Whether you’re attached or single this Valentine’s Day, Sadie would like to share something with you…
Her bedroom “come hither” eyes. Seductive Sleepy, no?
She’s feeling rather frisky for 7:30 a.m., huh?
Sadie had us laughing pretty hard this morning. You’d think she owns this place…
She’s a little love machine. 
Workout
My day started the way most weekdays seem to around here… at the gym! I did almost the exact same workout I did on Saturday morning, only much earlier. Ryan and I were up at 4:45 a.m. to sneak in some exercise before the day really starts goin’. We wanted to walk Sadie together before he left for work and I needed an early start so I can finish up some work before hitting the road around lunchtime.
Heading to Sanibel
I am heading to Sanibel Island today!
My mom, grandma, sister and I will all be staying on the island through the weekend and the guys, my aunt and cousin are joining us Friday through Sunday. I cannot wait for quality family time!
My grandma has reserved a condo on Sanibel Island in February for as long as I can remember and whenever our schedules allow it, we try to join her. I will still be blogging and working a bit since I have some freelance deadlines that I need to hit while I’m out there, but I have a feeling working on the beach is going to be pretty sweet! I also worked a lot this weekend, so I’m hoping my early efforts will allow for free time with the family and help this trip feel more like a vacation!
If you’re from Sanibel or Captiva and have any “must do” recommendations for us, please send them our way! We went last year and had a blast at the Mad Hatter restaurant and The Bubble Room and can’t wait to explore some more.
Breakfast
This morning breakfast was one of my favorite staples.
I made myself an egg white sandwich with cheddar cheese and raspberry jelly, plus a side of 2 percent Greek yogurt with added honey.
And coffee to wake me UP!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Question of the Morning
Just for fun…
- What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory?
Though I love the romance of Valentine’s Day, I remember loving Valentine’s Day as a child just as much. My mom always made heart-shaped pancakes on Valentine’s Day morning. I remember spending hours decorating my valentine “mail box” that each student at my elementary school would place on their desk to collect valentines from classmates. So silly to think about it now, but it was a lot of fun!
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I was in Sanibel over Christmas and had a great breakfast at the Over East Cafe. Also went to have lunch on Useppa Island which was sooo fun! I highly recommend taking the ferry over. We saw a bunch of dolphins swim alongside the boat. Have fun with your fam!
ryan and i went there on our honeymoon! we loved the over easy cafe!
Awww Sadie! She’s so adorable!
My favorite Valentines day memory is from last year. Me and my fiance (now husband) were broke from saving up for a wedding, so we decided that we weren’t going to get each other gifts or do anything special. I had a really rough day at work and came home to find the house totally clean, and a huge bouquet of flowers sitting on the table. There was a bottle of nice wine by the flowers that instructed me to pour myself a glass and relax and not to lift a finger because he was going to make me dinner when he got home. It was the best gift because it was such a sweet gesture and so unexpected.
I never got to into the class valentines but my mom really liked to get us kids something special/silly. I still have a really wide coffee mug with an Elephant holding a heart on it. Underneath the elephant is says “Forget me Not.” I love that cup for ice cream 🙂
Valentines Day was never a big deal for me growing up, so I don’t have that many memories. And as a single person, not much excitement here. However, I am choosing to live vicariously through my parents and “awwing” at them doing things the classy way and going to White Castle tonight, lol. Do you know you actually have to make reservations for White Castle on VDay? Apparently they outfit all the tables with table clothes and you’re served as if you were at a fancy restaurant. I cannot wait to hear all about it!
We do to Sanibel every year! You HAVE to try Grandma Dots! It’s right on the marina/water and small, but so quaint. Great seafood, and famous for their clam chowder. I don’t even like clam chowder but I get it there every time because it’s that good. I really enjoy the coconut shrimp, too. Have fun! I’ll be there in June! 🙂
*go, not do…I need to pay more attention. Blah.
saide is so cute! I used to LOVE it in grade school when we would make/ decorate valentines boxes then we got to go around and put one in each box for our classmates. I think that started my obsession with getting the mail….
Hey Julie! I don’t know if this has ever been suggested, but it would be cool if you could do a tab of the different activities/places to see your readers have suggested for different cities. There is always so many fun things listed!
Have fun in Sanibel!
Your posts about how you get up to work out have totally inspired me! I used to snooze as much as possible and after reading your post “how to work out in the the morning”, and reading every morning how you get up, even though you work form home, have made me rethink my morning routine. I am now up for 6am body pump or a HIIT cardio session before work. I love that I have the whole evening free now to cuddle with my 2 basset hounds!
