Last week I was frantically running around getting ready for the Aspen Food and Wine Classic (ummmm take me back!!!). As a lifelong Colorado girl I had always heard about the Classic, but had no idea what to expect. Turns out having no expectations made it a million times better!!
Aspen is obviously always beautiful and lovely, but add endless food, drink, dancing, farm animals and fun and it takes it up to a completely different level! For me, the entire experience was like a fairytale. Enjoying time in the mountains with Jonny, amazing friends, and all the delicious food and rosรจ a girl could ask for made for some incredible memories!! I am so thankful to American Express for inviting me to participate in such an unforgettable weekend!
The Classic runs for three days starting Friday and events kicking off on Thursday. We didn't want to miss any of the fun so Juli and I left Denver early Thursday afternoon just in time to meet Leah for the Glenlivit tasting dinner. Fun fact, Juli and I grew up across the street from each other, but haven't seen each other in forever so we had a blast catching up and reminiscing all weekend!! It is so cool to catch up with your childhood friends and see the amazing things they are doing and she is absolutely crushing it!! Fun fact 2: I was reading her blog (Paleomg) before I knew what a blog was (seriously!).
Lacey arrived late Thursday night and our whole blogger posse was complete, she missed dinner, but we were all reunited bright and early to explore the American Express Platinum House and take a pop up Soul Cycle class Friday morning. Lacey, Leah and I have been having so much fun traveling together! Remember our Mexico trip last spring and our Garden of the Gods getaway last month?
Walking into the American Express Platinum House was so surreal. Mostly because I was convinced that it was held at a hotel then we found ourselves winding and weaving through an Aspen neighborhood and up a mountainside driveway to someones home. We spent a lot of our time there.... because #whynot!! They made it really hard to want to leave. We started both Friday and Saturday with Soul Cycle classes and snacks after. They of course had a DryBar pop, mani station for primping and endless food from Top Chef Stephanie Izard. Someone said it was like a grown up/ultra luxury Real World house and I think it's safe to say that was a very good comparison.
After a few tastings and more fun at the Amex Platinum House we all went to the Patron party hosted at the Little Nell Residences (basically a huge dance party at the base of Aspen Mountain) - it was so much fun!! I attended another Patron party last night in Denver and I am convinced that they have the summer fun market cornered. And yes, this has been a heavy week of drinking... detox starts next week.
There was a lot of eating all weekend, but Saturday there was a TON!! I attended the the Blackberry Farms x Amex Trade picnic lunch as Juli's date and wore this super light ruffle, off the shoulder dress! I changed into this maxi for the afternoon because it was a little windy and ruffles and wind are not friends. We walked all through the the tasting tents my favorite booth was the all pink booth from the JW Marriott (pictured above) and they had the yummiest drink - they were so dangerous!! I wish I could pin point one delicious food, but I cant. Cheese comes to mind for some reason. Lots of cheese.
We were so fortunate to stay right in town at the Molly Gibson. Once we parked for the weekend we walked everywhere! It was so nice to not have to worry about driving in and out of town especially with our big group (4 of us + 3 spouses) - coordinating cars and meeting up would have been such a pain! The hotel prides itself on being an affordable option without skimping on amenities. I had a slight obsession with the orange cruiser bikes they have available (complimentary) for guests. I also love that they are very dog friendly and they include a yummy full breakfast every morning at both the Molly Gibson and their sister property Hotel Aspen across the street.
I wore this ruffle top - wearing a small (wind had died down fewww!) to our last evening out! We saw Dan White perform the most amazing magic show ever. I was completely floored by all of his tricks. Jonny eagerly offered to participate in the show and got to be part of the finale - it was amazing. There was an after party and an after after party back at the Amex House. It was one amazing, busy, and filling weekend and I am so incredibly thankful that I got to be a part of it!! Crossing my fingers, toes, and everything else that I can go again next year with this same group of amazing people because they just made it that much better!!
Napa tomorrow, friends... wish my poor little liver luck. Any and all suggestions are appreciated!!
This post is in collaboration with American Express and the Molly Gibson Lodge . As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!