florida travel guide: places to see (part 1).

This ended up being a much longer list than I originally anticipated. I asked for suggestions from friends and family, so this is the best of the best. Northern Florida suggestions to come!

Central Florida

> Orange Blossom Grove. Citrus is a quintessential Florida staple. At Orange Blossom Grove you can buy citrus, soft serve ice cream, taffy, tacky Florida souvenirs (that are actually kind of awesome), Florida honey, and you can see a little backdoor peak of how they manage all their citrus. It's a small little outing, but one that's really fun and happy.

> The Tampa Theatre. This theatre is one of the most beautiful, magical places I've ever seen. I automatically feel like I'm going back in time when I step inside. Whether you sign up for a haunted tour or decide to see a movie instead, it is definitely worth a trip!

> Heritage Village. One of my personal favorites, Heritage Village saves historical homes and opens them to the public. Everything from an old caboose to a (vast) assortment of old doctors' tools to an old schoolhouse (complete with bell) is located on the property. And it's educational, too, which is an added bonus (in my opinion)!

>Tampa Bay Rays (Spring Training) Game. I am a baseball fan, and I think it's even more fun when you get to go to a game. The spring training games are a super fun time, and I love the regular season games as well.

> Sarasota Salvage Yard. This is such a fun and unique place to visit if you're looking for an attraction that's more off the beaten path (those are my favorite). There are so many neat objects to look at and a bunch of hidden treasures that would make really special souvenirs. A must-see, for sure.

> Florida Parks. Florida has a significant amount of parks that are incredible and so much fun to visit. If you are visiting Florida and need a list of recommendations, please email me.

> Lowry Park Zoo. If you enjoy zoos, Lowry Park is a really, really great one. One of my top recommendations for something fun and special to do in Florida.

> Ringling Museum of Art. I can't say enough about the Ringling Museum. From beautiful banyan trees to a beautiful rose garden to an incredible mansion to beautiful artwork to amazing vintage circus paraphernalia, it is truly (!) a gem to behold.

> Hillsborough River. Canoeing on this river is one of the most relaxing, serene, and peaceful trips I have ever taken. The natural beauty is breathtaking and it's a front seat to some of Florida's finest aspects.

> St. Petersburg Art Museum & The Dali Museum. I have not yet been to the new Dali museum, but I am sure it is incredible. As for the St. Pete Art Museum, it's a lovely place to visit.

> Historic Ybor City Tour. We went on this tour a few years ago, and it was so much fun to learn a bit more about Ybor's history. I certainly recommend it for people who enjoy learning about the past!

> Indian Rocks Beach. A small, but beautiful beach that is less crowded than the ever-popular Clearwater Beach. A bit more scenic and peaceful, which is exactly what a beach should be, in my opinion.

cristino's.

I'm not sure about you, but dining out is one of my favorite things to do. Even better is dining out with good company. The best is dining out spontaneously at an unusual dining hour, say 3:30 pm. Add the best pepperoni there is and beautiful weather for eating outside, and you have created one of the most wonderful ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. And for the record, pepperoni's not really my thing, so that must mean this stuff is really, really good.

apple crisp.

There are some desserts that are just cozy. The kind of dessert you want to make when it's rainy, a bit chilly, and there is a big, warm blanket in your future. That dessert comes in the form of a crisp, with Pink Lady apples and vanilla ice cream.

We have made this crisp many times. It is easy and most of the ingredients are probably in your pantry. You should know, though, that it takes 55 minutes to bake. That news could be a blow to your sweet tooth if you weren't expecting it, so you're welcome. We enjoyed ours while watching The Help, which I adored.

little snapshots.

1. There's something about bulletin boards that I really love.
2. Valentine's flowers for my mom (from my dad).
3. This cute little guy.
4. Sister's artwork (pictured: My beautiful Grammy).
5. Wise old soul.
6. Year of dates for my dad (from my mom).

I felt like a weekend at home could do me good so that's exactly where I went. I finally saw The Help (and loved it), we made apple crisp (recipe to come), we took a 9.5 mile walk (!) and stopped at O'Keefe's to celebrate, saw Dolphin Tale, went to Cristino's, met my sweet, 6.5-week old cousin, and my mom and I made two Target runs, which is a necessity during a weekend at home. It was the perfect weekend to get rejuvenated and remind myself of the strong roots from which I come. Happy Monday, friends! xo

florida travel guide: restaurants.

Northern Florida

> Lunchbox. A sweet little spot for outdoor dining, Lunchbox offers fresh, veg-friendly cuisine. We like the tacos. They also offer homemade soda, unique desserts, and delicious french fries.

