The Good-to-be-Home Weekend

Wow, I can't believe it's August already! This year has been zipping by but I guess time flies when you're having fun although we really need to slow down the clock for getting older!

I had a pretty low key weekend which was perfect after returning home from our family vacation in Jamaica last week. Other than catching up on some sleep, my days were spent unpacking, doing tons of laundry, and getting things organized around the house.

We ventured out on Saturday night to celebrate my good friend's birthday at Tapa Toro for dinner, which is a new Spanish Tapas restaurant right below the Orlando Eye. The food was delicious and the company was even better. We stayed out for a few hours to celebrate the birthday girl and then called it a night. 

On Sunday K and I made spent the morning relaxing at home and giving Lola all the attention. We missed her while on vacation.

We went out to grab some groceries and lunch and can I just say my new favorite guilty pleasure are Brie Bites. I may have to try making a baked version of these at home since I'm a huge fan of brie cheese.

That's all I have for today! I hope this week treats you well...I'm praying the heat in Florida eases up for us soon since it's been unbearably sauna-like hot. The weather was much more comfortable in Jamaica!


Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

More Love. Less Hate.

Happy Friday friends, I've missed you.

I'm hoping to get back on a regular blogging schedule as soon as life quiets down a bit. I started the new job on Monday and was in training for the first half of the week. Since then I've been getting settled into my new office. I love it so far. Everyone is so nice and I have some awesome team members full of jokes. I've already worked some 12 hour days this week but you know what, I love it. I'm so happy for this breath of fresh air and to feel valued again. This new journey excites me beyond words.

  

That's a quick update on life lately but the point of this post has nothing to do with me. There's so much hurt and pain happening right here in Orlando it can't be ignored. Orlando has been my home for 14 years so it holds a special place in my heart. Over the years I've built a large network of friends, business acquaintances, and mentors in all walks of life. Some of my favorite people are in the LGBT community, who were the target of this terrorist attack. That breaks my heart. I know this is a nationwide tragedy but it's so close to home for us here in Central Florida. Friends of friends were victims. Friends of friends were there and got away luckily but now struggle with PTSD. As I've said before, there are just no words....

 What is so incredibly heartwarming in the midst of this tragedy is to see the outpouring of support from our local community and even nationwide. So many people showed up to donate blood this week that people had to be turned away.  We've had countless vigils in different parts of Orlando with thousands of people showing up to pay respect and show their support. Doctors, mental health professionals, and victim services are offering free treatment for the victims and their families.

I know we're resilient people but how does one bounce back from this? 

I think the abundance of community support will help us try to live happily again in the place we once called "The City Beautiful". It's my home and I'll protect and serve my community with all the means I have. I will not let terrorists dull the spirit of our city and all that Orlando has to offer. It's a happy place for residents and visitors from around the world.

Our spark may be dimmed but we will learn to shine again, never forgetting the victims of this senseless attack.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Orlando

From traveling around to different cities, I've realized that Orlando has some of the best deals for happy hour during the week to unwind after work. Other than people that work for the big amusement parks in Orlando a large portion of young professionals work downtown and the surrounding areas so there's lots of fun places to meet up after work for a quick drink and/or bite with friends. Here are a few of my personal favorite spots although there are TONS of other great happy hour deals in Orlando!

Restaurant titles are clickable if you want to visit the website to get more information or view the menu.

Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar

Carmel Cafe has happy hour 7 days a week from 4-7pm which includes $5 large glasses of wine, $5 small plates, $2 off liquor drinks and $1 off beer. We also love going on Thursday nights which is $5 martini night. Nothing gets me more excited than that!

Aku Aku Tiki Bar
Aku Aku has a different special everyday on their Hawaiian style drinks. Insider tip: The Tiger Fucker cocktail pictured below is a must-try but only have one because they are very strong and a very large size cocktail!

 

The Gnarly Barley

Daily specials: Taco Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, Tin Thursday (craft beers) and $1 off drafts on Tues-Fri from 4-7pm.

Vanbarry's Public House

Daily drink specials and live music on the patio from 12-3pm. Vanbarry's has a really nice outside patio and allows dogs which is perfect for us for happy hour, lunch or brunch!

The Parkview

Graffiti Junktion
Graffiti Junktion has happy hour all week long M-F which includes $1 off draft beers; $3 house wine; $4 well drinks & margaritas.

Hammered Lamb

The Brass Tap
Happy hour is Monday to Friday from 4-7 pm and includes $4 pint beers, $4 house wines, and $6 small plates.

The Porch
The Porch has a nice, relaxed atmosphere with different food and drink specials during the week: Craft beer specials and 1/2 price burgers on Tuesdays. Kids eat free on Wednesdays. All you can eat wings on Thursdays.
 

So now I'm ready for some happy hour. Is it Friday yet?

Weekend Whereabouts

Hoping everyone had a great weekend. On Friday K and I went for happy hour at World of Beer and then had an early dinner at Shari for some amazing sushi rolls.

On Saturday morning we went car shopping and I found the exact car I was wishing for ~ Mazda CX-5.

After hours of car dealerships, we headed downtown for some lunch and a couple beverages. When we got there, we realized there was a huge Orlando City Soccer pub crawl going on so everyone was wearing purple to support our city's soccer team.

K and I went to Ferg's Depot for some oysters and a couple beers before heading home to watch movies and relax with Lola.

 On Sunday we were up bright and early so we made some breakfast and watched the news before heading to Vanbarry's with Lola for lunch and to watch the Orlando City Soccer game.

 

It was a relaxing weekend with some fun and not much productivity. LOL

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Weekend Whereabouts

How is it Monday already? The weekends are just never long enough. This weekend was full of celebrations and time spent with friends.

On Friday after work I met up with K and Lola downtown for happy hour and then dinner at Dexter's on the outside patio.

On Saturday I did a bunch of errands before heading to Sea Dog Brewing Co. for an early dinner and blogger date with Meg from Borrowed Heaven and Kate. Meg was in town visiting from Charleston with her husband and we had a nice time chatting over some drinks and dinner.

 

After dinner Kate and I headed downtown to celebrate a good friend's "F*ck Cancer" party since she's finally free of cancer after a year long battle. We are so happy she can live her life normally again because she really is the most sweetest and genuine girl that deserves a healthy life.

On Sunday we went out to celebrate the 1st birthday of little Landyn at their lakefront house. It's ridiculous that it was almost 80 degrees during "winter" in Florida but I'll take that over snow and frigid temps.

 

 

I loved spending time with friends, babies and fur babies this weekend.

 
Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.