Fifteen years later, I would still rank it in my Top 10 Most Fun (and Fashionable) Vacations. The few times I visited Key West after that inaugural trip were just as memorable, and it is definitely one of my favorite places on Earth.

You feel so carefree and relaxed when you’re there, yet the uplifting energy and charm of the island push you to experience all it has to offer.

So when I got invited to check out the NYAH hotel and experience a “Key West Your Way” trip this winter, I was beyond excited to get back down there and find my long lost love revel in my happy place again, and escape the NYC winter.

Presenting your ultimate guide to Key West, Florida — where to eat, stay, play, and soak up this magical place.
(As for the romance, just stand on Duval street in a tube top with a cocktail, and you may just get approached by a drunk 25-year-old looking for love).

Where to Stay
Look, if you’re going to Key West on your honeymoon, ball out and stay at Casa Marina (the Waldorf Astoria property). But if you’re going on a girls or guys trip, NYAH (short for “Not Your Average Hotel”) is where it’s at. The ADULTS ONLY hotel (God bless them) is designed for groups with large rooms sleeping up to 6ish people, and you essentially “build your own room” with a mix of single beds and convertible kings.

There are personal closets/lockers for each person in the room and every bed has its own reading light and charging station. I love this concept because when I’m traveling with a group, I want us all to be together, not split up in separate hotel rooms (you never want to miss hungover morning recap sessions with the whole squad!).

And it’s so affordable — the room price stays the same no matter how many people are in it. As for the property, it’s a historic property right in the heart of the island with two pools, has amazing rooftop views, Starbucks coffee in the lobby, and HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY AT 4:20: Very #OnBrand.

–
Where to Eat
I’ve never had a bad meal in Key West (that I remembered). You can eat fresh seafood at a casual hang on the water, fine dine downtown, or walk around scarfing down a slice of Key Lime Pie like it’s pizza (don’t judge me), and it’s all delicious.

For a more upscale experience, Azur is a must. We feasted on their airy patio, tasting nearly everything on the menu, and I was blown away.


For fish tacos and gallons of killer guac on the water, hit Turtle Kraal’s.

And if Beyoncé and Jay Z’s yacht is docked in plain view from the upstairs patio, the owner might just give you a pair of night vision binoculars to spy.

True story, guys. (And no, I never saw Bey and Jay and I don’t want to talk about it.)

Conch Republic and Waterfront Brewery are two other waterfront spots I love. Conch Republic is always a lively scene where you can watch boats come in and out of the harbor, and if you hit Waterfront Brewery, I recommend a cold pint (and an Insta pic) of the Crazy Lady brew.

And last but never least is the one place you cannot miss if you go to Key West. As in, if you go to Key West and don’t eat here, your trip doesn’t even count. And that place is Blue Heaven (which I also would have been in had I run into Bey, Jay, and Blue Ivy, but I digress).

The food at Blue Heaven is hands-down the best breakfast/brunch food I’ve ever had in my life, plus chickens and cats casually roam the property, and the al fresco setting is like something out of a whimsical fairytale.

If you’re like me, you’ll order the lobster Benedict with banana pancakes on the side (casual), and a slice of Blue Heaven’s sky-high Key Lime Pie…then have to be promptly rolled off the property.

Also, serenade a cat if you can (for the ‘gram, of course).

–
What To Do in the Daytime
Key West days are the best days — the island is full of life around the clock and if you head down to Duval Street at any time of day, you’ll hear live music pouring out of the bars and see people living their best lives. One of my favorite low-key activities is exploring the island by bike, so lucky for me, NYAH has beach cruisers available for guests.

And the basket was just large enough for me to carry back the lifetime supply of products I bought at Key West Aloe (they make the best smelling lotions on the planet, fight me if you think I’m wrong).

For water activities, you can take your pick. On this trip, I really got to treat myself and experience two incredible excursions — a jet ski tour and parasailing. The jet ski tour set out from the Casa Marina hotel and we rode through the waves all around the island, including the Gulf of Mexico.

