Over the years, I’ve had so many of you ask about my favorite providers from brows and hair to skincare, wellness, and beyond. I always say the same thing: finding professionals you truly trust makes all the difference in the world. Today I’m sharing my personal list of top providers and the experts I rely on and confidently recommend. I do not get sponsored or paid for sharing this information. These are genuinely providers I go to regularly and absolutely trust. Save this post for future reference and feel free to share with friends!

Tanya’s List of Top Beauty & Wellness Providers

Brows

Jodi at Queen Bee Salon & Spa  | (469) 210-3927

Jodi is my go-to for brows. A great brow shape frames your entire face, and she is simply the best. She does waxing, tweezing and tinting. I see her every 8 weeks to keep my brows in tip top shape. You can also get other services at Queen Bee Salon. I've also enjoyed a European Facial. The salon is located in Preston Center.

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Hair

For my hair, I trust two amazing professionals: Gaby and Patty

Color: Gaby (@colourandcarebygaby) |  Cut: Patty (@plj1983)

Having a great colorist and a great stylist is a game-changer. Their stations are next to each other making it convenient to book both services. I've seen both of them for years! Salon Boutique is located in Preston Center. DM Gaby on Instagram to schedule. She coordinates with Patty.

Please note that I also have a membership at the Dry Bar. Those are just for blow outs and stylings.

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Facial with Modalities

Joanna Czech (@joannaczechofficial)  |  (214) 812-9488

Joanna's facials are exceptional! She takes a holistic, results-driven approach to skincare and is a big believer in LYMA Life, which many of you know I also love. In fact, that's how I discover most of the red light therapies and modalities. I absolutely love her facials and all the products she uses. Her facials are pricey so I ask for gift certificates to Joanna as a Mother's Day, birthday or Christmas gift. It's such a treat!

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Aesthetic Injectables

Highland Park Aesthetic Medicine with Dr. Lynley McAnalley  |  (214) 692-8844

For injectables, precision and artistry matter. I completely trust Dr. McAnalley. I've been seeing her for over 20 years. She only does injectables so she is a perfectionist with a needle. Rebekah McAnalley is also in her practice and you can book various facials with her. The office is located in a highrise on Sherry Lane.

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Longevity & Wellness

Formula Wellness with Dr. Brian Rudman and Chrissy Rudman

Wellness is such a key part of looking and feeling your best. This team takes a comprehensive, science-based approach that I truly value. I began seeing them in November 2020 to get that extra weight off from the pandemic year. I started with the Metabolic Body Program but have since added hormone replacement therapy, various testing including extensive blood work every six months. Lately, I've added daily peptide shots that have really helped with my metabolism and glowing skin. They are literally the fountain of youth! I pop in to the Lovers Lane location every Monday morning after I workout for my weekly check in and shot. This shot contains my MIC+, testosterone and NAD. They pack up a weeks worth of my peptide shots. for me to take home and self administer. Dr. Rudman also serves as my concierge doctor.

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Dentist 

Preston Sherry Dental with Dr. Robert Beckmann

Dr. Beckmann is my trusted dentist. A healthy, confident smile is everything! Even Pete and P.J. see him. The practice is located on Sherry Lane.

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Personal Training & Nutrition

Weight training with Kat (@follow.your.gut.nutrition)

I notice a huge difference in my fitness level. Having the personalization and motivation of a personal trainer has really helped me stay accountable. Weight training is key, especially at this age. I've been working out with Kat every since I hired her to get me in tip top shape for Taylor's wedding in 2018. She's also handles nutrition and wellness. Not in Dallas? No worries. She works with most of her clients remotely!

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Day Spa

Canyon Ranch Wellness Club

One of my favorite places to reset, recharge, and relax. It's definitely worth the short drive to Fort Worth. It's clean, modern and features all the latest modalities and testing. Typically, I will indulge in an 80 minute facial and 80 minute massage as well as use all the amenities like dry and steam saunas.

There are so many great spas in the DFW area. I also love to indulge at The Crescent Spa, The Spa at the Joule, The Ritz Carlton Spa Dallas and recently, I discovered the Ritz Carlton Las Colinas.

