mexico recap!

It had been two years since we took a "romantic" (i.e. no kiddos) beach vacation and it couldn't have come at a better time.  First, because I actually wasn't pregnant for this one.  (I was beginning to think my fertility skyrocketed if we had a warm getaway planned/paid for!)  Second, because the weather was cold and snowy and just plain icky.  I was going stir-crazy and Hubby certainly needed a stress-free break.

So off we went!  

We decided to stay at an all-inclusive resort about a half-hour drive from the Cancun airport, in Puerto Morelos.   Hubby researched and found one that looked lovely and included wine and top-shelf liquor in its "all-inclusivity" -- which earned major points for this wine-drinking mama.  (Many do not include wine.)  

After several flight delays and me probably getting shin splints racing through the Charlotte airport in clunky wooden-heeled sandals in order to make our connection to Cancun, we finally made it to Mexico!

The minute we exited the airport and stepped foot in the warm and deliciously humid (albeit cloudy) weather of the Yucatan Peninsula, we did what good travelers should do : bought beers.

Various beers.  And pretzels.  The city bus we were envisioning riding on (you know, all the windows down, driver screaming obscenities at other passing bus drivers who nearly run into him) actually turned out to be a plush, air-conditioned coach bus with a TV in it playing a dubbed into Spanish Harrison Ford flick.  Despite this, it was way cheaper than a cab or shuttle, and we enjoyed our ride, drinking three beers each, getting a wee bit drunk, and finally getting dumped off at a gas station with me laughing and stumbling out and over to a waiting cab (half from the beer, half from my sore shins.)

It felt really nice to be driven around, a little buzzed, a little sweaty, and pretty much no responsibilities.  You don't get that a lot as a parent.  I tried to revel in each minute.

We got to the resort after a short drive through the little city and down a long bumpy road.  It was a sprawling place resembling a spa, much different than the place we stayed on the Cancun strip during spring break thirteen years ago.

They brought us a glass of champagne as we chatted with our "personal concierge" -- in actuality, a guy assigned to plug the resorts and try to convince us to re-book another trip.  It was sort of annoying sitting there listening to the sales pitch and all the "deals" he could get us at other resorts and businesses affiliated with them.  Finally we got our room keys and headed to our building.

Everything was very "open air" and clean and bright.

I liked the grounds and the buildings -- and that it felt like we were on our own little island, away from civilization.

After a quick stroll we found our room and we both were quite happy with it :  huge bathroom (twice the size as ours at home) a sunken living area and a balcony with a sort-of an ocean view.  I mean, you could see the ocean in the distance.  Good enough!

The resort had five restaurants to choose from for dinner : French, Mediterranean, Italian, Mexican and Japanese.  We decided we wanted Japanese food that night but confusedly thought we had to be dressed up to get in (the concierge had said a few of the restaurants required nicer attire) so I, in my tipsy state, decided I had to wear my fun red dress and heels.  In retrospect, I should have saved that one for another night since every other dress I brought was pretty casual, but "reason" was not high on my priority list that first night.  So red dress it was!

why I am posing in the bathroom, I have no idea.

We put our name on the list at the restaurant (they were all first come, first served) and then strolled around checking everything out.  We sat at the lobby bar and had a glass of wine, listened to some of the musical entertainment (I seem to recall someone with a heavy Spanish accent playing a guitar and singing cover tunes) and we conversed like we were on an actual date.  Wow - another thing that doesn't get to happen much anymore...uninterrupted conversation!

We eventually got seated in the open air section and ordered nearly everything on the menu -- because you can do that at an all-inclusive!  The sushi was only okay, but Paul had a really delicious main course of coconut shrimp and rice and we sat there quite a while talking, eating and reminiscing.  

Back in our room I wanted to order room service (you can do that all you want, too!)  I was really craving a giant piece of chocolate cake, so I ordered what said "chocolate cake" on the menu.  Uh, apparently desserts translate much differently in Mexico (or in Mexican room service.) Let's just say it was not the chocolate delight I was imagining.  I decided that room service food should be avoided at our resort.

Day 2 : A day at the beach

One of the things I enjoy most on vacation is breakfast.  My breakfasts "in real life" consist of me waking up at the crack of dawn (5:30am) to have a few minutes of peace drinking my coffee before my son wakes usually between 6 and 6:30 and my day begins by me going into breakfast mode : making the kids and hubby breakfast and trying to make myself and consume a green smoothie in between all that.

