little palm island

One of the final nights with my family was spent wining and dining at my favorite restaurant on Little Palm Island. The island is gorgeous and so calming: no children allowed and no cell phones. If you don't have your own yacht you can take the island's 15-20 minute boat-ride to your dinner (or your stay). More information on the island can be found here.

After our initial tropical cocktails of watermelon mojitos and mango-strawberry rum smoothies, the key deer began to come out. At first they are cute but they were on a mission to lick all of the salt shakers on the island. They would not take no for an answer. Cute...but pushy...knocking glasses and anything else over in their path they did not care about anything but the SALT! The evening was filled with kobe beef sliders, bottles of Sancerre, lobster risotto, and saffron cheesecake (on my part at least!). As the night went on and the sun set, the tiki torches and candles were the only light sources.

 

As the night came to a close, the cocktails and wine made for terribly blurry photographs.  I was forced to put my camera away and enjoy the warmth of the fire pit on the beach and the soothing sounds of the pianist, guitarist, and vocalist before laying on the dock on the plush foam chairs staring at the stars.

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key west

As my mild-tan begins to fade, I can enjoy looking through pictures from my adventures last week. The week was filled with two of my favorite places in the keys: Key West and Little Palm Island!

The day in Key West (sadly not long enough) was focused on my favorite topic in the world: food. In particular, this trip was for key lime pie and smoothies. We were there to EAT and eat we would! First stop: Blue Heaven.

 

 

 My family stumbled upon Blue Heaven many years ago and were immediately obsessed with their unbelievable key lime pie with the tower of meringue. The food and tropical cocktails are also delicious but that day I was more focused on the roosters wandering around and the key lime pie.

After a lunch, piece of pie, and a quick cocktail (or 2!) we wandered up and down Duval Street. 

 

The day ended with my favorite bakery: Cafe Moka. For years I have searched for the best iced chai...and I have found it...at Cafe Moka. My history with iced chai is long and this search has been tedious but finally fruitful! There was no way I was leaving this cafe without finding out the brand of concentrate they used. It is my pleasure to introduce you to my favorite chai concentrate in the whole world:

  Big Train Spiced Chai mix...the easiest and tastiest chai I have ever made. Nom nom nom.

Tomorrow I am taking advantage of the Boston Winter (?) Restaurant Week for dinner and cocktailS but soon I will write about my favorite restaurant ever...at Little Palm Island.

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florida keys

Yesterday was the end of my week-long vacation in one of the most naturally-beautiful and relaxing places in the world: the Florida Keys.

Luckily enough, I have family that calls this place home for most of the year. I try to make it down this view every March, if possible...a week full of warmth, beauty, relaxation, and delicious food, what else do you need?!

The morning was spent wading in the water at Bahia Honda Beach...

 

And strolling around the beach grounds...

After a morning of walking around in the warm wind, we returned to my family's house to cool off by the pool but I was greeted by a new friend...

An egret casually walking around like he owned the place!

After a quick dip in the pool we took a bike ride to the nearby grocery store for some obvious essentials: Dove Bars, Presidente beer, and baked tostitos. Could this vacation get any more perfect?

The following days were spent exploring the rest of the Keys including my favorite restaurant on Little Palm Island, and visiting the best key lime pie in Florida at Blue Heaven...but for now I will just stay in the moment of the evening pictures...I can still feel the calm and quiet of a vacation!

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beginning of spring

Spring has finally sprung in Boston which can only mean 4 things: flowers beginning to bloom, warm evenings outside with soft candlelight, bright peppy spring colors, and vacations!

snowdrops

vintage ball jars with sand and candles providing a soft light for warm nights

my current color

Only 1 more long day left between me and my 10-day vacation for skiing then sun!

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brunch egg boats

Hopefully one day I will get into the swing of things and remember that blogging should be done more than once every two weeks...Oh well, I guess I'll start now!

One of my favorite meals is weekend brunch--and egg boats are one of my favorite easiest brunch entrees ever!

What you will need: 
(based on a small baguette for 2 people)

1 baguette
4 eggs
Splash of milk
Salt
Pepper
2 pinches of shredded cheese of choice
Handful of fresh chives


What to do:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Begin with the baguette

Cut a long rectangular section out of the center of the baguette

 

Crack 4 eggs

Add a splash of milk, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. Whisk together

Grab the handful of chives and chop to your desired size

Add most of the chopped chives to eggs and stir. Save some chives for topping

Sprinkle the bottom of the baguette with a pinch of shredded cheese and a pinch of chives.

Slowly pour the egg mixture into the baguette. Top of remainder of shredded cheese and chopped chives. Place baguette in preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.

Egg boat is finished when puffed up and does not jiggle when you move it.

Cut up and enjoy!!!

 Other possible add-ins:

Ham
Mushrooms
Caramelized onions
Peppers
Bacon
Anything else you love in an omelette!

Also feel free to pre-toast the baguette for 5 minutes before adding the egg mixture. This super easy brunch piece goes amazingly well with a bellini, mimosa, or bloody mary!

Happy weekend! 

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