St. Augustine: Gentlemen of the Road stopover

So clearly, we are in love with St. Augustine. I mean you can see our obsession HERE & HERE. If you've ever been, it should come at no surprise. But, it is also special to us because it was our first real vacation together and where we got engaged. When we heard that Mumford and Sons was coming for their Gentlemen of the Road Tour to "OUR" town, we knew we had to be there. [and because we are in love with Mumford- like, they are our jam] So there we were this past weekend and it was such an amazing experience. The energy and support of the town was magical. Being in such close quarters to so many people who have the same vibe and love of Mumford (and all of the other amazing bands), small towns, and giving back to the local community, was just so stinkin' awesome!  The town was covered in mustaches, gentlemen of the road flags, local shop window displays supporting the stopover, and special perks everywhere you went. It was really heart-warming to see the whole town really come together like that; and obviously validated our un-dying love and affection for it that much more (as if it even needed to). The concerts were so good, the local bands were so good, everything was just so. good. 

We really had an amazing time with amazing company! We made new friends and I am so thankful we did. It was a weekend we will never forget in the place we hold so dear to our hearts. Thank you St. Augustine and Mumford for fully delivering and giving us another insanely good weekend to forever treasure. As usual we visited our favorite spots Hello B (window pictured with quote and frame), Declaration Boutique, The Hyppo, Catch 27, Schmagels Bagels, Bon Ami, St. Augustine Paper Co., Philosophie Salon (window pictured in first photo), Silhouettes by Jeanine (seriously she is amazing! find her on St. George street by the colonial Quarter) these are just our favorites, we still have lots to explore!

Check out my instagram for more pictures of our weeked! wildflowersandfreedom

Lazy Sunday: Mount's Botanical Gardens.

Last weekend we took a spontaneous trip to the Mounts Botanical Gardens . Neither of us have ever been, but we've always heard about it. We were fortunate enough to have a lazy day this past sunday, so we randomly decided to go. And we really enjoyed it. We stayed for about a little over an hour because, well, it's Florida and it's summer. We left drenched in sweat, but we had a camera full of dreamy photos, so it was worth it. (right?) Afterwards we drove to the closest smoothie place and gulped down some well deserved summer relief. It was a nice and quiet day spent together, and we don't get to do that often. Sometimes we need lazy spontaneous days to stop and smell the roses. (ok so that was corny given the circumstances, but I couldn't resist) But really; find your closest gardens and GO! It's quiet and relaxing and magical. And if you know of any other fun sites to see in florida don't hesitate to share! We love travel and finding little places to explore!

St.Augustine take two: Our favorite places

1. We had the best time riding through the streets and marveling and gawking at the amazing historic homes that line the streets. They are so full of character. I fantasized about pulling into one, leaving my bike in the driveway, and climbing the stairs to swing in my very own sweet porch swing waiting for me as I gazed over my garden and little picket fence into the cobblestone street. sigh.

2. Catch 27 I honestly don't know if I could recommend this place enough. Seriously. Let me give you a hint: we ate there every. single. day. But on the real, this place was so incredibly yummy. There food is so fresh, the flavors are unique and will make your tummy thank you. (and beg you to come back the next day and the next and the next... no? just us?) Also, the staff is so down to earth and super friendly. They definitely joked with us about being there three days in a row, and we even got a, "Hey, you're here more then me!" from who I believe is the owner? who is also very nice and humble. If your there, GO- now. Also, if there was a Catch 27 here, I would like south florida a whole lot better, just sayin'.

3. Bon Ami Okay, so I've obviously seen macarons all over, well, everywhere- oh wait, except anywhere near me. So we soaked it up when we were in St. Augustine. They have such fun flavors. Our favorites were birthday cake and honey lavender. The girls there are super sweet, and are quick to chat with you like you're an old friend. There shop is so adorable and has an amazing vintage cash register right by where you check out. The care and time put into making these scrumptious treats is remarkable, I had no idea! We can't wait to go back and try all the interesting and delectable flavors! 

4. Declaration Boutique Seriously walking into this place will make your heart explode. It is the most charming little boutique I have ever been into. I could just set up a little tent and camp out in there forever. They have really cute handmade gifts, fun stationary, and a fun little candy spot. The displays and set up are inspiring and fun. I love to wander around there every single time we go. 

5. The cross. This place is such a magical little spot. The huge cross is miraculous. Standing 208 ft. tall it is a wonder to see. We love making the trek up to it, and then walking through the old graveyard right next to it after. The little Chapel (pictured in this post) is so lovely. Definitely a sight to see while there.

