florida!

after the cold of the midwest winter, i was beginning to forget what sunshine felt like and feared we may be transitioning straight from winter to fall. thankfully, this trip to florida has made me a believer in sunshine once again. i'm spending the first three days of the trip with my dear friend, alison (my flat mate in london) and the latter part with my dad.

i flew in yesterday and alison picked me up at the airport. we screamed and hugged and received stares from other travelers and it was absolutely marvelous. we headed to the spanish district, ybor and stopped for crepes. (spanish district with french food...oh, the irony.) 

first, i ordered the "la fontina" with turkey, spinach, mushrooms and fontina cheese. it was beyond delicious.

then we split a "romeo and julieta" with nutella, strawberries, banana, whipped cream and powdered sugar. i loved that alison chose a place so charming.

we decided to walk through the district and found a fun thrift store filled with vintage hats, totally appropriate for a royal wedding. it was so much fun, especially since we have a shared love of all things bri-ish.

after our british hats and mexican infused french crepes, we went home and gussied up to go see water for elephants. it was much more intense than i expected it to be but very good, a sweet story. 

we finished the night by meeting alison's friends for a couple of drinks at a local bar. it is still taking some getting used to not having to grab a coat when i leave the apartment, but i'm savoring the sunshine and the time with a dear friend.

off to play "putt putt," as the floridians say (known as mini golf in the midwest). if there is anyone out there reading this, what are you most looking forward to do in the sunshine?

{photos by me}