If you want a destination spa, I highly recommend Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas. We've also visited Canyon Ranch in Arizona. Both are amazing and a great reset if you need one.

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Mani / Pedi

Sophia's Nail Salon 

My go-to for my regular manis and pedis. I get regular polish but they also offer gel and dip polish. I book my manicure with Sophia and my pedicure with Michael. Honestly, the entire staff is great! I love how clean and calm the salon is. I use regular polish, however the salon offers gel and dip as well. Sophia's is located on Lovers Lane.

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Dermatologist,  Lasers and Chemical Peels

Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics - Dr. Lori Stetler and Dr. Jill Feetham

When it comes to skin health and advanced treatments, expertise matters! This practice offers it all. They are board certified dermatologist and have kept my skin in the best condition for over 30 years. I have had so many treatments and procedures done here including the deep TCA chemical peel, annual skin cancer checks (who remembers this cancer story), light chemical peel facials and all of my laser work. The one I get asked about the most is the Versa Pulse laser for brown spot removal.

I have trusted Dr. Lori Stetler with my skin for years. Since she is retiring in May 2026, I have migrated over to Dr. Jill Feetham. The entire practice provides excellent care! They are located on Preston Road.

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Sugaring and Spray Tanning

Sugar and Shears (@sugarandshearsdfw) with Lindsay

Lindsay is the founder and my go-to girl because she does such a wonderful job. Jess is also great. I go to the Dallas location which is located inside the LARC salon. My sugaring  (it's like waxing but better for your skin) schedule is every 4-5 weeks. They also do a great spray tan (pictured above). I always get a spray tan a day or two before a trip.

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Chiropractor

Highland Park Spine & Sports Medicine with Dr. Mary Collings

She has been instrumental in helping me in so many ways, like my repeated shoulder injury. Feeling good in your body is just as important as looking good! Whether its a general adjustment or a sports injury, she'll have it resolved in just a visit or two. She's the chiropractor to the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and ME! Her practice is located in Snider Plaza.

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WHEW! I'm sure I am missing a few of my providers. Whether you’re local to Dallas/Fort Worth or just love discovering great providers, I hope you find this helpful. Let me know if you need more information.

xoxo - Tanya

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Good morning! We have TRAVEL on the brain and this post is consistently one of our most searched topics. Laura did this trip with friends a few years ago but we are resharing it today because it has so many great travel tips. She's younger and travels faster than I do. My trips to London and Edinburgh as well as Paris are linked in this blog post as well. Winter in Europe is magical and typically less crowded.

 Laura is taking over the blog to share her recent trip to Europe. She will share with you all the details of one week in London and Paris. In case you missed it, check out my travel guide to London and Edinburgh HERE and my winter in Paris post HERE. You may want to combine our trip ideas for your next journey. Laura had an amazing experience!

xoxo - Tanya

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One Week in London and Paris

Hi everyone, Laura here! Recently I went to London and Paris with a friend, and I'm excited to share with you all of the details. In addition to London and Paris, we took a day trip in each country. We fit this all into one week! Something to note is that we went in early February, so there are some activities that would maybe be more accessible if you go during another season. I'll go through the details day by day to make it as clear as possible. Leave a comment if you have any questions!

Day 1: Travel Day/London

To get to London, we took a non-stop American Airlines flight from DFW to Heathrow. The flight left Friday night at 8:30PM and arrived in London on Saturday at 11:30AM. Although I do not love red eye flights, this was actually the best way to do it. The flight went by really quickly and we actually arrived early. Then, we had half of a day to explore. Once we arrived, we took the Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station and then took a train to our hotel. In hindsight, it would have been cheaper for us to just take an Uber and definitely easier with all of our bags. Definitely do a price comparison before hopping on the Express train.

The first night we stayed at the Howard Winchester Hotel. This hotel is about a block away from Kings Cross Station, so it was super easy and accessible. The London tube system is a breeze to navigate, so we had no problem exploring the city. You'll find that many sites will recommend the Oyster Card, but that is not necessary. If you have a credit card with a tap option, you can use that each time you enter the tube. The only thing is that you have to tap in and tap out once again when you're exiting the station, so be sure you put your card in a safe spot.

