I honestly cannot believe it's been a WHOLE month since our wedding and turkey day is just on the horizon!  (How excited is everyone for stuffing and cranberry sauce!?)

Less than 36 hours after the end of our ceremony, the newly-jets boarded a plane on a freezing cold Boston morning bound for Cancun!

Way too early for both makeup and completely open eyeballs.

After a half-day's travel, we landed in Cancun and promptly...stripped off our New England layers to find this:

Not half bad, eh?  If you'll remember, we opted for a relaxing, all-inclusive vacation at Excellence Playa Mujeres.  Playa Mujeres is a very small resort area about 25 minutes North of Cancun and was the perfect adults-only, honeymoon-lovers getaway we were looking for.  

Since I base all of my personal travel on the reviews I read on TripAdvisor and from trusted friends, I thought it prove helpful for me to breakdown our trip into categories and give them a each 1-5 rating.  Stick around if you're looking for some all-inclusive honeymoon fun!

TRAVEL AGENCY: 5

I worked with Global Excellence, an American Express Travel affiliate, based in Warwick, RI and cannot speak highly enough of their services.  They book all of our company's work travel, so I knew right away we'd be in good hands.  As you can probably imagine, I'm quite the stickler when it comes to traveling and saving a buck - so when I spewed out my list of "must-haves" and my "will-not-pay-more-than-$" diatribe and received a positive response back, I knew I had made the right choice.  We got the following included in our travel package for below our seemingly limited budget:

• 7 nights in a deluxe suite with rooftop deck and private plunge pool
• Roundtrip airfare
• Semi-private airport transfers (we only traveled with one other party both from the airport and back, not on a huge bus that made tons of stops)
• Excellence honeymoon package (champagne breakfast in bed, 2 hour hydrotherapy & massage circuit, private dinner on the beach, welcome bottle of champagne and fruit.

ACCOMMODATIONS/RESORT LOCATION: 5

A little off the beaten path, but as we cruised past the strip of resorts that were nearly on top of one another in Downtown Cancun and Playa del Carmen, it felt relieving to reach the end of a long road with double security gates to find only two resorts - both of whom are owned by Excellence Group.

I am still missing our suite complete with 4(!!) beds, a wrap around couch, fully-stocked mini bar, indoor/outdoor jacuzzi, private plunge pool, ocean views, nightly turn-down service with rose petals and the cutest towel animals, and the feeling of utter relaxation.  Seriously, my most difficult decision most days was which bed to lay on.  The room was clean, bright and modern - as was the entire resort.  I swear, they cut the grass down there with tiny scissors or something.  The grounds were beautifully manicured and always smelled like fresh flowers.




THE FOOD: 3

I wish I could give the food a higher overall score, because we certainly had some GREAT meals while we were there, but a few of the restaurants left a lot to be desired!

Here are a list of all of the resorts restaurants and our individual score for each...feel free to skip over if you don't give a hoot!

