I Think Olive You
Since Ashley came down to my turf in Boca Grande, it seems only fair I'd drive up to Tampa to explore more of her Florida home. Despite being only two hours north I've honestly not spent much time in Tampa past the International Mall and Busch Gardens...
First, we stopped at the Mini Doughnut Factory for some sweet breakfast treats including a s'mores doughnut (yum!) and an adorable pink wall for photos. Then we headed over to the infamous Oxford Exchange, where we had plans to meet up with blogger friend Rechael Roe of A Daydream Love (I love her blog, she has the prettiest style!). She was so sweet and we had a great meal chatting over mimosas and eggs in the gorgeous atrium restaurant. Afterwards we wandered through the lovely little bookshop, then snapped some photos out front before parting ways. Ashley and I wanted even more caffeine so we drove to Foundation Coffee, a trendy new shop which, heads up, had a great Chai Latte. We were going to go walk along the Riverwalk area, but by the time we parked and made our way to the area, we were already so tired from the unrelenting heat that we thought better of it and instead popped into the Tampa Museum of Art next to where we'd parked. It was a strange mashup of classical Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artifacts, juxtaposed with a sleek modern architecture and an exhibit of 60's and 70's psychedelic Peter Max artwork. But the A/C was strong so we stayed awhile. We ended the day a little early at Hyde Park, where after a stop by a few shops we ducked into Bar Taco just in time for the impending torrential downpour of a classically Florida summer afternoon rain. I've been meaning to try Bar Taco for awhile and I was more than pleased with the delicious guacamole, lobster tacos (the secret taco of the month -- yes that is a thing), and the refreshing mojito. When the rain let up I headed south towards home, tired from yet another successful day of summer adventures.
