Sunkissed in December Blog

Best part of living in Florida: non-stop patio weather. Worst part: BUGS 🐜 #ad I'm thankful to have @zevoinsect to help protect Bandit and me from mosquitoes, gnats, flies and other unwanted guests. That's right - Zevo kills bugs without harsh chemicals, so it's safe for indoor and outdoor use around people and pets (when used as directed). You can now get Zevo Insect products at Walmart in the Tampa Bay Area, so check the link in my profile to see if it's in your neighborhood store! #waysmarterthanbugs #zevo #availableatwalmart

Who needs happy hour when there’s golden hour ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t felt my most creative in the last few months, but then there are days like yesterday when a friend and I decided to make some magic happen. It’s safe to say that we’ve all been on a roller coaster of good and bad days, not knowing which one we’re going to get when we wake up each morning. But if this weird time has taught me anything, it’s to allow myself to lean in and just feeeeel the way I feel in that moment. Focusing on what I really need from day to day (whether it’s cookies or to write or a nap) has made a world of difference. So when your bed calls, listen. When your running shoes call, listen. And when creativity calls, listen harder. 📷: @hello_my_name_is_stephanie #igersstpete #tampablogger #goldenhourphotography #passagrillebeach #tampabaybloggers

Long gone are the days when I used products (and by days I mean basically my entire life up until a few years ago, whoops) with no concern for what the ingredients were 👋🏼 (#ad) So when I found @bota_hemp, a brand that is plant-powered with non-GMO hemp oil, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free, I was stoked. If you’re not familiar or have never used CBD skincare products, I’m chattin’ about three easy ways to use CBD in your daily routine in today’s #newblogpost!! #botahemp #plantpowered #CBDmovement #CBD #botahempbbxx

Oh hey you! It’s been a loooong time since I did a #fridayintroductions post and I’ve got lots of #quarantime on my hands so let’s get to it 👇🏼 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👋🏼 I’m Alex, and I’ve been daydreaming of changing my Instagram handle to my real name but literally every variation of my name is taken soo here we are. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌈 I keep most of the apps on my phone in color coordinated folders and everyone who sees it makes fun of me but it is LIFE CHANGING, PEOPLE. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍳 I could eat breakfast for every meal and not be mad about it, especially now that I have learned how to poach eggs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📹 My friends and I used to make movies with full plot lines when we were in middle school, and I have a degree in graphic design and advertising, so I guess you could say I’ve always had a thing for content creation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🕷I literally have zero irrational fears, except for a severe phobia of puke stemming from a traumatic experience when a kid vommed next to me in my first grade music class. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⚓️ I grew up on a lake in Western NY and the boat is my happy place, hence the anchor tattoo on my wrist. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So tell me about you! I love getting to know y’all! #tampblogger #tampabayblogger #fridayintroduction 📷 @fotobohemia

Can’t wait to be able to explore you again, mama 🌎 #earthday #iceland #travelbug

Mondays look so much different these days, has anyone else noticed less Sunday scaries now that we don’t have to actually go into an office!?? #perksofstayinghome 👏🏼 This week, I’m focusing on organizing my digital life, including cleaning up my camera roll and making updates on the blog! Digging back into the archives (cause let’s be serious, creating content in my tiny little apartment isn’t exactly easy) and there are soo many photos like this one that never made the gram! I’m thinking about putting together a blog post about repurposing content, because it’s never been more important! #tampablogger #tampabayblogger #contentcreator #bloggerlife

Some good news for your day 🙌🏼 @armatureworks_tampa is re-opening tomorrow (4/16) for takeout!! It’s always been one of my favorite spots in Tampa, so I’m pumped to see them making a comeback and to be able to get takeout from @zukkusushi, @avatampa, @kuba_cocina, @uniontpa, @bnbtampa, @ichicoroya and of course @astrocrafticecream (hi anyone else craving 🍦 all quarantine??)!! #takeouttampa #tampafoodie #armatureworks #tampaeatsout

