lesleymurphy

Bikinis & Beaches of the Moment: Spring Break Edition

March 5, 2016 by lesleymurphy Leave a Comment

Click here to purchase the Liberty Love Wild Side One-Piece

The world of bikinis is a saturated market, so you have to know quality and style to come out winning here. I know I know, Target can come through in a clutch – but feast your eyes on these treasures. Whether you’re soaking up the sun in the Caribbean or sipping piña coladas in Mexico, these suits will suit you juuuuust fine.

Playa del Carmen with PRIVATE PARTY– I tend to think of Playa as Cancun’s chicer, prettier sister. Take a day trip to Tulum and you’re really doing it right. See more activities around Playa del Carmen here, and click on the swimsuits below to purchase. I’ve got ISLAND VIBES in my shopping cart…

St. John – I’d describe this island as a quieter St. Thomas, if that’s what you’re after for Spring Break. With loads of beaches and quiet spots to choose from, you’ll never want to leave this Caribbean getaway. Check out my post on Caneel Bay for more.

St. Martin in all white everything – I feel like St. Martin is always part of a cruise ship itinerary. I don’t know what that says about the location, but I do know it’s beautiful because I just flew in from here. For the adventurous, check out Flyboarding and ask for Jonathan. Also.. nothing says chic like white on the beach – click any cover-up below to purchase!

Belize – If you like water sports, you’ve come to the right place. Before I visited Belize, I thought it was all beach. How wrong I was! This is an adventurer’s paradise with boating, fishing, diving and snorkeling at the center of it all.

Costa Rica in an LBB – Monkeys, zip-lining, beach, pura vida. Yep, they win. Also, little black bikinis are the new LBD. Click on any suit below to purchase!

Cabo San Lucas – Every time I hear Cabo, I think of that god awful bar Cabo Wabo where I tossed back a Señor Frogs worthy cocktail of sorts once. Or twice. Good thing I’ve discovered upgraded establishments since.

Turks and Caicos with a splash of color – Never been but Grace Bay was just named World’s Best Beach by Trip Advisor. I bet this slice of paradise has seen soars of tourism since.

Can you tell I’m a fan of color? Feel free to stand out this Spring Break – click on any suit to purchase!

Nassau – In my mind, Nassau is synonymous with the Atlantis resort, cruise ships, and cheap markets. I visited during 9th grade graduation when R. Kelly’s Remix to Ignition was just about the coolest song ever. Good times.

Key West with party tricks – In the dictionary, Key West is a synonym for party. Not really, but it should be. The best accessory to any beach or pool party is most definitely this pizza float, seen below. Click on any item to purchase!

Clearwater/Destin/Seaside/Pensacola/Anywhere in the Florida Panhandle – I went to Pensacola for freshman year spring break way back when…and I don’t remember much of it. Flora-Bama anyone? Gotta love the south.

Over to you! Tell us where you’re headed and what you’re wearing this Spring Break!

Travel Tag: Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler

February 22, 2016 by lesleymurphy 4 Comments

Mountains have now been added to my FS roster. This month I was able to visit Four Seasons Whistler, about an hour’s drive from Vancouver. As we pulled into the Residences driveway, I knew this was going to be a different experience – elevated from the FS norm, if that’s even possible.

The Suite

I don’t believe I’ve ever been upgraded to a two-bedroom suite in my career as a travel journalist, much less checked-in to an establishment’s private residences. What’s the difference, you ask? More privacy, for one. The Private Residences is housed in a completely separate building than the main Four Seasons Whistler building. The resort is extremely family-friendly, and seeing as how I don’t have kids, it was nice to have access to our own spa, pool, hot tubs, and hot chocolate/marshmallows as we came in from skiing. Ain’t nobody stealing my marshmallows.

I was in winter heaven with an in-room cappuccino machine, two balconies, two bedrooms, heated floors, two bathrooms, and thus – two bathtubs. And yes, I utilized both. Pure indulgence.

Sidecut

Steeeeak. NOM. Situated on the lower level of the main building, Sidecut (named for the curvature on the side of a ski or snowboard) is an updated version of the classic steakhouse. Dear Vegetarians, don’t fret. Fresh local seafood and regional specialties like wild salmon and oysters are menu highlights as well. If you aren’t following me on snapchat (lesmurph), you should. This dinner was one for the books.

