WeeTRADE is THIS WEEK!

All outfits pictured above were purchased from Wee Trade in years past from $10-20 each!

WeeTRADE is one of my most FAVORITE events in Jacksonville. I missed the sale while I was in California, but thankfully a fellow Jacksonville Mom writer shopped for me and mailed out some adorable clothing items to me! Thanks, Jessica!

The sale is open to the public starting on Thursday 9/19 at 9am. Admission is FREE and if you are a military, first responder or first time parent or grandparent, you can actually get a FREE ticket to shop the sale early on Wednesday. 

Register here for Military/First Responder 

Register here for First Time Parent/Grandparent

Location:

Shoppes of San Jose

2777 University Blvd W

Jacksonville, FL 32216

Some of my most favorite outfits for my kids have come from the WeeTRADE Sale! The sale happens once in the Spring and once in the Fall and this year they are celebrating 15 YEARS! Pam and Jennifer are the gracious women who put on this sale every year. They could have never dreamed the sale would grow this large as it started right in Jennifer's living room with about 30 friends and 600 items of clothing. This year the sale has over 500 consigners and over 50,000 items! 

What does that mean for you? You get access to adorable clothing, like new toys and every piece of baby equipment that you could ever imagine needing at a fraction of the price. Every item that goes into the sale is hand inspected by a WeeTRADE Team member ensuring the item meets criteria and quality. 

Here are just a few photos of the current inventory that you will get to shop. 

Every shopper is different, but my plan of attack is to go through the clothing racks first! Now I have two kids to shop for so this should be interesting! Then I go to costumes and dancewear, then toys. Even better, on Saturday from 9am-5pm you can bring your kids to shop the 1/2 off sale. 

I am literally giddy about the sale. I dropped off my items on Saturday and did a quick peek-around and saw some ADORABLE things for $10, 12, $15. You literally cannot beat the prices! I'll go live from the sale and I look forward to showing you all the goodies! Happy Shopping!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale

Lilly Fans look forward to this day every year! The After Party Sale is an amazing one and here are some inside tips and fit guides to help you with your online purchases. The sale goes LIVE at 8am EST (approximately) and will go through Wednesday, 9/11. If you haven't already, be sure to create an account to update your shipping and credit card info for easy checkout. You can also shop on Nordstrom, Amazon and Zappos (for my military friends, don't forget to verify so you get 10% off)! If you are absolutely hoping for that one dress or top, checkout immediately. Having something in your cart does not mean it is yours! And remember, all sales are final, but you can easily resell on buy, sell, trade groups if need be!

I was able to shop the sale in stores on Saturday morning. My friend Tina and I arrived around 8:30 with coffee and breakfast in tow to wait for the store to open. Our store in Jacksonville is relatively small, but the line moved quickly and we were greeted with waters, mini Coronas and snacks from the lovely Lilly staff members.

Tina and I with our try-ons!

When shopping these sales, I always look for Minnie items first. I'm not sure why, but I buy for my daughter first, then I try to find matching items for me. The Minnie section at our store was pretty limited, but I did get an amazing dress and matching mommy dress for my daughter.

My biggest advice for this sale is to read reviews and fit guidelines as all sales are final. When sizes are XS, S, M, etc. I can guess pretty well, but on numbered sizes, fits can be weird and trying things on can be important.

Here are some items I purchased during the early release in stores this weekend.

The Kristen dress is a perfect "thrown on" dress that you can dress up or dress down. I love the detail in the back and that you can wear a regular bra! Huge points!

Retail: $98        Sale: $39

The Steffi Stretch dress has been on my list for a while and love that it has a matching Minnie. This style runs small, so size up! I love the ruffles on this dress. Also wearing a regular bra here. I tried on a 6 and 8 in this dress and the size 6 fit better/more generous than the 8.

Retail: $178     Sale: $54

Minnie is $34

The Alessa Romper was a total sleeper. I probably would have never ordered this online. I found it in a bin during the sale and just loved it. Best part, it has built-in shorts so perfect for chasing the kids around or just mammon' and running errands! I'm wearing a size small here.