> Satchel's. Our personal favorite. Honestly, the best pizza I have ever tasted. The deep dish and traditional pizzas are equally impressive. Always, always order a salad. Stop at Lightning Salvage (the backdoor trinket shop) before leaving. On the weekends, go early or you'll wait forever. It's worth it, though.

> Boca Fiesta. If you like Mexican food with a twist, you'll probably like this. We like getting the chips and queso more than anything. (They also offer alligator tacos, if you're into that kind of thing.)

> Dragonfly. Delicious sushi. I like the grilled chicken roll as someone who is not a seafood fan. Tempura cheesecake and Tempura ice cream are insanely delicious dessert selections.

> The Top. Quirky atmosphere with a special Sunday brunch, wide (delicious) selection of desserts, and veg-friendly entrees. Also, a photobooth.

> Leonardo's. Pizza, fast. Inexpensive, really tasty. Slices to try: Thick cheese, Portobello, Spin Tom. Calzones are wonderful (but take about 20 minutes to prepare). I also really love the Organic salad. Get the rolls with both kinds of sauces.

> La Tienda. Authentic Mexican food at a decent price. The Chimichanga is our favorite. Good chips, lots of bottled soda selections. A must try for Mexican food lovers.

Central Florida

> Toula's Trailside Cafe. Located on the county's public bicycle trail, Toula's is the perfect spot for breakfast. Favorites: Greek or Italian Scramble and the Banana Bread French Toast. Big portions, easy to split.

> Cappy's. The best deep dish slice of pizza in the South, I guarantee it (I've also heard the NY slice is good). Get the Greek salad and sit outside. There are three locations, all of which are most likely awesome. Our go-to location is in a historic house. Also, they give bubblegum with the bill. That should be reason enough to GO THERE.

> Mazzaro's Italian Market. A really neat Italian grocery store with amazing (and amazingly priced) sandwiches. We like the #2 (not pressed). A very impressive selection of bottled sodas, an incredible bakery (!), and a fun place to simply browse. This place is always crowded, but it is worth it!

> El Cap. The best no-fuss burger I have ever tasted. Plain and simple.

> Thai Basil. My favorite restaurant, maybe ever. Friendly service, great meals, and the most delicious Thai iced tea that ever was. Suggestions: Chicken Cashew, Red Curry with tofu, and Vegetable Pad Thai.

> Cristino's. Wonderful thin sliced pizza. We like to get the Margherita with pepperoni. Seriously, the best (Best!) pepperoni I have EVER had. Their gelato is really good, too.

> O'Keefe's. A really fun and unique selection of burgers. Reminds of the kind of place that would be especially fun to duck into on a rainy day.

> Pinky's. The best breakfast in the bay area. Really funky, fun atmosphere with friendly service. Their frittatas are especially tasty. They also have really great pancakes.

> Pizza Shack. The best breadsticks. The best calzones. A family favorite for many, many years.

> Main Bar Sandwich Shop. Probably the best pressed Italian sandwich I have ever had. Plus, all kinds of really neat, vintage circus photos on the walls.

a moment in time.

It's quiet this evening. The door is open and the birds are chirping. The incessant construction that surrounds our little home sounds friendly today and some clothes are out drying on our little entry way. A chair is sitting out by the front door, still open from Jeffrey's outdoor lunch. And it is all just so lovely. So lovely to remember the little things and just how special they are when you stop and allow them to be.

florida travel guide.

As a citizen (and lover) of The Sunshine State, I felt as though it was high time to create a guide dedicated to exploring the hidden gems that my home state has to offer. Florida is a place that will always have a special spot in my heart. My childhood was spent slurping popsicles that had melted, building sandcastles, and wearing a lot of tank tops, shorts, and flip flops.

People tend to think they have Florida pegged down: Old people, tourist trap (see: Disney World), hot. These may be true, but there are also a lot of small wonders off the beaten path that I, personally, believe are worth seeing. I think most residents of Florida would agree with me.

Obviously, this guide will grow. It will also take me some time to poke through my archives to pull out the posts in which I write about specific places (my desire to be private often leaves my descriptions somewhat vague). Therefore, I have decided to present this guide in sections. I'll start with restaurants (which will be posted tomorrow), perhaps my favorite category.

And as a general disclaimer, my recommendations may or may not suit your tastes. For example, if you don't fancy a giant garage sale that requires a lot of patience to find a bit of magic to take home, then the Junk Lady is probably not for you. That being said, every place or attraction I add to this list is one that gets a sparkling recommendation from me (and, most likely, my family and friends). Of course, if you have any questions, please email me.