Stone Crabbing, Fishing & Laid-Back Island Vibes… If you’ve never been to the Florida Keys, here’s what you need to know—this place is as casual as it gets. Think flip-flops, sundresses, and breezy beachside bars where the only dress code is comfort (a perfect fit for Shookhill Style). Whether you’re escaping the lingering chill up north or just looking for a relaxed getaway, Key Largo is the perfect destination for a sun-soaked spring break filled with incredible seafood, adventure, and plenty of time to unwind. Where to Stay: Waterfront Bliss in Key Largo For the ultimate spring break retreat, we recommend staying at Baker’s Cay Resort or Playa Largo Resort & Spa—both offer stunning oceanfront views, beach access, and all the amenities you need to kick back and relax. From floating docks to kayak and jet ski rentals, these resorts make it easy to enjoy the water without ever leaving the property. Fresh Catches & Local Flavors: Where to Eat Casual dining is the name of the game in the Keys, and you won’t find better fresh seafood than at Key Largo Fisheries—a must-visit for stone crabs and conch fritters. Craving sushi? Num Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar serves up incredibly fresh rolls and Thai dishes in a relaxed, no-fuss setting. Stone Crabbing: A Florida Keys Tradition One of the highlights of our trip was heading out with friends from Ocean Reef for a day of stone crabbing and fishing. If you’ve never tried stone crabs, you’re in for an absolute treat! Here’s how it works: Setting the Traps – Traps are baited and dropped in shallow waters, then left for a few days. Harvesting the Claws – Once the pots are pulled onto the boat and inspected, the crabs are carefully measured, and only legal-sized claws are taken. The crabs are then safely released to grow new claws. Boiling & Cracking – Freshly caught claws are boiled, chilled, and cracked open for the most delicious, sweet crab meat. We served our stone crabs Key’s style—chilled, with a homemade mustard dipping sauce (a simple mix of yellow mustard, mayo, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce). Participating in this process with local residents was such a wonderful opportunity, but if you don’t know a local with all of the licenses and equipment, a great place to source stone crabs is Key Largo Fisheries. You can eat them there or buy them to go along with a cracker and dipping sauce. Fishing for Snapper We also spent a day fishing the patch reefs for mutton and yellowtail snapper. The Keys are home to some of the best fishing in the world, and we had a fantastic time reeling in fresh snapper. Pro tips: Use live bait like ballyhoo or shrimp. Fish around reef structures where snapper love to hide. Be patient—the fight is worth it! Back at shore, our catch was filleted and cooked Reef-style with lemon, capers, and butter—served alongside our stone crab appetizer, a fresh salad, and homemade Key Lime Pie. Pure island perfection! Scuba Diving: Explore the Beautiful Reefs For those who are a little more adventurous and love to dive, we recommend coordinating a day or two with the Rainbow Reef Dive Center. Make these plans ahead of time and enjoy the breathtaking reefs and warm waters of the Keys. With an abundance of marine life, colorful coral formations, and crystal-clear visibility, scuba diving in Key Largo is an unforgettable experience. Beach, Pool & Sunset Magic Between fishing trips and seafood feasts, we made time to unwind. A day at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offered snorkeling and beach time, while lazy afternoons by the pool were spent reading and sipping cocktails. For sunset, here are a few recommends: Anne’s Beach in Islamorada – A serene spot to catch the colors of the evening sky. Snooks Bayside Restaurant – Enjoy cocktails and apps with a side of sunset views. Sunset Cruise (Viator options available) – Because everything looks better from the water. The Perfect Spring Break Getaway From hauling up crab traps to reeling in snapper, savoring fresh sushi, snorkeling, and biking along the coast, this trip to Key Largo had the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re in the mood for deep-sea fishing or just a beachside cocktail, the laid-back vibe of the Florida Keys makes it the ultimate spring break destination. Have you been to the Keys? Tell us your favorite seafood spot or sunset view in the comments! Want to add a little Key’s flavor to your life, try making our Key Lime Pie. Our recipe is a delightful balance of tart and sweet. This pie offers a refreshing and tangy finish to any meal, capturing the essence of the Florida Keys. Enjoy!
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From Rotten to Refreshing – Rebuilding Our Studio-Office Deck…
There’s something so satisfying about a good home improvement project, especially one that sets the stage for a fresh new season. As we gear up for spring, we tackled the project of removing the the wooden platform in front of our studio-office and replaced it with a sturdy new one. This simple but impactful update looks great and improves the safety of our workspace. Out with the Old The first step? Saying goodbye to the worn-out, weathered boards that had seen better days. Over the years, exposure to the elements had taken its toll, leaving some of the wood unstable. We carefully measured the existing deck to ensure our new structure would match the same dimensions and utilize the existing concrete footers—saving us time and effort. Planning and Prepping Once the old boards were gone, it was time to plan the rebuild. We took precise measurements of the frame and spacing of the joists, then put together a lumber list. We used pressure-treated lumber and exterior grade deck screws to build the replacement platform. A trip to the Lowes later, we had everything we needed. Now, onto the fun part—building! Building a Stronger Foundation Here’s how we put the new platform together, step by step: Using a chop saw (miter saw), we cut the pressure-treated boards to the exact measurements needed for our deck. We laid out the new boards, spacing them evenly with deck board spacers for proper airflow and drainage. Using exterior-grade deck screws, we secured each board in place, ensuring they were flush and level. We used a homemade jig to ensure that all of the screws were evenly spaced and aligned. We carefully hauled the platform from the building space to our studio/office and using the existing footers, installed the new deck. After a weekend of work, our refreshed platform was complete—solid, stable, and ready to handle all the foot traffic and inspiration the season brings. Adding a Touch of Spring Of course, no space is truly complete without a little charm. While we wait for our hydrangeas and spring bulbs to start blooming, we’re adding a cheerful pot of pansies to brighten up the area. These cold-hardy flowers are perfect for bridging the gap between winter and spring, adding an instant pop of color and life. Looking Ahead From Rotten to Refreshing – Rebuilding Our Studio-Office Deck We are so excited that we were able to rebuild our studio-office deck and take it from rotten to refreshing. With the deck project complete, we’re ready to dive into even more creative endeavors. So, if you’ve been eyeing an outdoor project, consider this your sign—it’s the perfect time to get ready for spring! Stay tuned as we share more seasonal projects and inspirations in the coming weeks.
