lesleymurphy

Looking Back at 2017: A Year in Review

December 29, 2017 by lesleymurphy 30 Comments

Reflection is a funny thing. It can be therapeutic. Comedic, even. A little depressing. Perhaps uplifting. Possibly motivating. And even downright terrifying. This is why it’s healthy to take a look back. By doing so, we can only then realize how far we’ve come, how much we’ve learned and what mistakes to avoid for the future – like letting your health insurance payments pass you by because you could’ve sworn you put them on AutoPay but then your bank closed the card you had on file because it somehow became part of fraud scheme at some undisclosed ATM, all during a year when you decided to have major surgery… Oh wait, that didn’t happen to you? Maybe that’s just me then. Ha.

ANYWHO. Let’s dive into the past 12 months of The Road Les Traveled, shall we? Yes we shall.

Puerto Rico

My first trip of the year was to one of my favorite Caribbean islands. This time, I wanted to see more than just Puerto Rico‘s beaches and its tourist attractions and luckily, a local did his best to show me its many different sides. I’m thankful he did because as many of you know, the island may never be the same after Hurricane Irma.

Aspen, CO

I was dealt a good hand in life, the hand that allowed me to be Alex Speed’s best friend and ultimately the sister she never had/travel buddy extraordinaire. We grew up tackling the slopes of Aspen together, so it was beyond fun to do it all over again this past March…tree trails, shopping, and the Ultimate Taxi included. Read my Aspen Guide here.

Wales, UK

A small package can pack a big punch. That’s how I think about Wales, a country in the United Kingdom with a population the size of my home state of Arkansas. For a country this size, I was taken aback to find that it encapsulated everything I hope for in a destination: coastline, mountains, culture, cuisine, and good people. Did I mention locations get bonus points for castles? Also, I fully realize this post is long-winded, but I’m going to take the liberty of telling a story really fast. On one particular day in Wales, I posted this IG photo:

The following day, I received a message that said, “Hi Lesley. The yellow house in Llanfairfechan is my family home. I live in Croydon presently, however the house is still my father’s. My sister and I will inherit the house one day (hopefully never of course). Perhaps I can put you down for first refusal? :)”

Out of all the people in the world, the man who grew up in the yellow house read my Instagram post. What are the odds?! He then went on to say how his dad was the first to paint his house a different color. They were all white and black or grey. All the neighbors hated it for the first year until one neighbor broke down and painted his blue. A pink house came next, and so on. Damn I love a good trendsetter. Way to go, Mr. Yellow House.

Helsinki, Finland

Anyone remember that time I did a polar bear plunge into the ice waters of Lake Louise on The Bachelor and said I’d never do it again… ahhhh, never say never. Helsinki sees about two months of summer each year, with the remaining 10 months seeing low temps, ice and snow…hence why sauna-ing is a way of life here. I was stunned to see locals go back and forth between the steamy sauna and the icy Baltic Sea only steps away. Apparently there are major health benefits from this hot-cold flip flop going on, but to an outsider it’s just painful AF. Read more my post on what to do in Finland here.

Yukon Territory, Canada

Snowmobiles, sea planes, dog sledding, arctic foxes, cozy fires, hot chocolate AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS. Am I selling it yet? Great, grand, wonderful, get on the plane. I should warn you that any Aurora trip you take will be exhausting if you’re actively hunting for them. Think setting your alarms for 5 different times throughout the night to only wake up early the next day for 7 hours of man-handling your very own dog sled team. But who’s complaining? Not I! More on my northern lights trip here.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Oh, yep. There it is. No, this one isn’t about another exciting destination or stamps in my passport. This year I underwent a double mastectomy to rid of my potential cancer genes. Back in February, I received a call from my geneticist that I was BRCA 2 positive, meaning I have a great risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer and ovarian cancer at some point in my life. I’m a firm believer that at the end of the day, our health is all we have. I ultimately knew I’d have to part ways with my boobs. No more potential cancer cells, no more worries. I couldn’t have done it without my family, and I want my readers/followers to know how much you helped me heal. To y’all, I owe you the world. So I’ll keep exploring and bring it to you digitally as best I can 🙂 I’ve written many posts from this crazy journey, but I’m most proud of this one. It’s raw, it’s funny, it’s sad, and the last paragraph brings me to tears every.single.time.