Retail:$138   Sale:$54

The Shelli Stretch Shift dress was a maybe for me, but I ultimately decided to get it because I love the keyhole back and there is a matching Minnie. I don't loves spaghetti straps, but this has built-in cups, so no bra needed. This dress if perfect for a date night! I'm wearing a size 6 here.

Retail: $168   Sale: $64

I did try on a few other things including this dress, but I was too cheap to purchase! You're welcome, Kyle. It was gorgeous, but I had to have it hemmed and I felt like I wouldn't get a ton of wear. It was $119 in store.

I also loved the fit and feel of the Dani Dress in Navy, but at $54, I couldn't justify spending the money since I have a dress from Gap that is similar. The material was really nice and easy to dress up or down.

I'm excited to see what items are included online tomorrow. I do have one dress I am hoping to find. It's the Adalee Dress in Pink! 

What are you hoping to find in the sale? 

P.S- Big thanks to my husband who helped snap my photos in the 100 degree heat!! 

Charlotte's 5th Birthday Party at MY Museum

We celebrated Charlotte's 5th birthday a few weekends back. Her actual birthday is on the 19th, in a couple of days. I think I planned her party in all of one week, which is the opposite of how I normally plan things, but with a big move in the immediate future, Kyle in a different city and her party falling on a holiday weekend, we did our best and it turned out fantastic. 

The ease of the party was in large part to MY Museum (who just won Monterey Bay Parent's awards for "Best Indoor Birthday Party" and "Best Place to Play Inside"). From booking the party with their staff to them helping us out to our car with all of the gifts, leftover food, etc. after the party they could not have been more helpful and accommodating. 

I dropped off some tablecloths and balloons on the Friday before our party and when we arrived on Sunday, they were all set and ready to go. They include red tablecloths and coordinating balloons in the package, but you are able to bring in your own if you prefer. 

Speaking of theme, we didn't really have one because Charlotte kept changing her mind, but we ultimately ended up with unicorns and dress up. All of the party supplies were purchased locally from Target and Dollar Tree! 

Yummy Monterey Donuts!

The only slot available when I booked was a Sunday morning from 9-11am, before the museum opens for the day. A few positives, the whole space is yours and you can invite up to 75 people and you can have adult beverages (hello, bloody marys and mimosas). I looked into having some breakfast quiches/casseroles, fruit, pastries catered, but then asked Kyle if we would whip up some casseroles and he did an excellent job! We had a tater tot casserole, oatmeal bake, egg casserole and fresh fruit with lime-honey vinaigrette. Instead of a traditional cake, we had DONUTS! 

Amazing Daddy, Chef and Bartender!

MY Museum allows you in 15 minutes before your start time to set up and decorate, but it was all hands on deck and we had everything in place before the first guest arrived. One of the staff members even chased after Huxie for me! 

Charlotte had an absolute blast being the birthday princess for the day! She is going to REALLY miss going to MY Museum. If you are local and don't have a membership, it is the best $100 you will spend. Sometimes we go for 30 minutes and sometimes we stay for 2 hours. 

MY Museum offers a few different packages for birthday parties. Check our their website for more information! I give them 5 stars and more for the easiest birthday party, ever!! 

The BIG 3-0 at Carmel Valley Ranch

This is 3-0!

My 30th birthday has come and gone and I have to admit, I don't feel much different! I was completely spoiled for my birthday and couldn't have asked for a better way to ring in the next decade!

Kyle threw me a surprise birthday at SUR! in the Barnyard the day before my actual birthday. I was completely surprised and so shocked to see all of my friends. Many who were leaving the next morning for international trips! I'm such a lucky girl! We had a great evening! I literally told Kyle, "The only thing that would make this better is going to a hotel and getting sleep"!

On the 14th, I woke up to a sweet voice saying, "Happy Birthday, Mommy". We had donuts, eggs and bacon and sang Happy Birthday. I opened all of my gifts and thought I was starting my day by going to run with Stroller Warriors. Kyle handed me a card and said that he didn't get me anything since we are going on a trip next month. I didn't think anything of it and opened the card. Inside were some sweet words and "We are going to Carmel Valley Ranch. Massage at 4pm and Dinner at 7:45pm" Seriously, this man knows the way to my heart.

