Ok, So Maybe They're Right About the 405

This past week has been really nice. I started my day on Thursday with a drive to Orange County. The drive up the 5 was absolutely beautiful! At some points I could see the ocean. The hills and the scenery made the drive really enjoyable! When I got there, I met Sarah from Once Upon A Lime for lunch at Seabirds Kitchen in Costa Mesa. This place was so good! It was entirely vegetarian/vegan, and everything was super healthy and yummy! I had a Jack Asada taco and a Seasonal Kale salad. I couldn't believe the taco wasn't made with meat! It was so good! I would definitely recommend stopping by and trying Seabirds if you have a chance and you live in SoCal.

After lunch, I went to Newport Beach to lay out and study for a little bit. I could live here. I have always wanted to live by the beach.

After getting in some studying and sun, I grabbed some tacos at Baja Sharkeez. It was hoppin' so I had to check it out!

I really liked Newport. I need to spend another day there to check out the shops.

The seagull seemed perfectly content posing for the pic with me.

I talked to Tricia who said Ali was doing wonderful. Look at the sweet picture she sent me!

I can't wait to see her when I get back!

This is Stephanie's dog Magic, who took a liking to me immediately. I'm being told I should make sure to get the smell off of me before I get home or someone will be jealous ;-).

The next day I went to Laguna Beach. I got some iced coffee at Koffee Klatch. Look how beautiful the inside was:

Then I went to Adrift where Liz helped me pick out a really cute jumpsuit that was 60% off! I absolutely love this store! Their stuff is really unique and pretty.

I also saw this ring and had to have it:

They only had it in a size 8, which doesn't fit any of my fingers, so I got the designer's card and ordered it online.

On my way to the beach, I decided it was snack time. Check out this crazy amazing candy store!!

They had every flavor of salt water taffy imaginable!

I got a small sampling to take to the beach:

The flavors starting from top left and moving clockwise are birthday cake, watermelon, salted caramel mocha, maple bacon, and red velvet in the middle. The maple bacon was actually really good! My favorite, though, was the watermelon.

Just another day studying at the beach....don't mind if I do :-).

Coach Susan would be in heaven running the hills here! I think I'd be in a medieval form of hell.

Steph and I grabbed dinner at Yard House later that night. We are on the same page about so many things in life. It is so cool! She's my brother from another mother, except sister, but brother rhymes better. We both ordered healthy stuff off of the menu. I got a pork taco and an ahi tuna burger lettuce wrapped:

Both things were super yummy, and I would definitely recommend them. The taco was over the top good, though! The savory pork combined with the sweetness of the mango salsa was perfect. I have had so many tacos since I got to Cali! Thank God they can be made healthy!

The next day, we headed over to Charles' place to get our tattoos done. Steph had the idea of the phrase, and we picked out a font together. Here is what they ended up looking like:

Steph

Me

I sported Chubbs the Pug while getting tatted :-).

Steph was brave enough to let me squeeze her hand. She still has her hand, FYI.

I also decided to get Ali's paw touched up.

Did it hurt? Yup! Like a MF'er! Was it worth the pain? Yup! Absolutely! We are in love with the way they turned out. The way we feel about these tats is the way you *should* feel after you get one-like you can't wait to show everyone and tell them the meaning behind it! Melissa is going to get the same tattoo when she's done with chemo. We're three sisters that have all had our own battles and are going down our own roads in life, but we are all there for each other. It's perfect.

Look what Steph's Mom, Lynn got for me! I mean, is it obvious that I like pugs or something? I had no idea...

That night, Steph and I went to Aloha Grill in Hungington a Beach for dinner. It was fantastic!

Sunday, I headed up north to explore LA and Santa Monica. I had lunch at The Ivy. This is an appetizer portion of Stone Crab Claws. It was excellent!

This picture of the restaurant does it no justice whatsoever. It was beautiful! Lights on the trees and ivy outside and elegant decor. I love it! It is a little on the pricey side, though, which is why I only got an appetizer.

That night, I met my friend and former Purdue roommate Sara and her husband Adam at Enterprise Fish Co in Santa Monica. It was so awesome to see her after so long!

I had lobster bisque with a puff pastry on top, and holy wow. Let's not talk about the nutritional content...

I also got the halibut with ginger infused brown rice:

Cooked perfectly and delicious!

I had a wonderful weekend, and an even better Monday! I'm going to work really hard tomorrow to get my post done about my pre-op appointment so I can fill you in on everything before the surgery on Wednesday. Until then, just know that I was led to an amazing doctor and am confident that I am making the right decision in going through with my surgery!

I'll be talking to you guys soon!

Happy Trails,

Stacey

 

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