Let me be clear about three things: 1) This tour is not amateur hour (at least not the one I was on); I was riding at max speed and was still in the back of the pack. 2) Riding a jet ski at top speed through the ocean will knock the hangover right out of you (#thankful for that). 3) Being single is great because you always get your own jet ski.

I absolutely loved this tour and highly recommend doing it through Barefoot Billy’s — one of their guys even gave me a waterproof lock box for my phone and insisted I take his sunglasses on the tour so I wouldn’t lose mine (I think we’re still dating).

Parasailing with Sebago Watersports was equally as incredible, and something I’d never done before. I set out in the morning with a couple of hot professional guides on a boat and killer tunes, and before I knew it, I was suspended from a parachute 400 feet in the air, with a birds eye view of paradise.

They also take photos you can purchase afterward, because as we all know: If you don’t gram it, it didn’t happen.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum should always make a Key West to-do list. Where else can you get the rich history of the original Most Interesting Man in the World, stroll the gorgeous grounds, and see dozens of 5-toed cats roaming free?

Not to mention, my cousin and his wife got married there in 2010, and it was the most fun wedding of all time, so it will always have a special place in my open bar-loving heart.

Papa Pilar’s Rum Distillery (AKA Hemingway Rum Company) is one of the newer attractions on the island, and a solid activity for any alcohol lover. Named for Ernest Hemingway (Papa) and his beloved boat/second wife Pauline (Pilar), you’ll gain some additional knowledge of Key West’s most famous man during the distillery tour, do a tasting at the bar, and stock up on swag (and/or rum) in the shop.

–
What To Do in the Evening
The perfect Key West evening always begins with a stunning sunset at Mallory Square. Since there’s no open container law, you can head down there with a cocktail (or two) in hand, grab some freshly made guac if your heart/stomach desires, admire the street performers (sword swallower FTW), and watch the sun dip below the ocean. And look, I’ve never clapped for a sunset, but I’ll admit I’ve been tempted.

And while we’re talking sunsets, I cannot recommend a Danger Charters sunset wine cruise enough. This was probably my favorite thing I did on the trip (maybe in life) because it involved a sailboat, a sunset, and sitting down while cute guys brought me a dozen different wines to taste…. PLUS CHEESE.

Tell me that’s not the goddamn dream. Do this cruise, get buzzed up, post humblebrag pics on social media, and thank me later.

Next up for nighttime: A ghost hunt. If you just rolled your eyes, I get it. But hear me out. We did Sloan’s Ghost Hunt and I was very impressed and entertained. Key West has some WILD and scary stories, and on this tour, you get devices to detect the ghosts and haunted spots, which is a fun element.

And as mentioned before, you can walk around with a cocktail.

And finally, the portion many of you have been waiting for: GETTING WASTED BAR HOPPING. Key West has a ton of awesome bars, so you’ll never be hard pressed to have the most fun night of your life.

Sloppy Joe’s is a MUST — it’s been around since the ‘30s and still maintains this unexplainable ambiance and energy you feel the second you walk in. There’s live music daily on the famous stage, the drinks are always stiff, and if you’re hungry, you can stuff your face with…wait for it…a SLOPPY JOE (for the record, they’re delicious).

(Image from SloppyJoes.com)

Irish Kevin’s is another solid go-to, and they’ve recently expanded so there’s even more room to crush car bombs and sloppily make out with strangers (what?). And fun fact: My brother won a Guinness chugging contest here back in 2010 and literally got a standing ovation (tbh, his picture is probably framed on the wall).

For the true local experience, hit Green Parrot — it’s the oldest bar in Key West and off the beaten path a bit. There’s live music nightly, it always feels like a party you were lucky enough to stumble into, and their motto is “a sunny place for shady people” (perfect).

If you’re getting hot in therrre and need to take your clothes off, visit Garden of Eden, the island’s only “clothing optional” bar. And if you need to work up to that (literally), you can hit the other two historic bars in the same building first, The Bull and and Whistle Bar, as Garden of Eden is the rooftop.

There are plenty of other hot spots, and as you bounce around, you’ll surely discover the ones that speak to you most. On this magical island, everyone has a place.

