Weekly Recap #11, 2023

I have to admit, I feel like I need another weekend after this hectic week. Monday and Tuesday were my last full days in Puerto Rico before a long travel day home on Wednesday (you can read more about the vacation here). I went back to work on Thursday and Friday, and then I spent the weekend celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with friends. As fun and relaxing as vacation can be, I’m now realizing the dark side of taking time off—it’s very stressful trying to catch back up! I’m so grateful that I get next Friday off work so I can ease back into things… Already looking forward to doing nothing over the long weekend.

Monday, March 13

My dad, one of my aunts, and I spent most of the day on a snorkeling tour off the island of Vieques! We took an hour-long boat ride to the secluded beach, snorkeled for several hours, and drank and ate before returning to the mainland. The tour was originally supposed to go to the island of Culebra, which supposedly has some of the best beaches in the world, but the water was too dangerous for that longer boat trip. No complaints here though, Vieques was a dream—white sandy beaches and the most clear, turquoise water I’ve ever seen! I didn’t edit the colors in this pic at all, if you can believe it… My back got fried two days ago at the beach while snorkeling, so I knew to wear my super sexy rash guard today.

Once back in my aunt’s neighborhood, we went on a walk through a Pterocarpus forest, which is a rare type of tree, and then strolled through the golf course to spot some fireflies. We ate dinner at home and spent the evening chatting, after a fun yet tiring day of swimming.

Tuesday, March 14

Our last full day in Puerto Rico… *sheds silent tear.* We drove into the mountains today to a very authentic road-side restaurant to eat lechón, which is a full pig cooked on a skewer. It and all of the traditional Puerto Rican sides were so delicious! We then explored Charco Azul, a nearby lagoon. My dad and I took a little dip but didn’t stay long, as the water was surprisingly cold. This one-shoulder swimsuit was so cute for the occasion! I just wore this swim coverup the rest of the day.

We got a yummy dinner at my aunt’s favorite restaurant in Fajardo before my dad, my other aunt, and I embarked on a bioluminescent kayaking tour. We paddled two-person kayaks down a narrow canal into a large mangrove, one of few places on Earth where you can experience bioluminescent microorganisms. It was incredible to be out in near-pitch blackness, swish your hand around in the water, and watch it sparkle with light. Such a cool experience!

Wednesday, March 15

We had a slow morning before my dad, my uncle, and I drove back to the airport in San Juan to return our rental car and fly home. My dad and I didn’t get back to my apartment until around 11 pm, but I was very grateful for a shockingly smooth travel day.

Palm Print Tank: H&M, $15 ($2.14 per wear), last worn here | Straight Leg Jeans: Express, $15 ($1.15 per wear), last worn here | Sneakers: UIN Footwear, gifted by brand, last worn here

Thursday, March 16

I worked from home today, and it was a bit of a brutal awakening to not only go back to work but to also wake up to a few inches of snow. If I wasn’t ready for spring before my tropical vacation, I sure as hell am now… I was so uninspired getting dressed in cold weather clothing that I just threw on this sweater and jeans, not accessorizing at all.

It was fun to host my dad in my apartment and for him to hang out with me throughout the workday. I made us pancakes for breakfast, and then my boyfriend joined us in the evening for dinner.

Purple Sweater: Hand-me-down, last worn here | Grey Jeans: Express, $19 ($0.39 per wear), last worn here | Black Booties: Vivaia, gifted by brand, last worn here

Friday, March 17

I woke up bright and early to take my dad to the airport… It always surprises me that goodbyes keep getting harder and harder instead of easier. I worked from home again today, and then my boyfriend and I went to my friend’s apartment for a St. Patrick’s Day party. It was really fun to catch up and celebrate together. We also played a new-to-me drinking game, which is a combination of beer pong and flip cup that I highly recommend.

I went back and forth about what to wear tonight. It turns out, I don’t own that much green, and my two green tops seemed too fancy for a house party. I opted for a black crop top instead and wore a green necklace, along with fun green eye makeup, which you can see in this Reel.

Black Crop Top: H&M, $15 ($1.67 per wear) | Black Pleather Jacket: Blank NYC via local boutique, $25 ($0.45 per wear), last worn here | Cropped Flared Jeans: Express, $40 ($0.87 per wear), last worn here | Black Booties: Vivaia, gifted by brand, last worn here

Saturday, March 18

I spent the day planning my friend’s 23^rd birthday. If you recall from this blog post, we always go all-out for each other’s b-days, and it’s become increasingly difficult to come up with fresh ideas with each passing year. I’m very excited for what I have in store for her, though, and can’t wait to share more in a couple of weeks! In the evening, I threw on the same outfit and green makeup as yesterday, and my boyfriend, his friend, and I went to downtown Denver for a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl. It was really fun, but I wish some of the bars had actually played Irish music!

Blue Sweater: Sundance Outlet, $45 ($7.50 per wear), last worn here | Cropped Flared Jeans: Express, $25 ($1.04 per wear), last worn here | Leopard Heels: Vivaia, gifted by brand

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Sunday, March 19

My boyfriend and I watched the last episode of “The Last of Us” today since I was in Puerto Rico when it aired. Otherwise, I spent the day trying to catch up on some blog work, including taking pictures and writing my weekly recaps. I never bothered getting dressed.

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And thus concludes the Puerto Rico weeks-in-my-life! I had such an amazing time on my vacation, and now I’m looking forward to getting back into a routine this coming week. I hope you’ve had a great two weeks, and thanks for sticking with me.

 

Miles of smiles,

Grace