Bites of My Life

I’m not doing my best at delivery a “bite of my life” so far in 2019. 4 weeks in and only 2 posts to show for it. However despite the lack of posts, there is still plenty to share! The year started with me going through a major rut in my work and kind of in my personal life too. With a little perseverance and prayers and I’m really starting to feel the wind change! Things are looking up.

As far as work, instead taking some work load off my plate, I countered by adding on more. In the form of fun projects, clients (yup!!), grabbing coffee with those who inspire me and taking courses to continue to gain new ideas. As far as personal life goes, I turned to retail and travel therapy. Nothing like a couple new sweaters and a trip out of town that can’t pull you out of a slump!

-Fun project/client #1 has to do with one of the coolest new spots in town.
-Exhibit A of taking a course to help me stay inspired and creative in my field.
-One of my retail therapy purchases includes this headband from H&M that I feel entirely too good in when I wear. It’s the little things people.
-A local beer crawl with all your besties is the perfect way to spend the cold/boring January weekends.
-Whole 30 Chicken Piccata from the Whole30 queen, The Defined Dish on tap for dinners last week. Note, I omitted the chicken stock in the recipe because I was meal prepping and didn’t care to have a sauce.
-Perks of traveling United early in the morning. I love these stroopwafel’s with coffee and tea!
-My travels led me back to the west coast for the second time in the past 3 months! The weekend had big intentions of being a surprise, but life happens and so does the stomach bug, and sometimes you have to tell the birthday boy his friends are showing up in 12 hours and ya got to rally!
-Newport Beach I love you.
-Cliche “best weekend with the best people” kind of feeling.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Back from a perfect girls trip to California and I’m already counting down until I go back. 5 months to be exact, in case you were wondering. No birthday or bachelorette to celebrate just a good ole girls trip.

“I should move here.” Something I say after just about every trip I go on, my dad says it too me to. I did it once, hi DC! I had only been to southern California one other time, both times now to Newport Beach. Looks like NP is trying to show off for me…

-Cold temps are here in OKC! My last week of the “fall reset” I was participating in called for pumpkin overnight oats, but I had to opt for warm pumpkin oats over cold with the cooler temperatures. I did low sugar maple instant oatmeal with a spoonful of pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and chia seeds mixed in.
-INSANE matcha from the new Woodshed Tea that just opened in the city. Order it with oat milk and ask for a sample of their oat milk matcha cold brew. Equally insane.
-Headed to sunny southern California for a long weekend girls trip. Highlight of the trip was seeing my long lost bestie gal that left me for LA in June.
-First morning in Newport had to be fueled properly. The Bueno Bowl from Alta Coffee was muy delicioso!
-Boat, drink, eat repeat. The outline for our southern California girls trip!
-Cheese from a tub still deserves to be styled.
-Scout spotted in Newport! My favorite brand making an appearance on our trip to keep our boat ride drinks cold and cool in style. I quickly jumped on this photo opp!
-Sunset rooftop drinks at Lido House with a RHOC celeb sighting. Trip accomplished.
-Sweet finish to a super sweet trip!

Annie

I’m working on some travel posts recapping my recent trips. Until then, let’s time travel to my visit to Newport Beach two years ago.

The Locations, The People, and The Drama Are Real

Name that reality show. Ever since middle school when I started watching LC on Laguna Beach it's been my dream to go visit the coastal town. Eight years later and mom and pop made my vacation dreams come true. We were actually in Newport Beach just north of Laguna. To my surprise I liked it even better than Laguna! 

Since the trip I've been watching Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor trying to pick up on more spots I may recognize now. Mom too! I loaded up on episodes for us to watch on the plane ride home. I may or may not have bought a shirt at Laguna Surf & Sport....come on I had to support Stephen's old place of work. If you are ever taking a trip to either, consult me. Mom, dad and I all agreed we did it just right. We were there the perfect amount of town, visited each important area, got just enough beach and pool time and hit up all the best restaurants.

Started the trip on a sweet note with donuts from Roses. Seriously amazing maple old fashioned.

The perfect fuel for our bike ride all up and down Balboa Peninsula.

Took the ferry over the harbor for some more exploring. Got a frozen banana from, a staple for any trip to Balboa apparently.

Headed back into Newport to get the tuna and salmon poke from Bear Flag Fish Co.

Spent the rest of the day by the pool with a mojito in hand!

Amazing dinner at Javier's! I'm talking lobster enchiladas!!

Morning walk at Crystal Cove to walk off all the chips and salsa.

The whole Crystal Cove beach area had this 1950's Gilligan's Island feel to it, we loved it.  

Suckered dad into a healthy breakfast after our walk. This pink smoothie was all his decision.

I got a pink breakfast too, but went with the Pitaya bowl from Nekter. Recreating asap. 

Healthy breakfast was squashed after this, but lunch at Ruby's Shake Shack on the beach was no question. 

Dinner at The Beachcomber while the sun is setting is pretty hard to beat.

And to think I'm not a beach person...

With recommendations, we found ourselves the next morning at the most perfect breakfast spot.

Zinc Cafe and Market was giving me all kinds of inspiro for the kind of place I'd love to open someday.

Our orders were delivered and I immediately pulled out my phone. My parents were very patient with my food pictures this trip.

The streets don't look like this in Oklahoma. 

Spent all Saturday popping around Laguna. Unfortunately no Kristen, Stephen or LC sightings. Dinner at 230 Forest Avenue made up for it. Those are oysters with pomegranate granita btw. 

My cioppino was just a take a bite picture waiting to happen.

Full to our necks, but gelato was a must for our last night of the trip. 

Zinc day two because I was so obsessed. Who else has always wanted to eat an egg like this? Stinking cute.

Finally one last bite of the trip at Bear Flag. A repeat restaurant stop because it was that good too. Fish tacos this time and amazing pico and chips. I got hooked on Have'A chips at home little to know they are made right here in Laguna! 

Props to mom and dad for being the best travel partners and props to southern California for stealing my heart. Good thing we all agreed we must go back next summer, oops!

Annie

Bites of My Life

California dreamin' and lovin'. I'm on a high after our trip to SoCal. For not being the biggest beach person, I think California just sold me. I had done all my research on best restaurants, things to do and even compiled a list of all the hot places the cast of Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor were spotted at. I love it, don't judge me. 

Just mom, dad and I soaking up the California sun. I'd take a vacation with my parents any day. Today is a just a peak at some of my favorite California bites, stay tuned for the full recap tomorrow. 

-Started the Cali bites off right with donuts at coffee.

-First adventure of the trip was riding bikes around Balboa Island. We heard a stop at Dad's for a frozen banana was a must...it was, even if it was 10 in the morning. 

-Spent almost every afternoon at the pool with a good book and drink in hand. This trip finally got me back into reading. 

-Morning walks on the beach were a must. 

-Convinced my parents into a healthier breakfast option on day 2. The pitaya bowl from Nekter is getting recreated asap. That and pretty much everything else I ate. 

-Put our healthy breakfast to shame with burgers and hot dogs on the beach. 

-Dinner on the beach with the best travel companions. 

-Fell in love with the cutest market and cafe I made my parents go two days in a row. 

-You don't get this kind of view on walks in Oklahoma. 

-Color crush on this whole trip. The beach, the people and the food was all full of color. 

-Literally take a bite.

-Last bite in Cali at the best fish taco spot with ulti chips and salsa. 

Annie