Banff, Canada

I’m just going to say it. A small (ok, medium sized) part of me really wants to be Canadian…so much so that I’ve been three times this year and had to hold myself back from going a 4th time. My love affair with Banff began on reality TV, and I knew I’d return some day. That some day was over Memorial Day weekend when I solo adventured around Alberta. T’was one of my favorite trips of 2017 and if you’ve never traveled by yourself, do it at least once in your lifetime. Do it for me, do it for you, do it for the love of freedom. And also for some guy named Tim Horton 🙂 More from my week in the Banff wilderness here.

Charleston, South Carolina

That one time I took a stranger to Charleston with me…and it was the best decision ever. Let’s back up for a second. Two years ago, I ran a campaign with Cathay Pacific Airways where the winner traveled with me for 14 days throughout Asia. This year, I switched #BucketListWithLesley up a bit and took a breast cancer survivor from Arkansas with me to Charleston. Lindsay, you’re a rockstar and I’m so lucky to call you an amazing friend.

Aruba

When you are given the gift of visiting a private island with flamingos, you get on a plane and go. This was my second year in partnership with Renaissance Hotels, and their Aruba property didn’t disappoint. Mingling with the mingos was one for the books!

Grand Cayman

I couldn’t think of a grander destination to send off my 20’s in style than Grand Cayman with my mama. Truth be told, I wasn’t exactly cleared to get in the water yet due to recent-ish surgery, but when stingrays are underneath smiling for your GoPro, you get in and take their photo. This is quite possibly my favorite picture ever taken. See more from my guide to Grand Cayman.

Iceland

I’ll be honest. Everyone was traveling to Iceland, and I felt a bit left out so I booked a plane ticket, too. I like Iceland. I’m not entirely sure it would fit into my Top 10 destinations around the world, but it was a fun adventure while it lasted. My favorite part was during my very last night in the country. I spent it in a really sweet bubble. Take a few more minutes off your life to watch my Iceland videos below.

Laguna Beach, California

I planned a bachelorette party for 14 people, and I’m going to go ahead and pat myself on the back for that. No one cried, no one died, and we married off the bride a few months later. It was a success with plenty of reality TV reruns via The OC to relive the adventure. If you’re up for a bachelorette in Laguna, look no further.

Miami, Florida

Miami sticks out as a big 2017 destination in my mind not only because I married off my best friend, but also because I stayed put for two weeks after the wedding in order to work in a warehouse collecting aid for hurricane disaster relief. It was a ton of hard work and dedication, but I met some of the finest humans on planet earth here. It’s crazy to see what happens when you put passionate people with big hearts in one room. They rebuild an island. Many thanks to Bethenny Frankel, Global Empowerment Mission, Third Wave Volunteers, We Do Better, and all the helpful private citizens like Juan Padro. Y’all are my heroes.

Puerto Rico, again

After Miami, I made it to Puerto Rico. This trip was vastly different than the first. This go around, the goal was to get on-the-ground and hand out aid to those in need. Dr. Alison Thompson along with myself and 4 others traveled to Puerto Rico on a small chartered plane to deliver solar lights, water filters and meals to anyone we came across. Many are still living in the dark and some are still without clean drinking water. I can’t adequately explain to you how it felt when an elderly woman looked me in the eyes with pure elation after she was handed a light source and water filter. She’d seen zero aid until we showed up. Children were ecstatic because they could see through the darkness again. When the most simplistic features and basic needs become luxuries, humanity is stripped of egos, of status, of prejudice. I’m ecstatic to be returning to Puerto Rico during the first week in January ’18.

