JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes Weekend

Happy Wednesday friends!

I have an extra special post for you today! I had the amazing opportunity to take a weekend getaway with my husband and puppy to the JW Marriott in Orlando this past weekend and y’all in was heavenly!

I can’t recommend enough if you are traveling to Orlando that you stay at Grande Lakes and really enjoy your trip and everything the hotel has to offer! I’m sharing a look at the hotel and everything they have to offer as well as the amazing restaurants and fun things to do! Keep scrolling to check it out!

When Travis and I arrived on Friday we headed to have some lunch at Bleu. This is located on the Ritz-Carlton side of Grande Lakes and they have delicious fresh bites and the prettiest views! They are also conveniently located close to the Ritz pool so if you are looking for a yummy bite or drink this is the spot!

From there we walked the grounds a bit to really enjoy the beautiful scenery and the nice weather that we had this past weekend. We then headed to our room to relax and then get ready for dinner.

Friday night we had dinner at Primo and to say it was one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had would be an understatement. Every bite of food was amazing, the presentation was a vision, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was tranquil! We could not recommend Primo enough! Next time you’re there we highly recommend trying the charcuterie, the campanelle cacio e pepe, the pork saltimbocca, and the donuts!

Saturday morning we headed to Citron for breakfast to start our day! We were welcomed with mimosas and fresh coffee and decided to do the breakfast buffet so we could try different things. They had so many amazing options to choose from. I can never turn down a salmon bagel and theirs is perfect with cream cheese and pickled onions. Plus they have the BEST donuts ever! The most fresh and delicious classic glaze donuts I’ve ever had! Highly recommend starting your day here!

We spent most of Saturday poolside at The Spa at The Ritz Carlton. This is an adult only pool area which is super nice and the atmosphere is the most amazing! We enjoyed our private cabana most of the afternoon, with delicious smoothies and poolside bites. The cabana is definitely a plus for a day at the pool, being able to stay shaded and have space to relax was so luxurious!

Our final dinner was at Highball & Harvest at The Ritz Carlton and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere of this restaurant in the evening is so cool and unique. Travis and I enjoyed the southern spread to start before our main dishes; diver scallops and prime ribeye, everything was so amazing, the flavors were out of this world! To top if off we had vanilla crème brûlée for dessert and it was the perfect ending to the meal. Again all the food the whole weekend exceeded expectations and everything was so delicious! So no matter where you eat on property you will not be disappointed!

We had the best weekend at The JW Marriott Orlando at Grande Lakes and can not wait to go back! We loved all the people we met and how everyone loved our little pup, Chewy and made us feel welcome! It was the perfect weekend!

Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Weekend

Happy Wednesday friends!

I have an extra fun post for you today! I had the amazing opportunity to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando this past weekend it was the most amazing experience! I’m sharing a look at the rooms at both The Ritz-Carlton Orlando as well as the JW Marriott Orlando. I’m also sharing a look at some of their amazing restaurants and things to do at the hotels!

Friday morning I arrived and we immediately had breakfast at Highball & Harvest and it was amazing! Here’s a small look at the buffet with everything you could want and everything fresh! The fresh made donuts absolutely blew me away!

Next we shot some content at The Ritz! The capabilities they have are endless as you can see below. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or any special occasion they can make that moment for you extra special! The rooms are beautiful and so fresh and clean and really are just the most luxurious!

The Spa at The Ritz is so tranquil and super enjoyable as I believe it is an adult only pool and super quiet! The landscaping itself is super stunning and gives you the ultimate vacation vibes! We enjoyed delicious smoothies and snacks while lounging and enjoying the beautiful weather!

Here are some of my favorite photos from my room at the hotel in addition to some photos I got from the Royal Suite and the attention to detail and colors in these rooms are probably some of my favorite things! I especially LOVED all the photos in the rooms and how crisp everything was!

Friday evening we went to the lounge before walking over to Knife & Spoon where I ate some of the best food I’ve ever had! Everything was cooked to perfection. The textures and colors were something of art and the taste of everything was unbelievable! My top three favorite things was the Bone-In Ribeye, Potato Puree, and the King Crab “Scampi”. It will be a meal you’ll never forget!

Saturday morning we attended breakfast at Citron, again amazing food with fresh ingredients and amazing flavors! The fresh biscuits with butter and guava jam were melt in your mouth along with everything else we got to eat!

