24 Hours - Miami Open Trip

Happy Wednesday friends!

I wanted to share our quick 24 trip to Miami for the Miami Open! If you plan on going next year or in the future here are some must see’s and eats!

As I mentioned we were only there for 24 hours. We drove from Sarasota to Miami in the morning and went right to the Hard Rock for the tennis matches that day, we took a break around 6pm to check into Aloft Aventura and grab some dinner. We of course had to get bartaco, which is conveniently located right downstairs. The hotel is in the perfect area surrounded by great shops and food options!

After dinner we went back to the tennis for the evening session and were there until about midnight. We grabbed a late night snack at the hotel. The next day we grabbed yummy breakfast at puravida and then we were on the road back home. If you can stay 3 days to try all the great restaurants around the hotel and enjoy the area!

Fall Michigan Trip Recap

Happy Wednesday friends!

I’m finally back in action after our fall trip we both came back under the weather so I’ve been recovering but finally almost 100% again so I wanted to share a break down of what we did on our fall getaway in Michigan. I’m sharing where we ate and what we did for any of you looking for a fall trip this is it!

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Friday was a travel day for us, we didn’t get into town until late evening but we had to stop at Meijer for all our essentials before getting to our Airbnb.

Saturday we did a lot around South Haven, MI. We went shopping downtown and stopped at some of our favorite local shops. We also grabbed lunch at Taste which is one of our favorites while we’re in town. We visited my grandmother for a little bit then drove down to the pier to see some of the beautiful leaves and soak in all the views. From there we went to Waypost Brewing so Travis could try some new beers and again the views were everything. This is a great spot if you like breweries and a super chill vibe. To finish off our day we grabbed some food at The Southerner which did not disappoint!

On Sunday we spent time explored Douglas/Saugatuck MI. We grabbed some photos on the patio in the morning because it was so nice out. From there we checked out Saugatuck Brewing Co before we ventured into town and wondered around the shops there. We then grabbed pizza from Maria’s in South Haven to visit again with my grandmother and then finished the night with Sherman’s Ice Cream, a must no matter the season!

Monday was our last day in town before we left that evening. We woke up early to take some couples photos (coming soon to the blog) before we had an early lunch at the Farmhouse Deli in Douglas. I can’t recommend taking all the photos on vacation, capture those memories! From there we spent more time in South Haven, grabbed a drink and walked around before we headed to the airport!

Overall it was an amazing trip, too short before so amazing and fun and great to finally see fall foliage!

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!

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!

Must Eats in Sarasota

This week I wanted to share a few of my must haves when it comes to visiting home! Whether you are visiting or even if you are an SRQ local these are some places to check out! So lets talk about food!

First off if you are a cheese and charcuterie lover like myself don’t sleep on Charcuterie & Cheese Sarasota! Shannon is amazing and makes the most amazing boxes and boards for any occasion! Perfect for a hotel stay, beach day, or any day really I can’t recommend her enough! She does an amazing job featuring amazing meats, cheeses, savory and sweet and this is an absolute must for me now when I visit home! It is such a treat!

Next let’s talk donuts! Who don’t love a good donut for breakfast or dessert? Sarasota has tons of amazing breakfast spots but if you’re in the mood for an amazing donut look no further because Five-O donuts are the most amazing things ever! They offer classic as well as super special donuts and I can’t recommend them enough if you want a special treat!

Third spot I want to share with you is a hidden gem, Whitney’s on Longboat Key! This one is the most picturesque restaurant ever! The colors are amazing and even if you just need a good photo head out that way but I promise you the food is a must too! They have great options for breakfast and lunch and some fun drinks also! The service is amazing and it’s a spot you don’t want to miss out on!

Let me know if you happen to check out one of my favorite spots! I would love to know what you think!

If you want to try out my presets from the above photos click HERE and you might find a special!

The Modern-Picturesque Dream

Another Wedding Wednesday in the books!

I’m sharing some of the fun professional photos from my bachelorette weekend last month below! I chose to have Amy McKinlay Photography photograph my best babes and I to get some awesome shots to have as memories of the weekend and I absolutely love how they came out! Photos are so important to me, I love to have a slice of a moment that I can look back on and I knew I would want some of the weekend!

We stayed at the Sarasota Modern as I’ve shared before and this hotel is a dream! So clean and chic and a blogger/photographers dream come true! So many beautiful spots and details in the hotel that make it so picturesque and perfect! That was another reason I wanted photos there!

