Weekend Recap : Arts & Eats in St. Pete

What a fun weekend it was! Perhaps a little too fun, since I feel like I'm in recovery mode over here, making for a not very productive Monday. (Though, to my credit, I have managed to do a few interviews for another freelance story assignment my former editor sent me; yay!) If I had to sum up our weekend in three words it would be these: arts, eats and drinks. We only have six weeks left here in St. Petersburg and I am determined to make the most of our time and cross off items on my Florida bucket list (which I've added a few more must-dos to). 

To that end, on Thursday night we went to downtown St. Pete to check out the Museum of Fine Arts, which offers discounted admission on Thursday nights: $5 after 5 p.m. We browsed two of the current exhibitions—"Monet to Matisse" and "Life's A Beach"—and quickly explored some of the museum's permanent collection before running off to meet friends at Red Mesa Cantina for a birthday dinner. On Friday, the hubs and I had a little date night, starting with drinks at The Canopy, The Birchwood's gorgeous rooftop lounge (which I previously wrote about here and here), and then dinner and dessert at Annata, the tapas-style wine bar where Jen and I had a fabulous girls' night back in February. I knew G would love it as much as we did and Annata didn't disappoint; it was just as delicious as last time. On Saturday, we laid low, cleaned the house, and the hubby slow-cooked a pork shoulder for hours to make us Hawaiian-inspired teriyaki pulled pork tacos for dinner. 

Yesterday, Sunday, we ventured back to downtown St. Pete for the annual Mainsail Arts Festival in Vinoy Park (a few snapshots, above). Unfortunately, the heat and humidity were a bit too much to bear, coupled with a strong gusty wind that kept blowing my dress, shawl and hair this way and that. (I wore the complete wrong outfit for the occasion. Don't you hate when that happens?) So we didn't stick around long and instead sought refuge and cool drinks along Beach Drive. First a late lunch at 400 Beach, followed by leisurely drinks (again) at The Canopy and then a little champagne (for me) and oysters at the Sundial's newest upscale eatery, Sea Salt. 

Now you know why I'm feeling a little sluggish this Monday. But, I have to say, it was all worth it.

I'll be back with more on our visits to the Museum of Fine Arts, Annata and Sea Salt, later!

Outdoor Living : Small Patio & Balcony Inspiration

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Every morning I take the dogs for a walk around our apartment complex and I always find myself admiring the way others have decorated their patios and balconies. The furniture they've chosen, the plants lining the perimeter. The way some of our neighbors have made the most of their small outdoor spaces and created their own semi-private sanctuary to hang out or have an evening cocktail. Can you sense a tinge of jealously in my voice? 

[ Our apartment balcony looks like this. Except we don't even have a chair! ]

Our balcony, which I'd estimate to be about 9x4.5 feet, is empty save for a sad fake fern and a gecko plant stand—both remnants from my husband's bachelor days. (Plastic greenery and lizard-themed anything. Need I say more?) Even though we don't have the greatest view, situated right behind a supermarket, we do have some trees and pretty partial sunsets and it was always my intention when we moved in last June to spruce up our little slice of the outdoors. But we quickly found out we wouldn't be staying in St. Pete very long and it seemed fruitless and maybe even a bit frivolous to buy new patio furniture, hang lights, and pot plants and herbs when we'd be moving in less than a year. 

Yet, now that spring is here, I've found myself wishing on exceptionally gorgeous days that we had made the effort and investment to create an outdoor space we want to use. Our goal when we move to Jersey is to find a rental home with a backyard—for us and the dogs. (In the midst of writing this post, the hubs found out we have been released from military housing. Yay!) But even if we end up having to live in an apartment once again, I am determined to create an enviable, look-at-me patio or balcony. For when that time comes, I've rounded up some images to inspire us to make the most of whatever outdoor living space we have, no matter how small. My must-haves: color, texture, nature (succulents! herbs!), a sense of privacy, functionality... and that cozy, intimate, romantic vibe that makes you want to go sit outside and chill.

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More inspiration for your patio or balcony, after the jump...

