#dawnsdestinations

[dawnspiration-blog]

The Welcome and Warmth of Eilan Hotel and Spa, San Antonio, Texas

For our first full day in San Antonio, we received quite the warm welcome - arriving to our partnership with Éilan Hotel & Spa & @BlueGreenVacations to be met with a sophisticated blue suite that felt more like the upper east side in New York than hill country of San Antonio, a bottle of fine bubbly and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

The next day? Nick Yedinak and I were treated to a couples’ massage that soothed our muscles, touched our hearts and brought tears to our eyes.

After a super stressful month, I can’t begin to tell you how much we needed this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t wait to share our next day here in this little heaven with y’all, but for now, we’re off to a delicious Texas tasting dinner. Is this real life?

#sponsored #BlueGreenVacations #DawnsDestinations #DineAndDishWithDawn

[dawnspiration-blog]

My Feelings about the Fashion LA Awards

Wait. How did I get here?  On Sunday night, I found myself a guest at the exclusive Fashion LA Awards with The Daily Front Row and Sunglass Hut - with Lady Gaga on my left,Christian Siriano in front of me, supermodels surrounding me, and Celeste Barber emceeing onstage, cracking self-deprecating jokes that felt refreshingly close for comfort when she declares she’s a size 14 and shares her shock at being the cover model for InStyle this month. I’m not really what one would call a “born fashionista.” My best friend since 11 is. She was always diminutive and gorgeous and clothes always fit her with an exact precision I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing only a few times in my life. She was even a fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar and InStyle. But not me. No, I’m the girl who has felt uncomfortable not just in her skin - but in quite a few showrooms in my time when kind stylists have tried to dress me, and just can’t seem to find the fit or style “for my size” - oftentimes showing me fashion more fitting for a mother-in-law to wear for a wedding in her golden years than a curvy woman aiming to look ravishing on a red carpet. Currently, I feel about 20 lbs overweight - thanks in part to 2 boxes of Girl Scout cookies over the past week - which pales in comparison to the 80 lbs overweight I have felt at earlier times in my life - thanks to the magazines and gaunt models of the 90s. But there I was on Sunday night - not just in spite of my own shaky self-confidence of the past, but in spite of those who doubted me and, perhaps more specifically, in spite of me, who frequently doubted myself. What a world this is! I love how many true friends in Hollywood I had there and hugged and “snuggled” - if even for just a second. I love the host, Celeste - whom I hadn’t had the pleasure of being introduced to until that night. I love each and every presenter and the passion with which they spoke about the award recipient to whom they were honored to present. I even love whomever was sitting behind me who loudly hiccuped for the entire duration of the event and was brave enough not to leave the room filled with silence and sequins. Now, THAT takes courage and chutzpah. It was a night I will always vividly remember, and hence, never forget - thanks to Lady Gaga’s lengthy, loving speech for her hairstylist Frederic Aspiras to being introduced to fashion icons who spoke of inclusion, passion, hard work and vision - and, thanks to the stunning sunglasses from Prada, Coach and Tory Burch, which Sunglass Hut surprised me with. It was one of the many moments that make up a life in Hollywood - a life that’s not always easy, not always kind and not always as shiny and easy to navigate as it looks on Instagram - but always filled with surprises. After the awards, sitting in a booth at the Peninsula, surrounded by friends and sitting next to my love - I felt only gratitude for this life that has been just as curvy and uncertain as I have been over the years. Dress: Fuzzi Sunglasses: Coach at Sunglass Hut Hair: Drybar — at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

[dawnspiration-blog]

Another Day in Paradise at the Four Seasons Resort Maui

I know for many of us, vacations are meant for mornings sleeping in, but I’ve woken up every day here at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea at 6 am to catch the sunrise - because it seems almost impolite not to with this view. To be in paradise is a gift. But to be in paradise, hosting a few of my favorite influencers, enjoying some of the best food and wine in the world with the best chefs, winemakers and sommeliers is more than I could wish for. I’m so excited to share a few of my favorite moments with you all over the coming days - of both the awe-inspiring property and our inaugural Four Seasons Maui Wine & Food Classic. I don’t know how I earned my place here - but I am so grateful I did, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s #FSmauiClassic. After you share in these moments with me, you’re going to want to come, too - I have a feeling. Be sure to follow along my stories, as well, to catch all of the moments in their deliciousness and decadence. As for me? I’ll just be over here pinching myself and capturing more gorgeous moments like this one. #FSmauiclassic #DawnsDestinations #FSmaui #foodandwine #dineanddishwithdawn — at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

[dawnspiration-blog]

Lunch-Brunch Poolside with La Croix Water and Acme House Rental Company, Palm Springs Styling

This is the story of a modern-day princess at @Modernism_Week, clad in @CandiceHeld, hosting the ultimate @DineAndDishWithDawn @LaCroixWater Lunch-Brunch with a poolside gifting suite at her @AcmeHouseCo luxury Palm Springs vacation rental home to celebrate the upcoming @FashionWeekElPaseo on @ShopElPaseo in @VisitPalmDesert in March.

