MEXICO, TULUM, TRAVEL, FASHION

Snapshots from Tulum | October 2017

January 24, 2018
HANNAH SHELBY: Snapshots from Tulum 2017

Our time was short and sweet on our third trip to Tulum, with only a couple days in paradise before heading to Merida for our friends wedding. But if you ask me, any amount of time in Tulum is well worth it. Our previous two trips took place in March and April, considered as the “high season” compared to the slower pace of October. With the ever growing popularity of Tulum, this was a nice change and kept things very relaxing. There’s just something about this little town that pulls you in. The thought and creativity put into each boutique hotel, restaurant and shop—combined with the pure natural beauty of the place—make it irresistible.

We stayed at the unassuming but very charming Playa Canek, located at km 7.5 within easy walking distance to some of our favorite spots: Sanara, La Zebra, Gitano, Casa Banana and Hartwood.

HANNAH SHELBY: Snapshots from Tulum 2017HANNAH SHELBY: Snapshots from Tulum 2017HANNAH SHELBY: Snapshots from Tulum 2017

This time around we spent a day eating and lounging around Nomade. You can’t beat the perfectly laid-back vibe of the beachside restaurant—sitting on pillows and Persian rugs at low to the ground tables right on the sand. Plus, the food feels light and healthy and the drinks perfectly refreshing, so you don’t feel so bad eating and drinking all day long. The whole place has such a cool community feel, with lots of beach beds and hammocks scattered about. It was a great way to spend a day and Nomade is definitely on our short list for places to stay next time we visit.

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MEXICO, TRAVEL, FASHION

Mérida, Mexico | The Gem of the Yucatán

January 18, 2018
HANNAH SHELBY: Merida Mexico Travel Guide

My love affair with Mexico runs deep. The more I visit this beautiful country, the more that love grows. In October we had the chance to return to Mexico with a short stop in Tulum followed by a few days in the colonial city of Mérida. This trip was centered around our friends wedding celebration at Hacienda Sac Chich, located 40 mins outside the city, and was the perfect opportunity to visit this buzzy city that’s long been on my bucketlist.

Mérida, the capitol city of the Yucatán, is artsy with European-influenced colonial architecture and a lively food scene. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Mérida was said to house more millionaires than any other place in the world. Today, it has become a popular refuge for the modern day creative class looking for an inexpensive place to call home—and its easy to see why. The architecture around the city still echoes the past’s glitz and glamour. And the real estate is extremely inexpensive—we’re talking what would be million dollar homes back in the states for $200,000. I imagine if you had time to sink into the city and explore all the lesser known bits, you would really uncover that allure. A bit of grit, a bit of free-spirited bohemia, and a bit of enchantment all wrapped into one.

With so many beautiful homes and boutique hotels, choosing a place to stay can be tough. We landed on the modern Casa del Limonero, a two bedroom home with soaring ceilings and a unique layout complete with an outdoor courtyard + pool. Casa del Limonero is located in the Santiago neighborhood, within close proximity to some of the cities best restaurants and parks.

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SEYCHELLES, TRAVEL, FASHION

Mahe Island Seychelles | Photo Diary + Travel Guide

January 8, 2018
HANNAH SHELBY: Mahe Island Seychelles Photo Diary + Travel Guide

After some time on Praslin island and La Digue, our final stop in Seychelles was to the big island of Mahe. At 61 square miles and home to 77,000 residents, Mahe is by far the largest and most populated island in the archipelago. Mahe is also home to the international airport making it a great island to either start or end your time in the Seychelles. Great beaches, full scale resorts, hiking, island hopping—Mahe has something for everyone.

— BEAU VALLON —

We spent only two nights on Mahe which was just enough to get a small taste of the island. Home base was a lovely little AirBnb in Beau Vallon on the north-west side of the island. After successfully driving ourselves from the airport to our rental house, we made our way to the beach just a few minutes walk away. Beau Vallon is a long stretch of sand with several restaurants, hotels and water sports rentals lining the beach. The water is shallow and calm, perfect for swimming. There’s a nice pedestrian-only street just off the beach with vendors selling food and souvenirs. As one of the more busy beaches on the island, it’s important not to leave your things unattended as you may return to find them missing.

HANNAH SHELBY: Mahe Island Seychelles Photo Diary + Travel GuideHANNAH SHELBY: Mahe Island Seychelles Photo Diary + Travel GuideStripe Pants | Faithfull the brand (similar here)

White Tee | Madewell

Tan Slides | H&M (similar)

Straw Hat | Lack of Color (similar)

Sunglasses | Ray-ban

Gold Necklace | Missoma London

Beach Bag | Abaca (smaller version)

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SEYCHELLES, TRAVEL, FASHION

La Digue Island Seychelles | Photo Diary + Travel Guide

December 14, 2017
HANNAH SHELBY: La Digue Seychelles Photo Diary + Travel Guide

After a few days on Praslin island, we made our way via Inter Island Ferry to the island of La Digue. The smallest of the inhabited islands, La Digue is home to 3,000 full time residents. Because of its small size (3 km across) there are very few cars on the island and everyone gets around via bike. If this sounds incredibly quaint and picturesque, you’re absolutely right. La Digue was by far my favorite island for its relaxed atmosphere and sheer beauty. Even though the island is small, I would recommend spending at least three days here, but if you have more time, that would be even better. We never wanted to leave! The most famous beach, Anse Source D’Argent, is truly spectacular and worth at least one full day of your time. Continue Reading…