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- Walkable Milwaukee Coffee Shops
You have probably heard of a bar crawl, but have you ever heard of a coffee crawl? My friend Kailagh and I decided to take a trip to Milwaukee's Third Ward to visit a handful of coffee shops. All of these are within walking distance of one another which made for such a fun day of caffeine. Canary Coffee Bar First up on our crawl is Canary Coffee Bar . This coffee shop is such a vibe! They have a couple of baked goods to choose from but mostly just a tasty drink menu. Grace Coffee Company About .8 miles away from Canary Coffee Bar, you will find Grace Coffee . We had our breakfast here and they had some delicious food! Such a fun spot with vibrant decor and fantastic beverages. Likewise Coffee If you're a patio fan, Likewise is for you! Located right around the corner from Grace Coffee Co. is an adorable little spot called Likewise Coffee. They serve both drinks and baked goods. The coffee cake is fantastic! Discourse Discourse will be your forth stop on our coffee crawl. Discourse is approximately .3 miles from Likewise Coffee. This place is super cool; the walls are decorated with music! There are a ton of vinyl's available for purchase or you can take advantage of all of the comfy spots to sit and just listen while you're there. Full of Beans Cafe Our last stop on the coffee crawl is at an adorable spot called Full of Beans Cafe . It is a small cafe serving drinks and a handful of eats approximately .2 miles from Discourse. We sat in comfy chairs across from a fake fireplace and sipped on a latte and tea.
- Cheese Curds and Chemo
I have not written a blog in a WHOLE MONTH! A lot has changed in the last month and I have been extremely preoccupied. I went from living in the Colorado mountains to living in my boyfriends house very quickly and unexpectedly. When I left Wisconsin back in April, I was planning to come back in August for a friends bachelorette party. It lined up with State Fair so I thought "heck yeah, I'll come back for both!" The weekend prior to the party, I was still in the mountains about an hour outside of Colorado Springs - a 17 hour drive from Milwaukee. I was going back and forth on whether or not I wanted to make the trip. I wanted to see friends and have a good time but it was suuuuch a long drive. I decided it didn't make sense for me to travel that far for a week just to turn around and drive back. I told my friend I was not going to make it to the bachelorette party around 9:30am on Friday morning. I have had a boyfriend (Mike) for over a year and he lives in the Milwaukee area. Back in May, we took Kona on a 4-ish mile walk and he complained about hip pain afterwards. We figured it was just from the walk. Fast forward about a month and Mike is moving from his apartment into his new house and his leg started to get super swollen. It didn't really hurt, but it was a balloon. He talked to a few friends and Googled a few things and came to the conclusion that he tore his abductor muscle during the move. Those take 4-8 weeks to get better and because he was moving (figuratively and literally) we assumed it wasn't healing because he wasn't really resting it. All of a sudden one day he had excruciating pain in his leg. It lasted two days and he decided to make a doctor's appointment. He got an ultrasound done and they couldn't see anything. They thought maybe the swelling was from a blood clot and recommended a MRI. He scheduled that, but the appointment took two weeks. Within that two weeks, he actually came to visit me in Colorado for a few days. That was the first time I saw his leg in person and it was definitely swollen but I attributed it to him not resting it when he should have. When he got back to Milwaukee, he got the MRI done on that Tuesday. On Friday morning, he received a call telling him to go to the ER because there was a mass discovered in his MRI. By 1pm, he was informed that he "probably" has cancer but it would not be confirmed until the biopsy next week. That's when I decided I needed to come home. The drive home was absolutely HORRID. I mentioned earlier that it was shown as a 17 hour drive on my GPS but the RV cannot go 75MPH on the highway. I also have to stop every few hours for Kona so the drive took a lot longer than 17 hours. We drove from 6am - 7:30pm on Saturday and 6am-5:30pm on Sunday... WOOF. It was confirmed about a week later that he does in fact have Follicular Lymphoma at age 36. He had his first chemo treatment last week and will continue those through the end of the year when we will reevaluate and see how the treatment is going. Cancer is terrifying. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that has a high potential to revisit later on in life, so there's a good chance this will not be the only time Mike goes through chemo. Thankfully his body took the first treatment pretty well and he did not have any major side effects, but it is supposed to get progressively worse. We are crossing our fingers that the symptoms remain tame but honestly, as long as the chemo does what it is supposed to, the side effects will be worth it. ANYWAY. If you made it this far, that is why I am in Wisconsin. This was obviously not the plan but life throws curveballs sometimes, right? And there's nothing we can do except to deal with what it throws at you. We are participating in the Light the Night Walk hosted by the Leukemia and Lymphoma on September 26th. IF you are able to donate to this great organization, please consider doing so. Everything helps! If you have any fun new restaurants I should try, festivals to attend, trails to hike, etc. in Wisconsin, let me know! I will be here until at least January 1, 2025.
