The Top 10 Local Restaurants in St. Pete, Florida - {Places you should eat while visiting St. Pete}

If you don't live in the area, or if you haven't vacationed here before, you should definitely visit St. Petersburg, Florida. We have more than good beaches; St. Pete has such a great variety of tasty cuisine and a very fun, hip vibe. Do you like supporting local communities, Salvador Dali, farmer's markets, concerts in the park, gorgeous views of the beach and also views of Tampa Bay, modern and historic architecture, tattoos, amazing street art, some pretty talented local bands, and so much more? St. Pete has a little bit of something for everybody's taste.

As you can already tell, I'm getting ultra local today... I want to share some of my favorite places to dine in the vicinity, most of my haunts are located in St. Pete, a few along Gulf Blvd, and a couple in surrounding cities... It's all pretty close together here anyways, so I'd say almost all of the places I'm going to share are within about a 20 minute radius.

1. Salt Rock Grill in Indian Shores: THE BEST place to eat in town, no doubt about it! I loved everything about my experience there. The cocktails before dinner were so deliciously sweet and tasty, their desserts are delectable, the main courses are well portioned and absolutely delicious. Their chef is a genius, pairing flavors and presenting great specials every evening. Not to mention, the service is exquisite, their wine cellars are impressive, and the views from the tiki deck are gorgeous during a sunset! The artwork on the walls is absolutely phenomenal, I hope to one day have my work featured there - until that day, I'll admire all of the brilliant pieces of work the artists are currently showcasing. I recommend Salt Rock for any occasion; after dinner I recommend a walk on the beach that is just right across the street and maybe a drink at a local dive named Mahuffer's that's right down the street.

2. Taco Son in St. Pete (additional location in Tampa): If you like tacos, go to Taco Son, and order yourself some ASAP - you can thank me later. The steak is my favorite but all of the tacos are impressive. Serving up 100% authentic Mexican food, a family business originating from Sonora, Mexico - hence the name TacoSon. Their salsa options include three delicious choices, I personally prefer the green salsa; it's the perfect addition to my taco loaded with veggies and perfectly seasoned steak! The murals on their walls are pretty sweet as well, I'm definitely envious of the talented artist that painted the St. Pete location. Don't miss out on savings, be sure to sign up for their text alerts and get discounts on the regular if you're local.

3. Havana Harry's in Largo: You can score some ridiculously good Cuban food at this little dive. I crave their chicken sandwiches and espresso on the regular, I seriously wake up with a hardcore CRAVING for their food... it's that good! I highly recommend Havana Harry's after a day at the beach, the perfect lazy day grab and go food. The artwork on the semi outside, the artist that sits inside the place and paints on the regular, and all of the cool random pieces from local artists really pull me into the place as well. Plus, they offer huge portions, so there's that. Havana Harry's is a once a week thing in our house, you'll see why if you give it a try.

4. Frenchy's Rockaway Grill in Clearwater Beach: If you are looking for a beautiful view to watch a sunset while eating a pretty decent meal, I recommend Frenchy's. The view from their beach side seating is absolutely stunning, I've seen pastel and bold sunsets from Frenchy's - never disappointed. I love the live music they have performing, their drink specials can be pretty great, and the food is typical American cuisine really but it's pretty delicious as well.

5. Tsunami Japanese Steakhouse in St. Pete: The BEST Sushi in the St. Pete area, hands down. I'm a sushi connoisseur, while there are other great sushi places in town (I might even do a post on all of my favorites), Tsunami is by far my favorite spot for sushi. The fish always tastes fresh and even the simple hand rolls have a flavor that can't be compared. I highly recommend the Volcano roll, which is the one overflowing with tasty goodness in the picture. The environment is pretty with fountains and flashing, colorful lighting - it's a nice, casual Japanese restaurant... plus if you have a friend that isn't into the Sushi thing, their hibachi options are equally as tasty!

6. Sea Breeze Island Grill in Redington Shores: One of my favorite spots to grab a drink and meal with a fabulous view of the inter-coastal waterway. They have some of the cheapest (and tastiest) mixed drinks on Gulf Blvd and their specials on food offer some great local food options. They also have really awesome art work in the restaurant, check out the paintings on the way to the bathroom, and be sure to use the salt scrub they offer - it will leave your hands feeling amazing. So basically, you'll get good food, great drinks, a spa treatment, and a beautiful view while visiting Sea Breeze - it's a pretty amazing place.

