Just Go With It....in Scottsdale

[trip style = "sun" + spa]

I recently saw the hilarious movie Just Go With Itwith Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler {mostly filmed in Wailea---a destination I adore}. The movie was a timely reminder about the importance of having a just go with it attitude when traveling, and incidentally, became the motto for my trip to Scottsdale, AZ last weekend.

Altered Expectations Leading up to the weekend away, the usually sunny Arizonian skies were looking like they'd commit a grey and wet faux pas. I have a love/hate relationship with previewing forecasts, and unfortunately the weather report was right. On top of this, the temperature seemed a lot like Vancouver's. The irony is, Scottdale's weather was nice every day before we arrived and every day after we left. Plans to escape Vancouver's winter and sit poolside in the desert had to be altered.

Just Going with It Being a big believer in just going with it {in life and in travel} and making the best of a situation....

• Mid-morning hot tubbing turned into a fabulous shopping day {Scottsdale has great malls like Kierland Commons and outlets like Neiman Marcus Last Call}.
• Lunching by the pool turned into lunching at True Foods, a natural-meets-industrial bunch of restaurants centered on the principals of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid, then sipping coffee at beautifully designed coffee shop at the Elizabeth Arden Spa.
• Post-lunch bevvies turned into checking out the famed art deco, 1929-built Biltmore Hotel, rumored to be where White Christmas was written in 1938 or 1939.
• Late afternoon dozing turned into happy hour at La Hacienda {where we ate the best made-in-front-of-you guacamole in the world} and Bourbon Steak.
• Morning walks or runs turned into reading magazines and sipping Nespressos.
• A hike up Camelback turned into indoor yoga {best/hardest class ever, taught by a 75-year-old!}.

The best part of the weather's hiccup? We made impromptu appointments at the spa, spending the afternoon having massages, sipping prickly pear lemonade and recharging in the hot tub with a cascading theapudic waterfall.

All in all, though I missed my long lost friend the sun, we had a great time and didn't let the situation get us down. Next time you travel and your trip throws you a curve ball, just go with it---you might uncover a new trip style or experience a different type of break from the ordinary!

{Trip Styler Tip: Scottsdale {and its surrounding areas} is an excellent destination for solo, couple, group or family travel. It has something for everyone. Next time you travel, remember it as a less expensive alternative to Hawaii.}

Related Spotlight :: Scottsdale Scottsdale :: High/Low Rainy Day Vacay Ideas

[photos by @tripstyler, except bottom row by Scottsdale Princess]

A Slower-Paced Whistler

[trip style = active + adventure + ski]

Aside from the occasional cozy, curl-up by the fire evening, winter in Whistler is normally defined by racing to the lifts, racing down the hill and racing to après. I love each of these qualities, after all, they make Whistler what it is: the multi-award winning, world-famous winter wonderland that just so happens to be in Vancouver's backyard. But I recently discovered a slower-paced Whistler.

It seems like there are 3 kinds of Whistler enthusiasts: a) the wake up early and go to bed late, do everything visitors b) the I'll take my time doing the things I love visitors c) the I'm just there for the scene visitors I think I'm 55% A, 40% B and 5% C.

On weekends, I normally indulge in fast-paced Whistler: attempted first tracks, ski/board your brains off pre-crowds, hot tub, eat and repeat. But over New Years, I discovered a slower-paced Whistler full of sleep-ins, late-morning snowshoeing, naps, nice dinners out and cross-country skiing. Over the holidays, this Whistler provided the perfect balance of exercise, peaceful treks into the snowy hills and great times dining out with friends. Although I was kicking myself for not doing figure 8s with friends down the top of Blackcomb and basking in the above-the-trees bluebird-day sun, there's something to be said for a little R+R amid the activity.

For me, this came in the form of some incredible snowshoeing experiences (thanks to a tip from friends) and my first foray back into cross-country skiing in 17ish years. During one of the busiest holiday seasons at Whistler in a long time, the sheer breadth and depth of terrain made both these experiences peaceful versus the holiday and weekend congestion I'm used to on the downhill slopes.

Next time you head to Whistler in winter, take a cue from the slow cooking movement and don't forget to take time to relax a little and discover the peace of a slower-paced approach.

PS - Slower-paced Whistler also happens to be less expensive. Snowshoeing at Lost Lake and the Callaghan Valley costs between $8 - $10 and cross-country skiing is $20 (not including rentals).

PPS - Spending an afternoon or apres-ing at the girl-and-guy-friendly-outdoor-fire crackling-sauna-steam-and-hot-and-cold-pool-plunging Scandinave Spa is also another way to live a slower-paced Whistler. See pics and details here.

