lesleymurphy

Best 15 Stops on The Road to Hana

June 1, 2021 by lesleymurphy 8 Comments

The Road to Hana isn’t your average road trip…and The Road Les Traveled it isn’t. The teeny tiny – sometimes one lane – curvy road is just as crowded as it is charming. Think taro patches, turquoise seascapes, waterfall pools, botanical gardens and lush rainforests. If starting in Wailea, google maps will tell you the 64 mile stretch to Hana takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Well the thing about Google Maps? It lies.

Things to know before you go:

Start early! Like 7 or 8am early. This drive will take you all day, and starting late means traffic and crowded places of interest.

The road has many nicknames, one being “The Divorce Highway.” Driving this road is pure eye candy at every turn, but the exhausting 617 hairpin curves and 59 unforgiving one-lane bridges can make for one hell of a day(s). Oh, don’t forget the speed limit is 25 mph or less the entire way which puts the drive time to about 2.5 hours WITHOUT any stops or traffic. Absolutely impossible IMO 🙂 It’s about the journey, not the destination, y’all!

IF you attempt this road with a baby (entirely possible and FUN!), then I suggest staying the night in Hana because you’ll need extra time. Be aware that there aren’t many lodging options in Hana, and most come at a high price tag. We stayed here – no regrets, but it’s insanely overpriced.

Download the GyPSy Guide to Hana app on your phone before you depart for a guided audio tour. It’s $6.99 but was absolutely worth every penny to us! Not only does it give you incredible advice along the journey, but it also tells you Hawaii history as well. It does a great job of letting you know which are the best viewpoints and attractions you don’t want to miss, and what things are nice extras to do if you have the time. The best learning experience for the whole car (Nora will have to listen again one day 😉 )

Don’t forget a car charger because the app will run down your battery – and it’s a LONG day! Our rental only had a USB-C port (ugh) so we didn’t have a charger. Needless to say, my phone was at 5% when we stopped in Hana for the night.

There is hardly any service on the road, so make sure you download some music for the drive!

Get a parking and entry reservation for Waiʻānapanapa State Park (black sand beach) a few days prior to starting this adventure. Same day reservations aren’t available.

Practice Aloha. If a local pulls up behind you while driving just pull over and let them pass, otherwise they will drive on your tail until you do.

Banana bread on Maui is serious business. If you’re into it as much as I am, try a banana bread tasting at all these stops 🙂 Aunty Sandys (Mile Marker 17 down Keanae Road), Halfway to Hana stand (Mile Marker 17), Nahiku Cafe (Mile Marker 29), Hana Farms (Mile Marker 34). You’ll most likely come across even more loaves at unnamed fruit stands along the way as well!

You’ve probably heard about the “back way” which creates a loop instead of turning around at Hana. We didn’t do the loop because most major car rental companies explicitly prohibit their vehicles from being driven there. Some people do it and are fine – but others have gotten stuck on remote dirt roads or in potholes, having to be towed out. It’s on my list to do another time (hello! This is The Road Les Traveled after all!).

15 Stops on The Road to Hana

Paia Town – First stop! I love this cute little town. Get gas here because I don’t think you’ll have another chance until Hana. Visit Paia Bowls or a stop at Mana Foods for brekkie and road trip snacks, and visit Secret Beach for sea turtle viewing. We had the entire beach to ourselves on our final morning on Maui AND saw a beautiful, giant sea turtle. Note – this beach is clothing optional 🙂

Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees – Mile Marker 7; There’s a grove of beautiful rainbow eucalyptus trees here, a site I’ve never seen before! We had to pull over to a small designated area real quick to snap these stunning photos so we could always remember them. They’re native to Philippines but has been introduced and grows well in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Britain, and Hawaiʻi.

Garden of Eden – Mile Marker 10/11; 26 acres of trails with unique flowers and trees away from the crowds. It’s a steep $15pp admission fee so if you’re willing to cough up the change, it’s a great spot for a bathroom break and chance to get out of the car (seat). The cafe at the entrance has yummy snacks to choose from (with a porter potty – but nicer restrooms exist inside the gardens)!

Ke’anae Peninsula – Mile Marker 16; Known for its taro fields and sad historic events. On your drive down, you’ll pass a stone church built in 1856, the only remaining building after the devastating tsunami of 1946 which killed twenty four people when waves topping 35 feet crashed into the village with no warning. Following this tragedy, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was implemented, which still sits on Oahu’s Ewa Beach.