7. Harvey's Fourth Street Grill  in St. Pete- This little 4th St. grill is a great little local spot. I love stopping in here for a chicken sandwich and a drink. The inside is kind of dark, but a perfect spot for a hung over college kid or a family trying to find a place to eat after a day at Disney or the beach - nice and relaxing, definitely not over stimulating. The food is traditional American and won't disappoint.

8. Bongo's Beach Bar & Grill in St. Pete Beach- If you are looking for a creative drink, then hit Bongo's. They have such a fun drink menu that I would recommend going there JUST for drinks and appetizers. Bongo's offers great appetizer options if you are looking for a light bite to eat - think coconut crusted shrimp, crab cakes, mango glazed scallops, hot wings, and the like. It's all incredibly tasty and the view of St. Pete Beach is unbelievable; you can even sit with your feet in the sand or in their cabana area and listen to some peaceful local music while watching the sunset. I've never stayed this late, but they are open til 3AM so it's a great place for a drink any time.

9. Agave in St. Pete Beach- I'm kind of a big fan of Mexican food and tacos in general, so here's ANOTHER taco recommendation... But this one has margaritas on the menu, pitches of margaritas to be exact! I love Agave and their quaint little restaurant on St. Pete Beach. The flavors in their tacos are amazing, the only thing I would change about Agave is the service can be a bit lackluster at time - totally hit or miss. Regardless of where our waitress was during some of our visits, the food never disappoints and the banana margaritas are pretty dang tasty.

10. Rumba Island Bar & Grill in Clearwater- While I've never been to the Oldsmar location, the Clearwater location is absolutely somewhere I would recommend everyone check out. This Caribbean restaurant is one for the books - the food always tastes fresh and the mix of island-y flavors are unbeatable. The rum selection they offer is fantastic as well. We dined on the patio during our visit and the only complaint I have about Rumba is it's location - it should definitely be nearby the beach. Other than that, I'm totally sold on the concept and highly recommend you visit. 

Unexpected Adventures: Learn, Explore, and Grow Together #TargetWedding #Sponsored

Photo, Product and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. Regardless, all opinions are my own.

Traveling has always been a favorite activity for hubby and I. Although, we haven't even come close to visiting every where on our "Bucket List", we are beyond thankful for the vacations we have taken together and look forward to many, many more!

We've road tripped across the southern half of the country in a car without air conditioning in the sizzling hot southern summer heat (then we came home to Florida and bought a brand new car the same week because we realized how crazy that was).

We've journeyed on a whim to the Space Coast in the middle of a tropical storm just to eat our favorite meal from our favorite restaurant.

We've spent hours stuck in a Mexican Police Department after a fender-bender in Cozumel. I had to play the hero that day, which left me traveling the backstreets of the town by myself to retrieve funds that would ultimately save hubby from what could have been. Talk about a crazy trip!

We've nearly been attacked by some mysterious growling and snarling creature in the middle of the night while camping near a lake in Oklahoma.

We've hiked to the top of Mayan pyramids and looked out over a jungle, seeing nothing but ridiculously huge and beautiful handmade structures nearby and miles and miles of lush green tree tops all around us.

We've walked the streets of Las Vegas on my 21st birthday in the middle of the night giggling and gambling, hoping for a big win.

We've spent the night cuddled together in the backseat of our car "camping" in the middle of no where because I was too scared to really "camp out" after seeing bear crossing and panther crossing road signs near by.

We've stayed in haunted hotels and driven through zoos on random road trips to Arkansas. We've even gotten up close and personal with some emus, fed some llamas, talked closely with some buffalo, and interacted with all kinds of other crazy animals.

We've taken so many trips I can't even begin to recap them all, traveling together is something I hope we do forever. I hope when we have children they will be able to experience the world with us. We've both developed a pretty good case of "wanderlust", we both can't wait to do more learning, exploring, and growing together. Traveling with that guy is full of adventure; Life with this guy is full of adventure.

Marriage is truly all about the experiences and the adventures you share, the fun memories you create while just simply experiencing life together - the good days and the bad, the days full of joy and the days full of worry, it's about sticking together through everything. Weddings should truly be about celebrating your life together forever and so should every item in your registry! Making a registry at Target that includes all the items you'll need for your life and adventures together is a really fun part of getting married, but obviously it is not what "getting married' is all about. Gaining the title of "husband and wife" and obtaining the marriage certificate is great but having your best friend by your side forever, for everything is the best. Learning to make everyday an adventure is the key to our marriage success; exploring this big wide world together is my favorite activity with my husband - whether we are just running to the farmer's market together or paddling around the ocean in a kayak or even taking a cruise to Alaska (hello, bucket list) I love spending time just being with him.

