You guys, today Erika and I are sharing all about our recent trip to Turks & Caicos!
WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!
If you’ll recall, many, many years ago, we set out to do a big birthday trip when each of us turned 40.
First up…
…Andrew turned the big 4-0, and we went to Mexico!
Tab and I have birthdays that are pretty close together, and we both wanted to do the same thing, so we made our birthday trip one big combo trip to…
The youngest of the group decided she wanted to celebrate her 40th birthday in TURKS AND CAICOS!
Sign. Me. Up.
Even though Erika’s birthday isn’t until August, this was the best time of year for all of us to travel, so we celebrated a bit early and had an amazing time! I guess this means, we just get to keep celebrating our favorite girl between now and her actual birthday 🙂 .
Here are a few pics and some details on our trip to Turks to celebrate E turning 40!
Tab and Erika were already in Orlando for a work trip, so Andrew and I flew from Dallas to Miami super late on Saturday night and stayed in the airport hotel so that the next morning, we could all meet up in Miami…
Today’s outfit is brought to you by Etsy. Ha! I bought everyone hats from THIS VENDOR (she was amazing!), and then I bought myself this tee from THIS VENDOR (she was amazing too!).
The two of us were ready to celebrate Erika!
We met up and flew from Miami into Turks and then headed to our resort…
…my amazing team here at Mix and Match Travel Agency sends clients to Turks quite often and told me that the Grace Bay Club would be the perfect spot for this trip. They were correct 🙂 .
Our rooms were fabulous, but….
…the view was unbelievable!
We checked in and headed straight to lunch and then…
…to the beach. Geez, I love these people!
Later that night, we cleaned up and headed out to…
…Coco Bistro where we had reservations for dinner.
My dress for dinner on this night is only $18 and comes in so many other colors!
Dinner was delish! We had reservations for dinner on all three nights, but this first night was my favorite. I think we sang Happy Birthday to Erika at least 45 times on this trip. Ha!
The next morning…
…was gorgeous!
I took my coffee and…
…headed outside to do my quiet time and a little work.
After that…
…we all met up at the gym. Love me some Vuori shorts and tank 🙂 .
After a workout and breakfast, the four of us…
…headed back to the beach where Erika brought us hats too! Ha! We are two peas in a pod 🙂 .
Not too shabby for a Monday.
We enjoyed breakfast and lunch each day here at the resort. I’ve been to a lot of gorgeous beaches, but I’m not sure I’ve ever been to one as stunning at this.
What did we do all day? Well, those three wouldn’t let me read my Kindle, so we talked and laughed and laughed and laughed some more as we sat here on the beach.
Did you know that while we were gone, it was May 2nd which was the day Andrew proposed…TWENTY YEARS before. On May 2, 2003, I said my best YES ever.
Later that night, we cleaned up again and…
…headed to Grace’s Cottage for dinner. It was so charming! Another great meal!
We were able to walk from our resort right into town and enjoyed dessert and live music at this spot too.
On Day 3, I only have one picture, buuuut…
…it’s a good one 🙂 .
We had a wonderful three days in Turks celebrating my bestie and her 40th birthday!
I really couldn’t count the number of times we’ve all traveled together (as a group or on girls trips/guy trips), but it’s ALWAYS the best time. Now that our 40th birthday trips have come and gone, it’s time to start planning for the big 5-0!
Now, I know I’m going to get asked this a lot today, so I will try and answer it here. I think the most popular question today will be “Did you like Turks or the Dominican Republic better?”. If you’ll recall, we went just this past March…
…to the DR with all of the kiddos and LOVED IT! You can read all about it HERE.
The four of us talked a lot about it and our honest answer is that both of these trips were very different. Where we stayed/what we did in the DR was much livelier on a bigger property. We had a blast, and our kids absolutely loved it too. I have no complaints and would go back in a heartbeat. We stayed on property the entire time and loved the food, the activities, the waterpark, the beach, our rooms. It was amazing. Turks was amazing for very different reasons. It was very quiet, chill and relaxing. It truly felt like you were on the edge of the Earth in the most beautiful and peaceful environment. Our resort was much smaller and very boutique-ish. It was oh so calm and beautiful.
If you are interested in either, the best way to figure out where you should go is by reaching out to my travel agency 🙂 . We would love to discuss both with you and find the best fit for you and your desires. Shameless plug? Of course it is! We love creating custom vacations for all of our clients, so we want to create one for YOU too!
For more information on our other vacation planning destinations, check out my own posts where I share details on my family taking a two week European land and sea vacation, our fabulous time at Disney’s Aulani resort, a Walt Disney World land and sea vacation, and much more HERE!
