Dream Destination: The Turquoise Beach Bar at The Landings St. Lucia

Day dreaming is a huge part of travel. How else would you know where to go next? I'm always thinking about where my next adventure might be and all the delicious food and drinks I'll consume when I finally arrive. My latest fantasy? The recently opened Turquoise Beach Bar at The Landings St. Lucia.

This view makes me long for warmer weather. How about you?

Just to give you some background, The Landings is a beachfront AAA Four Diamond property that comes complete with a 7,000 square-foot spa, 85 suites and its own private yacht marina. But let's get to what's really important: The Turquoise Beach Bar. Every traveler knows that the only thing better than a beach view is a great cocktail. And this bar combines both into one great package.

Colorful, mixed cocktails are the perfect companion to a killer beach view.

Guests can order wine, beer or liquor. But since this is an alfresco, ocean-side bar, nothing goes better with a great view than a fantastic mixed drink. One true highlight here is the "Sweet Euphoria.” Each glass of this special drink is a unique blend of vodka, mixes and garnishes. Every bartender here has his or her own recipe. The staff doesn't share their creations, so you're guaranteed to get a delicious, surprising beverage. 

Although I've never been there, perhaps a trip to St. Lucia is in my future. And with any luck, I'll be sitting at The Turquoise Beach Bar at The Landings St. Lucia with a sweet cocktail in one hand. I don't know about you, but I'll drink to that. Cheers!

All photos by Mikkel Paige

Wineries That Wow: Virginia's Early Mountain Vineyards

My home state's expanding role as a wine producer (Virginia is one of the top five states in the country for wine right now) means more and more wineries are starting to pop up everywhere. I've been to plenty on press trips, and one of my favorite was Early Mountain Vineyards. Located in Madison, Virginia--about 40 minutes from Charlottesville--this winery's stunning scenery and tasty wine makes it worth the trip.

Gorgeous wine, isn't it? 

Even if you don't like wine, chances are you'll fall in love with the place as soon as you set foot on the property. Check out those gorgeous hills below for proof. With this wicked winter, it's hard to believe it will ever be that warm again. But when spring finally does come around, be sure to visit Early Mountain to see what it's all about. The large tasting room is the kind of place you could spend all day. Down some white wine--my personal favorite here--and enjoy small bites like pretzels, cheese and delicious creamed honey. Drink up! 

Looks mouthwatering, huh?

The stunning entrance. Just look at that sky.

All photos by Sarah Hauser, Virginia Tourism Corporation

Lole: Beyond Flattering Activewear

The activewear world is dominated by three brands: lucy, lululemon and Athleta. I'm a fan of all of them, but I'm always searching for another great line that can hang in my closet. And that's where brands like Lole come in handy. This Montreal-based company opened a New York City store in June of last year, and let's all hope it's here to stay. Lole creates gorgeous, functional and flattering pieces. I fell in love with all four pieces the company sent me to review, but I want to discuss two of them.

The Central Tank Top has a wonderful built-in bra. Like, it actually works if you have a chest. No small feat there. Plenty of tanks designed to be worn sans bra just don't cut it. But not this one. Wear this during spinning or other high-impact activities. And the cranberry red color is perfect for these chilly holiday months. The seams are flattering too. I'd leave this hanging in the closet for long runs though, but I'd pull it out for every other activity. 

 
Next up for my favorite pick includes The Lively Pant. These were, hands-down, the best  activewear pants I've worn in a long time. They provide just the right amount of compression without being too restrictive. The seams are ultra-flattering--yes, this company's clothes have the best seams. The material is thick, compressive and moisture wicking. The high waist is perfect, especially after the calorie-laden eating fest that is the holidays. If you've got the money (these are not cheap at $105 a pop) or can wait for the pants to go on sale, I'd purchase these for sure. This blog is all about celebrating things I love. Here's to great activewear!

Why You Should Give Richmond's Blue Bee Cider A Try

Delicious cider!

Craft beverages are on the rise. And even though craft beer gets a ton of press, craft cider is probably my favorite drink. There's a Cidercraft Magazine. From 2007 to 2013, craft cider sales reached $600 million, according to Brewbound.com. Virginia has a Cider Week. But putting all those (impressive) numbers aside, cider is delicious. 

Forget all the cider you had as a kid. Today's offerings are sweet, but not cloying and have just a slight edge from the alcohol. Sure, I wouldn't drink it every day. But cider's a fun treat that's worth your time. And my favorite cider maker? Richmond's Blue Bee Cider.

 Blue Bee offers small and large sizes--perfect for a dinner party or just a quiet night in.

