat is:

an invitation to show up, perfect as you are, and explore healing mindfulness practices in a supportive community of like-minded humans
an opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply into the wisdom of the heart, awaken the body and nourish the spirit
an inclusive gathering where diversity in all forms is desired as a priority and honored
a time to learn and gather tools for creative inspiration
an opportunity to reflect and practice guided writing activities
a chance to experience a powerful breathwork ceremony
a time to learn about adaptogenic herbs to incorporate into your daily rituals
a chance to learn useful, everyday food preparation and styling tips
an opportunity to connect and forge lasting relationships with other creative, in-tune people
SO MUCH MORE!

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Besides being a magical food goddess, Shannon guides powerful breathwork ceremonies. You will get to experience one of these incredibly healing and expanding ceremonies at the retreat this fall. If you’ve never practiced breathwork, here’s a little bit about this practice:

“Clarity Breathwork is a powerful process of healing and transformation. It deeply supports the clearing away of old energies, patterns, conditioning, negative thoughts and emotions and opens the doors wide for new life and greater consciousness. Most of us don’t breathe fully, we hold back the breath and have been doing so most of our lives. When we start to breathe fully and consciously we are easily able to release what we have been holding and open to an incredible expansion of consciousness, including greater forgiveness and self-love. This inner change brings about shifts in our outer lives for the better. Clarity Breathwork supports people to release stress and tension, heal and resolve trauma, gain deeper insights into current life issues, and access one’s own internal healing energy, creativity and greater knowing.”

We wanted to offer you a short guided meditation video to use at home. Shannon guides us through a calming and centering meditation that can be used at anytime during your day.

A big part of this retreat will focus around nourishment. What we put in our bodies, so we can move through our lives with as much ease as possible. Since we’ll be in sunny Mexico, we’ll focus on cooling foods and hydrating beverages. We wanted to offer you a sample recipe to make at home. Perfect for summer, this Aloe-Honeydew-Mint Elixir is bright, delicious and refreshing.

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Aloe-Mint-Elixir-Wu-Haus

Aloe-Honeydew-Mint Hydrating Elixir
[Makes 6 cups]

4 cups ripe honeydew, juiced (or just blended with other ingredients if you don’t have a juicer)
1 ½ cups fresh aloe, cubed (about 1 whole fresh aloe stem)
1 cup fresh mint, loosely packed
1 cup filtered water
Juice from 1 lime

1.) Wash and dry the aloe leaf, then place it spike-side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut along the edges of the leaf to remove the spikes, and cut off the bottom and top of the leaf. This should expose the gel on all sides.

2.) Run a sharp knife under the green skin on one side until you remove it completely. Be careful not to cut too much into the gel. If you notice that there’s any yellow ooze on the aloe gel from the skin, that’s aloe latex—which has laxative properties. You can wipe it off with a paper towel or rinse off with cool water.

3.) Once you’ve removed the first side of skin, score the gel into one-inch squares. Scoring the gel first will make it easier to remove in pre-portioned chunks. Edge the knife along the other side to remove the other green skin. Check for yellow aloe latex and remove or rinse it from any of your one-inch square pieces of aloe gel.

4.) If using a juicer, juice honeydew and add liquid to high-speed blender. Otherwise, add all ingredients to high-speed blender at once. Blend on medium-high until smooth. If you didn’t use a juicer, you can strain the blended beverage through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp. Chill in refrigerator for 30-minutes before serving. Pour over ice and enjoy!

June 20, 2019 0 comment

Travel

Wu Haus Trips: Guide to Mexico City (CDMX)

Mexico City! Wow. Definitely sits in my top 5 cities I’ve ever visited. Alive with culture, design, fashion, food, architecture. It’s all so inspiring here. The city has a distinct European feel, and the tree-lined streets of the Roma neighborhood reminded me a lot of Paris. CDMX is sprawling and quite dynamic. The street food culture is strong, as is the very long list of highly rated restaurants with award-winning chefs. Arguably one of the world’s best cities for food. Everything from traditional Mexican to modern Italian and Mediterranean. Beyond all of that, the thing that sticks with me most after visiting this amazing place is the warm and generous people that call this city home. All over the city, I felt welcomed and was in awe of the generosity of spirit that I experienced everywhere we went.

Because the city is so big and there is so much to do, it’s almost impossible to see/do/eat/drink everything you want to. I visited for a week and still have a very long list of places I want to check out when I visit again. The best way to get around the city is using Uber. Though it can often take quite a while to get from one place to another because of traffic, the rides are cheap and comfortable. I suggest building your daily itineraries around a specific neighborhood. That way you can limit the amount of rides you have to take.

Mexico City is a delight. Luckily for me, it’s relatively easy to get to (a 5-hour plane ride from PDX). And I’m already planning my next trip back. I’ll certainly be updating this guide when I add more places to my list. If you’ve been to CDMX before and have any recommendations of places I didn’t include, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment on this post.

STAY:

Chaya B&B – Such a sanctuary amongst the bustle of central Mexico City. Loved everything about staying here, especially the serene bathtub in the master suite and the delicious breakfast every morning.

Nima Local House Hotel – Gorgeous boutique hotel in a prime Roma location.

Condesa DF – Modern hotel in the trendy Condesa neighborhood.

EAT:

Lalo! – Great brunch menu. Also the housemade fresh pasta for lunch is to die for!

El Cardenal – Delicious, traditional Mexican food. In the lobby of the Hilton Hotel.

Lardo – One of my favorite meals in CDMX. Mediterranean and Italian inspired. Lots of small plates, great for sharing. Quality ingredients and simple preparations.

Rosetta/Panadería Rosetta – At the restaurant, it’s all about the pastas. At the panadería, order the guava-ricotta roll. It’s life changing!

El Parnita – Great ambiance/trendy. Relatively affordable. Lots of interesting taco options. Great drinks.

Pizza Félix – Super hip place. Great for drinks and pizza.

Meroma – One of CDMX’s hottest new restaurants. Absolutely gorgeous space.

Máximo Bistrot – Same owner as Lalo! Food is delicious. Great wine list.

