welcome to
à la carte
〰️
à la carte 〰️
my meticulously curated travel recommendations.
I’m my favorite version of myself when I’m traveling.
I revel in eating multiple breakfasts a day (to my stomach’s chagrin), racking up significantly more miles by foot than I do at home, and documenting every moment to eventually share on social media. But Instagram has its limits and I had so much more to showcase – and thus, this project was born.
below are six guides to places I’ve visited and suggest you do, too. within each city, you’ll find local hotspots, under-the-radar restaurants, can’t-miss boutiques, and hip places to stay. they’re focused on the areas where i find the most joy in my travels: food, drinks, shops, and lodging. to get a better sense of what you’re paying for, you’ll eventually get to access two cities for free: Los Angeles and Los alamos. rather than charging a monthly subscription, they are available for purchase à la carte (…get it?) to assist you at the opportune moment. buying a guide will grant you unlimited access to that specific destination, and I will continue to update them long after they’re initially published.
so Who are these guides for? The low-key epicurean. the caffeine fiend. the sweet and savory fan. the jet-setter who’s optimization-obsessed. the local who’s playing tourist for the day. ultimately, my hope is that they satisfy your experiential cravings, and help you channel your wanderlust into a productive and fulfilling trip.
no matter how you got here, I’m so happy you found my little corner of the internet. these guides are a labor of love and have been a rewarding way to fuse my passion for travel with extensive content creation, and I’m humbled to be even a small part of your future adventures.
a handy breakdown of the tiers
-
basic
the cities I’ve visited once or twice, for a few days or a short weekend trip.
each guide includes:
a living list of the best places to eat, drink, shop, stay, and attractions to visit
a detailed landing page with faqs, tips, local creators to follow, and the three primary reasons to spend your time off in said city
an importable google map that reflects all my recommendations, so you can easily access them throughout your travels
price: $10
-
essential
the cities I’ve spent five or more days in…the basics with greater width and breadth.
each guide includes everything outlined in basic plus:
contact information for local tour guides whom I’ve loved and enthusiastically endorse
my “best of” list, broken down by category, to help you identify the spots you absolutely cannot miss
a map with my suggestions on which neighborhoods to prioritize and why
price: $20
-
extensive
the cities I’ve inhabited at one point or another and continue to travel to regularly.
each guide includes everything outlined in basic and essential plus:
my power ranking of one of the city’s famed foods (e.g. pain au chocolat in paris)
a virtual walkthrough of my perfect day in each city, with times and locations to help you optimize your experience on the ground
“fastpass” email treatment, with quicker response time and personalized feedback
price: $30
want to gift a guide?
have a friend planning their honeymoon? or a a family member taking some much deserved ooo? help them plan the ultimate vacation by gifting them a travel guide to their destination.
my favorite place – land of flaky pastries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and breathtaking landmarks. i was lucky enough to study abroad in paris, and now make my best effort to visit annually. whether you're looking for hotel recommendations, natural wine bars, or the best crêpe beurre-sucre in the city, this francophile has got you covered. Note: 20% of every purchase will be donated to IES Abroad, an organization that provides scholarships for students with financial need to study abroad.
name a city more electrifying, dynamic, and inimitable than new york. it's a destination so compelling, i visit roughly every other month. if you want pizza power rankings, sophisticated hotels, and broadway recs, i’ve got you. we may have relocated five years ago, but i’m on an endless pursuit to keep up with the ever-changing landscape, both for this guide and my own insatiable enthusiasm. note: 20% of every purchase will be donated to city harvest, nyc's largest food rescue organization.
it’s almost too easy to justify a trip to london. the days will be jam-packed with the abundance of historical landmarks, phenomenal food scene, efficient public transportation, outstanding shopping, free museums, and west end. we consider it one of our favorite cities, and would move there in a heartbeat (so if you know anyone who’s hiring…). note: 20% of every purchase will be donated to Amnesty International, an organization campaigning against injustice and inequality everywhere.
