Years ago, Tab, Erika, Andrew and I said we wanted to take a special trip in honor of each of us turning 40…well, this year, three out of the four of us do!
What? What?
How did that happen???
Each of us get to pick our destination/what we want to do and then the others are supposed to make it happen and make it magical. Andrew wanted a beach destination where he could enjoy the sun and relax, so we decided to take him to Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico for a special birthday weekend.
Spoiler alert: we had the BEST time!!!
Last Thursday morning, here we are up bright and early at the airport ready to fly from DFW to Cancun. When we left the house that morning (at 4:30 AM), I was wearing a different outfit…right when we pulled up in front of the Slaughter’s house, I pretended like Erika had texted me to check something she was packing. I ran in the house really quickly and then we all came out in our super loud and obnoxious Andrew shirts. Hahahahaha! He could not stop laughing! We made quite the scene walking through the airport and boarding our flight in these tees.
A quick 2.5 hours later, and we were in Mexico ready to enjoy the sun!
I can’t quit it with these t-shirts. They still make me laugh. We bought them at Yes Custom and were really pleased with the quality!! I think my favorite part was that his face was also on the back. Hahahaha!
The four of us immediately headed to lunch and checked out the property…
Clare here at Mix and Match Travel Agency is the queen of Mexican vacations, so we asked her where we should stay and she immediately said Grand Velas.
After lunch, we headed back to check in, and then we distracted Andrew so that the three of us could change into our suits…
He couldn’t sit up. Andrew was laughing so hard that he could not even sit up. I’m still dying over these suits!!! We also used Yes Custom to create these as well.
With our “Andrew” suits on…off to the beach we go!
Just two girls on the beach enjoying their Thursday!
After a fun afternoon at the beach, we cleaned up and got ready for dinner at the resort. I’m so in love with my dress (now 40% off) and heels. They just felt FUN to wear on vacation 🙂 ! You can find my necklace HERE.
All dressed up and off to dinner!
Clearly without kids to photograph…I will photograph the scenery! 😉
We celebrated Andrew at their yummy Mexican food restaurant that night! It. Was. So. Much. Fun!
The next morning, we slept in and then got pool-ready for breakfast…
…my coverup is sold out, but this one is from the same brand and is the same style just a different print (both one size fits all). It went great with my beach bag from Target and my Shay necklace!
After our yummy breakfast…
…it was so delish…
…we settled here for the day. Good book, good view, good food and drinks, great friends…the perfect day.
Ohhhhhhh! There’s no one I’d rather travel with than these people here…
…lots of fun for Andrew’s birthday!
Once again, later that night, we cleaned up and enjoyed their delicious Italian restaurant for our dinner. The food at Grand Velas was on another level! We tried so many dishes, but the mushroom lasagna from this night will forever be in my heart. Those earrings and that Amazon dress from like 3 years ago were perfect for the occasion.
We woke up on our third and final day ready to once more hit the pool area and enjoy the sun…
…I had all of my beach bag essentials…baseball cap, Yeti, reusable straw, Kindle, bottle of water, and sunscreen! That is the coverup from last year that I still wear and love along with my flip flops.
It was so good the day before, we decided to just repeat it again.
So gorgeous!! This resort was just so gorgeous!
For our last night in Mexico, we had reservations at their French restaurant as our farewell supper. Also, these earrings here just make me HAPPY!
We didn’t have any fun at all 😉 .
The next morning, we were up early and back home in time to celebrate Mother’s Day with our kiddos!
So…where are Tab and I going later on this year for our birthdays? His is in August and mine is in October…we’ve decided to join forces and create one big Bucket List-type trip in 2022 instead, so stay tuned. If you want more information on our travel agency’s amazing vacation planning, we’d love to help YOU too! Contact us today!
One last thing that I mentioned yesterday but wanted to say again…
…I was so excited on our trip to use my Colleen Rothschild Discovery Kit! I’ve blogged about this before, but it’s travel-sized containers of her most popular products, and it was PERFECT for packing! It would also be perfect for trying out a variety of her products before committing to the larger sizes. Right now, she is having 25% off site-wide with code FAM25, so I wanted to let you know! This is not only my favorite skincare line, but my mom’s too! This is a great deal right now!
Happy Thursday, friends!!! xo
Erika Slaughter says
SO MUCH FUN!!! And I couldn’t get over our gorgeous that resort was! Every time we walked outside I was talking about it! Clare knocked it out of the park with that recommendation!
Tami says
Erika! Would love to know where your beach hat is from with the top being open!?! SO CUTE!
Marie says
Where are your platform sandals (Erika) from that you wore going to the airport on the day you were leaving?
Kristen says
I was just about to ask this question.. would love a link for Erika’s sandals!
Elspeth says
What a fun fun trip!!! So glad you got to get away and I can’t wait to see where you go next!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
SC says
Happy 40th to your Andrew!!! What a fun trip and gorgeous destination! Is this an adult only resort? Just curious as we are planning a trip to the beach later this year too.
Mix and Match Mama says
This resort is not adult only and would be FANTASTIC for families!! They do have an “over 12” tower for guests (where we stayed) and some of the restaurants are adult-only.
Kelly M Sites says
My husband and I just got back from 8 glorious days at the Valentine in Riviera Maya- (I’ve been once before with my sister) It is OUTSTANDING. Highly suggest it. The BEST restaurants ever and great beach. Wonderful staff.
kathy says
It just makes me happy to see what a good time you all had.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well that is really sweet! xx
Rachel says
Looks so fun! Can’t wait to see what the Tab and Shay swimsuits and shirts will look like on the next trip ?
