Gotta kick off 2023’s the new lifestyle blog with my most commented on “Cool Find”…THOSE BOOTS!!!!! I used to hate the cold (still mostly do), but when you’re wearing the right clothes/gear, it’s fun! These boots have been to Quebec, San Diego, St George, Las Vegas and are always my go-to for plane rides.

I wear them while walking my dog and often hear, “Your boots match your dog!” Yup! And his brother.

Being weird, I will wear them in the warm weather with a skort or vintage Levi’s shorts.

In Club Med Charlevoix, I found a hat that matches the boots… some might say it’s overkill, but I like the “mad hatter” look.

If you tend to be shy in networking situations, I highly recommend THOSE BOOTS for the conversations that they will bring about.

Does entertainment affect my Wanderlust? You bet!!! A few months ago, I was watching Eugene Levy on his Netflix series, The Reluctant Traveler. Watching a 75-year-old man dog sledding and learning about the care of the dogs and how they are bred for sledding and love what they do, made me want to cuddle the dogs and get on a sled. Last week, I checked that off my Book-it list.

That’s not where it ends for me though… Hallmark movies; predictable- YES, happy ending- ALWAYS, love in Alaska, Iceland, Rome, Africa and 50 other places I now want to go- YOU BETCHA! Wanderlust!  

No more Bucket-lists for me! I watched my parents save their money for travel later in life and while they did a bit of US travel, other than 1 cruise they are now at the point that they are not able to go to those Bucket List desires.

Now I have a Book-it list! My plan is to check at least 1 or 2 places a year. I want to enjoy travel while I’m healthy and able to do exciting, interesting or adventurous excursions. I’m seeing a cool trend where parents are offering their kids the experience of travel instead of expensive parties. The kids are choosing travel!

And now, one of my stops in Alaska…

Juneau: A hotel (on water). A restaurant. A landmark. An excursion.

A hotel: Princess Cruise the Majestic Ship

Personally, I recommend the Dolphin floor (9^th) because you are closer to the water with phenomenal views of the glaciers, whales & otters from your balcony… warning, once you go balcony you never go back. I loved the spa, had the week pass at the thermal Lotus spa, booked a 75-minute massage every other night, and spent everyday meditating in the sauna with the twinkle light ceiling. Cruising gives you the opportunity to go to multiple destinations while only unpacking once.

A restaurant: Alaskan Fudge Company

What do you mean it’s not a restaurant? I ate enough fudge to take the place of lunch! I also watched the owners make peanut brittle… okay if you must know, I brought a box home and ate it for breakfast (doggie bag like a restaurant)

A Landmark: Patsy Ann Dog Statue

Patsy Ann was a legend on the docks. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I will tell you that she touched so many lives that when she passed hundreds of people sent cuttings of their own dogs’ hair to be mixed into the statue.

An Excursion: Helicopter to a Glacier for a Dog Sled Ride  

Thanks Eugene Levy! If I hadn’t seen your show, I would not have gone on this excursion, and it was one of the greatest days of my life. Seeing the glacier from the sky, was a gorgeous view of the brilliant blue coloring that glaciers are famous for. Learning about the dogs, their treatment, and their love of their “job” gave me the bravery to be the volunteer to be the person who stood on the back of the sled rather than sitting down.

Ps… if the thought of travel or excursions scare you, stay tuned for my next blog where I will address how I overcame my lifelong fears and anxieties around travel.

I am Gluten and Dairy free and always looking for a way to avoid cooking while still getting the proper amount of protein I need for how much I work out. I’ve had think! Bars before and found them palatable, but overall dry and not like the candy bar that I wish it were. Now it turns out they are not dairy free, but they don’t bother me, maybe because it’s cooked in. Dairy in gluten-free baked goods don’t bother me either.  

Then I saw that “Hostess Cupcake” on a box and got pulled in. The Chocolate & Crème Cupcake flavor is chewier and comes somewhat close to the flavor of having the childhood favorite of mine… and quite frankly, eating a Hostess “anything” now does NOT taste anywhere near as delicious as it did when I was a kid. Did the ingredients change or has my palate?

I always carry two bars with me, one for me when I’m starving and one to share if I’m with another person who cares so little about food that they are starving too.

Note: I tried to sneak one into a Taylor Swift concert in a cute little tampon holder that is velvet and reads “DRAMA QUEEN,” but even though I had a see-through purse, the security girl took out my holder and checked for tampons… busted! Maybe it was obvious that I’ve been through menopause. She threw out my bar! Drat!!!

think! Protein Bars, High Protein Snacks, Gluten Free, Low Sugar Energy Bar with Whey Protein Isolate, Chocolate & Crème Cupcake, Nutrition Bars without Artificial Sweeteners, 2.1 Oz (10 Count)

THE ADAM PROJECT starring Ryan Reynolds takes place in Vancouver. What I love about this movie (including the beauty of Vancouver) is the time travel aspect. I’m always fascinated by movies that allow for characters to grow while traveling through time.

