A bit overdue, but hubby and I took a mini-trip during our long weekend for Memorial Day. We drove down to Savannah, and honestly, why do we not go more? It's only a 4-hour drive, which ultimately isn't too far to go for a weekend every once in a while. The city is so full of history, and ultimately so gorgeous. Looking back, we didn't take a ton of pictures, which is totally okay because we were relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Not to mention we were also enjoying the drinks - Savannah allows open containers basically everywhere, so you can walk all over town with a drink in hand. Granted, during the day all you'll really want is to gulp down water - the temperatures are high and the humidity's even higher.



So we arrived on Saturday, planning to take a nap when we got there - but we were really just reeling to go. Upon arrival at Hotel Indigo, we were handed complimentary mimosas, so I was immediately taken with our hotel. Parking was valet only, as it seems to be with many of the accommodations in Downtown Savannah. So be mindful of that if a trip to Savannah's on your list!



During our first day, we visited River Street (of course!) and went to Wet Willie's for the first time. I'm going to make a big deal here, because they have sugar free alcoholic slushies. I repeat. Wet Willie's has sugar free alcoholic slushies. It's a big deal because while alcohol already has lots of sugars and isn't great for diabetes (or anyone else actually), mixed drinks are absolutely terrible for blood glucose levels. But the fact they have sugar free mixed drinks? I was in love. And also very tipsy, because those drinks are loaded.



After a drink, we went for dinner over at Wild Wing Cafe (basically Buffalo Wild Wings), then explored City Market after dark. We stopped by The Rail Pub (which is apparently the best dive bar in America), Pour Larry's, Tree House (which was just insanely overcrowded, but played the best music from my high school dances), and ended with drinks at The Georgia Tasting Room (which housed 6 wine samples for $3 and amazing frosé and some of our favorite sour beers to-go). We finished up with a large pizza from Vinnie Van Go Go's and some pralines and gelato from Southern Candy & Baked Goods while we waited. The Prohibition Museum is right there in City Market, too - speakeasy included.









The next day, we started off with a righteous deluxe chicken biscuit (with cheese and pickles) and a side of hashpuppies (OMG) from Rise for me (holy hell, it was delicious) and a smoothie for hubs. Then we went out and about walking the city and made it to a handful of Savannah's 24 squares, including Chippewa - where Forrest Gump sat. Unfortunately the bench is gone to live in a museum, but it was still neat to get to be in such a monumental movie place. Just beside that is Gallery Espresso where we stopped for a quick iced coffee. We also stopped by the beautiful Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, but since it was Sunday and therefore, mass, we didn't get to go inside. But it is fairly close the first Girl Scouts Headquarters, so that was kind of cool to accidentally run into, as well.









After an incredible amount of walking, we drove out to Tybee for a couple of hours. It was a super dreary, sprinkly day, so we didn't really go swimming or anything, but we really did enjoy walking along the beach and throughout the shops. When we got back from the beach, I fell and busted my ass on the rain soaked sidewalk at the valet station and had to blowdry my dress before heading out to dinner. Don't wear flipflops in the rain, kids.








We finished out the night with dinner from Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar, where I tried my first oyster. I ordered only one, and honestly, it just tasted like the cocktail sauce I topped it with. So there's that.






We left Monday morning (Memorial Day) to head back home. I had a quick conversation at the coffee bar in the hotel with Jamie Chung, who I sadly didn't recognize until the valet pointed her out to us when we were waiting for our car. Alongside her was her husband, Bryan Greenberg, who I didn't talk to - but he was in One Tree Hill and The Mindy Project, so I really missed out on my big celebrity sighting.



Overall, we had a fantastic relaxing vacation. I enjoyed all the R & R we got, and there's truly nothing like spending time with the hubby.

01. Sandals

Girl, pick up a pair of platform thong sandals. They were the realest in the 90s and are thankfully making a comeback now. Bonus points if the platform is rainbow-striped, or if the straps are bedazzled.



