Tampa, FL
Currently sitting on a plane flying home from a super short, whirlwind trip to Tampa to be with my sister for her wedding dress shopping.
She called while we were in San Antonio and said she was going dress shopping the Saturday after we got back from vacation. I originally thought I wouldn’t be able to make it because of Stefan’s schedule; however, after I got off the phone with her I looked at his schedule and he had the weekend off!
I chatted with him about it for a while and then booked a ticket while sitting in Café Rio in San Antonio. Ha! I then texted my sister and just asked her if she could pick me up from the airport Friday afternoon.
To say she was excited is an understatement and so was I. I am so grateful that I was able to spend the past day and a half with her and help her pick out her dress. We had a blast for the short 40-ish hours I was in town.
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My 24 Hours
First Dress Appointment
Started the morning bright and early getting ready for the day with mimosas and heading to the first dress appointment. I don’t remember the names of any of the places but this one was super cute and had some gorgeous gowns. She tried on a bunch and didn’t love any of them so we left and headed to brunch before the second appointment.
Datz
6264 Winthrop Town Centre Ave, Riverview, FL 33578
This place was right down the street from the first dress appointment and Jamie said it is one of her favorite places for brunch. She was right! This place was amazing and all the food was to die for as well as the cocktails. I got the chicken and waffles, a color changing mimosa, and we all shared some buffalo cauliflower bites and fried mac and cheese. I need to fine this place here in DFW.
Second Dress Appointment
After brunch we headed straight to the second appointment. It was another cute little boutique in Downtown Tampa. We were all severely disappointed in this place and didn’t feel welcome or comfortable at all. The girl didn’t help Jamie put on any of her dresses and it just seemed like it wasn’t her day or something. I don’t know but we also left there empty handed and headed to get more cocktails, feeling defeated.
The Champagne Bar at Oxford Exchange
420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
We were right around the corner from the Oxford Exchange in Tampa so headed there for cocktails. It was insanely busy and packed so we didn’t get a table. We did, however, have some cocktails at the Champagne bar inside and walked around the cute little shops inside for a while. None of us were particularly hungry either after the big brunch we had earlier.
Third Dress Appointment
This was THEEE appointment! We made it here and immediately felt welcomed by everyone. Jamie tried on a bunch of dresses and the lady really enjoyed her job and made Jamie feel like the princess she should during our time there. After a few failed dresses, Jamie ended of falling in love with one and said Yes! It was perfect.
Ava
718 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
We had such a great time at the last appointment that we went over time and were running late for our dinner reservation. It was the first time I have met Jamie’s fiancé and her family so it was nice to have dinner with most of the rest of the family. This was a gorgeous little Italian place in downtown Tampa. I got the rabbit pasta and Jamie and I shared Octopus for an appetizer and had a couple more drinks to top off the day. The pasta was fresh and homemade and everything was crazy good.
Pub Sub
Every time I’m in Florida, I have to get a Publix Sub. They are the best sub sandwiches, hands down. We stopped here on the way to the airport so I could get my pub sub fix before heading home. It was a great little topper to a fantastic 40-ish hours celebrating my sister.
Now I cannot wait for the wedding in February!
