{Pensacola Eats + Drinks} George Artisan Bakery & Bistro

This just in, lovely people--I have a new favorite nosh spot in town, and I know you are going to love it. George Artisan Bakery & Bistro, from it's exposed brick and marble surfaces (I have yet to see that combo go wrong...) to its artisan bread and pastries, coffee, and "South meets South" themed fare is guaranteed to steal your heart the way it has mine. Keep reading if you would like to hear more...

For the past few summers the way to my heart has been pretty simple--a chilled glass of crisp rosé.  (I know, I know, #yeswayrosé) When I walked into George Artisan Bakery & Bistro a few weeks ago to do some research for an article I was writing, Luba Lazi, hostess extraordinaire and wife to Chef George himself, read my mind. After introducing herself in her slight Russian accent she headed behind the bar while exclaiming “Let’s start with rosé!” 

Don’t have to ask me twice.

As I sat down at the lovely marble counter Luba, who curates the wine list at George, explained to me her summer special. a flight of three different rosés. I took sips of each one, all remarkably different, but, to my surprise, loved the fuller-bodied yet still nice and dry Mas Carlot Rosé the best. 

After the flight Luba poured me one of her favorite concoctions, aptly named the “Luba’s Favorite”—champagne poured over fresh strawberries and ice and served with an iced tea spoon. “To eat the champagne soaked strawberries with at then end.” She explained, smiling.

The simply but elegant cocktail is popular in the South of France, a place which hugely inspired Chef George when creating the Provençal-style menu for George Artisan. In his own words, his style is all about “highlighting the freshest ingredients, not hiding them.”

Luba and George, who both worked in New York City before moving to Pensacola,  exude passion for what they do and their attention to detail is exceptional. Everything about George Artisan is hand-crafted—from the food to the space, and their “South meets South” theme is foodie genius. It’s all about the experience, and they take good service seriously.

“I consider it an honor anytime anyone walks into our restaurant.” Chef George humbly remarked. 

Luba insisted that I try the Buttermilk Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta, which proved to be divine. Not something I would normally think to order for myself (total choca-holic), the panna cotta is flavored with real vanilla bean, as evidenced by the slight grittiness of the flecks of vanilla. The custard is bathed in fresh grapefruit juice, which keeps it from being cloyingly sweet. I took a bite, and another, and then before I knew it I had cleaned the dish…that good. The perfect little “something sweet” to cleanse the palate. 

After drinks (and dessert--woops) Chef George came out with a slew of his favorite summer dishes in tow, including homemade burrata, tuna niçoise, seafood salad, and beef carpaccio.

The burrata immediately captured my attention, with it’s thicker, pillowy outer layer, which enveloped a delightfully creamy and soft oozy center. Such a step above the typical mozzarella capresé. 

“Burrata is one of those things like iberico ham and foie-gras—a real specialty ingredient.” Chef George mentioned, after explaining how they make the burrata in-house. 

The dish, completed by a medley of heirloom tomatoes and greens, drizzled olive oil, aged balsamic and cracked pepper on top would make for a fantastic light summer lunch.  In fact, I felt like I had been transported to the Cinque Terre after my first bite. One can dream...

The beef carpaccio, a perpetual favorite of mine, was also delicious—topped with shavings of parmesan, tomatoes, peppery arugula, flakes of sea salt, and a drizzle of rich olive oil. 

How cool is that wine display?!

Needless to say, I was one happy girl. As we finished chatting and nibbling Luba remarked, “Pensacola is interesting. There are a lot of people who are well educated and well traveled, who know good food. We have just given them a place to satisfy that.”

…This little foodie could not agree more. Next time you are downtown Pensacola make sure to stop by George Artisan Bakery & Bistro, whether for an expresso and almond croissant (which just made the #1 spot in InWeekly’s 100 Things to Eat + Drink This Summer issue), brunch, or a delicious lunch. It’s a great place for a day date, or to take friends from out of town whom you want to impress with all that Pensacola has to offer. Also, if you hustle over early in the morning on the weekends you just may be able to snag a freshly made baguette for dinner that night. Everyone set their alarms for tomorrow morning! 

George Artisan Bakery & Bistro, 1123 W. Garden St, Pensacola, FL (850) 912 4655

What is everyone up to this weekend? Hope it is a great one!

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. All opinions are, as usual, my own. 

P.S.S.  Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Pensacola Do} Strawberry Picking At Blue Basket Farms.

April is strawberry season in the Panhandle, and a few weeks ago my friend Jackie and I headed out to Blue Basket Farms to check out their new strawberry field. It was a beautiful day, and row after row of strawberry plants were full of plump fruit ready to be picked. We grabbed our buckets and headed out to pick and chat, as well as sample the sweet red strawberries right off the stem (and by sample you know I mean eat our weight...)

The berries were still warm from the sun and full of amazing bright flavor that put store-bought strawberries to shame. Juicy and sweet, they reminded me of high-summer at home and stopping at the local farm stand on the way back from the beach for an afternoon treat.

We visited Blue Basket Farms last year to pick blueberries and had a blast. You can read the post here.  I love that there is such a fantastic U-pick option so close to us in Pensacola, and I can't wait to come back and pick the ripe blueberries in the next few weeks! Not only is berry-picking a great way to get outside, it is also a wonderful (and cost-effective) way to support local farms and growers, and eat local.

For those of you in the area, the strawberry season is pretty much over but the blueberries are just beginning to ripen! Follow Blue Basket Farms on Facebook to get updates on their hours and when the blueberries are ready--trust me, you won't want to miss them! For those of you who aren't in the Pensacola area, you can check out this website to see where your nearest U-pick options are, as well as what is currently in season.

Blue Basket Farms, 8655 Highway 89, Milton, Florida, 32570 (850) 623 0652

What about you? What yummy fruits and veggies are you looking forward to this Summer?

As always, thank you so much for reading.

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Pensacola Eats + Drinks} Constant Coffee & Tea

My friend Kiley, a Pensacola native herself, is always up to date on hip new places in the area. She had mentioned Constant Coffee and Tea a few times, so recently, when we were trying to figure out a place to meet up, we headed East so I could finally check out what she had been raving about.  After the best cappuccino I have had in Pensacola so far, (it's all about the ratio, as you will learn below) and an entire morning spent catching up, laughing, and just generally sharing a brain, I knew I had to mention Constant here.

