Showing posts with label Beaches. Show all posts

Siesta Key, Florida

I couldn't be more excited to finally make it out to one of my favorite beaches in the world this coming weekend. The sand at Siesta Key feels like white powder, the water is crystal clear, and the overall vibe is soothing.


If you've never heard of Siesta Key Beach, it's located on Florida's west coast close to the city of Sarasota, which is where K grew up and my in-laws live so we try to make it out to the beach when we're in town visiting family. 


Ever since Siesta Key was ranked #1 beach in the US by Trip Advisor (in 2011), it's popularity has grown quite a bit causing certain weekends to be crowded and making parking a stalking game but once I'm settled on a beach chair near to the water it's literally my definition of heaven on earth. 




Things you may or may not see at Siesta Key beach:
~ tons of colorful beach umbrellas and tents. (guaranteed)
~ lots of beach activities including volleyball, ladderball, casual football and lots more.
~ NYC's famous Naked Cowboy and his female sidekick (yes that did happen)
~ Policemen on horses patrolling through the crowds (maybe)


After laying out in the sun for a few hours and taking a dip in the ocean, we always head over to the Siesta Key Village for a cold daiquiri at Daiquiri Deck and some seafood lunch at Siesta Key Oyster Deck (SKOB).





Tradewinds Island Resorts on St Pete Beach

If you're ever looking for a relaxing beach getaway, I have the perfect place to recommend. St Pete Beach is one of my favorite beaches on the west coast of Florida and Tradewinds is a beachfront resort that offers lots of great amenities including beach & water sports, pools, beach cabanas, mini golf, paddleboats, spas, and several restaurants to choose from. They have two different properties along the same beach for either an adults-only or family-friendly vacation. The resort is also pet-friendly so your fur-babies are welcome to join the fun.
 
I've stayed at Tradewinds on three different occasions; the first time was many years ago for a friend's beach wedding, then K and I went for a "mini-moon" after our wedding in 2012 and most recently we stayed 3 nights this past June for my company's annual vacation. I posted a trip recap but I wanted to share more details about the resort itself.

This isn't a sponsored post of any sort. I just truly love this resort as a vacation spot.

The Guy Harvey Outpost is one of the two properties with a great restaurant onsite called the RumFish Grill. The restaurant has a fine dining side and a sports restaurant/bar side along with a huge aquarium and a Guy Harvey store.

We stayed at the Island Grand property, which I failed to get many photos of. The rooms came equipped with a mini kitchen and were comfortable (a little older but good enough for the price). Our balcony overlooked the paddle boat river. Typically I would choose a beach view but my company organized this trip and I had no say in the matter.

We spent our days lounging in the beach cabanas, which you have to book the night before as they fill up quickly. When the beach got too hot (June in Florida), we headed to the pool area to cool off. I didn't opt to do any water sports on this trip but I did go down the huge water slide on the beach.

Finally many beach cocktails were had at Salty's Tiki bar.The mojitos were the best!

And here's me in vacation mode....

As the Tradewinds resort slogan goes, Just Let Go.....


Weekend Sunshine & Fun with Friends

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

On Friday, I had a team building day with work people. We had lunch and then went to a sports bar with simulated golf, car racing, pool, darts etc. It was nice getting out of the office early and catching up with work peeps over some drinks. 

On Saturday, K and I planned a beach day to spend some time together after a few hectic weeks. It was a gorgeous day & we ran into some old friends so it was fun catching up.

After soaking in some sun for a few hours, we went to our new favorite tiki bar/restaurant for some apps and beach cocktails before heading home.

On Sunday, we went to a friend's birthday BBQ and the guys played some basketball in the neighborhood. The weather was perfect this weekend so finally got to work on my tan!

How was your weekend?

Joining Bella & Lisa for Weekend Recap and Molly & Carly for Funday Monday.
still being [molly]Dateless in Dallas

Weekend Recap: Beach Weather is Here

Hope everyone had a great weekend!
I finally made it to the hairdresser to my hair done before I head to New Orleans for a bachelorette on Thursday. Got some highlights and side bangs. The salon I go to also has the cutest boutique that sells pretty statement necklaces and jewerly so it's such a temptation not to buy everything.
Still have swollen cheeks over a month after the wisdom tooth surgery. Ugh!

On Saturday night, K and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the basketball games and have some dinner & cold ones.

On Sunday morning we headed out to the beach. Nothing makes me happier in life than relaxing on the beach so I'm excited the weather is finally warm enough in Florida to start working on that tan!
It was a gorgeous day and the perfect end to the weekend!