I've talked about the American Express Platinum card in my previous post on our Babymoon. It is SERIOUSLY such a great deal. Annual fee is waived for military and the benefits are amazing. When you book at one of the FINE Hotels on their Travel Rewards site, you get the following perks:

• Early check in at 12noon 
• Late check out at 4pm 
• Breakfast for 2 (a $60 value) 
• Room Upgrade
• Free WIFI
• $100 Resort Credit (for spa or golf) 

The rates are sometimes a little bit higher, but the benefits totally outweigh the extra cost. 

We arrived to Carmel Valley Ranch and it was warm, sunny and so perfect! We checked in and were upgraded to an amazing suite with a bathtub on the patio. While we waited for our room to be available, we had lunch by the pool. I had salmon tacos and Kyle had a salmon salad. 

We checked into our room and lounged a bit before heading to the pool and spa. CVR does everything well. They have golf carts that transport you all around the property. They are super service-oriented. We lounged by the pool and I had my massage, too. It was excellent and a great way to spend my birthday. I was even greeted with a mini cupcake with a candle after my service was over. After soaking up the sun for a bit longer, we headed back to get ready for dinner. We had dinner on property at The Valley Kitchen. Dinner was delicious! Kyle ordered a steak and I had the pork. Both were delicious and wonderfully presented. They also served us their yummy "Carmel Valley Road" Ice Cream for my birthday and it was some of the yummiest ice cream I have EVER had! 

My entree! So yummy!

We couldn't pass up the daily offering of S'mores out by the pool, so we stopped there on our way home as well to have another sweet treat! So yummy. 

I think I was out to the world before 10pm. I was abruptly woken up at 4am when I realized I needed to pump and I was also freezing! CVR has A/C where our house does not, so needless to say, I was cold! We slept in till about 7am and the ordered a yummy breakfast from room service. 

After breakfast, Kyle headed back home to check on the kids and I headed down to the "River Ranch" to do a workout class. It was so great! After the class, I had a coffee and did some work while I enjoyed the fire pits. CVR is truly such a beautiful place. 

We headed to the pool to soak up every last minute of our time at CVR! My friend Jessica joined me for the afternoon and we dubbed it our new favorite place and are already scheming a way to get back! 

Can't beat this view!

If you have a chance to celebrate a special occasion at Carmel Valley Ranch, I would HIGHLY recommend it! 

My Monterey Favorites

It is April 2018 and we are almost one full year into our tour in Monterey. It has been a big adjustment for our family, but we have done well with embracing a new place (for the most part) and have found some amazing places on our journey! Here is a list of some of my favorite things in Monterey, with special tips, too! I've been working on this post for a while and this list will continue to evolve as we discover new things! 

I updated this post again in December 2018 to include more of my local favorites!

Mission Ranch
This is by far one of our favorite places for dinner and is an awesome place for special occasions and to show visitors the beauty of Carmel. Owned by Clint Eastwood, Mission Ranch doesn't take reservations, but that's ok, because you can sit outside (when we have good weather) and enjoy the sunset and a cocktail while you wait! If you prefer not to wait, get there right at 5pm. There will likely be a line already forming. I've heard there is a locals list that skips the wait, but we aren't that special yet! They also do a Sunday brunch which is really nice! $40 per person and includes a glass of champagne. They also have a piano bar that turns into a "sing along" every night at 9pm.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
When most people think of Monterey, they think of the aquarium. It truly is an amazing place and there is so much to see and do! We don't currently have a membership, but if you plan to go more than once, I highly suggest it as it will pay for itself on the first visit. We've been fortunate to borrow our friend's guest passes and also took advantage of the free passes from the library. All you need is proof of residency and you will get a pass for up to 6 guests. You will be required to show your library card and the form for admittance. Blackout dates apply including spring break and summer.

