Bites of My Life

I was talking with two friends this morning about how I always get “in my feelings” after traveling. Something about seeing another part of the country, how other people live, being inspired by new scenery, and have long flights on either end with little to do but just think. Well, it always gets me thinking. Coming off being in LA for one of my best friend’s (and twin in KKG) wedding, has me thinking do I move? When do I go back? I posted this image on instagram today with the caption “plotting my return.” Kind of kidding kind of serious. The feeling typically passes after I’ve gotten back into my routine and realize how great my life in Oklahoma City is, but still. Does anyone else feel like this after traveling? Looking back at one of my past bites posts after I was in SoCal last fall, shows I clearly had the same thoughts..

Not pictured below, but a huge part of last week was last minute scoring cheap tickets to see Hozier. I’ve been a fan since his beginning, but I’m wildly obsessed with his new album. I had looked up the set list prior and was excited by the list, but sad to see he wasn’t singing one of my favorites. To my surprise, in the encore, he mentioned that they were going to sing a song they had never sung live before. Low and behold they sung “To Make Noise,” and I squealed. Proof is saved in my music story highlight on instagram.

Then it was off to Los Angeles for a wedding weekend for the books. Kick off cocktails Thursday, followed by dinner at SUR (Vanderpump Rules anyone?). Brunch and exploring Venice on Friday and a welcome party at Catch LA. Then lunch at The Ivy Saturday and shopping in West Hollywood before the main event at the Beverly Hills Hotel. We were slumming it in an AirBnB with 14 people, yet still felt like a celebrity driving up and down Sunset Blvd. all weekend.

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-Back on the smoothie game in a strong way. Last week’s recipe was tart cherries, frozen cauliflower, vanilla protein, water, then cinnamon, maca, ashwagandha, and ground flax for hormonal health.
-She’s twelve now I swear! JK she’s not even two yet, but seeing Elle moved into her “big girl” room made her instantly age 10 years on me!
-Since I was leaving Thursday of last week, I didn’t buy new groceries and was scraping out the last bits of groceries. I’ve been trying to stay stocked on staples like chickpeas, brown rice, and sweet potatoes which in turn resulted in a delicious clean out the fridge meal before leaving town.
-Made it to Beverly Hills for #ShesAlwaysBennett and headed straight for the Pink Palace on Sunset Blvd.
-Skipped the notable McCarthy salad (sorry Molly!!) for a classic club sandwich, poolside, to kick off the California eats! Needed carbs after hours without eating from traveling!
-Spent Friday bopping around Venice and Santa Monica. I’d spent about an hour in Venice last fall and was excited to go back. We did brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter which did not disappoint. Santa Monica however kind if did. Too busy and commercialized for what I had envisioned.
-Saturday brunch at The Ivy. An absolute must if you are going to LA. I ordered the grilled vegetable salad, but heard the burger is unbeatable.
-Maybe it was just because we were in Los Angeles, but felt boarder line celebrity getting my hair done and all dressed up! All the feels seeing one of my best friends get married in one of the best locations.
-Finished book #4 and #5 of 2019 over the weekend. Save your time on Girl, Stop Apologizing. I bought into Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis and would still recommend it, but GSA was not my cup of tea, turns out followers on instagram agreed after I shared my thoughts.

Annie

Salad bite: While researching the McCarthy’s salad to link it above, I found this article about Hollywood’s 5 Favorite Salads. Looks like I really do need to go back to LA to cross a few more off my list.

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!

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-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…

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-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.