Back in action + new goodies + a trivia giveaway 🎁

Hey Reader,

So, real talk…
​Last week was bananas. 🍌
Like the kind of week where you finally sit down, glance at the clock, and realize it’s Thursday... not Tuesday. Whoops.

That said — if you noticed fewer Facebook Lives, you're not imagining things. I was juggling about 13 flamingos at once 🦩😂 but this week?
I’m back in the office and ready to bring the fun in Fun in Key West again!

🕯️ Historic Marker Monday: St. Mary Star of the Sea

This week, I talked all about the beautiful and historic St. Mary Star of the Sea church here in Key West — and more specifically, the fascinating story behind the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes ⛪✨

It’s more than just a pretty garden space — this place has protected locals from hurricanes for decades. There’s history, mystery, and some deep Key West roots behind it.

🎥 If you missed the chat, head over to our YouTube channel to catch the full video:
👉 Watch it here​

📚 Book Club Buzz: We’re Halfway Through!

Wait, is it already mid-September?! I swear it was just Labor Day...

This month’s Fun in Key West Book Club pick — Key West: A Smuggler’s Tale by Richie “Conch Boy” Gomez — is getting rave reviews from the group. Everyone’s got theories, questions, and some “wait, WHAT?!” moments 🤯

And guess what?

📅 On September 28, I’ll be chatting LIVE with Richie himself —
He’s going to give us the scoop on what inspired the story, the characters, and more.

💬 But here's the deal — only book club members will get the link to join us live.
Everyone else? You’ll have to catch the replay — and trust me, it’s way more fun in the moment.

🎉 Want in on the fun? Join the book club here​

🛍️ New in the Shop: Stickers with a Spooky Island Twist

🎃 Just dropped: Tropical Halloween sticker sheets — because your planner/journal deserves to be spooky and sunny.

Think: skeletons on surfboards, flamingos with jack-o’-lanterns, and palm trees with ghosts. 🌕🦩

💻 Check them out in the Etsy shop here​

And I’ve got a question for you…
Would you be interested in a journal with a Key West photo cover? 📓
Something that gives you vacation vibes every time you open it?

I’d love your thoughts —

Or hit reply and tell me what YOU think I should make next. Seriously. You’re part of this — and I want you to help shape what’s next.

🎁 NEW: Key West Trivia Challenge!

So here’s something fun I’ve been thinking about…

I wanted a way to send a little Key West magic to someone each month — so starting now, we’re doing a Trivia Challenge!

Each week, I’ll ask one Key West trivia question.
Everyone who replies with the correct answer gets entered into a drawing for a Fun Key West Surprise Box 🎉
(Tropical goodies, island vibes, and probably a flamingo or two…)

🗓️ I’ll draw the winner on September 30 — and yes, you can enter each week!

So here’s your first trivia question:

📩 Just hit reply and send me your guess!

👀 PS: In-Person Meetup… Yup. It’s Happening.

We’re planning something exciting… like real-life exciting 😍

📍 A Key West Book Club meetup.
Yep — we’re going from online to on-island.

More details coming soon — but go ahead and save the date: November 22.
You didn’t hear it from me... but let’s just say it’s gonna be unforgettable.

Not a book club member? No worries! Plan to join us. We can chat about Key West, cocktails, roosters, books, and anything else.

That’s all for now, friend.
Thanks for being part of this wild, wonderful, flamingo-filled ride. Whether you’re here for the history, the books, the trivia, or the Etsy goodies — I’m so happy you’re part of the island crew. 🏝️

See you online this week —
🌞 Michele

P.S. Still not bringing out the pumpkin spice... unless you convince me it belongs in a cocktail. 😉🍸 Hit reply with your mixology ideas!