Imagine you are 90 years old; you are healthy enough with the mindset to give your present self advice. What are 5 -10 things you’d say to yourself?

Here’s how I did this exercise. I closed my eyes, got into a mediative state, and imagined myself at 90 (surprisingly, I was not still coloring my hair). I sat down on the couch with my future self and said, “Give it to me straight. I’m turning 55 this year, what do I need to know?”

My white-haired self looked back at me and said, “By the time you turn 75, you are not going to give a da*n, you always give it straight, so don’t wait until you’re 75. Be straight with people now. Don’t get any unnecessary surgery, I know your neck bugs you, but you are getting older, no one expects you to have the neck of a thirty-year-old, and if they do, stop hanging out with them. You are lucky to live as long as you have, many people don’t get that opportunity, so instead of focusing on what’s different now that you’re older, accept that it comes with the privilege of aging. You have impacted the lives of over 1 million people, so you can stop working so hard and trust that if you’re doing what makes you happy, your desire to help others will come to fruition in ways you can’t imagine. Come back and visit me anytime.”

I’m cool at 90! I’ll never be as cool as Ryan Reynolds, but hey, my 90-year-old self will tell me I don’t need to be, he has his own unique purpose… and so do YOU, my friend! Please try this exercise for yourself and let me know what you think.

Vancouver: A hotel. A restaurant. A landmark. An excursion.

A hotel: Sutton Place
5-star hotel• Eco-certified
845 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K6, Canada•+1 604-682-5511
I felt pampered from the moment I walked in the door. I LOVE 5-star hotels and this one is at the top of my list. The room is so plush! Many actors, who fly in from LA & NY for work stay here, so hanging at the bar you may have a sighting (I did)… but please, respect their privacy.

A restaurant: Room Service at Sutton Place
This particular trip was for work and a quick visit so I spent all my meals in my room and the extra touches make you feel like you’re at a fancy restaurant.

A Landmark: Olympic Village
Olympic Village is located along the Seawall, the 28 km path that is popular for both walking and cycling. Head north and then west along the northern shore of False Creek and you can go all the way to Stanley Park and Coal Harbour.

An Excursion: Granville Island
A magical escape withing the city. It has a great public market, retail stores, galleries and studios. And yes, I watched men through fish like they do in Seattle.

Last night I had a dream that I was visiting a new city, it was glamourous, and the architecture was stunning. But then, as my dreams usually do, it took a very anxiety ridden turn. I found myself in different places with different people, all who were trying to help me get back home. In my head I knew where my home was, but I couldn’t remember the actual address for them to drive me or put in a GPS. It was so confusing not remembering the name of even the city where I lived. There was nothing in my bag with my address, though it felt like the answer was on the tip of my tongue. I got more and more scared and frustrated as suddenly I would remember the address but a second later, I would forget it. The dream was far too detailed to go into here, but I bring it up because in the dream I kept saying to people, this must be how my mom feels (she has mild dementia). My alarm woke me during the dream, so the intense feelings I was experiencing were overwhelming me, so much so, that I actually pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t still in the dream.

I’m sharing this with you because I believe I was given a gift through this dream. I believe I have true insight to how my mother feels when she can’t remember something that she knows she should know. This will help me be more compassionate in my caretaking. It is a horrible disease and now I have the slightest insight to what it feels like… and perhaps my own future.

Which is why, I’m obsessed with traveling, because I want to see everything I can before I can’t. And I want to take thousands of pictures, so even if I don’t remember that I took them, I will still enjoy looking at them, the way my mom does when I share my photos with her.

Today, I will share with you a magical place I’ve been to twice in the past two years.

Quebec: A hotel. A restaurant. A landmark. An excursion.

A hotel: Fairmont Le Cháteau Frontenac
1 rue des Carrières CITQ No. 040703, Québec City – Quebec G1R 4P5, Canada
I was here at Christmas and experienced the locally decorated trees from various companies. The hotel is elegant with a reminiscence of historic Europe. It is definitely luxury with a fabulous restaurant.

A restaurant: La Maison Du Bootlegger
What a fun night! Everything about this former “Speakeasy” is a adventure, from learning the secret escape routes, to seeing Elvis’ signature on the wall, to the way the food is served. With winding staircases and collapsible windows, dating back to 1860 prohibition, and fabulous food and drinks, this is a unique experience that you must have!