After dropping off our bags, we headed right back out to explore the city. Tanya had suggested that we needed to keep moving when we got there to get some fresh air and fight off the jet lag. Neither of us had ever been to London, so it was a little bit of a 'storm the city' kind of day. We started out in the Waterloo area. Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are absolutely gorgeous and a must-see if you're a London first-timer. Afterwards, we headed to St. James Park, which has a direct path to Buckingham Palace and other great sights. It's the perfect place for a leisurely stroll with some beautiful views. Next, we got back on the tube and headed over to Borough Market for lunch. You can definitely explore this market for an entire afternoon. There are tons of amazing food options so it was difficult to decide on where to eat. We ended up having Indian food at Horn Ok Please and it was delicious! Borough Market is located near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, so you can easily go there before or after the market.

Another place we went to that's worth visiting was Saint Dunstan in the East Church Garden. It's a beautiful outdoor space made out of the ruins of a church that makes for a quiet escape from the bustling city. It's a great place to take pictures or sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. Another place definitely worth visiting is the Leadenhall Market. Oh my goodness, it is so beautiful! This is the market where some scenes from Harry Potter were filmed. We walked through it at night, so the lights made it truly magical. To finish off our evening, we stopped in at Tayer + Elementary, which was recently listed as number five on the World's Best Bars list. If you're able to get in quickly, then I think it is worth a visit. It has farm to cocktail type vibes and their drinks were smooth and fresh. It's located in Shoreditch, which is more of the artsy part of the city. Unfortunately, we did not have time to explore this part of town, but I've heard good things.

Day 2: Travel Day/Paris

   The main reason we stayed at a hotel near King's Cross/St. Pancras Station on the first night is because we had booked Eurostar tickets to Paris on Sunday morning and did not want to lug our bags across town. Definitely recommend! The Chunnel from St. Pancras International Station to Paris Gare du Nord was about 2.5 hours. We left at about 10:30AM and arrived in Paris a little after 2PM (time change). It was super easy. Also I recommend booking at this time since check-in times are typically about 3PM. You can book a Chunnel ticket HERE. Book as far in advance as possible because you can get really good deals and it's way less hassle than flying. Be sure and note what time your ticket says to arrive. Sometimes it's 45 minutes and sometimes 90 minutes. It just depends on the time of day you are taking the train. We knew we would be using the Metro often while in Paris, so we bought a 3 day Metro ticket pass at a ticket kiosk in Paris Gare du Nord. Like London, the Paris stations are really easy to navigate. For our stay in Paris, we booked an Airbnb in Opera in the 2nd Arrondissement and it was a great, central location.

TIP: Something we learned prior to the trip is that many museums in Paris, like Musee d'Orsay, are free on the first Sunday of every month. A week before the trip tickets were already sold out, so book way in advance! We tried going, but they did not allow walk-ups.

Our next stop was to Carette for a late lunch and their famous hot chocolate. It was great on a winter day. The best part was that our route to the cafe was on the Metro 6. This train has the most beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower! If it's an option, then definitely take this train. We went to the Carette location closest to the Eiffel Tower, so afterwards we took pictures and had a leisurely stroll along the Seine River during sunset. It was exquisite. One of my favorite views was the Louvre after dark. The I.M. Pei Pyramid is gorgeous at night!

Day 3: Paris

We started the day by heading to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. We actually did not go there for shopping, but for the view! TIP: Get there right at the opening at 10AM and head to the terrace for a view of the Paris skyline with zero crowd. Enter through the "La Coupole" doors. Plus, it's free! We tried to get into the Opera Garnier, but it was under construction. Since Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympics, we found that there was a lot of construction and renovation going on. Just double check before going on your trip. One place that was not under construction and makes for a beautiful photo op is the Palais Royale. The black and white striped pillars are unique to this area. You'll see Tanya did this shot in her Paris post too.

