What a WEEKEND!

Hey there guys!!! Things have been good and busy on this end…kiddos,work, extracurricular activities….all that stuff! Hubs and I were finally able to get away for a weekend, much to the chagrin of this guy…Aidan can STAND  when we go way! At 9 (almost 10) he still thinks we all need to be together…all the time! I explained to him that this was a late Anniversary/early Valentine’s Day celebration for us. He said “Isn’t an Anniversary and Valentine’s Day just one day? Why do you need a whole weekend?“😂 #thiskid

This kid is usually like…“See ya!”

That’s a 15 year old for you! 😂

We slipped away to Epicurean Hotel in SoHo, in Tampa.  This is the second time we’ve stayed here and I can’t get enough of this place!!! My photos do not do this place ANY justice! 

Hubs and I settled in and had a light lunch downstairs at Élevage for a light lunch and a cocktail. We haven’t been drinking since October (with the exception of a few on Christmas and NYE) because of Hubs diet. 

Hubs surprised me with a beautiful story about us and our life together-how we started, where we were and where we are going. It was the sweetest story and then….…he gave me a ring. Why is this special, you ask? I stopped wearing my engagement ring about 10 years ago because the prongs shifted and I was afraid I was going to lose the stone.  He found my hiding place for my important and precious jewelry and had it set in a new band. The two outer rings are my existing wedding bands and the center ring is my new engagement ring in the new setting!  Total UGLY crying went on at that moment.  I can’t think of anything more special that my husband has done for me…and he has done A LOT of special things over the years! Truly from his heart (and his wallet,too!😂😂).

The special afternoon set the tone for a special dinner at Ulele. (You-LAY-lee). 

It’s a restaurant with a fusion of Floridian fare right off of the Hillsborough River in Tampa.

This is Ulele….and her story….

Pocahontas ain’t got NOTHING on Ulele!!! #FLwins

The food was nothing short of perfection! We had two wonderful appetizers of Pulpo Carpaccio (yes…octopus!!) and Lollipop chicken…

The octopus was new for me and it was GREAT!! 

Dinner brought even better food….

Miguel had the 10oz filet (sorry…no pic!) and I had the Crackling Pork Shank.

OMG!! Died!!!!!

We had a blast at this place! Please…PLEASE make this restaurant a place to go if you are in Tampa!! 

Leyva STAMP OF APPROVAL!!!

Sunday started out in the AM with a fitness center visit for the both of us. Hubs was on the DREADmill for a 3 mile walk and 2 mile run for me….(PS…this was the first time EVER that Hubs and I were in the gym together! Like in the 20+ years we have been together….#mindBLOWN)

I have a 8k in 2 weeks (Gasparilla) and a 10k a week after that (Promise Run). 

After breakfast, we did some walking around the mall…did a little shopping ( I may or may not have sneaked into Tory Burch and picked up an item) and before we knew it…lunch time!!! We stopped at Miguelito’s Taqueria y Tequilas.  Both of us have wanted…craving Mexican food.  This place did not disappoint! I’d never been to the place before but Hubs had and he always steers me in the right direction when it comes to food!! Sorry I have no pictures because I scarfed it ALL down! 😂

Hubs had another surprise up his sleeve for the evening.  At the Epicurean, there is a theatre where events are held, cooking demonstrations and so on. Hubs signed us up for “Love by Tipsy Candle Light“.  It was a candle making session, with wine and cheese, hosted by a local company, Tipsy Candle Company. This company uses 100% soy wax and essential oils to make candles.  All natural and all good!!!  Why the name Tipsy?? Because they recycle the wine bottles from the hotel and use them as the candle holder!! How fun is THAT????

We were able to make 4 candles- picking one of the 4 essential oils they provided and then making a scent of our own from the other selection of oils.  And…if they liked any of the original candles, they would sell it!! Hubs selected “Mimosa” and his special scent was a combination of Tahitian Vanilla, Bergomot, and ? (which was a mystery scent). I selected “Vanilla Mandarin” and my special scent was a combo of Tahitian Vanilla, ? (the mystery scent), and Georgia Peach.  Sadly we didnt win…BUT…we walked with four candles!!! #winning.  They all smelled so good!! 

Hubs had THE best weekend planned for us! I had a BLAST and it was nice to have the time away for just us!! ❤

Oh…let me just point out something. Remember I said Hubs and I have been on a diet since October? It started the last time we stayed at the Epicurean in October.  This is us that weekend….

And this is Hubs now…

70 pounds lighter (or later)!!! Can you believe it??? I am so proud of him!!! 

Hope you all enjoyed your Valentine’s Day! 

What did you all do to celebrate??? ❤

****DISCLAIMER- I have not been compensated for anything included on this post. All of the opinions are my own.