Summer Vacations & Staycations

This summer, D and I just haven't really had a chance to go on vacation. Our last vacations were last summer to Vegas and Chicago, but nothing this summer. We managed to make it to the beach over 4th of July weekend despite that mini tropical storm but that's about it. I know we both want to get away somewhere but I just don't know if it's gonna happen between schedules and budgets. So whether we end up vacationing or staycationing down at the park or at our local pool, it's no reason to not wear something fun that evokes island breezes and tropical drinks! And as much as I love, love, love fall -- summer please don't end! Because when you end, that means I head back to work ;)

| details |

Athleta swimwear / Hipanema tank swimsuit, $135 / Tory burch sandals / Tory Burch zip tote bag / Alex and Ani bracelet / Gorjana ring / Gorjana earrings / Athleta hat / Tech accessory / Nars cosmetic / Butter London teal blue nail polish / Eos beauty product, $10

One thing that D and I have done to make staycationing more fun was went to an ancient bath called Aire Ancient Baths. You can seriously find anything in New York. What is an ancient bath you ask? Well it's this ridiculously amazing luxury found in Tribeca, NYC; which was built to mimic the ancient bath houses of Rome and Greece. After a hard days work, you would basically swim around and float in these pools of various temperatures to relax and unwind the body and mind. D actually got us admission here and two massages for Christmas and we just got around to using them. It was seriously like heaven on earth. Staycation for the win!! We weren't allowed to take pictures (plus we were too busy enjoying ourselves!) but I pulled some of these images off their website.

First off, exposed brick heaven :))))

dim lighting, candles……so my style.

 And then this. Each pool had a different temperature ranging from a a standard hot tub, to a bath water warm, a salt water pool to float in, and a frigid ice one to take an icy dip (too wimpy to try that one!). They were without a doubt the most relaxing pool experiences I ever had. Aire even has yearly memberships (extremely pricey) but wow, would that almost be worth it to have unlimited use to these pools at any time. Could you imagine having a rough day at work and just being like, "yeah, I'm gonna go take a dip in the ancient baths before heading home." No big deal.

This place was seriously the best. 

Have you had a chance to get away this summer? What fabulous place did you go?

Or are you a staycationer? What did you do to make your staycation special?

xo Steph

Everything is Bigger in Texas | Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of the Great Texas Adventures! Unfortunately with the stupid ice storm that hit Texas, we had one whole day lost on the trip -- which on a 4 day weekend is a lot. Especially when one whole day is devoted to wedding festivities, and two other involved travel. But despite all that, we made the best of the trip, tried to see as much as we could in the short amount of time we had, and attempted to take in as much authentic Texas culture as possible. And that would be starting with grabbing some authentic Tex-Mex for dinner and hitting up a dueling piano bar. Complete with cowboy hats, spurs and fiddles galore!

This was probably the most fun night of our trip. I mean who doesn't love rockin' out to Charlie Daniel's band down south. So very Texas. Us yankees didn't even know what to do with ourselves!!

The next day on the trip was the wedding (see pictures from yesterdays post) so the next day we wanted to see some culture. First we visited Houston's Holocaust museum, and I must say it is intense and enlightening all at once. I've actually never been to a Holocaust museum so I didn't really know what to expect. Seeing photographs and images of the human suffering are truly eye opening, and as much as I know about this dark period in history, it makes you realize how we can never let hate take over. We need to love our fellow brothers and sisters and never let such atrocities happen again.

Knowledge is power.

After the museum we got some great recommendations for authentic Texas BBQ. We ended up at this hole in the wall looking place, which always ends up having the best food. And that it did! And seriously the nicest people too! Yes ma'am, no ma'am, thank you ma'am. Where am I? Not New Jersey or New York, that's for sure!

 Everything really is bigger and better in Texas. And smothered in BBQ sauce.

light lunch anyone?

After lunch Amy and her hubby had to catch ther flight back to the east coast, so D and I had one last night before heading back ourselves in the morning. Since our flight was early, we decided to just stroll around the city and head back to the room for some room service and watching the grammys!

This last pic is for my brother Dean. A whole store devoted to getting clothes on credit/layaway. Awesome.

And that my friends was our mini trip in a nutshell. I wish it was longer but of course mother nature likes to throw a little monkey wrench in our plans. But despite all that we had a great time, had some great local and authentic food and took in the sites and culture. So overall -- a great trip was had! : )

Happy Hump Dayyyyyyyyy!

Xo Steph

Everything is Bigger in Texas | Part 1

So I'm FINALLY getting around to sharing my pictures from Texas. Better late than never eh? So the whole reason for going down to Houston, Texas was for my dear friend Anh's wedding. I was super excited because I've never been to the larger than life state and always down for a new adventure. D and I decided to make this wedding trip a mini-vacation so we made it into a long weekend. But once I got notice that our flight was cancelled due to ice storms in Texas,  I knew we were in for a doozy of a trip!