Wedding Wednesdays : My Best Friend's Malibu Wedding

My best friend of 22 years said "I do" to the love of her life on March 27, their seven-year anniversary, at the breathtakingly beautiful Malibu West Beach Club, and I was so blessed to stand beside her as her maid of honor. It was a perfect, warm, sunshine-filled Southern California day and the sparkling Pacific and clear blue skies made for a gorgeous backdrop during the outdoor ceremony, held on a patio overlooking the beach. Marielle stunned in her Maggie Sottero fit-and-flare gown, with sweetheart bodice and intricate rosette detailing in the skirt, while the bridesmaids donned vibrant blue chiffon frocks with ruffled necklines. A close friend officiated the nuptials, and Marielle and JP shared sweet and funny personal vows they wrote for each other. (I had the privilege of looking them over before the big day!) Once they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs., the wedding party kicked off their shoes and headed down to the sand for pictures while the rest of the guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio. A nod to JP's love of football, the newlyweds made their grand entrance into the reception by breaking through a paper sign and strutting to the NFL theme song! They then went right into their first dance, swaying and spinning 'round to John Legend's soulful ballad "All of Me." The reception was held inside the beach club, and Marielle's vision of a cobalt blue and yellow wedding, with chevron table overlays (hand-sewn by the mother of the bride) and touches of glitter and gold, came together even better than I could have imagined. No seashells or nautical kitsch here; the look was bright, fun, graphic and modern. A chic beachside wedding. After dinner was served (the 105 guests noshed on beef short ribs, bruschetta salmon or butternut squash risotto), the best man and I gave our speeches (eek!), and then the dance party began. In addition to cake, a dessert table/snack bar (another nod to the sports-obsessed groom) offered up cookies, cupcakes, brownie bites, jam bars, gourmet popcorn and pretzels to fuel wedding revelers, while the flowing wine and beer fueled hilarious takes in the ever-popular photo booth. In addition to their photo strips, guests took home custom etched pint glasses inscribed with the bride and groom's names and wedding date. A lot of love, sweat, glitter and spray paint went into crafting a dream day—a day seven years in the making—and it truly was the best day ever for Marielle and JP. There's nothing more I could wish for my best friend.

These photos were borrowed from the Instagram accounts of some of the couple's vendors: Matrimony Films, Nick Belohlavy Photography, and makeup artist/hair stylist Melissa Beck-Swarberg. I can't wait to see the professional photographs once they come in! Until then, I present my quick snaps from the rehearsal and wedding day, after the jump... 

Treasure Trove : St. Pete's Brocante Vintage Market

Two weekends ago, shortly after returning from California, the hubs and I decided to break out of our jet lag funk and get back out into the St. Pete sunshine. We stopped by the Saturday Morning Market (where we picked up the produce needed to make this delicious brunch) and then headed over to another, completely different but equally spectacular bustling marketplace: the Brocante Vintage Market.

Visiting Brocante was a must-do item on my winter/spring bucket list and I knew we had to go this month or next or lose our chance forever. (Dramatic, I know, but we're moving to Jersey in June, eeps!) Located on the edge of downtown St. Petersburg and open the first weekend of every month, Brocante is a 15,000-square-foot treasure trove sure to tempt and delight lovers of all things vintage. The large space is filled with fabulous vintage, repurposed and reimagined finds of all kinds, from the weird to the pretty, the useful to the kitsch.

Whether you purchase anything or not, it's a wonderful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon: Hit up whatever food truck happens to be outside—the sweet corn nuggets from Hott Mess didn't disappoint, and neither did our post-shopping beers at 3 Daughters Brewing, which is right across the street—and then walk through each room of the former piano factory and peruse all the market has to offer. Or, if you're like me, take photos of all the things you love and wish you could take home (if only you had the room!). Much of what caught my eye wasn't all that expensive, but we simply do not have any more cabinet space in the kitchen of our one-bedroom apartment to cater to my undying love for cute glassware and quirky plates. Nor do we have the shelves for more bird figurines or antique bottles. G reminds me of this all the time.