• Agave (Mexican): N/A -- We never actually ate here, go figure!
• Barcelona (Mediterranean): 4 -- Mr. Jet loved his huge portion of Paella and I had some of the best falafel I've ever tried!
• Basmati (Indian): 5 -- This restaurant was so good, we ate there twice!  From authentic Beef Samosa to Lamb Vindaloo, they were on point with all of the complex flavors that come with Indian food.  This was by far our favorite restaurant.
• Chez Isabelle (French): 3 -- For the busiest restaurant on the resort, I didn't think it was the best flavor-wise.  The ambience was very romantic and warm, but the food wasn't up to our high French-loving standards.  The Filet Mignon let me down a bit, but their mushroom soup brought me right back up.
• The Grill (Steakhouse/Grill): 3 -- We ate here for lunch one rainy afternoon and while my Chicken Tacos delivered some good flavor, the Calamari Nachos we started with...did not.
• Flavor Market (Tapas): 5 -- We ate here almost every night before dinner with some small shared plates.  They immediately bring you out an amazing cheese and olive plate that changes daily and we dined on Mushroom Risotto, Chilled Canteloupe Soup, Seared Scallop with Rosemary - just to name a few.  We'd often hit this place up with a Flirtini just before dinner.
• The Lobster House (duh.): N/A -- This is the other restaurant we didn't try.  We're from New England.  Not trying to be a snob or anything, but nothing beats our lobster...we couldn't even let them try. ;)
• Las Olas (beach bar): 3-4 -- This makeshift restaurant set up every day on the beach and had a different theme each afternoon.  We tried the Taco Day and the Rock'N'Roll American Day.  Neither were great...but neither were awful!  Other days, we opted for room service or the brick oven pizza stand next door.
• Spice (Asian): 1 -- This restaurant really blew it for us.  Our first night there, we felt like Asian and were sorely disappointed by fat-laden duck and a Pad Thai with a tomato(?!) sauce.  Needless to say, we did not return.
• Toscana (Italian): 4 --  I had an amazing Duck and Goat Cheese flatbread here which made up for my less-than-stellar Gnocchi dish.  Mr.  Jet's Braised Leg of Lamb filled his tummy up good as well.  Toscana also doubled as the resort's breakfast buffet which was always consistent and filling!
• Room Service: 3 -- While insanely convenient, nothing from room service blew us away.  I did love that I could take advantage of eating on all 4 of our beds, in our jacuzzi tub, in our pool or even in our bathroom as I got ready.

THE DRINK: 5

The Jet Setters never wanted for any drink the entire week.  Our Mini Bar was stocked with Jose and Smirnoff as well as local rum and soft drinks.  We also visited all of the resort's bars for some pretty great cocktails and cervezas.   I've heard bad things about watered-down bottom shelf cocktails at all-inclusive resorts - but we could not complain about Excellence!


Up next, I'll review our off-resort excursions!

Another holiday season is descending upon us (rather quickly, huh?) and I thought there was no better way to get into the gift-giving spirit than by sharing the gifts Mr. Jet and I gave to our amazing families and attendants.  

If you're stumped on gifts for your girls and guys, maybe these ideas will inspire!

For the parents...

For all of our parents and Nana, we purchased 8x10 frames to match their home decor with an IOU for a printed wedding photo of their choosing.  We also took our parents out for a nice Portuguese feast the night after the wedding as an extra thank you for all of their support.

For the guys...

We bought each of the (adult!) guys one of their favorite craft brews, a ridiculously random bottle opener, and those sweet looking ties they're all rocking!  For the youngins, we paid for their attire and got them each a shiny new toy...never fails.

For Mark's brother, BM P, we changed it up and gifted him a handmade cigar box from Etsy seller, ScissorMill complete with a few of his favorite stogies.  Stogi?  (Image via ScissorMill)

For the ladies...

These gifts took me quite some time to put together and a lot of sneaky questions to my girls to find out their shoe sizes and favorite wines.  Sorry for the deceit, gals! ;)

They each got grey flip flops from Old Navy for when their feet got tired at the reception, a 4x6 frame with our IOU insert matching their home decor (from TJ Maxx/Marshalls), a mirror compact with their first name on it in our wedding colors from Etsy seller, It'sNotBusiness,It'sPersonal, a bottle of their favorite wine (which I deceptively asked them for under the guise of looking for wines to serve at the reception!), and a canvas tote bag with their first initial on it from Etsy seller, ilu.lily.

We could not truly ever thank them all enough for being a part of our special day, but I think booze and monograms were a great start.  

If you're looking for inspiration for your attendants, I definitely suggest finding a few key gifts and tailoring them to their liking or having their names or initials engraved.  This way, the gifts still felt really personal, but it kept Mr. Jet and I from searching every store for any and everything we thought each of them might like!  

Did you gift your bridal party?  What'd ya get 'em!?

