I love Southwestern Colorado – so many pretty towns nestled into the mountains, watched over by elk herds and waterfalls. We’ve been to Telluride a few times (always in the summer) and it’s good for a few hours of wandering and playing a game or two of “who can find the most expensive thing in this shop” or “count the fancy hippies at the farmers’ market.” Which is to say that I’m definitely not complaining – they had peonies at that farmers’ market, for goodness sake, and carrots in every color of the rainbow. If only I had somewhere to put them other than my pocket, I would have bought the heck out of those peonies.

Our typical day in Telluride has involved exploring Main Street, a ride up the gondola, and dinner at Smuggler’s.  This trip we only hit one of the three (which would be Main Street, as you would probably assume from the photos) but I’d highly recommend a beer or two from the two local breweries (Smuggler’s had a raspberry wheat that was tasty) and the gondola is well worth the wait in line. After five years of living in Colorado, I’ve figured out the state’s two basic priorities: mountain adventures and good beer. And it goes without saying that you can check them both off the list in Telluride.

Filed in:Colorado | Travel
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  • SusanJuly 30, 2013 - 9:57 am

    What a gorgeous visual feast. The colors are popping out with joy. Love the poppies too.ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzJuly 30, 2013 - 4:49 pm

      Thanks Susan! I agree – people had the prettiest gardens in their yards, I couldn’t help snapping a few photos 😉ReplyCancel

  • Adina | Gluten Free TraveletteJuly 31, 2013 - 11:48 am

    Gorgeous pictures – Telluride has been on my travel wishlist for sometime now. I’d really love to visit in the winter :-).ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzAugust 5, 2013 - 11:01 am

      Thanks Adina! I have never been in the winter, but my husband’s family does go there to ski sometimes – I imagine that it’s gorgeous! I’d love to see it in fall too, fall in Colorado is like heaven on earth.ReplyCancel

{  photo / journal / illustration & graphic by Annabelle Mintz }

It’s our last installment of the travel journal series! So far, we’ve visited France, Australia, and Spain – now we’re headed to Kyoto, Japan.

When I first visited Asia, it was probably the first place where I truly had culture shock – there were just so many things that were different about the way we did things back home.  I remember thinking it was remarkable that you could get a cheeseburger from a vending machine, and that green tea was a dessert flavoring as well as a beverage.

It was fall when we visited (so swap vibrant red maple leaves for those cherry blossoms and you’ve got the idea), and the only thing that felt familiar was the crisp air and the rice. I was fascinated with the language, so I asked pretty much everyone I encountered to teach me words and write the characters in my notebook, which I would practice on drives from place to place. It’s amazingly pretty, isn’t it? They have art built into their language. And despite all the differences, the longer I spent in Japan, the more I fell in love with it.

{ journal courtesy of Minted / image by Annabelle Mintz }

Also, remember that the Minted giveaway closes tomorrow! You can enter to win a Minted journal of your choice, pick any of their awesome designs and customize it any way you like – even the paper you’d like inside.

Enter here by Thursday, July 25th at 11:59PM, PST – you have one more day to enter! The winner will be announced next Wednesday here on the blog, so be sure to check in.

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This post was sponsored by Minted, but all content and opinions are my own.  I only support what I love – promise.

Filed in:Daydreaming

This is our third summer visiting this campground, and it’s one of our favorites.  Cory’s family drives up from Arizona and meets us here, about an hour south of Telluride.

There are only a limited few tent sites (it’s mostly RV sites, and a few cabins) but they’re beautiful, surrounded by trees and right next to the water so you can listen to it as you fall asleep.  Which just so happens to be the best thing in the world.

The lilacs were in bloom, remarkably late in the season, because they knew I was coming and would love them. Favorite smell in the world is these beauties in bloom. Plus, who can complain about all theese butterflies that were not the least bit camera shy.

 

There are two kinds of vacations: the kind where you jam-pack as many activities and museums and sight-seeing in as you possibly can, and the kind where you do nothing at all. I love them both, but this was definitely a nothing kind of vacation. A small and wonderful miracle.

I read two books, went on hikes, got ice cream cones in the afternoon, made s’mores at night, and threw rocks into the river with little niece & nephew for hours.  Highly recommend a week (at least) of nothings in everyone’s summer! It’s amazing that you don’t realize how much you need times of rest until you get them. My mind has been spinning fast as a whirlwind lately (in both good and bad ways), so sitting in the stillness and quiet was just was the doctor ordered.

