Into the Woods

Last weekend, I spent a much needed break from everything up in PA with my husband and dad.  Though part of the weekend consisted of me pretending to be Annie Oakley and relieving some stress through firing off some rounds on our property, what I enjoyed most was the simple act of being in the middle of the woods, far away from society as I know it.  There is something so peaceful in walking outside in the morning and hearing only the sounds of birds chirping or an animal roaming through the surrounding woods, the falling branches crackling beneath paws.  Having no responsibilities, no worries, no place to rush off too, I was able to just relax my mind and breathe. 

I'll leave you with this little note from Lord Byron, who couldn't have said how I felt more perfectly.  

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.

- Lord Byron

Come to Jamaica and Feel All Right

Last week, I had given you a little sneak peak into our fabulous honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica.  Well, get ready for the whole she-bang!  

We start off with a little view from our window aboard JetBlue Airways.

We arrive over the beautiful scenery of Montego Bay.

As if flying all that way wasn't enough, us honeymooners decided to treat ourselves to a private plane ride to our resort (12 minute flight vs. 1 hour and 1/2 drive = you sold me!).

Finally, we arrive to our final destination - Couples Negril!

Could you just die with this view from our beachfront suite!?

The first of many beautiful sunsets we shared together during our week.

Dozens of other couples maxing and relaxing in the crystal clear blue waters.

Here are some of our favorite beach musicians during the week.  Our friend over to the left serenaded us every day at noon with some sweet reggae tunes and ended every set with his catch phrase, "What a show, what a show, what a way to go!"

After a nice morning of sunbathing and swimming in the blue, we made our way over to one of our favorite spots on the resort - the Swim Up Bar.  While sipping on Rum Runners and taking a few Bob Marley shots (side note:  GAG!), we enjoyed the company of other couples at the resort, young and old, and shared a few laughs with our favorite bartender, Franklin.

After a few libations, we liked to take a short stroll along the beach towards our suite to get ready for dinner. We favored the Heliconia Grill for dinner most nights because its daily menu was just too good to resist!  I also think it looked so pretty lit up at night and you could hear the waves lightly break on the shore as you dined.

One morning, while the hubby slept in a little later than I did, I decided to take a walk around the whole resort to see what I could find.  Here we have the resort's gorgeous setup for a perfect beach wedding.  You couldn't ask for a better view to exchange vows and many couples did that week!

I loved all the different flowers and foliage around the resort!

I've never seen so many different typed of birds in one location.  This guy on the left was outside our room almost every day picking on the berries and these other two were always seen hovering by the buffet waiting to snag a few scraps of food leftover from the diners.  

You call this a tree house, I call it HEAVEN!  This is were we indulged in a half hour couples massage.

One of the many events the resort had for its guests was the Chocolate Sunset Reception, were we gathered around a delectable chocolate fountain while sipping on champagne watching the sun set over the beach.

I wish I could look outside my window from my bed every day and see this!

And sadly, we come to the end of our fantastic week at Couples Negril.  We both cannot wait until our toes are wiggling in the sands of Jamaica again!  But as our friend at the front desk said as we were checking out, "You have to leave in order to come back".  And that my friend, we most certainly will!

Back in the Game!

Hey y'all!

Sorry for the lack of posts for the new year but I just returned from an amazing week in Jamaica with my husband for our honeymoon (it only took us exactly 8 months to the day after the wedding to take this trip but some things are worth the wait!).  I can't wait to share with you later on this week the beautiful scenery we got to stare at all week long.  It was our second time visiting Jamaica and I think it was even more breath taking than the first time.

If you follow me on Facebook, you caught a glimpse into our week via my Instagram posts.

Stay tuned later on this week for a full post, but for now I'll just leave you with this: