American Paradise

When considering a vacation destination my mind usually wanders to exotic places I've never been like Mexico, Punta Cana, or the Virgin Islands. What I often forget in those daydreams (usually complete with a hammock, and handsome man serving me fruity drinks) is that there are plenty of fun and exotic places to check out right here in America.

One such place to check out is Florida! I'm not talking about the Disney World/ Universal Studios Orlando/Sea World part of Florida, I'm talking about the beaches, sun, and unique cities that make Florida such a fantastic vacation destination. I can only speak from experience of course, and I want to share with you some awesome tidbits from my time in that beautiful state so that you too may experience the paradise Florida has to offer.

Miami 

I had to blast Will Smith's hit single, 'Miami' as I drove down Ocean Blvd. and saw the streets lined with palm trees and homes as big as department stores. Instantly I knew Miami is where it's at. It has all the makings of a city but with a vibe you can only get when you are so close to beautiful beaches and sparkling blue oceans. Miami's buzzing, electric pace is juxtaposed with the laid back beach goers who roam its streets.

During my three day stay in Miami, I stayed at the Circa 39 boutique hotel. This cute little hotel was nestled among the major hotels, but charged a lot less. Circa's style was artsy and unique, which I found to be the neatest part of my stay there. The hotel was literally less than a block from the beach and was perfect for some R&R. The outdoor beds by the pool were a marvelous touch. I felt like royalty as I lazily lounged poolside. If you want to visit Miami and are working with a tighter budget, it is worth checking this place out. Circa 39 is also conveniently located right next to my new favorite cafe in the world. This cafe is known as Primo Cafe. You can check my post about Primo and their wonderful Cuban Coffee by clicking here.

Now you can't talk about Miami without mentioning South Beach. I was so stinking excited to check out this famous strip, and it did not disappoint. Restaurants, muscle beaches, crazy fashions, and tons of shopping. What could be better? The night life was always vibrant and I loved every bit of it.


Florida Keys & Key West

If the word to describe Miami is electric, then the word to describe the Florida Keys is relaxed. If you want a true island vibe experience, the Florida Keys are for you. It was a little jarring to go from fast paced Miami to the slow moving pace of the Keys, but it was such a wonderful way to spend my last few days in Florida.

Natural beaches, wildlife, the most stunning views, and a laid back attitude awaited me in the Florida Keys. There was kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, fishing, and snorkeling always available. Even though I wouldn't describe myself as a particularly "outdoors friendly" gal, I did enjoy my kayaking experience. I even went through one of the Island's state parks. The state parks seem to be located on just about every major key. It was a neat experience, and if you love hiking and exploring (I do not) then you will have a fabulous time.

Ropa Vieja, Rice and Beans, and Tostones

I can't talk about the Keys without mentioning the Cuban Food. I really wish I could describe to you how awesome the food is but I might cry reliving it. If you are driving down to Key West (which is a LONG stretch of road so you're going to get hungry) please, please, please do not miss the opportunity to stop at Juice Paradise Cuban Cafe. This place looks like a little side of the road joint but they pack big, authentic, traditional Cuban flavor into every dish. Located at 2603 Overseas Highway or Marathon, Mile Marker 48.5, this place is a pit stop worth making.

Finally, the end of the road, Mile Marker 0, Key West. It really is a magical place. The kind of place that makes you forget you are in the United States. In my opinion Key West is easily one of the coolest places in America. Key West boasts being home to the famous late American author, Ernest Hemingway, and the island also holds the furthest point in the continental United States. For me, watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico among the sounds of people eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves, made Key West the perfect place to end my vacation. 



Is there any little stretch of paradise in the United States you have come to know and love? Please share!

To vacations had, and memories made,  


K






*If you would like to see some pictures from my awesome vacation please feel free to follow me on Instagram, username: KATIEK_LADY

Cortaditos: The Cuban Coffee that changed everything.

When I taste something new and delicious, which is rare due to my stubborn palate, (sorry mom, you tried) I can't help but brag about it... to everyone.. Come on, like you've never tasted something so perfect you just HAD to tell someone about it?  

Today, I would like to tell you about Cortaditos. A Cortadito or Cafe Cubano is a Cuban Coffee. Unlike American coffee, this coffee is a type of espresso with a lusciously smooth and sweet flavor. There isn't any bitterness in this coffee whatsoever. It is unlike anything I have ever tasted, and it has ruined me for all other coffee. I didn't even experience any of the jitters I usually get when I drink other coffees or espressos. It's a-ma-zing.

As I reminisce about my first encounter with this blessed coffee, I shudder to think that I never would have experienced the stuff if it weren't for a generous soul who urged me to try it.

