The incredibly talented bakers at our hotel crafted these gorgeous houses made of gingerbread and chocolate! I was in awe!! I always wake up earlier than Mike in the mornings (around 6 or 7) and I would immediately go to the coffee bar downstairs just to smell the rich chocolate. 🙂
The first thing I plan and pack is bathing suits! This bikini is at least 9 years old. I cut the tags out, so I couldn’t even tell you who makes it, but I know it’s WRV or Volcom or one of those surf brands. A similar top is the J. Crew French Bikini Top and the Bottoms. They come in 15 beautiful colors!!
I don’t love buying bathing suits because a good fitting one is hard to find for a boobed woman such as myself. I even got in major trouble for this suit because I was in high school and I used my dad’s “emergency credit card”. That was the end of that card. Sorry EC!
Everyone kept calling me “Mrs. Gil!” and asked when we got married and I think it’s because I was wearing a while cover up, lol. This dress is actually a 2-part Lilly Pulitzer tunic, but I feel like it almost looks better as a beachy pullover. I found a super cute alternative pom tunic cover up for less than $20 on Amazon. For 7 days in Cancun, I’ll pack 5 bathing suits, and 4 cover ups.
This suit is brand new, and I love it! The bottoms are super secure and I don’t feel like they are going to come off if a rogue wave comes up. The top was $8.99 at Target, and the bottoms were $17.99. I got a Medium in the bottoms and a large in the top. It fit pretty well! The underwire was uncomfortable after wearing it all day, so next summer, I’m going to buy either the Claudia Top, Camden Top, or Sari Top.
I love this view!
Aside from the normal packing items, there are a couple things I’ve learned that I can’t travel without. First, a waterproof, 50 SPF+ face sunscreen. My favorite is the Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector. We end up staying out at the pool and beach all day long, so I keep a witch-hazel-based face wipe in my bag, too. I love these Dickinson’s Cleansing Cloths. They come in soo handy on days when you fly, too! Mike and I both pack portable chargers, poo-pouri, more hairties than you think, hair serum, dry shampoo, and comfortable sandals. Most of the time, these all inclusive places will have a little thing of floss, mouthwash, shower cap, lotion, etc. so I get to save space on that stuff.
Mike booked our stay at Secrets the Vine for a getaway before Christmas. Let me tell you, getting away before Christmas was the best decision we ever made. It gave us time to relax and have a blast together and kind of avoid some of the crazy holiday traffic and madness.
Our first trip together was to Cancun in January 2017, so coming here is sentimental in a weird, touristy way. The first time we came, we stayed at the insane Hyatt Ziva. That place is awesome, and I still rave about the Watermelon Margaritas and Mexican Candy Shots from the Tequila Bar. I can honestly say that I’ve never had a better margarita than at the Hyatt Ziva!
Secrets the Vine was just as stunning and they had some of the best octopus I’ve ever had! Our room had floor-to-ceiling windows and a patio.
I’m so thankful that I got to spend a beautiful week in Mexico with this guy!
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.