Weekend Staycation

J and I have been married for almost 4 months (I promise to write about that soon!). How has the time flown so quickly?

Since the new year started, we've been busy bees at work and in life, making the transition to marriage and living together. We decided at the beginning of the year to take a day off in March to give us a long weekend together to celebrate our datingversary and reconnect after what we anticipated would be a busy few months. Two days off, no tasks, no lists, and adventures. They were so fun. And, so good for this girl's heart.

If you are in the Tampa Bay area, there are some good finds I suggest. Wherever you are, take a weekend to enjoy your city and get out to explore!

Welcome to our staycation!

We ended work on Thursday and took off in our already packed car to head to the sweet downtown streets of Dunedin for their St. Patrick's Day festival. I've married an Irish man so I anticipate this always being a big holiday in our home. The streets were packed with fellow celebrators. We made our way down to the Downtown Dunedin Deli for a burger (definitely give this spot a try). I know, not very Irish, but the festival surprisingly lacked Irish food so we opted for J's next favorite thing.

We spent the night in Dunedin and dashed out early in the morning for a quick breakfast at the famous Kelly's. A yummy breakfast with lots of pours of coffee is just the perfect start to the day, right?

We spent the rest of the day tucked away at the beach. It was surprisingly chilly for a March day in Florida but when you have your sweetheart and the waves are crashing, what could be wrong. Both of us enjoyed our newest books and soaked up the afternoon. 

Of course, no visit to the beach would be complete without a long walk and lunch picnic. For lunch, we picked up Publix sandwiches/wraps and enjoyed them waterside at a little park J discovered. My husband really likes to ask fun hypothetical questions to get your mind going. Sometimes I don't want to play along, admittedly, but I was glad I did on this day because it led to some sweet life conversations that you just miss out on having in your everyday normal life.

While in Treasure Island, we had to visit our favorite ice cream shop, The Candy Kitchen. Their vanilla ice cream with peanut butter is just unreal. I added a twist this time and also had their mocha chocolate chip. Yep, it was a great choice!

As if this day couldn't get better, we accepted a last minute invite from two of our friends to enjoy pizza and wine at their home. Talk about a great day and wonderful evening. It was a big ole' heart full kind of day. And this is all just Friday!

Saturday morning brought grey skies, late sleeps, movie watching, and pumpkin protein pancakes. When the skies cleared a little, we chanced it and took our bikes out to ride all over Tampa Bay, stopping at city events happening and Irish bars. Our final stop led us back to the place we first began flirting/finally admitting we flirt at The Dubliner. We also had THE best beer ever here.

Let me introduce you to The Cotton Candy: Half Angry Orchard + Half Seadog Blueberry + Fresh Blueberries = the best beer.

Two days of much needed quality time mixed with rest for us both = a pretty great staycation for us.

I anticipate more of these will be in our future so please share any ideas you have done or have come across - we love exploring and new adventures!

{We also learned on Saturday that I need a comfier bike seat for longer rides, insert soreness.}

Happy Monday! I hope you found rest this weekend as well.

dancing, dinner and cheerios

My past couple of weekends have been so busy that they seem more like I am going away on vacation, complete with a full list of activities, rather than the regular downtime I seek on those off days. I've been loving the time with friends and family though, filling my days off with great experiences and memories made. This past weekend was certainly no exception!

Friday night I set out for a night of dancing to celebrate my friend Jennifer's birthday. We sang along with the band and tore it up on the dance floor. I do not know about any of you but nothing decompresses me more than a good ole' dance party. It was the perfect celebration! She has exciting plans this year with her very own list, which I cannot wait to help her accomplish, and our trip to Greece. Here is to a great adventure this year, Jennifer!

Dancing with the birthday girl!

Saturday night I put away my dancing shoes to enjoy one incredibly delish meal at Grille One Sixteen. Mallory and I decided that rather than be those single people that hate Valentine's Day, we would celebrate our friendship and treat ourselves to one amazing meal. The food and service were impeccable. I had the scallops with grits for supper while Mal enjoyed the Salmon and Shrimp dish served with mashed sweet potatoes. Oh, and the dessert, oh wow! I think I was literally speechless during the amazingness that was happening at our table. First, we ordered coffees which came out in something more like a bowl rather than a the usual petite cup. Perfection. THEN. We ate the smore dessert. Yes, smore dessert. And, let's be honest, I am always trying to eat a smore. This one had peanut butter, chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream, graham crackers, and marshmallow melted over the top. Really, it was too much for me to process. Still is. All of my favorite things in one dessert. Go and order it.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

After two fun filled evenings out, I woke up early on Sunday morning and headed to Orlando for little m's fourth birthday party at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney. The happiest place on Earth is not usually my thing but watching the little munchkin become her very own version of a princess was priceless. I was so happy to have been able to be there to experience it with her. And, of course, I always enjoy the moments I can sneak in with Melissa. The boutique was precious. If you have little ones who love the princes and princesses, this is definitely an experience for them.

