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Travel

Travel

How to travel with only a carry-on

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

I love surprising people.  This may shock you, given my profession.  I rarely check my luggage when traveling!  The reasons why are obvious.  You save money.  You save time.  You save anxiety.  Here are some tips to travel lite for your next trip.

Rolling luggage is great, but duffle bags are much more chic.  I flew to Punta Cana, DR with this one.  I also find I can pack more into a duffle.  When packing, strategize outfits that are versatile and light.  Think silks, nylons and cottons.  Minimize your denim to one pair of your favorite jeans and switch outfit looks with various tops.  The planes and airports are freezing, so I wear my heaviest pieces en-route.  Heavy sweatshirts, long cardigan sweaters or both layered are favorite plane ride pieces.  My Shalice Noel Bleeker Street Poncho is also a great piece for the airport chill.

I carry a large purse for my personal item and a smaller shoulder bag that keeps my travel documents, wallet and essential self-care items secured.  I also fit some overflow pieces into my larger purse, like pajamas, cozy socks, and swim suit.  When I board the plane, I fit the small shoulder bag into my larger purse and the crew is happy.

Traveling comes with enough anxiety.  Knowing my luggage is with me while traveling saves me a lot of stress and I love a good challenge.  Let me know your packing tips and check out these favorite travel pieces below. 

Happy travels!  

Things I packed:

duffle bag

Large purse – Chanel cocoon and the MZ Wallace is a very similar affordable version

Small purse – leatherology meadow satchel I love to add my Fendi strap

Sweater tank

Cardigan sweater

Varley sweatshirt

Travel

Our 5 tips when traveling to Punta Cana

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Reid and I just returned from Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic.  This was our first trip to the Caribbean and here are some tips we’ve picked up along the way. Have you been? Comment with your favorite tips.

  1. Fill out the E-ticket before you leave for the airport to save time.  https://eticket.migracion.gob.do/
  2. Many flights required an overnight layover so watch out when booking.  You may want to book a room to get a good night rest either at the airport hotel or one close by.
  3. Make sure you have pre-planned your shuttle to the resort.  Many people bombard you with ride offers when exiting the airport.  https://www.otiumtour.com/en/transfers/punta-cana
  4. It took us a couple days to learn this about DR coffee.  Their coffee is much sweeter than we are used to.  If you want a latte, request an espresso with steamed milk on the side.  Then mix the two together yourself.
  5. Find a gym! Resorts usually have beautiful gyms to get that sweat on and feel your best.
Travel

Our Overnight Getaway

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Do you ever drive past a place, see lots of activity but have no clue what all the hustle is?  Reid and I needed a quick overnight getaway and parenting break.  We decided to drive down to one of our favorite beaches in Florida.  This was a last-minute trip and Reid booked the day before we left.  We thought we would just get a typical hotel chain since it was so last minute.  Reid did a search all over Florida’s 30A and thankfully discovered this quaint vintage Bed and Breakfast in Grayton Beach, Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse. 

https://www.hibiscusflorida.com/

We arrived at 5:00pm and the check-in process was super simple.  They had texted Reid’s phone with arrival instructions, and everything was waiting for us.  Our room was the Funky Bird Room, located on the first floor of Bert’s Barn.  The grounds are lush with Florida plants and a big front porch.  Upon entering the old-fashioned room, you are entertained with vintage bird art sprinkled into the décor.  It’s not fancy, but feels hip and very Anthropologie.  Just my thing.  The room included a small kitchen with full size sink, mini-fridge and microwave.  Just what we need for a one night stay and no kids.

It was fun staying the night and feeling like we were going back in time, but the best part was waking up to the Florida sun and heading over to the café for breakfast.  Yes!  This place still give you breakfast, for free!  It is not pre-packaged danishes either.  Reid and I each had fresh old fashioned oatmeal topped with fresh fruit while I had homemade granola and milk.  Might I add, the coffee was one of the best on 30A.

As a small business owner myself, I encourage you to check out this quaint, family owned guesthouse.  It was a great retreat.  Great, walkable location and most importantly, great coffee!

See you in Florida.  (If you have a need for a place that sleeps 10, check out this rental.

Travel

What I wore in Florida

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

We enjoyed a week on 30A and didn’t want to come home. This is what I wore. A lot of neutrals and elevated basics for carefree vacation style. Which is your favorite?

Dress in size small // Bag // Sunglasses

Hat and fanny pack in tan

If you’re planning a vacation, don’t forget to READ THIS POST before you go!

Travel

10 Favorite things to do in Destin,FL

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

We absolutely LOVE going to Florida and have been coming to the Magnolia neighborhood near Destin FL for 13 years! It was our dream to own a beach house there. In December, we made that dream a reality. We bought, furnished and recently started renting our beach house out. More on how to rent it here. Many of you asked where we like to eat in the Santa Rosa Beach, 30A area so I compiled 10 favorites, also kid approved! Let me know in the comments if you have any favorites that I missed.

