Spring Training is Over! Now, what?
I cannot believe Spring Training is almost over. We have just two days left in Jupiter until we must begin our trek back down to Miami.
Jupiter is a place that is so near and dear to my heart–the place I never wanted to leave (I initially protested, kick, screamed and cried and felt the effects of it since then), but made the decision to relocate based on our future goals and dreams. Over the last few months as a full time resident in the Grove, I began falling in love with the community. We chose the absolute best place to live in Miami. But regardless, when it was time for Michael to begin Spring Training, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to work remotely for the month in the town that has so much of my heart. Ah, I remember the excitement of packing up to move back to Jupiter. But, no feeling was as overwhelming as the feelings of instant comfort and nostalgia that hit me like a ton of bricks the second I turned off 95 and onto Donald Ross–or what I felt when I went on my old running route around the Island– and on the short walk to Rooneys for trivia night with my friends– walking into Thirsty Turtle for happy hour and indulging fiercely into chicken wings– stepping onto the somewhat vacant (not overrun!) beach after a days worth of work, where we just sat thinking how lucky we are to be where we are standing; all these feelings felt were of “home.”
Living here again this past month reassured my true love for the this “small” beach town. With the most beautiful beaches right down the road, a solid and amazing group of friends that make me uncontrollably laugh, knowing that I must put myself together before I run out to the store because I know I will run into someone I know, limited amounts of traffic
, gosh, I mean, all those things don’t sound like much, but there are so many little reasons why I eventually want to call it home again. From the beginning, it was one of those when you know, you know type of feelings. Since I first visited my sister on spring break from college, quite a few years ago now (yikes), I knew I wanted to live here one day. However, I never imaged the friends I was going to meet or the boy I would eventually fall in love with. At the end of the day, the underlying love for this town, is the people of Jupiter. That’s what makes this place so special to me.
I am incredibly sad to leave, but I know it won’t be forever. Down the road– someday (not in the near future, but one day)–we will be back up here to make it permanent. I am hopeful. But in the meantime, I am so excited to head back home to begin truly building a balanced, successful and wonderful life Miami.
Some of the many things I am excited to return to in Coconut Grove! {All of Miami}
The Bookstore in the Grove: My home away from home! This was the establishment that made ME want to move to the Grove over any other part of Miami. Cannot wait to sip on morning coffee and see familiar faces. (The site of the Breakfast Club makes my day!) And while we were gone, they have been posting very fun events and specials and have been so jealous I couldn’t attend. So it’s going to be fun especially since I have been loving their new location.
Our loft a.k.a. our treehouse! We have the cutest little apartment and we came across it by fate.
Working with Carolina Benoit: This girl inspires me so much. Not only as a fashion designer,but as an entrepreneur. She also has a heart of gold and has taken me in under wing to get me on my way in the Miami fashion industry. You will be seeing our collaboration bi-weekly in some form or another.
Vinos in the Grove: My favorite wine bar. Love the conversation at the bar plus, they carry my favorite beer, the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter.
The Fresh Market: Miss this place more than you know. Love sampling their coffees and grocery shopping there. Even if I have to run out to grab one ingrediant, it is always the best experience. Oh and they have the best selection of everything! The personal pizzas are our favorite.
Home cooked meals: We’ve been eating out so frequently up here and we love preparing and eating home cooked meals, so I am thrilled to get back and start cooking again
SPIN: Before we left, we were spinning almost every day! It is by far our favorite work out; can’t wait to dive back into it!
Swine: The owners of Yardbird , by far our most favorite restaurant we ever ate at, opened this new restaurant in Coral Gables and we are so excited to try it out with our friend Marc (one of the biggest foodies I know).
Lokal: I dream of the Frita by Kush pretty regularly. But, what I am most excited for is grabbing PBR’s out of the cooler
Just that unique experience makes me happy! And the fact that there are honor systems out there still being enforced is refreshing.
Exploration of Wynwood (still haven’t checked it out!): Can you believe it? Ms. Artsy, over here, still never walked through and around Wynwood.
Patiently awaiting the arrival of Trader Joes.
Lastly, meeting new friends, networking, building professional relationships with passionate creatives who are following their dreams, submersing myself further into the culture and city of Miami.
Austin, TEXAS
AUSTIN, TEXAS!
Touchdown in Austin! My father flew with me from Fort Lauderdale. The trip was so quick and easy . On the flight, I edited photos and my Dad critiqued them!…
My sister’s view from her big deck to her backyard! The weather was gorgeous. It was my favorite kind of weather: fall! Each day the temps were in the 60′s with lots of sun!
Jane (my sister) and I drove to Central Market (one of the best fresh markets I’ve ever been to) to pick up dinner necessities. On our drive, I admired the sky, thinking how different it looked from any other sunset sky, but just appreciating it more that I was “out west!”
So, while Jane and Jim finished up their last day of work before maternity/paternity leave, my parents, sister, Julie, and baby Joey and I went window shopping on South Congress. This street is what I imagined Texas would be like: very cool!
We stopped at Allens Boots! This place was great! I’ve never seen so many cowboy boots and hats in my life! I loved how this part of the store was called the mancave! Very clever.
We stumbled across the store “Uncommon Things”! For a photographer who stylizes lots of their work, especially food & still life photographers, I would definitely check this place out! They have the MOST uncommon but beautiful things.
On South Congress, one side of the road has a big open parking lot lined with a large variety of food trucks. This particular truck had it’s own corner.
At lunch time, this place is hopping! I can imagine working on or off of South Congress and making a daily trip each day!
This place was incredibly unique. I loved their beer selection, but the winner was the homemade pretzels with the mouth watering beer cheese dip.
This was one of the entry ways to Easy Tiger. How cute!
I absolutely loved this on the wall. It went really well with the decor and overall feel of the bakery.
Yes, that is a jalapeno! You must get the Siberian Donkey at Parkside. We made it there for happy hour. The specialty drinks & apps were delicious! As far as apps went, we ordered the crispy calamari, smoked paparika and aolio, (one of the best platters of calamari I ever ate), chicken meatballs, jalopena, pineapple, and grilled bar steak fries! It was enough for us all 8 of us to share to hold us over for dinner later that evening! Due to the quality and presentation of everything, I thought we were going to walk away with a big bill (which would have totally been worth it), regardless of happy hour, but it was EXTREMELY affordable. Make sure you don’t miss this joint!
We hiked the day before my sister went into labor!
Look at them! The last hike without Luke!