Princess Madi Kate and Princess Mackenna

Knight Connor

I have to admit that the best part of the day for me was stealing time away with the kiddos watching cartoons and eating cheerios before we had to get ready to leave. I cherish these little moments with them because one day they will be big kids rushing off to hang out with their friends and not cuddling up on the couch over cheerios with their old Aunt Jessica.

Hanging with the little ones

Little M & Aunt Jessica

Me & Moster

What a memorable weekend it was, full of so many of my favorite people. Let's hope all this fun settles down so I can catch up on my blogging though - a lot to write about!

Adventures of 2012

Whew, this has been quite the year. I hardly even know where to begin to reflect upon 2012. I kicked off the year with goals to challenge myself to grow in new ways but this year has exceeded expectations. I'm ending the year feeling confident and settled in the woman that I have become, in love with the life that I have created, and so incredibly thankful for everything that has brought me to this point. I spent much of the year gearing up for thirty, an age which I am already enjoying beyond measure.

Life is full, happy, and blessed.

Thank you for reading along throughout my adventures, here are a few of my highlights from 2012:

Took a trip to NYC to visit Kathryn

Had some terrific reflections on who I am

 Chronicled my dating life, well some of it

Met a boy who got me off the bench 

And thinking about what I'd really like someday

Had many first time adventures with Mallory

Traveled back to Arkansas for a visit

Reconnected with my girls

Traveled to Greenville, SC for E and Matt's wedding

Tea Party with Little M

Saw the play version of To Kill A Mockingbird

Spent lots of good time with the family

Enjoyed being a tourist in my own town

Celebrated special people in my life

Welcomed my new little love, Lilly Ruth, into the world

Went rock climbing

Had lots of fun with the Chi O Tampa Alumnae Chapter

Ran 3 5k races!

Learned how to decorate cookies like a pro

Went paddle boarding
Read some great books

Had lots of good life conversations with my Momma

Traveled home for Lauralee's 30th Birthday!

Celebrated baby brother Kyle's 21st birthday

Took off on a sailboat

Made a trip to Texas for Thanksgiving
And got to visit with Mags

Traveled to Pennsylvania for Steve and Sam's wedding

Met my fitness goals

Wrapped up my twenties

Rang in my 30th Birthday at the beach weekend with all my pals

Visited Morg and Chris in their new home in Georgia

Ran the Color Run - happiest 5k on the planet

While I have loved every minute of this year, I am looking forward to quiet time this winter break (bonus of being an educator) and spending the holidays with my cheerleaders, family and close friends.

Up next I will be rocking the wedding circuit celebrating the marriages of my close friends, completing a 10k and taking off to Greece! I am sure there will be lots of unexpected treasures in 2013 so I am looking forward to all of the adventures that await me. Until then!

A Sailing Adventure

Mallory and I set sail on a beautiful fall morning in Tampa. In the spring, we purchased a groupon for a half day sailing trip. I thought it would just be a fun little morning outing and it turned out to be one of my favorite days this fall.

We woke up early and headed to Tarpon Springs, a cute little Greek touristy town about an hour outside of Tampa, to begin our adventure. On our drive down, we enjoyed some Starbucks and chatted up a storm as we caught up on the happenings in our lives.

Upon arriving, we learned that Atlantis V Charters is a foundation that provides free sailing lessons for youth programs and children with special needs. Their charter services support their endeavors in the community. The captains and crew even donate their time. Mallory and I especially enjoyed learning that our fun adventure on the water also supported a great program.

The morning air was a bit chilly which I found to be perfect! There is something great about being snuggled up, all warm, with the cool breeze blowing and the smell of the ocean all around you. Once out on the water, we sailed out to a little island where we were able to get off the the boat to peruse for seashells and soak up the sunshine. After a few hours on the beach, we got back on board for a sunny ride into shore.

