My Life Now: Spring/Summer

Madre, Padre, Me, My Chin, My Husband

The weekend my parents visited was one of the best weekends we've had since moving to New York City. Neither one of them is particularly fond of large crowds and the go, go, go lifestyle but I was really surprised to see just how much they liked it! My husband and I couldn't wait to see them, so we woke up super early to meet them out at JFK. Seeing their faces walking running toward me in the airport is a moment I'll never forget.

Left to right: My parents and me in Central Park, and two of my favorite dudes.

My mom and me at one of our favorite neighborhood patios, Caffe Buon Gusto.

Overall the weekend was pretty laid back, which is I think what we were all hoping for! We picnicked in Central Park, ate a whole lot, and did a few touristy things like visiting the Freedom Tower and taking the Staten Island Ferry around the Statue of Liberty. The weekend flew by all too quickly and, even though we said we wouldn't, my mom and I both cried like babies as they loaded their stuff into the taxi. Living away from family isn't easy!

Left to right: How cool is my mom? Me and husband at the Yankees game.

I know some of my NYC friends will give me sh*t for saying this, but I'm not really a Yankees fan. Even more, I'm not really a baseball fan. I know! Please don't hate me! But seeing a Yankees game was still on our NYC bucket list and, thanks to a couple of generous friends, we got to do just that recently. My biggest takeaway? All the food! Yankee Stadium has sushi. SUSHI! Still, I opted for a burger with garlic fries. And they were delish.

In Belize!

You know what's really, super crazy? We celebrated our 1-year anniversary last Sunday. I can't believe it! Our wedding seems like it was just yesterday. We were lucky to have spent our anniversary in Belize. I got invited on a romance-themed press trip by the Belize Tourism Board that same weekend so we celebrated with a little zip-lining, snorkeling, and a ton of hot sauce. Seriously, we couldn't get enough Marie Sharp.

Flying over Belize to Ambergris Caye.

Saying goodbye to beautiful San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

And then last night...this happened.

And now I can die happy.

You can keep up-to-date with my latest travels and adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Seattle for The New York Post

My first travel story for The New York Post came out last month! Seamless in Seattle: Touring the Emerald City by air, land and water. Seeing my name in print for a paper with that kind of readership was a surreal moment. Definitely a career highlight!

Where to Stay: Round Hill Hotel & Villas

Round Hill Hotel's Villa 16

Back in February, when New York City was still gloomy and freezing, I escaped winter for a few sunny days in Montego Bay, Jamaica at Round Hill Hotel & Villas. The morning of my flight, I left our apartment before the sun and got pounded by sideways rain as I desperately hailed a cab, absentmindedly wondering why, exactly, I ever decided to leave Arizona. Those thoughts fell to the wayside as soon as I landed in Montego Bay. Oh yeah, I thought, I moved to New York City for the four-hour direct flight to Jamaica.

I began shedding my layers as soon as we stepped out of the airport and, realizing just how pale I'd gotten, started a mental countdown to beach time. Arriving at Round Hill was a giddy experience. You're basically surrounded by a paradise of white plantation-style "cottages" (read: villas) and emerald vines with pretty pops of hot pink bougainvillea. Ahead of you, nothing but the view of palm trees and blue water.

All of the villas, though individually owned, are done in plantation-style furnishings.

I was there on a press trip with several other writers and we stayed in Villa 16, pictured first high above, which is basically its own compound with six cottages and two pools overlooking the bay. We toured many of the other villas (there are 28 in total, including two owned by Ralph Lauren), each one individually owned but fitting in nicely with Round Hill's Americana/nautical/plantation-style aesthetic.

When it first opened in 1953, Round Hill was the escape-of-choice for American and European socialites, celebrities and politicians. So, you can only imagine the history its walls hold. John F. Kennedy and Jackie spent part of their never-ending honeymoon here (Villa 10), and the President even rehearsed his famous inaugural address in Villa 25 (coincidentally owned at the time by Adele Astaire).

Nautical touches.

Besides the option to rent out sprawling villas and their individual cottages, Round Hill also features the Pineapple House, a more affordable block of hotel rooms recently renovated by, who else?, Ralph Lauren. Each one has an ocean and/or pool view. One of my favorite places to post up during my stay at Round Hill was directly stage right of the Pineapple House, at a small beach bar under an old, shady tree.

There is a lot to do on property at Round Hill - water sports, tennis, fitness classes - but (happily) the most energy I exerted during my stay was walking to the spa one rainy afternoon. Round Hill's spa is small and peaceful, surrounded by a generous stretch of beautiful green lawn that I made a mental note to nap on later, but never got the chance to do so.

