Hey everyone! Happy Sunday! Hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend 
Orlando has been so much fun! I just realized that I’ve been out of town the past 5 weekends in a row. Guess I have to get out of Valdosta a little more often than I thought…. 
Here’s part 1 of the re-cap:
Friday night, we had an amazing dinner at Seasons 52. The first time I had Seasons was 2 years ago, when my aunt and cousins took me and the pilot. It’s still my #1 favorite restaurant
We started with the shrimp cocktail:
And for the entree, I chose the caramelized scallops with veggies instead of asparagus and pasta.
Even though we were stuffed, we had to have dessert since they’re the perfect shot sized tiny portion.
I got the carrot cake:
So delicious
Outside the restaurant:
Yesterday, Megan and I were workout machines and woke up early to take Israel’s spin class at the Y, followed by oven yoga. I had a WCMN Luna bar before spin, but after yoga we were totally ready for real b-fast.
Egg and salsa on a good grains bagel from Einstein’s and a OJ:
We spent the entire day shopping and it was beautiful. I picked up a TON of stuff from the Nike outlet and will definitely post a pic when we get back
For dinner, we went to the Lebanese restaurant Megan and I got take-out from last time we were here.
Megan, her pilot, my pilot and I were having a tough time deciding what to order, so we decided to have an appetizer dinner and split everything.
We ordered 14 appetizers (!) including tabbouleh, hummus, baba ganouj, eggplant salad, cucumber salad, falafel, grape leaves, fava bean dip, spinach pies, cheese rolls…
Here’s our table:
And my plate (which was re-filled a couple of times):
I also had a lovely glass of pinot noir:
It was an INCREDIBLE meal. Sharing everything was definitely the way to do it because we could get a taste of everything that sounded good. If you’re in the O-town area, hit up Cedar’s on a weekend. They have a Lebanese band and bellydancers, too
Since Season’s is right next door, we met my Auntie and cousin over there for some dessert after our meal.
I opted for the Key Lime Pie:
It was beautiful. I’m thinking I need to move here? Orlando has everything I could ever wish for—beautiful malls, delicious restaurants, a great Bikram studio, Whole Foods, amazing gym… I’m a happy girl
I got a few comments a while back about why I bash on Georgia so much. The thing is, I LOVE Georgia. It’s just Valdosta that I’m not a fan of. The mall is horrible, I teach the classes at the gym I like to take, we don’t have a yoga studio, or a Whole Foods, and buying groceries is EXPENSIVE. Thank goodness I have amazing friends, the pilot and Indian Food
What are the things you *need* to have where you live? For me, it’s a decent mall, a Whole Foods/TJs and a nice gym with a packed class schedule.
Well we’re off for a day on the boat!!
Enjoy your Sunday! See ya tomorrow with part 2
xoxo,
G
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LOOOOOVELY meals!! I’m especially eyeing the mini Carrot Cake, mini Key Lime Pie, and FALAFEL!!!
**I’m very lucky to have Whole Foods within walking distance of my home, and that my gym is about 10 minutes away – perfect location for me!!
I have been dying to try Seasons 52! I have heard wonderful things about it! I love the concept.
I hear ya on living in a small place. I live in Gainesville (aka the armpit of the universe!)currently for school.There is absolutely nothing here! I travel home to Tampa ALL the time. I love the malls, Whole Foods, Greenwise, restaurants, friends and family in Tampa. Only temporary though…then it’s off to the big apple =)
At least you get to travel a lot! Very nice!
Enjoy the rest of your day!
The mini desserts look so cute! It is so fun that you get to try so many different kinds that way! You and your hubby make a beautiful couple!
I live in GA too…I live about 45 minutes south of Atlanta and we DO NOT have a good mall, Whole Foods or anything like that. Luckily I can travel north or south to get to some good stuff, but I would love if it was right in town. Oh well! I love my house though – so I’m home!
you`ve had so much yummy food on your little vacay so far, I can`t wait to see what else you eat, lol! I need trails, a good mall, good grocery stores, amazing restaurants etc… unfortunately the town where I go to school lacks several of these
I need a good health food store (or a few, actually), scenery (good parks), farmer’s markets (this is why I love Florida), friends/family (obvs) and good weather (which Florida has sometimes and doesn’t have at others). I’ve often wondered where I can find all of the things I love without being in Florida and I’m stuck, because as much as I hate FL weather, I also hate snow. Argh. But yeah, Orlando has its moments! If you’re a beach girl, you’d probably love Tampa/St. Pete even more.
