Weekend reset in Ogunquit, ME ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday!  ♥

Can you believe July 4th is this week?! Holiday work weeks are always a little tough because you're trying to cram 5 days of work into 4 days.  The day off will be lovely, but you work for it.  Especially me this week, because I'm coming off a three-day weekend. On Friday we made a short car journey up to Ogunquit, Maine.  It could possibly be one of my favorite places in the entire world. This is our third year visiting.  It's so beautiful and charming and a little weekend away is all I need for a summer reset.  

We stayed at The Sparhawk Resort right on the ocean (first opened in 1897!).  It's so quaint and from the moment I noticed a rotary phone with a long spiral cord hanging on the wall behind the reception desk, I knew I was in the right place.  They also still use actual keys to enter the rooms which is pretty rare these days.  My kind of place :) 

Click the link to see photos of the interior.  They recently redecorated the breakfast room to a blue and white theme and it's stunning ♥

The landscape is absolutely gorgeous and it's right on the marginal way - a breathtaking walk along the ocean.  

We didn't have much planned, and that was the whole idea.  We slept in, took long walks, shopped, ate out, had ice cream every night, and my favorite part....sat on my balcony and read my book.  

It was blisssss ♥

Sometimes just getting out of the house and having a change of scenery is just what I need to recharge my batteries. 

The smell of roses and the sound of the ocean waves help too! ♥

It was a bit foggy with a chill in the air, but you know me...I didn't mind at all. 

♥

I also had my once a year LOBSTAH ROLL!  It was delicious!!!!  

I'll be thinking about it until next year.  

The weekend was short and sweet but definitely worth it.  We arrived home Sunday afternoon (only an hour and a half ride).  I promptly jumped into clean Pj's, unpacked, put laundry on, and started thinking about dinner.  Back into the routine like nothing ever happened, yet I felt so good and rested.  Hoping that feeling takes me through this busy work week! We'll see :) 

Happy new week, friends! Xx 

I just saw that tonight is the Strawberry Moon! I'll be sure to be outside taking a peek🍓

I love the sentiment of it and it's just how I felt after my little weekend away.  

Also, this is a side note, but is it just me or is there something so cozy about drinking coffee in a hotel room early in the morning?  Rob is always in charge of getting the coffee first thing in the morning (I still drink it in bed like at home) and there is something so very cozy about that, don't you think? hee, hee....:) 

Ogunquit, ME (i.e my new favorite place ♥)

 Hello my lovely friends! Happy Labor Day! ♥

It's a slow day around here today and I couldn't be more pleased.  I'm so happy it's finally September.  But before I gush about Fall and how I spent all day Saturday decorating (there will be plenty of time for that) I want to tell you about our mini getaway to Maine last week.  It turns out I love Maine!  Specifically, Ogunquit Maine.  The quaintest little Hallmark movie town I've ever seen.  We stayed at a lovely hotel, ate lobster rolls, visited darling shops, enjoyed ocean views, and had an overall wonderful time.  It was just the vacation I needed and the perfect way to kiss summer goodbye.  

Our first stop was Kittery, Maine for some outlet shopping.  It only took under two hours to get there from Boston.  Kittery is known for its shopping.  There were plenty of stores to browse.  My favorite was the Lindt Chocolate shop because they were giving out samples.  From this moment on I knew it was going to be a good trip! :) 

Is this not beautiful?! ♥

From here we headed to Ogunquit, but first stopped for lunch at Nubble Lighthouse.  

It was a little overcast, but I did not mind at all! 

Of course I had to get a lobster roll (and a cup of lobster bisque).  It was delicious!!! 

Could be the best one I've ever had ♥

We went on this trip with Rob's parents, my sister-in-law and her family.  They booked long before we did so we were in different hotels.  We stopped at theirs first, which was literally on the water.  This is their balcony. 

 

It overlooked Ogunquit beach.  

The views were spectacular, and the grounds were so pretty. 

We had some snacks and then Rob, John, and I headed to our hotel which was just 10 minutes down the road.  

It wasn't ocean front, but we couldn't have been happier.  It was adorable and we were greeted with coffee and fresh baked cookies!

And look what was on our door....they must had known I was coming! Lol! 

For the next few days, we explored the town.  

What I really appreciated was everything was mostly in walking distance, so we were able to visit the shops and restaurants mostly by foot.  

Walking along, everything is so beautiful and cozy....♥

I did see hints of Fall here and there too, which made me very happy!

It made me excited to get home and decorate, which is exactly what I did : ) 

The next day we walked the Marginal Way which was breathtaking! It ends in Perkins Cove for more shopping and iced coffees.  

I'm not an outdoor girlie (at all!) but I was completely obsessed with the scenery here. 

Our hotel included breakfast which was a nice little treat.  The waffles were yummy!

