Baby Bonnets and Swimming Pools

From the archives...of drafts. This post was started last year, about this time exactly, and never posted. So, I give you a post that has never seen the light of day, but isn't half bad. It's filled with photos of a beautiful baby, after all. 

Last week was my kid's Spring Break. We had no plans. Heck, because of having no plans, it completely snuck up on us! Come Monday morning of said Spring Break I was wondering what we would do all week to get the sillies out and not drive each other crazy {read not drive momma crazy}. 

We are blessed to have family that have a condo in Amelia Island Plantation and that allow us to visit and take over the pool. I totally said take over, because when a family with five kids comes to the pool, we kinda take over. Add to that, my sister-in-law and the cousins and Ganny {my husband's mom}, we are a force to be reckoned with! But, we have a really great time and a LOT of energy is burned off!

[Love Mabry's bonnet? It's from Urban Baby Bonnets on etsy. Click here to find one like it.
This post is in no way sponsored by the seller. I've been buying her bonnets since McKinley was a baby. I genuinely LOVE them!]

We are currently one day into Spring Break 2016, let's see if we can get a repeat of this gorgeousness!

Enjoy Your Next Sweet Treat at Sweet Pete's in Jacksonville, FL

If you're a Jacksonville native, new to town or just passing through, be sure to put Sweet Pete's Candy on your short list of things to do!

Located at 400 N Hogan St., Sweet Pete's has given new life to the longtime abandoned Seminole Club in historic Downtown. {After reading further history of the Seminole Club, it's mind-blowing to know that Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy -- among many other famous people -- walked the same halls and steps as all of us who visit Sweet Pete's!!!!}

Sweet Pete's is such a treat to step foot into. The atmosphere will make you feel as if you've stepped right in to Willa Wonka's Chocolate Factory. The colors. The smells, The friendly faces. {Sorry guys, I didn't see any Oompa Loompas.} You'll become a kid in a candy store...for real. 

I knew this place was awesome as soon as I walked in, but then I learned they make their chocolate in-house. Oh my, when you walk to the second floor and open the door that looks down onto the factory, you'll want to lick the air. It's pure chocolately goodness in there! AND, if you're lucky, you can even catch a glimpse of Sweet Pete himself and wave hello. {His office is in the far right corner, behind that wall.}

This. Chandelier. Amazing details ALL OVER Sweet Pete's! Look up, look down, look ALL around!

Up every step, around every corner, Sweet Pete's is magnificent! I don't think there's a single color in the rainbow that wasn't used in renovating this 112 year old building. 

Not much into candy? Have a cupcake or a scoop of ice cream or a slice of cake. It's all there!

BONUS: While at Sweet Pete's, you can stop in to the Candy Apple Cafe & Cocktails for brunch, lunch or dessert. The menu has everything from Angus Burgers to Cornmeal Dusted Flounder, Candied Bacon topped Mac N' Cheese to Sauteed Escargot. After your meal, be sure to ask for a Gourmet Candy Apple!

So, who's up for Sweet Pete's on their next trip through Jacksonville? You know you want to see what all of the fuss is about. It's genuine fuss, too. This place is a MUST SEE!!!

The Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach , FL {a Room Tour}

Are you headed to Daytona Beach, Florida in the near future? Looking for a place to stay that is both beautiful and comfortable? Have I got the place for you...I present to you The Shores Resort and Spa.

As soon as I found out that my stay in Daytona Beach would be at The Shores Resort and Spa I turned to the internet to show me photos. It didn't disappoint. The Shores is the ONLY resort in Daytona Beach that has a AAA Diamond rating, and it isn't hard to see why.

{photo credit: The Shores Resort and Spa}

The Shores Resort and Spa is home to Azure, the only fine-dining oceanfront restaurant in Daytona Beach Shores. My first night at The Shores I experienced Azure's delicious menu. I started with an Azure-tini, a beautiful cocktail in the most beautiful shade of blue. Next, my table shared a multitude of appetizers. We had Crispy Calamari, Warm Goat Cheese Dip, Lump Crab Cocktail, and more. Each dish was so beautifully plated, and were absolutely delicious.

