Postcard from Andaz Papagayo, Costa Rica

Happy Sunday Darlings, 

I'm finally back in NYC for a little while. I've been traveling nonstop for the past 4 weeks and didn't even have the chance to tell you that I was heading to Costa Rica a week ago!! I'm currently in the process of preparing my new illustrated story for Dubai, but in the meantime I'll share with you some of my favorite photos from my stay at Andaz Papagayo.

I had seen glimpses of this hotel on Instagram prior to visiting but, like most things, nothing compares to seeing it in real life. First off, the climate in Costa Rica is so balmy and tropical. It instantly brought my stress levels down to nonexistent. This photo above is from the reception and it certainly sets the tone for your experience on property. Andaz Papagayo is a perfect paradise retreat for the NYC city girl or boy.

Just look at their sparkling infinity pool above, which we had nearly to ourselves the entire time we were there. We were visiting right at the end of their rainy season and got so lucky with sunshine everyday.

I knew I was in for serious trouble though when I first entered my room and saw my own personal terrace overlooking the bay. How was I ever going to be able to leave this place?! That balcony became my outdoor studio for the week and it was perfection...

Our first morning there, Andaz took us to a small local village where we got to see traditional folk dancing performed by the most beautiful Cost Rican students. I was so beyond inspired watching them dance that I had to keep painting them in my sketchbook to express how I felt.

We also got to learn about the coffee growing process in Costa Rica and pick beans straight from the trees (see below).

As soon as I got back to property, I immediately started getting down all that inspiration. There is nothing like drawing straight from your travels and capturing all those vivid first impressions.

The next morning I was greeted by a monkey on my terrace who came charging towards me when I made the quietest hello. I have never experienced anything like that before. It was the perfect reminder that Andaz Papagayo is really built into a very natural, tropical landscape.

Some of my favorite memories on property were having a hot stone massage in the open air cabana overlooking the water, learning mixology at Chao Pescao while designing my own signature cocktail, as well as eating the most incredible ceviche our last night at Ostra. It was the perfect getaway to recharge before the holiday season in NYC.

I'm so excited to share my last few projects and adventures of 2016 with you soon. Stay tuned and as always, follow along daily on INSTAGRAM @TRAVELWRITEDRAW for more.

Much love,
Meag xx

My DFS Holiday Campaign 2016 in Hong Kong!!

Hello, Hello Darlings!!

I'm back from my magical whirlwind trip to Dubai. I had the TIME OF MY LIFE on this trip and I'm feeling pretty heartbroken to be back. So much dancing, so many adventures, and so many laughs were had over two weeks in the UAE. But my return was made infinitely sweeter with the launch of my 2016 DFS Holiday Campaign in Hong Kong. This trip and partnership took place in late June and I was counting down the weeks until I got to share the results with you. This project was an absolute dream come true - to see Travel Write Draw really come into fruition. I still can't believe this happened. See how I immersed myself in this infinitely vibrant city in the video above.

If you give joy, you will receive it #GiveJoy!! More to come...

Much love,
Meag xx

Heading to Dubai Tomorrow with Atlantis, The Palm!!

Hello My Loves,

I wanted to post a quick update to let you all know that I'm heading to Dubai tomorrow with Atlantis, The Palm!! This will be my first time returning to the city since my original visit 6 years. As some of you know, Dubai was the trip that inspired me to start TravelWriteDraw which is why I'm so excited to be returning for my career. I can't wait to share what I'll be working on from this trip. Be sure to follow my adventure over on Instagram @TravelWriteDraw. I'll be posting there daily.

Stay tuned for more darlings!!

Much love,
Meag xx

CNTraveler Illustrated Rome Guide

Hello My Loves,

I'm back from the most blissful vacation in Croatia and I'm SO excited to share with you this illustrated guide I created exclusively for Conde Nast Traveler from my trip to Rome last month. As you know, I stayed with Rome Cavalieri and had the pleasure of interviewing their Digital Marketing & Communications Manager on all things Roman etiquette. This guide is the result of that interview. I hope you love it.