The Amenities

Where to begin? S’mores and wine tastings daily. Hot chocolate and marshmallows waiting to accompany the perfect apres ski. Two heated pools that turn into steamy Oasis’ with views of the mountains. Complimentary shuttle to Whistler Blackcomb. The best amenity of all lies with the Ski Concierge. Located at the base of Blackcomb, this genius establishment allows guests to pick up their equipment at the mountain instead of hauling skis, boots, helmet and accessories themselves. Phew – what a weight off my back, literally.

If you’re a golfer, name your terrain of choice and go. Maybe it’s a course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Perhaps it’s Whistler’s top ranked course, Big Sky. Maybe it’s taking a helicopter to a remote glacier and teeing off into the sky with bio-degradable golf balls. Yep, glacier golf – anything is possible with Four Seasons.

Blackcomb & Whistler Mountains

Synonymous with towering peaks, deep snow and passionate people, Whistler Blackcomb draws visitors from around the globe. With its prime location near the Pacific, the Coast Mountain Range gets on average 38 ft. of snow each year. Adventure is calling.

The tallest lift in the world can now easily take skiers and snowboarders across to Whistler Mountain in just 11 minutes to chase the sun, new powder stashes or simply for a damn good view. Peak 2 Peak allows for the single best way to see Whistler with a 360 degree view of surrounding peaks and glaciers.

Whistler and Blackcomb mountains boast more than 8,100 acres of terrain. Thirty-eight lifts take guests to steeps, deeps, chutes, bowls, glades, corduroy, long cruisers, gentle rollers and high alpine. Blackcomb turned 50 in December, creating reason for celebration as if every day’s apres ski wasn’t enough. Ski season so far and is on track to have a record number of visits – and I can attest to that as I stood in a 45 minute lift line one day. It was well worth the powder day!

Before you enjoy any part of these mountains, you’ll need equipment. Black Tie Rentals came to my private residence, fitted Wade and I with boots, skis, helmets and poles, and were gone in 10 minutes. Four Seasons then shipped them off to their ski concierge at the base of Blackcomb. Time is precious, and Black Tie Rentals allows skiers to spend more time doing what they came to do – ski!

How to get there

For those of you on the West Coast of the U.S.A., this place is especially easy to get to. Fly into Vancouver and hop on a shuttle (Whistler Connection) or dare I say, hire a limo, for the scenic two hour drive to Whistler. For more in Whistler, see my top 8 winter activities from dogsledding to snowmobiling.

Work It Out: My Favorite Activewear of the Moment

February 19, 2016 by lesleymurphy Leave a Comment

Top 8 Winter Activities In Whistler, Canada

February 17, 2016 by lesleymurphy 3 Comments

Dogsledding

If this isn’t a true Canadian experience, I don’t know what is. Just south of Whistler lies the stunning Callaghan Valley where I experienced the Canadian wilderness in timeless style – from inside my sled cocoon with Blackcomb Dogsled. I was able to both ride in the cocoon and command the sled/dogs. What.A.Dream. I’ll be adding “Musher” to my resume, NBD.

Mixed breeds allow the dogs to have much shorter fur, such as a husky-greyhound or husky-pointer mix. A pure Siberian husky would overheat with its long coat, but this working breed has great characteristics for dogsledding. Greyhounds love to run, and run fast. Put these two together for a match made in dogsled heaven. Rescue dogs are also taken in here, and those who don’t love the sled lifestyle are put into early retirement to live happily ever after. Ahh, the good life.

Skiing Whistler Blackcomb

This was my second time to ski Blackcomb, and thus my second time to fall in love with it all over again. It’s tough to find a better mountain – it’s challenging, beautiful, and has some of the best restaurant options available. You can’t do better than Christine’s located inside Rendezvous Lodge on the top of Solar Coaster Express.

After skiing in a whiteout all morning, nothing warmed by body like my first taste of a Caesar (Canada’s version of a Bloody Mary) and the above burger. Be sure to make a res. Crystal Hut is also worth checking out, but go early because when you serve Belgian waffles on top of a mountain, people come in crowds. Don’t forget to ride the Peak 2 Peak glass bottom gondola that takes you to Whistler Mountain!

