Fort Myers Florida Family Vacation

I had such a magnificent time spending a week with my family in my old home of Fort Myers, Florida to meet my grandmother and aunts who live down there.

My family came out from Tacoma, Seattle, Colorado, and Wisconsin. We haven't seen in each in years so it was so wonderful to see everyone and live together for a week in a gorgeous rental home on the water. Meeting my cousin's kids for the first time was great. Such sweethearts. I loved having my boyfriend meet my family. My grandmother is as witty and fun as ever. It was nice being on Sanibel Island with her, where she lived for over 30 years.

Things I remember loving the most: cooking for each other, Rob & I BBQ-ing for everyone, swimming, hot tubbing and sunbathing every day, catching up, going to mini golf together, Cincinnati chili, doing karaoke in front of a crowd in a smoky sports bar & watching the Lawrence Welk Show with my Gommi.

One of the highlights of the trip was when we headed to the Everglades. Holding a baby alligator and 2-year-old alligator was SO NUTS! The airboat ride was super fun and different.

Below are my favorite photographs I took during our trip. So many happy memories I'll cherish for years!

New York City Solo Trip

Ohhhhh my goodness. I am so late in posting these but whoa. WHAT A TRIP! I headed to NYC for the first time in September to sightsee, eat, dance Zouk, explore and visit my lovely friend Elizabeth. I stayed at her apartment in Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn.

It was one of the best weeks of my life. My first solo trip. The experience really helped me grow and be more comfortable traveling alone in a new city. I hope to travel outside of the country by myself in the next few years.

Fingers crossed I can go back to NYC in the Spring! There is still so much I have yet to explore.

 

Portland Weekend Trip

A few weekends back, I took a trip down to Portland with my boyfriend and some of my dancer friends. We attended some Brazilian Lamba Zouk classes and late night dance socials, but during the day, I had a fabulous time exploring the city on foot by myself. I had meals with Robert at a ton of amazing places around town, too. As per usual, I try to eat dairy and gluten free (90% of the time) 😉

Featured, in order:

+ Appethaizing (homey Thai spot)

+ Ebb & Bean (frozen yogurt with vegan options)

+ Tasty & Sons (amazing brunch. We had the shakshuka & also the steak and grits skillet but I forgot to take a photo because I was starving)

+ Powell's Books (so busy but fun)

+ Tanner Spring Park (gorgeous garden with water lily pond, fish, and a cute brook)

+ Tea Bar (amazing natural bubble tea spot, I had the vanilla rose bubble tea. SO DELICIOUS! I adore the interior, we need something like this in Seattle!)

+ Revelry (Seattle is home to their sister restaurant, Revel. I actually preferred Revelry more! Korean fusion at it's finest. Loved the live DJ)

+ Teote (gluten free Latin food featuring arepas (gluten free corn cakes))

+ Dapper & Wise (great coffee spot with gorgeous interior)

Also found this cool outdoor food truck rally. Not sure of the official name but it had about 20 different food trucks. Loved the concept and outdoor seating. Another idea we need in Seattle!