Adventurer Profile: Beth McCabe

We are thrilled to highlight Beth McCabe as our newest "adventurer" in our Adventurer Profiles. We became friends with Beth during our time at Blackberry Farm, where Beth serves as an Event Manager. Although her job sounds glamorous - and there are many perks (celebs, beautiful events, etc.) - the chaotic schedule that comes with running events at one of the world's leading resorts can be consuming. Still, Beth manages to find time to keep travel a top priority in her life. 

We all have crazy lives and schedules that can prevent us from really living life - and many of us find ourselves falling into the trap of existing through the day-to-day. But, life is such a beautiful gift and it's so critical to find a work/life balance that  allows us to suck in every drop of life at work and at play. Beth always inspires the two of us to do just that. As you read Beth's top spots and travel tips, we hope you too are inspired to make time for travel so when you look back on this life you can say you worked hard and played hard. 

MMH: Do you have a favorite place you've traveled? 
BM: I suppose I have become a repeat offender and throw it back quite often.  So, when I fell in love with New York City so I moved there for 4 months to do an “internship” my father likes to say that I was on his Full Scholarship.  We differ in terms.  Needless to say, I try and make it there at least twice a year.  Then I have started to make an annual Napa Trip.  However, if I had to narrow it down, I would have to say Great Britain in general.  My mother lived in England for 2 years.  My my older sister, Campbell, and I decided to piggy-back a trip to see her that just happened to fall over the Open Championship in 2007 (this was not a coincidence).  On the day of our departure… I may have missed my train in Manchester, therefore missing my flight to the States.  My mother scooped me and we spent the day in a little town called Knutsford, England and traveled all over.  I am in love with British sense of humor and landscape.  Oh and a girl has to love some Italy… so I have quite a few.

MMH: What does your perfect Saturday look like? 
BM: Fall: Football… Tailgate, crisp weather, the end.  Not Fall: Waking up on a trip in a great city with coffee and my sisters or best friends, The Wall Street Journal...Run/Yoga…cocktails, great food and new things.

MMH: Has working at one of the top destinations in the world changed your view of travel? 
BM: 100%.  I have always been a constant trip-planner. Whether it is a sporting event, concert, or visiting friends wherever they may be.  But working at Blackberry Farm has given me the a new desire to see the places I read about on a daily basis.  I pass the airport (tiny) every morning on the way to the Farm and I am always yelling at the planes “take me with you!!!!!!”  I think most of all Blackberry Farm as given me a greater appreciation for superstars in different industries, such as Chefs, Vintners, Musicians and even Athletes, thus making me want to experience their talents firsthand.   

MMH: If you can narrow it down to one, what is your favorite city/town you've visited during your travels? 
BM: Barcelona, Spain. I lived there during my Junior Year of College and was blown away by the culture, lifestyle and architecture.  I hope to go again sooner than later to see and experience it as an adult versus a College Sorority girl.

MMH: Favorite hotel? Why?
BM: Auberge du Soleil.  It is nestled in the hills of Rutherford, California.  It is the perfect setting, luxurious, but understated in the details which are important in the Hospitality Industry which I have learned!  Oh, and surrounded by a view of the Napa Valley Vineyards.  Yes, please.

MMH: Top three restaurants?  
BM: Freeman’s in the East Village, New York, New York– my loveable little sis (Haley) introduced me and I have been addicted since.  Husk in Charleston, South Carolina.  French Blue in Napa, California.

MMH: Most memorable travel experience? 
BM: Might be a toss up - The Vatican on Palm Sunday or St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin.  Total contradiction, but both experiences I wouldn’t trade.

MMH: Any other travel tips?  
BM: Be open to new people, experiences and cultures.  Being from the South there is a certain stigma of being a “certain way” so I think sometimes people miss out in the beauty of diversity.  My mother instilled the importance of travel at an early age and I have been lucky enough to see some of this beautiful world.  I am not finished, planning my next trip currently.

MMH: Beth, thanks so much for the interview. We love the way you live life and are honored to have you on the mr.&mrs.h guide!
-mr.&mrs.h

thursday's travel truth

It's important to DREAM BIG. A little inspiration from a great dreamer, Bob Dylan... think about it: who are you made to be? Once you figure that out start pursuing it, even if it's one small step at a time. 

-mr.&mrs.h

Happy Weekend & Pinterest Debut

Apparently August is social media month here at Mr.&Mrs.H. Last week we debuted on Instagram and now we're on Pinterest! 

Follow us for recommendations on where to eat, sleep, and play... plus an endless supply of inspiring travel quotes and pics!

