Tampa Greek festival

We love this event.  The food is just simply good.  The people are charming, hospitable, and lighthearted.  The jewelry and clothes are authentic and fun.  And for kids, there are games, lots of bounce houses, arts and crafts, and more. 

We went today and enjoyed Greek food at its best, and prepared lovingly and authentically.  In fact, we took advantage of the frozen trays they offered to have for Thanksgiving.

It's a MUST!  Be sure to park in the assigned and free spots.  $2 entry, and kids under 12 are free.  Beer, wine, etc. and food are extra.  The fun and entertainment is included!!!

Tampa Greek Festival

Florida find and fossilgal.com creation

Dunedin craft festival

Mt dora outdoor market

Mt dora florida is such a quaint town. Lots of b and bs, taverns, antiques....we enjoyed the Sunday outdoor market with the kiddos and look forward to exploring more on a kidfree wkend!

Homosassa springs

Great spot for the family. Deer gators hipps.

fun spot for family and for nightlife!

Skipper's Smokehouse is a must...at least once...when visiting the Tampa area.  On most weekends, they have great live entertainment, and offer a super-casual, eclectic, atmosphere.  No need to dress up here...it is as laid back as it gets, but the food is great and cold beer is on tap.  I loved the grouper sandwich, which has been featured on Man vs Food!

Our family went on a Saturday at lunch.  Not much of a crowd, and we had great service.  The best part?  Our kids could run around the property and check out all the unique surroundings without us having to worry.  Eye candy for all ages....antiques, relics, funky décor, you name it...

The only downside?  It's kinda in the middle of nowhere....so if you drink, take a taxi or carpool, and be prepared for a fun time!

Skipper's Smokehouse

hair salon in Tampa Bay

I've started going to a new hair salon in the Tampa Bay area.  The salon is located in the Seminole Heights area of Tampa, which is an up and coming area of local restaurants, shabby chic clothes/furniture stores, antiques...an eclectic mix of old and new. 

The staff are welcoming and friendly, and the salon also boasts wine tastings during a service.  The décor of the renovated house is fun and funky.  Most importantly, I've had a great experience with my cut/color appointments at an affordable price! 

Danielle, my stylist, has been great. 

forever beautiful day spa

tampa military discounts

Beef O Bradys-between 10-20% on total purchase
beef o bradys

Walgreens-between 15-20% for active duty military and families on Tuesdays

Datz-between 15-20% off for active duty military
datz

macdill afb classifieds

macdill afb classifieds

affordable delicious wine

This is one of my new favorite winemakers.  I've tried the merlot and cabernet, and it is excellent.  I most often find it in Tampa at the Publix on Gandy, or the Publix Greenwise in Hyde Park.  Prices range from $10-15/bottle.

http://www.ironywine.com/Home.aspx

new hyde park restaurant

Cannot wait to try Copper Fish (previously The Samba Room).  Gorgeous decor, open air setting with fountain...a truly coastal feel. 

Tampa Seafood Restaurant

music and food venue

I cannot wait to check this spot out...this spot has been covered nationally, and I was blessed to meet the owners.  You gotta check this place out when you are in the area.  Think gator ribs and blackened grouper...home grown~!!!!!

www.skipperssmokehouse.com

dentist

I have been very impressed by Dr. Redd's office.  During my initial evaluation, Dr. Redd took the time to give me a detailed analysis of my teeth, including a cancer screening and preventative tips.  What I liked most, however, was that I thought his opinion was in my best interest and conservative.  I've visited other dentists in the past who have insisted I have work done that was not necessary to the overall health and appearance of my teeth.  Dr. Redd seemed genuine, and took the time to explain all my options and the likely outcomes of the decisions.

After my consultation and the receipt of my insurance estimate, I decided to have a few fillings replaced. I was very pleased with the result, and extremely impressed by the follow up and continued care I have received.  I'd highly recommend this practice to anyone in the Tampa Bay area!

Tampa Bay Dentist

quality clothes and accessories

I went into my friend Deb's shop, DKM accessories, this week for the first time in 3 months.  Deb has SUCH an eye for great, classy, timeless pieces that are reasonably priced and interesting. Don't let the name fool you...this is a one-stop shop.  They have precious day-to-cocktail wear, maxi dresses, casual to formal jewelry, great handbags...I think many people miss this gem by heading to the more prominently placed "boutique", but the quality of clothes and accessories TRUMPS the nearby competitors, in my opinion, not to mention the accommodating salespersons. 

Don't miss this "hidden" gem!!!!

http://www.dkmaccessories.com/

gluten-free expo

There is an upcoming expo in St Petersburg about living gluten-free.  Free samples of food will be available, and speakers will address topics ranging from gluten-free foods to celiac disease. 

http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/event-detail/gluten-free-for-life-expo/79031

pizza restaurant

I really enjoyed the pizza and the atmosphere at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza at the S Dale Mabry location.  The restaurant was not too loud, although it was small.  The feel was cozy, and I liked the location of the bar and option for open-window setting when the weather is nice.  I love thin crust, and the arugula pizza was just perfect....light, crisp, lots of flavor, and filling enough! 