[photo by moi, taken at Lost Lake in Whistler]

Travel Beauty :: The Beauty of Arcona

[trip style = spa]

TLC I was recently lucky enough to experience a facial at the Arcona Studio in Santa Monica, CA. I have to admit, I’m one of those people who starts a different skin care regimen every week. But my skin had been acting out and was in need of some TLC, so after hearing about Arcona from several friends, I decided to give it a try.

Radiant Complexion The studio itself is very intimate and tranquil with dim lighting, eggshell-hued walls, classical music, and with talking only at whisper-level---it’s no wonder celebs like Natalie Portman, Vera Farmiga, and Katherine Heigl are fans. The studio is more about serious skincare than ultimate relaxation, so if you’re expecting lots of bells and whistles, this place isn’t for you. But if you want a glowing, radiant complexion, don’t walk…run fly!

No Overcooking Arcona products are made without parabens, petrochemicals, binders or fillers, sodium lauryl sulphates, perfumes, or dyes, and are infused with healthy ingredients like enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, plant lipids, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals. The key to their unique formulas is the ingredients are cold-processed in small batches at low temperatures, keeping them effective and active. They compare this process to how most nutrients are lost when overcooking vegetables.

Basic 5 Arcona is based on 5 simple products. You use 3 steps in the morning and 2 at night. The Basic Five Program aims to speed up, strengthen and enhance the skin’s renewal process. My Basic Five was for Normal Skin and included Cranberry Gommage---a morning exfoliant, Magic White Ice----a daytime hydrator, Desert Mist---a protective spray that shields skin from environmental damage, Toner Tea Bar---a nighttime cleanser, and The Solution---a lactic and hyaluronic acid-filled nighttime treatment. The Basic Five comes in a set for normal, sensitive, oily, dry, or aging skin and is available in full and travel sizes. I recommend the travel kits which are a great way to try the brand, and to take on vacation.

If you are in search of an eco-friendly skincare line that actually works, try Arcona. I am now a convert.

Editor's Note: I'm heading to LA in a few weeks and even though I have a love/hate relationship with facials, a trip to Arcona might be in order! Thanks Lauren.

PS - Men, there's also a specially formulated men's line.

{Want more travel beauty? Get your fill the third Wednesday of every month. Lauren, our travel beauty expert is already whipping up her next concoction post!}

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Go Long...

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It's Wednesday. You've been busy and haven't planned anything for the Labour Day Long Weekend because you: a) haven't had time b) couldn't be bothered c) think it's too expensive to go anywhere. It just so happens I can help you with all three excuses, unless you want to stay home! Here are some high/low long weekend getaways designed to get you outta town!

Long Weekend Getaways Pitch A Tent [trip style = camping] Keener campers have already reserved their campsites for the long weekend, BUT, one of my fave Vancouver Island locations, Rathtrevor Beach, still has sites available. This gorgeous beach is just below an incredible Spa (The Grotto at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort) if you want to take time away from your Coleman Cooker to relax in their large mineral pool, stand under their cold-plunge waterfall or soothe your muscles in the hot tub! PS - If you go camping, check out our 6 hand-picked free camping apps

Shop 'Till You Drop [trip style = urban] The Westin Bellevue is offering a special package for lovers of the mall and back to school shopping. Check into the hotel this friday or saturday night and get a $100 Bellevue Collection gift certificate per night and complimentary parking. Wowza!

Let Kayak Decide [trip style = spontaneous] I did a post on Kayak Explore a few months ago, and can't think of a better service to help you decide where to go for the long weekend! Just enter a few details like budget and when you want to go, and the map-based service will show you where you can fly, and for how much!

Circle Of Life [trip style = eco] Who knew a little beach community on Vancouver Island would have hanging spheres as an off-beat accommodation? It doesn't get more West Coast than this: three wood and fiberglass orbs suspended by ropes from rainforest evergreens. When it's time to descend into reality, heated washrooms and showers, a kitchenette and a small sauna await you.

Glamp It Up! [trip style = glamping] If money is no object, experience the great outdoors in style at the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. All inclusive 3-night packages from $4,750.00 CAD include return airfare from Vancouver to the Resort, deluxe accommodation, all meals, snacks and beverages {including alcohol}, massage treatments and guided activities including fishing. PS - don't let the canvas tent-facade fool you, this remote resort has not deterred this famous couple from making the trek deep into BC's gorgeous landscape!

Planning Ahead [trip style = wine tasting] If you can't get away this weekend, why not plan ahead? Here's the perfect night away: a Harry Connick Jr. Concert at a Seattle winery! Does it get any better than this? Although the concert's on a thursday night {sept 26}, maybe you could make that your 'long' weekend?

