Beach Trip 2015: Day 3-5

July 20, 2015 by

In case you missed part one and part two, you can check them out before reading today’s installment.

I combined the next days because, well….we did pretty much the same thing! We got up, stuffed our faces with a delicious breakfast overlooking the beach, then Bobby left for his meetings, and my parents and I hit the beach.

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After lunch with Bobby, we all went to the beach.

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Then of course, happy hour.

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We had dinner scheduled at the Beach Walk Café, the nice restaurant at the Inn. We got dressed then walked over for our reservation.

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I started off with a blackberry martini which was delicious!

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I had the filet with mac ‘n cheese, and it was very tender, and the mac ‘n cheese was my favorite.

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Bobby had the lobster tail, and got a side of the mac ‘n cheese.

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My dad had the catch of the day, and my mom had shrimp ‘n grits. Everything was SO good and rich and we were stuffed after.  However, we still had enough room to all split a slice of peanut butter chocolate cheesecake made in house. Heavenly.

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The next morning my parents packed up and went home and I was pretty sad because we had such an amazing time. I hung out at the beach reading by myself until Bobby got back from class, then we ate lunch and headed back for our last bit of time on the beach.

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Some dark clouds rolled in in the afternoon, but it never actually rained. We enjoyed one more happy hour, and went to dinner down the street.

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Afterwards we went for a walk on the beach and the clouds cleared up just enough for a beautiful sunset. We also saw the Beach Walk Café setting up for “toes in the sand”, which is  ocean side dining with a private waiter. I want to do this one day!

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We sat on a swing and watched the sun go down one last time in Destin.

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Then, because we are old people, we headed up to the room for bed. Sad times.

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The next morning we enjoyed our last delicious Henderson Park Inn bed and breakfast before packing up and going home. We had an amazing trip, and I think that makes it even harder to leave! I was however glad to get home to family and routine, but I do hope we get to go back to Henderson Park Inn very soon!

QOTD: Have you ever dined next to the water? Favorite place to watch a sunset?

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Coming Soon: The Henderson

July 15, 2015 by

Destin Florida has always been a favorite vacation spot of mine. I have great memories of vacationing in a condo steps from the sugar white sands, staying out in the sun all day, and playing board games with my family at night (I know, I was a super cool teenager).

As I got older and then got married, our tastes and wants in a beach vacation changed, and we quickly fell in love with Henderson Park Inn, a wonderful adults only bed and breakfast right on the beach that is a part of the Southern Living Hotel collection. We have been guests of the Inn a few times, so you can imagine my surprise when an email hit my inbox at the beginning of the year outlining a new hotel to be built right behind my beloved Henderson Park Inn. I had a moment of panic, followed by several questions.

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We went to Destin for a wonderful stay last week, and I am happy to report that the Innkeeper, Ryan Olin, put my fears to rest, and actually got me..dare I say….excited about the great things coming to the property. I sat down with him one afternoon to discuss the new resort, and I had quite the list of questions. Thankfully, Ryan had a great answer for every one of them, and then some. Follow along as I tell you about the newest addition to the beautiful Destin skyline…The Henderson.

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The Henderson will open in the summer of 2016 as a five diamond resort managed by Salamander, who is known for amazing dining and spa experiences. It will boast 171 rooms, a spa with 11 treatment rooms, two pools including an adults only area, a lazy river, a bar, restaurant, and beach access.

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This beautiful upscale resort will also include amenities such as free shuttle service to and from the airport, complimentary cars to take you around Destin, and tram service to the beach walkway 24 hours a day. Every room will have a balcony, and a smart TV. This place is going to be so nice! Think of it as a “beach club” experience. There will be chair and umbrella service, a pool bar, water and beach recreation, and lots of attention to detail.

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On top of all of this, the Henderson will be home to 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, something that is lacking in Destin. There will be private ballrooms, boardrooms, and 30,000 square feet of outdoor space to host private parties, weddings, and corporate functions. (Hello vow renewal?!?)

Guests of the Inn like myself were concerned about what that means for the adults only establishment that I consider one of Destin’s best kept secrets. I was assured time and time again that great strides will be taken to ensure the tranquility of the 35 room Bed and Breakfast remains intact. The guests of the new hotel will have beach access, but not free reign of the Inn itself, but instead designated areas and walkways (however, guests of the Inn will have use of the pools at the new resort!).