The post How to Live Your Best Life in Key West appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

Everyone was all, “Ohmygod, you are going to looooove it; Asheville is so ahhh-mazing.”

I mean, it was no Fiji getaway, but I did spot a Ryan Gosling lookalike…although that was after eight cocktails…and I wasn’t wearing my glasses.

BUT SERIOUSLY…my friend Liza and I had a fantastic weekend full of food, drinks, brunch, wine, more food, more drinks, spa time, and a romantic hotel.

Unfortunately, we didn’t meet the hot, rugged loves of our lives we were hoping to bring back to said hotel, but we did have multiple foodgasms (a close second). You can check out my DailyCandy story for a full review of how to “eat, drink, and relax your way through Asheville,” but I wanted to share/elaborate on a few highlights.

Brunching. We got about 2390842734923 brunch reccs, but we went with Early Girl Eatery for our big, midday binge. Behold the local sausage and sweet potato scramble (and remnants of pumpkin ginger bread we devoured). And yes, I got a side of grits, just shut up, ok!?
I mean, I just drooled on myself and almost got in the car to drive 3.5 hours to eat this meal again. Early Girl does get busy, BUT you can grab a cup of complimentary coffee right inside the restaurant door and take it with you to walk around town while you wait to be seated.

Beautifying. While we were strolling downtown, coffee in hand, awaiting the impending food coma, we stumbled upon a little shop called Appalachian Natural Soaps and I totally dorked out amongst the all-natural, handmade soaps and bath products. Witness the start of a #SmellFest:

I snagged the Pumpkin Spice soap (my showers are like Thanksgiving dessert every day now), as well as the Face the Facts Complexion Bar ($12), which has essential oils, shea butter, Vitamin E, aloe, and more natural goodness to work wonders for ALL skin types. But the most magical product of all is the Sunshine moisturizer ($25).

You guys, I die for this and can’t imagine my life (and skin) without it now. It’s made with five oils that do a body good, is SO moisturizing, and seriously makes your skin glow (put it on your hands at night for silky soft mitts come morning).

SPOILER ALERT friends and fam: You’re all getting this for Christmas.

Chillaxing. The Spa at The Omni Grove Park Inn is…a…doozy. It’s 43,000 square feet (not a typo), all stone, and nestled right in the mountains like a little piece of lady heaven.

Do a luxurious treatment or just get a day pass ($65-$90) like we did and enjoy all the ridiculous features like contrast pools (hot tub soak followed by a freezing cold dip energizes you like whoa), therapeutic pools (super high-pressure waterfall gives a major massage), and outdoor terrace where you can sunbathe in the summer and do the hot-tub-by-the-fireplace thing in the fall/winter with a killer view (and cabana cocktail boys at your service).

Sleeping. We stayed at the Inn at the Biltmore Estate, which is a truly breathtaking destination on 8,000 acres of land (you’ll get lost, don’t worry) .

I highly recommend touring George Vanderbilt’s stupid-big, 250-room mansion (I think the “laundry drying room” was larger than my apartment) and exploring the grounds. Also, the Inn really sets the scene for romance in the fantasy suite. (Someone let ABC know their next Bachelorette is right here.)

Boozing. This city is all about beer, so if you like soaking up the suds, you may never leave. If you like soaking up the STUDS, the breweries are where to find them (we went to Wicked Weed and saw a couple cuties). But Asheville is also home to a major winery (apparently, the most frequented in the country) at the Biltmore Estate.

No, North Carolina is not known for its wine country and no, Biltmore vinos are no Silver Oaks, but when you’re a guest at the Estate (or have a day pass), you get a complimentary tour and tasting where you can try as many wines as you want as many times as you want. In other words: Open bar.

Asheville, we’ll be back. Have your boys booze ready.

LYLAS,
Ashley

The post Witty + Pretty City: Asheville appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

The first few months of the year were total shit not great for me personally and I didn’t take any vacations, so by the time June rolled around, I was so ready to GTFO of my depression town.

To kick off my two months of traveling (read: people asking me WTF is my life), I went to San Juan on a press trip. I had been to Puerto Rico once before, but only for a day that was cut too short (ugh, cruises AMIRITE?), so I was pumped to go back and experience all the city had to offer sans curfew.