Half Way to Hana – Mile Marker 17; If you have a craving for some banana bread, you’ll go right past Half Way to Hana. Being a self-proclaimed BB Master myself, I gave this bread a 7/10.

Coconut Glen’s – Mile Marker 27; Made with love and coconuts from the jungles of Maui, this vegan ice cream really is something to pull over for. Glen reminds me of a modern-day Willy Wonka, and his food truck is his modern day chocolate/coconut/ice cream factory.

Nahiku Cafe & Marketplace – Mile Marker 29; After a sugar rush at Coconut Glen’s, we needed some caffeine in order to make more headway along our journey. Grab some coffee and some macadamia nut banana bread for a snack down the road!
Ka’eleku Cave (Hana Lava Tube) – Mile Marker 31; I wanted to visit this natural wonder, but we simply didn’t have the time. The 40 minute tour costs $12pp and is said to be one of the most fascinating stops along the Road to Hana. It was formed approximately 960 years ago as a result of molten lava spewing up from underground and flowing toward the ocean!
Hana Farms – Mile Marker 31; A sucker for a beautiful roadside stand, we pulled off and bought an array of goodies. It’s THE place to grab local produce and homemade baked goods.

Waianapanapa (Black sand beach) – Mile Marker 32; Shiny black-sand Waianapanapa Beach is surrounded by bright green jungle foliage on three sides and cobalt-blue water lapping at its feet. Dreamy, right? Don’t be like us and forget to make a paid reservation (implemented in March 2021). We saw it via drone from afar.

Hana Town – Mile Marker 34; You’ve made it to Hana! Congrats! This is where we spent the night in order to make the drive enjoyable with a baby. There’s lots to do around here, but if you’re hungry, don’t miss all the food trucks near the Hana-Maui Resort.

Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach – In Hana town near the Hana-Maui Resort; A local to Maui mentioned this spot near the town of Hana, and I’m so glad she did. The .5 mile trek via narrow pathways along the coast is beautiful – but note it could get a little tricky if you’re not careful with your footing as there have been multiple injuries/rescues along the path due to erosion over the years. You can easily wear sandals with some good traction on the bottom, but I wore proper hiking shoes because I was wearing Nora at the time and wanted to be extra safe!
Wailua Falls – Mile Marker 45; Get out of your car in the dedicated parking lot (or don’t – you can see it from the car as you pass!) to photograph or swim next to these gorgeous falls. I get it – you might have waterfall fatigue by now, but this is a good one. Cascading approximately 80 feet down the side of a lush jungle wall into to a lovely plunge pool, this is easily one of Maui’s most accessible and majestic falls. No hiking required!

Haleakala National Park: Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) / Bamboo Forest (Pipiwai Trail) – The 7 Sacred Pools are a chain of waterfalls that flow into each other, producing the seven water chambers. As inviting as the water looks, you can’t swim in it. Around the same spot, you can choose to hike the Pipiwai Trail. This was certainly on our list, but Nora was having a bit of a meltdown by this point, so needless to say…we skipped it. Y’all go for us and see the beautiful bamboo 3/4 of the way there! ALSO – if you visited Haleakala Crater at sunrise/sunset, your entry into the park is good for 3 days and will work at these stops as well so you don’t have to pay the $25 fee again.

Huli Huli Chicken – Mile Marker 49; If it’s lunch time (and even if it isn’t), stop here. “Huli” means “turn” as in turn over the flame. Place your order for chicken, pork, or ribs all served plate lunch–style with potato mac salad, rice, and green salad. Park yourself at the picnic table (or giant log) facing scenic Alau Island and count your blessings. It was a highlight for us!

Hamoa Beach – Mile Marker 51; Crescent-shaped beach lined with Hala trees that’s good enough for locals and visitors alike!

Over to y’all! What did I miss? We tried to stop at as many places as we could along the journey! Leave a message in the comments for all your favorite stops!