🍓🍍🥑🍳🍩 Now, THAT is a mouthful - almost as full as our bellies were after this colorful, delicious affair.

With a sparkling @LaCroixWater bar

replete with juices, berries, mango and pineapple ripe for sparkling concoctions - and, my best homemade recipes - featuring @WholeFoods fresh ingredients - including my Jemez Springs green chile & goat cheese casserole, not-bite-left heavenly hashbrown casserole, apple fritter bake and @wholefoods vegan donuts, this occasion was one event frontloaded to keep us not only fed

but feeling FABULOUS as we navigated our way through midcentury architecture and design and galas GALORE for 5 days and 4 nights.

But even sweeter than all of that sweetness above were my fair maidens that joined me for this epic voyage. Attended by @AmandasGood of Cameron Diaz’s @TheBodyBook, @EliseJoanFitness @ElizabethObaker @JennieMiremadi as well as a non-maiden or two including @paulvitagliano, producer of @somebodyfeedphil, @NickYedinak and more, this brunch was even more scrumptious and colorful that the bright and cheery photos of our @DawnMcCoyMedia associate creative director, @elizabethobaker. And, THAT is saying A LOT, y’all.

It was truly one for the books. I really wish you could have been there

But then again, maybe next year, you will be?

But let’s save that tease for another time...

#LaCroix #DineAndDishWithDawn #DawnsDestinations #ModernismWeek #FashionWeekElPaseo #ShopElPaseo #VisitPalmDesert 📷: @elizabethobaker for #DawnMcCoyMedia ••• Special thanks to @lacroixwater and @goodcarmastudio My dress: @candiceheld Groceries c/o: @wholefoods Menu graphic design & illustration by @courtneycoloring Poolside gifting suite c/o @ahava @thedrybar & @tocca

[dawnspiration-blog]

Dawn’s Destinations: The Social Scene and Girl’s Getaway of Modernism Week

Two years ago, I fell in love with Modernism Week even more than I had my first year when my best friend, Christopher Kennedy, not only introduced me to this glamorous affair - but welcomed me into it as a tastemaker designer for #VillaGoLightly. This year, I fell in love with it all over again, thanks to these four gorgeous gals and our #DawnsDestinations x #AcmeSocialClub getaway with Acme House Company Vacation Rentals. For 5 days and 4 nights, my crazy-beautiful #DawnsDestinations life led me to this trip with these girls in this place. Caftans and cocktails. Dinners and dressing up thanks to fabulous designers - like Monica Mahoney-Adler & Ripley Rader. Galas and gowns. Food and photo shoots. Blowouts and bawdiness. Nightcaps and naughty behavior.🍸 Needless to say, our time ended up being nothing short of magical, life-enriching and FUN. It was a reminder to me to trust that each moment is crafted far beyond our plans. And, also, that whenever a road seems to take a wrong turn, I am absolutely, unmistakably being led back to the right path - even when the obstacles seem insurmountable. I am thankful for these women. I am grateful for this community of clients and company like Discover Palm Desert Visit Greater Palm Springs Visit Palm Springs and Acme House Company - who have all not only welcomed me with warm hearts, hugs and cozy homes, but with open arms and endless creative possibilities. And, as I actually tried to live in the moments as I was living them, I now am SO thrilled to share with you the memories that were made here. I would say I feel “lucky,” but I’ve worked way too hard for that. No, I feel rewarded and, good God, I feel happy. And, I’m so happy that I get to share all of these beautiful memories with not only these kind, beautiful, dynamic women - but with all of you, thanks to the spirit of social media. I share these with you as we begin our next #DawnsDestinations x #AcmeSocialClub Getaway toasting the upcoming Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival. But, for now? I just celebrate this time, this place and these women - Elizabeth Odom Baker Elise Joan @jenniemiremadi & Amanda Solomon Goodfried. #DawnsDestinations #AcmeSocialClub #DineandDishWithDawn 📷: Nick Yedinak for #DawnMcCoyMedia #ModernismWeek — with Elise Joan, Amanda Solomon Goodfried and Elizabeth Odom Baker at The Christopher Kennedy Compound.