But, luckily, the hubby did allow me to scoop up a sweet little cast iron skillet, in a pretty sage green color, with perfectly imperfect rust spots. A great accent piece for the kitchen, I knew I could put it to use on our counter to corral often-used spices. And it was a deal, I thought, at just 14 bucks.

After the jump, more photos from our trip to Brocante Market, if you'd like to see...

Sunday Brunch : A Spring-Perfect Zucchini Frittata

Last week, at St. Pete's Saturday Morning Market, the hubs and I picked up some beautiful, fresh produce, including one seriously gigantic zucchini and a $3 container of squash blossoms—a steal, I thought, for such a unique ingredient. Once I saw them, hiding inconspicuously near the checkout at one of the farmer's market stands, I knew just what to make with them: a frittata. Now, while zucchini and squash are on constant rotation in our kitchen, I had never actually used squash blossoms before. But I had seen an episode of the Cooking Channel show "Extra Virgin" many moons ago where Debi Mazar's hunky Italian husband, Gabriele, used them atop a gorgeous, light and fluffy frittata. In our house, G is the one who whips up frittatas for breakfast on the weekend. So on Easter morn, I felt it was my turn to return the favor.

Apparently in Italy, frittatas are not so much a breakfast food as they are a snack or lunch, which makes it perfect for an American brunch! And this recipe is super quick and easy, which, if you're anything like me and you appreciate your sleep, means you don't have to wake up early to create a surprisingly delicious and pretty dish to feed your family—or, in my case, your husband. This recipe is also ideal if you are serving guests: Everyone will be impressed with how good such simple ingredients (zucchini and eggs!) can taste.

You may roll your eyes when you read this, but you'll understand when you try it: This frittata tastes like spring and sunshine.

Frittata with Zucchini and Squash Blossoms

Recipe from Extra Virgin

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Makes 8 servings (or slices), or 4 if you're really hungry!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 shallot, finely chopped

1 medium zucchini (or 2 small zucchinis, or half of a gigantic one), diced small

6 eggs

2 tablespoons milk, or water (I used 2% milk)

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Pinch of fine sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 to 3 zucchini flowers (or more if you have them), cleaned, stamen removed and torn in half (optional)

Tuscan bread (any crusty bread will do), for serving

Directions

Heat the oil in an 8- to 10-inch nonstick sauté pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and zucchini and cook until just beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat the eggs with the milk. Add the Parmigiano (a zester works great for grating) and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. (Remember, the cheese has a salty kick itself.) Stir until combined.

When the zucchini have softened, remove the pan from the heat and add the zucchini to the eggs.  Stir to combine. (Note: I let my zucchini cool for a few minutes, for fear of scrambling my eggs before they were even in the pan! Also, if you're wondering why you shouldn't just dump the eggs into the zucchini, it's because you need an empty pan for the next step.)

Add the butter to the same pan and swirl to melt. Add the egg and zucchini mixture and top with the torn zucchini flowers if you have them. I had more than just 3 flowers and I didn't feel like holding back—I decorated the top in a sunburst pattern, using as many squash blossoms as I could fit.

Cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat until the edges of the frittata begin to brown and the center has set and is puffed slightly, about 8 to 12 minutes. You can also throw the frittata under your broiler uncovered for a few minutes like I did to help speed up the cooking process and get the top nice and golden. But watch carefully to ensure it doesn't brown; you want those beautiful yellow blossoms to shine through. 

To serve, slide the frittata out onto a cutting board top side up. Or, simply slice it up in the pan. Eat with charred and buttered Tuscan bread. We had a loaf of rosemary sea salt bread and it was the perfect accompaniment. 

I also spooned some marinated cherry tomatoes (halved tomatoes tossed in a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper) onto our plates because I have a thing for zucchini and tomatoes. They're best buddies in my culinary world.

One last side note: The leftovers save well! Pop extra slices in tupperware and put in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave for a quick and tasty breakfast or lunch the next day.

