Jax for kicks

Hey hey! How are you? How was the weekend? Any fun Halloween adventures? I got a kick out of seeing all of the amazing costumes and group costumes on my IG feed. The family theme ones are my fave! 

Palm trees

We’re back in Valdosta after a weekend getaway to Jacksonville. I originally had the weekend blocked off for a teaching event that fell through, so we figured that we might as well make the most of it and travel somewhere close by together. One Ocean is a special place for us, so we’ve enjoyed sharing it with the girls while we’re here. Liv is already a fan, and when I ask P what she wants to do during the day, she says, “Go to a hotel.” Help us all.

My hearts

Little sisters

We left after Liv got out of school Friday afternoon, and rolled into J-ville just in time to grab tacos from TacoLu (SO good!) and have a picnic in the hotel room. When we were walking in, we were thrilled to see our favorite bartender: Hugh! If you ever visit One Ocean, you HAVE to get a drink from him. He’s the coolest, most laid-back guy, and will tell you stories about his life while he concocts the best cocktails ever. While the girls and I were finishing our dinners, the Pilot ran down to chat with him and bring up a couple of drinks. He asked Hugh to make me something fun, and this is what he brought back.

Beautiful spicy drink

It was slightly sweet, a little spicy, and went down a liiiiittle too smoothly. 

Robe life

Saturday morning, we were up early and ready for breakfast outside on the patio.

Mermaid tunnel

(The “mermaid tunnel” walking down to the restaurant.)

There was the slightest ocean breeze, and the food was great, as usual. I got the Atlantic, which is two eggs (over easy), protein (I ordered chicken sausage), potatoes, and toast (they have gluten-free!).

Atlantic breakfast

(With decaf coffee.) 

After breakfast, we walked down to the water to look for seashells, watch the birds, and get our feet wet.

Walking to the water

Jacksonville beach

shells on the beach

beach shell

P and me on the beach

(tee // jeans)

Liv running in the water

It was a little chilly, so we didn’t do the whole swimsuit thing, but we told the girls they could get their legs wet. As always, this is what happens when we say, “Just get your legs wet.”

Wet Livi and Tom

They were both completely drenched, covered in sand, and pretty happy.

After baths back in the hotel room, we walked around the neighborhood. It’s packed with cute shops and restaurants, and even though we were still pretty full from breakfast, we grabbed lunch at Homespun Kitchen.

Homespun kitchen

The acai bowl was so dreamy, and was topped with an enormous blob of peanut butter; just the way I like it.

Acai bowl

I miss having acai bowls walking distance away from the house.

Then, a miracle happened: THE FAMILY HOTEL NAP. Usually one of us will take Liv somewhere fun while the other parent fails at putting P down. To our surprise, she crashed out, Liv was watching a movie on the iPad, and then the Pilot and I crashed out. It was glorious.

When we woke up, we headed to the mall to shop around and then grabbed dinner at Moxie. We shared an enormous cheese board, deviled eggs, 

Moxie kitchen

and for my entree, I got the kale salad with salmon (<— I always consider ordering something different to be more exciting in life, but then I just get what I actually want haha.)

We went back to the hotel to watch the World Series and call it a night!

Sunday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel before packing up and hitting the road. On the way back, we made the necessary Trader Joe’s stop. We grabbed all of the usual favorites + some new finds.

Here are the things I’m most excited about:

Trader joes finds

Succulent skull

I caught a quick garage workout–PBB Advanced–and we had Gina’s pumpkin turkey chili and cornbread for dinner.

This morning, it’s back to the routine around here, and looking forward to Halloween!
What was the highlight of your weekend? When you take a road trip, where do you usually end up?

Happy Monday! I’ll see ya in the morning with a new workout.

xoxo

Gina 

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23 Comments

  1. Juliette | Namastay Traveling on October 30, 2017 at 8:53 am

    Sounds like the perfect weekend getaway! Those eats look AMAZING! I’m in love with TJ’s plant holders too…so much so they’re staying out year round!

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      yes! that sugar skull is staying out until the succulent dies 😉

  2. Allison on October 30, 2017 at 9:45 am

    You HAVE to try Flying Iguana instead of TacoLu next time you’re down! The hubs and I like it 647382842829733782 times better!!! Plus the table side guac is fantastic:)

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      omg we’ll have to check it out!

  3. Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups on October 30, 2017 at 10:44 am

    Looks like an awesome weekend! Our last weekend getaway was to San Diego, where we also managed a family hotel nap, it was about the most magical afternoon I have ever experienced.

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      the best! so glad you had an awesome trip!

  4. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on October 30, 2017 at 11:26 am

    P wants to go to the hotel. BAHAHA! That’s hysterical.

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      she is a nugget haha

  5. Janice on October 30, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Livi’s adorable kitty knee patches – love!!

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      i kind of want some in my size 🙂

  6. Amy on October 30, 2017 at 11:37 am

    Can I just mention you look so much more radiant with your natural self, aka no implants? Liv’s pants with the cat face patches, omg—-CUTE! Sounds so fun when you guys do getaways! Love to hear about them all:)

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      thank you so much!! i feel so free 🙂
      hope you had a wonderful weekend, too!

  7. Amanda on October 30, 2017 at 11:54 am

    I bought those purple sweet potatoes at Trader Joe’s this weekend too! They are delicious. (I rotate between those and the Asian/Japanese sweet potatoes at Whole Foods.) And I’m happy for you that the rain missed JAX on Saturday because we had heavy thunderstorms down here Saturday night into Sunday morning.

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      they are so good!! and yes, we got lucky with awesome weather. i hope you had a great weekend, too

  8. Katie on October 30, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    So funny about P loving going to hotels! My two year says the same thing when I ask him what he wants to do on the weekends!! #trouble

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      hahah so awesome! i didn’t know when a hotel was until i was at least 4

  9. Jodi on October 30, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Chuys. Gilbert’s.

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      are these taco places i need to find?

      • Jodi on October 31, 2017 at 4:29 pm

        Chuys is Mexican…texmex.. the best Mexican in FL/GA IMO. Gilbert’s is southern style/bbq and AMAZING.

  10. Erika S. on October 30, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    First of all, when did P turn into a big girl and Livi looks like a tween…they are getting so big!

    I had 2 Halloween birthday parties (adults)…one was alcohol free (why?!) and the other was a bit nutty. My girlfriend’s and I did “Disney After Dark”…we were the sexiest Disney princesses I ever did see…hahaha!

    That hotel sounds so nice….and looks lovely!

    I’m just looking forward to a quiet week (fingers crossed) and low key weekend….

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      right?! it happened so fast
      and i want to see pics of your costume! haha
      hope you’re enjoying the week <3

  11. LeeAnn Benesh on October 30, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    What an amazing and gorgeous weekend getaway!!

    We opted for a desert getaway…didn’t disappoint!

    Your girls are just the cutest! And I love the jeans! So fun!!

    • Fitnessista on October 30, 2017 at 9:26 pm

      thank you! so glad you had a great getaway, too! <3

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