However, on vacation it is a whole different story.  Breakfast is leisurely.  There is no blender in sight.  Just delicious food, whatever I want, prepared by other hands, and eaten by me at the pace I deem healthy.  My breakfasts on this vacation were typically what you see below : lots of fresh fruit with a mound of cottage cheese, several pieces of toasted bread with butter (I switched to french bread after this first morning - ah, I love bread!) an egg of some sort, fresh fruit juice, and, of course, black coffee.

I love breakfast.  I love carbs.

So started our first beach day.  We were ready for relaxing!

pre-beach selfie

on our balcony - we got lovely sunrises every morning 

we actually got time to read!

Here it should be noted that we were at a resort that not only allowed children on the premises, but had really cool programs and entertainment for such children.  This is awesome...unless you are trying to escape from children and literally don't want to see or hear children for a few days.  At first I thought we had picked the wrong place because of this.  There seemed to be kiddos everywhere!  (I think my head was still in "mama mode.") But then we realized that the "adult pool and beach" were just a short walk away from our side of the resort...and that is right where we headed that first day.  

relaxing at the adults-only end of the 'compound' 

We sat on the beach, reading, drinking (a waiter will basically bring you drinks constantly) and intermittently playing in the ocean.

The ocean.  Each time we swam in the ocean on this trip was one of my favorite moments.  Nothing makes you feel more free and young than playing in the waves.  You feel small, yet so connected to God and the earth.  You get a rush of endorphins as though you could do or be anything in the world.  I could have stayed in the waves for hours!

After several hours of relaxing we went back to our room for - more relaxing.  We did wander down to the pool near our building as the sun was going down, to yes, relax some more, even though it is not as relaxing with children playing/screaming in the kiddie pool in front of you.

We really wanted to try the Mediterranean restaurant that night, so we got dressed up and headed there.  I was surprised by the small portions and fancy presentation of the food, as I really wasn't expecting that from an all-inclusive.  There was a mixed grill of seafood for two, and I for the life of me can't remember what else we ate...but it was really tasty.  I think that ended up being our favorite meal. :)  Plus, this was an adults-only restaurant, so it had a more romantic and swanky vibe!

grilled seafood over risotto

When we left the restaurant we were treated to a fun surprise - apparently it was Oscar Night!  The resort entertainment was basically a huge soiree on the lawn creating an awards show vibe.  Red carpet, tables and tables of hors d'oeuvres, round tables, two giant movie screens airing the show.

Call me a huge nerd -- but I love the Oscars and this was super fun for me.  I only wished I had worn my red dress this night.  ;)

Paul's endlessly re-filled cup of red wine got him through *almost* the entire Oscar show. 

Paul is not that into stuff like this...but he was an awesome sport and sat with me drinking wine for nearly the whole show!

Day 3 : um, more beach!

I'll spare you a lot of details from this day, as there aren't many.  Just more beach, more ocean, more relaxing.

After swimming for a bit, Paul got a massage on the beach, while I lay here and read for literally hours.  It was AMAZING.  One of my favorite activities since I was a kid has been holing myself up with a good book and binge reading.  Since having kids I haven't really been able to do this, so this vacation I took advantage of the long periods of alone time.  I sat under our grass umbrella and became completely engrossed.  I had finished my first book on the plane ride there - a short one - The Giver.  I had never read this somehow, and loved it.  LOVED it.  So then I only had one book left - Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, which I'd been wanting to read since I saw the movie Capote.  So I kinda knew the ending, but I was sucked in by his writing and the grisly tale immediately.  Not great beach reading, as it is really dark.  But - could. not. stop.

no makeup, ocean hair, no problem!

We also took a walk along a stone path, which you see below, down to a marina.  

Dinner that night was Italian.  The highlight was when the waiter noticed my purse on the floor and plopped this bright pink coat rack right next to me.  I can't really explain why I found this so funny, but I did.  

It was just like, Poof! Coat rack in my face. 

I loved it and laughed probably way too much about this coat rack.

the night I dined intimately with a pink coat rack.  oh, and the A/C was not working, if you can't tell by my "humidity hair"

Day 4 : Tulum Tuesday

The next day we rented a car and headed for Tulum, which is a city about an hour or so away from Puerto Morelos.

