October is wine month in Virginia and naturally, we loveeeee visiting vineyards and planning trips to the Charlottesville area to visit our favorites. So, we figured we would share a little photo diary and some tidbits about these places in honor of another beautiful fall in Virginia Wine Country.
Luckily our favorite places have opened back up after lock-down and are all using safety precautions. If you plan on visiting any of these wineries this fall, be sure to check their COVID-19 changes! Most are open again without reservations, but better safe than sorry 🙂
Last year, antsy after spending months at home during the pandemic, John and I booked a last minute trip out west. Yes, we had been watching Yellowstone and yes, we were obsessed. I asked my IG friends for suggestions for traveling to Montana and a couple people said Whitefish. I had never heard of it and visiting National Parks hasn’t really been my thing in the past, but we wanted to do something different! SO, I did a little research, we booked our flights and packed our bags.
October in Montana is kind of an in-between season. Summer is definitely over, but ski seasons hasn’t started up yet. This meant that lodging rates and park rates would be lower and less crowded. We didn’t really realize this at the time, but we picked the PERFECT time to go. SO! I highly, highly, highly suggest visiting Whitefish Lake and Glacier National Park in the fall.
Here are a few tips if you decide to book a trip of your own.
I have done extensive research on the best biker shorts with pockets over the past year! Last year during quarantine, I started walking a couple miles each day in different neighborhoods around Richmond. We live in a cul de sac and just walking up and down the street was just not doing it for me. So I would drive into Carytown, The Fan or Northside to get my stroll on. Because I wasn’t walking from home, pockets were essential to hold my phone, car keys, mask and card if I was going to stop for coffee or a drink on my walk.
Last Friday, we traveled from Richmond to explore the Shenandoah Valley’s Beerwerks trail and had the BEST time. If you are looking for a day trip, one night trip or a full weekend, this is a great option. We’ll take you through all of the places we visited and guarantee that by the end you’ll be planning your next trip!
Basic City Beer, Waynesboro “Basic City Beer Co draws a brand from the smolderings and lore of a ‘Lost Town’- Basic City, Virginia: Circa 1899- to reclaim the enduring American Spirit from this pre-prohibition, Industrial era & to Repurpose the Intoxicating Lure of the American Dream.”
We started off our trip at Basic City Beer after exploring downtown and seeing some of the gorgeous murals as a part of the Waynesboro Street Arts Trail Murals. We LOVED the vibe of Basic City, in its historical industrial warehouse and the beers were great, too. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating & pizzas, too! Bonus points if you can find the mural seen below!
When you visit Basic City for yourself, be sure to taste the Tart Up: Golden Blueberry beer. After trying our beer flights, we both decided that was our favorite!
Grab a Beerwerks Passport at any of the Shenandoah breweries and keep track of all the breweries you visit along the way.
Stable Craft Brewing, Augusta County “Every detail has been meticulously preserved so that visitors to Hermitage Hill Farm and Stable Craft Brewing get the finest farm and brewery experience possible”
Stable Craft is a working horse farm (Hermitage Hill Farm) transformed into a brewery & restaurant with event space and suites on site where you can stay to get the full farm & brewery experience. Our experience was AMAZING, as was the food and the beer. We enjoyed some delish nachos along with our beer flights and it was the perfect combination. This brewery has stunning mountain views you won’t want to miss, it’s as if every moment was instagram worthy! It is definitely a must-do if you’re a beer lover visiting the area.
Blackburn Inn “The Blackburn promises a distinct blend of timeless glamour, modern finishes, artful design, and superior hospitality.”
Newly opened in 2018, The Blackburn Inn is a a historic 49 room boutique hotel just outside of downtown Staunton. Originally designed by Thomas Jefferson’s protege Thomas Blackburn, the historic property is the perfect setting for a getaway in the Shenandoah Valley. With a full spa, conference center and 80 acres of gorgeous property, it doesn’t get much better!
We loved everything from the charming Queen Bed rooms, to our facials at the Spa. The location is great for being close enough to downtown to explore, but also far enough away to feel like you’re truly getting away from hustle and bustle.
AKTIV is a local skincare brand sourced & made right in Staunton, VA. The product line is used at the Spa at the Blackburn Inn and we experienced it in during our facials.
BLU Point Seafood “We’ve combined our explorations of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay with our love of the New England Shore to bring the freshest seafood available to the Shenandoah Valley “
BluPoint Seafood was an absolute treat. From the cocktails to dessert, we were consistently impressed. We split our two entrees – crab cakes & the shrimp seafood basket – and we were glad that we did because they were both equally amazing!
Does anybody else have the best kind of trouble ordering from a menu that looks too good? We also dabbled in fresh oysters, a cup of Lobster Bisque, and ended our meal with Donut Holes. Don’t think twice, order the Donut Holes.
