Good morning to you!
How is your week going so far?
I am feeling a little frazzled, but the frazzled feelings can be attributed to our vacation to Ireland and London at the end of the week, so I’ll take ‘em! Since this vacation came to fruition rather quickly, I am scrambling to tie up some loose ends related to my freelance work and want to put together a few blog posts to keep PBF alive and well while I’m away. (I hope to be able to pop in and blog from time to time, but that is not going to be my priority.)
I’ve also been pouring a lot of time into vacation planning. Your recommendations are, once again, proving invaluable! I think I have a basic itinerary assembled for our time in Ireland and am very grateful for your advice and lots of help from Ireland travel books I checked out from the library.
Breakfast
Yesterday was a rest day from the gym and today I’m hoping to make it out for a lunchtime workout. I know next week likely won’t include too many workouts, so I’d like to sneak in some strength training!
Breakfast this morning came together in a flash thanks to prep work last night.
More peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough overnight oats. I’m addicted, I’m tellin’ ya!
It was a filling and delicious breakfast!
***
Before signing off, quite a few of you asked me about the blue dress I wore to dinner in St. Augustine on Saturday night.
I just updated the Fashion page with all the details (and links to the exact dress in other colors), but I bought it at A Cut Above Boutique in Ocala. My friend Brittney owns the shop and everything is under $50!
Question of the Morning
- When it comes to vacationing, are you more of a go-with-the-flow traveler or do you prefer to have a set plan?
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Wow, you really look stunning in that dress! I have one that’s a similar color that I just love. I guess jewel tones are kinda’ my thing.
Have fun on your trip! So excited for you. Take lots of pictures in Ireland. I’ve never been there, though it’s definitely on my list!
I love that dress! I want one!
Your trip is going to be awesome! Are you guys renting a car in Ireland? I was just there in August and we rented a car and it can be a little challenging especially in the parking garages, just to forewarn you (very small spaces) 🙂 I hope you get a chance to go to the Cliffs of Moher as well!
yes! we’re renting a car and definitely plan to go to the cliffs of moher. i can’t wait!
When my friends went, they hired a driver and said they’d do it again in a heartbeat. Something worth looking into!
I am always stressed before vaction too, but once I get there I am fine! I hate packing (and unpacking). I would pay someone to do it for me!
I like a mix of planning for a vacation and going with the flow! Sometimes the best memories are discovered by accident.
I am a bit of both- I like to have a general plan to qualm my type-A-ness, but a little go-with-the-flow is ok, too. Otherwise it’s too stressful, and a vacation should be relaxing! I am usually super stressed before a vacation- normally just the travel part as I want to make sure we arrive safe and on time!
Everything at the boutique is under $50?? That sounds like a fabulous store to me! 🙂
I love to have a little bit of both! I enjoy having free time to do whatever I feel like some days but I also like having a few planned activities to make sure I get to see and do fun things in a new place, so I like a vacation with a good mix!
I like having at least a general plan for a vacation. I don’t need every second planned but I like to at least know a few places that I want to go so I don’t waste my vacation time. I don’t get to travel too often so I need to make the most of my time when I do travel.
I hear ya! I was just saying out loud “I’m a little out of it” just as I read your title today!
I like to think I’m a go with the flow kind o’ gal… but my husband would strongly disagree! He knows I’m a complete control freak and such a planner!!! I’m sure your trip will be amazing! Enjoy it!
I am going to second the post about the Cliffs of Moher — it was one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been! Take lots of pictures — just being in the countryside and soaking in the beauty will be one of your favorite things! And London is my all-time favorite city.
Go with the flooooow. Don’t worry too much about planning, it’ll all fall in place the way it’s suppose to!
Thanks for the link on your dress…I’ll DEFINITELY be checking that out!
I always like to have a plan in mind, but then I’m more of a go with the flow person! It’s just easier not to stress about some things I learned this weekend, but you’ll get it together. Love the dress too!
Although I will miss your blog posts, enjoy your time with Ryan and have a fun relaxing vacation!
that dress really is cute 🙂 the colour is beautiful!
I am a VERY big planner! I know it drives some people crazy, but for me, it is comforting to have everything planned out before I go. If I don’t, then I feel like I might miss out on something special. I even plan my entire Disney vacations, down to what park on what day and make all my dinner reservation way in advance. The only vacations I don’t go crazy planning are beach vacations and cruises (while we are on the ship). So excited for you getting to go with Ryan on this trip. Hope you make a TON of great memories!
I love having a set plan on vacation. I hate wasting time on deciding what places to visit or where to eat. Organization and details make me happy!
So exciting! I’m glad things are coming together. It’s such a nice thing to be blogging when you need advice and things! Makes planning a lot easier!
Frazzled due to vacation isn’t too bad a feeling! Looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back!
I am jealous of your up coming trip! You MUST have the brown bread in Ireland it is seriously the best! If you stay at a B&B while you are there you will be sure to have it there!
I haven’t vacationed much but I think that I would like to have (mostly) set plans. I’d leave some room in there for down time and wouldn’t make anything happen TOO early but I also don’t want to miss out on great things because I don’t know that they’re there!
I am going on a work trip this Thursday heading to CA (from WI) and will be flying alone for the first time! I am so anxious about finding everything successfully. Any tips?? 🙂
Enjoy the vacation, it sounds fantastic!
I’ve been loving your version of those overnight pb oatmeal cookie dough oats too! Preparing to leave for vacation is always a little overwhelming for me. I’m definitely a planner so I’m sure that plays into it. Hope you’re able to get everything sorted out these next few days so you can enjoy yourself on vacation! 🙂
I can understand why you would be frazzled, that is a short time to plan a big vacation. I am a huge planner so I can totally relate. You guys are going to have a great time and I can’t wait to see pictures!
