New Orleans Trip Part 2

I totally forgot to mention in New Orleans Part 2 that we ended our evening (5/8/17) by strolling through Jackson Square and finding a tiny bar in Pirates Alley. The bar services absinthe and Derek and I had wanted to give absinthe in try in the tradition sense. We both dislike anise flavors and have had absinthe based cocktails that we did not enjoy, but we got adventurous this time!

The verdict? It was quite enjoyable! We shared one glass together (that was already prepared?), which was tasty, so we ordered another and watched the process. Ice cold water dripping on a sugar cube that is over a glass of the absinthe brand, Absente. Yum! 

So, as you can surmise from all the photos that we did consume a lot of alcohol, but not getting too crazy. *Wink*. Tuesday (5/9/17) was Tiki tourist day and we dressed in our tropical ridiculousness and set out once again to check out the French Quarter sites. We stopped in at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum which was so interesting, so interesting that I forgot to take any photos inside. So many interesting artifacts and so much to read, I could have spent all day looking at all the old medicine bottles and reading what they claimed to help. 

I did snap a photo of us in the museum's courtyard. Tourist fashion!!!

Since we were in the area of the Hotel Monteleone, we decided to stop in a have a drink that their carousel themed bar. Yep, it's a bar that very slowly rotates around. You sit on the bar stools and you move, but the middle bar stays stationary. The bartender has to hop over the bar in order to get in and out! Craziness! The drinks were tasty and the ladies next to us were a riot.

Next thing you know we are hungry and went over to Tiki Tolteka which is a Tiki bar that is located above a Mexican restaurant. Wait, you can order tacos and a Tiki drink?! I'm in!

I really wished we could gotten a photo of the both of us in one shot. Oh well. 

The drinks and food were good, the decor was AMAZING, but our experience was sorta 'meh'. The bartender could have cared less if we were there (at first), but finally got him to knowledge our "How are you?" inquires. Oh well, can't have a great experience everywhere. 

Wednesday (5/10/17) was our last full day in NOLA, but we wanted to get out of the French Quarter, so we hopped on a bike taxi and went to the Garden District. Number one place we wanted to visit was Lafayette Cemetery #1. 

I took a lot of photos, but I'm going to post them all and bore you. We went to St. Louis Cemetery #1 the last time we visited, so it was cool to go to a different cemetery and hear some of its history. 

I did so good with applying sunscreen and not getting burned....until the cemetery. Irony. Ugh! Hahahaha! 

Thank you for letting me share my trip with all you!

Until next time,

Back From Florida

Moai's greeting you at Grind

We decided a sort of 'last minute' trip to visit my parents in Florida...and by last minute in my world means we only planned a month in advance. I mentioned my Father is having some health problems, meaning he's been diagnosed with cancer. He has already had some procedures done and is in the best hands in terms of my Mother and his team of doctors, but I'm still scared and with being so far away it makes my fears even worse. Though it's the best case scenario with catching everything early, there is a long road of treatments ahead.

We left very early last Monday morning and arrived in Daytona Beach to the smiling faces and embrace of my parents. After stripping off layers of clothing and freshening up a bit, we had lunch at the Grind Gastropub &Kona Bar in Ormond Beach. We visited the restaurant when it was called Caffeine Wine Bar & Bistro and I'm soooooo glad they changed ownership, it's much more amazing now!

This is the only time my hair looked descent, I forgot about the humidity! LOL! That's why I brought hair scarves!

Mom and Dad coordinating without even knowing it!

Grind's food was amazing, the Tiki drinks were sort 'eh', but the decor made up for it!

Amongst other things we did during the week, we visited the Silver Springs state park and went on the glass bottoms boats. I'm a nerd for anything that has some history and the glass bottoms boats have been running for 100 years!

The spring's were beautiful and the boat ride was very relaxing. I was glad my Father was feeling up to the activities and enjoyed the visit. 

It was a gorgeous day and perfect for making memories <3

I miss my parents already, but I'm happy to be home.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Vacation Slides : Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Derek and I have been planning our anniversary trip since back in June when we booked our hotel and plane tickets. We decided on Fort Lauderdale for the sun, retro kitsch and because of the Mai Kai, which is a Tiki mecca for us Tikipiles. I'm sure there is no surprise that Tiki was involved in our vacation plans, hehehe!

It was so hot and humid, which is no surprise as we're in Florida, but it was unseasonably warm even for the locals. We spent a lot of time walking, sweating, getting gawked at by other tourists and swimming in the ocean. 

I had to take some obligatory, "hey we're at the beach!" photos. It was my first time swimming in the ocean and it was very relaxing and the waters were very warm. I understand why people flock to the beaches in Fort Lauderdale, yet I had my fill for the next few years. I'm not a beach bunny, but I do enjoy walking and hanging out on the beach in the evening.

I did get a new bathing suit for the trip, it's a 60s style leopard print one-piece. Sorry for the crappy mirror shots, but I was feeling sassy!

One other aspect to the trip that we really enjoyed was staying at the Sea Club Resort which was a hotel built in 1951 originally called the Jolly Roger, but has had massive renovations to modernize the hotel. I really wish the beautiful waterfall in the lobby was still working! We had a comfortable stay, though it's not a lush resort and had its quirks, we love that about staying at old places.

And then there was the Mai Kai.....

It was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Built in 1956, it's a treasure and I hope the people of Fort Lauderdale realize how amazing the Mai Kai is to have in their fair city.

That is JUST the drink menu! It was so massive and tasty!

That is a Mai Tai and the Jet Pilot. Just the first of many that night. Mmmmm mmmm!

Hanging out by the waterfall in the Molokai bar inside the Mai Kai. Derek's shot turned out to be a little artsy. I'm contemplating which side of the menu my husband is going to sample. Hahaha!!!

The Polynesian show during dinner was amazing, touring the gardens at the Mai Kai was a lot of fun and spending a fantastic evening with my favorite guy was magical. 

I should have been more careful, I'm very flammable...and I'm just talking about my hair.

Goths on vacation! 

A tipsy Derek presented me with this beautiful coffin-shaped gem ring by Mordauntes Gem Coffins. I was so surprised and happy, not just for the piece of lovely jewelry, but because I have a thoughtful and loving partner who I've had the pleasure to share my life, dreams and love with....le sigh.

Yep, I'm tearing up a bit. *Wink*

The trip was lovely, but I'm happy to be back home as it's time to get all Autumnal!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Back From Vacation!

I love this vintage barkcloth muumuu I scored for $5 at a flea market!

Just a quick "Aloha!" as Derek and I are back from celebrating our 5 year anniversary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Though our actual anniversary date is October 11th, it's never too early to celebrate!

The Mai Kai was AMAZING and so was the beach, but I'm happy to be home where I'm not melting or blinding everyone with my graveyard tan. Hehehe! 

XOXO-Meagan Kyla