• Lake Charlevoix

    lake charlevoix

    I’ve never been much of a lake person. Maybe it’s the murky water, or the fact that my idea of a “lake” growing up was a man-made MTV Spring Break destination, but I’ve never been super pumped about going to a lake. This wasn’t helped by the fact that shortly after my family moved to […]

  • Colorful in California

    socal sunset

    If you’ve ever lived in (or even been to) the South, you’ve probably seen Lilly Pulitzer clothing. The uber colorful brand, which started from uniforms at a juice stand in Palm Beach, Fla., tends to be extra popular at Southern sorority houses and the beach towns south of the Mason-Dixon line. But like sweet tea […]

  • Surfing in SoCal

    newport pier

    Long-time readers may remember that I am somewhat obsessed with the idea of learning to surf. I’ve taken lessons a few times, and while I’ve been able to stand up on the board every time, I don’t think I’ll be joining the pro tour anytime soon. Still, practice makes perfect, so when my parents planned a […]

  • The Kentucky Derby

    jenandtobyderby

    I am so sorry for my extended absence. In the last two months, we moved out of our townhouse in Virginia, I dyed my hair pink and then reddish brown, we went to Michigan, Kentucky, and Disney World, and we moved to the Middle East. I will write more about all of those adventures, obviously, but first, […]

  • [solidcore]

    solidcore

    After months of wanting to try [solidcore], Toby and I finally made it to the Old Town studio recently. Even after three classes, I don’t think I can adequately describe what it is. They used to have a video on their site, but what I’ll tell you is this: In less than five minutes, there was […]

  • Cherry Blossoms

    cherry blossom closeup

    While DC isn’t my favorite place ever, I have to admit it has its moments. Cherry Blossom season is definitely one of those moments, though sadly it is very fleeting. This year, Toby was out of town for “peak bloom” (which is only a few days), but he got back just in time to see the […]

  • Surfing in Lahaina

    royal hawaiian surf academy

    Maybe it’s because I grew up in the desert, or because my father played the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett on near-constant repeat through most of my childhood, but I am a little obsessed with the beach and the ocean. I assume that’s why I think surfing is the coolest sport in the world. Yes, you […]

  • The Feast at Lele

    feast at lele

    While it’s certainly possible to visit Hawaii without going to a luau, I wouldn’t recommend it. Some luaus are better than others, of course, and it seems like the kind of super tourist-y activity I try to avoid. But it really is the best and easiest way to learn a little about the history and […]

  • Diving at Molokini

    molokini dive

    About 20 years ago, long before I finally got certified to scuba dive, my family went to Maui and we snorkeled at Molokini — an underwater volcanic crater that is protected from fishing, so it’s basically like swimming in an aquarium. Toby and I thought about diving at Molokini the last time we went to […]

  • Surfing Goat Dairy farm

    hawaiian goats

    YOU GUYS. There is a goat farm in Maui… and the goats know how to surf. OK, so maybe the goats don’t actually know how to surf. But I’m sure they could learn. Don’t they look smart? We had eaten some Surfing Goat cheese the last time we were in Maui, and Isabel and I had an […]