travel area: Desember 2015

Rabu, 30 Desember 2015

Amy West Travel Top 10 Blog Posts from 2015

In just a few hours 2015 will be history and we will usher in a new year full of possibilities. My hope for you is that this year is one of your most joy filled, prosperous years. I hope you fill it with new adventures, and cherished memories with the ones you love. I consider it my great joy to bring you my experiences here on this blog and the other media outlets I contribute to. With the few hours left it's time to look back at the memories we made and accomplishments we achieved. I'm pleased to bring you the best of my work this year as I round up my top 10 blog posts.

Personal Posts

1. Welcome Baby London

2. Ladylike Liberties

Destination Posts

Amy West and family in Anna Maria Island

3. Anna Maria Family Getaway | Mainsail Beach Inn Review

4. Explore Sea Ranch Lodge

5. Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort Mini Baby Moon

10Best Posts

6. 10 Best Babymoons

7. 10 Best Jacksonville Attractions

The Chat

8. 10 Super Easy Photo Tips Anyone Can Use

Surviving Disney with Amy West and Family

9. Surviving Disney | How to Navigate the Happiest Place on Earth

News 4 Jax

10. 10 Tips for Flying with Kids

Thanks for joining me in 2015! It's going to be another great year. I can't wait to see where our path may lead!

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Kamis, 24 Desember 2015

Merry Christmas from Amy West and Family | 2015 Recap

It has been an exciting year! Full of first time experiences, and most importantly new life. In January we traveled to Anna Maria Island to visit Mainsail Beach Inn where we revealed to my in laws we were expecting again. In April we flew across the country to explore the wilds Sea Ranch Lodge in Northern California, and the Millennial minded Pier 2620 in San Francisco.

In May I traveled to a 9,000 acre ranch in Montana where I got acquainted with the creators of Firehouse Subs and practiced my marksmanship. While I was at it I shared a few of my fashionable finds, and reviewed some great products. As summer arrived we got to know Daytona a little better, and enjoyed a relaxing Babymoon at the Omni in Amelia Island. On top of all that we also visited Disney a few times, and did I mention the food I tasted this year? While all this was taking place around my ever expanding midsection I appeared many times on The Chat, News 4 Jax morning show, and the radio while also contributing for 10Best.com. The year drew to an end with the arrival of our second daughter London just in time for our first daughter to begin kindergarten. In September we enjoyed a welcome time-out during our staycation at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa (which I still need to recap). Just as we adjusted to all that we bought a house! And after 5 days of moving here we are on Christmas Eve!

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for following my little adventures on this blog, on 10Best.com, and on my appearances on TV. If it weren't for you the reader, this platform wouldn't exist. It's my great privilege to share my experiences with you. I may not meet every single one of you, but you are in my hearts and on my mind throughout the year and especially during this season of giving and sharing. I look forward to bringing you more great content in 2016! We'll see what kind of creativity I can whip up, and what kind of adventures await.

Until then...

Merry Christmas
and

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Selasa, 22 Desember 2015

3 Epic Gingerbread Creations on the First Coast

The World's Largest Gingerbread Pirate Ship located at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

1. Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Visit the world's largest Gingerbread Pirate Ship at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. This 17 foot ship rests in the lobby of the resort throughout the holiday season and greets guests with a crew of ten colorful pirates.

Eight Ritz-Carlton pastry chefs invested around 350 hours to create over 600 pieces of baked gingerbread. Additional help comes through the resort's Community Footprints Program which enlists the aid of aspiring culinary students from local high schools. Students rub colored sugar powder and paint coffee extracts on the fresh gingerbread to create a natural wood grain look. Additional work is completed by the resort's pastry team as they create cargo boxes, treasure chests, and cannon balls. Additionally an overnight chef spends an entire week per crew member piecing together individual pieces of color fondant.

What an epic creation. One worth going out of your way to see!

2. One Ocean Resort and Spa

One Ocean Resort and Spa happens to be just down the road from our neighborhood. Since it's so close we love including it in our holiday traditions. Kicking off the holiday season each year One Ocean Resort and Spa unveils it's larger than life Gingerbread Creation with live carolers, fresh gingerbread cookies for the crowd, and lots of fanfare! This year the charming scene picturing Santa's Elves resting up on Christmas Eve featured enough sweets to last all year!

Here are the stats:

160 lbs of jelly beans

150 lbs of sugar

Several hundred lbs of flower

6 pastry chefs and an engineer

400 lbs of brown sugar

200 lbs of butter

20 lbs of molasses

2,000 eggs

3. Amelia Island Plantation Omni Resort and Spa

Joining the tradition on the First Coast is Amelia Island Plantation Omni Resort and Spa. This year Chef Daven and his culinary team created a giant gingerbread Live Oak inspired by the beautiful oaks that surround the area. Channeling a little bit of inspiration from Keebler a full size elf house sits inside the imaginative creation. Want to know what goes into a majestic tree that's loaded with sweetness? I'm so glad you asked!