Parking can be tight near the aquarium, but I suggest having lunch at the c restaurant + bar  and they will validate your valet parking for up to 3 hours, which is the perfect amount of time to have a yummy lunch and browse the aquarium! Many of the restaurants around the aquarium are tourist traps, so be advised! Expensive and not the best food! I also like Lalla Grill and Johnny Rockets (for a quick and casual meal)

Lunch with a view at c restaurant + bar

My Museum
My Museum is a great spot for toddlers and small children! We first went for a birthday party and loved it so much that we decided to get a membership. They offer many classes and activities, including Kinderjam. They also offer a reduced admission of just $2 on the first Tuesday of every month for Monterey County residents. The membership is $100 for the year and a great value!

Shoreline Community Church
We've been blessed to find an amazing church here in Monterey! Shoreline offers so many wonderful programs including Awana, MOPS, VBS, Growth Groups in addition to regular Sunday services with childcare at all services (8:30, 10 and 11:30).

Monterey Bay Recreational Trail 
Spanning 18 miles from Castroville to Pacific Grove, this is my favorite place to run or walk. You will never get bored of these gorgeous views and you are bound to see some type of wildlife while you are on your walk or run! You can also rent bikes from NPS or Adventures by the Sea. They offer a military discount and have surrey bikes as well!We just did the surrey bike in December and it was a hit! We stopped at Wave Street Cafe for a yummy lunch!

Surrey Rentals are $25/hour

Breakfast at First Awakenings
Arrive early and check it out on a weekday! Yummy breakfast and right near the aquarium and rec trail! The California Crepe Egg is my favorite!

Il Vecchio
My friend Tina recommended this restaurant and it has become Kyle's favorite! Their Italian is authentic Northern Italian food  and so good! Our favorites are the Gnocchi and Chicken Marsala, but honestly, you cannot go wrong with anything on their menu. They also offer an early bird special on pasta dishes if you order before 5:30pm.

Biscuits and Gravy at From Scratch
Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, their biscuits and gravy help fill the void of the lack of Southern food in California. They serve their biscuits with the most delicious homemade jelly (that you can also purchase) and a side of fried cheese grits! Yum! Best part? They serve breakfast all day!

Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette
My fav is the JC (bacon jam and grilled brie?! yes please) the Fried "Full Tilt" Chicken with a cheddar biscuit and polenta! It is the south on a plate and so yummy. Totally big enough to share! Kyle loves their oysters. The atmosphere here is so amazing and is right down the road from Fort Ord housing. Truly a hidden gem!

Wine Tasting and Charcuterie at Folktale
When you walk into the garden area at Folktale, you will be greeted with a delicious glass of bubbles, to start out your tasting experience! I love Folktale because of the atmosphere and the sun. Located in Carmel Valley, it is usually a little warmer and sunnier, which is a huge plus for me. Enjoy yummy farm-to-table appetizers while you have a wine flight. Folktale also has corn hole and other lawn games. We bring our kids and pets are allowed too! Don't forget to ask for a military discount!

Brunch at Crema 
This is an adorable spot in Pacific Grove. Downstairs they have a sweet little coffee shop and upstairs, they have a full service coffee shop! Military discount is 15%. We loved the chicken and waffles.

Refuge 
Refuge is an amazing get-away! I've been several times, but I was pregnant, so could not fully enjoy! I don't recommend going with friends, because it is very hard to resist the urge to talk, as it is a silent facility. Enjoy time in the hot and cold pools and relax around the fire pit. Active and Retired Military receive 20% admission M-Th!

Bernardus Spa
My favorite spa experience so far on the Peninsula! Bernardus itself is truly a dream. It is secluded and sits on 28 acre of vineyards, oh and did I mention it is warmer and sunnier there?! I would spend every day here if I could. I highly recommend their organic facial and they also do a 10% locals discount! Stay all day and enjoy the amenities!

Bernardus Lucia Restaurant
Great for date night or a GNO! Bernardus is gorgeous and the service is impeccable.
Monday and Tuesday - $8 till 8 on cocktails
Wednesday- $15 Brick Oven Pizzas, $2 Oysters and Drink Specials (5-7pm)

Stroller Warriors Monterey
I've been a part of Stroller Warriors in Hawaii and in Jacksonville and it is truly an amazing organization. The members are SO welcoming and instant friendships are created! Workouts are on Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9:15am at various locations.