So fun to read everyone’s V-Day memories. 🙂
My favorite V-Day memory is from my senior year of high school (we’re really going back a ways here, haha). My now-husband and I had finally become “official” in January after having dated since the summer before. There happened to be a formal dance on V-Day, and I had already made plans to go with a guy friend since I wasn’t serious w/ my now-hubby at the time I made plans w/ my friend and he was away at college anyway. I thought he might be upset that I was going w/ someone else, -on Valentine’s Day!- but he was super sweet about it. He drove the hour drive home to see me all glammed up, bouquet of roses in hand, told me I looked beautiful, and told me to have a fun time at the dance. He is just as sweet today at 27 as he was at 18 and has spoiled me like crazy in the years since, but it is that one V-Day that still seems most romantic to me.
hahaha oh sadie!! she reminds me so much of my dog its crazy! i love her sleepy seductive eyes, so cute!
My folks just went to Sanibel Island and couldn’t stop talking about Doc Ford’s.
Sadie is pretty much the cutest thing ever. I love how you can see her spunky personality in your pictures!
I’ve only been to Sanibel and Captiva once (when I was in high school), but it’s so funny that you posted this today because I packed my Mucky Duck restaurant tshirt to work out in today! I think I had the duck quesadillas there, and they were quite good. Have a great trip!
My favorite Valentine was a while ago when hubby and I were in college. We had no money but he still wanted to get me something. So I told him-be creative. So he got a paper bag, made hearts and glued them on like we did back in elementary school. Then he got some Valentine’s Day cards and wrote cute sayings on them.
It is one of the best Valentine’s Day gifts I got. I actually pulled it out and re-read them over the weekend.
I loved the Valentine’s Day parties in elementary school when everyone would give out Valentine’s and candy to each other! So cute!
I live in Tampa and I keep telling my husband we need to take a visit to Sannibel one weekend! I’m dying to go 🙂
Sadie is not amused
Love the photos of Sadie! Such a snuggle buddy! Does she always sleep with you? Our cat curls up by our feet and keeps me warm! My favorite Valentine’s day is probably this one because it’s our first married Vday. We kept it low key and had a blast putting up wedding photos!
Have fun on your trip! Sounds amazing!
One year, when I was in high school, I was dating a total creep who didn’t believe in celebrating Valentine’s Day. To cheer me up, my best friend came over and we split one of those giant Hershey Kisses and heated it up in the microwave so it was all gooey. He will never know how much that meant to me, but it’s one of my best memories.
my mom used to set up treasure hunts for my brothers and me every valentines day before school. at the end of the hunt were presents (always vday themed). ever since we all moved out of the house, she still sends us vday themed packages with food, clothes and other love-related items. I love that she made valentines day more than just a couples’ holiday.
I read your blog all the time but never comment…just had to because Sanibel is my FAVORITE vacation spot. My family went there for years all the way from NJ. But the Island Cow was one of our favorites along with Pinocchio’s Ice Cream.. sooo good!
I am not sure that I have a favorite memory from one single Valentine’s Day… but I do remember that my father always used to mail me a Valentine’s Day present once I went to college and moved out. I still have all of the non food related gifts… one was (and, still is) one of my favorite shirts. 🙂
Such a great blog you have! I love your puppy and the fact she is the color of peanut butter. I have a weimaraner, Elle, who gives me those eyes all the time. Priceless! Happy Valentine’s Day!
thank you, tristen!
My favorite Valentines Day so far was 2 years ago when Vday was on a Sunday. The weather was perfectly windy and sunny and the mister and I spent it at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks shopping and eating and sipping on beers then went to the dinner and the movies. It was the perfect day with perfect weather.
In 4th grade this boy gave me a Valentine that said, “I like you” and I remember being soooo excited and having butterflies. I was 9, so doubt either of us even knew what that meant, but it was a cute first Valentine crush and I felt so special!
Aww how sweet is Sadie in the morning- she’s adorable! I too, think Valentine’s day should be more about showing love to all those you care about, rather than just romantic love. One of my favorite memories is when I was in high school after a pretty rough break-up my mom surprised me and had a table piled high with cards and individually wrapped presents, it was the best surprise!
Julie: The hubby and I have been talking about going to Sanibel for a few years now. I’d love to hear any tips you have when you get back, especially about rental properties there and bringing dogs along (can’t leave our two home without us 🙂
Those pics of Sadie are so cute! My favorite memory from Valentines Day was watching my parents exchange gifts.
I love your blog. Your workouts are especially inspirational to me. I love to try them out. I list many of the ones I’ve tried on my blog, giving you credit of course, and hope others are finding your blog and getting inspired by it too. Keep up the good work.
FYI, I finally tried the cheese + jelly + egg combo and am such a fan I’ve had it for breakfast every day this week. So quick and easy, and it’s fantastic when you just get back from the gym!