Contramar – Not to be missed! Amazing seafood. Don’t skip dessert!

Tacos Orinoco – Northern-style tacos from Monterrey. Usually a line up of people. Casual. Very delicious.

El Califa – Great tacos. Many locations throughout CDMX.

El Moro – One word: CHURROS! Order with the chocolate especial. Original location in Centro Histórico is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Eno – Enrique Olvera’s (Pujol) approachable, more affordable restaurant. Awesome, modern take on Mexican food using mostly local ingredients.

Por Siempre Vegana – Vegan taco stand in Roma neighborhood.

DRINK:

Toledo Rooftop – One of the most trendy places in CDMX. Reservations recommended. A really beautiful space and the views of the city are incredible.

La Botica (several locations) – Casual, straightforward mezcal bar with multiple locations throughout the city.

Blanco Colima – Trendy place for cocktails and snacks.

Ardiente Cantina Latina – Hipster cantina. Food is great, too.

Departamento – Trendy bar with outside patio. Live music and djs.

THINGS TO DO:

Museo Jumex – Newest contemporary art museum with extensive permeant collection.

Museo Soumaya – This building is incredible! Must see. The art collection inside is also very impressive.

Museo Tamayo – One of the most prominent contemporary art museums in CMDX. Explore the vast Bosque de Chapultepec before or after the museum.

La Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo – Frida’s former home turned museum. Many of her famous works housed here, and many rooms of her house are exactly as she left them.

Xochimilco – Rentable by the hour, gondola-like boat rides down CDMX’s canals. This is such a fun experience. Pack a picnic, or just hail down another boat selling snacks and drinks.

Museo del Templo Mayor – Ancient ruins of the main temple of the Mexica people (also known as the Aztecs).

Casa Barragán – Former residence of architect Luis Barragán. Advanced reservations required. Make sure you book far enough in advance to guarantee you’ll get the date you want.

Mercado Coyoacan – Bustling two-story market selling food items and crafts near the Museo Frida Kahlo.

Mercado Roma – Modern food market with stalls selling everything from tacos to churros to wine and cheese.

SHOP:

Lago DF – Clothes, furniture, textiles, and accessories all designed by Mexican and Latin American designers.

XINÚ PERFUMES – Beautiful perfumeria with locally made fragrances. My favorite: Copala. The bottles can be repurposed into vases once you’ve used all the perfume.

IKAL – Great collection of clothing, objects, ceramics, home goods. Lots of Mexican brands and designers.

Yakampot – Beautiful, modern women’s clothing designed by Francisco Cancino, made in Mexico.

STUDIO IMA – Beautiful concept and design space. By appointment only.

Goodbye Folk – Large selection of vintage and reconstructed vintage goods.

Vintage Hoe – Small vintage shop with great selection.

April 23, 2019 8 comments

Travel

Wu Haus Trips: Guide to Morocco

It’s hard to put the magic of Morocco into words. A place like no other I’ve ever been. A place I’d always dreamed of going. And a place that continually wowed me with its beauty, intensity and rawness. Morocco is the type of place you go to and immediately want to go back because you feel like there is so much more to uncover.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t base most of my ideas of Morocco off photos I saw on Instagram or elsewhere on the Internet. The physical beauty of the place, of the architecture and design shines through in photos, captures your eye and makes you want to travel there. And I can tell you that it’s actually even more beautiful in person. What those photos don’t show you though are the intense streets of the cities, the loudness, the busyness, the in-your-faceness.

The first 36 hours in Marrakech were intense. I was completely out of my comfort zone, and I hadn’t felt that way when traveling in a really long time. We got scammed twice on our first day. By nightfall I was having a dialogue with myself in which I was feeling really bad because I wasn’t sure I liked Marrakech like I thought I would. But after settling in a bit, experiencing the streets and getting more acquainted with the culture and our surroundings, I began to see beyond my first impressions, beyond my limiting expectations of this country I made before arriving. This trip brought up a lot of questions about privilege, about freedom of expression, about being pulled outside my comfort zone. I felt like the entire 2 weeks was filled with realizations and epiphanies. It was so fulfilling to be in a place that made me think critically about my own life and about the world at large.

Sure, the beautifully decorated riads and fancy upscale restaurants are nice and enticing, but the lively streets and bustling Medina culture are real and raw. Morocco wouldn’t be nearly as magical without them. Witnessing the Islamic Call to Prayer everyday, multiple times a day was an honor. To see that level of devotion is deeply inspiring. And what a treat to see so many artisans dedicated to making their crafts by hand. To enter into a world that is completely different than the one I live in day-to-day was humbling and awe-inspiring. It was a constant practice in approaching each moment with mindfulness, discernment and a deep respect for the traditions and cultures of the land.

My main piece of advice if you are planning a trip to Morocco is to let go of all your expectations. Let the magic of the country surprise you and teach you in ways you never could have imagined. Use this guide as a loose outline, but don’t get caught up in following it exactly. Let your intuition guide you and open your senses to all this amazing country has to offer.

Our Itinerary:

Marrakech —-> Berber Lodge —-> Ait Benhaddou —-> Boumalne Dades —-> Merzouga (Sahara) —-> Fes

Sahara Tour:

Wild Morocco – We booked a 3-night, 4-day private tour and loved it. We felt safe the whole time and got to see so much of the landscape of Morocco. Our driver/guide Salah was such a great guy. Super knowledgable, friendly and easy to talk to. It was nice being able to ask questions and really get to know the country through someone who’s lived their his whole life. Wild Morocco has a variety of different itineraries to choose from and even offers custom trips if you have an idea of somewhere you want to go. I would definitely travel with them again.

Places to Stay:

Riad Olema et Spa – What a beautiful place to spend our first couple nights in Morocco. The whole vibe of this place is calming and tranquil. We ate dinner here the first night, and the food was delicious. We also enjoyed a lovely hammam treatment.

Riad Jardin Secret – A true gem. The interior design of this place is impeccable. Every single corner of this riad is styled perfectly. Eating breakfast and drinking tea on the pink rooftop terrace were definitely our favorite parts.

