(This is a sponsored post by The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota - Any opinions expressed are my own)

#Sponsored #RCMemories @Ritzcarltonsarasota

For our ten-year wedding anniversary, my husband and I had the pleasure of staying at one of Sarasota, Florida's most luxurious hotels.

The beautiful Bluegrass state is my home now but for 20 years I lived in (what was once) a small quiet town called North Port located in Florida. We lived just about 30 minutes away from the city of Sarasota. And while I visited Sarasota often, and it had its moments of breathtaking beauty, activities and fun, I never quite understood what the hype was all about.

Every year, we go to North Port to see our family when the kids have their fall break. Conveniently, our anniversary falls around the same time, and since Grandma offered to watch our kids so we can get away for a couple of days, I couldn't pass up the offer. I wanted to stay somewhere special, and I have always heard of the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and its reputation for being luxurious. Since it is also located in Sarasota, it was the perfect place for our special decade anniversary celebration. So we did just that - we booked our stay.

The suite we stayed at was just as stunning as we had imagined, with its breathtaking view of the ocean and amenities from the balcony. It was the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy our vacation. We were unaware of the extent of the hotel's hospitality and were pleasantly surprised when they came knocking at our door with a chilled bottle of champagne and a beautifully packaged box of chocolate truffles. They went over and above to ensure our stay was unforgettable. It felt like something you would only see in movies.

We were recommended the restaurant in the hotel called Jack Dusty Coastal Cuisine and Crafted Cocktails. My husband, a lover of all seafood, especially oysters, was extremely happy with his platter. As for me, I'm a calamari kind of girl, and I must say, theirs was the freshest I've tried yet. It paired so well with my lobster salad. I also got to try the famous Siren cocktail that Forbes had proudly voted as number one. It indeed lived up to its reputation. The food was incredibly tasty, the servers were so kind and helpful, and I don't think there was a dish we did not enjoy. We were very happy with the entire experience and can confidently say that Jack Dusty will be seeing us again on our next visit to Florida.

A luxurious daybed was reserved for us at The Ritz-Carlton’s exclusive Beach Club on Lido Key, located just three miles from the resort. As we lounged and savored in every moment, I suddenly realized something surprising (that will even shock some of my long time followers). Being someone who loves and thrives during Fall season and cooler weather, somehow in this exact moment I was really happy and satisfied just by appreciating everything surrounding me. The warm sunshine, the salty air, the palm trees and the sound of the waves left me with new appreciation for the state I lived most my life in. I had the opportunity to actually experience Sarasota. The hotel atmosphere truly emphasized its beauty.

From the moment we entered the lobby, we were instantly transported to a world of luxury and elegance. The amazing service, delicious food, beautiful setting, every little thing, carefully and perfectly done, made this celebration a complete dream come true. This anniversary will be remembered as one of our most special occasions ever. We're so grateful to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for giving us an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Join me as I take you through a photo galore of our beautiful stay at

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Special thank you to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for this memorable experience.