I love your outfit
You and the Pilot look HOT! Glad you guys had a great time in Orlando!! Can never go wrong with a little Middle Eastern cuisine
It’s so hard to say! I live at the capital, but at the same time my home country is so much more developed than the Czech Republic so I just miss certain things…I love both countries so much, it’s hard to make up my mind now
How cute are those mini deserts?!
I just have to tell you, you guys are such a beautiful looking couple!
I’m pretty easy to please when it comes to amenities, but I’m like you: I need a good gym and a Running Room for group runs!
MMM MMM that shrimp looks good!
I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t live in Orlando. I only do my shopping sprees at the outlets and Melienna Mall is a MUST!
o and I ride my bike to the gym… love it here!
next time your here check out the kinda new premium outlets on I-drive…AMAZING!
That’s SO funny. Cedar’s is my fav restaurant in Orlando..it is right by my old apartment and my roommate and I would go ALL the time. I worked right next door at Roy’s!!
When you go back, be sure to get some of their hummus….it is TO DIE for. My roomie and I would buy cases of it at a time and stock our fridge. The guys there even know my name! hahaha
Let me know if you found anything for my little surprise!
That meal looks AMAZING! I agree with you, even though I live in Georgia (about 2 hours from Valdsta)- there is nothing to choose from as far as organic/gourmet foods and we are seriously lacking in entertainment even though I love how friendly everyone is- I LOVE Whole Foods and wish we had one. I am thinking of moving just for the simple fact that I want to live near a Whole Foods. I do most of my shopping in Tallahasee at New Leaf Market- we are a member of their organi Co-op- it’s like a miniature Whole Foods version lol.
Hi Gina,
I’ve recently been keeping up with your blogs and I have really been enjoying your posts! I just started a blog myself(www.stacietotheg). I hear ya about Valdosta! I used to spend my summers there since my sister and her ex-husband where stationed at Moody AFB when I was in high school. Yeah, the mall there bites! In my city I would need a decent mall(decent meaning the mall has an Express store), a good gym, a Publix, and a place to get all the organic “health food” stuff that I like. BTW, the breakfast cookie is WONDERFUL..had one this morning.A-mazing! Take Care…Stacie Guines
OMG I want shot glasses filled with amazing looking desserts! Shot glasses should always be filled with cake.
What do I need? Some where where fresh produce is available, lots of paths to run on, a book store with a Starbucks and a good dollar store! Haha I don’t know why, but dollar stores are just the best
Have fun on the boat!
Besides the food, where did you get that amazing outfit and shoes?!
wow that post just made me sooooo hungry! everything looked delish….
btw, totally unrelated but my friend told me about your bfast cookies…yuuuuuuums I made it the othe day and it was delish! gracias……..
I don’t believe I’ve ever tried lebanese food before.
I’ll take a shot of that carrot cake!!!
You look super gorgeous in that pic with you and the Pilot! Love your sandals =)
oooo you look like you had such a fab time!!!
i feel you on the pitifulness of valdosta. i love the town im from but we dont have whole foods/trader joes, OR a mall, and the gyms have like, zero classes that i like. we have one fab grocery store but DE is a crazy expensive place to live, so you hafta shell out the dough (ex: a jar of raw almond butter=25$)!!
cant wait to see your shopping finds! fun!!
I KILL for appetizer dinners! I can never talk anyone into doing it with me. “I want my own entree..wah wah wah!”
Enjoy the end of your weekend!