I had the Pineapple Body Buff, which smelled deliciously tropical and left my skin in a much better state than it was when I left the city. The spa menu is actually full of ingredients that are good enough to eat - Jamaican coffee beans, sweet vanilla with brown sugar, and lime and ginger. They all come in the form of massages, body scrubs, and facials.

Round Hill and the beach from Villa 16.

A small number of the spa's ingredients are grown in Round Hill's onsite organic garden, which is mostly used to supply the resort's restaurant with fresh produce. We toured it one sunny afternoon with the gardener, named Billy, who pointed out the many plants and herbs and what they're used for. Colic mint for an upset stomach. Moringa leaves for concentration and a healthy heart. Sorrel flower for a delicious champagne garnish (my favorite).

Round Hill's chef is passionate about using locally-grown produce and area purveyors in The Grill restaurant. Every Thursday and Sunday night, The Grill hosts a farm-to-table dinner with a menu of only local goods. This includes fruits and vegetables from Potosi Farms, which is owned by quite possibly the most attractive farming couple on the planet. Seriously, I'm not kidding.

Around the resort.

My stay at Round Hill was one of those one in a million experiences. It's the type of place where employees stay for 20+ years and families return to every season. The sort of resort where people remember not just your name, but where you're from and the names of your adult children back home. Where drivers nicknamed Goofy give you a special goodbye handshake and you devour bites of scotch bonnet peppers by the spoonful. No? Just me?

Round Hill was so picture-perfect! I couldn't fit all of my photos into one blog post. Head on over to the Style Jaunt Facebook page for more images.

Travel Style: Summer 2013 Bathing Suits

New York City hit 90-degree temperatures this week. With the humidity outside and AC on in our apartment, it almost felt like we were near a beach. Almost. Thankfully this summer, we will be! We're heading to Belize next week, which also happens to be our one-year wedding anniversary, and in August we'll be back home in Croatia. So with summer vacations on deck, I wanted to celebrate a few of my favorite beach getaways.

And track down the best swimsuit to match, of course.

Photos courtesy of Miami and The Beaches, Toxic Sadie

Ah, South Beach. Everything you want it to be. Sexy. Sunny. And just the right amount of glitz. Miami's clear-blue water is some of the best in the States - as bright and flashy as the local style. Less is definitely more in South Beach, hence this itty-bitty number from Toxic Sadie, the Silvie Brazilian Bikini. Rock it at any one of South Beach's many hotels, of which one of my favorites is Kimpton Surfcomber because of its playful backyard vibe.

Photos courtesy of Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Intimacy Bra Fit Stylists

The only thing more beautiful than the beaches in Montego Bay, Jamaica is the spirit. Some of the warmest and most welcoming people I've met while traveling are here! Sincere smiles all around. I stayed at Round Hill Hotel & Villas (more on that soon), a popular retreat for American socialites and celebrities since the 1950s. It's since been updated with modern Ralph Lauren-inspired Americana furnishings (he owns not one, but two villas here, by the way), but Round Hill's heart and soul - an ode to simpler days gone by - is still very much alive. I decided to celebrate the resort's nostalgic charm with the retro Hello, Sailor suit by Freya.

Photos courtesy of Hrvoje Serdar and Croatian National Tourism Board, BECCA by Rebecca Virtue

There are many reasons why Dubrovnik is the most popular tourist destination in Croatia and the beach is one of them. I've never actually stayed at a hotel when visiting Croatia, but in August we'll be checking in to Hotel Bellevue, which has only 91 rooms and is carved into the side of a cliff. It's part of the Adriatic Luxury Hotels collection, which, I'm happy to say, is a Croatia-based company. I'm excited to share that experience with all of you! In the meantime, I scoped out this asymmetrical one-piece from Becca by Rebecca Virtue, which is a collaboration with, and exclusive to, Everything But Water. It's sporty and feminine, perfect for a day of sailing along the Adriatic.

What are some of your favorite beach destinations and hotels?

In My Travel Bag: Fathom for Kate Spade City Guides

Illustration courtesy of Fathom for Kate Spade City Guides

When two brands I love come together, I am a happy girl. When the collaboration involves fashion and travel, I am even happier! Got the ping in my inbox yesterday that Kate Spade just released their new Fathom city guides covering destinations from New York City and Los Angeles to French Polynesia and Shanghai.

