[ Jungle Notes ]

South Beach, Miami Girls Reunion 2012

Fantastic reunion with the girls over Labor Day Weekend. Despite the airport hustling (Y and I had to run to our gate, due to the insane Labor Day airport lines), we made it to the Mondrian hotel. Rolled up squad deep in our town car, exhausted from lack of sleep and airport woes.

But lo and behold, the beautiful, blinding white decor hotel welcomed the two of us with a view of the pool and E! 4045 Locust (or most of it) was back together again, especially after Heather arrived from Oklahoma. In retrospect, it was rather impressive that people from literally opposite sides of the US could gather for a long weekend of booze and beach.

Cue applause.

Befriending David, the poolboy/amazingly nice local, many days were spent lollygagging by the pool. sunset views were involved, with some scattered fatty, delicious, probably overpriced hamburguesas. We spent the first dinner in Miami at Española Way, a street claimed as a “hidden secret” from our trusty David.

Some Key events: dinner at española way, nightclubbing at Mansion (where we saw the cutest 2 Australian DJ group: Nervo), High rise dance bars, poolside, Liv Miami, the DELANO (beautiful, beautiful poolside bar), and Nikki Beach.

Conclusions:
- can’t live in South Beach. People are insane.

- Humidity may be worse that Philadelphia’s, which is saying something.

- People seem friendlier, but mostly shallow.. - _ -

- weekend with the girls was pretty sweet - dance and booze fest! 

CENTER CITY SIPS

also known as the local watering holes of young professionals that like happy hour summertime specials on Wednesdays.

Yesterday, we frequented Marathon Grill, where I found myself amongst a time capsule population of my life. High school, college, post college, and bar crowd; all cliques were present yesterday on that beautiful evening.

Can’t decide if I really liked that aspect yet or not… either way, Sips gave me the opportunity to capture this gem of a photo. We took this photo right after realizing that we’d known each other for TEN YEARS! that’s a whole DECADE.

amazing. Love my boys.

Snocky’s oyster house!
located on 2nd and washington, this ancient, fish-filled seafood joint lies right underneath Amy and Aileen’s new joint.

pro: they have different types of oysters from all over in their sampler! I believe the “Bennies” were my favorite, although don’t ask me where they were actually from…

con: tartar sauce and fried oysters- I could have passed on.

essentially, this staple spot in Queen Village is not a bad option for some.seafood in the middle of Philly. I’m still mad pro for Oyster House on Sansom (you just can’t beat their happy hour and oyster shots… apparently they also have lobster rolls - Yea Buddy!)

COLOR RUN PHILADELPHIA - 2012

Previously posted some pictures from the event earlier, but the official Color Run people took the more official initiative. Was totally a part of the DJ dance party. (note: this was probably around 8:30am, after the race. Early bird gets the colorful worm). 

Song of the Week - “Unaware” by Allen Stone. 

total smooth jam sesh. Ridiculous looking individual that bring some smooth head bob to my life. and I love it. 

(Source: Spotify)

happy #nationalbestfriendday! Now if only she used any form of social media at all… #tailgate #typical #wifey (Taken with Instagram)

k

This kid SHREDS on Guitar. That is all. 

can’t wait to see what this gem has to offer. middle school history, anyone? #isthisreallife (Taken with Instagram)

And of course, the aftermath of sais Color Run. Someone on the run lied and told me that the powder was edible. I ingested some accidentally, and let me just say, that girl totally lied. Rude.

This picture may have been post dance party, with a universal congo line, in the dance/DJ square. We were in hazes of yellow, purple, green, and orange colored powder packets. I saved the shirt in its colored, sweaty glory, headband and all. A fantastic addition to the wall of my apartment and my life, eh?

Forgot to post the picture of my pre-Color Run excitement. I may or may not have taken on the persona of an 80’s aerobic instructor. Re: Brad Pitt from the movie, “Burn After Reading”

Will totally post more pics of the aftermath later, but chances are that you know one of the 30,000 other people that attended this record breaking event in Philadelphia 2012.

It was one of the most fun things that I’ve ever done before 9am! Even brought a few of the girls to complete their first 5k. :)

I remember when I went out to the dandelion with a friend once  - Steven Starr, essentially a big old house with funky furniture that they serve comfort food in; not too shabby - and I feel like this would have been just so useful. 

Perhaps an adult version of this for those of us that are a bit vertically challenged… no?

Jonathan Safran Foer (via kari-shma)