Located at 209 1st St. NE, I stopped into Karma during one of my lunch breaks. I had heard about this spot and wanted to give it a try.

Upon entry, I was surprised at how spacious the inside is. From the outside this looks like a small little shop.

My first impression was that the restaurant was beautifully decorated with plants, books, vases, vibrant color and art.

For lunch I wanted something quick and light. I opted for an aćai bowl with added vanilla protein powder for an extra kick.

When my bowl came out, I was pleasantly surprised at how big it was. It was loaded with bananas and lots of aćai. There was also granola and a bit of honey. Overall, it was delicious and I’d get it again.

I sat at a high top table with a comfortable bench. Next to me was ceiling to floor windows that let a nice natural line shine through and had a pleasant view of the street.

I was really impressed that they offered such fresh ingredients here. The menu also includes fresh pressed juices and assortments of sandwiches.

I was really appreciative of how friendly the customer service was.

Karma has done so well in St. Pete that they’re opening a second location in Safety Harbor.

If you’re looking for a quick bite that’s healthy and rewarding, Karma comes highly recommended.

First, I would like to note that this blog is primarily about the Saint Petersburg, Florida area. This post will be a bit different. For a change, I’d like to write about a personal travel experience I had and share my time at Second Sky music festival with my readers. A bit more personal of a post.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I live and breathe music. I’m passionate about it and I love anything to do with it. For those who really know me, know that my favorite artist is talented producer Porter Robinson.

Last weekend in Oakland, California Robinson held his very first curated music festival to share with his fans music and artist that he was passionate about.

Robinson’s main goal in holding this festival was to have a place all of his favorite music could coexist and he could share it with others.

The festival had one stage, so there was no sound bleed from other stages, no having to choose what stage to be at and having conflicting schedules on who you want to see. The sole responsibility of the attendee’s was to just be there at the only stage and experience the music being shared.

I would sum the weekend up as a success for both Robinson and fans. Robinson had a smile on his face the entirety of the festival and fans beamed with excitement.

Robinson closed out the festival with his cherished and coveted worlds live set. The only worlds live set of 2019 and possibly the last. Tears were shed by fans who relived the moments of Robinsons live show.

Robinson said he felt nostalgic going through this show that he made 5 years ago. He said he felt so happy that others accepted that he was doing something different and fell in love with is as much as he did.

Second Sky itself was decorated with “Worlds” elements from pixelated flowers and fluffy blow up clouds.

Robinson even created a mascot for the festival that fans can’t stop talking about. His name is Potaro. A big giant ball of friendliness who’s face is the worlds kaomoji logo.

Robinson and Second Sky fans are in luck, the festival is set to return in 2020.

Whether or not you’re a fitness guru or aspiring to venture into the fitness world, Saint Petersburg has various types of fitness facilities that cater to your needs.

Cross Fit

Cross fit is a high intensity fitness program that incorporates elements from various sports and converts them into different fitness programs. Group fitness is popular among cross fit gyms. Cross fit is so popular, there are about a dozen different gyms within St. Pete. Some of the top rated gyms in the area include Elevate, Burg Cross Fit and Deep Blue Fitness.

Cycle Fitness

Cycle fitness helps you develop energy, burn calories, accelerate your heart rate and sweat! Cycle fitness has picked up in popularity in the area. A staple cycling gym includes Xtreme Cycle and Fitness, and the newest addition to the area is Rush Cycle.

Conventional Gyms

If you’re not into group fitness and prefer to work out at your own pace, there are many gyms you can join and work at your own pace. Some popular picks are LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Planet Fitness and You Fit.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Vertical Ventures St. Pete has all your climbing needs. Whether you love bouldering, top rope or lead climbing, V.V. has it all. This sport is a total body workout and will surely build your strength and tease your brain. The facility also has a fitness center inside.

There are many types of fitness facilities available in St. Pete, these options are just a few of the more popular options happening now. With all these choices to choose from, you’ll have no more excuses to keep hitting the Netflix button.

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You want to go out but you don’t want to leave your best friend behind. Your furry friend, that is.

Although many more places are becoming dog friendly, it can sometimes be a hassle to find somewhere that accepts you and your furry friend. I’ve done the research and I’m here to provide you with some fun spots in Saint Petersburg where you can enjoy time outside of the house and your dog can too.