[ Zucchini and shallot diced. Prepping the squash blossoms. ]

[ Unabashed usage of squash blossoms makes for a extra special, golden frittata. ]

[ The dogs and my hungry-but-patient hubby are always just out of frame in my food shots. ]

[ If you have leftover Parmigiano-Reggiano, make like snow and sprinkle on some extra. ]

[ The perfect bite. ]

As always, if you try out this recipe, I'd love to hear how you liked it! What's your favorite way to brunch? Are you a sweet or savory breakfast person? Savory always wins for me, hands down. I take care of the sweet factor with a mimosa. Cheers!

Back to My Roots : Telling Stories that Inspire

During my California adventure, I spent most of my time back in my hometown of Simi Valley. After the bridal shower and bachelorette party, I didn't have as much on my plate so when I met up with my good friend and former editor, Kyle, for lunch I asked if the newspaper was in need of any freelancers. He thought I was joking at first, saying "Don't tease!" but I told him that I could use the money, something to do and fresh clips. So he put me to work! My first story was more newsy, covering a forum that aimed to bolster awareness of bullying and sexual harassment in local schools and what policies the district has in place to prevent and address such issues. It was an interesting forum but, to be honest, my favorite part was running into my old AP U.S. History teacher, who was the chair of the event. She said she remembered me (though I think teachers feel like they have to say that) and she was so proud of the work I was doing. While working as the lead reporter for the Simi Valley Acorn for five years, I often ran into and even interviewed former teachers, and it was always a sort of surreal, the-tables-have-turned experience.

I still have one more story to finish up for the paper, about bird banding of all things, but today I wanted to share the second story I wrote because it truly moved me and reminded me why I love journalism. My passion is telling other people's stories, particularly heartwarming and emotional ones that inspire. Sometimes these feature stories are the hardest for me to write, simply because I strive so desperately to tell the story correctly, truthfully, authentically, and to move the reader the way it moved me.

This was my assignment: Jenna, a visually-impaired Simi Valley high school student, was going to get a special, one-of-a-kind tour of the Los Angeles Zoo that would allow her to "see" some of the wildlife through touch. I was to accompany her on her tour and write about her experience at the zoo.  I'll break here, so if you'd like to follow Jenna along on her day at the zoo, you can read the story below...

(Photos by RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers)

MEET-AND-GREET—Lynne Getz, a docent at the L.A. Zoo, helps Jenna Barry, a Royal High School sophomore, touch a boa snake at the zoo on March 12. Jenna, who is blind, was given a personal, hands-on tour.

A touching experience
Teen ‘sees’ zoo animals with her hands

Like clockwork, at 9:30 on a beautiful Southern California morning, a stream of yellow school buses pulled up outside the Children’s Discovery Center at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens last week.

Out of each poured a gaggle of eager kids whose raucous voices and laughter revealed their excitement for a day at the zoo.

Among the students filling the sidewalk was Royal High School sophomore Jenna Barry, along with about 10 of her classmates.

While they lined up with the rest of the students for their guided tours, Jenna nervously waited to embark on her own excursion—one unlike any other zoo guest experiences.

Jenna is blind. The 17-year-old has optic nerve atrophy, a condition diagnosed in infancy, said her parents, Glenn and Lisa Barry.

While their daughter has no central vision, she does have some peripheral sight, though not in color or great detail.

Because she can’t see the animals, Jenna had never been to a zoo. But after Royal High looked into what types of services the L.A. Zoo could offer teens with special needs peers, a specialized, hands-on tour was arranged, allowing her to “see” some of the zoo’s remarkable creatures through the power of touch.

“She just loves animals, especially cats,” Glenn Barry told the Acorn a few days before the March 12 tour. “I imagine they’ll let her pet something, which will just be a thrill.”

Seeing through feeling

ROUGH ANTLERS—Jenna Barry and Lynne Getz examine a set of 

antlers during a tour of the L.A. Zoo. Because Jenna is blind, she 

received a personal, hands-on tour, learning about animals through touch.

Jenna’s morning began in a classroom inside the Children’s Discovery Center.

Docent Lynne Getz didn’t waste any time, immediately leading the teen to a table filled with animal pelts and bones. Getz guided Jenna’s hand over each one while describing the animal and teaching her about why they feel the way they do.

First up was an otter pelt.

“Feel how thick and how close all the hair is,” said Getz, a docent since 2005 who has experience working with the visually impaired. “Doesn’t that feel good?”

Next they rubbed the pelt of a margay, a small feline that is native to Central and South America. Getz advised Jenna to run her hand from head to tail to get a sense of its size, and then along its claws, which retract just like the teen’s beloved house cat, Baxter.

Together they examined many more specimens: the rough fur of a pronghorn antelope, a fluffy red fox pelt, a baby bear paw, a pair of antlers, shed snake skin and two kinds of bird nests. Jenna also felt bones—real and replica—including the skulls of a warthog, polar bear, rhinoceros, giraffe and elephant, comparing the size of their teeth and the placement of their eyes.

“The zoo is about connecting people with wildlife, and a tactile tour for those who are visually impaired is the best way we can make that connection,” said Kirin Daugharty, manager of volunteer programs. “It allows the visitor a mental takeaway that they wouldn’t otherwise have available to them. A verbal description of a tiger is one thing; touching a pelt, skull or claw is another.”

Though shy around strangers, Jenna listened intently to Getz during the classroom experience, and eventually the docent’s enthusiastic personality worked its magic.

Jenna began to feel more comfortable, a smile forming at the corner of her lips.

The highlight came when the 10th-grader got up-close with an elephant’s leg bone.

“Right now you are standing next to the bones of an elephant,” Getz told Jenna, instructing her to reach down and feel its toes and then move upward, higher and higher.

TALL LEG—Lynne Getz, left, guides Jenna

Barry's hands up an elephant leg bone. The

L.A. Zoo offers docent-led tours to visitors

with special needs.

“I can’t reach it,” Jenna said with a giggle, to which Getz replied, “I know! That’s how tall an elephant is. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

The duo then left the classroom to tour the zoo grounds.

Jenna walked slowly, making her way with the help of a cane and verbal assistance from her aide, as other schoolchildren ran past. If she was daunted by the noise and activity around her, or the unfamiliar environment, Jenna didn’t show it; she kept moving forward.

“That’s why I think she’s so courageous, to overcome those fears and still be a normal teenager,” said Kristine Bates, a Simi Valley Unified School District aide who works exclusively with Jenna.

Along a path lined with native chaparral, flowers bloom, trees sway in the breeze and birds dart from branch to branch.

Though Jenna couldn’t see these things, Getz helped her envision them by having her feel the leaves on the trees and shrubs and listen to the finches and sparrows as they dined at a hanging bird feeder.

“She’s very detail-oriented,” Bates said of Jenna. “She’s very inquisitive. She wants to know what’s going on around her. She asks a lot of questions. And she wants to know ‘why.’”

Interactive stations at the discovery center provided personal encounters with live animals, including a rabbit and a boa constrictor. And later Jenna met, and petted, Shetland sheep, Nigerian dwarf goats and a miniature horse at Muriel’s Ranch.

She left the petting zoo with a souvenir: a piece of sheep’s wool she stuffed into her pocket for safekeeping.

“When I tell my mom about my day at the zoo, she’s going to be so jealous,” Jenna said.

Her last stop before meeting her classmates for lunch was a ride on the zoo’s carousel. Getz and Bates described the various animal figures she could ride, and Jenna said she wanted a cat; any cat would do. So they helped her climb aboard a lion, king of the jungle.

Just like when she hopped off the bus that morning, Jenna was a bit nervous, unsure of what was about to happen.

But as the ride got going, she let her guard down, smiling from ear to ear as she spun round and round.

“It’s been really fun,” Jenna said about her time at the zoo, listing most of the day’s activities as favorites. “At first I was a little nervous . . . (but after a while) I started to feel excited because I was touching stuff that no one else could.”

