LA Weekend and Anniversary!
Hello!
I have had the best four days, but for brevity’s sake I will start off with recapping the weekend and save my Blogfest recap for a little later since I want to be able to put more time into it. I’m also getting ready to attend Fitbloggin’ towards the end of this week, so thankfully this is another short week for me. SCORE.
First off, Blogfest was AMAZING. Way better than my experience last year. Check back for the recap.
Blogfest itself is only two days during the IDEA World Health & Fitness Convention. While many people stayed for the weekend to take fitness and educational sessions, I did the same thing I did last year, which was to spend two days in LA and then the other two in Santa Monica with Neil’s brother’s family.
After a ridiculously long trip to the airport on Friday night to pick up Neil, we were all starving and needed tacos immediately. Mondo Taco did not disappoint.
We spent time at home talking and playing games, but were in bed before midnight.
Saturday morning we slept until about 7:30 am and then my sister in law and I headed to the infamous Santa Monica Stairs for a workout. I’ve written about these before, and most times that we visit I try to get out there — especially for views like this.
You guys, there are so many stairs. I tried counting and then stopped because I got focused on trying not to die. There’s this set and then another stone set further down, so I will usually go down one, sprint to the next one, go up those, and sprint back to the top of the original ones, making a horrible loop of awfulness.
This time, instead of doing a lot of the sprinting, I focused more on just the up and down of one set. When I would reach the top, I would do another move such as pushups or burpees before heading down again.
I also sat on the curb and accosted this precious dog. I promise he loved me, but he’s just not happy about getting his picture taken. So glad the owner didn’t see me creeping on her dog.
A little over an hour after I started, I met my sister in law where she was walking along the bluffs. That’s the Santa Monica Pier in the distance.
We headed home, showered, and then headed out for LUNCH.
Since I eat all the food and take all the pictures, we actually ate at two places for lunch. We couldn’t decide between poke and Sweetgreen, so we had a little bit at each one.
Neil and I LOVE Sweetgreen, but haven’t had it in forever since we moved away from VA. Amazingly, they are finally building one here in Chicago right near our place and I will eat there every day of my life.
Since yesterday was National Ice Cream Day, I needed to find a picture of ice cream to share with the world. This is from Stickhouse Gelato, which is exactly what it sounds like. You choose a flavor of gelato on a stick, which type of chocolate you want it dipped in, then toppings.
This is my pistachio gelato with pistachios masterpiece. So meta.
Saturday night, we all went out for seafood to celebrate my brother and sister in law’s anniversary as well as mine and Neil’s, which was yesterday. Those are my niece’s glasses. I just ooze class at nice restaurants.
We also threw my birthday in there as well since that’s coming up this Wednesday.
More games ensued that night, but we turned in around 11 pm since we were beat.
Sunday morning, Neil and his brother drove out to Bluestar Donuts and brought back THE MOST AMAZING DONUTS EVER MADE. I seriously think that I may like these more than the ones in Chicago, and that’s saying a lot.
Some of the flavors:
- blueberry BASIL
- raspberry rosemary
- Mexican hot chocolate
- PB & habanero jelly
- mojito (with real mint leaves)
- blueberry cake
Our flight out was around 11 am, so we headed to the airport, flew home, unpacked, and relaxed the rest of the evening.
And to end on a nice cheesy note, here’s a photo from the day we got married three years ago. This was our legal, courthouse marriage and the giant party extravaganza happened in October.
We choose to celebrate this date as our anniversary since it’s the date we actually got married. Apparently I was a big fan of oversaturation at this stage in my life.
After everything we went through last year, I’m happy that I can still use this picture, as saturated as it is. 🙂
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and I’ll talk to you soon!
Questions:
- What did you do this weekend?
- What did you eat?
- What’s your favorite donut flavor?
Aw, I didn’t remember that it was your anniversary! Happy Anniversary! I’m glad that you celebrated with tacos, donuts, and trying to kill yourself on the stairs 😀
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Blogfest and IDEA World Fitness Convention 2016
Yeah man, all the best things!
Anniversary & birthday in one week? Happy happy happiness! Looks like you had an awesome weekend. I need like a week of sleep from all the excitement!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Red Pepper Zucchini Frittata {GF, Low Cal, Paleo}
I know! But now I have another one this week. Ahhhhh!
omg that DOG hahahah. I would do the exact same thing. I touch every dog I see, regardless if the owner prefers that I don’t. PS happy early birthday!!
Beverley @ Born to Sweat recently posted…The Lazy Girls Lower Ab Workout
Thanks girl! And I think instead of baby fever I’m suffering from dog fever. It’s a problem!
Great weekend! It was good to meet you. My husbands birthday is also on Wednesday! Cool.
