Baseball Fever

I am not normally a baseball fan, but with all the recent big-name pick-ups by the Padres and the threat of one day not having an NFL team, I figured I should start paying at least a little attention.  I organized an outing with the friends to have brunch and watch the Padres during their opening weekend series against the Giants.  Though I don't normally watch baseball it was an exciting game, most of us got to see a grand slam, and Petco Park as usual provided great drinks and food.  Suffice to say the day was a success and we've all got a few more stories to tell.

Brunch at Halcyon East Village was delicious, especially this "Avocado Smoosh Toast."

 

It was a gorgeous day for baseball.  Only in SD.

 

 Chris and I got these Knockaround sunglasses for free one chance day at Green Flash.  They are now my favorite pair.  Check them out!

We won!!

Life Update

Hello friends!  Recently I've been trying some new things.  I joined a Vavi Flag Football league with some of our friends.  Our team name is B.A.R.K.A.D.A. (Tagalog for friends) and so far our record is 0-3-1.  No wins yet but we're all having so much fun and getting a workout in no less.  Here is a team photo and me pulling a flag!

Also I've been struggling with my career.  I'm three years out from graduating with my engineering degree and have applied and applied with no responses.  The more time that goes by the more strongly I feel about not pursuing engineering.  Yes, a job in that field means a fat paycheck and all the luxuries that my inner material girl would appreciate -- but in going over job descriptions for what I'd be qualified to do, I begin wondering if I would be happy going to work everyday, if I would love what I was doing.  I'm sure I wouldn't mind it, and probably even like it, but would I love it?

I recently took over Opera's Instagram account and have been working on being more active, posting everyday, trying to get more followers and lead to more customers coming in.  I asked my manager if I could do this because I believe that is something I'm passionate about -- providing great customer service, being involved in the restaurant culture, communicating with people.  In addition to this, I took steps in applying for a Social Media/PR position at a start-up company (thanks for the tip, Jackie).  It's kind of scary and gives me nervous butterflies in my stomach and though nothing is set in stone yet I feel like I am moving in the right direction.  It's a pretty big decision but I'm getting into my late 20's and I am starting to feel like it's now or never...

Haircut

About a week and a half ago I had a nice little "treat yo self" day, something I highly recommend everyone do once in a while.  I had scheduled a haircut at Salon Ink in Mission Hills and scheduled my Friday-funday around that.  I started with Heartwork Coffee Bar, a place I've been wanting to check out for a while now.  It's a super cozy cute coffee shop that carries beans from Dark Horse and James Coffee Co.  They have a simple coffee menu and a selection of doughnuts and other pastries for sale. 

Heartwork was very conveniently around the corner from my hair salon so I actually stopped by twice -- before my haircut for a cinnamon/honey almond milk latte, and then after for a cold brew.  Caffeine addict?  Absolutely.

I haven't gotten my hair cut for about a year now, mostly because I got it colored the last time too and I loved the way the color was changing, especially at the bottom.  So when I got the initial chop before my hair wash (pictured below) I looked down and had a tiny panic attack.  Goodbye hair, goodbye color that I love...

After the hair chop was my favorite part of haircuts there -- the hair washing stations are in a separate room to the back of the salon, with dimmed lighting and soothing music playing.  You really get to relax as they massage your scalp and neck and after it's done, even a little shoulder massage.

I don't have a stylist that I go to every time.  I've probably been to three before this time with Brittany but she and everyone I've had before have always done a great job and are always cool to talk to.  The end result is pictured below and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

I ended my morning with lunch at one of my favorites, Burger Lounge.  Since I gave up bread for Lent, and because it was Friday, I went for a side salad topped with an organic quinoa veggie patty, as well as a side of onion rings.  After this I had to run some errands so the treating myself portion of the day was over, but with a morning full of caffeine, getting pampered and eating yummy food, I was definitely recharged for the rest of the night.

Colourpop

I have found a new obsession that may endanger my resolution to stop buying new makeup.  Colourpop Cosmetics is a brand quickly gaining popularity and I of course had to jump on the bandwagon.  What made it easy was all the attractive colors and all the low prices!  With lip products and eye shadows at only $5 and blushes at $8, and free shipping with orders of $30 or more, it was so easy to put my shopping break on break.

I got three "lippie sticks," (Lumiere, Heart On, LBB -- pictured below in that order) two "super shock shadows," (Meow, Pop Rocks) and one "super shock cheek" (Homie).  All of these had really great pigment, especially the cheek color.  The packaging is cute, you get a little handwritten note with your order, and the best part?  Just upon my first look-through of the site I found so many dupes of higher end brands that cost at least 3X the price. 