Beach Vacation: Baby Packing List

May 27, 2021 by lesleymurphy 2 Comments

When packing for our two week trip to Hawaii for Nora, I tried very hard not to bring the entire house. You’ll want to take the bouncer, the dock-a-tot, the entire dresser, etc. But as it turns out, babies don’t need a whole hell of a lot. At least when they’re 3 months old 🙂 I packed her in the medium Away suitcase, and it ended up being the perfect fit.

Disclaimer: Traveling with a baby may look different depending on how old said baby is. But…not that different. A tiny human is a tiny human! I had to say it to curb the mom shamers out there. Stay seated, y’all.

Before we get into the packing list, here were my biggest takeaways:

If your baby is on formula, bring LOTS more than you think you’ll need! I had to get my sister to ship us more to Hawai’i.
If you’re staying somewhere with a washer/dryer, then cut the clothes, burp cloths, and swaddles in half!
Know that you can buy things you need (looking at you, diapers) once you get to where you’re going. This will lighten your load significantly and allow more space for other items.

Suitcase Essentials

Clothes

I packed in 3 piles: Basics, elevated style, sleepers. The amount of clothes you bring for baby will depend on how long you’re gone and if you have access to a washer/dryer. During our trip, we stayed at a hotel the first 4 nights and then made our way to an Airbnb. By that time, we were so thankful to wash spit-up clothes and blow-out onesies.

Baby

basics

Beachwear

This was both fun to pack and easy to overdo. Let’s be real. What’s cuter than a baby in a sunhat and sunnies? Nothing. I may have overdone it on the shopping…but can you blame me?!

Bathing suit

For two weeks at the beach, I brought 3 swimsuits for Nora. I was worried this wouldn’t be enough, but it was plenty! It’s not like she was frolicking in the pool or ocean all day every day – and these things dry 🙂 The water was a bit cold, after all. This tie-dye number for only $18 was a show stopper.

Babiator sunglasses

I meeeaaan. HOW CUTE RIGHT. We only brought the pair pictured to HI, but worry not! Mommy and me versions of these and these are for the next getaway.

Beach fan

We used this all throughout the island, and I love how it grips on to just about anything. It comes with three speeds and was so useful, especially while attached to her stroller for long, warm walks.

Beach tent

I bought this two days before we left because I felt like we needed some kind of shade option for Nora. It doesn’t take up much room which is why I bought it. We never ended up using it because we were either inside a cabana or under the big umbrella that our Airbnb supplied, but I’m glad we had it as a backup if necessary!

Sun hats – Is there anything cuter than a baby in a sunhat?! Short answer: no. We bought all of these but packed two 🙂

sun

hats

Sunscreen – Nora can’t wear sunscreen just yet, so we didn’t have to worry about SPF. We kept her in the shade or covered when out and about. However, I’ve heard great things about this brand for babes!

Bath time

Tiny traveler pack

This baby travel set has all of our home favorites packed into a TSA friendly pouch. Baby shampoo/soap combo, lotion, hand and face wipes, and a desitin travel pack. Pro tip – you can refill and reuse the little bottles for the next trip!

Swaddles

If your baby is still in a swaddle, you know how terrible it would be to leave without one! I took one Halo Sleepsack and one Ollie swaddle (currently sold out). We used both!

Blankets

We brought one light, cotton blanket and used it to death. I may or may not have accidentally taken the United Polaris blanket from the plane as a back up, and we were so glad it made its way into a carry-on as a second option (especially while at the top of Haleakala crater!)

Packing cube for the following:

Bottle soap

This is imperative to have for bottle cleaning or even breastfeeding parts. I brought along this brand to wash bottles in the sink, but after it’s gone I’ll probably invest in a smaller container that’s more travel friendly.

Sterilization bags

So many of y’all suggested bringing these along for easy sterilization – thank you! They worked so well, and I love how you can reuse a bag 20x. Note that you must have access to a microwave which we did at almost every stop thankfully (but when we didn’t we just used the bottle soap :))

Pacifier/bottle wipes

These safe wipes were so clutch to have while on planes! If we needed to reuse a nipple in a pinch or if a bottle accidentally touched a surface, I’d quickly wipe it down with one of these wipes and felt better about feeding Nora with cleaner supplies.

Doggie bags

My good friends added these to my care package before Nora was born…and to be perfectly honest I was so confused. It wasn’t until I threw them in her diaper bag last minute before we left for the airport that I understood. Nora had a massive up-the-back blowout right before we boarded which of course led to an outfit change. I threw the stained onesie into a diaper bag and we were on our way!