Located off Scenic Hwy in East Pensacola Heights, Constant's space is lovely and airy inside, with gorgeous high ceilings and big windows. There is plenty of seating, perfect for an afternoon spent working on a laptop or catching up with a friend. The outdoor patio is great too, especially during those few, but precious, just-warm-enough Spring days we experience down here before Summer descends in full swing.

Phil, the man behind this sweet Coffee house, was kind enough to answer a few questions.

What was the inspiration behind Constant Coffee & Tea, and what sets it apart?

I've been in the specialty coffee industry for about 15 years now. Every position from dishwasher to FOH manager. In this world if your not growing your dying. Stagnation is the worst thing in the world, and that is the inspiration behind Constant. I didn't feel that any shop in the area was actively growing. There was no Innovation and no opportunity to create innovative programs. So, I started my own shop. I recruited my brother Jason and we went to work. We started with the classics. Traditional cappuccinos, great lattes, awesome pour over coffees, and classic teas. After that came pharmacy sodas, house made syrups, house made milk alternatives, unique specialty coffee drinks, and a wonderful food service. Next up is house made sausage, cheese, cola, and on and on. I think what really sets us apart is that we are willing to do the research and spend the time to get things right. We only offer a 6 ounce cappuccino because anything larger throws the ratios off and ruins the drink. We went out and found phosphate because that's what pharmacists used to sour the original sodas. We tracked down pharmacy manuals from the early 1900's because we wanted lactarts, mazes, and shrubs.  In the end, this shop is for us. We just want to have fun. We just want to share our passion.

Where is your coffee and tea from?

Our coffee is from Counter Culture Coffee. Out of all the specialty coffee roasters in the U.S. they are hands down the best. They are the bright shining star in the coffee world right now. Our tea comes from Rishi Tea. No one even comes close to Rishi's quality and service.

What trends are you excited about in the coffee world?

I'm most excited about cold coffee right now. From nitrogen cold brew to espresso tonics. Cold brew and espresso as ingredients is going to be fun. We've already started experimenting.

East Pensacola Heights is becoming such a fun neighborhood--what do you love most about being there?

I love everything about EPH. The businesses are amazing. The view from scenic is beautiful every day of the year. The people are perfect. I think I love the people the most. They have fully embraced the neighborhoods growth. While downtown is starting to cater more to parties and tourists, EPH is going to be for locals.

Thanks for sharing Phil! Your passion is evident, and we can't wait to come back!

Constant Coffee & Tea, 615 Scenic Hwy, Pensacola, FL (850) 432 3991

Where is your favorite place to grab a quick cup of java? Are you a coffee or tea person? I would love to hear! I am both...more tea than coffee these days, but it switches weekly!

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Pensacola Eats + Drinks} Nom Sushi Izakaya

To my Pensacola friends--there is a new Japanese restaurant in town, and let me tell you..it's good. Phenomenal, even. Fellow sushi lovers, your prayers have been answered. 

I have been dying to check out Nom Sushi Izakaya for the past few months since it opened, and finally had the opportunity this weekend when my friend Haley was in town. We were down on  Palafox, and popped in for a late lunch. We raised our eyebrows as we sat down opposite each other in our booth and admired the zen space around us, wondering if we had been transported to hip neighborhood in NYC when we crossed over the door thresh hold. 

The menu is not crazy long, focusing primarily on sushi/nigiri/sashimi, with a small section of Izakaya, and three different ramen options. The sushi rolls are inspired, with an emphasis on fresh and unique ingredient,  rather than mayo based sauces and tempura, which has become so typical of American sushi. 

We ordered the Grafitti Bridge roll ( shrimp, avocado, cucumber, topped with blackened tuna tataki & spicy snow crab salad) as well as the vegan miso ramen. While I don't normally gravitate towards vegan options, our server encouraged us to forego the oh-so-trendy pork belly ramen and assured us that the vegan broth was by far the best broth in the house. It didn't disappoint. Rich and flavorful, the broth was teeming with mushrooms, kale, noodles, and ramen, and we couldn't slurp it up fast enough. (Note to self--bib next time.)

I had only heard good things about Nom before we went, and I was so thrilled to experience it firsthand and prove that it completely lives up to it's hype. Our food was delicious, our service was great, and the atmosphere is beyond cool. I can't wait to tow John there when he gets back! 

Nom would be a great spot for a fun Valentines date, so head down there this Saturday! Get there early though, because it is sure to be packed. 

Nom Sushi Izakaya, 410 S. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL, (850) 466 3125

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Pensacola Do} National Naval Aviation Museum

One of our best friends, Quentin, came to visit last week and we were so excited to hang out, catch up, and show him around Pensacola. Over the past year we have discovered so many fun things to do around here, but when we have guests we always make it a priority to take them to the National Naval Aviation Museum , because it is such a fun and hands-on  way to learn about Navy aviation, both past and present. 

The museum, which is located at NAS Pensacola. has more than 150 aircraft on display, which represent Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation. It also has some neat dioramas, as well as an IMAX theatre where they screen a bunch of different movies, including our fave --The Magic of Flight--which is all about the Blue Angels. 

When we first moved to Pensy I was totally overwhelmed by trying to learn all the aviation lingo and different aircraft. Going to the museum for the first time and  seeing all of the different planes and helos in person that were an option for John later in his career was so helpful in the learning process. If anyone reading this is in the same boat I cannot recommend a trip enough. 

While I have been to the museum a bunch of times now, I never get sick of hearing John explain all of the different aircraft and aviation history. Not only is it fun to see him get so fired up, but he just knows so much...it totally blows me away. It is also neat for our friends to see his training aircraft, like the T-6, and for us to be able to point out the various different aircraft that our friends fly, instead of just trying to explain it when they come up in conversation. 

(While John briefed Q on some history I kicked back in a  cockpit for a sec and interjected Top Gun jokes whenever possible.  )

Not only is the museum fascinating for us, but it would also be a great place to take kids of all ages! They have a cute little play area, as well as camps during the summer and simulators that older kids would love. Also, there are always tons of sweet older veterans who give great free tours of both hangers. And finally, the best part, admission is free!

Follow @evr_thegallivant on instagram to see an excellent side by side comparison of Q and Tom Cruise in Top Gun...he has waited his whole life to take the shot. You are welcome, Quentin. And then head to the Aviation Museum yourself to take your own! 

National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32506.

Happy Monday!