And now that I've shared these beauties with you, it's time to get off the internet before I start shopping again.

Things I've Been Eating!

Why, yes, I am one of those girls that has to take a picture of their food :)

 

Blackened Swordfish Sandwich, the Fish Shop, PB

Common Theory X Modern Times Brewery food pairings

 Fruity Pebbles & Cap'n Crunch Macarons, Common Theory, Kearny Mesa

 

Mini Belgian Waffles, Wow Wow Waffle (currently closed for remodeling), North Park

Pasture Robata Sampler (kurobuta sausage/beef filet/lamb chop), Blue Smoke Sushi Lounge, Mission Valley

Blue Smoke Combo (spicy tuna roll/salmon teriyaki) ,Blue Smoke Sushi Lounge, Mission Valley

Soy Latte, Zumbar Coffee Roasters, Sorrento Valley

French Green Bean Fries, Kappa Sushi, Scripps Ranch

Sashimi Special of the Day, Kappa Sushi, Scripps Ranch

Shrimp Wonton Soup, Noodles, Pala Casino

Seaweed Salad, Deli Sushi, Mira Mesa

Autumn Roll, Deli Sushi, Mira Mesa

Yaki Shabu & Japanese Sausages, Gyu Kaku, Scripps Ranch

Spicy Tuna Volcano, Gyu Kaku, Scripps Ranch

Green Tea Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich, Gyu Kaku, Scripps Ranch

Calamari, Ballast Point, Miramar

Chicken Teriyaki Bowl, Kim's Deli, Miramar

Walnut Shrimp & Hong Kong Special Fried Noodle, Hong Kong Restaurant, Hillcrest

Earl Grey Macaron, Lette Macrons, University City

Consortium Sunday

This last rainy Sunday in San Diego, Chris and I ventured out to East Village for the grand opening of the new Coffee & Tea Collective//JUICE SAVES collaboration.  We enjoyed some free Gin & Juice cocktails and sampled some of JUICE SAVES' freshly pressed drinks.

Afterwards we had a late lunch at Neighborhood and had to play some Tetris at first with all the drinks at our table.  We just ordered some snack foods (the Tijuana style fries were soooooo good) because we had plans for some (not pictured) Santouka Ramen later.  At Santouka we shared a ramen and salmon roe bowl, and ran into Carlo, Frida and baby Kayla!  I had fun pushing her around Mitsuwa while looking for green tea Kit-Kats.  Unfortunately, no luck with the Kit-Kats :(  But the rest of the day was very delicious and I liked Consortium Holdings' newest spot so much that I went back two days later :)

28 Days of Lipstick: La Fin!

02/21:  MAC Liner in Heroine/MAC Matte Finish Lipstick in Heroine
02/22:  NYX Liner in Fuschia/Limecrime Velvetine in Pink Velvet
02/23:  NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose 
02/24:  MAC Amplified Finish Lipstick in Up the Amp
02/25:  MAC Amplified Finish Lipstick in Toying Around
02/26:  MAC Liner in Heroine/Limecrime Lipstick in Poisonberry
02/27:  MAC Liner in Beet/MAC Matte Finish Lipstick in Relentlessly Red
02/28:  MAC Pro Longwear Liner in Fashion Boost/MAC Matte Finish Lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous 
 
Is it just me or did February fly by? 

Throughout this challenge, I found that the most difficult thing was to remember to take a picture before the sun went down.  I don't have very good lighting in my room at night, so it's pretty much impossible to get a true-to-color picture of my lipstick after 6:00 p.m. during the winter.  But I made due with what I had and I'm glad I took this month to re-examine my collection. 

Overall I have three absolute favorites:
1.  Limecrime's Red Velvet Velvetine:  The formula is amazing -- liquid-to-matte, super easy to apply and pretty much smudge proof.  Not to mention it's the most beautiful, pure shade of red I own.
2.  MAC's Heroine Matte Lippie:  It's matte but not too drying, and a shade of purple that you can really play with.  I love matching it with the Heroine liner to bring out the true color, but I also love adding some Currant underneath for a darker, vampy look.
3.  MAC's Syrup Cremesheen Lippie:  My go-to, everyday, my-lips-but-better color.  I can throw this on in a rush and it'll be cute no matter where I'm going!