How was your 4th of July weekend?
We had an insanely busy weekend around these parts, my little (she’s only one year younger than me, yet I call her my little–it’s more like sister) cousin got married this weekend! We don’t have plenty weddings in our family so when we do–it is HUGE. This one was no exception.
I mentioned last week that we would be spending the weekend in beautiful Poughkeepsie which is quite a bit upstate New York and about a 2 hour drive from our home in Brooklyn.
There was a bit of a traffic jam on the way up but we made it to the hotel with maybe 30 minutes to spare. I am SO happy I decided to go with RentTheRunway.com for my dress again because it made looking for my dress extremely easy and fun!
The Wedding
The ceremony was beautiful, I’m not a wedding crier, but I was on this day. She was just so beautiful and I was just SO overcome with HAPPY for her, the waterworks were ON. But that is not the only place the waterworks were on because outside there was a MONSOON! The weather was SO crazy that 10 minutes before the ceremony began everyone’s phone went off simultaneously with a tornado warning!
The ceremony was short and sweet and before you knew it, it was time to party. If you guys think that I know how to dance, my family is just as amazing as I am. The venue was stunning, the food was good and the sweat was so real :).
Celebratory BBQ
We stayed the weekend as there was a celebratory bbq the next day. I spent most of my day on Saturday learning about our family history from our elders, laughing with my cousins and trying my first game of beer pong ever in my life. Since I am not a drinker, my cousins were gracious enough to allow me to play with ginger ale. We lost, BUT I did land a couple of balls in the red cups. 🙂 #squarelife
Holiday Inn Express
We spent both nights in the local Holiday Inn Express. I was really shocked by how beautiful the rooms were! There was a microwave, a fridge twice the size of a normal mini hotel fridge and it was super spacious with a pull out bed in the sofa! The TV was HUGE (at least 45″) and there was a great selection of cable channels to keep the kids busy while we all got ready. The only thing that I didn’t like about the rooms was the fact that there was no vent, so things got really humid and wet really quickly! Other than that they were super helpful (with a complimentary toothbrush and toothpaste because I forgot mine) AND a complimentary breakfast for both days! The food was ok and it certainly did the job.
Departure Day
After breakfast we headed over to the family house to say our goodbyes and wish everyone well. While we were there we were treated to #secondbreakfast this time of the Jamaican variety. #SOyummy
Speaking of Jamaican food…every occasion we are treated to amazing food of our culture from my mother’s generation. We began to become painfully aware that our parents and aunts are getting older and we are so spoiled by them! We never learned how to cook proper Jamaican dishes and so we called an emergency (cousin) meeting to make sure we were covered for future celebrations and parties. Then we found THIS.
A cook book with hardcore authentic Jamaican recipes! I can’t wait to try them out…and maybe share them here? Hmmmm.
We made it back here Sunday night, and happily watched my girl Allyson Felix (read my interview with her here!) qualify for the US team 400M race in Track and Field and on Monday morning I got in a beautiful 6 miles treadmill run at my brand spanking new Blink Fitness that opened 4 blocks away from my house! (SWEET!)
How was your holiday weekend?
Hi! I’m Nellie. I am a busy mama of three, wife to my high school sweetheart who loves to cook, workout and stay organized! I love to share helpful printables, the best recipes and fitness tips for the modern mom. I strongly believe that every mom can feed their family well, take proper care of themselves and have fun along the way! Read my story.
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Barato Travels
Friday 26th of April 2019
Great Post and beautiful pictures. I should state that the lady of the hour looks is so stunning and their hair-styling is amazing. she looks staggering on her Enormous Day.
Prim n Per'fect
Wednesday 18th of April 2018
I must say that the bride looks is so amazing and their hair-styling is awesome. she looks stunning on her Big Day.
Leslie
Saturday 16th of July 2016
Oooohhhh! Where can we find that cookbook? That wedding sounds like a blast. And I still say that your dress was killer. Can't wait to hear about some of those Jamaican recipes!
Tamara
Tuesday 5th of July 2016
Oof - a humid hotel room. I wouldn't like that! Your cousin looks gorgeous. You look gorgeous! Your hair! It's gorgeous.
Danielle
Tuesday 5th of July 2016
Both your dress and the bride's dress are gorgeous! Sounds like a fantastic weekend. My long weekend was great! Day trips, plenty of time spent outdoors and in the sun, good food.