friday favorites: sarasota

*All photos courtesy of the my handy iphone because my stomach overtook my brain and I didn't bring my camera. Typical.

It has been forever since I have posted a friday favorites just about a little spot in Sarasota that I am obsessed with and feel it is necessary to share with you, but lately, I have just been loving this city. Maybe it's the warmer weather approaching? Who knows. But let me tell you, Station 400 is my new favorite breakfast spot in town. Mimicked to look like an old rail road station, there is nothing about this place that isn't perfection. From the mismatched chairs to the cute little alley on the side to the food, I cannot wait to return to try different things on the menu.

Here let me make your mouth water. How about some apple stuffed and almond crusted croissant french toast with cranberry butter and hard cider syrup? Or would you like some strawberry and lavender, strawberry butter and vanilla bean syrup pancakes? Or does an Italian omelet with fresh mozzarella with marinated artichokes, olives, roasted peppers, and tomatoes sound better? I could have looked at the menu forever and still not have known which would have been the best to get. Hey I have an idea. How about we all meet here in Sarasota (all 500 of you) and order different menu items and have a potluck. A little of this, a little of that, and we all leave best friends stuffed with syrups and coffee. Sound like a plan?

Oh Sarasota. I've lived in you for 20 years and you still have places to explore. I just love ya.
Have you tried any new spots in your town lately?

to market to market & a few other places too

It was a glorious day last Saturday when Jared and I got to spend the WHOLE day together. You know what is even better? He said I could do whatever I wanted to do. When your man says that to you, you better take advantage of it. So of course I did what any women would do, shop. The day started with a trip to the farmers market, a favorite of ours ( you can see HERE and HERE)...

We made our way to the top of the double-decker coffee amazing amusement bus sort of thing. A doughnut and coffee for me and a breakfast burrito and coke for him, the usual. From here you could see the entire market buzzing with people and their green reusable shopping totes and I left thinking about buying some of their tanzania pearberry coffee. Most exotic sounding coffee award right there.

Let me just tell you right now that you should be jealous of our farmer's market flowers and succulents. I could spend an hour looking at them alone and they also have some of the most unique plants I have never heard of. From spiky to fluffy and gorgeous in between, you'll find it here. Also, these full-sized succulents are $2! My oh my I could buy all of them (and I kind of did).

A couple weeks ago I had about 2.5 seconds to visit the best thrift shop and antique store in the town over from us, Bradenton. So naturally I had to go back to see what I had left behind. Jared and I just fell in love with this old health-o-meter scale and it just had to come home with me. A retro teal golf club was Jared's buy of choice and off we went to the next place.

As we were driving around Bradenton in the late morning, we happened to stumble upon their farmer's market. Consensus: Sarasota wins hands down. However, we did like their main street and found a cute little restaurant bar that had the best flat breads. We indulge on our days out let me tell you. Also, isn't he just the most handsome thing around? Keeper status.

The rest of the day pushed on with a few more stops as I am still on the hunt for the perfect bar cart which included a stop to salvation army and habitat for humanity store and by the time we got home we were wiped. The day ended with a nap and relaxation. Pictured above are a few finds I acquired in the last week. All under $35 and too perfect to stand. I'd say it was a pretty good day and I cannot wait to spend more like this. It might have to include some more manlier outings in the future though. One man can only take so much thrift shopping, you know?

What have you done fun lately in your spare time?

friday favorites

• Coming home. There is nothing more that I love than coming home and seeing this face. My adorable yorkie named Dixie or Jared? Well both. Jared may have a little leg up on Dixie, but just a little one.
• Late night exploring. There isn't much more I can say about this or the florida wildlife control will be concerned.
• The boyfriend in the Nike Golf attire. Couldn't get more perfect. Unless he was in scrubs.
• You're probably wondering why I have a picture of a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of conditioner. Only because the most spectacular thing happened! I ran out of both bottles, at the SAME time. Haven't you ever wondered if you could run out of both of them in the one shower. Well, it can happen. I have proof.
• You know what I hate about going to the doctor? Finger pricks. You know what I hate about nursing school? Having to finger prick YOUR OWN finger. Thought you hated finger pricks too? Try doing it to yourself.
• And lastly, the smallest and cutest pepper shaker and canoli you ever did see.

Let me know what you did this week that you can call your friday favorites!