We then headed to shoot more content at the JW Marriott as well as got to see their suite that you can see below which is amazing! All my interior design dreams in one place!

Lastly that night we went to Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen for drinks and enjoyed some amazing food there as well!

We then headed over to Primo for dinner, again, another amazing meal and I can’t recommend enough checking them out! The atmosphere is amazing and the food was impeccable! The desserts were out of this world, I can’t describe how heavenly these were!

Overall one of the most amazing weekends I’ve ever had and am so grateful I had this opportunity! I can’t recommend The Ritz-Carlton Orlando and JW Marriott Orlando enough!

Life Update: Moving, Future Planning, and Goal Setting

Happy Wednesday friends!

This week I wanted to share a life update and talk about a few things here that I’m super excited about!

First off Travis and I are getting ready to move…again! Yes you might recall we made a move last November and not even a year later we are moving again, this time only about 20 minutes away so not a big deal. We received an amazing opportunity we couldn’t pass up and are super excited for a bigger space and new place (hopefully the last new place before a house). I’ll be sharing more décor posts and home things on the blog as this place we will be replacing a lot of furniture and different things that would come with us to a house.

This move is going to allow us to hopefully start preparing for buying a house soon so we are doing everything we can to really prepare and set ourselves up for success when we finally decide to purchase a home. The market is super crazy right now so we are holding off for now.

Finally I’m working on some major goal setting and working on those goals before my 30th birthday at the end of the year. Some of those goals include working on my health, bettering my business, and really preparing to start my 30’s off right.

Hope y’all have an amazing rest of your week and I’ll see you soon!

Michigan Trip

Happy Wednesday friends!

We just got back from Michigan and I wanted to share some of the fun things we did and restaurants we went to!

This is my first trip out of state since the pandemic and I was a little anxious but everything went fine travel wise. This is a trip we usually make twice a year and hadn’t been in almost a year and a half due to everything going on.

This trip was mostly to see family so when we weren’t visiting family and hanging out we did a few fun activities and went to a few yummy restaurants that are definitely worth mentioning!

First off if you are in the Saugatuck, MI area I would definitely check out The Summerhouse Lavender Garden. This is a beautiful photo worthy spot and just super cute and peaceful! Highly recommend! There is also a wild flower field at Pleasant Hill Farm in Fennville not far as well which is super cute and great to take photos!

Next up we tried some new yummy food spots that I would highly recommend! Root Cafe in Fennville was a great spot for a delicious sandwich and fun art from local artists. Also The Farmhouse Deli in Douglas had amazing food, including salads, soup, baked goods, and sandwiches. I would also recommend checking out Isabel’s Market Eatery in Douglas and local to South Haven I would recommend the Taste and Maria’s great restaurants there! Of course a must have in South Haven is also Sherman’s Ice Cream, make sure to hit this spot for dessert a few times while you visit!

Finally make sure to take advantage of the amazing summer weather in Michigan and get outside! We spent so much time outside it was nice and peaceful! Catch all the sunsets and enjoy a walk outside! Enjoy the flowers and all the colors because there is seriously nothing like it!

Summer 2020 Recap

As summer comes to close even though here in the sunshine state it’s boiling hot, I wanted to give an ode to summer as it is my favorite season next to winter! The whole year has been a bit different but summer especially was different for me and my family! Summer is the time we vacation and visit family up north which is unfortunately on the back burner until regulations change on some things. It’s been a tough season this year.

However some really exciting things have happened this summer! I hired a business coach at the start of summer and she has brought me into a new season of working for myself! This summer all within a couple of month’s Travis lost his job, started an amazing new job, and I left my job to pursue my passion, y’all it’s unreal to think this is our life right now!

So just remember no matter how tough things get there is something better coming! I promise! You just need to believe it!

Photos: Kate Kelley Collection

Daydreams of Summer!

Wishing it was Spring Break and that we were cruising somewhere tropical! Anyone else?!

The hardest part about this whole thing is this girl thrives being by the water, y’all know I was born and raised in a beach town and it’s ingrained in my soul, the water is a part of me and not being able to go home and visit my parents or go to the beach is heart breaking!

