Exploring Atlanta | Brunch at Sun in My Belly

My mom and I visited Sun in My Belly in Kirkwood last Saturday for brunch. One of my friends calls this restaurant the best real life version of Pinterest and it’s true. The service was a little slow but we were in no hurry and had a great time sitting outside underneath the string lights and colorful umbrellas.

I’ve only been to Sun in My Belly once before and it was delicious. I knew this restaurant was popular for brunch so I braced my mom for a long wait but it was only half an hour. We walked around the block, looking at all of the homes in the Kirkwood neighborhood, and didn’t wait too long for a spot on the patio.

We did wait a bit for a waiter but we were in no rush. When he came by, with mason jars full of water, we ordered some coffee. My mom just ordered regular coffee but I got a vanilla latte. It was great! Sweet but no too sweet and just the right amount of milk. We also ended up with another one for free, needless to say, it was a highly caffeinated afternoon.

After we got out coffees, we ordered. We decided to split a Belly Benedict and the P.B.L.T. (with a fried egg and avocado). We definitely were not thinking about calories during this brunch.

     

Both dishes were great but the Belly Benedict was the winner in my book. The chipotle hollandaise, crispy bacon and sweet potato all complement each other perfectly and it comes with a lavender infused biscuit on the side that is to-die-for. The P.B.L.T. was yummy too and would be the perfect hangover cure with the pimento cheese and fried egg.

If you’re in Atlanta, I recommend giving this spot a try! It’s becoming one of my favorites in the city!

          

 

Strawberry Picking at Mercier Orchards | Simple OOTD

My mom drove up to visit for Memorial Day. We went to a Braves game, had a great brunch in Kirkwood and worked on my apartment… but the highlight of the trip definitely was strawberry picking at Mercier Orchards.

If you remember the last time she visited, we road tripped up to Blue Ridge (about an hour and half drive) to go apple picking at Mercier. Apple picking was fun but strawberry picking was even better. The weather was gorgeous. We went on a weekday so it wasn’t crowded and we took our time sampling the two varieties of berries, picking the best ones on the vine. It’s $10 per person (with a special deal for the kiddos) and you get a gallon bucket to fill to your heart’s content. We definitely got out money’s worth. I have strawberries in every nook and cranny of my fridge and freezer!

When we were in the field, I did get a few pictures before I splattered strawberry juice all over my white t-shirt. Note to self, do NOT wear white while strawberry picking. It’s just a recipe for disaster. At least my Lilly scarf covered it up pretty well. 😛

     

 Shop My Outfit // Scarf, Lilly Pulitzer (similar here and here) / White gauzy t-shirt , J.Crew (same style here) / Chinos, Old Navy / Sandals, Jack Rogers / Sunglasses, TJ Maxx (similar here)

I’ve been really wanting to make YouTube videos for some time now. I finally made my first YouTube video, a little recap of our strawberry picking, check it out down below and subscribe if you have a YouTube account. 🙂

          

Beast Mode for Pink Friday | #LillyForTarget

So… who doesn’t have a crazy #LillyForTarget story? Maybe it’s because I grew up in Florida and live in the South but EVERYONE I know shopped at Target to battle it out for a pink and green shift on the 19th.

Some stayed up all night scrolling through the #LillyForTarget feed for the elusive mobile links that led to rompers, and home wares before the official launch time. Some, like myself, staked out their local target and waited, for what seems like forever, for them to open before running through the aisles grabbing nail files, makeup bags and the #HolyGrail espresso mugs.

I visited the Target in Little Five Points (an all around hipster target) and got there around 7:20 with Starbucks in hand. I thought I was going to eat my bagel in the car before moseying up to the door around 7:45. Boy was I wrong. There were already around 15-20 people in front of me and I ended up having to stand in a cold drizzle for a few minutes.

All of the women around me were ranting about the website and some drove in from the suburbs to visit my hipster Target. They were visibly upset about the website. I said something about how the Lilly sales always crash the site and a soccer mom shot back ‘Well this is different. It was worse.’ The line was experiencing some #FirstWorldProblems that’s for sure.

https://twitter.com/JoanieOben/status/589755550906318848

Eight o’clock finally rolled around and they let us in the door. Everyone booked it for the clothes when I ran (not a small feat in jelly jacks and a piko dress) to the home wares. I was one of the first people there and got EVERYTHING I wanted in the home section. I ran back to the clothing but it was too late. Everything was gone. One lonely XXL dress hung on the Lilly for Target rack. When I blinked, it was gone too.

After rifling through the beauty products, I went to go wait in the fitting room area waiting for cast offs with the other Lilly lovers. I ended up getting a pair of WAY too big shorts, a shift dress and another dress for a friend. I bought some baby clothes for my sister’s friend then I finally checked out.

https://twitter.com/JoanieOben/status/589792471363801088

I spent triple what I thought I was going to spend but yet, I want more. Why? I have no clue.

