In Photos: Moorten Botanical Garden

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Long Weekend: Palm Springs

 If you follow my Instagram, you're probably sick of hearing about Palm Springs by now. If you don't, well, get ready for the onslaught of cactus pictures! I've got another blog post planned featuring just photos from our outing to Moorten Botanical Gardens.

This was, like, our first real vacation. You know, the kind where it's really hot and you wear sunhats and sit by the pool and can start drinking whenever you feel like it? Now I know why people go on these things.

 We stayed at Alcazar Palm Springs. It's a lovely, little boutique hotel in the Design District. Our room had its own private patio, which I enjoyed in 10-15 minute intervals. As expected, it was very hot, but the humidity was a surprise (61% the day I flew in). It's the middle of the desert and we managed to arrive right in the middle of a weird weather pattern!

Luck and the wrong bus stop led us to Ernest Coffee. They serve Stumptown, which is always delicious, and both our baristas had connections to the Northwest. It was like being home.

Palm Springs is so beautiful and the grounds at Alcazar were no exception; shady and green.

"Hey Trevor, go stand by that rock wall and look sullen. Perfect."

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Long Weekend: Travel Necessities

Travel must-haves by fleur-d-elise featuring special occasion shoes

It's killing me that I can't talk about the reasons for my trip! It's not for a couple weeks, but it's a huge deal, so I'm preparing far in advance. I'm only going to be gone for 3 days, but the days are going to be long and packed with activity, so prep is important! Here are a few of the necessities I'll be packing.

1. A Trapeze Dress
The one I own is actually black and from H&M, but it's still the same idea. It's relaxed, comfortable and perfect for warm weather. Mine can be dressed up with pointed flats and French-y stripes or dressed down with a sunhat and sandals.

2. A cute set of travel containers
I'm perfectly happy with all the products I use at home, so why spend more on travel size versions? I'll just be packing them in these adorbs striped containers from Target.

3. Efficient Snack
I'm obsessed with these Luna Protein bars. They're soft and covered in delicious chocolate. Satisfying and high in hunger-curbing protein.

4. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Stuff
Another product I'm in love with. I splurged with the help of a 20% off coupon. It works great, smells great and is small enough to take with me on the plan. The matching serum is also very nice, but I am not made of money.

5. Good reads
I really wish Tina Fey would write like 25 more books, and I really enjoyed Kelly Oxford's book, Everything is Perfect When You're a Liar. Now I'm gonna try Leandra Medine's book (cuz she's a genius) and hopefully Mindy Kaling's book, if the library gets it to me on time. Obviously, I really like it when funny women write books. What's your favorite genre?

6. Comfy shoes, duh.
Have I told you about my new Birks yet? Oh, I have? Well, let me tell you again. They're soooo comfortable and they'll be so easy to remove when I'm dealing with hell of earth- I mean airport security.

Stay tuned for more!
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