The Kalla Experience

If you checked out my Gift Guide: Valentine's Day Edition  than you will remember my first option was flowers from Kalla. After a few subtle hints, yes ladies I did have to throw some out there, my man has many pros but being a creative gifter isn't one of them. Anyways, back to the glorious flowers, earlier in the week he asked if I would mind if my Valentine's Day surprise arrived two days after the beloved holiday. Boyfriend is Israeli and that naturally means that everything is a little late, I've learned that late is essentially better than never. He figured he had to share this news with me because he preferred not to deal with the wrath that could have came if I had thought he had forgotten to do something special for me on the actual day, so naturally he was just protecting himself by revealing a sliver of the surprise.

Our Valentine's Day was spent blissfully visiting the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. If you live in Miami or are ever visiting I definitely recommend going with your significant other for a romantic stroll through the property, its almost like a mini Versailles. Later in the evening we went to an intimate surprise dinner party hosted by my cousin for her hubby's 30th birthday. It was nice to spend time with family, friends and their loved ones.

By Monday I was super anxious as to when my surprise was going to arrive. At about noon I received a knock on the door and received the box I had hoped for, which could only mean two things...the hints worked or he is an avid The Other Best Friend reader.

After a week of being the centerpiece of my home,  about 1/3 of the flowers were dying. I decided to salvage a dozen or so and put them in a bowl filled with water. Now these flowers have a second chance of brightening up my dining room table.

If you browsed the website the price tags may seem a little concerning but these flower arrangements are truly breathtaking and worth the splurge. Special occasions deserve an extraordinary gift and this is just that. The arrangement I received is the Henry & Anais with added Christopher Elbow Chocolates and Napa Valley Hill Family Estate Chardonnay.

Gift Guide: Valentine's Day Edition

Fellas and ladies alike, Valentine's Day is approaching. If you haven't started thinking of gifting your significant other or bestie...now would be that time! In true Valentine's day fashion, I am here for you. I've curated the perfect gift giving guide so that you could look like the most thoughtful and creative gift giver in all the land, even if you are a baller on a budget. V-day is in t-minus 9 days, waiting any longer is not recommended. You'll have to spend extra cash on express shipping, when you could really be putting that money towards a better bottle of champagne. 

For the ladies living in South Florida and Chicago: 
1-800-flores does not stand a chance next to Kalla. Forget any premonition you may have had about any other online flower delivery service and indulge in the modern online floral experience for your loved one. Every vase is inspired by modern design and each garden rose is freshly handpicked. The one stop shop also offers wine and fine chocolates to be added to any flower arrangement. This white glove delivery service is exclusive only to the sofla area and chi town. These are my picks:  Athena & Artemis, Isabella & Christopher (pictured below), and Henry & Anais.  Other than sharing this blog post on your FB for your hunny to stumble across, the website offers a hint feature, that'll send a hint email along with a 10% off promo code! 

For the both of you: 
Get a gift that both of you can enjoy. Soothe is a new application that delivers an at home massage service that comes to his/her/your door. Offering Swedish, deep tissue, sport and couples massage options, each service can be booked the same day and an experienced massage therapist travels to the preferred destination. BONUS: Use this link/promo code FCYN for $30 off any service, including a couples massage!

For the one with a sweet tooth: 
French Macarons are always a good idea. Forget the conversation hearts and say be mine with a box of these delicate sweets. If you are lucky enough to be in France, Miami or New York in the next couple of days stop by a Laduree shop and pick up the special edition box designed just for Valentine's Day. 

For the guy who has everything:  
Uncommon Goods is always my go to website for my buying boyfriend little gifts that'll make him smile. Whether you are dating a whisky lover, a bonafide BBQer  or a guy with a beard, finding a quirky gift for you significant other just got easier. 

Ladies if you would like to get glammed up for any planned V Day festivities check out GlamSquad! Download the app using this link and use the code: welcometomiami for a $150 credit for your next glam sesh!   

Guys if everything on this list is too pricey or unavailable due to location, give her the gift money can't buy--agree to watch Fifty Shade of Grey with her. 

The Perks of Being fUnemployed

While walking across that stage and shaking the hand of the President of the university you attended, he/she will look at you and say, “Congratulations”. You’ll feel that flutter in the pit of your stomach, knowing now you have the power to take on the world. You’ll quit your serving job, because you’re obviously way above that now that you’re degree educated and your job search will begin. At first you’ll think, “I got this, I’ll get a stellar job within a month”, then about two months later when you're home still in your pajamas at 4 p.m., you’ll quickly realize that unemployment is a scary bitch.

Now, I wouldn’t consider myself completely unemployed. I tread between the line of with job and jobless due to my ongoing contribution for MIAMI magazine. But since this job can be done from home and only takes a few hours out of the ample amount of free time I have during the week, I consider myself partially unemployed but still looking. While I am applying for 1-2 jobs per day, I came to terms with my situation and I am finally allowing myself to thoroughly enjoy this time. Why be hard on myself? My body might still be in shock, since it no longer has to balance a full time school schedule, a part time internship and a 25-hour workweek. I’m a firm believer that the right job is out there. Landing it just might take some time. So while I wait on those interviews to commence, I’m going to relish in what I like to call, FUNemployement. Here is how you can too.

Go on vacation

Just like a paycheck, the fear of unapproved time off vanishes. Permission to go on a vaykay is no longer needed. If you see a fabulous deal for Chicago on Orbitz that includes a flight and 3-night stay at a gorgeous hotel in the swanky River North area for under $300, you go ahead and book it. I sure did. Whether finances allow or not, take a vacation. You’ll never again have this much time on your hands. Go out and travel!

Enjoy the outdoors

This perk may only apply to the unemployed sector living in the sunnier parts of the world. Unlike the Northeast, which is currently in recovery from the snowpocalypse, this is the best time of year to enjoy the outdoors in South Florida. You can actually spend more than five minutes outside without passing out from the humidity. Also, mid day beach runs happen to be more enjoyable when majority of the population is working.

Learn a new hobby

Honing in on something you love and becoming good at it can be similar to the satisfaction you crave while finding the right job. Whether it's cooking, crocheting or playing the guitar, learning how to do something new can even lead you to broadening you career options. Thanks to my hiatus, I am basically an Iron Chef.

Spend time with others who are also unemployed

One is certainly the loneliest number. Find others who are in your same predicament and spend time together. There is no need to suffer alone.

Disclaimer: Do not quit your job, due to the way unemployment has been perceived in this post.