A Gift To Myself

For my birthday I like to reward myself with a gift. Typically its a girly ALL-ME treat like a facial, mani/pedi, or massage. This year it was an amazing 90 minute massage from my friend Angee who I can no longer live without (I book her every month now!).

As a special gift, I have purchased myself something for Christmas this year. Mind you, I have been waiting and planning this gift for 2 years, so I feel I was definitely patient. I bought my first pair of snowboard boots! Along with all the helpful tips and info from the chatty guy at Sport Chalet in La Jolla, they're adorable to boot (no pun intended there). They fit really well, white and silver, and they're called "Donna" which I think is so cute because it reminds me of the bad-ass chick group, The Donnas and one of their songs, Girl Talk.

Has anyone else bought themselves a present this year?

September 15, 2010: Mission: FitBitch: Weeks 5 & 6

Week 5 Progress (August 29 - September 4):

I LOST ONE POUND!!! I've got 2 more lbs to go to my ultimate goal weight and I can't believe I've come this far. I'm so so so excited. I also ran a little over 5 and a half miles this week.

Week 6 Progress (September 5 - September 11):

So this week I unexpectedly had to travel for work. I flew from the west coast to the east coast for 4 days in the DC area. It was absolutely exhausting, but besides working my ass off and getting up at 3am my Cali time, I was able to have some fun while there. 

Tuesday night I was able to meet boyfriend's new nephew (only 6 weeks old!) who is absolutely adorable. I call him "Bean" because he's about that big. We had dinner in DC, not far from the White House I'm told, at a place called Birch and Barley.  It was great to catch up with boyfriend's brother and his wife; they're on our Top Besties list for sure, and we started planning our vacation to Turkey next year.

The Bean

On Wednesday the future-in-laws had dance class, so my co-worker and I had a drink at the rooftop bar in the W Hotel, DC. It has views of the White House, the Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial all from one spot, which was seriously amazing. The pix didn't come out well since I was staring into the sun, but maybe you get the idea. These very drunk but very polite older men bought us our drinks as we chatted about lobbying in DC and health care reform. Very sexy. So we hurried with our drinks and popped over to Georgetown for dinner. Of course, before dinner, we had dessert at Georgetown Cupcakes (which is apparently famous and has tv show or something? I'm so under a rock).

Thursday night after work the future-in-laws, the Bean, and my girlfriend who lives in Georgetown all met up for a drink at Lima. I loved that she had "a baby in a bar" and couldn't resist the Sweet Home Alabama line. Then we had dinner reservations at Georgia Brown's down the street from Lima (and my hotel) which was super yummy, except for the part where my crawdad thingy still had its eyeballs in. Yuck! After dinner they took the Bean home and us girls went to play in Georgetown. It was so fun meeting all her "DC friends" at the college bar and watching the Saints/Vikings game. Love, love, love those girls; we definitely became fast friends and I can't wait to go back.

Saturday was back home with my loverface and off to celebrate the 7th wedding anniversary of our friends with a huge party on the bay. I also took a moment to pray for the families who lost someone on September 11th; my heart definitely hurts for the friends and family affected by that terrible day. 
 

Eggs Benedict Addiction

Over the last couple years I've discovered eggs benedict. How I didn't find them until now I'll never know, but there's no turning back! I've two favorite places in San Diego so far for these yummy eggs.

My best is Cafe Chloe, downtown, on the corner of 9th and G. If I could move here I would, the decor is fabulous. Instead I think I'll plan a brunch here for my nearest and dearest...perhaps for birthday weekend in October. I order the poached eggs w/wild mushrooms and sage-truffle beurre blanc for $11 and the orange mimosa for $8. Yes, a bit pricey, but worth it here and there.

My second favorite, and a bit cheaper, is also downtown - the newest Broken Yolk on 6th Ave. Typically I order the Western Benedict but sometimes I get wild and order the regular Eggs Benedict lol. This place gives you tons of food, so my recommendation is to order one plate to split with two people. Its just too much by your lonesome.  We just went here for breakfast Sunday morning with our friend Jess from DC and had a great time...miss that place!