Long story short I highly recommend getting a photographer and taking all the photos for events leading up to your wedding whether that be for the bachelorette weekend, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, doesn’t matter just have someone there to document some of the once in a lifetime moments!

PC: Amy McKinlay Photography

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!

Travel Guide: South Haven, MI

Happy Wednesday y’all! I have a super fun travel blog post for you today!

For the 4th of July this year we went to South Haven, Michigan. Mind you growing up I used to go every year with my family for the 4th but once I started college and took summer classes almost every year it was difficult to go at all besides for Christmas. I probably haven’t been for 8 years for the summer and Travis has never seen the town not covered in snow and mostly shut down.

So I’m sharing some of my must do’s if you ever travel to South Haven or Saugatuck, MI.

To start off with our fabulous place we stayed, Ira’s Acres. The sweetest Airbnb that was perfectly decorated and a beautiful piece of property, perfect for a summer vacay! The whole house is so cute and inviting and the most picture worthy South Haven home! I highly recommend if you make it out there!

Next let’s talk food! Y’all know Travis and I are huge foodies and South Haven has some great places to try! We would highly recommend Taste which is more of a tapas style restaurant and has amazing food! Another placed the Travis really loved was Three Blondes Brewing which had great local beer and delicious bites, the atmosphere is really cool and casual! Of course we can’t forget dessert! Definitely check out Sherman Dairy Bar which has the best ice cream in town and has been around a long time and super popular among the locals, we are talking take a number kind of popular! The servings are generous and I got the amazing banana pudding ice cream! So good!

Another cool place we went was Virtue Cider and did some cider tasting and exploring around the grounds! I was so cool to see how they house the cider and taste all the different flavors! I highly recommend!

Next up things to do in town: first off if you are in town for the 4th of July the fireworks are a must of course! They shoot them off over the lake and if you plant a blanket down on the bluff earlier in the day you’ll have an awesome seat for the show! I also recommend walking downtown and enjoying the cute shops and restaurants. A must is also hitting a movie at the Michigan 3 Theater, Travis and I saw Spider Man and got snacks for less than $15 total y’all you can not get there here in Orlando!

Finally our last day in Michigan we went to Saugatuck again another favorite of mine! In the summer time it’s tradition for us to walk up Mt. Bawldy and write our names at the top! We have been doing this since I can remember and when I first started dating Travis I wrote our names at the top 8 years later he finally got to walk up there with me and see it! It 306 stairs straight up and it’s totally worth it! After that we grabbed lunch at Phil’s they have the best steak and goat cheese salad ever! The shops are super great to and have lots of cute things! If you have a day to explore definitely check it out!

I hope y’all have enjoyed this travel guide for South Haven, MI let me know if you have any questions below!

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

Our Cruise on The Disney Dream

Sorry this post isn’t going up until Friday this week y’all. We have been super busy between traveling, wedding planning, my photography and getting ready for the holidays life is super overwhelming…in a great way! Anyway, a few weeks ago I embarked on my first cruise EVER! Call me crazy but the movie Titanic stuck with me ok, I tend to over think things, lol!

I was the photographer for Chris and Mer’s wedding that was taking place on The Disney Dream and Travis was in the wedding so therefore we were going on this cruise. Travis and I have never taken a cruise together and me never so we were in for an adventure.

As a first time cruise goer I didn’t have any problem with sea sickness or anything like that (thank goodness) and loved all the beautiful parts of the ship, especially for the wedding photos! So many great spots! The food was amazing everyday and the customer service in general was on point, it is Disney after all.

If you have never been on a cruise and are preparing to go soon I would keep a few things in mind. Do your research, if you are stopping anywhere on your trip see where you’re docking has to offer; excursions, shops, food. Also take everything into account; as in gratuities, extra drinks, souvenirs ex, make sure you know exactly what you are planning on spending when you get on the ship. It will take all the stress off you later if you plan ahead! Above all else have a blast! Order the extra dessert, lounge by the pool and attend all the shows, we had a great time and can’t wait to plan our next trip!

Below are just a few highlights from our trip! We loved the towel animals every night, all the yummy treats, and really enjoyed Castaway Cay!

Do you have any trips planned that are coming up? I would love to hear about where you’re traveling to!

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?!