Santa Monica Dreamin'

Just as I was itchin' to get out of Arizona and my sister in law, from Oregon, text me about meeting up with them in California for Spring Break--I immediately text Marcus about getting a day off work so we could make it a long weekend!

We had the best time, soaking in the breezy ocean weather and loving all the coastal vegetation. It was the first time any of them had met Simon and he loved all the attention he got from his Oregon cousins!

They're moving to California at the end of the Summer and so we can't wait for many more meet ups!

I loved the colors in this painting so much. Wouldn't it be so cool to have the money to commission beautiful pieces like this of your family?!

Simon got a little tired and just kept laying down in the middle of the museum...super clean, I'm sure.
His Squad Goals Tee is from @SayKids, Bloomers from BillieBlooms, Moccs from Little Pine Outfitters and Suspenders from TrendyTies

"Uncle Jason" (my brother) taking art very seriously...

The Getty grounds were so beautiful and FREE!

I LOVE CALIFORNIA

We stayed at the Oceana Beach Club in a family suite. 

It looked out onto the beach and was so lovely!

His romper is from Rad Revolution, my diaper bag is FawnDesign

Traditional stop at the Ace Hotel Photobooth

Simon's first road trip in his big boy Orbitbaby Toddler Carseat and he did great! I was worried he wouldn't sleep as well since it's more upright, but he quickly put that to rest...

instas from the anniversary trip to california

desert colors.

my favorite part of the drive.

coconut drinks from bear flag fish co.

deciding to not spend all our money at zara.

don't worry, jay gatspy's rolls royce was just parked in front of the beach house.

 

making a wish.

  

giant beluga, nbd.

after a great day at sea world, we were feeling the need for fish tacos, again.

shrimp and sea bass tacos from blue water grill.

watching the sunset in the strangest of shapes on san clemente pier.

visiting our wedding temple after two years. looks nice without all that scaffolding...;)

beach town streets.

not ready to face the reality of the return home.

anniversary week: a penny a pape.

two years ago today we were at this gorgeous art deco government building in San Diego getting the paperwork needed to do the most exciting thing of our lives thus far. 

and then with a self-timer and a crafter purse-turned-tripod, i had the pleasure of finding out you knew how to Newsies jump and the rightness of my decision was confirmed ten fold.

i'm gonna need to see that one again, mister.

++blowfish giveaway announced here.

Big Bay Boom 2012

we had such a fun mini-trip to san diego to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, the weather, the food, and the family.

turns out coronado island is the place to be on independence day morning. the island puts on the cutest little hometown parade. and let's not talk about the dreamland houses...

after the parade we set up camp at a park in the big bay boom harbor. its called the big bay boom because you can see three there are multiple barges putting on the same fireworks show and they're all visible in that bay.
we were there about 8 hours before the fireworks show was scheduled to begin at 9:00pm--eating a picnic lunch, napping, and visiting, and reserving the perfect spot.

marcus and i were laying on a blanket counting down the last few minutes when suddenly the entire sky lit up and just as we both rocketed up (screaming i might add) we saw the most gorgeous display of lights in the sky and heard the most deafening sound of our lives.
for the duration of the boom my eyes were popping out of my head, i was in a full scream and i think happy tears were coming out of the sockets my eyes used to reside.
i can't think of a time in my life that in such a short amount of time my happyness radar has risen so high or so quickly.
once it was over, i told marcus we could never watch fireworks anywhere else, and that we could go home now because nothing else they did could be as amazing as the one we just saw.

so, after waiting for about 30 minutes for the rest of the scheduled 30 minutes show to happen, we were informed that there was a malfunction on all the barges and that all the fireworks had gone off at once!
but i didn't really mind because i had just experience something i might never see or feel again.
that day in july 2012 the Big Bay Boom, really lived up to its name. and that day, we witness history.


So which would you rather see: 30 minutes wrapped up into a crazy 1 minute show or the scheduled 30 minute display?

you can see the video and question posed here.

{For Fashion's Sake} Saturday: Balboa Island

Oh My Goodness!

Last night we had a little dinner/game date with my brother, Jarom and sister-in-law, Kara. 

She made us this delicious Cafe Rio inspired dinner mexi dinner and this to-die-for apple turnover with fresh organic whipped cream. 

She has a cooking blog with all her healthy recipes that you simply MUST check out! 

AND if you live in the Arizona area, she teaches really great classes.

Here's the thing:

 Her healthy stuff is actually amazing! 

And I wouldn't lie to you, I'm a pretty picky eater and sometimes I see her food and I think, oh man, there's a lot of fill in the blank in that, I hope I like it. 

And EVERYTIME I am super impressed. 

I don't just like it, but I end up thinking about it for years to come (especially her mouthwatering desserts!) 

So if you're interested in cooking definitely head over to her blog!

And, just so you know, WHOONU is probably one of my favorite games of all time.

Now, onto the fashion.

The Breakdown:

Army Jacket: Forever21 $19

Straw Hat: H&M $6

Gold Necklace: EmersonMade Gift from NieNie

Gingham Top: Banana Republic Sale $19

Skinnies: GAP $20ish

Sperries: Online Sale $40

Nail Polish: Essie A-List

blue gingham top

straw fedora

Beautiful California {Numero Tres}

Monday we took the ferry over to Balboa Island. 

I had always wanted to go there, so it was fun to put a face to the name...um, can you use that expression for place? 

Do places have faces?? hmm...

It was also one of the only days we didn't look like beach bums, so we took a lot of pictures.

Marcus and I have this slight obsession with the whole 'A&M.'

In fact, it's engraved into my engagement ring. Someday I'll have to do a post of all the A&M things we've collected. Yes, that will be fun.

Have You Ever Been to Balboa Island?

Have You Seen Rocky Balboa?

totally unrelated. but both totally awesome.