At the end of last year, my friend Maddie and I started to plan a girls trip. It started as a joke, calling it a Needlepoint Camp. The more we thought about it though, the more we realized how brilliant the idea was. We narrowed it down quickly to Palm Beach so we could also visit Lycette Designs, an uber-cute needlepoint store.
We planned it for the end of February so we could come home and it would already be March. (Let me tell you, this is the best way to get through winter. You have something to look forward to, a few days in the sun, and then back for the homestretch of the cold months.)
This ended up being a PERFECT trip. Literally when I got home, I texted Maddie, “Did we just pull off the perfect vacation???”
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at The Colony. This was my second time and it’s a really fun hotel. It was bought by new owners within the past few years so there’s been a lot of work for the branding. Personally, I love the branding and the amenities, but overall the actual hotel experience is pretty standard. The rooms are definitely on the shabbier side (our room had a temporary paper shade nailed to the wall) and outdated, but since it’s Palm Beach you don’t really stay inside much anyway. There are definitely things that could be better, like having more pool chairs and beach chairs, both are hard to come by since they’re first-come-first-serve. They only have a handful of beach chairs (we got ours at 9:15am on Sunday and they only had two left!) and the pool is open to non-hotel guests too so it can be hard to find a lounge chair on a weekend– and even harder to find two together. The best part is the food though!!! Every single thing we had was amazing: the coconut oatmeal, the avocado toast, the breakfast parfait, the chocolate brownie… yum!
WHAT WE DID:
Maddie and I both flew into Palm Beach on Friday morning and left Monday. We didn’t have plans, other than a general idea of what we wanted to do and a couple of dinner reservations.
FRIDAY: It was the coldest day of our trip, which ended up being the best timing. I got in about two hours before Maddie. I ran into some of my friends who were leaving a trip and then I went to Surf Side Diner for a quick solo breakfast– I was starving from being up so early. Once Maddie arrived, we got dressed and went to lunch at Sant Ambroues (the salmon is so good!) followed by a tiny bit of window shopping. Then we walked to Lycette Designs to pick out some fibers and canvases and to meet Jessica (Lycette’s owner). The store is unbelievably cute. Way bigger than I had envisioned and there were canvases in every nook and cranny of the store. I went through every drawer drooling over all the available canvases. AND Jessica was the best!!! So lovely and she had such a wealth of knowledge.
(PS If you want to start needlepointing, here’s my post for beginners!)
After the shopping trip, we took our new goodies and went straight to the pool. Since it was cooler, it was pretty calm and we sat outside to stitch before dinner. For dinner we went to Pizza Al Fresco. It is such a great spot for outdoor dining. Maddie got the lobster salad, we split the Brussels sprouts, and I got a pizza. Did we sit next to a freestanding heater? YES!
SATURDAY: We had a slow-ish morning with in-room dining and just not feeling rushed. Maddie went for a run and I went to take a yoga class at the hotel. I realized people were staking out spots by the pool and ran upstairs to get ready to claim two chairs for us. Maddie and I spent hours on the lawn, moving our chairs to follow the sun, while we stitched away. Funny enough, I ran into one of my sister’s friends who was there on a bachelorette trip. After they saw us needlepointing and we told them we came to PB for Lycette, they packed up and went straight over before they closed– how cute is that? We had lunch by the pool (I got the hot dog from the kid’s menu and it was ridiculously delicious), read, stitched, and napped.
My dress (c/o) // Wedges // Similar Handbag
Once we had enough sun, we went back up to our room to relax before dinner. This is when we started watching Love Is Blind on Netflix and… omg we got hooked and by the end of the trip watched every episode!!! I had made pretty early reservations at Cafe Boulud. It was definitely on the fancier side, but the food was incredible. Maddie got the risotto and I had grilled Mahi and we split a coffee tiramisu. Again, very good but it wasn’t exactly our scene. Plus, we were anxiously looking forward to watching more Love Is Blind, hahaha!!!
SUNDAY: Maddie and I made plans with Jessica from Lycette for an early breakfast at The Colony. Jessica was heading to the golf tournament with her fiancé and Mads and I headed to the beach, with those coveted beach chairs. Honestly, I was freezing! The wind was naturally so much stronger by the ocean and I am a wimp when it comes to being cold on a beach. Maddie was swimming and I was bundled in towels. We opted for lunch by the pool again where it was significantly warmer. I even got hot enough to jump in the pool. After more stitching and reading, it was time to get ready for dinner at Buccan. It may be one of my favorite restaurants of all time, definitely top ten. Everything is SO. GOOD. You can’t go wrong, but we LOVED the grilled broccolini, Brussels sprouts Caesar salad, and lobster spring rolls.
