Hello hello!
My husband and I have busy schedules. Well, really he just has a busy schedule. My schedule stays pretty consistent. Basically, between trying to keep things within a budget and not having as much time as we wanted, we managed to book a little baby moon getaway at the last minute. For all the old school mommas a baby moon, similar to honeymoon, is the last intentional getaway that happens before the baby arrives. Hello Miami!
We flew into Fort Lauderdale airport. It was about a hundred dollars cheaper than flying into Miami International airport. If you know me than you know I am pretty frugal and as mentioned we we're ball'in on a budget. I pulled out all the tricks to make our baby moon as cost effective as possible.
My go to travel on a budget tools:
1. Ebates
2. Expedia (via ebates)
3. Hotels.com
For this trip I owe it all to number three. I really like hotels.com because each hotel stay that is purchased with their site earns you points to receive a free nights stay at any hotel of your choice. They also offer special rates and coupon codes that can give you money off. This really helped us stay within budget this trip because we got one nights stay for free at five star hotel/resort!
Friday our flight touched down at about 1:30pm. It was 79 degrees sunny with a beautiful breeze. Way better than Charlotte's 50 degree temps. Our room was not ready upon arrival so we changed clothes in the lobby restrooms and headed straight to the pool to find food. The pool was beautiful. I ordered the vegetable quinoa wrap and fries. My husband ordered fish tacos and sweet potato fries. No pictures to show for it because it was devoured in minutes. We were hungry hangry.
After eating we got a text notification that our room was ready! Check in wasn't until 4pm so I was really happy our room was ready early.
Our room was quite small and awkwardly shaped but it was still really really nice to me. The shower, toilet and vanity were in two separate small spaces, which I liked. We got a little rest and headed beach! If you are a guest of The Palms Resort and Spa you are treated to free beach towel, a beach umbrella and chairs. The beach was beautiful! It was no crowded at all. We ordered some drinks and just chilled out for a few hours.
Later that night we headed to a fancy little dinner at STK. We walked to dinner. It was only about a 10 minute walk from our hotel. I had a lobster risotto with broccolini and my husband got the special fish of the night with corn pudding and asparagus. Everything was delicious!
Saturday we decided to check out the breakfast buffet at our hotel. It was all you can eat for $25. I was quite disappointed in the selection. It was honestly more like a Shoney's breakfast buffet meets continental breakfast at the Holiday Inn. Extremely over priced! They had eggs, toast, hash browns, waffles, cereal, yogurt, you know the basics. We ate outside and there was a lady smoking in outdoor dining area. How rude!
After breakfast we decided to take a walk. A super long walk. We walked about a mile a half to an outdoor mall. We shopped around, got some gelato and just kinda people watched. I was really most excited to check out Zara. It's one of my favorite stores but I rarely ever get to go into a store. I was really regretting not bringing larger luggage because Zara had all their summer sweaters and coats on major sale. I bought a sweater, some bootie heels, a bag and a ton of baby boy clothes all for under $100. What a steal!
After shopping we were starving! Well, I was at least. We were surrounded by restaurants but had no clue what to try. We asked a few of the shop clerks for recommendations and decided to try a Mexican restaurant. I ordered vegetable fajitas, with refried beans and plantains. My husband got what he always gets a quesadilla lol. He's not a huge Mexican food fan. There was no way I could physically take that long walk back to hotel so we hopped in an uber and headed back to the room.
Sunday was our last half day in beautiful weather! We woke up early and walked across the street to grab some breakfast from Starbucks. After, we headed straight to the beach again! Then it was time to pack it up and move it out!
We had a great little get away at the The Palms Resort and Spa! Next time I am definitely going to check out the Spa! Our last little getaway was well worth it. Short but sweet! I'm so grateful that we were able to find the time and the money in our budget to go. Just to unwind and spend time together away from the normality of home.
The best parenting advice I'v received lately:
"Apply your own oxygen mask first."