Since it was a cold winter day, we headed to Bo & Mie to warm up with some amazing coffee and pastries. Their croissants were crisp on the outside and buttery soft on the inside. Yum! Afterwards, we went to Musee de l'Orangerie, located in the Jardin des Tuileries. This museum is a must! Claude Monet was commissioned to create a work inside the museum and it is breathtaking. The series of paintings were designed as a space for mediation, making it a quiet escape from the city. The location of Musee de l'Orangerie makes it perfect to stroll through the gardens before or after your visit.

This day we also strolled down Boulevard Saint Germain and ate at Cafe de Flore and then took a metro to see the Arc de Triomphe. Still have no clue how there are not hourly accidents on that roundabout! Thankfully, they have an underground passageway to get from the metro stop to the other side so we could walk down Champs-Élysées. This is another fun street to stroll down. A random find was the Boutiques Publicis drugstore. Yes, it is a random public drugstore. But inside was amazing! Tons of great gifts or souvenirs, a coffee bar, a restaurant and a Pierre Hermé macaron shop (which are the best macarons in my opinion). To finish out the day we ate at a restaurant across the street from the Moulin Rouge. This area of town actually has a lot of great restaurants, so it's worth checking out. Plus, you get to see the iconic theater.

Day 4: Reims

One of my favorite days on the trip! Champagne tasting in none other than Champagne, France. We booked a tour with Sparkling Tour and it was the best decision! They were wonderful to work with and made the day perfect. Plus the tour is at a great price point. To get to Reims from Paris, we booked a train through SNCF Connect from Paris Est to Reims. It is a direct train ride and only about 45 min. Because of the train strikes, we ended up leaving earlier than originally planned, but it made for a happy accident. To kill time before our tour began, we went to L'Ours Bleu for coffee and a pastry and this was the best croissant we had in France. A must if you are in Reims!

Sparkling Tour picks you up right from the Reims train station, making it super easy. Anna was our tour guide and she was amazing! She was so knowledgeable and fun to be around. She took us to three different champagne houses in the Épernay region as well as Why Not, a Michelin Star restaurant. We also toured Dom Perignon's grave site and the church where he attended. Did you know he was a monk? We learned so many interesting facts and tidbits about how they make champagne and its' history throughout the day. The tour lasted from 9:30AM until 6PM. There is a half day option as well. I recommend taking a later train so that you have time to explore the city of Reims. The Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is the largest in the country and absolutely gorgeous. Three of the stained glass windows were designed by Marc Chagall, so it's definitely worth visiting just to see that alone. STUNNING!

Once back in Paris, we went back over to the Eiffel Tower to see the light show. It runs at the top of each hour for five minutes. It is quite romantic and iconic and was a great way to finish off our time in Paris. We also had fresh crepes from a food stand. Très délicieux!

Day 5: London

We said au revoir to Paris and took the 7:40 AM Eurostar, which arrived back in London at 9AM. This leg of the trip we stayed at the London House Hotel in the Kensington/Notting Hill area. We loved staying here. It was a great location and the staff and accommodations were great. Also, there's this incredible bakery and coffee shop around the corner called Granier Bakery. Highly recommend. Everything is freshly baked and it was the best coffee we had the entire trip.

We started the day by going to Little Venice and had breakfast at the Waterside Cafe, a floating cafe. We then strolled down both Little Venice and Portobello Road for a relaxing and fun day. There are so many cute buildings and shops to explore. If you're in Notting Hill, definitely stop by Churchill Arms for a drink or lunch. It's a sight to see, plus they have amazing Thai food. For the second half of the day, we had reservations for high tea and tickets to the ballet. We went to Fortnum & Mason for a classic English high tea, followed by Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House. Both were incredible! You need to make a reservation in advance at Fortnum & Mason and be sure and book your ballet tickets far in advance. The show was sold out and it was a Wednesday night! Since my friends and I grew up training at the same ballet studio, the ballet was a must-see for us.

Day 6: Bath Spa/Castle Combe

Another one of my favorite days! We took the 10:02 AM train from London Paddington and arrived in Bath Spa at 11:20 AM. Again, super easy and direct train. We booked this in advance through Trainline (I found this site to have the cheapest fares). Once in Bath, they had tour guides standing outside of the train station to pass out maps and give you helpful tips. It's a super walkable town and SO beautiful. Did you know they film parts of Bridgerton here? We started exploring the Georgian town by walking through Bath Abbey followed by a visit to the Roman Baths (hence where the name Bath comes from). This museum is well worth the price of admission! These baths have been well maintained since their origination over 2,000 years ago. They have a wonderful audio guide that takes you through many ancient artifacts. You even get the opportunity to drink the water like they did back in the day (very weird flavor...that's all I will say).