Photo by Paul Morrison

Après Ski

This is probably my favorite thing about skiing culture. When the lifts stop running and your appetite returns from a full afternoon of skiing, the real fun can begin off-mountain. Après ski, the famous french term for “after skiing,” refers to any form of entertainment, nightlife or social events that occur specifically at ski resorts. Beer, burgers, s’mores, spa, dancing – you name it.

Snowmobile

The Adventure Group really outdid themselves during my time in Whistler. For my first ever snowmobile ride, we broke away from the group and went to a secluded area overlooking Cougar Mountain. Too bad it was a complete whiteout at the time thus blocking any chance of a view, but we got the drone out, froze our fingers off, and made some cool videos.

Zipline

Ziplining in winter? Yeah, it’s a thing with The Adventure Group. Soar across mountain valleys and over thick forests on Whistler’s (and all of Canada’s) longest ziplines as you reach speeds up to 65 m/hr as you fly through the BC backcountry. Life in the fast lane woo!

Blackcomb Aviation Heli Ride

My first activity in Whistler was scheduled to be a scenic heli ride through Whistler, but alas, mother nature had different plans for me. Helicopter rides haven’t exactly been on my side since my last THREE have been canceled (all due to weather)… oooor have they been on my side? Safety first! I’ve heard amazing things about Blackcomb Aviation, so whether you’re looking for some adventurous heli-skiing or in need of that aerial Instagram shot, give them a call.

Scandinave Spa

Welcome to a dream world of magic. Pure, sweet, sensual magic. This outdoor eco, silent (shh!) Scandinave Spa is set on 20,000 sq ft. of a peaceful spruce and cedar forest. Mix that with snow and BOOM, before you is the most perfect winter wonderland. Alternating between hot and cold baths have various health benefits such as eliminating of toxins, decreasing inflammation and stimulating circulation. Hydrotherapy at its finest y’all. If you’d like to get me a gift for any occasion, I’m accepting gift cards here.

Dinner at Bearfoot Bistro

Bear with me while I try and recreate the most fun dining experience ever. It all started with a walk down to the wine cellar. At most, I thought I was going to be able to pick out what wine Wade and I would be drinking that fine evening. Oh no. I would be putting more muscle into it than simply raising a glass. Instead, I’d be sabering our bottle of bubbly! Allow me to explain. Sabering is a technique used for opening a champagne bottle, typically done during a ceremonious occasion. The wielder, me, slides the saber along the body of the bottle to break the top of the neck, leaving the bottle ready to pour. Watch and learn from the pro.

We drank, we ate, and we drank some more. The final course came in the form of the Kettle One Vodka Room where a tasting took place in -25 degrees, the world’s coldest vodka tasting room. I don’t know what warmed me up more – the four shots of vodka or my Canada Goose, Arctic-ready parka (provided by Bearfoot Bistro). We went (read: stumbled) back to our table to enjoy some nitro (liquid nitrogen) ice cream before heading home. Oh, what a night!

How to Get There

For those of you on the West Coast of the U.S.A., this place is easy to get to. Fly into Vancouver and hop on a shuttle (Whistler Connection) or dare I say, hire a limo, for the scenic two hour drive to Whistler.

My Travel Workouts + Eating Habits Revealed

February 15, 2016 by lesleymurphy 8 Comments

Paris has macarons. Italy has gelato. Texas has BBQ. Germany has beer. Hong Kong has dim sum. Spain has churros. Argentina has Malbec…and the delicious temptation continues around the globe. So, how do I stay in shape without sacrificing my happiness or overdosing on all of these foreign?

I enjoy them in moderation while making sure to stay active. ONE macaron never hurt anybody. Neither did a slice of Margherita pizza in Rome, especially if you take a walking tour through the city afterwards. Boom. You can have your cake and eat it too, food pun intended. Just be sure that once (literally, once) you indulge, you opt for lighter meals on the menu. The below images run (read: plague) my mind as I sit down to order in foreign countries. Suddenly I’m transported into an episode of Man vs. Food, and sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. I’m a small human with large tastebuds and appetites.

VS.