Berber Lodge – This place was on my list for about a year, so when we decided to go to Morocco, it was a must on our itinerary. And it’s pretty much paradise. Such an inspirational place to spend time. It’s quiet, relaxing, tucked away from mostly everything. Limited access to wifi. The best food ever. Romain and his staff were all so wonderful. Definitely a highlight of our trip. I’m already dreaming of going back.

Riad Caravane – This riad was booked by Wild Morocco, but if you are venturing off on your own, this would be a lovely spot to book.

Chez Pierre – Such a cute place in the Gorges du Dades. The room was a bit rustic, but still very charming. We especially loved the dinner at their restaurant.

Riad Laaroussa – We absolutely loved everything about this riad. The rooftop terrace, our gorgeous room (We stayed in the Yellow Room) and the hammam were all highlights. The staff was so helpful with organizing our tour, dinner reservations and transport to the airport.

Things to See:

Jemaa el-Fna – The main square of the Marrakech Medina with monkeys, snakes, henna, street food and more. It’s a wild experience that really is a must if you’re in Marrakech. Personally, we didn’t hang out here, but it’s fun to pass through a few times.

Jardin Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent Museum – Absolutely stunning garden. Could have spent hours in here. The Museum is very lovely too. Recommend going early and avoiding weekends.

Le Jardin Secret – A calm respite from the madness of the Medina.

Bahia Palace – Stunning palace with tile mosaics galore.

Souks of Marrakech – No trip to Marrakech would be complete without several wanderings through the souks. It took a day for me to feel confident walking through, so take your time. It can be overwhelming. Sharing more about this in the General Tips section.

Atlas Mountains // Tizi n Tichka Pass – To see the high Atlas Mountains basically grow out of the desert is absolutely incredible and then to drive over Tizi n Tichka Pass is an experience all its own. Its a side of Morocco you will not want to miss.

The Ounila Valley – Definitely one of the most beautiful natural landscapes we saw in Morocco. There are two roads to get to Ouarzazate, and the one through the Ounila Valley is longer, but sooooo worth it.

Aït Benhaddou – Climb to the top and admire the sweeping mountainous views

Gorges du Dades // Monkey Fingers – Stunning rock formations and sweeping views

Sahara Desert – I mean what can you really say about the Sahara Desert landscape? It’s absolutely epic and worth the trek to see it in all its glory. I will say that judging from pictures, you might think you’ll just have the whole desert to yourself. This is not true. While the landscape is undeniably gorgeous, you won’t find yourself alone out there. There are many tours and camps in Merzouga with people coming from all over the world to check it out.

Blue Gate – The entrance to the Fes Medina, one of the main landmarks in this magical city.

Fes Medina – We had very limited time in Fes (about 36 hours), so we opted to hire a tour guide though our riad (Laaroussa). We were SO glad we did. The tour was 3ish hours, and we got to see so much of the Medina and all the main highlights. If we would have stayed longer, I would have definitely spent a day getting lost in the wandering streets. Next trip!

Places to Eat: (Advance reservations recommended!)

General note: We did not have a bad meal in Morocco. The food is incredible. It’s inherently healthy because it mostly consists of vegetables, meats and small amounts of grains. I’ve listed a few places we went to, but get curious! There are delicious foods to be eaten around every corner.

Al-Fassia – This all women owned and operated restaurant was one of our favorite meals in Marrakech. Highly recommend.

Restaurant La Famille – This place is so dreamy. The patio is a lovely place to take a break from walking the souks. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious.

Berber Lodge – By far our favorite meals happened when we were staying at the Berber Lodge. Seriously incredible.

NOMAD – Beautiful rooftop terrace. Great for a sunset meal. No alcohol served. The food wasn’t mind blowing, but it was still great. We especially loved the desserts.

Café Des Épices – Great place for lunch or a coffee midday. Perfect spot to stop and rest while enjoying the sites of the square.

The Ruined Garden – Perfect garden spot for lunch. Cheap eats and great small plates for sharing.

Dar Roumana – Beautiful restaurant in the terrace of a guesthouse.

General Tips:

+ Be respectful and remember you are in a Muslim country. Dress modestly. I kept pretty well covered besides showing some skin below my elbows and my ankles (cropped pants). It’s always a good idea to bring a shawl or scarf for added coverage if you need it.

+ Always carry some dirham (local currency) as many places don’t accept credit cards and cash is important for tipping.

+ Seek out the hammams wherever you are. Lots of riads have them, but if yours doesn’t, look for one nearby.

+ Haggling in the souks is part of Moroccan culture. If you want to buy something, don’t take the first price offered to you. It’s expected that you will haggle for a fair price.

+ That being said, there are no real fair prices or standard prices in Morocco because it really is all about what you feel is a good price and what you feel something is worth. What you would pay for a rug might be entirely different than what someone else would pay. Don’t worry so much about getting the best deal. Remember mostly everything you buy in Morocco is going to be a fraction of what it would cost if you bought it in the US or Europe. And the money you are spending is directly supporting people’s livelihoods. Most of the artisans rely solely on this income to sustain life.

+ The souks can be intense. I recommend staying off your phone and not using a map as much as possible when you’re navigating the streets. It might sound silly, but we found that when we acted confidently (even if we didn’t necessarily feel that confident) and walked with purpose that we didn’t receive as much attention as when we were wandering aimlessly, looking like lost tourists.

+ Don’t take anyone’s picture without asking permission first and if you do take their picture, be sure to tip them. Women especially do not like having their photos taken.

+ Get outside the cities! I can’t stress this enough. The cities are absolutely amazing, but the natural landscape of Morocco is incredibly beautiful and cannot be missed.

+ Pretty much know that you won’t leave Morocco without buying a rug. It’s almost impossible.

+ You may encounter kids telling you streets are closed (when they really aren’t) and then offer to show you the way to go. Be aware that these people will ask for money. Decline their offer or be prepared to tip them with cash. This is just one of the many scams we encountered in Marrakech. Just keep your wits about you, and you’ll be just fine.

+ Be okay with getting lost in the Medinas because you inevitably will.

+ Don’t drink the water. We used these filtering water bottles the whole time and did just fine. Otherwise buy bottled water.

