Outside The Florida Keys | Florida Keys Girl

Pinot Party, Sunset Corners

By FL Keys Girl, on February 29th, 2012%

Brian Loring, trying unsuccessfully to hide behind a bottle of his own wine.

What is better than a glass of pinot noir in the middle of the afternoon? Sixteen of them. Every year, nearing the end of February, the South Beach Food and Wine Festival rolls around, and I avoid it like the plague. Why? Really? You have to ask? OK, then I will share: it is overcrowded, overpriced and full of annoying people (maybe it is just too many people, that is a real possibility.)
Continue reading Pinot Party, Sunset Corners

Finally, Great Customer Service at Nordstrom

By FL Keys Girl, on February 27th, 2012%

AFTER. This kind of flawless skin can only happen when a professional is involved.

I often complain about the lack of good customer service around. Nordstrom, however, has cultivated a loyal customer base by offering truly excellent customer service, which I enjoyed firsthand this weekend. I’ll start at the beginning. I very rarely wear makeup, and when I do, it is a little eye shadow and maybe some mascara. Possibly lip gloss if I am really feeling it. Continue reading Finally, Great Customer Service at Nordstrom

And The Winner Is…

By FL Keys Girl, on February 24th, 2012%

Dunkin’ Donuts was kind enough to give me a gift card to try out their products, and also one to give away to one reader.

I would like to thank all those that participated either here or on Twitter or Facebook. I truly appreciate your thoughts and comments, as well as your loyal following of the blog, . . . → Read More: And The Winner Is…

Emilio’s Trattoria, Bal Harbour, FL

By FL Keys Girl, on January 27th, 2012%

Bruschetta

Emilio’s Trattoria is the newest restaurant from the folks that opened Cafe Ragazzi in Surfside many years ago. The interior is clean, modern and beautiful. Of course, I have the same pendant lights in my house, so it is definitely my taste. The thing I loved most about Cafe Ragazzi were the pastas. Homemade noodles, amazing sauces and porcini mushrooms with loads of butter. It was enough butter to kill you, but at least you would die happy. Continue reading Emilio’s Trattoria, Bal Harbour, FL

Fratelli La Bufala, Miami Beach

By FL Keys Girl, on December 14th, 2011%

Once we decided that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon just was not happening for us last weekend, I thought that the least I could do is get a good lunch out of the deal. I had to go to South Beach that day to check on a hotel for a client, so we picked up our race t-shirts (which are very nice, by the way), took a stroll through the less-than-exciting expo, and made our way to have lunch at Fratelli La Bufala. Continue reading Fratelli La Bufala, Miami Beach

The Race That Wasn’t

By FL Keys Girl, on December 12th, 2011%

If I commit to something, I typically do it. Whatever it is, no matter how annoying or how much I regret saying “Yep, sure, I can do that.” Somehow, it always happens. Last year when I committed to running a half marathon with Team in Training, I trained so that I would be prepared. I ran three days a week, distance dictated by my training calendar, for over three months. I did not miss one single training. Why? Because I knew I had to put in the time in order to finish the race and be able to walk when I was done.

Continue reading The Race That Wasn’t

Happy Thanksgiving

By FL Keys Girl, on November 23rd, 2011%

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a time to reflect, to gather with family and to eat. Some people watch football, too, but I will pass on that particular tradition. Tomorrow evening will bring twenty people to my house for an assortment of good eats. The menu includes:

To start we will have potato knishes, pigs (really kosher hot dogs) . . . → Read More: Happy Thanksgiving

NCL Dawn

By FL Keys Girl, on November 16th, 2011%

It has been a good week for ship tours. Over the weekend (which seemed very early after Jack’s birthday dinner) I had the opportunity to tour the Norwegian Dawn. NCL is known for “Freestyle” cruising, which means you can eat whenever you want and with whom you choose. There are two main dining rooms and a buffet, as well as specialty restaurants available for an additional charge. It is a really lovely ship. Continue reading NCL Dawn

Blowout Birthday Bash

By FL Keys Girl, on November 14th, 2011%

The start of a really good night.

This weekend we were invited to our friend’s house for his birthday. As he is a wine geek, too, there were bound to be some good selections. Of course we RSVP’d that we would be coming, and as they live an hour away, we would also be staying over. (I know these people and the wine focus of the meal, there was no chance we would be driving home. Oh, and can we also bring Babka?) We arrived for one meal and one quick sleep with gifts, clothes to change into, a dog bed and, of course, the dog. Continue reading Blowout Birthday Bash

MSC Poesia

By FL Keys Girl, on November 11th, 2011%

One of the glorious pools

I had the opportunity to tour the MSC Poesia yesterday with a bunch of other travel agents while she was docked in Port Everglades. The cruise companies have these tours so that we can experience the ship and subsequently sell cruises. It was interesting, I’ll say that. Continue reading MSC Poesia

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