ASPEN IN THE FALL

On our first trip since the lockdown, we wanted something that included tons of outdoor activities for the whole family and ended up settling on Aspen. Well, what means settling it was more of a beach vs mountains decision. Either way, it was absolutely beautiful and great way to refuel energy after a draining year. Here are some of my favorite restaurants and shops, fun things to do, and of course my dry weather hair routine.

FOR MY FOODIES:

By far the most memorable dish was homemade ravioli with butternut squash topped with a butter sage sauce. Talk about Fall in one bite – this is Cache Cache.

ASPEN FASHION:

The first thing you should pack is a pair of comfy boots, I have my YSL, which I love but cute Cowboy boots are also perfect. Really go for comfort without sacrificing fashion.

One of my favorite shops in Aspen is Kemo Sabe, they have a unique selection of Western hats, boots, jewelry, and more. But I really like to go for the hats, a good hat is not just a fashion statement, it’s perfect to camouflage dirty hair and helps protect your hair and face from the sun. Don’t be fooled, while the weather is cooler, the sun is stronger so make sure to double up on SPF and seriously consider a hat. My favorite SPF is from ELTA MD. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave your face sticky. You can get it here.

Another must-go is the French Alpine Bistro/ Creperie. It’s quaint and very charming, we tried a beer-infused fondue. Not sure I can tell a difference from a white wine-infused fondue, but it was worth a try. The charcuterie and cheese boards – so good! The only thing missing was snow, I’ve always associated fondue with winter.

If you are looking for a more romantic dinner, head to Casa Tua Aspen. I mean, Casa Tua, is also great with the entire family, but this is where Hernando and I went for date night.

It was perfect. If you are familiar with Casa Tua Miami Beach you will love this one as well and the food is incredible.

THINGS TO DO:

Hiking, Biking, horseback riding, fishing… and more. Exactly what we came for.

We rented electric bikes and headed towards Maroon Bells, from there we hiked up for about 3 miles. There are five trails to choose from, ranging from 1-13 miles roundtrip. Hiking is the best way to experience the unparallel beauty of the area, Maroon Bells is one of the most photographed mountain range in all North America – so yes, it’s absolutely worth it.

Horseback riding was another super fun activity. Especially for my sister in law’s kids. But it’s an all-around family activity and very social distancing friendly. Saddle up at Snowman’s Creek Outfitters - amazing guides that take care of inexperienced and experienced riders. The tour has some of the most beautiful views of Aspen all while on a horse brings you back to simplicity, definitely recommended.

One thing I wish I had done is to take one of Aspen’s famous Ghost Tours. It’s an entertaining way to tour the town, learn about the history of the city all while getting a few spooky ghost stories in.

DRY WEATHER HAIR AND BEAUTY ROUTINE:

Hair: First, let’s understand what dry weather does to your hair compared to humidity. Humidity makes your hair dry and frizzy, so you want to compensate by adding a lot of moisture, climates that are dry don’t need as much moisture because they don’t dry your hair as much as humidity. So if we had to rate the need for moisture in Aspen I’d give it 3/5.

For fine hair

I have fine hair so these are the products I used, I recommend a light shampoo nothing too heavy.

Conditioner: IGK 30,000 feet Volume Conditioner

For next day hair use a texture spray, no need for a heavy leave-in conditioner in this weather.

My fave texture spray: IGK Beach Club Volume Spray

I also take my travel-sized IGK Rich Kid for styling everywhere. It’s one of my favorite products from the line.

FOR CURLY HAIR

Shampoo: IGK Thirsty Gal Anti-frizz shampoo it’s light enough for the dry weather but hydrating enough to block any excess frizz.

Conditioner: If you want a product to style your curls you can use a leave-in conditioner, such as IGK Mistress Hydrating Balm. Insider tip: mix in a few drops of Lil Fox’ Haute C face oil for additional shine to avoid dullness.

Body: De la heart Jojoba oil and their Organic Coconut Shea Butter to combat the dry weather and it smells delicious. I’m really into clean beauty so this is my go-to brand for body care.

Face: Lil Fox’ Haute C face oil is perfect for every day and evening, it gives you a dewy and hydrated look.

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