Yay for road trips!  I've mentioned we love long drives together, and although this wasn't very long, it was still a fun way to break up our endless beach relaxing and have a little adventure.

We passed many signed for cenotes (underground rivers/pools) and "adventure parks" but didn't end up stopping for any of that.  We wanted lots of time in Tulum!  My friend Julie had told us how much she and her hubby liked it so I was pretty excited.

When we got to the ruins in Tulum we, of course, were accosted by people wanting to sell us the tour, and we ended up paying to have a "personal guide." I really didn't realize when we were paying for it that it would be just us and him - but I guess that is what "personal" means.  So our nice guide who spoke reasonable English led us through the grounds, gave us a good history of the place, and then let us stroll on our own.

I took plenty of photos (the only day I really used my "good camera") but haven't had a chance to edit anything...and probably never will...so here are a just a few!

you can make fun of these pants all you want...but they are the best ever.  I would wear them every day if I could.

I adore my hubby...and his ever-crooked aviators

It was a very humid day.  I was so sweaty I had to tuck my hair in my already warped fedora.

pretty view of the beach from the ruins.

my favorite t-shirt.  people would just yell "hey new york!" at me randomly.

After walking among the ruins and seeing the beautiful views, we headed back to the tourtisty area that precedes the grounds and checked out the wares.  I should note that high-traffic tourist areas with lots of shops selling the exact same thing and shopkeepers all calling out to me saying things like, "Almost free!" gives me high anxiety...so we only quickly perused before I got stressed and we bought nothing.  Except...

...on my "trip bucket list" was to drink coconut water out of a freshly machete'd coconut...so...check!

just sipping my coconut water - like a boss

I really regret not swinging and drinking at this bar -- could have been so fun!!!! 

We left the ruins and then headed to find out where to hang out in Tulum, since we had heard such great things!  Because we were driving ourselves we didn't have a cab driver to consult on where to go, we first ended up in the "downtown business district.  After wandering a bit, we realized that we needed/wanted to find the beach.

We took this photo so we would remember where we parked our car...

any pit-sweat?  nah, this ain't the bachelor or anything!

Finally we found the road that is populated by all the Tulum resorts that line the beach -- where we had looked at staying originally.  I have to admit, it had a really chill vibe!  Apparently, it is a really trendy spot for hipster celebrities to vacation!?!

After driving along and seeing all the lovely, eco-conscious boutique resorts, we found the public beach and went for a stroll along it.  Definitely a different crowd than at our resort!  Much younger and much more, um, carefree!

After walking a bit we just randomly chose a lunch spot on the beach - and ended up at a lovely place with sandy floors, leather bean bag chairs everywhere (???) and really cool open-air bathrooms.  (I wish I would have taken pics of this!) But I don't really think we could have gone wrong wherever we chose...as long as there was a table with shade looking out at the beach.

We ate Hawaiian flatbread pizza, chips and pico de gallo, and drank margaritas (well, Paul had a beer since, well, someone had to drive.) 

our view at lunch.  I could have stayed here all day.

Sadly our Tulum adventure had come to an end.  We didn't get to experience a cenote as we had hoped, simply because we ran out of time/energy, but we did swim in one our last trip, so I was okay skipping it.  We drove back to our resort and took a nap.  Naturally.

Dinner that night ended up being Japanese again.  This time we sat at the sushi bar, drank sake and ate sushi, and just had another fun "date" together.  I started to get sad, knowing that we only had one more full day left.

Day 5 : yoga and beach walkin' 

This day we actually did not relax and lay on the beach like the other days.  Actually, Paul got up early and for the first time the entire trip to go work out, while I stayed in bed and got up and ready at a very leisurely pace.  Total role reversal, and I liked it!

He went to the yoga class, held on the lawn at 8:15am, with the ocean in the background.  I was really proud of him, as I had originally planned to do yoga every morning...but while I did try to hit the gym each day, I never did make it to the daily morning yoga.  

He came back from it really energized and raving about how much he wants to do yoga on a regular basis.  Of course, I think that is great, as I love yoga, and it was cool to see how it affected him.

He even ate a mostly healthy breakfast that morning...

this plate of food really made me laugh.  I am easily amused, clearly.

