Our Beach Vacation!

We are back from the beach, and we had the most glorious time. Truly. I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures along with info on where we stayed and where we ate in case anyone else is planning a trip to Orange Beach in the near future!

 

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We love Orange Beach, Alabama, for many reasons, and one big reason is proximity! It takes less than 5 hours to drive there, and with two kids that's something to consider. It's a family-friendly community with tons of great places to stay and some fabulous restaurants.

We've been visiting here for about six years now (pre-kids and growing up I always went to Destin, Florida), and each time we've stayed at a Phoenix condominium (there are 19 to choose among!). Our favorite is Phoenix West II, and that's where we stayed this year. We love how clean it is; the amenities are just what we need; and we also love the fact that there's a splash pad, and the pool has a big slide and a lazy river.

We always book directly through Brett/Robinson Vacations (the company responsible for the condos), but I know a lot of people have good success with VRBO.com as well. I've noticed I can find better rates on the Brett/Robinson site, however.

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Before I bore you with more lodging info, I'll share our pictures. There are lots! And then I'll share where we ate at the end.

Shortly after we arrived the girls were eager to feel the sand and the water. So we made a quick trip to the beach before coming back up to the room to unpack and get settled in.

Lily got this Trolls bathing suit for her birthday and has been dying to wear it since.



 

The Paw Patrol trucker hat kills me.



Hadley has food in every picture because snacks make her happy.



 

 

We had our favorite meal here. And check out this view! If you're in Orange Beach, you must check out Shipp's Harbour Grill!



This one ate her weight in fried shrimp.

Dinner ended with a surprise chocolate chip cookie with chocolate icing. Winner.

Doing a little dance. Another beach day. Yay! Followed by, "Can we move here?"

With my littlest nugget. How cute is her pineapple suit?



We love a splash pad...and it's surrounded by beach chairs, so Rob and I were able to sit back and relax while the girls played!



The sweetest sisters. So thankful they have one another!

Selfie with the hubs. Wish we could've gotten a family photo too!

This picture cracks me up. Hadley doing yoga at the splash pad!

Our final night, after dinner at Tacky Jacks.

The sunrise on our last morning. Just incredible. I enjoyed watching the sun come up each morning while drinking a cup of coffee. That's one of my favorite things about the beach!

Where we ate

Our beach routine is usually the same each day. Wake up; go to the beach for most of the morning, then cool off in the pool before heading up for lunch. We keep lunch easy and casual and pick up food from the local grocery store to snack on...that way we have more time at the beach. And then after a full afternoon of swimming and building sandcastles, we generally get cleaned up and head to dinner.

 

We went to Doc's Seafood Shack on night one. We were looking for something very casual, but we wanted some good seafood. Doc's did not disappoint. Don't go for the atmosphere or the views. You won't find either. But you'll get some really good food! Rob had the fried seafood platter (duh), and I had stuffed crab...and lots and lots of French fries.

After a long second day on the beach, we picked up sushi to go and ate on our balcony. That's kind of become a tradition for us, and each time we pick up from Big Fish Restaurant. Best sushi I've ever had. I'm sure the dinner menu is just as good.

A girlfriend recommended Shipp's Harbour Grill, and it's become a new favorite. The atmosphere was perfection, and the food was stellar. I had the Gulf Coast Snapper, and Rob had the Grouper Ponchatrain.
 

We discovered Cosmos years ago and make a point to return there each year. The atmosphere is fun and quirky, and we ate outside while a band was playing. There's also a fun gift shop attached, which makes waiting for a table a little easier. Rob got the fresh catch of the day for dinner, and I got the grilled shrimp. It honestly wasn't my favorite thing I've ordered there, but we'll still be back. If you go, you must try the firecracker shrimp appetizer and/or the BBQ crab claws!

Our final night we stopped by Tacky Jacks. It's probably more of a touristy spot, but it's casual and laid back and a great place to visit with kids. Our waitress was fabulous (she was from Romania!), and a fun band was playing in the outdoor dining area. I had the Half and Half platter (grilled fish and blackened shrimp), and Rob had the Steamed Royal Reds. It was really tasty. The Firecracker Shrimp appetizer is amazing as well.

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So, now we're home...our skin is a little darker (or, mine is more freckled, and Hadley's is just as fair); our bellies are full (we probably all gained a few pounds); and our hearts and minds have some special memories to hold onto (cheesy but true). It was a fabulous trip. Yay for summer!

Let me know if you've ever been to Orange Beach and where you like to stay and/or eat. We're always looking for new places to check out. Are most of you taking a family vacation this summer? Let me hear!

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Update: I wanted to source the girls' bathing suits for y'all too! If they're not listed below, they're sold out. We always find our suits at GAP, Old Navy, Target (buy one get one free right now!), Osh Kosh, Carters, and Gymboree.

Lily's pineapple two-piece
Hadley's pineapple two-piece
Lily's blue one-piece with tassels
Lily's purple sparkle one-piece (not pictured)
Lily's Trolls one-piece
Hadley's cactus one-piece 
Hadley's Peppa Pig one-piece
Hadley's flamingo one-piece

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Weekend Update + Life Lately

How was everyone's weekend? Did all the mamas reading have a happy Mother's Day? I surely hope so!

I woke up to donuts and purple tulips yesterday, as well as some precious cards from my girls. Lily told me I was her BFF. Doesn't get much better than that. We went to church and visited with my parents that afternoon. It was a simple, sweet day, which was just what I wanted.

 They're laughing in the picture below because I said, "Mommy is going to rest all day and won't have to do any laundry or tidying up." Yeah right. Ha!