Bon weekend!
-mrs.h

Follow Us on Pinterest

Adventurer Profile: Phillip Attmore

Our adventurer profiles started as a way to inspire us to truly live life -- not just exist through it. So, we wanted to find people who were doing just that. When we sat down to think of people we know who live life that way, we both thought of Phillip Attmore. Talk about an "adventurer" -- everything about the way Phillip lives life is full of passion and adventure. He has followed his dreams and they've taken him all around the world in the process (including So You Think You Can Dance and Broadway!!). We had the great pleasure of getting to know Phillip when we lived in CA. He inspired us through his creativity and his huge heart. If you need that daily dose of inspiration to begin pursuing your dreams or to continue pursuing them, read on... this adventurer profile will do just that. (Plus, we love Phillip's travel tips -- they are, not surprisingly, full of adventure!!)

Phillip in his own words... (from childhood to Broadway)
My mother is originally from Germany. My dad, a soldier from North Carolina, happened to be stationed in my mom's hometown (Kassel, Germany) and he was also the first black man she'd ever met. They fell in love, and got married in 1959, before it was legal for interracial couples to wed in some American states. I was born twenty-five years into my parents' marriage. (So needless to say I was a pleasant surprise!)  I grew up in a family of artists. My brother was a child actor who was in the Mickey Mouse Club in the 70's, and my sister is a self-taught musician. Although I was born two decades after them, my parents suspected that I too was "bitten by the bug" from birth, so they put me in dance classes when I was three years old to see how I would respond. Not only did I love dancing, but I soon took on acting and singing. After graduating from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (with a few childhood film/tv credits under my belt), I knew that working in the entertainment industry would be a lifelong pursuit.  And I have been blessed to have had a rather colorful career so far:  from dancing and singing on Broadway, to acting in film/tv, and even competing on the reality TV show, So You Think You Can Dance.  

In September of this year, I'll be moving back to New York City to work in my third Broadway show!  It's called After Midnight. It will star Dule Hill (of Psych and The West Wing) and Fantasia (of American Idol). It is a Broadway Musical that will feature classic jazz standards that capture the essence of Harlem's "Cotton Club" era. Wynton Marsalis will be the artistic director, and the cast will consist of twenty-five vocalists/dancers and seventeen hand-picked musicians by Jazz at Lincoln Center. I will be featured as a song and dance man. Needless to say, I am excited! 

When I consider my family background (i.e. having a German-born mother, a soon-to-be wife who is from England) and when I consider creativity and the arts and entertainment industry (my passion and "bread and butter"), I would say, literally, that "adventure" has been written in my DNA.  Most of my reasons for travel have been tied to work and/or family, and these two aspects of my life have taken me all around the world (to five of the seven continents).  My "top five" favorite cities that I have either visited or lived in (other than my two homes Los Angeles and New York City) are:  Cape Town, South Africa; Moscow, Russia; Paris, France; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Sydney, Australia. 

M&MH: Where do you currently live and what are your "local tips" for L.A. (your "you can't miss it" list - where to eat, shop, visit, do, etc.)?
PA: I currently live in my hometown Pasadena, CA (a city within Los Angeles County). I am totally biased, but I would say that Pasadena is the best city in Los Angeles County! It is clean, safe, rich in arts and culture, and it is commonly discovered as a "hidden treasure" by many who visit Los Angeles for the first time. Los Angeles is huge, but if I could narrow it down to three options of places to eat, shop, and visit, I would recommend Manhattan Beach, Old Town Pasadena, and Disneyland! (For those of you who rolled your eyes at the last option, "Don't hate on Mickey!")

M&MH: If you can narrow it down to one, what is your favorite city/town you've visited during your travels?
PA: My favorite city that I have visited, and also lived in, is Edinburgh, Scotland. This place is absolutely magical if you like castles, hillwalking and hiking, nightlife, and arts appreciation and preservation. It has it all! I would recommend going during August while the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival is on. It is the largest theater arts festival in the world with over 3,000 shows and exhibitions to choose from. Projects like "Flight of the Concords" started at this festival. Not to mention, the city is beautiful! I call this place a home when I am in the UK!

M&MH: Favorite hotel? Why?
PA: At the risk of sounding strange, I don't believe in hotels! I have found that the best way to learn the essence of a city is through the eyes of a local. I have become very good at making friends in foreign places with wonderful people, and if I trust them, or if we have had the privilege of building a friendship history, I would much rather stay with them. I do like a fancy hotel every once in a while, but if you like adventure, shacking up with the locals is where it's at!

M&MH: Top three restaurants?
PA: My top three restaurants are:  Uncle Bill's Pancake House (Manhattan Beach, CA); Moyo (Johannesburg, SA); The Delta Grill (a New Orleans style restaurant in New York City).