Then we headed to the beach, but basically just dropped our stuff on our chairs and headed off for a long walk down the beach - suggested by Hubby (yay for yoga!)  We walked and talked and picked up cool shells and chunks of coral to bring home to the kids.

After our walk we decided we would drive the short distance into the downtown part of Puerto Morelos and hang out there a bit, since we had our rental car until 3pm.  We parked and just walked around the cute little town a bit, got the kids a souvenir, etc.  My phone died, of course, five minutes after we got there, so this pic of a colorful sign is all I got of the afternoon.

We watched artists making giant sand sculptures on the boardwalk, and then ate by the water - some of the most delicious fish tacos and fish burger I've ever had - with the sea breeze whipping our napkins off our laps.  It was a lovely "last day" lunch.

I got into kind of a funk that evening, thought, which I will blame on the novel I finished during our "naptime."  Post-book depression?  Lack-of-new-book depression?  Real crime murder drama depression?  Whatever it was,  I was kind of a crank until dinner, our last dinner, at the Mexican place (we skipped the fancy French place altogether.) It was good and I perked up eventually!

After eating we ordered some dessert + wine to go from the restaurant and holed up in our room to watch Vikings on Netflix.  (Which weirdly you can get in Mexico, but not in the US.) Perfect!

Day 6 : goodbye to Mexico

On the last day, because our flight wasn't until around 4pm, we got to have another leisurely morning.  I took my final selfie, crumpled fedora and all.

We spent the morning on the beach - and Paul showed off his yoga skillz.  Lol - LOVE!

I completely know how annoying leg/foot/beach photos are...but Paul likes them! :D

I took some parting shots of our little paradise, and then we had to go!

After packing up we were able to have one last meal at the resort before taking a cab to the airport.  I enjoyed a coupla mojitos just, ya know, because I could.  

Then we began the journey home.  There were delays and a cancelled flight, long lines, a lost immigration card, an unexpected overnight stay in Charlotte, and then finally home to our kiddos one day later than expected.  But it was all worth it!

Cormac is still pointing out Mexico on his globe and asking when he can go.

I am excited for that, someday, too.

17 miles - take two! (on the treadmill)

The snow and the cold, especially after being in Mexico, have really been really bringing my outdoor running down.  As in, I basically went on an "outdoor running strike," fearing (perhaps irrationally) injury due to running on the snow and ice.

So my last two long runs have been on the treadmill at the gym.  

Yes, fifteen and seventeen miles - on the treadmill.

Yikes.

//source//

I trained for my first half marathon last winter/spring entirely on the treadmill, so I am not unfamiliar with this torture.  (Although then the most I ran was twelve miles on it.) 

Basically, you have to go into it with a good attitude, like any run.  Tell yourself you can do it.   Bring water, music, a book, GU, whatever you need to get through a long run, assemble it all on your treadmill, and get settled in for your run.

Tell yourself how lovely it is that you are not in the cold, jumping over icy patches on the sidewalks and bundled up in a ridiculous amount of clothing.

Remember that some (all?) machines will automatically go into "cool-down" mode after sixty minutes, so you'll have to find keep track of your mileage and start it over when that happens.  I ended up just running six miles and then starting it over (twice) before it automatically shut down so I didn't have to try to remember a random number.

Either be motivated by all the numbers staring you in the face...or cover them up with a book/magazine/towel.   I personally like seeing my pace (I don't own a fancy running watch) so that is the one highlight for me being on the treadmill.  Still doesn't exactly help me know what my pace will be during the marathon, but I was able to find a pace that felt comfortable enough that I think I could run 26.2 in.  I am only assuming it is close to what I am running when I am running outside.

Overall, my treadmill run went fine.   I had woken up with soreness in my right quadricep so I noticed that at first, but soon that pain was overshadowed by a dull pain in my left knee.  At ten miles I was a bit worried and decided I wouldn't try to push it in the last half of my run, when I would typically try to sprint toward the end.  I have never had a true injury from running, so I am crossing my fingers nothing crazy happens before the race!!!

My legs were VERY sore after this run, as they were the last time I attempted seventeen miles, so I did a hot Epsom salt bath with eucalyptus essential oil added and that seemed to help.  Anyone other runners do this?  I decided I would prefer it over an ice bath.  Again, I am completely over all things cold.

Last week's training...