Sweater // Jeans // Similar Handbag
**
Our only complaint for the entire trip was that I think we needed another day. We’ll definitely be doing this again and next time we’ve already decided we need to either spend another night or fly out in the evening instead of the morning to get another day in! I highly recommend getting a girlfriend or two together to do something like this. It was so fun to plan a whole trip around needlepointing… and to not feel pressure to do anything else. I don’t love traveling because I am easily overwhelmed by trying to plan everything and trying not to leave anything off the itinerary, especially if it’s a new city! By going somewhere we’ve already been and planning a low-key trip anyway, I felt like I could totally disconnect and not feel that pressure to plan or leave feeling like I didn’t do everything I wanted or “had” to do. The only thing we for sure wanted to do was to go to Lycette and sit outside in the sun needlepointing. The mission was easily, and joyfully, accomplished!
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Wait, you went to the same exact place a bunch of your blogger acquaintances went on a sponsored VV trip, across overlapping days?! But, paid your own way? Oh my. You’re insane. Why are you needle pointing a tequila motif? Do you drink alcohol/tequila? This whole post is riddled with complaints (and typos) – too cold, shabby hotel, restaurant not your scene, constantly hunting for chairs…if this is your best vacation ever, you need to travel more. Something tells me this new friend of yours won’t ever be doing this again…
We’ve been friends for awhile and we’ve already started planning another trip… hopefully it’s as relaxing as this one to PB! #therewerentenoughchairs #margaritasbythepool
Carly drinks margaritas?!
Carly literally mentioned every single thing she ate the whole trip but failed to say anything about #margaritasbythepool. Huh.
You’re right, it must have been an oversight on her part. I’ll let her know she needs to edit to add in the #margaritasbythepool and the coffee she drank too!!
It sounded like a great trip to me. Relaxing in the sun, not rushing out to site see every moment of the day. I thought Carley gave a good review of both the good points and the bad points of the hotel. Not every hotel is Instagram perfect and most people want a honest review.
But, the room’s shabby but that’s ok because you’re never inside…..except when you’re rushing back to the room to watch hours of tv. Got it.
Why even waste your time to be so rude, Amy? People like you are why we live in a sad world. Build others up, NOT DOWN!
Carly, this was a perfect recap and sounded SO FUN! Relaxing vacations are always good for the soul.. add in time with a girlfriend and it is even better. I loved this post! <3
No – blogs like this are why we live in a sad world, not people who call out the insanity.
Carly has said before that if she’s going to drink anything, it’s tequila. Maybe you should do some research before calling out a person who can make lemonade out of some minor lemons, which you obviously cannot.
Ahh – yes, she did say that, once, a few months ago. She’s also said she drinks champagne and wine occasionally, so it’s hard to keep track. She’s def made it very, very, very clear that she rarely drinks, so it’s odd that she’s needlepointing tequila and champagne do dads. It would be like someone who’s had 10 cigarettes needlepointing a Marlboro logo for their house. Quirky!
“Amy” seriously get a life. It’s funny and ridiculous reading your posts you harm no one but yourself by being this way. Why are you so obsessed with Carly stop being THAT jealous and focus on yourself.
She literally talks about why she bought the tequila needlepoint canvas here: https://www.carlytheprepster.com/2019/09/needlepoint-canvases.html
Maybe research a little before you criticize.
“I can’t recommend getting a girlfriend or two together to do something like this.” -Hot Carl
Agreed!
Sounds like a fun trip! If you want really warm weather in winter, you should try coming to southern Arizona sometime. It’s rarely cold and it’s sunny almost every day. Plus, there are tons of beautiful resorts. The Phoenix area gets all of the attention, but Tucson has more natural beauty and was named a city of gastronomy by UNESCO.
Carly,
This sounds like a fabulous getaway. I so appreciate the honest review of the hotel. It is refreshing to hear the things they could improve too (and hopefully they will). This sounds like exactly the kind of getaway I would like. Glad y’all had a great time.
This looks like an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!
Love this! All week I’ve been daydreaming about getting out in the sun and these photos have me so envious.
