Monthly Archives: August 2014

Life

see you next week!

August 27, 2014

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I’m skipping out early this week because I’m off to Chicago, my college stomping grounds, for a few days before my friend’s wedding in Michigan (at a summer camp by a lake!). Enjoy the long weekend and see you next Wednesday!

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around san diego - San Diego eats + drinks

coffee & tea collective

August 25, 2014

Coffee & Tea Collective, San Diego // via MySoCal'd Life

A local alt weekly once deemed San Diego not a coffee city; the writer reasoned that perennially warm temperatures hold us back. Well, I’m pretty sure that’s a bunch of bull because judging by places like Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, Caffe Calabria, Cafe Moto, Cafe Ipe and others, I’d say we have a pretty darn great, forward-thinking roasting scene.

One of the more popular spots in the city is the sleek Coffee & Tea Collective in North Park. The space is undoubtedly trendy and hipster—Eames (or Eames-style chairs), minimal decor, and a definite cool-kids clientele—but the team backs it up with really quality coffee. I’d compare it to Blue Bottle, and though I’ve enjoyed the coffee, their latte is my true love. The cafe also welcomes a variety of foodie talents, from waffles and Prager Brothers’ bread topped with melted butter and jam (a pricey $4 but fun to share) to Tribute Pizza, a pop-up pie company.

I work at a lot of coffee shops around town, but Coffee & Tea Collective feels more like a place where you should just enjoy your cuppa, and not just because they have great playlists and cute dogs trot in. Much like their beautiful Instagram feed, the cafe is a great combination of talent, taste and design.

Check it out:

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Creative Profiles

my rituals: katherine harvey, ut-san diego reporter

August 22, 2014

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Even though I’m a writer, I’ve rarely had friends in the biz. My best childhood friends are doctors, my college friends are techies and engineers, and my boyfriend is a Wall Streeter-turned-entreprenuer. I love that they expose me to new ideas and prevent me from talking shop after hours, but meeting U-T San Diego reporter Katherine Harvey reminded me that it’s pretty amazing to have a friend who speaks the same career lingo.

The Birmingham-bred writer worked at an Alabama newspaper before moving to Hawaii to write for the Honolulu Civil Beat, where she won tons of accolades for her work. Now she covers small business and retail for the U-T, San Diego’s major paper, and—get this—has a bone broth business with her husband.

Today she talks about canine therapy, the great outdoors and her chef husband.

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Life

i’m a brit + co. contributor!

August 20, 2014

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In addition to this blog and various magazines, you can now also find me contributing to Brit + Co, the online community devoted to creative living, making and doing. On my end, that means DIY ideas, food recipe round-ups, and posts about babies on Instagram who dress better than you. Stay tuned for more!

around san diego

weekend recap

August 18, 2014

A glimpse of my weekend, according to my iPhone…

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We’re watching our friend’s golden retriever, Tilly, for the next 8 days, and it’s always a good time when she’s over, not just because she and Teddy get along so well, but because our place turns into an apartment full of kids—us included. This shot of them holding paws just kills me.

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around san diego - San Diego eats + drinks

brunch at caroline’s seaside cafe

August 15, 2014

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Ask a San Diegan where to brunch by the water and most will say Caroline’s Seaside Cafe, a La Jolla eatery nestled within UCSD’s Scripps Institute of Oceanography. As far as restaurant views go, I’m not sure I’ve seen a better one in the city. The cafe is perched above the popular wedding venue Scripps Seaside Forum, overlooking north La Jolla Shores by Scripps Pier. That means you get a view of surfers, SUPers, and in our case last Sunday, a wedding rehearsal. It was cloudy that day, and I imagine it could get toasty on a sunny day, but who are we kidding? It’s a comfortable 72 degrees here almost every day!

I had gotten the impression that Caroline’s was all view, zero taste, but I beg to differ. Is it a gastronomic adventure of epic proportions? No. It’s brunch. It’s basic. It’s fresh. It’s tasty. The Mediterranean eggs were a favorite, and my latte, a crucial brunch element in my book, was also top-notch. Yes, you go for the view, but the food doesn’t disappoint.