I’ll be packing this outfit on the first trip we can take when this is all over! I found the LC Lauren Conrad romper on clearance over the winter and love it and the banana print, I paired it with some fun fringe sandals and the cutest spring hat! Again everything is from Kohl’s mostly all from last year but they have tons of cute similar items right now!

Dreaming of summer and a normal world again! I want to travel and go to restraunts again, visit my parents and the beach! I want all the things! Anyone else!?

PC: Kate Kelley Collection

Spring Neutrals with Zestt Organics

Happy Wednesday babes!

I’ve been talking about spring fashion a lot here on the blog and over on IG and I wanted to talk about spring neutrals with y’all. I love color don’t get me wrong but you can never go wrong with neutrals! It’s key to have great neutrals in your closet to mix and match or wear all together!

I wanted to share some beautiful pieces before from Zestt Organics that are great neutrals and pieces to have in your closet. Each item is paired with the same jeans and white t-shirt but so many different looks and options! I especially love the blush color, you all know that already! I think their pieces are staples and so classic that you need one for sure! Make sure to check them out HERE

PC: Lacey Irving

Random Rambles

Not much to share on the wedding front this week, i’m working on bridal shower thank you’s as well as preparing our formal invitations to be mailed out! Otherwise that’s about it right now!

This week I’m more just sharing some random rambles here on the blog…If you saw my Instagram post yesterday I was talking a lot about manifesting and creating your own success. I promised I would share more and I will but just a small bit I have been really working behind the scenes on truly creating the life I want to live! I have been manifesting, praying, and working towards some big goals and when things start to happen and take shape there is nothing better! Over the last few weeks I’ve seen some of that hard work pay off and gosh is it satisfying! There is still a lot of work to do and I believe everything will happen we it is supposed to, but it feels good knowing that hard work and trust in the process is paying off!

Also working on more budget and financial things lately, the price you pay to get married and really adult. I’ve always loved numbers and seeing what is possibly financially. We are considering the Dave Ramsey program to set us up for future endeavors and start this marriage off right. Have you used this program? Did it work for you?

Lastly moving. When the time is right we will be making a move, not far but closer to the water and my family. If you have followed me for a while you know that my heart is not here in Orlando. I moved here 7 years ago to finish school at UCF and to see where my relationship would go with Travis. 7 years later we are engaged about to be married, I graduated from one of the top schools in the county and am ready to move. Orlando is super busy and congested for a girl that grew up in a beach town, and hi where is the water?!?! You have to drive over an hour to get to the beach and soul can’t take it anymore. So dramatic I know but the truth. Orlando was never meant to be a permanent part of my story and it has severed a great purpose in my life, we have amazing friends here, great colleges, fun places to go but it’s not home, if that makes sense. I’ll share more with this journey as well as we go as right now we aren’t moving super soon.

Have a great rest of your week!

xoxo

Bachelorette Weekend Recap & Mini SRQ Travel Guide

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

This week we are talking everything bachelorette party weekend! I chose to have my bachelorette party in Sarasota, are you surprised? Let’s be honest I’m a Sarasota girl through and through and I had to have my bachelorette weekend at the beach, no place I rather be than here! This post is about the weekend but also a mini travel guide for some fun things to do if you are ever in Sarasota!

First off my girls killed it with the hotel and the decor for the weekend! We stayed at The Sarasota Modern, and it was an instagrammer’s dream, everything was beautfiul and picture perfect and I can’t wait to go back! My party was tropical themed so everything banana leaf and pineapple which I’ll share below with all my favorite treats to munch on over the weekend!

A must while in SRQ is to hit Selva Grill especially for Happy Hour! They have my ALL TIME FAVORITE Cesar Salad and the drinks are amazing too! *Word to the wise get there earlier, it’s a poppin spot* We also hit some bars on Main, which I can’t attest to much as I’m not a bar girl so we didn’t stay long, but we did have a celeb sighting at one of the bars, see if you can’t guess who it it below :)

We also of course hit Daquiri Deck on Siesta Key and had to take a photo at the beach because what is a trip to Sarasota if you didn’t go to the beach, right?! Highly recommend checking out the Daquiri Deck if you’ve never been, it’s a staple in town, especially if you’re going for a beach trip! They have great drinks of course and the food if yummy too!

Lastly we only hit one local breakfast spot, but if you’re ever in town make sure to stop at Station 400 they have amazing breakfast and lunch and the food is out of this world. The whole vibe of the downtown location is just like a train station, it’s the cutest! Highly recommend!