Laundry detergent

Due to the scenario above, once we got to our hotel, I immediately soaked the onesie in the sink with a good squirt of this plant-based, nontoxic laundry detergent. Throughout all of my travels, I’ve learned to take some travel friendly sized detergent along for emergencies – with or without a washing machine!

Medication

Don’t forget any medication while you’re away! We traveled with Nora’s reflux meds + travel-sized desitin and aquaphor.

Sound machine x3 – Three sound machines was probably overkill, but each one has a purpose lol. At least that’s what I thought at the time. We took the portable one, the shusher, and the one she sleeps with every night.

sound

machines

Misc.

Lightweight backpack

I’m glad I threw Nora’s backpack in last minute! I really liked having another bag to throw items in other than the diaper bag which is great for travel days, but there’s something about this super cute, lightweight backpack for beach days and beyond that made life a little easier.

Carriers

I love wearing Nora and took two kinds of carriers with us – the Solly Baby Wrap and the Babybjorn Mini. We used both for different things. I wanted her to be as warm as possible up on Haleakala, so I wrapped her in the Solly Baby. Hiking is a breeze with this mini carrier shown 🙂

Travel bassinet

Before leaving for the trip, I kept worrying where Nora was going to sleep at night while at the Airbnb and beyond. Hotels typically have cribs so that wasn’t an issue, but our Airbnb didn’t supply a crib/pack n’ play. I ended up buying this fold-up travel bassinet, and it was perfect for us! It won’t last forever (maybe just another month!) but if your baby is under the weight limit, I highly recommend this product. The cushion is a little stiff so we ended up taking off a large couch cushion and placing the bassinet on top of that while on the floor. I think it helped make it a bit cozier 🙂 These fitted sheets helped too!

Baby book

Nora doesn’t exactly take in books just yet, but I did pack one for the plane ride in hopes that it would give us something to do if we needed to pass the time (we did). This one has cloth pages (can cram it just about anywhere) and has flaps that open with crinkle paper that make noise.

Diaper Bag

There’s nothing out of the ordinary here.. except maybe the doggie bag hack (keep reading). If you travel often you know anything can happen from point A to point B so pack a few extra diapers, wipes, formula in that diaper bag, mama.

Willow diaper backpack

I LOVE this diaper bag for travel because it has a bunch of compartments, can fit a lot of items inside and out, and has a foldout changing pad. Here’s what we packed for the flight:

Diapers

I packed about 12 diapers in the bag that day. Ya just never know 😉

Wipes

We were about 3/4 of the way through a whole pack, so I threw that in the bag. I love this brand because they are 99.9% water with a drop of fruit extract – amazing for sensitive skin and diaper rash prevention.

Bottles

For our 12 hour travel day, we packed 8 bottles. Again, we didn’t know what was going to happen! I think we ended up using 5 out of the 8 on the flight(s).

Doggie bags

They work wonders for blow-out clothing, wet bathing suits, dirty shoes, etc.

Pacifiers

For the love of God, don’t leave these behind and stash one in every pocket because you can never find them when you need them.

Burp cloths

Stash everywhere and bring plenty.

Changing pad

Even though our diaper bag has a foldout changing mat, I can’t tell you how many times we used this pad as well. It comes in handy if you don’t bring the diaper bag with you on certain occasions!

Formula – We packed the can instead of the on-the-go dispenser since it was a long travel day and we didn’t know how much Nora would be taking that day. I wanted to make sure we had plenty with us at all times! Travel brings a unique schedule and survival mode is immediately turned ON. Also – make sure you bring more formula than you think you need on your trip! My sister had to ship more to Hawaii for us. If your baby only enjoys warm milk, look at the Babys Brew portable bottle warmer for travel.

Water – I brought along a reusable water bottle once we were at our destination, but I bought room temperate bottled water after security at the airport for Nora’s formula. AND as it turns out, you *can* bring water through security if it’s for the baby! Same goes with breastmilk. It may get tested at TSA, but they’ll let it through.

Bottle/Paci wipes – Clutch move for a quick clean in a pinch!

Outfit change x2 – Planes are cold so I packed two more onesies – and thankfully so! She needed an outfit change before we even boarded our first flight.