A few days ago I was in Miami on vacation... don't be jealous. Okay, you can be jealous, it was pretty awesome. The particular area I was in was about 20 blocks from South Beach, and almost entirely made up of hotels. The issue with that is there aren't very many places to eat. My hotel had an overpriced bistro attached to it, so for breakfast I decided to check out a little cafe next to the hotel. Primo Cafe looks like any normal run of the mill pit stop cafe you would find up north- however it definitely had some Miami flair. Outdoor seating, Cuban sandwiches, fresh squeezed orange juice, and spanish music... I was sold. Hook, line, and sinker. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, my world was rocked. 

As I was waiting in line to place my breakfast order, the blessed stranger in front of me turned around and told me with absolute certainty that I must try a Cortadito. I was a bit hesitant as I am sensitive to caffeine, but I figured I'd give this little shot of Cuban coffee a shot (pun intended).

After the first glorious sip, I knew-- this was the most amazing coffee I have ever had.

The Cuban Coffee I am referring to is pictured here in the blue circle (amongst a totally fab breakfast I might add). Cuban Coffee, when ordered to go, is ALWAYS served in a little white Styrofoam cup with a lid. 

I know some of my best food experiences have come about because I've heard about it from a friend, family member, or simply a stranger in line for breakfast. Are there any foods or beverages that make you want to stand on a mountaintop and proclaim it to the world?? Let me know!

To eating, drinking, and tasting the fullness of life,

K

P.S. More awesome tidbits for you about traveling in Florida coming soon!

Moments

Treasure all the little moments. We can't change the past, and we're never sure of the future. 

In the process of slowing down, I've been able to capture more moments. I've been able to witness glimmers of light and beauty and curiosity all around me. 


To moments captured, 

K

Breathing Room

There's this thing I do...

It haunts me. It attacks my sleep, my diet, my energy, my friendships, my productivity, even my spirituality. It's reaches are intertwined in my life; weeds growing around my heart. It consumes my mind, and kills my imagination, all the while adding to my depression.

This formidable enemy has many forms. This thing I do manifests itself in the form of crammed schedules, missed appointments, multiple jobs, unmade calls, unwritten stories, unfulfilled dreams.

This thing I do?  I fill my life until it's so packed I can't move, until I am so far between a rock and a hard place I start to gasp for fresh air. It is my insatiable need to DO MORE. Be better. Avoid issues. Be productive. Be busy. Try harder. Fill, fill, fill.

It comes so naturally to me, I don't even notice it. This buzzing in my head is like a fan, you hear it at first but after a while it fades into the background and you hardly notice it. The need to do more is sneaky like that. It goes and goes until I am racing from one job to the next, from one activity to the next, unable to grab dinner because I'm already late, checking my phone to see what day it is, what hour it is, checking to see if I'm in the right place at the right time, making mental notes to open that mail that's been piling up, schedule that appointment, do the laundry that's been piling up. I try unsuccessfully to keep my mind steady as anxiety is pulsing through me. When I come to the end of my day, weary and checked out, I find I can't look back on my day and see any real moments. Instead, I see blurs. I see fragments and pieces because I haven't fully committed to any one commitment I made that day and it leaves me feeling more empty than full.



I don't want to live that way anymore.

The white flag has been raised.

Elusive thing, time is.
I want my time back.
I want my life back.

I want to cook something, or bake something, or just make something. I want to say NO for a change. I want to sew that shirt with the rip that's been sitting on my desk for past several months. I want to call my friends and actually go out with them.I want to finish those books. I want to start that painting. I want to write that blog post....

I want breathing room.

This is going to be an uphill battle; it's a battle I am willing to fight. 



To Breathing,

K 

Fully Alive

"Think about what it means to be fully alive..." chanted my yoga instructor as I lay on my mat in Savasana (laying flat on the back) pose. I took the class to work on my flexibility and muscle strength, and yet here I was contemplating the meaning of life... or at least what it means to feel "fully" alive within this life. Her words still ring in my ears days later and so I thought I should write about it.

So what does it mean to be fully alive? What does that look like? Feel like? Taste like? Sound like?

Honestly, I'm not sure how to describe it.

However, there have been distinct moments throughout my life which I believe have poignantly ushered me into the reality of my humanity. Like coming out into the bright noonday sun from a pitch black room, these moments have caused me to squint, blink, step back, and rub my eyes to really see and experience my humanness. These could be moments of pure unadulterated joy, or times of deep sadness, even certain points of boredom have all brought me to the sobering yet liberating reality that I am here; right now. I am spirit, skin, bone, breath; I am body and soul intertwined and I exist in this place. I exist as you exist and that means something. It's more grandiose than I can articulate, though many authors, poets, musicians, and the like have tried.

Being fully alive carries substance. It matters. I am choosing today, and hopefully everyday, to push into my humanness; to live fully.

Join me.

I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... (Walden, 91)

To being fully alive, 

K