THE NINE’S DO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

We’re Baaaack! Mr. Nine had to bring me back to Indiana in protest of leaving paradise but it’s back to reality. We literally have been back just a few hours as this post goes live but since I took my first ever entire week off from blogging, I thought I’d get this out there for you first thing Monday morning! 

Some of you may recall me linking up these 2 dresses an entire year ago with photos from the TJ Maxx dressing room giving hubs the hint that I think we needed to book a trip back to the Caymans and it worked! I even got to wear both of them! 

What an amazing week it was! You may remember, four years ago we took the entire family to the Cayman Islands but this time, just decided to go the two of us because the boys are old enough now to get their own fabulous trips in! It was our turn and wow did we ever pick the perfect resort on the perfect island! The Kimpton Seafire Resort is everything you picture a tropical five-star resort being. From the moment you walk in the door and are handed sparkling wine to every face that greets you by name, we were catered to so sweetly. I cannot sing their praises enough! If you want to treat yourself to an amazing vacation, this is the place to stay! And it’s a very quiet resort, no crazy activities, just nice and laid back, great for families and couples alike! 

Beautiful rooms

The goodness awaiting our arrival

Our View

I’m going to let most of the pictures to the talking and a big thank you to those of you who followed along on Insta stories, it was fun to document some of our awesome adventures and basically just total relaxation and chill time!

THE BEST Concoctions!

Great Iguana Story I'll share Friday

 We even met a couple at dinner at Casanova by the Sea that live on Grand Cayman and said there is no better place in the entire Caribbean and they’ve been to them all!

 Speaking of Casanova By The Sea, it’s my favorite restaurant there! Authentic Italian and the sweetest Italian owners and waiters. Where they put your dinner napkin on your lap for you and the view of the sea and the sunset cannot be beat! I even spilled my Moscato on Mr. Nine and he didn’t even get mad, LOL!

The BEST Italian EVER outside of Italy

A couple of the major highlights to note, was the Wednesday night Pintxo’s and Paella night at Avecita. The most amazing and unique small plates, champagne, sangria and sweet desserts! 

The Sunset Cruise on a catamaran was a blast. So beautiful, yummy pineapple and rum drinks and lively music made for a great time. We even had a full moon to boot!

 Every single meal was alfresco and In the tropical breezes. Our favorite restaurant was Coccoloba where we ate soooo many tiny tacos and chips and salsa. Breakfast was always at the same place but the food was top notch every.single.morning! We never had a bad meal. And so many healthy options, I had fruit everyday. 

The two little Taco favs....Fish and the Steak

 I’ll save a couple interesting travel stories for later in the week. And lots more pics in the week's to come (including deets on all the swimsuits I wore). Sweet Mr. Nine took soooo many outfits pics or me! AND The good news is, even though we are back to the daily grind, our pool is getting opened today, trips to the greenhouses are in order and the weather looks like it might finally be Spring here to stay! 

Have a Marvelous Monday!

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xoxo

FALL UP NORTH

Mr. Nine and I are like kids in a candy store or grown Andrea in a boutique when we head to our favorite Michigan town. I told you in this Post how we found this darling town. It is a home away from home, where we spend every family vacation, try to get there in each season and plan to spend much more time there as we get older. It is especially fun in the Fall when the Pure Michigan colors are spectacular and a Tradition for just the Mr. and I to get away the two of us. We had the cutest Condo on the Bay and woke up to a pretty sunset Saturday Morning.

However, sometimes things just don’t go as you planned thanks to Mother Nature. My visions of sunlight hitting golden leaves, hikes on trails of Fall colors, photos of us together, sipping hot apple cider strolling with my Mr. and pictures with pumpkins were not to be for the majority of our 48 hours up north. Instead what we got were visions of leaves in the rain, photos indoors, decaf and Baileys, eating candy corn in the car, No photos of the two of us together, watching football in the cozy condo and gale force winds with a little snow mixed in from time to time. 
Here is what I looked like for most of the first day.

Here are lots of highlights of what was still a super relaxing and precious getaway. I didn't get to wear some of the outfits I took opting for comfort and Hunter's instead.

Sweater HERE, Gingham Shirt HERE, Earrings HERE

Wearing the Flat Lay from Friday.

Scarf HERE, Sweater HERE, My New Sorel Boots HERE

(gift from Mr. Nine this week) Earrings HERE

Henley HERE, Leggings HERE, Earrings HERE,

Hunter Boots HERE

First stop in the town is always the best local restaurant called Dinghys. It’s one of the few restaurants that stays open year round. In the Fall, I always get the same thing: a Bailey’s and decaf, the BEST mozzarella sticks wrapped in wonton papers and their twice baked potato soup, soooo good! 

Leaves, beautiful leaves, they were there, just tough to see in the rain. Yet, we drove the scenic route for hours and got our glimpses and a few photos when the rain would ebb. Just driving up there is so much pretty than our neck of the woods. And the waves crashing up on the beach...so so cool!

After a day of making the most of rain and wind and candy corn fun, we had a quick dinner and back to chill. What is it about dreary, cold weather that makes us so tired? We had plans to go to the brewery to listen to a band and have a meat and cheese board but by the time 8p rolled around, we nixed that idea 2 nights in a row and opted for evenings in snuggling by the fire and Saturday night watching our one son's school, Purdue, dominate our much despised Ohio Sate...and that meant Notre Dame moved to #3 in the polls.

 We love to hike and had plans for a few trails but when it’s that windy and cold that’s a definite no. However, yesterday those winds died down, the rain was gone and we bundled up to do one we really wanted to do. And the view was so worth it!

I also need to note some realizations that came to play this rainy weekend. The Instagram thing really threw me, I thought gorgeous photos would emerge (and some did end up happening), a Fabulous story line would develop but kids...the pressure, the Instagram pressure, not sure how well I’ll keep up!! And I really didn’t want to stop every few minutes and cook up the story. Mr. Nine doesn’t care about that, he just wants me present in the moment. I love looking at all the visual wonders and fun times my friends are having on Insta but what’s happening is exactly the reason why I didn’t want an Instagram, I’m spending too much time looking at it, interacting with it, worried my stuff is not good enough, that I am not good enough and guys, I’m not that person. I’m not good at videoing stuff or myself. I’ll still be on it and engage because it has brought me joy but a balance must be obtained or this type A will personality will go crazy. With the holidays approaching, I’m going to be present and isn’t that the best gift we can give to our families, the gift of our undivided presence when they’re around. So here’s to more trips with my love, more plans altered and more be in the moment events! 

One of my dear besties, Laura had this on her Blog recently.

And They’ll be many more trips north, many more Fall colors to behold and cider to be drank. Most importantly, was the one on one time with my man and not waking up 5 in the morning when Daisy Mae barks to go out. The scenery, friendliness of the town and general relaxed vibe is still none like we get at home and meals cooked for me, well right on. AND in the last day I my picture with the Michigan pumpkins! Life is good! Life is Lovely!

 LOVELY SWEATER HERE

HAPPY START TO YOU WEEK PUMPKINS!

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xoxo