After brunch, with Teddy in tow—Caroline’s patio is dog-friendly—we stumbled upon a colorful flower garden and found ourselves walking north on what’s apparently called Gaylord’s Trail. It was a dead end but afforded us awesome ocean views and gave Teddy an opportunity to give us his best Simba-“Circle of Life” moment.

Check out that and the rest of Caroline’s ahead: read more

around san diego

poolside jazz at the westgate hotel

August 13, 2014

Westgate Hotel, San Diego // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

Thursdays in college were a big deal. We weren’t living with our parents, so we could go wild on a school night! Now I usually spend my Thursdays at a casual dinner or working (meh). But last week I had a chance to get out of my rut and check out The Westgate Hotel’s poolside jazz series. Every Thursday this summer, the iconic hotel in downtown San Diego has been hosting local musicians on its luxurious rooftop alongside a menu of small plates, cocktails and wine. I went to last week’s concert with my friend, and it was like an oasis smack dab in the city.

A beautiful pool, breezy open-air seating, soothing music and golden hour hue that washes over the rooftop—I’m not going to lie: I loved feeling a little fancy on a Thursday. I got to dress up, throw back a (virgin) cocktail and listen to local talent in a while watching the sun set. Yes, we may have been the youngest people there, but hey, 20- and 30-somethings in San Diego, this is such a refreshing change of pace from the typical bar scene. The event is free with a $20 food and beverage minimum and runs through the end of the month September [updated]. Take a look:

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around san diego

weekend recap

August 11, 2014

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Nothing says you’ve adapted to life in SoCal like a weekend of acai bowls, vegetarian food, barre classes and the beach. Yep, I’m a total cliche. (I also worked and choreographed a dance for my friend’s upcoming wedding, but that’s far less exciting.) Here’s a glimpse of the weekend according to my iPhone…

I recently stumbled upon VegNOut in North Park, a casual vegetarian cafe with an aloha vibe that reminds me of a great acai bowl spot in Honolulu. Sadly, this place is closing at the end of the month, so go before it’s gone! The veggie dog (above) is awesome.

Barre3 at Hotel La Jolla, San Diego // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

Portland-based Barre3, which opened a UTC studio this year, hosted a free barre class this past Saturday by the pool at Hotel La Jolla. I’m more a yogi than a barre devotee, but of all the barre studios I’ve tried, Barre3 is my favorite. The instructors are always welcoming and encouraging, and free classes by the pool ain’t bad either! Check their Facebook page for updates on upcoming free classes in San Diego.

Nektar in La Jolla // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

Post-barre acai bowls at the chain juice bar Nektar. Unfortunately, the tropical acai bowl wasn’t anything to write home about—a bit bland and in need of more granola.

La Jolla Shores // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

I parted ways with my girlfriends after Nektar and met Eaman at La Jolla Shores, a very busy beach that’s ideal for beginner surfers. That day the waves happened to be perfect body boarding conditions, too. While Eaman boarded, I napped. That barre class was hard!

Venice Pizza House, San Diego // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

Venice Pizza House // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

We’d been craving an ultra-classic Italian restaurant, and had kept Venice Pizza House in our back pocket for such an occasion. It’s a family-owned, hole-in-the-wall spot on El Cajon Boulevard, where the owner’s granddaughter was our waitress and soda is served in those red Coca-Cola cups that bring back so many childhood memories. It’s not an everyday sort of meal—I’m still sweating the cheese out of my pores—but it’s the perfect place for an indulgent meal. (Get the cannoli, too!)

Caroline's Seaside Cafe // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

Sunday morning brunch at Caroline’s in La Jolla. More on that later this week!

Scripps Seaside Forum // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

Scripps Seaside Forum // My SoCal'd Life, a lifestyle blog

A post-brunch stroll by Scripps Seaside Forum.

Happy Monday!