College Park Bound!

Hump Day! That’s gotta put a smile on your face!

I tend these days to have finally worked up to full speed by Friday, just to have the weekend stunt my progress again. Go figure.

Had a great time out and about today, but before I get into that, I wanted to follow up on one thing from last evening. I had tried to find out before finishing last night’s blog how long Marvaldi in the Hidden Garden Courtyard has been open in Winter Park but hadn’t heard back by the time I’d finished and was calling it quits for the evening. Got the answer this morning: 35 years! Seven of those years have been in the current location in the Hidden Garden Courtyard. That is a long time serving Local customers, contributing to a community, so I did want to mention it tonight. Such a long history of doing business in any community is certainly a testament to the Douglas Marvaldi’s success meeting customers’ needs and expectations. Congrats and best wishes for much continued success!

Now . . . . ever since yesterday afternoon I’ve known I was going to eat lunch today at the Mediterranean Deli on Fairbanks in College Park. Someone told me this place was great and I remembered it yesterday, was determined to eat there today. After a morning taking care of things, I got further and further behind but finally made it there just before 2 o’clock. So, I was hungry, and the anticipation level was HIGH! I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to get, so decided to go with a traditional gyro and side Greek / Mediterranean salad. As I waited, more people came in and out. I watched the two guys behind the counter, including the owner, Walid Ali, assist customers, interact, ask about a car which was apparently for sale in the parking lot. Walid would work on the next order while greeting everyone, interacting with them in a very friendly, jovial manner. When my gyro was ready I was a tad stunned. This thing was STUFFED with meat! My whole meal was right around $8 and I suddenly felt that yesterday’s lunch was expensive by comparison. I tried to pick it up but that was not going to work. So, I dug in with my fork. It was DELICIOUS! The salad – with large fresh chunks of feta, and fresh tomatoes and cucumbers – was also terrific. There was so much meat in this gyro, I actually longed to have a specific Fat Puppy at my feet to help me eat it. Two hours later, as I was leaving the College Park area, I was STILL full! I will be BACK, and it will not be long.

From there I was onto Edgewater and driving down to Woof Orlando. I stopped here there throughout my visit to take photos of the utility boxes which have been painted by Local artists. Each one unique, colorful, an artsy contribution where before it was simply a plain metal box! Kudos, College Park, for invoking art into your landscape in an unexpected and fun manner!

Now, back to Woof Orlando. I’d seen earlier that they have a big move on the horizon so I dropped by to say ‘Hi’ and reintroduce myself to Michelle Olds, the owner. I wondered if she would remember our first meeting and she did. I participated with some of my mosaic pots in an arts show in Albert Park a few years ago and, to my surprise, she said there is some website which still shows my pots and she’s had many people ask about them, wanting info! THAT was a nice surprise!  But, back to them. Woof Orlando will be expanding to a larger location in College Park, with a planned opening on December 4. This new location will offer daycare in one of the two outdoor play yards or inside in an indoor playground. This facility will house their famous award winning grooming as well as a large selection of retail items. There will be many other unique services at this new location, with more information to be posted on their facebook pages – and likely here! – over the coming months. Daycare packages can be pre-purchased by calling the store at 407-422-2206. Congrats, Michelle and everyone at Woof Orlando! AND, great to hear Mr. Lenny (her Boxer) is doing well!

From here my day definitely took on a consignment / vintage personality. Stopping to take photos of another utility box I crossed back over the street to see an open door and a shop called Victoria’s, located at 2996 Edgewater Drive. I hadn’t noticed it before, which always makes me curious. So, I went in and found it’s a consignment shop, owned by Victoria Kuhn. A large selection of books here along with clothes, shoes, handbags and jewelry. Victoria and I had a wonderful conversation and when her hubby came out, he joined in. If you’ve discovered the value of gently used merchandise, you should definitely check out Victoria’s. And be sure to tell her the guy from I LUV Winter Park sent you in!

From there I decided, hey, it’s time to finally make my way in to check out Dechoes Resale, which has long been one of my friends on facebook. I’ve intended to do it before, but always ended up diverted. I walked in today and was immediately greeted by fun music blasting from the back. How could you not be in a good mood? This place was just fun. The staff – I spoke with Adam & Katelyn – and was friendly and quickly engaged me in conversation, was ready to tell the Dechoes story. They’ve been in business 10 years this year, and there’s another location at Colonial & Bumby, adjacent to Winn Dixie. They do business a bit differently, as they buy outright, no consignment. They’re always looking for both vintage and recent high end. I quickly noticed the fencing below the counter, with Manolo Blahniks, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and more behind. And, they have their Wine Not Wednesdays the first Wednesday of each month, which I will surely be attending soon!

I had a theme going now and I wasn’t going to mess it up. I’d noticed another new business as I was driving down Edgewater and made it my last stop of the day. Feather Your Nest is a home furnishings and accessories consignment store. It opened recently and it is CUTE! Debbie Sheaf is the owner and I was immediately taken with the warm, homey feel in the shop. Some really cool pieces set in some really wonderful vignettes. Debbie also noted that she is the Local distributor for a specific type of 100% biodegradable floating lanterns. You may have seen these on travel shows in certain cultures in Asia. They’re really cool, and a great unique idea for weddings, large gatherings. The balloons fill with gas from the burning candle and float up and away. She has specific ones for beach and others inland. She said this specific variety has been found up to 15 miles away from launch spot and should float easily for 5 to 8 minutes. Debbie also has some new efforts I’ll share on ILUVWinterPark.com on Friday! So, keep an eye out.

Today on ILUVWinterPark.com . . . . a great deal from a Local hairstylist. Hair by Barbara Dey, located on New England Avenue, is offering 50% OFF keratin treatments from De Fabulous for new clients through appointments scheduled through October 31. It’s a great deal, so don’t miss out! See more info on accompanying image.

Today on ‘Give A Dog A Home’, a Boxer! Colby is about 4.5 years old, about 55lbs, now fostered with Florida Boxer Rescue. If you know Boxers, you know they are nothing but big LUV bugs! That's Colby, as well. He's currently being fostered by two ladies who confirm he's a big LUVer . . . and trying not to get too attached to him. He LUVs to play but settles down fast. Find out more about adorable Colby and other Boxers seeking their furever homes on the Florida Boxer Rescue webpage.