See our first trip to Alys Beach that I blogged about HERE. Brooks was a baby — 7 years ago!

I welcome any questions here: shalice@shalicenoel.com. As always thanks for stopping by! 😉

THE BAY 24215 HWY 331 South, Santa Rosa Beach, kid friendly menu, 10/10 views of the Bay, and happy hour half price drinks. Hello half priced margarita!

SUGAR SHACK 5 Main Street, Unite 2A Rosemary Beach, FL. A good place for candy and ice cream. My kids love this little Rosemary Beach hot spot!

BLUE MOUNTAIN BAKERY 2217 W county HWY 30A Unite E, Santa Rosa Beach, FL. We decided this is our favorite place to get cinnamon rolls. Hands down. Tip: Go early.

BLACK BEAR BREAD CO 26 Logan Lane, Santa Rosa Beach, for coffee and treats in Grayton Beach

BAD ASS COFFEE 17 Uptown Grayton Cir, Santa Rosa Beach, yummy lattes!

ANGELINA’S PIZZA 4005 E County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Our kids FAVORITE. It’s a great place to feed a crowd and yummy homemade salad dressings.

BLUE MABEL 2260 West Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Reid and I came here for date night. We got happy hour margaritas and enjoyed their famous brisket!

DONUT HOLE 6745 US Highway 98 W, Santa Rosa Beach, get here early, good for their namesake donuts and omelets!

Kith & Kin 7525 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, W ordered nutella treats and iced lattes and it was delicious. Feels like Kauai with corn hole games outside.

Grayton State Park, 357 Main Park Road, Santa Rosa Beach. $5 entry and SO WORTH IT. Smaller crowds and beautiful beaches.

What to do on a rainy day with kids in Destin:

FUDPUCKERS Come for the burgers, stay for the alligator feeding. A good rainy day activity! 20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541,

Gulf World Marine Park experience the marine-themed bowling alley and marine life for a perfect rainy day activity!

Urban Air Trampoline Park Have the kids run and jump to their hearts content.

Rock out Climbing Gym state of the art indoor rock climbing facility. Burn off breakfast from the Donut Hole.

Rainforest Black Light Mini-Golf & Arcade glow in the dark mini golf course and fun filled arcades.

Do you have any Destin or 30A favorites to share? I’d love to hear. shalice@shalicenoel.com. Thanks for reading!

Travel

What to do in Charleston

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

I took a girls trip to Charleston with Leanne Barlow and Jordan Zobrist this last week and it was a blast. Here is what we wore and did!

We also visited Magnolia Gardens. Visit the bridge area. Looks like a scene out of the Notebook.

Little white dress and similar // Pink bag // Amazon $15 sunglasses

White shorts similar // Halter top // Chain sandals // Lagos bracelets // Strapless bra // Turquoise Ring

Last week, I drove 5 hours from Atlanta to Charleston to meet up with my California girlfriends.

We went to The ordinary and Hotel Bennet while in Charleston, SC. I included some of the favorites you recommended.

Cru cafe was recommended as well as The Daily for coffee. Hall’s steakhouse is so good and Husk is great too! Husk I was told, has an awesome mixologist so really good cocktails and their food is all super fresh— farm to table and unique. There is no doubt, the eating scene can’t be beat!

I was hesitant to leave the family and drive 5 hours form Atlanta to Charleston, but boy was I happy I did it. It was refreshing to leave the house, the noise and plug in my favorite pod cast for the long drive, “How I built this,” snack on almonds and sip iced coffee. The simple joys. If you have a chance, reconnect with girlfriends and you’ll be glad that you did. The laundry will always be there.

Happy Friday!

Shalice

Travel

Where we vacation in FL!

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Peasant top in small // Shorts // Similar scarf // Sunglasses $15

How does a place become your family go to vacation spot?  Every family has that special go to vacation spot.  What is your story?

While growing up, my family loved going to Hong Kong.  I know that sounds strange, but my mom grew up in Hong Kong.  My dad was a pilot, so we would fly standby once a year back in the day when you could still smoke on airplanes.  Yes, those were long trips.  But visiting my cousins in Hong Kong was the best.  They would take us to the best places.  If we got separated, they would say, tell the cab…”NOW CHUN TOE, KOWLOON TONG,” and we would get home. Those trips to the markets to get cloths and grubs would forever be one of my favorite memories.

We had enjoyed many great day trips in California.  Whether that was Lake Arrowhead, Anacapa Island (See post) or Laguna Beach, leaving California was hard.  But knowing Florida beaches would be a short drive away, our sorrows turned to joy.  Florida is a favorite place to take our family.