The funniest part of our trip was learning that my pal, Mallory, has a bit more of an obsession with Disney than I had previously realized. I became aware of this as she recounted Finding Nemo to me, scene by scene, hoping to jog my memory of her favorite movie. Being the non-Disney person that I am (I know, my poor kids!), I got a good laugh out of this. I mean, she knows the movie literally in scene sequence - its kind of impressive, really!

After our sail, we enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Rusty Bellies, a great local restaurant. I had some yummy grouper with black beans and yellow rice. Their menu is great and they serve delish hush puppies in a brown paper bag instead of the traditional bread basket, an added touch that I especially enjoyed.

View from the Rusty Bellies patio

After lunch, we decided to do a little shopping in downtown Tarpon Springs where we found a few little treasures. Having been bitten by the shopping bug, we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at a local outdoor mall. We even had an afternoon treat of frozen yogurt topped with goodies.

The whole day was just perfect. We decompressed, soaked up the sunshine, got in some shopping, and spent some good, quality time together. If you are looking for an adventure to plan one weekend, definitely check out Atlantis V Charters (Warning: You'll need to book at least 2 months in advance!).

Bon Voyage! 

Painting with a Twist

A new hot spot for girls in Tampa is Painting with a Twist. While my talents do not extend to the artistic pursuits, this painting class can help even a novice like me achieve a piece of art. Kel, Melissa and I enjoyed a fun night at the Trinity location. Our instructor was fabulous and even indulged us in a conversation about Fifty Shades of Grey.

We painted, chatted and ate delicious snacks (you can bring wine and food) all of which equals a great night out with the girls in my book. What could be better?

Instructor table

Getting Started

My masterpiece!

Class Photo

"Always Color Outside the Lines"

Class are typically $35 for a 2 hour session. They now have locations nationwide so be sure to check for one by you.

Girls Night Out: After Dark

To my great surprise, Tampa has a hidden gem in Brandon. Della's After Dark is a cozy little restaurant that packs a great menu. While it is a deli by day, at night it turns into the perfect setting for a girls night out, romantic dinner, or just a great spot to be with friends over a bottle (or two) of wine.

I recently tried out this little spot with two of my girlfriends and we were pleasantly surprised with the atmosphere. There are only a few tables but rather than feeling cramped, we enjoyed the intimacy it created. Each night there is a live jazz band playing. One thing we especially enjoyed was that the music was not overpowering and we could enjoy the music but still have a conversation.

Corkboard Menu

Their wine selection is great. You can even bring your own bottle which they will happily serve you with no corking fee. The girls had white wine and I sipped on my favorite red, a malbec. For supper, we shared their knock out Baked Goat Cheese Marinara. Honestly, this dish was so good we were scrapping the sides of the bowl.

For our meals, Mal had their pork tenderloin with corn pudding, Jen enjoyed their gorgonzola chicken breast, and I loved their steak au pouvre.

Definitely check out this little spot. Here is to girls nights out! Cheers!

Welcome to the Speakeasy!

To celebrate Mallory's birthday we picked a restaurant that we heard had a great atmosphere, amazing drinks and stellar food. Ciro's Speakeasy & Supper Club in South Tampa did not disappoint. Actually, the only disappointment we felt was when our meal had come to an end.

A speakeasy was an establishment that illegally sold alcohol during prohibition. These clubs were secret and often ran by gangsters during the 20's. While they were often raided by the police their popularity did not diminish. Due to the illegal nature of the clubs, some of them required secret passwords. And thus the premise for Ciro's. You will not find their menu online (part of the secrecy) but you will find phenomenal reviews.

When you arrive at Ciro's you feel a little confused about if you have made it to the correct location because the restaurant is tucked away behind an apartment complex (it does conveniently have valet parking). Earlier in the day, you are given a password for entrance. Once your party has assembled, you are escorted to do the door to give the appropriate password and then the fun begins!

Knock, Knock

We were seated in one of their large lounge rooms. At first, I was a little curious about how this would work because it does not have traditional tables. I ended up loving this set up because, unlike most dinner parties, we were free to get up and move about the room to converse with different folks. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to talk with everyone in our party as opposed to just those that I am seated next to.

The drinks are definitely one of the biggest highlights. Ciro's only sells alcohol that would have been around during prohibition. While there may not be many of the drinks we commonly have today, their mixologists whip up some of the most delicious drinks I have ever tasted. Our server, Chuck, simply asked us what we normally liked to drink and then brought us back something amazing. For our second drink, Mal and I even said just bring us what you think we would like and that was the best drink of the night. I could not tell you what it was (he described it, I don't recall) but I enjoyed every sip.