Our final day we stopped in Kennebunkport (another place I've never been to) which was absolutely DARLING! I wish we had more time to explore here. Another time for sure.  

This is the Bush compound.  It was quite something.  I've always wanted to see it. 

We browsed the quaint square for a bit and then hit the road.  Our final stop was the Stonewall Kitchen flagship store in York, ME which I wish I took a picture of, but I didn't.  It was the best! IYKYK! 

Rob and I have decided to go back to Stonewall at Christmastime to do some shopping, because that place really deserves an entire afternoon.  There is a little cafe there so we can have lunch too.  

♥

My overall thoughts of this mini vacation were that I learned I truly love Maine.  I think too I was really ready for a vacation, whereas when we went to NH last month I wasn't as much.  This time I was able to relax and enjoy myself a little more. 

We enjoyed being with our family so much!  At night we gathered in my in-law's room and played games, told stories, and had so much fun. 

Also, it was fun exploring and falling in love with a new place.  We have already decided to go back next summer :) 

And NOW my friends, the time has come.  It's officially a BER month! Sweater weather season is upon us (ignoring that its 80 today....just don't think about it!).  John goes back to school on Friday.  He's ready and so am I!  I need to bake something fall-ish this week...apple or pumpkin? Stay tuned!

After having one of the worst summers of my life...the first without my mom among other things, this trip and the start of Fall are just what I need to feel happy again.  

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and a beautiful start to September!!  Let's enjoy this season together.  I pray is takes its time so we can truly enjoy it ♥

Love you! xoxoxo 

Weekend in New Hampshire ♥

Hello Friends! Happy August! ♥

We are back from a lovely (but HOT) weekend in the mountains.  New Hampshire is honestly one of my most favorite places on earth to visit.  There is something so serene about being nestled in the woods, surrounded by nothing but nature. 

This was my view every morning while I sipped my coffee.  

 

Every summer we do a little trip with Rob's family.  Last year we went to Cape Cod and spent 3 days at the beach, which (aside from my sunburn) was lovely.  This year we decided on a rental house on Loon Mountain in New Hampshire.  Only a 2 and half hour drive from Boston it wasn't too far, but just far enough to feel like I was in a different world. To be honest, I had a bit of anxiety leaving home as it was my first vacation since my mom's passing.  I worry about my Dad and in my mind everything can go wrong in 3 days.  He assured me he would be FINE so off I went to the mountains.  It turns out it was a wonderful decision because I was able to relax and recharge my batteries for the first time in months :) 

The house was absolutely lovely.  Rob, John, and I were the first to arrive and the first thing we did was make a pot of coffee.  Naturally! ♥

There were 10 of us all together and we all fit perfectly.  I adored the kitchen!  (not that I used it! LOL) 

At night we watched TV and played games. 

There were card games going on at this table all weekend.  

Our meals were simple.  

Pizza in on the first night and two other dinners out, but very comfy and casual.  One night we went out for gelato which was delicious! 

On Friday some of our group went hiking (which I heard was beautiful).  We decided on a ride over to North Conway center.  A tradition for us is to go to Zeb's General store.  It's so fun! 

It's like a step back in time ♥

Lots of cute things to shop for too! 

There's an old-fashioned candy counter AND John got a huge pickle from a barrel.  

We walked the square and visited the train station across the street.  

The only downside was it was SO HOT!  Luckily my favorite coffee shop in New Hampshire is right in the square.  The Met has the best iced coffees! 

They really hit the spot.  Mine was French Vanilla!

Another thing I love to do on 90 degree days in New Hampshire is visit Christmas stores...haha!  

This one is a wonderland! ♥

I'm so ready for this! 

People ask me all the time and the answer is YES he still loves Elvis! ♥

              The next day we had plenty of pool time.  I sat under an umbrella and read my book.  

On our last day we all went out for pancakes and then visited a very large (and very dangerous) candy store in Littleton, NH.  I picked up a bag of saltwater taffy to bring home to my Dad.  

This fudge was so temping!!! My sister-in-law caved and bought some for us to snack on.  My favorite was the fluff-a-nutter, which tasted just like a peanut butter and fluff sandwich! Exactly like it, just like the sales guy said.  OMG it was to die for! I'm glad I didn't buy any to bring home because I definitely would have eaten it all.  

Overall, it was a fun weekend with family that I really enjoyed.  We got home Sunday afternoon.  I unpacked, threw in a load of laundry, we chatted with my Dad for a bit (who was absolutely fine btw) and then laid on my bed to feel how comfy it is.  I missed it. There's nothing like your own bed.  Am I right?! 

It's fun to go away, but even better coming home.  I slept like a dream last night and today it was right back to work for me. 

 Not a bad way to start August ♥

I hope your week is off to a good start too!  Have a wonderful day friends!  

XOXO