+ Bring toilet paper or tissues with you when you go out. Most bathrooms don’t supply TP and many of the toilets are quite simply holes in the ground.

+ Back lots of layers. Depending on the season you go, Morocco can get quite cold. When we were in the Gorges du Dades, it was 32 degrees F when we woke up in the morning.

+ Morocco is considered a mostly “dry” country. While you can usually order wine at your riad, lots of restaurants don’t serve alcohol. But we were surprised to find that Morocco produces wine. We fell in love with the “grey” or gris wine. It’s almost between a white and rose.

January 17, 2019 4 comments

Travel

Wu Haus Trips: Guide to Portugal with Noken

I’ve been dreaming of going to Portugal. When I planned our anniversary trip earlier this year, I strongly considered Portugal, but decided on Italy in the end, as it was Chris’ first time to Europe and a place I’d been before and felt kindred to. I never thought Portugal was in the cards for 2018. When Noken invited me and Chris to travel to Portugal for their launch this month, I was SO excited.

Traveling with Noken has been an absolute dream from the get go. Noken spends 500+ hours researching the best way to explore a country for the first time and curates trips that are easily booked on their platform and self-guided with an App Guide. We went to their website, selected our destination, and booked all the logistics (accommodations, experiences, transportation) in one easy process. After we booked our trip, we got access to the Noken App Guide (that works offline!), which has everything you need for your trip. The App Guide maps out your trip day by day with your reservations, planned route, curated sights along the route, and helpful descriptions and directions. It structured our day with a plan while still giving us the freedom to explore, which really appealed to us. To celebrate their launch with trips to Portugal, Japan and Iceland, Noken is offering you guys $200 your first trip booked with them. Use code WUHAUS at checkout. The code expires on January 31st, 2019.

LISBON

Such a great city! Much smaller than a lot of the other European cities that tourists tend to visit. I liked that it felt more intimate and was easier to get to know. Lisbon is very picturesque with its red roofed buildings, colorful tile and yellow trolley cars. We loved exploring the Bairro Alto, Baixa and Alfama neighborhoods. Mostly everything is walkable, but Lisbon also has Uber, so it’s really easy and relatively inexpensive to get around.

A day trip to Sintra is a must! Such a magical place with much to see. I recommend going during the week if possible, as the weekends tend to get very crowded. The Palácio Nacional da Pena is the most popular attraction, however, Chris and I enjoyed Palácio de Monserrate the most. There’s also an amazing food scene. I wish we had more time since there were at least a dozen more restaurants on my list that we never got to try. We didn’t do a ton of shopping (honestly didn’t find many great stores in Portugal), but I’ve listed my favorite food and drink places we went to.

Prado and Prado Mercearia – Definitely two of my favorite spots in all of Lisbon. The restaurant menu is exquisite and they have a lovely selection of organic and biodynamic wines. The market next door is a great place to grab a coffee, a pastry and/or a sandwich. You can take it to go, or eat in their cute window front steps inside.

A Cevicheria – The most delicious thing we ate in all of Portugal was the tuna ceviche at this place. OMG. Next level. And honestly everything we ate here was amazing. We happened to stumble in here early in the evening, and thank goodness we did because come to find out by 7/8pm they are completely packed and they don’t take reservations. Show up early!

Copenhagen Coffee Lab – One of our favorite coffee spots in town. Didn’t try the food, but looked good too!

Mini Bar – All the food here is mini! Not a lot of vegetable options, but this is a great spot for a drink and some small bites (pun intended).

Feitoria – If you’re looking to splurge (and I mean really splurge), this is the place to do it. The tasting menu is inventive. No detail is left out. From the carefully thought out dishes to the plating to the very attentive service. Highly recommend the wine pairing if you are interested in Portuguese wines.

Talk to Me – Cute little spot for a simple breakfast. Think green smoothie and avocado toast.

Fábrica Coffee Roasters – Another favorite spot for coffee in Lisbon.

COMOBA – Cute place for a healthy breakfast or lunch. They have matcha too!

Ela Canela – Right up my alley! This place has a ton of plant-based options. They use local and seasonal produce and the menu is constantly changing.

Manteigaria and/or Pastéis de Belém – You can’t go to Lisbon without trying the Pastéis de Nata. I was skeptical, but these little pastries are actually quite delicious. These were the two places we liked best.

PORTO

What a lovely city! Porto is very picturesque with it’s red roofed hillsides that flank the stunning Duoro River. There is a certain charm and romanticism that Porto has that really captures you from the moment you arrive. Strolling along the Cais da Ribeira then walking over the 279 feet-tall Dom Luís I Bridge is a must. The sweeping views of Porto are breathtaking. Also be sure to climb to the top of the Clérigos Tower for more incredible views of Porto and the surrounding area.

Época – This place resonates deeply. Spending time in a space like this and eating from a small curated menu like the one at Epoca makes me want to open my own place. I love how simple the food is and how warm and inviting the space is. Don’t miss this place when you’re in Porto.

Puro 4050 – Ummmm this is a mozzarella bar. You can mix and match different vegetable sides and dips with several varieties of mozzarella – get the burrata, obviously.

Muu Steakhouse – If you like steak, you must try this place. Straightforward concept with different cuts of steak and mix and match sides. Everything was perfectly seasoned and tasted delicious.

Taberna Dos Mercadores – A great spot for traditional Portuguese food. Very small. Reservations highly recommended.

November 29, 2018 2 comments

Travel

Wu Haus Trips: Guide to Italy

IT WAS ALL A DREAM! Wow. I could have never anticipated how much our trip to Italy would exceed my expectations. I feel SO grateful for the opportunity to travel to Italy, stay in all these amazing places and eat my way through the country with my best friend and love. I worked really hard last year, and this trip was absolutely a splurge and celebration of our 5-year wedding anniversary and our successes in our careers. I’ve definitely done lots of budget traveling in my life, but this trip was not that.

