United States Archives - Alyssa Smirnov https://alyssasmirnov.com/category/travel/united-states/ Fashion and Lifestyle Blog Mon, 29 Nov 2021 05:41:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://alyssasmirnov.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-big-1-32x32.png United States Archives - Alyssa Smirnov https://alyssasmirnov.com/category/travel/united-states/ 32 32 A Day in Van Lierop Park https://alyssasmirnov.com/a-day-in-van-lierop-park/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/a-day-in-van-lierop-park/#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2021 19:00:35 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=11576
Van Lierop Park, Blooming lupine flowers

What comes to your mind when you think of summer? Some might give you the obvious (and in my opinion, the pessimistic) answer. Heat and humidity. But if you ask a staunch nature lover like me, summer means beach days, resort retreats, double rainbows, and a chance to chase butterflies. Basically, a long, warm handshake with nature. But the thing that I look forward to the most each season is frolicking in flower fields. 

Think rolling carpets of bright sunflowers and neverending rows of colorful tulips, happily swaying under the golden sun. It’s magical to just think about these tiny patches of heaven on earth. 

My first stop this season was Van Lierop Park. It’s quite a recent addition to the city parks and a stunning one at that. You will find pathways lined with wildflowers, peaceful trails, views of Mount Rainier, and a field of gorgeous purple lupines stretching as far as the eye can see. There’s also a walking trail around the field itself that you can use while taking in the picturesque views. 

Van Lierop Park was actually formerly Van Lierop Bulb Farm. The city purchased the land to build something that everyone in the community can enjoy. With families, bikers, and other trail users already coming in flocks, suffice to say, the city plan was a success. 

The flowers are in full bloom in June so that’s the perfect time to visit. For Van Lierop Park, I wanted to wear something that makes me feel comfortable, lets me enjoy the gentle breeze AND helps me live that fairy tale moment among the flowers. This one-shoulder white dress from Chicwish checked all the boxes. It features an exaggerated bow on the single shoulder and a side slit at the hem. It’s comfy, elegant, and charming even with its simplistic beauty. 

Just like Van Lierop Park is the ideal location for your pre-wedding or bridal shower photoshoots, this dress is also perfect for such events. Plus, white truly stands out against the purple lupine field. So, your photos are bound to come out stunning. Dresses are an easy way to put together a whole look.

While Van Lierop Park will stay in my top favorites, I still have more flower fields and farms on the list to visit this summer. Many more walks among the blooms, basking in nature’s glory. 

Van Lierop Park, Blooming lupine flowers
Van Lierop Park, Blooming lupine flowers

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]]> https://alyssasmirnov.com/a-day-in-van-lierop-park/feed/ 2 Crescent Valley Lavender Farm Gig Harbor https://alyssasmirnov.com/crescent-valley-lavender-farm-gig-harbor/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/crescent-valley-lavender-farm-gig-harbor/#respond Tue, 28 Sep 2021 19:00:56 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=11582
Crescent Valley Lavender Farm Gig Harbor

Another day, another flower field. I don’t know about you. But for me, visiting flower farms and bathing in all the beauty is peak summer activity. Especially after being confined in our homes for so long, immersing in nature, witnessing vibrant fresh blooms, and feeling the breeze while you do that can be really cathartic. 

This season, I have been on a mission to discover flower destinations around me. And in my quest, I stumbled upon the beautiful Crescent Valley Lavender Farm that’s actually just opened up this year. The little gem is tucked away in a quiet corner in Gig Harbor, Washington State. Thrilled would be an understatement of what I feel to have this beauty so close to home. 

Crescent Valley Lavender Farm was established by a lovely couple Glenn and Diana Liebner and their daughter in 2015. You know how they say — beauty becomes beautiful when it’s shared with others. So now in 2021, the kind owners decided to open the farm to the public, and I for one couldn’t be happier. June is when lavender is in full bloom and that’s when the grand opening was held.  