**P.S. the Etsy shops listed above come HIGHLY recommended by Mrs. Jet Setter herself!  They were all amazing to work with, kudos to small business!!**

While I'm patiently (ya, right) awaiting our pro-pics from my wonderful uncle over at James F. Reilly Photography, I've jumped into married life full force with my new hubs and we've been loving every minute of the past three weeks.

And since our wedding fund has now become our "buy everything we've needed/wanted for the last year and a half but couldn't justify before" fund, Mrs. Jet Setter has finally afforded herself a new look!

A little PWC and a new pair of PWGs!

We've also allowed ourselves a few indulgences as we spent the weekend in Western Massachusetts, visiting some friends and my alma mater, UMass Amherst!

Apple cider donuts and fresh-baked bagels!  Mmmm...carbs.

We also went to see my music crush and writer of the song I was named after, Elvis Costello!!  He was on a solo tour and stopped at the Calvin Theater in Northampton, MA last Sunday night.  The show was amazing!

Now that the wedding is over, I must say it's really nice not to have to scrimp and save and spend every waking moment on gluing, sewing, cutting, etching or painting.  While I already miss my dear wedding and it feels like a million years have already passed, it's been so nice to move on and settle into married life with Mr. Jet Setter as we start the next chapter in our ever-growing book of lurveeeee.

Any post-wedding indulgences you care to share?

HEY HIVE!!!

Holy Cow - I'm back...and married!!

When they say that your wedding really flies by, I never knew exactly how true that statement was until last Saturday.  I tried my best to really take it all in.  I took tons of mental photos and really LIVED each moment the best I could.  It didn't feel too much like a whirlwind, but by the end of the night, I was really aching for more.  More time.  More dancing.  More cake. :)

We literally (literally...like 30 minutes ago) just returned from our Mexican honeymoon so I'll be back when the wedding dust settles with recaps of both!

For now, my beloved Sox (who made it to the World Series the night of our wedding!!) and I leave you with this teaser courtesy of James F. Reilly Photography:

Yours Truly,

MRS. Jet Setter

Here we are hive, the night before my wedding to the man of my dreams. I'm laying in bed with BM V my side thinking of how tomorrow will go...What will the weather be like?Will Mr. Jet cry when he sees me for the first time?Will I get through my vows, or go completely histrionic?Will anyone notice all of the little things that will inevitably go wrong?At the end of the day though, none of it matters. I get to marry my best friend tomorrow. I get to commit to him in front of my closest friends and family and finally seal this thing up!Thanks to the hive for all of your kind words, great advice and comments that both challenged and entertained me.Thanks to my family and friends for their love and support not only for me, but for Mr. Jet too.Thanks to Mr. Jet for choosing me. For being mine and letting me be his.I'm the happiest girl in the world. I'm in cloud 9 and I never want to come down.Love, Miss Jet Setter

Today, Mr. Jet and I celebrate our 6 year anniversary.

I still remember the night he asked me to be his "girlfriend" - I was working for a local newspaper and we hosted a film festival at the Whaling Museum.  He met up with me at the end of the festival and said he'd like to take things further.  He asked me to be his - exclusively.  For some reason, I think the word exclusive is hilarious.

My response?

"Yes, I will be exclusive ::giggle::...with you ::giggle::...exclusively."

So began the Jets.

Since our first date was dinner and Rhode Island's Jack O'Lantern Spectacular, we re-enact it each year in the middle of October along with a decadent French meal at one of our favorite restaurants in Providence, Pot au Feu (if you're ever in town, A. give me a call! and B. GO HERE for some of the best French food you'll ever have!).  It was important to us to have some time to regroup and celebrate "us" and our 6 years together amidst all of the crazy last-minute planning and prepping.  It's so often we lose sight of the end game when we're really in the thick of it, don't you agree?

Wanna see my favorite pumpkins from last night?

Anyone else re-enact a favorite date or anniversary celebration?  I'm a sucker for tradition....

Tonight, I finished up our guest book!

Need a refresher?  Click here!