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

Life Lately: An Update on All Fronts

Happy Wednesday Everyone! The past few weeks have been pretty wild, and I never had a chance to post our Month 11 Marriage update so I thought that I would just give a few quick life updates today. I write a lot about things we are doing, but I also love to share occasionally about how we are doing because I feel that that is more authentic and authenticity is of the utmost importance here. This post is a little bit of both :-)

Life lately:

John soloed and started the Aerobatics portion of Primary, which he has been loving. Typically once students complete their solos they gain "cred" with their instructors, and the rapport is a little more relaxed. Aero is fast paced, (he will hopefully solo on Friday, only a week after his last solo) but John has been enjoying flying everyday and learning the maneuvers. Check out this and this for a better idea of the type of stuff he has been working on.  (Total adrenaline junkie..)

He also flew his first night flight on Monday night, which he said was nerve wracking and awesome all at once.  While he was flying I had a movie night with some girlfriends (Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason-never gets old..) and when I got home I looked up into the sky and was  amazed that one of those tiny moving lights could be my husband. Wild. It's sort of hard to explain, but when I listen to him talk about flying ie. actually being able to fly a plane I feel so awestruck at the fact that that is what he does everyday when he goes to work. It's hard to articulate, and that is just one of the many reasons I am proud of John, but it  reminds me of what a blessing it is to be married to a man that I so strongly admire. 

Our best friends moved away, and it is tough. Our friends Haley and Travis moved to Kingsville, Texas, last Friday, where Travis will start advanced training for Jets. While we are so excited for them as he moves forward in his career, we were also so sad to see them go. They were like family to us, and we will miss them so much. I have lived in a few different  places over the past decade, (Boarding school, Scotland, Massachusetts, Virginia) and said my fair share of goodbyes. Leaving Fredericksburg (My college town) and all of the incredible friends I made there was probably one of the hardest transitions I have made so far, but I would say that this goodbye was a close second. In many ways it seems like a milestone in our Navy career, because this was the just the first of many times that we will say goodbye to sweet friends that we have made in the places the Navy sends us, whether because they are moving or because we are moving. So begins the process of finding the balance between letting myself be a little sad and the "get used to it" attitude. The truth I will cling to is that just because we don't know exactly how long people will be in our immediate lives there is no excuse not to pursue deep and meaningful friendships.  The good news is that we have so many amazing friends still here with us in Pensy, so I know that we won't be lonely, and Haley and Trav are just a road trip away. 

One sweet outcome of Haley and Trav's move is that I have been so reminded of God's faithfulness over the past week. As I have thought back over the 11 months we spent together here in Pensacola, John and Travis supporting each other through flight school, Haley and I supporting each other as we learned to support our husbands, and all of us traversing new marriages together-- I realized that their friendship was the answer to a prayer that I, as well as many other people, prayed for months leading up to our move to Pensacola. Because of them, John and I know more of His goodness and His provision,  and are assured that He does hear our prayers and delights in answering them. We are nearing the part of Flight school where many of our friends will select and move away, (unless they get Helos) and I am so grateful for this perspective now, at the beginning. This is one the harder parts of Navy life, but I am comforted by the fact that we do not live our lives at the whim of the Navy, but rather in the hands of the Almighty. 

Finally, I started a new job (sort of)! For a few months now I have been baking homemade pound cakes and muffins for a boutique bed and breakfast in downtown Pensacola, The Lee House. I was filling in at the front desk occasionally for them, but I  just started working there consistently two days a week. It has been a blast, and I adore the awesome team I work with. I have a little bit of hospitality experience from my summer spent interning with FOCUS, but I am excited to learn way more about the industry. Lee House also hosts the most beautiful weddings and events, so I am pumped to get a little peek into the Events industry as well! I have been training there these past few weeks, so that plus my normal work hours at Bluetique along with baking and writing at home have kept me pretty busy the past few days, but I am loving every second of it. 

What's new with you?! Anything cool that you have been experiencing or learning about? I would love to hear!

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on instagram and pinterest!

{Pensacola Do} Float

A few weeks ago, on a Saturday morning, we headed 45 minute north through Milton to Coldwater Creek. We met up with about fifteen of our friends at Adventures Unlimited, where we all loaded up canoes and tubes (as well as coolers and dogs) into their vehicles and headed four miles upriver.

We arrived at the designated spot and all put in our flotation devices of choice. The pups hopped on too! The water was a little cold, but not too chilly--wonderfully refreshing and clear. 

We spent the rest of the day floating down the river and stopping at various beaches to hang out, catch some sun, and let the dogs run. It was a complete blast.  

Floating was so relaxing, and the river itself is gorgeous. There is nothing built on the banks, so you actually just float through a beautiful forest. The water is clear and calm for the most part, and while it is pretty shallow there are also a few deep spots where you can dunk and swim. The beaches are also lovely and clean, which is huge.

Not only did we have the best time, but the dogs had the time of their lives...They ran and swam almost the whole way, and would just hop up into a canoe or tube when they wanted a break. It is a very dog friendly place, but we would definitely suggest putting a harness on your dog incase you hit any tricky spots and need a quick extraction (as Flynn did at one point.) Also, bring fresh and clean drinking water from them, as well as a tennis ball or toy for the beaches if they like to place fetch! 

The crew. 

Over all, SUCH a fun adventure, and I absolutely cannot wait to go again. The river is such a nice change from the beach, while still getting some sun and being on the water all day. It also really felt like we got out of town for the day, which is always great. The only bummer was that it poured for the final 45 minutes of the trip--but at that point it was pretty comical and only added to the adventure, especially when you have as hilarious of friends as we do. (Although..I did spend another 45 minutes in a hot shower when I got home...)

Looking for something fun to do over the upcoming long weekend? Definitely head up to Adventures Unlimited while the weather is still nice! Make sure to bring along a cooler stocked with your snacks and bevvies of choice, and plenty of sun screen of course. ;-)

Happy Monday everyone!

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading, want to keep up with our latest gallivants, or looking for fun things to do in the Pensacola area? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, keep up with the Gallivant on instagram and pinterest!

{Gallivant} Seaside, Florida

A couple of weekends ago we took a day trip with a few of our friends down 30A to the beautiful town of Seaside. Seaside is about an hour and a half east of Pensacola, but trust me--the drive is so worth it.

I had been dying to visit Seaside and it's neighboring towns for months, ever since hearing about how beautiful it was from from my friend, Laura (a Pensacola native) and then reading this fun blog post from Reddy or Knot. I practically skipped to the car when we were ready to leave that morning, looking forward to a day full of cruising around, beautiful scenery, and good food. 

When we got to Seaside we all rented bikes (and tricycles) from 30A bike rentals, and set off on our adventure!

