Community Blog

Tomorrow is the start of Labor Day Weekend and there’s no better place to celebrate than here in Jacksonville!  Better yet, there’s no greater place in Jacksonville than at the Jacksonville Landing!

This weekend is packed with fun events that are a perfect way to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall! Take that extra day away from work and make it count by celebrating at one or more of the weekend events!

• Start with a live performance by the George Aspinall Band at 8:00 pm on Friday night. Bring your energy drinks because this party will last into Saturday, closing down at 1:00 am.
• Come back at 2:00 pm for Beach Days in the Courtyard. Yes… the Courtyard. Instead of going to the beach they have brought the beach to you by dumping 100 tons of sand in the center of the landing. Get drink specials from the surrounding restaurants, learn to shag, enter in the hoola hoop contest and more all at the hottest spot in Jacksonville this weekend!
• The weekend continues Sunday with Sauce Boss Live from 4-8pm and live music from The Rhythm Cure.
• But that’s not all. Monday brings more live music by Hipp Street.

So in all honesty, there’s really no need to leave the Landing! Have some fun this weekend and remember that Arelia James has your connections for the best events in Jacksonville!

Even though summer is coming to a close it doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy the best in summer dishes. I’m having family over this weekend and wanted to make them something sweet that SCREAMS summer. I’ve decided on a delicious Peach-Almond Crisp because there is something about peaches in the summertime that makes me smile and I just love that natural sweetness.

I thought I would share the recipe with all of you in case you hosting guests or just craving a fruity sweet treat.  Here is what you will need.

• 2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup almonds (toasted and sliced)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• 8 peaches, peeled and sliced (medium sized peaches should make about 8 cups)
• 1/4 cup peach nectar/orange juice
• Vanilla ice cream (optional but recommended!)

The directions are terribly easy and the result is delicious. In fact, this is a great recipe for people who don’t feel they are as handy in the kitchen because it’s pretty hard to mess up. If you try it out, comment back and let us know how it went!

Do you have any other summer recipes that you are hurrying to make before fall arrives? Give us your special recipe so we can all share in the summer goodness!

No matter whats going on in this crazy life of mine, there are few things that will always remain the same. One if which is my never-ending love of coupons! Really, I’m one of those people that will normally scour through the entire newspaper just to get my hands on some savings. But, now with my new find, I no longer come away with paper cuts and piles of clippings!

I don’t care who you are and how much money you have to spend, you’d be silly not to appreciate coupons when you can get them. Really, who wouldn’t want to pay less for the things you want?  That’s why I love Half Off Depot Jacksonville. Sounds great doesn’t it? that’s because it is!

Half Off Depot is an online coupon site that provides the best local restaurant, entertainment, retail and service bargains!  Simply submit your e-mail address you start receiving daily coupons to help you get out in your community and save money at the same time!

I’ve been a fan of HOD for a few months now and have been so surprised at how much money I’ve saved. It’s a great way to stay active in and around your community without watching your entire paycheck fly out the door. Plus, it’s 100% free!

Give Half Off Depot a try and start saving today!

It’s sad news indeed, but time to face the facts. Summer is coming to an end once again. Since summer is my favorite season of the year, I’m always a little bummed when fall approaches. Don’t get me wrong, the fall is great too and don’t get me started on the much needed cooler temperatures that it brings. There is just something about summer that is so blissfully calming to me. Although we can’t make summer last longer than what  mother nature intends, we can say a formal farewell by throwing an End of Summer BASH! It’s the perfect time to get together with friends and family  before summer is officially gone, talk about vacations and discuss what you are looking forward to in the fall.

When it comes to hosting a party like this, it’s all about the theme! A party isn’t a party without a theme, especially an End of Summer Bash! Martha Stewart has created a fun-filled list of outdoor party ideas that will be perfect for your final summer bash. From festive decorations to cute cocktails, she’s got it all, as if we should expect anything less from the great Martha. It would take forever to go through the whole list here on the blog but I thought I would share my top choices, just to get the party juices flowing!

• Leaf Coasters
• Photo Framed lantern centerpieces
• Ice Cream Sundae Party
• Flowerpot Servers
• STARRY Eyed S’mores
• Paper Fruit Pouches

While these ideas are more than enough to get the party started I’ve really only scratched the surface of all the great ideas Martha gives.  Find what works best for you!

Did you know that a quick 8 minute drive from Arelia James could bring you the best cupcakes in Jacksonville?  Well now you do!