Sunday:  Recovery!  The day before I did a 15 mile treadmill run at presumed race pace (8:30 - 9:00 miles is my goal for the marathon...hopefully a bit faster!?)
Monday: 10 minute intense lower ab workout and this hip opening seated yoga sequence during naps; PM gym - light cardio
Tuesday:  PM gym - 5.5 mile Fartlek on the treadmill that I just kinda made up on the fly.  Ranged from a 9:00 pace to a 7:00 pace.  Can I just say, I LOVE Fartleks???
Wednesday: no workouts. Hate to say it, but I give the "monthly" excuse!!! Just wanted to eat chocolate and potato chips and hide...
Thursday: this 10 minute ab workout and this Miranda Kerr butt workout during naps
Friday: AM yoga class
Saturday: 17 mile run (treadmill!) at race pace.
This week I am going to really concentrate on doing more yoga!  My once-a-week one hour long practice on Friday mornings is wonderful, but I really want to work even more on poses that could help with my running...and opening up my hips, which are always tight.  It's sad.

So my challenge to myself is to practice each of these poses every day -- any other runners with me on this?  I love yoga and do believe it can help me in my running, as it has helped me mentally in everyday life, and physically in preparing for my labor with Finola.  So this week I will be more intentional to work a bit of yoga into every day's training.

Anyway, hurray for warm weather happening this week - finally!  I am looking forward to a long outdoor run this weekend!!!

a weird (but good) piece of dating advice...

I am pretty sure when giving unsolicited advice to my kids about how to choose a spouse (because I am positive they are going to be reallllllly interested in all I have to say on the subject) I will tell definitely tell them this:

Choose someone you love to travel with.

Travel compatibility probably won't make or break a marriage...but it can greatly enhance it.  This is especially true if you crave travel adventures, as I have my entire life thanks to a father who took us as to as many campsites and mountaintops and points-of-interest as he possibly could throughout our childhood.  Most travel-lovers will want to continue having adventures when they get married.  Thus, it is wise to enjoy going on adventures with that person you married to, otherwise you may develop one of three problems:

1. You want to travel with friends - or by yourself - all the time and that could make your spouse jealous or resentful of the time spent away from him/her.  
2. You travel with your spouse and you end up wanting to kill each other.
3. You don't travel.

Yikes.  None of those sound appealing - to me, at least.

Hubby and I learned when we were twenty and went on our first vacation together (Cancun) that we were pretty good travel partners.  Even though technically we were broken up at the time, we still had an awesome time together!

Thirteen years later, we have gone on a lot of trips - both elaborate/pricey and cheap/rustic - and never fail to have a great experience.  It wasn't something I was necessarily looking for in a life partner, but I feel blessed that it worked out this way.

Here is why we "work" as travel partners: 

• Neither of us love packing in a ton of activities.  Yeah, we've scuba'd and snorkeled and visited ruins.  We've both summited mountain peaks and whitewater rafted and hiked the Grand Canyon...but our best memories of travel together are of long conversations over lots of drinks and eating pizza in our hotel room.  We'll do the activities -- but given the choice we'd both pick a lazy and relaxing time together.  Yep, we are lazy, lazy people on vacations (not in real life) who like to eat and drink and read books and basically lay there.  A lot.
• We both like to camp (in tents) and our best travel stories do not involve fancy places.  (In fact, the best memory we both have is always the night we sat at a hotel bar drinking and playing cards all night.)  We both like to do ridiculous things like order pizza to eat in our hotel room or go out to a movie even if we are in an exotic locale.
• We looooooove long road trips together.   Both like to be in the driver's seat (but yes, we do complain about each other's driving - "Just go back to sleep!" or "Then you drive!" - both said usually by me when my driving abilities are questioned) and are okay plowing through long trips overnight, enjoy gas station snacks, rest area exploration, and occasionally sleeping in the back of our vehicle to save cash.
• We are okay spending time alone or apart during vacations.  I escape to the gym on a regular basis, or to run, and he sometimes needs to take REALLY long naps.  This "alone time" is necessary for both of us and makes the trip even better in the end.
• We will indulge each other in the things the other likes to do.  For example, I have driven to many a sporting event to watch Kentucky play basketball (I am not very into sports.)   For his part, Paul will stop wherever I want to stop with no complaint - book stores, coffee shops (he doesn't drink coffee) and weird roadside flea markets.