We also explored The Holburne Museum (Lady Danbury's house for Bridgerton fans), the Royal Crescent and The Circus (not to be confused with the three ring spectacle kind). There are tons of shops, restaurants, and museums in Bath, so you could easily spend a weekend there. One of the best places we ate on the entire trip was The Crystal Palace. It is a cute and cozy upscale pub with fresh and delicious food. I recommend the fish and chips!

Another area we really wanted to explore was Castle Combe, a village in the Cotswolds. The easiest way is to take a taxi from the Bath Spa train station. It's about a 20-30 min drive. Even if you have a rental car, it is not an easy drive unless you are an experienced UK driver. Once we got to Castle Combe, we spoke to the receptionist at The Manor House to book us a taxi back since they do not have a station.

Ok so this is the cutest and quaintest village! I think we saw 10 people total. It's the perfect day trip or romantic getaway. All of the original buildings are still there from the 1600's, making it feel like you've stepped back in time. If you've seen Steven Spielberg's War Horse then the village will look familiar to you ;)

Day 7: London

 We started our final day by attending the Changing of the Guards ceremony at Buckingham Palace. A couple things to note - the signs say it begins at 11AM and lasts for 5 minutes. It started more like around 10:30 AM and lasted for about an hour! Luckily, we got there a little before 10:30 AM and got a spot at the gate. It is a neat ceremony to watch, but I wouldn't necessarily schedule your entire day around it. This day we also did some shopping and more exploring. Covenant Garden and Neal's Yard (hidden colorful street pictured above) are both great areas to check out. We finished out our time in London with a fun cocktail from Mr. Fogg's and a Sri Lankan inspired dinner at Hoppers in Soho. I recommend both!

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The following day we took a direct American Airlines flight from London Heathrow at 12:10 PM and landed in Dallas at 4:30 PM. We took an Uber from our hotel to the airport not only to avoid hassle, but also because it was cheaper than the train. Definitely leave early when flying out of Heathrow. There is nothing quick about that airport!

There you have it! One week in London and Paris. In hindsight, I really would not have changed anything about this trip other than that it was too short! There were many more items on our list that we just did not get to, but the things we did do were all wonderful. If we had stayed longer, I would have stayed an extra day in Reims and an extra day in Bath Spa. I guess I will just have to go back soon!

Would love your input about our trip. Have you been to London and Paris?  - Laura

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Happy Galentine's Day! I am grateful for all of the Galentine's I have as part of my Tanya Tribe! Now that Valentine's Day festivities are almost over, it has me craving spring weather and spring clothing. Time to trade in our dreary loungewear and winter fashion for some cheery spring styles. Today’s post is all about the five spring fashion trends that will have you craving spring.

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5 Fashion Trends to Look Forward to This Spring

The Color Story: Butter Yellow & Soft Sky Blue

Spring’s color story is rooted in warmth and ease. Yellow continues to emerge as the standout shade of 2026. You're going to see a variety of shades such as butter yellow, lemon, brighter shades, and even richer shades like marigold. Choose the shade that works best with your skin tone. Paired with soft sky blue tones and clean white pieces, it feels fresh and timeless. A light yellow cardigan layered over spring basics is one of those pieces that instantly makes an outfit  refreshed for spring. Of course you're also going to see your typical florals and pastels, but try leaning into these colors more this year.

Polished Dresses Are Back

Polished dresses are also having a moment again, especially styles with clean lines and structure. A tailored tweed yellow mini dress feels feminine and works just as well for spring events as it does for an elevated everyday look. These are the kinds of dresses that don’t rely on trends but rather on shape, fit, and fabric.

