Miami isn't necessarily known for being a Mecca of all things fall, but over the years, our balmy city has grown to love all things pumpkin and spice. And while we sure do love us some classic Pumpkin Spice Latte action, there are also some really creative people out there who have put that fall flavor into some of our classic Miami offerings. If you're in the mood for a fresh take on some of the classics, check out these fall treats to try in Miami. 

Pumpkin y Queso Pastelitos from Vicky Bakery

A fall twist on the favorite pastelito de guayaba y queso - perfect for a breakfast treat or a snack with your afternoon cafecito. 

Pumpkin Gingersnap Banana Pudding from The Pudding Parlor 

I didn't even know how much I liked banana pudding, and this one, homemade and with this deliciously spiced take, has me slightly obsessed. 

Pumpkin Spice Cake Donut from The Salty

Their brown butter donut is my favorite because I'm not a HUGE donut fan. And this is a pumpkin spice version of that. So good. 

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake from The Berry Farms

I mean, if I took pumpkin pie and ice cream and threw them in a blender, this is what it might taste like. 

Pumpkin Spice Key Lime Pie from Bakey Shop

REAL key lime pie is one of my absolute favorite desserts. Bakey Shop has come up with some incredible versions of key lime pie, and this pumpkin spice one was a thousand times better than I could have imagined. A good alternative to a regular pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving!

I've tried each of these, and they're all amazing. But them get while you can, because fall won't last long (if we truly get it at all in Miami)! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

Before We Were Yours is written by Lisa Wingate and is based off of a real-life child adoption ring, where Georgia Tann, the director of an adoption organization based in Memphis, would kidnap poor children from their families and sell them to wealthy families all over the country. Reading the accounts of the children living in dirty, unsanitary, and precarious situations was heartbreaking. Rill is forced to grow up so quickly, and as much as she fights to save her siblings and keep them close, something always comes up against her.

Reading this brought up some big feelings for me for two reasons: 

• I imagined someone taking our children away from us just because they didn't see us as fit to be parents. I imagined what my kids would go through, not only being separated from us, but then being separated from one another. And just the thought nearly tore me in two. 
• I thought about my paternal grandmother. When she was just a girl, her dad left and her mom died. She and her brother were tossed around from place to place, and eventually separated because nobody wanted to take them together. While she was somewhat able to maintain a relationship with him, she was sent to the United States and he remained in Cuba. She mourned the lost relationship with her brother for their entire lives - even after she learned of his death. 

Lisa Wingate has written a heart-wrenching story that tells about the atrocities of this villainous character, but also about the ties that bind us together. It's a story about connection, roots, and understanding where you come from. I thought it was beautifully written and I really found myself completely immersed in the story. I highly recommend checking this one out. 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

*These are affiliate links. I will earn a teeny tiny commission if you purchase from these links.
Get it on Amazon. 
​Get it from your local bookstore.

Last week, Eddie and I decided to book a spontaneous overnight trip to the Florida Keys with the kids. We figured a night away would be good recharge for everyone and the Keys are close enough that we wouldn't spend a ton of time in the car. After looking at our available rewards points and which hotels were available, we settled on Bakers Cay Resort in Key Largo. 

We arrived on Sunday around 10 am, and to limit guest interaction indoors, check-in is done at the guard gate at the entrance. Our room wasn't ready, but we were allowed to use the premises and all the amenities once we were checked in. After taking a quick walk around the resort, we headed to the kids' pool, complete with a cascading waterfall and a bar with really delicious Pina coladas. The pool is surrounded by trees, so it makes you feel like you are in your own little oasis. After hanging out there for a little bit, we headed to the beach and to grab some lunch at the outdoor restaurant, Dry Rocks. We sat on one of their couches and ordered food and drinks, all of which was delicious. 

Sunday night we enjoyed dinner at Calusa, their other restaurant which features Creole-Caribbean flavors. You can dine indoors or al fresco. Because we went pretty early, we decided to eat indoors, and there was nobody else inside the restaurant. They have a great kids' menu and the staff was really kind. The food was SO good (I highly recommend the Rum Chicken).  Calusa is also where they serve breakfast, but we didn't eat there in the morning. There is also a Tiki Bar on the beach where you can get drinks and some light bites. 

As far as things to do, there are a lot of activities available and they are all included. I really loved how kid-friendly the whole resort is (it's pet-friendly, too!). There is an adult pool and a kids pool, an open court, and there are two separate beach areas with lounge chairs and towels. By the lagoon there are kayaks and paddle boards available, and they're included in your resort fee, so take advantage! The lagoon is perfect for kids because it's nice and shallow - Chloe loved playing in the water. There is also a pier where you can fish, and Eddie and Caleb took part in that activity - they give you bait and fishing rods, also included in your resort fee. 

The rooms were updated and SO nice. We had an Oceanview room with two queen beds. The floors were tile, which I loved, and the bathroom was beautifully done. There was no tub, but the shower was big enough for one of us to get in with the kids.  We loved standing on the balcony to watch the sunset and the kids loved spotting the boats on the water. The beds were comfy, and there were enough surfaces to put our things in the room. One of my peeves about hotels is that there are never enough hooks to hang things like towels and clothes that you need to air out, but this room had a set of hooks on the wall that held a bunch of items! I was definitely pleased to see that. 

Overall, we had a really great experience (and this was not sponsored). We were only there for one night, so we didn't do anything additional in the area, but I know that there are a few other things to do in the Keys if you're spending more days there - particularly in the areas of boating and watersports. We have already talked about going back with the kids because it is such an easy trip - it's a little under an hour away and it really felt like we were somewhere else. 

So if you're in South Florida and looking for an easy escape that's kid friendly and really gives you that feeling of getting away, Baker's Cay is a good bet! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise