The #1 Under-the-Radar Town to Visit in Kentucky+ 5 Little Luxuries for Summer
Stick around to browse through 19 new stories overflowing with cooking tips, recipe inspiration and more.
Happy Monday!
At the time of last edition, I was anticipating the glorious return of patio season at my townhome. I’m glad to confirm it is now in full swing thanks to my flower fairy godmother, Tara of Plant Life Designs. In the past 3 weeks, between stories and a handful of Central Iowa small town adventures with friends, I’ve enjoyed many moments of zen out there.
Speaking of those excursions, in case you’re local and are craving a charming little getaway, consider:
A ride on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone
A class, farm-to-table dinner or jazz night at Rose Farm in Norwalk
A stroll around the Courthouse Square in Winterset (I was in town for a chamber music performance at the historic Iowa Theatre, which regularly runs movies if you’d like to pop in!)



Inspired by the blooms outside my door and at Rose Farm, I couldn’t resist trying something a new with my manicure this week. Besides walk-and-talks, nail dates with pals are becoming one of my new favorite happy hour alternatives. A rejuvenating catch-up with a side of TLC? Sold.


A little further from home, I hopped down to Kentucky for the second time this month to report for Travel + Leisure about the debut of a brand-new hotel in wildly underrated Bardstown, Kentucky.
The Trail Hotel itself has a fascinating history that is woven into the fabric of so many locals’ lives. I was among the first individuals welcomed to stay, and I’m excited to take you inside—and share more about the touching backstory—in a feature that’s slated to run later this week!
Zooming out a bit, since I’ve been home, I can’t stop talking about that property and Bardstown (population 13,832) as a whole. For reference, Bardstown is an easy 45-minute drive from Louisville or 55 minutes from the Lexington airport. Bourbon lovers might be familiar with the 11 distilleries within 16-mile radius of downtown, which have earned Bardstown its title as the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” Even if you’re not into brown spirits or if you don’t drink alcohol, there’s a lot to love in this budget-friendly city that’s overflowing with Southern hospitality.
In case you’re ever in the area, a few highlights from my 3 days in town included:
Snacks at Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium
A hike through Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
A scoop from Big Wally’s Ice Cream & More
A tour at Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience (the science, family history and local economic impact of bourbon is enlightening even if you skip the samples)
And of course all sorts of deliciousness and fun at The Trail Hotel, which enters the chat as the long-awaited first luxury lodging option in the area
Have you been to Kentucky? I’d love to hear your top highlight below in the comments!
In case you missed any of the action from Bardstown or from my previous trip to Louisville, you can catch up in the “Kentucky” Instagram highlight on my profile here. This month, Oregon and Colorado are on the docket. If you’d like to follow along, I’ll be sharing recaps in real time via my Instagram Stories too!
What to Read…
From the plane (a brilliant venue for focused work!), the patio, or my desk in front of a wide open window, it has been an inspiring and educational few weeks in the world of interviews, research and reporting.
Ahead, your official permission slip to skip preheating the oven…sometimes. Baking experts are also sharing a lighthearted new trend you might want to try for your next birthday cake. Plus, I’m giving you my honest take about everything from the internet’s most popular chocolate chip cookie to Mister Rogers’ signature side dish to Martha Stewart’s favorite snack to enjoy during Scrabble matches.
Better Homes and Gardens: Don't Preheat the Oven for These 10 Recipes—Starting with a Cold Oven Is Best
Better Homes and Gardens: Whimsical Cakes Are the Biggest Baking Trend of 2025—and You Can Join the Fun
Better Homes and Gardens: What to Add to Pasta Water (and 1 Thing Never to Add), According to Chefs
Better Homes and Gardens: I Discovered the Best Trick to Upgrade Store-Bought Gnocchi—and It Couldn't Be Easier
Better Homes and Gardens: Martha Stewart's Unexpected "Favorite Sandwich" Calls for Just 2 Ingredients
Better Homes and Gardens: I Asked 4 Chefs if We Should Wrap Baked Potatoes in Foil, They All Said the Same
Better Homes and Gardens: I Tried Mister Rogers' Favorite Side Dish, It’s as Comforting as His Pep Talks
Better Homes and Gardens: 13 Diner-Inspired Recipes to Recreate Your Favorites at Home
Better Homes and Gardens: What Is a Highball? Why Bartenders Declare Them the Perfect Drink for Summer
Better Homes and Gardens: This Cookie Recipe Has More Than 12,000 Ratings—Is It Really That Good?



Better Homes and Gardens: Is It Safe to Eat Baby Carrots That Are Turning White?
Better Homes and Gardens: Should You Buy Yellow or White Corn? Produce Experts Settle the Debate
Better Homes and Gardens: Should You Pick Small or Large Avocados? We Settle the Debate
Better Homes and Gardens: Should You Pick Thick or Thin Carrots? Vegetable Experts Settle the Debate
EatingWell: We Asked 8 Chefs How to Choose the Perfect Avocado—Here's What They Said
Allrecipes: This Centuries-Old Family Recipe Still Steals the Show at Every Gathering
Allrecipes: The Best 1-Ingredient Upgrades for Bottled BBQ Sauce, According to Chefs and Pitmasters
Allrecipes: 15 Must-Make Brownie Recipes That Prove You Should Never Follow the Box Instructions Again


What to Try…
5 Upgrades to Make Summer Even More Comfortable
School’s out for summer! And even after graduation, many adults make the most of the gorgeous weather this season with a vacation, staycation and perhaps more time on the biking or hiking trails.
To ensure you’re well-equipped from the tip of your nose to your toes, I’m sharing a few stylish staples I swear by during summer. (Just like my holiday gift guide, each item below has been selected because I own it, dig it and can stand behind as a solid investment. I won’t make a dime, but it will make my day if these end up being MVPs in your life, too.)
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50
The search for the best invisible, weightless and non-greasy SPF stops here. I regularly stock up on the travel size and the biggest bottle; one for my suitcase and one for at home.
Left on Friday Swimwear
Only available in women’s designs (for now), the suits from this female-founded brand are stylish, butter-soft and available in a spectrum of coverage options. (My first investment: the Offshore Top and the Wear To Bottom in royal blue.)
July Carry On
Early on in my travel writing career, I bemoaned the fact that sturdy-looking hard case luggage would last less than a year. All of that changed when I discovered July. The carry on I purchased in 2023 has been on more than 100 flights with me to-date and is still alive, kicking and looking almost as good as new. (A quick post-trip spruce-up from a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works wonders!)
Kiziks Athens 2 Sneakers
Go ahead, keep them tied. These slip-on kicks offer cloud-like support and have saved me so much time over their months of use, whether I’m rocking them to take out the trash, head out an easy hike or depart for the airport. (This model is available in 8 colors in both men’s and women’s styles.)
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
To join for that hike, or to tote the essentials while exploring at home or on vacation, I own this waterproof belt bag in two colors. It’s just-right size for my phone, hand sanitizer, Airpods and keys, and is comfy to wear at the hips or diagonal over the chest.



One Good Thing to Go
My list of favorite podcasts continues to grow. The latest addition? This new series all about what we spend and what money means to us. With the stock market roller coaster lately, it’s a poignant reminder that nearly all of us have emotions braided into our finances, savings, debt and more. This episode about Maxine, a sweet North Carolina-based long-haul truck driver, is a great place to start.