Sadly, as of August 1st, 2021, the farm has been closed for the season. But when you pay a visit next season, 7 different varieties of lavender will be waiting for you. From Royal Velvet to White lavender, the farm is filled with rows of refreshing goodness. A burst of white, lilac, and violet-blues with a little gazebo in the middle. Some varieties such as Grosso are used to extract oils that we all love so much. Some such as Royal Velvet can be used for culinary purposes. While others like Folgate and Melissa are richer in color, sweetly fragrant, and used in potpourris after drying.

The best part about Crescent Valley Lavender Farm is that they also offer you-cuts. You get to pick your own lavender that you could use to make bouquets, wreaths, or whatever you want. The farm provides you with scissors and a basket to give you that proper harvesting feel.

Crescent Valley Lavender Farm Gig Harbor
Crescent Valley Lavender Farm Gig Harbor

They have a gift shop at the farm too. So along with your own lavender clippings, you also have the option of bringing home lavender essential oils, bath bombs, lip balms, lotions, scrubs, and other personal care products. And as you can imagine, they smell like heaven. The only thing you have to be careful about when visiting the farm is buying the parking ticket in advance since they have limited parking space. 

For my visit, nothing seemed more fitting than a lilac maxi dress. It’s made of the softest, breathable material and features short ruffled sleeves. The backless design with a knot in the middle makes it even more interesting. To feed that farm-inspired look, I also carried a Pamela Munson Basket Petite Isla Bahia Bag. I love the woven corn husk material — a nod to sustainable fashion. The white leather handle and a knot on the front offers a nice contrast. The bag opens up to a fabric-lined interior which is roomy enough to store all your essentials, including those lavender clippings 🙂

Crescent Valley Lavender Farm Gig Harbor Washington state lavender farm Washington state lavender farm Washington state lavender farm Washington state lavender farm

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]]> https://alyssasmirnov.com/crescent-valley-lavender-farm-gig-harbor/feed/ 0 Colorful Outfit at the Rainbow Rails https://alyssasmirnov.com/colorful-outfit-at-the-rainbow-rails/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/colorful-outfit-at-the-rainbow-rails/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 19:17:05 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=10936
colorful outfit rainbow railroad

Colors significantly impact your mood and how you feel. Have you ever noticed how a clear blue sky makes you feel hopeful and happy as compared to a dull and dreary grey sky that makes you feel sad and sorrowful for no reason? Life is definitely more fun with colors. Sometimes a colorful outfit may seem difficult to style but I tend to focus on one piece at a time to not overpower the look. 

I started to realize that even more during the lockdown. When you are confined in your home with nowhere to go, it’s easy to bind yourself to basics. The basics are comfortable, sure. But after some time they start to feel uninspiring and monotonous. You also feel a shift in your mood. The trick that I found uplifted my spirits during these tough times was that when I wore a colorful outfit it made me happy. It might not seem so convincing in theory but inject some colors into your wardrobe and you will feel the difference. Naturally you will gravitate toward the more fun and bright items when you are happier.

With that very thought in mind, I got this beautiful bright blue sweater for the fall season. Striking, stunning, and surprisingly easy to style, the classic blue color is among my favorites. This bright blue sweater has brought me joy on days that I felt down. It is super soft and cozy with a relaxed fit. Wearing it feels like getting warm hugs and I love it. What I wanted to pair it with was a no-brainer. It goes perfectly with blue denim jeans and looks effortlessly stylish. Since I was exploring the area on this particular day, I chose my wonderfully comfortable YSL espadrilles. They are so comfy that I could walk the entire day and my feet would still be happy. Their black and earthy tones make it super easy to style them with most outfits. I would recommend sizing down at least half a size because the leather does stretch out over time. 

Speaking about colors, on the same day, I happened upon this cheerful railway track painted in rainbow colors. This little chunk of color is aptly called Rainbow Railroad and made me so happy. This only goes to show that when you have a positive mindset and bright hopes, the universe repays with beautiful things. 