This guide is just a small sampling of all that Italy has to offer. There is so much to see, do and eat in this country, so I encourage you to go out and enjoy all of it! We just barely scratched the surface. I’m sharing all the places we stayed then mostly places to eat with a few places to shop and things to see. I didn’t really include any of the tourist sites because those are pretty easy to research on your own. Here are some of my top general tips for traveling in Italy:

+ Make reservations ahead of time! Most restaurants get completely booked every night, so if there are places you really want to go, make sure to reserve ahead.

+ Buy tickets to tourist sites online ahead of time. This allows you to skip the (sometimes 2-hour) lines. Not to mention, some places only let in a certain amount of tourists a day.

+ If you go to Puglia, rent a car! It’s easy to get around by car in this region, and you will be able to see so much more. I paid a per-day-rate for data through AT&T, so we could use Google Maps on days we were driving.

+ Pack light!!!! Can’t stress this one enough. In case you missed it, check out my blog post on packing.

+ Meals in Italy usually last at least 2 hours, so relax, enjoy and eat slow. After you’re done eating, “fare un giro” as the Italians say! It’s all about the walking in Italy. Gotta keep those legs moving when you’re living on a diet of mostly pizza and pasta.

PLACES WE STAYED:

+ This cute Airbnb in Rome is where we spent our first 2 nights in Italy. The neighborhood isn’t the best of the best, but it’s a 10 minute walk to Termini Station (why we stayed there) and the apartment itself is super cute!

+ This is the place we stayed the entire time we were in Florence. The view from the private balcony (see above photo) was definitely one of the highlights of our time in Florence.

+ Lecce is such a magical city. We only stayed 2 nights, but wish we stayed longer. We loved staying at Luigi’s place, and he was the best host ever.

+ This country house doesn’t have wifi, and it definitely had its rustic charms (electricity went out and water went out both at separate times while we were there), but overall it was AMAZING to be in the middle of nowhere on this gorgeous property. The details of the interior are just gorgeous, and there’s a POOL!

+ It was a dream to stay in a trullo in Alberobello, and Valentina’s place was absolutely incredible. The property around the trullo is one of the most gorgeous I’ve ever been on. Martina the cat that lives around the property was one of our favorite parts about Alberobello.

+ When I stumbled across Masseria Moroseta on Instagram last fall, I knew I had to stay there. This place is a literally a dream. The time we spent here was by far our favorite part of the whole trip. Giorgia’s food is insanely delicious, and every little detail of our stay was just perfect. We are already scheming our next trip back here.

+ We ended our stay at this cute apartment in the Travestere neighborhood of Rome. Very, very prime location for touring Rome.

ROME:

Antico Forno Roscioli – Insanely good bakery with some of the best pizza al taglio we had in Italy. Highly recommend. They have a second, less busy location too. We didn’t make it to their restaurant because we didn’t make a reservation in time, but it came highly recommended from several people.
Trattoria Casa Mia – Some of the best pasta we had in Italy. The woman who owns this place is SO sweet too.
Dar Poeta – Really good pizza.
Twice Vintage Shop – Good selection of vintage. I got some cute floral-print denim shorts here.
Retrobottega – Modern Italian cuisine. Very interesting menu. A splurge for sure, but I would recommend this place if you’re sick of the same old Italian food. This place is v v cool (like I almost didn’t feel cool enough being there, just a warning 😉 ).
Bonchi Pizzarium – A must! Best pizza! Standing room only.
Colline Emiliane – You can watch the owner’s mom and aunt making pasta as you eat. Very delicious. The desserts are out of this world.
Ginger Flavors and Health – A great healthy option.
Osteria da Zi Umberto – Old fashioned and very traditional. Great food, great prices.
104 Pandemonium – Cute selection of clothing. I discovered designer Erika Cavallini here, whom I’m now obsessed with.
Supplizio – The best place for suppli in Rome.
Trattoria Monti – Out first meal in Rome. Very traditional. Delicious.

FLORENCE:

La Giostra – One of the best meals we had in Italy. We went here for our anniversary dinner.
Gelateria dei Neri – My favorite gelato spot when I lived in Italy 11 years ago. And our favorite gelato spot of the whole trip.
Arà: è Sicilia – One word: cannoli.
Buca Lapi – Old fashioned and very traditional. If you like (almost rare) steak, you must go here and order the bisteca. We just ordered a portion for one person and it was plenty. I hardly ever eat steak, but this place is to die for. Pasta dishes and the ricotta cake were amazing too.
Boutique Nadine – Very cute shop with Italian-made clothing. I got two dresses here.
Gusta Pizza – Very delicious pizza.
Sant’Ambrogio Market – Best open-air market in Florence.
Osteria Santo Spirito – Classic. Reasonable prices. Cacio e pepe.
Ditta Artigianale – Great breakfast spot. They even have matcha!
Bjork Florence – Very cute shop with amazing clothing. Spendy.
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella Firenze – A must! 400-year-old pharmacy that makes lovely body and skin care, as well as herbal formulations.
La Terrazza LuisaViaRoma by floret – Super trendy healthy food. A nice break from all the pizza and pasta, and the plant-filled terrace is perfect for a sunny day.

PUGLIA:

Masseria Moroseta – If you don’t stay here, I highly recommend checking to see if you can join in on one of their weekly dinners while you are in the area.
Quanto Basta – A great spot for cocktails in Lecce.
La Cucina di Mamma Elvira – We went to their restaurant for dinner and their enoteca for lunch, and both were amazing!
Society – Amazing shop of home wares and a small collection of clothing all made from natural fibers.
Cave of Poetry – Not to be missed! Absolutely stunning.
Torre Guaceto – Our favorite beach in Puglia. So beautiful.
Osteria Del Tempo Perso – Delicious!!
Coffee & More – Great place for a coffee and pastry.
L’Aratro – Old fashioned and very traditional.
Il Ristorante La Cantina – Wanted to go here, but we couldn’t get in. Make a reservation!
Il Cucco – The only trendy spot in a small town of very traditional restaurants. We really enjoyed it!
Al 9 Aperitivi – Great place for a spritz and bruschetta.
MINT Cucina Fresca – Vegan/vegetarian restaurant owned by the sweetest couple. Reservations highly recommended. The desserts are to die for.

