A few months ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to host some friends right in my own backyard on Florida’s Space Coast, a stunning 72-mile stretch of coastline that I proudly call home. A big thanks to the Space Coast Office of Tourism for helping make this gathering possible!
Saying I love my friends would be a massive understatement. They truly are the family I choose—they stand by me through thick and thin, understand and hold me accountable, and love me just as I am. I hope they know how deeply grateful I am for them, and I strive to be the best friend I can every day.
Organizing a retreat for these cherished people and sharing the beauty of my home was such a gift. We stayed at Azure Estate in Melbourne Beach, Florida—what a place! Upon arrival, I was busy arranging flowers sent by Proflowers to adorn our beach houses for the weekend.
Each guest room had two goody bags filled with some of my favorite things, like the comfy shoes from Tieks, monogrammed leather bags from Mark and Graham, planners from Day Designer, delightful chocolates from Space Coast’s own Grimaldi Candy Company, personalized cases from Lucy Jane Totes, custom mugs from Shutterfly, baking supplies from Sweet Estelle’s Bake Shop, snacks from Hatchery, hand creams from L’Occitane, almonds from Blue Diamond Almonds, sunscreen from Sun Bum, and jewelry from Noonday Collection.
We greeted everyone with cupcakes from Take a Bite Cupcakes and incredible homemade macarons from Suzanne. Later, we explored Cocoa Village, brimming with great shops and restaurants. I took a lovely photo of Jessie in front of the ice cream shop.
Dining at Crush Eleven, one of my favorite local spots, we enjoyed their seasonal menu staples like duck fat fries and mac & cheese topped with pickled veggies and homemade tater tots—dishes they must never remove!
No retreat is complete without a snack center—I’m obsessed with Grimaldi’s chocolate-covered potato chips and Blue Diamond’s Almond Nut-Thins! Our culinary adventure continued with a visit to Sand on the Beach. That spicy shrimp and crab waffle is still on my mind!
We experienced paddleboarding for the first time, thanks to the amazing folks at Ron Jon Surf School. Afterward, we enjoyed a catered lunch from Mexico’s Grill, a family-owned gem in Cape Canaveral with delicious Mexican cuisine.
East Coast Winery hosted a wine tasting for us, and Wild Ocean Seafood Market shared fresh local seafood for dinner, including rock shrimp and clams—what a treat! That night was extra special as we cooked together, each dish coming from one of our blogs. We had Coconut Green Curry Clams, Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and more. My friends surprised me by sharing what they love about me. I captured those sweet moments on my phone, and they meant the world to me.
Each friend’s mug was customized with their monogram and a meaningful photo, designed beautifully by Lindsay. “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for,” a quote we all cherished, graced each mug. And, of course, we indulged in donuts from Love Bug’s Bakery.
We visited the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, one of my must-see places. The Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is extraordinary, and the newer exhibit showcasing personal effects and debris from the Shuttles Challenger and Columbia is inspiring.
Taking to the skies, Florida Air Tours gave us a quick helicopter ride over the Port—what a view, with cruise ships visible below us.
We concluded with a delightful dinner at Djon’s Steak and Lobster House, featuring the heavenly deep-fried “baked” brie. Our final brunch at Backwater in downtown Melbourne included my all-time favorite—citrus waffles with fried chicken.
Reflecting on an amazing weekend, I cherish the memories and friendships with Christine, Glory, Joanne, Suzanne, Lindsay, Jessie, Susannah, and Brenda. I’m so lucky to call each of them my friend. Jessie even painted us as desserts and food, and sent two beautiful pieces my way.
Thank you once more to the Space Coast Office of Tourism and all the wonderful partners and companies who contributed to our goody bags. Organizing this event was a labor of love, and I did it purely for the joy of sharing this special time with friends.