Arga, Uttar Pradesh, India

India is a difficult place to put into words. It’s a place you simply have to visit in order to understand its complexities. That’s when my love affair officially commenced with the people, the food, the animals, the landscapes and the beautiful mess as a whole. And the Taj Mahal, ohhh the Taj Mahal. I live for moments during travel when my eyes widen, my jaw drops and my heart beats a little faster. Those keep me inside the adventure, and this was exactly what happened when I walked up to this landmark. India is sensory overload and its finest and it’s a place that requires every single fiber of your being at all times. Don’t forget to be incredibly present while in its presence 🙂 More on my highlights in India here.

Sri Lanka

My final international destination of 2017 was spent solo in Sri Lanka. I experienced the world’s most beautiful train ride, I check into a haunted hotel to only check out at midnight (I’ll get to that story in a separate post), I met some beautiful locals and basked in the southern coast’s sun. I believe it’s a country that retains so much of its authenticity, even with the ever-curious tourists lurking around its grounds. What a gem you are, Sri Lanka. Thanks for the memories!

For my 17th destination, you’ll have to have a little bit of patience. Coming to a screen near you soon.

Dear 2017. I’m not sad to see you go, but I kinda hate to watch you leave. You’ve been full of wonder and awe, pain and pure hell, love and laughter, break ups and make ups, devastation and reform, and lessons learned. I finally have my very own phone plan as of this year (thanks for the free roaming, T Mobile). I’ve made bigger business than I ever thought possible. I entered into a new decade. I feel somewhat prepared to birth a child now that I’ve had MAJOR surgery. I yoga’d with yoga_girl in Aruba #lifegoalz. I completed Iceland’s Ring Road so fast that it hurt. I learned what it takes to give back to an island that has given me so much. I’ve spent more time with family this year than maybe ever before. Life is good.

2018 Intentions: more off-the-grid travel, attend a yoga retreat, get my yoga teach training, explore lots more of Africa, make friends with the penguins in Antarctica, see Ireland and Scotland, swim with the whales, write a book, finally get to Alaska, and maybe…probably…definitely rent an apartment. #roots

Over to you! Where do you want to see The Road Les Traveled in 2018?

Incredible India: Top 6 Highlights from North to South

December 7, 2017 by lesleymurphy 4 Comments

Finding the best places to visit in a complex country like India can be a daunting task, so allow me to assist – no travel agent fees required 🙂 I was so excited to partner with Chase Sapphire to share my Sapphire Six travel guide with top highlights from north to south including landmarks, hotels, food and entertainment – all with some major Indian flare.

Keep in mind that if you’re traveling from anywhere but Asia, the journey will be long (but worth it). With my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I was thrilled to be able to get into Priority Pass lounges throughout the journey – one of my favorite perks of the card, allowing for a quiet place to relax with quality food and drinks away from the airport chaos. I needed it for the sensory overload about to be bestowed onto me 🙂

Taj Lake Palace Hotel – Udaipur, Rajasthan

At a glance, this hotel in the middle of Lake Pichola mimics something like a floating White House, intriguing onlookers as to what it could possibly be. As we pulled up to a beautiful reception area, I handed over my passport for check-in as a boat pulled up to the elaborately decorated dock. A hotel that requires an arrival-by-boat is the type of hotel for me!

The Lake Palace Hotel is one of the most romantic hotels in the world, built in 1746 out of pure white marble. Swoon. It was, in every way, a fairytale. From the lavishly decorated rooms to the dome architecture to the decadent dining experiences, I can only hope to return again…this time with a significant other as a +1. Did someone say honeymoon??

Albeli Saree Shop – Udaipur, Rajasthan

Call me a tourist. Call me crazy. Saree I’m not saree, but I couldn’t help myself. After traveling nonstop for the past 4+ years, my international fashion collection has grown significantly. I knew a trip to India meant purchasing a saree, a traditional Indian way of dressing for women where up to 9 meters of beautiful fabric is wrapped and draped over the body. After surveying all the bright colors and designs at Albeli, I chose the brightest cloth in the room – a pink bejeweled saree that would be all mine until the end of time.