This is 10/10 where I would rather be right now (as opposed to stuck at my kitchen island working) 🌞 There are so many things I miss, like grabbing afternoon beers with friends or relaxing by the pool, or going to Target for leisure. But this has also been a great time to reflect on what I DON’T miss. Mostly traffic, spending 8 hours at the office, hangovers from nights out, and obligations I didn’t really want to say yes to in the first place 😂 #sorrynotsorry! What do you miss? Or not miss?? Both are equally as important! #quarantinelife #tampablogger #tampabaybloggers

One thing I’ve been really missing lately is going out for a good cocktail 🍸 So this weekend, I decided to get creative with @empress1908gin to come up with a refreshing botanical little number I like to call the Sunday Bouquet 💐 #ad ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌺 Over crushed ice, start with 1.5 oz hand-crafted @empress1908gin - a flavorful gin made with eight botanicals like juniper and rose, with butterfly pea blossom for a natural indigo hue 🌼 Add .5 oz of elderflower liqueur 🌸 Pour in about 4 oz of @fevertreemixers Mediterranean Tonic and watch the color of the gin change 😲 🌱 Garnish with a sprig of mint - give it a good slap between your hands first to really unleash the mint flavor and a blackberry if you’re feeling extra fancy ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This cocktail is perfect for porch/balcony sipping, and would be a beautiful addition to Easter (or any) brunch! #empress1908gin #empressgin #gincocktail

Had a little date night in last night thanks to @eatfreshkitchen 🍽 From spinach salad fixings to turmeric grilled chicken and golden chickpeas over citrus rice, this new limited time meal kit for two included everything we needed to create an amazing date night dinner and it was all SO easy to throw together with their included directions! Oh and let’s not forget the cookie dough to make your own fresh paleo chocolate chip cookies after dinner 🤤 The kit even included their house-made strawberry lemon fresca (which I may or may not have added vodka to 🤫) and two immunity shots! Spice up your Saturday night and order yours from @eatfreshkitchen while they last 💖 #giveaFK #supportlocal #eatFK #takeouttampa #tampafood

Self quarantine? Self timer ✌🏼 Listen up y’all, @brassbowlstpete is giving away two FREE meals to hospitality and medical workers this weekend, so head over to their latest post to enter someone who needs a pick me up! ALSOOO - you can #payitforward by adding the “PAY IT FORWARD” product to your online order to help add 2 MORE free meal giveaways. Yep that’s right, every time you add that to your order, you provide a fresh, delicious meal to two people who need it most! 💚 I chose the unrolled sushi bowl and it hit the spot after my workout 🍱 #brassbowlstpete #brassbowl #giveaway #supportlocal #supportlocaltpa #takeouttampa

Week three has begun, and I’m finally feeling more well, normal, with this new normal. I was telling a friend today that I feel like I spent the last two weeks in a major funk. It was like I was in the anger/denial stage of grieving what life used to be. Things changed so suddenly, and I was PISSED about it. Pissed about everything being closed, frustrated that I’d have to figure out my own workouts now, disappointed that my upcoming ski trip was cancelled, annoyed at people for acting like idiots, overwhelmed in general... y’know, feelings I’m sure most of you have felt in some capacity. I was totally uninspired, had no energy, and all I wanted to do was the bare minimum and watch TV. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But now, I’ve finally accepted that this is just how it’s gonna be for a while and I’m feeling the weight lift a little. I’m feeling more inspired to work out, to create blog content, to do the things I enjoy doing. And if you’re not there yet, and you’re still like “nah, this fucking sucks.” (I agree, it does suck) just know, feeling that way is totally fine. We’re in this together, and I promise that eventually you’ll get to the point where you feel a little more normal again ✨ @fotobohemia #quarantinelife #tampablogger #theeverydaygirlathome #stpeteblogger