Let’s vow to never let ourselves deprive our lives of colors. Brighten your wardrobe, brighten your day. Love colorful outfits? See some red looks HERE. Would you like to see more colorful outfits styled? Tell me in the comments below.  This location is called the Rainbow Rails in Olympia, Washington. 

rainbow railroad colorful outfit blue sweater
rainbow railroad colorful outfit blue sweater

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]]> https://alyssasmirnov.com/colorful-outfit-at-the-rainbow-rails/feed/ 0 Post Hotel, Leavenworth, Washington Experience https://alyssasmirnov.com/post-hotel-leavenworth-washington-experience/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/post-hotel-leavenworth-washington-experience/#respond Sun, 24 Jan 2021 20:00:19 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=10874
post hotel Leavenworth Washington marble bathtub

For Christmas 2020 I was gifted a one night stay to Post Hotel. The Post Hotel is a boutique hotel in Leavenworth, Washington. It is known and has become popular for its various sauna and steam rooms. It is considered very luxurious and comes with the price tag to match. It follows the German theme set by the town of Leavenworth.  Me and my husband decided we didn’t want to wait and booked it soon after. We ended up staying in the first week if January. I loved the idea of a winter getaway and The Post Hotel in Leavenworth seemed like the perfect spot.

Booking and Check-in

Since we did book somewhat last minute, I had to check frequently and wait for a cancelation to reserve us a booking. We also wanted to go on the weekend to avoid taking too much time off work. It’s important to keep in mind that if you book on Friday or Saturday, they require a minimum of two nights. Even if you were only gifted one night for the gift card. Booking was easily down online and the hotel was quick to answer any questions I had over the phone as well. We ended up paying the extra night ourselves but it turned out better. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from us so we didn’t want to have to drive back home the next day and we got to enjoy more experiences.

We arrived and the check-in process was simple and quick. They have good security at the front door as you have to use your key card to get in or get buzzed in by the front desk. They took our temperature for covid safety measures and gave us a little overview of the hotel offerings. One of the best parts about the hotel is that they offer a free parking garage to their guests. This turned out to be a huge plus because it did snow quite a lot while we were there but our car stayed clear and we didn’t even have to go outside to put our luggage away. 

We were really impressed when we got to the room. It was very cozy and nicely designed. I love the balcony and fireplace. We had the Mountain View room. In the video below I shared a room tour. Each of their rooms features a large marble bath. The bath was really beautiful but it does take a while to fill up and I didn’t find it that comfortable. It cools off quickly due to the cold marble. The room was very clean. Some of the amenities included were a large wardrobe, tv, mini fridge, iron and hairdryer. Many of the guests in this hotel wear their robes around the hotel. This is probably because they spend most of their time at the pool area. The hotel provides the robes and slippers in each guest room. Each room also gifts water bottles to the guests that they can use to fill up at the water stations around the hotel.

Pool and Spa

The pool is one of the most popular features that attracts people to Post Hotel. Upon entry into the pool room you are greeted and handed a clean towel. You can choose your own lounging chair to place your belongings. There were a variety of large round cushioned loungers and and the traditional fold out kind. During our stay the hotel seemed to be quite full so at times there was some difficulty finding an open spot. The staff is helpful and try to locate one for you if you ask. The pool area consists of a large half indoor and half outdoor pool, a hot jacuzzi outside, a hot jacuzzi inside, 2 very cold dip tubs, and foot soaks of varying temperatures. They also have several rooms that include 3 steam rooms and 3 dry saunas of varying temperatures with various essential oil infusions. They also have one cold room. I really enjoyed all these rooms, they were very relaxing as well as beautifully designed. The entire pool area was clean and seemed to be well maintained. They had a water station there as well. The only negative was that it did get a little crowded at one point while we were there. The hotel also offers a paid spa that is separate. There you can get massages and other treatments. We didn’t try anything but it is there as an option. I did not take any photos at the pool area as it was too crowded and they do ask guests to avoid taking photos for privacy reasons. It’s best to leave your phone in your room and enjoy the moment. 