I arrived at the beautiful San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino, checked into my room, and immediately flopped onto the king-sized bed (then redid said bed flop four times to get it perfectly natural-looking for Snapchat), and took a pano pic from my balcony so I could #humblebrag about it on social media.

#Blessed

We spent the first afternoon and evening at the resort where the sun was shining, the ocean was crystal clear, the mojitos were strong, the people were friendly, and the food was mucho delicioso (PS, please disregard any Spanish I try to use in this article).

Here’s a mojito on the newly remodeled penthouse balcony (their loss not putting me up in this room).

And here’s the most delicious fresh fish over MOFONGO (a traditional Puerto Rican dish best described as “garlicky plantains”) in the hotel restaurant La Vista Latin Grill…and honestly the best mofongo I had on the trip.

AND I HAD A LOT.

After my mofongo overdose, all I could picture was starfishing on that king-sized bed, but apparently there was salsa dancing to be done.

The Red Coral Lounge in the San Juan Marriott is actually one of the top salsa spots on the island and we quickly understood why.

I even let myself be whisked onto the dance floor, even though I was basically Elaine from Seinfeld next to this pro.

An older gentleman asked one of the other girls to dance and we couldn’t help but notice his command of the room and sick salsa moves given he looked like he might croak at any moment.

Hey now, I know what you’re thinking: “Ashley that’s a really insensitive thing to say about your elder.” Well yeah maybe it would be except for the fact that Chi Chi (yes, that’s his name) ACTUALLY almost died on the dance floor just a few months prior. Yes, that’s right — we got the inside story from the bartenders.

Supposedly he was immobile on the floor with an ambulance on the way, and he came BACK TO LIFE and has been dominating the dance floor ever since with his (much younger) girlfriend, who never leaves home with her “dance kit,” which includes a handheld fan and high-heel shaped flask.

#RelationshipGoals.

We hung out with them a bit, got some Snapchat footage, and when it was time to say goodnight, Chi Chi salsa danced the whole way out the hotel doors. I made a mental note to dance-exit more often.

And that was Day One.

The next day we toured Old San Juan. We did a historical tour at Castillo de San Cristobal and it was so cool to hear about Puerto Rico’s rich history and how it became part of the US. Even though I tend to zone out on field trips, I really payed attention on this one. (Don’t quiz me though.)

And because we’re bloggers/Instagrammers/narcissists/whatever, we all had to take artsy, “candid” shots like this.

Photo shoots like this are even MORE fun when you’re an awkward person in general and the wind is blowing 93493247 MPH.

Oops.

We walked the blue cobblestone streets…

We had a pina colada at Barrachina, “The Home of the Pina Colada,” where they make an average of 2,200 A DAY (seriously, that’s what they told me). I am still having a hard time believing that stat but whatever, I’ll drink to it!

And I bought a custom Panama hat that I’m OBSESSED with at a place called Ole Curiosidades — I chose my hat style and ribbon color and the friendly owner fit it to my head (and cut me a deal).

(Not my hat, but wait for it….)

Then we stood in the street for 30 minutes and took iPhone bursts so everyone could get the perfect photo. #DoItForTheGram, y’all.

Old San Juan is seriously so beautiful and charming; you could spend hours just walking around and exploring (and taking jumping pics in the street, obvi).

That evening, we did a hard hat tour of the Hard Rock Cafe, which is opening right across the street from the San Juan Marriott, and is going to be a definite hot spot in town.

After a few glasses of bubbly, we strolled down the street to Cocina Abierta for a private cooking class and upon walking in and reading the menu, I regretted not wearing a more elastic waistband. This was such an incredible experience as we all got a little hands-on action and enjoyed a fantastic four-course meal.

When you go to San Juan (which obviously you will now, duh), definitely dine at this restaurant, cooking class or not.

The next day, we went “surfing.” Why is that in quotes, you ask? Because I wouldn’t call what I did in the ocean that day anything close to surfing aside from the fact that I was attached to a board.

