April 23, 2014

La Jolla Brewing Co.

I must say.. I think I'm becoming quite the brew master. 
Local craft breweries are poppin up all over the place in San Diego, 
and they're all so lovely.
La Jolla Brewing Company is no exception!

Last week I was invited to come check out the menu and the beer selection at the new beach-side bar & restaurant,
and I jumped at the opportunity. 
An ice cold beer on a Friday night was just what the doctor ordered. 
The location of the spacious new digs is fabulous,
and I loved the dog-friendly patio.

There are six house beers among the bar's two dozen taps, 
my favorite being the Bird Rock Brown
The food options are great accompaniments, 
ranging from the gluttonous fries 3 ways, to mac bowls, to flatbreads. Oh my!
Great new place for happy hour or a casual evening out with friends!
Mediterranean Spread - roasted garlic hummus, tzatziki, marinated olives, cherry tomatoes, grilled veggies, pita
Asian Mahi - fish filet grilled and glazed with ponzu, on top of salad served with ginger soy vinaigrette
Duck Confit - crispy duck leg, mashed potatoes, haricoverts, crispy onion strings and bacon thyme jus
7536 Fay Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037

natasha

April 18, 2014

In Love With..


-Easter weekend! While I doubt that there will be any bunny sightings, I may just get crafty and muster up these Carrot Mimosas
-Resos at some fun new restaurants this weekend. Checking out La Jolla Brewing Company tonight, and Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar on Sunday. 
-Has anyone tried the Orange Theory workout? Something about getting hooked up to a heart rate monitor and then having every one's results being displayed up on a screen? My competitive nature is urging me to try it. 
-My baby is turning one this weekend, and THIS proud mama is throwing her a major party! All her friends will join us for brunch at Sally and Henry's Dog House on Saturday. A party wouldn't be a party without CAKE

natasha

April 15, 2014

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 
I love baseball season. 
Gives me a perfect excuse to stuff my face with foot-long hot dogs,
and enjoy a cold brew with my friends underneath the stars at Petco Park
The Padres get to play in one of the newest stadiums in the nation,
a facility that's centrally located right in the midst of downtown San Diego. 

It's pretty awesome.. you can make a day out of each game,
and enjoy a responsible pre or after party in any of the bars in the Gaslamp.
The only downside to this whole thing?
I am so over driving around the Gaslamp Quarter looking for baseball parking.
Ugh!

Luckily, our friends over at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter will let game-goers nab free valet parking at the hotel with their Eat-Drink-Park promotion.
All you have to do is make a minimum purchase of $25 at Soleil @k or Latitude Lounge,
(both within the hotel) on home game days.

Fun note: The San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter is the closest hotel to Petco Park at just 90 steps away from the stadium! 
Just thought I'd share this tip with all my fellow Padres fans.
I know I'll definitely be taking advantage of this offer next time I go to a game!

San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
660 K Street
San Diego, CA 92101

natasha

April 10, 2014

Tickle Your Senses

I truly believe that your fragrance is an integral part of your image. 
They say that smell sparks a flurry of emotional memories... 
ever notice how a certain scent always reminds you of that special someone?

I've always been intrigued by perfumes. 
I love to mix and match from the collection that I've built up over the years,
going as far as trying to match certain favorites to my outfits. 

A floral shift dress for spring? Pair it with ChloƩ.
A little black dress and a smoky eye? That's a job for something heavier... something more mysterious, like Chanel Coco Noir.
One of my biggest secrets is that I quite often prefer men's cologne for myself. 
Nearly every time I spritz on some Dior Homme, I get stopped and questioned about what I'm wearing. 
I suppose it's just interesting to encounter something different once in a while. 

When I was invited to create my own perfume at Tijon a few weeks back,
I was beyond excited. 
I've always wondered about the process, so the Mix & Match class at the La Jolla lab was a perfect introduction.
I brought along the hubby, and turned the whole event into a fabulous date. 
Highly recommend this idea!
How great is it to not only be able to create your own signature fragrance,
but to do it alongside your lover?
A great way to leave a mark in their memory forever.
The whole experience was absolutely fabulous!
After donning our official lab coats, we were given a basic education on oils and fragrance composition.
Then, it was time to get to work!
We selected 12 premixed oils, (probably the hardest part of the process, since narrowing it down from the hundreds of available smells was nearly impossible!), which we mixed and matched to create a bottle of our own, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted fragrance. 
We celebrated our final product over a glass of bubbly,
and the best part?
We got to take our new fragrances home with us. 
I'm absolutely in love with the perfume that I created,
and you know what's great about that? 
Whenever I run out, I can always replenish my supply, because my final recipe is stored in Tijon's database forever and ever. 
All I have to do is go to their website and buy a refill for just $45!

Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend for you to check it out,
either for your next date night, or even for some girlfriend bonding time. 
7853 Herschel Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037

natasha