Car seat/Stroller Combo

Doona

If there was ever a product I stand by day in and day out, it’s our beloved Doona. I always get asked about it (it’s a head turner around town/at the airport!), and I always sing its praises. Transforming from a carseat into stroller in mere seconds, this is a MUST HAVE when traveling with an infant! We could have checked this at the counter, but I loved having Nora ride in it throughout the airport. I’m glad we gate-checked it inside a travel bag, and it came back to us each time unscathed. Note that you don’t need to travel with the base! You can safely install it using the vehicle seatbelt.

To the parents out there…what did I miss?! I’m certainly no expert yet, so sound off in the comments to share any other helpful tips!

The Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas

May 26, 2021 by lesleymurphy 11 Comments

Having visited for the first time as a high schooler at the ripe age of 17, I can confidently say that I experienced Cabo before Cabo experienced its boom. Well over a decade later, the place looks completely different to my eyes.

When the first hotel, Palmilla, opened in 1956 essentially as a sports club, Cabo San Lucas and its older brother San Jose del Cabo (combined to make Los Cabos) made up a quiet beach paradise…and then Jack Nicklaus came in the 60s for his go-to golf vacays. As time went on, the sleepy fishing village kept bringing in hotel rooms and groomed golf courses. Cut to 2019. The secret was out.

Luxury hotels are definitely keeping up with population growth, and nothing pairs better with a jacuzzi suite than a world-class golf game and a side of guac. I was keen on participating in this renaissance.

Esperanza Resort

Last week I checked into a hotel I’ve heard about many times. Esperanza Resort from the Auberge collection had me at HELLO HOLA HI HEY HOW YA DOIN? Sorry for the caps, but the emphasis was necessary. Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came. Esperanza should probs be featured in the Cheers opening credits because it’s exactly that way. “Hola Ms. Murphy! Como estás Mr. Murphy?!” It’s funny because Alex is so often referred to as Mr. Murphy during our travels. I think he’s totally fine with it 😉 The many highlights included…

Cocina del Mar

I’m not sure I’ve ever dined in a more beautiful/romantic setting. Maybe so, but it’d take a while to think about and wonder if it truly competed with a setting perched atop cliffs overlooking Esperanza’s two private beaches as waves crash below. The entire resort blends well with the surroundings, almost like it arrived with the land itself. So much soul, so much nature, so much LET ME LIVE HERE PLEASE.

I digress. Order the ravioli and banana soufflé. My mouth is watering just thinking back on it…

Playa Paraiso

This seaside experience centered around a colorful cabana, food, and relaxation nestled in the resort’s private beach where each palapa features a day bed, playful swing, a speaker, and private butler service (shoutout Roberto!). We began the day with a yoga class followed by breakfast and then an I’m-really-full-need-to-lounge session. Life was really good in that palapa.

Palapa Room

Room 54 was a masterpiece. Not only designed beautifully with beachy vibes and relaxing hues, but the room came with a massive terrace and jacuzzi AND puppies. Yes, puppies. One blissful afternoon I puppysat Ricky and Rosa, long-haired Chihuahuas from central Mexico who will be the cutest hotel mascot ever created. If you can beat that hotel amenity, let me know. I’ll wait.

Chileno Bay Resort

I have to be honest. While change is healthy, change is challenging. I did not want to leave Esperanza Resort. I could birth my babies, live out a wonderful life and retire here. I drove up to Chileno Bay for check-in still holding onto this hope. (I was in denial.) I didn’t want to like Chileno Bay. It was a contemporary take on the classic Baja escape with an airy, open aesthetic that blurs the line between indoor and outdoor. Terrible, right? A red cart named “Tony” met us at check-in and gave us a Corona. Okay, Tony with the beers. I see you. Chileno Bay was brand-spankin’ new with beautiful young palm trees and pops of color and relaxing sounds coming from the pool area. Sounds horrific, right? The room had two showers and a bathtub decked in blue tile alongside an outdoor jacuzzi. So many bodies of water, so little time. The hydrotherapy kicked in and I realized I’d become obsessed with my new home. I think I’m gonna like it here…

Spa

I was told the 7,500-square-foot spa had a healing “ritual” I needed to partake in. Twist my arm, I did just that. The salt room, steam room, ice bath, and reflexology pool were quite the highlight indeed alongside the massage and facial I experienced.

