Indie Craft Bazaar

100 SW 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
12pm until 5pm, Shows scheduled on select days throughout the year

About three or four times a year, Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale plays host to a gathering of local artists, crafters and vendors, called the Indie Craft Bazaar.  Full of unique finds including jewelry and accessories, home decor, and other funky stuff that you probably wouldn't find elsewhere, it's totally worth checking out.  

Oh, and I should mention, their serving up $3 mimosas while you shop--can't beat that! 

When I attended the event in February, I purchased a cute pair fabric bobby pins and button earrings by Doopie Moo's, and an adorable gold wire-twisted love ring (unfortunately I cant remember the name of this vendor!)  Prices are very reasonable overall, and a very good event to check out for gift ideas, especially for that person who already has practically everything.  

Also, I recommend checking out their Facebook page for updates on vendors, features, and event dates and times.  The next event is July 13, 2013 from noon until 5:00pm.  

Tip: There's a $5 admission fee, but first 100 guests get to pick up a fun little swag bag filled with little trinkets from some of the vendors featured at the bazaar.    

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi

413 SW 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Open Daily (check schedule for fare times) 

Ok, I'm absolutely in love with the concept of this local Fort Lauderdale feature, the Water Taxi.  Considered a "trolley on the water," the Water Taxi service runs from 10am until approximately 10pm most days, and travels to 10 Stops along the Intracoastal waterway throughout the day.   In addition, there is a connecting Water Taxi that can take you to and from Hollywood as well.  

I suggest starting at the very beginning, either Stop 1-The Briny Pub, or Stop 1A-Pirate Republic Bar--both places are very cool-looking and you can sit and have a drink while waiting for the taxi to come. 

The first time I road this, I traveled all the way until Stop 8 before getting off--this drops you off at the beach along A1A in Fort Lauderdale.  That way, we were able to enjoy the boat-ride and enjoy some of the sites, while also figuring out which Stops we actually wanted to stop at and walk around.  

While on the Water Taxi, its normal to see many large yachts docked along the waters edge, some that are even owned by celebrities--Johnny Depp (above), Kenny Chesney, among others.  Make sure to listen to the commentary while on the Taxi, as the captain and his crew will point out some of the local celebrity homes--both currently living and previously owned.  Mansions owned by Desi Arnaz & Lucille Ball, the vacation home previously inhabited by Sonny & Cher, Anderson Cooper's childhood home, to name a few...

Tickets are $22 per adult and are good for the entire day--after 5:00pm tickets are discounted to $15.  This is a fun feature for both locals and visitors--I highly recommend taking your out-of-town visitors on this.  

Tips: (1) Between Stops 1 and 1A, there is a drawbridge that goes down every so often to allow for trains to pass.  If this is down during the time of a Water Taxi pickup, the boat cannot pass and therefore you may have to wait for the next scheduled pickup.  Call (954)467-6677 to locate the closest Water Taxi (2) Take the Water Taxi at night during the month of December and you're guaranteed to see some extravagantly decorated houses along the waterway decked out for the holidays.       

New York Mets' Spring Training

525 NW Peacock Boulevard, Port St Lucie, FL 34986
February thru March (check Mets website for schedule)

One of the benefits of being a Mets fan and living in South Florida is that their spring training is held only about an hour away from here, at Tradition Field in Port St Lucie.  I finally convinced Brian to go to a game with me--I bribed him with beer (the majority of his family are Yankees fans--need I say more?)!

We ended up scoring tickets to the Mets v. Atlanta Braves game--so fun!  And Regis Philbin threw the first pitch! REGIS!!

There's nothing like a good game of baseball--and it was nice to enjoy the game with close seats and a good view...along with salty peanuts and a hot dog! Can't wait to go to another game next season! PLAY BALL!

Tip:  Allow yourself enough time to get to the field so that you can find a good parking spot.

Agliolio Italian Bistro & Wine Bar

2258 N Congress Ave, Boynton Beach FL

Did you ever notice that you seem to find some great places when you aren't really looking?  Brian happened to drive by Agliolio Italian Bistro & Wine Bar the other day while picking up a package from the post office, and hasn't stopped mentioning this place ever since.  We both constantly crave Italian food, and its just minutes from where we live.  How have we not been here sooner?

Anyway, we decided to try this place out for a belated Valentines Day dinner last night.  The name of the restaurant 'Agliolio' is derived from the Italian words for two prominent ingredients in many Italian dishes, aglio meaning garlic, and olio for olive oil.  Their menu covers pretty much all of the traditional Italian favorites--chicken parm, bruschetta, pastas, and pizzas--you get the picture.  But their "Pasta-Bility" concept is a fun little feature, allowing you to choose from a selection of their homemade pastas and then choose the sauce and additional toppings of your choice.  So smart!  I mean, how many times have you gone to an Italian restaurant and either you, or someone in your group, asked the waiter to either change the type of pasta or sauce from what the menu lists?