I loooove Sanibel!!! There is a bike rental place- we loved biking all around the island to see what all they had going on and check out restaurants and beautiful houses. Definitely go to Pinocchio’s Ice Cream, I know you guys are crazy for the sweet stuff like we are- I think we went there almost every day 🙂 its a cute little shop, but if you go at night it always got super busy. We also had The Blue Giraffe for breakfast that was good. There was also another place on the edge of the island that had great sea food and is known for the sun set view- nicer dinner. I can’t think of the name cause its been a couple years but just ask someone and they will know- that’s how we found out. Hope you have fun- I’m jealous! 🙂
oOoo very cool! I’ve never heard of sanibel island~
And Sadie looks soooo comfy!! Kinda makes me wanna go night night right now haha.
Meeting my husband! Yes, I met him on Valentine’s Day at a party and we’ve been together ever since! (8 years!)
Sadie cracks me up! She is so sweet! I am trying to spread the word about a rescue group in California called Marley’s Mutts to all the dog loving bloggers that I usually read! I know you have a great amount of fans that read your blog and maybe if you mentioned the Marley’s Mutts effort it could get some more attention! They are collecting donations because they have just rescued 3 girl puppies that have 3rd degree burns covering about 60 percent of their bodies and have quite the hefty hospital bill. I promise this is not a scam and I would really like if you would check out their website and mention it in a post if you could! Here is their website http://marleysmutts.com/
Definitely eat at The Island Cow!
We used to have a Bubble Room rest. here in Orlando, it’s a Bucca Di Beppo now though. If it’s the same one I’ll have to go next time I’m in Sanibel! Have fun!
Oh yes! We had valentine’s mailboxes today in my 3rd grade classroom!
Hi Julie! I never thought I’d comment on one of your posts, but when I saw you were going to Sanibel, I had to respond. My parents honeymooned on Captiva years ago, I have the best memories of visiting both Sanibel and Capitva for numerous spring breaks as a kid. Everyone else has made great suggestions, but you MUST go to the Lighthouse Cafe one day for breakfast. The sign states it is the world’s best breakfast, and I totally agree. The food is amazing, and if you haven’t tried it you really have to go. Have a great trip!
Did i miss the post where you said what Ryan got you for valentines day? haha
Happy Valentines Day! You must eat at the island cow. Awesome atmosphere and everything is home made. Bang bang shrimp fo sho! Also, my friends have a shark fishing business down there….sounds extreme but so fun to reel in a shark!! They are called Shark Hookers,LLC. Do it!
My family has vacationed on Captiva every year for as long as I can remember! Since it’s small and relatively obscure I always get so excited when someone knows about it! I too have to recommend the Lazy Flamingo (if you order off the kids menul it comes in a frisbee, which you get to keep, with a min-package of Oreo’s!) and the mucky duck. The Green Flash is also supposed to be a good time and has some interesting history. Captiva Cruises can be a little pricey but they do a lot of fun little trips (dolphin cruises, shelling trips to North Captiva, and other trips to neighboring islands). I’ve also heard that Sanibel is a great environment for cycling (flat, bike-lanes, etc.), but I haven’t done it because I’ve never learned to ride a bike, haha.
awww, i love sadie!
happy valentines day! i think my favorite memory may have just happened…surprised at work with a dozen 5ft. roses!!!!
You need to go to island pursuit they carry this organic cotton resort line that is so cute. It’s called mahi gold, I love their maxi dress and little skirts! They also have a website mahigold.com, their line is my go too!
Ding darling wildlife refuge..you need to do the kayaking it’s so spectacular!! And do Gramma Dots Key Lime Pie and Shrimp Caesar Salads!!! My mom and I went to Sanibel last March and my brother used to live there…it’s absolutely beautiful! I love the Mucky Duck sunsets just make sure you put in a reservation ahead of time!
Loved the pictures of Sadie! She’s such a cutie!
Go to the Suncatchers Dream boutique shop, right next door to OverEasy Cafe (there’s also a dog-friendly shop in that same plaza, Sadie would have a ball!). I’ve known the owner of Suncatchers Dream (Dan) for years, he’s sooo nice, and you can spend hours in there looking at all the neat things he has. PS. where are y’all staying?! My mom owns a condo on sanibel!! Ryan and I were just down there 3 weeks ago — had an engagement shoot there! Wahhh i miss it!
PS. Greenflash = ammmaaazing place for seafood. And you could head a few doors down to pick up a few slices of Bubble Room cake after dinner to take back to the condo. That’s pretty much standard procedure in our family 😛
Sadie is awesome! You have the cutest dog ever…her pictures always make me smile:)
AHHH I love the Bubble Room! I fell in love with their Red Velvet Cake, and my mom actually found the recipe online and makes it for my birthday every year!
We always did heart shaped (and PINK!) pancakes for dinner on valentines day when I was a kid. My mom didn’t normally have time for hot breakfasts on school days, especially with kids who DID NOT want to get up!
Have so much fun! I’m jealous of your warm weather.