Museums! I spent a few years working at a natural history museum, and for me, nothing beats meandering about a good exhibit. I like history museums and art museums best, but I’ll pretty much stroll though anything (wait…let’s make this I like *good* museums; there certainly are some horrible ones out there). I also love science museums and, um, children’s museums where you can play with stuff
Even more than musuems, though, I need good music venues. Places that will attract the top acts, sure, but also places with a variety of cool little clubs with up-and comers and no-namers. Alternative, indie, rock, jazz, a little folksy blues. I can go in for all that. My ideal city would have the above, a good ballet company, an opera, a theater, a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE awesome library, and some good local sports teams! Esp. hockey and football! I’m not too picky am I? haha, this post was fun!
I’m getting ready to google right now if there is a fitness museum somewhere because how cool/funny would it be to have on and to show all the weird equipment (and outfits, jazz belts anyone?) that has passed in and out of vogue through the years. and it could also showcase weird sports. hmmm….
ugh! Don’t listen to these crazies! Tampa is a black hole of culture. There are a few, and I mean a meager few, good restaurants but they are dead come 9 pm. It is an extremely hickish place that seems to have an overabundance of fake nail places and tanning salons. It’s like a giant white trash strip mall.
gina are you wearing a romper in that pictures?!?!?! (one piece outfit?) i have a really cute tube top/pant one but i want a fun WHITE one for the day of the wedding! so please tell me where you got it!!!!
also, you look gorgeous, and alsooooo i am sooo jealz of ur trip to seasons 52. my friend went to one last week and confirmed how awesome it is.
you guys are amazing!! great-lookin couple, too
Those eats?? to die for!
All of the food looks delicious. Louisville has pretty much everything I love. A much better change than Ft. Bragg. Pretty much every city surrounding military bases are no fun, and geared just for the soldiers with strip clubs, pawn shops, and bars. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
the desserts are too cute!
You’d think that being in a busy chicago suburb, i’d have everything at my fingertips, but alas…i don’t!
GREAT eats!
I was hoping to try Seasons 52 when I was in Orlando earlier this month, but we just never had time.
Your meals always look so delicious when you go!
I don’t think I could live anywhere without historic buildings. I can’t stand cities that are all brand new, just seems fake to me. I need a little bit of charm/character! I also like having access to good shopping and restaurants, particularly a wide variety of ethnic foods.
Have fun on the boat! I can’t wait to see your purchases!
You and your pilot are such a gorgeous couple!!
I need a Target within a reasonable distance…I lived in a small town in Iowa for a short while and the closest Target was at least 45 minutes away. I had no choice but to go because none of the stores in town (including the smallest Walmart…no joke, it was a Jeopardy question!) carried dog litter. I realize dog litter is odd to begin with, but it was one of my necessities!
I will say that I miss the cute little ice cream shoppe in that town that we could all walk our dogs to – puppy cones are always a hit!
I am so spoiled living in San Diego, I have pretty much anything I want from running trails, hiking, yoga studios, health food stores, etc. (But I’ll probably never own a home, so it’s all a trade off I suppose)
When I went to college in a small-ish town (Ithaca NY) they had just put in a Target the year I got there. I was SO glad because I didn’t think I could live without Target.
I am almost the same. I couldn’t live without a couple of good yoga studios, WF’s, Trader Joe’s, a good gym that also has kid friendly stuff, an outdoor pool at the gym. Hmmm…guess that’s all.
I’m moving to Bend, OR in a few weeks and I’ve decided they have everything I need: Whole Foods, Trader Joes, TONS of walking/biking trails, great weather, good shopping, pretty liberal/progressive people and family.
the appetizer dinner looks like such a great idea!
Love that romper you’re wearing, esp. paired w/ those sandles. Where’s it from?
Ohhhh the wonderful food!!
I am definitely right with you on living in a place where you DONT have the good stuff! I live in a small town and cannot wait to get out into a bigger city with more options!! (ofcourse i’m talking about Whole Foods)haha
Hey lady, it looks like you all are having a wonderful time in Orlando.
You look gorgeous in the photos. I love your one piece outfit. So stylish and cute.
I like to have a Target,a mall, a gym, Whole Foods and TJ’s close by.