Mix and Match Travel Agency would LOVE to send you on your next vacation too! We offer our services to cruises around the world, Hawaii, Walt Disney World, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and any other international destination. Just a reminder that, as much as we love places like NYC, Nantucket, ski vacations and other domestic destinations, we are not currently providing services there.
That wraps up this Thursday and our Turks trip! I better head out because I have a super fun and busy day. You can keep up with me on IG! I will be back tomorrow though. In the meantime, have a wonderful, wonderful day! xx
Beth Knecht says
I just love the beaches in Turks! The sand is so soft, and the water is picture perfect! So fun!
Dustie Day says
We’re headed to beaches in Turks next year, booked through you all! Seriously cannot wait 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re going to have the BEST time!!!
Grace says
Hello Shay! I have been following your blog for a few months and just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed it. I am not a mom or wife, but I love your content about early mornings, cooking, organization, and traveling. (The cake bar recipes are delish!) Reading your blog has been part of my morning routine. Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww! Grace, thank you so much! I’m so honored that you read my blog and so blessed by your comment! xx
Erika Slaughter says
What if I plan another getaway on my real birthday?! 😂😂😂
Mix and Match Mama says
Sign me up!!
Nicole DiDonato says
When in August is Erika turning 40? My husband turns 40 on August 12!
Mix and Match Mama says
Her birthday is the 2nd!!
Taylor says
Clare just sent my husband & me to Greece! It was fabulous.
Mix and Match Mama says
YAY!!!!! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your vacation!
Kelly Marie Sites says
Hi, Here is a question for you- my husband and I love to travel and do so often, however, because of a busy life we can’t plan a trip until maybe 2 months out at best. Too many things come up (with my work mainly) to plan it super early. How do you guys plan trips, not really knowing about things like Ashby’s surgeries, school stuff, schedules, things that come up?
Hugs,
Mix and Match Mama says
For the most part, we’re able to plan trips in advance, but when we need to, we’ll plan them a bit closer to the departure date. At our travel agency, we plan some trips for clients 18 months out and other trips 2 weeks out…there’s almost always a way.
Elspeth Mizner says
Love following along with your trips! Looks like a great time!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Susan says
Turks and Caicos looks beautiful! It is on my bucket list.
I must say the sunburns on all of you are alarming. Skin cancer is no joke.
All the serums, facials, Botox …won’t help sun damage.
Stay well!
Mix and Match Mama says
I think the photos are not doing it justice. I wouldn’t say any of us got sunburned at all.
Kristine says
Just to clarify, on your Instagram post both you and Erika said you were “crispy”, does that not mean sunburnt?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t recall feeling sunburned, but we certainly did enjoy the sun. We had a wonderful time!
Kristine says
You deleted my question?
Mix and Match Mama says
I didn’t delete your question. I didn’t check my blog for over 3 days as I was traveling and “off work”. I just now checked and had 29 comments to publish…including both of yours. No need to assume the worst 😉 .
Laur says
Haha! Instagram comments seemed
to allude to some major crisps🤣 Glad you all had fun though!
Mix and Match Mama says
So much fun!!
Andi Fairley says
Beautiful!! My husband and I hope to visit there next summer… Shay where is your anklet from? Is it waterproof?
Mix and Match Mama says
When we were in Nashville, several of us got permanent jewelry. I had two bracelets and an anklet put on. It was just a random little shop in Nashville that did it.
Joanne says
That sounds lovely!!
Emily says
Hi Shay! Could you please share where your blue and white coverup is from in the first pic. Thank you!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I bought that two years ago from ShopBop. I love it so much! I wish it were still in stock.
K.K. says
So, so amazing! And I appreciate the comparison of the two. I’m getting the itch to call your travel agency soon! 🙂
Kimbrough says
So you stayed 3 nights in total?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s correct!
hayley beck says
I want to hear your proposal story!!! Get andrew on here and tell it to us!!
Sheaffer says
Looks like such a great time!
Sally says
Looks like a fun time! We went to Turks & Caicos in 2015 for our anniversary. I couldn’t stop talking about that beautiful, blue water after seeing it on a blog…so, we made it happen!! We are headed back in July for our 20th anniversary! Can’t wait! It’s my favorite beach ever!
Natalie says
My family of 4 is headed there in July!! Did you do the airport fast pass in Providenciales? It seems like that is a must from the many things I’ve read. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I do think it’s a must. We had the time and decided not to do it…and immediately regretted it.