Costa Rica Chica
Ugh, it’s officially one week since my amazing trip to Costa Rica, and I’m suddenly dreaming of the cotton candy sunsets and the hum of the tropical rain. In 3 short days, Michele, David (my parents), and I took part in so many fun activities that there’s no denying each one of us left the island satisfied. I know it doesn’t beat the real thing (and you definitely need to go visit), but I am going to share my trip (and tonssss of pictures from it) with you. Come on, let’s go!
I figured this ASOS tee was only fitting for my journey into paradise.
Day 1
Costa Rica has countless species of animals living in its trees, and considering the fact that I love animals, I wanted to get right down into the middle of the rainforest and see some of them for myself. While my dad spend the day deep sea fishing, my mom and I hiked through the rainforest with our incredible tour guide Roy. Let me tell you, Roy had some superpowered eyesight. Somehow, from yards away he could spot the tiniest creatures (I’m talking like tiny little crickets). It was incredible. Here are some pictures of some of the animals that we got to see!
Yep, that's a sloth. It was the very first animal we got to see, pretty exciting! Kristen Bell would have gone bazerk. If you don't know what Kristen Bell has to do with sloths then, A. you are clearly not paying attention to life, and B. you HAVE to head on over to YouTube to watch her sloth meltdown. Did you know that sloths are actually super dangerous? I know you're thinking "There's no way. I'm faster than a sloth. I could totally win in sloth-human combat." Think again my friend. With an incredibly long reach, in one swift move, a sloth can latch right on to you, slicing into your skin, and leaving you to bleed to death. Pretty gruesome huh? My advice: stay the hell away from sloths. Unless they're high up in a tree. Then, ooh and ahh, and take lots of adorable pics. He (or she?) was pretty cute, but I must say the squirrel monkey (bottom left with the berries) was my personal fave. Squirrel monkeys are tiny little monkeys that travel in huge packs. According to Roy, we were pretty lucky to get to see this little guy and his fam.
The end of the hike led us straight to this crystal beach. It is known as the 11th most beautiful beach in the world! I'm wearing Nike leggings and shoes, and a Rebecca Minkoff backpack.
After a long morning of hiking through the rainforest, and an afternoon of hammock napping in the rain (on the back patio, not actually in the rain), it was time for a well deserved feast. So, after Michele, David, and I got ourselves all cleaned up and looking pretty spiffy, we headed on down to the marina to eat at Gabrielle’s where we chowed on fresh scallops and yummy shrimp. Just before we headed to the restaurant, I had to snap a few pics of the beautiful baby pink and powder blue sunset. I mean, come on!! Just look at that sky!
TOP: Zara (yes, I know I wore it backwards. I did it on purpose)
BOTTOM: Aritzia
SHOES: Sam Edelman
BAG: Marni (different color)
EARRINGS: Hanmadeandstrungout
Day 2
As soon as my mom told me that we would be going to Costa Rica for vacay, I immediately knew that I wanted to go on one of those ATV tours (ya know, like the ones the Kardashians go on when they’re vacationing in exotic places?) through the rainforest, or on the beach, or honestly anywhere they would take me! I just knew I needed to have my butt planted on one of those four wheelers. It was a little daunting at first, but once I got the hang of it, I was a little speed demon. We had beautiful weather all the way up the mountain, but had to cruise on back down in the pouring rain. That's why my hair isn't looking so hot in that middle pic. Even though I was feeling pretty cute in my Fashion Nova bodysuit, Madewell jeans, and my custom created necklaces by Hanmadeandstrungout, it was NOT an ideal outfit for torrential rain. I think my jeans retained close to 5 pounds of water weight. Oh well.
As if the rain hadn't already cooled me down enough, I decided to take a quick dip in the infinity pool on our back deck. Isn't that view absolutely incredible?!!
After another long day, we were off to dinner! We sipped on cocktails at a restaurant overlooking all of Manuel Antonio, and we talked about how we were sad that we only had one day left while we noshed on fresh fish and coconut shrimp. I wore this super cute Zara dress and booties, and an embellished Topshop bag (similar). Please try to excuse my frizzy mess of hair. That Costa Rican humidity is no joke!
Day 3
I consider myself to be a pretty physically fit person, and I pride myself on living an active lifestyle. My mom on the other hand, is like super fit, does crossfit and handstand pushups kind of fit. To combine our shared loved for fitness with the activities Costa Rica had to offer, we decided to go paddle boarding...in the ocean. Now, I've never paddle boarded, but my mom has. She talks about it like its all smooth sailing, and maybe it is in the lake (the only place she had ever paddle boarded before), but the ocean is a whole other ball park. I'm going to go ahead and admit that I pretty paddle boarded on my knees the entire time. I think that I stood for probably one minute out of the entire two and a half hour excursion. Trust me, I tried. I really did, but every time I would get all the way up on my feet, a stupid wave would come crashing into me and knock me over. It surely would have made for great AFV footage. My legs were shaking, my shoulder muscles were spasming. It was no joke. And while I was struggling to keep my muscles from shaking out of control, our paddle board instructor was just whizzing on by. Maybe next time I'll be better.
Also, I probably should have kept my cool Print Hub hat on in the water, because now my scalp is sun burnt and peeling like crazy.
My dad is super obsessed with the idea of buying a house in Costa Rica. He seems to think that he's some kind of big baller that can just live in Costa Rica for 3 months of the year. Don't get me wrong, Costa Rica is incredible, but I really couldn't see David finding enough to do there to stay away from boredom for 3 whole months. BUT...in normal David fashion, he made us go look at houses anyway. Obviously they were stunning, but they didn't allow dogs! What the hell would Lucy do for 3 months without my parents?! That was a deal breaker.
I threw on this easy Aritzia tee and kimono with Topshop denim shorts, my Sam Edelman slippers, and my tiny Prada bag (different color) to stay comfy and cool while we "shopped" around.
Adam Selman X Le Specs glasses, and custom Hanmadeandstrungout necklaces
At this point, you've probably noticed that I've mentioned Hanmadeandstrungout a few times throughout this post. That's because I'm IN LOVE with the custom pieces that Hanmadeandstrungout's very own Hannah Gay has created for me. They're super pretty, easy pieces that really add a nice finishing touch to a look while somehow staying minimal but standing out at the same time. The dot necklace and four tiered earrings are my personal faves, and you can add them to your jewelry selection by heading on over to Hannah's Instagram to get your own! I've tagged it like a million times, so that's your cue to go get your own pieces. You'll seriously love them.
To end our incredible trip in Costa Rica, Chef David (not my dad, an actual chef) came to our house to cook the fish that my dad (the other David) caught while deep sea fishing. My mouth is seriously watering just thinking about Chef David's phenomenal cooking. I would show you some pics of our dishes, but I woofed my meal down before I could get a chance to take any. If you look closely, you can kind of see it on my mom's plate. Yes, that is a pink flower on top! Ugh, it was so good. I wish Chef David could cook for me every night.
From left to right: Michele, Me (obvi), Chef David, and the other David
Now that summer is over, and my body has been printed by my vacation in Costa Rice (no, really. You should see my horrible tan lines), I am settling back into the city. And as Rosh Hashanah approaches, I am extra grateful for the journeys that I have been on in the past year, and the fact that I have two amazing, loving parents/best friends that love me enough to take me on ridiculously boujee trips. David and Michele, I love you guys, and yes, I promise I'll stop calling you by your first names. I love you!! Just look how cute they are!
David and Michele
xoxo,
Zoey Leigh
p.s. sorry if there are lots of typos. I'm so congested, I can barely see straight!