A Landmark: Quebec City
I know, it’s a broad landmark, but going down the main street of Quebec City is like living in a Hallmark Christmas film… if I didn’t know Santa lived part time at the North Pole and part time in Alaska, I’d believe he was behind one of those closed doors. Interesting shopping, good restaurants, and a rom com “cute meet” waiting to happen.

An Excursion: Charlevoyou Farmhouse
Off the beaten path in Charlevoix, just an hour from Quebec, yet quite close to a Club Med ski resort, is a farm where the Migneron de Charlevoix family has been making cheeses for almost 30 years. I met the next generation who have integrated wines & spirits from the waste of the cheese… how cool is that? And delish! The tour and tastings were one of those experiences you’re so glad you had!

In case you need to hear it… it’s okay to let something go that doesn’t feel good anymore. I’m not going to specify what I let go, because it doesn’t matter. My point to you, friend, is that sometimes you keep trying to make something work in your life because you’ve been at for a while and want a payoff, or it’s been a dream since you were young, or maybe you’re simply embarrassed to tell people you gave it up.

I’ve been here a few times. I left the entertainment industry for the travel industry… that was a hard one, and let me say, I have not given up on the possibility of returning someday. I think I’d make a great Golden Girl should they do a reboot.

I bring this up because, for me, something had to give in my life and May 1st, I let something big go and I feel so much lighter. Being an over-achiever, it’s really hard for me to let any project go unless I feel it’s completed. But how do you know if something is complete, if it doesn’t look like you imagined when you first took it on?

You know because it doesn’t bring you joy on a regular basis… you know because you keep asking for signs and even when you get them, you don’t trust them… you know because this blog post is hitting a serious nerve… is this the sign you were asking for?

On this note of letting go… something I had to let go of in 2017, was my fear of leaving the country. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to eat the way I do in the US, and would get very sick. I’ve learned, however, that things I can’t eat in the US, I can in other countries like Europe and Canada. So, in honor of that discovery, let’s go to the city that opened my eyes. Here’s London…

London: A hotel. A restaurant. A landmark. An excursion.

A hotel: Grosvenor House
Located at 86-90 Park Ln, London W1K 7TN, United Kingdom, my first trip to London with my new job, spoiled me! I accidentally got the corner suite that was meant for the President of our company (which we didn’t realize until we got home.) I felt like it was a London flat, and I did not want to leave my plush bed with beautiful views of the city… except to take a bubble bath.

A restaurant: The Queen’s Jubilee Room at Fortnum & Mason
My boss wanted to take me for High Tea. Unfortunately, being gluten and dairy free, this was not an option. James wanted me to see the restaurant as it’s the most famous in London, so I put my big girl panties on and accompanied him. What he didn’t know was that high tea had been a tradition with my girlfriends in Los Angeles before my autoimmune diagnosis, so I LOVED tea houses. This one did not disappoint, I was enamored by the beauty, elegance, and sophistication, the LA tea houses, frankly lacked. I headed towards the elevator when the hostess asked if we’d be joining tea. Regretfully, I informed her that I was dairy and gluten free, so could not. To which she replied, “Here’s our gluten free dairy free menu.” The rest is history as shown in my photos below.

A Landmark: The Sherlock Homes Museum
Get here EARLY! The line goes around the corner and the tall thin building can only hold a small number of people at one time. There are so many details to discover that even with Sherlock’s magnifying glass you won’t catch them all. I dare not share too many photos as you need to experience it for yourself.

An Excursion: Notting Hill
I’m a rom com girl and Notting Hill is in my top 10 faves of all times, so yes, I geeked out when I saw the Travel Book Shop. It is a fun street with farmers markets, eclectic shops, colorful doors and fun souvenirs.

As the first of my Jess & The City blogs, I thought it best to start at home for two reasons. The fun one being because Vegas is an amazing destination with more to do than most expect. The not-so-fun one is because you need to understand my headspace as I begin this new blog and chapter in my life.

Let’s get the not-so-fun over with. Four years ago, I moved myself and my parents to Las Vegas, so that we could be a quick drive from my sister and brother-in-law who had just brought my nephew, Dylan, into the world. It was a dream for our whole family to be in the same city for the first time since 1986.

2019 was a year filled with baby milestones, family meals, concerts, nature, all the good stuff that Vegas has to offer.