The food is perfect to share. Mal, Dwayne and I ordered a couple items off of the menu that we wanted to try and then shared our dishes. We feasted on their truffle popcorn, chicken and waffles and crab cakes. No lie, this food was so good that we did not want it to end. For dessert, Mal and Dwayne had the waffles with ice cream. While theirs did look good, I wanted to die and go to heaven over my dessert. I enjoyed chocolate fondue with churros (my fave) and fresh fruit. This dessert was killer. I wanted to just repeat the whole meal as soon as it was over!

Don't worry, I shared

Chuck, the server, made the experience all that much better. He was insanely knowledgeable and provided us with great service. Our meal ended up being about $40-$50 a person but it was well worth the splurge. We had such a marvelous time that we keep trying to make up another excuse to go back, immediately.

If you are in the Tampa area, definitely check out Ciro's Speakeasy or look to see if there is a speakeasy in your neck of the woods. 

sweet plans of summer

{Image Source Unknown}

I love a list so, naturally, I put together my plans of summer so that I can be sure to seize the moments of this fabulous season. 

1. Go to the drive in movie theater
2. Take a cake decorating class
3. Read Jane Austen

{Image Source}

4. Go sailing (already have my groupon purchased!)
5. Take in the sites at the Salvador Dali museum
6. Run a 5k
7. Try out paddle boarding

{Image Source}

8. Map out Greece trip
9. Host a board game night with friends
10. Make smores

{Image Source}

What are your plans for summer?

The Day I Tried Rock Climbing

I have always been a little (or a lot) scared of heights but there have been a few times in my life that I just went for it and overcame my desire to simply just stay put on the ground. Angie Away and I climbed a cliff in Hawaii and there were literally moments we could have fallen to our deaths but we continued on, taking in the enormous beauty of the island. And, the last time I climbed to new heights was at the start of graduate school when we participated in a ropes course. That day taught me that I could lean on those in my program as I climbed up some insanely tall infrastructure as they cheered me on, strapped in, and jumped off the ledge to zip line through the woods. So, yes, there have been a few moments well worth pretending I was not scared of heights at all.

This past weekend, I faced my fear again and took to the wall for rock climbing with some of my sorority sisters. Our alumnae group plans lots of fun outings but I was unsure about how I would do on this one. I actually had so much fun that I totally forgot that I was off of the ground! We had a great experience, gaining confidence with each climb and challenging ourselves to attempt harder courses. Bonus that it is also a great workout!

My climbing crew!

First time up the wall

Whose scared of heights?

Jennifer rocked this climb

Christine was our little wall climbing monkey

Taking on this weird part of the wall

Stop for a quick pose!

After I finished my day at the rock climbing wall, I felt empowered and eager to do it again. If you keep thinking about giving something new a try, do it. You may not be the greatest at it but having the courage to start and giving it a go is an accomplishment all on its own.

Big thanks to Jennifer for talking us into climbing! And to Vertical Ventures and their awesome staff for teaching us the ropes!

Dragon Boat Races

Each year, Tampa hosts the Dragon Boat Races. The annual festival raises thousands of dollars for local charities and has over 70 teams that compete in the competition. This year, one of my friends and co-workers signed up to participate on a team. A few of us from work went downtown for lunch at Jackson's Bistro and then decided that we would spend the rest of the afternoon watching the races.

The event was full of excitement and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the large boats race down the water. While we sort of stumbled upon the event this year, I look forward to heading down to the water again next year for the festivities.

Friday Night Concert in the Park

During April and May, Curtis Hixon Park and Lowry Park Bandshell host a Friday Extra Concert Series. Concert goers can enjoy live music, sweet treats and the great company of their friends. Did I mention that it is free?

I headed out to the Concert series with some friends. We hit one of my faves, Paninoteca, for supper. I had their tzatziki with pita wedges and spanakopita. It was a yummy splurge and a great break from my usual healthy diet.

After grabbing a bite to eat, we walked down to the park. We had a great time catching up on our lives and listening to the bands. The weather was absolutely perfect which certainly helped us to enjoy the evening, especially before the heat of the summer sets in.

Robert & Christine

Me & Jennifer

Concert!

Yummy Ice Cream Treat

While the series has come to an end, check out Curtis Hixon Park's Rock the Park Series to enjoy your own evening in the park.