5 on Friday

 :::1:::

This is what parks look like in Santa Monica. Like, are you kidding me?

:::2:::
Joel and I have been watching our Netflix show on my ipad for the last few months and last weekend we decided to upgrade that situation and get the Amazon Firestick. This might be the best and/or worst decision we've ever made. It basically turns your TV into an iPad. Strangely, I've most loved having the Pandora app so handy.

 

:::3:::

Speaking of purchases, while we were in Los Olivos I decided to treat myself to a new Missoni scarf. I've been in a I-NEED-to-upgrade-my-whole-closet mode, so I'm slowly adding some quality pieces that I've had my eye on, starting with this pretty little thing. It's half wool, but it's light enough that I think I'll be able to wear it all year long.

 

:::4:::

We've been in a boring routine lately and not taking advantage of all of the fun things in our neighborhood. We have a little downtown area only 7 or 8 blocks from our house and we just get lazy and forget to take advantage of it - but my goal is to change that. Wednesday I walked down and Joel drove after work so we could meet up for a cheap and easy date. It was just what the doctor ordered for my mid-week slump.  

:::5:::

Tonight we're making homemade pizzas and ordering some movies from that fancy new fire stick. Saturday we're going to try and workout, run some errands, and then we're going with friends to see Wicked at the Pantages theater here in LA.  This will be my fourth or fifth time seeing the show, but I've never been to Pantages, so I'm looking forward to checking it out. Hope you have a great weekend! 

1,000

 

This is my ONE THOUSANDTH (weird word) POST.

 Holy damn cow.

I cannot believe that six years ago, a summer school class (Parent Teacher Communications) assignment would grow into my favorite hobby. 

This corner of the Internet has seen me through my life's biggest milestones to date, and I feel incredibly lucky to have them all chronicled here. 

college graduation, our first apartment, my first grown-up job, our move to California, Roscoe, our engagement, our wedding, and all the little things in between.

This blog for me is my journal, not my job, and it's one of my most cherished possessions, although...it's not exactly tangible.

Regardless....thanks for reading....thanks for entertaining me with your questions and comments....thanks for your ideas.. and thanks for making me feel like I have friends all over the 

country.

Pop the bubbly!

Vest Yourself

 

My mom always makes me try on things I wouldn't normally, and this vest from Banana is the perfect example. I was super hesitant to bite the bullet on it, but she told me to just try it and return it if it didn't work...and well, I wore it all weekend long. 

It's long enough to wear with leggings and it's the perfect jacket for California winters....or everywhere else's spring. 

I will say, I'm not crazy about it with a short sleeve shirt...

BUT I think if you could rock it with the right kind of dress or a really cute skirt.

I'm on the hunt for a leopard scarf and a comfy denim dress....both which would look really cute with this clearly versatile vest. 

also, really random but....

Do you know what color this nail polish is? It's OPI and I'm obsessed with it but the bottle didn't have the handy sticker on it. I've had 3 random people comment on the color and it's killing me that I don't know! 

Weekend Getaway Report

On Friday, Joel and I drove up from LA after work to head to Los Olivos which is about 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara.

We hit some pretty nasty traffic but we caught a beautiful sunset and tried to keep our patience. By the time we got to the hotel we dropped our bags in our beautiful room at the Fess Parker Inn and went straight downstairs for a glass of wine and heavy appetizers.

. 

After our dinner we took another glass and some tea upstairs to just hang in front of the fire and catch up on New Girl.

The next morning we were up early for breakfast of french toast and eggs at the hotel. We were seated right in front of another fire place, so I was in heaven. In retrospect, we got lots of fireplace time this weekend which made me a happy camper.

After breakfast we took a walk in the cute little town of Los Olivos. You can literally walk around the town in 20 minutes , so we did a few laps. We were pretty much the only people up and moving before 9 but I just loved every bit of it. I wish I took a few more pictures because I miss little towns like this. The post office....the library...the whole town is just adorable.

 

After our walk we went back to the hotel so that Joel could workout and I could enjoy a massage at the spa. I'm pretty sure this is my favorite way to start a day. 