Upon check-in, Florida residents that book the Florida Resident Package are given tickets for S'Mores kits. That's right, there are fire pits out back that are lit when the sun goes down. Sit back, listen to the waves crash and enjoy an ooey-gooey graham cracker, {burnt} marshmallow, and chocolate concoction for your taste buds. Don't worry, if you aren't a Florida resident, you can purchase S'Mores kits that feed 4-5 people at the front desk for $10.

{photo credit: The Shores Resort and Spa}

Now, let's take a look inside the room. My room was spacious, with a king sized canopy bed and seating area perfect for watching the waves crash outside. 

{This cute little love seat opens up to create additional sleeping space.}

The bathroom was large enough to wriggle out of a wet swimsuit and get showered after a big day at the beach.

Would you like to see more of the inside of the room at The Shores Resort and Spa? Watch my video below. 

Have you been to The Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach, FL? I'd love to hear all about your stay! What was your favorite attraction outside of the resort? Tell me about it in the comments below.

I received complimentary accommodations in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

10 Things To Do in Daytona Beach, FL

I was given complimentary accommodations, meals, and entry tickets to the following locations in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

As a native Floridian, I have always felt like I have a pretty good handle on all-things-beach. I mean, I grew up and now live about 30 minutes from 5-6 beaches. I could go to the beach at the drop of a hat on any day. But, I don't. Maybe it's because the novelty has worn off? I mean, growing up I went to the beach every weekend with my mom. As a teenager I spent a lot of weekends at the beach with my friends. When our kids were little we took them to the beach every now and again. These days we rarely go. Sad, huh? You guys who have to drive HOURS to the nearest beach probably think I'm nuts for not going as often as I possibly could. I just feel like there's nothing new to see. Until now. That is, until I went on a short trip to Daytona Beach, FL a couple of weeks ago. I was able to truly spend the weekend at the beach like a true tourist would. And I enjoyed EVERY MINUTE.

I'm here today to share with you 10 Things To Do in Daytona Beach, FL. These are just a handful of the activities we were able to take part in and enjoy to the fullest. So, here we go, in no particular order. At the end, tell me which are your favorites, or which you will surely go to on your next trip to Daytona Beach.

1. Go shelling on the beach. The ocean is FILLED with beautiful treasures that will wash up on shore. Put on a hat, lather on some sunscreen, grab your sand bucket, and go walk along the shoreline. You never know what beautiful sea shells or beach treasures you may find!

2. Are you a NASCAR fan? I'll be honest, I'm not. Or, I wasn't. BUT, after visiting Daytona International Speedway, and seeing the race track and hearing cars woosh by with such speed, I LOVED the atmosphere! When you take a guided tour you are told stories and history about many racing legends like, Dale Earnhart, Richard Petty and Jett Gordan. The Daytona International Speedway truly is a Daytona Beach must-see!

3. Visit a museum or two. Daytona Beach has quite a few museums. This museum pictured is the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art. Cici and Hyatt started their collection of fine art back in 1997 with two 19th century watercolors of the old St. Augustine gate. Over time, their love for fine art grew and grew...and grew into what is now a collection of more than 2800 works of art. That tidbit of information sheds light on why they had a need to build their own museum. While not every piece is on display at one time, you can view an exquisite collection of Florida art and more. So, while in Daytona Beach, go to a museum!

4. Wake up early enough to catch the sunrise. I know, I know, you're on vacation, you don't want to get up early. But, trust me, Florida sunrises are the best. You'll want to watch the sun rise over the ocean. If you're staying at beach front property, simply open the window and curl back up in bed. Or, if you aren't able to see the ocean from your bedroom window, take a blanket and go down to the shore. Either way, you'll be glad you woke up early. 