Check it out here: http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-08-08/5-common-mistakes-travelers-make-in-rome

Much love,
Meag xx

Croatia Bound Today, Wahoo!!

My Darlings!!

I can't even believe it but today I am heading off to Croatia!! I booked this vacation thinking work would be calm during August, but as it turns out, I am completely WRONG. I have so much on my plate in preparation for September/Fashion Month and I'm completely overwhelmed. Looks like I'll be very much on email for the next 9 days lol.

As always, be sure to follow my adventures in Croatia on INSTAGRAM @TravelWriteDraw!!

Excited to share all the new partnerships I have coming up next month.

Much love,
Meag xx

Postcard from Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria

Hello Darlings, 

I've finally returned from my whirlwind adventure in Italy and can't wait to share with you the highlights of my trip with the beautiful Rome Cavalieri. For those of you who aren't familiar with the property, it sits right above the eternal city, giving you the most unparalleled panorama views of Rome. And despite all the gold embellishment and 5 star sparkle, it feels like a true home away from home. In fact, it feels like you are visiting your very wealthy relatives who host the most lively pool parties, own the most extensive personal Italian art-collection, and boast the most warmhearted staff who make you feel so cared for.

My fellow travel mates and I, including Meagan Cignoli, Sam Horine, Katie Sturino, and Melanie Brandman, arrived in Rome bright and early on Saturday July 9th and kicked off our day with breakfast by the pool at L'Uliveto. The photo above was taken from my Imperial Room bedroom balcony. The view was just breathtaking spanning the entire city (you can see the dome of St. Peter's Bascilia to the far right).

For us, Day 1 was really about familiarizing ourselves with the property. We got to have a personal tour of the art collection, followed by an incredible walk through of the wine cellar with Sommelier Marco Reitano, before heading upstairs to the top floor for dinner at La Pergola. You can see from the photo above that the art collection hangs freely and openly amongst the hallways. The hotel is like an all access art gallery.

Honestly, I'm not quite sure I have the words to portray just HOW incredible the meal was at La Pergola. It is the only three Michelin star restaurant in Rome, and certainly one of the best in all of Italy. We got to meet the lovely and humble resident chef Heinz Beck and I had the privilege to chat with him one on one regarding his research/practice in molecular gastronomy. The dish pictured above was the first on our 7 course menu, amberjack tartare on strawberry ice crush, almond mouse and finger lime.

Day 2 began with an amazing yoga session in the hotel park, followed by a mind-blowing chakra stone massage at the Cavalieri Grand Spa Club, and the famous Sunday Brunch at L'Uliveto. I promised myself I would exercise self-control on this trip, but honestly once you see a fresh bowl of stracciatella sitting next to a mountain of fresh basil, I threw all rules out the window...



Fortunately we had the afternoon at leisure to run off some of our breakfast before our evening food tour...



I've never really mentioned this here but I am an enormous Anthony Bourdain fangirl, so you can imagine how absolutely elated I was when we kicked off the food tour at Bonci (the same pizza spot from Bourdain's layover episode in Rome). AND it was every bit as mouthwatering as I had hoped it would be.



From there things escalated to a dinner overlooking the Trevi Fountain, I repeat TREVI FOUNTAIN!! In all the times I've visited Rome, I have never seen this spectacular site from above. And as if things couldn't get any better, we finished the evening with gelato at Giolitti and all 5 New Yorkers boarded our personal vintage Bici & Baci vespas to tour Rome by night.



Rome Cavalieri, let me just say in the interest of full disclosure, that was probably the greatest night I have ever had in Italy!! I can't thank you enough. AND to think there was still another day of the trip to go...Day 3 started with a private tour of the Vatican Gardens and of course St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.



The last time I visited Vatican City I was an art history student at McGill University. It felt absolutely surreal to be walking through 10 years later as a professional artist. It's amazing how life plays out sometimes.



