birthday weekend

I don't think I've ever had a birthday like my 24th. (Twenty-four!!! I'm still reeling.) Every activity and place felt just like me. BRITTANY stamped all over everything. From beautiful restaurants, to cupcakes in every flavor, to movies based on books. Gifts of stationary, shopping, books, and watercolors. Of course it had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with my dear family and friends--I received the most thoughtful notes and presents all weekend. I feel so lucky to have the people that I have. 

A few photos of the weekend, when I thought to pull out my phone:

^^^Driving around Sugar House, my favorite little neighborhood in SLC.^^^

^^^An early supper at Sea Salt with the fam bam--the windows were open wide and the food was light and fresh.^^^

^^^Caught the Mummies of the World exhibit in it's last week at the Leonardo--totally cryptic and I loved it.^^^

^^^Dinner and a movie with friends. I feel like Gatsby deserves its own post. Maybe I'll give it one.^^^

^^^My twenty-four year old feet^^^

bienvenido a miami

Before we flew home, we had a little time to kill in Miami. We drove up and down Ocean Drive a few times, hung out in/on South Beach, and visited a pretty lighthouse on Key Biscayne. I'm a fan of Art Deco anything, so Miami is just my vibe. Those green palms, bright stripes, and stark whites against the clearest bluest sky?

Complete pretty heaven.

And that's it! Who knew south Florida was such a dream?

caribbean cruise, part II: the bahamas and disembarking

Next, we stopped at a couple of private islands in the Bahamas to get our beach on. We could not get over that turquoise water--I still think it's artificial. On the second island, we kayaked around a more remote part of the island with a few fabulous guides. We spotted big red starfish, a couple of sting rays, a mama sea turtle and her baby, and some upside down jellyfish--and only 2/3 of the family flipped their kayaks! Success!  

Back on the boat, we continued to eat our hearts out and die over Disneyland-caliber fireworks. Fireworks! On the ocean! What is more magical? (And disruptive to the natural environment!) We were so sad to leave that boat of dreams. Disney, I'll cruise with you anytime.

*Not pictured: Our two servers that served us dinner all week--they had us rolling every night. We love those guys. AND a really epic family showing at an 80's flashback competition went undocumented. But, you know, it's probably better that way...

caribbean cruise, part I: all aboard and key west

Last week, I hopped on a boat with my family to get some quality time in before my little brother heads to London for the next couple of years to serve a mission for our church. (We're so excited for him, but we'll miss him something awful.)

Cruise liners are getting a bad rap lately, but for relaxation and gluttony purposes, I think they're pretty fabulous. Minimal planning. Sunset perfection. Unlimited ocean and sunshine. Unlimited soft serve. Nightly three-course meals. Mickey Premium bars delivered to your room (!!!!). 

(It's all about the food, if you didn't know.)

We started out in Miami (more on that later), and cruised straight to Key West. We took an all-day bike tour of the little island, and I'm convinced there's no better way to explore a new place. I fell a little bit in love with Key West--the beautiful Victorian/Bahamian/New England architecture, the tropical plants and bright blooms, the anything-goes vibe, KEY LIME PIE. I'm already planning my trip back.

More on the islands and Miami to come.