Winter Escape: Mexico!

Y'all, I don't know about you, but once Christmas and New Years' are over I get some serious winter doldrums. Maybe it is that whole "no days off until Memorial Day" thing (or at least no paid holidays for that stretch for me!), but I need a little winter escape.

Enter: MEXICO

My BRF (also my BFF, but we used to be roommates so it's Best Roommates Forever) and I booked our first trip to Cancun way back when we were in our mid-twenties. When we were in our "Help me, I'm poor" phase of life. We found a crazy good deal for a long weekend at an all-inclusive for like $650 and thought we were living the LIFE. Seriously, when we pulled up to the hotel we totally thought it was a mistake and they had taken us to the wrong place because there was no way that $650 had gotten us flights and an all-inclusive hotel that looked that good. Turns out, it was just an amazing deal (you know, trying to rebuild tourism after a hurricane or something).

WELL, after that trip we pretty much decided that life (mainly, winter) was pretty horrible without a trip to Mexico in the middle of it. We took one year off, trying to prevent ourselves from developing a habit, but the next winter we gave in and booked it again. This time, with more friends!

Anywho, I just got back from another lovely long weekend at the GR Solaris. It was our 5th trip there, and it never disappoints! Now, it probably isn't the place for everyone -- but it suits us just fine. We go there to relax -- our days really just consist of laying by the pool, margaritas, laying on the beach, more margaritas, snacks, laying by the pool, tequila shots, then sitting in the hot tub before going for a nap. A lot of evenings we don't even make it downstairs for dinner, we just order some room service and watch a movie before going to bed early. Then we wake up and eat room service for breakfast and just stare at this view:

It is the ultimate lazy girls trip and I love every second of it. I know we probably won't continue to go to Cancun every winter for the rest of our lives, but I am so crazy grateful that we've gotten to go as many times as we have. And when I'm staring at the calendar next week, counting the days-hours-minutes to my next getaway, I will think back to this great view and this great friend!

Happy New Year!

Thanks, Kate Spade, for the New Year's Resolution inspiration! These are all so fun. I love the idea of making resolutions that make me a better person -- not something that tries to rectify something I think is wrong in my life. I've found throughout the years that resolutions like that often go to the wayside so quickly because they try to subtract something from your life (like dieting, or giving up chocolate, etc.). I love the idea of adding positive things to life!

So, this year, I'm resolving to say "yes" when the first instinct is to say no. I'm resolving to go out, see things, meet people, make memories. I'm resolving to see what happens when you open up to life.

I'm also making "once a month" goals: travel somewhere (even if it's to a friend's cabin), volunteer, and try out a new recipe. 

I've already knocked out my new recipe for the month of January - I made these delicious oatmeal pear pancakes this morning for my own little New Year's brunch. With a side of mimosas and Gopher football :)

Finally, I have one daily goal: exercise gratitude. I would like to recognize the wonderful things in my life, be it my friends and family, my beautiful loft, or the ability to travel. For all of the things that make my life mine, I am so grateful.