Wedding Wednesday: Coronado Nuptials

This Wedding Wednesday is especially near and dear to my heart, as Bianca is one of my very best friends in the world. I was lucky enough to stand up next to her as she married Bobby, a day I won't soon forget. Not only was this the first wedding I've been in, it's also the first of a string of weddings that will happen in the next year for some of my favorite ladies. The wedding age is finally upon me, and I'm thrilled!

Bianca hosted the sweetest bridesmaid brunch for all of us bridesmaids. We drank mimosas and celebrated the final moments of her singledom. Mini doughnuts may have happened. I mean at that point, your bridesmaid body isn't going to change...right? Might as well indulge! We all stayed together the night before the wedding, and let me tell you, waking up with your best friend on her wedding day is one of the most amazing things in the world. The girl was glowing.

We all got ready together in the suite. Girls in robes, blow dryers whirring and the tipsy giggles of delicious mumm champagne filled the room. Bobby impressively sent over a stack of wedding day presents, all wrapped in custom weiner dog wrapping paper with her pup's name "milo" stamped all over it. Even better? Inside one of the well wrapped boxes was the gorgeous Rifle Paper Co. recipe box! Gah! I just love that thing.

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful. It was held in a small catholic church on the island. The room was filled with 300 members of Bianca & Bobby's relatives, friends, close family and more adorable kids than you could imagine! I wish I had more photos, but that would have been odd up there with a camera.

My mom and Chris were out there cheering on the new couple, which was an amazing feeling knowing they cared enough about my friend to make themselves available to be there.

The magical evening ended with all kinds of cake, a moo time gelato cart, and the grand finale - lanterns. It was absolutely perfect. My heart is still so full of love for Bianca & Bobby. Congratulations!

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Tartine, revisited

As I sit here and type this on a Monday night, it already feels like Thursday, or maybe even Friday. So many fun, exciting, scary changes happening in my life at the moment and the last thing I feel like doing is writing. Getting cozy on the couch and soaking up this feeling of exhaustion sounds like a much better plan. While oogling pictures of my recent trip to Tartine in San Diego. Which I am way too addicted to. See here for previous restaurantgush.

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{Powder Room Fashionista - Week 10}

Ahh 4th of July weekend. My annual escape to San Diego to unplug, unwind & breathe in the clear ocean air. A packed weekend filled with wedding planning, new restaurant trying, neighborhood touring and shopping was more fun than I could have imagined. Now back to reality for at least a few days, until my mama gets in town! It's already been a great summer. Keep it coming, universe!

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{Searsucker}

I've never walked into a restaurant and felt more like I had walked directly into my dream home. I wanted to eat there and live there all at the same time. Searsucker is a must-visit for all San Diego travelers, and after finding the 850+ reviews in Yelp, apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way.

My wandering eyes kept finding design treats all over the restaurant. I'm a lover of exposed lightbulbs, and there were plenty near our table to keep me preoccupied. The marble tabletops were beautiful, and I loved the rough wood and rope. Basically, I plan on copying everything for my apartment.

As brunch aficionados, Bianca & I scoured the menu for breakfast treats, only pausing to order mimosas. We had to stop our waiter more than once to get the scoop on mystery menu items like the "one foot in the grave" or the "mcpuffin in the morning". In the end we settled on one sweet order, and one savory, with the idea to split between the two of us.

{bourbon brown butter french toast}

{chive turkey - blackberry jam, ricotta-herb, radish, sprouts on sourdough}

The food was tasty, but I certainly didn't doubt that it would be. Honestly, the french toast wasn't my favorite...BUT before you go not ordering it the next time you visit - I don't actually like french toast. I'm still contemplating why my brain lapsed and I forgot that little tidbit while we ordered. The turkey sandwich had just the right amount of sweet to balance out the flavorful radishes, and the sourdough was soft perfection.  I'd definitely order it again.

{Walk on the Ocean}

Hands down my favorite John Mayer song, ever.

I couldn't help but hum quietly as we strolled a long the beach. 

