My first try at an Instagram-worthy smoothie bowl ~
Jess
Went on a lady date with blogger babe Sara back in July and per usual snapped a ton of pics then, not as typical, did absolutely nothing with them. For no reason at all just put on the back burner. That ever happen to my bloggers out there? I can’t say it happens a lot because I’m always looking for content, however, I do have another post I never shared but will be next up. Hint: smoothie bowl!
After the huge success of their Inman Park location Barcelona Wine Bar opened it’s second Atlanta restaurant around this time last year in the back of the old Atlanta Ironworks development.
Barcelona is thrilled to bring the best of Spanish food, culture, and style to Westside Ironworks. The restaurant’s mid-century modern architecture is the perfect representation of Barcelona’s contemporary and bold aesthetic. Strong horizontal steel roof lines held in place with over-sized steel columns, and factory pendant lights pay homage to the historic Westside industrial district. For those who enjoy dining under the setting sun or a canopy of stars, the expansive and lush garden-style courtyard features a rustic outdoor wood burning fireplace and extends into the bar area through two large steel and glass vertical sliding doors.
Spots like this make me proud to call 30318 both my work and home neighborhood!
Bet you’re wondering what the “news” part of the title is…..
**DRUM ROLL**
We’re actually GOING TO BARCELONA, SPAIN!
And Madrid!
AND PARIS!
Next month from 4/3-4/15 we’ll be between the three cities. The first half is Spain with Dustin’s parents and youngest sister and then we’ll split off for the France half. We’ve been excited but now that it’s getting close, it’s becoming more real! None of Dustin’s family has been to Spain so that’ll be new for everyone but this will be Dustin’s third time going to Paris. He’s declared it his favorite foreign city and has been wanting to take me ever since we got serious. Pumped to see his excitement showing off all the places he loves!
To say “I’m going to eat all the cheese, drink all the wine and take all the dang pictures” would be putting it lightly!
For our Valentine’s celebration we got fancy in our neck of the woods hitting up The Optimist in Atlanta’s Westside. Truth be told, we went earlier than we normally would so that I could capture everything. Dustin totally gets it though I’m not sure the people around us knew what was up… The atmosphere and presentation are just too stinkin pretty to experience a third time and not finally get some shots!
I wore a shirt I picked up while buzzed shopping in Santorini late one night. Def paid wayyyyy too much for it but I couldn’t get over it’s unique construction *keep scrolling for better view ;)
The restaurant has lots of seating options to accommodate whatever type lunch or dinner you’re trying to experience whether it’s hopping over for $1 oysters or throwing down to celebrate a holiday or special event. I’d like to go and hang on the oyster bar side which is less formal but equally as stylish as the big open side.
Ford Fry’s The Optimist brings a seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans. From fresh oysters from the Alabama coast and Maine sea scallops to whole roasted Georgia trout, guests enjoy high-quality, sustainable seafood from the country’s best suppliers. Tucked in an old ham-aging house, The Optimist serves up beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails with hickory-roasted fish and raw oysters, while beach-food classics like hush puppies and lobster rolls transport you to your favorite coastal haunts.
First things first. WE LOVE MEZCAL. Yep, that needed all caps, it’s that much love. Both of us could drink it neat but when it’s offered in a cocktail-even better.
Much like our marriage, we shared everything <3 Started with oysters from the South and East Coast and Spanish octopus.
Look at that beauty └໒( ♥ ◡ ♥ )७┘ What… I didn’t keep that shell to take home and show Flynn (our cat)…and definitely didn’t put in with other shells and stones…
Not going to act like I’m some kind of rising food blogger chef star I’ll just say, nom nom nom! And add that the crispy grilled end was the tastiest part!
This mahi and snapper ceviche was an explosion of flavor every*single*bite. I voted it and the lobster the best I’ve had of both ever and that’s saying something since I’ve had them in both Mexico and Greece! (humble brag much….)
Didn’t save room for dessert so we settled with a nightcap then went home and watched Lady Gaga music videos (sharing our glorious singing along skills on IG story) and sipped on champagne. Life is good with this one <3 *looking at you Dustin!
And because I couldn’t get dolled up (for me this is dolled, I’m pretty casual most days!) and not get Dustin to risk his life in a busy cut-through, here’s some more photos of my look:
See you again soon you delicious and beautiful restaurant youuu :*
and see you on Instagram <3
Last portion of the Greece trip to cover is the exploration of downtown Lefkada’s narrow roads and shop-lined alleys.
The day we went walking and shopping around was raining on and off some times pretty hard. Which probably sounds like the most unideal time to go, which it is but when it comes down to choosing to use a clear day for shopping or beach-I’ll always choose beach!
Each stop on our Greece trip was a different neighborhood and shopping district experience. In Athens it felt like a big European city, Santorini was pure magic and unlike anywhere I had ever been and Lefkada was a sprawling island of smaller beach towns saturated in cafes and shops.
It was easy to get lost but with the help of Eagle Scout master navigator, Dustin, we cruised from one plant-lined alley to another and actually made it back to the car despite it starting to all look alike.
All these photos were shot on my phone and are unfortunately not the most clear but if you look closely this gate is so beautiful!
This moment was one I was happy to capture. Perfect timing, no one else around. Just Dustin and I huddled under the world’s cheapest umbrella and two friends making due on their moped.
Cactus gets a bath :)
See what I mean by ‘all starting to look the same’?
Since it was raining it was very quiet. But it opened my imagination to think of friends having conversations between the two buildings outside the windows or a curtain blowing out in a Summer breeze with no interruptions. I appreciated the streets to ourselves :)
If the three posts don’t already show it, Lefkada is out-freakin-standing!
On the way back to Athens to our cheap hotel room for the short night before flying home we made a pit stop in Corinth. First we got one last Greek salad and chicken kabobs then we went to the archaeological site.
Did you know a traditional Greek salad doesn’t have lettuce but is rather on a bed of tomatoes? We didn’t! Neither of us can eat many raw tomatoes so we shared the feta/onions/cucumbers/olives every time we ordered :P
This site was pretty free-range. Only a few things roped off allowing you to get really close to structures. There was also a museum that was loaded with artifacts. Not pictured (because I got in trouble) are the real remains of two soldiers they discovered in the early 2000’s in the real grave! That was really cool as was all the treasures, housewares, statues and snail shells we kept finding around outside by the hundreds if not thousands. Def snuck a few of those home, shhh!
If you’re on a Greece trip and can swing this DO IT but it’s not something to go way outta the way for. With 227 inhabited islands there’s plenty to see and do there ;)
Greece, DONE! Whoop!
Hope everyone had a lovely Valentines Day! We sipped champagne, made a good din and did household things. The fancy dinner is set for Saturday!
Back-logged outfit posts to come <3