Mix and Match Mama says
I really opened a can of worms didn’t I? 😉
Carly says
What time do you typically wake up on vacation?
Mix and Match Mama says
On this one without kiddos, we slept in later…like 7:30ish each day.
Martha says
That was my one and only question too – what does Shay consider sleeping in..? 😉 So happy for you that you were able to enjoy a few adult days away!
Sara says
Do you mind discussing what you had to do to travel to and back from Mexico for COVID protocol? Also was mask wearing a thing at the resort? (I know this can be such a hot topic and I am not wanting to fire up a discussion; I am just curious)
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! We had to provide a negative COVID test before coming BACK into the US (but not going into Mexico). Each resort is different, but this property was able to test us there on site and send us the results with a QR code that we presented at the airport before flying home. The hotel requested masks on while inside but they were not required outdoors.
Sara says
Very helpful! Thanks for sharing.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Happy birthday to Andrew! Looks like you had a blast! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Clare Butler says
You guys! The Andrew gear, the resort, Shay – that black dress! Love it ALL! So happy you guys got to take this trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for helping us pick the perfect spot!
Kelly says
I thought it looked familiar! That’s where they filmed Netflix “Love is Blind!”
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s what Erika said! I need to watch that show!
Kristy Moore says
You’ll love it-totally classic reality t.v.!
Annie says
So fun!! Where is your cute pineapple necklace from?! Love it!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Isn’t it cute? I bought it years ago from Alex and Ani. It reminds me of summer.
Jen says
Ahhh that sun and surf looks heavenly…
Have you linked anywhere those cute aviator sunglasses with the pink (?) rims? Those are adorable!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re on tomorrow’s post!!!
Brittany DiGiovanni says
I was going to ask this exact same question – loved them! Can’t wait for Shay to share 🙂
Marla says
How many days would you say the discovery kit lasts? Just trying to determine if it would take me through a longer trip. Happy birthday to Andrew! What a blast!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m on my second one! My first one lasted me the duration of our seven night trip to Park City over Christmas with a bit to spare!
Lisa says
This resort is beyond AMAZING!!! I’ve been here a few times with my husband’s company. The spa is insane! I love everything about this place. Glad you had a wonderful time!! And happy 40th to Andrew (my hubby turned 40 the day before on April Fools!)
Lorie says
Can you share a link for Andrew’s light blue pants please?
Mix and Match Mama says
He said he ordered them from Polo!
Clare W says
Okay so you wear your apple watch just full in the pool? Why do I still get nervous to get it wet???? Have not tested out the water- proofness of it yet!
Mix and Match Mama says
Which one do you have? If you have a 2 or higher (mine is a 6), they can TOTALLY get wet! Do not worry about it one bit! Mine is wet all.the.time.
Tish says
Reading by the pool/beach all day is my kind of vacay! Do you Tab and Andrew read poolside with you and Erika? Are they big readers too? Do you usually do any excursions when at resorts like snorkeling, etc.?
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew brought a book, but I don’t think Tab did. We are totally up for excursions and such but the birthday pool wanted to “chill”, so that’s what we did.
Rachel Kinneberg says
Looks amazing. I love Mexico and am jealous you are such a short/direct flight away! I’m not sure if you ever have been but we loved Excellence Riviera Maya for Adults Only. Checking out this resort now though for a future trip.
Mix and Match Mama says
Living in Dallas is so great because it’s so close to many, many destinations! We’re basically 3 hours or less to anywhere!
Juli McGuire says
Ok so my question is about the straw. Does the hotel not provide any straws now?
Mix and Match Mama says
They do, but I love me a reusable straw with my Yeti 🙂 !
Debbie Lang says
Looks like so much fun!! Happy birthday Andrew. Curious did you need a passport to travel or negative vaccine??
Mix and Match Mama says
You do need a passport to travel to Mexico, and we had to have a negative COVID test result to go back into the United States. We took our test there at the resort.
Kristin Smith says
It looked like you had the place to yourself! Did you find that there were less people there than maybe typically pre-covid?
Mix and Match Mama says
I totally feel like there were less people there right now.
Angela Ellingson says
So much fun!!! You guys are hilarious! Happy birthday Andrew!!
Joanne says
That looks fabulous!! My husband and I turned 40 the same year (just three months apart) and we decided a little vacation away was called for too.
Laura says
The Yes Custom website is … ahem, HILARIOUS.
So glad you all had such a nice time.
Andrea says
Uh…. Tab has hair? Hehehe!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s relatively new! 😉 He decided to grow it out over Thanksgiving and it’s stuck around!! Ha!
ZAMA says
Did you guys go to the beach? how was it? calm? lots of waves? how was the sand? your trip looks amazing!
Mix and Match Mama says
The beach was BEAUTIFUL!! Sandy, no waves to speak of really, the bottom wasn’t too rocky…we got out there quite a bit…the water was gorgeous!
Kristy Moore says
I was supposed to do the exact same thing last year for my 40th-heading to Vegas with my closest girlfriends. However, due to restrictions up here in Canada it looks like we may be not be celebrating in Vegas until 2022! 🙁
I suggest adding Bali onto your bucket list for your big day!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have ALWAYS wanted to visit Bali!!!!!!!!
Janet says
Bali is amazing! Could go back anytime! Our girls were young, but we found things they would enjoy as well as pool and beach time!
Amy says
I’m so jealous! My friends and I had a plan to go on a 40 trip this year as well – except ours was in January so we had to scrap it!
Our shirts said “The one where everyone turns 40” ala Friends!
Looks like a great time!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh! That’s a cute slogan!!!!!
Lauren Sheaffer Sims says
My goodness! SUCH A FUN TRIP!!! That black dress looks amazing on you.