Our first stop was the food trucks in Seaside's little town center. We were all starving, and headed off in different directions to the truck that struck our fancy. Options ranged from a grilled cheese truck, to fresh pressed juices, to frozen custard, to Asian fusion, to BBQ. 

John was more than content with a yummy grilled cheese and cold beer, while I tried a Korean fish taco from the Song truck, which was fantastic. 

I did a quick little loop through the town center, and loved peeking into all the cute shops. I can't wait till next time when I have a little more time to peruse and check out the independent bookstore. ( I am such a sucker for a good bookstore, I just knew if I went in then I wouldn't have wanted to leave.)

How cute is that little post office?!

After lunch we hopped back on our bikes and spent an hour just riding around and exploring. It was a beautiful day to be bike riding, and we loved pedaling down the streets and admiring all of the gorgeous houses. We rode all the way through Seaside and into neighboring Watercolor, which is just as beautiful. Both towns are beautifully manicured without seeming too "Stepford" and the neighborhoods have bike paths throughout them that lead to woodsy trails and an intercoastal waterway. 

After some exploring it started to get hot, so we decided to beat the heat by heading down to the beach for a dip. 

The beach was surprisingly not very crowded for a Saturday, and we couldn't believe how blue the water was. The water in Pensacola is lovely, but is more of the greeny-turquoise color that people associate with the "Emerald Coast," while the water here was Caribbean blue and clear as can be. 

We hung out in the water for a while, goofing around while we cooled off, and then we packed up and headed back to return our bikes, making a quick pit-stop for frozen custard on the way. After returning our bikes we all piled into our cars, tired yet blissed out on sun and fresh air. We agreed that even though it was only a day trip, it really felt like we had "gotten away," and we returned to Pensacola refreshed. There is truly nothing like shaking things up and going on a spontaneous adventure with friends to make you pause and feel grateful for where you are at and all that surrounds you. 

This little adventure was one of our faves in Pensacola so far, and we can't wait to hopefully return for a weekend get away this Fall! 

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading, want to keep up with our latest gallivants, or looking for fun things to do in the Pensacola area? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, feel free to check out my instagram and pinterest.

{Pensacola Eats + Drinks} The Cactus Flower

Growing up I never ate a lot of Mexican food, but down here I find that we eat mexican alot. (Probably because some of our best friends are Texans and they could die happy eating only Mexican for the rest of their lives.) We have tried many of the Mexican restaurants in Pensacola, but we always end up coming back to the same one--The Cactus Flower Cafe. I went to the Cactus Flower with some friends for lunch and could not get their fish tacos out of my head for weeks, until finally John heard my pleas and we went back. He was instantly won over by their California-style Mexican menu, and since we have ordered  take-out from the CF at least once a month. 

Last night we headed over to the East Pensacola with the above-mentioned Texans for an impromptu mid-week double date. We kicked off our meal with some of Cactus Flowers white wine margaritas, which were delicious. What is a wine margarita you might ask? Simply a classic margarita made with pinot grigio instead of tequila. Now, I am a tequila girl through and through so I was a little bit skeptical, but after a sip I decided that I actually adore this spin on a marg. It was super limey (just how I like it) and very refreshing, with just a tiny hint of sparkle. 

For dinner John had a mix of different tacos, and I had the enchiladas verdes. I actually have never gotten anything but the fish tacos (they are to die for) but for the sake of mixing it up I decided to try something with the verde sauce, which everyone raves about. 

Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The verde sauce was incredible, and the enchiladas themselves were perfect--a little crisp on the outside, and full of cheese and chicken. John also loved his tacos, as well as the cilantro lime rice that came with them. Chipotle ain't got nothin' on that rice. 

If you live in Pensacola and like Mexican than you have to try the Cactus Flower. I actually cannot believe I haven't blogged about them sooner--they are seriously our fave. 

 Cactus Flower Cafe, 3425 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503, (850) 432-8100

Happy Thursday you guys!

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading, want to keep up with our latest gallivants, or looking for fun things to do in the Pensacola area? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, feel free to check out my instagram and pinterest.

{Pensacola Do} The Blue Angels

The Blues are back! Last saturday, my friend Haley and I headed out to Pensacola Beach to watch the Blue Angels perform in the Pensacola Air Show. We left a bit later than the rest of the thousands (!) of other people who were hoping to watch, and therefore got stuck in traffic for roughly 3 hours on I-10, but it was SO worth it. 

Haley had seen the Blues a bunch of times before, but I had only seen them once as a little girl and barely remember it. She couldn't stop laughing at the look on my face every time they flew by us, which I am sure was an expression of pure awe. We got to the beach right at 2:00 pm when the show started, and after one of the solos flew right over our car as we were driving along looking for parking, we decided to just ditch the car in a random lot and book it down to the beach as fast as we could so we didn't miss anything!

Even though it seemed as though we were late, we actually ended up with the best view. We posted up to the right of the main part of PB, sort of half way to Fort Pickens. Turns out we were standing right where the planes would hook as they turned to head down the beach. Insane.

It is hard to describe the kind of exhilaration that the Blues invoke. There is just something so wild about watching F/A-18s flying up to 18 inches from each other (18 Inches!!) performing these crazy maneuvers at outrageous speeds, that,  as Haley would say, really "gets the people going." But seriously, it really is amazing. The solos reach speeds up to 700 mph! It was unlike anything I have ever seen. Such an amazing display of discipline and skill. Also, it was wild to think that each of those pilots started right where are husbands are now--at flight school in Pensacola. While watching I felt so proud of them, proud of the guys up there, and proud of our Navy. 

If you missed the show, or just want to watch the Blues again, than check out their practice schedule here,  and head to the Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning when they are home in Pensacola to watch them practice. 

Also, If you are an email subscriber and couldn't see Scott and Sarah's fabulous wedding video from the last post than click here to open the post in your web browser!

Happy Wednesday, Friends!

xoxo

Emily

Dreams by Van Halen (Blue Angels Version) Van Halen is copyright Interscope Records, a record label owned by Universal Music Group. Original video footage is copyright of its respective owner(s). Fair Use is implied and this videos purpose is to entertain. No copyright infringement is intended.

P.S. Like what you are reading, want to keep up with our latest gallivants, or looking for fun things to do in the Pensacola area? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the lefthand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or you can follow me on Bloglovin. 