Don’t get me wrong, we had an expert instructor and the waves were significant enough to ride, but I don’t surf, you guys. I’m good at many a few things, surfing and skiing are not on that list. Neither is patience.

But of course I still had to get a photo that made me look cool and somewhat comfortable with a #surfbort because #WhatWouldBeyonceDo?

And I will say, even if you don’t excel (read: totally fail) at something, it always feels really good to try.

After shredding all those sick waves, we went back to the hotel to relax/recover and I got a massage in the hotel spa. I know what you’re thinking — “Oh that sounds nice, massages are great!” Sure, massages are great, but have you ever been oiled up and rubbed down by a smokin’ hot Latin guy?

If not, put that on your bucket list, betches. Shout-out to Carlos for an amazing massage and letting me creepily take his picture (trust me, it really doesn’t do him justice).

Ok, I’ll stop talking about this now before my boyfriend dumps me.

Anyway, after all that excitement, we trekked up through the mountains to the Pork Highway, which is exactly what it sounds like (earmuffs, vegans) — a whole bunch of pig-heavy restaurants in one salivatory spot.

But before you book a flight to this meat retreat, know that it really only pops off on Sundays and many places are closed during the week. But luckily, we found a place to serve us literally everything they had left in their kitchen and all was right in the world.

Highlight of the meal: I asked for hot sauce and this is what I was handed.

A giant Dewar’s jug filled with pepper-infused condiment deliciousness? Try to put that in your bag, Beyonce.

(And yes, that’s my beloved CUSTOM PANAMA HAT!)

We made our way back down the mountain, and chatting over some gelato from the hotel’s cremeria, agreed we had to go out on our last night. We got ready and hopped in a cab for the short ride to Old San Juan, but given it was a Tuesday, there wasn’t much going on (pro tip: downtown only gets lit Thursday – Sunday).

But we refused to take the locals’ recommendations to hit Senor Frogs and pressed on to find the perfect (or just open) place for some cocteles. AND OH DID WE FIND IT.

Sol y Cruz is a three-story establishment of awesome. The first floor, St. Germain, is a bright bistro and bar. The second floor, The Mezzanine is a cocktail lounge with funky armchairs for seating and beautiful, Instagrammable decor.

And the rooftop, Al Fresco, is where we settled for ROSE MARGARITAS (yes, you read that correctly) and lounging under the twinkly lights, overlooking the city.

This was an absolutely perfect trip and I cannot rave about San Juan enough. I highly recommend visiting (and it’s a domestic flight, no customs lines or passports needed!).

I will definitely visit Puerto Rico again, stay at the San Juan Marriott (because mofongo and Carlos), do a “biobay” experience (#BucketList), and of course, master the art of surfing. (JK, no way in hell.)

‘Til next time, San Juan!

The post Summer in San Juan! appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

One summer, we literally woke up like this:

(For the record, that’s a patio…and a Bebe dress…and me drunkenly defying gravity. And my best friend next to me is married with a kid on the way.)

But I’m a grownup now, or at least my body’s inability to cope with hangovers has forced me to be, so vacations have had to roll with the aging punches (and they do keep coming!). Bandage dresses have been replaced with sensible palazzo pants and breathable tanks, and I’d trade a low-key dinner at a nice restaurant (or literally any restaurant) for a “clubbing” experience of any kind.

While my preferred vacation activity used to be laying on the beach and playing skin cancer roulette for hours on end, now I’d much rather get off my SPF’d ass for a cultural activity and/or memorable experience. (But don’t check me into the retirement home just yet — I still have love for shaking my ass and laying in the sun with a margarita.)

So when I got the opportunity to visit the Marriott Stanton South Beach and experience a “softer side of South Beach,” I jumped on it like a 22-year-old on a free vodka Red Bull. And living in New York City, it was still cold here in May (FML), so I was even more pumped to GTFO.

My favorite thing about the Stanton is the location and I don’t just mean the beautiful beachfront.

It’s in an an area of South Beach called “South of 5th” (that means below 5th Street for you geography experts), which is a low-key pocket of perfection, with enough action to keep things entertaining (great restaurants, a few cool bars, the famed Nikki Beach, the best smoothies and acai bowls on the planet at Pura Vida), but far enough removed from all the models poppin’ bottles and thirsty promoters.

