Good Morning Friends! And Happy Valentine’s Day! Eric and I just returned from a wonderful weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona with my cousin, her husband, our grandmother, and my aunt, and uncle. It was so relaxing. Do any of you have a happy place? Just one in particular that soothes your soul? Mine is the beautiful southwestern home that overlooks the desert that was once my grandparents’ and now is my aunt and uncle’s. Sitting  out on the deck looking out at the saguaros and listening to the birds chirp is the most calming and relaxing experience.

The house is filled with gorgeous Navajo art, beautiful pottery, and intricate rugs, paintings, and figurines. My grandmother has fabulous taste and and eye for interior design.

I have a million memories of this place and visiting every other year growing up for spring break. There were years where we rode horses, some where we dug for gold at the kid’s camp, and every year where we swam at the pool and took tennis lessons. I loved my trips to Arizona so much that I decided to go out to school there.

Isn’t the pool just gorgeous? Swimming lanes are more common these days but they weren’t when this was built. My grandfather was a swimmer and wanted that lane to do laps. I have fond memories of him jumping in and doing his morning swim routine. They keep the water pretty chilly (it is so expensive to heat!) and very clean (limited chlorine!)… What isn’t pictured is an attached shallow pool with rocks and a fountain behind those steps in the water on the right. That’s where we used to climb and splash when were little.

 Over the weekend we spent our time sipping coffee and making breakfast. That seems to be a tradition with my family and I love it :) Mornings are my favorite. We visited town twice… Carefree, Arizona… you can’t make this stuff up! And the rest of the weekend was spent in the sunshine hitting golf balls, hiking, lying by the pool, and lots of walks. Every night we would find a new spot to watch the sunset because they are unbelievable. My camera phone did not do it justice.

Ellie’s black dress is hiding it well, but she and Nick are having a baby this May and I’m so glad I got to spend time with them over the weekend! She’s the first of my cousins on the Schneiders side to have a baby! I’m so pumped because Ellie and I had so much fun as kids and I can’t wait for this next generation.

We hope to make this trip to Arizona an annual tradition :)

I had Eric snap a picture of me in this romper (perfect for AZ) because they now sell it at Nordstrom Rack for 50% off what I bought it for at Nordstrom last year. I’m wearing a size small for reference. If you like either of my outfits, shop them here:

Romper | Booties | Sweater | Earrings

I hope you enjoy today! I’ll be wearing red and pink, eating chocolates, and enjoying every moment because I love all holidays.

Cheers! xxx

arizona carefree AZ desert mountain scottsdale