{Pensacola Eats + Drinks} The Magnolia

The other night, to celebrate six months of marriage, John and I went out on a date to The Magnolia in East Pensacola Heights, and we loved it! I had heard about the cute little restaurant from a few different people, and was dying to check it out. With only five or so tables and a bar, The Magnolia is intimate and fun without being oppressive. John was seriously impressed with their extensive list of craft brews, and we were both pumped about the range of southern-inspired small plates, salads, and sandwiches. 

John started with a Naked Pig, while I sipped a glass of Pinot Blanc. 

We decided to go heavy on the apps because everything looked so yummy. The cheese plate was perfect, consisting of an aged chedd, smoked gouda, and Dutch blue drizzled in honey, with thick slices of toasted crusty bread and cocoa almonds. Divine, especially the blue + honey combo.

The pulled-pork slider with blue cheese coleslaw looked amazing, but John gobbled it up so fast that I didn't get a chance to try it! Turns out that it is owner/chef Kiley Manning's current favorite as well, so I am sure it was fantastic. 

We also tried the bacon pimiento cheese toast--a decadent twist on the classic southern spread. 

For mains, John went light with the beet salad, while I tried the rosemary chicken salad. Both were delicious and full of flavor. I love beet salad but am not a fan of vinegar-soaked beets. However, I was delighted to find that these beets were juicy and sweet without tasting pickled, which we both loved. The rosemary chicken was also super tasty, especially loaded onto the ritz-like crackers on the side. We ended up sharing both plates, and by the time we were done we were stuffed! I also want to mention that the service rocks--our waitress was fantastic, funny, and had awesome suggestions!

The Magnolia is owned by the kick-ass husband and wife duo of Bill and Kiley Manning. I got a chance to meet Kiley before we left and followed up with her before writing this post so that we could get to know them a bit better!

Meet the magic behind The Magnolia:

TG: When did The Magnolia open?

KM: We opened on Halloween, 2011.  We were supposed to open on November 1, but at the last minute Bill requested we have a Halloween party to open- and the rest is history.

TG: What inspired your concept/menu?

KM: Shortly after Bill & I met, we both quit our jobs and moved to Maui to open a business together.  We ended up not liking Maui so we traveled the country for about 3 months, looking for a city to settle in.  We returned to Pensacola to literally repack our bags and keep traveling when we stumbled across the building that is now The Magnolia.  It just felt right so we made an offer and leased it.  Six weeks later we opened our doors.  Our menu is heavily influenced by the different food styles we experienced all over the country for those months right before we opened.  The Seafood Roll is inspired by our time in Boston, the Beet Salad by our time in Sonoma, Pimiento Cheese (and our Texas Oktoberfest we throw every year) by places where we ate in Texas, on and on.  

TG: Is this your first joint business venture? What is it like to be in the kitchen together?

KM: This is our first business venture together. :)  I love working with my husband! Not only because I love the guy but because I truly respect his opinion on everything and seek it often.  He has a completely different approach to every situation and yet, we share a vision on the final result and support and challenge each other every step of the process.  Even though we own a business together, we rarely get to see each other because of our separate responsibilities, but our flexible schedule allows us to take advantage of off-days together for a quick weekend getaway.  

We actually aren't ever in the kitchen together!  Bill runs the front of the house, does all of the accounting and maintenance on the building, food and alcohol ordering, office stuff.  Bill is really the backbone of the business- he does all of those million little things to keep us on track.  I work in the kitchen, manage our catering business (we do on and off-site catered events.  Most recently we catered and coordinated a wedding for 120 guests at The Barkley House for a couple who met at The Magnolia! That was a real treat!), am an event coordinator and am the Editor of Gulf Coast Bride Magazine.  He refers to me as his Hummingbird since I am always flying from one thing to the next.  :)

TG: What is your favorite thing on the menu, and which beer/wine would you pair it with?

KM: What is your favorite thing on the menu, and which beer/wine would you pair it with?  I go through phases with different menu items but right now I am loving our Pulled Pork Sandwich.  Bill rubs then smokes the pork shoulder for several hours then finishes it in the oven for up to 18 hours.  We pull and sauce the pork in house by hand.  We top it with our house-made blue cheese cole slaw. The pork is a two-day process and all of those personal touches really come together to create a symphony of flavors.  Sweet, smoky, peppery, savory... sooo good.  I love pairing it with a Truckstop Honey Brown Ale by Back 40 Beer Company.  Geez, now I want one....

How romantic are they?! I love knowing that their menu is completely inspired by their wanderlust. No wonder we loved it so much! Thanks so much Kiley for all the cool and thoughtful info. After hearing how much love goes into that pork I will definitely have to come back soon to grab a Truckstop + Slider combo...

Next time you are looking for a fun date night, or someone to cater your latest shindig, definitely give Kiley a call or head down to the Magnolia for some great drinks and eats. 

The Magnolia, 2907 E. Cervantes St., Pensacola, FL 32503, (850)-912-6196

Also, be sure to check out Gulf Coast Bride!

Happy Wednesday, friends.

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading, want to keep up with our latest gallivants, or looking for fun things to do in the Pensacola area? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the lefthand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or you can follow me on Bloglovin. 

{Gallivant} Destin & Donuts

A few weeks ago John and I decided to take advantage of his last few days off before starting school again and go on a spontaneous adventure. We headed east down the coast to Destin, about an hours drive. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great, so we couldn't check out the plethora of beachy activities that Destin offers, but we were content to just drive around and see what we found. Eventually we passed through into Miramar and saw signs for the Emerald Coast Wine Cellars, and decided to check it out! 

The cute little winery has a fun section of gifts and home decor, as well as an area devoted to tasting their local wines. Most of their wines were of the muscadine variety, but they did have a Chardonnay that we really liked, so much that we grabbed a bottle. They also had some yummy nibbles to go along with the wine, which we couldn't resist. Over all it was a really fun little stop on our tour, and we would highly recommend it if you are looking for rainy day activities in Destin. 

While Destin is mega touristy, it does have some amazing shopping. After the winery we made a few stops at some cute local boutiques, and then at the bigger outdoor mall. We didn't make it to the outlets this trip, but I did make a mental note of them (J. Crew, Kate Spade, Saks? Hello.)  

The real highlight of our trip (at least for me) was discovering The Donut Hole on our way out of town. Earlier, when we were driving in, I had noticed a line going way out the door and begged John if we could check it out on our way back. Upon entering, we were greeted by trays of freshly made donuts, in all sorts of delicious flavors. While some of their more popular flavors were already sold out, I did snag a classic glazed and a sour cream to nibble on on the way home. The glazed was pretty standard, but the cakey sour cream was to die for. The moist and sweet flavor was offset by the perfect amount of tang, with a sugary glazed outside. Yum. 

