Vacation mode: **OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED.** 🌴✨

Seriously, if I had to look at one more cardboard box or pack one more delivery bag last week, I think I would have actually dissolved into a puddle of brie and stress. If you caught my last update, you know I was basically living in a fort made of moving boxes and my back was screaming at me from my makeshift Japanese-style floor bed. But guess what? I traded the stack of boxes for a stack of beach towels, and I am currently writing this from Bermuda.

I got here on Thursday and honestly, the second that plane touched down and that humid, salty air hit my face, I felt my soul leave my body in the best way possible.

The Soundtrack of the Island

You know how every trip needs a specific vibe? Well, Friday morning, the universe decided to provide the perfect soundtrack. The new Sleep Token Arcadia instrumental version album dropped, and boyyyy, has it been on repeat.

There is something so surreal about sitting on a balcony overlooking turquoise water while listening to those atmospheric, heavy-but-melodic instrumentals. It makes everything feel like a cinematic movie scene. Am I just a girl drinking coffee, or am I the main character in a high-stakes emotional drama about a woman who escaped a life of cheese-plating for the high seas? It’s moody, it’s beautiful, and it fits the Bermuda landscape surprisingly well.

SailGP Saturday: F1 on the Water

Saturday was the absolute highlight of the trip so far. Mom, Kate and I went to SailGP and let me tell you, it was insane. If you aren’t familiar with it, imagine Formula 1 racing, but instead of cars, it’s these high-tech, terrifyingly fast catamarans that literally fly over the water. It’s high-stakes, high-speed, and high-adrenaline.

We didn't just go to the race, though, we did it right. We snagged Vela Beach Club tickets, which basically meant we had the absolute best seats in the house. We’re talking front-row views of the finish line. And the best part? Unlimited food and drinks. (Which, as someone in the catering business, I appreciated on a deep, spiritual level. There is nothing better than being the one being served for once).

Watching these athletes work was super cool too. The strength and coordination it takes to man those boats while they're hitting crazy speeds is just... wow. I have a whole new level of respect for professional sailors and these people are out here wrestling giant sails in the middle of the ocean.

Of course, I couldn't leave without representing, so I snagged some cute US merch. Gotta support the home team while looking the part, right? The energy at the Vela Beach Club was just electric, everyone was cheering, the drinks were flowing, and the sun was hitting just right.

Small Island Vibes & Pub Crawls

One of the coolest things about Bermuda is how small it actually is. Because the island is so tiny, the social scene basically feels just one big community. During SailGP week, the whole place turns into one giant party.

You’ll be out at a local pub or hanging at a bar in town, and suddenly you realize the person sitting at the stool next to you is actually one of the world-class athletes who was just flying across the water a few hours ago. It’s such a cool, laid-back vibe. No one is acting like a "celebrity", everyone is just there to grab a pint, relax, and talk about the races. We’ve had so much fun just wandering around and seeing the race participants hanging out in the wild. It’s like the whole island is on one big collective high from the event.

Sunshine, Sand, and... Spooky Stories?

Now, here’s where things get a little weird (because it wouldn't be an Abby trip without a little bit of "Wait, what?").

Some of the other owners at the condo brought their nephew along. He’s a horror filmmaker from LA, and he is quite fascinating.

The contrast is funny. On one hand, I’m soaking up Vitamin D and working on my tan; on the other hand, I’m hearing about jump scares and psychological thrillers. It’s been so much fun hanging out with him and getting a peek into that world. It’s definitely a different kind of "creative" than meal prepping but hey, we’re all artists in our own way, right? (Even if his art involves more fake blood and mine involves more goat cheese).

What’s Next?

Honestly, the sunshine and warm weather are finally starting to show up in Bermuda, and it feels like the island is exhaling a little bit. Has the weather been a little unruly at times? Oh, absolutely. Very "make it cute but also maybe grab a cover-up and run" energy. But I’ve still made the absolute most of it and somehow packed a ton of adventures into this last week.

And one of my favorite unexpected parts? Besides all of them, really. I made some cool great new friends here, which still feels kind of wild and lovely, and I’m really hoping our paths cross again. That’s the magic of trips like this, I guess. You come for the sunshine and somehow leave with new people in your corner.

And funny enough, I’m actually a little eager to get back home now and dive into orders and meetings tomorrow. I know, who am I? But I’m feeling recharged in that very specific way where I’m ready to get back to work, get organized-ish, and tackle the chaos with slightly better hair and a little more Vitamin D in my system.

I soaked up every second of this Bermuda bliss and I’m about to catch my plane ride to Boston. I’ve got my tan, a cleared head, anddd there’s already another trip in the near future, which is so very on-brand for me at this point, so I’m crossing my fingers that this sunny weather follows me home.

Until then, I hope you’re all finding your own little slice of Vitamin D wherever you are.

XX,

Abby

Song of the day: Jaws by Sleep Token

Loving the slow-burn tension that builds into something massive, which feels very appropriate for the calm before the storm energy as I head back to reality. Plusss, listening to this track called "Jaws" while flying over the Atlantic after a week of watching high-speed boats is a top-tier cinematic move really.

I think I need to come back next year.

Whoever painted this did a pretty damn good job.

Spent many late nights at this place playing games!

Best views!