What a couple of weeks it's been! 

All of a sudden a lot is hitting me all at once. We are going to be parents (don't worry this wasn't new, this has hit me on and off since we found out we were having a baby!). We will be taking this little girl home. Forever! She could be here soon. We need to get ready! We need a name. 

Also smacking me in the face lately? Exhaustion. So are aches and pains, and foot swelling, and Heartburn (with a capital H). 

Oh and work. I need to get ready for maternity leave, I need to leave my work and my team in a good place! I've been working around the clock to get things to that place. Oh and wedding! Wouldn't it be great to have all of the "big stuff" planned before baby comes? Photography, catering, guest list oh my...

Needless to say, a break was needed. 

Everyone says to make sure to spend a lot of quality time with your love before the baby comes, and I've gotta say that we've been acing that assignment. I don't think Jimmy and I have ever been so in sync. We've been making time for each other and squeezing "dates" in amid the chaos. But to put the icing on the cake, we decided we need to truly get away and do a "baby moon". 

We used a work trip of mine (to Seattle) as an excuse to pick Washington as our destination, and snuck off to a quiet cottage on Orcas Island.  Our visit consisted of ocean views, relaxed mornings on the deck, wildlife sightings and ice cream. Lots of ice cream. 

Thank you, tiny island for providing your adorable tiny-home away from our tiny home! It's just what we needed.

We're Engaged!

I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!! (Please see here if you need help getting that intonation right...).

Jimmy asked me to marry him on Sunday evening during the last night of our beautiful getaway to Joshua Tree. In true Allie/Jim fashion we were on an excursion down a long, beautiful dirt road, which ended in an amazing 360 degree view of Joshua Tree and the surrounding area. The sun was starting to set, we had the entire place to ourselves, and we were reminiscing on what a perfect vacation it had been. I always thought I'd be completely expecting it when the time came, but he really managed to surprise me (probably because he surprised himself)! Turns out the ring had been burning a hole in his pocket for days as he waited for the perfect moment, so I don't even think he knew it was the right time until about 2 minutes before :).

He even managed to get it on camera! Well actually, I did...I had set up our camera's self-timer for a long overdue vacation shot, and he embraced the moment, getting down on one knee just as the countdown approached zero.

Jimmy, I can't wait to continue this adventure with you.

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In case you care to peek, here are some photos from our magical Eureka Peak sunset.

Getaway Weekend :: San Diaaago

Happy Friday! I've been crunching down lately, putting all of my energy into work, because next week Jimbo and I are heading off on a v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n. In T-minus 5 days we're hopping on a flight and about 10 hours later we'll be in Stockholm! We've been spending all of our travel energy (and funds) exploring the West Coast over these past two years so it's been awhile since we left the country - we can't wait to enjoy another culture again. Anyway, more on that later!

For now, a quick flashback to our weekend away in San Diego a few weekends ago. 

Eat:
Oscar's Mexican Seafood the absolute best ceviche I've ever had, followed by the absolute best surf & turf taco I've ever had. Probably will be my first stop next time I'm in town!
The Duck Dive cute bar in La Jolla - they were super nice about letting us use the wifi for some work while we enjoyed the local San Diego beers.
Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens huge! great beer selection, beautiful gardens, perfect place for drinks with friends.
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop super unique and super delicious tacos. but not quite as delicious as Oscar's ;)
Lazy Hummingbird this place was adorable - just the perfect hippie dippy coffee paradise that I was looking for, complete with smoothie bowls, a wonderfully kind staff and outdoor seating.
Sushi Mori we were drawn in by a great happy hour deal, and it didn't disappoint! but, not the best sushi I've ever had.
Werewolf in the Gaslamp district, great for people watching (if you sit outside on the tiny patio like we did). Try the 'Papas Balls'. 
Cafe Hielo probably not worth visiting unless you're in the area (which we were) but I had never tried this kind of dessert - Korean shaved ice - and it was an amazing afternoon treat.
Common Theory Public House very cool spot for a great variety of food a million tasty beer options - we loved the little couch nook with games
East Coast Pizza - Hillcrest nothing more than your average pizza joint, except that it was AWESOME. The folks there were SO nice and they saved our lives when the 1 a.m. hunger pangs hit, so we love them.
Heartwork Coffee Bar amazing coffee + lovely setting + cute name = coffeeshop perfection.
Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill this was probably the longest line I've waited in for food in 10 years, but I had heard it was worth it and...it WAS. Freshest yummiest fish ever. We loved the calamari and poke. 

Do:
Old Town San Diego most of the photos I have here are from exploring Old Town - I love any experience that takes you back in time like this! 
Ballast Point Brewery (& Distillery) I've loved Sculpin IPA for awhile but we don't get all the other Ballast varieties up in the Bay, so we loved doing some tasting at this brewery and checking out the spirits in their secret speakeasy.
Gaslamp Quarter wow, on a Saturday night this place was almost as bumpin' as bourbon street. people watching galore. I had no idea San Diego had a scene like that!
Coronado lovely houses, lovely beaches.
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge we enjoyed some nature and birdwatching, as we are wont to do ;). And you can see Mexico from down here, so we said Hello. 

Stay:
Paradise Point Resort & Spa was pretty great - lovely accommodations and perfect location. But next time maybe we'll stay here ;) want to join?


This weekend will be for relaxing and prepping for our trip, with some fun lil plans mixed in. Enjoy your days!

Getaway Weekend :: Palm Springs

I spent last weekend soaking up the 97 degree sunshiney weather with two of my besties from Boston. We enjoyed our days baking in the sun, eating amazing (and surprisingly healthy) food all over town, diving deep into life analysis, people-watching L.A. socialites by the pool, hanging out in dressing rooms a-la The Sweetest Thing, and discussing our skincare routines in detail. It was perfect. 

Trip planned to Palm Springs?? Bring me with you. And in case you're interested, here's what I'd recommend...

Eats

Spencer's upscale, insanely beautiful setting, delicious food

Birba candle lit, tree surrounded setting creates a romantic ambiance + best flat breads and salads

El Jefe perfect happy hour margarita and nachos after the pool

Cheeky's best brunch ever, cannot say enough about this place, just GO

Palm Greens healthy, yummy, perfect in every way - great for dietary restrictions of any kind

The Tropicale bright beautiful setting with amazing food options (very PS)

Ernest Coffee perfect for an afternoon pick me up of coffee + charcuterie

Shops

Trina Turk brighty poolside fun (when in Rome?)

Wil Stiles like Trina but with more variety and better price tags

Stay

The Saguaro colorful, lively pool scene, quirky and delicious

Do

Palm Springs Tramway conquer your fear of heights!

Thursday Night Market shops and eats and shows, great way to experience downtown

Pack

almost nothing (seriously... it's incredibly hot and it's all about the pool wear!)

I have a long list of to-do's for when I go back next (which will hopefully be sooner rather than later!), so I guarantee a Part 2 (someday...)!