1. The Dog Bar
   Sit. Stay. Drink. Is the tagline of this bar. Not only is it a full-service bar but it’s also an off-leash dog park. Be at ease while your dog plays, the park has a “dog referee” that makes sure all dogs are playing fair. The dog bar requires a membership just to make sure your pup is up-to-date on their shots, spayed or neutered and that they aren’t aggressive. The dog park is constructed of AstroTurf and a doggie playground. If you’re into sports, they offer ESPN game plan and the NFL ticket. Find your way to The Dog Bar located at 2300 Central Ave.
2. Three Birds Tavern
   Three Birds Tavern is a restaurant that has an Irish influence. This is a decent size restaurant with an outdoor patio where your dog can accompany you. They have a full-service bar and diverse food menu to choose from. They also have many TVs indoor and outdoor so you can keep up with your favorite sports team. Brunch enthusiast? They offer brunch on weekends. You can find Three Birds Tavern at 1492 4th St N.
3. Pinellas Ale Works
   AKA PAW. There’s nothing dog-friendlier than having a paw as your logo! Pinellas Ale Works is a micro-brewery located off of 1st Ave S. Their brewery and tap room is a part of the Grand Central District in St. Pete. Some events at PAW are monthly dog washes in their beer garden, art exhibitions and live music. You can also plan your own party and book event space. Feel good about drinking during Yappy Hour, where $1 from every beer is donated to support local animal shelters.
4. Nikko’s Dog Barrrrr
   Nikko’s is a bar and dog boutique. Nikko’s offers beer, wine and coffee. A little something for your pup as well, Nikko’s has a bakery of dog treats. This one is a great stop if you’re out at St. Pete Beach. You can find Nikko’s on Blind Pass Rd. Share your pup’s story with Nikko! Nikko is the mascot of the bar, a dog rescued from a kill shelter who stole his owners heart.

Among these dog-friendly places in St. Pete you’ll find a space you and your pup can enjoy.

Population: 263,255 with a projected upward growth.

Saint Petersburg, Florida is growing along with its population. As someone who has recently contributed to this rising number, I’d like to share some insight as a newcomer to Saint Petersburg.

The Grid System

If you’re unfamiliar with how a grid system works, you’ll have to learn quickly while navigating the streets of downtown. A grid system is a city system in which the streets run at right angles to each other. This calls for frequent intersections and being heedful. One wrong turn and you’re facing oncoming traffic head on.

The Conscientious Pedestrian

A great plus to being downtown is having the convenience of walking to many different restaurants, bars, coffee shops, boutiques, salons, etc. The list goes on. Downtown has many intersections along with crosswalks. Word of advice; always be aware while using the crosswalks. You never know when someone is distracted, or a newcomer to that grid system.

Free Parking vs. Metered Parking

If you’re driving to the downtown area, my word of advice is to memorize all the free parking areas that you can. Otherwise, have a roll of quarters handy. Downtown has different types of free parking that are restricted to time. Luckily, the meters are only in affect certain hours of the day based on location.

Foodie Galore

A great upside to St. Pete is its vast selection of restaurants that will soothe the foodie’s soul. You can find almost any type of cuisine. To name a few; Ramen, Indian, Thai, Asian fusion, craft kitchens, BBQ, and my personal favorite, gastropubs. If you’re looking for a craft cocktail and food, gastropubs are your answer.

Markets Upon Markets

St. Pete is known for its vast market…of markets. Every Saturday there is a Saturday Morning Market that opens at 9am on 1^st St S. Every first Saturday of the month there is an Indie Flea Market held at Green Bench Brewing. The Indie Flea always has a great turn out from vendors and guests. Every Thursday there is a Night Market on Central Ave. under the Royal Palms.

Freedom of Expression

Saint Petersburg is known for its artistic vibe and creativity. Arrays of walls in downtown are decorated in elaborate murals from many diverse artists. Another mention would be the museums. St. Pete is home to The Dali Museum, Florida Holocaust Museum, The Chihuly Collection and more.

Saint Petersburg is a city that’s evolving at a fast pace and embracing its growth with much to explore. With an average temperature of 73 degrees and 361 days of sunshine, who wouldn’t want to be here?