All in Vacations

New York Planning and Trip Report

So our sort of "babymoon" was a trip to New York over Thanksgiving.  We started planning our trip, however, before we knew I was pregnant.  Hence the "sort of" babymoon.  New York was something Brad had always wanted to do, and he really wanted to go before kids.  So we investigated and planned away!

Dragoncon Outfits

Every Labor Day weekend an event called DragonCon is held in Atlanta, GA.  In 2014, my husband and I went for the first time just for one day.  We really were not sure what it was all about, and we already happened to be in Atlanta for Ole Miss and Alabama football games.  So we spent the Friday before Labor Day checking it out.  It turned out to be so much fun, we decided to go back in 2015 for the entire event weekend.  This was Friday-Monday. 

Liberty Tree Tavern Review

So I will let you know now, this is not a positive review of Liberty Tree Tavern.  There are positive parts, but overall, I would not eat here again.  I won't say "never" because there is always the off chance we go with people that may want to eat there...many years down the road.  BUT, if I have a choice or vote in the matter, we will not be going back.  Check out our experience below.

The Brown Derby Lounge Review

So my mom and I knew we would not have enough dining credits for EVERY meal.  So we decided we would either pay out of pocket for a meal that didn't take the dining plan or for breakfast.  Well we only ate breakfast one morning, so we decided to try The Brown Derby Lounge.  As I mentioned in a previous review, The Brown Derby itself is not worth the two credits for the table service dining plan usage.  However, if you want to try some of the foods The Brown Derby has to offer, such as the Cobb Salad, stop by the Lounge.  It is first come first service seating.  We arrived at 12:30, and there was plenty of seats available.  

La Cantina de San Angel Review

So for lunch on our last day, we decided to use a quick service credit.  We were at Hollywood Studios that morning, so we were torn if we should just eat there, or go try something at Epcot.  Well, we opted for Mexican at Epcot.  Mexican was about the only type of food we had not tried since we were at Disney World.  My mom had tried La Cantina de San Angel before, but I had not.

Cape May Cafe Review

We dined at Cape May CafĂ© our first day at Disney World for my 30th birthday trip.  I will be completely up front and tell you I did not get enough pictures.  I really wish I had.  However, you can find plenty of pictures of this amazing eatery online.  But let me give you my review (in case you can't tell I like it already!).  

Disney Trip Planning - 30th Birthday

As usual, my mom and I planned to go to Disney World for my birthday.  I was turning the big 3-0.  Unknowing to my mom, my husband and I were trying to get pregnant, so I found ways to discourage our usual cruise/Disney combo.  So we decided we would just do 3 or 4 days at Disney World and fly.  I found out I was pregnant September 23rd, but Brad and I wanted to wait and tell our parents after our first doctor's appointment.  So I didn't tell mom until October 21st.  I put off booking Disney to make sure she would be ok going with me while I was four months pregnant!  I hated for her to not enjoy herself and ride everything unless she was truly ok with that.  Of course she was good with it, so the planning began!

DIY Disney Shirt

My mom and I went to Disney for my 30th birthday.  I plan to do my trip report soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to share with you my DIY Disney shirt I made.  I really wanted a pregnancy Disney shirt.  I googled and found some that were going to be around $30-$35, but I knew I could make one for much cheaper.  So I decided to give it a try.  I designed the shirt myself using Pixelmator.  You can either design your own shirt, or you can buy the rights to an image online and just print it yourself.  The entire project cost me about $15.  See below!

Baby Bump Selfies at Disney World!

My mom and I recently went to Disney World for my 30th birthday.  Since I am pregnant, it is technically my baby's first trip to Disney World. Sine my husband wasn't with us for her "first" trip, he asked that I take pictures of my "bump" as if it was a baby selfie. This would allow him to see her first trip from her perspective. Below are the pictures I captured! 

Surf Hut - Destin, FL

Surf Hut is about a year old in Destin, FL.  It is your typical shrimp basket restaurant.  We have been there twice.  This review is of our second trip.  The waits can get long, so arrive early or plan on having appetizers at the bar area.  

Disney Souvenir

If you have stayed at Disney World in the last few years, they send a nice little picture and a thank you for visiting.  We have received both Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.  It is a sketch picture and at the bottom it says "Payne Family Vacation 2015".  It is super cute, and we have so many that I felt we should do something with at least one of them.  This idea has been floating around Pinterest, so I decided to recreate it.  See below!

Stinky's Fish Camp - Destin, FL

We travel to Destin, FL quite often because Brad's parents own a condo at Tops'l Beach and Racquet Resort.  We have a lot of restaurants that we love, but one of our favorites is Stinky's Fish Camp.  It is actually located in Santa Rosa Beach off of 30A.  While the food can be expensive, it really is amazing.  I am not sure we have ever had a bad meal here.  The only recommendation I have is that you should arrive early!  Everyone knows how good this place is.  We went on a Friday at 5:30 in June, and we had to wait an hour and a half.  Something also to note is that you are required to valet your car.

Disney Quick Service Review

As you may have read in my previous post, Brad and I just returned from Walt Disney World.  We went back to celebrate our two year anniversary. We did not eat at a lot of quick service restaurants, but I did want to briefly review the food when we did.  I have pictures in most cases, but either way, I have my opinions below!

Chefs de France Review

As you may have read in my previous post, Brad and I just returned from Walt Disney World.  We went back to celebrate our two year anniversary.  As I wrote about yesterday, Brad and I always select one must do restaurant.  Mine is always Teppan Edo, his is one of the French restaurants.  I personally prefer Chefs de France over Monsieur Paul simply because of the dessert selection.  If they offered the same desserts at both places, it would be Monsieur Paul without a doubt.  That is simply because of the environment.  See below for pictures and my review of Chefs de France.