Elevated Basics > Statement Pieces

Instead of statement-heavy styling, Spring 2026 is embracing elevated basics. A pale blue organza shell tucked into white wide-leg denim or paired with an organza pencil skirt creates an outfit that feels effortless but pulled together. These are the wardrobe staple pieces that make getting dressed easier and make your wardrobe instantly chic.

Accessories: Delicate & Vintage-Inspired

Accessories this season lean romantic and slightly vintage-inspired. Floral statement earrings add charm without overwhelming an outfit, while woven ballet flats continue to dominate as the go-to shoe. A structured light blue shoulder bag ties everything together and adds polish without feeling heavy for spring.

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Does this list have you craving spring fashion? Which trends are you looking forward to most? Check out more spring looks I'm craving HERE.

  xoxo - Tanya

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Chile had long been on my travel bucket list — from the cosmopolitan energy of Santiago to the world’s clearest night skies and the mysterious, windswept beauty of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). And after two weeks exploring this breathtaking country, I can confidently say Chile is one of those rare places that captivates both your spirit and your senses.

If you’re planning a trip of your own, make sure you pair this with my packing list for Chile — you can find it HERE. Trust me, it’ll make your life so much easier as you hop between climates from high desert to ocean breeze. Especially since it's in the southern hemisphere and opposite our season.

I'm going to break this blog post up into three sections. Santiago (our base), Las Campanas Observatory and Easter Island. I was invited to join this special trip by my friend Ruth M. You might remember we did this trip to Africa together. This adventure was a small group trip organized by the Perot Museum with exclusive opportunities. I'm sharing in case you want to build your own trip to this South American treasure. I also saved trip tidbits to this Instagram Highlights.

Santiago: City Culture, Cuisine, and Panoramic Views

When you land in Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, you immediately notice its rich blend of old world charm and modern sophistication. The Andes Mountains frame the skyline, and the city pulses with creativity, heritage, and food culture. Santiago is a large, bustling city of over 8 million people. Our journey was an easy one as Dallas to Santiago is a nine hour non-stop flight on American Airlines in winter. It's a seasonal non-stop; otherwise you can connect through Miami.

We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Santiago, and honestly, it was the perfect introduction to Chile. The hotel itself feels like a serene urban oasis — spacious rooms, impeccable service, and just the right mix of luxury and warmth. This is what I call our base hotel. It has a beautiful pool, large outdoor spaces and included daily breakfast. Everything you need to get acclimated to a new country.

We enjoyed two special dinners with guests while in Santiago. The first was at Carnal, known for their exceptional steaks and more. It's chic yet relaxed, with an open kitchen and lively energy. That was my first introduction to a Pisco Sour (pictured above). There we got our introduction to astronomy with Carnegie Science special guest and president, Dr. John Mulchaey. Pete and I got to hear his presentation at the Perot Museum and he is fascinating!

Our second dinner was at Peumayen. This is a deeper taste of Chile’s culinary soul and a cultural feast. Every dish draws from Chile’s indigenous roots — from the Mapuche to the Aymara — showing a side of Chilean cuisine most travelers never experience. Our special guest that night was Dr. Terry Hunt, professor of anthropology and specialist in Polynesian history, who got us ready for our Easter Island (Rapa Nui) visit.

No trip to Santiago is complete without a visit to Cerro San Cristóbal — the iconic hill overlooking the city. You take the funicular from Barrio Bellavista — an experience in itself, with panoramic views gradually unfolding. There’s a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary, lookouts with sweeping city views, and cozy cafés if you want to linger. It's a great pic to capture.

Las Campanas Observatory: Telescopes and Stargazing 

One of the most otherworldly parts of my Chile adventure was visiting Las Campanas Observatory in the Atacama Desert. If you’re drawn to astronomy or just fascinated by vast skyscapes, this will blow your mind. The Atacama Desert is arguably the best place on Earth for stargazing. Why? Extremely dry air — almost no moisture to distort light. High altitude — thinner atmosphere means sharper views. Minimal light pollution — pure darkness that reveals the Milky Way in all its glory.

While Las Campanas Observatory is not open to the public, you can find observatories that you can visit. Notably, the McDonald Observatory in Texas is an excellent observatory open for public visits. Mount Wilson Observatory in Pasadena, California is also a great place to visit. We were so lucky with two clear nights of excellent dark skies and star gazing. In fact, my picture of the Milky Way was taken with my iPhone. How amazing is that!