02. Summer beach read

If you've ever been on this blog before, you know I'm going to throw in some type of book reference. Grab an awesome beach read to tote around with you for those lazy days where you want to do nothing but lay in the sun (don't forget the sunblock!).

Awesome beach read qualities?

Lightweight. Yes, physically. Less than 300 pages and paperback are perfect for toting around without weighing you down.

The plot isn't overwhelmingly serious. Think satire, chick lit, romance, twisty thriller.

The writing's not too heavy. You want something you can read mindlessly without having to overthink it.



03. Versatile swimsuit coverup

Swimsuit coverups may seem outdated, but I'm totally a fan. I want to be able to not feel so naked if I'm heading away from the beach or feel the need to hit the streets afterwards. Coverups can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including a pair of denim cutoffs, a loose-fitting mumu, or can be a fun poncho-style coverup you can make yourself with just fabric and a pair of scissors. Check out this easy peasy tutorial.



Take approximately two yards of fabric in a lightweight material (I went with a striped poly/span for just the right amount of stretch). Cut off a strip approximately 3" wide and set to the side.

Fold the large piece of fabric in half, hamburger style (your fabric should more so resemble a square than a rectangle).

In the middle of the fold, cut a line about 12" long horizontally. This is where your head will go.








Place the fabric over your head to momentarily wear poncho-style. Where the smallest part of your waist hits, make a mark on the fabric about 2-3" out from each side of your waist. This is where the poncho will be "belted".

Remove the poncho from your head and fold back in half to make sure the sides are lined back up. Where the "belt-mark" is, cut a slit about 1" long - this slit should go through both sides of your fabric square. Set to the side.

Using the 3" fabric you cut off earlier, cut into three 1" strips. Tie the three strips together into a knot at one end. Braid the strips together in a traditional braid and knot together at the other end to create a long, braided belt.








Place the belt through the slits in the poncho, so you've got a solid belt on one side of the poncho and the loose knotted belt ends hanging on the other side. Place the poncho over your head with the knotted ends in the front. Tie belt to flatter your figure.










There you go. You made a swimsuit coverup!








04. A refreshing beverage

Who here remembers ZimaⓇ, the refreshing citrus beverage from the 90s? Well, not necessarily me because I was a child then, but my sister said it was absolutely one of her favorites, and as a true 90s kid, I felt so enthralled by ZimaⓇ being back for a limited time! You can pick it up in plenty of places adult beverages are sold, but make sure to check out this link to see where you can buy ZimaⓇ near you!











05. Tote bag to carry it all

You definitely need something to tote everything along with you - a heavy duty tote or canvas bag are sure to do the trick, but you'll for sure need something big enough to fit your awesome summer accessories!

1. I eat spaghetti really weird when it's fresh. I eat the ground beef without sauce in a bowl topped with a bit of salt, then I eat the noodles separately, topped with butter and salt. But when the spaghetti's leftover, I eat it all mixed together with some shredded cheese tossed in.



2. My family has a family cemetery in Tennessee, and it's where we host our family reunions each year. I haven't gone in several years, but it's still going strong.



3. I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was nine, and it's honestly an everyday struggle. I take shots each time I eat, plus an extra shot each night. And contrary to popular belief, it had nothing to do with my sugar intake as a child - it's a hereditary chronic condition and I have family members on both sides of my family who also have diabetes.







4. I can't ride a bike. I had a really bad bike wreck when I was nine that resulted in scars on my wrist, shoulder, and chin, as well two chipped teeth and one tooth completely broken in half. I bought a bike when I was 19/20, and tried to ride it twice, but was too terrified, so now it just sits at my parents' house.



5. I only lasted one week at my first job - it was at a grocery store and a week in, I was asked to remove my monroe piercing. I informed the manager I was waiting for a retainer to arrive and I would gladly switch it out once it did. She proceeded to fire me in front of a customer.