We had a large party, and it was nice to be given the option of "family-style" dining.  Passing dishes around the table for everyone to enjoy was festive, and felt more like a European cafe than a family pizzaria.  It's the kind of place you can dress up or down, and feel right at home.

http://anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com/#

family fun sharks teeth

We enjoyed a little day trip with the kiddos to Mulberry Phosphate Museum.  Last weekend, Mosaic donated several truckloads of new material, filled with our favorite treasures.  Sure enough, within an hour, we got our booty of goodies.  Fun, free, family, fitness, and for fossil fanatics...mama and daddy love it!

Just an hour fromTampa....not much in Mulberry, but we DIG IT!

www.mulberryphosphatemuseum.org

sweetbay

As an update to a previous post....after hearing Sweetbay Groceries were going under, I decided to investigate.  My friend in Carrollwood had visited her store prior to closing, and found some great deals on really everything in the store! December 31,  I re-visited the Sweetbay in Hyde Park, and I was told by an employee they had no plans to close.  I went back in yesterday to pick up a few items, and I was much more impressed than I was 4 months ago.  Their produce section as improved greatly, as well as their salad bar, the store layout in general, and the seafood offerings. 

I am not sure if the Hyde Park store will remain open, or continued to be called Sweetbay, but in the meantime, I plan to shop when I need a convenient, quick grocery store run.  Perhaps if they would offer a customer reward program, I'd be there more often!

http://www.sweetbaysupermarket.com/custserv/store_detail.jsp?viewStoreId=20805

facial, brow shaping

As nice as it would be to spend the day in a spa, drinking mimosas and dreaming of the island, those opportunities are few and far between as a mom of two little ones.  I needed a quick beauty pick up...a nice glow....a touch of radience....a chance to sit down and be pampered, if only for 30 minutes.  I found a wonderful quick "fix" in Melt Out. 

This cute bungalow is tailored for the woman on the go, and is a walk-in, no appointment needed day spa.  It is tailored for the working gal, the mom, the fitness enthusiast running by who wants a quick brow wax.  I was in and out in 45 minutes, but during that time, I was able to relax and get one of the best facials I've had in months, not to mention THE BEST brow shaping I've had in Tampa. 

Melissa was fantastic.  She did a light Skinceutical with dermaplane, leaving my face glowing and feeling like-new.  As I prefer my brows natural, she waxed and tweezed just enough to clean them up neatly while leaving my full brow with the perfect shape and arch.  All this for under $90.

Melt Out even has a place for kids to draw if you need your little one entertained for the moment.  Its such a great spot for the woman, and I image, the man, on the go! 

www.meltout.com

kids haircut

My sweet 4 year old gal just can't keep her hair out of her pretty blue eyes.  As pretty as her blonde curls are, they obstruct her ability to draw beautiful masterpieces, and have the tendancy to take on the hue and flavor of whatever sticky treat she may have "found" (been given by daddy).  It was time for a haircut.

Something simple, inexpensive, but cute and feminine....and low maintainence! 

Great Clips on S Dale Mabry was a great solution.  Parking was easy, the environment was tidy and kid-friendly, and the haircut plus shampoo a mere $11. 

I highly recommend Yodalis.  She clearly has a special "touch" with children, and lots of patience.  Maggie's hair turned out to be very cute and stylish, and the entire experience was pleasant. 

You can check in ahead of time online to avoid a wait, but appointments are not scheduled.

http://www.greatclips.com/salons/9151

gasparilla

A great site listing the family-friendly activities for Gasparilla 2013!

http://gasparillapiratefest.com/extravaganza2/GE_index.html

Florida Fossil museum

The kids and I visited the Mulberry Phosphate Museum on our trip home from Dinosaur World. This little gem is in the middle of a very small town about an hour from Tampa, Mulberry Florida. Although the museum itself is small, it is neatly organized with lots of information and artifacts from Florida dating back millions of years. A small train caboose is also attached to the museum which offers a glimse into the early life of Florida residents and miners. Mulberry is known for being the "phospate capital of the world", rich in phosphate which is critical to grow the crops that feed us today! Beside the museum is a Fossil Pile, with material provided by Mosaic Industries. The material consists of rock, shell, and within the piles, fossilized teeth and shells can be unconvered. My kids loved sifting through the piles for treasures, as did I! The trip was information, interesting, and fun for all of us. Although the museum is free, they depend on donations, so be sure to leave a gift for all their wonderful efforts.

dinosaur world

Great place to visit with kids under 10...the fossil dig was a hit, and the playground and picnic area a no-brainer!

a great "wing" spot

The food at Wings Gone Wild isn't fancy, but it is simple, good, and fairly inexpensive. We took the kids and enjoyed a pretty day sitting on their front porch, watching football and enjoying a light lunch. The restaurant itself is not fancy...it's more of a bar. But it's open and fun, and the outdoor seating is ideal for families. They also offer a generous military discount, and offer weekly specials.

a great site for Tampa events

This site is very user-friendly and up to date.