Here's the scoop!

100 pounds of oreo “dirt”

400 pounds of flour

800 pounds of sugar

900 eggs

4,000 pieces of bark (gingerbread)

8,000 leaves (cookies)

1,800 hours of Christmas spirit

Make your days a little brighter this Christmas season and seek out these epic creations. It's the perfect family tradition and a great way to slow day and enjoy the holiday with the whole family. Then you can head home and create your own!

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Kamis, 10 Desember 2015

Pretty in Plaid | What I'm Wearing

Amy West in plaid dress and wrap from Anthropologie

Looking for a scene stealing look that's also cozy and warm? I love this plaid number I found at Anthropologie (while shopping for these great Gift ideas). It's perfect for the Holidays, and great for layering. Pair it with a little bling to dress it up or add some leather for a more urban feel. Make it your own and have fun! I wore this look on The Chat for my last appearance, and it was a huge hit. Read on for more details.

Amy West in plaid dress from Anthropologie and Versace dress

Mix patterns with a monochromatic textured knit!

I love this neutral reversible tote!

Soft and feminine with a flowing full skirt. I paired this look with a little blinged out belt.

A great look for traveling since it's so versatile!

Here are some similar finds below.

Holding Horses Plaid Acreage Dress • Anthropologie •
Tylho Wrapped Plaid Dress • Tylho •
Evenuel Plaid Shirt Dress •
Halogen ® Blurred Plaid Wrap • Halogen •
FRAAS Classic Plaid Poncho • Fraas •
Anthropologie Quartier Plaid Scarf • Anthropologie •
UGG Australia Analise Lace-Up Ankle Bootie, Chestnut • UGG •
Sam Edelman Elina Suede Over-the-Knee Boots • Sam Edelman •
Sam Edelman Penny Boots Whiskey 10 Boots • Sam Edelman •
meli melo Fleming Handbags • Meli-Melo •
Miss Albright Terreno Reversible Tote •
Ela Scandi Tote •
SEPHORA COLLECTION Rouge Cream Lipstick •
Dolce & Gabbana The Lipstick Classic Cream Lipstick • Dolce & Gabbana •
Burt's Bees Magenta Rush Lipstick .12oz • Burt's Bees •

Want to meet? I'm hosting a special event at Anthropologie in Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town Center Tuesday December 22nd from 5-7pm. I'd love to meet you and help inspire your last minute shopping list! There will be prizes, personal styling, and seasonal refreshments. What's not to love!

Until then....

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Rabu, 02 Desember 2015

Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers

Amy West wearing the Cottage Scarf by Anthropologie

It's been a full year. Between my travels, bringing baby London into the world, and getting my big kid off to kindergarten. I'd say we made 2015 memorable. Finishing off the year in style I've been picking out special little things for the ones I love. I thought I'd share a little bit of my Christmas inspiration with you with treasures I found at Anthropologie. Here are a few must haves for travel lovers that I think you will love as much as I do.

For Him or Her

Linea Carta City Vignette Mug • Anthropologie • $12

Linea Carta Mapped-Out Dishtowel • Anthropologie • $20

Anthropologie CITIx60 Travel Guide • Anthropologie • $9.95

Anthropologie Near & Far • Anthropologie • $29.99

Little Low Studio 13 Tables Calendar • Anthropologie • $26

For Kids

I'm a big believer in starting our kids out young. A sense of adventure can be inspired with fun creative gifts like these. I especially like the coloring map. With the popularity of adult coloring books, I think this one is a score for any age.

Anthropologie Nesting Play Suitcases • Anthropologie • $36

Anthropologie Tearoom Passport Case • Anthropologie • $34

OMy Design & Play OMy Pocket Map • $12

Anthropologie The 50 States • Anthropologie • $30

For the Fashionista

A staple for travel buffs, is a wrap like this cashmere one. Elegant, timeless, and oh so cozy. This London themed beauty bag is too cute for words, and the metallic themed IPad case, jewelry case, and weekender bag will please fashionable sensibilities of any size.

White and Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap • $298

Anthropologie City Shimmer Cosmetic Bag • Anthropologie • $49.50

Stephanie Johnson Rosemonde Jewelry Case • Stephanie Johnson • $68

Stephanie Johnson Rosemonde Luggage Tag • Stephanie Johnson • $28

Anthropologie Metallic Idiom iPad Case • Anthropologie • $78

Deux Lux Hesperia Vegan Weekender • Deux Lux • $128

Beauty on the Go

I love these travel friendly beauty products. Coconut oil has so many uses, its a must have for any travel bag, and how great are these individual brightening masks?

Fictions Eau De Parfum Paris One Size Fragrance • Anthropologie • $48

Raw Coconut Oil • $38

Karuna Brightening+ Single Face Sheet Mask • Karuna • $8

Tocca Mini Eau De Parfum Cleopatra One Size Fragrance • Tocca • $18

Have a favorite "go to" gift for travel lovers? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

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