[dawnspiration-blog]

Pursuing our Passions and Turning Craft into Careers

“Life isn’t one big party, Dawn.” “Work is work.” “The life YOU want isn’t a ‘normal’ life.” “Being a social butterfly isn’t a career.” “You can’t make a living out of playing dress-up.”

Oh, I beg to differ. And, I never really have minded being different. Look - don’t confuse people’s lack of understanding your dreams for a lack of understanding yourself. In your deepest instincts, listening to that persistent voice inside you that just won’t be quieted even by the naysayers - ESPECIALLY by the naysayers - you know what is right for you. You feel it in your heart. You can feel it in your bones. And, you know like you know like you know, what your deepest destiny is. Ignore it, and well, that’s when things get a little squirrelly and all upside down. Instead of pursuing your passions, you find yourself filling that void in ways that can never satiate that hunger and with potions that can never quite quench that deepest thirst. I pursued my passion - correction: my PASSIONS - and eschewed a life of academia like the rest of my family. Let’s just say it wasn’t - ahem - a popular choice.

I pursued my passion - correction: my PASSIONS - and eschewed a life of academia like the rest of my family. Let’s just say it wasn’t - ahem - a popular choice. But let me tell you that on an epic night like last night with Elton John and Sandals Resorts, I wasn’t thinking about what was or wasn’t popular back in the day, I was thinking about how I must have taken a few right turns along the way to end up in a place like this and in company like this. These ladies in my company pictured here with me - Emily Schuman FullerCassydy Berliner Kaysha Keyma Cookie Morgan - all inspire me because they too pursued their passions and turned a craft into a career.

While we may have been too busy enjoying Elton and each other’s company to really talk about all that, when you’re in a moment like this that really tickles your soul and makes you smile even more than normal, it’s a really good indication that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be and surrounded by people you’re supposed to be surrounded by. All this is to say - you know what’s right for you and you don’t need anyone’s permission to live a life you’re dreaming of...or, in my case, to find yourself in your 40s in sequins and sparkly sunglasses, playing dress up, surrounded by people who delight your soul. 📷: @viviensphotos Getty Images #EltonJohnFarewellTour #SandalsHydeOut #DawnsDestinations #Dawnspiration

[dawnspiration-blog]

Impromptu Itinerary of Witnessing Wonders

A week ago today, I boarded a little boat in Cabo to eat sweet potato donuts...and, whale watch. I had zero expectations for this impromptu itinerary switch because I assure you that this was not something that had ever been on any bucket list of mine. But as our captain spotted whales and I sat on the side of the boat, bouncing happily along as the waves crashed all around me - and, I hung on for dear life - I took a moment to take IN the moment for what it was.

Something new. Something different. Something unexpected. Something unasked for. And, aren’t those the best kind of dreams come true? The dreams we never even knew to dream of? And, the wishes for which we never knew to wish?

In that moment, one of the 14 giant humpback whales we had seen proceeded to put on a show for us by leaping out of the water and flipping. He was not only an entertainer. He was a show-off. I squealed with glee - and, the sound was familiar to me. It was the same sound I’ve made since I was a tiny girl when something utterly, deliciously delights and tickles me and my senses. This is why I travel.

And, this is why I try to travel light - not in the form of suitcases (because y’all KNOW I pack heavy) - but in the form of expectations. When you leave room in your proverbial suitcase of life while traveling, you leave space for memories to be made - ones that you never even could have imagined. And, that’s way more delicious than even the sweetest sweet potato donut. #DawnsDestinations #RelishTheHeritage #JWlosCabos #DineandDishWithDawn #ElarcoLosCabos #LosCabos

[dawnspiration-blog]

When you Find Your Vacation Drink of Choice

Upon arriving at JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa, each guest is immediately offered an Arnold Palmer...or, a John Daly, if you prefer - an alcoholic version of an Arnold Palmer - and, I DO prefer. The perfect proportion of strongly brewed black tea, fresh-squeezed lemonade and Cointreau, it is now one of my all-time favorite cocktails I’ve ever tasted on a #DawnsDestinations. And, it IS truly the taste of paradise, my friends.🍹🍹 #DineandDishWithDawn #DawnsDestinations #RelishTheHeritage #JWloscabos