Food

The standout of Cabo was hands down the cuisine. I ate WELL and thus, gained 5 pounds, maybe six. Who knows? I don’t believe in scales. The only thing I’m sure about is this: The Auberge chefs are extremely talented and the creativity that went into meal settings was next level. One night we were eating at a spa after a 90-minute massage and then next on a cliff overlooking the sea at Mirador Point. Order the chicken. Don’t ask questions, just DO IT. And then follow up with churros.

Fitness

I work out so that I can eat well and eat a lot. My relationship with fitness actually goes far deeper than that, but I want everyone to know that you don’t have to skip out on all the local yumminess when traveling. Eat the churro(s). Have the margarita. Just move the next day 🙂 Your body will appreciate you! Chileno Bay Resort & Residences offers group fitness classes like yoga, Zumba, beach bootcamp, and AQUA SPIN where you literally spin on a bike in the water. I KNOW. The only resistance is the water (yay low impact!), and I wish I could do this exercise daily.

Beach

The most desirable beach in Los Cabos resides here, known for its tranquil, swimmable waters and coral reefs where a short venture out to sea unveils an underwater world of tropical fish and sea turtles! With that being said, this beach is not private like Esperanza’s beach (which is rockier). Pros and cons but both beautiful in their own way!

They say third times a charm, and my third trip to Cabo was exactly that. For once, I let a lot of the craziness that I typically do take a backseat. Instead of a jam-packed itinerary, I allowed myself to actually lounge and enjoy the scenery as I’ve experienced this town to epic proportions in the past. Cabo was where I was certified to scuba dive. I’ve been whale watching on a boat trip (totally recommend), and a visit to downtown Cabo requires a stop at The Office for margs and Ediths for everything else. Flora Farms is crazy beautiful, almost like Pinterest threw up in the desert of Cabo. I’ve never been one to plan out my wedding, but I left here thinking I could do the damn thing on these grounds.

I adore Cabo and the people in it. To Euanice, Mario Lopez, Lizabeth, Caesar, Javier, Yanni, Marc Rodriguez, Roberto, Miguel, Antonio, Francisco, Raúl, Saira, and Juliana: mil gracias por todo.

This little paradise has overcome hurricanes and tropical storms and cartel violence. 2018 saw a record 2.6 million visitors. I commend its perseverance. While I’d say it’s predictable because you know what you’re going to get…you know what you’re going to get! Lots of people like this and I, too, enjoy the certainty at times – no surprises, lots of sunshine, tequila in abundance, and a 2-hour flight from LA. What’s not to love?!

All imagery by Alex Kavanagh, DRONEGEAR Productions

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in May 2019 and updated in June 2021.

Gardening 101: Best Herbs for Beginners

May 25, 2021 by lesleymurphy 1 Comment

For anyone new to gardening, now is the perfect time to get started 🙂 The frost is gone and the conditions are juuuust right! It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but please know that herbs aren’t too difficult to grow. In fact, they’re a lot easier to grow than house plants or exotic flowers *speaking from experience.* They also provide so many benefits including flavor enhancement to foods and medicinal aids.

Pots or Herb Garden?

Some people find that it’s easier to stay on track if they begin with small pots and add a single plant in each. All they require is a little water and sunlight to begin since the soil already contains much of the nutrition that the herbs need to grow. After seeing a good amount of growth, these plants won’t continue to be happy in their small pots. They need room to grow their roots, and transplanting the herbs from pot to herb garden would be the next step. Some people think this alters the growth of a plant, so they like to start from the beginning with a garden. There are so many options here from raised garden beds to vertical stackable planters if you’re low on space. Gardener’s choice! To grow herbs in pots, it’s important to use potting soil over garden soil. Most herbs require 6-8 inches of soil depth.

Planter

pots

Planter

boxes

Soil Mixture

It’s important to know that you can’t just run out to the backyard, dig up a little dirt and call it done. Ordinary garden soil dries out quickly. What you’re looking for is soil that is loose and well-drained. I’d opt for purchasing some high-quality garden or potting soil (depending on your type of container) that comes with a good mix of minerals, micronutrients, beneficial bacteria, and decomposed organic matter.