- Essentials for Dog Friendly Hikes
Let me preface this by saying I am not professional. I am just a woman who hikes with her dog nearly every weekend. I am often asked what I bring on hikes with Kona (my 75lb pup) so I have compiled a list of my must-haves for dog friendly hikes. You can find all of these items on my Amazon Storefront. All links are affiliate via Amazon - thanks for your support! Dog Water Bottle I have this water bottle for Kona and I LOVE it. It doubles as a bowl so it ends up taking up less space in my backpack. There is a switch to open/close the bottle so it doesn't leak and it holds 19oz of water - enough for a quick hike! Collapsible Dog Bowl Before having the water bottle mentioned above, I used these collapsible dog bowls. They are awesome because not only do they collapse, but they also come with a clip to hang on the outside of your bag. Keeps any remaining water from getting your stuff wet! Harness I have tried a lot of options for Kona - leashes that go around the nose, prong collar, regular collar & leash, padded harness - and none of them have worked quite like this one. This harness allows me to keep control while allowing Kona to stay comfortable. Dog First Aid Kit If there is one thing I have learned while on the road, it's that you should always be prepared. I keep this first aid kit in my hiking bag. A lot of this stuff can be used for humans, too! Doggy Waste Bags This one should be obvious but I still felt the need to include it. POOP BAGS! I follow the Leave No Trace principles while outdoors which means taking all of your trash with you. This includes dog poop! Double bag it and toss it in the backpack to throw away when you're near a trash can.
- 7 Stunning Places in South Dakota
For the past 2 weeks, we have been traveling around the stunning state of South Dakota in our RV. Despite covering a lot of ground, I strongly suggest paying a visit to the locations highlighted in this blog. I am focusing solely on the places that left a lasting impression on us. Be sure to explore these must-visit spots in South Dakota. Spearfish Spearfish, SD is located on the far west side of South Dakota, approximately 90 minutes from Badlands National Park. I learned about Spearfish through a fellow influencer and by golly I wish I would have done more research before going. I knew I wanted to hike in Spearfish Canyon but I would have loved to spend more time in the area. It is beautiful! We took the Rough Locks hike which is approximately 2 miles out-and-back. It looked like a storybook. I was actually obsessed. The trail is a segment of a handful of other trails in the area so you are able to make the hike a bit longer if desired. Spearfish Canyon is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Custer State Park Custer State Park is a must when visiting South Dakota. This was my first time here and although I looked at maps and researched hikes ahead of time, I did not realize how HUGE it is! It was quite hot this day (high of 90* F) and although we arrived by 9:30am, hiking was already becoming strenuous in the heat. We chose two short hikes but then drove through the park exploring a bit as well. We got to see a bison cross the road! They terrify me, but they are fun to watch. Black Hills National Forest Black Hills National Forest is absolutely stunning. We disperse camped in a few different areas of the forest throughout our time in South Dakota. My favorite was a spot right outside of Wind Cave National Park. Note: this park is not on my list because I didn't love it. But I did absolutely love the spot we had down the road. There are so many free places to stay in the forest and so many activities to be had! Tons of hiking trails, ATV trails, equestrian trails, etc. Devil's Gulch Our journey in South Dakota began in the southeastern part of the state, where we decided to camp in Garretson for a week. During our stay, we stumbled upon Devil's Gulch, a delightful surprise located less than a mile from our campsite. Nestled within the red quartzite canyon, Devil's Gulch offers a plethora of hiking trails and stunning vistas. Palisades State Park Our time at Palisades State Park involved some exploration. Regrettably, the roads were being worked on during our visit, leading to some stress. Nevertheless, we managed to go on a few hikes. Palisades State Park is traversed by Split Rock Creek, which is surrounded by Sioux quartzite formations, offering truly breathtaking views! Lake Vermillion Recreation Area During our trip, we also visited Lake Vermillion Recreation Area. I want to mention this particular stop because it truly stood out as one of the finest "paid" campsites I've experienced, despite the relatively high cost of $37 for a single night. The lake teemed with fish constantly leaping out of the water. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to spot a couple of deer and wild turkeys during our stay. If you enjoy lakeside activities, this destination is a must-visit. Badlands Although I highly recommend Badlands National Park, we didn't visit it during our South Dakota trip. The park isn't very accommodating to dogs, and since I've been there before, I chose to skip it on this occasion. Instead, we spent a week in the RV at "The Wall," an area outside the Badlands that offers free camping. The scenery is stunning, there are plenty of friendly people around, and you can even enjoy watching free-range cattle chomping on grass in the distance.
- Milwaukee Area Breakfast Sandwiches Part 5
Time for the next round of Milwaukee area breakfast sandwiches! This will be the last "part" of my series, but do not fret! I plan to create a master list along with a downloadable Google Map that will be updated on a regular basis! Thank you to my friend Julia for this suggestion - it's a great idea and I am excited to execute it! Ney's Premium Meats Ney's Premium Meats in Slinger was such a delicious experience. You can build your own breakfast sandwich - choose your meat, cheese, and bread! I went with brisket, egg, hashbrown, and cheese on a croissant. It was magical. If you live in Milwaukee, I promise it is worth the drive. Grace Coffee Company Grace Coffee Company has a handful of locations - I visited the one in the third ward. This sandwich had scrambled eggs, bacon, cheddar cheese, garlic aoili, and arugula. Make sure that you order the cheesy hashbrown bites on the side! Better Together Cafe I have been stalking Better Together Cafe for months and I still have not been able to try their milkshake drinks. Someday! You can choose between bacon, ham, or sausage for your breakfast sandwich. It is topped with an egg and cheddar cheese; served on an English muffin. Beerline Cafe This one is for all of my vegan friends! Beerline Cafe is located on the East Side in Milwaukee and they have a breakfast sandwich! I was a little hesitant, but I enjoyed it. The BLATZ is marinated tempeh, carrot bacon strips, avocado, tomato, & romaine. It comes with some zesty mayo and i loooved that. Nosh Nook Last but not least, let's chat about Nosh Nook in West Bend. You can find them at the extremely popular farmer's market on Saturdays. Get there early if you want to try out this breakfast sandwich! The Benny Bagel is a bagel stuffed with fried egg, provolone cheese, ham, spinach, tomato and hollandaise sauce. It is what dreams are made of.
- Take a Road Trip to Visit These Wisconsin State Parks
I am originally from Milwaukee and admittedly had not explored the state of Wisconsin to it's full extent until the last few years. I decided to turn my UP trip into a Wisconsin State Park trip. These state parks are between a 5-6 hour drive from Milwaukee but are definitely worth a trip. Copper Falls State Park Copper Falls State Park is located in Mellen, Wisconsin. It spans over 3,000 acres and has approximately 17 miles of hiking trails. The Doughboy Nature Trail is the one that will bring you to the best waterfall views - unfortunately this trail is not dog friendly. Kona and I took a hike on the Red Granite Falls trail instead. Amnicon Falls State Park Further west, you will find Amnicon Falls State Park, located in South Range, Wisconsin. The park sits along the Amnicon River and features four different waterfalls. We intended to simply hike at this park, but ended up camping for two days because we loved it so much. There are only about 2 miles of trails within the park, but there is so much room to explore! Pattison State Park Pattison State Park is located just south of Superior, Wisconsin. It is home to Wisconsin's highest waterfall: Big Manitou Falls. The waterfall is 165 feet and lands into the Black River. There is a second waterfall, Little Manitou Falls, that is also very picturesque. A storm was rolling in when we visited this waterfall so we made our visit quick. There are approximately 9 miles of hiking trails; hopefully we get to come back someday!
