so, i realized that i may be giving a bit of the wrong impression through my "so florida" posts. yes, i do crack up when the tropical stereotypes are confirmed, but really, truly, there is so much more. aside from the access to the ocean on of the things that drew me to this place is its hidden quirkiness - especially in more "youth"-centered areas such as downtown sarasota and st. pete. let me show you some of what i'm talking about (and yes, columbia, these wacky spots make me miss you and 9th street very much).
these are quick snaps from a fantastic mural off of central avenue in downtown st. pete done as a tribute to pets. there is also another great dog mural in dunedin.
the artist, anna hamilton, creates these to raise money for animal welfare.
be sure to check out muralsformutts.com for more information on these awesome murals.
four coins family restaurant in clearwater - fabulous food and awesome vintage signage (a combo you can't beat for sure)
detail of chalk graffiti discovered walking in downtown sarasota one day
a much better message than a regular tag, don't you think?
window display of a graphic design/branding firm in downtown st. pete - 600 block of central area. many quirky shops and galleries to explore here.
this one goes out to my sister mallory - we must check this out when you get a chance to visit.
adorable car at the station next to the flower shop. victoria said the driver is a real hoot as well.
i have to throw out there that this is the same station i saw jerry springer at. not kidding.
okay, really, how cute would i be driving this?
evidently both myself and florida have a thing for little vehicles - look at this teeny ambulance! refers to the gator (on right) for scale. too cute - but not if you are a tall person with a medical emergency.
i am quite attracted to sticker bombing and anything cleverly subversive... (downtown st. pete)
awesome license plate and great bumper sticker message - "wag more. bark less."
banyan tree motel in st. pete (picture from flickr)
what is that off in the distance? a pbr mural?!! why yes, yes it is! (600 block downtown st. pete)
so i've been a little behind on these posts, so I thought I'd hit you up with FIVE"so florida" moments all in one post. its a wild world out there folks!
this is typical for the dinner crowd - but then again, what did i expect when i decided to eat lunch at 4:00?
"ireland's happy man"! - an example of the quality entertainment offered in at punta gorda's legion post 103
this man was not posing for me - i swear. can't believe i captured it.
ah, sun and the sea :)
okay, gotta be real here. i think i really wanted to move down here simply for the palette of lawn chairs offerings.
so sometimes you go through the drive through and you see a crane.
and sometimes the crane doesn't leave even if you pull right up to him and roll down your window, because hey, he like french fries too (though, for the record, i only go to mcdonald's for mcflurries ;)
a couple of shots from our grand opening at the flower shop friday night.
freshly painted awning with lettering
view of party through display window
string quartet and dancing little ones outside
mingling
liatrus arrangement by victoria
three arrangements by me! (and a photo of the work area)
painting i did for victoria as a grand opening gift
calla arrangement by victoria
fireplace arrangement by me
very girly, but i quite like it
new orchids have arrived
a couple of my pieces - hopefully a place to market my work :)
rose arrangement - bakers dozen in a poetic vase
i call this city mouse meets country mouse because of the juxtaposition of high class (orchids) and more common sunflowers
we had to redo our kissing balls (pomanders) because the originals dried out a bit - not that cost effective, but a good statement. i created the handwritten text panels in the window display (the text is excerpts of imagined love letters)
esperence rose detail
another arrangement of mine
victoria is the gorgeous blonde int the pink dress outside. kicking myself for not getting a shot of the two of us together that night!
after saturday's wedding paul & I headed out to universal studios. i've never been a big roller-coaster fan, but i refused to be a weenie in front of my cousin (or, i'm easily persuaded, you pick!)
needless to say, i survived, and the park was AMAZING. i completely geeked out multiple times - especially over the harry potter attractions. the artistry involved in every detail of the attraction (and generally-speaking the park itself) was INCREDIBLE. and yes, i was probably the only one admiring the skillfully painted rust-patina in the hogwarts greenhouse ;)
so, if you have a chance, by all means go! of course its sickly commercial, but i think its worth it for the opportunity to suspend disbelief and the mundane of the everyday for an afternoon.
here are some glimpses from the day, as well as youtube clips of the rides (not shot by me of course, i obeyed the rules ;)
me after the hulk ride - the face is one of survival
outside of hogwarts - no big deal ;)
almost didn't make it through rip, ride, & rockit - check out that drop. egads!
I don't have photos from these other rides/attractions, but they're still worth mentioning. Thought you might enjoy experiencing them virtually through the magic of youtube.
