Tag Archives: Tampa

Babes and Blossoms

Posted on by Run DMT
13

While the weather is pleasant, Little Lion Man and I have been partaking in the preschool-appropriate fun at our neighborhood shopping center. With camera in tow, I try my best to snap photos of a rambunctious toddler who is more interested in shopping cart shaped like police cars, trains and fountains than lizards and hedgehogs.

So although I couldn’t capture a decent photo of Liam, I was able to snap some photos of the flowers cascaded through the plaza.

Spring is definitely in full bloom at our favorite stomping ground, The Shops at Wiregrass, which is perfect timing for the Leap into Spring! Photo Challenge.

For these photos, I decided to have fun with Field of Depth so you could truly experience the sights and smells of spring in my neighborhood.

Now, gather a whiff of the Jasmine bush growing wildly outside our front door.  With its twined vines and pungent fragrance, it welcomes you to our home.

Well, it would welcome you to our home if one particular little man would stop the picking the flowers.  Otherwise it will just be bush with a bunch a leaves waving hello.

spring photography challenge, kristi live and love out loud photo challenge, project alicia photo challenge, bumbles and light photo challenge,Mama's Losin' It

 

“Has Spring sprung? Post a photo journal of what Spring is looking like in your neck of the woods!”

*Also submitted at*

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue Look whooooo’s snapping Unknown Mami

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Tampa TECHmunch

Posted on by Run DMT
5

Still relatively new to the blogging world, I often find myself longing to take a big bite out of blogging conferences but lack of sponsorship and personal funds make impossible for me to attend these events.  As I read other blogs, I envy the fun, food and wonderful photos and stories they share in their recaps.

Then, a little blogging birdie told me that TECHmunch was coming to Tampa and I would have a chance to experience a real blogging conference in my own backyard.  Finally, it would be my turn to take photos, have fun and share my recap.  I was ready to sink my teeth into TECHmunch.

Or so I thought.

Unfortunately, there was this little lottery thing happening and I needed to reserve a wad of cash in case I was selected, which left little money to play with the cool kids at a blogging conference.

However, I could get a small taste and so it was, I attended the Friday night mixer to meet my fellow foodie bloggers at TECHmunch.

Honestly, I felt a little overwhelmed and out of my league.  I mean, I am mother runner blogger who occasionally blogs about food.  What could I possibly bring to the table?  Was I still outside looking in at the cool kids?

With a gracious smile, my nervousness was laid to rest when I was warmly welcomed by Babette of Bake Space and TECHmunch founder and I thanked her for bringing such a wonderful event to Tampa.  Even though I could only attend the mixer, I felt it was important to be part of this event.

Almost as eclectic as the dishes served, I enjoyed the company of some truly interesting foodie bloggers, like @CarlosEats, @TheAllergic Kid, @ALocalFolkus and @DessertChic.  I rambled on with @TVFanatic about fitting quotes from Seinfeld and SNL into every day conversations and discussed how both are equally funny and quotable today.  (Yes, some of us still watch SNL in its entirety.)

I picked at paninis while picking Joshua’s SEO brain since I would miss his presentation.

I snacked on delicious strawberry themed foods provided by Driscoll’s, like strawberry bruschetta, a strawberry tomato borscht and strawberry gelato.

From the backdrop to the food to the company, every morsel of the evening was enjoyable and now I’m craving another helping.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pinning Down Tampa Bay Bloggers

Posted on by Run DMT
3

What do you get when you combine tasty Square 1 Burgers with even more flavorful personalities? The Tampa Bay Blogger meetup, of course!

Last Saturday evening, seven of us met to discuss ways to take over the blogosphere.  I was joined by Brian of Digital Running, Kirsten of Gone Bananas, Caroline of Morningside Mom, Rachel of Runner’s Tales, Clarisa of TBO.com and Marisa of Fit Kids Playground.

Although most of us find our voices with keystrokes, the conversation proved once again entertaining and enlightening.  The last time we met, Google+ dominated the conversation.  This time, all focus was pinned on Pinterest and how to use Pinterest for self-promoting our blogs and brands with great photographs, visual aids and informational graphics.  Basically, bloggers and companies alike have to rethink all aspects of social media in order to stay relevant and prevalent in today’s social media-driven world.

We all agreed that Google+ is missing something besides friends in our circles.  Although we’re all on Google+, we’re not using it to its full capacity.  Considering that “Google is THE verb”, it’s disappointing that Google+ leaves us searching for more answers.

Pinterest, on the other hand, is the sleeper social media hit of the summer.  Although Pinterest seems to appeal mostly to women bloggers, we helped Brian discover ways to pin some manly boards before the end of the evening, like running tips and BBQ.

