travel – BATB

St. Pete Staycation

We are so fortunate in Florida to have some really beautiful beaches and resorts “within reach”…and some of my favorites just happen to be pink (how perfect is that?) 😉

The Vinoy Renaissance in St. Petersburg is one of the those fabulous, pink resorts that always seems to capture my heart. Located on the bay in downtown St. Pete, it is a short 30 minute drive from Tampa, but can really feel worlds away if you let it!

Although we technically only spent the day here, it was just enough time to let go and get caught up with two of my best friends. We used to do weekend trips to Palm Beach (I’m ready to go back whenever y’all are!), but it seems like everyone’s schedules are more jam-packed than ever. These days are few and far between now, so it makes me treasure the time we get to spend together that much more.

The hotel is currently undergoing some major renovations, but the pool has already been completed, and it is such a fun spot to spend a sunny day at. There are gorgeous water views, plenty of pool boys to bring your drinks, and very generous pink lounges (you can see that three girls easily fit on just two chairs)… I mean, what more can a gal ask for?!

I have an idea… 😉 We really wanted to take advantage of everything the hotel had to offer, so we booked spa treatments that just happened to coordinate with the summer rain showers we experience almost every afternoon. The timing was honestly perfect. After a few pool drinks, lots of laughs, and plenty of sun (it doesn’t take long here), we gladly headed into the cool, dark day spa and let the real relaxation begin.

I was WAY overdue for a massage (driving everyday can do a number on you), so I opted for a custom Moroccanoil massage, which was a full-body with some deep-tissue focused specifically on my areas of concern. I’ve used Moroccanoil for years on my hair and skin and LOVE the unique woodsy, slightly chocolate-ly scent that the oil has. It warms up in your hands and having someone rub it all over my body was truly a treat! I didn’t even mind some of it getting in my hair 🙂 I would highly recommend this treatment, especially after drying your skin out in the sun and pool.

After our spa sesh, we had worked up an appetite, and headed over to Paul’s Landing for a late lunch. It is one of several restaurant options on-site, but by far the tastiest and best view! I ordered the fish of the day, blackened red-snapper (my fave <3), and I can honestly say that it was some of the best snapper I’ve had here in Florida. I find all too often–even in some of the nicer restaurants–that my fish is overcooked. I was really impressed with my dish and the decor was adorable, a win-win in my book.

It was still raining while we ate, so we had to head back to the spa and enjoy the jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms (bummer)! Although it was a designated ‘quiet area,’ we had the entire place to ourselves, so we may have been a little louder than is considered appropriate. The spa has yet to undergo renovations, but it does the trick, and it was the best way to escape the thunderstorms.

Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end, and we decided around 5:30 we should probably wrap things up. One of my favorite features of the Vinoy–and definitely the best way to end any day there–is the veranda. Sitting in the rocking chairs or at the bar (yes, there’s a full-service bar that also dishes out food) and taking in some last minute views of the harbor is the way to go.

I can honestly say our “staycation” was truly a day for mind, body, and soul, and was desperately needed. My abs seriously hurt from laughing (or maybe from actually working out again… we’ll never know)! We are already planning our next “day-cation” and hoping it lives up to the experience we had here at the Vinoy!

Special to the Vinoy Concierge for letting us hang around all day 😉

XX Hannah

Molly’s swimsuit: Aerie
Stephi’s swimsuit: L*Space
My swimsuit: Inamorata

Pit(ti) Stop

The Enoteca Pitta Gola e Cantina (AKA the worlds most quaint boutique wine bar) was the perfect place for a ‘pit’ stop 😉 before visiting Boboli Gardens.

This is a spot that I stumbled upon when I was walking around Florence by myself. Later, after speaking with some of our group, I found out it was on many people’s hit lists. They have a cheeky sign reading “No water, only wine” that might have lured me in, but the selection, service, and surroundings made me stay. And rest assured, they have plenty of both beverages.

Their website reads:

“The shelves of the Enoteca are lined with small production, high-end wines that are hand selected to meet their ridgid standards.

Focusing on small production, handcrafted Tuscan wines, only the best producers make the cut, often little known and family owned wineries.

Many of these wines are offered by the glass and accompanied by the vast knowledge of the owners of the history, culture, traditions and wine making processes in Italy.”

This is spot on and better than anything I could have jotted down!

The place is SMALL, clearly, part of its charm. Luckily, it wasn’t crowded that day and I wasted no time pulling up to the cool marble bar and enjoying a dry glass of bubbly with the other patrons. Both the customers and staff were far more knowledgeable about the offerings than I was and everyone was happy to share their insight and a few samples or two 😉

Probably the most unique thing I tried while there was an ‘orange wine,‘ which is neither sweet nor made from oranges. I had never seen wine this color before or tasted anything quite like it. The first sip was strange, but in a way that I would love to try it again. All in all, Enoteca Pitti is a gem of a place and deserves a spot on anyone’s Florence to-do list.

Stopping to Smell the Roses

If you’re ever in Florence, or considering going, do yourself a favor and visit Boboli Gardens.

I’ll admit, I had NO clue what we were stumbling into. But it was magnificent. We got lucky with the weather again for a bit, and it was a magical, springtime, stop-and-smell the roses moment.

Everything is some form of pastel: flowers, buildings, art. It felt like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette meets The Secret Garden, AKA heaven. I had the biggest heart eyes all afternoon.

It’s not hard to imagine myself spending similar sunny days here, taking leisurely strolls, misidentifying flowers, and chatting about whatever random thoughts come to mind.

Of course, stopping by the Enoteca Pitta Gola e Cantina (wine bar) located across the street from the entrance to Boboli is a must before you go. It made the many stairs and hills more bearable on a warm day.

One of the most charming and colorful areas on the grounds are the Giardino del Cavaliere. Unbelievable views of the Arcetri (a hillside area full of landmark buildings) and the famous Torre del Gallo–an idyllic, castle-like building that is clearly visible–can be taken in here.

Inside the charming pink and turquoise home (this color combo–I die) is the porcelain collection belonging to the Pitti Palace. Imagine the daintiest, most detailed plates and platters you can think of. They are situated inside of this building, along with some historic art and painted glass chandeliers that will make you just swoon.

Be warned, there is no air conditioning or adult beverages nearby, so come prepared and wear smart shoes.

Some of the staircases are more attractive than others 🙂 and easier to climb. There was definitely some steeper areas and walkways that were simply dirt and rocks. My shoes didn’t have much tread and admittedly were not the best options for the walk.

But every slip, slide and step was worth each view we saw! Taking in the panorama of the hillsides, the city, and closeups of buildings like the fairytale Kaffehaus made the sweating and swearing all worth it 🤣

This was one of my favorite days and outfits on the trip. My dress is a Bloomingdale’s exclusive and perfect for days like these…get it before it sells out!

XX Hannah