I would love to head back to Destin sometime and try The Donut Hole's breakfast as well as their best-selling red velvet donut, before doing a little shopping. Sounds like a great morning, right?

Pensacola locals often complain that Destin has gotten super built up over the past few years, which we couldn't disagree with. Despite that, though, we did have a great time mixing it up and adventuring out of town for a few hours together. We hear about Destin all the time, and have some friends who live down there, so we were so happy to finally get to check it out. We (ahem..me) were also delighted by the treats we got to consume while there, as evidenced by the picture below....

Mrs. Sweet Tooth

Have you ever been to Destin? What are your favorite things to do there? Feel free to comment below!

Have a great day, honeys.

xoxo,

Emily

p.s. Like what you are reading, want to keep up with our latest gallivants, or looking for fun things to do in the Pensacola area? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the lefthand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or you can follow me on Bloglovin. 

{Pensacola Do} Blueberry Picking at Blue Basket Farms

Last week,  I spent a beautiful afternoon picking the most gorgeous blueberries anyone has ever seen at Blue Basket Farms with some girlfriends. The South is covered in U-Pick farms like this one, which sell all kinds of produce from berries and fruit, to fresh veggies and local eggs and meats. 

Going the U-pick route is typically cheaper than buying from your local farmer's market, as it cuts the cost of labor, and it also makes for a fun day! We had the best time walking along the rows of huge blueberry bushes and picking our favorite varieties. At Blue Basket Farms, each row is a different type of blueberry, so they all taste slightly different. Despite some being tarter or larger than others, they were all juicy and delicious. 

When we arrived at the farm we were given big basket "fanny packs" to wear around our hips and collect our berries as we went. You are allowed to eat as you go, so as we picked we chatted and sampled (read: gorged ourselves) happily. 

All in all, it was a lovely day, and at $2.50 a pound--the blueberries were a steal. Before we knew it, we each had gathered about six pounds, and were full of fresh, juicy goodness. Needless to say, our man-friends were shocked when they opened their fridges that evening to massive amounts of bluebs. I froze about 3/4 of ours for smoothies, but also whipped up some insane blueberry-cinnamon scones, which I can't wait to share here soon! 

Blue Basket Farms is open from 7-7 on most days of the week. I would recommend getting there earlier side, just because of the heat. The blueberry season is well underway, but should last until about mid July. If you like bluebs and are looking for a fun outdoor activity than head on up! 

Blue Basket Farms, 8655 Highway 89, Milton, Florida, 32570

Happy Monday Everyone!

xoxo,

Emily

{Pensacola Do} Weekend + Links

What did you guys get up to this weekend?! I finally made it home friday evening and just laid low with the Hubs as I was still feeling pretty crummy. Yesterday I worked and then met John and some friends across the park at the Pensacola Bay Brewery! The weather was so lovely, the perfect evening to sit outside and catch up with friends over a drink. From there we all headed to Dharma Blue for a delicious dinner, and then home to watch Captain Phillips. Not a bad saturday night for having just been laid so low by a serious cold..

Reunited with this beaut, and it was the best. 

After church today we ran by Fresh Market to pick up a yummy picnic of rotisserie chicken, heirloom tomatoes, feta, and a few crusty baguettes to sandwich all that deliciousness, and then headed to the beach at Fort Pickens for the afternoon! Seriously, today was one of those great salty days, the days I dream of in the dark of winter, the days that leave you toasted and mellow but satisfied after being by the sea. Some days it is so hard to feel content in the moment, but not today. 

Happy girl on the beach

Here are some links for everyone who isn't quite ready for the weekend to end or would enjoy a few more minutes of escapism. 

• We all know English and Spanish are the most commonly spoken languages in the US, but this map shows which languages come in third in every state...it's pretty interesting. Texas- Vietnamese? Who knew..
• She has done it again! My seriously talented bestie Lindsey's DIY rug was featured on Wayfair this week! How cool is that?! I am itching to read her tutorial on Mac & Marlborough and make one for our screened in porch after we refinish the furniture. 
• Our wonderful wedding photographer, Leah Haydock, was featured on ShotKit last week! If you are at all an aspiring photog or even just a novice constantly trying to pick up tips and tricks (like me), ShotKick is a cool site that profiles photographers from all the around the world, and what they keep in their bags. 
• I love love LOVE having fresh flowers in the house, and am working on my arranging techniques. This tutorial looks fabulous, I can't wait to try my hand at it!
• I just discovered the Hemsley + Hemsley blog this week and let me tell you--these girls rock.  I want to make every. single. recipe. Everything just looks so yummy and fresh, exactly what I have been craving lately.

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Peace be with you,

Emily

Pensacola Floods & Babies

I am sorry for the delay in posting this week! I would normally have posted yesterday, but we had a wild first half of the week and my brain felt like mush by the time yesterday morning rolled around due to lack of sleep. Many of you have probably heard about the monster storm we experienced this week, and the flooding that ensued. Thank you so much to everyone who checked in on us yesterday, we are totally fine, but we did have a crazy time. Here is a little recap of our experience...

We get flash flood warnings a lot here, to the point that we got used to just rolling our eyes and dismissing the emergency alerts on our phones. On monday night we had an epic thunderstorm which kept us up all night. When I got home from work on tuesday night the rain was coming down pretty hard and there was frequent thunder and lightning, but I didn't have any troubld driving home so John and I got ready to leave for the Navigators dinner that we go to every Tuesday. We joked about whether or not it was safe to drive the 20 minutes across town, and John suggested we take my SUV versus his sedan. 

We left Navs around 9:30 and the storm was raging outside. As we drove out of the neighborhood we saw we both had missed calls and texts from our friend Cotter from an hour earlier, wondering if he could drive to our house from where he was waiting for a friend at the airport, because he wasn't sure he could make it home with all the flooding. That is when we began to notice how the water running along the sides of the roads we were driving on was starting to look more like streams which were rising onto the road. By the time we talked to Cotter he had decided to try and brave the bridge to get across the water to Milton because he had found our apartment locked. We, meanwhile had gotten on the highway and weren't too concerned until we came around a corner and realized that about 100 feet ahead of us the whole highway had flooded out and there were three abandoned cars in the middle with water up to their doors. The local news was setting up cameras as we turned around in the middle of the highway to try and figure out another way to get home. Meanwhile, the rain was coming down so hard that we learned later it had rained 5 inches in 45 minutes. That is more rain than Pensacola received during Hurricane Ivan. 