One of our favorite parts of the trip was the people. We had so many heart warming conversations throughout our Shenandoah Valley experience and we will never forget that! When our conversation with our new friends in Staunton drifted to the subject of Reunion Bakery & Espresso, their eyes would light up with the suggestion of pastries!
We learned quickly that Reunion has quite the reputation for their delicious pastries and we have to agree. But make sure you get there early because they do sell out fast! From chocolate croissants to quiches, there is something on their menu for everyone. If you love a fancy latte, check out their lavender latte, YUM.
Latitudes Fair Trade is a store in downtown Staunton that specializes in handmade, artisanal goods from all over the world. We were drawn to the chic mugs handmade in Guatemala and the elevated journals handmade in India.
Not only does Latitudes prioritize helping developing nations but they also have a philosophy that encourages conscious consumerism and green shopping. They are a light in the world of shopping and we admire everything they are doing to improve the world around us.
Latitudes Fair Trade in Staunton is one of three locations. You can also visit them in Fredericksburg and Warrenton.
Skipping Rock Brewery, Augusta County “Our beer is a reflection of place, as all beers should be, but they also speak to a more enlightened way of life; of worrying less and living more”
We ended our trip at Skipping Rock Brewery with our husbands, which was the icing on the cake of a perfect weekend. Skipping Rock prides themselves on creating quality beers, down to the last detail and you can tell. John and I have passed this brewery on our way to the Homestead countless times and always say we will stop in, but never have. This was the perfect opportunity to try it out and we’ve decided it will be a tradition from now on.
Our favorite beers were the Strawberry & Blackberry sours, but we liked everything we tried! They have an excellent food truck : German Bratwurst and we basically ordered one of everything on the menu. So good.
We truly had the best time exploring a mostly new part of our home state! If you’re looking to plan a trip, we reaaally suggest checking out the Shenandoah Valley. Our trip was inspired by the Travel the Beerwerks Trail Guide, which is a great resource for all sorts of weekend getaways: fishing, wineries, breweries and lesser known travel destinations. Shoot us a DM or leave a comment with any additional questions you might have about this trip!
Thanks so much to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for setting up this trip for us & sponsoring our adventure.
In September 2019, John and I traveled to Philadelphia for the Rock n Roll Half Marathon – a warm up for John for the New York Marathon! It had been a while since we had both been to Philly – 5 years, I think – and we were excited to go back. I saw that the new Four Seasons Hotel in the Comcast Center had opened a few days before, and as a treat to Johnny, I decided to book one night at the luxury hotel. We have had so many great Four Seasons experiences and were excited to check out the new property. To say it was stunning is a gross understatement.
To get to the hotel, you enter through the lobby of the new Comcast Center and take an elevator up 60 floors. YES, 60 floors. From the grandiose 60th floor lobby you have a 360 degree view of the city and beyond. I have never seen anything like it! There is an excellent lobby bar and restaurant on the 60th floor, which has incidentally become the new hot spot in town. You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to grab a drink above Philadelphia and experience the view for yourself.
lately, i have been struggling a little bit with outfits and outfit posts. we still don’t have the chance to properly get dressed everyday and spending money on new clothes sometimes feels insane. i’ve been searching for inspo to bring to the blog and when i saw the green rooftop empty pool at common house my creative juices started flowing, and here’s the result.
The best place to stay in Whitefish, Montana and for those visiting Glacier National Park : The Lodge At Whitefish Lake
This post is soooo belated and I am so mad at myself for waiting so long! But here it is.
John and I took a spontaneous trip (planned just 3 weeks ahead) to Montana in October and it was one of the best decisions we ever made! I polled my IG audience about suggestions for travel out west and someone suggested Whitefish and specifically the Lodge At Whitefish Lake. After one glance at their instagram, and after finding out they were a mere 30 minute drive from Glacier National Park, we were sold. It was definitely the non-busy season, in between the gorgeous Montana summer and ski season in the winter, so we got great rates on the rooms, and also felt super safe as it wasn’t so crowded.
The Lodge is located just a few miles out of Downtown Whitefish and it’s lake front property offers absolutely breath-taking views. We stayed in a lakeview junior suite in the main lodge, and definitely would make sure we are lake front next time, but it was cozy and spacious nonetheless! But in my opinion, I think the extra cost for lake front would be worth it. Each room has its own gas fireplace which is an absolute dream. I basically had ours on whenever we were in the room!
for anyone and everyone who loves a day at the spa, you’ve come to the right place at Scents of Serenity.
We cannot tell you how many times we have gotten asked the question “Do we have any spas in Richmond?”
While we have semblances of spas around the Richmond area, we always thought that Richmond just isn’t blessed with a hotel with a killer spa by any means.
highlighting some local Richmond businesses, encouraging you to shop small this year when you can. You don’t have to live in Richmond to support these businesses and anyone can enter the giveaway!