When I travel, I like a mix of planning and going-with-the-flow. I definitely plan for all of the “must-sees” because EVERYONE wants to see those, but other aspects of vacation I am more laid back with.
I also tried your overnight oats and I really enjoyed them, but I omitted the chia seeds (even though you say not to, I just don’t have any) and I didn’t have an issue with my oats firming up! I also used chocolate soy milk as my milk, so it was extra chocolately 😀
Hi there,
first of all I love, love your blog!! Okay, vacation info – I lived in London for several years and on of my dearest friends lived in Dublin so I spent a lot of time in Ireland as well. You are going at a great time – it’s lambing season in Ireland – all the baby lambs are being born. So you will see some adorable animals if you drive into the country side. Couple of recommendations – rent a car and drive to Kilkenney – there is a glass blowing place here that is spectacular, the village itself is charming. Also if you have time, you could drive across to Galway (west side of country) and it is such a sweet charming place. For London I’m sure you are all set – but I will recommend one little restaurant off the beaten path – My old Dutch Pancake House in Chelsea – it’s very small and the pancakes are really more crepes than pancakes. You can get sweet or savory. Plus there are loads and load of shops along this street. I highly recommend. Have a great trip!! Dana
When I’m going somewhere I’ve gone before I tend to be more go with the flow but with somewhere new, I always find myself looking all over the Internet for tips and asking anyone I know that’s gone there. I’m so excited for you to go to IRELAND-how COOL! I can’t wait to see your recap!
Ahhh you’re going to have a blast in the UK!! Make sure you make time to go to Nando’s 🙂 Love the blue dress btw 🙂
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Thanks!!
I prefer to have a vague plan of what I want to do on vacation, just because without it, I feel like I’ll waste too much time deciding what to do when I’m actually there. I’d rather have a plan to make the most of my time! But then again, the plan isn’t completely rigid and set in stone, so if something catches my eye while I’m away, I’ll be spontaneous too!
I like to research the areas I’m going and have a list of places I would like to see, but I’m not a fan of detailed itineraries. I did study abroad in college and on the weekends we would travel to different cities. One weekend, I traveled with a group of over planners. I found the group to stressful b/c they were so set on there itineraries and wouldn’t deviate from that. I feel we missed out on some cool stuff because of it.
I’m sorta in between. We usually know at least one main thing we are going to do, but everything else is just random and whatever pops in our head! Oh and i love that dress. So pretty!
Love that cobalt blue! I also have a staple dress in that color.
I’m much more of a itenerary planner, I’m not trying to be anal but I just try to make sure I see everything I was planning to.
I always stress out before a vacation, but once I am at our destination, I relax. I prefer to have a few days with set plans, then a few days where we go wherever the road takes us!
I’m a definite planner. My boyfriend is much more of a go-with-the-flow-er, though, so we kind of balance each other out!
You seriously have the cutest fashion taste! Just take over part of Ryan’s luggage – men always pack less than we do 🙂
You make me want to go shopping! And when I travel I like to have a few things planned, but overall, I think it’s fun to go with the flow and do things as you find them. Makes for a more spontaneous and thrilling experience!
I like to have a general idea of what we are going to do each day, but I like to have open schedules during that day if that makes any sense!
That’s exactly the same kind of feeling I had before I left to Hawaii – my brain felt absolutely fried by the time I boarded the plane because of all the fretting I did beforehand. Thankfully, a week and a half away was more than enough to cure me of that 🙂 As for vacation planning, I’m more of a go with the flow kind of person. I find that making a plan to stick to just makes things a lot more stressful. I like to have a general idea of things that I want to do, but nothing set in stone.
I love your dress! 🙂 I am an excessive planner. I like to have things planned out but I also like the idea of playing some things by ear. I like to keep my options open in case things change but I always like to have a backup plan.
Sometimes I like to wing it and other times I’ll plan away. I also love that website thanks!
I can’t wait to hear about your trip!!!!
I like both – I like to have a general plan of where we will be on what days and obvious things like hotels (and how to get around). Then we make a list of what we really want to do/see in each place, but don’t necessarily plan them for each day (unless it’s a museum or something that’s only open on Mondays, or something like that). I also try to make sure we have lots of “Free” time scheduled in so that we can sit at a coffee shop and people watch, or wander aimlessly down streets if we want.
I always travel with an idea of what to see each day, but I never book anything until the day of. Its rare that i have more than two weeks to plan anything as I’m a bit spontanious when it comes to travel. I’ll usually meet a bunch of locals that give me the best places to eat and shop.
I am really excited to hear about your trip. My friends and I planning on biking the trail from Paris to London this summer and then hopping over to Ireland to explore. Have so much fun and take lots of pictures!
Julie – just wanted to thank you for all your Greek yogurt protein pancake recipes! Finally gave them a whirl this weekend and now my bf and I are HOOKED. Incredibly easy, delicious and love that you can change up the concoctions to whatever your heart desires! you rock! cant wait to read all about your trip to London 🙂
I hope you have so much fun in Ireland. I was just there this summer for my honeymoon it was absolutely incredible, we were even lucky enough to get some sun while we were there!
I love to plan vacations! I like to check out books and visit reviews on Trip Advisor. Not only does it add to my excitement, but I also get a feel for the environment, weather and restaurant/ workout options etc! Have a blast!
That dress is gorgeous! Love it!
I’m sure your itinerary is already jam-packed, but if you have a minute while you are in London, you should drop by The Harp. It’s a bar that serves really awesome cider from local farms, and they also serve some unique sausages! It’s a really classic English pub. Enjoy your trip! I’m so jealous!