Here is our tips on traveling to the scenic 30A.  The last few times, we have stayed near Alys Beach.  The community we stay in is called Magnolia By The Sea and we found it on VRBO.  It’s a small community of cottages across the street from the beach.  While small, the house sleep quite a few people.  Perfect for multi-family gatherings or big families.  We like that the beach is private and the community has a heated pool.  The perk for the location is that it is a short bike ride to Alys Beach.  I should mention, Alys Beach is our dream vacation goals.  Someday we want to stay there, but for now we enjoy riding our bikes, playing at the park and getting coffee within the town.  You cannot take a bad picture of this place.  The community is design perfection in my opinion.  Everything down to the window trim colors to the outdoor planters.  Every vista is perfectly harmonized.  Reid and I enjoyed sometime meandering the quaint streets.  Reid admires the architecture and design while I soak in photo shoot inspiration. 

Rosemary Beach is also another hot spot we like to take the kids to in the evenings.  It’s a bustling beach community with a lot of night life and you feel like you are in Europe.  While there are many places to eat and play, here is my brief list of our favorites for your vacation planning enjoyment.

·      Stay:  Magnolia By The Sea (Hint:  Staying outside of Alys/Rosemary Beach saves you $$$ – but you can still enjoy the public hot spots)

·      Eat:  George’s (Alys Beach)

·      Dessert:  Sugar Shack (Rosemary Beach)

·      Drink:  Neat (Alys Beach)

·      Breakfast:  Donut Hole (Inlet Beach)

·      Coffee:  Raw & Juicy (Alys Beach)

·      Do:  Rent Bikes – Don’t forget Sunscreen! I like this one – non toxic.

·      Shop:  Don’t be silly, this is a beach vacation

Grey and Ivory Bleeker street poncho via Shopshalicenoel.com

Travel

The Travel Stroller We Took to Milan

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Shown: The Baby Carrier in Wild Child

use code shalicenoel for $20 off!

If you are in the market for a stroller, or thinking about being in the market for a stroller, or just like the idea of being in the market for a stroller, this is the stroller for you! As you can imagine, with five kids spanning eleven years, I’ve owned my share of strollers. But the Colugo Compact stroller is hands down the best compact one I’ve ever owned. It’s perfect for travel, quick trips, trips when you’re not driving anything that has a Texas-sized trunk, or anytime you need simplicity and convenience. Did I mention it is only 16 lbs?

Why I love the Colugo Compact Stroller:

While there are SO many reasons, here are a couple you need to know:

1. It is easy and quick to break down. My seven-year-old can do it without breaking a sweat.

2. It is lightweight and slim. I can get it in and out of the car easily, without having to take everything out of the trunk before I do.

3. The fabric is machine washable and can be switched out if you tire of the design. I have camouflage and just ordered the black for winter. I love it! And you did catch the “washable” part? It’s WASHABLE. 

4.  It’s comfortable! It has a thick cushion that Levi actually sleeps in, which is no small fact. Those who know Levi well know that he is NOT a great sleeper.  I only wish he slept as well in his crib as he sleeps in the Colugo!

When we went to Milan this past fall, we brought the Colugo. It managed to fit in an overhead bin, a Prius Uber in Milan, and the little coat closet in our apartment, not to mention all the cafes and coffee shops we visited. To be completely honest, the Prius Uber driver gave us a bit of grief at first, saying “NO STROLLER” over and over. But after Reid did a little demonstration with the stroller and said molto piccolo (very small) a few times, he let us in! .

 Believe me, I’ve tried SO many brands and this is always the stroller that ends up in the back of my car. DON’T FORGET TO USE CODE “shalicenoel” for $20 off your entire order of $125 or more, for new customers, one use per customer. 

Items shown: THE COMPACT STROLLLER // THE CARRIER

At 16lbs, it’s so easy to break down and carry!

Thank you Colugo for sponsoring this post. All opinions my own.

OutfitsStyleTravel

Travel Tuesday: Unico Our all inclusive retreat

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

 

We spent 4 dreamy days in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico to celebrate Unico’s one year anniversary. Since I was their very FIRST influencer to stay at Unico and promote it, I was asked to be the first to hit the pinata. While I was feeling a little sick (2 months pregnant with baby Levi), the beach, the gorgeous scenery, and chill time by the pool made me feel WAY better. One of our biggest regrets was missing out on the excursions thanks to our flight arriving late. Be sure to organize that right away with your guide. Hopefully there will be a next time! The resort is all-inclusive that means food and beverage is covered with the price of your stay. Reid and I both agreed this is THE BEST WAY TO VACATION. There is much less stress having to pull out the Amex every time you order a daiquiri or guacamole and chips. And while we are on the subject, don’t miss out from their signature avocado smoothies you can order from the cafe. Insider’s tip. Have you been? 

Here are some common questions I got about our stay at Unico Resort.

It is all inclusive?

