GIRLS WEEKEND GETAWAY IN SOUTH HAVEN

Ohhh friends, if summer could bottle up joy, laughter, and the sweetest kind of soul care—it would look just like our girls’ weekend in South Haven, Michigan! It was our 4th Annual Summer Get Together. SPECIAL Edition of Friday Favorites here.

Last weekend with my dear friends Jill, Kathrine, and Laura, we packed up our bags and headed to the lakeshore for a few days of connection, fun, and fabulous eats. And let me tell you—it was everything my heart needed and more! (missed our dear Caroline)

Flowers brought for me brightened up 

the rental and have made me smile all week!

We kicked things off with a walk down the pier to the charming lighthouse. South Haven never disappoints with its quaint streets, breezy lake air, and that peaceful small-town vibe that instantly slows you down. We were just anxiously awaiting Jill for the next day.

After an amazing breakfast and gift opening at the Air B&B the next morning, we changed into our chicest casual looks and headed out for shopping in town. Our favorite purchases: matching pajamas at Renaissance. We were even kind of matching that day.

Small Barbie Tote Bags HERE // Favor Boxes HERE // Barbie Head Pens HERE AND I must try Daiso! Loving that rice candy Kathrine

Then we hit up a delicious tapas restaurant called Taste—I’m still dreaming about the steak bites and potato pancakes with apple chutney! Local flavor with gourmet flair? Yes please.

And then came the vibe shift: live music at the Groovin’ Grove! Think retro vibes, disco balls, twinkle lights, the amazing voice of Shelby Lentz. With yummy bites and delicious cocktails, we sang along, we laughed, and honestly, it felt like a movie moment.

One of my favorite photos of the trip.

Back at our cozy rental, the matching pajama moment was peak girls’ trip goals. Think: blush pink florals, cool summer PJ vibes, and lots of fun timer photos. This pic was too good not to share again!

We stayed up late eating snacks, playing Catchphrase (competitive chaos!) and a deep-thinking round of Citizens of Humanity, which sparked some amazing conversations. And oh the laughter. We laughed so hard. There’s something so magical about the combination of laughter and vulnerability, isn’t there? Check out Laura's Lofthouse Cookie Bars. She found edible Barbie heads at Dollar Tree. Jill's tasty dip and lemon cookies were amazing too. 

Saturday morning, we popped into the local farmers market to browse fresh blooms, berries, and artisan treats. (Yes, I absolutely left with summer blackberries & peaches in hand!)

Checkered Pants HERE

Afternoon Coffee and Tea Drinks were a must!

One of the most peaceful moments? Our visit to a salt cave at Salt & Soul. I’d never done anything like it before, and wow… 40 minutes of pure zen, salty air, and deep, calming energy. I could literally feel the stress melt away. (Highly recommend adding it to your itinerary if you’re heading to South Haven!) 

Captain Lou's for dining Alfresco is also a must!

Afternoon held more shopping, relaxing at the rental, sips and homemade pizza rolls from Laura in the backyard, a walk to the pier for outfit photos and dinner at a SH staple called Clementine’s. 

Outfit pics for each other is always so sweet and 

guaranteed great photos. Look at that seagull, lol!

My Outfit HERE // Sandals HERE

LOVE THESE BEAUTIES!!

Back to the rental for Hot Tub time, Would you Rather questions, and Face Masks. Sorry no photos, lol! Kathrine made her French toast casserole for us the next morning. YUM!

By the end of the trip, we were all glowing—from the inside out. Not just from good food or sunshine (although both were abundant), but from the kind of connection that only true, heart-sister friendship brings.

Have you taken a girls’ trip lately? Drop your favorite destination in the comments. Always say yes to girls’ trips and memory making. Can't wait til the next one.

Happy Weekend to you my Loves!

Linking up with Momfessionals and Between Naps on The Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Hello Monday // Sunday's on Silverado // Life and Linda

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES...CHERRIES EDITION

Finally, we were blessed with a beautiful week of weather! Enjoyed a couple great day trips, reading outside, pool time and lots of long walks! While the weather doesn’t look as great this weekend and super HOT, you know we always make the most of it! Oh and Mr. Nine and I scheduled his and her colonoscopies for September, how romantic, lol. Cheers to your Friday!

