A few of my favorite (Orlando) things..

Richard came to check out everything I will be leaving in Orlando when I move to be with him next month. Three days of visiting my favorite places? Yes, please!

After lunch at Chipotle and a little shopping at the lululemon Orlando Outlet we visited Whole Foods. His first time at a real Whole Foods!

I doubt anyone would believe I'd bring him anywhere other than Ethos Vegan Kitchen for dinner the first night. We shared a What's the Dilly, Philly? sandwich and pizza with (vegan) sausage, tomatoes and black olives. Yum! He kept saying how the food didn't taste any different than the regular versions.

Austin's Coffee with it's infamous vegan carrot cake...

... and some friends!

Day 2 was family day.

After lunch with part of his family we ventured to take annual family photos with my family.

And then this happened.

Yep. Someone is crazy enough to propose to a marathon addicted vegan! Details coming :)

ps- Make sure to seize your chance to win $100 from V8!

Hanging at Austin’s

Let me introduce you to Austin’s Coffee & Film- my newest favorite place on the planet. Comfy couches, live music, delicious coffee, , open 27/7, a very vegan-friendly menu, vegan cakes and cookies and a fun staff… what more is there to ask for?

The inside is a funky mix with diner-style booths, movie theater seats and mix-matched couches and chairs. It is a good place to dine with friends mid-afternoon or to sip an iced coffee at one of their open mic nights in the evening.

My friend Alex and I visited for their vegan carrot cake and vegan donut after an indulgent lunch at Ethos Vegan Kitchen. Yes, it was a delicious day!

Their pastries come in fresh from a local vegan bakery. The donut was perfect! A definite threat to any Dunkin’ Donuts.The carrot cake? Best I’ve had, hands down. The cream cheese icing was rich and full of flavor. The cake was full of spices and raisins. It was perfection down to the last bite!

Before heading out Alex and I had a fun time checking out the decorative bricks all over Austin’s walls. Some of these made me blush!

I’m not kidding when I say I’m addicted. I was back at Austin’s a few hours later for their hip-hop open mic night with different friends! We drank iced coffee and beers (not me!) and played… Pretty Pretty Princess while enjoying the local hip-hop scene? Haha, yep.

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I’m sure most of you know I work at the lululemon athletica Orlando Outlet. I’ve been with the company for eight months now and have loved every minute. This company is just as focused on helping its guests and employees live healthier and happier lives as it is selling the world’s best black stretchy pants.

Most stores are always on the lookout for great people, but I wanted to share quickly that lululemon athletica is hiring managers in South Florida! You can find out more about working for this amazing company here.

Food and Friends- 7 Vegan Wonders

What a night last night was! First, let’s back up. I successfully made it home from Virginia early Saturday morning. I have traveled alone and am officially a big girl! I actually really enjoyed moving out of my comfort zone and navigating an airplane, rental car, hotel and new city alone. It was a learning experience!

My diet was all over the place during my trip. I immediately indulged in some essentials when I came home: kombucha, POM,  Maqui, TJ’s almond butter and chocolate!

I spent Saturday morning unpacking from the trip and loving on the animals. Then David and I laid down for a 4 hour nap! Apparently my 3-hours night of sleep wasn’t sufficient. Luckily we woke up in just enough time to head over to Ryan’s for a fun night!

Ryan and Lindsey hosted a Foodbuzz 24-24-24 event at Ryan’s house. The theme was “Seven Course International Affair Gone Vegan.” I was blown away by the creativity, timeliness and quality of their hard work! The food and company couldn’t have been better.

• Lindsey and her husband, Ross
• Ryan and my boyfriend, Evan
• Caitlin and her husband, Kristien
• Angela and her husband, Eric
• Megan and her friend, Mark
• Meghann
• David and me
• Katy W. and her husband, Lucas
• Katy H. and her husband, Adam
• Evan’s brother’s fiancee, Dana
• Kelly and her boyfriend, Anthony

You can visit Ryan and Lindsey’s blogs for the details, but here’s what I saw through my camera’s lens:

First Course: An Italian appetizer of Crostini with Bruschetta consisting of tomato, basil, lemon, extra virgin olive oil, cannellini beans and a sweet balsamic reduction.

Second Course: African Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup

Third Course: A French vegan version of a Nicoise Salad

Fourth Course: A simple palate cleanser of a Moroccan Mint Sorbet with coconut water, lime and mint

Fifth Course: Mexican Vegan Tamales

Sixth Course: Jamaican Jerk Seitan with Raw Plantain Chips

I couldn’t get over the flavor of the raw plantain chips. Usually plantain chips are just greasy and crunchy, but these were so sweet and slightly chewy! I loved them!

Seventh Course: An All American, Vegan and Raw classic dessert of S’mores

Plus a bonus course for Katy’s birthday! Lindsey made her secret-recipe cookie into a cookie cake! Yum!

I remember first talking to Angela when I featured her on here back in the day! As if meeting Angela wasn’t enough, she also brought her amazing Glo Bars to share. Thank you, Angela!!

I brought some Bondi Bands to share :) All in all, it was a fun night with great people and incredible food. We’re so lucky to have such neat friends to share it with!

After the party David and I headed to downtown Orlando to meet some friends who were in town for the day. We sat outside a cigar shop and bar in the middle of the city. Everyone enjoyed beers and cigars while I sipped on water :)

What a beautiful night.