We also discussed Twitter as our number one resource for information.  Admittedly, I often check Twitter before Facebook, but I understand why I should be posting discussions and conversations starters on my Run DMT wall.  It’s all about staying present in the blogosphere.  At that point, the conversation halted as everyone checked-in on Facebook and tweeted #TBBlogger.

During the course of the evening, I realized the importance of revamping my Linkedin profile.  If I’m a going to tout myself a “social media enthusiast” than I should really be using each avenue to its fullest.

I also learned more WP plugins, Pinterest plugins and why I should be geocaching with my kids, which I am so excited to start this summer.

Even though there were only a few of us, there was tons of information to absorb, which is why I truly love these blogger meetups.  I learn so much every time and I look forward to learning tons more at our next meeting in August.

I wonder what THE next big social media will be by then.

 *I would like to thank all the sponsors who contributed items to our wonderful Tampa Bay Blogger swag bags.*

Square 1 Burgers

Pain Relief Centers

Suncoast Running

Painting With a Twist

My Stylist Dean

All Smiles Tampa Bay

Vology Data Systems

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Raising Runners, Part 3

Posted on by Run DMT
11

As part of our annual running tradition, I registered the girls for the Too Good for Drugs Gasparilla Junior Distance Classic.  Due to her ripe old age of ten, this would be Allana’s last year to run the kids’ race.

For Allana’s age group she had to run 1 mile (four times around the University of Tampa track).  Last year, Allana was nervous to run the track, but this year she exuded confidence.

She paced herself nicely and thanks to her pink bandana, she was easy to spot.  She’s a stunner (stylish runner) in the making for sure.

And my little stunner wore her hot pink bandana and confidence all the way to the finish.

Unfortunately, Emmalynn didn’t quite have the same experience.

Due to a poor PA system, we didn’t hear the all call for the 6 year old start.  She missed her race (1/8 mile) and she had to run with 7 year olds (1/2 mile), although it didn’t bother her because she could run with her friend, Lily.

Emmalynn, like Allana, started with a lot of confidence but with a little too much speed.  About half way into her race, she got a cramp in her side.

But poor Emmalynn just couldn’t run and walked the remainder of the way.  The pain was too intense for her.

Allana tried to encourage her to keep going by running with Emmalynn for part of the way.

My poor baby learned an important running lesson that day.  Sometimes you have good races and sometimes you have bad races.  Just never give up and you’re always a winner.

But like The Penguin always says, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue Look whooooo’s snapping Unknown Mami

More Gasparilla Booty

Posted on by Run DMT
15

I captured so many great photos from the Gasparilla Children’s Parade and I wanted to share some more,  If you missed my previous Gasparilla post, gather ’round to hear the tale again, me hearties.

Gasparilla and The Great Bead Booty

Posted on by Run DMT
19

Argggh!
There be a pirate invasion once again in Tampa.

Aye, wearing snarls and yielding swords, me krewe set sail upon the Black Pearl in search of treasure known as The Great Bead Booty.

The Great Bead Booty be the gem of all the scurvy pirates at the Gasparilla Children’s Parade.  The secret, me hearties, is to keep ye good eye on all that is casted from the krewes that sail along Bayshore as ye never know what treasures lie in front of ye.

Be it beads or candy, scurvy pirates need to be ready. Aye, that be the story of how Captain Madre got hit in the head with a Tootsie Roll  some pirates lose an eye and are forever cursed to wear a patch.

Even me youngest scallywag found treasure…

 

…and tried to steal some more.

Legend tells, some pirates hunt for treasures of giant burritos.

But one scallywag set her sights on cotton candy only to have her plan foiled when Mean Captain Madre grunted, “No” and threatened a long walk off a short plank if she didn’t become a jolly pirate.

Then, a loud thunderous boom shook the land as Jose Gaspar’s ship invaded and began firing cannons.  But we did not withdraw, me hearties!  Aye, the Great Bead Booty was still ours for the taking!

After hours upon the bay, our voyage had ended and the time had come to find a new destination to feed me hungry krewe. Aye and motley krewe we be.

Until next year, Gaspar!  ARRRRRRGGH!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogueUnknown Mami

A Serendipity-Style Date

Posted on by Run DMT
12

Last Sunday, Allan and I celebrated our 12th anniversary.  Twelve years, really?  Wow.

For our anniversary, I wanted to plan something different other than dinner and a movie.  So when I stumbled upon this idea from The Dating Divas on Pinterest, I knew this was the date to plan for us.

Allan and I love the movie Serendipity.  Since the way we met happened by chance or nearly met a few times before our first encounter, we love any and all romantic comedies that revolved that theme, however, Serendipity holds the number one spot.  (You can watch the trailer here.)

Basically, the two main characters meet by chance in a department store when trying to purchase the same pair of gloves and then spend the rest of day together.  At the end of the day, they try to exchange phone numbers but fate steps in so they decide to test fate by writing the numbers on a five dollar bill and in an old book.  If either item crosses their paths again, then they’re meant to be together.

