Category Archives: Vacation

Happy “Haunted” Weekend!

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Hi Friends! Happy Friday! How are you? How was your week? Are you up to anything spooky or scary this weekend? It’s amazing to think that Halloween is just a few days away and October is almost over. Soon we will be planning our Thanksgiving menus and making holiday shopping lists! Wow.

Next week is a really big week at our house! Gabby starts school on Monday. She is so ready and I am so excited for her. And Alex’s birthday is on Friday. Fun! Plus we have a lot of Halloween activities, including a party on Wednesday night.  So, given all the action at home, I decided to use up some vacation days (yes, from that real job!) and have the week off work. I will also be taking the week off from blogging to make it a true “stay-cation”! This way I can really focus on family, work on some house projects and enjoy a little bit of down time (AKA “relax”)!

Have a great day and a pretty morning (and a fabulous week!). xxoo

 {image: pinterest}

The Boulders

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When I was in Phoenix last week, it made me remember my most recent and favorite trip to Arizona. In June 2010, my good friend, Ellie and I went to The Boulders Resort for a five-day get-a-away. It was absolutely amazing! We indulged in spa treatments, afternoons at the pool and delicious dinners. Just thinking about it makes me want to book a trip there right now!

 

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Fishers Island Fun

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As promised, here are some photos of our recent trip to Fishers Island… it was a great weekend full of beautiful ocean views, delicious dinners (including a beach picnic while watching the sunset), rest and relaxation at the Beach Club and too many good laughs to remember!

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Unplugged

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We often rate our days by what we have accomplished, applauding ourselves for a workout logged, an errand completed and task crossed off. But consider grading today on a new curve: Give yourself credit not for doing but simply for being – for taking time to sit alone, listening, daydreaming, creating space to think. Only then can you connect with the most important person your world: you.

This past weekend was so wonderful. We truly “unplugged” and enjoyed the people, activities and places around us. I have lots of great photos to share from our adventure to Fishers Island, including golf (with a view!), tennis and a beach picnic! Have a pretty morning and a great Monday!

{quote: self.com August 2012}

{image credit: Alli Parlin}

Happy Friday!

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Hi Friends! Happy Friday! I have a quick post today, because as you know, we are off to Fishers Island for the weekend! It’s time for some good times with great friends! I will be sure to take lots of photos and share them with you next week.

We are so lucky that my younger sister, Adrian, is staying with Gabby while we are gone. Thanks so much Aunt A! In preparing for our trip, I asked her to keep in mind some general “rules” while watching Gabby (which felt weird because she is family, but she was very understanding and compliant!)…

  1. Please put Gabby first. Her safety, health and happiness are the most important, above all else.
  2. Please lead by example, she is always watching and absorbing everything you do.
  3. Our goal and dream is for Gabby to:
    • Be kind and compassionate to others
    • Practice patience
    • Have manners
    • Be an individual
  4. We want you to be happy too! Make your self at home!

Do you have “rules” while you are away (for family and non-family alike)?

Have a pretty morning and a great weekend!

{image credit: Cover of St Louis Seasons Magazine by artist Harrison Howard}

Happy Monday!

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Hi! How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun? We spent a lot of time at the pool this weekend enjoying the cooler, less humid weather!

Unfortunately, I have a very busy week ahead. Tonight I fly to Chicago for work (yes, that real job again!). And I return home very late on Wednesday. Ugh! On Thursday, Gabby has a 15-month doctor appointment, which includes two shots. Double Ugh! But luckily I have something really fun to look forward to. On Friday morning, Alex and I are going to meet up with good friends (and Gabby’s Godparents) in Fishers Island. It is not easy to get to (our itinerary includes a flight, a car service and a ferry ride), but it is well worth the effort. We are looking forward to playing golf, laying on the beach and enjoying yummy dinners. Dreamy.

While I am tied up traveling, working and tending to a cranky 15 month old, here are a week’s worth of links to explore…

Did you watch the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics? Here is a beautiful slide show in case you missed it.

And here is a great link to keep up with all the Olympic action, including great behind the scene photos.

Elizabeth Street. Where Stylish Moms Meet.

Andy Cohen loves NPR. And so do I!

From lululemon… 13.1 songs for 13.1 miles. Now go get your run on!

I finally finished Gabby’s First Year photo book. Yeah! I created it using this.

This honest toddler talks about dinner.

A play cafe just opened and I plan to take Gabby next week.

If you have a minute, I would really love it if you “liked” Pretty Morning on Facebook. Just click here.

As always, you can find more on twitter and pinterest.

Have a great week and a pretty morning! xo

{image credit}

Vacation Recap

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Hi Friends! How are you? How was your week? How was your 4th of July celebration? We are home from vacation and I have so much to share with you this week! I want to start with a vacation recap today.

As everyone says, life totally changes when you have kids. And that even applies to vacations. Prior to becoming a mom, vacations were all about sunbathing, reading magazines and enjoying cocktails and nice food for a week in a very pleasant location. However, I recently realized that none of that matters once you have kids. Vacations take on a whole new meaning. During the nearly 9 hour drive home on Friday, I had a reoccurring thought about redefining the meaning of vacation. And I think I figured it out. Now vacations are all about doing things together that we don’t normally get to do at home. That’s it. It’s that simple.

Here are all the things that made last week a vacation for me…

  • We did a lot of “first’s” with Gabby: including a boat ride, a swim in the lake and watching a parade!
  • At a lovely party (for adults and kids), Gabby and I sat on the front porch and crunched ice cubes out of red solo cups. She loved it!
  • Gabby spent afternoons feeding the doggies goldfish crackers. We all giggled!
  • I spent hours in the backseat of our car watching Baby Einstein videos from start to finish. Usually, I am too busy multi-tasking to watch!
  • In six days, I received one phone call. Dreamy!

I still did laundry (two loads), made the bed each morning, cleaned up a high chair after each meal, changed diapers and gave baths. But it was different. I was on vacation.

{photo credit: Alli Parlin}