My parents were very careful during Covid and didn’t get it. However, their fear of it caused them to retreat into the solitude of their home and the stress took a horrible toll on their minds. In January of 2021, both were diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. In 2023, it is mild dementia. It’s a love story to challenge The Notebook. They are about to celebrate 60 years of marriage, and it looks like neither of them had the will to watch the other decline so they’re doing it together. That leaves me, my sister and a few people who love us and my parents to suffer “The Long Goodbye.”

Somedays I wonder if life is worth living without them, because watching them go, is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced with no end in sight. I have no kids, no husband, no real responsibilities… on those days I call my best friends around the country, who remind me of my living legacy as their friend, a mentor to many, and good for a laugh. Speaking of which, let’s lighten this up with the fun stuff in Vegas.

The Las Vegas Strip: A restaurant. A hotel. A landmark. An excursion.

A restaurant: There are so many famous restaurants in Vegas how do I choose one as a must try? I’m going to recommend Bavettes at Park MGM. It originated in Chicago and brings a stylish departure from a traditional steakhouse. My sister and I felt like we went back in time, with a unique space that had us feeling like we were in a movie. The food is amazing (and has vegan options) and the cocktails are strong and fancy. In the same location you can check out Eataly the largest Italian marketplace in the world… and to my delight- chocolate samples!

A hotel: The Aria. It’s my first Jess & The City blog so I had to choose the hotel that gives a nod to SJP, the décor is cool and the Super Bowl party I attended was as over the top as you can imagine!

A Landmark: Freemont Street

Excursion: While on Freemont, go for a Zipline

I have worked my whole life to be the nice girl, the inclusive girl, the kind girl… but the White Elephant game at office holiday parties brings out the evil, mean girl in me. I actually made a guy cry in 1999 when I stole a Back Street Boy platter from him. It never crossed my mind that he actually wanted it… but I didn’t give it back once I saw tears (mean girl!)

This past year, at my office holiday party, I almost didn’t bring a gift so I wouldn’t be able to participate…yet I did. I was at the first table to go, which meant I’d be the last table allowed to steal and I had my eyes on the prize. It was as if Indiana Jones, himself, was whispering in my ear… that journal was made for you. “No!” I told myself, “I cannot steal the vintage leather journal that my colleague’s guest was clearly trying to hide in hopes that everyone would forget about it, I mean, who would want that aged paper, the distressed leather-bound cover, the—” I was Gollum and the journal was my Precious… I wanted it, I stole it, and I justified it… hard!!! And yes, I recognize that I just used an Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings reference in the same paragraph…

The guilt reared its ugly head with puffed up, entitled justifications. All evening I’d tell anyone who would listen, in my high and mighty voice, “Yes, I stole the journal, I know she wanted it really badly, but she’s a guest, not an employee!”

Of course, the nice girl in me couldn’t sleep that night, so I searched Amazon, and wouldn’t you know it, there was the journal. I had to wait until morning to text my colleague, who had left for Mexico with his girlfriend that day, “I have been feeling guilty since last night!!! I hate white elephant games and stealing. Please ask Karen to give me her address and choose the color leather she would like, and I insist on sending her a journal… have a great time in Mexico!” [actual text]

I attached the link, to which he replied, “Oh please no. Was not your fault it’s just a game. But thanks for the link, now I know one thing to get her for Christmas!“ [actual text, though I rewrote it to correct his auto-correct, which he then corrected… okay, you get the point]

So, Dave got to be the good guy, Karen got her journal, and I got a link to share with you, along with the adhesive photo sleeves I bought, as it’s now my travel journal.

I’m not sure what the moral of the story is… I guess it depends who’s on my shoulder at any given office party. If it’s the devil, you bet yer ass I’ll steal that gift again in the blink of an eye… if it’s an angel, I’ll keep my stupid cheapo earbuds that I’ll never use because I’m afraid that it will give me brain cancer, and go home, cross my fingers, and hope to find the gift I wanted to steal on Amazon.

Bonus Tip: Download the Free Prints app, you get 85 free prints a month, so I print out all the pictures from my trips and pick the 5 best ones to put in the journal.

Gotta kick off 2023’s the new lifestyle blog with my most commented on “Cool Find”…THOSE BOOTS!!!!! I used to hate the cold (still mostly do), but when you’re wearing the right clothes/gear, it’s fun! These boots have been to Quebec, San Diego, St George, Las Vegas and are always my go-to for plane rides.

I wear them while walking my dog and often hear, “Your boots match your dog!” Yup! And his brother.

Being weird, I will wear them in the warm weather with a skort or vintage Levi’s shorts.

In Club Med Charlevoix, I found a hat that matches the boots… some might say it’s overkill, but I like the “mad hatter” look.

If you tend to be shy in networking situations, I highly recommend THOSE BOOTS for the conversations that they will bring about.