They say friends can make you laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more.β‘
Besides crying because of laughing so hard, this basically sums up our moms getaway to Anna Maria Island.Β This little island left us with some magical memories. β¨
This year we flew Frontier, and you just canβt beat a $66 round trip flight (minus the 2.5 hr. delay on the way there and hefty baggage fees π).Β A quick hour drive from Tampa, grocery run to Publix, and Beach Bums bike rental, and we were ready for our week of R&R. Β
The bike rental Brooke lined up was clutch.Β Our first full day was super foggy, so we biked all over the island exploring. The Rod and Reel Pier could not have been more precious and all the quaint colorful cottages just made my heart skip a beat β€οΈππ
Pine Avenue was perfection for shopping, lunch at Poppos Taqueria, and made to order donuts at The Donut Experiment π. Β
By day #2 we were itching for the sun to come out, but we made the best of the morning by drive down to Longboat Key and Lido Key.Β D A N G E R … lots of adorable boutiques and pastry shops.Β π¬
By noon the sun finally broke through and we b-lined it to Lido Key beach.Β The gulf coast beaches and water could not be more dreamy, and we loved everything about our first beach day and every single one that followed. π
The rest of week was nothing short of sunshine and long beach walks.Β We walked just across the street from our Airbnb cottage for the beach access because it was so convenient and the beach was not crowded.Β ππΌ
Our little Airbnb did not disappoint with Afternoon play in our heated pool and some delicious gourmet home cooked meals…coziness overload. ππΌββοΈ
… and not to be missed, the evening Sunsets…
We saved our last two nights for dinner out, and our first meal at The Waterfront Restaurant overlooking the bay was delish!Β Outdoor seating with water views and plate full of giant sea scallops cooked to perfection. Β The calamari app was also ππΌ Baby and I were all smiles. Β
We had our sights set on a sunset dinner at the Sandbar restaurant our last night, but everyone else on the Island had the same idea making it an almost 2 hour wait π¬. We did watch the most gorgeous sunset and then biked around looking for another option. Β
We landed at the Sign of the Mermaid restaurant, and hours of laughter later, Iβm so glad we did.Β We walked in to a pretty sad little joint that really could use some new decor, fewer post it notes, and an actual door to the bathroom instead of a curtain, but we were pleasantly surprised at how good the food was!Β My favorite was a toss up between the waiterβs responses to Brookeβs wine order …βWell let me tell you what options on the menu we do still haveβ, which included βone whole bottle of wineβ … and then coming out with a giant fish bowl of red wine OR his response when we asked what came with the fish dish, βWell nothing, but sometimes (if we are lucky?? π€) the chef will add 3 baby potatoes and some broccoliβ … πΒ
The elderly regulars in their plaid pants and pastel windbreakers were in heaven, though, and I literally went to bed that night crying laughing with Brooke over the whole scene.Β It was so good π€£
Iβm so thankful this trip came together just 12 days before we left … a girls trip is ALWAYS a good idea and keeps the heart happy +Β healthy. π