Dera Amer Wilderness Camp – Jaipur, Rajasthan

A half hour drive from the hustle and bustle of Jaipur led me to a remote bush jungle full of adopted and rescued animals. The elephants that reside here were rescued from the city where they had a torturous life taking tourists up and down the popular landmark of Amber Fort multiple times a day.

Apart from rescuing animals, the establishment also has high-end tented camps and also employ a majority of the rural village where it resides. I loved learning about all the good this establishment is doing. As you can imagine, it was tough to leave it behind! I’m a firm believer that, at certain occasions, isolation is the best kind of luxury.

Taj Mahal – Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Often times I find that landmarks are suddenly dwarfed when viewed in person after gazing at them for so long through photos. Walking up to the Taj Mahal on that fateful day we met was different. The architectural wonder stood as stately and bigger than ever before me as my jaw dropped and took my first steps towards it.

Its story is an interesting one. Some call it a love story. Some call it a power trip. Legend has it that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj as a mausoleum for his favorite wife who died during childbirth, and that he wanted so desperately for it to be a unique masterpiece without an equal. To ensure it would be the one-and-only, the Emperor apparently severed the hands and gouged the eyes of the its craftsmen.

It’ll cost visitors 1,000 Indian rupees to gain entry, and I’d suggest going with a guide in order to cut the line. Keep that pro tip in your back pocket!

Cooking class with a local – Kochi, Kerala

Before stepping foot in India, I knew I really wanted to get a grasp on its cuisine. I had so many questions – are all meals made with scorching hot spices (please say no)? So you’re telling me there’s no beef anywhere because cows are sacred? What is curry anyway? AH. After traveling from north to south, I finally set up a cooking demo with a local in order to see a meal created from start to finish!

Read my post on Indian cuisine – Tastes of India: What to Eat from North to South

After traveling throughout the country for two weeks, I noticed that many restaurants would ask westerners about their level of spice intake. Mine was always mild (ugh, I know), and the cooking class was no different. I would see Francis, the cook and owner of the home, add spoonfuls of chili power into the various dishes and my eye would widen, but I trusted him. He knew exactly what he was doing because all dishes came out so incredibly tasty. The couple running the show also runs a guesthouse and yoga retreats out of their same home, a real local experience that I’d highly recommend at The Francis Residence, a perk for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers who can score 3x points on food and travel purchases.

Rent a Houseboat – Alleppey, Kerala

Life moves at a slower pace in Kerala, a state in south India. They call this dreamy place the Land of Coconuts where palm trees sway, where cocos are in abundance, and where locals are in no hurry. Many visitors to the area opt for renting a luxury houseboat for the day where they can experience life on the backwaters. The boat can be booked through Kumarakom Lake Resort, a retreat on the water that left me in a state of bliss after the crazy rush through northern India.

I loved this experience since it took us through the narrow channels of Alleppey, allowing us to see the everyday life of the locals. One man read a newspaper. A woman did laundry by the shore. Kids waved when they saw I had a camera in my hand, ready for their close-up. It was a great day to say the very least!

Over to you! If you’ve visited, what are some of your India highlights?

Tastes of India: What to Eat from North to South

November 20, 2017 by lesleymurphy 23 Comments

Now I’m very well versed on Indian food, and I’m proud to say no ‘Delhi belly’ has taken me out of commission. If you’re unaware of this informal term, I’m referring to the intestinal infection that overcomes many tourists unaccustomed to the bacteria contamination of food and drink. I was nervous after hearing horror stories from fellow travelers, but it turns out my massive caloric intake was clean, just like my plates post-meals.

After recently stepping inside a local’s home for a cooking demo, I know exactly what goes into creating these Indian masterpieces. And believe me, they are exactly that – masterpieces. Each and every dish is created with varying spices, flavors and love.

