Places

The Best of London and Oxford: Our Recommendations

We crossed the pond for an unforgettable trip to London and Oxford—and thanks to Mary Ila’s college summer abroad and some amazing local tips from our friends, we hit the ground running with the best spots to eat, stay, and explore. From classic fish and chips at Mayfair Chippy to a dreamy afternoon tea at The Ritz, and strolls through Oxford’s charming colleges, we’re sharing our favorite finds and must-do experiences. Planning a trip soon? Start with our guide!

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The Best of Paris: Our Recommendations

Our trip to Paris celebrating our daughter was full of unforgettable moments. From amazing food to discovering hidden gems around the city, it was an experience we won’t forget. We had an absolute blast in a baking class, dined with incredible views of the Eiffel Tower, and found some local spots that became instant favorites. As for shopping and sightseeing, Paris didn’t disappoint. Want to know more? Click here to find out where we ate, shopped, and explored!

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eiffel tower

Trip Reveal: London and Paris with Paige

Next month, we’re heading off on a special adventure with our middle child—London and Paris await! This trip is a mix of sightseeing, nostalgia, and celebration, with highlights like afternoon tea at The Ritz, a day in Oxford, shopping in Paris, and even a baking class. The grand finale? A magical 11th birthday in Paris, complete with a visit to the Eiffel Tower and a special milestone—ear piercing! From iconic landmarks to unforgettable meals, we can’t wait to make memories together. Let the countdown begin!

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person pointing a location on the map

7 Steps for Planning a Trip for Kids

Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip for your child is both exciting and a bit daunting—especially when the destination is completely their choice! Inspired by Bob Goff’s tradition, we’ve committed to taking each of our kids on an adventure of their dreams to mark their transition into adolescence. Our oldest chose the Bahamas, and now it’s our middle child’s turn.

Where will we go? That’s still a surprise. But in this post, we’ll walk through the steps we took to plan this trip—from budgeting and timing to researching and booking. Stay tuned for the big reveal!

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Honeymooning in Hawaii: Turtle Bay and Oahu

Hawaii was the dream honeymoon destination, and our adventure started on Oahu’s North Shore at Turtle Bay Resort—where we kicked back with oceanfront views, infinity pool drinks, and a sunrise beach photoshoot. We also took to the skies on the Magnum P.I. helicopter tour soaring over Pearl Harbor, Sacred Falls, and Jurassic Valley. Come on this recap journey with us!

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Fort Morgan Vacation: Family Fun

Fort Morgan, Alabama, is a favored family vacation spot, offering diverse accommodations, dining, and activities. Renting houses through Reed Real Estate is popular to avoid crowds. Key dining options include Sassy Bass and Jesse’s on the Bay. Family-friendly attractions range from The Wharf to fishing off the beach, ensuring fun for everyone.

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Great Antique Finds Across the State of Alabama

For our kitchen, we knew we wanted to mix old and new elements to create a distinct look. One of the ways we brought in the old was in our pantry doors.  We love finding off the beaten path places. Through recommendations from friends, we found two great places to source old elements at each end of Alabama.  The first is Charles Phillips Antiques in Theodore just outside of Mobile.  Eight warehouses make for fun browsing underneath the live oaks.  We found the doors for our pantry here while the kids enjoyed playing hide and seek throughout the property.  Charles

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Where to Stay on the Beach in Costa Rica

The thought of a trip to Costa Rica usually involves some vision of a beach. While there are great things to do and see inland, great options on the coast abound. As you can see from this map of Marriott Bonvoy Properties, the majority of options are on the Pacific coast, regardless of whether they are owned by Marriott or not. The Caribbean coast of the country is less developed and harder to get to. On the Pacific Coast, the majority of options are in Guanacaste Province on the Northern peninsula of the country. We’ve stayed in two different Marriott owned

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What to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Situated in the heart of North Central Costa Rica is La Fortuna, home of the Arenal Volcano and the National Park that surrounds it.  In this area, you have the opportunity to visit the best that Costa Rica has to offer (except, well, a beach).  If you are considering a trip to Costa Rica, we highly recommend spending some time in this area. While there make sure you: We didn’t have time to visit all of the attractions while there. There is so much to do and see in one of the most unique places we’ve been to by far

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The Best of Napa Valley Food

The Best of Napa Valley Food Wine instead of food may be what you travel to Napa Valley to experience, but there is an abundance of great food in Napa Valley and at every price point. Of course, the valley is home to Thomas Keller’s famous French Laundry and other Michelin-Rated restaurants, but we found four spots worth revisiting that all have a unique vibe with unique eats.  If you want something quick, inexpensive, and tasty, visit The Station in St. Helena. What was once a gas station from what looks like the 1950s is now a restaurant serving great breakfast all day

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