Yes all meals are prepaid. It wonderful to have one less thing to think about! Hello fresh chips and guac on the beach.

Are children welcome?

It is an adult only resort. Leave the kids with Granny!

Room with a pool vs Room with a tub?

However I missed the tub, we both agreed we loved the pool room by the beach and pool!

–What to pack for Mexico–

White and black tanks and tees

Sun screen!

Forget the designer bags at home. I barely needed a bag

Rompers jumpsuits and dresses for evenings

Outfit deets below. Let me know if I missed anything and if you have any other questions in the comments!

xx

Shalice

polka dot shorts // polka dot dress // white tie blouse // wrap dress // similar straw hat

 

We were so thankful to be able to return to Unico’s beautiful resort and recreate so many memories. We can’t wait to go back! Book your next trip to the ultimate paradise HERE.

.

Travel

Our Stay at Nobu Los Cabos

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

straw hat // his suspenders // my sunnies // my sandals (only $35!)

Funny how whenever the flight attendants see us board a plane their first comment is, “Are these all your kids…. That’s a lot of work!”  Well, it’s true, traveling with 5 kids under 11 is no walk in the park, but traveling is worth every bit of hassle.  I’m thankful for the travel opportunities we have had this past year and what better way to close out the school year with a trip to Mexico on the Baja Peninsula.  We put all those Spanish classes to practice!  Kind of.

We flew to San Cabos San Lucas for a 5 night stay at the brand new Nobu Hotel.  Nobu is a chic celebrity sushi restaurant in LA (one of the owners is Robert De Niro).  They are now opening resorts all over the world so you can enjoy the fine Japanese cuisine and style all over the world.  The Nobu Hotel Cabo San Lucas is located 45 minutes from the SJC airport.  You can book an airport transfer through the resort as we did.

You will be in awe of the experience as you drive up to the front lobby.  The architecture is sleek and sophisticated as well as the service.  Upon arrival, the staff warmly greeted us with moist towels to freshen our faces from, juice boxes for the kids and a ginger cocktail for Reid and I.  Exactly what we needed to decompress after the stress of flying.

The resort opened in April 2019 and designed to immerse Japanese design with Mexican hospitality.  Ocean views and Zen gardens are everywhere.  The property includes three pools, many hot tubs, private cabanas and a swim up bar. The Cabanas have private bathrooms and showers and was a great place for the kids to nap in the shade.  It was like an extension of our hotel room.  Reserve your complimentary Cabana with your personal butler upon arrival.

For our family of 7, hotel rooms that accommodate all of us are rare.  Fortunately, Nobu offers a variety of suites.  We stayed in the Zen Suite with an adjoining room.  We had a living room, eating area, king size bed with incredible bathroom and another adjoining queen bed room for the kids.  All rooms have darkening drapes so the kids always slept till 7:30am which made for nice quiet mornings.  Comment below on this bathroom dream!

We spent every day at the pool.  The resort is beach front but the ocean is not swimmable.  You can hear the power of the waves crashing throughout the day.  Besides the pool, the kids loved going to the Kids Club.  They did face painting, movie nights, crafts and games for the kids from 7am – 10pm.  You drop your kids off and pick them up whenever you want.  Can you say date night?  Even better….ocean view sunset date night at Nobu! 

The resort offers fine dining at Nobu and Malibu Farms.  Feels like we are home in Los Angeles!  The food was fresh and delicious.  We recommend getting an all-inclusive package offered on Nobu website upon making your reservations. 

Also keep this on the DL, but the fitness center provides iced chlorophyll water that we loved. I won’t lie, it is the best and most refreshing beverage after a day in the sun. Also a favorite was the dark chocolate they left at turndown service. I would call for turndown service just to feed my chocolate addiction. All in all, a great family getaway. Next time, we will explore the town!

Tip#1: If you’re flying with children, check the stroller at the gate.

Tip #2: Bring instant oatmeal packets. My kids wake up at the crack of dawn on vacation and I’m not taking them to breakfast at 5am!

Tip #3 Buy your girls shorts in the boys section. You get 3 more inches, and they have good washes and distressing.

Tip #4 Lower your expectations. Or let go of any you may have. Like parenting at home, some days are totally unpredictable. Go with the flow and you’ll enjoy your vacation more.

Tip#5 If you’re traveling with an infant (Levi is 8 mos old) nurse him/her at take off and landing to alleviate any ear pain or pressure. If your baby is older, bring something to chew on. I bought him a play iphone but he really just loved the chew beads and melt in your mouth snacks.

Tip #6: Don’t forget your face mask for the flight. Even if I don’t have time (holding a baby the whole time) I will apply a face mask on my neck for refreshment. I also bring my NuFace mini and do a mini eye lift.T

Tip #7: The sun is stronger than you know. Pack sun hats and sunscreen. I use Unseen sunscreen as a makeup primer so I NEVER forget to put it on.

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