Necessary Delights Travels: Scottsdale, AZ

Leaving on a jet plane…over and over and over in my head last Friday! It was like we couldn’t get to the airport fast enough! My husband and I haven’t been on a trip without kids in for-ev-er!! We were super pumped…sorry, kiddos! We actually traveled with another couple because we were headed to Scottsdale, AZ for a dear friend’s wedding. Pret-a-travel with Necessary Delights!

Friday afternoon we arrived at Phoenix airport and grabbed an Uber to Scottsdale! A quick (not to mention gorgeous) 25 minute drive! We passed a beautiful view of the mountains!! Some were so red and had these amazing grottos! Wherever we looked, people were walking, hiking, just out experiencing this nature!! We knew we had to try it at some point!

We checked in at The Saguaro Hotel…ummmm…amazing! It was so fun and colorful and had a very kitschy feel to it! There was a spa, several pools, a restaurant, a coffee bar, a fire wall…and more and more.

Don’t you love the art and the way the wires are attached to look like a cactus?! So cute!!

Next, we changed to head to dinner at the Culinary Dropout! It is so “cool!” Beautiful high back chairs and long tables. The staff was young and hip. Lots of energy, and the cocktails were yummy! I am so sad that I was too busy enjoying good company and a yummy meal that I missed taking photos. I will tell you that I had a delicious cocktail that was called a “Pistols at Dawn” that was Bulleit bourbon, Ancho Reyes, and ginger agave with a cabernet splash. Sounds crazy, right? My first sip I wasn’t sure, but it quickly blended well, and I was hooked!! We had a meat, cheese, olives, beets, and deviled eggs starter. Then I finished my main with rainbow trout with green beans almondine, but my husband had 36-hour pork ribs. Y’all! I mean…wow! They were so good! He had the winning dish!

After dinner we headed back to The Saguaro Hotel for cocktails with other friends that had arrived to celebrate the future Mr. and Mrs. We sat out by the fire wall under the chilly desert air. It was delightful!

After a solid 10 hour sleep…which I cannot tell you the last time that happened…we woke up feeling so good and excited to face the refreshing chill of a Scottsdale morning….that is after a quick cup of French roast coffee from the ensuite Keurig! What a treat! It was a gorgeous, cool morning with a bright sunrise! We set out to find coffee (because you can never have too much!) and a quick bite!

Zip up fleece / pants / Sneakers (similar here) / Handbag (similar here)

We grabbed coffee and muffins at Cartel Coffee Lab in Old Town Scottsdale. Yum! They had a gluten free morning glory muffin that was dee-lish, and my iced coffee with almond milk was perfectly quenching! Then it was off to Camelback Mountain for a hike up the mountain…geared up!

Whew! We did it…well, not all of it, but we hiked the Cholla Trail to marker 21. Anyone know what that means exactly? Hah! Regardless, it was fun and challenging and humbling. What amazing views await for anyone who tries it. Difficulty level double black diamond! 🙂

Recognize my tee? Get your “weekends” tshirt here! It’s only $12.99!!

Needless to say, we were pretty exhausted after, but no rest for the weary!! We showered and headed to lunch at Cien Agaves. Umm…yum! We each started with some guacamole, queso, and margaritas! My husband had a habanero margarita…it was nice and spicy! A few fajitas later, and we were ready for our siestas!

Back to the hotel we went for some r&r. Boozie lunch + hike = naptime! We are not nearly as young as we used to be. Hah!

With the wedding only a little over an hour to starting, it was time for some beautification! I wanted to wear my hair up so it was fuss free, but I wanted it to feel easy and fun, too! I started by grabbing about 1-2 inch sections to twist around the curling iron in order to smooth and add a little bend. This makes up dos go “up” easier! Once done with that part, I divided my hair in three sections and loosely braided it and kept the ends tucked in my rubber band. Then, I rolled the whole thing under and secured it with bobby pins! I finished my effortless up do look by pulling a few pieces out over my ears. Voila! A little hairspray, a dress, a clutch, and we were off!

The service was so beautiful and heartfelt. This couple has been together for quite some time, and sometimes you just know the ones that have had it figured out all along. They belong together and will last forever!

The colors for the bridesmaids were shades of pink beginning with a pale blush to a beautiful aubergine. The flowers were roses, ranunculus, and succulents…totally Arizona chic! And there were touches of gold tucked in everywhere. We dined on chicken tacos, steak, roasted veggies, and salads! Then we danced the night away to beautiful floor lighting!