Love and Light,
ALW
My husband and I have busy schedules. Well, really he just has a busy schedule. My schedule stays pretty consistent. Basically, between trying to keep things within a budget and not having as much time as we wanted, we managed to book a little baby moon getaway at the last minute. For all the old school mommas a baby moon, similar to honeymoon, is the last intentional getaway that happens before the baby arrives. Hello Miami!
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| Our Uber ride ended up being about 40 minutes! Traffic was terrible but the ride and the weather def made up for the long commute. |
My go to travel on a budget tools:
1. Ebates
2. Expedia (via ebates)
3. Hotels.com
For this trip I owe it all to number three. I really like hotels.com because each hotel stay that is purchased with their site earns you points to receive a free nights stay at any hotel of your choice. They also offer special rates and coupon codes that can give you money off. This really helped us stay within budget this trip because we got one nights stay for free at five star hotel/resort!
 |
| This hotel was stunning! The lobby was breathtaking! By the pool and in the lobby they offered fruit infused water too! |
We were able to stay at The Palms Resort and Spa. This place was stunning! The reviews on all the sites were fantastic. I can be kind of hotel snob. I have to read like 100 reviews and watch several youtube videos before booking. All the reviews for this place were awesome. It literally felt like we were at esort on an island. The landscaping, lobby and room were immaculate.
After eating we got a text notification that our room was ready! Check in wasn't until 4pm so I was really happy our room was ready early.
 This is the view from our room. We had a standard king room with a ocean/pool view. It did not have a balcony but it was still perfect! |
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| My little munchkin was 29 weeks old here! |
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| The weather was EVERYTHING! 78 degrees with a breeze. I had to do a target run prior to leaving to pick up this swim suite. None of mine fit my growing belly. |
Later that night we headed to a fancy little dinner at STK. We walked to dinner. It was only about a 10 minute walk from our hotel. I had a lobster risotto with broccolini and my husband got the special fish of the night with corn pudding and asparagus. Everything was delicious!
 |
| I got so many compliments on this outfit. It is actually a jump suit that looks like a dress. I snagged it from Urban Outfitters clearance original price $140 on sale for $80. I loved it! Its unique and made me feel really elegant but comfortable. |
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| The corn pudding at STK is seriously addicting. I am going to try to recreate it! We seriously could not stop eating it. |
After breakfast we decided to take a walk. A super long walk. We walked about a mile a half to an outdoor mall. We shopped around, got some gelato and just kinda people watched. I was really most excited to check out Zara. It's one of my favorite stores but I rarely ever get to go into a store. I was really regretting not bringing larger luggage because Zara had all their summer sweaters and coats on major sale. I bought a sweater, some bootie heels, a bag and a ton of baby boy clothes all for under $100. What a steal!
 |
| Every store we went into I had to sit down. All that walking got me super tired. My legs and pelvis were sore the next day but a little exercise never hurt anyone. This pineapple dress was $10 on either She In or Zaful I can't remember! |
After shopping we were starving! Well, I was at least. We were surrounded by restaurants but had no clue what to try. We asked a few of the shop clerks for recommendations and decided to try a Mexican restaurant. I ordered vegetable fajitas, with refried beans and plantains. My husband got what he always gets a quesadilla lol. He's not a huge Mexican food fan. There was no way I could physically take that long walk back to hotel so we hopped in an uber and headed back to the room.
Sunday was our last half day in beautiful weather! We woke up early and walked across the street to grab some breakfast from Starbucks. After, we headed straight to the beach again! Then it was time to pack it up and move it out!
We had a great little get away at the The Palms Resort and Spa! Next time I am definitely going to check out the Spa! Our last little getaway was well worth it. Short but sweet! I'm so grateful that we were able to find the time and the money in our budget to go. Just to unwind and spend time together away from the normality of home.
"Apply your own oxygen mask first."
Love and Light,
ALW
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