What I've Been Up To Lately: Wedding Planning, Lifestyle Changing, and a Bachelorette Party in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Dash of Les here, remember me? Yeah, I'm quite certain I've even forgotten about my food-loving, recipe writing, and all things culinary obsessed alter ego. Because as of lately...Leslie the food blogger has been on the back burner. Wedding planning is getting the best of me and for that, I have no apologies. Truthfully, I've loved (almost) every second of it...from the big picture kinda stuff like helping Chris pick out his (seriously dapper) suit to the minor details...like choosing how I'll distress picture frames for the tablescapes.

There's also been that annoying (and also so freaking rewarding) little thing called a "wedding diet" going on since January 2nd. Allowing myself only one day a week to eat anything I want (within reason), my food blogging opportunities have been a bit sabotaged. But I'm okay with that. I'm finally back to my ideal physique, fitting in all of my daisy dukes and skinny jeans again, some of which I haven't been able to wear in four years. And now since I know what actually works, I'm happy to call it a permanent lifestyle change. 

I've been having some serious fun in the sun too. Just last weekend, my best friends and I traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for my bachelorette party. A 3-night and 4-day getaway, I couldn't have asked for a better time. The weather was perfect, the late night scene was a blast, and my friends made me feel so pampered from the moment we arrived to the groggy morning we hesitatingly packed up our bags and said our goodbyes. 

While the food there wasn't phenomenal, the coffee was outstanding. One of my favorite places we went was Caficultura. Boasting some pretty phenomenal latte art, this super packed locals' joint also served up coffee with a serious caffeinated kick. With the right amount of sugar and spice to make everything nice, I'd recommend the place to any visitor looking for the perfect cup of Puerto Rican coffee. The food there is pretty solid too - particularly their sweet breads.

Just up the way from Caficulutra is the Castillo de San Cristóbal Fort, a site that I'm so happy we worked into our itinerary. While I'm not much of a history buff, the measly $5 entry fee is so worth the beautiful views of San Juan and the downright mind blowing architecture. Pretty sure this is one of those times when pictures speak louder than words...

Since we thought it'd be wise to lay off the standard bachelorette (over)boozing some and actually take in our heavenly Caribbean surroundings, we booked a sail and snorkel tour aboard the Spread Eagle 2 catamaran. An extremely friendly tour group, Snorkel PR picked us up from our hotel at the butt crack of dawn and chauffeured us to the catamaran. From there, we enjoyed a day of sailing, sunbathing, and snorkeling. I must mention, there may have been all you can drink rum punch on board too.... With a plentiful lunch, friendly staff, and glorious views of the Spanish Virgin islands, it was just what the bachelorettes needed on Day 2.

I must pay kudos to my friends too, who put together the most adorable bachelorette party "kits" I've ever seen. Colorful tank tops that read "Yes we like Pina Coladas...and getting drunk in San Juan" (ok, that may have been my idea), fun personalized shades, giant flowers for our hair, plastic, portable, and personalized mason jars for the liquid necessities, and some pretty fantastic signage....I'd say they set the standard for this kinda thing. 

So, while I've been neglecting my blog recently, I can't say that I've been in a slump. But I promise, there are some great reads on the way. Talk soon friends! This time, it'll be (much) sooner than later.