M&MH: Most memorable travel experience?
PA: I took a trip to Krugar National Park in South Africa once. Between jeep safari's, wild animals raiding our campsite, and fireside stories of survivors of animal attacks, it was an exciting time. We went on a night safari on the eve of returning to Johannesburg. We stopped the jeep in the middle of the wild South African bush, turned the engine and lights off, and sat in the pitch black of night listening to the sound of animals calling. Then we threw our heads back in silence for about ten minutes, and gazed at the stars, an entirely different set of bright and shining constellations. This is my most memorable travel experience, and probably one of the most magical moments of my life.

M&MH: Thanks Phillip! We love the way you drink in every drop of life -- it's so refreshing and inspiring. And, we agree with you, "adventure" is written in your DNA. Now we just need to plan our own adventure to NYC so we can see you on Broadway!!
-mr.&mrs.h

the value of rest

Mr. H and I are coming to the close of a very good season that's been full of hard work. When you love what you're doing and believe in the overarching vision of your work, hard work is such a gratifying thing. It gives you energy and life because you're passionate about seeing the vision fueling your work come into being. 

Still, even in the midst of passion, everyone needs to rest and take a break. That's why Mr. H and I love the hospitality industry. We think it's so necessary for our culture today. Our culture has become one that's obsessed with work and has little to no room for rest. If companies understood how much more productive their team would be if they encouraged them to rest and take a break from work, they would be forcing people to take vacation time. To me really excellent hospitality serves as a "hospital" for the epidemic of burnout around our country. It allows people to reconnect with the people the love, be filled up, experience needed relaxation and/or adventure, and go back to work with new energy and purpose. 

It's so tempting to try get into a boss's good graces by not taking vacation days, but the sacrifice isn't worth the reward. Make time to rest daily - it can be as simple as just sitting quietly in a room alone. Take a vacation, even if it's a stay-cation. Let hospitality be the "hospital" your body, soul, and spirit need. Rest is valuable and it will come back to serve you well in the end. 
- mrs.h

making trip planning a little easier!

Happy Saturday! Just wanted to fill you in on the small, but exciting change you'll notice when you hover over our images... a pin it button!! Yes, I know... this makes me way too happy. I'm clearly a geek at heart. But, we did it in an effort to help you plan your dream list, bucket list, city guide, etc. 

Pinterest is such a great tool for trip planning because you can keep all your travel ideas and inspiration saved/organized on pin boards. So, next time you take a spontaneous trip to San Fran, for instance, you'll have a list of everywhere you should eat at your fingertips. Or, maybe you aren't leaving town any time soon, but you need a little travel inspiration to get you through the mundane. Go ahead, make a dream board. Your dreams have to start somewhere. 

Have a great weekend and pin your hearts out!!
-mrs.h

bon weekend!

Don't spend this weekend in front of a laptop or tv. Use this time to go, to live, to enjoy, to be. Go deeper than your feet could ever wander this weekend.

-mr.&mrs.h

a little weekly inspiration

it's a good day for new adventures.

what adventures do you want to take? go ahead, take one.

Are you living your dream?

{via}

I have a strong suspicion that it's a great day for your dreams to come true. I've noticed an increase in dreams fulfilled of late--from my parents, to us personally, to friends. Sometimes I think it's just a good day for a dream to come true.

How do you know if you are living your dream if you don't know what you dream is? You don't. So first, you have to get quiet and listen. Who are you made to be? What are you here for?

Then, GO FOR IT!

Mrs. H and I have a lot of dreams: big dreams, small dreams, odd dreams, serious dreams, short-term dreams, long-term dreams...

They all matter though. If you're anything like me, the presence of dreams means I am doing something right. When my internal dreamer is turned off, then I know something is wrong. So manage your dreamer well. Make a list, and watch your dreams come true.

Off to conquer a dream or two.

-Mr. H

Adventurer Profile: Katie Harvill

We love to live--really live. People who live life fully inspire us. Sometimes when we get in a rut of "living life as usual" we just need a reminder that a life of adventure is possible. We all want an extraordinary life, but we have to do things  "out of the ordinary" for it to be "extra-ordinary." Right? For the two of us, it can be hard to move out of "life as usual." One of our antidotes for that has been to read about/talk to/and surround ourselves with people who aren't afraid of living life outside of the box. We know many of our readers also long for and/or appreciate living life fully, so we thought we'd highlight some of the people who have inspired us to do just that. 

Katie Harvill is someone who constantly inspires us. She lives life with adventure and passion. Her job takes her around the world (we live vicariously through her at times). She's not afraid of "life outside of the box" and has been a huge encouragement to us on our journey of walking towards our dreams. Thus, we chose Katie as the first person in our "adventurer profiles"!

