i suwannee: Mexico - playa del carmen and Tulum

Mexico - playa del carmen and Tulum

By Unknown 12/06/2018 travel

it's been a doozy of a week with the giveaway goings on, and we're in nyc setting up the new apartment. it has come to my attention that I have many things to speak of with you, so let's talk thanksgiving in mexico, and judge my times according to my iphone pics.

before we get to Mexico - two quick notes about Venice, ca. we had a wedding in Southern California before we headed south, and stopped in Venice for a couple of nights. dinner at mtn was one of the very best meals I've had in a long time. the charred Japanese sweet potato I decreed THE TASTE OF FALL 2018. also, we stayed in a very cute airbnb that I'd recommend. great location and so perfectly Californian. little things, like the penny tile in the shower and the way the light hit the concrete floors inspired me for projects I'm currently working on.

ok - let's go to Mexico. so tad and I have been to playa del carmen a few times now, particularly at thanksgiving, because his sister lives there. while it's an odd little town because it's super-touristy (the cruise ships drop off there), there are some amazing gems, and plenty to do and see for a few days. we have a few restaurants we love - the cuisine in playa is surprisingly diverse, and more than a few of the restaurants are thoughtfully decorated and really well done.

I love wandering down the Main Street - la Quinta Avenida and taking in all the amazing colors. the tourist trap souvenir shops are chock full of amazing tchotchkes in rainbow colors. even the most ubiquitous items, like the woven fans, the velvet sombreros and the dia de los muertos skulls thrill me. also, there's a beautiful, pristine peaceful Zara at the end of the playa and I go daily, taking the store in quadrants of discovery. today, its back left, tomorrow, the bohemian section of tassels, and the next day, sparkly dresses in the corner. (clearly I like to establish routines wherever I end up)

after a couple of days of eating, catching up on sleep, and wandering about for inspiration, we head to Tulum. tad's sister drives us down - it's about 40 minutes south of playa del carmen. this is the second time we've stayed at ahau, and we're happy there. it's got a good little vibe, it's right in the middle of the jungle strip of happenings and doings, the food is good, and their are dogs abundant. oh, and the people watching is EVERYTHING. this is our little beach bungalow for the week. what. a. view.

on the reg: right across the street from Tulum is casa jaguar. hipper than hip, absolutely beautiful and chic, positioned right in the middle of the jungle, lit by candles and so very loud after midnight (it's the klerb to klerb at). and right up the beach, a 10 minute walk on the sand, is the real coconut, the restaurant at 'eco-chic luxury resort's (i'm not saying that with a straight face) sanara Tulum. we'd hit this up once a day in the afternoon for a smoothie and maybe a salad. perfectly fresh and healthy, it was a feel-good way to catch up each day and find a little routine in the relaxation. also, people watching.

if I'm not people watching, I'm a dog ambassador for the americas.

let's elaborate on the people watching. it's not news to you there's a lot of 'influencing' going down in Tulum-town. check out this chick on the right. I watched her daily photoshoots go down and then would stalk her on IG to see the finished (filtered) results. what a time she's having! tad would force a few pictures on me, and this is really the best I can do. so many blessings. on my heart. but I this is one of the bathing suits I ordered and felt happy about, and I wore these pants from h&m (and these) every day because they embodied jungle-chic meets amish-modesty (btw - these for vacation, and then for christmas parties, right?)

my everyday essential for the beach. I discovered this bathing suit in playa, at the cutest boutique biuriful - it's Carolina k and has the cutest little sleeves (how cute is this one?). the mirrored sunglasses are my fave from barton Perriera, but so damn distracting if you're talking with anyone because they're literally a mirror. the scent is vacation vibe - just the tiniest squirt though, it's strong! the cover-up is a scarf I always pick up at caravan in playa for like $5, and the bag was a street score as well. this book was SO good. it was one of the highlights of my vacation, and it might just be one I read again, like this week. earrings are new pepper train, and I just love the color palette in her new collection.

I also got this print in the Carolina k suit - love so much. this is where I would wear it if I was an outdoor beach club namaste girl. instead I ate French fries and worked on my laptop. tomato tomatoe.

shopping in Tulum is good - but the road is a real bare. it's the only thoroughfare through the jungle, to the hotels and restaurants and it's heavily trafficked by huge construction trucks, delivery vehicles and cabs. the pot-holes are otherworldly in size, so everyone is sort of swerving their own path. it's dangerous and not my best life, so more often than not, we stayed put at ahau, or would walk to beach to check out new spots. notable finds - a new hotel (next to ahau) called delek, which had the most beautiful bathroom I've ever seen in my life (outdoors, trees, concrete bath tub), and those great little wicker floor lamps. the boutique at the spa at sanara is right on with some great easy breezy dresses and pants, and the gift shop at ahau is a little tea-spot plus a little of everything else, including a friendly cat and a very small dog that gives nose-licks freely.

this was thanksgiving lunch at delek. legit. good fish tacos and excellent Esquites

and a few more spots of note in Tulum - posada margarita for eating, shopping, living your very best life (it's amazing), and the upstairs bar at be Tulum - great view, so colorful, and really great pillows (seriously).

if you do venture out, and you should, there's definitely inspo to catch around every corner in Tulum. take cabs, wear sunscreen, try to turn the inside of your head off, drink water out of coconuts, pet dogs, and read a book. you'll be great.