I think I’ve visited Target at least half a dozen times since the launch. #LillyForTarget has become my obsession. I’ve gone during my lunch break and after work. I ask customer service and the fitting rooms for the castoffs. But, are those pom pom shorts really worth it? Would I even want them this bad if they were readily available? I think I just like the thrill of the chase.

What did everyone else get during the sale? I love to read about everyone’s Lilly hauls! Leave a comment or tweet me!

     

Sanibel for Easter

I had an amazing Easter weekend back home in SWFL. We went to the beach everyday and just reconnected as a family. On Easter Sunday, my mom and I made the trek to Captiva and watched the sunset on the sand with a glass of wine. It was the perfect vacation.

 

 

   

 

Having fun in the Blue Grass State

Another one of my (many) road trips in March was to Lexington, Kentucky for a concert from country singer Deana Carter. 

One of my work tasks this year was to help manage a contest with the singer and the sorority. Chapters raised money for our international philanthropy, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the chapter that raised the most funds per sister won a private concert with Deana.

Beta Psi Chapter at the University of Kentucky are perennial philanthropy power houses and raised a whopping $340 per sister to take home the prize. My co-worker Anna Kate and I traveled to the Bluegrass State to assist with the concert and congratulate the chapter in person.

https://twitter.com/JoanieOben/status/583101900674957312

After the concert, we took a quick walking tour of the University of Kentucky’s campus before getting dinner with some sisters.

I had to get a picture of some UK Basketball players! 

We decided this was our HS senior picture post.

Thank you Beta Psi for a great visit! I’ll have to come back to Kentucky and explore Lexington further and thank you Deana for a great concert, as always!

https://twitter.com/JoanieOben/status/583105149968744448A liA li

     

 

24 hours in Winter Park, FL

I was scrolling though my instas to find my pics from this trip and I can’t believe I visited Rollins College a month ago! I was only there for a night but I fell in love with the college and the little town. I could have definitely seen myself attending Rollins and living in Winter Park.

Even though the city was established before the Art Nouveau era, I can definitely see that style throughout park and architecture. Just check out  their seal. Art Nouveau is one of my favorite art time periods so I was smitten the minute I got out of the car.

I was in Winter Park to photograph our colony (now the Theta Psi Chapter) at Rollins College. I was already in Orlando that weekend so just worked out.

But before I went to campus, I grabbed a latte from Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen. A Food and Wine magazine was left in the copy room at work and the issue had a feature on Orlando and Winter Park. The article had was Rifle Paper Co. Founder’s favorite spots. I love their stationery so I knew this would be a cool place.

Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen did not disappoint. My vanilla latte was strong and perfectly flavored. It even came with some cool latte art. I sat outside at a tiny, marble table and felt fancy for the rest of the morning.

  

After the perfect amount of caffeine, and an amazing dining hall salad (wut), Nicole, the Leadership Consultant and I went to meet the chapter women and capture their picturesque campus in our photo shoot. I had a lot of fun getting to know everyone during the shoot and I went to their first Greek Week event! It was tug-o-war and I had flashbacks to some intense UM Greek Week competitions.

After watching everyone battle it out, Nicole and I got some great fajitas (and a tasty marg) from Cocina 214 before chilling and watching The Voice. My Winter Park trip was short-lived and I had a BurgerFi goodbye the next day.

I already want to go back to Winter Park. I think it’s the perfect day trip to take a break from the touristy spots in Orlando. The little Downtown area had lots of unique restaurants, cute shops and great outdoor areas. I really recommend checking it out!

     

Photo Diary: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Happy#TravelTuesday! I feel time is truly flying by. I can’t believe it’s already Spring! These past few weeks have been busy for me to say the least. I went to Disney; Winter Park, FL; Lexington, KY; and I just drove back from visiting my fam  back home in SWFL for Easter.

Let’s start with the earliest trip first. I went to Disney to visit my Little Diamond Sister (my sorority’s version of Big/Little) for a little reunion. I’ve seen her only briefly since I graduated so it was a lot of fun to catch up and hang out together all weekend. We went to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot. We also went to see Cinderella with some other ADPi sisters. It was a jam-packed weekend and so much fun!

I was testing out a new camera for work, so I took a TON of pictures. Even more than the ton I usually take. 😉  I have a few ideas for different Disney posts but I wanted to post a photo diary of Epcot first. We were at Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival and everything was beautiful. The colors were spectacular and I loved seeing all the characters come to life as topiary. The butterfly garden was bursting with blooms and butterflies of every color. Can you believe the butterfly pictures are from a $150 point and shoot? It’s crazy!

The festival will be blooming until May 17th so definitely try to visit if you can! I loved visiting during this time of year and I want to go back with my mom and sister. We all love gardening but they seemed to have the green thumbs. I, on the other hand, kill  everything I touch. RIP Orchid

         

 

I had to include the picture of Belle herself too!

         

         

          

 

Lilly Pulitzer for Target

Is it April 19th, yet? The Lilly Pulitzer for Target lookbook has gotten me even more excited for this collab, if that’s even possible. 

