Summer Vacation 2017

June 5, 2017

Vacation is such an anticipated time in my life! This year summer vacation 2017 began on May 31st and continued through June 4th. The event itself starting in St. Augustine with the concert at the St. John’s County Pier (which I posted about here) and culminating in Captiva, Florida on Florida’s beautiful west coast. LB and I left our hotel in St. Augustine on Thursday morning and headed south. We arrived at Captiva Island late Thursday afternoon, checked in to Tween Waters Inn Island Resort and Spa, and headed directly to the beach.

Toes in the water…

Beautiful ocean… shells… sunsets… a tropical paradise

Life is good today!

The suite was beautiful

Some of the furniture reminded me of a collection that I became very familiar with during my time at Liberty Furniture. I was so sure it was the same collection that I did some investigating. Sure enough… it was the Thomasville Bridges Collection. I searched it online, but it appears to have been discontinued. I’m not able to find any pictures from my Liberty files which is not surprising. It wasn’t one of my favorites. But seeing the collection in our suite brought back memories of furniture days gone by.

Later that evening, LB took me to enjoy my most favorite cuisine for first dinner on the island. Cantina Captiva served us the best carnitas (pulled pork) fajitas I have ever had in my life!

There are dollar bills stapled to the ceiling and walls which is quite interesting to say the least, and the food is delish! Adiós and Vaya con Dios

It may sound like we ate constantly, but on occasion we split breakfast, skipped lunch every day, and split dinner every night. Gotta watch those calories! Speaking of calories…

Day Two

started with breakfast at the Captiva House.

LB’s breakfast sandwich

Kim’s Greek Omelet

and COFFEE!

and then we continued with a tour of the grounds

We spent the day on the beach. I love to collect shells and LB is kind enough to keep them in his pockets. We didn’t take any pictures (since LB had shells in his pockets and no room for his phone) during our 2 mile walk on the beach to Andy Rosse Lane. There are shops and restaurants on this little street. One restaurant in particular is the Mucky Duck which is at the end of Andy Rosse Lane, on the beach. There is typically live music in the evenings and LB and I were intent on checking this out. After doing so, it was decided that we would have dinner at the Mucky Duck that evening, which we did… and enjoyed a seafood platter… which we split. It is worth checking out if you are ever on the island. If you do, hopefully it won’t rain so the live music isn’t cancelled.

(source)

Dinner was good

And just like that… it was the end of day two of our summer vacation 2017

Vacation Day Three

began with a trip to the ER.

Yep.

All I am going to say about this is I had an episode unlike any I have ever experienced. This event cost us at least eight hours of vacation time and probable medical bills. I’m sorry to say that I can’t post the pic of me on the hospital gurney with medical apparatus around me and wires/tubes attached.

I’m just too vain.

The good news is, I am still here to tell about it and my heart is in good shape.

When I was finally released, I was more exhausted than when I checked in. And (believe it or not) we hadn’t eaten anything in almost 24 hours. It was time to get back to the resort, take a nap, take a shower, and (you guessed it) find something for dinner.

We enjoyed dinner at the Crow’s Nest Beach Bar and Grille

and a new dress (that I didn’t get a picture of (due to extreme discombobulation).

Vacation Day Four

The trip home involved a stop at the Sanibel Outlet which is documented here.

Happy Birthday to Me

June 1, 2017

My birthday celebration actually began on May 31st at the St. John’s county pier.

Every Wednesday night beginning in May and continuing through September at Music by the Sea, there is a catered dinner and musical entertainment event at the pier. LB and I attend every chance we get. This particular event was catered by Amici’s Italian Restaurant and entertainment provided by one of our favorite local groups The Committee Band. We split an entree that included eggplant parmesan and penne pasta while relaxing in the pavillion prior to the concert. While waiting for the concert, the resident DJ “DJ Dan”, honored us with tee shirts including us in The Danighan Gang.

As is customary, my birthday began with a phone call at 7:52 AM from my sweet Mama. Because I was in a hotel that rendered my cell phone useless [No Service] I missed her call. She went right to my voicemail. When we left the hotel this is the message I retrieved:

“(singing) Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you (laughs) Happy birthday Dear Kim… it’s too early in the morning, but I wanted you to know I love you. God bless you. You’re such a joy to have Kim. I love you with all my heart. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, spendin’ it with the one you love. When you get back we need to have cake. And biscuits. I’ll talk to you later. God bless you Darlin’. I’m so thankful there’s you. Bye.”

I am blessed beyond measure to have such a precious Mama who loves me so much.

I listened to that message several times.

LB had other surprises planned. He brought me to Cathedral Drive and let me pick a restaurant for brunch. I thought the Greek restaurant would be a nice treat. We walked into Athena Restaurant and I immediately noticed the specials posted. One special was Salmon Eggs Benedict. Yes please!

Those are grits on the side.