 

1. Day in Ludington

Every time on our summer vacation, we pick a town close by to spend the day in. This time instead of going north we went an hour and a half South to Ludington. We’ve heard so many good things about this town but had only ever driven through. And while it was lovely, what we thought was going to be a quaint beach town day turned into one of the hikes of our lives! I logged like 24,000 steps that day, but it was so worth it, especially when we saw one of the most beautiful lighthouse we had ever seen.

 

The day started off with a Beach lighthouse track a giant pink chair and a corndog! I was craving a corndog and I swear this beach had the best concession stand ever!

We were so excited to see the Ludington State Park is there is so much to do there, and we cannot wait to bring the kids back someday. We thought it was just a walk out on appear to the lighthouse but no, it’s a hike! The path was sandy and fairly easy but thank goodness I had less dressy clothes to change into and my tennis shoes along!

We saw rain was coming in, but we were able to sit outside at the popular Jamesport Brewery for a most delightful meal! I had a hot bacon spinach salad and fabulous pineapple martini! We drove back tired in the pouring rain but thankful for a fun day trip!

 

2. Day in South Haven

Happy to get in a day trip with mom as week this well. We went up to South Haven, Michigan where Mr. Nine and I went in May. It’s such a great beach town. 

We did lots of our favorite things, which was to shop the cute town shops, grab a gourmet hotdog from the new hotdog stand called Chomps, which was phenomenal. We also got ice cream from Kilwins, a fresh cookie, walked it off with a long walk to the beach and finished the day relaxing watching the boats go in and out of Lake Michigan. Great Day and perfect weather.

Mom's Gingham Top HERE // Hat HERE

My Shorts HERE // Sandals HERE // Top HERE & HERE

Later in the week

We also visited with our son’s girlfriend as my mom had not seen their house yet. She happened to be babysitting two of the most precious little girlies so we got a dose of future grandma/great grandma, LOL.

3. Week's Attire

Pants HERE // Similar Top HERE // Sandals HERE

Jumpsuit HERE // Earrings HERE // Sandals HERE // Colorful Bracelets HERE

NO, I'm not wearing sweaters..BUT 2 of my favorite NSale Purchases....

Sweater HERE // Tory Burch Crossbody HERE // 

Jeans HERE

4. Cherry Sweater

I guess the Sweater is really the only reason why I called this Friday favorites cherry edition but hey, I do love cherries! (Sweater on Sale for like $22)

You knew I would have to wear a cherry sweater when I went to the cherry hut! I thought we might also make it up to the cherry festival in Traverse City but that never happened, but I sure was grateful for these photos plus the sweater happens to be one that you guys have purchased the most and one of my favorites!

Sweater HERE // Necklace HERE // Head wrap HERE // Sandals HERE // Pants HERE

5. Misc. Fun

POST OF THE WEEK

Wednesday ~ Up North, Up a Notch

SALADS

Thought I would share with you a couple of the yummy salads I’ve made lately! Ingredients below each photo.

*Heirloom Tomato’s

*Mozzarella 

*Fresh Basil 

*oven Toasted baguette slices 

*olive oil & fresh lemon

*salt and pepper 

*Spinach

*Blueberries

*Mandarin oranges

*Crumbled Feta Cheese

*Diced chicken 

*Pecans

*2Tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette with 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil 

NATURE

Every week the nature delights. Look at my beautiful gladiolas 

from my garden I cut for a bouquet.

A Sweet Duck family on the pond path.

And finally, the Biggest Elephant Ears yes. One measured 42 inches!!

MEMES

Uplifting Motivation

I can’t stop thinking about the sweet boy and the cat he found with the exact same conditions as he has. It absolutely was destiny and so precious!

HAPPY JULY WEEKEND 

LOVELIES!!

Linking up with  Friday Favorites  // Metamorphosis Monday

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES....LET SUMMER BEGIN

I hope that the quick week and the ushering in of June does not mean that summer is going to fly by but yet somehow, I know it will! I got my Botox touch up this week so there’s that, LOL! And it’s National Doughnut Day today, so should’ve made this the Doughnut  Edition, lol. I feel like the Summer has now begun and the hot weather has arrived in Indiana, so it’s looking like a weekend full pool time! Cheers to the favorites...lots of good ones. 