Ryan showed me exactly where the walkway will go along the side of the Inn’s property down to the beach, and we talked about gates, security, concierges, and making sure everyone remains happy at the Inn, and at The Henderson.

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I know some people have a large family, or prefer to do some of their own cooking on vacation, so there is something for everyone coming! Ryan told me about a condo building that is in the works as well to be completed at the end of 2016. There will be  one and two bedroom units near to The Henderson, with beach access as well. These condos will be available for purchase pretty soon from what I hear.

The news of the new resort is exciting not just because it’s going to be gorgeous and fancy, but because this is something that you won’t find anywhere else in Destin. This place will be the nicest new hotel you will find from New Orleans all the way to Tampa, and the most grand hotel built in all of Florida in the past five years.

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I personally cannot wait to see everything come to fruition from renderings to reality, and hopefully enjoy The Henderson for myself in the future.

Be sure to follow along on their Facebook page for updates!

QOTD: What do you look for in a beach hotel?

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Beach Trip 2015: Day 1

July 10, 2015 by

We woke up early Sunday morning to drive down to the beach. We had thunderstorms and heavy rain most of the way down, which is not something you care to drive through on your way to the beach. We finally arrived after lunch and my parents were already there. We checked into the Henderson Park Inn in Destin, Florida, and our room was ready.

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It was still cloudy, but not raining, and the forecast looked good for the rest of the trip, hooray!

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We were in an executive suite on the second floor. They have so much room, and of course a great view (beach photo above was taken from our balcony).

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When we entered our room, there was music playing, and roses, grapes, and wine on our bed.

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We unloaded the car, caught up with my parents, and soon enough it was time for happy hour! Henderson Park Inn has daily happy hour from 4-5 for the guests in it’s 35 rooms. It’s up on the deck overlooking the beach.

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After hanging out at the tiki hut, Bobby and I went down to the beach to take some pictures in my new shoes ASICS sent me. The Gel Quantum 360 comes out July 15, and I wanted to get some shots in t hem to share on social media and my blog since the “gel” shoe is “jellyfish” (jelly =Gel-y) themed.

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We decided we didn’t feel like getting all dressed for dinner, so we ordered pizza and had them deliver it to the deck. We sat outside listening to the waves eating pizza. It was perfect! Later, we went for a walk on the beach.

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We were all tired from traveling so we hit the hay. Bobby and I managed to watch about half of a movie before I fell asleep. I needed my rest for a big day at the beach the next day, of course.

QOTD: What is your favorite beach to visit?

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Summer Travel Plans

June 16, 2015 by

Every summer, Bobby and I go to Destin, Florida for three days. He attends a work conference in the mornings, and then we get to hang out in the afternoons. Last year my parents went with us, and this year they are coming again! (It’s nice to have someone to hang out with while Bobby is in his meetings). Baby girl will be staying home with Bobby’s mom. She lives out of town and so she doesn’t get to see Emma Kate a lot, so I know she is excited!

We can’t take the baby because we are staying at Henderson Park Inn, an adult’s only bed and breakfast. I have written about them before, and I cannot wait to go back for the third year in a row.

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At Henderson Park Inn, they spoil you rotten with an amazing buffet breakfast with create your own omelets and waffles, fruit, bacon, grits, you name it. Included in the price are water front beach chairs, towels, snacks, water and soda, and a happy hour every night.

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Rooms are gorgeous and spacious as well.

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Not to mention, we will be right in the heart of Destin just minutes and walking distance to restaurants and shops. It is just across the highway from the Destin Commons, the huge shopping complex, and down the road from the Silver Sands outlet mall. I love to explore Destin and find new restaurants and places to go. As a kid, we went to the beach most summers, so while I am familiar with the area, every year there are new places to go!

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We always try to get away somewhere in the summer, and I try to look for ways to make our travel easier and more efficient. The Discover It Miles credit card is a great option for your summer travel plans, wherever you are looking to go. This card has no annual fee, and includes a $30 credit each year for in flight Wi-Fi! For those of you traveling out of the country, there are no foreign transaction fees. Discover it Miles cardmembers can redeem miles at any amount for cash, or as a statement credit toward their travel purchases, including commercial airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, commuter transportation and taxicabs.DSC_0893

You can learn more about the card and explore rewards to see for yourself how it can help your summer travel plans!