Okay, dream trip! This sounds so fun and I love the idea of planning a relaxing trip around a hobby. I always end up exhausted by the end of a trip because I’ve crammed in so many activities.
I love Pizza Al Fresco! I think the courtyard it’s in and such is ADORABLE.
chevrons & éclairs
What a great trip! Palm Beach is one of my favorite destinations and I completely agree with you that the food is amazing! And also agree that Buccan is the best meal I’ve ever had!
Thanks for sharing!
-Helen
http://styleinherited.com
I liked this recap and appreciate honesty but it feels like you’re complaining a lot here…
“ I can’t recommend getting a girlfriend or two together to do something like this.”
Why not? Sounds like a fine trip.
Buccan is one of my faves in Palm Beach! Next time stay at the Breakers — it’s such a great luxury hotel with great ammenities.
Buccan is one of my faves in Palm Beach! Next time stay at the Breakers — it’s such a great luxury hotel with great amenities.
Amy, Sounds like you really shouldn’t be following Carly if you are this mean and feel this way. Spend your time some other way and let us enjoy her adventures.
I think Maddie is my favorite one of your friends! I love when you feature her!
You shouldn’t have a favorite ‘friend’ of a complete stranger. That said, I do like watching Carly systematically ruin her flash in the pan friendships – Mackenzie, Julia and her husband, all her friends from home/college, Amy Stone, the KJP gang (including all the ones she dated) and on and on. Thank god for Mike’s family and friends.
My lord….what is wrong with you people?
Please stop! This is such a waste of your time. If this is not your cup of tea then listen to what us people are saying and stop following along with this blog.
What a disgusting, vile, trashy human being you are. You’ve been clearly keeping tabs on Carly and her life. Why don’t you just stop focusing on Carly and start working on yourself?
The branding for that hotel is one of my favorites ever. Palm Beach is on my list of places to visit!
https://petuniaspicks.com/
Amy stop reading blogs like this if it bothers you so much. Carly brings joy to many peoples lives and is clearly enjoying hers.
Love this hotel recap! You look gorgeous and like you had a great time. The trip sounds extra relaxing.
Amy, you need professional help. Crawl out of your mother’s basement and get a life.
Amy- if that is your real name?? I feel so sorry for you and hope you literally find peace in anything else other than being an insane internet bully. Carly has really made a name for herself in such a positive way and even with your negativity, she’s still thriving.
Carly, this recap was SO refreshing. I have seen other bloggers visit The Colony and I wondered if it was as perfect as it seemed. I love your insight on your experience there! I am glad you had a great time!! 🙂
I appreciate your review which to me reads like a real girlfriend review – what you liked and the things that bugged you. That’s honest. Based on this real review, I would consider going there as I know exactly what to expect.
As for your time with your friend, it reminds me of when I vacation with my sister – we hang, we chat, have laid back lunches, maybe a bike ride etc enjoy each other’s company. We MIGHT have a fun night out too – but we might not. Whatever, its all about going with the flow. Sometimes you just need to charge your batteries.
What a fun recap of your trip focused on a shared hobby. I just love seeing anyone in the sun, smiling and stitching at the beach…You go girl! Also, loved Maddie’s swimsuit. Do you know where it is from?
I am totally living vicariously through you right now, Carly! This really sounds like the perfet vacation!
Aw, you should’ve stayed at the Breakers! The food is incredible, no need to fight for pool chairs, and the grounds are beautiful. I live in Palm Beach county and stay there pretty frequently. The Colony hotel looks downright janky to me. It’s a bummer it was so cold last weekend, when it’s been very warm a lot lately. Hopefully that wasn’t off putting in regards to future visits.
It sounds like a relaxing trip! It’s been so cold and rainy where I am on the east coast that I’m sure the change of weather was nice. I’ve never been to Palm Beach, but I’ve heard nice things about it from others.
Where did you get the pink towel with green palm leaves? So cute!
Regarding Amy above, why would someone care so much about how another person lives their life lol? Girl is fixated. I love my tequila but don’t give a damn about what others, especially strangers, choose to drink. Playing offense from the get go with ad hominem personal attacks is weird, ignorant, and indicative of unhealthy projection. Be gone bitch.
It looks like you both had a fun trip to Florida. I want to go to Lycette in the future. I have ordered several canvases from Jessica and they are so much fun to stitch. I am now working on a light house, which is easy and fun to stitch. Happy stitching 🧵 😊.