Tiger! Tiger!

Before leaving San Diego, it was vital that I tried a favorite brewery amongst natives, Tiger! Tiger!. Not the most vegetarian friendly, but I took the opportunity to get brunch on a lovely Sunday.

The biscuits and gravy had to have costed all of $2 to make and there was no fake meat, just a melted cream cheese sauce over two flaky pillsbury-looking biscuits. HOWEVER the potatoes were amazinnngggg. The prices were decent, the housemade lemonade was yummy and I loved loved that they let me "taste" the St. Louis Framboise beer that they had on tap... it was delicious. Take note that they have some awesome specials on beers throughout the week!

fruits and veggies sleeve

It's been a long time coming, but after years of searching I finally found the perfect artist to make this dream a reality. Terry completed my sleeve in just five sessions over two short months and I'm extremely happy with the finished product, I really couldn't have envisioned it better!

For those of you interested, the magical tattoo wizard was Terry Ribera owner/tattoo artist at Remington Tattoo in San Diego, California.

Viva México

After living in San Diego for over three years, I finally visited Mexico for the first time in the existence of Ainsley. Luckily I had my most adventurous boys, Eddy and Isaiah, to drive down with...



Oh, Rosarito







What was Isaiah thinking?

Magnets and finger puppets

First Timer

Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in the three years of living in San Diego. I stepped out of my comfort zone and saw how beautiful life was in a completely different aspect.

I asked my most adventurous and active friend, Kevin, to go hiking with me and after discussing going somewhere that was easy and intermediate (as I'm not terribly in shape) *I* decided we would hike to the highest point in San Diego, Cowles Mountain. It was a great workout, not bad for beginners and once we got to the top the lookout was breathtaking. I felt an accomplishment I hadn't felt since hiking (real mountains) in Salt Lake City so long ago.











Afterward Kevin wanted to show me his new hobby of slacklining so we headed to Balboa Park and found some trees to tie up to. Even though I'm the most unbalanced person I know, this was A LOT harder than I imagined. Walking across without falling over or needing to hold Kevin's hand proved to be most difficult and unfortunately didn't even get as far as one solitary step by myself. Glad I tried and can now cross that off my bucket list.





We then packed up and decided to meet my coworker for my very first yoga class. If you caught the hint above that I'm not balanced whatsoever, you can probably understand why I was so intimidated and actually needed talking into to attend public yoga. But seriously, men and women, if you've never tried, please go! I felt amazinggggg afterward. Sure I fell over a few times and the instructor came over to correct my alignment three times... But it truly does your body and mind a world of good. Every stress and worry I had went out the window when I focused on stretching and breathing, it was great!


[via]

Yoga works up your appetite, so Kevin and I grabbed some Noodles & Company for dinner. I can't think of a better way to end my night. So thanks again Kevin and Aja, if you're reading this, you are fantastic human beings!



For those of you who live around a Core Power location, I highly suggest you check it out! The first week is free (no obligations) and they offer beginners classes and even hot yoga!

Foodie Friday: Pappalecco

All the places I'm always passing that catch my attention, but go the longest without trying, are the spots I look back on and wonder what the hell was I thinking and why didn't I try this sooner?! Pappalecco is one of those places, a totally cute cafe with a plethora of gelato choices, all listed in Italian so you know it's authentic. They also have a full blown menu that I didn't know existed. This time we only popped in for some gelato, but I'm anxious to go back for some bruschetta and a salad or panini.

I'm a firm believer and will continually reiterate that service is a MAJOR contribution to a good dining experience. The food is obviously close second, but having good service really determines my quickness on returning. This place was nothing short of friendly. After asking what two or three of the flavors were, as I'm not sure what "Straciatella" or "Fragola" means in Italian, I asked the guy "how many times per day would you say you get asked what each flavor is?", his response "too many to count, but I love it!" That upbeat attitude was fantastic, and when I asked him what his favorite flavor was he quirkily responded "it's a secret", then of course proceeded to tell me all about the cioccolato fondente (dark chocolate).



I had to try the Nutella (duh!) and it was deeeelicious. If I could virally share with your taste buds, I would.




Location #1: 3650 5th Avenue San Diego, California 92103
Neighborhood: Hillcrest

Location #2: 1602 State Street San Diego, California 92101
Neighborhood: Little Italy

Fall photos

My goodness, time flies. Where have the past three months gone?!

Every time I do something fun, go somewhere new and exciting or eat pretty much anything I always plan on coming back here and writing about it. It's important to me that I can always look back and remember how life was (I still to this day find myself occasionally logging into livejournal and reading about my adventures...and misadventures). But life happens and I've been so incredibly busy with work and getting ready to go home for the holidays, so here is a little photo round up of the past few months, if only for myself to look back on what it was like living this single life stint in San Diego, before picking up and moving this journey on elsewhere...













December Nights:


















obsessed with salt & vinegar chips, like her mama



Disneyland:










Space Mountain, on repeat




Die Hard, pool side


5am hotel baths


First, last and only photo taken with my brand new instax camera before accidentally/stupidly leaving it at said hotel of jerks and thieves