While there, we visited with and learned from leading astronomers about the Swope Telescope, the DuPont Telescope the twin Magellan Telescopes. We also toured the Giant Magellan construction site, which is being built now and hopefully will be finished in 2030  Each night, we would have fireside chats about astronomy, watch the sunset and when we were at complete dark sky, we would enjoy stargazing with the astrophysicists. It was magical!

Tanya's Tip: If you can't make it to an Observatory, head to your local science museum or planetarium. They do a great job of an introduction to astronomy. In Dallas we have the Perot Museum. Better yet, become a member of the museum HERE. If you are in L.A., be sure to visit the California Science Center.

Easter Island: Explora Resort & The Rapa Nui Adventure

From starry deserts to the remote wonders of the Pacific — Easter Island (Rapa Nui) was the crescendo of our Chile journey. This small, volcanic island — thousands of miles from mainland Chile — feels like a world apart. Santiago to Rapa Nui is a 5 hour non-stop flight on LATAM Airlines. They offer two flights per day to the island and the intake of visitors is tightly controlled.

We stayed at Explora Resort while on Easter Island and I highly recommend it. The resort felt like a gateway to the island itself — elegant, inviting, and totally in harmony with its surroundings. Rooms blend modern style with indigenous touches. Breakfasts with local fruit and coffee, dinners with fresh seafood — all excellent and always thoughtfully prepared. Everything is included in your Explora Resort stay. The staff and guides at Explora make Rapa Nui feel accessible, meaningful, and deeply personal. They are proud of their island and heritage and are happy to share their knowledge with you.

Moai, Hiking, and Mystical Landscapes

Easter Island’s most iconic feature, of course, is the moai — those massive stone figures scattered across the island. But there’s so much more to explore. Since we were with Dr. Terry Hunt, an expert in Polynesian history and Rapa Nui, we were in excellent hands each day. His book, The Statues That Walked is an excellent read if you are interested in this subject matter or plan to visit. Of note, Easter Island also provides some excellent stargazing at night. You are looking at the southern hemisphere and will easily see the Southern Cross and Milky Way on a clear night.

We did two daily explorations and mild hikes per day and visited amazing sites. Ahu Tahai, the southern coasts monumental aju and moai at Vinapu, Vaihu and Akahanga, Rano Raraku - the stone quarry where over 400 moai remain in various stages of carving and being transported. You can also walk a portion of the ancient moai transport road to get a feel of how they moved the giant statues so long ago. We also visited Tongariki and Te Pito Kura, home to the island's most massive moai. We got a very special treat arranged through Explora Resort - a picnic barbeque lunch at Anakena Beach. This is the only sandy, swimmable beach on the island.

We also visited Rano Kau, the extinct volcano where rapamycin was discovered and Orongo - the Birdman ceremonial village which was fascinating! If you are wondering how we saw so much - you do two explorations per day with your expert guide (much like a safari). At night, our group always gathered at the Explora Resort bar for a cocktail or mocktail and then enjoyed dinner. Everything is included at Explora Lodge. One night we did venture out to town to enjoy cocktails and the cultural show at Te Moana. It was well worth it. The dancers were phenomenal!

On our last day, we explored Ahu Akivi and Puna Pau, the red scoria quarry. These are the structures that look like hats on top of the moai.

Chile swept me off my feet — in city streets, desert stars, and Pacific winds. It’s a country of contrasts: sleek urban style meets ancient traditions; barren desert skies hold infinite stars; and remote islands feel both isolated and eternally connected. And while this journey was incredible, your own adventure will be uniquely yours — shaped by the paths you choose and the moments that surprise you.

