Snapshots from Key West

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One of the biggest questions I’ve been getting about our recent trip to the Conch Republic was in regards to social distancing protocols. Admittedly, I was much more apprehensive about this trip, in terms of Covid, then compared to Amelia Island. When partying and drinking are some of the biggest activities, it’s important to be even more diligent. Bring your mask, wear it inside, and sit outside when you can. Some of the most iconic bars are the tiny hole in the wall places. Because of that, it may be best to skip those for the time being. Trust me, there are so many other places to choose from! Anyways, enjoy a handful of the many snapshots from our trip to Key West.

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We stayed at the Southernmost Resort. Because it’s at the very end of bustling Duval Street, it seemed quieter. It’s just far enough from everything and I think that sincerely helped in the social distancing department. To minimize contact, they shielding at the front desk when you check in and offer to housekeep only if you truly want it. David and I almost always skip this when we travel, so we didn’t even notice the difference.

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Because you’re on a small island, there’s a finite number of restaurants and seating can be limited for obvious reasons. Especially if you’re thinking of traveling during COVID, my recommendation is to make reservations when you can. We also found it to be a huge help to eat outside of the peak dining hours. Having an early lunch or dinner opens up so many doors. For a really great look at restaurants, I highly recommend visiting Jennifer at Southern Anchors. She has lived in Key West for over a year and has the best recommendations!

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My final recommendation for visiting Key West during COVID is to get up early! Wake up with the sunrise and you’ll be able to have the town all to yourself. Sure, nothing is going to be open, save for the little local coffee shops, but that’s my favorite way to experience any town. On our daily morning walks, we were able to really take in the roots of the city, reading every single historic marker we walked past. The history of the city is simply incredible and should really be appreciated in its own right.

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Traveling is one of the luxuries that I hold most dear. While so many trips have been canceled in the year 2020, I feel so fortunate to live in a state with so much to offer. From Pensacola to Amelia Island to Key West, I invite you to get out and explore each corner of the Sunshine State.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Packing Guide: Key West

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I haven’t done one of these posts in a while, but they are one of my favorites to write! Packing your bags for a vacation can be tricky, especially if it’s for a new destination. When it came to Key West, I was up for the task and filled my vintage-inspired suitcase with all of the bright colors that could fit. Here’s a quick glimpse into what I think are the most important things to bring with you to the Conch Republic.

All of Your Favorite Floral Prints

I lived in florals on this trip! As soon as you land on the island, you get a sense that florals are a running theme here. Everywhere you turn, there are blossoms after gorgeous blossoms. If it wasn’t a floral print, then you can bet I was still wearing a bright and cheerful pastel. I’ll be sharing my Key West style throughout the week. Until then, how gorgeous is this dress from Lilly Pulitzer? As soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew it had to be in my suitcase.

Crisp White Shorts

Few things say “on vacation” more than slipping into a pair of crisp white shorts. Whenever I travel somewhere, I always pack this 4-inch chino pair from J. Crew. They absolutely go with everything and are so reliable. I found them especially comfy as we walked along Duval Street multiple times a day! My white J. Crew jeans were another great pick for those slightly cooler evenings out to dinner.

The Perfect Pair of Sandals

Typically, I’m the girl that overpacks on shoes. One time, I think I brought five pairs for a three-day trip! Because I was only bringing a carry-on, I was really mindful of what I was bringing with me. In Key West, you’ll want to bring a comfy pair of sandals that you can wear all day. Ideally, it would be a pair that you can wear from day through the evening. That’s where the Sarah Flint Grear Sandal comes in. I walked for miles each day in these. Even better, the silver and gold colors make it seem dressier for a nice dinner out. For $50 off your first pair of Sarah Flint shoes, use the code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE.

A Tropical-Inspired Clutch

I laugh as I write this because I got a little called out for only bringing a clutch. They are always my bag of choice. I can travel light, and tuck under my arm when I need to have my hands free. Because we were heading to the home of Ernest Hemingway and the location where he wrote so much of his later work, I had the perfect bag! This book clutch of The Old Man and the Sea was a birthday gift from my parents. It’s so realistic, a local even asked me what I was reading!

A Reliable Rain Jacket

This small island gets an average of 106 days of rain per year. So, chances are you’ll wish you brought a rain jacket. Don’t worry, the showers stop as quickly as they start and you get a real sense of the tropics. My go-to rain jacket for the past few years has been this navy number from J. Crew. Admittedly, it’s not the most water-resistant thing, but I still love it! It’s easy to pack and helped me stay warm on the airplane. I even got a few compliments on our trip.

Organic Sunscreen

You are at the southernmost point in the lower 48 states and the sun is inescapable. The worst thing you could leave at home is your sunscreen, especially if you have fairer skin. There are several drug stores on Duval Street, so finding a tube will be easy, but you may not find your preferred brand. When I think of skin health, I always reach for COOLA sunscreen in Guava Mango. They are organic, smell heavenly, and get the job done!

Bright, cheerful, laidback… These are just some of the words that describe the Key West mentality. What you pack should match! To see all of the items that were in my suitcase, be sure to shop below. Happy packing!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Get to Know Key West

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I have been a life long Floridian, born and raised in the Sunshine State. That being said it took me 29 years to visit the ever popular Key West. As the southernmost point of the continental United States, it’s quite a journey… Even from St. Pete. While I know plenty who opt to drive the seven plus hour trip, we hopped on a Silver Airways flight and was there in under an hour. Since I’ll be sharing my travel for the next few days, I thought it would be fun to get things started by formally introducing you to the Conch Republic.

Conchs are a running theme.

Pronounced Conk. They are everywhere around Key West and it’s easy to see why. Anyone born on the island is instantly labeled a conch, but the history is much deeper than that. Early inhabitants of the island, like the Calusa tribe, would use the conch shell as a means of communication by blowing into it like a trumpet. More still, in 1982 the island decided to secede from the United States to protest the blockades and checkpoints on the only road out of town. The Conch Republic was born and that free-spirited mentality never left. Conch is also a delicacy here. From fritters to chowder, let yourself indulge in some Key West flavor.

It’s a favorite among writers.

The most notable writers in residence would have to be Ernest Hemingway. His image is all over and you can visit so many places of interest related to him. The Hemingway House, where he lived for most of the 1930s, is one of the major tourist destinations in town. The list of famous writers who called Key West home is even longer. Tennessee Williams, Shel Silverstein, and Jimmy Buffet all have a special place in local history. Currently, two beloved children’s authors, Eric Carle and Judy Blume live on this tiny slice of Florida.

It’s the southernmost point… Sort of!

The most photographed spot in all of Key West is the Southernmost Point Buoy. I just had to stop by, but there’s something you instantly notice… There’s land farther south just on the other side of the water. I think the more accurate description would be the southernmost public point. Truman Annex is a neighborhood and military annex on the southern side of the island but is not a public space. It’s also important to note that Key West is the southernmost point of the continental US. South Point, Hawaii carries the crown as the southernmost point of the United States.

There is so much history in Key West!

Originally explored by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1521, the town of Key West wasn’t developed until the 1820s and 30s. Because of the fishing and salt production industries, it was actually one of the wealthiest towns in the country during the 1860s. When the Overseas Highway was finally built in the 1930s, tourism boomed in Key West and has remained one of the top industries ever since. While wandering the cities, you see the historical influences from the bygone years. Drink them in!

There is truly no place on Earth quite like Key West. To really get to know this piece of Florida, you’ll just have to visit it and see for yourself.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.