post hotel Leavenworth Washington cozy fireplace in lobby
post hotel Leavenworth Washington snow outfit the arrivals moya coat

Food

One of amenities factored into the price at Post Hotel are the meals. They offer complimentary breakfast, lunch and an evening dessert. They don’t offer a dinner but you have the option of going into the town and getting something there or they have night bites which are small snacking plates. We ended up ordering take out from some places in the city. The meals that they provided were very good and filling. You are able to order multiple dishes to make sure you get full and you can try different things. Another tip is that you are able to order lattes and various coffees even though it wasn’t on the menu. They have a rotating seasonal menu so during our entire stay the menu was the same for breakfast and dinner. They feature German dishes so that you can get the full Germantown experience. The nightly dessert also changed so we got to experience something new both nights. The first night was chocolate pudding and a cookie and the second night was a baked fruit tart. I included some photos of our dishes at the bottom of the post. Overall the food was really good and fresh. They also had a lot of beverage options to choose from. After you check out or if you are only staying one night. You are allowed to stay on the grounds till 2pm. This way you can still enjoy the lunch even if you only stay one night. 

Things to Do

Although you could totally just relax at the hotel all day, we wanted to get outside for some winter fun. There’s many options for fun activities near Leavenworth, especially in the winter. For our full day there, we planned a snowmobiling tour. It was through the company Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours. We chose to do the two hour tour and it was perfect for us! My husband really enjoys more adventurous activities and I thought it would be fun too so i booked it. I just rode as the passenger on the back and he was the driver. It was just long enough. Riding through the snow covered mountains was definitely one of the most beautiful sights. The only negative about the tour was that it was quite bumpy. I had a hard time holding on at one point. Our guide said that the trails probably wasn’t groomed recently so it might not always be so bumpy. Another fun activity that I was considering was a sleigh ride. It looked so cool and it would be better for a larger group, if you have kids or just want a more calm activity. There are several companies that offer sleigh rides. Near the town there is also a reindeer farm. This would be another fun option with kids. The town of Leavenworth itself is also really nice to walk around and explore. They have a variety of shops to look through. 

Overall I really enjoyed our little winter getaway to the The Post Hotel in Leavenworth, Washington. It was very relaxing at the pool and spa rooms yet I feel that we got to enjoy some fun winter activities outdoor as well. I would definitely recommend visiting there at least once to experience it and I hope to come back some day. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment down below and I’d be happy to answer. 

lobby ski gondala deocration view from the outdoor hot tub Leavenworth Washington snowmobiling tour Leavenworth Washington snowmobiling tour Leavenworth snowmobiling tour weworewhat black belted one piece swim suit chocolate pudding with cookie lunch german pretzel and salmon with salad baked fruit tart
]]> https://alyssasmirnov.com/post-hotel-leavenworth-washington-experience/feed/ 0 Peace Field Garden Soft, Romantic look https://alyssasmirnov.com/peace-field-garden-soft-romantic-look/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/peace-field-garden-soft-romantic-look/#respond Sat, 15 Jun 2019 16:46:01 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=9869
Peace field quincy ma spring

Although I love all the photos I take and I think all the outfits are cute, I can’t help but think this is one of my favorites so far. This dress is sooo dreamy! I got it on Memorial day sale and when I received it, I couldn’t have been more pleased. I paired it with some light pink simple sandals and a gorgeous Louis Vuitton Capucines bb in a light pink shade to complete this soft romantic look. Everyday for the past couple of years I drive by this park and it looks pretty from behind the fence but oh my goodness once I actually visited, the garden was breathtaking! The spring flowers were everywhere and the greenery was captivating. The park is called  The Old House at Peace field. Now that I have visited this beautiful place I will definitely return to Peace Field more often!

boston blogger soft romantic style
soft romantic dress for spring and summer
alyssa Smirnov fashion blogger
Peace field Quincy ma
old house at Peace field