1. Dainty Earrings

While you know I love me some statement earrings, in the summertime, I especially love Dainty Diamond Bar Earrings. They are perfect for some earring sweetness by the pool or at the beach and the perfect amount of bling.

Feminine but not fainthearted, the Mini Diamond Bar Earrings pack some serious style and cuteness.

Worn at any angle you please, these sweet, simple bars team great with a well-worn tee and jean shorts or a cocktail dress. Three white diamonds add subtle sparkle and a welcome edge of intrigue. Just LOVE them so much! I really like these Plain Gold Bars too.

2. South Haven Anni Trip

And nothing says summer like fabulous Lake Michigan Beach towns.

With all the fun we had in South Haven, I really should’ve dedicated an entire post to our anniversary trip last weekend, but I’ll throw out a few of the highlights. The weather was not as warm as we would’ve liked it to be, but Saturday was so beautiful, we did lots of walking, lots of eating, lots of drinking and always so many beautiful things to see on Lake Michigan. 

Our B&B was so incredibly charming, and the breakfast was absolutely delicious! There were so many nooks in the main Manor and the guest Manor, where we stayed, that we always had something new and fun to look at. While Victorian is not my decorating style, this place just exuded charm and warmth!

Mr. Nine looking all smart in one of the many reading nooks, there 

were over 1000 books.

The one thing I will say which I’m sure I will talk about more is our anniversary dinner was a bust. With the pandemic seeming to no longer even appear in tourist towns, LOL, restaurants in the evening and had a 2 1/2 hour wait and we had failed to make reservations. I didn’t take any pictures, but we ended up with the worst Wendy’s meal ever although eating overlooking the beach of course. You can’t win them all and the other 99.9% of our trip was incredible so that’s a blessing! 

Sunday, we did a quick Beach chill, went to a coffee shop and took the slow route home stopping at all the outdoor Breweries. 1 1/2 hrs turned into 7 and it was great!!

Pic on Right, "Is that a Banana in your pocket, 
or are you just happy to see me?" LOL

And of course must show some of the food that WAS yummy and not my dried up Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, lol

3. Week's Attire

Top HERE // Jeans HERE & HERE// Sandals Similar HERE & HERE

White Jeans HERE // Sunglasses HERE // American Mama Tees HERE & HERE, HERE // Similar Flip Flops HERE

4. Dress with Sneaks and Denim

On Wednesday I showed you a gorgeous black dress with bigger tan polka dots and I love This one equally as much if not more. I wore it all day on our trip Saturday with sneakers and a Jean Jacket and it was perfect. I can’t wait to wear it alone as well because it’s made so cute in the front with a tie, it’s the perfect length and the one side slit is so sexy. Plus, it’s lined with adjustable straps. And I could play Foosball in it, lol!

5. Misc. Fun

POSTS OF THE WEEK

Tuesday ~ Amazon in the Sweet Summer

Wednesday ~ Jazz Hands, Jazz Feet and Polka Dots

CITY BEAUTY

for those "other" lines

I am seriously excited about this Fabulous Product from City Beauty. I have loved everything I’ve gotten from City Beauty and use it on the regular. I don’t know about you but as I age, my neck is starting to get crepey and I have some deep-set wrinkle lines on my décolletage. This Ultra Firming Dry Oil firms all that up, it’s not greasy, it’s deeply hydrating, and it rubs in immediately. It offers a lifted look to the neck and decolletage. The formula supports the building block of a youthful appearance and corrects the look of that crepey, wrinkled and aging skin. I just love it. 

Over 260 5 Star reviews and I am one of them! And you can use my code CLOUD9 for 15% off 

on this product and any of the fabulous 

City Beauty products. 

Their City Lash Mascara is still my favorite mascara of all time.

NATURE..ROSES

My nine coral rose bushes have bloomed so this week’s nature segment is all about the roses because they are glorious. Here are the first 2 blooms after a rain. 

MEMES

Have a great Summery

weekend my Loves!!

Linking up with  Friday Favorites  // Metamorphosis Monday

xoxo