When Target asked me to share our most memorable trip together, I had trouble choosing which vacation to write about...They all have been full of adventure and excitement, some more than others...  Ultimately, I decided to share more about our most recent trip, just a little staycation-esque vacay to Miami in March. Although it's so close to where we currently reside, the whole trip was such an amazing experience! The hotel stay and flight were taken care of by a local radio station and I'm so incredibly lucky to have won their giveaway! The luxury resort they booked us was immaculate. The views of the beach from our balcony in our high rise room were breathtaking!

From the moment our plane landed in Miami it felt as though we were in a different country; it's a beautiful place but it has a huge Cuban element to it that I wasn't expecting, although I absolutely embraced it. I just wish I would have used Rosetta Stone in Spanish before we left - I was a little lost when we asked for directions from the car rental guy and he started speaking in Spanish.

We landed around lunch time, so after driving around in circles in the parking garage a few times (yes, we were THAT couple. haha.) we went and grabbed a bite to eat in Downtown Miami, then we set our GPS to head towards The Keys and off we went. A little impromptu road trip simply because we had time to waste until we could check in to our hotel and because why not? I love that hubby comes up with fun ideas like this, how cool is it that this is the guy I will spend every day of my life with? *swoon* We made the drive to Key Largo in about an hour, the views were incredible. I loved watching the water fly by as we drove along the long bridge. After getting to Key Largo, we spent some time at a local park and saw a sting ray swimming just a few feet away from the rocks we were playing on. I'm sad to say it was a bit windy on the day we visited so we decided not to get in the water, maybe next time!

After spending time exploring the park, we were ready for a bite to eat and a cocktail or two. We saw  Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill on the side of the road and decided to pop in. I ordered a Key Lime Colada and I have to share with the world: This is The BEST cocktail, ever - really though, EVER. I could rave on and on about it, but instead I'll just suggest that ANYONE visiting Key Largo stop in and have one!

Then it was already time to head to the hotel! Once we made it into our room, we immediately walked out onto the balcony. Although it was dark, it was still so breathtakingly beautiful. The moon was glowing over the top of the ocean, leaving a glimmer along every inch of the water with the breeze blowing ever so slightly. The sound of a steel drum being played poolside slightly drifting up towards our room and the lights of the color-shifting pool illuminating the edges of the palm trees. Needless to say, it was a heavenly stay and we slept with our doors open every single night of the trip - no need for air conditioning with a cool breeze from the ocean. (I'm sitting here day dreaming about the trip as I type this, can I just go back right now - please?)

The next few days in Miami were filled with fun exploring the city. We spent several hours sunbathing on local beaches. We took a nice walk around a Spanish monastery. We tried out several new foods and even developed an addiction to Cuban espresso. We listened to some awesome jazz music. We shopped, we dined, we drank, and giggled until our hearts were content. It was fun simply enjoying time together. That's what being married is all about after all, enjoying every adventure, every minute, every second together - no matter where you are.

Target also wanted me to share a few of my favorite travel essentials. If you're tying the knot soon you'll want to snag these items up as gifts to yourself or add them to your registry.

I highly recommend a D-SLR camera, having great pictures of your adventures is important! The Canon EOS Rebel T5I is a great model, I'm personally a Nikon user but playing with the Canon in stores has me thinking about making a switch! You can definitely tell the difference between my cell phone pictures and the D-SLR pictures above. The SwissGear City Pack is also a great travel item, the perfect bag for both you and hubby to take turns carrying all the goods you'll need for your adventures. The Coleman 10 person Instant Cabin Tent is the answer to a girl's "glam" camping dream - the perfect compromise to get a girly, girl to go camping. Maybe you plan to travel internationally? You might want to try Rosetta Stone, it'll help you brush up on your foreign language skills. Don't forget a cool passport cover for both of you as well! You'll obviously want some great pieces of luggage and these perfectly fitting luggage tags to keep them safe and stylish! Head on over to the Target Wedding registry to start adding to yours!


  In case you need some $$$ to get ahead of the game on your registry,
I've teamed up with Target to bring my readers a $25 Gift Card giveaway.

