2.11.2014

Our Trip To Warmth, Sun, And Sand!

....aka the wonderful sunshine state!

lido key beach sarasota florida

Uploading these pictures and writing this recap must mean we're back to the cold (1 whopping degree this morning), right? Clearly I'm still in a littleee bit of shock/denial about this. It's true. We had 7 full, blissful days in Florida that were so incredibly needed for the both of us and couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

Make that the three of us. Me and Billy joked the entire trip about who was enjoying the vacation more...us or Rocky. He was having the time of his freaking life everyday...from swimming in the pool, to going on bike rides, joining me for portions on my morning runs, to long walks before the sun went down. He couldn't get enough of the warm weather. Taking him with us was definitely the right decision (not to mention he was an angel on the plane and didn't let out a bark once, phew!) and we are so glad we did. He deserved a break from this winter, too!

 "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE..."

Instead of boring you all with a bunch of writing about the things we did (which can be summed up pretty easily: pool, beach, bike rides, pool, run into Jerry Springer while shopping and almost spill his Starbucks on him #truestory, eat-in particular fish tacos daily, pool, repeat) I decided to just share our trip via pictures this time, and recap some of the bigger highlights.

One of them being this place that is a true slice of heaven...


ritz-carlton sarasota lido key beach club
ritz-carlton sarasota lido key beach
ritz-carlton sarasota florida lido key beach

As most of you know, we traveled to the Sarasota/Bradenton area. We were lucky enough to stay at Billy's uncle beautiful vacation home in Lakewood Ranch. Not only that, he is a member of this Ritz resort so we were able to spend everyday at this resort free of charge. Lucky is an understatement of the year.

This resort is on Lido Key beach (the whitest, softest sand you can imagine) and is absolute perfection. When we first got to this resort, my jaw dropped. The grounds are stunning, it wasn't crowded at all, and 10 steps from the gigantic heated pool is the beautiful beach. There is also a Tiki bar where you could sit and have lunch and order drinks to take out on a walk on the beach. Just typing this makes me extra sads that I can't spend every minute in this paradise...why can't life be a vacation everyday?

So here is how most of our days went down: relax at the pool all morning, go to the Tiki bar for lunch and drinks, then switch to the beach in the afternoons....the best of both worlds right here.

{new ray bans from here, hat is an old find from f21-cute similar option here}
{similar coverup here}

Billy's uncle house also has it's own private pool and the most amazing sectional couch that were perfect for afternoon naps and to just sit outside and enjoy. We couldn't get enough of our surroundings..it was just so relaxing and perfect.


At night, more often than not we would make the 20 minute drive to either downtown Siesta Key or St. Armand's Circle. St. Armand's Circle has a bunch of different cute shops and restaurants...it's a hot spot for sure if you ever visiting this area. We stuffed our belly's with italian food, macarons, daquiri's, and I even got some shopping in (are we surprised?)


And then there was that one day we decided to randomly make the two hour drive to Orlando to spend the day at Universal Studios and see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! THAT recap coming up tomorrow... :)

Last but not least, if you missed these on my instagram, here is a short video of Rocky's going swimming for his second time ever and a picture that is definitely going to be framed in our house. I wish I would've got more of this on video because I think I've watched it over 60 times now...



He is such a ham.

TAKE ME BACK!

30 comments

  1. 1 degree is entirely too cold! I cannot even imagine what that feels like!!! P.S. it looks like Rocky had the most fun heheh

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  2. I would love an escape like this right now!! Also, Rocky is too cute! and I can't wait to read about the Wizarding World of HP!!

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  3. just looking at these pictures warmed me up! and made me jealous! so fun!

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  4. Ahhh, I miss Sarasota so much. You just made it so much worse!!! Can't wait to move back there in a few years. Glad you had a good time in my hometown! Now I need a vacation!

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  5. We're going to Naples this weekend & I cannot wait! I'm just ready for some sun & relaxing!

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  6. This trip looks absolutely amazing! We really want to go to Florida sometime. And what an awesome set up.... staying in a comfortable home but having access to all the fabulous amenities of the Ritz!!

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  7. Give me sunshine and coronas and pools and Rocky.

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  8. Rocky in Florida...TOO CUTE!!! Next time you go, can I come with? And could we go next week??

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  9. Ahh to leave Ohio right about now would be amazing!!!! I am so over all this cold and snow everywhere.
    I love that you guys were able to take Rocky on vacation with, you can totally tell that he thoroughly enjoyed his vacation just as much as you guys!!!

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  10. Your trip looked amazing!! Good for you to escape the snow- I never get to see snow so I sort of want to go snow skiing, haha but I am still counting down the days until my Mexican vacation in May! I would totally live on the beach if I had the option!

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  11. That picture of Rocky in the pool is probably one of my all-time favorites!!! Corona better pay you for that one...magazine material! :)

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  12. Looks like an awesome trip! My frozen bones are super jealous right now! HAHA

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  13. I'm pretty sure Rocky was meant to live in warm weather!! I love the cover up you're wearing in the first photo - where is it from!? Looks like you had the absolute best time!!

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  14. Ugh this is so amazing!!! Seriously all week I've been telling Scottie how bad we have to go to Florida seeing all your pics haha! I was wondering how affordable it would be to stay at the Ritz beach club but it looks like y'all stayed at Billy's uncles? So glad you had fun love!

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  15. Looks amazing! We are preparing for a snow storm tomorrow, oh how I want warm sun!

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  16. That caption of Rocky in the bike basket made me laugh out loud!

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  17. perfect lil vacay! and how amazing that you got to bring rocky?! that makes vacationing ten times better!

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  18. Sounds like an amazing time and such a cool spot! Lucky ducks!!

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  19. looks like you had the perfect vacation!! there is seriously nothing better than sun, sand, and a cold drink ;) you are making me want to plan a vacay for us...asap!

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  20. Looks amazing!! How awesome that Billy's Uncle has the house & the access to the Ritz!! I would be getting quite the cabin fever if I were you guys & would most definitely need this get-away!! Rocky is adorable swimming!!

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  21. Now I'm craving the beach, a bikini, and a drink! So much fun! Glad you guys were able to get away from the negative degrees and soak in the sunshine...with Rocky boy too!

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  22. What a fantastic trip! I"m so glad y'all got to escape the cold!! :)

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  23. omygosh Rocky is too cute out enjoying the sun.

    Billys uncles house. Amazing. Can I move there? haha

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  24. That picture of Rocky in the bike basket.....oh. my word. SO CUTE! Glad you guys had fun!

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  25. Oh my gosh, it looks like you guys had an AMAZING trip! And you totally deserve it too, the winter in the Midwest this year has been no joke! Also, Rocky KILLS me, he seriously looks like he is having the time of his life :)

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  26. Ahhhhh! I love Siesta Key & Lido Beach I fell in LOVE last time I was there. I ate at the Columbian restaurant in one of your pics there.. Ah Florida.. no wonder why so many people move there..

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  27. What a great trip and a great recap!! Rocky looks like he had a blast!!

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  28. Oh my heart is just aching for some Florida sand and sun! Thank you for letting my live vicariously through you!

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  29. Katie, this holiday looked amazing!!! And such an awesome break from the freezing cold. Rocky definitely had the best time ever x

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  30. These pictures are killing me right now! So glad you two had a good trip!!!

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