This past weekend, my partner and I flew from New York City to Colorado to celebrate my dear friend Sara's wedding. I had visited Sara years ago and spent a day in Boulder while my partner participated in Ironman in 2015.
We were thrilled to revisit Boulder and explore its scenic beauty and charming downtown.
Before we left the city, I posted this fun poll on my IG stories—scroll down to see which outfit won!
Here was our 3-day itinerary:
Day 1
After a grueling travel day that took 10 hours due to delays, we indulged in self-care and nourishment to get our glow on.
Our first stop was Wild Bird Beauty in Longmont (20 minutes from Boulder), where we treated ourselves to a heavenly facial.
Alcie, a highly skilled esthetician who specializes in a natural approach and Korean beauty techniques, provided 90 minutes of pure bliss, incorporating massage, peels, LED therapy, microcurrent, microdermabrasion, and products by Savor Beauty.
LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that enters the skin's layers.
In the 1990s, NASA began studying LED's effects in promoting wound healing in astronauts by helping cells and tissues grow.
Skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, wrinkles, and sun damage improve over time with regular treatment.
Speaking of skin and beauty, the dry mountain air made my skin extremely parched and caused my eczema to flare up. I recommend layering your skincare routine with toners, serums, and creams, repeating this process to lock in moisture. And don't forget your SPF—the mountain sun is beautiful and brutal!
Using the Savor Beauty system, I cleansed with 1 (Rosemary Cloud Cleanser), and applied 2 (Rosemary Mint Toning Mist), 3 (Nourish Raspberry Serum), and 4 (Truffle Face Cream) in that order. I waited for about two minutes and then repeated the process before applying the Radiance Sun Milk liberally over my face, neck, and hands.
After the relaxing spa session, we caught up with my friend Kris at Gurkhas Restaurant, a woman-owned Nepalese restaurant close by.
Kris is the incredible founder of Be Good to People, a global social kindness movement.
We weren't sure what to expect at first, but Gurkhas won us over with its delicious flavors. The butter naan, Saag Paneer, and Jhol Momo (Dumpling Soup) were standouts.
If you're new to Nepalese food, think of it as a simple and clean twist on Indian cuisine with a lot of vegetarian options. I can’t take spicy foods while my partner loves all things unbearably hot, so we loved that we could choose our own spice level!
Day 2
I love to buy a memento to bring home as a token of my travels. We wandered around Boulder’s vibrant Pearl Street and found Starfish Jewelry. This boutique celebrates local artisans and offers a collection of quality jewelry without the pretense.
Elizabeth, the owner, went above and beyond to help me find the ideal necklace for Sara's wedding. She showed me a stunning Baroque pearl necklace that would perfectly complement my lovely-in-lavender attire.
I found my partner shopping at Norrona, a family-owned Norwegian apparel and accessories brand. Perfect for an athletic lifestyle, he found high-performance and stylish tees and baseball caps.
A local’s recommendation is always worth its weight in gold, and Elizabeth at Starfish Jewelry raved about Dushanbe Teahouse. The Persian-inspired decor, diverse menu, and aromatic teas inspired us to come back twice during our visit!
We savored the delicious dishes, ranging from Armenian cheese to Korean bulgogi. The experience rivals that of tea time in Manhattan's hot spots like Bergdorf Goodman and the Whitby Hotel, without the hefty price tag!
At night, we stumbled upon what quickly became one of my favorite finds: the atmospheric Tonic Alchemy Lounge. I was smitten by this chill bar with its vibey setting, oxygen therapy, chakra elixirs, and hydrosol herbal cocktails.
I chatted with our friendly host about breathwork and chakras, while my partner indulged in a lavender-infused oxygen session.
We had found our slice of heaven to relax, recharge, and bask in the healing energy of this soothing lounge.
Day 3
It's wedding morning, and my friend Sara picked me up for an intimate bridal breakfast at Snooze, a local brunch hotspot. She was feeling stressed and teary from all the last-minute wedding details.
We had a heart-to-heart conversation about how it was her time to allow feminine energy to take over and receive all the preparation, love, and friendship that surrounded her.
After breakfast, we walked to the St. Julien Hotel Spa, where I performed a chakra energy cleanse for her to clear unwanted stress. She looked lighter and brighter before she floated into her massage and manicure sessions.
The rest of the day before the wedding was spent on a mini hike, more shopping, and learning how to do my own messy low bun for the event (it’s super easy, and guests kept asking where I got it done!)
The wedding was gorgeous with a beautiful visualization led by Colorado-local author Boni Lonnsbury, soulful native flute music, thoughtful touches, and fun dancing to end the exciting evening.
From the striking mountains to the clean streets of Boulder, I love the local flair, creativity, and easy breathing that comes from its slower lifestyle.
Thank you, Boulder, for showing us your beauty. I hope this little itinerary inspires you to visit this corner of Colorado.
Safe travels and may your adventures be as magical as ours!
xx,
Angela Jia Kim
Angela Jia Kim
Founder of Savor Beauty, mom to a teen daughter and mini golden, partner to a sweet soul, forever New Yorker, unfortunate carb lover, hopeless Aries 💞