Spring Sunset

What a beautiful day we had on Sunday out on Mission Bay. It has been so long since we went down there and it was nice to be back. Sunday turned out to be a little warmer than forecasted, I was worried it was going to be too cold for a sailboat ride, but the sun came out just in time!

We set out at 5:30 so as to ride for a while and come in as the sun was setting, and it turned out to be great timing because as the sun was going down it got so cold. Brian said he was completely numb from the temperature and from me sitting on him. I told him to stop complaining and look at our beautiful surroundings!

How gorgeous is that?

We all just need to take a little time to stop and smell the roses...

Restaurant Review: Amaya

This weekend was my husbo's birthday and I was so excited to celebrate his birthday with him in San Diego for the weekend. I tried my hardest to plan something relaxing and fun for his birthday because we have both been so stressed lately. We had the perfect weekend, thanks to my SIL Paige and the wonderful staff at the Grand del Mar; the hotel and service is exquisite and we always have the best time there. If you are looking for a place to go that is close, but seems like you are in another country...look no further, the Grand del Mar is your spot.

When you are at the hotel you could swear you are in Italy with your own private villa because even though the hotel was at full capacity, you wouldn't know anyone else was there. I can't say enough great things about it and not because Paige works there. It is genuinely one of the top 10 places in the world I have stayed and by far the nicest hotel in California by miles.

On Saturday night we ate at Amaya and it is always wonderful. We ate there 2 years ago on Valentine's Day and I think if they can maintain great service and food on Valentine's Day it is a safe bet they are going to have excellent food all year round! They have a very extensive wine menu and a wide variety of choices on the menu. The only caveat is the desert menu; my bread pudding was very cold. For you dessert people out there: Don't let that stop you because our server told us they are changing their dessert menu next week!

Butter Lettuce Salad

Branzini

Strawberry Shortcake Bread Pudding

So, next time you are in the mood for a weekend away and you don't know where to go,

try the Grand del Mar!

Another Year...

I can't believe it is March already again, time just flies by! My birthday was this past week and I am so blessed to have such good friends and family around to celebrate with! My parents went over-the-top and hosted a fun birthday party for me with some of my close friends from college. Things have changed so much from when we were at Pepperdine and just a short walk down the hall to someone's dorm or apartment and when classes were all the responsibilities we had. It is much harder to get together with friends as often as we used to see each other.

This year I feel so fortunate to have been able to have dinner with everyone, regardless of my birthday. Some of my friends weren't able to make it and I missed them, but we will get soon hopefully! Along with great company, my parents hired a chef from a local restaurant to make a gourmet dinner for us complete with my favorite food: PIZZA!

Caprese Salad with Portabello Mushrooms

Penne Arrabiata

Had the best time! Even got a tin full of my favorite Taco Bell Hot Sauce Packets! Love it!

Beautiful Carrot Cake my sis made me! Thank you everyone for making my birthday so special, I will cherish these memories. This is just a small sampling of pictures, I tried to keep them food related, but we sure did have lots of fun!

Restaurant Review: Tuscany

Another gorgeous day at Snowbird! This picture looks like it is from a magazine, but I actually took this on the slopes. We just had the perfect weather and snow conditions, but I think every time I have been to Snowbird, which is many times, I say this same thing.

For my mom's birthday dinner we went to Tuscany, which I found on OpenTable, and it turned out to be such a great choice. We had a big debate about the dinner place while we were resting before dinner, and I am very glad we went here. The restaurant looks like it should be a museum with all sorts of really neat historical things around.

Coolest Menu! Had an internal light that turns on when you open it!

Picturesque

Birthday Girl Blowing out her Candle! To many more happy years and vacations ahead!!

Looking Pretty

For months my sister and I have been trying to think of the perfect thing to do for my mom for her birthday. It is not so easy trying to plan something special for someone who is so wonderful, always doing things for everyone else and who has everything! After racking our brains, we finally felt like she came up with the perfect plan!

After Brian and I's wedding my mom had been complaining about her normal makeup routine and felt like it needed a sprucing up. I always like to learn new tricks, find new makeup colors and change things up also. I think most woman just always want to feel good about themselves and most of all pretty...a Makeup Party seemed like the perfect answer!

What goes better with makeup than great appetizers?

Pea Pesto Crostini

I would make these again and the left over pesto would be great on pasta!

Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

OUTSTANDING.

Endive Stuffed With Walnuts and Cheese

Very refreshing and the citrus really cut through the cheese and nuts nicely.

Carina from Flawless Faces demonstrating her techniques!

Afterwards my dad took us all out for dinner to Seasons 52...another favorite restaurant. This is a great pic of my mom and Linda! Looking beautiful!

Brooke's Birthday Brunch

The theme of this weekend was Brian and I driving up to and back home from LA twice as well as driving back to OC from the desert. Needless to say, I was EXHAUSTED.

Not to tired though to go to Brooke's 30th Birthday Brunch downtown at the very different J Restaurant and Lounge. Located right in the heart of the Fashion District on South Olive, you would never think this kind of place exists downtown. It was a beautiful day, 79 degrees and sunny in the middle of December! After you walked through the restaurant, there was a large open outside area with a view of the cityscape. It was perfect for a Sunday Brunch in the city...well, or whatever you call downtown LA.

The Birthday Girl...and her sunglasses!

Love the Cupcake Tower

Menu...what looks good to you?

My Egg White Omelet with Spinach, Raisins and Goat Cheese

Birthday Girl's Crepes

Brian's HUGE Breakfast Sandwich. I told him he wouldn't like it and shouldn't order it, but he did anyways and was sorry!! The baked French Fries were excellent though!

Excellent Cupcakes! The Red Velvet was my favorite...really put Sprinkles to shame!


What a fun afternoon visiting with Brooke's friends and family. I also got to see some long lost high school friends which was really nice. I am sure some of Brooke's guests thought I was ridiculous taking pictures of all the food instead of the people! Oh well...had fun anyways!

Then...we got to go SHOPPING on 3rd Street!! Woo Hoo!! Got my pink slippers (the ones I needed) and a very cute new dress!