the most turquoise water I ever did see

I have never been to the Caribbean. Or Hawaii. Or St. Tropez. I did a banzai drive down from Paris to catch a small peak of the Mediterranean Sea and must say I found it rather uninspiring.

That said, I found Cozumel to have the most beautiful colored water I have ever laid eyes on.

A rather rocky night at sea, the post-party effects of the day after Formal Night, and a particularly crowded and stuffy wait to get off the boat made for a rough start to our day trip in Cozumel. One glance at that crystal blue water though and I was cured.

Strangely, we departed the cruise ship, walked the length of the dock and then boarded another boat to the mainland so we could board our Jeeps, hit the beach for some mexican food and then venture into a cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites and the most amazing cavern pool. It feels a little strange to get off a giant boat and then immediately jump on a ferry.

yup, a Starbucks, right in the middle of Playa del Carmen. And right across from a Lacoste, Johnny Rockets, Mango and some other seemingly out-of-place shops.

(beach photo credits: Carl, nice work honey!)

Swimming in the caverns was definitely the highlight of this day. I'm sad that we didn't get better pictures of it. But it was dark and wet; we were in a cave after all.

I have a serious case of the Fridays today. Got to work extra early today so I could hurry on out of here and go enjoy some camping at one of my favorite spots - Jalama Beach. Kassi can back me up when I say that Jalama is awesome and I can't wait to enjoy a Jalama Burger. Its pretty rare that I eat a hamburger, but its a treat worth having when I go there. Can't wait to cuddle with the little ones next to the campfire and sink my toes in the sand!!

Happy Friday to all!

What are your weekend plans?

XO,

Chelsea

cuban coffee, key lime pie and a game of dominoes

Well, if you read the post title, then you can probably guess I'm talking about Key West. It was our first stop on the cruise and as you can tell, we definitely had some goals. Consider them highly self-serving, but goals nonetheless. Drink a beer while walking down the street, eat a cuban sandwiches drink some cuban coffee and finish it all off with key lime pie. Not lofty goals, but hey, vacation is about doing what you can't do at home. Right?

I love the tropical feel of Key West.

The foliage is bright and lush.

Little chicken families are wandering around all over.

You are dripping from the humidity the minute you step outside. Then again, that's where those cold beers come in handy.

We took a nice climb up an old lighthouse.

Took the obligatory snapshot by the bell.

A swim in the ocean.

Found some awesome dominoes with the Cuban flag printed on back.

Accomplished the cuban sandwich and coffee goal. Finished off with a Red Stripe (try to ignore the fact that I look like a greaseball. This was post-swim).

Got our dominoes on.

Then took the last shuttle to the ship before we set sail once again.

Phew! We made it.

Just in time to get all fancied up for Formal Night.

Check out this handsome pair.

Ladies turn.

After our champagne on the balcony, we all made our way down to the lobby levels for the most hysterical photo taking ever. If you've ever been on a cruise, then you know what I'm talking about. Its like senior pictures and prom on steroids. We made it our goal to hit every photo station, try every pose and even invent a few of our own. More on those in the next post...

Hope everyone is enjoying their week. I, for one, am happy that we're one day away from the weekend!!

XO,

Chelsea

new sport - urban extreme walking

Please forgive me for my extreme laziness upon returning from vacation. I think I've managed about 2 posts in my post-vacation haze. Somehow the saying, "need a vacation from my vacation" keeps ringing through my ears. Which is strange because our vacation was extremely restful and not too over-packed with activity. I guess my main issue was readjusting to the fact that I actually had to do stuff for myself again. No waiters, no steward, no love. Hahah. Truly though, it is an adjustment to be launched from vacation mode to work mode with no happy medium :)

So, in our adventures in Miami prior to boarding the boat, we invented a new extreme sport. Urban walking.
We were told we could each bring one bottle of wine or champagne on board and we certainly weren't going to pass up the opportunity to pick out some bubbles or vino. Trusty smartphone in hand, Carl searched for grocery stores and found that there were several not too far from the hotel. Armed with a strong sense of adventure and a thirst for some bubbles, off we set.

