Birthday Recap Pt. 2

Over my birthday weekend, we decided to grab dinner in downtown Los Angeles at Bottega Louie...one of our favorite restaurants!  I know, I know..it's a zoo over the weekend, but it's worth the wait!  We wanted to have a couple drinks during our outing so we rented a towncar to take us into town.  OH so fancy. ;)

Cool cityscape shot from the 110!  Since we had a two hour wait, we got drinks at the bar and of course had a photoshoot!

 I spy Jeff double-fisting..hmm..

Dinner was of course marvelous..

panzanella salad

portobello mushroom fries..mmmm

After dinner we strolled across the street to Seven Grand.  Seven Grand is a whiskey bar adorned with wood paneling, flannel, and all things that represent the back-woods.  They have an extensive whiskey menu, but I decided to not live dangerously and go for the cider.  They do, however, make a mean hot tottie, perfect for a sore throat or when a good nasal cleanse is needed. :)

It was SUPER crowded, but I'm happy we were able to experience one of the most "happening" places in DTLA right now.  I'm just glad that we were able to get out of the house and try out new places! DTLA..I like you..I like you a lot.  Thank you everyone for such a fun birthday weekend! xo

Birthday Recap pt. 1

I felt so much love on my birthday.  Scott surprised me with a beautiful gift, my coworkers brought me breakfast in the morning and took to me out to lunch, and my friend of 16 years was in town to help celebrate! 

Firstly, I told Scott in advance that I did not want a birthday gift and to save his money for the birthday festivities we would be having over the week.  Soo on Thursday I came home to this:

Beautiful flowers, a card, and a cute owl dish to throw our keys/mail/etc in.  I've been recently collecting owls so I've got another thing to add to my collection!  After hugging Scott thank you, he asked if I could grab him a beer from the fridge..when I opened the door I found this!

I should have known...

Love it!

My good friend Laurie and her husband Matt were in town so we made plans to go to Fishbar for dinner.  While we waited for them we popped champagne and had an impromptu photoshoot.

Laurie and Matt arrived after experiencing the glory that is LA traffic, and we were off to Fishbar!  Fishbar never ceases to amaze me, I've posted about it before...everything was delish!  AND we even met the Chef!  Laurie and Matt tried their first oyster!  I don't think they're sold on them quite yet, but taking the oyster plunge is definitely tough so I will give them that! :)

Work the next morning was a bit tough, but we had a blast..and that's all that matters.  Pt 2 birthday recap will be posted soon!

Meat-Free for 3 weeks!

I decided to give up meat and become a vegetarian. Actually I guess I am a pescatarian since I continue to eat fish. For about a year, I've started to become somewhat, for lack of a better word, disgusted my red meat, pork and poultry. I would hardly eat it, but when I did I couldn't help but think about all the chemicals I'm consuming along with the meat product. Hormones and antibiotics were all I thought about. I started to buy organic and grass fed beef, but I would still feel awful...not to mention, my wallet became lighter.

It was hard for me to wrap my head around this whole vegetarian idea because I grew up LOVING meat. Steak and baked potato was my absolute favorite meal. The last time I had a steak was probably six months ago, and I barely finished half of it. My have times changed...

I needed to try being meat free for a while, so I thought what's a better time to give something up than for lent. So many people give something up for lent, regardless if they're Catholic, so I won't be alone.

I've been meat-free for three weeks and I don't miss it at all!  I have even noticed that I can fit into a pair a pants that I haven't been able to wear in forever!  YAY!  All in all I'm pleased with myself for having the strength to do this. It really hasn't been too difficult, and I am feeling great now that I'm eating clean! 

I do have to admit, I miss bacon.  After lent is over, I will probably continue to stay veggie...but I will submit to the occasional bacon strip from time to time.  AND I apologize in advance but when Scott and I go back to Tucson in a few weeks, I WILL be consuming a sonoran hot dog.  I must.  Those things are non-existant in LA and I need it.

Source

I'm still here!

I've been neglecting my blog lately and I feel terrible! Unfortunately some things have come up that forced me to take a break for a minute. My 93 year old grandmother passed last week. She left this world with my mom and uncle present and with a smile on her face. RIP grandma.

Secondly I've just been so busy that when I do have free time I just want to relax and not think! I promise to change that starting tomorrow.

New and exciting posts are in the in the making! I'm sorry, blog, that I've put you on the back burner...I still love you.