Jenna is such a sweet and incredibly courageous young woman and it was a pleasure to meet her. Walking around the zoo, I couldn't help but notice all the beauty around us. It was a warm, sunshine-filled Southern California day. In addition to all the wildlife housed at the zoo, the property, also a botanical garden, is strewn with lush and colorful plantings and flowers. There was so much to see and Jenna couldn't see it. This fact struck me suddenly while strolling the pathway with her and my jaw clenched as I felt my eyes begin to water. I swallowed that emotion but let the feeling of gratitude sink in. Spending the afternoon with someone who doesn't have their sight, but continues to charge forward through life with grace, strength and optimism really puts things into perspective. 

Covering Jenna's day at the zoo truly awakened my soul in more ways than one. It reminded me what my calling is, what I am meant to do: to share people's stories. I have so many interests and passions and different endeavors that I'd like to pursue, but I can't ignore how I feel when I go into journalist mode, when I sit for hours to craft the perfect story, when I see my writing in print. My joy is heightened when the story is appreciated by those who read it, and especially by those who it was written about. The week after the story was published, I received a thank you note, in brail, from Jenna. I will cherish it and my experience—like many of the experiences I've had as a journalist—forever.

As always, thank you for reading!

Wedding Wednesdays : Hand-lettered Signs & Cards

[ A dressed-up envelope to accompany a special, glittery card for the newlyweds. ]

After deciding to learn calligraphy last fall, my best friend quickly informed me that she'd love to put her maid of honor's newfound skills to work creating signage for her wedding. And in the two weeks leading up to her March 27th Malibu nuptials, put to work I was! I hand-wrote three chalkboard signs; two for the ceremony space and one for the bar. It was my first time ever using chalk markers and, while I'm sure there's a better way, I freehanded each of them. Several hours were spent on each one. I also lettered or calligraphed smaller, framed paper signs (for the gift table, the escort card table, and one with their wedding hashtag) as well as place cards for the dessert and snack bar so guests would know which cookies were chocolate chip and which were peanut butter, and so on. The treat table signs were whipped up, no joke, at 2 a.m. the morning of the wedding at the request of a bridesmaid who was heading up the last-minute "Mission: Dessert Table." (Funny enough, I was happiest with how these tired-eyed pieces came out. I guess I was too exhausted to overthink them.) In addition, I created a personalized card for Marielle to give JP on their wedding day.

Finally, perhaps my biggest task, was painstakingly calligraphing 105 escort cards with guests full names in black Sumi ink and table numbers in gold (and then helping the bride stick on glittered tape to distinguish who was getting beef, fish or vegetarian). Initially I planned to break this massive project up into chunks, but due to time constraints I ended up writing all the names in one day and then writing the table numbers the next.

I am a perfectionist to a fault and my own worst critic, so while some of the projects didn't ultimately meet my high, self-imposed standards—I feel I could have done better on the escort cards if I'd had more time—the bride and groom were absolutely thrilled with everything and I heard that some of the wedding guests even commented on my work, thinking it was created by a professional or store-bought. So I know I need to cut myself some slack and be proud of all that I did create, especially since I'm still learning and it was my first time doing many of the projects. (I didn't even do all this sign-making work for my own wedding! Though still a big undertaking, the menus, dessert table signs, and favor tags/escort cards were simply written in my own, natural hand and the chalkboard signs were created by our very kind catering coordinator.)

Without further adieu, I thought I'd share a few photos of my work. I'm looking forward to seeing my bestie's professional shots when she gets them in! While it was, at times, a bit stressful taking on all these projects, it was a true labor of love for my very favorite lady.

Thanks for looking and reading! If you are interested in learning calligraphy, I would suggest taking Molly Jacques' Skillshare class. (Use my referral link to get a free month of membership with unlimited access to all Skillshare classes.) And my No. 1 tip is practice! I got a lot of practice making all those little signs, and multiple versions to boot, not to mention writing all those escort cards :)

P.S. You can follow along on my calligraphy journey on Instagram! Find me posting my latest creations and practice sessions at @wispandwhim.