Lil' Lunch Date

I love eating. I love food, I love trying new food, & I love recommending good food.

I also love A. I love eating food with A, exploring new places with A, & I especially love lunch dates with A.

One of our favorite things to do is find little hole-in-the-wall, off-the-beaten-path spots in Tampa and make them our regular stops. Last year, we first tried Mel's Hot Dogs off of Busch Blvd., and we've been going back ever since. One time, A wrote me a note while we were eating here saying she loved me, and took a photo of me on a disposable camera. (That picture is hanging in her room now). 

This week, we made our triumphant return to Mel's for the first time this semester. For two quirky little people, this place fits right in: 70s radio pop blasting from above and gourmet snack foods. The walls are adorned with some seriously dated photographs of Mel's enthusiasts rocking their logo t-shirt in different parts of the world. Bottom line: Mel's is an experience. And we all know that A & I love hot dogs. 

I think my favorite part of today was how our little hot dog lunch date felt like a little escape from the mundane day-to-days that my daunting college schedule has me running this semester. We hopped into the car in between our short break between classes, & for a little while I didn't think about responsibilities at all. My best friend & I just talked with our mouths full of chili-cheese & Mel's Special dogs, took selfies in front of their impeccable mirrored windows, & ran daringly into the middle of the street to get a photo next to the place's sign. 

Thanks for keeping me grounded, A. It's one of the things I love most about you. Let's keep adventuring until we're old & gray. 

Love,

J

PS - Thank you to the amazing staff at Mel's Hot Dogs, for not judging either of us one single time for taking so many photos in & around your restaurant. You guys are the best!

PPS - Happy 13 months, A!! We've eclipsed a year and sailed right on into a new one. Luv u~~*

Aisha // Jacket: H&M // Dress: Forever 21 // Boots: tout ā coup // Watch: Nordstrom // Bracelet: Pulsera Project 

Jake // Shirt: HUF // Pants: Supreme // Shoes: Nike SB // Sunnies: Ray Ban

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

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