Have you been getting any peace and quiet this summer?

Filed in:Colorado | Everyday Adventure | Travel
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  • amberJuly 23, 2013 - 3:28 pm

    My husband and I JUST planned a camping trip for August to this area with his brother and family! We will definitely check it out!ReplyCancel

  • Annabelle MintzJuly 23, 2013 - 9:26 pm

    Amber – you definitely should! That whole area is one of the most beautiful parts of Colorado 🙂 you will love it!ReplyCancel

 Another weekend is behind us – anyone else feel like summer is flying by? Thought I’d slow down for a minute and take note of a few things I love about this season.

1. Tuesday night date nights that consist of running the Jack Quinn’s 5k, sand volleyball in the park with friends, finished off with some frozen yogurt at our favorite place downtown. This is a routine I can get behind.

2. Being able to sneak outside during the day and have break on the gazebo outside our office. I hardly ever drink soda, but who can resist the occasional Dr. Pepper?

3. Colorado doesn’t really have a legitimate “spring” like I’m used to in the Midwest (it’s mostly just an excuse for more snow), so summers make a decent substitute, with afternoon rains and flowers FINALLY blooming around town!

4. Late nights with friends which don’t seem so late because the sun didn’t set until just a few minutes ago.

5. Late mornings with Mickey Mouse waffles on the same waffle maker my parents used when I was a kid.

Yup, lots to appreciate about summertime! I’m only sad to see it passing by so. dang. fast!

You can slow right on down, summertime, because we still have plenty of adventures to have – not to mention finding an apartment to move into.  Promise that if you stick around, we’ll make it worth your while.

All images by Annabelle Mintz // for more Moments of Pretty, follow @bellatheball on Instagram!

Filed in:Life

{  photo / journal / illustration & graphic by Annabelle Mintz }

This week we’re headed out on part three of our adventures around the world with Minted, chatting about travel journals. Visit France and Australia on previous installments.

Spain is one of those places that is near and dear to my heart.  I studied abroad in Madrid in college (one of the best life choices – if you have the chance to live overseas for a season, please be brave enough to do it!) and every weekend was full of exploration around the European continent.  This particular adventure takes us to the southern part of Spain – Granada to be exact! I love the Moorish influence of the architecture there, and the way all the different cultures have blended together. Don’t you think that journal perfectly captures the Arabic flavor of the stunning Alhambra?

Being in Spain for so long allowed me to get more than the quick peek into Spanish culture and daily life with all its rituals and traditions. It also helps to get to know some locals – in Granada, I connected with the cousin of a friend and she shared a great spot for churros con chocolate with me. Doesn’t matter how distant the connection may seem – I’d recommend reaching out. Churros are definitely a cultural staple in Spain (and they are different from the Mexican churros, in case you’re curious). They even vary slightly region to region within Spain! I made note of this churro place in my travel journal, and we were able to visit again a few years later when I revisited Granada with my sister. I wish I was better about making notes like this in my travel journals, because when I do, it always seems to come in handy!

{ journal courtesy of Minted / image by Annabelle Mintz }

Also, I’m super excited to announce that Minted is generously hosting this blog’s very first giveaway! You can enter to win a Minted journal of your choice, pick any of their awesome designs and customize it any way you like! You can even pick the kind of paper inside – mine, pictured above, is full of graph paper – my favorite!

Enter here by Thursday, July 25th at 11:59PM, PST and let me know in the comments what design you’ll pick if you win!

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This post was sponsored by Minted, but all content and opinions are my own.  I only support what I love – promise.

Filed in:Daydreaming
add a comment
  • Micah NicholsJuly 17, 2013 - 7:17 pm

    Your blog is fantastic Annabelle. You put would-be bloggers to shame.ReplyCancel

  • Annabelle MintzJuly 17, 2013 - 7:25 pm

    Haha thanks Micah! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • MaryJuly 18, 2013 - 6:55 am

    Congrats on hosting your first giveaway, that’s awesome! You know I love your blog, it is so much fun to read and escape to all the beautiful places you capture. I totally agree with your comment on living abroad for a season – I tell everyone I know to study abroad. I almost didn’t do it, but finally worked up the courage my senior year and it was the best decision I could have made for myself.ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzJuly 19, 2013 - 11:05 am

      Thanks Mary – I’m so glad you love it 🙂 means a lot! And I’m right there with you on study abroad – best life choice!ReplyCancel

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