January 19th, 2010
On Monday, it was probably one of the prettiest days since we have been in Florida. Low humidity, crisp and perfect temperature.
I had to go towards West Palm Beach, which is about 25 minutes north of Delray Beach. Easy drive, especially on such a day.
I have to congratulate the City of West Palm. This city looks so nice and offers so much; water accessibility, museums, restaurants, shopping, the arts, and walking promenades. I took a drive through Flager Ave. and it really did look so pristine.
I then went towards Clematis Street which is one of the streets in West Palm where a lot of the restaurants are located and perfect for walking and window shopping as well.
I parked at the corner of Olive St. and Banyan. That’s when I met George. George works for United Parking System, right there on the corner and it was $5 to park. We immediately started a conversation. George has a wealth of information. He is retired and has been around the globe a few times. From this location he has an advantage point. He interacts with the people that park in this parking lot, whether they are driving a Ferrari or the not so expensive kind. He has a clear view of the intracoastal; he pointed out the magnificent sailboat anchored and informed me that the owner was from humble beginnings in South Africa and then diamonds were discovered in his property and the rest is history. The gentleman now rubs elbows with the wealthy but feels comfortable in his shorts and sandals at the same time.
Since I was looking for a place to eat, I decided that George probably would be a good source of information. And he was. He really is a foodie too. He pointed us to Reef Rd Rum Bar, right on Clematis. He also wanted a review.
George said that the best restaurant in the whole area, was one I could not go to. Maria from Trieste, Italy is a magnificent cook and a very classy lady. I will leave it at that. Thanks George because you made my day just by being so friendly.
We walked over to Reef Rd Rum Bar, 223 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Tel. 561-838-9099. Fax 561-838-9051.
This restaurant is owned by the Big Time Restaurant Group who owns several restaurants like City Oyster in Delray Beach, Grease, Rocco’s Tacos in West Palm, City Cellar in West Palm and New York and Big City Tavern in Ft. Lauderdale. The website is www.bigtimerestaurants.com and by visiting it you will be able to find out about each of the restaurants including menus, and other info. Each restaurant is different.
Reef Rd is very casual with a Tiki style decor. We sat outside because besides the beautiful day, there something about eating outdoors. Since it was a holiday Clematis Street was quiet but the lunch hour was comfortably crowded.
This restaurant specializes in Mojitos and has about 120 bottles of barrel aged and premium rums. Along with a relaxed atmosphere you have a menu that will cater to young and old; chowders, salads, fish, sandwiches, etc.
One of their services is Hook & Cook which means you catch it, bring it to the restaurant and they’ll cook it for you. Please call them up for more information.
Reef Rd has a frequent lunch card, which means that if you buy 5 lunches (1 stamp per visit) you will receive the 6th free.
I had a very good lunch. I ordered the Greek Salad with the Crispy Grouper on top. The salad was good but the grouper made it better. This fish was perfectly seasoned and the batter was just so light; the fish was moist and fresh. Loved it.
I have mentioned before that my husband has to eat gluten free. One of the features on the menu was Fish Tacos. We asked if the shell was made out of flour or corn. Unfortunately, it was flour, but Angie, our very competent and friendly waitress, instructed the kitchen to go across the street, to Rocco’s and get corn tortillas, which are allowed on a gluten free diet. Not soon after we saw someone run over and then back with a container of the shells. I thought that was so nice and thoughtful that even if I had not enjoyed my meal I would have had to say that I did because that gesture said it all. His fish tacos, blackened, were very good and came with salad and yellow rice with beans. He said their taste was close to the first ones he had in San Diego years ago.
So, after such an enjoyable lunch we walked back and reported to George who was happy to hear we liked it and what else do I have to say but see you later…
January 14th, 2010
One of the best things about living in a small beach community is that it does not matter if you go into a bookstore, bake shop, coffee shop or jewelry shop, everyone seems to engage you in conversation and there is no rush. It is refreshing. The downtown retail communities in all my beach towns seem to want you to know that you are welcomed.