Have you been to these places? Other good egg places in San Diego? (Besides my own kitchen I mean)

Ghosts of Halloweens Past

I love to dress-up and Halloween is the perfect time for doing so! In prepping for this year, I found some pix from previous years I wanted to share for fun. Or costume ideas. Who knows.

This is boyfriend and I, our first Halloween together, in 2006. Our friend Cheyenne came to visit from Virginia so we went out downtown San Diego. Boyfriend was a priest and I was a devil. A bit sacrilegious, I know, but we thought it was hilarious!

 

In 2007 I was still recovering from my one and only lithotripsy, so we didn't celebrate.

For 2008 me and my kickball team and friends did a pub crawl in which I was an Army girl aka Major Hustler. haha (I bought my costume at the Hustler store, so I guess thats what happens). Here's Cait (gladiator) and I.

 

Our kickball team also did a tournament in which we got to dress up. We didn't win the tourney (or the costume contest for that matter, booo) but we MADE OUR costumes!!! The boys were cowboys (they were on their own for costumes) and the girls were indians. We planned ahead, took measurements, drank a lot of wine, and Erinn and I sewed like mad to make these dresses (mostly E did the hard work). SO cute, I still love them. Nikki, Kat, Cait, ME, Erinn, and Maritza.

Then for actual Halloween night 2008 we party hopped in Pacific Beach. "An angel, a bunny, and a devil are walking down the street..."

Erinn is the devil, Maritza is the bunny, and I am the angel.

 

Here's my full costume. I loved loved loved this one.

 

Cheyenne will be flying out from Virginia again this year (lets make it a 3 year tradition Chi-Town!) and my buddy Erinn will be flying down from NorCal (she just moved up there and left me a few months ago). My lil brother will be working :^( Still deciding on venue, but probably party hop in PB again. Excited for sure.

Who else has old Halloween pix?? I want to see!

Syrah Wine Parlor in San Diego

There's a new wine bar that opened in San Diego a while ago, and I've been meaning to try it out, but haven't had the chance until last Friday! My friend Chrissy celebrated her birthday there and I was pretty excited to see it. It's called Vin de Syrah Spirit and Wine Parlor, or Syrah for short, and I love love love it. I would say the decor is a modern twist on Alice and Wonderland and also reminds me of some Anthropologie windows I've seen. Unfortunately it was way too busy for me to snap any pix of the decor, but I was able to find the following on Google images and the Syrah website. It's meant to feel as if you were in the rabbit hole.

 

 

 

 

I was in heaven and definitely plan on going back. The wine was reasonably priced (and by 'reasonably' I mean that it wasn't any more or less expensive than the other bars in the gaslamp). 

Me, before leaving the apt. Boyfriend being silly with the camera so I started being bratty b/c I wasn't getting the pic I wanted.

 

I was over it and started walking away, so boyfriend kept shooting. But this one is a good indicator of the slight bubbliness on the bottom of my dress. Also, as you can see, I had in my extensions and this was the day before my hair appt in which I darkened the bright blonde a bit and chopped it off.

Me and my friend Erin that I've known since elem school but now we both live in SD.

Julie and I.

I'm a dummy I didn't get any pix with the bday girl Chrissy :^( I will be going back here at some point and would like to snap more pix when it's not so crowded.

Has anyone else been here? Or is there something out there that's similar that you know of?

Hair Stylist in San Diego (Pacific Beach)

I will say right up front that I am super picky when it comes to my hair. My best friend is a stylist and has been doing my hair for as long as I can remember. When she moved up north last year I needed to find a new stylist, so I started going to Misty, whom I love. But its hard for me to schedule going to Mission Valley, so I needed to find someone in PB or downtown. Imagine my dread. I even let my roots grow out for a while, I was so nervous to try someone new.

And then I met Candice.

She brought me into Split Ends and I swear I will never leave. Candice and her assistants did such a great job on my cut and highlights! It was exactly what I pictured in my mind and I have gotten a zillion compliments since. The price was right too; actually cheaper than other places around town. They even hook you up if you're a first time customer. Excellent personal attention to each customer, even though they're super busy. Oh, and there's a parking lot in back if you need, or a bike rack out front which is great.