5. Be a kid again! Ride the roller coaster and play in the arcade at the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier. There's so much to do at the boardwalk and pier. Ride go-carts, grab some World's Most Famous saltwater taffy from Zeno's Boardwalk Sweet Shop, have a slice of pizza at Pizza King, or dine at Joe's Crab Shack. You can also get paddle board lessons from the folks at Oceanside Paddle Sports. You can truly spend an entire day at Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier.

6. Check the calendar for a list of festivals going on during your stay. Listen to local musicians, buy local art or handmade goods, and spend the day with the locals. Festivals are a great way to take a break from beach activities and still enjoy the day with your family.

7. Drive to nearby DeLand to shop along historic and beautiful Woodland Boulevard or New Smyrna Beach’s fun and beachy Canal St. and Flagler Avenue. There are so many quaint shops and eateries in DeLand. Stop into Pat and Toni's Sweet Things for a slice of pecan pie. Oh my yum, it is so delicious. There's also a super hip art gallery, The Hub on Canal, that you won't want to miss. Local artist set-up their easels {or whatever their medium is} and create works of art right there where you can watch them. It's a real treat to see an artist at work. New Smyrna Beach is a short drive from Daytona Beach, you won't want to miss it. 

8. Tickle your tastebuds. There are SO MANY amazing restaurants and eateries in Daytona Beach. Visit DaytonaBeach.com to look up nearby restaurants that feature cuisine you're craving. May I recommend Aunt Catfish's on the River for more seafood choices than you can catch with even your largest shrimping net or Racing's North Turn for, not only good food and great service, but racing history from right where racing got its start! 

9. Need to add a little fun competition to your days? Are you going to Daytona Beach with your children? Well, you could even do this with an all adult crowd. Create a scavenger hunt for you ALL to participate in. Go on a hunt for the beach, a sea turtles nest {remember not to disturb it, it's against the law}, sea shells, a crab, a sand dollar, a seagull, the pier, bits of sea glass, and anything else one might find at the beach. You could even make a more detailed list with things like, "a girl in a polka dot bikini" or "a man wearing jeans on the beach." Let the prize be a trip to get ice cream cones together or. {we didn't do this on our last trip, but doesn't it sound like tons of fun??? I think I'll suggest it for the next time!}

10. After you've had quite possibly the best day ever, but before you hit the sack, watch the sunset. And then, dream of all of the fun you'll have tomorrow. 

Daytona Beach is such a beautiful destination in Florida. There's SO MUCH to see and do. Have you ever been? Did you do any of the activities I mentioned? Is there a place that I've not mentioned that should be visited? Let us know about it in the comments. 

A Day Away: In Kissimmee, FL {#GoodbyeCrowds}

My family and I were provided complimentary accommodations and attraction tickets for the #GoodbyeCrowds event. All opinions are my own.

A couple of weeks ago my family and I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with some pretty amazing friends. Marisa and Carter, along with their families and {our now GREAT friends} Nori and Rochelle, our Experience Kissimmee hosts, met us in Kissimmee, FL for a weekend of NON-STOP fun!!

First stop: I-Drive 360. Sealife Aquarium, The Orlando Eye, and Madame Tusseauds Wax Museum are all fun attractions at I-Drive 360. That trifecta made for an amazing day!!

{This is Chely, the Green Sea Turtle at Sealife Aquarium in Orlando.}

As the kids journey through Sealife Aquarium, they collect stamps in their free Passports. They learn so much as they walk through the aquarium to see more than 5,000 creatures, see pregnant seahorses {did you know the male seahorses are the ones who carry babies?}, a cool, color changing jelly fish exhibit, a 360 degree Ocean Tunnel, and SO much more. There's even a hands-on Rockpool experience at the end! Have you ever touched a sea urchin? You can at Sealife Aquarium!

