1. Take Mike Snuba diving.  This was totally the highlight of my Brandcation weekend – besides getting to see all of my friends of course.
2. Take the family to Big Kahunas.  I am so excited to have the opportunity to show you all Big Kahunas.  I have been going there every Summer for what seems like a hundred years – we even had our “Project Graduation” there many moons ago.   There are few things better than spending a day floating around the Lazy River.
3. Go Tubing.  I absolutely love going tubing.  Pack up a cooler, take your waterproof camera, slather on some sunscreen and you are ready to go.   Trisha and Mike and I went a few times before Phoenyx was born, and it was the highlight of that Summer.
4. Spend a weekend at the Cabin with the family.  I absolutely love it up there and we do not go near enough.   In fact I am not sure we made it up there one single weekend last Summer.  Sad.  Going to remedy that this year.
5. Spend a day at Charlie’s U-Pick Farm.  The second best part about going to the cabin is going to Charlie’s.  I have never seen anything like it.  Just acre after acre of vegetable gardens.  AMAZING.
6. Monthly Kmetz Family Beach Days.  We did this last Summer and it was fantastic.   I love spending the day with my family though – so neat to have brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews… I love being an only child, but I missed out on a lot.  So thankful Mike has a nice big family.
7. Lose 20 pounds.  Hey, it’s my list – I can put it on there if I want to.  And besides, if I don’t put it out there to be accountable for it, I will never do it.  I am too content where I am.  Time to get motivated… again.
8. Go camping – just the two of us.  Now, while it is true that my idea of  ”roughing it” is a hotel that doesn’t offer room service, I do like the idea of getting COMPLETELY “unplugged” for a few days… or at least hours.   There are some really great camp grounds around here with nice little romantic bungalows that are really reasonable to rent.  What?  You thought I meant in a TENT!?! Come on now. 
9. Replace the sliding glass door.  Ok, so silly to put it on a bucket list, but its the LAST “home improvement” thing we have been wanting to do and it will be nice to check it off the list.   We’ve gotten all new appliances, replaced all of the floors, painted the house… the sliding glass door will finish it off.
10. RELAX.  I need a reminder of this some times.  Running a business by myself and helping to run a handful of others can easily a workaholic make.  It is a blessing and a curse to absolutely love your job – since it never feels like “work” I see no problem with doing it…ALL.THE.TIME.  But this Summer I plan to relax - a lot - because I know it will only get busier when the Fall comes.

What is on your Bucket List for Summer?

1. Bartenura Moscato

Since the very first sip I took of Bartenura Moscato back in 2008 at Skopelo’s Restaurant I have loved this wine.   It is a very light, sweet wine with only 5% alcohol – low for many wines.   It is a bit effervescent giving it almost a champagne-like feel… perfect for any little celebration.

Bartenura Moscato pairs best with fruits, desserts, and cheeses – but to be honest, I drink it with just about anything.

When I first discovered this wine I could only find it at Four Winds – a local specialty food and wine store, but I am happy to say that Publix carries it now as well!

2. Cupcake Moscato

This one was highly recommended on my other post, so I was excited when I found it while in Tennessee for Brandcation.  We picked up a couple bottles and all were big fans.    Cupcake Moscato is also a Moscato di Asti, meaning its comes from the city of Asti, a key wine town in Northwestern Italy.

“Crafted with a passion for celebrating the good and genuine things in life – from food and drink to family and friends – Cupcake Vineyards wines make any occasion delicious.”

3. Fish Eye Moscato

I discovered Fish Eye Moscato this year at Mardi Gras when I was searching for a bottle of Moscato that I could take to the parades – meaning not in a glass bottle.  Sure, they also have bottles, but I was delighted to find a “Cardboardeaux” – wine in a box!

The Fish Eye Moscato ”Cardboardeaux” holds the equivalent of four bottles of wine – perfect for glass-free events like Mardi Gras parades – but I also took a box to the beach during Brandcation and enjoyed sharing with everyone while enjoying the beach… although I wish I had taken two.

4. Yellowtail Moscato

This one I tried based on recommendations as well, and though to me it is a more “flat” wine that the three before, it is still very tasty.   Yellowtail Moscato holds up the same quality that Yellowtail is known for.   Like the Fish Eye brand,  Yellowtail is based in Australia and run by three brothers with sixth generation wine makers… they know their stuff.

“Here at [yellow tail], we believe that great quality wine can be affordable and good fun too. We ensure our wines are vibrant, flavoursome and approachable and that each variety helps to make special moments even more enjoyable. When it comes to wine, we like to make our own rules – the only thing we’re really serious about is the quality.”

5. Flip Flop Moscato

Ok, so two from my original list of Best Moscato Wines made it to this list.  For so many reasons, Flip Flop Moscato makes my list of faves as well.  Flip Flop Moscato is so light and fresh, it pairs with any food or alone while you are sitting by the pool.  It is sweet without being overly sweet and at a price point that you dont mind sharing or even giving it away.  In fact I am not sure I have arrived at a dinner party without a bottle of Flip Flop since I discovered it over two years ago.   It easily converts the “I don’t like wine” people every time.

I am still working my way through finding and trying all of the different Moscatos that I can find (I know, I have a tough job, don’t I?) and love all of your suggestions, so keep them coming!

What is your favorite Moscato?

Now, Snuba Diving is a little bit different than SCUBA diving.  When you Snuba, instead of carrying your own tank on your back, you are actually attached to a raft which carries two tanks – enough air for you and up to three of your friends.   Your airline is about 20 feet long – so plenty long to let you get to the bottom of the inlet, with the security of knowing you can not drift too far away from safety.  And, since you have a certified diving instructor going with you, you do not have to be certified yourself to dive.

