Sale e Pepe - Marco Island

If you missed it, last week we went to Florida to visit my grandfather! He just turned 96 (96!!!) so we always make a point to visit him for a long weekend (which turned into a week thanks to a little unexpected weather) each year. 

For the past few years, I’d been dying to visit this one restaurant down the strip from where we stay - Sale e Pepe. I’d only seen photos online, but it looked SO dreamy. 

But a pretty Italian oasis comes at a pretty penny. It was definitely more than we’re used to spending, but for me, when it comes to GOOD food, there is no price too high. (KIDDING, of course. But I certainly don’t mind paying a little more if the food and environment are top notch.)

Somehow, I was able to convince the two money-saving men (my hubby and grandfather) that this was a good idea, that I had rented a dress JUST FOR THIS SPECIFIC OCCASION and that we essentially HAD to go. (Still can’t believe it worked!)

We arrived and I *actually* felt as if we were back in Italy on our honeymoon. I made a bee-line for the romantic terrace overlooking the ocean (even though my poor grandfather tried to sway us to eat inside instead - PAPOU, YOU CAN’T INSTAGRAM WHERE THERE IS NO NATURAL LIGHT, SILLY!)

Besides the swarms of people covering the picturesk sunset, it was perfect in every way. Wonderful wine selection, a plethora of dishes for me to choose from (ME! THE VEGETARIAN!) I ended up with the black truffle risotto (still can’t believe I actually said YOLO after ordering as I handed the menu back to our waiter.) $200 later, we all left with happy tummies and of course, a few photos to mark the occasion. 

About the dress: This gorgeous Line + Dot maxi dress from Rent the Runway was everything I had dreamed of and more. It was lightweight and romantic - the hubs even asked how much it would cost to keep it. Even though RTR doesn’t work that way, I know I’ll be keeping an eye out during their next Clearance sale!

Wearing Line + Dot maxi dress and Lovers + Friends jacket via Rent the Runway, Maumero sandals c/o, HOBO the Original bag c/o, Cuyana belt.

Paradise

The beach is my happy place. Always has been, always will be. There’s something about the beach that makes tasting the salt in the air, jumping into the freezing water and sipping something yummy in the warm ocean breeze heal your soul.

It’s sort of a tradition for us to hit up the Marriott at least once on our trip for drinks after a hot day in the sun. I wanted to wear something that could be appropriate for walking around the resort but also super comfortable and lightweight. I picked up this dress from Anthom around Christmas and have been dying to wear it ever since. I also snagged this Lack of Colour hat on sale at Free People a few weeks ago and I wore it to the beach every single day. 

I had such a great time in Florida that we’re already planning our next trip! We’re sort of between cruising the southern carribean, heading to Cabo, or maybe an all-inclusive in Bermuda. Have you been to any of those places? If so, what do you recommend?!

On Julien: Dress, The Fifth via Anthom. Hat, Lack of Color via Free People (grey version on sale!) Bralette, c/o Free People Bethesda. Swimsuit, Victoria’s Secret. Bracelets, Hanuel (here and here) c/o, and Capwell + Co c/o. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.)

Engagement Story

This past weekend, the hubs and I celebrated our three year engagement anniversary. While I didn’t have a blog back in those days, I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane with you guys (throwback Monday?) and share the story about how we got engaged.

It all started with begging. Not for an engagement, but for a vacation. After  4 and a half years of college (oh the joys of credits not transferring), I was ready for a break. Considering I graduated on a Saturday and started my full-time job on Monday, there wasn’t  much room to take a breather. 

Since Shawn’s aunt, who lives in San Diego, had graciously extended an open invitation to us, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to escape the frigid DC temps and visit his side of the family.

Fast forward past the excitement, packing, flying, arriving, eating on La Jolla beach, visiting the San Diego Zoo and finding the best Mexican restaurant in town…the day came to visit Catalina Island. I had gone as a child and loved everything about it - I wanted to share that with my very best friend.

When I woke up, I knew something was wrong. My stomach was in knots and I had the world’s worst indigestion…enter the fears and horror that goes along with those symptoms (we later found out that Shawn’s adorable little cousin had a stomach virus, of course I only found this out after our trip and after kissing all over his face…) Even though I spent some quality time in the bathroom that morning, I didn’t want to ruin the trip with my icky feels so I sucked it up like a big girl and we continued with our plans. And thankfully, on our way to the dock, we only had to stop the car once on the side of the road (although, once was most definitely enough.) 

Next was the boat ride to Catalina. There’s nothing better than feeling sick to your stomach and having the joy of riding on a rocky boat for a few hours. NOTHING. BETTER. I was dehydrated and miserable. 

After we arrived on Catalina, I tried to cheer up. The views were a dream. FYI - these photos haven't even been edited. Straight from the camera. It looked like we had traveled across the Atlantic to the likes of Italy or Greece. We stopped at a local cafe where I tried to eat something, and thank the Lord, a gracious waiter gave me some ginger tablets that seemed to have healing powers within them. I was feeling infinitely better.

We decided to explore the island and rented a little golf cart. We visited just about every place we could, and when the day was coming to an end, we walked along the pier taking photos of the famed Catalina Casino.

Although I was quite confused when Shawn asked me to take a few pics of him, I happily snapped away, taking full advantage this opportunity to capture my camera-shy boyfriend.

Only when I took a quick peek to review the photos (I was very focused on the framing and lighting elements) did I notice the eggshell blue box he was holding in his hand.

All I could mutter was, ‘Oh my gosh, what’s in your hand?!’ Slowly, he took away the camera, got on one knee and gave me the sweetest proposal I could have ever imagined. 

(Super fun side note: back in high school, we were assigned to do a marriage project and Shawn and myself got paired together. In his pretend proposal, he also proposed on a fishing pier - and ironically, the date of the proposal in our marriage project book was only 3 days off from the actual date we got engaged.)

Have you been to Catalina Island before?! If you ever find yourself in the San Diego area, I'd highly recommend a trip out to this perfect little oasis!