Sharing some snaps from the weekend below and will have a fun photoshoot from the weekend coming soon! We are 4 months away, next stop bridal shower!

What I'm Packing For My Bachelorette Weekend

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

We are just a few days from my bachelorette weekend and I’m sharing my must haves that I’ll be taking on my beach inspired weekend!

First off all things white! I’m bringing a cute white summer dress from LC Lauren Conrad for one of the nights as well as a white swimsuit and other white accessories for all the looks to be “bridal” without being to much in your face. I’m also packing tropical print and colored pieces from Old Navy that will be perfect for drinking daiquiris and walking on the beach! comfortable shoes are also a must as we will be doing a good amount of walking so sandals and comfortable wedges will be essential! I’m also packing a few fun bags to go with the whole beach theme especially because here in FL summer isn’t really over for I’ll be bringing all the summer pieces I haven’t worn yet!

I’ll be taking tons of photos this weekend to share with y’all of the final looks and the fun festivities! Below are some of the pieces I’m packing and some other fun things that would be perfect for a beach bachelorette!

Annual Daytona Beach Trip

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Y’all know that for the past few years now Travis and I have taken a little weekend vacay once a year to Daytona Beach and it’s a great time for us to reset and enjoy the start of summer! I love to share travel blogs with y’all the most probably because traveling and doing something different than everyday life is fun and a great escape!

We got to The Hyatt Place on Friday and immediately went to the pool to relax and enjoy golden hour before grabbing pizza at my favorite pizza place in Daytona, Rossellini’s! We get a basic cheese and peperonni pizza with ranch and y’all it’s one of the best places I’ve ever been for pizza!

Saturday we hit the beach and pool pretty much all day after grabbing our complimentary breakfast at the hotel. I’m loving all the gingham this summer and this suit from Old Navy is not exception. I paired it with some retro sunnies, also from Old Navy and some earrings from Bauble Bar, topped it off with a red lip and you could say I was probably the most over done person at the pool, LOL!

Moving on to Saturday evening we decided to check out a new restaurant as we tend to go to the same places while we are here. We decided to give Cocina 214-Daytona Beach a try! Y’all this is probably some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had! Their queso blanco with chorizo and chip is out of this world! Seriously what dreams are made of! Travis got tacos with rice and beans and I got the enchiladas and we were not disappointed! Everything was amazing! The restaurant itself is stunning inside and looks out to the water so I decided to wear this little tropical print number to dinner. Again the dress is from Old Navy paired with my go to summer LC Lauren Conrad straw bag with flip-flops and it was the perfect casual dinner outfit! We finished the evening taking a stroll on the beach and just enjoying the water and each-others company, sappy I know.

On our last day we soaked up as much beach and pool as we could before heading home. I brought this fun pink suit from Aerie to snap some shots of and absolutely adore the color and style! Paired with some simple gold earrings, white sunnies, and pink lip I loved this look!

That’s about it for this years trip! We had a great time and just love our time by the water and hope to move closer to it again someday soon!

xoxo

Yearly Daytona Beach Trip

Happy October everyone! Can anyone else not believe that it’s like three months until the holidays?! Where did time ago? Anyways Travis and I took our now annual trip to Daytona Beach this past weekend and had a blast as always. We have stayed at the Hyatt Place Daytona Beach Shores for 3 years now and don’t plan on stopping! It’s a close drive but we are definitely the happiest close to the water, it’s the Sarasota girl in me growing up ten minutes from the beach!

We got to the hotel Friday after work in time to watch the sunset and enjoy some relaxation and dinner! I’m always super casual driving to the beach so this was my travel look if you will.

Of course we spent most of our time on the beach and at the pool! I brought a few suits from Loft to sport on the beach and love this one! It was $15 on clearance and the color was perfect and goes perfect with that big blue sky!

Saturday night we hit one of our favorite spots to eat, Ocean Deck. This is one of our favorite spots super casual and on the beach but I love wearing a good sun dress. This dress is from Forever 21+ I grabbed this on sale as well for $13 its super cute and I plan on packing it for our cruise too!

Sunday Funday was for the beach and we grabbed some shots of this other Loft suit with a little more sass! This suit is out of my comfort zone but going out of your comfort zone is good for you, right?!