The tasting room is tucked away behind these warehouses in Virginia's capital city, and this is a true gem. Sit outside when the weather's nice or enjoy the warm atmosphere of the tasting room. The walls are a light blue complete with light-colored wood and soft lighting. I'd suggest picking up a bottle or purchasing a tasting next time you're in Richmond. My personal favorite? Aragon 1904. This is a Prosecco-like beverage that's light, fizzy, sweet and just a tiny bit sour. I also love how the company sells smaller bottle of its offerings. Here's to hoping cider is here to stay. Cheers!

Check out that gorgeous tasting room. All photos by Sarah Hauser, Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Get Ready to be Charmed by the Poplar Springs Inn in Virginia

I've stayed at plenty of hotel rooms and hostels, but inns are something special. Sure, boutique hotels have personality, but there's something that's very intimate about an inn. It just feels more personable. Poplar Springs Inn tucked away in Warrenton, Virginia, was the very first hotel I stayed in on my very first press trip and holds a special place in my heart. 

I was immediately charmed by my room's tiny outdoor sitting room, and the rolling hills surrounding the inn. I admired the blackout curtains and the regal red bed linens too. Everything just exuded romance and charm. Each room comes complete with its own decor. Don't expect any stale hotel art. Look forward to accessories that make each room feel like an upscale guest room in your favorite relative's home. 

It looks like it's straight out of a movie, doesn't it?

If you're searching for a personable experience, head to the Poplar Springs Inn. The grounds are beautiful. You can have a great dinner in the adjacent dining room. Or just relax in that gorgeous lobby. Get a treatment at the on-site spa and enjoy your pleasant, country surroundings. If you're looking for a way to really getaway from it all, I'd suggest this inn. 

Check out this pool. Pretty sweet, huh?

Isn't that lobby dreamy? All photos by Sarah Hauser, Virginia Tourism Corporation. 

Why San Diego's Extraordinary Desserts is Worth a Visit

San Diego is one of my favorite cities. It's almost always sunny. La Jolla is breathtakingly beautiful. And the food scene is outstanding. As much as I love fish tacos--the city's signature cuisine--I also enjoy a nice slice of cake. And my favorites are from Extraordinary Desserts. 

This quaint downtown spot serves a great menu featuring small bites like sandwiches and pastas, but the real highlight is what's behind the glass case at the very front. These cakes are beautiful. I almost feel like I'm in a flower shop looking at the gorgeous displays every time I walk in. And the presentation really stands out. Each slice is standing in a small pool of melted chocolate (yes!) and garnished with rose petals. That's right, rose petals. My mind was beyond blown when I saw this. 

This slice of cake was actually more gorgeous than it appears in this photo.

Once you dig into one of these great pieces, your life will probably never be the same. Get ready for a moist and rich creation that's sure to leave you satisfied. Creations like the decadent Triple Chocolate Mousse--dark, milk, and white chocolate mousses are layered in between slices of chocolate cake and topped with chocolate-covered honey comb for an extra crunch--will make you swoon. It's virtually impossible to order a bad dessert. When it comes to great cakes, Extraordinary Desserts makes the best ones around. And that's a fact.

An Ode to the Lost Art of Train Travel

As a traveler, I appreciate the journey just as much as the destination. Some of my best memories are of looking out the window of speeding trains, airplanes and automobiles. The best way to see Italian countryside is via train. I'll never forget the beautiful views I took in when I was driving on the Snoqualmie Parkway as I left Washington state. OK, so I don't love airline travel (who does, really?), but I'll always relish being upgraded to business class when I flew from London to D.C. The first words out of the flight attendant's mouth when I sat down: "Champagne or tea?"

Train views of Virginia countryside. 

And I love the train. It's romantic. The WiFi's always free. You actually have room to move around. The rocking is reassuring. The occasional train whistles break up the monotony. I will admit that some trains are a little outdated, and the food is way overpriced. But there's something about train travel that can't be beat. Whenever I'm on a train, I feel like it could be straight out of a scene from a black and white flick. It's old school and under appreciated in so many ways. I just wish Humphrey Bogart would swoop in and buy me a drink.

I'll admit this isn't the best photo, but doesn't it look like a scene from a really old film?

An editor I worked with once remarked that it's nice to have time set aside where you just have to sit. I find that I get more done. Maybe knock out those latest assignments or make some serious headway on the book I'm reading. I guess the writer in me appreciates that. It was no surprise to me when Amtrak debuted its residency program. The train is the best place to catch up on work and admire your surroundings. Be sure to take the train at some point, put it in your list. And get ready to be transported.