Lunch Dates 4 Your Sanity.

Her: Round Sunnies//Oasap (similar here and here) Jumpsuit with Sleeves//Forever21 (similar here here here here here and here) Belt//Jcrew (similar here) Sandal Clogs//American Eagle (similar here and here) Zip Transport Tote//Madewell (buy here)

Him: Linen Shirt//Old Navy (buy here) Watch//Citizen (buy here) Sunnies//Jcrew Factory (buy here) Jeans//Jcrew (buy here) 1883 Boots//Wolverine (buy here)

Several months ago now, Marcus' sister, Alice, insisted on babysitting Simon for us...we didn't resist to much :). Simon was 4-months-old and we had only been on one other date without him (2 months prior). I remember thinking we weren't gonna be that couple, we were definitely going to get babysitters every week and go on regular date nights, but parenthood quickly makes you learn, YOU ARE GOING TO BE THAT COUPLE for a lot of different things. So, word to the wise, just don't ever say, "I'll never..." because, you just might.

It's weird, it was one of those things that we didn't really realize we needed until we actually did it. While it was hard taking Simon with us when we went out to dinner, we also loved him so much that we liked being with him, so it didn't feel like a burden. But let me tell you, going out with just the two of us again--IT WAS GLORIOUS! We held hands in the car (instead of trying to dangle toys over a screaming baby's head the whole drive). We hugged and made-out in the parking lot (Oh yeah, we did!) and we just about cried doing it because it felt like we hadn't just plain old hugged without a baby in one of our arms in a lonnnnng time! It was just a lunch date at Culinary Dropout, another Fox Concept Restaurant that we love (I'm starting to feel like they should sponsor me, given all the plugs I give them...). Marcus had the Pastrami Sandwich and I always get their pretzel fondu...mmmm! We talked and ate our meals at the same time as each other (something you don't get to do with a high-needs baby at the dinner table). It was so refreshing. I know it's important to foster the marriage relationship, and it's something we're going to work on making more of a priority for sure!

Dates FTW! I like my Marcus.

Flowerchild.

OUTFIT DEETS: Orbit Stroller//here, Boater Hat//similar here, Acid wash tee//similar here or here, buffalo check flannel//here, Lace up booties//similar here, Jeans//here, Midi Rings//here, Hidden Crown Hair Extensions//here, Simon's onesie//here, Marcus' linen top//here

So about a month and half ago, I won a dinner feast at Flowerchild through IG and I think I screamed out loud when I saw my name announced. Marcus and I are HUGE fans of all the Fox Restaurant Concepts here in the Phoenix area (let's face it, he's a genius) and had recently discovered the wonderful magic of Flowerchild thanks to an event the generously sponsored for The Shine Project. It's unfortunately a bit of a drive from Mesa, so we only head out there when Marcus has the day off and we're feeling fancy at lunch time ;). Usually when we go, we get the avocado hummus with pita and fresh veggies, and it's insanely good and I highly recommend it. The prize was to choose a protein and three sides, so we were 'forced' to branch out. The only thing I was set on was the corn and quinoa side, because I had had that before and craved it for a straight month after. OH EM GEE, it's yummy. I actually told Marcus we should get two sides of it so I didn't have to share, not realizing that the dinner sides are way bigger than the usual side--luckily he talked me out of that plan. For the rest of our choices, we basically asked the staff what we should try and left it up to them. The beet salad was rich and creamy and really good. The indian spiced cauliflower was for Marcus' sake--I don't like indian food, but he liked it. And the tomato, watermelon basil salad was really unique and quite refreshing. The steak was great, but again, huge portions, so we had it for like three meals after this. Also, be sure and get their daily lemonade--we've tried about 6 of their flavors and everyone has been a treat! 

Here's my final top recommendations {based on this trip and prior ones}: Avocado Hummus, Corn & Quinoa, Lemon Olive Oil Cake,  Flying Avocado Wrap, Any flavor of Lemonade, and the Beet, Avocado & Citrus Salad

Have you tried any of the Fox Spots? What's your fave?

You can check out how we spent our whole day on @orbitbaby --I took over their IG account yesterday :)

downtown mesa, you're making me happy.

Taken at the Mesa Urban Garden (next door to RE)

 Dearest Republica Empanada,

Everyday I crave you. Your warm and gooey bean and cheese empanandas, your black bean salad, and your perfectly seasoned yuca fries. You are the ying to my yang, the beat to my groove and the wind beneath my wings. To quote Lena Del Rey, “baby, you’re the best.” Keep doing what you’re doing, and if you could invite the owl guy back sometime, I think people would be happy for it.

Love you,

Ashley

lucky meeting you here.

friday night we had the best accidental encounter.

we were driving in mesa and we decided to go take some pictures at this new downtown mesa urban garden project. we had stopped by there once before to see what it was all about and it was still in it's very early stages.

<<what i wore>>

head scarf//vintage (similar here)

sunnies and lace top//c.o. oasap  

undershirt//c.o. undertease 

belt and pencil skirt//j.crew (similar belt here and skirt here $18)

turquoise bracelet//threads 

gold watch//c.o. mimi's the look 

tabby boots//c.o. pb&j boutique

so we were taking some pictures and admiring how great everything was looking when this man, Ryan, walked up to us, introduced himself as the creature of the project and started telling us his inspiration to turn downtown mesa into something really great--since this is a subject that often graces the mouths of marcus and I, we were all ears. he's created a space that you can rent out garden plots, they provide the water and watering system and the beautiful space in which to work. your rent also includes admittance into some really cool events they'll be having at the space. they even let me plant some sunflowers before i left (still have a little dirt under my fingernail)! you should go check it out in a few weeks and see them bloom!

we then asked him about the progress of the restaurant next door, Republica Empanda, another new project we had been keeping our eye on. he told us to go over there and talk to the owner, he was in there now.

we were so excited to get a glimpse of it before it opened, and boy oh, boy, we were not disappointed. 

the building has been a life-time favorite of mine, and i had actually always dreamed of owning it and turning it into an amazing vintage clothing shop or a specialty soda bar, but when i saw that it went to someone who truly understood it's beauty and design, I couldn't have been happier for marco. marco is so nice and really passionate about mesa and bringing it back to life, and i love people like that.

i can't wait for them to open officially (Early April) so we can give them a try!

marcus basking in the idea of not having to drive to tempe, scottsdale or phoenix just to go somewhere cool and local to eat...

meeting two awesome, inspiring people whose projects we've been admiring for months by chance within minutes of each other was awesome! i love people who are brave enough to do something that's a little scary, because they're passionate enough to do something amazing. i want to be like that.

if you live in arizona or ever plan to come for a visit, you should like their pages on facebook to show support of some really great projects! 
Mesa Urban Garden 
Republica Empanada