Quirk: A Destination Hotel

As many of you know, I go to the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA. Richmond is an absolute hidden gem in VA. I grew up in Northern Virginia yet had no idea how cool and trendy RVA was. Every Spring my mom and I have a 'girls weekend' and stay at the cutest hotel ever, The Quirk.

From its bright pink interior, to the ~quirky~ art, and unique bedrooms, the hotel is a destination within itself. Staying here makes me wonder why there aren't more pink couches in this world!!

In the lobby of the hotel there is a cute coffee shop, a delicious restaurant, and a small gift shop known as the Quirk Gallery where you can find art, cards, and any small gift you could desire. And don't let me forget about the rooftop bar with the best view of the city, perfect for any summer night get together with your gals. 

    

Of course I did not forget about the food!! In the surrounding area there are tons of options for foodies. My mom and I always eat right across the street at Graffiato where we get tons of veggie sides and a delightfully fresh pizza. Just down the block is the cutest ice cream shop, Charm School RVA. The best part is the toasted marshmallow fluff they offer as a topping... I mean TOO yummy. 

There is also an amazing walking route from the Quirk down to the Belle Isle area right over the James River! Don't forget your walking shoes!

If you are ever in Richmond and in need of a hotel, definitely pick the Quirk for an unforgettable stay. 

Richmond, VA - Quirk Hotel

@quirkhotel

(Writing this post made me miss RVA so here's a pic of me in front of one of the many RVA murals!!)

xoxo,

Holly 

Montréal Travel Guide

 

        

    

Ohhhh Canada!

This past March for my spring break, my roommates and I traveled to Montréal, Canada! We had such an amazing time, even in the freezing cold snowy weather we endured, and even though we never saw Justin Trudeau. I wanted to post here some of the Must-Sees and Must-Eats of MTL for anyone who is considering going or planning a future trip!

For starters, we got an incredible Airbnb right near Old Port where you could pretty much see the Notre-Dame Basilica from the window. It was a really cool loft lined with brick walls and complete with a pool table and tons of open space. 

         

Day 1

On our first day we toured the Notre-Dame Basilica which was absolutely beautiful. The interior was so incredible that you could sit there for hours and notice a new detail every second. We walked only a few blocks more to get to my favorite spot from the trip, Café Tommy. This was a super French cafe with greenery lining the ceiling, marble table tops, and fresh coffee. There were chic people at every table, studying, chatting, and enjoying the warmth. I had avocado toast with tomatoes and a latte. 

We braved the cold and walked around the streets by the Port. We went up to the observation deck to take a look at the beautiful city. 

   

Day 2

We started off our second day at the most incredible brunch spot, Arthur's. The sweetness that is pictured above is a cottage cheese pancake. Sounds... interesting, but was one of the best things I have ever tasted. My roommates and I dream of tasting it just once more. 

Our plan after brunch was to visit the most talked about spot, Mount Royal. This is where you can see the entire city from a beautiful view up in the mountains. However, the snow had different plans. After a trek to the top to only find that we could see the snowy clouds, we decided that the view would be best seen on a warm summer night... maybe our next trip. All in all, definitely check the forecast. 

             

Day 3

Can you tell the theme of this trip was yummy brunch spots? Our final brunch (tear) was at Olive et Gourmando. As you can see from our busy table, there were options for everyone. I opted for the truffle mac and cheese (seriously too good) but they also had tons of paninis, acai bowls, and salads. 

We then took the metro over to Olympic park where MTL hosted the 1976 summer Olympics. Right next door we went to the Biodome where we learned a ton, and saw some cute penguins. 

That night we had dinner at Les Enfantes Terribles, a fancy French restaurant, where you have to take a private elevator to the top floor for an unreal view of the city. We feasted on delicious wine, salmon, and much more. 

      

Other Notable Spots

- Le Lab - C'ChoColat -Randolph's Pub (super fun pub where the walls are lined with board games and the bartenders are 'game masters') - Restaurant Emiliano's -McGill -Apartment 200

This was an amazing trip and I can not wait to go back one day. Please feel free to reach out with any questions via email, Insta DM, or the comments below!

xoxo,

Holly 

I'm Still Here!

                              Jacket: Madewell         Skirt: Madewell (Similar)        Jacket: Blank NYC (Similar)

Hello, hello, hello!

I am finally back and ready to get down to some serious blogging. It has been a busy few months but I can not wait to catch you up on everything Style, Travel, and of course Food related. Stay tuned over the next week or so for posts about what I have been up to and what I have been wearing. 

In the mean time, here is a good Simply Holly Denim Fix for all those who are denim obsessed. 

xoxo

Holly