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]]> https://alyssasmirnov.com/peace-field-garden-soft-romantic-look/feed/ 0 Beach Day on the East Coast https://alyssasmirnov.com/beach-day-on-the-east-coast/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/beach-day-on-the-east-coast/#respond Sun, 19 May 2019 17:49:21 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=9634
Beach Outfit Ideas
beach day outfit inspiration
cute beach day look style
casual beach outfit

A beach day is one of my favorite ways to spend a beautiful, sunny and warm day. A great beach and walking trail in this one at the Knob in Woods Hole, MA. It has an amazing viewpoint at the end of the trail and many beautiful views along the way. You can see boats along the parking and walk through small trails to your choice of a white sandy beach or go all the way to the ocean view point at the end. Parking is very limited so this may be difficult to get around. The best time to visit this beautiful place would be int he evening when it is not as crowded but you will be able to have some amazing light and sunset views. The beach is smaller than others but there is still enough room for quite a few people to lay down blankets and chairs to have a relaxing beach day.

swim cover up flowy
white beach dress
flowy swim cover up
       

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]]> https://alyssasmirnov.com/beach-day-on-the-east-coast/feed/ 0 Wicked Tulips Farm, Rhode Island Experience https://alyssasmirnov.com/wicked-tulips-farm-rhode-island-experience/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/wicked-tulips-farm-rhode-island-experience/#respond Sun, 05 May 2019 22:57:02 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=9612
Wicked Tulips Farm Rhode Island

The Wicked Tulips Farm is one of the only large tulip farms in New England. While doing my research it seemed like the only one worth visiting. But this also makes it one of the most popular and busy. This experience isn’t one that you can just decide you want to visit one weekend. It’s best to plan your visit ahead. You may only purchase tickets online on their website. They sell out very quickly, especially for the weekend dates. We got very lucky to buy some last minute early bird tickets that were added to their website the day before. This year (2019) the tickets included 10 tulips with an adult ticket. So we got to take 20 tulips home. You can definitely buy as many more as you like. You will most likely need to drive there and it was about 1 hour away from Boston. The parking is also included in your ticket but their lots are very muddy and they try to put hay down to prevent cars from getting stuck. The actual farm is quite large but there are also very many visitors. We got there a little after noon on a Saturday and the line wasn’t too bad to get in. The tulips are organized into two sections, a small show garden and the rest is U-pick. They have lots of varieties and colors for you to choose from. When you’re done picking you can wrap them up to take them home.

Wicked Tulips Farm Rhode Island
Wicked Tulips Farm Rhode Island

If you are coming here to take photos, as it seemed everyone else was (including me) you will need to have a lot of patience and take your time to get good photos. The biggest challenges were not having people in your backgrounds while trying to stay in the best patches of tulips. The results are so worth it! It would be very difficult with children but if you are able to move around a lot to avoid people and have patience then you can still get amazing photos. Just have reasonable expectations before coming. Be sure to dress accordingly when visiting Wicked Tulips Farm. They are open rain or shine. It wasn’t raining when we went but the ground was still muddy so I would highly recommend wearing some mud proof shoes like rain boots. In the photos that I was wearing my sandals, I put those on only for the photos and had boots nearby. You will also get a little muddy from picking the tulips so wet wipes would come in handy as they don’t have full bathrooms, only portable ones.

I would recommend vising this beautiful tulip farm if you live on the East Coast. It is smaller than the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival I’ve been to in the past but still worth and visit and you are able to pick the tulips to take home.

red tulip farm festival photography wicked tulips
tulip farm tulip farm photography new england tulip farm colorful flower fields rhode island tulip farm festival

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]]> https://alyssasmirnov.com/wicked-tulips-farm-rhode-island-experience/feed/ 0 Plymouth, MA Travel Guide https://alyssasmirnov.com/plymouth-ma-travel-guide/ https://alyssasmirnov.com/plymouth-ma-travel-guide/#respond Tue, 26 Mar 2019 22:58:32 +0000 https://alyssasmirnov.com/?p=9463

On a warm spring day, Vlad and I decided to visit Plymouth, MA and see all the interesting historical sites that are nearby. We want to make an effort to visit as many significant places around New England before we move back to the west coast. I’m creating this Plymouth, MA travel guide because it is a great place to take a day trip to as well as to make sure you can see the most interesting spots while in the area.