(Standar pano pic from my balcony.)

I did hit the beach a few times, but also soaked up the skin damage rays at the relaxing pool, where the scene was much more honeymoon resort than Vegas pool party.

One entire afternoon, I just laid on a lounge chair, read a book, and drank Sauvignon Blanc that someone served to me, and if you don’t think that sounds like actual heaven, pls unfriend me IRL.

And because I was technically “working”, I also had to get a poolside photo for @BrosBeingBasic at the hotel. Here’s how that went down: I spotted three attractive guys and confidently approached them. As I began to explain my request to them, my confidence quickly faded as I realized they barely spoke English. (Miami pro tip for my American friends: NOT EVERYONE SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE.)

But I powered through with enough desperate hand gestures and photos on my phone, and the guys agreed to take a photo (probably out of pity, but I’ll take what I can get). I ran up to the bar to purchase my props (read: coconut drinks) before they changed their minds and flew back to France, and was presented with another special obstacle: The bartender also spoke limited English!  I hadn’t felt this misunderstood since my last boyfriend told me he hated The Bachelor.

But again, I embraced the career challenge and forged ahead, snagged the coconuts, and rushed back down for the “photo shoot.” And miraculously, the guys just got into formation (slay slay), and I was able to get the shot — albeit just barely dodging a 60-year-old’s man’s foot going up my ass while I squatted over his lounge chair and he made no attempt to budge (thank you again, Sir!).

With all of this grueling work, I’m glad the food situation at the Stanton was on point. They have a delicious Mexican restaurant, Lolo’s Surf Cantina, on the property, with the best Mexican street corn I’ve ever eaten.

And in a miraculous turn of events, the chef also has a café in NYC (Café Habana in SoHo) famous for this corn, so if you need me this summer, you can find me at the club cob.

No seriously, here I am just last week.

(Real talk — should this be my Bumble profile pic?)

The Stanton is also opening a swanky Japanese restaurant soon, and we were lucky enough to do a tasting, during which I coined the phrase Jappetizer (which exactly zero people liked on Twitter). :/

Every bite was a legitimate mouthgasm and if you’re ever in South Beach and don’t dine here, you are missing out. Trust me, get the Jappetizers.

At this point, you’re probably wondering if all I did on the trip was eat, drink, and harass cute French boys, but I swear there was more!

On Day 2, we drove about 20 minutes to the Oleta River State Park where we picked up kayaks, gently wrapped our children iPhones in (complimentary!) waterproof bags, and set out on the high seas. (JK there were definitely not high seas or I would still be out there, trying to row back with my lack of upper body strength.)

We kayaked through a jungle-like area, then popped out into Biscayne Bay to be greeted with stunning city views. The wind did start to pick up on the bay, and as I became the straggler, I vowed to start taking upper body classes at Barry’s Bootcamp instead of just abs and ass. (Update: I still have not.)
We kayaked to a little island and ate Cuban sandwiches we had picked up at a bodega on the way, and I rested my weary arms before we kayaked back, thankfully with the wind at our backs.

I would recommend this excursion as it’s a great way to experience the Miami outdoors. Pro tip: Wear SPF 800 and get a tandem kayak so you can slack off in the back.

And finally, my favorite experience of the trip was exploring the Wynwood Arts District. Formerly a gritty area of town, it’s now home to murals on murals on murals by famous local and international artists.

You have to walk through the designated Wynwood Walls, but the whole ‘hood is covered with breathtaking art.

We did an art and food tour, and while I typically zone out during any type of field trip situation, I highly encourage this, because you hear the stories behind the seasonally changing murals and also stop into some of the incredible nearby restaurants for local Miami eats.

And since I was still “on assignment” for BrosBeingBasic, I had to document the basic bros in their natural habitat.

I could not have enjoyed this vacation more and it was a total reset before coming back to the NYC grind.

Am I going to get white girl wasted and sunburnt in Miami again? I mean, most likely.

Am I going to go clubbing until 5am then skinny-dip in the ocean with a stranger again? Probably not (but never say never!).