6. Schmagels Bagels We hold this little bagel shop close to our hearts. It was one of our first finds when we started visiting St. Augustine. Everything here is amazing. Breakfast, lunch, and the employees. We love everything about this place. We ate on the porch this last time and watched two cardinals play tag. This is our go to breakfast place, and it's usually the first stop on our long and full days of adventuring.

7. St. Augustine Paper Co. The window displays and decor around this little shop makes my heart melt.  I love walking through and marveling at all the fun paper goods and quirky miscellaneous things. We bought a cardboard deer head this last time we visited and can't wait to go back and find a new treasure.

8. The Hyppo. If you want the best pops ever, this is where you will find them. They are amazingly fresh and the flavors are so unique and bold. They are not like a normal ice pop from the freezer section, they are soft and, well, wonderful. Strawberry basil is my fav. but this past trip I tried sangria plum, and it's a close call. Their staff is so friendly and let me grab some pictures for the blog. They love to suggest flavors and tell you their top picks, and they are always right - so trust them. P.S. this is where we went straight after we got engaged, because duh. 

(Definitely not in any particular order because we are absolutely in love with every place and visited them each multiple times, not only in our short two and a half days, but every single time we are there!) 

St. Augustine, FL.

Over the holiday weekend we took a mini roadtrip vacation to St. Augustine. If you've never been and you are in Florida, it's definitely a place to check out. It is so quaint and cute. There are so many sweet shops, restaurants, and little side streets. We could stay there forever. Maybe I am so in love because it doesn't even feel like your in Florida? Yeah, that's it. I love Florida and all, but I could definitely use a change of scenery.  Anyway, St. Augustine - go. I took a ton of pictures over a two and a half day period. I wanted to absorb as much as I could in so little time, so I could have my cute town fix before I start complaining about why we can't move somewhere like portland or savannah or anywherebuthere. 

We brought our bikes with us, and I am so stinkin' glad we did. We've been to St. Augustine numerous times, but never on bikes. Who knew bikes could make such a difference? If your going to be adventuring in a small town or anywhere really, bring bikes. It will change your life. (dramatic much? nahh) We rode them up and down every cobblestone street filled with cute old houses, every one way side street with charming overgrown rickety garden doors, and to every lovely little shop/restaurant we could find. Oh. and did I mention it was raining half the time? Yeah, welcome to Florida.

We spent our days riding around and visiting some of our favorite spots (more on those later). All the architecture and history there is amazing. There are guided tours of virtually anything in the town, but we guided ourselves. Except for when I was stopped on my bike in the middle of a prime tourist spot and the trolly came by. Basically, I had to move, I'm to short for any full grown adult bike, I was still in the way because I couldn't move in time, and the tour guide expressed how "beautiful" I was, so since I'm still in the way they should also take pictures of me, to which everyone on the trolly expressed a simultaneous "aww" and told me to "smile for the camera" Moral of the story, it was so embarrassing.

We had an awesome trip and are already counting the days to go back (fingers crossed it's for Mumford and sons Gentlemen of The Road tour, we're contemplating on going even if we don't get tickets just for the sake of being in the same town as them, also nobody cool ever comes to Florida [/end Florida rant] )

Better late then never: A trip to Georgia.

Our highlight of 2012 was most definitely our trip to georgia (well besides Our Engagement of course). We took the ten hour trip with our good friends alllll the way to Atlanta. We went for five days, and boy did we make it count. Our first stop, to the Country Living Fair. 

If you've never been- GO. It is so amazing; seriously. You spend the whole time ooh-ing and ahh-ing at everything. It's basically every crafter/thrifter/antiquer/decorators/etc. dream. 

We spent most of the day there oogling, spending money, wishing the things we really wanted weren't twice the amount we had with us, and really just taking it all in. 

It was not cold enough to get all dressed up in cute winter clothes (us FL girls don't get to do that too often) but the fall leaves were a dream. 

The vendors create such fun and magical booths and displays. We took this one over at the The Robin's Nest. Her stuff is so unique. The year before (2011) I bought an amazing vintage quilt. I am still in love with it. After we spent a bulk of our day there, we headed over to Amanda's parents place, which was about and hour away and spent a couple days there, picking our way through Antique/thrift shops. It. was. so. fun.

Next stop was Savannah, GA. If I pack up and move tomorrow, there's a good chance you could find me here [or Portland, OR]. Oh Savannah, iloveyou. We walked, we ate, we shopped, we walked some more, and we didn't want to leave. We were only here for a day, but it was well worth the stop. Oh and this shop- it's love.

We had a great trip and ended it in St. Augustine, FL before we headed home. We can never get enough of it, we're addicted. Can't wait until our 2013 trip- because we are SO doing a repeat of last year.

And here's a fun road trip picture: