live your adventure {eddie bauer}

There's something to be said about returning from a vacation completely refreshed and relaxed. A newly acquired tan and perhaps a lingering buzz from one too many margaritas on the beach certainly doesn't hurt either (and gives you a little something to daydream about when you hit the office upon your return).

While I'm all for the camp of enjoying the above, I have to say, I'm a newfound fan of fitness retreats, which I had the chance to partake in just a few weeks ago with the folks from Eddie Bauer down in Baja, Mexico, testing out their latest Motion line for women. We started each day with a high intensity workout (thanks to Astrid Swan, who yes, kicked our butts each time), followed by either surfing or hiking some of the local trails, and rounded out the day with late afternoon swims or naps by the pool to rest our then sore bodies. If it sounds a bit exhausting, I have to say, while I ached each night when I was crawling into bed, I slept so incredibly well -- both my mind and body physically drained from a day spent well spent soaking up the sun and sea-kissed air. 

Huge thanks again to the Eddie Bauer team for having me and the Rancho Pescadero Resort for hosting us. We had a beautiful time! And for my New York based folks, be sure to check out Eddie Bauer's recently opened flagship store in Union Square. I'm already planning a trip there soon to scoop up more pairs of these guys. 

Here are a few of my favorite snaps from the trip...enjoy!

on the road {yosemite valley}

"Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space." -- Ansel Adams

I was first introduced to Ansel Adams in my Introduction to Art class, during my freshman year of high school. The assignment was to select an artist, from any time period and any medium, and write a report about them -- the hook being they had to share our birthday. 

Fast forward a lot of random Google searches later, I arrived at some of the most striking black and white landscape images I had ever seen, in particular, this one of Half Dome in Yosemite, with the moon rising ever so gracefully above it. I had found my subject, a certain Ansel Adams (Ms. Feeney made an exception for me here since his birthday is technically a day after mine), and subsequently, an obsession that would see me through to this very day. His command of contrast, lighting and composition are, of course, unrivaled but I think it was his uncanny ability to make a landscape appear more as a character: from brooding to ominous to downright joyful, that had me hooked. His images have always struck me more like portraits, than they do landscapes. 

Years (and many Ansel Adams calendars and prints) later, I still had never ventured to Yosemite Valley, which really is only a several hour drive from both Reno or San Francisco. Camping space reservations are admittedly hard to come by and it always seemed easier to head to Tahoe or to drive up the coast instead. That is, until a recent trip back to San Francisco, when my guy and I, on a complete whim, happened to snag one of the last camping spots left for the weekend, packing up just a few hours later to hit the road.

Granted, it was a whirlwind 48-hour camping trip, complete with snow and moody skies the first day and a crisp, clear blue summer day the next. We roamed around the valley floor, taking in everything as mere small observers in such a vast and grandiose space and then hiked up to Glacier Point, again, feeling smaller still, perched high above the valley below, with Half Dome and El Capitan flanking us on either side. 

All the while, I couldn't help but wonder, how Ansel Adams must have felt when he had first ventured to the valley himself -- how quiet and pristine and alive he must have felt, alone with these giants. These larger than life characters, at home in their perpetual sunrise of green and golden wonder. 

Needless to say, I think I'll be coming back to Yosemite for more. Very soon.

Photos by Tyler Graff and Krystal Bick

old world {a moveable feast}

Dress: Robert Rodriguez (similar style here); Shoes: Henri Lepore Dezert; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Target; Necklace: BaubleBar

One of the things I loved most about our trip at sea was the excuse to dress up every night. There's something undeniably old world and romantic about boarding a ship armed with some of your finest evening attire, and nothing but a slew of dinner plans and cocktail parties ahead. And trust me, it was a moveable feast in every meaning of the phrase. Each evening, we enjoyed a new restaurant on board, taste testing our way through every cuisine imaginable -- from hearty steaks to incredibly fresh lobster and crab -- and everything in between. 

Our last evening aboard, we enjoyed a private dinner at the Chef's Table, where the Executive Chef Antonio Cereda, prepared each dish for us practically before our eyes. While each dish outdid the one before it, I have to admit, the seafood risotto remains my ultimate weakness.

Photos by Beca Alexander

This post was in collaboration with Princess Cruises. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

postcards from the caribbean {sailing away with princess cruises}

As I mentioned in my last travel installment with Princess Cruises, I'm a rookie when it comes to cruises. I think I've likely always felt reluctant to try them because I tend to get cabin fever pretty easily, constantly looking for the next thing to jump to while on vacation. What I didn't realize was just how much activity can be packed into a 5-day cruise. While our on board activities were a constant shuffle of pool lounging, drinking and catching the World Series while it was on (all of which was exactly the kind of R&R I needed), we managed to fit into several days of excursions, stopping off first at Grand Cayman (otherwise known as Sting Ray City) and then Cozumel, Mexico (for some Mayan ruin hikes).

As someone who always has her eye on the next destination, I loved the idea of waking up each morning in a different port, with a new adventure ahead of us. Here are a few snaps from our time on and off shore -- hope you enjoy!

Obligatory champagne toast while leaving the Miami dock.

My cruise partner in crime, Beca, and I. 

To say we were spoiled by so many great meals and treats from the Princess Cruise team would be an understatement. More to come on our on board meals in an upcoming post. 

The fearless crew from left to right: Vicki, Marianna, Jenny and I.

Once I got the whole Steve Irwin story out of my head, I warmed up to the idea of holding one of these (giant) guys. And I may have even kissed one (apparently it brings 7 years good luck?). 

The beautiful thing about vacation? It's always Marg o' clock.

Mini victory dance after a pretty scary climb to the top of a Mayan temple (full picture below).

Stay tuned for another cruise installment tomorrow, featuring the outfit above.

This post was in collaboration with Princess Cruises. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!