A Weekend in Pensacola- Where to Stay

Today I'm sharing my wishlist of places to stay in Pensacola. I typically stayed locally and the one time I had a hotel it was a cheap last minute decision. The rest of my trips were spent sleeping on a boat which sounds great in theory but can be pretty rough when the weather isn't great and you're not feeling so fabulous. I've been thinking about bringing Corey out here for some nautical fun and these three places are definitely on my list of hotel options! They're all relatively affordable and cute!

This Springhill Suites has a lot of that clean white beachy charm I look for in a beachfront property. With multiple pools overlooking the ocean, the complimentary breakfast, and the really pretty balconies, it has a lot of the amenities I look for in a relaxing hotel. Additionally, it's one of the most reasonably priced hotels on Pensacola Beach without sacrificing some quality and comfort. 

I've spent a good amount of time on the water but I've also enjoyed exploring the downtown and historic districts of Pensacola as well. The Pensacola Grand is right in that area, the reviews and prices are good, and it's literally walking distance to a lot of shops and restaurants. 

Paradise Inn has the look of a colorful old school roadside lodge with the added benefit of being right by the water and having good prices. The restaurant and bar are also great places to drink and enjoy the sunset. 

Lastly, Air BnB is always a great option for beach accommodations. They have a great selection of homes to fit pretty much anyone's taste- from beachfront houses to beach condos, and downtown lofts. 
So many great options!

A Weekend in Pensacola- What to Pack

Pensacola holds a lot of weird memories for me. I hesitated in even doing this guide but frankly, I've spent way too much time there to not do one so here we are! 

Most of my time spent in Pensacola was spent on the water on a boat. So this series is going to be a bit more nautical themed. While the enjoyment level of a sailing excursion depends on whether or not you get seasick, it's definitely an experience I suggest trying at least once! Today I'm sharing my packing guide for a trip to Pensacola with some pieces that will definitely come in handy if you plan to do any boating!

This post contains affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. As always, all opinions are my own. 

You'll want a good swimsuit, of course. I like this one piece because it covers all the necessary bits and will actually stay still when you're moving around a lot (no wardrobe malfunctions or nip slips). 

Great sunglasses and some awesome sunblock are a big must on the water because that reflection on the water is no joke. I've seen people turn into lobsters without sunblock after just a little time on the water (even when it's overcast). I like Sun Bum a lot and love the look (and price) of these shades. Also- a hat is definitely a necessity on a boat when you're on the open water and don't have any shade to hang out under.

Even in the summer, it can get a little cold on a boat, especially on a cloudy day. Some lightweight pieces with long sleeves help keep you from catching a draft (I've gotten a little bit of a cold from the chill a few times) without making you feel really gross. Plus I love the nautical stripes on this dress!

Clearly, flip flops and a tote bag are essential when you're in a beachy place and these inexpensive pieces are great for getting the job done without spending a lot of cash. Last- if you're not sure how well you handle the water, stock up on some Sea Bands in advance to avoid any unpleasant (and messy) mishaps!

Okay, one more thing that I didn't list in the photo- bug spray! I have gotten eaten alive on multiple occasions by the worst mosquitos. Crazy story- apparently, I'm mildly allergic to the type of mosquitos that live in the Pensacola area. I have swelled up into giant bruises from these bites. So painful! Use bug spray!

Waterproof Bags | Tote | Swimsuit

Sandals | Sunglasses | Hat | Dress

Sea Bands | Sun Bum | Top

Llamas & Churros

Hey, guys!

A little while back, a couple blogger friends and I got invited to the Llama and Churros party. Crazy combo right? While we didn't get to see the Zappos llama (the poor guy was nervous because of all the noise and people and his handlers didn't want to traumatize him), there were definitely a lot of churros. Like a whole bag of a dozen churros.

We all still had a great time- there was live music, henna tattoos, a cute little pop up shop, and cornhole. The weather was kind of beautiful except a little cold for mid May (we all wished we'd had sweaters, crazy) and we got to chat with some awesome people.

Such a fun night!

NYX Cosmetics Store Opening

Good morning!

So a few weeks ago I went and checked out our brand new NYX store inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. They had a huge store opening with meet and greets with famous artists, giveaways, and makeovers.

I was just there to shop but I snapped a couple photos because a) the store is all kinds of awesome and b) the opening looked like a lot of fun!

24 Hours in Laguna Beach

I while back, my travel buddy, Amanda, and I made a trip out to Laguna Beach. It was a quick overnight trip but we had a bunch of things planned out including sitting on the beach doing nothing! We had a great time even though it was a really short visit and I can't wait to go back!

Where to Stay

We got a great deal at the Pacific Edge Hotel. It's right on the beach; you literally go down the stairs and you're in the sand. Our room was cute and simple and they had Lather toiletries which I love! The best part really was the proximity to the beach- the hotel provides lounge chairs and umbrellas so we parked ourselves in a good spot and just sat there for hours. So awesome! It was also walking distance to a ton of shops and restaurants.

What to Do

We spent a lot of time on the beach. It was so relaxing!

On the way down we stopped at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. It's a really great place to visit- this is where they take sick or injured seals and sea lions and get them healthy again. You can watch them play and eat and basically just enjoy their cuteness.

We finished off our trip by visiting San Juan Capistrano which is pretty close to Laguna Beach. If you come out here, go visit Mission San Juan Capistrano. It's so gorgeous! There are also lots of fun shops and restaurants!

Where to Eat

The Deck- This restaurant was at our hotel and the food was really good but the view stole the show. Being from the desert, we really enjoy an ocean view! I'm sure it helped that the weather was perfect!

The Greeter's Corner- We stumbled into this restaurant when we were hunting for breakfast. They have a great patio overlooking the beach and the food was delicious! I had a seafood omelette and it was so good!

Big Fish Tavern- This place used to be called the House of Big Fish and Cold Beer which I thought was kind of hilarious and very specific. They're menu has a huge selection of amazing seafood items so if you don't like seafood, this might not be the best place for you. I had the lobster mac and cheese and it was really really good. My friends enjoyed their wide variety of beers.

Tea House on Los Rios- This is a great little tea shop in San Juan Capistrano. It's in the most adorable historic district and since it was October, we caught some fall leaves and some gorgeous ambiance. The afternoon tea set was delicious and it was such a relaxing way to end our trip!

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