- Discover 5 Breathtaking Northern Michigan Waterfalls
I have visited "The UP" only a few times now but visiting a waterfall is always on my list. I have a whole photo album full of waterfall photos and videos; below is a list of the most recent Northern Michigan waterfalls I visited. If you are curious about the bug situation: yes, they were bad. I recommend long sleeves, pants, and socks, bug spray, and a head net to help. Yondota Falls When visiting Northern Michigan over Memorial Day weekend, we stayed at Lake Gogebic State Park. Yondota Falls are the closest waterfalls to the state park we could find. The drive was about 25 minutes and the hike to the first waterfall was only .10 mile. If you continue on the hiking trail, you will come across several more waterfalls. I suggest continuing on the hike because the falls get more impressive as you walk further. Kakabika Falls If you are not prepared to deal with bugs, I would not visit this Northern Michigan waterfall. The second we exited the vehicle, they swarmed us and they did not give up throughout the entire hike. This is another short hike, about .25 miles to the falls. The trail continues on if you want to keep hiking. These falls are probably the least impressive on this list, but they are still beautiful and within the same general area as Lake Gogebic State Park. These next 3 waterfalls are located in the Presque Isle Scenic Area. They are all within a mile of eachother (probably less). Manido Falls Manido Falls was the first waterfall we stopped at in the Presque Isle Scenic Area. The hike to the trail is about .5 mile and the views are absolutely worth it. The way the sun was hitting the water during our visit ended with a rainbow across the waves. This trail contains a lot of stairs, so be prepared! Manabezho Falls Manabezho Falls is just around the corner from Manido Falls and boasts an extremely strong current. To get to the overlook, there are several flights of stairs. The pathway goes further than the initial waterfalls which allows you to soak in all of the views. Nawadaha Falls There is a hiking trail that connects Manabezho Falls, Manido Falls, and Nawadaha Falls within Presque Isle State Park. We did not take this hiking trail because we were exhausted from hiking earlier in the day. The shorter trail for Nawadaha Falls begins right at the entrance of Presque Isle State Park and is made up of gravel. This trail is the least dramatic of the falls within the Presque Isle Scenic Area, but still worth the views if you are there!
- Things to do in Lake Geneva, WI
Lake Geneva is known as a “resort town” in Southeastern Wisconsin. The lake in the middle of town is surrounded by beautiful hotels, golf courses, and plenty of shopping, bars, and restaurants. If you are looking for a beautiful area to spend a relaxing weekend, Lake Geneva is a good pick. Check out the details below for things to do in Lake Geneva, WI. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS There are a lot of options when it comes to spending the night in Lake Geneva and I stayed at The Abbey Resort. Waking up in the morning and being able to sit outside and drink coffee right on the water was PERFECTION. There are three places to eat inside of the resort – Waterfront Grille, 240 degrees West, and Cafe Latte if you’re looking for a quick morning snack. I was impressed with their Spa and Fitness Center, the cleanliness of the resort, and the wonderful hotel staff. If you are a golfer, The Abbey Resort was made for you. FOOD & DRINK We all know by know that most of what I do on these trips is eat and drink. I stopped at several restaurants in Lake Geneva and my favorite was Flat Iron Tap. It’s a very small spot and doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the food and service was fantastic. I ordered deep fried cheese curds, brussel sprouts, and the pollo fresco chicken sandwich from Flat Iron Tap. I couldn’t decide what to get... so I got it all. They do not have a liquor license, but can serve wine or beer with your meal! They created an awesome selection of cocktails with the wine they have on hand and have over 100 beers to choose from. Another restaurant in Lake Geneva that I enjoyed was brand new at the time – Guac Star. They have a CHEESE CURD TACO! Guac Star is located right in downtown Lake Geneva. The vibe inside of the restaurant is very fun and they have several different tequila drinks to try. It’s a good spot to stop for a little snack or a quick lunch while you’re out exploring the area. One of the best coffee shops in Lake Geneva was recommended to me by a friend and it is called Inspired Coffee. In addition to coffee, they serve a variety of yummy baked goods. The mission behind Inspired Coffee is what makes them so special. Inspired Coffee employs individuals with disabilities to help train, coach, and help them become integrated into a full work setting. Everyone there was so nice and the coffee was wonderful. SHOPPING I did not do too much shopping in Lake Geneva, but trust me when I say there is PLENTY. Your girl is on a budget though, ya know? I did stop by Hill Valley Dairy to grab some cheese. Hill Valley Dairy recently opened their store front and I wanted to check it out. Although not very large, they have tons of options of different cheeses and Wisconsin-themed gifts if you’re looking for something to bring home. I purchased the Whiskey Gouda cheese and it was fantastic. They have a "cheese bar" next door where you can sip wine and taste-test different cheeses.
