Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts

6.17.2014

VA Beach

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Last Saturday, we went to Virginia Beach as part of my little getaway.
We had such a great time. For starters, the beach mostly felt like ours because we were in a quieter part. Secondly, we brought food to eat on the beach. Last, the water, which would normally be a bit frosty this time of year, was perfect!

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Cucumber and Mint sparkling water. Seriously, put cucumber in anything and it’s like…HELLO!
Maria made this pasta salad and I was craving it on the way home. YUM.

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I’m looking forward to going back and spending more than one day at the beach.
There are very few things better than the sound of waves crashing.

2.19.2014

Riviera Maya

Vacations aren’t a frequent part of my life. Growing up, my family would head to Wildwood Crest for a few days, a not-so-long drive away. I’ve been to Ocean City, MD a couple of times since graduating high school. But still, none of it was for very long or very…exotic, I guess. When I was given the opportunity to go to Mexico with Brad and his family, I was so grateful and excited! It didn’t seem real, though, and I couldn’t believe that I would eventually be boarding a plane and landing at an all-inclusive resort as my hometown got pummeled in snow.

I don’t really know what to say about the trip…it was perfect! The weather was fantastic, the food was enjoyable, the drinks were fun, the company was great. When we first arrived, I felt like I was in a dream. Every morning, when I’d look outside of our deck or walk up to the pool area, I still felt like it couldn’t be real.
When I first knew about the trip, I couldn’t believe it. And I still can’t believe it, after being there and coming back!

Of course, I have to share some photos. I have hundreds, split mostly between my DSLR and my iPhone (I had to do some IG shots and emails to my family), so I’ll probably be talking about it for a while…

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This was only my 3rd trip requiring a plane, and it’s been about 6 years since the last one. I was so happy to get the window seat! I feel like Instagrammers and photo enthusiasts have a little bucket list of pictures you need to take in your life. Photos from the window seat of a plane were definitely on mine, so I could cross that off. Here was my first view of Mexico! A lovely site after snow-covered buildings and cold roads.

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The beautiful lobby of Catalonia Riviera Maya, where we were greeted with Tequila Sunrises.

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Our room was on the first floor, and it was actually quite big. There were two beds, but we shared one and the other housed our suitcase and random clothes explosions and messiness. Brad took this photo of me on our deck, with the view of the pool and palm trees behind me. So beautiful.

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Two big pools with swim-up bars, but the ocean was right there. I spent my first two days in these chairs, reading, drinking frozen cocktails, and swimming in clear blue water. Sigh…

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So many more photos to show, but this is a little taste of the daily life. Palm trees, sunshine, clear blue water (pool or ocean), tequila-based drinks, and lounging without a care in the world.

I feel like I brought home some positivity, and I really hope to keep it with me. The fact that I got this opportunity in the first place proved that I’m super lucky and blessed, and I hope to carry that into my daily life.

*all photos taken with my Canon Rebel XSi, iPhone photos to follow!

7.20.2011

The Middle

Last Wednesday, I was already back from OCMD. This incredible little getaway is quickly moving into the past (well, it already is in the past…but further!). I am so thankful we were able to take the time, that we had a little bit of money stashed away to enjoy ourselves, that we had beautiful weather. In fact, the blue skies and warm summer air stayed with us our entire week off. Last year’s vacation was not as beautiful or satisfying. I can only hope that every year brings a gorgeous vacation with it. And, though I am sad that the time has come and gone, it just means that I can start planning and looking forward to new small trips and getaways!

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All pictures taken with Instagram and Hipstamatic.

And while I definitely do miss the beach and vacation, I’m largely frustrated that I don’t have easy access to Fractured Prune doughnuts.

7.12.2011

Back from the Beach

I’m home from OCMD! Wow, what a fantastic trip! I am so glad Brad and I decided to get away for a few days during our week vacation. It was the perfect amount of time to enjoy the sights and sounds but still leave us wanting more. I craved the beach and boardwalk before and now, having been there, I want it again already!  We missed a huge storm on Friday and ended up with clear skies and perfect summer weather that left us with blazing hot days by the beach and breezy nights to enjoy dinner on the bay and walk hand in hand on the boardwalk.
So, all in all, it was a fantastic weekend/long weekend/trip.

I’ve missed blogging! I took a bunch of pictures, obviously, but not with all my cameras. I have some 35 mm film to develop from my Konica camera, and I took some Instax shots, but mostly I used Hipstamatic and Instagram. How I love the iPhone! I miss using my camera babies, but my phone is always with me and takes great shots!

Anyway, it’s sad to be home. This is my first night in my own bed and I really miss how care-free life was on the beach. But there is still plenty of vacation to be had! Brad and I took the night apart, but we shall be back together tomorrow…that’ll make everything better!

Here are some photos to enjoy for now…

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More to come…