Soil

Standouts

Fertilizer

Most quality potting soils already have fertilizers in them. Wait 4-6 weeks after potting to begin lightly fertilizing because this will give the herbs time to deplete their nutrients. Herbs in containers will require more fertilizer than those growing in the garden because nutrients are flushed out of the pot every time you water. Once you have herbs planted and growing, it’s important to keep them growing with a light, all-purpose organic fertilizer. Read the label to determine how much and how often to use for pots vs. garden beds.

Fav

fertilizer

Watering

Water your herbs in the early morning if possible as the water will soak further into the soil. Always water the soil around the herb and never water over the leaves. This promotes mildew and disease. If you’re very unsure of how much or little you’re watering the herbs, one of my favorite tools is the moisture monitor.

Basil

Cilantro You'll often see the seeds referred to as coriander, but the cilantro plant itself is easy to grow. I find it to be an extremely strong herb in food, so a little goes a long way in my book. Sun: Full Water: Frequent Food: Avocado, chicken, fish, ice cream, lamb, lentils, mayonnaise, peppers, pork, rice, salads, salsas, shellfish, tomatoes, yogurt

If I could pick just one herb to grow, it’d be basil hands down. The aroma…the flavor…and don’t even get me started on pesto. M -M -M! The first time I met my fiancé, he was making homemade pesto. I’ll never forget it, and now it’s my absolute favorite thing he makes to accompany SO many yummy dishes. To grow, simply either buy a basil plant at your local garden shop or get the seeds. Generally speaking, plants love a garden where they have room to spread their roots, but a large planter works as well.

Sun: Full (6-8 hours/day)

Water: Frequent; for example we water our basil 1x in the morning daily

Food: Pesto, pesto pasta, tomato basil soup, caprese salad, pizza, cocktails

Rosemary

My favorite thing is going out to the garden for a few snippets of rosemary sprigs to accompany a dinner recipe. The aroma just about beats any perfume if you ask me…let me smell like a garden any day. In warm areas with fair humidity, rosemary can grow around 4 feet high. In terms of medicinal aid, rosemary tea is said to enhance one’s memory.

Sun: Full

Water: Frequent but don’t over do it

Food: Oven-roasted potatoes, any and all roasted veggies, stews, roasted chicken, salmon, bread, lamb, pork loin, gin cocktails…

Thyme

We planted lemon thyme, and it resembles an evergreen shrub and does great in any condition – poor soil, drought conditions, you name it. It pairs with just about anything from desserts to poultry.

Sun: Full

Water: Frequent but don’t over do it. Prone to root rot.

Food: Lemon thyme dessert bars, short bread cookies, roasted chicken, rice, fish

Italian Flat Parsley

Parsley comes in two forms – curly (often used as a garnish) or flat (used to flavor food due to its more robust taste). It’s a popular herb, especially in Italia 🙂 There’s an expression in Italy, most often said to children: “Sei come il prezzemolo, sei dappertutto,” which means “You’re like parsley, you’re everywhere.”

Sun: Full to Partial

Water: Frequently after planting, then more sparingly as it’s established

Food: Marinades, dressings, chimichurri (!!!), potato salad

Mint

Is there a fresher scent than mint? That rhymes. Used in many dishes and beverages, mint is easy to grow and will undoubtedly grow fast if left unchecked which is why I chose to plant my mint in a pot. If you plant in a bed, make sure to have some physical barriers and don’t be afraid to pull some out.

Sun: Partial to Full

Water: Frequent

Food: Watermelon-cucumber salad, summer orzo, chicken gyros, teas, lemonades, mojitos, mint julep

Dill

Dill is so easy to grow from seeds (we actually did both), and beware that there’s a reason it’s often referred to as “dill weed.” It can catch like wildfire and BOOM. You got more dill than you ever bargained for. This is why many people like to contain dill in a pot.

Sun: Full

Water: Frequent

Food: Homemade ranch dressing, tuna salad, potato salad, salmon, yogurt, make your own pickles

Oregano

Hailing from the mint family, oregano is used in lots of mediterranean dishes. The Greeks and Romans associated oregano with joy and happiness. The name comes from the Greek words “oros,” meaning mountain, and “ganos,” meaning joy. Also synonymous with: PIZZA. It can be utilized fresh or dried but use in moderation because it’s an intense herb in food.