Proposed Itinerary:

(details on each section and more below)

  1. Plimoth Plantation (2-3 hrs)
  2. Walk along the water in Plymouth Cultural District and grab lunch (1-2 hrs)
  3. Walk to the Waterfront Exhibit (1-2 hrs)
  4. Plimoth Grist Mill (1 hr)
Plimoth Plantation entrance

This was really the highlight of our trip. Its a living museum where you are able to visit and experience what life was like in 17th-century Native American village as well as the 17th century English village. In the Wampanoag site,  they have real Native Americans (not actors) who show you have they did various things back then. On our visit, a man was showing how they would build canoes and there was a real fire to demonstrate.

Plimoth Plantation Plymouth MA Travel Guide
Plimoth Plantation Plymouth MA Travel Guide

Nearby was a woman showing me how she was making a belt from handmade natural spun and died string. They are willing to answer any questions you have about the things around them and how they lived. It was really inspiring to see how in tune they are with their ancestors and that they were still able to demonstrate the original traditions.

Plimoth Plantation Plymouth MA Travel Guide

When you’re done with the Indian site, you can walk down to the English Village. Right away you will notice the difference in the way they lived. It is a full city and you can go through all the areas of it. Instead of tour guides, you get to interact with the villagers and learn from them. While we were there they had an interactive activity where they did “militia training” and they taught you how to use spears for a battle. It’s so realistic, you feel like you are being transported to another time.

Plimoth Plantation Plymouth MA Travel Guide
Plimoth Plantation Plymouth MA Travel Guide

More photos at the end of the post

 

Waterfront Exhibit

After finishing up at the plantation, you will need to drive to the next location, depending on which one you choose to go to next. We were hungry by this point so we wanted to get lunch somewhere. Driving along Water street and down to Town Warf Road, there are lots of places to choose from, especially seafood. This is right along the coast so you will have the best views to go along with your lunch. While there, a really cool place I would suggest walking to it the Plymouth Breakwater. It is a long strip of rock that allows you to walk into the Plymouth Harbor. You can walk or drive but right down the street from the shops and restaurant is the Plimoth Plantation Waterfront Exhibit. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to participate in this exhibit because the Mayflower II, which is the full-size replica of the original, is being remodeled until 2020. Walk down a little further and you can see the Plymouth Rock! There are also several statues in that same area.

 

Plimoth Grist Mill

Plimoth Grist Mill

A short drive or 10 minute from the waterfront is the Grist Mill. The Grist Mill was our last stop for the day. There was also free parking at the Town Brook Park. Inside there is a quick tour about how the Mill works and how they used it to make cornmeal. Even if you don’t do the tour inside, it is still nice to visit and see the outside of it. It’s much better looking in the summer where there are flowers and greenery surrounding it.

When to Go

The city of Plymouth has similar weather to Boston but it can be a bit cooler and windier since its right by the ocean. We went in Mid-March and there still wasn’t that much greenery and it can be cold to walk. I would suggest visiting late Spring through early fall and planning according to the weather that day. The exhibits close at 5 so don’t go too late or you might not be able to see everything you wanted to. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Boston.

Plymouth is a place I would recommend anyone to visit who is nearby or enjoys historically significant sites. There are so many more places and museums in this area that you could probably even spend a couple of days here. If you are planning a day trip, I hope my Plymouth, MA Travel Guide was helpful. If you have any questions feel free to comment and I’d be happy to answer the best I can.

Plimoth Plantation Plymouth MA Travel Guide

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