Some years ago I stopped by a store in downtown Rehoboth called Fun to Fine Jewelry. I think I ended up buying some Christmas presents. That store is owned by Laurie and Vince Mullay. I talked to Vince and he told me a little bit about the shop and he also said that they had one in West Palm Beach, Florida.
After the Christmas Holidays I was walking past the store and still did not stop. Last week I did because what attracted me in their windows were different bead necklaces. I will tell you about them in a minute but first let me tell you about Fun to Fine Jewelry.
The name says it all. Their jewelry is fun and edgy. It is also affordable. They also have fine jewelry, so it is a good mix.
They are located at the First Street Station, 70 Rehoboth Ave., Ste. 106, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. is 302-227-3770. Website is www.funtofinejewelry.com and e-mail address is funtofinejewelry@verizon.net
Fun to Fine Jewelry’s South Florida location is: City Place, 460 S. Rosemary Ave., Ste. 176, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Tel. is 561-805-9998 and the e-mail address is funtofinejewelry@bellsouth.net.
On-line shopping, by visiting their above mentioned website is very easy. Every piece is very well displayed. The company started in 2000. If you shop in their Delaware store or if you are sending pieces to Delaware have in mind that there is no sales tax. Otherwise, there is free shipping on all orders and free gift wrapping.
What is the attraction of beads? Definitely they are nothing new since they have been used since the Middle Ages. At that time and until the 18th century the bead trade was immense. They are usually pierced for stringing and made from different materials like wood, shell, bone, seed, nut and metal. So many different shapes, as well. At this point in time beadwork varies with fashion and it is as popular as so many thousands of years ago.
The bead necklaces I saw on the Fun to Fine Jewelry window that attracted me so much were from a company called She Beads.
The company’s address is 1824 Johns Drive, Glenview, Ill 60025. The tel. is 888-920-1923. Fax number is 847-904-7182 and the website is www.sbstore.com.
She Beads are hand rolled clay beaded jewelry. They are not painted, even though they look like they are. They are made from polymer-based clay and every single one is rolled and strong by hand. The website shows how they are made.
The founder and owner is Sandy Rueve. I don’t know her but I do have one her necklaces. A love for perennial gardening inspired her to envision this one of a kind, signature She Beads Collection.
Years ago, this mother of 2, with 3 jobs was juggling everyday life. One of her jobs was working as an X-Ray technician for the Chicago Bulls. She started her “cottage” business and began to design and sell jewelry and accessories. Apparently, it caught Michael Jordan’s eye and she designed and handcrafted beads for him; She Beads was born. Again, her whole story is in her website.
You wonder, why I am writing about her if I have not personally met her? Well, I think it is enlightening to hear how people like her want to give back. Think about it, pretty much everything you hear is bad news; economy, personal problems, bankruptcy, murders, weather disasters, etc.; this is a good one. Read on…you will see.
She Beads has selected charities and The Charity Bead Collection was developed. It is not just about donating funds, but to become supporters for education, to create that awareness, and touch people with experiences that are similar.
In her Charity Bead Collection, these beads are special and represent each individual charitable cause.
In the past years, I have had several friends with breast cancer. One of She Beads selected charity is The Pink Ribbon Girls. Pink Ribbon Girls help young women diagnosed with breast cancers. Please visit www.pinkribbongirls.org for more information.
Another chairity is The Chicago Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA) and Sandy called it The Teal Ribbon Beads. This company support women, family and friends with ovarian cancer. Please visit www.ovariancanceralliance.com.
The Gold Ribbon Beads are for CureSearch, which is the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children. Please visit www.curesearch.org, which is a combination of Children’s Oncology Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Red Dress Beads – Go Red for Women. These beads are created for the American Heart Association. Need I say more? We all have been touched with a family member that has developed heart disease. Please visit www.goredforwomen.org.
The Oneness Beads – For thousands of years beads have been used in many cultures. Oneness is a foundation that promotes racial unity through the arts. Please visit www.oneness.org.
She Beads is on Facebook and Twitter, so check this company out. In the meantime if you are in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, West Palm Beach, Florida, or on the web, you can visit Fun to Fine Jewelry; they have a good representation of the She Beads collection.
See you and have a good one….
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