Key West again, take that, Polar Vortex!




Well, dears, we fled the Polar Vortex as soon as I found out that it's a hostile weather phenomenon and not the Batman's newest enemy. And here we are back in Key West - this time we're not in a motel but have rented someone's condo/time share for a week. A rental agent handled the transaction, so I didn't meet the people who are responsible for the pink and turquoise walls, gray berber carpet, fake plants and polyester sheets. I'm sure they're fine folks, and the condo has a great view and is well located, and I'd rent it again - bringing my own sheets - but somehow I feel I have too much information about the owners. There have been a few chilly days and nights, but it's all relative, and on Sunday we drive north to Miami, where I may get to wear something other than chinos, floppy sweater and jean jacket, or the reverse: jeans, sweater, chino jacket.



After all these winters, I've concluded that you don't come to Key West for the food, that is, you don't come for dressy food. We live happily on pink Florida shrimp, spicy conch chowder, perfectly fried fish, Cuban sandwiches and Tex-Mex. And the occasional steak - and last night we went to a pig roast cum wine tasting. The menu featured, in addition to the piggy, conch paella and fried plantains. I told everyone I was on the Atkins diet and helped myself to seconds on pig.

I don't want to make a fuss, well, yes I do, about the damage to my purple suitcase. It was pierced by a sharp blade in two places on the way down. It looked like it had gotten in the path of an angry swordfish. I reported the damage immediately, at the airport, demonstrating the depth of the rips and piercings, and was told I had done what was necessary to institute a damage claim, and that if I called some 800 number the next day and gave the claim number, I would hear a progress report. So I called, and learned that the helpful stoner at the airport baggage claim desk had in fact filed a claim for lost luggage on my behalf. I'll stop here, this story only gets worse. Duct tape will get me home from Miami. More snow is predicted in New York so I'm just counting my blessings.


Key West is famous for its sunsets, there's a pier where people congregate to watch the sun go down, be amazed at licensed street performers ("Our parents think we're attorneys"), drink watery mojitos and buy monogrammed coconuts. Everyone should do Sunset Pier once, because it's a local thang, and after you've done it once or twice, you can watch the sunset from a beach without being jostled.


The goofy haphazard quality of life in Key West is still present, the groomer whose business is called Doggy Style, the tattoo van that makes house calls, the evening bocce games, and this gem:


So, where was I - oh, yes, goofy and haphazard. Like my breakfast, where the scrambled eggs arrived fried, the pancakes were not cooked through, and the potatoes were burnt. This was remedied with good cheer and I had a nice breakfast after all, it just took a while... Island pace. It's why we're here...



I'm loving BB cream, by the way, I use Maybelline which is light-textured, unscented and inexpensive. I mix blobs of two shades on the back of my hand to get a color that works for me. My skin is looking good so I thought I'd mention it. There's a body BB cream out now, not Maybelline and alas the opposite of unscented. Thus with runny red eyes and a sniffle I returned it.



17 comments:

  1. Smart move. Although we hear this week about a study that the cold is burning away our fat.

    I've been a couple of times and enjoyed it. First time, we went the latest in my pregnancy I was allowed on the plane, as far south as possible in the USA. I recall falling off a curb into the street--usual balance thing-- and the sunset was fun, although not as big a deal as it is now.

    So , did your crab win?

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    1. Hi, Lane, a night of strange critters, we skipped the pub for the pig roast, so I'll never know how I might have made out.

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  2. Sorry to hear about your suitcase. Maybe you can claim the $200 for lost luggage since stoner claimed it was. I'm just sayin... Haven't been to the Keys in over twenty years, but remember it fondly. Enjoy!

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    1. Hi, Jennifer, the suitcase had been interfered with in other ways, and I enquired about compensation for missing shoes. The pittance (depreciated value, rather than replacement cost, as if I would buy used shoes) - not worth the aggro. I'm sure the airlines plan on that.

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  3. Wise idea to get away from the cold if you can. I find it really wears on me after December so I'm glad to be South now too. The condo owners are proof that some people see color differently. Maybe looking too long at too many sunsets?

    There is a Doggie Style pet groomer in Calgary too. Fairly common name I would think.
    http://www.profilecanada.com/companydetail.cfm?company=2032921_Doggie_Style_Calgary_AB

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    1. Hi, xoxo, glad you and your little passengers are keeping warm,

      Everything here seems to have a cute name.

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  4. One day over drinks we'll get Hunter to tell you his Key West story (only time he got his ass beat)...we have some very fond memories of the place when we lived in Miami and were young and dumb.

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    1. An evening of KW stories... And rum. Sounds good.

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  5. Lucky you! It is just starting to snow again as I type. We only made it into the city for my husband's two hour business meeting this week. It was so cold and the curbs and intersections were slushy and icy - all the remnants of the storm and Mr. De Blazio's fondness for the UES! It is the gift which wants to keep giving as there is no relief in the extended forecast . You made a great decision to escape despite the injuries to your suitcase. Enjoy the warmth for us all! By the way Is BB cream a Bobbi Brown product?

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    1. Hi, Teacups, BB stands for Beauty Balm. It is said to have been invented by a plastic surgeon for his post-procedure ladies, and they kept wearing it long after they healed. It's basically a mild tinted moisturizer that takes the place of foundation (I don't like foundation). As of now, just about every brand has a BB cream, and many companies have come out with CC creams. CC stands for color correction, and these are basically bb creams with a "toning" ingredient. I hear that we should also expect DD cream, no idea what that will be. Happy with the BB.

      My philosophy for makeup is that I only spend money on eye cream and eye makeup, for the rest I pick up drugstore bargains. Although recently I had a sample of something that may change my mind if I can find the right color. To be continued.

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    2. Despite the generous advice offered at many cosmetic counters, I too only wear tinted moisturizer. I am currently liking a brightening version that is made by Laura Mercier. I find regular foundations look unnatural and aging on my complexion. I will have to check out these BB, CC and DD products.

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  6. I was referring, of course, to Mayor de Blasio although with my poor spelling and typing who knew?

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    1. Typing on the ipad doesn't show me at my best. As for the phone - downright dangerous.

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  7. Oh I'd love to go to Key West, I don't like 'dressy food', ( best phrase ever) I want to taste everything you mentioned.

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    1. Hi, Tabs, this morning there was a food and crafts show, you can add conch ceviche to the list.

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  8. This all sounds lovely and perfect, well not the polyester sheets but the rest of it. I am addicted to a CC cream, by Chanel unfortunately. It's costing me a bloody fortune but I love what it does to my skin.
    Have fun and travel safe!

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    1. Hi, Dani, we'll be staying someplAce indulgent in Miami, so I was prepared for an apartment with shell art everywhere in KW so that Himself could have his Panoramic View. I'm still working on becoming à Créature of Luxury for more than a few days a year. Turquoise must be Florida's Official State Color.

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