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May 23, 2018 6 comments

Travel

Travel Light: My Top Packing Tips

For the past several years, I’ve gotten into the habit of packing light on all of my travel. After years of overpacking, I realized I really don’t need much when I’m away, and packing light makes all my trips way more enjoyable. There’s nothing worse than lugging a 50 lbs. suitcase up four or five flights of stairs or trying to squeeze onto an overpacked subway with large suitcases.

We traveled to Japan for 3 weeks 2.5 years ago, and I got my Away Carry On for our trip. It was my first time packing light for an almost month-long trip. I absolutely love the Away Carry On. It makes packing light a breeze, and I’m always surprised how much I can fit in such a small suitcase.

In this post, I’m sharing what I packed for our current 3-week trip to Italy. Obviously this list would/could be altered depending on the season, climate and place you are traveling to. For instance, if you’re headed to a beach vacation in Mexico, you might not bring boots or as many pairs of pants. This is a general guide to give you an idea of what to pack. I’m also sharing my top packing tips to help you save room in your suitcase, so you’re a happier traveler overall.

My bags for 3 weeks in Italy

Here’s what I brought:

Pants: one jean, one other (I brought my fave Jesse Kamm Sailor Pants), one lightweight (linen or breathable cotton), one yoga, one sweatpant/lounge pants
One lightweight jacket, one weatherproof jacket (if applicable, meaning you’ll wear more than 2 times)
One sweater, one sweatshirt or lightweight long-sleeve
3 dresses/jumpsuits (1 casual/loose-fitting mumu dress, 1 day dress that also works for night, 1 jumpsuit)
3 shoes – sandals, boots, mules (1 sandals, 1 walking, 1 going out/dress). Call me crazy, but I never travel with sneakers. I used to pack them because that’s what you’re “supposed to do,” but I would never end up wearing them, so I just stopped.
Enough socks + underwear for 1 week
2 t-shirts
1-2 yoga bras/crops
3-5 cute blouses that work for day and night
Bathing suit
Pajamas – I usually bring my silk pj set and then just some Hans boy shorts and a tank.
Sun hat or other head cover
Dry shampoo, sunscreen face and body, one 3.4 oz bottle shampoo, one conditioner, two 3.4 oz bottles of body wash, 3 travel size toothpaste, facial cleansing bar, moisturizer, deodorant, travel size toner mist
Digestive enzymes, probiotics (I use Silver Fern, which are shelf stable), digestive bitters, ginger and/or peppermint tea
Matcha (100g bag), adaptogen mix (Moodbeli Holy Ashwagandha), collagen packets, Hydro Flask travel mug with metal whisk ball to make morning matcha while I’m on the road (Just add a small amount of hot water and the ball to your mug then add matcha and any other powders, top with more hot water. Seal lid tightly and shake vigorously. Slowly unscrew the lid, and enjoy!)
Water bottle
Tarot cards, crystals
External battery for charging phone on the go, power converter if applicable (Save money and buy BEFORE you go. We forgot, and ended up having to buy one at the airport for almost double the cost.), headphones

My plane-ride-to-Italy attire

+ You’ll likely pack stuff you won’t end up wearing and wear you favorite outfits multiple times. So always cut what you want to bring in half.

+ Handwash underwear and socks every week and line dry.

+ Pack a compact duffle bag in your suitcase to use for things you buy on your travels. You can check your suitcase on the way home, and use the duffle as your carry on. (I use a Lancel duffle that my Aunt Alison gave to me over 10-years ago. One of my favorite bags to this day. Unfortunately, they no longer make the one I have.)

+ Pack a reusable tote bag to carry in your purse for groceries or shopping.

+ Pack lightweight layers and garments made from natural fibers whenever possible. I love cotton and linen. They’re breathable and easy to wash by hand and then air dry.

+ Instead of carrying a book or two around with you, opt for downloading books onto your phone from your Audible account or invest in a Kindle.

+ Go for a neutral color palette, so you can mix and match tops and pants with ease. As a general rule of thumb: only bring a top/shirt/blouse if it pairs with at least 75% of your bottoms/pants/skirts and vice versa.

+ Roll your clothes! This is essential for making the most of the room in your suitcase. I don’t roll everything though. Heavy weight pants or jeans I put in first and flay flat on the bottom of my bag. Anything silk or that wrinkles easily, I lay flat on top of everything before closing my suitcase.

+ If you are packing shoes in your suitcase, stuff them with socks or any other small items to save space.

+ Always wear your bulkiest/heaviest items on the plane. Planes are usually cold anyways, so I layer up on my flights. I always wear my boots or biggest pair of shoes in flight. Then I typically wear a pair of sweatpants, a layerable lightweight cotton dress, a sweater or sweatshirt and a jacket. And whatever hat I’m bringing. This trip I definitely looked like I was going on a safari, but whatever.

+ Never bring that something “just in case.” I promise you, there’s like a 3% chance you will use it or wear it. If some freak weather occurrence happens, you can always buy something (umbrella, rain coat, sandals, snow boots) while you’re away.

+ When you’re packing your suitcase, think of it like a puzzle. To make the most of the room you have, don’t leave any “dead” spaces in your suitcase. A pair of socks, underwear, a rolled T-shirt or belt can always find its way into an empty hole between items. Be strategic!

+ Pack a small muslin bag or two filled with dried lavender flowers (also known as a drawer sachet) to keep your clothes smelling fresh while you’re away.

May 14, 2018 13 comments

Travel

Wu Haus Trips: Guide to Oaxaca

Wow! There’s so much to say about Oaxaca. It is a region in Mexico that is bursting with flavor, color, passion, joy and love. Definitely my favorite place I’ve traveled to in Mexico. I spent about 9 days, mostly in the city of Oaxaca, but did venture just outside the city on a couple of day trips. I wanted to focus my trip on the city and the surrounding area. I was visiting my best friend, Hannah, who is living and working down there. I decided to skip the beach, but I hear that the Puerto Escondido area of the Oaxacan coast is absolutely amazing. While I’m by no means an expert, I always love sharing my travels and what places I loved on my trips. I hope if you go to Oaxaca, you will check out some of the places I’ve listed, but also explore on your own. There is so much to see and discover in this insanely beautiful region of the world.

