A couple of weeks ago I spent the weekend in Park City, Utah with a handful of amazing bloggers. We were all there for the Inspired Retreat, hosted by Carrian of Oh Sweet Basil. We stayed in a beautiful cabin at Deer Valley Resort, where it was a winter wonderland, and set the mood beautifully for a cozy, relaxing weekend for us to be “inspired” bloggers again. For me, this was really about remembering why I write this blog, how to balance it with every day life, and remembering that I define my own success.
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably got bombarded with pictures from this little get-away retreat (sorry for the Insta overload)! Here’s a closer look at our amazing weekend….
The lovely ladies (from top left to right): Analise, Meagan, Lauren, Deborah, Ashely, Alyssa, Nikki, Megan, Barbara, Lauren, Becky (and baby Everett–the best baby ever! ), myself, and Carrian! I loved that this group was small and intimate, and we all got to know each other so much better in just a couple of days!
I was in awe of the beautiful cabin that we got to call home for the weekend. Christmas decor courtesy of Rodworks gave the entire place had a touch of holiday cheer. And the cutest swag bags waited for us in our rooms thanks to some of the amazing sponsors. I secretly wanted to extend my stay…how about through the holidays???
Dinner at Mariposa the first night. Talk about fine dining– a first for me. I loved almost everything I ate, even though I can’t tell you exactly what it was:)
I also tasted oysters for the first time in my life (as did Lauren, Analise, and Carrian). My face says it all–worst mistake ever!
The best parts of the weekend was the down time we had, hanging in our pjs, eating sweets and junk food (thank you Krusteaz)!
Day two started with early (and I mean early) morning yoga with Lole followed by a healthy breakfast before hitting the slopes. Skis on the Run came and fitted us all for skis and gear! I tell ya, that made the whole experience a breeze! We had door to door service pick us up on and drop us off too.
It was a cold day out there (zero degrees, snowing, and super windy)! After some lessons, a few runs on the bunny hill, and one run on a green, I decided I’d rather sit in the lodge drinking hot chocolate.
Saturday evening ended with dinner at Riverhorse on Main where we enjoyed a seven course meal and got to sample the best of the best on their menu.
I was stuffed by the third course.
But as usual, I always have room for dessert. Especially if they call it “Death by Chocolate!” I’m in. It was amazing, as was their molten lava cake that disappeared too quickly to picture.
Dinner ended late so we headed back to the cabin, put on our Plum Pretty Sugar pjs and stayed up much later than I should have chatting. It’s always fun to talk blog with other bloggers because they get it.
{photo via Becky}
Before heading home on Sunday morning I had to stuff myself with one more meal. Who can resist a waffle that beautiful though?!
I could have stayed at this beautiful place with these wonderful women for days. I left with new friendships, new perspective, feeling uplifted and positive about my journey in blogging.
And I came home with some pretty sweet swag too. I’m still obsessing over my Brin and Bell circle necklace.
Big thank you to Carrian for organizing such a great weekend for us to come together, motivate each other and learn from each other! And thank you to all of the amazing brands that made this weekend possible as well: Deer Valley, Skis on the Run, Rod Works, Krusteaz, Lole, Anolon, Star Fine Foods, Real Foods Market, Charming Beard Coffee, Wusthof Knives, Hamilton Beach, Pacific Foods, Heber Valley Cheese, Gold Medal Flour, Cookie Chips, Whole Foods Park City, Mariposa and Riverhorse restaurants in Park City.
Omg, I love that you included that awful picture of us eating oysters! Gross!! Never again!