if your priorities include inspiring design, fine dining, and biking as your main mode of transportation, you’ve come to the right place. we spent 72 hours in copenhagen this april, and while we would have preferred to explore when the temps were a bit higher, we were blown away by the phenomenal food, art museums, and hospitality of the danish people. note: 20% of every purchase will be donated to the Index Project, a nonprofit that promotes designs aimed at the improvement of life worldwide.
northwest of mexico city lies the charming and vibrant san miguel de allende – where i not only enjoyed the most perfect doughnut on planet earth, but also my favorite caffeinated beverage to date. prepare for an abundance of mezcal margaritas, featuring jewel-tone hues, stunning architecture, and piping hot churros. Note: 20% of every purchase will be donated to the San Miguel Community Foundation, an organization that grants funds to SMA's most needy non-profit Mexican charities.
it's rare that cities are as hyped up as CDMX...and rarer that they live up to the nearly unrealistic expectations. with the highest concentration of museums (150+!) and iconic meals you've likely seen plastered all over social media (think: the Contramar fish), it's the ideal choice for a relatively inexpensive and unforgettable international trip. Note: 100% of every purchase will be donated to dress for success cdmx, whose mission is to help women on their journey towards self-sufficiency.
you're familiar with the conventional reasons to visit la – between the distinct neighborhoods and some of the most exciting new restaurants in the country, los angeles is bursting with excuses to book a trip. i’m reluctant to admit that it’s taken me decades to warm up to this sun-drenched city. i spent my childhood resenting it, wishing for a more traditional metropolis, only to become an adult who can’t imagine leaving. fresh produce, predictably good weather, and, yes, traffic, await.
if the majority of your travel is dictated by the food (…or wine) scene, pack a bag and get yourself to los alamos (...and los olivos/santa ynez while you're at it). the pint-sized town is sprinkled with charming boutiques and top-rated restaurants, all within minutes of expansive vineyards and tasting rooms. it's the perfect way to slow down and escape from los angeles, and after my first trip here earlier this year, i've decided to make it an annual pilgrimage.
wait, why are only some guides free?
i’ve had the privilege to live in, explore, and return to so many of my favorite places throughout my life. between trips, i spend a lot of time actively preparing for the next one – saving fancy coffee shops to google maps, scouring the internet for “best of” lists, and outlining detailed itineraries to hit up all the essentials. there’s a particular kind of high i feel after a packed travel day, and sharing my experiences on social media has been a fulfilling creative outlet and meaningful way to connect. the more I shared, the more questions i received, from “where should i stay in New York?” to “do you have a guide for Mexico City?” traveling is such a precious commodity for most, and i relish being the internet stranger (or friend!) you trust with your time.
drafting individual messages, while rewarding, was draining. it became clear that i needed a platform to distribute my recommendations to the masses with more structure than instagram could provide. my passion for storytelling made the vision for à la carte so clear, but it was also a substantial investment. I’ve spent months revisiting past vacations, assembling my favorite places into a format that I wish I’d had access to when planning them. I hope you see the hours of work, trial-and-error, and meticulous curation as a valuable service you’re willing to pay for. and to anyone who can’t afford that additional payment, i got you. just send me an email.
occasionally, i’ll sprinkle in a guide for free, which will both allow new visitors to gain a better understanding of what lies within the three different tiers and still satisfy anyone hesitant to pay for exclusive content. i’m confident that à la carte will help optimize your time on the ground and reach the right people – from the first-timers in los Angeles to the honeymooners in Paris (for whom this would make a unique and useful gift). the one-time payment grants access to that specific city guide indefinitely, allowing you to come back again and again and consult it at your leisure. i will continue to update the existing locations, add new ones, and improve upon anything that requires tweaking. feel free to reach out if you have any suggestions or just want to chat. my inbox is always open.
one additional note: there are no affiliate links or kickbacks woven into my reviews to ensure they are unbiased and honest. and a portion of every purchase will be donated to an impact-driven organization.
