DELRAY DELIGHTS

Early this week I was over on the East Coast of Florida and I had a chance to swing by downtown Delray Beach while there on business. I had seen "Linda Bean's Maine Lobster" before and read that it had amazing lobster rolls, so we stopped in for lunch. My husband isn't into shellfish, but he indulged me - being the great guy and good sport that he is - and I had the best lobster roll I've ever tasted! The roll was accompanied by their "kelpislaw", pickles and salt & vinegar chips. It really hit the mark.

Another draw along Delray's main drag - Atlantic Ave. - is prep clothing headquarters "The Snappy Turtle"

This place has been a celebrated spot for finding brightly colored, tropical clime casual clothing, accessories and gifts for a long time and is right up my alley. 

Very Palm Beach-y. Lots of gauzy tunics, monograms, and prep overload. 

Loved the accessories corner where you can buy just about anything monogrammed.

Entrance to the beach - I love natural arbors.

We saw a parrot with some beautiful lemony yellow tailfeathers just hanging out in the trees.

Delray Beach also has an arts district charmingly dubbed "The Pineapple Arts District".

I didn't get a chance to visit it this time, but will return soon to see more. If you haven't been to Delray Beach, I would definitely recommend a visit. It's a charming place to stay, chock-full of cute shops and good restaurants right on the Atlantic. Have you been?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

THE KEYS FOR RELAXATION

This is dining alfresco at Morada Bay Cafe, a great spot for lunch 

and even better for a sunset dinner. 

Last week I took a little trip down to my sister and brother-in-laws house in the Florida Keys (which is for sale here, btw). Islamorada to be exact.  Even though I've been living in Florida for 6 years now, I had yet to visit the infamous Keys.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time and was, once again, awed by the natural beauty of my adopted state, especially the water. Breathtaking! Here's my little synopsis and a few highlights. I may spread these out in a couple of posts.

Pretty nice view, right?

Fish tacos are a staple favorite of mine, so guess what I ordered?

this is the sister establishment of Morada Bay Cafe, Pierre's

I love how the outdoor tables are painted in such charming colors - right up my alley!

I can't decide which color combo I like best.

Old Florida style with a tin roof, hot pink shutters and periwinkle blue trim.

If you're ever in Islamorada, I would definitely recommend stopping in for ambience and a little refreshment

Find your place in the sun (or shade)!

Check it out here

TROPICAL ESCAPE FOR SALE

My stylish and creative sister and her husband have just renovated a home in the Florida Keys and it's now on the market!  If you're looking for a base in Islamorada where you can soak up the sun and spend your days on the water, then look no further!

The home has 2 separate levels with 2 apartments complete with their own kitchen and baths. Ideal for large family gatherings or as rentals.

You can keep a boat in the backyard on your own dock with canal access to the Ocean!

Lushly landscaped with palms and low-maintenance tropical foliage

Complete with beautiful acacia wood floors

Premium appliances, marble countertops, subway tiles and flooded with light!

Find out all the details here.

FLORIDA STYLE

via Gulf to Bay Sothebys

via Shorely Chic

via Palm Beach Sothebys

I hope that you had a nice weekend. I had a very nice one myself and was just thinking how blessed I feel to live in Florida. 

Moving here over 5 years ago was one of the best things I have ever done. 

We have a perfectly sunny, warm Winter and then, even in Summer, we experience cooler temperatures than many parts of the U.S.  I never grow tired of the lush vegetation, beautiful beaches and laid-back lifestyle. It's a place full of green and color year-round and being expressive with color in your dress and decorating is not frowned upon, so I fit in perfectly.

 It's definitely not a place where the chromaphobic mentality reigns! 

Viva Florida!

FLAMINGO - NEW PAINTING

Did you have a nice weekend? I hope so!

I got in a little pool time and some relaxation that left me refreshed and ready for the week.

Here's another piece in my abstract series. I've named it "Flamingo" because it was inspired by the colors of the indigenous birds and water here in Florida. It's available now in my shop here - more to come!

A PERSONAL RE-BOOT

I haven't been doing much of this lately, as things have been very busy work-wise.  When I do need a break and get an hour or two to re-boot, I like to head to the local beach with my trusty pink portable lounger.

The first Trader Joe's in Florida recently opened here, so I've become a regular as I love their selection and great values. I often come away with one of these to eat at the beach

Trader Joe's "Super Spinach" salad with carrot ginger dressing and a myriad of other raw goodies. I love their roasted sea weed, too. I enjoy every morsel, even when everyone else thinks I am crazy! Have you ever tried it? I say, don't knock it until you've tried it!

Then I will sit and listen to the waves and watch all of the tourists watch this

And I feel rejuvenated enough to go back at it for another day!

Enjoy your Wednesday.

PALM BEACH LOOK AT C. BELL

Even though I live across the state, on "the other coast" from Palm Beach, I still find the look perfectly charming and a'propos for the way I want to live. C. Bell is a great source for the PB look and I always enjoy the emails they send that are chock-full of their latest acquisitions.  

Like this great Pagoda-style glass panel cabinet OR

These matching end tables/ night stands OR

this colorful oil painting of a Scarlet Ibis with egg. (I have Ibis in my backyard all the time - they love to poke around in the grass looking for food)

All these great pieces can be found here - be sure to sign up for their mailing list while you're at it!

DUSK ON THE GULF COAST

This is just one of the many reasons I like living on the Florida coast....my view out the back of the house.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend with some opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and a little relaxation. I will see you back here on Monday!

SUNSET AND MOON RISING

Last night I took a walk at sunset with my camera. It was breathtaking. There's nothing like living near the water, especially here in Florida. On the front of the house, the sun was setting and on the back, the moon was rising. Even my lack of photographic skills don't completely kill the beauty of it. Very illustrative to me of life and the hope I have because of Easter and all that it represents to me personally. Even while the sun is setting, marking the death of the day, the moon is also rising simultaneously. God never leaves us without light and hope for the future. The seeming "end" of one thing always marks the beginning of something better. The best is always yet to be! Happy Easter! Have a wonderful weekend!

WEEKEND PLANS?

A little relaxing by the pool

Attack on the racks - a huge Lilly Pulitzer sale

A great local stationery shop with a myriad of choices for a paper junkie

More Lilly - definitely perfect for South Florida

A beautiful finish to the day

Here's a few photos from last weekend. I must admit that Winter in South Florida simply cannot be topped. Even when there's work to catch up on, it's great to spend a little time outside. Nothing like soaking up a little sun to energize me! I wish you all a warm, relaxing weekend. See you on Monday!