We leave for our trip in less than a month, and I can’t wait to sink my toes into the sand again, and enjoy that Florida sunshine.

QOTD: What are your summer travel plans? Do you use a credit card to help you travel? Reward points?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Filed Under: blogging, family, food, Mental Health, vacation Tagged: , , , , ,

Henderson Park Inn

August 2, 2013 by

Back in July, my husband and I had the privilege to stay at an amazing bed and breakfast in Destin, Florida called Henderson Park Inn.

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My parents have raved about this place for years, but we are just getting around to going.

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It’s an adults only inn, and includes a gourmet breakfast, boxed lunch’s, cookies and tea in the afternoon, happy hour, and all the candy bars and sodas you can eat and drink.

Bobby and I stayed in an executive suite, and it was beautiful. When we checked in, there was soft music playing in our room and a rose, bottle of wine, and some grapes were on our bed. You also get turn down with chocolates at night!

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The suite included a kitchenette fully stocked with plates and utensils as well as a keurig coffee maker. There were also bottles of water already in the refrigerator!

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The executive suites have a king sized bed, as well as a flat screen TV and DVD player (there are free movies to borrow as well).

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We had a balcony overlooking the ocean with two chairs and a little table outside.

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When we checked in, we were shown around the Inn, it felt so personal and cozy to have someone walk us around. They only have 36 rooms by the way, so it never felt crowded. Also included in the price is free beach chairs, towels and umbrellas. Simply walk to the beach and claim a spot. That was definitely one of my favorite things. No fighting with my beach tent or my own chairs and towels.

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The inn borders a state park on one side so it’s a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the beach.

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From 4-5 every afternoon, there was happy hour out at this tiki hut that overlooks the ocean. They had margaritas, pina coladas, wine, beer, etc. We loved walking up form the beach for a  drink before getting ready for dinner.

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There is a restaurant that we ate at one night called the Beach Walk Café. It was amazing and I will be posting about it as well.

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During the day, the restaurant is home to the amazing breakfast, and where you pick up your boxed lunches and cookies/tea in the afternoon. Breakfast was by far m favorite. Made to order omelets and waffles, apple wood bacon, grits, the juiciest fruit ever, hashbrowns, sausage, you name it. Awesome.

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There are also other opportunities for lounging such as hammocks below the upper deck. The chairs/tables are the outside portion of the restaurant. You can eat meals oceanside!

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There were also some cozy chairs surrounding a fire pit that was lit at night.

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We will definitely be back here next summer, but that seems so far away. Would love to go back sooner, we had an amazing time and have absolutely no complaints. Such an amazing relaxing retreat. If you have any questions about the inn feel free to ask and I will try my best to get an answer!

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QOTD: Have you ever stayed at a bed and breakfast? Would you like to?

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Beach Trip 2013: Monday

July 11, 2013 by

Good morning! We made it home from the beach yesterday evening and came home to lots of rain! We are so fortunate we had fabulous weather while we were in Destin, and I can’t wait to share more of our trip with you! In case you missed part one go read it first.

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Monday morning, we got up early to go to the amazing breakfast buffet then Bobby had to leave to be at his conference for 8:00. I went up to the room to get some work done then grabbed my stuff and headed down to the beach.

I took a walk, read a book, and just relaxed and enjoyed the quiet until Bobby got back at 12:30

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We ate our lunches then headed back down to the beach for an afternoon of more reading and relaxing. Pure bliss….until someone saw a SHARK! I was watching a couple go out into the water then start backing away and pointing. They were waving people nearby out of the water so of course we got up to go see and sure enough, about a five foot shark, CLOSE to the shore….As in I had waded out further than that just a few minutes before! It was kind of eerie to see it like that and a good reminder that we are vulnerable bobbing around in the ocean! I snapped a picture with my phone but it was so bright I wasn’t sure where to aim so I don’t think you can see the shark in the photo. It was right past where that first cresting wave is. Bobby is standing on a sandbar.

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I did not get back in the water.

That night we had dinner at the fine dining restaurant at the place we were staying (it gets it’s own post, coming soon!) It was an amazing dinner and so nice to just walk back to our room later!

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We watched another movie before going to bed so we could get up and do it all over again.

QOTD: Are you one that stays at the beach all day or just a little while?

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