Ivanna recently posted…3 Things I Did To Break My Weight Loss Plateau
Well he must also be the coolest ever then. Glad to meet you too!!
Happy Anniversary /Birthday /Relationship Survival! It’s a difficult thing to make it to the other side of and there’s no guarantees in life, but happy that you’re still happy! If you want some other great stairs to climb, head to Colorado Springs and try out the Manitou Incline! Also, come here to the beach in NC and try out Wake n Bake for donuts you’ve not yet seen before…..including their donut waffle bar!
AmberLynn recently posted…The Ups and Downs of Flashingback
OMG all of that sounds amazing. I’ll go do those steps and then fly to NC for the donuts!
If you ever decide to make either trip, let me know. I’ll give you the 411 on all the best places to eat!
AmberLynn recently posted…The Ups and Downs of Flashingback
Happy anniversary & early bday! Sounds like a good weekend. Pistachio gelato FTW 🙂
Absolutely! It was amazing. And thank you!
Aw what a fun weekend!! And happy anniversary Erin, and happy almost birthday! So many exciting things going on in your life right now, that’s awesome 🙂 have a great day!
Alyssa recently posted…Mental Health Monday 7/18/19: Our internal critic
Thanks Alyssa! Yeah, this month is busy for sure!!
Happy anniversary!! Glad you had a good time and good eats in Santa Monica!
Bri recently posted…IDEA World Fitness Blogfest 2016 recap
It was all great! And so glad I finally got to meet you!
Perfect timing, since I’m heading to L.A. in a few weeks! Will definitely check out Blue Star Donuts – that blueberry basil looks like it could change my life.
Cheers!
Rachel
@ Wayfaring Rachel
Rachel recently posted…Karlie Kloss’s Workout
Haha I just left that comment on your IG this morning. They were seriously amazing.
Happy Anniversary! I love Blue Star Donuts – I went weekly when I lived in Portland! Can’t wait to read your Blogfest Recap. I hope to go next year!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy recently posted…Vanilla Cake Batter Green Smoothie Bowl
Next year it’s in Vegas! I need to find a location that’s closer to me…or just open my own haha
PISTACHIO GELATO. be still my heart. My all time favorite dessert. If I see that sucker on a menu, it’s happening. Despite the fact that I am lactose intolerant it looks like you had a great weekend! I didn’t know Sweetgreens was coming to Chicago?! I’m excited to finally get to try it after hearing people rave. Happy belated anniversary!! I am so inspired by you and your recovery ❤️
Thanks Jordan! Yeah, sweet green is going to be on state street in River north. There’s a sign up but that’s it so far. I can’t waaaaaait.
WAAAH They need to speed it up! Future lunch date?
Totally!
ahhhhh what a weekend!! No Nobu this time 😉
We should go on a doughnut mission, they’ve just opened a doughnut joint here and I swear this isn’t as gross as it sounds but Curry Chicken Doughnut. BEST
Happy Anniversary AND happy early Birthday.. I shall say it again then cos I’m fly.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Failing to see Mt.Fuji
Oh man that sounds intriguing. Yeah, no Nobu. I think that was the trip of 4738382 lifetimes haha
Girl, those tacos and those donuts. And that gelato. !!!!!
Happy belated anniversary and happy early birthday!
My favorite donut flavor is from a local place, Sugar Rush, that’s chocolate frosted and covered with crushed thin mints.
Catherine @ A Cup of Catherine recently posted…Currently // July 2016
Thank you! Oh man that sounds magical!! Swoon.
lol love that you went to two places for lunch. Santa Monica is so pretty! I’ve only been around the shops and not sure I ever even went out on the pier? Either way, I just remember being in awe, as it was my first time in LA at all I think. Small town girl :-p
The weather is always so perfect and I love all the food they have (big surprise)!
Happy Anniversary! So awesome you got to celebrate with family & delicious food too! I am a lover of stair workouts so those santa monica stairs look right up my alley!
They were intense!
I cannot WAIT to read about Fitbloggin’. I REALLY wanted to go this year, but apparently that takes $$$? Ha.
PLZ SEND ME DONUTS NEXT TIME. KTHXBAI.
Ange // Cowgirl Runs recently posted…How to Switch Blog Hosts
What is $$? Ha JK. I got an alumni discount bc I had been before so it ended up being about half price. And I won a free entry to Blogfest so that’s how I can afford all these conferences!
Stairs workouts are intense. I love that you broke it up with some extra hard core moves. And I’m so curious? Do you just look up places on Yelp to go for food? Cause that gelato on a stick looks so good.
HAPPY Anniversary! Love is the sweetest thing to celebrate.
Emily recently posted…My Cup Is Full When It Should Be Empty
Haha I do. If I’m in a new place I’ll check out Yelp and then Instagram to see what looks good!