Joining Molly & Carly for Funday Monday.
still being [molly]

Back To Reality: Travel Adventures for the Holidays

I'm home! I'm back! Hi everyone!

It's always sad when your vacation comes to an end but I was happy to be back home on Friday and had the weekend to relax and catch up on my blogs before going back to work today.

K and I traveled to Trinidad & Tobago for a week to visit family & friends for a late Christmas and to ring in 2014 in the sunny Caribbean.  We spent the first 3 days in Trinidad.

~ Ocean view from my grandmother's backyard
~ K and I drinking coconut water
~ Quality time with my sister and cousins
~ View of Port of Spain (the capital of Trinidad) from a lookout
 ~  Dinner & drinks with the girls
~ Ziplining the next morning with my cousins and family
~ My cousin returning on the zipline
~ K and I enjoying some Carib beer on the way to the beach
~ Beautiful Maracas beach

We then flew to Tobago with my parents and sister and spent 3 days enjoying the beautiful beaches, touring the island, seeing friends and ringing in the new year.
View from the plane leaving Trinidad and landing in Tobago.
Tobago Adventures...

~ View from our hotel in Tobago
~ K and I enjoying the beautiful weather and views
~ We went to a casino one night and K won some money on the black jack table
~ drinking Caribbean Rum Punch at lunch
~ View of Blue Waters Bay 
~ Met up with some girl friends on the beach
~ Fireworks on NYE night
~ Local food - curry conch and dumplings
~ New Year's day was spent relaxing on this beautiful beach

We flew back to Trinidad and went out with my girls for one last hurrah before catching our flight the next day back to Florida. I'm seriously going to miss my family and besties until we visit again.

Happy New Year everyone and thank you to the lovely ladies that guest posted for me while I was gone!

How did you ring in 2014?

Joining Bella and Lisa for the Weekend Recap Linkup.
Showered With Design

Beach Weekend Getaway

I'm so glad we were able to take advantage of the sunny/warm weather this weekend before it starts to get cold. 

My parents have been in town visiting for the past two weeks so we planned a quick weekend beach trip and rented a condo out in Cocoa Beach.

On Friday we headed out to the beach and got settled into our condo which had a decent view of the water. Later that night we went out to a Tiki bar and restaurant for some seafood and tropical drinks. 

On Saturday, Kate and her hubby met us at the resort and we had a great time walking on the beach and lounging at the pool. The weather was perfect (80's) and we enjoyed some live music on the pool deck. Fun times!

After being in the sun for several hours (and several cold beers), we all went to a Mexican restaurants with my parents for happy hour and dinner before Kate and H headed back home. 

On Sunday we walked around the Cocoa Beach Pier and then packed up and headed home. I did some last minute errands with my mom before they head back to Trinidad today. K grilled a ton of ribs for dinner and we just hung around for their last night. 
(Recipe to come soon)

I'm sad to see my parents leave today but after entertaining for 2 weeks, I'm very slightly exhausted.

Joining Sami for Weekend Shenanigans.
Sami's Shenanigans

How was your weekend?

Labor Day Beach Getaway

On Saturday we headed out to the west coast to stay at a beach condo resort with some friends for the long weekend.

On Saturday night we all cooked a nice dinner and then had birthday cake to celebrate my hubby's birthday this week and my friend Sacha's birthday.

Sunday was another beach day with friends on Treasure Island beach.

On Monday we headed back home & went to check out some Labor Day furniture sales for the new patio and deck that's currently being built in our backyard. 

Joining Sami for Weekend Shenanigans.
Sami's Shenanigans

Hope you had a fun weekend too!

Hey There, Long Weekend!

SO excited Labor Day weekend is finally here. We've been planning a beach getaway with some friends for months now and the time has finally come to enjoy our beachfront condo with frozen cocktails, BBQ & good friends on sunny St Pete Beach.
St Pete Beach - Treasure Island

Now a quick recap of the past week...

1. Pretty hummus I got for lunch on Wednesday from a Mediterranean food truck that came to our office.

2. Our kitchen backsplash has finally been installed and it makes such a huge difference.

3. Enjoying sunny summer days in our neighborhood.

4. Birthday dinner for a friend last night at a new Mexican restaurant downtown. Good times!

5. Can't beat 2-4-1 Pomengrante Margs. Shrimp tacos and goat cheese Guacamole were also on the menu. Delicious!

Joining Lauren for H54F and Darcie for Five on Friday.
 photo H54Fbutton-1_zpsa7aaa665.pngTHE GOOD LIFE BLOG

I hope you ladies have a safe & memorable Labor Day weekend!