FRIDAY FAVORITES...VACATION EDITION

Happy Friday my sweet friends! Wow, this week has gone fast and has been packed full! Why is it that the week back from vacation is just a little bit crazier? So anyway, the plan is to maybe get a little rest in this weekend but there are still all those pots to be planted! And I spoke too soon about Spring being here to stay in Indiana, within 48 hours, Mother Nature has decided to forecast SNOW for tomorrow! What the???? Let’s just get to the favorites, lots of good ones.

1. Airport/Plane Craziness / IGUANA Story

You guys, we were blessed to of made it to the Cayman Islands, but we sure did have crazy airport shenanigans to and from. First of all, I got pat down because of the underwear I was wearing had a spanks like lining. And I was wearing a dress! Then, when we boarded our connecting flight, they had boarded the entire plane which half of them, mind you, had tried to get out on Saturday and couldn’t because of weather. After sitting on the tarmac for an hour, they announced that there was no Captain to fly the plane and were going to deplane us. American Airlines was even replying to my frustrated tweets. Luckily within about 15 or 20 minutes it was Captain Larry to the rescue who was on his way to save the day! And they gave me extra Bailey’s!

Flying out, I got pat down for the same issue. Thank you Chantelle underwear! But I was also chosen for the random security check, which meant they took everything out of my two carry-ons, did the wand search for bomb residue and I was the one who had to put everything back in. Then, they called my name and had to do a search of the checked bag. Must’ve been my high bun, it scared them! We almost missed our connecting flight but thank goodness made it home.

IGUANA

 Another favorite story was the Iguana story. The iguanas aren’t like the little gecko lizards, they are big. Mind you, we only saw two and they were kind of cool but this one scared a guy I have to death and I would have died! 

See this bag right here in the photo below? Well, about five minutes after I took this picture a young guy laid down on his stomach and went to sleep not knowing the iguana was close by. The iguana climbed up on the bag and onto the guy scaring the absolute crap out of him. I wish I would’ve got the whole thing on video as his mom did and should’ve asked her for a copy of it. Priceless! 

2. Pretty You London Slippers

I know many of you fell in love with my Pretty You London slippers A few weeks ago, so how excited was I to get a pair of their sandals to take on our trip. They have some of the cutest sandals I have ever seen, and these black tassel slides were the ultimate! The base is an espadrille and the tassels are so cute and full and I got so many compliments on these sandals! Hop over there and check out their adorable collection!

BUY Sandals HERE

3. Greenhouses with Mom  

So, as I’ve told you often before, my mom and I have a tradition of going to several greenhouses every spring and picking out all our flowers. You may have seen my Instagram story about how she is a master gardener with some of the most beautiful flowers in the county. I always love her advice and we pretty much have the same taste in flowers. Yes, it means lots of watering but it’s so worth it for all the beauty that the posies bring every year! And I always get super happy to drive Mr. Nine‘s Ford Raptor truck!

4. Paper Bag Shorts
I was not sure I would love the paper bag shorts and pants trend, but this outfit changed all that! It is so comfortable and so flattering. Both these pieces came from JCPenney and I absolutely love them. My mom loved the top so much, she got it in pink. What about you, do you like the paper bag trend?
BUY Top HERE // Shorts HERE // Sandals HERE // Earrings HERE

More Inspo 

And Just this week, My dear friend Amy Ann from Straight A Style modeled her paper bag shorts too.

5. Causebox from Chrissy &
Pineapple Love from Nadine
My Awesome and dear friend Chrissy from Granola and Grace gifted me with the most amazing gift this week! It was my first causebox and boy is it a good one! Not sure if you’re familiar with CauseBox but all the products inside are so well-made, developed and created by women! They are environmentally friendly, often with proceeds towards a cause and many made with women’s bare hands. I’m all about women’s empowerment and I was tickled pink to get this box for my precious precious friend! If you have not checked out her blog, it is a must! Chrissy and I share a passion for our environment and lifting up other women!

Make sure to follow her Instagram too!!

I have been so blessed to know Nadine of Life By Nadine Lynn for about the entire time I’ve been blogging. She is funny, she is sassy, she is smart and such a great writer! She has the most darling little girl who was born on our oldest son’s birthday and I just love all the Zoe shenanigans! Make sure you check her out. Nadine decided we are just going to go ahead and celebrate my birthday all month and sent me all this goodness that I received in the mail yesterday! Talk about a sweetheart!

