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Recipes, books, travel, photography, and the stories they weave.

 
Rainy tropical courtyard at Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta featuring a vibrant orange tree surrounded by lush jungle foliage.

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Elle McCoy, author of The Rustic Elk, with long wavy hair reflected in an ornate vintage mirror, sitting at a candlelit vanity with makeup brushes, perfume, and dried flowers.

A Little About This Place

The lore surrounding a tree outside a hotel lobby.

An old bookstore tucked down a side street.

A meal shared on a rainy afternoon.

The smell of tomato vines in July.

The novel you still think about years later.

Some places stay with us.

Not because they're famous, but because they become part of our story.

The Rustic Elk is where those stories are gathered.

Recipes, journeys, gardens, books, photographs, and the stories that remind us the world is far larger; and far more beautiful, than our daily routines sometimes allow.

I'm Elle. Welcome.

Meet Elle →

Currently

Reading: We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Listening: Honey + Hemlock

Planning: Salem, MA

Watching: Caveat

Growing: All the Green Things

Savoring: Fresh Peach Margaritas

Through My Lens

A collection of places, details, and fleeting moments that caught my attention.

Orange tree surrounded by tropical greenery and rain-soaked walkways at Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Close-up macro photograph of purple spring blossoms against a dark green background
Macro photograph of a bright green fern unfurling in low light against a deep blue woodland backdrop
View of Los Arcos rock formations rising from the blue waters of Banderas Bay near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
White and deep red rose petals floating on dark water illuminated by soft natural light

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From the Journal

  • Smoked barbacoa shredded beef on a black platter with lime wedges, corn tortillas, and chipotle braising juices
    Best Smoked Barbacoa Recipe
  • Fresh peach margaritas made with real peach puree and reposado tequila, served in coupe glasses with Tajín rims and fresh peach garnishes.
    Fresh Peach Margarita (Made with Real Peaches)
  • Looking out over Banderas Bay at sunrise from Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
    Puerto Vallarta, Through My Eyes
  • Close-up of a strawberry lemon drop martini in a coupe glass with a sugared rim and fresh strawberry garnish, photographed against a dark moody background.
    Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini (Easy Summer Cocktail Recipe)

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Rooted in beauty, wonder,
& wild places.
Since 2016.

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