Came across some cool graffiti

We were enjoying our little stroll around the self-proclaimed historic district, although not finding anything but hole in the wall liquor stores where the "groceries" were supposed to be.

After a particularly sketchy little store (along with some neighbors very interested in our happenings there) we decided we better high-tail it out of there. Pronto. Sure enough, that's always when you turn the corner and its a dark walkway under a freeway. Nice. And that's when a very nice individual on a bicycle rode by and tried to sell us a snazzy gold necklace. Our walking pace increased. Ten-fold.

We did manage to finally find an awesome little store with a guy who suggested a great bottle of wine. And we got some pretty awesome exercise.

After completing our new sporting event (we placed first!!), it was time to hustle over to the Port and board the behemoth that was our home on water for the next 4 days. 

I'd never been on a cruise ship before and the whole thing was just surreal to me. The lobby for checking in to the boat, getting your picture taken as you board, and then entering the actual ship was pretty overwhelming. In a good way.

Our little window to the world. Being on the first floor of staterooms turned out to be a good thing when the seas got rough and the boat got to rocking. Some friends up on the 7th floor looked pretty green once that business started.

Our extreme sport from earlier in the day and the shuffle of getting on-board had us pretty wiped out. While everyone else was hitting the deck, giant margaritas in hand. We took a nap. Awesomeness achieved.

Welcome to Miami

Its good to be back! I had no idea that I would miss blogging so much and now I feel like I have lots of catching up to do. Bear with me while I inundate you with photos from our amazing cruise adventure!!

Vacation is always good, and I think its even better when its full of trying out new things. I'd never spent much time in Miami and I'd never been on a cruise, so I was super excited this adventure! Our schedule worked out great because we wound up with 24 hours in Miami before we were set to board the ship. It left plenty of time for exploration, something we both love. There's definitely a thrill in setting out in a new city with no itinerary, no idea where you're headed and someone to share the experience with. Armed with very little assistance from the hotel staff, an eye on getting some delicious food and a monorail to board, we were set for discovery!

Miami is definitely colorful! 

The hotels and high-rise apartment buildings in Downtown Miami were full of bright and saturated hues.

Integrating with the art

Jaywalking the bay

And finally, after a good amount of wandering and wondering where all the restaurants were, we happened upon a great little Italian cafe. It was a perfectly balmy evening for enjoying a sidewalk meal.

Riding the monorail back to the hotel and prepping for a night in South Beach!

We figured out pretty quickly that even though our hotel was conveniently located near the Port for the next day's departure, if we wanted to experience Miami nightlife, we'd have to head to South Beach. So that's precisely what we did...its an interesting place to say the least.

More Miami and cruisin adventures to come this week!

Happy Wardrobe Wednesday everyone!!

XO,

Chelsea

feeling the love - two things around my home

Do you find it hard to sleep when you are super excited about something? I am one of those people that gets so amped up about doing something that I have a hard time sitting still, sleeping or even having focused conversations! I squealed with glee last night as we climbed in bed after spending the evening packing. I am counting the hours until vacation time and I'm having a hard time even typing because I am so anxious!

The countdown clock on my toolbar says 18 hours 27 minutes and 50 seconds until I am on a plane to relaxation and fun with my honey!

I'm hoping to stay away from the computer and guessing that I probably won't have any access to the Internetz anyway, so I promise to take lots of pics and go post-happy upon my return!

Today, I'm once again joining Kassi in her lovin' of two things around the home. She has been settling into her awesome new house and its so fun to once again see what she's loving around her place! That candle of hers looks just as gorgeous as it smells! I have yet to buy any nice candles since we've moved, but I love the way that scents can transport you to somewhere else. Thanks for sharing Kassi!

Right now I am totally in love with my light-up globe.