- How to Spend a Day in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Exploring the city of Kenosha? I've got a few ideas on how you can spend a day in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kenosha is a quaint city about 50 miles south of Milwaukee. Parts of Kenosha are right on Lake Michigan which makes the perfect place to spend a sunny day. If you are looking for food ideas, drink ideas, shopping ideas, or outdoor adventure, I've got you covered. Continue reading for suggestions on how to spend a day in Kenosha, Wisconsin. FOOD & DRINK We started the day at Captain Mike’s – I LOVED THIS PLACE. It is such a cool spot on the inside and they have garage door type windows to open up near the patio area when the weather is nice. Not only that, the food was *fire emoji*. I ordered an avocado toast and Erica ordered a breakfast sandwich. The prices were low and the food deliciousness level was high. Another spot that we ate at and enjoyed was 1844 Table & Mash. We ordered cheese curds and some fancy drinks. The curds here were the best I had in Kenosha. It’s inside of a hotel so I was a little worried about the food but honestly, one of the better restaurants in the city. The next location that I will mention is more of an experience than anything else. If you are looking for a drive-in restaurant while you spend a day in Kenosha, you should check out The Spot. Drive-in means that you order from your car and you eat in your car. The menu is pretty small, but we purchased a few things to test them out. They are known for their ice cream and their burgers. GET OUTSIDE Kenosha has a Sculpture Walk along the water. The sculptures are removed and replaced with new sculptures every two years. While you’re taking the sculpture walk, you’ll see the lighthouses on Lake Michigan. Harbor Park is a really pretty area right on the shoreline. The lighthouses are beautiful and definitely bring a little bit of history to the area. THINGS TO DO We visited Kenosha on a Saturday morning which means the HarborMarket was in full swing. The market is split into two different sections about a block away from each other. There is plenty of fresh produce, cheese, breads, and lots more! A fun way to explore the city is via the Kenosha Electric Streetcar. It costs $1 per adult and covers about a 15-minute loop. The trolley drives past several art galleries, the Civil War Museum and the Kenosha Public Museum. It’s a great use a public transportation!
