hiking in stilettos: vacation

Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts

Monday, September 8

Weekend Adventures // Girls Trip to PCB!

For the long Labor Day weekend, my mom, sister and I packed up our kiddos and headed south to a friend's condo on the Gulf of Mexico. Growing up, my family always went to Panama City Beach for summer vacation, so it still has a soft spot in my heart, despite some of its less desirable qualities {read: obnoxious high school/college partiers}. Since we went at the end of the season and since our condo was verrry far from the strip, it was a great place to hang out in the white sand, play in the waves and soak up some vitamin D by the pool. I really enjoyed hanging out with my nephews and chatting about their interests. My sister's oldest boy is a budding artist and told me all about the different types of pencils, coals and chalks he likes to sketch with. Her youngest told me all about what he was learning in school and about football. It was just great to be with them!

Elliot and I camped out under the umbrella on the beach and enjoyed the breeze. He also loved splashing around in the pool and dunking his older cousins. My nephews love hanging out with baby Elliot, as they call him. And they are so helpful! More than once they entertained E while I got dressed or put on makeup. It was so sweet to see the three on them playing on the floor.

And just being with my mom and sister is restorative to my soul. I am so blessed to have them as family and to also call them my friends. It's been such a wonderful thing to share this new adventure of motherhood with both of them, but especially my sister. Talk about having a wealth of knowledge at hand - the two of them are priceless to me.

{I am oh so smitten with this little boy, and moments such as these are priceless to me. Motherhood is a difficult journey, but one I am grateful to be on every single day.}

xoxo

Thursday, August 21

Jekyll Island 02

Part two of our weekend trip to the Georgia coast...

The sunrise over the ocean was so lovely, with the long boardwalk and the natural beach making the perfect backdrop. I love the rocks separating the sand from the bushes and palm trees. At high tide, the water covers the bottom steps of the boardwalk.

We took little E to the salt water pool a couple times during the trip, and he learned how to splash! He had fun splashing himself in the face, getting startled by it, then laughing. I love that kid.

My sister in law was married on the hauntingly beautiful Driftwood beach, which reminded me of Hunting Island (one of our favorite camping destinations). The ceremony was simple and sweet, and the reception was perfect. Good food, sweet memories with friends and family.

xoxo

Wednesday, July 11

Summer Holiday(s)

Two of my favorite things - and mostly because it means time with husband, family, and friends.

A couple weeks ago we spent four blissful days in Gulf Shores, AL with husband's sister and her family. He spent the morning fishing out on the sea, and I passed the time ~~devouring the 'Hunger Games' series~~ leisurely reading on the porch or at the pool.

The week after we returned home, Kindredly and her husband JG came over for a mid-week July Fourth celebration. We had a pretty low-key evening, but managed a few all-American hamburgers, strawberry basil sangria, and a blueberry-blackberry crisp. The evening came to an early close with sparklers in the twilight.

Hope you had a very happy Independence Day.

xoxo

Monday, May 23

Weekend Adventure No. 2: Gulf Shores, AL

About a week and a half ago, husband and I took a quick trip to Gulf Shores, AL for a whirlwind getaway before rotations began. While the trip was primarily devoted to fishing, I managed to weasel my way onto the beach a time or two. In fact, my days consisted of sunning, reading, and napping as I alternated between the beach, pool, and enormous bay-side porch.

The remote location of our condo was just what I needed for a couple days of rejuvenation, but I look forward to returning to Gulf Shores to explore the lively little city even more.

xoxo

Thursday, June 17

Sand, Sun, and Satisfaction

This past weekend husband and I took a trip to Amelia Island, Florida to see two of our favorite friends get married. It was also a great excuse to spend some time on the beach and get away from the hubbub of our daily routines.

Like little children afraid of missing a single moment of adventure, we were up alarmingly early each morning to take in the calm quietness of the ocean sunrise.

Our afternoons consisted of nothing more than swimming in the ocean, lounging in the sun, and watching as many World Cup games as we could find. I spent a vast majority of our vacation lying in the sand while wearing my favorite bikini. So much so that I didn't wear a single "nice" outfit that I had packed.... and it was wonderful.

My long, curly hair stayed wet and slightly tangled from sand, salt, and ocean water, but I honeslty didn't care. As much as I love to dress up and be fancy, I simply thrive at the beach. There is just something about the ocean that soothes my soul.

{F21 earrings, UO sunnies, Essie Mod Squad polish}

Our meals were spent beach side or pool side, totally casual and laid back, which was absolutely perfect. The constant breeze that follows the coastline made the days bearable and the evenings quite lovely.

{H&M scarf, Target earrings, UO sunnies, AA tank}

After dinner each night we took a blanket and camera to the beach and enjoyed the sunset and the vast array of stars that came out as the night grew darker.

I think the best part of our trip was finally having time together without schedules, responsibilities, and social commitments. Our decisions revolved solely around what we wanted to do. It was really nice to just be for a little while... to have time to relax, catch up, and just be silly together.

Here's wishing that you find some time this summer to do exactly the same thing with someone that you love.
xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Monday, June 14

Ten Signs of a Great Vacation...

1. The daily agenda revolved around sand, sun, World Cup games, and food.
2. I didn't need to charge my phone... because I didn't use it for five days.
3. Over 90% of my time was spent wearing my favorite bikini and no shoes.
4. The most difficult decision I had to make was blackened or grilled chicken. {I went with blackened.}
5. I didn't make the bed a single time during our stay.
6. The fact that the wireless internet wasn't working didn't phase me in the least.
7. Sunrises and sunsets were spent in the company of the ocean.
8. Stars and constellations were viewed in the company of some really great friends.
9. I finished the book I was reading and made it half way through a new one.
10. We still had an incredible time even though the {expensive} new camera face-planted into the sand.

But now I am home and ready to catch up on reading your lovely blogs.
Pictures and more of the trip to come soon.
xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Thursday, June 25

just a few things

{to distract you until the weekend}

i'm a big fan of unique headboards, and i love this adorable idea

this concert poster would look great in my kitchen collage

this is just too cute! christmas in june anyone?

three little owls that are so precious

still in love with this dressing mirror

this colorful leather belt would look great with so much and it's handmade!

wishing that i were here, playing in the snow

but since i'm not....

i'd like to be sitting here

with the perfect drink for a hot summer day in the south

and these little guys to munch on

Wednesday, May 13

our {long} weekend {in pictures}

As a vacation of sorts, K and I spent a long weekend in town just laying low, enjoying time together sans studying, working, or being on call. Here is some happiness from our blissful three days...

{colorful pansies...}