All that being said - we had a great time relaxing (being lazy) in Mexico last week.  The first "romantic warm weather getaway" we have had since getting married that I was not pregnant during!  Travel notes and more pics to come!

mexico adventuring - then and now!

Who do you most love to travel with?

What weird piece of advice will you give to your kiddos about marriage/dating?

stitch fix : mexico fix!

So I really gave my stylist free reign over this Fix. I told her that I was headed to Mexico for a resort vacation, and I wanted fun and beachy pieces that would work at a resort - and into the summer season.  But first of all -

What is Stitch Fix?  Only a really fun online personal styling service that you can schedule whenever you want.  You tell them everything you want to about your style, measurements, etc -- even link up your Pinterest fashion board to inspire them -- and a stylist will pick out five items specifically for you!  It is really exciting to see what they pick, try everything on with your own accessories and other clothing, and then decide what you want to keep or send back (free and easy returning, of course!)  Click HERE for more details and to get started!

Anyway, I gave a couple suggestions and linked up my Pinterest style board, such as:  a peasant-style embroidered blouse, bright maxi dress or skirt, oh, and perhaps some flared denim if she had any that worked well with petite clients.

I had literally no specific expectations from this Fix - which made me even more excited than normal!  I had no idea what would be picked by the stylist.  Here is what I got...

#1 Rena Ikat Print Shirt Dress (Collective Concepts)

I really liked this dress!  The material was so silky and comfortable, and it had that flowy vibe I was looking for.  I also am a huge fan of tab sleeves, and the purple and orange colors made it different than any other dress I own; however, Hubby wasn't a fan of the loose and somewhat boxy fit.  So, since this Fix was for our romantic getaway I kind of wanted him to like whatever I kept. (Riiiiight???  You know what I mean, ladies.) 

So, it was a RETURN.

Bummer.

#2 Mena Cutout Detail Top (Skys are Blue)

This was a cute print shirt that Hubby actually did like!  It had silky material and eye-catching pattern, like the Ikat dress, and a unique cut-out detail in the back.  BUT - I wasn't feeling it for Mexico.  It felt more like a shirt I'd wear to a work happy hour (ya know...if I had an actual place of business) and not a casual beach vacay.

Therefore - RETURN.

#3 Ruxin Distressed Boyfriend Jean (Mavi Gold)

I usually state "no pants" in my requests...but this time I asked for flared jeans.  Flares are coming back, I swear!  However, my stylist told me there were not any flares for petites in stock...so she sent me these dark wash boyfriend jeans.  Hmmm.  I like the dark indigo hue, and the distressing a lot.  The fit was good everywhere but the waist -- grrrr!  Too loose.  I don't care to bend down, which I do a lot with two toddlers, and have my panties show.  I could wear a belt, but they bunched a bit doing that.  RETURN.

#4 Lauree V-Neck Drape Dress (Gilli)

 This dress was so bright and comfy!  The deep fuchsia color was lovely, and the wrap style at the top was very flattering.  LOVED the top.  Initially I thought it was more 'wintery' than 'warm weather' but after trying it on with strappy sandals and my fedora I could see where my stylist was headed with this one.   And Hubby loved it!   However, again I didn't feel like it was the style I was going for...especially for our Mexico trip.  Too safe and plain.  Oh, and I feared pit stains in the heat with those 3/4 length sleeves! So...RETURN.

#5 Kino Embroidered Top (Moon Collection)

This beautiful top had me at 'hello.'  As soon as I took it out of the box I knew it was a keeper.   The material again was very silky, which clearly I like, and the stitched detail was perfect.  Exactly the style I was looking for for our trip - and just a chill, summer style that suits me.  The ombre-effect of the dyed dark indigo color at the bottom was unexpected -- and I like that!  Pretty much makes it go perfectly with my white linen pants.  This shirt is my style - not too tight, but still sexy - and very beachy.  It is my only KEEP from this Fix, but completely worth it.  I know it will be a summer staple in my wardrobe!

Want to add some fun and excitement to your life, er, style?  

Want to add pieces to your wardrobe that you normally wouldn't try? 

I highly recommend trying Stitch Fix!

If this post inspired you to try it, please me as your referral by clicking HERE!

Have fun!!!