- Milwaukee Area Breakfast Sandwiches Part 1
I love a good breakfast sandwich. As of late, I have been trying to figure out where the best breakfast sandwiches are in the Milwaukee area. I have a list of recommendations that I am slowly making my way through, so I thought I would start compiling a list so that you can go on your own breakfast sandwich adventures. Full disclosure: I am a bacon, egg, and cheese girl through and through. You will notice a theme with these sandwiches. Sorry, I'm a creature of habit. Fiddleheads Coffee Roasters Fiddleheads Coffee has always been a top spot for me for coffee. When I was studying for the PHR (Professional in Human Resources) exam, I was at Fiddleheads every weekend. I passed that exam on the first try, so this coffee shop has a place in my heart. Surprisingly, this was the first time I had actual food at Fiddleheads. I opted for their toasted bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. It consists of smoked gouda and zesty mayo on an English muffin. I LOVED the zesty mayo. It gave the sandwich a little kick and was a great, unique touch. Ruby's Bagels Ruby's Bagels has always been top of the game for bagels but their breakfast sandwiches?! As of right now, this one is my favorite. I ordered BEC with an everything bagel. Thick cut bacon, free range eggs, and American cheese. The bacon was SO thick and I love me some good bacon. Ruby's is inside of Zocalo Food Truck Park. Make sure you order early, because they sell out pretty quickly on a regular basis (for obvious reasons). Allie Boy's Bagelry & Luncheonette Allie Boy's is one of the most popular spots in Milwaukee. They are known for their massive breakfast sandwiches and they always have rotating specials of unique concoctions. I ordered the egg and cheese sandwich with bacon. It is made with an herbed omelette, American cheese, aged cheddar, salt, pepper, and ketchup. It is a very hearty sandwich and worth every caloric bite. Latitude Café Latitude Cafe is in Germantown, about 20 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee. I actually grew up in Germantown, and this spot is only a few blocks from my childhood home. I have always wanted to check it out and this breakfast sandwich gave me an excuse. I ordered the breakfast sandwich with bacon (obviously). It is served on this delicious ciabatta bread with egg, cheese, and spicy mayo. I loved the kick of the mayo and the extra umpf that it added. Corner Bakery Café Corner Bakery Cafe has a handful of locations in the area, but I ordered delivery from the one in Wauwatosa. They had a deal on Uber Eats and I ended up getting this sandwich and a salad for $11 - A STEAL. I chose the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich served on a panini. Honestly, I could have made this at home and been just as satisficed. It was nothing special, but it did the trick. I have tons of spots on my list to go yet, so stay tuned for a part two (and three?)
- Milwaukee Area Breakfast Sandwiches Part 2
I love a good breakfast sandwich. As of late, I have been trying to figure out where the best breakfast sandwiches are in the Milwaukee area. I have a list of recommendations that I am slowly making my way through, so I thought I would start compiling a list so that you can go on your own breakfast sandwich adventures. Full disclosure: I am a bacon, egg, and cheese girl through and through. You will notice a theme with these sandwiches. Sorry, I'm a creature of habit. Miss Molly's Café This bad boy is from Miss Molly's Café in Wauwatosa. Cheddar Bacon Bagel: poached egg, bacon, cheddar, caramelized onion aioli, tomato & mixed greens. I debated putting this on here for reasons I won't comment on, but it was a good sandwich so it makes the list. I'll never go back to Miss Molly's, but if you do, give this one a go. It's really delicious. Roast Coffee Company I honestly had not heard of Roast Coffee Company. I took an F45 class on the east side through Yelp and we were hungry afterwards. Stumbled across this gem and couldn't have been happier. Their GGOOLLDD sandwich was absolutely delicious. Avocado, egg, bacon, tomato, cheddar cheese, green peppers, red onions, and chipotle cream cheese. Get. In. My. Belly. Rocket Baby Bakery I love Rocket Baby Bakery in Wauwatosa. I order ahead because they are always so busy and I'm an impatient son of a gun. I ordered this sandwich for pickup thinking it was my standard BEC, but I forgot to add the bacon. SO that's a me problem. The bread on this sandwich was delicious. Absolutely superb. And honestly look at the amount of cheese. What more could you desire? Bistro on the Glen Bistro on the Glen is located in Glendale, just north of Milwaukee. We came here for a work meeting one morning and I took photos of my sandwich during the meeting. I needed it for research, ok? This one was honestly nothing special, but it did the trick. Bacon, egg, and cheese on an English muffin. With hash browns on the side, of course. West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe If I lived in West Allis, I'd visit West Allis Cheese and Sausage Shoppe at least once a week. I simply love their food. I ordered their breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese. It was served on a croissant which was absolutely delightful. I enjoyed it on the patio with one of their seasonal iced coffees. Legitimately the perfect meal. I have tons of spots on my list to go yet, so stay tuned for a part three (and four?)
