Goose Island Ladies Night

I think cooking and drinking,

or drinking and cooking, rather,

makes for one hell of a ladies night. 

I've been dying to check out a cooking class at Sur La Table,

(There are so many choices! Anyone up for Summer Macarons? Or what about Delicious Thai cooking?)

so when I was invited to Goose Island Ladies Night,

an interactive cooking demonstration, complete with beer pairings,

I was beyond excited. 

My bestie and I had a blast, 

cooking up a fabulous four-course meal,

including some steamed mussels,  paired with Sofie,

and some melt-off-the-bone honey braised short ribs, paired with the Honkers Ale.

This private event was a part of the Goose Island Migration Week. 

For more information, check out the Goose Island Event Calendar,

as well as the Sur La Table Cooking Class Schedule.  

Please drink responsibly. 

Laguna is for Lovers

 Did anyone else watch Laguna Beach when you were younger?

And then The Hills? And The City?

Or no? 

I hope I didn't just lower your opinion of myself. 

Anyway. Let's talk about Laguna. 

It's about 1.5 hours away from San Diego,

and makes for a perfect romantic getaway. 

The husband and I decided to spend a few blissful days by the beach there for our anniversary last year. 

Waking up and walking down to the beach really helps take a load off.. 

it was such a relaxing trip!

We stayed at the La Casa del Camino Hotel while we were there. 

I highly recommend it! 

The hotel is just steps away from the ocean,

has a great restaurant on the main floor, and a killer rooftop lounge. 

Brunch on the rooftop overlooking the beach is my idea of paradise!

You can't beat the view!

The husband gave me my first Celine bag for our anniversary,
(3 years modern gift = leather)
and I had a good time breaking her in that weekend. 

View from our room... told you it was only steps away!

Amazing Lamb Chop Salad at the Watermarc.
LOVED this place.

Think I'm itching for another getaway!

L.A. Quickie

Jumping on our suite bed at Hotel Roosevelt. Girls just want to have fun.

Gorgeous interior of our hotel.

Sneaking off during dinner at The Bazaar to take shameless bathroom pics.

Incredible dinner by Jose Andres.

Food captions, clockwise, starting from top left:

Jamon Iberico, fried farm egg with truffle butter//"Philly Cheesesteak" air bread, cheddar, Wagyu beef// Seared Mary's Farm Chicken, honey dates, mustard caviar// Braised Wagyu beef cheeks, California citrus.

Dirty dancing at Teddy's.

Tourist time at LACMA.

Too much fun with my bestie.
I was wearing: Velvet jumper, H&M leather pants, Karen Millen booties, Alexander McQueen scarf as a turban, Chanel bag.

Amazing desserts at Bottega Louie.

Poolside drinks at The Standard Hollywood.
I'm clearly wearing too much clothing. 

Decadent dinner at The Aventine.
Must try: Margherita Pizza and Lasagna. So good!

A few weeks ago I spent 24 whirlwind hours in L.A.

Based on the photos above, I would say that we were very efficient with our time.

Just another reason I love living in Southern Cali - when you need a change of pace, just hop into a car, 

and two hours later you'll find yourself in a whole new world.

American Pie

As much as I love the city life,

sometimes a girl just needs to escape.

After hosting a whirlwind Thanksgiving dinner last weekend,

that is exactly what the husband and I decided to do.

We headed straight to Julian,

which is about 1.5 hours away from central San Diego,

and offers up some of the best apple pie known to man. 

There's always a line gathered outside of the famous Julian Pie Company,

and for good reason too. 

Their pies are delish!

Loved seeing all the fall colors!

It was a nice change of pace from our constantly-sunny surroundings,

so naturally,

the husband was forced to model.

This guy was my favorite.

Obviously, the first thing I thought of was Napoleon Dynamite. 

"Tina you fat lard! Come get some dinner!"

I love taking little day trips like this with my man. 

Have you ever been to Julian?

Isn't it lovely?