Summer Bucket List: Old Beach Farmer's Market

I have been dying to check out this local farmers market in Virginia Beach! Old Beach Farmer's Market takes place at Croc's every Saturday in the summer. Off season is it open the third Saturday of each month.  Vendors include Fruitive, The Creative Wedge, Croc's and Pelons.

 Check it out what they have to offer:

Fresh Seafood

Corn by the truck full

Homemade pasta and breads

Artisan Cheeses

Homemade Salsa

Local Meat Butcher

Locally Made Hot Sauces

Goat's milk and cheeses

Fresh Produce

Flowers

Herbs

And retail!

Cloth Diapers

Unique Handmade Jewelry

Homemade Soaps

Handmade gifts

Used books

Beach decor

I bought a nice hunk of TUNA from them!

Can't wait to go back!!

Summer Bucket List: Go to a Wedding, Part 2

Mr. and Mrs. Caskill!!

On Saturday we attended our first Jewish wedding celebrating Stephanie and Tyler Caskill!! This was the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended. Everything was absolutely gorgeous and super elegant!  Following the nuptials,  the guests threw fresh lavender on the newly weds as they left the Synagogue. The reception was held at the Hilton Oceanfront. Cocktail hour was held in the foyer of the ball room. Appetizers included shrimp cocktail, bacon wrapped meat balls, and croque-monsieur bites. Following a few cocktails, we entered the ballroom for a sit down dinner.  The venue looked incredible: trees on each corner of the dance floor, personalized birds on each glass of champagne, hanging glass votives with candles, and lots of white flower arrangements. Instead of wedding cake, the couple provided delicious cupcakes in three different flavors (placed in white lace paper and topped with white icing). We were entertained on the dance floor by a DJ and local band Cheap Thrills.  The evening ended with the Jewish tradition of lifting the bride and groom on chairs in the middle of the dance floor while singing Hava Nagila.

Dinner was amazing!

The place settings.

My handsome date.

The ballroom looked incredible! Each chair had a menu tied to the back. 

I love this picture and all our bright colors!!  

Summer Bucket List: Go to a Wedding

The ceremony was located at the Groom's Grandparent's house in Virginia Beach.

On June 8th, we witnessed the marriage of Ben and Andrea. Ben is one of Joe's pledge brother's from Kappa Sigma at Hampden Sydney College. He met Andrea while teaching English in Venezuela. They fell in love and moved back to the United States, where they recently eloped to the court house.   The nuptials on June 8th were witnessed with a minister and in front of 120 of their closest friends and family. After stating his vows to Andrea, she replied to Ben in Spanish. It was a charming wedding on the river in Virginia Beach. They served BBQ and had custom made beers for the guests to enjoy.  Ben included the rest of the Kappa Sigma Pledge class, which could only mean that the reception would get wild.

Custom beers labeled "SenoritaIPA" for her, and "Ginger's Ale" for him.

Joe with Ben and some of their Frat Bros from Hampden Sydney College

Summer Bucket List: Eat at Pacifica

About four blocks from my house is the cutest little restaurant at the beach. Pacifica is known for it's delicious tapas and swanky cocktails. Every time you go, they post a different menu with new weekly specials. You never know what to expect on the menu.  Friday night we decided to bike to Pacifica for a much needed and well deserved date night.

Our Menu:

Little Neck Clams with Andouille Sausage

Seared Pork Belly with Homemade Pimento Cheese and a Biscuit

She Crab Soup with Old Bay candied Bacon

Pork and Ginger Pot-stickers with a Sweet Chili Sauce

and of course:

Whiskey and Coke for Joe

Vodka and Soda for me 

** Please ignore that Joe was eating his pot-stickers with the cocktail fork....

Pacifica

214 40th Street

Virginia Beach, VA 

757.422.5770

Summer Bucket List: Beach Darty!

Saturday's weather couldn't have been better for a beach party with my closest friends!  I was literally waiting by the door for my friends to arrive. I was so excited!  Around 1:00 Taylor and Jillian arrived at the my house and we headed straight for the beach with a cooler of beer and lots of snacks. About an hour later, our friend Leslie arrived, followed by Britney, James and their little nugget brewing in Brit's belly.  Some more friends were down the beach a little ways and walked over to hang out with us.

Living down at the ocean front has spoiled me rotten. We were able to sit and enjoy the beach for about 4 hours and head up to the house to start cooking. We probably drank a total of four cases of beer throughout the day. We cooked chicken kabobs, hot dogs, and peppers on the grill. And we had mac and cheese and potato salad on the side (and of course pimento cheese).   After dinner we meandered onto the front porch and enjoyed the perfect weather with great friends by candle light. Our evening finished with a free firework show down the beach!! I really couldn't imagine a better summer day.

Nothing like a beach day with my friends!!

Jillian decided to bring Skinny Girl Cucumber Vodka. It's so refreshing and light! We paired it with Perrier sparkling water for a perfect beach bevvy.

** If you were not already aware a "darty" is a day party. Hence the name!