CamiCakes is one of Jacksonville’s most popular and successful bakeries. According to owner Andra Hall, it was her love for her childhood Easy Bake Oven that eventually led to the opening of this sweet sweet place. Named after Andra’s daughter Camille, CamiCakes offers a wide variety of delicious cupcake flavors that will tame anyone’s sweet tooth. With flavors like CinnaSwirl, Pineapple Toasted Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream and more, there is something for everyone’s taste! All of CamiCakes cupcakes are fresh baked with the best ingredients. Individual cupcakes are $2.50 a piece but why stop with one (you won’t be able to) when you can get a dozen for $28. These gourmet cups of sweetness are made with love and you can taste it with every bite!  CamiCakes has three locations, the close of which is in Tinseltown right down the road!  Knowing it is so close gives you no excuse NOT to pay them a visit. You are guaranteed one main think with CamiCakes and that is to leave with a smile from ear to ear.

Get your fill of CamiCakes today! Don’t have time to visit? Place your order online!

… you’re going to need them! Why?

Tomorrow kicks off Florida’s TAX FREE weekend! Once weekend a year, state governments give is all a bit of a break and let us say ADIOS to sales tax. There are certain limitations, but any bit of help is WELCOMED especially with schools starting back up left and right.

Starting tomorrow (Friday August 13) at 12:00 am and running through Sunday August 15 at 11:59 pm you can forget about the sales tax on some of your back-to-school shopping!  The tax-free gift applies to books, clothes and footwear $50 or less and school supplies $10 or less. Like I said, it isn’t much but ANYTHING helps!

So be sure you plot out your shopping trip this weekend and don’t forget what qualifies!

Music, music and more music!

We know you all LOVE the music scene here in Jacksonville so we’re here to tell you about one. Jack Rabbits is hosting a concert on Thursday, August 12 that is guaranteed to BLOW YOU AWAY.  Who is playing?

• Stereo Skyline
• The Audition
• CASH CASH
• Cady Groves
• The Downtown Fiction

Is that enough ROCK for one venue?  I hope so because I’m not sure the building could handle much more. THIS Thursday you can see all of these bands for only $10. $10! There is no better deal in Jacksonville right now.

Don’t waste any time. Get your tickets now for a blowout concert at Jack Rabbit! See you there!

There are so many great places to hang out in Jacksonville… to list them all would take a lifetime.

Do you have a favorite hot spot? Check out our new poll to the right and tell us what you think! If we’ve forgotten YOUR favorite, just comment back on this post!

With the temperature as high as it’s been lately, I’ve found myself craving cold treats more and more every day. But, I can’t exactly expect my waste to stay the same size if I am stopping to get ice cream every afternoon…no matter how tempting it is!

So, I’ve turned to Mochi Frozen Yogurt instead. Not only do they offer the perfect summer treat, but the concept is something you cannot help but love! There are three simple steps to follow to treat yourself right at Mochi.

1. Grab a cup and pick any one, two or combination of their delicious frozen yogurt flavors. Get as much as you want in as many different flavors as you like! Indulge in flavors like green tea, vanilla, mango and strawberry and watch as Mochi alternates their featured flavors every week.
2. Add your choice of toppings from the topping bar, including fruit, nuts, cereals, sprinkles and candy pieces. Mix and match as you please!
3. Pay for your treat (measured by weight) and enjoy!

This one of a kind frozen yogurt shop not only allows you to create your own masterpiece of frozen yogurt, but you won’t pay for anything you don’t get! Unlike ice cream, frozen yogurt contains ZERO grams of fat. Isn’t that music to your ears? Not only does it taste simply divine, but so you don’t have to feel guilty about splurging on a cup!

But, beware Arelia James residents. Mochi is LESS THAN 5 minutes away… which could become dangerous for fro-yo lovers like me. On the other hand, I am supporting a wonderful business… so bring on the swirl!

Can you believe it’s already almost August? This year is flying by WAY TOO FAST. But there is one good thing about a quick moving July: Norah Jones is coming to Jacksonville and I can hardly wait!

I’m giving you a little more heads up than usual so you can get your tickets early! On August 12 Norah Jones will be at the Times Union Center for Performing Arts. The show begins at 8:00 pm and is sure to be a performance worth seeing. I have seen her three times already and I get chills just thinking about how amazing each performance is.

For those of you who don’t know… Norah Jones is a singer-songwriter, pianist, actress, keyboardist and guitarist, just to name a few. Her sultry sound will keep you swaying from the moment she opens her mouth. Here’s just a taste of the beautiful sound that you are guaranteed to hear on August 12… that is if you get your tickets before they are all sold out!

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