For the next hour we drove through backroads trying to find a way towards the area we live in. We had to turn around multiple times when we found the road blocked by rising water. We saw tons of abandoned cars completely washed out, or sitting on high ground stranded. At one point I saw a couple cars completely submerged up to their roofs just a short ways through an intersection to our left, with their lights still on. By then we had realized that we were in a pretty scary situation, but eventually we made it onto I-10 which would take us up north towards the area we live in. We heard from Cotter that the bridge over the bay was completely flooded, and even when he had gone over it earlier one side was flooded all the way to the top of the guard rail. The whole time we were talking with 5 of our friends who were in two separate cars, trying to figure out where they were and if they could get through. They all live in Milton, so they decided to try to make it to our house which was closer and stay put there until the water went down. 

As we neared our exit we saw more massive flooding on the highway in front of us, but there was a suburban slightly ahead of us that decided to try and go through so we followed suit. At one point a jeep was driving next to us and it felt like we were driving next to a moter boat because the water was so high that it's wake was splashing my passenger side window. Eventually we did make it home, and hour later, around midnight our friends Mike, Kori, and Sarah Beth arrived who had luckily been been driving Sarah Beth's jeep. Our other friends, Travis and Haley, who were in a sedan, were stuck in one of the most flooded areas, Pine Forest Rd. They had had to seek high ground because at one point they found themselves floating on the road and knew they couldn't risk trying to get to our house. They sat stranded at a What-a-Burger with tons of other folks who couldn't get home. We were up all night, anxious about possible tornados and amped up from our drives. At 5 AM Haley and Travis burst into our apartment, recounting how they had had to abandon their car and had gotten a ride from a guy driving a Semi-Truck big enough to get through some of the deeper water. Even so, it took them three hours to get to our place, which normally would take 20 minutes from where they were, because they were diverted so many times by water that the Semi wouldn't even had been able to get through. 

Needless to say, we were all pretty exhausted yesterday. The rain had stopped, but the news showed massive sink holes that had occurred, people floating on kayaks in their living rooms, entire pieces of roads missing. We didn't leave the house until around 4:00 pm when we decided to go and rescue Haley and Travis's car. The day-time pictures are all from that drive, the flood water still there even after having half a day to drain.

All in all it was an insane 48 hours. When the weather station recovered from being shut down due to a lightning strike we learned that Pensacola received 22 inches of water in 24 hours, almost a third our average yearly rainfall.  I, the girl named after a hurricane, have seen some bad weather first hand, but nothing like this. While it was a thrill for an adrenaline junkie like myself, in hindsight I cannot believe we were driving when the floods hit. It is one thing to be holed up having a hurricane party when a storm hits, but a completely different thing to be caught by surprise in the middle of it without the immediate option of retreating to your safe and cozy home. I love a good storm, but I think we all learned a bit of a lesson about how quickly it can become an incredibly dangerous and violent situation. We felt blessed yesterday, after learning of how many homes had been ruined in our area and the two lives that were lost to drowning, that all we had to show for the past two days was a good story. 

Here are some links to news stories with some good footage during the night:

http://news.yahoo.com/latest-weather-wallop-florida-alabama-flooding-121700593.html

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/deadly-tornado-outbreak/life-threatening-flooding-submerges-pensacola-florida-n93201

It never ceases to amaze me how Nature has the power to derail our lives in one short day. Please pray for those who have had to evacuate their homes, and the Tornado victims as well. 

Finally, in the midst of the craziness in the wee hours of the morning yesterday we did get some other very exciting news....

John's sister Boo and her husband Matt welcomed our beautiful new niece Sophie yesterday morning. We absolutely cannot wait to meet her, and we are glad we happened to be awake to hear she was coming! 

Hope everyone is having a great week and staying dry...

xoxo,

Emily

{Pensacola Do} The Blue Wahoos

I love the Red Sox. John loves the Yankees. As one lovely older man in church told me recently, "there is therapy for that." 

One team that John and I can get behind together, though, is the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. We went to a Wahoos game a couple of weeks ago for the first time and we are hooked! I can totally see this becoming one of our new favorite things to do. A Member of the Southern League, the Double-A team was originally from Zebulon, North Carolina, but moved here in 2012. They were welcomed enthusiastically by the community, and play in a gorgeous Bay-front park right downtown. Tickets are $5 for standing, and $9 for seats, which, if you are used to MLB prices, is nothing. 

We went back last thursday with some of our friends in hopes of seeing Bubba Watson throw the first pitch, but unfortunately we were running a bit late. Despite that, as the days get warmer here the evenings are getting lovelier and lovelier, and we still had a great time enjoying the weather and $1 popcorn refills while we took in the game. So fun! There is nothing like going to a real baseball game-there is something so iconic about it. America's Pastime. While the Wahoo stadium isn't Fenway, it does have an incredible view and is brimming with hometown spirit. As newly die-hard Wahoos fans, we can't wait for our next visit. Go Wahoos!

Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W Cedar Street, Pensacola, FL 32502

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office:
Season Tickets: (850) 934-8444
tickets@bluewahoos.com

Happy Monday Everyone!

xoxo

Emily

P.S. Head to the Wahoos on a Thursday night for $2 beers! Can't beat that...

P.S.S. Like what you are reading and want to keep up with all of our latest gallivants? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the lefthand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or you can follow me on Bloglovin. 

{Pensacola Eats + Drinks} Beignets

Joe Patti's was one of the first places that John took me to when I visited him for the first time in Pensacola last September, while we were engaged. Joe Patti's is a Pensacola institution--the local fish market with a gourmet twist and an allegedly fantastic sushi counter. My favorite part of the whole experience was visiting the truck which is (it seems) perpetually parked outside of the market, and turns out freshly made beignets all day. 

If you have never had a beignet than you are seriously missing out. Half fried-dough, half cream filled donut, these french treats are often thought to be a New Orleans specialty, but can actually be found all over the Gulf Coast. We brought my bestie Emily over to try them when she was visiting, and as evidenced by the photos below, she thought they were soo yummy.

If you havn't been yet, head over to Joe Patti's to try these sweet treats and check out the market itself. It reminds me a lot of a little market at home in Massachusetts called Henry's--locally owned and wonderfully curated.

