Celebrating Year 33 In The Florida Keys With A Little Birthday Bump: Isla Bella Beach Resort

My birthday is always right around Blaises winter conference for work. So every year we try to make a little trip out of it. This year, the conference was in Orlando and we didn’t make any concrete plans- but I had been dreaming about The Florida Keys for the past month. However, I was also suffering from crazy morning sickness and wasn’t sure how fun a road trip of that span would be. And Blaise was not overly enthusiastic about driving 4 hours in the opposite direction when there are plenty of nice beaches on our route home. So we did the ole “play it by ear” routine we so often do. 

The day we were leaving Orlando, I found a last minute deal at a beautiful beach resort in Marathon, FL. I just entered my second trimester, was feeling less nauseas and ready to brave the drive. Blaise was not convinced. But after presenting my case which included: a killer deal, photos of the resort, the weather app, my birthday wish and a pregnant wife’s plea. We headed south. 

We stayed at Isla Bella Beach Resort and barely left the grounds. It was everything I wanted- multiple pools, a sandy beach and 76 degrees in early February. It was perfect for a pregnant mama who gets tired at 6pm, a 2 year old who is obsessed with exploring the outdoors, and a husband who needed to be dazzled. (P.S. He was and the whole time told me how “worth it” it was.) 

Every morning when we woke up, I would ask Ella if she wanted to go to the pool or the beach. “Let’s go watch the sunset!” Same reply. Every morning. At 9am. Started each day by melting my heart. It wasn’t easy to explain to her that we would definitely watch the sunset… in 8 hours. But fortunately, she was quickly distracted by the birds and lizards. 

On my actual birthday, we relaxed by the beach, played in the pool, watched the sunset, ate Italian at the resort’s oceanfront restaurant, and ended the night cuddled up watching The Bachelor. Sidenote: my birthday is sometimes on Super Bowl Sunday or The State of The Union address - neither of these am I particularly excited about. But this year, THE BACHELOR aired a special extra episode on my birthday - and it was on a WEDNESDAY! This was the moment I truly knew this was going to be MY YEAR!!

I would 110% recommend The Florida Keys if you have been thinking about going- and the Isla Bella Beach Resort was a literal dream. Gonna be hard to top this birthday! 

Cheers to year 33!

Celebrating Our 5 Year Anniversary: Our Favorite Spots in Dallas, Texas

Thankful for this fun and much needed anniversary trip! We chose Dallas because Ella could spend the day with her grandparents and stay the night with us. That way we were able to lounge by the pool, have uninterrupted conversations, go to fancy restaurants and explore the city. But still pick Ella up in the evenings so we avoided any type of separation anxiety…. and I’m 100% talking about me. Im sure Ella would’ve been fine. 😆

It’s so crazy to think that 5 and a half years ago, I was alone in Nashville and secretly signed up on eHarmony. I wasn’t very hopeful but had zero relationship leads so was down to give the internet a go. And now, I am celebrating 5 Years of marriage to my BABE of a husband!! (Your 👏 girl 👏 does 👏 not 👏 settle.) I might have had to wait a little while, I might have picked up a few jokers along the way, I might have had to humble myself and let the World Wide Web work it’s magic. But I got EVERYTHING I wanted in a man, husband, partner, and father to our daughter.

Everyone’s love story looks different... BUT if you are still waiting on yours, sign up for eharmony! *This is not an ad... but one time, we were! 🤣

Some of my favorite spots we went in Dallas:

The Joule Hotel - this is where we stayed. Right downtown, top notch service, and a rooftop pool, what more could you want?
Haywire - technically in Plano, we actually go here every time we’re in Dallas, amazing food and ambiance.
Dallas World Aquarium - I act like we go to aquariums for Ella… but really, this was for me.
Over Easy - we are brunch people. Love breakfast but never make it to a restaurant while they are still serving it. So, anywhere that serves breakfast until 4pm is at the top of our list.
Sundance Square- downtown Fort Worth, walk, shop, eat!
Rosewood Mansion Restaurant- fancy dinner, excellent service,
The Statler Dallas Hotel- I’m all about those rooftop pools so we had to spend some time here as well.

Wrightsville Beach - Annex Coffee

Moorten Botanical Garden, Palm Springs CA

Moorten Botanical Gaden aka my dream world! Angela and I swung by here on our way to the Palm Springs airport. It was the perfect way to end our 9 day trip out west. 

It was a self guided tour so we took it slow and easy, roaming around giant cacti and exploring "The World's First Cactarium". Twice. 

The owner was a cute old man and he was so friendly. We bought a few succulents and I asked if he had "the kind of aloe you can rub on your cuts and stuff". He said "One minute- I'll be right back". We watched him go over to this giant aloe plant and cut off a sprig for me. He came back with a smile on his face and gave it me for free. That tiny little sprig has grown into a beautiful aloe plant that sits by the window in my kitchen. 

Salvation Mountain, California

Leonard Knight, the artist spent 30 years building the colorful mountain out of local adobe clay and donated paint. 

Imagine believing something so much- in this case, that God is Love, that you go into the middle of the desert and build a 50 foot 3 story mountain. What a creative and passionate spirit. 

Here is a paragraph from the official website: 

 "Salvation Mountain is Leonard's tribute to God and his gift to the world with its simple yet powerful message: "God Is Love." Leonard's passion has lovingly created this brilliant "outsider art " masterpiece resplendent with not only biblical and religious scripture such as the Lord's Prayer, John 3:16, and the Sinner's Prayer, but also including flowers, trees, waterfalls, suns, bluebirds, and many other fascinating and colorful objects. Salvation Mountain must be seen to be fully appreciated as those who have made the journey will attest. Its 50 foot height and 150 foot breadth is made totally of local adobe clay and donated paint and is truly unique in the United States and probably the world. From its Sea of Galilee at the bottom, to the big red heart in the middle, to the cross at the very top, the reoccurring theme of "Love" is everywhere at Salvation Mountain."

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

SUNdays coffee and watching the surfers. It's 45 degrees outside but I don't mind. 

Joshua Tree National Park

Seven Magic Mountains, Las Vegas, Nevada

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

For my birthday this year, all I wanted was to be near the water. 

Aloha

Hawaii is my home away from home. I won't pretend I am special in that aspect. I think most people who have experienced the barefoot life, the wild haired days, the salty lips, the sandy skin, feel in someway that this is how we're supposed to live. 

Hawaii offers me a chance to be someone I'm not. A morning person. With the 6 hour time difference, I'm up by 5am (which is not THAT impressive considering its 11am back home) chipper and ready to explore the island, watch the sunrise- I'll even make you breakfast. It's fun being a morning person. If only for a week. 

We always use airbnb. But this trip we stayed in Waikiki. This is the most touristy part of the island - there's a Hard Rock Cafe and Forever21 if that tells you anything. But I used to live in a high rise right on the Ala Wai so it was fun for me to be in very familiar ground. You can walk out of your condo and grab coffee or an acai bowl across the street. It feels like a bustling city. Shopping bags and to-go boxes and people fighting over parking spots. But a calm and private beach is an easy 15 minute drive. The best of both worlds.