This is a marketing partnership I can really get behind because I know the women at Fathom (one of my favorite travel sites!) actually know their stuff. They've been to the destinations they cover and their articles are interesting, engaging and really fun to read. I've already pinned the Fathom for Kate Spade City Guides for future reference.

I've been to six of the destinations they've covered and can't wait to visit Sydney and French Polynesia.

How many of the destinations have you been to?

Expert Tips: Katie Goldstein's Luxury Travel Advice

Katie Goldstein

Katie Goldstein works by day as a lawyer but by night she's an avid traveler who shares all of her latest and greatest experiences on her blog, Travelingpanties. Katie chronicles her trips to exotic locales like Cambodia and Laos on Forbes, Fodors and SheKnows, and scours New York City for the next hotspot in her free time. For her interview with Style Jaunt, she's sharing her favorite destinations and hotels plus her tips on what makes a 5-star hotel worth your hard-earned money. 

First, I have to ask - what is the story behind your blog name, Traveling Panties?
Well, Travelingpanties is actually my second venture. I started it after I already established Smartypanties, which is my lifestyle blog that came from the idea of living life in a smart and balanced way: get designer clothes, but get them at the sample sale. When I started travel writing, I came up with Travelingpanties so my readers would know that the two blogs were related.

You're a lawyer by day. What inspired you to start a travel blog?
Traveling has always been my passion and I found that I was bursting with information I wanted to share from my trips - the good, the bad and the ugly. I would find some hotels so impressive that I wanted everyone to know. I would think, Wow, this hotel is so much better than another that costs the same. I felt like I had a duty to share that.

Certain hidden gems, like restaurants or a tiny wine bar I found, I wanted people to know about them. And on occasion, when something was so awful, I didn’t want anyone else wasting money on it. So I started pitching articles to Fodor’s, Forbes and SheKnows.com. Once they got published I thought, Hmm...I really need a place to share all of my opinions. Plus, it motivates me to travel even more! It’s a vicious cycle.

The Four Seasons Koh Samui
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

What is your favorite thing about travel?
There are so many! One is definitely experiencing luxurious accommodations. It’s not vacation for me unless I’m staying somewhere better than home. I also love sampling local fare and hitting up the area hotspots. I make sure to do lots of research before I go so I don’t end up at any tourist traps. Last but not least, I love learning about the history of every place I visit. My husband and I always print out articles and read them together on the plane.

What makes a 5-star hotel worth the splurge?
There are a few things. First I would say having a helpful and hooked-up staff who can get you into the hottest club, restaurant or show is really important, especially if you’re visiting a big city. For me personally, it’s all about the little things - the extras that make you feel like you’re being pampered. For example, I love how at the Four Seasons they are always spoiling you by the pool with snacks and goodies. I’ve been at hotels that offer mini-massages and manicures poolside for no cost. And call me crazy but I am a sucker for comfy slippers and a big, squishy robe.

What is your absolute favorite destination? What about hotel?
It’s so hard to choose! I’ve been to so many amazing places but I’ll try to narrow it down to a few. My favorite urban destination (besides New York) has to be Paris and the best hotel is Le Meurice. It’s absolutely stunning. Make sure to sign up for any activity the hotel is hosting in the Le Belle Etoile suite (where Beyonce and Jay-Z stay). You won’t regret it!

If you’re looking for an exotic destination I'd say it’s a tie between The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam and The Four Seasons Chiang Mai Hotel & Resort in Thailand. These are probably the most over-the-top, luxurious properties I have found anywhere in the world. If you’re looking for pure island luxury, my pick is The Four Seasons Koh Samui, also in Thailand. Every bungalow has its own infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Siam.

One & Only The Palm in Dubai
Photo courtesy of One & Only Hotels

Which destination are you dying to visit?
I am dying to visit South Africa and Dubai!

Which hotel are you dying to check into?
The One & Only The Palm in Dubai. I have heard incredible things.

You're based in New York City. What are some of your favorite hotels in Manhattan?
Manhattan has so many incredible properties and it really depends what you’re looking for. I always love a Four Seasons so I’m partial there. After that I would say The Plaza Hotel or The Waldorf Astoria if you’re looking for a classic New York experience. If you want to be downtown, I personally love the Tribeca Grand Hotel, which is a more boutique luxury experience.

Keep up with Katie's escapades on Travelingpanties, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

American Spa Magazine: May 2013

I wrote an article for the May edition of American Spa magazine about the spa benefits of geranium. If you didn't know, it's a pretty bad ass flower. Check it out: Botanical Bliss by Katarina Kovacevic.