Ventana/ The Sur House
A more upscale Big Sur experience with the best view by far! Food is more eclectic and expensive, but they do have a burger on the menu. The view and ambiance cannot be beat! Even better, you can make a reservation on Opentable!

Big Sur River Inn
Great for lunch, ice cream and relaxing in the river on the Adirondack chairs. Don't forget your rain boots to walk in the river!

Nepenthe 
We've only been once and it was a little foggy, but the views were still amazing. Get there early. It is a very popular restaurant! On their site they have a live weather cam, so check it out before you make the trip down.

Bixby Bridge
Completed in 1932 and recently made more popular by the show Big Little Lies, this is a must stop photo-op on your way down to Big Sur! It is absolutely breathtaking! We stop every time we drive down to snap a photo!

Asilomar Beach 
Asilomar is one of my favorite places for pictures and a wonderful place to watch the sunset. You will want to bundle because it can be rather chilly and windy here, but it is so beautiful! Parking is free and fairly easy, but be sure to park inside the lines on the side of the road or you will get ticketed!

Pebble Beach and 17 Mile Drive
This a great excursion for guests who come to visit! You can drive on 17 Mile Drive and then have lunch at Roy's at Spanish Bay, Sticks or Bench at the Lodge overlooking the 18th hole. Be sure to stop for a photo with the Lone Cypress. It's also fun to pull up Zillow and guess the home prices as you drive through. You will need $10.25 to access 17 Mile Drive (or say you are going to an open house and provide the address), but you will be reimbursed for that fee when you spend $35 at a restaurant and provide your entrance receipt!

The Lone Cypress

18th Hole at Pebble Beach

Bento Box at Roy's at Spanish Bay

Don't miss the bagpipers that play nightly at Spanish Bay at 5:45 p.m. during Daylight Savings, and a half hour before sunset during the winter months

If you are looking to buy Pebble Beach souvenirs, check out the Outlet on Cannery Row. They have huge sale racks and more affordable items. They also offer a 10% military discount.

The Farm in Salinas 
This was one of our first adventures when we moved here! We went to the farm for one of their weekend events and had a blast. They have pony rides, hay rides, a small petting farm with rabbits, bunnies and goats. They also have u-pick flowers that are super fun to cut and make a fresh bouquet. On Tuesdays and Wednesday, they also do a story-time at 10:30! Its a great place to visit!

Peter B's Brewpub 
We love going here for happy hour and dinner! They have great food and it is family-friendly. Some of our favorites include the sweet potato tots (Charlotte's favorite), wings, hot pretzel and their burgers. They also have complimentary popcorn that you can get from an old-fashioned popcorn machine! So fun. They will also validate your parking for you as it is located in the Portola Hotel. Happy Hour is 4-6:30pm daily and was voted "Monterey County's Best Happy Hour"

Baldemiro's Taco Shop 

I was craving Mexican one night and honestly, we eat a lot of Chipotle and I have been a little scared to try some of the local places. I'm so glad I took the plunge because it is SO good and super affordable. I love their carne asada tacos and their carne asada fries! Yum! They are closed on Sunday. 

Burrito and Carne Asada Fries

Gusto's Pizzeria and Pasta

Also located in Seaside. It's an adorable spot! We enjoy takeout from here and also eating at the restaurant. They offer a happy hour and delicious authentic Italian. Their pastas are homemade. We love their Margherita pizza, lasagna and butternut squash ravioli.

Heirloom Pizza 

My friends went out to dinner here the night that Hux was born. We were in the hospital, so we weren't there. This place is SO good. We didn't go until August and I so wish we would have found it sooner. They feature deep dish pizza and my goodness is it yummy! I love the "Heirloom Pizza" which is their signature with gorgonzola cheese. So yummy! The "PB&G" is another good one that has pear, bacon and gorgonzola. If you go to their website you can get added to the waitlist or visit their website as it is a small restaurant. They do offer delivery through toasttab.com and they do a military discount!


Paris Bakery 

This is a great spot for a quick bite before or after a visit to My Museum as it is right across the street! The food is so good and super affordable. I love their quiches, french onion soup and pastries! So yummy!

Charlotte loves their "Princess Cake"