Joe Patti's Seafood Company, 524 South B. St, Pensacola, FL 32502

xoxo

Emily

{Pensacola Shop} Bluetique

The Bluetique, Pensacola

I stumbled into Bluetique a few weeks ago while exploring the Seville Historic District in downtown Pensacola, and realized I definitely needed to share it here! Located right in the middle of the district on Alcaniz St, Bluetique is a wonderfully curated boutique stocked with a great selection of stylish women's clothing and accessories, candles, as well as an adorable children's clothing section. With a lovely collection that boasts brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Three Islands, Elizabeth McKay, Julie Brown, and Grayling Jewelry, Bluetique caters to fashionable women of all ages who are looking to add a few fun and trendy yet elegant pieces to their wardrobe. They also have a killer sale rack in the back ;-) 

Laura Belsinger and her mom Susie Endry, the stylish masterminds behind The Bluetique

When I popped in I was able to meet the talented owner, Laura, and her amazing mother and partner-in-crime, Susie.  (Who, we realized, actually went to my alma-mater, Mary Washington! Such a small world..) This wonderful mother-daugher team opened Bluetique just over a year ago, and have been working together ever since. Not only do they have killer style, but they are also just lovely women. I went back in last week and sat down with them to ask them a few questions about Bluetique, and we ended up chatting and having the best time visiting. 

Laura and Susie described their style as "beachy, coastal, bright, elegant, timeless, fun," which I would say aptly describes Bluetique. Laura recounted how her little daughter received a Three Islands dress from a family member up north a few years ago, and tons of Laura's friends commented on how cute it was. They  wondered where they could find one for their own daughters, since there wasn't a store in Pensacola that stocked them...yet.  Previously, Laura had run a home and garden store with her sister in Asheville, North Carolina, called The Gardener's Cottage, so she had plenty of experience in running her own store, and in March of 2013 she opened Bluetique. Both Laura and Susie describe the past year as an adventure in learning the ropes of owning a clothing boutique, but it is evident from the success of the store and the way these two interact that they are a great team. Laura recounted how she has always admired her mom's taste in both interior design and fashion, and how it has been a joy to work with her in the store, adding that she is fantastic at helping customers put incredible outfits together and she learns from her everyday. I loved seeing these two interact, and couldn't get over how special it was that they get to work together. 

The children's section.

Another highlight of my visit was getting a real local perspective on Pensacola.  It was fascinating to hear Susie describe how Pensacola is growing, and how small businesses are really making the downtown a more vibrant place. She described the energy downtown as more alive and stronger than she has seen it in years. Susie and Laura also had some great recommendations for restaurants and things to do, many of which I had never heard of. I am excited to try them all out and then share them here!

Over all, if you are in Pensacola and are in need of a new outfit for an event, a mother's day gift, or just a little shopping, I highly recommend stopping by Bluetique. With a lovely collection, and such warm and friendly service, you won't be disappointed.  The Historic District is a great place to explore anyway, (it's actually one of my favorite parts of Pensacola), so you could even make an afternoon of it! 

Bluetique, 212 S. Alcaniz St, Pensacola, FL 32502

Happy Monday Everyone!

xoxo

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading and want to keep up with all of our latest gallivants? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the lefthand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or you can follow me on Bloglovin. 

{Pensacola Do} Blackwater River State Forest

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I wanted to share some pics from one of our favorite spots in the Pensacola area, Blackwater River State Forest, in Milton. We love taking Flynn to Blackwater to explore the trails or play by the river. The forest is beautiful, and you only have to pay a tiny fee in order to explore all you want! The Blackwater River, which runs through the park, is also one of the clearest white sand rivers in the country, and is perfect for a dip on a hot day. When we first moved to Pensy I really missed being in the woods and running along trails, and so I was so excited to discover Blackwater. We took these pics about a month ago, during an adventure with some of our wonderful friends, Jackie, Cotter, and Haley, as well as Jackie and Cotter's handsome lab, Stockdale. I think it's pretty obvious from the photos that Flynn just adored having his own doggy friend to explore with....

If you head up to Blackwater anytime soon (which you totally should) make sure you keep an eye out for gators and snakes as it gets warmer. We can't wait to float down the river on tubes and maybe even camp later this spring!

Handsome Stocky.

Pretty Haley and Jackie!

xxxx

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading and want to keep up with all of our latest gallivants? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the lefthand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or you can follow me on Bloglovin. 

{Pensacola Eats+Drinks} The Bodacious Brew

Cinnamon Rolls from the Bodacious Brew I Photo: Author

Here is the first of what I hope will be many posts highlighting some of our favorite spots in Pensacola. The longer we live here and explore the more we discover and are pleasantly surprised by how much Pensy has to offer. If you are one of our friends or family and are coming down at some point to visit we can't wait to take you to some of these places. If you are just looking for fun things to do in Pensacola then I hope this is helpful. Cheers to gallivanting! 

Growing up we always ate pretty healthy in our house, with only a few exceptions. One of those exceptions was for Pillsbury Grand cinnamon rolls, which my mom rolled out (hah see what I did there?) on special occasions like weekends my brother and I were home from boarding school, or holiday mornings. I have a weakness for cinnamon rolls, but no matter how many I have tried I have never found any that compare to the Pillsbury rolls. (Generally I am very anti-processed food, but I do make an occasional exception for these as well as box cake mix. Sue me. Im human.)  That is, until I tried a cinnamon roll at the Bodacious Brew, in downtown Pensacola, which turned out to be the best cinnamon roll I have ever had. 

Photo: Author

Located at the end of 407 C S. Palafox St, the Bodacious Brew is coffee and tea shop that serves breakfast, lunch, assorted treats and pastries, and gelato as well. They have a beautifully curated tea collection,  expresso bar, and multiple brewing options for drip coffee. The service is great, and there is a generous seating area with tables and counters perfect for coffee dates, meetings, or workspace.  The breakfast menu includes things like breakfast wraps, "bodaciously grits" with roasted corn, green onion, gouda cheese, and gremolata olive oil, and of course--cinnamon rolls. Get there early to grab one of these perfectly flaky on the outside-gooey on the inside buns, and you will thank me. 

While in the area, pop into the Bodacious Brew's sister store, The Bodacious Olive, and sample a few of the olive oils from their vast collection, or peruse the specially curated wine and cheese. Then head upstairs to the SoGourmet kitchen store, which is also owned by the same people, and explore their incredible kitchen wares. Between the three shops you could easily spend an afternoon indulging your foodie fantasies! Confession: I've done it. 

xoxo

Emily

The Bodacious Brew: 407 C South Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32502

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