Wild & Dangerous

 

A few weeks ago, A & I noticed that a new EVOS location was being built in Carrollwood, & we had been hotly anticipating its grand opening. Alas, the two of us can't go anywhere without a photoshoot first, & we managed to get A's brother, Ashton, to crawl out of the house to snap a couple photos of the two of us together. When one of us is always taking pictures of the other, we find we don't have enough of the both of us. I think we added a couple of winners today. You wouldn't believe how many we had to delete! (She'd hate me for saying so, but A looks too beautiful in any picture to me that I've had to make deleting her responsibility).

Finally, I was able to take my little foodie there with me to try out some "airbaked" goodness. As we always do, we scarfed down a pair of cheeseburgers like we were famished, but we were rather impressed with the restaurant's ketchup variants(mmmm, anything called "Cayenne Firewalker" just speaks to me). As burger authorities, this place gets a thumbs-up. And if A loves it, you know it's delicious. She's the pickiest when it comes to tastes & smells.

Bellies full of burger, we scooped an apple empanada from Mr. Empanada's on the way home for a homework blitz. Little A tore through multiple academia-related blog posts, my lil champion. I couldn't get much done, in between air-drumming & getting distracted by her adorable face. I'm feeling over-complimentary today about that face, huh? 

A tradition for the two of us over the past year together has been to visit A's family while they're out somewhere in Florida in the RV. This weekend, we visited them at Hillsborough River State Park, where we dined on even more burgers. Mmmmm. A says she's never had burgers twice in a row before. How humbled I am to be the man she experiences such a glorious memory with. 

Our night was cut a bit short when the mutant mosquitoes of Florida did a number on A's legs, but a couple hours out in the wilderness with my little adventurer was enough to satisfy this guy. That girl looks her cutest when she isn't even trying (see the candid photos that made the cut above). Oh & I managed to capture some shots of B chasing a rubber ball. Nothing I could type here can describe the hilarity.

As I wrap this up, I realize that all I accomplished today was eating a bunch of cheeseburgers & not wearing the same t-shirt as multiple previous Stellar Piece posts, but it's the simple days with A that I love the most.

Love (you, bug),

J

Aisha // Blouse: Vintage from Revolve // Shorts: Levi's x Urban Renewal // Bracelets: Forever 21 & Pulsera Project Sunnies: American Apparel

Jake // Shirt: Supreme // Shorts: Fourstar // Pants: Levi's // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: Ray Ban

Take a Walk

There comes a point in your life when you realize that someone means so much more than you than you had initially anticipated. You start wanting to do really weird things, like come over to just to help clean their house, or showing up unannounced with a pillow pet & a box of Milk Duds. You start wanting to share everything with this person: meals, thoughts, conversation, & even your past experiences & memories. 

Last weekend, A took me on a trip to South Tampa, where we visited her old stomping grounds & retraced the places where she formed precious childhood memories. We drove past her old high school, walked up to the front door of her mom's old condo, & took a walk on the Ballast Point Park Pier, where she used to spend many-a-summer-day playing with her mom & brother Ashton. It was beautiful to visit the places she used to spend her time at long before she even met me & listen to her recount some of her most treasured memories.

Aside from being a lovely day in the sun with an incredible view of the downtown Tampa skyline, I really enjoyed seeing all the places where A blossomed into the pretty little flower she is today. It feels good to have reached such a wonderful place in someone's life.

Take a walk down memory lane with your loved one as soon as you can, it's as fun an experience as it is beautiful.

Love,

J   

Aisha // Dress: Target // Shoes: Deena & Ozzy // Sunnies: Urban Outfitters 

Jake // Jacket: Levi's // Shirt: Brixton // Pants: Levi's // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: Ray Ban

Mai Thai

Today (after begrudgingly being yanked out of bed) I finally got around to taking Jake to the Thai temple in Tampa. This was exciting for me because I'm part Thai & I used to go to Wat Mongkolratanaram with my family when I was little. On Sunday mornings they sell food to raise money for the temple & they offer lots of authentic Thai food, drinks & desserts for a fraction of what you would spend at a Thai restaurant. The location is gorgeous because it's right on the water, underneath tons of tall trees. As soon as we arrived, I hopped in line for some beef noodle soup ($5 per bowl) & Jake picked up some Thai iced coffee for only $1. We found a table in the shade & chatted while we ate. Afterwards, I picked up some mango sticky rice ($5) & other kinds of kanom for Jake & I to try. He was a little unsure about it at first, but I think that he eventually grew on him. 

If you are looking for a fun Sunday morning outing & want to try something new, definitely check out Wat Mongkolratanaram because it's an interesting cultural experience & a great way to taste authentic Thai cuisine on the cheap.

Love,

A

Jake // Button up: Vintage Levi's // Shirt: Supreme // Pants: Levi's // Shoes: Vans // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project // Sunnies: Ray Ban

Aisha // Button up: SameOldChic // Dress: Forever 21 // Sandals: Thrifted // Bracelet: Pulsera Project // Sunnies: H&M // Headwrap: American Apparel // Rings: Jake

Day Dates

 Ah, the day date. No wine, no shower (Thanks, Seinfeld). But more importantly, a cute reason to dress up & take your partner in sex out (Thanks, Man Repeller). For a couple that spends a little more than most of our time together, day dates are a step above a usual hang out & an adorable way to show affection. Summertime is upon us and in between summer classes, Aisha & I like to break away from our studies & spend some time in the sunshine. For an afternoon date, we like to visit local museums, watch a classic movie in an old theater, or bike to lunch & coffee. No pressure on finding the trendiest or most romantic dinner spot, no need to suit up or wear a tie, just laid-back adventures, and that's just the way we like it. Also, it's always a plus to have someone to take photos with.

Love,

J

Here's what we wore on our most recent day date to CDB's Pizza in Tampa:

Jake // Shirt: J. Crew // Pants: Levi's // Shoes: Vans // Bracelet: Pulsera Project // Sunnies: Ray Ban 

Aisha // Shawl Cardigan: American Apparel // Cropped Tank: Cotton On // Pants: Citizens of Humanity  // Shoes: Minnetonka // Bracelet: Pulsera Project // Sunnies: Urban Outfitters // Bag: Urban Outfitters // iPhone case: J. Crew