// All Pictures are from Lilly Pulitzer x Target

I love everything. I’m still a little hesitant about quality but the prices are too good to pass up! I’ve started to create my wish list. The top item is the blue and white pom pom shorts. I dont think they will look good on me but I don’t care. I NEED those shorts. I also am obsessed with all of the print dresses and the romper.  Those printed coffee mugs are also a must-have for my coffee nook. I need to whittle this list down a little bit, well– a lot, but I’ll be staking out my Target on April 19th to get some of the fabulousness!

 

What are you eyeing in the Lilly Pulitzer for Target line? Let me know in the comments below!

     

Saturday in Atlanta: Orpheus Brewing and The Nook

 

This weekend was a Saturday Funday! My friends and I headed to Orpheus Brewing in Midtown (right by Piedmont Park) to try something different than our beloved Sweetwater. It was slightly chilly in the A, so the tasting room was pretty empty at first and bit cold. Once the room filled up it was a lot warmer and more fun. I even played corn hole… second time in two weeks and newsflash, I’m still completely horrible.

Orpheus had Atalanta, Lyric Ale, Transmigration of Souls (an IPA)  and one brew on tap. (I can’t find it on their website.) I tried the Lyric Ale and the Atalanta. Both were alright but nothing I would buy on my own. I liked the Atalanta a tad more, but I seemed to be the only one among my friends. They didn’t like the sour taste. The beer is a plum saison according to Orpheus’ website and won Beer of the Year last year by Atlanta Magazine.

 Shop My Outfit // Denim Jacket, Victoria’s Secret (similar here) / Watercolor Top , Violet and Claire, found at Marshal’s (same style in a different print here) / Necklace, Forever 21 / Leggings, LOFT / Boots, Old Navy (similar here)

After we drank our tickets worth, we went to The Nook on the other side of Piedmont Park for some food, basketball and more booze. I’ve always wanted to go to The Nook but it’s been PACKED for brunch every time I’ve tried and we end up somewhere else. Now I see why it’s so popular.

  

I had one, or two, delicious Bloody Mary and some Buffalo Chicken Totchos. Totchos are The Nook’s signature menu item and they have 4-5 different varieties. Think of it like nachos but with tater tots as the base. I’m starting to believe that all nachos should be this way. I think everyone loved what they ordered. I’ll definitely have to go again and get one of their (in)famous fish bowls.

Some Blog Info…

In case y’all are wondering, my domain name expired and that prompted me to peek back into my blog. I wanted to renew my domain but it was going to cost me an $80 late fee!! Cue * OMG Emoji Face *. I’m going to see if I can snag my domain back, but, for now, I’m going to be floridaonmymind.wordpress.com.

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to get back into blogging, Three, almost four, months later and here I am! I have some great blog posts planned for this month and I’m so happy to be writing again.

I have a lot of travel coming up. I’ll be traveling to Lexington, Kentucky tomorrow for work.  I will be visiting the University of Kentucky’s campus and I’m excited to see #BBN in person. I’ll also be going home to Southwest Florida for Easter so be on the lookout for these travel posts in the future. I took a trip to Disney to visit my little Diamond Sister a few weeks ago with a stop in Winter Park, FL. I had a blast on that trip and some blog plans for the million and one pictures I took.

If you’re new to my blog, leave a comment and say hi. I love connecting with new people!

     

Thanksgiving Tablescape

This past Tuesday was my work’s annual Thanksgiving potluck luncheon. The kitchen counter was overfilled with buttery mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, Honeybaked Ham and those well-known and well-loved southern casseroles and salads.

If these tables look familiar, it’s because we did the same tablescape last year. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Check out last year’s table here.

This year, we sent the invite via paperless post. I used the same invitation to create a menu for the luncheon. I got the frame from Michael’s for a steal and painted it white. We’ve been using this frame to announce all of our FUN Committee events. Currently, a whimsical pink and blue Christmas tree invite is in the prime spot in the kitchen announcing our Christmas party.

We also used the invite to create little dish markers for each dish. My friend Callie wrote everyone’s marker out and they came out so cute!

The savory items were delicious but the desserts were out of this world. The dessert table is always the star at this shin dig and it didn’t disappoint this year. I got this “Give Thanks” garland from Target last year. I’m sure they have a similar version for this year’s holiday.

I was partial to Callie’s cheesecake ball but everything was delicious. One of my coworkers brought a chocolate peanut butter trifle that everyone raved about.

vest // thermal knit  // scarf

Another great thing about this luncheon is it’s a casual day. The chesecake ball chef and myself had to get a quick picture before we finished setting everything up. The vest is from Old Navy and I got it for only $17 (It’s $25 online). The vest is super warm and I think it’ll be perfect with a red top for a festive, casual Christmas look. I saw it on Mackezie Horan’s blog and I had to have it!

My family is coming to Atlanta again for Thanksgiving so I think I’m going to recreate this look for my Thanksgiving table (but on a MUCH smaller scale). How do you like to decorate your table for Thanksgiving?