Just remember one thing: great trips start with great preparation. If you haven’t already, check out my Chile packing list HERE — it’s especially helpful for navigating Chile’s many climates. I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below.

xoxo - Tanya

P.S. A HUGE thank you to my dear friend Ruth for including me on this trip of a lifetime! Also, kudos to Dr. Linda Silver and Katherine Stenesen from the Perot Museum and Jason Valdivia of Valdivia Ventures for the perfect itinerary and planning!

packing list

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ICYMI ... I went on the trip of a lifetime recently to Chile and Easter Island. I will update you on all trip details soon, but in the meantime I want to share with you what I wore and packed for a two week trip. This is variety of outdoors and active looks along with resort, daytime looks. This is not only the perfect packing list for Chile, but also if you are going on a resort and/or hiking adventure this year. It could also be your sign to book the trip! Of note, it is summer in South America so you will see a variety of resort looks that were perfect for the warm temperatures.

Please pardon the very informal pics. I shoot these with my tripod in the room when I am getting ready. And I'm typically in a hurry! :-)

What to Pack for Chile

Travel Looks

Let's start with cozy looks for travel. This crew pullover and sweatpants (size S) were the perfect combo for a long flight. Of course I wore these sneakers, which I featured in my top shoes for travel post. Since it was a long flight and Santiago served as our home base while we took side trips, I packed this large four wheeled suitcase for the main traveling days and this backpack for shorter travel stays where I left the large luggage at the hotel. I also put this puffer tote bag in my large suitcase so I could have it for our short trips. This made everything easier.

Another perfect loungewear set for travel is this Alo crewneck sweatshirt and sweatpants combo (size S). I love the color and easy style.

My going home look is a best seller on my site. These Spanx wide leg pants and half zip sweatshirt set (size M) is the softest and easiest loungewear. Plus, I love the chocolate brown color. I put the 3/4 zip pullover on when I am on the plane as I am always cold. Plus, we were returning to Dallas in January, which is cold weather.

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Daytime & Dinner Looks

Chile makes me think of bold, vibrant colors and styles! For an easy daytime to dinner look, style this yellow cardigan with this striped button down blouse (size S), these white wide leg jeans, and this raffia bag. I styled it with these heeled sandals, also featured in my best shoes for travel post.

How perfect is this strapless maxi printed dress (size S)? Not only is it gorgeous, but it's also called the TANYA dress! For an easy dinner look, I styled it with this denim jacket, this raffia bag, and these heeled sandals.

You definitely need this printed midi skirt (size S) for a gorgeous piece that can take you from day to night. I put them back with these stone sandals for a chic yet relaxed combo. I just wore it with a simple white tee.

For a stunning dinner look, you need this seersucker embroidered dress (size S). I loved the unique embroidered detail and tunic style.

How fun is this pink embroidered tunic dress (size S)? I love the beautiful floral design and bright colors. It can easily take you from daytime shopping to dinner and everything in between.

For an elevated look that still versatile, style this printed blouse (size S) with these cream wide leg crop jeans (size 4). It is also a great everyday look for spring!

This look was curated from pieces I wore multiple times throughout the trip. I love packing in a way that makes it easy to match. Style an all white look with a denim jacket (size S) for the perfect daytime look. Just swap out sneakers for sandals and you're ready to go to dinner!

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Hiking Looks

The set I can't get enough of! This sculpt leggings and bra set (size S) was perfect for active hiking days. It is so flattering and comfortable. I paired it with this ruched windbreaker (size S) for windy days or chilly mornings.

This ribbed cropped tank and flare leggings (size S) was an ultra flattering set I wore on repeat for outdoor hiking or exploring. For longer days outside, I paired it with this lightweight hoodie (size S). It's made with UV protection material for that extra sun protection. This was super important as we were in the sun most of the day.

Ready for a long hike day! This long sleeve top and these sculpting biker shorts (size S) kept me protected and cool all day long. I got these hiking boots (also available here) to wear for my trip and they were really supportive and easy to walk in. I wore these hiking socks to protect me from blisters and rubbing. I liked hiking with this belt bag because it was a great size for my phone, wallet, and sunscreen without weighing me down like a backpack can.

Another look perfect for hiking is this sculpted tank with these athletic pants (size S). It was the perfect weight for a long day of exploring. Y'all these hiking pants are super cute and I might just wear them in Dallas too.

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I hope you now feel packed and ready to go for your Chile adventure! Check out more resort styles here.

xoxo - Tanya

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