6. I am the baby of my family (my sisters are 8 and 9 years older than I am), and my birthday is obviously in the middle of the summer, so I always had the opportunity to choose where we went on vacation. Almost every single year from the time I was eight (with the exception of one year), I always chose Gatlinburg. I didn't realize there was so much more out there, but also a lot my family lives in or around Knoxville, so we would also stop and see them during vacation and that was the best thing ever to me. Cade's Cove in Gatlinburg is one of my favorite places ever.



7. When my blood sugar drops, there is nothing in the world like a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk. I will literally eat the peanut butter on any bread available, including hamburger or hot dog buns.



8. I haven't traveled very much (see Gatlinburg as summer vacation each year). The only times I've ever flown were for work (to Dallas, Texas and St. Louis, Missouri), but other than that I've only been to the south. Specifically, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, and quick trips (as in hours) to South Carolina and Kentucky.






9. The Fifty Shades trilogy is what got me back into reading. I stopped reading for several years, but a coworker convinced me to read Fifty Shades and it made me remember how much I enjoy reading, which is now my greatest hobby.






10. I once tattled on my literature teacher in high school, because she only had us watch movies, but not read the books. My best friend and I went to the principal about it, because we were obviously at school to learn.



11. My favorite movie as a child was Pet Sematary, and I'm super pumped it's getting a reboot next year. I was a creepy kid and would watch the movie all the time.



12. I had chicken pox twice, which is virtually impossible. The second time around, it was much worse and everywhere - including in my nose, ears and mouth. I have several scars from where I scratched myself.



13. I absolutely love milk. Seriously, I will drink milk with any meal or just as a treat. It runs in my family.



14. I waited in line recently for close to 12 hours to be one of the first 50 people at a new Moe's opening up, so I could win free burritos for a year. I was number 39.



15. I also take off work every year for Cinco de Moe's - I typically go with my mom and we get burritos and a free Cinco de Moe's tee shirt.








16. I lost 90% of my hearing when I was a child and grew up with a speech impediment. I had to have tubes, which helped me gain most of my hearing back. I don't wear any kind of aid currently, but I do often struggle with my hearing.



17. One more than one occasion, I have stopped in the middle of the road to help a turtle get across. 



18. I graduated third in my high school class with a GPA of 3.97 - I had to give a "class prophecy" about where my classmates would each be in 10 years. It was the longest speech at graduation and provided a bit of comic relief. (Our 10 year reunion is taking place this September, so we'll certainly see how right I was.)



19. My daddy named me after a character from Days of Our Lives and a mermaid (from the movie Splash).



20. I'm scared of spiders, the dark, and heights. So much so that I can hardly look over a second floor railing, and if the stairs are not solid, forget about it.



21. Every single year since I've been able to drive, I've taken my mom to Olive Garden for her birthday.










22. Growing up, we only had tv channels in the living room and dad was the commander of the remote control, so I never really watched all the teen dramas all my friends did. Thanks to Netflix and Hulu, I get to catch up now as an adult.



23. I always want to go ice skating, but I'm absolutely terrified I'm going to roll my ankle - or worse, that I'm going to fall and someone's going to chop of my fingers with their skates.



24. My typical order at Chick-fil-a is a large deluxe chicken sandwich combo with colby jack cheese, add bacon, on a multigrain bun, with my fries well done, and an unsweet tea. I finish it all up with honey roasted barbeque sauce for my sandwich and Chick-fil-a sauce for my fries.



25. I've auditioned for American Idol and The Voice. I now refuse to watch AI, because the people you seen on tv that are terrible? That had to have made it through a few rounds before even getting to see the celebrity judges, so when you see them on tv, they've gotten through several rounds and actually think they can sing because "they've made it," but ultimately, they're just getting laughed at and that is so cruel.



26. Hubby and I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for our honeymoon, and it was honestly the best week of my entire life. I still think about it all the time.






27. I've been 5'7" since I was in 7th grade, so I used to get mistaken for much older, but now I appear younger than I am.



28. I was 18 or older during the release of the last three Potter films (Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows Parts I and II). For each film release, I went the day of and got a Harry Potter tattoo: glasses and a lightning bolt, the Marauders in their animagus forms, and the mark of the deathly hallows.