Please use the giveaway tools form below to enter to win:

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: I received compensation, or one or more of the products mentioned above, to facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.This contest will run through August 30th at 11:59 pm EST. Must be 18 years or older to win.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other company mentioned above. You understand that you are providing your information to Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and not to Facebook, I will not use your information other than to e-mail you a winning notification if you are the chosen winner. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form above. Void Where Prohibited. Please note that Lauren Paints | a beautiful life is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. If you would like to be a sponsor of future giveaways, please contact me at laurenpaintsflorida@gmail.com.

#everybodyYOGA - a yoga challenge for every body {STARTING SEPTEMBER 1st}

I know I briefly mentioned that I would be hosting this challenge earlier this month,
but it's all official now! I'm so incredibly excited to be hosting the #everybodyYOGA challenge!




Are you ready?

The challenge will begin September 1st and will end September 30th -
it is going to be a blast for all involved and I hope to inspire anyone and everyone to participate!

Interested in knowing the "deets"?
Here's the graphic with all of the poses planned for this month:

Also, I'll be posting a photo daily on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest that will show the poses in greater detail. Have questions? Reach out to me here or on any of my social media accounts!

It's simple to participate:

 Being a part of the yoga challenge is really easy, you can enter with the giveaway tools form that I'll have on my blog beginning September 1st AND/OR you may earn entries by submitting photos via social media!

I'll be using the hashtag #everybodyYOGA 
to search for participants!
 
So if you want to earn additional entries or you don't want to use the giveaway tools form, you can simply upload a picture to instagram, facebook, pinterest, or twitter using the hashtag. Don't forget to tag me and the brands sponsoring the challenge prizes (you can find all of our profiles listed below)!



 Want some really good news?
I've partnered up with some great companies to bring you all the chance to win some fantastic prizes.

There will be THREE lucky winners:

ONE winner will receive the LUSH Cosmetics "You're a star" prize package! {RV: $75}
This prize includes 8 awesome items from Lush Cosmetics, these products are all celebrity recommended and absolutely amazing!

and

ONE winner will receive a pair of Luna Jai athletic leggings {RV: $69}
& a Gaiam Pink Ribbon Yoga mat! {RV: $22}
I'm a Luna Jai brand ambassador and a HUGE fan of their products - they are so incredibly comfortable and the fit is unlike any others. Be on the lookout for a review of my favorite pairs from their collection soon! Plus, the Gaiam Pink Ribbon Yoga mat is absolutely gorgeous and helps a great cause - provide hope, support, and love every time you practice yoga with this mat!

and

ONE winner will receive a custom zen painting from yours truly {RV: $75}
& a zen themed Spirit Locket Necklace! {RV:$75}

I'll be creating a custom painting for one lucky participant - a custom work of art that suits their style and passions. We'll collaborate and figure out the perfect work of art for your space. Plus, you'll receive a customized zen themed necklace - featuring gorgeous charms inside of a fun locket.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors & be sure to tag us all in your photo submissions:

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook 

Lush Cosmetics:
Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook

Luna Jai:
Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook

Gaiam:
Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook

Spirit Lockets:
Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook

If you want to participate but decide not to post any photos,

be sure to enter using the giveaway tools form below:

Entry-Form

{Pin-Up Darling #OOTD} Back to School with Class & Curves - Six Simple Tips to Help You Dress Confidently & a Giveaway!

Have you heard of Pin-Up Darling? It's an incredibly fun, vintage inspired boutique. Their collection embodies the style of the iconic pin-up girls of the 50's. Think flirty, chic, and irresistible: the perfect combination! The boutique aims to emulate the playful, charming pin-up look by bringing you super awesome ways to mix retro glam with current styles. Pieces in their collection range from fun, funky shoes to sleek and sexy timeless cocktail dresses - a variety of fashion sure to help every girl find their inner pin-up!

Pin-Up Darling is a fantastic boutique so I'm super excited to announce our collaboration! Over the next few months, I'll be styling an outfit once a month AND giving away items as well. You'll want to follow Pin-Up Darling and I so you don't miss out on all the fun!

I'm new to the whole "pin-up" scene but I've always been drawn to their indefinable charm; every single pin-up always has a special something in their eyes, a confidence that is just so damn sexy. I've learned a way to feel that confidence as well, dressing for my body type is truly the secret to feeling that extra spark. I have that special something now.