{the kids all earned their medals. Yay!}

Our next stop was to the TOP of world...or, at least 400 feet above Central Florida. The Orlando Eye has been a pretty hot topic in the news since it's first go-round in May 2015. In about 30 minutes we went to the top and back down, in our private pod, seeing distant sights like, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, the Orlando Skyline and much more. In your pod you have a digital guide to direct you in all you see.

{I might have had a couple of scaredy cats with me that day. Haha!}

 

{How many blogger kids can you fit in one picture? Can you believe this is only two families?? And, Mabry isn't even in the shot.}

While having already done Sealife Aquarium and The Orlando Eye, one might think the day is over. Nope, not yet! We still hadn't seen Taylor Swift, Vin Diesel, and Walt Disney at Madame Tusseauds. My kids thought it was SO COOL seeing Neil Armstrong and Abraham Lincoln in wax-form, as if they were truly right in front of them. It was a history lesson and a fun activity, all in one! Not to mention rubbing elbows with The Beatles, Will Smith and Brad and Angelina.

{Jett jumped in the ring with Muhammed Ali for a minute.}

{Marisa and I pose with an American Icon, Walt Disney.}

Our day at I-Drive 360 was perfect. With countless shops and restaurants that we didn't even get to go to, I can totally see my family going back to experience these attractions again AND have lunch and do some shopping.

Want to WIN a trip from Experience Kissimmee of your own?
Visit goodbyecrowds.com to choose from a Thrill Trip or a Chill Trip for Two. You can also text either ChillsFL or ThrillsFL to 313131 to enter. Limit one entry per person, per day.

As a first responders wife, I feel the need to also let you know of the SPECIAL OFFER that I-Drive 360 has going on for the month of September. Police, Fire, and EMS Personnel can take 50% off of single or combo attraction tickets. That's an AMAZING DEAL!

*****

Other adventures from our weekend include Dinner at Medieval Times, a day of waterslide fun at Seaworld's Aquatica, Wild Florida, Gatorland, Crayola Experience, and lodging at Regal Oaks Resort. Be on the lookout for more posts from these great locations! You can search the hashtags #GoodbyeCrowds and #MyKissimmee, if you want to get see posts from our whole group. 

On Lake Time {at Flamingo Lake in Jacksonville, FL}

It's becoming an annual tradition to go to the lake at the beginning of each Summer. My mother-in-law rents a yurt at Flamingo Lake in Jacksonville, FL and we all spend a few days hanging out in the water and on the shore. So much fun!

Flamingo Lake is an inexpensive staycation destination in our city, and we love it! Who needs to pack up, load up, and head out of town when you have such a fun spot right in your backyard?

{seriously, can she get any cuter? too bad that float has a hole in it...someone send a patch kit!}

{different swimsuit, different day. gotta love hand-me-downs from cousins and momma's Old Navy discount!}

{we've discovered Frogglez Goggles. You want to get your kids a pair TODAY. A separate post telling you why, coming soon.}

{I don't feel like I'm spending enough time with this boy lately. He's the sweetest, most giving boy on the planet. Jonah Bonah, momma loves you!}

{on the last day, I treated them {haha!} to McDonald's Happy Meals}

{Jake brought a friend with him. Teenagers, y'all.}

 

 

See those inflatables behind them? It's an additional $7 per day, per person, but worth every penny. You and your kids can go out there and climb and jump and slide until your hearts content. And then, you all go home, or back to your campsite, and PASS OUT! A quiet night is well worth the $7 per kid in my book!

{everyone had their share of kisses from the sun...McKinley was no exception. She came home with quite the tan.}

{Jett spent most of his time at the lake sitting on the shore, catching minnows and tadpoles, digging them holes and filling them with water. I tell you guys often that he's an animal lover. I mean every word of it!}

 

Do you have a favorite staycation spot in your hometown?? Ours is, for sure, Flamingo Lake!