And if you want even MORE options, check out these getaways for everyone from lux lovers to campers!

Whistler :: Live High. Pay Low.

[trip style = weekend getaway]  [more pics below]

Whistler In The Summer There's nothing like summer in Whistler---other than epic winters, quiet autumns and fresh springs.  Admittedly, I love all seasons at the world famous mountains. Attracting summer outdoor enthusiasts locally and from around the world, the resort town an hour and a half from Vancouver swells---both in temperature and population---every summer with bbq's a blazin', bikes a downhillin', hikers a climbin' and foodies a tastin.' In fact, thanks to a fishing resort opening in 1914 that has since closed, Whistler was a summer destination long before it was the number one ski resort in North America. Locals always laugh at the truth of the expression "I came to Whistler for the winter but stayed for the summer.”

Live Like a High-Roller, Pay Like a Local Being a well known resort and home of the 2010 Olympic Winter games means Whistler caters to the luxury seeking spenders and the low-key savers, but the best part about the town of 10,000 is the summer season affords both lifestyles. Here's how to live like a high-roller for locals prices:

Do

• Golf
  • Whistler: Yes, you can pay around $195 to golf at any of the 3 highly acclaimed golf courses in Whistler, or you can play smart and take part in the Fairmont course's Wednesday Date Night where approx. $99 includes golf after 3pm and dinner for two people.
  • Pemberton: Just a half hour from Whistler, Pemberton has 2 courses that offer just as breathtaking scenery and level of play for a fraction of the price. Play an executive course or a full round at Big Sky or The Meadows from $25. [pic of Big Sky below]
• Hike
  • Whether you take the Whistler gondola or the Blackcomb chairlifts up to either mountain, the hiking is breathtaking. Summer lift tickets can be purchased online for $39.95. If you'd rather hike for free, check out the Cougar Mountain trail (8km round trip) near Whistler, the Garibaldi Lake trail (approx 21km round trip) 20 minutes outside of Whistler or the extensive village trail system.
• Lake
  • Whistler's lakes offer a natural air conditioning from the summer's heat. Lost Lake and Alta Lake feature multiple parks and beaches with gradual water entry.
• Drift
  • Floating down Whistler's gentle-flowing River of Golden Dreams is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. Many first-timers choose a canoe or kayak as their transportation of choice, whereas the seasoned drifters prefer inner tubes.
• Spa
  • Whistler has a lot of spas---it comes with the resort territory---but none are as unique and beautiful as the newly opened Scandinave Spa. Popular with men, ladies, couples and singles, Scandinave's bathing ritual combining hot-cold-relax repeat, hot-cold-relax repeat, is both healing and rejuvenating. It's easy to spend 2+ hours rotating between the sauna, cold plunge pools, relaxation rooms, outdoor chairs, hot tubs and eucalyptus steam room, all while staring into the distance at snow-capped peaks. Mineral baths from $58. Don't miss the 9am massage specials. [see pics below]

Eat

• Fairmont
  • Every Friday in the summer (and sometimes the fall), the Fairmont Chateau Whistler presents Fairmont Fridays where the Mallard Lounge offers a $5 beer option, a $5 cocktail option, free appetizers from 5.30-6.30pm and live music.
• Four Seasons
  • Right now the Four Seasons' Fifty-Two 80 Bistro & Bar is offering 7 Days of Apres with different drink and food specials nightly. Three dollar beer is the bevvie of choice on Friday, but you'll have to get in line. A deal like this goes over well with the locals.
• Creekbread
  • Sitting across from the base of Whistler Creekside, Creekbread Flatbread Pizza Co offers great prices year-round, and Tuesday evenings donates part of its proceeds to a local non-profit.
• Farmer's Market
  • Every Sunday during the summer from 11am-4pm, the Upper Village turns into a hippy-meets-high-end farmer's market. If you want to cook a gourmet meal a la Jamie Oliver you can pick up a wide variety of fresh, organic and locally grown produce, breads and nuts. Yum.

Stay Summer is a time when Whistler's population swells in the day but shrinks at night. In other words, day tripping is king leaving hotels and condo owners pining for guests. As a result, rates drop a lot. During the summer it's not abnormal to find a one-bedroom condo for rent on sites like alluradirect.com or ownerdirect.com starting in the $59 range. Renting a condo also ensures you can control your costs more with a kitchen, etc...

Pictures Big Sky Golf Club Pemberton

Scandinave Spa

Related Spotlight :: Whistler A Slower-Paced Whistler Spring Skiing Bliss & Deals

[Photos by @tripstyler]