My parents were on our recent spring break trip, and graciously offered to take the kids for an evening so Trevor and I could have a night out together. It was his birthday, so an excellent excuse to pick a nice new (well, new to us) restaurant, put on real dress rather than a cover-up, take my hair out of its ponytail, and eat after 6:00 p.m.. I read several great reviews about this place – The Brasserie – where guests raved about the food. But the setting was a beautiful surprise. The outdoor seating was actually in the garden, where they source all of their produce. It was a quiet Monday night, and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Everything about the evening was such a treat.

J Crew dress (love the orange one even more) | Lilly Pulitzer clutch and shoes | Michael Kors watch | Anthropologie cuff (sold out, similar here) | Silver Cocoon earrings

Desserts for days.

Reality Check. Ok, not everything about the night was a treat. Not entirely pleasant or without stress was driving in the dark to a location on the island you’ve never been, without directions and on the “wrong side” of the road.