Sun: Full

Water: Frequently after planting, then sparingly allowing soil to almost go dry

Food: Pizza, pasta, grilled meat

Cilantro

You’ll often see the seeds referred to as coriander, but the cilantro plant itself is easy to grow. I find it to be an extremely strong herb in food, so a little goes a long way in my book.

Sun: Full

Water: Frequent

Food: Avocado, chicken, fish, ice cream, lamb, lentils, mayonnaise, peppers, pork, rice, salads, salsas, shellfish, tomatoes, yogurt

A few tools help the gardening process including gloves, shovels, herb scissors, the right soil, fertilizer and of course pots and/or beds.

Gardening

Tools

Editors note: This post was originally published in April 2020 and updated in May 2021.

The Best Outdoor Furniture Set That’ll Make You Never Want to Go Inside

April 25, 2021 by lesleymurphy 4 Comments

Me too. I’ve been longing for vitamin D, longing to be surrounded by nature, longing to be far far away from a pandemic. The closest thing to all of that? An outdoor oasis in my very own backyard. I know I’m not going to be spending money on plane tickets or hotel rooms anytime soon. I also know that not everyone is in a position to shop. If you have some funds set aside, I highly recommend investing in your backyard so you can get outside more and more each day.

I immediately went on a digital hunt. I looked far and wide. Up and down. Sideways and backwards. My results told me one thing’s for sure: cheap furniture doesn’t look too good. Common sense told me cheap furniture doesn’t last long either. I wanted to invest in something pretty, something with a natural aesthetic, and something with a middle-of-the-road price range – nothing cheap but nothing that would throw me in the bank account deep end. BEHOLD THE BEST OUTDOOR FURNITURE SET…

Outdoor Sofa

Although I was very tempted to get an outdoor chaise lounge set for sun bathing, I figured the outdoor sofa route would be more comfortable for friends, outdoor meals, socializing, etc. Turns out I killed two birds with one stone (er, sofa). I can sit with friends or easily lay flat and worship the sun since the sofa is over 6 feet long 🙂 I opted for the driftwood finish.

Lounge Chair

The sofa needed a friend so I bought a matching Portside chair. I shipped only one chair to start, thinking we may not have enough room in the backyard for two. Now that I see it all put together, I’ll most likely buy another chair to make it a matching set! Plus, it just makes sense in order to fit another couple, more friends, etc.

Mosaic Coffee Table

I love that we call this a “coffee table” when in reality it should be a wine or beer table at our house ha! I’m obsessed with the mosaic marble work on top since it adds such a fun detail. I LOVE white, and since I didn’t want all-white outdoor furniture (dangerous for so many reasons…*wine*), I invested in a white coffee table that offers easy clean-up.

Indoor/Outdoor Rug

After I was set on all the furniture, I knew I wanted to tie it all together with a rug. I felt like the set needed something to complete the look. I adore our woven cable-strip rug made of 100% all-weather polypropylene that’s durable, waterproof, and ridiculously easy to clean. While our stripey selection is currently sold out, you can opt for this sustainably sourced , material equivalent natural beauty or this stripey sister. I opted for a 5×8 and while I *love* my rug, I was definitely between it and this beautiful ombre rug or this pinky hued gem. The world is your oyster!

Ceramic Side Table

I am my mother’s daughter, and she loves a good ceramic side table. Inside, outside, you name it. I grew up with them all over the house. I wanted one by the oversized chair and fell in love with this cobalt blue for a pop of color. I decided on a more natural look for the furniture because I wanted the colors of the garden to take center stage. I think this side table brings in even more 🙂

Outdoor Pillows

Proper lounging is made possible by pillows…and not just any pillows. They should be proper outdoor/all weather pillows so that the elements don’t ruin these babies overnight. They need a durable fabric to take on anything, rain or shine. I love the pop of color they add as well. The pillows shown are from a small boutique in Hermosa Beach, but the pillows below are beautiful and filled with yarns made from recycled plastic bottles which helps to keep water bottles out of the waste stream!

Outdoor

Pillows

String Lights

Alexa, turn up the romance. I adore the festive, inviting vibe these lights give off. We went with the warm light color temperature and love everything about it. As the sun goes down in the city, the string lights turn on 🙂 Grab a glass of your favorite wine, turn on some Van Morrison, and boom. The perfect night is set!