About two Sunday’s ago I got a call from our client who wanted to see if I could come to Denver that week to help produce and creative direct a shoot for their website, and while I’m there set up a few blogger appointments.

Naturally I obliged, and two days later was on my way. Vert Beauty, the client, is an all natural beauty destination in the Highlands area of Denver (and online). We’ve been working with them for a few months now and it was my first opportunity to head out there and see the store for myself.

Now those of you have been been reading this blog since it’s DFOF days (oh you know, almost 7 years…) might remember our original beauty editor, and my BFF, Kate. Kate left Los Angeles at the end of 2009 to return to her hometown of Denver where she now works at, you guessed it, Vert.

So, whilst work was the primary objective of the trip (and many many hours were spent doing exactly that) we absolutely had to squeeze in some eating, drinking and catching up.

Overall Denver I really liked Denver, good food, good cider, good views, good company (and amazing architecture – this one was really surprising, but the houses out there are wowza’s – next time I’ll get more pics of those!)

My Brother’s Bar

Pics: The JCB Burger | My Brother’s Bar exterior | Window | Wild Cider | Jalapeno Cream Cheese Poppers | Table Top

In the brief moments that I had to do research, before I headed out to Denver, I discovered My Brother’s Bar. A classic bar and burger joint (apparently Denver has a thing for burgers) My Brother’s Bar is a yummy, must do destination. I had the JCB (jalepeno, cream cheese burger) and it was ridiculous delicious.

This is where I also discovered that a) Colorado makes great cider (this one is by Wild Cider) and b) at altitude I’m a serious lightweight.

Linger

Pics: Linger exterior | Wagyu Sliders | Edamame and Hummus | Glider Cider & Pork Belly Bun | Pork Belly Bun | Patio | Linger Rooftop

After a full day’s work, the Vert team treated me to dinner at Linger – a former mortuary (not kidding) turned restaurant. We went family style and far too much food was ordered. Apparently Denver was pretty set on me leaving obese and addicted to Colorado cider, this time from Colorado Cider Company.

Inside Vert Beauty

Pics: Testing Products | Jane Iredale display | Odacite Display | Osmia Display | Testing out Laurel Skincare | A sneak peek from our product shoot | Rebecca from The Novice Native post #GreenRoutine makeover | RMS display.

Whilst yes, I’m bias, they’re a client, Vert Beauty really is an amazing destination for all thing natural and beauty. If you’re in Denver, absolutely stop by. The team is super knowledgable, and it’s well worth it. I left with a ton of new products and am in love with them all. If you’re not in Denver – well, they have a website, so you can shop from your couch. Yayness.

Colorado Cider Company

Pics: Table at Colorado Cider Co | Kate | Cider Tasting | Me cider tasting the wrong way | Cider tasting again | Spit take!

My love for cider is well-documented, my love for US cider. Not so much. The US has a tendency to make cider that is way too sweet and way too light. Colorado Cider Company is by far the best cider I’ve had in the US (because they use actual cider apples not dessert apples!). Unfortunately it’s not easy to find outside of Colorado – but if you do, I highly recommend the Glider (both the original and the dry) and the The Old Stumpy, and if you like a sweet cider, the Cherry Cider is bizarrely delicious (it actually tastes like cherry pie)

Broadway Drinks

Naturally when it comes to having a few drinks out, the fewer pics the better. We headed to Broadway, a hipster-iffic part of Denver where the bars were full and the beers cheap enough to have a good time. Not that it mattered, in Denver I’m a cheap date.

Bars visited: Historians Ale House & Sputnik

Red Rocks

On my last day we decided to get up obscenely early (alarms were set for 5.30am) to go and see Red Rocks. Thanks to the night of drinking (and by night of drinking I mean the cider tasting and about two drinks and home by 11pm – thanks altitude) we didn’t actually get there until 8am, and then we had to wait for some crazy people who got up even earlier to do yoga at red rocks to vacate the amphitheater.

The rocks, are, essentially, red and large and rocky (the name kinda gives it away), and the view is gorgeous. The space is used for all sorts of performance events and live music, and I’m confident it would be an amazing venue to see your favourite band. Next time Denver, next time.

It was here that I also learned that Denver likes Lululemon and fitness (in that order) and I saw an actual deer.

The Cherry Cricket

Before flying out we stopped by the infamous Cherry Cricket for a burger (see Denver <3’s Burgers). This place is a Denver institution with a “build your own burger” type menu. It was a great classic burger – I’m going to say I preferred My Brother’s Bar on account of the patty – but it’s a close call, so just do both, given the opportunity :)

Kelsi x