LB had hashbrowns

After brunch we strolled [it is a vacation day, after all] down to St. George Street and visited one of my favorite St. Augustine shops, H.W. Davis Clothing and Shoes. LB was recalling a post from April when I mentioned a blouse that I loved. He brought me to H.W. Davis and found that blouse

along with another that was just as cute

He bought both of them for me! Oh Happy Day! Not one, but TWO Clara Sunwoo blouses! LOVE these! This has definitely been a day to remember thus far.

The birthday gifts continued

These bracelets were purchase by LB more than a month ago from a Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry party hosted by my coworker Geraldine. LB logged onto the website that was assigned to her party and selected the Silver Star Fish Bracelet and the Two Tone Silver Razzmatazz Bracelet. I was not at all surprised at his GOOD TASTE! But very surprised by the presentation as I had completely forgotten he participated in this event.

There was also an adorable little bracelet that I picked out myself on April 2nd that LB decided I could wait till my birthday to have. This pearl bracelet with starfish and sanddollar charms is from Fresh Produce and I shared it on this post.

So cute!

Believe it or not there was ONE MORE! I absolutely loved it and feel it deserves a post of it’s own. I’ll be presenting this particular birthday gift from LB soon. Stay tuned.

Obviously a birthday is Not all about gifts. LB knows I love pretty things, but he also knows how to make me happy in ways that do not get filed under Material Girl. So he took me to the beach and let me put my toes in the sand

Afterward

We split smokin’ Carnitas Fajitas at a delightful Mexican Restaurant

To all of my FaceBook friends who wished me a happy birthday… I Had a GREAT day. Thank You!

Boutique Finds

May 25, 2017

Today as I retrieved this handbag from the back corner of my closet, I remembered my annual trip north to see the fall colors peaking.

It is a pretty little Coach look-a-like that was purchased in a cute little boutique in Dahlonega, Georgia. Sadly, I can’t remember the name of the boutique. Happily I do remember the trip to Dahlonega, Georgia on our trek through the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We enjoy this trip every year and Dahlonega is often a town that we visit. What is captivating about this town is the Gold Rush Days event.

Gold Rush Days are always held the third full weekend in October. It is a Festival when thousands come and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. There are over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gathering around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event. The Festival includes a Parade, a Festival King and Queen, and a Festival Grand Marshal.

It is a fun day of site seeing, people watching, and, of course, shopping.

The boutique had moved when I revisited, but there remain plenty of shops and places to dine in Dahlonega’s Historic Downtown Square. The Dress Up boutique has a locations in Dahlonega and is another worthwhile shop to visit while at Gold Rush Days.

This year Gold Rush Days will take place on October 21, 2017 – October 22, 2017 in Dahloneha’s Historic Downtown Square. Maybe we’ll see you there.

Vacation Planning

May 22, 2017

Summer is on the way and with it comes VACATION planning. Luckily for me, LB does all the general trip planning, making travel arrangements and hotel reservations. All I have to do is take time off from work (no need to twist my arm).

Then comes wardrobe planning. Although this sounds fairly simple, I start thinking about it at least a week in advance to be sure I don’t forget anything and can fit it all into one suitcase. Actually fitting everything into one suitcase shouldn’t be an issue as mine is big enough to throw out your back. LB knows.

If you do a google search for tropical/beach vacation packing, you’ll likely find a strategy that involves a list of items that you can mix and match. It looks something like this:

· 2 swimsuits, and if they are 2-pieces, make sure the bottoms coordinate with the tops so you have even more options
· 2 tunics and/or 2 sundresses (to total 2) that will serve as cover-ups by day and going out pieces by night
· 3-7 pairs panties and 2-3 bras, depending on washer/dryer availability
· PJ’s
· 2-3 pairs of gym shorts (if you plan to work out), depending on washer/dryer availability (remember, you can rinse in the sink!)
· 2 t-shirts and 3 tank tops
· 2 going out tops, like a sparkly tank and a linen camp shirt
· One pair shorts, preferably white
· One fun skirt, preferably white
· White jeans
· Light sweater or jacket
· Pashmina
· 1 pair flip flops
· 1 pair trainers or athleisure shoes + socks
· 1 pair wedges
· A colorful statement necklace
· Gold hoop earrings
· A floppy hat that folds in your suitcase
· Toiletries & incidentals (Make travel size toiletries from drug store containers.)
· Make sure to pack electronic chargers.
· Assume a hairdryer is at your hotel/rental house, but you may want to check!
(source)

That is a nice list, and I can use it after I plan like this:

Day 1 (travel): white shorts/orange shirt/tan wedges
Evening 1: same
Day 2: orange swimsuit/Marilyn Tee shirt/orange shorts/orange sandals
Evening 2: white maxi dress/tan wedges
Day 3: black swimsuit/black wrap/black tank/black sandals
Evening 3: navy sundress/tan wedges
Day 4: black/white swimsuit/pom-pom top/denim shorts/flip-flops
Evening 4: multi-colored off the shoulder dress/black sandals
Day 5 (travel): multi-colored romper/orange sandals