Well that escalated quickly.. I have to admit, I was in the “people are overreacting” mindset until shit started to feel really real yesterday. It’s a scary time, and while I’m not as scared about getting sick as I am about how it’s changing our economy/life as we know it, I know how easily anxiety can get the best of us. Here are a few ways I’m dealing, and ideas that will hopefully help you too: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍽 Make a list of the meals you can make with your quarantine food stock. I know a lot of us probably panic purchased (I now have enough PopTarts to feed a 4th grade class) but I feel overwhelmed when I open my stocked fridge. Make a list of all the meals you have ingredients to make (mine include lasagna, shrimp quesadillas, island salsa salmon with veggies, etc.) to help give you some direction and ease the mindless snacking. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🧼 Use that anxious energy to clean, clean, clean! I deep cleaned and wiped down all surfaces, door/cabinet handles, etc. with disinfecting wipes and cleaning products last night and woke up feeling much more at ease. I plan to wipe down like this every evening. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🏃🏼‍♀️ Get active in the morning (and throughout the day). Working from home can cause some major stay-in-PJs-all-day vibes, so getting up and going on a brisk walk or run in the morning will help get your day going. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎨 Work on creative projects. Now is the perfect time to hunker down and get any projects done that you haven’t had time for! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🧺 Wash your sheets, blankets and towels on hot, and get caught up on other laundry. Having everything fresh and clean makes working from home way more comfortable. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🧘🏼‍♀️ Take time to clear your mind. Switch off the news, stop checking social, and just breatheeeee. There are so many resources out there that offer a quick yoga class or meditation. My favorites are yoga with @adrienelouise on YouTube and the @insighttimer app for meditations! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are you guys doing to stay busy (aka prevent insanity) your quarantine? I’m already getting lonely so let’s hear your suggestions 😂 #coronavirusquarantine #tampablogger #socialdistancing

Well now that everything fun has been taken away from us thanks to the coronavirus, at least we still have beer?? Plus it’s @tampabaybeerweek so I’ve rounded up a few of my fav breweries in the Tampa Bay Area so you can go enjoy the sunshine and a brew this weekend (since you won’t be watching March Madness, NHL or NBA games...) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍻 @7venthsun in Seminole Heights (pictured) - I personally love 7venth Sun’s selection of sours, plus they have an outdoor area and allow dogs inside their huge indoor space! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍻 @greenbenchbrewing - Bandit and I basically live here (walking distance, dangerous) but it’s one of my favorite breweries for both their beer and spacious outdoor area! Plus @greenbenchmeadcider is right there too! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍻 @baycannonbeer - the historic charm meets modern tropical vibes of this brewery really gets me going y’all, and their beers are delicious too! They always have something fun or live music going on, so check them out! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍻 @madbeachcraftbrewingcompany - not only is my friend @alexgarciabeer the head brewer here, but they also won best small brewery in the state this past weekend! And it’s right across from the beach, so how can you go wrong?? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍻 @cagebrewing - all I need to say is MANGO IPA. Literally. That’s all you need to know. jk, Cage has a massive dog friendly backyard seating area too! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍻 @pinellasaleworks - after you’re done at Cage, pop across the street to PAW! Dog friendly af, big outdoor area, and lots of board games to keep your mind off of the fact that you’re not watching basketball. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🍻 @coppertailbrewing - this brewery will always be one of my favorites! It’s nice and spacious, delish beers, amazing aesthetic and a second story balcony with a view of the TPA skyline! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thirsty yet? Same. What are your favorite breweries in the area?? There are SO many popping up, I can barely keep track (but I’m not mad about it!) Cheers to the weekend!! 🍺 #thebrewerybay #tampabaybreweries #beerblog #craftbeergirl

Hi, can someone please make my sweet puppy stop growing like a weed?? I swear he’s getting bigger every day 😭 Oh and I made him an Instagram because I have thousands of photos of him and I’m THAT dog mom, so go follow @theheartstealingbandit for more floof. #dogmomsoftampabay #colliesofinstagram #dogfriendlystpete