Katie's career in her own words: 
I have been working with Solera Holdings, Inc. based out of Dallas, TX for the last 6 years. Initially as a meetings contractor and now, within the last year, full-time. My official title is Director of Marketing & Global Events, but what I feel my role’s main purpose is to provide an environment for experiential learning and ideate our programs around the uncommon. This opportunity to work in and among the 63 countries we operate has provided me the most incredible education and travel opportunities. However, what I have come to appreciate most about my job are the principles and values they have built their foundation on and work to instill within all 3,000 worldwide employees. It’s an art of working and living that inspires accountability, teamwork and  philanthropy. I’ve learned the best mentality within any role is to remain in a constant state of dissatisfaction, always striving to raise the bar.

M&MH: If you can narrow it down to one, what is your favorite city/town you've visited during your travels?
KH: That’s a tough question. If I think about the places that rank as my favorite, it’s usually easy to pin-point between a few that allowed for a personal connection – something outside of the city streets, hotels and restaurants. To me, that top spot goes to South Africa on safari. There’s no place on earth that allows for such an authentic experience – being caught in the middle of nature’s best. There’s something a little intimidating in the lack of control over your outside environment, but at the same time being completely in awe of your surroundings.

The second place, I’d be remiss not to mention, is Siem Reap, Cambodia. This will always be special because it holds a lot of life lessons for me – learning to navigate some changes as well as the true meaning of giving back. Seeing the sunrise over Angkor Wat is my most treasured travel moment.

M&MH: Favorite hotel?

KH: Easy… Singita Boulders Lodge in South Africa (I sound like a broken record).

M&MH: What made it so special?

KH: Any time a hotel or lodge can make you feel like you’ve arrived home takes a special talent. Beyond the food and rooms, it’s the hospitality that makes a good hotel great.

M&MH: Top three restaurants?

KH: My favorite subject!! Sometimes the mediocre restaurants can be remembered as a favorite based on the company at the table, but if I had to rank for food alone, I would say:

1.    Georges Blanc in Vonnas, France – glutinous escape into rustic French cuisine.

2.    Belcanto in Lisbon, Portugal – innovative menu that played tricks between your brain and your palette with the crazy gastronomic techniques.

3.    If I had to give a 3^rd, I’d say a food city – my favorite is New Orleans – Restaurant August, Clancy’s, Jacques-Imo's, La Petite Grocery... the list goes on!

M&MH: Most memorable thing you've done while traveling? (Something we can recommend to our readers-an activity, sight, etc.)

KH: I think the most memorable part of traveling (the good and bad) is when you step out of your comfort zone. That’s usually the time that you’ll never want to forget or never want to repeat. Some of those moments include some crazy adventures like jumping into Devil’s Pool in Zambia which is a little tiny wading pool right on the edge of the Victoria Falls. Another recent trip allowed for me to fly a fighter jet and jump off a few bridges in New Zealand. I think all of these were both the most memorable, but also ones I don’t plan on repeating. J

As a far as a recommendations for travelers, when it comes to visiting a new place, I like to find out the “in the know” spots prior to any trip. LUXE City Guides are a great way to get the “live like a local” perspective as well as Condé Nast Traveler for unbiased insight and good travel app recommendations.

M&MH: What are your "must-haves" in your suitcase?

KH: My suitcase is pretty boring. It usually includes mostly black basics and flat shoes. My backpack however holds all my go-to travel essentials: iPhone, ChapStick, always a hat of some sort and typically tacky magazines that I like to cover up with a Time or Newsweek. My world sort of revolves in or around my iPhone as it gets me where I need to go and helps me figure out everything in between. Plus, my favorite thing to do when I’m in a random destination is put on Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World and see my surroundings with that in my head… It always gives me goose bumps.

 

Happy Father's Day

Better late than never - Happy Father's Day.

My Dad is the ultimate renaissance man, seriously. Perhaps more importantly, he is the ultimate adventurer. He has basically done everything I want to do. The way he lives life has inspired so many of our core values for dreams and adventures here at mr.&mrs.h.

In spite of his father's death in a plane crash, he got his pilot's license.

He owned a Porsche.

He owned a Triumph.

He is a bee-keeper

And a gardener

And he can barefoot; what more need I say?

So trust me, my dad's better than yours.

-mr.h

Summer Reading

I just finished one of the best books I've read in awhile, Love Does. It so inspired me to live--really live. It was the perfect vacation reading for me because it was light and entertaining but also compelling. It's a collection of stories from the author's life that are short, sweet, and full of adventure. If you want to live fully, richly, and deeply, I suggest adding this quick yet profound read to your summer reading list. 
-mrs. h