To start, it’s important to know that food and flavors vary from north to south India. Not all calories are created equal. It makes sense though, right? Take the U.S. for example. You can’t find finger lickin’ fried chicken just anywhere. The south does it better. Obviously 🙂 All in all, India loves its curry, an umbrella term used to describe foods with various spices usually prepared in a sauce. That’s a commonality amongst all states. Same goes for juices – watermelon, pineapple and mango when it’s in season. Sweet lime otherwise. Orange only down south. And bananas are nothing short of everywhere.

Disclaimer: Reading further will undoubtedly make you hungry, putting your fingers to work as you hit up your local Indian take-out joint. Feast your eyes…

Northern India – Rajasthan

My first deep dive into Indian food came in Rajasthan. I learned that the region creates dishes with a rich sauce base. Restaurants are also good about asking westerners what kind of spice level they can handle. Phew, I’m glad they can see me shaking in my boots before I even begin. Here were some of my favorite meals from the north.

Paneer (cottage cheese) with mint sauce – I found this on many menus as well as on my plate various times 🙂 I’m always in for anything with cheese.

Curry Pakora – Yellow banana chili with a yogurt base and spiced vegetables cooked in.

Channa masala – Delicious chickpea mixture that stole the show, cooked inside a tangy tomato sauce.

Laal maas – Popular lamb dish that set my mouth-a-blaze. Think chillies galore, lots of ghee (butter) and fragrant spices that brought.the.heat. So much so that my brain shut down and I forgot to take a photo.

Bhuna gosht – Yet another lamb dish that left my entire mouth in flames. Not for the faint of heart.

Note that Northerners don’t eat beef because all hail the cow. It’s a sacred animal, but lamb and goat are in abundance.

Sweets

Jalebi – NAME THAT MOVIE. Anyone?? Lion is my jam (DROOL Dev Patel), and I couldn’t have been more excited to find this pretzel-shaped treat on the side of the road. It was sweeter than I could have ever imagined which made sense once I found out it was made from deep fried flour and sugar syrup. #cleaneating

Ras malai – Literally meaning “juice” and “cream”, ras malai can best be described as the love child between cheesecake and tres leches cake with saffron and cardamom spices to add some Indian flare.

Custard Apple – I put this fruit on my Insta Stories asking everyone what it could possibly be. Replies came back in abundance, so much so that for the first time, I felt pretty inadequate as a travel blogger. Perhaps I should have known about this little fruit already, but somehow it evaded me. I guess I really need to get out more 😉 Custard Apple has many names depending on the geographic location of where it’s eaten. Its soft, creamy texture and fruity flavor implies its name.

Barfi – The term is actually derived from the word ‘barf’ meaning snow (not vomit, I know what you’re thinking). Main ingredients include sugar, condensed milk and cardamom with flavors being enhanced with fruits or nuts. Sold.

Kheer (north) or Payasam (south) – India’s version of rice pudding. MMM. The specific name depends on the geographic location in India, and usually a rice base is more widely used up north while mountainous regions use noodles. On my flight over, Air India served it with noodles. At the time, I ate half happy af and half dazed and confused (thx, ambien…so no photo).

Petha – This is one of my favorite desserts in all of India with a translucent look and unique flavor. Made from ash gourd (aka winter melon or white pumpkin) it’s one of the purest forms of desserts containing only vegetable water and sugar. Of course, many places jazz it up with other flavors, and it’s widely loved up north.

Street Food

Kachori – Mmm carbs. This is like a fried puff pastry with spices in the middle. I ate the street food one night for dinner outside of Jaipur and immediately fell in love.

Pakora – One size does not fit all here. Pakoras come in many shapes and sizes and flavors, although all come deep fried. I’ve had the sweet version with bananas and the fried onion ring version that literally tasted straight out of a Sonic. I wasn’t made about it.

Samosa – Little fried carbohydrate triangles filled with a medley of savory spices and fillings like potatoes, onions, veggies, etc. You may have had these from your local take-out joint.

