Westvirjeni and friends visit the Virgin Islands
Every year, when it's freezing cold, snowy and miserable, and we just can't take it any longer--my girlfriends and I travel to the beautiful Virgin Islands. Over the years the trip has morphed from fun in the sun to work and play. This year I spent 17 days in "my paradise". We visited St. Thomas, St. John, and Jost Van Dyke, hiked all over, discovered secret beaches, snorkeled with sharks and sting rays, took in the local flora and fauna, met new flower friends, styled a photo shoot and dined on amazing Caribbean cuisine. I've been playing serious catch up since I got back, and I am about to head there again. So I figured this was long over due and time to get this finished and published!
Jade and I stayed at Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds the first few days. It was simple, beautiful, and peaceful. We woke up each morning to the view of Cinnamon Bay out of our beachfront bungalow and feel asleep to the peaceful sound of the waves crashing on the shore outside. We wrote, created art, and visited local ruins. We met "Do Good", a local micro-farmer, at Annaberg ruins, who taught us about growing a garden with native Caribbean plants and flowers. I'm even planning to send him some seeds, so the next time I go back, the Westvirjeni gardens will have transplanted to St. John.
Sunrise over Cinnamon Bay, St. John, USVI
After 3 days at Cinnamon Bay, we were ready for a hot shower and an AC room, so we headed to Cruz Bay to stay at the Inn at St. John. What a hidden treasure. This place is adorable and had the best vibe! It's decked out (literally) in bright colors and beautiful local flowers. Every room is unique and ours opened up to a beautiful pool, deck, and courtyard area. The property manager was fantastic and the complimentary breakfast was perfect--I'd go back to stay there in a heartbeat.
Inn at St. John, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI
The next week was spent in Coral Bay, St. John, at a villa we rented called Island Breeze. Jessy and family, along with Miss Molly, joined us. We woke up each morning to sunrise over Coral Bay, Jade led yoga, and Jessy always had hot coffee waiting for us!
Love City Market, Coral Bay, St. John, USVI
We styled a photo shoot in collaboration with Roses Too Flowers and Piccadilly Posh. Jessica, Keri, and I designed on the porch of our villa, overlooking scenic Coral Bay and Molly captured some amazing scenes on the beach right before sunset. We finished up our week with a fantastic dinner at Rhumb Lines, one of my favorite Cruz Bay restaurants, which specializes in Indo-Caribbean fusion cuisine.
After sending the girls off--Jade and I moved to our final location for the next 6 days--Tree Tops, my favorite hide-a-way in Coral Bay. Its a small but peaceful setting, made from brightly painted, old sea containers that are elevated so you feel like you're living in a tree house. They are simple but have everything you need--and I sleep like a baby when I'm there.