Happy Summer!

Sean and I recently returned from a much-needed vacation. Instead of constantly snapping photos and compiling research for a ton of blog posts, we took the relaxation route and simply enjoyed the trip. Instead, here's the highlights reel:

1. Empress of the Seas

Empress is Royal Caribbean's smallest ship. We were booked on her for one reason only: Cuba. It's long been on our bucket list. 10 days before embarkation, the laws changed and so did our itinerary. Womp womp. As it turned out, we needn't have worried because we loved the ship! As two adults without kids we don't need all the bells and whistles that come with megaships. Empress was easy to navigate, never felt crowded, and had the most incredible staff! I'd happily sail on her again.

2. Perfect Day at Coco Cay

Our first stop was Royal Caribbean's private island, Coco Cay, where we enjoyed a chill day between the beaches and ginormous pool! We booked an off-island stingray city excursion which was cancelled due to weather, but as it turns out, we encountered stingrays (and a few sharks!) on our own anyway! It was a nice surprise.

3. San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan has long been one of my bucket list ports so I was excited to see it on our updated itinerary. However, a 5 PM debarkation didn't give us much time to explore. With the few hours we had, we enjoyed some delicious mofongo and a walk around Old San Juan.

4. St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

The most surprising thing about this island to us was the people. Many of the people we encountered were visitors from the US who simply decided not to go home. I can't blame them. The island had a relaxed vibe throughout and we loved our snorkeling trip to Buck Island with Big Beards Adventure Tours. It's a must-see!

5. St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

On the other end of the USVI spectrum, St. Thomas was bustling, and like many Caribbean ports, locals were always approaching us for one type of sale or another. spent some time in a pool with Remo the sea lion at Coral World Ocean Park before exploring the town and eating a tasty island lunch from a local food truck.

Who: Sean & I

What: The Play That Goes Wrong, "The funniest play Broadway has ever seen"

When: June 2019

Where: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD

Why: Anniversary Date!

Thoughts: A cast member described The Play That Goes Wrong as the "surprise show" of many subscriber's seasons. He was right. I'd heard of the show and knew it was a play, not a musical, and I knew it was supposed to be funny and, well...go wrong. But that was all I knew.

Admittedly, I didn't go in with high expectations...but, wow! The show was hysterical. Sean and I were cracking up the entire show along with the rest of the audience. I heard others screaming in some places! Some pre-show antics from "stage management" set the tone for an entertaining ride. If it comes to your town...don't miss it!

I feel like I've been waiting forever to bust out my spring and summer clothes! It's been an interesting spring in Baltimore with no two days alike: warm and perfect one day while rainy and 20 degrees cooler the next. 

The thing about weight loss, both good and bad, is the need for new clothes! Stitch Fix helped pick up my self esteem last spring and summer with plenty of cute plus size clothes. This season, most of those items no longer fit! So, I asked my stylist for some summer vacation-friendly items in my new size as well as a favorite from last season. 

Here's $25 for your first Stitch Fix! They dress women, men, and kids!

Here's the haul:

I was so excited to see this in my fix! I asked for an ivory cardigan multiple times last season and they didn't have one. This one was super comfortable and fun, but It had an open knit that immediately snagged on my engagement ring  - not the kind of thing I want to worry about on a daily basis. Returned.

This was one of my all time favorite SF items last year and I was equally ecstatic and devastated when I saw how big it fit me this year. I begged my stylist to send it again in my new size. Thankfully, it was in stock! Apparently, I lost more weight than I thought because a size smaller was still too big and no other sizes were available. Womp Womp. Returned.

I love a good summer dress and I loved the color and fabric of this one, but empire waists aren't the most flattering on me and I have never been a fan of cold shoulder styles. Returned.

I believe the top is this year's version of a top I received last season - the Zina split neck top. That top was one of my all time favorite SF pieces due to the fun print and amazingly soft rayon fabric. This top was the same style and fabric but the print just felt frumpy. Returned.

I could use some good shorts and I love Kut From the Kloth denim, but between the distressed look and the large unflattering fit, these were a no for me. Returned.

Well, this fix was a bit of a bummer but it happens. The stylist did choose two items that were exactly my style but just didn't work out. The others? Eh. Summer is quickly coming as is vacation, so I've requested a follow-up fix ASAP. Stay tuned to see if we have a winner!

Ready to try Stitch Fix for yourself? Here's $25 for your first fix!

My most popular post of all time is the recipe for Arbonne Protein Bars. I'm not surprised—they're easy and delicious!

2 of the ingredients, however, aren't compliant with a strict 30 day challenge. While I haven't found a swap to make them fully compliant, I've found a new and improved way to make these with only one forbidden ingredient: honey! They satisfy my sweet tooth and are a way cleaner option than most desserts. I follow the program at about 80% now and honey is one of the ingredients I let slide, especially since I only generally have it in these protein balls.

The chocolate version is very similar to the original bars, using almond butter in place of peanut butter. The kick of cinnamon in the vanilla version makes them equally satisfying. My hubby has been reaching for both since I started making them—let me know which variety you like best!

I've got something fun today for people who enjoy live entertainment, but perhaps not traditional musical theatre....

STOMP is arriving in Washington, DC later this month and I have a pair of opening night tickets to give away courtesy of Allied Media. 

STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. 

The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says, 

“STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” 

STOMP. See what all the noise is about by entering to win tickets below. Good luck!

STOMP