I stayed in an unlisted rental that I found through Hannah (there are many amazing Airbnbs), but here are my three hotel recommendations if you decide to go that route:

Hotel Los Amantes – Their rooftop patio is also a great place for sunset cocktails
Casa Oaxaca
Casa Carmen

Restaurants:

Boulenc – I went here about 4 times while I was in Oaxaca. The breakfast/brunch is so good. Amazing pastries and bread. My favorite menu items were the gluten-free pancakes, the avocado toast and the shakshuka.
Casa Oaxaca – A must! Enjoyed my last dinner in Oaxaca here, and it did not disappoint. Be sure to sit on the rooftop patio.
Los Danzantes – My first meal in Oaxaca. Such an impressive space, and the food and cocktails are impressive.
Cabuche – Get the pozole. Cheap, filling and soooo freaking good.
El Destilado – The 9-course tasting menu is outstanding. Highly recommend.
La Popular – Best spot for casual dining and drinks. Open late. Definitely the local watering hole.
Hierba Dulce – All plant-based menu in a gorgeous courtyard.
La Biznaga – The margaritas!!! Also, the hibiscus cones and squash blossom quesadillas.

Markets:

Mercado de Tlacolula – About 45 minutes outside of the central city, this market takes place on Sundays and is one of the best markets I’ve ever been to.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre – Large market in central Oaxaca. Great for wandering and a delicious lunch.
Mercado Benito Juarez – Great for souvenirs. I bought a bunch of molé to bring home.
Mercado de la Merced – This was the market closest to where I was staying. Small and cute. Hannah and I enjoyed delicious bread and hot chocolate in the morning.
Mercado Orgánico La Cosecha – This is the cutest little organic market. Lots of great items and produce, as well as a great place for lunch.

Day Trips:

San Agustín de Etla – Serene countryside, and the Centro de las Artes is an amazing place to walk around and check out the art and architecture.
Teotitlán del Valle – Highly recommend. This village just outside the city specializes in weaving wool into stunning rugs, bags, pillow covers and more. The weavers work is so impressive. You can visit their workshops and learn about their process. Go to Comedor Jaguar for lunch. Isabel makes the best chile rellenos and chicken molé.
Hierve el Agua – This place is stunning. A major warning: it is overrun with tourists. Regardless the natural beauty is worth seeing.
Mitla – Ancient Zapotec ruins. So gorgeous. The stone carvings and natural landscape of this place are not to be missed.

Shopping:

Colectivo 1050 – Cutest little shop of clay. I took home several pieces for my ceramic collection.
Suculenta – Attached to Boulenc, this place sells the best pastries and preserved goods. I brought home several bottles of their marmalades, as well as their salsa macha, which is soooooo good.
Lanii Gifts – Very beautiful collection of clothing and things for home.
Draco – Vibrantly colored embroidery on clothing and bags.
Aripo – Wide variety of handmade goods from the region.

Things to Do:

Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca – A must! This garden is absolutely stunning. 2-hour long guided tours in English Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11am.
Templo de Santo Domingo – Seriously impressive church. The surrounding square is so beautiful, too. Grab a pastry from Boulenc and head here to enjoy in the shade.
Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca – Plant heaven. This courtyard is so cool.
Museo Textil de Oaxaca – This courtyard is one of my favorite places in Oaxaca. So beautiful.
Biblioteca Juan de Córdova – Beautiful building, worth a look.

December 28, 2017 14 comments

Music Travel Wellness

Road Trippin’ Playlist and Subaru Recap

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I CAN’T KEEP UP (FEAT. WILL HEARD) – TOURIST
GREY LUH – BERHANA
FOLLOW – TOM MISCH & LAURA MISCH
WARM ON A COLD NIGHT – HONNE
STAY LOST (FEAT. AMBER-SIMONE) – JOE HERTZ
MAKE YOUR MOVE – UMII
HIGHER IN LOVE (FEAT. DAMON TRUEITT) – FKJ
ON & ON – CRAYON & JORDAN LEE
NO LESS (FEAT. LOUIS MATTRS) – SG LEWIS
FADED (FEAT. STUPID GENIUS) – NELSON CLARK
JUGAMOS – INDICA
ON MY MIND – JORJA SMITH & PREDITAH
MINUTE (FEAT. PLAYBOI CARTI & OFFSET) – NAV & METRO BOOMIN
ONE DANCE – SRNO
IT’S STRANGE (FEAT. K.FLAY) – LOUIS THE CHILD
TALK ABOUT – CAPYAC
SLOW DOWN LOVE (FEAT. CHELSEA CUTLER – LOUIS THE CHILD
GET YOU (FEAT. KALI UCHIS) – DANIEL CAESAR
TRUTH – SHALLOU
JMK – SANGO & XAVIER OMÅR
INSTORE (FEAT. WAYNE SNOW & RACHEL FRASER) – NOAH SLEE
BELONG TO YOU – SABRINA CLAUDIO

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Listen on Spotify, here.
Listen on Apple Music, here.

WOW! What can I say?! Spending a week with one of my best friends, Lee (from America), on the road with Subaru was an absolute dream! We definitely hit some rough patches with the unanticipated arrival of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, but we made the best of it, and I feel grateful that we remained safe in Austin for most of the storm. Highlights from Austin: Morning flow at Practice Yoga Austin, dinner (and brunch) at June’s All Day and all the delicious superfood lattes from Picnik. Once we left Austin for Dallas, the sun came out and our spirits were lifted a bit. We got to check out Mudhen and HG Sply Co, and both were super delicious. We stayed in the most INCREDIBLE treehouse where we took the most epic floral bath ever. We also did a private flowering pressing workshop with Kelly Dewitt and a yoga and meditation session with Bibi McGill. After a jam-packed 24 hours, we were off to Memphis!

We didn’t get too much time in Memphis unfortunately, but we did get an awesome meal complete with matcha lattes at City Silo. The drive from Memphis to Nashville was stunning. Lush land and the sun was shining bright. Nashville is such a charming city! I fell in love immediately. Highlights included: Brunch at Cafe Roze, lunch with the whole crew at Avo, paleo donuts at Five Daughters and checking out the amazing product line at Lemon Laine.