Coronado Island is crazy beautiful! 

Clear skies, sand in your toes, beach volleyball and happy hour at the hotel del. 

Living here sounds like a dream.

{Renew}

This, was glorious.

Closing your eyes, tipping your head back & breathing in the ocean air.

Waves crashing in front of you and the lightest breeze on your cheek.

It has an amazingly cleansing effect on the soul.

{Retreat}

I work very well under pressure. I don't necessarily like being extremely busy, but I function so much better in those types of conditions. Unfortunately, this makes me pretty susceptible to reaching burn out levels. With work, blogging, friends and what little time I set aside to just be alone, I'm sensing my bubble of calm is about to burst. So I'm escaping for the weekend.

To a beautiful place with wonderful friends, for girl time, for margaritas, for beach walks, ocean air and late nights. I'm leaving the computer at home, trying to stay off the usual pile of social networks (except instagram of course!) and can only hope to return completely refreshed.

Have a lovely Friday & weekend, friends!

{Dessert Addict}

Most people have a stopping point, where their brain or stomach lets them know they've officially overdosed on sweets and they need to stop. My brain & stomach do not. Which means when I'm brought to amazing restaurants like Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego, my brain will force me to daydream about that place for weeks after. Seriously, I need a trip back! 

Our good friends Sarah & Damian had been to the restaurant before, and recommended we go back for birthday celebrating after the football game. Sarah is well aware of my chocolate addiction, and could not have picked a better place to go!

The downside to this fantastic restaurant is the wait time for dinner. I think we waited a little over an hour to be seated, which would have been fine if they didn't make you stare at glass case after glass case of dreamy looking desserts. They even have a register at the front if you need a treat to snack on while you wait.

We were finally seated before anyone of us freaked out from hunger or caved from temptation. I didn't get a good shot of the dining room since it's all lit pretty dimly, but it's filled with modern-ish looking furniture on the inside with high & low tables, booths and a beautiful patio.

We ordered a few different appetizers & paninis and an amazing grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions. The bread was a little to thin/crispy for my liking, but all the ingredients were amazingly fresh and flavorful. We ate until we were stuffed but managed to save room for the most incredible (dare I say...extraordinary?) chocolate cake I've ever ever had. Ever.

Not real.

We also ordered the berry bread pudding, which completely changed my outlook on bread puddings. I didn't use to like them and now I do. But I'm insisting on gold leaf to top the dessert from now on.

Chris & I managed to pull ourselves out of food comas to go out that night, while S & D headed back home. It was so nice to have them drive all the way out to hang out while we were in town, and I'm excited for the next time we all get to see each other!

{Tartine}

Both times I've visited San Diego, my friend Bianca always talks about her favorite restaurant on Coronado, Tartine. We needed a place to grab a cup of coffee & get some breakfast, and finally decided to make time to visit the French cafe. 

 

We sat down and ordered apple juice (my favorite when it comes in the adorable glass bottles!). Tartine has a great breakfast & lunch menu, but they're also know for their fantastic pastries, breads and desserts.

{glass case glare will be the death of me}

We waited for our server for what seemed like forever (the service is not the best), but at least I had ample time to decide and re-decide what I wanted to order. Between the oatmeal, sandwiches, topping-filled salads, and breakfast choices, my indecisiveness was taking over.

Holy. Clearly I wasn't reading the menu carefully enough, because if I had seen the ham & cheese quiche the fist time through, I wouldn't have had a hard time! I LOVE quiche. Seriously, love.

Chris & Bianca both ordered the turkey sandwiches with a side salad, and the BEST salad dressing I've ever tasted. Homemade creamy champagne vinaigrette something delicious, light and fancy. If it wasn't a 6 hour drive back to Phoenix from SD, I would have bought a case load of this dressing, which I'm sure many people do! They sell it at the front near the registers (for all of you out there who about to run straight there to pick up your own bottle).

Bianca's mom met us a little later, and ordered a blueberry scone while she waited for her salad. Considering it was right there... I guess I had to try it. Worth it.