I'd been wanting a globe for quite a while and when I found this one that lights up at one of my local thrifts, I was beyond thrilled! I hemmed and hawed about actually buying it because I wasn't sure I wanted to pay what they were asking. After setting it down and picking it up about 5 times, I finally just dropped the dough and brought it home. I'm glad I did because it is in really perfect condition and everyone has just loved it around the house so far. 

I'm in love with the glow it gives off. 

Its right outside our bedroom and serves as a sort of nightlight.

It makes me dream of exotic destinations yet to discover...

I'm also totally loving my old, weathered adirondacks.

The longer, warmer days have been giving us lots of excuses to linger outside. I can't wait for more bbq's, more gardening, more evenings watching the sun set on the American Riviera. A cushy, exotic-print pillow, a good book and a glass of wine - I'm set for lounging. 

What are you loving around your home today? 

Please share in the comments or link up to Kassi's blog and leave me a comment letting me know so I can check it out!

XO,

Chelsea

fancy friday - inspirational stalking

This was a week that couldn't end fast enough. I'm lacking inspiration and perhaps I've already mentally packed and left for next week's vacation. Its times like these that I'm incredibly thrilled to know that any needed inspirational boost can be achieved just by peeking into my Google Reader.

Here's what I fancied this week:

Finding this gorgeous blog full of beautiful photos and this pretty lady: http://songoftheexile.blogspot.com/

This fun, springy project to brighten up my sandals: http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2010/4/22/whits-knits-fishnet-anklets.html

More obsessing over pretty macarons: http://cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com/2010/04/cherry-blossom-macarons-for-martha.html

Staying on the lookout for fallen trees so I can make these: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/entertaining/speakers-made-from-a-fallen-tree-113922

I'm hoping this weekend's jam-packed celebrating will bring me even more inspiration. 

I'm looking forward to:

1) a very merry un-Birthday for one little girl turning 3 1/2

2) a private little celebration of "us"

3) laughing, a whole lot. It is, after all, the best medicine

4) some private time crafting, creating, re-making, re-using

5) writing a short letter to the weather in the hopes that it will cooperate for our vacation plans next week

This time next week, I plan to be gazing at this:

(image found at flickr)

What are you looking forward to this weekend? 

XO,

Chelsea

patchwork

This is actually an outfit and shots from last week. It was a really fun little photo shoot with the kids there to play, keep me smiling and of course, get their own photos taken too. This week's rain sort of eradicated any hopes of beautiful outdoor shots - seems to be sort of a theme around here. Spring rain on Tuesdays. In any case, I do truly love the rainy days and the extra injection of color that results from it.

I definitely felt the restlessness of Summer when I wore this dress last week. The chill in the air forced me to throw on a sweater, but I was still feeling the boho summertime vibe of the patchwork dress. And probably a premature anxiousness to get on vacation already! 6 days, 19 hours and 10 minutes until we are on a plane heading for more tropical climes. But who's counting??

Wearing my beautiful new ring from KDikio Vintage. I found her when JenLovesKev offered a giveaway, went on the site and couldn't resist this beauty. If you get a chance to check out KDikio - she's got a great eye and lots of amazing pieces!

Outfit details

Dress: F21 - old

Swing sweater - Banana Republic - hand-me-up from friend

wedges - Steve Madden - old

Sunnies - thrifted

Ring - KDikio Vintage - check her out!!

Of course the photo snapping wouldn't be complete if these two didn't get in on the fun

Little Miss Harper Lee, painted face and all, being Sleeping Beauty. I must have about 20 shots of her laying down like this. "My turn, my turn!!"

I would also now like to announce that I'm quitting my job to become a stage mom for this little ham. Seriously, where did he get this from?? He jumped up on those stairs and struck that pose. Way to work it little guy! Maybe Merl's Manfriend and Sutter can get their own Pouty Model Pose workshop together?

Happy Wednesday!

XO,

Chelsea