I LOVE these girls!!

Split Ends Hair Salon
1415 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 270-6500
www.salonsplitends.com

Musician in SD

Last Sunday Ritz and I did the End of Summer Fire Run from La Jolla to PB. Afterwards they had booths, free giveaways, beer and music. One of the musicians was up front with his guitar and had a pretty sweet California sound, so I bought a cd from him. He was way cool, even signed it for me. We chatted, had a few drinks (gotta love a mimosa of 99% champagne for only $1.25), and wished eachother well.

Yesterday I listened to the full cd (Sun Drenched). And he's really good. Actually reminded me of being in Maui for the Luiz wedding. Soon I will be adding those songs to my iPod.

http://www.justinjamesmusic.com

Or check him out on myspace. I think I searched for Justin James...

Hair Stylist in San Diego (Mission Valley)

Becca hooked it up on my hair for years, ever since she graduated stylist school in Sac. And then she left me (and San Diego) for NorCal. But instead of abandoning me, she referred me to our good friend Misty Stephens, whom I love! Cut, color, conditioning and styling - I go to Misty for it all and she's fantastic. I trust her with what I ask for, I feel totally comfortable in her chair, and she's worth every penny.

Check her out at re:vive salon and spa in mission/fashion valley. Ask for a glass of wine while you're there (or coffee or water if you prefer). And tell her I said hello.

Revive Salon & Spa
1425 Frazee Road
San Diego, CA 92108
619.293.7233

http://www.revivesalonandspa.com/

Dentist

It's human nature to hate going to the dentists' office, but we all need it. In the seven years I've been in San Diego, I've been in search of a dentist that will simply clean my teeth well. One of the first ones I tried wanted to sell me $10,000 worth of cosmetic dentistry that my insurance wouldn't cover. When I told her I was a 19 year old college student and just couldn't afford more than the basics, she wouldn't return my calls to set-up a cleaning appointment. Another put me in the chair for an initial exam, didn't say ONE single word, then walked away and left me there for 45 minutes. Smilecare in Mission Valley did one tiny filling that was so sensitive for over a year, that it hurt when water hit the spot. Of course, they wouldn't do anything about it even though I kept calling. Needless to say, I've had some bad experiences.

In a last ditch effort to just find someone that would give me my regular cleanings, I looked for a dentist downtown. I found the office of Dr. Martina Parrone and in turn my favorite dentist, Dr. Nicole Vane. She takes my insurance, her office is clean and very stylish, she personally calls me for appointment reminders and to check up on me, and best of all she treats her patients like humans. Crazy concept, I know, but I'm totally comfortable in her office. There's flat screen tv's to distract you from what's really happening in your mouth. Dr. Vane has done my fillings and 1 cleaning so far, and I can honestly say she's the best dentist I've ever had.

If you don't know, I have this thing about needles. Especially when they're heading for my mouth. So much so that I have to take valium before my appointment just to let them put the topical numbing cream on. Last time I went in it was an emergency appointment and I ended up having to get the needle, without the valium! I swear I almost passed out at the thought. But Dr. Vane is so talented that I didn't even feel the needle shove in. At all. For the first time, ever.

She's my new best friend. Check 'em out if you're in SD.

http://www.drparrone.com/

Also, Dr. Vane has another office in Clairemont if downtown is too far for you.

http://www.drnicolevane.com/

Breakfast in San Diego

My new favorite breakfast place is a little french/californian bistro you may have heard of, St Tropez. They bake fresh breads and desserts daily and the croissants are the best I've ever had. I like their seasoned potatoes that come with your order. I've never ever had eggs benedict, so I decided to try them here, and they were rather good. I love the artwork and decoration. They even have a poster of my favorite movie, Amelie. I liked the rasberry fruit tart very much and will get it again. Reasonably priced. Someday I will try their dinner and wine.

http://www.sttropezbistro.com/index.php
Downtown/Little Italy
600 W. Broadway Ste.130
San Diego, CA, 92101
Phone (619) 234--2560
M-Fri 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat & Sun 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Dinner Available At This Location

http://ameliepoulain.ifrance.com/pages/en/index.html