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Not going to lie…while I always love and appreciate seeing my parents, visits home have gotten exponentially more fun and relaxing since they moved to the beach. Prior to moving to Florida they lived in Atlanta for a few years and Houston for a few years before that. Both cities were great to visit but the beach will always win in my book.

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I picked my fiance up at the airport on Friday afternoon and we headed back to my parent’s condo for some time on the beach and another outdoor dinner.

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My dad grilled steaks.

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Along with scallops and asparagus.

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I made salads for everyone. We sat outside for hours catching up before heading inside to cut the cake!

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My dad baked a carrot cake for my birthday (it’s a toss up between carrot or strawberry cake when it comes to my favorite cake flavor). My mom frosted it with love (I have to give her a little credit here!).

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My nightly ice cream ritual became a cake and milk ritual instead. I don’t drink milk often but it was so perfect with the cake.

6.16rosieproject

We spent most of our days on the beach. I plowed through two books while I was there. I loved, loved, loved The Rosie Project.

6.16stuffedmushrooms

On Saturday night we went out to dinner for my birthday at Cafe Italia. Again, we were able to sit outside and on the water so it was lovely. We started with stuffed mushrooms.

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And a salad to share for the table.

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I was all over the place on my entree and ended up making a last minute decision to get broccoli pesto penne and I added scallops and sundried tomatoes to it. It was really good.

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My mom surprised me when she had our waitress bring out a cake!

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We ended the night with cake and then my fiance and I went to play mini golf. It was a fun way to do something active and interactive after dinner. (Jewelry: Erin McDermott Beach Cabana Stackable Necklace layered with her Tiny Buddha Necklace)

Okay, I didn’t mean for this to become a three part post but the last group of pics I have are too good not to share. I’ll post them in the AM! 🙂

Have you read The Rosie Project? What did you think?

If you HAD to choose…would it be beach, big city or mountains? (Hard, right!?)

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