South India – Kerala

Ooh how sweet it was to arrive in the Land of Coconuts. That’s what the southern state of Kerala is dubbed. Doesn’t that sound dreamy? Like what more could one need in life than a coconut and a palm tree? Plenty exist here, and I was blissed out hard.

We’ll start with the obvious. I’m in love with the coco…turns out, so are the locals down south. From coconut shells to coconut oils to coconut fibers to coconut milk, they certainly don’t let any part of the fruit, or er, nut, go to waste. Coconut curry FTW!

Seafood is a huge staple down here from snapper to prawns to whatever is fished out of the ocean. I was baffled to find out that locals actually eat beef down here as well! Apparently the cow is not so holy here since the vibe is more relaxed. Christmas is also celebrated, palm trees are in abundance, and life goes by a little bit slower here. I like it, I like it a lot.

Back to food. In terms of flavors, I noticed that the meat or fish served actually do the talking. They tend to be spiced just right without drowning in rich sauce. Flavors tend to be smoother here, not so much a hit-you-in-the-face kind of spice that’ll knock your tongue off.

More observations: Oranges grow down here due to the warm weather, something I coveted greatly since I traveled much of India with a bit of a cold. Vitamin C to the rescue.

General Favorites of India

Curry, dal, naan, papadum, rice, yogurt, lassi, masala chai, and a medley of veggies can be eaten just about anywhere in India. I found a good friend in the yogurt since it’s main purpose for me was to cool down the heat from the blistering spices. I could more or less live off of naan, lassis, and chai…basically carbs, yogurt and caffeine. Sums me up pretty damn well 🙂

Thank you, India cuisine, for setting off a gluttonous love affair between my taste buds and stomach the past two weeks. You’re the real MVP.

Let me know your favorite Indian dishes below!

Special thanks to Curio Trips and Incredible India for making this trip possible!

My Time at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Colorado

October 30, 2017 by lesleymurphy 4 Comments

Cut to summer 2017 in Beaver Creek and there wasn’t much snow in sight. Instead, I was greeted by colorful fields, blue skies and friendly staff of the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch.

The Hotel

First and foremost, this property has a pet dog. Cue the men, women, and kids ohhh and ahhing all the same. His name is very fitting as he goes by Bachelor, the Bernese Mountain Dog and needless to say, the resort is paw-sitively pet-friendly. Now that we’ve gotten the best part out of the way, let’s continue.

If there’s an establishment that screams every bit of winter lodge no matter the season, the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch wins hands down. Even in the middle of summer, daily temperatures hover in the mid 70 range, thus making s’mores totally acceptable once the sun starts to go down. Bring Bachelor into the picture and boom, your perfect family photo is ready for capture. Here, there’s an activity for everyone whether it be a daily naturalist guided hike, a non-guided hike (ask about Bear Paw loop, Village to Village loop, Beaver Lake, Hanging Lake, Nottingham Lake, Missouri Lake Trail), whiskey and woodburning (color me intrigued), painting and pinot (my canvas would be sloppy/abstract no doubt, a real modern-day Picasso), shopping (shuttle to/from Beaver Creek Village) or spa-daying…

The Spa

A highlight of the trip was bathing in a copper tub in the Bachelor Gulch Spa, 1) because I want all things copper and 2) because I LOVE TUBS. You probably know that already with my #tubtravels recurring hashtag 🙂 I could have spent a good portion of the day inside this Forbes Four-Star 21,000-sq.-ft. establishment, but alas, I had work to do which DID include reviewing a massage treatment, a fabulous way to spend an hour on property might I add. Don’t miss the grotto or the copper tub soak!

I can’t go into the final paragraphs of this post without mentioning yet another highlight – that one time I morphed into a Nat Geo photographer. Allow me to humble brag for a tiny second because my photo of this hummingbird is kind of amazing if I do say so myself…

Winter

Some things in life should be easy, and the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch excels in this category by simplifying winter with their ski-in/ski-out property. The Bachelor Gulch Express high-speed quad chairlift is accessible in the backyard, making the sport of skiing a breeze. No boarding buses with heavy equipment. No hassle. No problems.