But I will definitely be going back for a relaxing vacation South of 5th….and next time I might even stay a few days months longer.

The post How to Do Miami Like an Adult appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

I flew Jet Blue out of JFK and despite my anxiety about traveling sans Delta status, all went well (or at least I assume so) as I slept (hopefully close-mouthed) the entire 4.5 hours. I took an easy 20ish-minute ride to the hotel and was on the beach with a marg and gluttonous plate of tacos within the hour.

The beach was beautiful, and in true Marriott hospitality fashion, someone set up a waterfront lounge chair for me with two towels that I would immediately spill guacamole on, but YOLO. I spent a lovely, relaxing afternoon on the beach, reading Hillary Clinton’s book and pretending that when I returned to America she would be president and the last 10 months had just been one big nightmare/joke/simulation, but I digress.

Fast forward to dinner that night, which was truly one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The Aruba Marriott has a restaurant on the beach, Atardi, where you feast on excellent seafood with your toes in the sand and the sound of the waves lightly crashing in the background (should I write poetry or what?).

The rest of the group was in attendance for dinner and we had a blast eating, drinking, and discussing Instagram algorithms (because #influencers). After this romantic dinner for six, we headed back to the hotel bar for a nightcap and some girl talk before hitting the sack for an early morning of fun in the Aruba sun. (Btw, for any couples considering visiting Aruba, there was an extra special waterfront “loveseat” at Atardi you can reserve.)

The next morning, we set out with DePalm Tours for a snorkeling trip on a catamaran, which I hadn’t done since Spring Break ‘03 in Key West, but this time was a little different because I wasn’t focused on drinking the bar out of complimentary hunch punch nor was I hooking with one of the locals who worked on the boat (but that’s a story for another time). My favorite things about the snorkeling excursion were:

The Instagram opportunities, sorry I mean beautiful waters.

My new Bumble profile pic.

The fact that most of the other people on the boat were TURNT 1.5 hours into the trip…..which was 10:30 a.m.

And above all, there was a moment when we were cruising through the ocean, sun on our face and water at our butts, with a Beyoncé XO reggae remix playing (SO YEAH, THAT EXISTS), and I thought to myself, I am so grateful for this life I get to live, and everything is going to be alright. It’s those small, at-peace moments on vacations that I never forget. (See, I have emotional depth, you guys!)

When we returned to the hotel, we were in for a (literal) treat with a cooking class to make the island’s signature dish, keshi yena, which is a large round ball of cheese stuffed with spiced meat and other deliciousness. I had been anticipating this moment since I tasted this magical dish at an Aruba Marriott media dinner back in March and hadn’t stopped having food fantasies about it ever since. Working with the talented Marriott chefs, we did modified mini versions of the dish, and I even got to stir some stuff!

LOOK WHAT THEY MADE ME DO!

After our cooking/feasting, we headed over to one of the more Insta-worthy spots on the property and spent the next 30 minutes taking pictures of each other, and that’s when I knew I was with my people.

And because I’m always werking for @BrosBeingBasic on these trips (ie. mildly exploiting men for my own benefit), I found some guys at the pool and coaxed these strangers into the same Insta-worthy spot for a photo opp. People seemed to like it on the ‘gram.

By this point it was sunset so I headed to the bar for a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc so I could enjoy a romantic, scenic moment by myself on the beach. But luckily, I was joined by some of my new friends which was good because I was a little too fragile to be watching sunsets alone with alcohol tbh.

As if I need to even say this, the sunsets in Aruba are incredible.

That night, we dined at a rad local spot, The West Deck, which has a laid-back vibe and mouthwatering hodgepodge of a menu that’s still small enough you can nearly order every single item if you’re in a group. So we did that.

Everything was so delicious and even though I was morbidly full by the end of the meal, I activated my dessert stomach for the Tres Leches, and it was worth every calorie and the lamaze breathing I had to do afterward. I highly recommend this casual joint if you’re in Aruba, and definitely order a beerita which is approximately 293492347 ounces of alcohol and comes in a vase you have to pick up with both hands (strength training FTW!).