Follow Nadine's Instagram HERE

Look how cute mom and her babe, Zoe look. The sunglasses are because Miss Zoe has a better sunglasses collection than me, lol!

 

And in case you missed em'.......

Posts of the Week

Monday~ The Nine's Do the Cayman Islands
Tuesday~ Beth's Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Wednesday~ Back-Up Jumpsuit and WUW

Happy Weekend LOVELIES!!!

xoxo

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!

LINKING-UP with Biana // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // Friday Favorites Link Party // Clever Chicks Blog Hop 

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES.....HASTA LA VISTA JANUARY

Happy Friday. I am not sad at all to be heading into the last week of January. You know I love the snow and unfortunately, we did not get quite as much as I had hoped, but unfortunately the bitter bitter cold came with it. AND an ice storm. We couldn’t even get out of our steep driveway. So, even this cold and snow loving girl is kind a ready for January to be done. And on Wednesday, I fell down the inside stairs and am one sore pup this week. Lesson learned..hold onto rail! January is just such a sad month isn’t it. Your posts on goals, word of the year and positive outlook ‘s have been so inspiring and helps this positive girl stay afloat! But I’m definitely ready for fresh February because that gets us closer to pool season. And I have this to look forward to:

1. Grand Cayman

Ever since we took the whole family to Seven-mile Beach in Grand Cayman four years ago, Mr. Nine and I have been itching to get back there. Of course, the boys have too, but they’ve got their own spring breaks to look forward to this spring. Mr. Nine recently booked us a week stay in April kind of celebrating my birthday which is the first part of April and our anniversary which is in May at a brand-new resort they had just started building when we were there. It’s called the Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa if you want to check it out and I am overjoyed to go there and be pampered because of how amazing all the reviews are. I told Mr. Nine I was perfectly fine with staying in a little condo on the beach but he insists that we be taken care of and no grocery shopping or cooking necessary, LOL! Here are a few shots from our last trip there, which literally was the best vacation we’ve ever taken in our lives. Cheers to this one being just as wonderful.

Couldn't beat our view

2. This Sweatshirt & a whole 
Bevy of Great Graphics!!
Let’s talk about a boss babe! Colette from Canada, started her own graphic apparel company 2 years ago called Brand Squawk and not only does she work outside of the home, she slays this business right from her residence all by herself. She is giving all my lovely followers 20% off any of her items with the code cloudnine20. Go check out her cuteness including the super soft sweatshirt for lounge around the house, my favorite place to be!

Sweatshirt HERE // Headband HERE // Silver Pumps HERE // Similar Jeans HERE & HERE // Earrings HERE

3. Week's Attire

American Eagle flannel HERE, Ugg Boots HERE

Leggings by Kyodan, Old Navy sweatshirt HERE, Adidas shoes HERE

Target cardigan, Target jeans and Hunter Boots HERE

4. Leopard Vest again..Tunic Style

A few weeks ago, I showed you this soft, amazing pockets on the side, Leopard Vest that I wore with a hunter green swing dress. I love show him more than one way to wear a piece so here I styled it with leggings and a cream tunic top.

VEST HERE // TUNIC HERE // LEGGINGS HERE 
// BOOTS HERE

More Inspo

5. Misc. Fun
Posts of the Week

This week I had some very special posts! Monday, I shared a post that took me a year to decide to publish. It was called Grieving The Living in case you missed it. Tuesday, for all you bacon appetizer lovers, I shared my Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese.. Wednesday was extra fun because some of my bloggy friends joined together in showcasing the fabulous color HOT PINK!

New Nickel & Suede Earrings
The minute I saw the new arrivals by Nickel and Suede from the Lovely Lisa, I knew these babies would be mine and I love them so much! 
BEST EARRINGS!!
BUY HERE

Target Feature

I was so excited when I found myself on Target’s webpage for the Instagram post about my cute JoyLab Jacket. This is the second time I’ve been on there but there’s just something so exciting about seeing yourself on a major webpage. See it HERE

Upcoming Recipes

With the bitter cold all around us, I have been trying some yummy and warming new recipes. This week I tried Zuppa Toscana for the first time but made it a healthy version (soooo delicious) and also concocted up a turkey and sweet potato skillet. Today I’m going to make a healthy treat for the weekend. Can’t wait to share all these on some upcoming tasty Tuesdays.

Hope your weekend keeps you Warm and Happy!

Linking up with  Amanda // Friday Favorites  // High 5 For Friday  // Fashion Friday

xoxo