So let’s just break this down real quick: with s’mores galore, a heated pool year-round, world-class spa, complimentary shuttle to shopping/dining attractions, skiing at its finest, AND a pet dog, it’s easy to see why Bachelor Gulch is a favorite among families, couples and friends alike!

Turning 30 in New York City

October 13, 2017 by lesleymurphy 10 Comments

Truth be told, I didn’t really allow myself to enjoy the last year of my 20s. When people asked how old I was, I had to think about it for a second. After a brief pause, I’d say “29” with a sigh of relief going through my head. I still had a some time to date Leonardo DiCaprio, win an Oscar, start a billion dollar business, and pop out a kid…

*Cue the anxiety attack* None of that came to fruition.

As a 20something, I had this idea of where I’d be by now. The dreaded 3-0 number seemed like the death of youth (yeah I know, so dramatic) a few years back. The good news is that I keep hearing over and over how much better this decade is from those who’ve experienced it before me. I don’t know if that’s just something to say (i.e. complete bullshit) or if it’s true, but I’m hoping for the latter. I suppose it makes sense when you think about it. A friend who visited for my birthday said “how many times did you cry in your 20s?! 30s have got to be much better.” She was referring to all the heartache, uncertainty, and questionable decisions 20somethings make and that hopefully by the time you’re 30, you’ve settled into a career path, married the man of your dreams, made a house into a home and can actually whip up a pretty decent dinner for your little growing family.

HAHAhaaaa LOLOLOLOL lolz.

God help me if I can even microwave a bowl of canned soup without having to scrub down the microwave afterwards because a damn carrot blew up. That, and I’m never exactly sure what those laundry symbols mean so I always have to google them. What’s a mortgage? I don’t even send rent money to anyone.

Maybe this is what Jay Z meant when he said 30’s the new 20. Some maturation has occurred, but we’re still Forever Young. That’s deep, I know. I’m hardly a grown up, and I’m okay with that. There is plenty of time for all that jazz and society can’t tell me otherwise…although yeah, maybe my ovaries can. The conversations about freezing eggs have got to stop. I’m not there yet, and I fully realize there is a prime set of years for a woman to reproduce. Hey, guess what? My very single status and I have time 🙂

I’m more of a Beyonce than a Becky with the good hair.

Speaking of Jay Z, I celebrated 30 in his neighborhood. A few friends flew up for the weekend as we basked in the paradise that is Four Seasons New York.

FS NY

Centrally located in Midtown just two blocks from Central Park and Fifth Avenue, the famous Four Seasons New York has some prime real estate. Hitting another decade here was luxurious and extremely indulgent, both for my caloric intake and bank account. Walking into the lobby had me immediately looking up (thanks to the 33 ft. vaulted onyx ceilings) and gawking at I.M. Pei’s handiwork. Sitting pretty as one of the tallest hotels in the city, I thoroughly enjoyed the view from the party suite.

The Nomad

Wanting to spread our wings a bit, we booked a table at The Nomad for Saturday night. I wasn’t prepared for what was on the itinerary. As soon as we sat down, party hats and Lesley stir sticks (complete with my photo on top) materialized, but this was only the beginning. It was difficult to keep my attention on the actual NoMad meal itself (order the chicken dish, you won’t regret it) because little did we know, chicken from elsewhere was on the way. Knowing I’m a sucker for some Chick-fil-A, my friend Kayla who works on property threw in a feast of nuggets, fries and even boozy sweet tea. Pretty sure I died and went to heaven. I came back, though, to be whisked off the The Library bar complete with magic tricks and drinks behind a curtain, or dare I say, a speakeasy. I don’t remember going to bed that night, but the stir sticks I found in my purse the next morning had the good memories flooding back in abundance.