What a lovely time you had! I love the little mini desserts. I mean if they are that small, there is no way they could actually count, right? I feel you on the small town living! I swear I feel like i live on a deserted island sometimes. For me, ideally I'd have a Nordstroms, Macy's, Express, BCBG, and Banana Republic around the corner, as well as a TJ's & Whole foods, but I'm stuck with a JCPenny's and Gotchawks. Seriously, that's it. Thank god for online shopping! However, despite having NOTHING in this town, we are so fortunate to have good jobs, own a new house, have summer weekends at our lake house, and live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country where we can run on the waterfront, hike in the rainforest, and kayak in the ocean. I guess I can give up my designer jeans for that! It's all relative I guess. I'm reminded all the time that it makes going to the city all that more special
Seasons 52 sounds like so much fun!!! I would love to go there if I am ever in town!
And I am with ya gina, a whole foods/tj's, gym & fun shopping is definitely what I need to be happy!
….except since I don't have a car, I can't ever get to any of these places that t-town does have, that's why home is so fun!
That’s a really good question now that you got me thinking about it! I’m not even sure what I really need…I think now that I’ve been in NYC a couple years, my favorite thing is walkability. Yeah it would suck if I couldn’t get to a Whole Foods or a TJ’s (my personal heavens), but when I go “home” to visit family or whatever in more suburban places, I hate getting in and out of the car to do everything. Seeing and doing things on foot has not only been good for me physically, but I’m really oriented now and have a better sense of direction than I used to. I get to really see the details of where I live.
…and there needs to be amazing pizza.
I was totally thinking the other day that you have definitely been taking advantage of your weekends lately. It’s so awesome! Although too bad one of those trips couldn’t have been to Arizona so we could meet up ;o) Someday, right?!
That carrot cake dessert shot looks so amazing! As does the key lime pie you had the next day. And how cute are you and The Pilot?! Hot couple alert!!
I’m so glad you had fun, Gina! Orlando definitely seems like a great place to live!
I love your list of things you “need” to have and completely agree with all that you listed. I would also include nice “fast” food restaurants such as Panera, Cosi, etc. Because sometimes I am super lazy and just want someone to cook for me at a reasonable price, haha!
Hope you have a great week!!
Hope you enjoyed the day on the boat!Look at all the yummy food you had this weekend!
I love mini anything so those mini cakes and pies are so good! And I grew up in an itty bitty town so I totally hear you!
With Love,
Emily
Just wanted to say the “shots” looked fantastic!!! I’ll have to see if we have a Seasons here in Vegas. You and the pilot look Ahh Mazing!!! I didn’t realize how tall he is, BTW how tall is he really??
Keep up all the vacay’s I love them. Kinda seems like I have my oen little get away while I’m reading yours!!
Agh! Totally have a bagel craving now!
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Fun weekend
And I think the appetizer dinner sounded like a great idea, that way you get to try a ton of things. Plus it’s just more fun to share plates like that.
I can’t exactly pinpoint what I need where I live, but I know that Victoria doesn’t have it. It’s too small (and it’s not that small of a city). I need my big city Vancouver back, because it just has more stuff! It’s a big city! 4 1/2 months and I’ll be back.
I have to be near public transportation to get into work (yucky) and Trader Joe’s is a must- the last place we lived was a few blocks away and only met these two demands.
Oh- and you look like fitness Barbie and Ken- so frieken adorable!
Orlando rocks! My parents and brother live there, but I’m stuck here in Washington, DC
Booo!! Although the shopping in Washington is awesome, there’s nothing like the new Prime Outlets in O-town. I get lost there all the time. I will try Seasons 52 next week when I’m in Orlando again. I confess that I spend ALL my vacation days going to Orlando. If the job market was better down there I’d move yesterday.
Gina, you look absolutely gorgeous in your photos! You are in incredible shape, too! Ahhh everything you’ve eaten looks delicious beyond words. I especially love the appetizer dinner.
When I’m at school there is nothing around. There aren’t any fab shops, malls, grocery stores…nada. But you know what? It’s probably better off this way. I’m not spending money that I don’t really have on things I don’t really need. Okay, I DO need goods from WF, but I have to convince myself otherwise.
Can’t wait to see the rest of the weekend!
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