- Bachelorette Party in Scottsdale, AZ
At the beginning of this month I headed to Scottsdale, Arizona to celebrate my friend Kailagh's upcoming wedding. Bachelorette party vibes allll weekend! We explored the city of Scottsdale and partook in several activities. If you are looking for some Scottsdale bachelorette party ideas, I got you! We flew into Scottsdale from Milwaukee on Thursday morning. We started out with brunch at Montauk. Their menu consists of a good variety of brunch food AND an espresso martini tower. Starting a bachelorette party in Scottsdale with an espresso martini tower is a top 10 move. This place also has live music which made the experience even more fun. After brunch, we explored downtown Scottsdale a bit. We stopped at an adorable wine bar called Wine Girl. They serve more than just wine which is great if your bachelorette party in Scottsdale includes a friend who doesn't drink wine! We had a few cocktails, took advantage of their Instagrammable space, and headed back to our Airbnb. Our Scottsdale Airbnb was MADE for bachelorette parties, but honestly, there were several things that were either broken, empty, or not usable so I am not going to link it for you. ADORABLE, but frustrating to pay as much money as we did and not have it be a 10/10 experience. For dinner, we had reservations at a lovely restaurant in Scottsdale named Cala. Our bachelorette party was in a small, private room which was really nice and secluded. We ended up sharing pizzas along with a few martinis, charcuterie boards, and of course... shots. Our meal was great and our waitress was so enthusiastic. I would recommend this spot for a bachelorette party dinner destination in Scottsdale. We headed to a few bars in town after dinner - Hot Chick and Rockbar. Hot Chick is more of a party bar - loud music, games, etc. Rockbar is more of a dive bar. I enjoyed both for different reasons and they were within walking distance of Cala which was very convenient. On Friday, we started out with a nice hike at "Double Butte Loop" - thanks to AllTrails for this one. It was about a 2 mile hike at Popago Park and the views were absolutely gorgeous. The hike was a 10-15 minute drive from the Airbnb and there were a few other bachelorette parties here with us. Friday afternoon, we headed to a candle-making class at Light and Bark Candle Co. This was a great activity for a bachelorette party in Scottsdale! We got to choose our own candle design, create our own scents, and actually make the candle. The whole process didn't take very long, but the candles needed about 2 hours to set. While we were waiting, we walked around to experience a few more places. We walked on over to AZ/88. Our bachelorette party ordered different martini creations - each one was delicious. We also grabbed a few snacks to hold us over until dinner time. The vibe in AZ/88 is very classy and modern but also alive, vibrant, and fun. On Saturday, we started our morning with a barre class by Fitbach. I am not a huuuuge fan of barre, but it was nice to get some movement in before the day got started. Our instructor was great! Saturday was our pool day, so even though it was only 65 degrees outside, we hung out at the Airbnb to play drinking games and enjoy the water. Saturday evening was our "Glitz and Glam" theme in Scottsdale where we all got dressed to the nines and headed out on the town. We started with dinner at Francine's. The food was delicious - it is a very classy place. Definitely pricey, so if you're bachin' on a budget, this one probably isn't for you. I ordered the black truffle mushroom pasta and it was PHENOMENAL. After dinner we headed out to enjoy the Scottsdale club scene. We had a table reserved at 50 Shades of Rose where we began dancing the night away. The music was loud, the crowd was excited, and we were having a blast. The staff was really great with making Kailagh feel special - providing us with shots, celebratory champagne, and a giant sign wishing her congratulations. We headed to a few more bars in downtown Scottsdale after 50 Shades but quite honestly, I am not a person that "goes clubbing" so my enthusiasm started to deteriorate. We ended up going back to Rockbar, the dive bar from Thursday, and ended our evening there. On Sunday, we went to brunch again at Montauk, explored downtown Scottsdale shops, and headed to the airport. Overall the trip was eventful, lots of fun, and I think that Scottsdale is a great city for a bachelorette party.