My group included myself, Nicole (MissBlondie.com) and TerriAnn (CookiesAndClogs.com).  It took me a little while to get comfortable breathing only from my mouth under water.  The first regulator I had was a little tough to breathe (damn being a former smoker) but I changed to a smaller one and was just fine.    The water was freezing, so thankfully we had wetsuits on.  Once I got comfortable in the water – it was on.  I fell in love the minute I started playing with the fish.

Actual photos from our dive!

We had the best dive instructor too – he was so incredibly patient – I know we drove him completely crazy.  His name is Ty and I totally recommend going with him – especially if it is your first dive.   He’s really great about making sure you are ok under water, and finds cool stuff to look at.  We spent a half an hour petting fish, chasing flounder, and playing with hermit crabs.  It was awesome.

The toughest part for me was having to not LAUGH under water.  Anyone who knows me knows that I laugh at everything – and when you laugh, you fill your face mask with water.  Even though Ty showed us how we were supposed to clear our mask, that would only make me laugh harder.   The first time I went down, I turned around into Gregg Velez – the under water photographer and scared myself half to death (BIG BLACK FISH!!!!!) and got the giggles so bad I thought I was going to drown right there.   I could see the headlines now:  “Local Blogger drowns from laughter after mistaking her own cameraman for a shark.” 

We did a lot of really awesome things in Destin, but this one was by far my favorite.   I am already ready to go back and dive in.  In fact I am already looking at getting scuba certified – goodness knows I need a hobby…. you know, for all of my spare time.

Thank you so much to Destin Snorkel for hosting all of us and a special thank you to Ty who was so patient and let me really get comfortable under there that I think I have found a new hobby. Also thanks to Gregg Velez from Diving Deep, LLC for all of the amazing underwater pictures and video.

My parents always said I should have been born with fins… this is the closest I can get.

Disclosure:  The cost of this trip was comped but all opinions are my own.

Man my hair has gotten long. 

Events like Brandcation would not be possible without awesome sponsors, and we can not thank them enough for their generosity.  As part of the team that coordinates the Brandcation events, I am really lucky to get to form a relationship with these companies and am proud to work with all of them.  Thank you to everyone who has helped make Brandcation the very best blogger event EVER.

From swag bags to event activities to sponsored meals and more, Brandcation really is all about the Brands.  Here are all of the the brands who made our event possible in Destin. Be sure to check them out!

Emerald Grande:

• https://www.facebook.com/TheEG.Destin
• http://www.emeraldgrande.com/

Destin Snorkel:

• https://www.facebook.com/destin.snorkel
• http://www.destinsnorkel.com/
• Trip adviser: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34182-d1902245-Reviews-Destin_Snorkel-Destin_Florida.html

Buccaneer Pirate Cruise:

• http://destinpirateship.com/
• trip adviser : http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34182-d3331383-Reviews-Buccaneer_Pirate_Cruise-Destin_Florida.html

Restaurants that hosted us:

• Emerald Grande (Grande Vista Level), they did breakfast and lunch
• Jim and Nicks Catering and Restaurant: http://www.jimnnicks.com/  andhttps://www.facebook.com/JimNNicks
• Harry T’s: http://www.harryts.com/ (menu on their page) facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Harry-Ts-Lighthouse
• La Familia: http://www.lafamigliadestin.com/  andhttps://www.facebook.com/lafamigliadestinfl

Swag and Sponsors info:

Flashing Blinky Lights

• http://www.flashingblinkylights.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/EllyD4FBL?fref=ts

LifeLock

• http://www.lifelock.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/LifeLock

Band-Aid, Neosporin, Johsons Baby 

• Twitter: @rfbinder

CoTZ Face Mineral Sunscreen   

• Twitter: @CoTZskincare
• https://www.facebook.com/cotzskincare

Tervis  

• http://www.facebook.com/TervisTumblerCo
• Twitter: @tervistumbler
• http://www.tervis.com/

• Twitter: @refectwhoiam
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reflect-Who-I-Am/124972764261232
• http://www.reflectwhoiam.com/

Brush Buddies

• Twitter: @brushbuddies
• http://www.facebook.com/brushbuddies

• http://www.facebook.com/belkin
• Twitter: @belkin
•  http://www.belkin.com

O-Venture (keyrings)

• twitter – @shopoventure
• http://www.etsy.com/shop/OVenture
• http://facebook.com/shopoventure

• https://www.facebook.com/RockAPocket
• http://www.rockapocket.com/

• https://www.facebook.com/loadedquestions
• Twitter: @FamPartyGames

Mommy Tonic

• http://www.mommytonic.com/

Clean and Clear/Neutrogena

• http://www.cleanandclear.com/

The Emerald Grande is located just east of the Destin Bridge and has access to literally everything.  This was the first Brandcation that required ZERO driving.  Once we parked (for free I might add) we did not get in the car again until it was time to leave.  Everything we needed – from activities to shopping to dining – was all located in Harborwalk Village with easy access from the resort.

We had 24 Bloggers in our group and got to see both the 2 and 3 bedroom condos – all of which are just breathtakingly beautiful.   The two towers overlook the pool, the Destin Harbor, and/or the pass to the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay.   Translation: There isnt a bad view in the house. 

Over the three days we stayed there we had the chance to sample up the activities and dining, as well as have some down time to just lay by the pool.  It was easily my favorite Brandcation so far.

I will be posting more details about all of the events of the weekend, but just had to give a huge shout out to the Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village for showing us the absolute best that Destin has to offer.  I have no doubt that we will be back to enjoy a family vacation very, very soon.

Disclosure: media rates and in some cases comped activities were provided to showcase this venue properly.