Brian stuck to his typical pick, the chicken parmigiana, and asked for linguine with vodka sauce (P.S...that's my handsome dude above--charming right!!? HA!)
I chose to try the eggplant rollatini, breaded eggplant sliced thin and stuffed with a creamy ricotta filling, with melted mozzarella on top.  For my pasta choice, I went with linguine as well, but opted for the creamy pink sauce and a topping of roasted garlic.  Both of our meals came with a garden salad and bread, too.  I was so stinkin' stuffed afterward, but we left verrrry satisfied!  (I actually just finished my leftovers for lunch today, yum!

The restaurant was packed on a rainy Friday night in Boynton Beach, but getting a table didn't take long at all--we sat at one of the hi-tops.  We're going to have to come back during their happy hour 1/2-price drink specials--daily from 3pm until 6:30pm, with extended happy hour until 10pm on Wednesdays.

Note: For those living just a bit further north of Boynton, there's another location in Wellington too.

Buon Appetito! 

Lakeridge Winery

19238 US 27 North, Clermont FL
Open Monday through Saturday 10am until 5pm
Sundays 11am until 5pm

For Labor Day weekend last year, Brian and I drove a few hours North to spend some time with his parents in Wildwood, FL.  While we were there, we took a trip to Lakeridge Winery in Clermont, FL, which is ranked as Florida's largest premium winery.  Sitting on more than 120 acres of land, the winery offers daily tours and complimentary tastings seven days a week.  Yes, you heard me--FREE tastings!

The forty-five-minute tour is very informative, starting off with a video describing Lakeridge's history and describing their wine-making process.  Following the video presentation, you are brought on a guided tour around the winery, including views of the bottling and labeling stations, packing area, and a beautiful view of the vineyards.  The tour ends at the tasting area with more than 7 free tastings of their wines.  My favorites here include both their Southern Red and Sunblush wines.  And if you like sparkling wines, Pink Crescendo is equally as tasty, and perfect for special occasions.

Lakeridge Winery also has a fantastic gift shop, with awesome wine and champagne gadgets, dipping sauces and marinades, home decor, and gifts.  And each of their wines are available for purchase in the gift shop as well, with a discount available if you purchase six or more bottles.

Tip: Check out their website for a calendar of monthly events--they usually always have some type of festival or musical event going on each month.  Fun!

West Palm Beach GreenMarket

101 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach FL

Open Saturdays October through April 9am until 2pm;
May through September 9am until 12pm

I've been to a number of public markets now, and with each one that I visit, there is something unique that sets each one apart from the rest.  The GreenMarket in West Palm Beach takes place in the Waterfront Commons area, where more than 60 local vendors set up shop each week with a variety of goods for purchase.  The market is open to the public, where local shoppers and visitors can purchase anything from fresh fruit and veggies to sauces, dips and spreads, infused oils and vinegars, potted plants and bunches of flowers, and baked goods.

In addition, several food vendors are parked throughout the market as well to purchase breakfast or lunch, such as Maceb's Bagels & Deli for a deliciously fresh breakfast bagel, or Cider Donuts for a just-made warm regular or red velvet cider donut.

Some of my favorites from the GreenMarket include Wildflower Granola (their maple pecan and apple cinnamon flavors are to DIE for), Bistro Blends for their many flavors of oils and marinades, Joy's pasta sauces, tapenades, and savory spreads, and Pappardelle's abundant variety of uniquely flavored fresh pasta.

The GreenMarket is conveniently close to hotspots Clematis Street and City Place, so you can easily make it a day of shopping in West Palm Beach.

Note: This place gets BUSY! So parking can be a bit of a bear.  However, parking is free in the Banyan and Evernia parking garages during the market's hours of operation.               

Green Cay Wetlands

12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach FL
Open weekly, from sunrise until sunset

Since I moved down to Florida, it has become one of our regular rituals to head down to the wetlands and walk the elevated boardwalk.  Not only is this a great place to get some fresh air and exercise, but it offers some of the most exquisite views of nature.

What we love most about this place is that you are bound to see something new with each visit--giant alligators basking on land, a group of baby gators along the water's edge, many different species of birds, and even a bobcat from time to time.  This place is a photographer's haven.  And on any given day you are bound to find a number of avid birdwatchers posted along the boardwalk with their professional equipment.

Every so often, Brian and I are able to catch our favorite one-armed alligator moseying along in the water close to the dock of the nature center--we've come to the assumption that he lost a battle to one of the larger inhabitants of the wetlands.  

Walking the entire boardwalk once around is about 1.5 miles, but its easy to complete 2 to 3 laps when you are paying more attention to the surrounding sites.

Note: If you like this place, the Wakodahatchee Wetlands are just right around the corner and offer similar features.