We stayed at the Kona Kai Resort, a recently renovated beachfront hotel and spa where we immersed in sheer island relaxation. After checking in, we lounged by the tropical pool watching the sun set over the marina coloring the sky with fluffy shades of pink. Then it was off to dinner with one of my dearest friends at C-Level in neighboring Harbor Island where the stacked tuna tartare topped with crab meat achieved the ultimate dining feat-it was both filling and light. After dinner, we went back to Shelter Island to play a game of Ticket to Ride with friends on their family yacht. My friend's Dad joined us for the board game, a funny Dad who cracked us up with colorful jokes and misguided determination to negotiate his way through the game. Due to inexcusable stupidity, I rode in last and am determined to seek redemption in the near future. I should've agreed to an alliance with funny Dad while the offer was still on the table.
With the rays of morning fluttering through the billowy drapes, I woke up the next day before the alarm went off and got in a fabulous workout at the hotel gym. I spent thirty minutes on the elliptical admiring the rows of yachts and sailboats in my perview and finished the workout with some light weight training and core strengthening exercises as I'm determined to get stronger. After showering, I changed into my sweater, hat, and DSW over-the-knee boots, a fun outfit for brunch al fresco at Puesto, a modern taqueria in La Jolla fusing the traditions of Mexican food with inventive and fresh ingredients. My three tacos (filet mignon, lamb, mushroom) were each deliciously impressive, flavorful and definitely worth a twopeat. We listened to Serial on the ride back to LA but I was distracted. As much as I enjoyed the low-key, low fuss escape to the tropics, I knew that unchartered terrain was waiting for me at home. And in anticipation, my mind started racing. Shop DSW for the best selection of affordable and on-trend winter boots!