The next day was absolutely jam-packed with cool shit and I loved every second. Here’s a quick and dirty highlight reel because if you’re still reading this exhilarating blog at this point (THANK YOU!) you’re probably ready for me to wrap it the h*ck up.

The day began with breakfast in the presidential suite at the Marriott. There are few things I love more than breakfast burritos with a view.

Then we trekked to the other side of the island for a local experience “foraging” with a local named Frank Kelly, who was one of the most interesting and awesomely eccentric people I’ve ever drank with at 10am.
He shared hilarious stories and local history with us while cooking up an incredible meal from fish and octopus he caught himself, garnished with edible flowers, and washed down with rum of course.

On the way to our next meal, we stopped by Aruba’s Donkey Sanctuary and I had to get out and “explore” (read: do it for the gram).

Dat ass doe.

Next up was lunch at Zeerovers, which was another super dope dining experience. You watch them bring in the fish from the ocean and literally chop it up right in front of you, then feast right on the water.
The menu is limited, so again, we ordered every single thing on it and drank Chill beers (at this point, the Instagram opps were just too easy).

Photo courtesy of @OneHungryJew

When someone says you have no chill. 

When we got back to the resort, I soaked up my last afternoon on the beach and one more stunning sunset. Then it was time for DINNER IN BED (and no, I don’t mean room service or cunnilingus). We left the Marriott and dined at the Screaming Eagle, which may sound like a Trump supporter’s Twitter handle, but is actually a super swanky restaurant where you can reserve fancy beds with billowy white curtains for your dining pleasure.

The food was phenomenal (as were the martinis), and I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone had ever done the dirty right where I was eating (what?). For anyone visiting Aruba, definitely pay this place a visit if you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience.

After one more group breakfast the following morning (and some delish waffles which appear in this @BrunchBoys video), it was off to the airport. The trip was over, and it was everything I could have hoped for and more. Turns out Aruba is much more than just a line in a Beach Boys song.

The post How to Eat (and Instagram) Your Way Through Aruba appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

There may not be any new material on W+P for the next couple days because I’m on vacation in Dewey Beach, DE and it’s hard to type with a vodka cocktail in one hand and a champagne bottle in the other, plus there’s no wifi on the beach.

I know. You hate me.

In related news, I turned 29 yesterday.

After my parents had a few too many glasses of wine at happy hour, I convinced them to basically rent out the island of Key West for my 30th next year….and you’re all invited!

Here are some highlights from the past few days and I’ll be back to reality with some fun, new material soon!

LYLAS,

Ashley

The post Dewey Beach, Delaware For Ladies appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

All I can think about is how I can’t wait to get into bed (which may be as soon as I hit “publish” on this post). But that brings me to today’s five list of where I’d like to be at this moment (and any moment really).

Let’s get between the sheets, shall we?

1. The W Hotel in Paris. Oui, s’il vous plaît.

2. The St. Regis in Bora Bora.

For the love of God, someone please take me here.

3. Room with a view. I heart NYC.

4. I don’t know where this is, but I’d like to go tomorrow

.

5. I would even go camping right now if I could get into bed.

(This is what camping is, right?)

And to all a good night.

LYLAS,
Ashley

The post 5 Beds I’d Rather Be In appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

Nowhere is safe. Not the movie theater, not an elementary school, not the Boston Marathon–the city’s pride and joy. From now on, this momentous and joyous occasion for the city will bring memories of death and destruction. We can only pray for the families of the 3 who were killed, those 140+ with injuries, and everyone else affected.

And let’s hope we can uncover the force behind this so we can understand why it happened and hopefully, see justice be served.

As for the media, I’ve seen a few graphic photos I find to be totally irresponsible and inappropriate and I do think that some reporting can hurt more than it can help, but at the end of the day, most sources are doing their best to deliver the news, so I hope we can focus our energy on ways we can help or at least sending positivity to the people affected rather than criticizing the messengers.

And as always, for anyone making jokes about this tragedy (I just saw a meme that made me feel nauseous), go f*ck yourself.

The post Thinking About Boston appeared first on Witty + Pretty.