And I honestly appreciate it even more today, than the first time I ever saw it.



A very special thank you to Meagan Cignoli for capturing this moment above. There was something so beautiful and divine about the lighting in the garden.

After our tour we headed back to the hotel for a beautiful picnic at Rome Cavalieri. The kitchen prepared the most amazing dishes complemented by Moet Chandon and our two celebrity dogs (my new best friends), Toast Meets World and Muppets Revenge.

Just look at Toast and I above laughing at all of our inside jokes. Rome Cavalieri actually has a VIP dog program which is pretty darn glamorous if you ask me.

After our picnic, it was time for a little cabana experience by the pool before getting ready for dinner in the Trastevere.

The next morning I left for Milan and eventually returned to Rome Cavalieri to finish off my last few evenings in Italy with them. I felt this huge sense of relief returning to the hotel, when the transfer arrived at Termini station to retrieve me. It had truly become a home away from home for me and I think that is a testimony to the staff and culture they foster there. I would like to extend a very BIG thank you to Frederick Hawkins and Britta Krug for making this trip so extraordinarily special. Your kindness, knowledge, and warmth made this trip so unforgettable. I'm still dreaming of my days there...

Until the next adventure!!

Much love,
Meag xx

Rome Italy Bound with Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria!!

Hello, Hello Again My Loves!!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week. I'm still suffering from jetlag post Hong Kong but the good news is I'm heading to Romaaaa tomorrow and will likely get my sleep in order there. It's been 10 years since I last visited Rome (yes 10 years!!) and I can't wait to experience it with the exquisitiely beautiful Rome Cavalieri. I'll also be making a quick trip to Milan for the first time too. As always, be sure to follow along on Instagram @TravelWriteDraw for all the hourly updates as well as my Snapchat: meagan_morrison!!

Can't wait to show you how Travel Write Draw does Italy!!

Much love,
Meag xx

Postcard from Hong Kong

Hola Darlings!!

I hope you are all having an amazing weekend. I just returned from my Hong Kong adventure and wanted to share a few of my favorite snapshots before I get too busy again. I absolutely LOVED HK!! It quite honestly might be one of my all time favorite cities. We spent a good two days filming for DFS T Galleria's newest campaign, which will launch in a few weeks time, and got to see the very best of the city. I'm battling some serious jetlag at the moment and leave for Rome on Friday so wish me luck and enjoy!!

Much love,
Meag xx

Can you spot our camera guy in the left corner, white t-shirt, over my shoulder?

Hong Kong Bound Today with @DFSOfficial!!

Good Morning My Loves!!!!

I'm SO thrilled to share that I'm heading to Hong Kong today for a very special (secret) project with DFS T Galleria. Though I can't disclose too much at the moment, I will be filming there and giving behind the scene peaks of the whole journey over on Instagram @TravelWriteDraw so make sure you stay tuned.

Much love,
Meag xx

Illustrated Postcards for Emirates Airlines!!

Good Afternoon My Loves, 

I'm so thrilled to share with you these custom illustrated postcards I created in partnership with Emirates and MyDomaine.com, to highlight the top 6 amenities to enjoy during their new evening A380 flight service from LAX to DXB starting July 1. It was such an honor to work on these illustrations, given my personal affinity for Emirates Airlines and the always awe-inspiring U.A.E!! From catching up on your favorite shows, to savouring a cocktail at their fully stocked onboard bar, or freshening up in the shower spa with Bulgari toiletries, the flight is as much the destination as the city itself.

*Amenities available in First Class on the Emirates A380; select amenities available in Business and Economy Classes.

Now please excuse me while I dream of boarding this flight myself starting next month...

Much love,
Meag xx

Dream of your outfits and the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous photo...


Catch-up on all those movies you missed and your favorite shows...


Enjoy a cocktail or two at their fully-stocked onboard bar...


Before landing, have a spa experience in the onboard shower...


And don't forget all the delicious cuisine you get to indulge in during your 16hr flight...