Stay Tuned!

Alright! I think I have about 6 activities to update you on, but I have included them on the list to the left. I am almost at 30! Time is FLYING by, and next week is December????? It's hard to believe, especially since it's still 80 degrees and fabulous in Tampa. Perhaps the weather Gods are trying to get me to like Tampa more?!

I'll try to catch up on my entries this week. This time of the semester is always hard since it's the end. I am actually working on making a book for one of my classes! We'll see how that goes!

So stay tuned...................

18- Hyde Park Arts Festival

On Sunday Oct. 31st (Halloween!), Cherie and I went to the Hyde Park Arts Festival, which was right down the street from my place. The festival started at 10am, and we arrived around 10:30, but it was still very crowded. The weather was great, but the prices of the artwork was too high for me! Like I mentioned in the last post, I love unique, one-of-a-kind items, but there's usually a nice price to pay for stuff like that. 

From the hundreds of vendors that showcased their work, I probably found 2 or 3 items I really liked, but I didn't think I should spend $300 for something to put on my bookcase. I'll just leave my bookcase as it is for now! Cherie and I both liked this one booth that sold leather-bound journals that were unlike any we'd ever seen before. I am actually trying to find the card that the vendor gave us so I can post it for you guys to check out. 

Along the stroll at the festival, we stopped to get coffee at Indigo Coffee shop, and I never knew that shop was in the area. I like finding new places to chill. At least if I am going to be the nerd that I am, I can get out of the house and "post up" somewhere else where I can still be productive. 

Nice day...............

17- Antique Shopping

I live in South Tampa, and this area is like most Tampa areas in that it is pretty old. What is unique about South Tampa, though, is that there is a lot of expensive real estate, especially along Bayshore Blvd, and deeper into the small neighborhoods within South Tampa there are old mansions that have been converted into condos and apartments. Pretty cool.

With the old-vibe here comes streets aligned with unique shops, restaurants, and boutiques. There is also a large health food market, similar to a Whole Foods, right across the street from my place. On Oct. 30th, Cherie and I walked over to the market to purchase some healthy snacks for the day. We were walking to restaurant called Pinky's for breakfast when we stumbled across some antique shops. Most of the shops were primarily full of furniture, but we found one right next to the restaurant that had some great accent pieces for the home. Cherie actually found some binoculars that she had been looking for to set one of her shelves. (Not like she needed to buy anything to squeeze into her carry-on with everything else)!

The thing I love about antique/vintage shops is the one-of-a-kind feel when you buy something. It's not like when you pick up a vase at Target, knowing that the other 50 vases just like it would be purchased by other people within the same day. If you have the time, get out and find some antique shops and support small businesses!

16-Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

On Friday, October 29th, my twin came into town and I took her to the Hard Rock to meet a few of my friends. We arrived around 8:30p and were greeted with the usual casino vibe of smoke-filled rooms and loud music. One of my friends suggested the Council Oak Room of the casino, and it was a great recommendation. Away from all of the noise and "interesting" crowd, there sat a restaurant towards the back of the casino that had just the vibe we were looking for. Council Oak is a restaurant/bar and "grown" person's type of place to listen to live music, drink, and converse.  

We ate some food that was just "okay" and enjoyed wine. The singer that night was named Monique and she did awesome renditions of Sade, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and more. During a break in her performance, she came over to chat with us and told us her real name was Dominique, but for her Gospel album (which she was selling that night) she called herself Monique because she says that name is a bit more soft, quiet, and refined. I had to laugh at that because I definitely didn't agree! 

After a couple of sets, "Monique" remembered that my name was Monique and called me out to help her sing. I think she was just joking though. 

After we left Council Oak, we walked towards the front to go back to our cars, but not before stopping to see people getting the party started in a small area that I guess was a club of some sort. I haven't seen that kind of dancing in a while! It was like they thought they were at their prom from 30 years ago. VERY INTERESTING!

All in all, it was a cool way to start the weekend, but the cigarette smoke was way too much!