Cruise Recap

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I apologize for being MIA this week, but I've been so busy relishing these past few {nearly snow-less} snow days! Seriously, y'all, Atlanta got 5/8 of an inch of snow, and school has been cancelled the past two days! It's crazy how the south reacts to this kind of weather, but I'm not complaining. :)

Anyways, on Sunday, Kyle and I got back from a seven day cruise on the Carnival Dream. In short, it was an amazing ship! If you're considering taking a cruise in the near future, I absolutely recommend this one. The rates are fairly inexpensive, it's the biggest ship in the fleet, and you leave out of an amazing port, New Orleans. For our cruise, we traveled to Costa Maya, Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras. All ports were lovely and the locals even lovelier. Here are a few of my favorite parts of the trip:

The Entertainment

As y'all know, I've been on my fair share of cruises (11 or 12 at this point). Despite that number, I can say with complete confidence that this ship had the best entertainment I have ever seen with Carnival. The dance team was top notch, the comedians were hilarious, and they even had a break dancing team, The Fun Force. It is completely evident that this team takes a LOT of pride in their work, and it's reflected in their enthusiasm during every show. They even had a Motown singer flown to the ship who performed all of my favorite classics. I danced in my seat and sang as loud as I could; Kyle looked at me like I was a nut!

Some people weren't quite as entertained! Haha

The Food

It's sad at this point, but one of my favorite parts of cruising is the limitless food. I've always joked that getting off a cruise after a week of gorging yourself is basically the equivalent of detoxing. I wake up in the morning, groggy-eyed and confused, wondering why a waiter hasn't hand delivered me waffles, fruit, assorted bread, and a cup of coffee. During our time on the Dream, we had lobster, prime rib, escargot, sushi, assorted soups and salads, pastas,crab cakes, etc. Oh, and don't get me started on the dessert selection. Here are a few dinner menu choices:

The Ports

I loved most of the ports. Cozumel has the bluest water I have EVER seen and plenty of things to keep you occupied if you didn't book an excursion. Roatan, Honduras, however, was easily my favorite port. What I love most about Roatan is the scenery. When you go to a typical beach town, the scenery, though beautiful, is limited. There's an ocean, a few palm trees, and that's about it. In Roatan, they have not only a beach right by the cruise port, but also lush greenery and stunning mountain views. If I could sum up paradise in a single place, it would take the cake for sure. We also went to Costa Maya, which is largely a cruise port and nothing more, and I wasn't a big fan. Aside from souvenir shops and overpriced bars, there wasn't much to see, although I have heard there is a quaint fishing town a short drive down the road with beaches and much more affordable prices if you're wanting to drink a few daiquiris.

Overall, we had a wonderful time and can't wait to book our next cruise. What can I say - We're obsessed! 

Spring Wish List

So I realize it's still winter, and the north is dealing with an INSANE snow storm right now, but I can't help but daydream about warmer weather! I'm leaving on a cruise to Mexico and Honduras in less than two weeks, so I am definitely on the lookout for spring outfits and accessories to accompany me on the trip. Here are a few pieces that I'd love to add to my closet:

1. High-Neck Halter Bikini

Get it here!

2. Floral, Flowy Romper

Get it here!

3.  Boho Off the Shoulder dress

Get it here!

4. Sheer Lace Maxi

Get it here!

5. Diamond Print Joggers

Get them here!

6. Baby Doll Dress

Get it here!

7. Ankle Strap Sandals

Get them here!

Believe me, y'all, this list could go on for days. There are SO many cute things I want to get my hands on for this spring, but we will just have to wait and see...


XOXO,

Goals for 2015

Hey everyone!

So I'm typically not one to make New Year's Resolutions - to me, if you want to change your life, you don't need a certain day of the year to make it happen. However, even I can admit the old adage of "new year, new me!" is something that really excites me nowadays! My life is wonderful in so many ways, but there will always be room for improvements. Check out a few of my goals for the new year (and no, "getting in great shape" isn't one of them!):

1. Trust God wholeheartedly

 Y'all, I make a ton of mistakes when I don't ask God for help. I can't see the future or where I'll be in ten years, so why would it make sense to think I could make good decisions for my life without seeking God's wisdom? It's not possible! Though it's hard to let God have the steering wheel, I have found that I am more at peace after doing so. Relying on him has taken so much pressure off me, and I only expect even greater things to come from trusting in him.

2. Travel A LOT

I'm young, I have few responsibilities (aside from my dog and being a good wifey), and I live a very frugal lifestyle with my husband. We can afford to see the world, and now is the time to take the opportunity! Besides, if we have kids in a few years, we can kiss all the fun vacations good bye (for a while, at least). So far, we're planning to travel to Honduras, The Bahamas, Mexico, Las Vegas, Paris, and Rome. I'm definitely looking forward to putting even more places on that list as the year progresses!

3. Make Unapologetic Choices

Do you hear that? It's opinions, EVERYWHERE. Your family, friends, acquaintances - they all feel like they've earned the right to say whatever pops into their heads about your life. Though those opinions are usually valued, you cannot let them dictate how you live. Looking into the new year, my hope is that I make decisions based on the wants and needs of my own family. I'd hate to look back and realize I made major life choices based on what other people told me to do. Feeling guilty about living life our way ends now!

4. Get comfortable in my new town

I've been living outside of Atlanta for a little over a year now. Despite that, I still refer to Gastonia as "home." It's time to create a new home for myself, here in Georgia. This means getting out of my shell, making friends, and getting involved with organizations that inspire me. Of course I'll never take for granted where I came from and the friends I made while living in North Carolina, but it's time to make a new life in the here and now!

5. Make my home feel more like a home

 My husband and I built our own home about a year ago. It's a huge blessing and certainly something we're proud of, but right now, it still looks like a "cookie cutter" house. The walls are white, decorations are awkwardly hung (Lord knows I'm not an interior designer), and there's a pile of unused frames and portraits sitting in our "junk room" (yes, there's a whole room). This year, I want to make our home a reflection of our taste and personalities. If that means painting the dining room bright red and having a giant elephant statue sitting in the corner, so be it! It's our home and it will be beautiful.

What are your goals this year?
XOXO,

Cruise Recap

Hi, strangers!

How was everyone's turkey day? I went on a cruise with my husband and his family, and we had a GREAT time. I can't even begin to tell you how nice it is to disconnect from the stresses of day to day life and reconnect with the people who mean the most. You'd think not having access to a phone for five days would drive you crazy, but it is actually so freeing and relaxing. I definitely recommend it!

On our cruise, we travelled to Nassau and Freeport - both in the Bahamas. Although I've been to these ports plenty of times, I still manage to be amazed at how beautiful they are! The sparkling turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and amazingly friendly locals always leave me coming back for more. Pictures simply don't do them justice.

 Before we left for the cruise, I was researching local places to explore at the ports. You'd think after a dozen cruises I would be a pro at navigating these places - but nope, I'm still as lost as a cruise newbie. In Nassau, I discovered Junkanoo Beach, a local spot only a short walk away from the dock. It had stunning views, friendly locals, and oh, did I mention it was free to go to?

The following day, we arrived in Freeport. As we stepped off the ship, we saw a wide array of stands selling unique goodies while a reggae band played Bob Marley classics in the distance. We definitely were feeling like islanders! The closest beach we could find was a taxi ride away, so we decided to stay near the ship and take a closer look at the local venders. One of the cool things about the Bahamas is that there are plenty of homemade goods to bring home to your loved ones. The people there are usually very kind and are always willing to negotiate a good price. We had a wonderful time!

 

 

Here's to many more weeks of family, friends, and fun!

XOXO, Bailey