A Side of Sweet

Beautiful Food, Travel & Design

Snowbear Chalets in Whitefish, Montana

Snowbear Chalets offers some of the most comfortable and beautiful accommodations in Whitefish, Montana. Your stay will be the highlight of your trip!Snowbear Chalets Luxury Home Rentals Whitefish Montana

Snowbear Chalets will be your home away from home while you’re in Whitefish. These gorgeous luxury “tree houses” feature full kitchens and sleep 6 to 10 people. They are nestled right at the edge of Whitefish Mountain Resort making them perfectly suited for a Whitefish ski vacation. The owners have thought of everything from the most intricate lighting setup you’ve ever seen to premium Bosch appliances to the little things like boot warmers.

Read on for the full review!

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Guide to Summer in Whitefish Montana

Whitefish, Montana is an outdoor lover’s paradise with amazing restaurants, unique places to stay and so much to do! Here’s what to do this summer.Restaurant & Travel Guide for Whitefish MontanaLast month we spent a weekend in Whitefish, Montana and it charmed our socks off.

This was our second trip to Montana in the last two years and it was such a treat to be back! We were in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley last year and had a blast. We fell in love with the small town feel, and took full advantage of their thriving food scene, sophisticated lodging options and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. We had a similarly amazing trip to Whitefish. We ate like kings, stayed in a cozy chalet and I even tried stand up paddle boarding for the first time! My only complaint is that we didn’t have more time.

Read on for what to do in Whitefish, Montana!… Read More »

Bitterroot Valley & Hamilton, Montana Travel

A travel guide for beautiful Bitterroot Valley and Hamilton, Montana. Our favorite restaurants, breweries, places to stay and things to do.Things to Do in Bitterroot Valley & Hamilton Montana

There’s so much to do in the Bitterroot Valley and it’s super easy to explore, as the towns are all very close together. We ventured as far down as Hamilton, which is still only an hour outside of Missoula.

The Bitterroot Valley offered a great balance of outdoor activities and opportunities to relax. We hiked, biked, ate and drank to our hearts content. We visited the first week of September and the timing was perfect. The summer crowds had dispersed, and the weather was warm during the day and crisp at night.

Here’s what we loved…

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Plonk’s Cherry Sour Old Fashioned

An amazing Cherry Sour Old Fashioned cocktail recipe made with cherry infused bourbon. So easy to make, and it’s vegan and gluten free.Cherry Sour Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe made with Cherry Infused Bourbon
Pretty much everyone we talked to about recommendations for Missoula recommended Plonk Wine Bar. Even people on social media reached out to make sure we stopped in! Plonk has an amazing cocktail menu, in addition to an impressive wine list. They also have a great rooftop patio that is worth visiting if you are visiting Missoula in the summer or early fall.

By far, my favorite thing that we tried was their Cherry Sour cocktail. Made with cherry infused bourbon with muddled fruit and bitters, the cocktail is similar to an old fashioned…. Read More »

11 Things to Do in Missoula, Montana

A travel guide for beautiful Missoula, Montana. Our favorite restaurants, places to stay and things to do in Glacier Country Western Montana.

Things to Do in Missoula, Montana. Where to Eat, Places to Stay and Things to DoLast month, Pat and I had the chance to spend five days exploring Glacier Country and the Bitterroot Valley in Western Montana. The first stop on our adventure was Missoula, Montana. Missoula is a charming town that is a starting point for many of the outdoors activities that make Montana so famous. It’s also a lively college town. What I didn’t realize though, was how great the food scene is in Missoula! There are tons of restaurants and places to eat, many that rival my favorite San Francisco restaurants. Add to that bed and breakfasts, cute boutiques and great breweries and you might never leave!

Here are some of my Missoula favorites to check out when you’re in town…. Read More »

10 Minute Light & Moist Scones + Gibson Mansion

Gibson Mansion’s famous scone recipe. In just 10 minutes, you can have light & moist scones with the mix-ins of your choice. I used blackberries and white chocolate chips.
The BEST Easy Basic Light & Moist Scone Recipe - Takes 10 minutes and add ingredients of your choice, like raspberry and white chocolate

One of the highlights of our Montana trip was the two nights we stayed at Gibson Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Missoula. Built in 1903, Gibson Mansion is beautifully-decorated and carefully restored. It’s truly a gorgeous and comfortable place. It was the perfect place to start to an amazing trip.

Driving up to the mansion, I was struck by how beautiful the exterior was, and inside was even prettier! The furniture and decor leant to the Victorian-era vibes but were not garish or overdone. The guest rooms also feel like you are being transported to another era, but still have all of the modern luxuries that you’d expect with a 5-star experience. Our hosts, Tom & Nancy Malikie, really thought of everything, from soft sheets, to fresh flowers in the room.

One of the highlights of a stay at Gibson Mansion is Tom’s gourmet cooking. Breakfast has been elevated into an art form, with everything from perfectly-risen soufflés to fresh fruit. The highlight though, is Tom’s scones…. Read More »