After the spa, Joel and I hit the road to our first winery of the day - Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyard. The weather was just absolutely perfect so we enjoyed our wine in the sun, played a few rounds of bags, and just took in the spectacular views.

California just doesn't let up!

Our stop for lunch was Industrial Eats. A few friends had recommended it and holy. cow. amazing. The food was just beyond ......I wish I had more pictures to show for it.

We sat at the wood burning fire bar and watched the two chefs prepare heavenly pizzas while we noshed on fresh uni, a basil-mayo turkey sandwich (whose description doesn't even close to do it justice) and the best tuna melt we have ever had.

 

If you are ever in Los Olivosor just driving the coast, you HAVE to stop in - it was truly one of the best lunches I've had in a long, long time. Afterwards we drove back to the hotel, parked the car, and then walked the tasting rooms downtown.

    

I think this whole day was basically the definition of what makes Joel and I the happiest.

 

Somehow we were able to fit dinner into our stomachs, and holy hell did we. We walked across the street to the Wine Merchants Cafe (the restaurant in the movie Sideways) for an insanely indulgent and delicious dinner. 

 

After wine, truffle pizza, pasta, short ribs andddd dessert, we needed a repeat of peppermint tea in our room to settle our stomachs, so we went up early, enjoyed our tea by the fire and just enjoyed hotel living. 

 

After breakfast on Sunday we drove back home and I was dropped off immediately at the movie theaters to meet my girlfriends for a matinee of 50 Shades of Gray (I liked it).

It was a rainy Sunday in LA, so while I was at the movies Joel made Chili which was done just in time to enjoy with the Oscars. 

It was a weekend truly for the books.

5 on Friday

 

::: 1 :::

After my mom and family left on Monday, I tried to dial this week down as much as possible. Besides work and working out, I didn't do much, and it was actually refreshing. My goal for each day was to go slower and find the happy - and I need to keep doing it. Its due time to embrace the homebody in me.


::: 2 :::
I've heard some really good things about The Girl on the Train - have you read it? I also saw that there is another Shopaholic book out, so I'm thinking that may be my next beachy read.

                    

I'm trying to add a few new books to my list....I've been in a lull lately so pass your recommendations my way.


::: 3 :::
I kind of slacked on homemade dinners this week (except for chili below and chicken meatballs) but I did up my breakfast game. We've had a lot of visitors staying with us lately and I don't like serving bagels every breakfast, so last weekend Joel and I made eggs in a muffin tin. I've seen it floating on Pintrest but the eggs were so good. We served the eggs with turkey bacon and english muffins, and holy delish egg mcmuffin copy cat!

Just spray your muffin tin with olive oil cooking spray, crack the egg carefully

top with salt and pepper, and bake the eggs at 350 for 15 minutes.

::: 4 :::  

Have you made SkinnyTaste's crock pot pumpkin chili? If you haven't, please do it before chili season totally up and leaves us. It is so, so good and couldn't be easier. 

::: 5 :::

Joel and I are road tripping after work today and heading to Los Olivios for a weekend of wine-ing, dining, and relaxing. We've had a crazy start to 2015 and I'm most looking forward to getting some one on one time with Joel to just sit, relax, and refocus. That's a lie....I'm most looking forward to my massage, room service, and staying in a hotel, but refocusing is close second.

What I Wore and What I Want

Work It Girl

  

 

Monday

H&M denim, jockey workout pants, target tank, j.crew new balance

 

Tuesday

gap cardi, banana republic tank, joe's jeans, tb flats

 

Wednesday

gap button down, loft skirt & necklace, tb wedges

 

Thursday

cynthia rowley blouse, paige jeans, j.crew wedges

 

Friday

 

jcrew sweater and dress, tb sandals

Putting out the juju on my last post got me the sneaks I was lusting, so maybe putting out my need for a wide brimmed white fedora will offer me the same luck? 

Last week it was so damn hot in LA (I know, I'm sorry...), and my need for a new hat become all the more urgent. 

I tried the one on at J.Crew and while the price is right, the brim isn't wide enough for what I want. The best one I've found is for a cool $250 in Venice, and I'm not forking that kind of money over. Have you seen any recently that I should check out?