  

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Saturday was a really special day. I drove up to Memphis for the day to celebrate my niece McKenna, who just graduated from high school. She's going to Tulane in the fall, and she's just a shining star in every way. The drive up was just what I needed. I was alone for 3 hours (alone for 3 hours?!?!) in my car and listened to music that I hadn't listened to in years. I danced; I sang; I reminisced. It was fun. Once I got to Memphis I was able to see so many family members I hadn't seen in a while. Lots of hugs and catching up...it was so good for the soul.

And remember this face below. She is going to do big things in life, I have no doubt.

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We caved and got bags and bags of sand for the sandbox area that came with the girls' swing set. Sand is everywhere, but it's worth it because they love it.

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We are winding up the school year this week, and I am.so.ready. I need a break from schedules and homework. And come the end of June I'll be ready for schedules again. Isn't that the way life goes? :)

Hadley's school had their annual May Day performance recently, and we had a long talk about being brave and getting up on the stage and singing with her classmates. She seemed ready, and I only prepped her because last time they had a performance she spotted me in the audience and began crying for "Mommy!!!!" I thought to myself how great she was going to do this year...and life laughed at me. As they were walking out as a class, waving their flags, she spotted me and refused to go on stage. I snapped a pic right before the tears fell. Bless her heart. Next year I'm either going to wear camo and hide among all the other parents, or we're just going to skip altogether!

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As most of you know, my Dad relapsed last summer and is living with mantle cell lymphoma for the third time. He's been on oral chemo since then and has done pretty well. Recently he's had some setbacks, and his blood pressure has been running extremely low. He'll see the doctor today, and we're hoping for some answers and easy solutions. It's an overwhelming time, and I'd be lying if I said we weren't concerned. We would treasure your thoughts and prayers, dear friends.

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We're heading to the beach this week, so I have lots of odds and ends to do around here to get us ready. And I'm getting a spray tan this morning so I won't frighten children on the beach with my whiteness! :) Any tips for making a spray tan stay put?

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I hope everyone has a happy day and a great week ahead.

26 One Pieces for Stylish Moms

Oh do I have a gift for y'all today. I scoured the Web and found the best one piece bathing suits out there! And I'm picky. I want a bathing suit that makes me feel good. Who doesn't, right? But I also want a suit that allows me to swim and play with my children without fear of spillage, if you know what I mean! ;) All of these finds fit that bill, and the price points vary...so there's something for everyone! Enjoy browsing, and let me know your favorite!

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You just can't go wrong with classic stripes, and I'm liking the little cutout between the cups.

'Cirana' Textured Bandeau One Piece

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This bathing suit has gotten the best reviews...it's mostly sold out, but if they have your size, please snag it! Perfection.

One-Shoulder One Piece

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How sweet is the lace detail?

 

Lace Halter One Piece Swimsuit

 

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Loving the high neck and the mod pattern.

 

'Algiers' High Neck One-Piece

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So fun and bright. A departure for me, as I generally lean towards simple black styles in bathing suits.

Tropical Tribal High Neck Wrap One Piece

 

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Pretty and simple. Would be great for those who are smaller chested.

 

Seaside High-Neck One Piece

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I'd wear this to the pool then throw on jean shorts and head to lunch!

Flirtatious Ruffle Tummy Control Ruffle Shoulder One Piece

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If you're self conscious about your tummy, suits like this with ruching hide a multitude of sins!

Beach Cutout Tummy-Control One Piece

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The neckline is so cool...I don't sun anymore, so I wouldn't be worried about tan lines.

Laser Cut High Neck One Piece

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This might be one of my favorites. I'm planning on ordering it and will let y'all know what I think!

Leopard Print Cutout One Piece

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Old Navy has great suits and even better prices. Loving the cutout here.

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This suit comes in several colors, but I'm partial to the navy.
 

Anne Cole Twist-Front Bandeau One Piece

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I like the stripes on this suit because they give the illusion of a smaller waist.

Michael Kors Regatta Striped One Piece

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Such pretty and feminine embroidery!

Anne Cole Embroidered Bandeau One Piece

 

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The ruching on this one is so good.

One Shoulder Solid One Piece

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I've read nothing but rave reviews about this suit. I love the neon pink!

Twist Front Bandeau One Piece

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Another version of the one-shoulder one piece but at Old Navy's price point.

Ruffled One Shoulder Swimsuit

 

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How cool is this suit? Anthropologie has higher-end suits, but I was able to find several that weren't too outrageous. Love the tie on the hip, too.

 

Printed Tie-Shoulder One Piece

 

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Such sweet scalloped edges.

 

Scalloped Halter One Piece

 

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J.Crew suits are always a good choice for me because most of them come with a tall option. So for those of us with longer torsos, we don't have to worry about them covering only half of our boobs.

 

U-front Bandeau One Piece 

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Very sporty, but I still like it.

Zella One Piece Swimsuit

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Loving the colors and the thin, double straps.

Geo-Print Cutout One Piece

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Another sporty suit in black, but the neckline is really cool in my opinion. And Seafolly makes some of the best suits. I have one of their two pieces, and it's an all-time favorite. The quality is outstanding.

 

Seafolly Active High-Neck One Piece

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Sweet and preppy. I kind of want this one too.
 

Tipped Seersucker Underwire Shoulder-Tie One Piece

 

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Another classic black one piece. I wanted to share a lot of simple options only because I know that's what a lot of people like in a suit.

 

Island Goddess One Piece

 

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So chic and effortless.

 

Cutout Halter One Piece

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What do y'all think of my picks? Any favorites? And do tell...did I miss some great brands or some good places to shop for suits? I'm so excited summer is nearly upon us! Hope everyone has a great day...