Thumbs down as we sat there with a cancelled flight. Stupid ice storms in Texas.

All smiles when we finally got on the early bird flight the next morning. But boo to us losing a whole day of our trip. Which really sucks when you're trying to take a mini vacation. So much for that whole "long weekend" thing. Also - weirdest thing when you look at your window on the plane and you see....another plane nearby. I have to say that's never happened before, kinda cool and everyone was taking pictures like little tourists.

I wanted to share pics from the wedding first since it was the whole reason for our trip. The wedding was a fusion of both Vietnamese and Chinese cultures so it was a really cool thing for us to be a part of. The gorgeous red dress Anh was wearing was at a tea ceremony in the morning when they families meet and essentially trade their daughter for a suckling pig! When you do a double take at traditions you just have to laugh sometimes. I mean really, weddings are all about giving your daughter away as a dowery right? But I'm getting off on a tangent -- the red dress was stunning and one of my favorites. Also above left was her traditional white wedding dress in the church. 

| details |

Black lace dress: Same, similar, similar, similar

After the ceremony at the church, the reception was held at a traditional Chinese restaurant that had a huge reception area. I was really cool to see all the decor with the vibrant red colors and the gold dragons on the wall (see background) and all the foods were authentic and new to my palette. Which is always fun to try different things.

Love those napkins. And that boy. And these girls.

On top of all the excitement on the trip, I finally got a chance to hang out with my bestie who I never get to see enough of anymore. She is expecting her first bundle of joy, and it was seriously such a joy to see her with her big belly all beautiful and glowing. I was like a proud best friend. I even got to feel my little nephew kick for the first time and I was in awe of how that felt. It's seriously a miracle what a woman's body can do. I'm so proud of her and I can't for little baby D to get here already!

 Overall the wedding was absolutely beautiful and we had so much fun!

Stay tuned for part 2 of our Texas adventure : )

Happy Tuesday friends!

xo Steph

Life is Better Down the Shore | Part 2

Welcome to part two of our beach vacation! Aside from lots of beach time and lots of good food, there were so many fun things to remember from this trip. For one, D surprised us and rent a 6 person bike to buzz around town as a whole family. We all loved it. Well except when our legs got tired and we had to make it back to the rental shop! We also went to Fantasy Island which is like LBI's boardwalk. We road the ferris wheel, ate some ice cream and soaked up those summer nights.

our sweet 6 person ride : )

the family. minus D who was taking the pic.

Dad, what's up with that face?

we biked to the end of the island. literally.

had some laughs.

worked on my beach yoga.

hit up Fantasy Island

you must be this tall, to ride this ride.

A view from the top.

sweet treats at the end of the night.

On our last night there I promised D we would wake up early to watch the sunrise on the beach. And when I say early, it was EARLY. But so worth it. I've never actually taken the time to watch the sunrise ever and it was so beautiful. The pictures do it no justice. But we were in awe.

#thethingsyoudoforlove

capturing the sun in my hands.

then we tried to eat the sun.

channeling my inner ms. pacman

followed by breakfast at the pancake house

known for their award winning chowder, or chowda as they call it.

probably the best lobster bisque I've had.

"I mentioned the bisque".......(what's that quote from??)

our lovely little house. you were so good to us.

last pic before we say goodbye.

Hope you enjoyed my vacation recap.

Til next summer LBI : )

xo Steph

ps. what's up with that guy in the background??

Life is Better Down the Shore | Part 1

Well better late than never...I'm finally getting around to sharing my beach vacation pics down in Long Beach Island. Just looking back at these make me want to go back there so bad. There's just something about being near the water that is so peaceful and calming. Everyone is so laid back and chill. Now I know why they say life is better at the beach. There's not a care in the world other than working on your tan, eating fresh seafood and listening to the soft ocean waves in the distance. Ahhhhh life there is good. Here's to hoping one day I'll be able to afford a house there : ) 

We were also having a debate which you would prefer: living near an ocean, a lake, or a bay?

My vote is actually for a lake......but what's yours?

getting my tan on : )

lovely house details

bayside.

The cool thing about our house is that we were a block from the bay on our right and a block from the ocean on our left. Talk about having the best of both worlds!

me and D <3

splashing around and trying not to get knocked over!

Another thing I love going down the shore is the food, my god, the food.

Seafood restaurants galore, and everything so yummy and fresh.

Us with my brother and his girlfriend.

Notice: rockin' the short wig ; )

Stopping at Pinky's seafood is a staple for me and D every year. Their fresh snow crab legs are ahhhh-mazing and one of those little things we look forward to every summer. They are a little on the pricey side, so they are certainly a treat.

I find lobster to be the most sensual of all the ocean crustaceans. 

10 points to anyone who gets this reference.

spending every night out on our deck .

Enjoying fresh watermelons and cold ones on the deck.

life is good.

Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow.

Summer, I miss you so.....I'll be daydreaming of you while at work today.....

xo Steph