I combine many different exercises to keep my interest in working up a sweat at least four days a week. Running, spinning, yoga, and barre classes are all exercises I love to do when I’m at home in the U.S., but what if there’s not always a yoga studio where I’m traveling? Plenty of resources exist when this happens, but I just have to make sure my best friend comes along: wi-fi.

LimitLes Movement – I created this platform for everybody, especially those on the moves. You can expect airplane yoga, no equipment classes, mastectomy stretches, beginner flows, power flows, core work, and so much more!

Yoga with Adriene – With over a million subscribers, Texan-born Adriene is big news in the yoga community. Her videos are easy-to-follow cover everything from bloating, period pains, heartbreak and of course – yoga classes.

Fitness Blender – Total body workouts that you can customize including length, calorie burn, body focus, equipment needed, etc.

8 Minute Abs – My most frequented YouTube Channel. I’ve been doing this one on VHS since I was about 14, and I’ve continued doing it on YouTube as technology evolves (although now it’s burned into my memory, so no technology needed.)

These online workouts are great to do inside a hotel room, but if it’s a beautiful day, I love getting outdoors to run on a beach, bike path, park, etc. This is a great way to see a new city. Hotel gyms aren’t a bad alternative. Plenty of resources are available for use, whether that be a paid yoga class or utilizing nature to get it done.

You can either sit there with the “I’m on vacation” mentality and watch the pounds accumulate or simply realize there aren’t any excuses – and just do it!

Skiing in California this Season? Hit These Three Mountains

February 11, 2016 by lesleymurphy 2 Comments

Disclaimer: Listening to the above playlist will likely cause the booking of an impromptu plane ticket to California.

Anyone else immediately taken back to the OC days? Thanks for that, Phantom Planet. I recently finished a week’s worth of traveling throughout the state of California, and the best accompaniment to those travels were my favorite songs about the Golden State. Take a listen while reading.

I’ve already outlined one of my favorite destinations in the state, the city of LA and its best attribute, beaches. From romantic walks on El Matador beach to kicking your heels up at Hotel Erwin in Venice (that rooftop tho), a lot of fun in the sun can be had here. But what if you want some snow to go with that beach glow?

The sheer fact alone that you can surf and ski in the same day is straight up ridiculous. I think this is what 2Pac was referring to when he dropped “California Love” – there’s just so much to love. Let’s start with Big Bear, a whopping two hour drive from L.A.

Location: Big Bear Lake

Why We Love It: Big Bear Mountain Resorts’ Snow Summit and Bear Mountain offer two distinct mountain experiences. Into jumps, tricks, and terrain parks? Bear Mountain is calling your name. It’s also a perfect mountain for beginners. Not a skier or snowboarder? No problem. Tubing at Alpine Slide + Fat Bikes at Bear Valley Bikes makes for a fun afternoon.

Where To Eat: Big Bear Lake Brewing Co., Grizzly Manor Cafe, Bear Belly Deli (best sandwich I’ve ever eaten)

Where to Sleep: For groups, check out Big Bear Luxury Rentals

Heading further north, you’ll find Mammoth – California’s beloved ski resort. Five hours away from both Big Bear and Los Angeles, Mammoth attracts local Californians and worldly adventure sport enthusiasts alike.

Location: Mammoth

Why We Love It: Mammoth Mountain soars higher than any other in the state of California, coming in with a peak elevation of 11,053 ft. It provides steeps and bowls for a variety of skill levels and has about 300 days of sunshine/yr and an average of 400 inches of snowfall/yr.

Where To Eat: Slocums, The Restaurant at Convict Lake, Burgers Restaurant

Where to Sleep: Juniper Springs Lodge

Moving on up, we hit Lake Tahoe about 3 1/2 hours north of Mammoth. If you’re flying in, driving distance from the Reno-Tahoe airport is about an hour (book Bell Limo Transportation), but you’ll soon be engulfed in the most beautiful winter wonderland. Worth every mile of that drive.

Location: Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

Why We Love It: One of the largest ski areas in the U.S., Tahoe attracts people from all over the world. It’s also surrounded by some incredible scenery, and if I heard any advice, it was to come back during summertime. I love a destination that’s in season year-round. The aerial cable car travels 2,000 vertical feet to High Camp at the summit where the views of Lake Tahoe are stunning.