Final Thoughts

I recently read 30 Life Lessons from 30 Years and if you’re somewhere close to this age range, you should read it, too. I resonated with a lot of it, my favorites being #2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and basically the remainder of the article. I could dissect each and every point in a term paper fashion, but I’ll refrain since I’m almost at 1,000 words and you probably have weekend plans to fill 😉 I’ll leave you with some of my own additions: Say ‘yes’ more than ‘no’ in life. Be open to everyone around you – it has healing powers. Love equally. We’re all a bit lost – some people are just better at hiding it than others. Actually act on and execute your ideas. Begin with pure intentions. Be willing to fail. Evolve. Collaboration is powerful. You get what you give. Life is short, buy the plane ticket.

Feel free to leave your own knowledge bombs below!

Packing with Purpose: Best Travel-Friendly Fabrics to Bring on Vacation

October 6, 2017 by lesleymurphy 2 Comments

There really is a method to the madness. Packable clothing is always included in my master plan…if I can even call it a plan. More often than not, I find myself throwing things into a suitcase around midnight before a trip the next day. To alleviate that stress, I’ve figured out the best fabrics to bring along with me.

Everyone loves a sunny destination, a place that’s in season 365 days of the year. This type of location is my specialty. I get so many messages about easy-to-travel-with pieces. What travels well? What should I wear on airplanes? Comfort, style and function are ALL important pieces to the puzzle, and I knew just the brand to go to for all of my packing needs! As I mentioned previously, Lilly Pulitzer and I go way back – like, way way waaay back and all over the world. The authentic resort wear was born in Palm Beach, and we’ve traveled from there to Belize to Puerto Rico to Washington to Charleston to Laguna Beach to Cuba to Rio de Janeiro to Argentina, San Francisco and Switzerland, taking the world by sun and storm…but mostly by sun 🙂

I’m SO excited to share that I have a custom capsule collection with the brand! Talk about a dream come true. If I knew back in the 90s that I’d be designing a collection with Lilly Pulitzer, I think both my mother and I would have cried pink tears of pure joy 🙂 Just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness month, we put together easy luxletic (athleisure) pieces to travel in, also perfect for a morning stroll, a coffee run, daily workouts, you name it. The capsule collection features two custom pinks: Paradise Pink and Colony Coral. Like I always say: Life is short. Better make it colorful.

Best Fabrics for Travel

When choosing the right clothing to bring as my trusty travel buddy, I look for fabrics that breathe well, wick moisture away, dry quickly and have a wrinkle-free tendency. You never know how many flights of stairs or overhead bins you’ll utilize on a travel day.

Performance fabrics

Performance fabrics are breathable, moisture wicking and easy to care for. Workout clothing or “athleisure” wear lends itself to be created from this type of fabric, allowing for all types of movement. I’m wearing a small in the Kai Tank in Colony Coral.

Sun Protection Fabrics

Clothing with SPF is totally a thing, and I wouldn’t dream of a beach vacay without these UPF 50+ Weekender Cropped Legging in Casa Del Sol in size small. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and this protection never washes off or sweats away. Another plus? These leggings come with a pocket!

Polyester Fabrics

Polyester is known for its soft touch and comfy vibes. It’s also durable, light-weight and wrinkle-resistant. Score! This Britton Scuba Bomber Jacket AND Britton Scuba Short in Casa Del Sol are two of my favorites new pieces to sport on the beach.

Viscose, Cotton and Spandex Fabrics

packable fabrics and easy to travel with pieces from lilly pulitzer in grand cayman

I’m giving this hot beach the cold shoulder with this size small Sunny Shoulder Sandy Pullover in Paradise Pink. Made up of viscose, cotton and spandex, these three fabrics combined allow for comfort, light-weight travel material, and no restriction in movement. Ahhhh. I can see myself wearing this top during travel days for years to come!

Exciting news! Come see me on Sunday, October 8th from 2-4pm EST at the Palm Beach Gardens Lilly Pulitzer store to celebrate my very own custom Lilly Pulitzer capsule collection. I’d LOVE it if you could help me give back to the Susan G. Komen organization in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

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