Finding pieces that are made to fit curvier bodies like mine has changed my life, as far as my fashion sense and budget are concerned. Instead of buying pieces that are just part of the latest trend, I've started buying more classic pieces and these styles last! Making this adjustment can make your wardrobe so much more permanent and so much more chic. Let me state the obvious, classic styles are classic for a reason! Pin-up Darling is now my go-to boutique for classic pieces, they have so many adorable dresses, accessories, tops, and bottoms to choose from... Trust me, you'll want to buy their entire boutique!

The Sail Away Tunic dress is one of the cutest dresses I've ever laid my eyes upon. Living in Florida and having a bit of a "thing" for nautical items, I fell in love with this dress right away! The adorable little boats, the flirty hemline of the dress paired with frills along the top, the perfect shade of pink - it's pretty much this Pin-Up's dream come true. This dress is the perfect length for my figure, but could be a little too short on someone that is taller than me. The waist cinches in just the right place and I feel like such a babe when I wear it; it's pretty much one of my favorite dresses, ever.

 The denim jacket is stretchy yet structured, a perfect addition to any outfit. I look forward to pairing it with other Pin-up looks to brave the slight chill we get here in Florida during the winter. The jacket is lightweight enough that I plan on rocking it regularly while in class and while interning for my degree; it's the perfect way to make any spaghetti strap outfit more modest while keeping it stylish. The medium-dark shade, the stone washed detail, and the cut of this jacket are all perfect. I wish I could let you all feel how comfortable this denim jacket really is, it's more comfortable than any other denim jacket I've owned - I'm being 100% serious! Imagine being wrapped in a denim cloud, it's pretty much just like that.

The Blue Chevron bracelets are full of character! Featuring a bright bold shade of blue and gold accents, the perfect accessory to really make this outfit pop! I love that it makes the outfit feel a bit more nautical but not over the top. I want to note the bracelets are labeled "navy" but I personally think they are closer to to a cobalt shade myself. Regardless of their shade, the chevron design is so cute and I want them in all the colors Pin-Up Darling carries now!

I have a feeling every piece I review for Pin-Up Darling will leave me feeling just as happy as this outfit did. Dressing confidently is the secret to being happy with your sense of style. I think far too often we are swayed by the media or the fashion elite to follow trends - let's put a stop to that! If you like a certain style of clothing, then wear it! Fashion is subjective, what's "in" today could very well be "out" tomorrow... it's all relative and it's YOUR choice. I have found that dressing confidently is pretty uncomplicated, follow your instincts and wear what looks good. In case you are feeling a little lost, I decided to share a few tips below to help every woman begin dressing confidently!

6 Simple Tips to Help
You Dress Confidently:

1. Find items that suit your body type - do a little research, hunt for your favorite styles, and may I even suggest shopping at Pin-Up Darling!
2. Only choose items that you like, don't follow trends - stay true to you.
3. A smile is the best accessory and ALWAYS rock what ya got - don't be shy!
4. Keep things simple - don't over do it. Statement pieces are great, but only choose ONE statement to make.
5. Classic styles are always going to be classic, stick with 'em and you're set!
6. Don't worry about what others think, if you like how you look - THAT is all that really matters.

With that said, I think this outfit is perfect for all body types. What do you think?
Interested in rocking this little flirty + chic outfit yourself?

You're in luck -
the entire outfit could be yours!



Be sure to enter to win the Pin-Up Darling giveaway for the month of August!

One lucky winner will win the same outfit seen above:

 the Denim Darling Jacket, the Sail Away Tunic Dress,
and the Chevron Bangle Bracelets in Navy - 
an adorable pin-up inspired outfit styled by yours truly!

Please use the giveaway tools form below to enter to win:

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links included in the post above, I also received one or more of the products mentioned above to facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.This contest will run through September 6th at 7:00 pm EST. Must be 18 years or older to win. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other company mentioned above. You understand that you are providing your information to Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and not to Facebook, I will not use your information other than to e-mail you a winning notification if you are the chosen winner. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form above. Void Where Prohibited. Please note that Lauren Paints | a beautiful life is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

As seen on Hypersweep.com!

#WordlessWednesday - This month has been a roller coaster!

Where has the time gone? I can't believe I haven't posted my wordless Wednesday post for the past few weeks, major blogger fail! Here's a quick photo recap of the month so far:

 {our doggie visitor last week}