And OF COURSE the top highlight was the Elements of Well event Lee and I hosted in partnership with Subaru at Green Door Gourmet. It was a dream collaborating with Lee and all the other amazing women who made this event possible. The menu for the event included layered smoothie parfaits, elaborate crudité platters with beet hummus, pesto and black bean dip and a seasonal salad bowl with jammy egg. Lee and I taught a 1-hour matcha workshop then all the participants headed off to do a yoga and mediation session with Bibi. When they arrived back from yoga, they were greeted with the crudité that they noshed on while pressing flowers with Kelly. The event ended with salad bowls and sweet goodbyes. Each participant went home with a custom flower press made by Kelly, a packet of Sun Potion’s Yin Power, a custom Helen Levi matcha bowl, an Elements of Well keychain, a tin of Mizuba Daily Matcha, a Baggu mesh bag and recipe cards with some of Lee and my recipes. I want to thank everyone who came out to the event in Nashville and made it a day to remember.

Special shout outs to Vanessa Hellmann for being the best videographer (see above short of me and Lee) and Natalie Allen the best photographer (see photos below) ever. And to the Field Scout crew for all your hard work and energy. Check out more about Subaru over on Meet An Owner.

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September 18, 2017 4 comments

Lifestyle Travel

Wu Haus Trips: Portland Picks

PORTLAND! My heart. My home. Such a special city. I’ve been living here since 2008, and my how it has changed, but it still remains the place I love returning to and the place I call home. I would say the most amazing part about this city to me is the people that live here. Seriously. The sense of community here is what has kept me here all these years. Of course everyone has a different list of their favorite local spots, but here are my top Portland picks right now. Of course, this list is always changing and evolving, so I will try to update it as so. This guide is divided up by neighborhood for easy navigation. Enjoy!

NW:
Polish Day Spa – Where I always get my nails done. Shari is bae.
The Yo! Store – Super fun vintage selection and homewares and accessories.
Root Whole Body Cafe – Small menu, but very delicious!
The Yoga Space – Insanely gorgeous studio. Take a class with Michele Loew if you can.
Prasad – The OG healthy Portland spot. Delicious juices, smoothies and bowls. They have another location on the east side and their sister restaurant Harlow on SE Hawthorne.
Echo Natural Beauty – My favorite place in town for a non-toxic facial
Tea Bar – Great place for tea.

Courtesy of Tusk

Courtesy of Tusk

SW:
Pine Street Market – All under one roof!
Shalom Y’all! – Cutest little spot with delicious Israeli food.
WM Goods – Such a beautiful space with lots of great clothing, gift items, ceramics and books.
Backtalk – The merchandising in this shop is insane. A lovely mix of new clothing and vintage items.
Maurice – One of the cutest restaurants in town. Attention to detail is 100%.
Alder & Co – This shop is a dream. Complete with Hilary Horvath’s Flowers inside.

North Portland:
Victoria Bar – Great spot for a casual drink. They have a nice patio for sunny days.
Por Que No? – No trip to Portland is complete without tacos from Por Que No? They have another location on SE Hawthorne too.
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty – Not gluten-free, but really, really amazing sourdough pizza. The chef/owner Sarah really takes seasonal pizza to the next level.
Pistils Nursery – Lovely nursery with amazing attached greenhouse. Sell a bunch of ceramics, tonics and crystals.
Milk Glass Mrkt – Cutest neighborhood restaurant. It’s literally right around the corner from my haus, so you may see me there. I always get the eggs & greens.
Broder – One of my all-time favorite brunch spots. Everything here is amazing. They have locations in SE and SW too.
Barre3 – Work off all the tacos. They have several locations throughout Portland.
Solabee – Sweetest floral and plant shop. Serious #plantgoals and #plantladies.
Beam and Anchor – This shop is truly special. Each item is beautiful and made by hand. Really amazing selection of ceramics too.

SE:
Nong’s Khao Man Gai – Get the #1 with a side of pickles. Just do it.
Kachka – This is such a fun dining experience. Russian food and vodka. Highly recommend if you’re with a group.
Tusk – By far the prettiest restaurant in town. I basically want my haus to look like this place. Oh, and the salads/food are spectacular too.
Afuri – Japanese. The best.
Nuestra Cucina – Really amazing Mexican food.
Spartan Shop – I love this shop SO much. Amazingly curated collection of homewares, fragrances, candles, books, etc. etc.
Jacqueline – Cutest neighborhood spot. The food and drinks are delish and the vibe is just right.
Wolf and Bear’s – GF falafel is all the rage at this cute food cart. They also have a location on N Mississippi.
Canteen – Yummy bowls, juices and smoothies.
Artifact – One of my favorite vintage shops in town. And everything is SO freaking cheap.
Field Trip – This place is so special. Try walking out without buying something. I dare you.

Courtesy of PDX Monthly

NE:
Vivienne – Sweetest little cafe. Love the vibe here.
Proud Mary – These guys are doing it right. Such delicious and beautiful food. Great for breakfast, brunch and coffee.
Providore Fine Foods – Specialty market with an insane deli and the most beautiful produce in town.
Knot Springs – Such a luxurious place to spend the day – yoga, sauna, soak. Do it.
Angel Face – Favorite place for happy hour. Mostly a place where I like to go on girlfriend-only dates, but good for any kind of date.
Eb & Bean – Best dairy-free soft serve I’ve ever had in my life.
The People’s Yoga – Affordable yoga with amazing teachers. Take a class with Sarah Robinette or Suniti Dernovsek if you can. They have 3 locations in Portland.
Palace – This shop has it all. Cute clothing, books, housewares, body care.
Loyly – One of my favorite places for a sauna. You can get single use Dr. Hauschka face masks to use while you relax. They have 2 locations in Portland.
Ed’s House of Gems – If you’re looking to expand your gem collection, this is the place.

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May 31, 2017 31 comments

Travel

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*Listen on Spotify, here. *Listen on Apple Music, here.

Listen on Spotify, here.
Listen on Apple Music, here.