When Allan and I celebrated our tenth anniversary in New York City, we tried to replicate Serendipity movie moments, like ice skating in Central Park.  Next to our wedding day and our honeymoon (and the birth of our children, of course) that weekend in NYC was the best time ever.

So for our Serendipity-style date, I recreated those special NYC moments with a Tampa flare.  I started with an invitation hidden inside the Serendipity DVD case.  With snowflakes embellishments and typewriter font, I created an invitation that cleverly outlined our date.

“The best time to ever be
Was our time spent in New York City
And how each moment
Was like a scene from Serendipity.
So let’s relive that date
With some ice and some skates
And lunch at Datz Deli.”

We began the date at Datz Deli.  The restaurant was so busy that the only available seating was at the bar.  We were all right with that.

To stick with the NYC motif, I ordered the Rockin’ Rueben, but Allan ordered a BBQ Brisket sandwich.   I couldn’t eat the whole thing, but I knew I would be hungry again after ice skating.

For the past two holiday seasons, city of Tampa has erected an ice rink at Curtis Hixon Park in the middle of Downtown Tampa, appropriately named Tampa’s Downtown on Ice.  Although the rink is small and on this particularly Sunday, very crowded, it filled the bill for the ice skating portion of our date.

Unfortunately, it was hard to hold hands as we skated as we had to swerve around small children.  I even fell on my knees at one point, which made me laugh so hard.  No matter how small the rink was, we still had huge fun and we left a Serendipity sign to let others know we were there.

Since Allan and I worked up quite a thirst ice skating, we popped over to Taps across the street from Tampa’s Downtown on Ice for a quick pint.  We drank to a fun date and toasted twelve great years.  Here’s to many more of them!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogueUnknown Mami

Live, Love, TRAVEL

Family Photos 2011

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Just as I had expected, she did it again.  Kelly captured some gorgeous shots of my family for our Christmas portraits.

Funny thing, we didn’t have to travel far for our portrait session.  All of these photos were taken at the North Pointe Village in our neighborhood.  Upon a closer look, you may notice the Pasco office building, Residence Inn, Carrabbas, International Beer Garten or an abandoned Up the Creek Mongolian Buffet in the background.

If you love these photos as much I do,  please leave a comment on Kelly’s blog so I can win an 11×14 print.  Thank you in advance! :-)

Holiday Inn Captured My Heart

Posted on by Run DMT
9

I took my best girl to the cinema yesterday.  Just me and my gal catching a show and we had a swell time, see.  A real swank time, I tell you.

It’s hard to shake the circa 1940s slang after being immersed in it for a couple hours.  As an early Christmas present, I bought tickets for Holiday Inn for my sister since it’s her favorite Christmas movie.  She was surprised to learn that I had never seen it so she asked me to join her rather than her hubby.

With its old world charm, the Tampa Theatre is the perfect cinema for a showing of a classic film and I loved watching the movie for the first time on the big screen as it was intended.  The larger than life dance numbers and set designs help your appreciate the art of film-making in a time before CGI and green screens.

 

Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby’s characters were delightful and endearing, like the way you want to remember these classic Hollywood film stars.  Although as beloved as they are, it’s the songs and the dancing that truly steal the show, of course.

The song, White Christmas, makes its debut in Holiday Inn, however, most people know it as the theme song for White Christmas, which will also be showing this holiday season at the Tampa Theatre on December 23.

Much like my sister, Holiday Inn captured my heart with singing and dancing.  I enjoyed watching this classic Christmas movie on the big screen so much that I plan to make this a new holiday tradition for us.

That’d be swell, I tell ya.  A real hot dog!


 

Visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

Run TBay Giveaway

Posted on by Run DMT

While I cheered and photographed my friends participating in Longleaf Triathlon, my pals at Suncoast Running gave me something else to cheer about when they hooked me up with this shirt.

Isn’t it cool?

Now Suncoast Running wants to give one Run DMT reader something to cheer about too!

For a chance to win this fun, fitted Run TBay t-shirt, add a comment below. One lucky winner will be selected at random.

Contest ends Sunday, November 13 at midnight.

For additional entries:

  • Blog about the Run TBay Giveaway and link back to Run DMT.
  • Follow @denisermt and @SuncoastRunning on Twitter.
  • Earn an additional entry each time you tweet:  Enter to win a shirt from @SuncoastRunning and #RunDMT. Ends 11/13 http://wp.me/pigkS-3eC #RunTBay #giveaway @denisermt
  • Like Run DMT and Suncoast Running on Facebook.  Each “like” is an additional entry, so be sure to add a new comment for each “like”.

*Photo also submitted to*

Unknown Mami