This year, in addition to our regular gift guides, we wanted to especially highlight some local small business for you to support this holiday season! And as a token of all of our appreciation for shopping small this year, a few of our favorites have donated to this giveaway. We hope you will not only enter and follow along with these great brands, but shop small with them even if you don’t win the giveaway.
Rebelle Naturelle – I have known Mary, the badass black woman behind this all-natural, ethically sourced skincare line, for ten years! I was so thrilled when she reached out to me to share her handmade skincare line, knowing it would be amazing. Let me tell you, the whipped body frosting is absolutely DIVINE!Mary or “M DOT” as she is known on the ‘gram, makes her high quality skincare products with a boutique experience and you can feel the personal touches and GLAM vibes that she adds to each product.
Gifting: One whipped body frosting and One Lavender+Aloe face tonic and setting spray
L & M Company- We love a family business around here and we LOVE the leggings created by sisters Lucy and Michele. They have quickly become an everyday staple for both of us, and we know you’d love them too. These would make a great gift for all the ladies in your life.
Gifting: A $50 gift card to L and M!
ROSE LETTERING CO – We are so in love with Kaytee Lauren’s newest adventure as the owner and creator behind Rose Lettering Co. Her modern, hand-painted ornaments would be a beautiful, thoughtful addition to any tree! Talk about the perfect Christmas gift. You can use code CRYSTALPRESS10 for 10% off this holiday season.
Gifting: a small glass ornament with customized personalization. Includes your choice of ribbon from the collection and a cotton ornament bag
Yia-Mas – My friend Kristina created her lifestyle brand and workshop series Yia Mas to bring the ancient wisdom of Greece to our modern lives. She hosts wellness events and retreats and her shop includes conscious objects inspired by the land, folk traditions and Greek culture! She hosts virtual workshops, Greek dance classes and guided meditations over on her IG, so you’ll be happy you followed along!
Gifting : Yia Mas Tie Dye sweatshirt, Journal made in Greece
RVA Cheesegirl – OH MY GOSH. Are you salivating yet? We have been admiring RVA Cheesegirl on instagram for a while now and the holidays seem like the perfect time to try out one of her amazing boards. Visit her on instagram, shoot her a DM and add one of her delicious cheeseboards to your holiday festivities.
Gifting: One of her amazing cheese boards in the upcoming Treat Yourself giveaway. Stay Tuned on instagram!
Blossom– Your go-to place for all things plant-based and wellness related. CBD, adaptogens, supplements and more! Located on Cary Street and online.
Gifting: A $100 gift card in the upcoming Treat Yourself giveaway! Stay tuned on instagram
Scents of Serenity – a full blog post is coming up soon about this amazing all organic day spa in Richmond. Trust us when we say that anyone on your list would be THRILLED to be gifted a Scents of Serenity gift card or experience.
Gifting : A Scents of Serenity Experience in the upcoming Treat Yourself giveaway! Stay tuned on instagram.
Megan Pratt Art– Follow Megan on instagram for her gorgeous watercolors! We will be gifting a Figure Study set along with the below very soon!
Al & Em – Not local to RVA but we love their modern jewelry and are thrilled to include them in an upcoming giveaway! We will be gifting one of their giant bobby pins to a lucky winner.
Other local Richmond small businesses to support this year:
Let’s Talk Towels — In case you are new around here, Reb & her mom have a Turkish Towel business! We have reimagined Turkish Towels as wraps, shawls, and throws in addition to their versatile use as your beach & bath towels! Use code REBECCA for 10% off through the holidays.
Sun and Selene – Gorgeous jewelry, handmade in Richmond by the oh so talented Britt!
Little Nomad – The cutest, hippest children’s clothing store! A must for anyone with little ones on their list.
Dear Neighbor – This little shop in Church Hill has the best curated selection of holiday gifts and they just launched their care packages in their online store!
TO ENTER FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW! YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN RICHMOND TO ENTER. GOOD LUCK 🙂
TO RECAP FOR THIS POST’S GIVEAWAY:
Rebelle Naturelle : One whipped body frosting and One Lavender+Aloe face tonic and setting spray L & M Company : $50 gift card Rose Lettering Co: a small glass ornament with customized personalization. Includes your choice of ribbon from the collection and a cotton ornament bag Yia Mas: Tie Dye sweatshirt, Journal made in Greece
so obsessed with my new knit sets from Nasty Gal, which would make the perfect cozy holiday ‘fits
A few weeks I went on a bit of a buying spree on one of the LTK Days and boy I am glad I did! I ordered three different knit sets from Nasty Gal and they came just in time for our trip to The Homestead. I basically lived in these pieces the whole weekend – wearing them together and mixing and matching. I especially love the sweater of the off the shoulder set, so I wore that on repeat with each pair of pants daily. It was just so cozy!! I brought all kinds of other outfits, but couldn’t resist cozying up in these pieces each morning.