I used a vintage milk crate I purchased at the Brimfield Fair back in May as our display piece and MOH J designed the labels and I printed them on Kraft 8.5" x 11" label paper.

If you'll kindly disregard the foam core in the background, here's what our setup will look like, complete with Silver Sharpies for signing the bottles.

And some close-ups...

Anyone else out there drinking their guest book?

Here I am, a mere 3 days before my wedding - churning out our final projects left and right while still finding time to watch my beloved Sox kick some American League ass!

Last night, Mr. Jet and I sat until we were raw-fingered to finish up 140 of these: (all photos personal)

We used Moss cardstock from Paper Source, my trusty baker's twine, and simple copy paper for the insert.

First, we had an Order of Events page outlining the processional/recessional and parts of the ceremony.

The middle spread was reserved for our Wedding party complete with adorable silhouettes to denote our closest friends and family.

Next, we dedicated a page to our loved ones who could not celebrate with us.

Lastly, the back cover page simply lists information from our invitation for reference and commemoration. 

These programs were the last "big" project we had to do before W-Day so I'm really glad and relieved these are all done and packed up!

Are you planning on offering programs at your ceremony?

Another item checked off the Jet Setter To-Do List:

Our card box!  Daddy Jet found an awesome old mail crate at a yard sale last weekend so I crafted a top out of leftover foam core and fabric from my escort boards and used some burlap pennants (don't judge, I bought them at Paper Source) and green raffia so people know what's up.

That's not the only reason I'm writing today, though.  I'm here to chat about the ugly side of crafting.  Sometimes a great-looking craft has a seedy underbelly that you don't even know about.  While you may spend hours at Michaels, A.C. Moore, Joann Fabrics and Hobby Lobby looking for the perfect adhesive - sometimes there is nothing better than DUCT TAPE.  It goes with nothing but fits perfectly on everything.

Here's my seedy underbelly:

Straight duct tape, hive.

No regrets.

What lives under your crafts, hive?



P.S.  GO RED SOX!!! <3

Mr. Jet and I both grew up in the same area, just a town apart, into close families who valued weekends, holidays and birthdays spent together.  While Mr. Jet's paternal grandparents both died before he was born, he has great memories of his Avô and Avó (Portuguese for grandfather and grandmother) while growing up.

I grew up in the same town as my paternal grandparents, affectionately known as "Nana" and "Papa".  In case you haven't been following along, Nana is actually performing our ceremony!  We spent many a Sunday dinner at their house eating mashed turnip and carrot mixed (one of my fave vegetables!) and looking at old photos and doing table puzzles.  My maternal grandparents lived just two towns away (which felt like MILES when I was young!) and I spent so many weekends cooking and gossiping about neighbors with "Grandma Reilly" and watching Red Sox games with "Grandpa Reilly".

Since Nana is our only living grandparent between the two of us, it was really important to honor our deceased grandparents in a special way.  In addition to adding their names to a section of the program, we also collected some photos of them to display at our venue with a candle lit in their memory.

Without further ado, the Jet Setter Family Tree! (personal photos)

Here are my maternal grandparents - Grandma and Grandpa Reilly - on their wedding day.  Recognize the dress?

My paternal grandparents - Papa and Nana - also on their wedding day.  I would do ANYTHING for those glasses, Papa.  You were so far ahead of your time!

Mr. Jet's maternal grandparents.  I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Jet's grandmother a few years ago when she visited from Florida.  She was quite the firecracker at nearly 90 years old!  She grabbed my butt and told Mr. Jet's mother (in Portuguese) that she liked my shape - good for making babies.

Mr. Jet's paternal grandparents - who died in Portugal before Mr. Jet was born - with a special baby appearance by Mr. Jet's dad and uncle!

We had our final walk-through of the venue last week and think we found the perfect place to display these:

The sideboard here will be housing a beverage station so I'm thinking we hang one photo on each set of unused) cabinets.

Did you honor any relatives who are no longer with us?