Happy Second Blog Anniversary

by April, Sunny and Wendy
January marked the second anniversary of the launch of Looks and Leaps! We have a variety of authors writing about a variety of destinations – 2016 included Portland, Philadelphia, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Raleigh, Richmond, New York City, Washington DC, Dewey Beach, Iceland, London, and Dover, England. We love looking through the previous years’ archives, and hope you do too. A big thanks to all readers for stopping by, and anyone who has taken the time to share a (non spam) comment!

While our stories are primarily focused on travel, you’ll also find the occasional style tip, recipe or seasonal post. To celebrate this anniversary, we have a special treat: the Looks and Leaps pets! Interesting articles on travel are one thing, but there’s nothing like cute animal photos, right? We totally get it. Continue reading →

A Snowy Stop in Stowe, Vermont

by Wendy
Jack and I kicked off January 2017 with full week of travel, including a road trip to a state I’d never visited before: Vermont. We spent 3 days in the beautiful snowy town of Stowe.

Last year I wrote about my determination to participate in more outdoor activities, and it is sometimes surprising how much I am enjoying winter weather. This short destination report may help anyone considering a vacation in Stowe, but especially goes out to my fellow guys and gals who might dread the cold or are apprehensive about skiing. It’s possible to shift your approach and rekindle lost love for snow days. Continue reading →

A Cadre of Clutches

by Wendy
There are accessories that you depend on in everyday life. The taupe heels, or the pearl earrings. Black ballet flats, sunglasses. The giant purse you cart to work that holds a paperback, notebook, phones, keys, wallet, tissues, mints, water, at least 3 lip balms and who knows what else.

On the other hand, there are items you might not use on the daily but are just as essential when the outfit or occasion calls for it. And like a great party dress, they make you happy just looking at them in your closet. Clutch purses and wristlets are the perfect example. Continue reading →

The Evolution of a Disney Fan

by Sunny

follow me on Twitter @sunnylooksleaps

Earlier this year when packing for a trip to Disneyland, MJ announced that she would no longer like to dress like a princess at the park.  “I still want to wear Disney clothes,” she added, “I just don’t want to be a princess.”  I knew that the princess dresses wouldn’t last forever, and while I loved seeing her dress up and enjoy being a princess in the park those ball gowns have their drawbacks in the suitcase and on the rides.  We still attended a princess breakfast.  She posed for pictures with them and asked for their autographs. She still loves them; still watches all their movies.  They are Disney characters after all, and we are a family that loves Disney.  But just like MJ changed her mind about being a princess, so does Disney also evolve and change to adapt to a new generation of fans while still making their seasoned veterans nostalgic. Continue reading →

Holidays at Home

by Wendy
Jack and I love our families and we love to travel, so we’re often on the move during the holidays. Every once in awhile, we swap the driving or flights to celebrate at our house. We always look forward to family traditions, but I’ve learned it’s also important to cultivate a few of our own. Regardless of where we spend the season, the month of December is more fun when we make an effort to be festive.

Since we don’t have kids, and Jack in particular works in an industry that is busy this time of year, I admit that I’ve “phoned it in” in the past. Once we didn’t bother with a Christmas tree and put up hardly any decorations. I can’t remember why exactly, but we missed it so much. Continue reading →

New to New England

By Sunny

follow me on Twitter @sunnylooksleaps

To celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary, Jimmy and I spent a weekend in Portland, Maine.

Yes, it was the other Portland that was on our 2016 travel list.

And yes, last year we went to the unforgettable Rockhouse Hotel in Jamaica to celebrate our first decade together.

So how did we end up in Maine?

Continue reading →

Always Fond of Philadelphia

by Wendy
Philadelphia is one of Jack and my favorite American cities, especially for a weekend getaway. The first time we traveled together was to Philadelphia and we’ve been back many times since, including a fun day trip with my parents several years ago.

Some streets might remind you of New York City, others of Boston, or maybe even Chicago. Philadelphia is beautiful and gritty and worn in the way old cities are – you can sense what residents and tourists of centuries past were seeing as you walk the same streets. But like any great city, Philadelphia is unique. Read on to learn why I’m so fond of Philadelphia. Continue reading →