Date Night

Tim and I were able to have date night this past weekend, which has been rare for us lately. He tends to work most weekends, or we have something going on with the kids. But we got to go to one of our most favorite restaurants in town, Cafe Mimosa. It's usually a breakfast or brunch spot for us , but the dinner menu is amazing too. It's fun going out in downtown San Clemente, and I can't believe how popular it's become. (clearly it's been a while). There are a bunch of new restaurants popping up all the time, and the streets were packed with people. OK maybe not packed, but definitely busy! So I sported a fun new top that I found in a little boutique downtown...

business in the front

party in the back!

and some stacking.

both of us ended up ordering the same thing, the lobster and filet special. It's a petite filet and half of a main lobster, with lobster mashed potatoes pouring out. Clearly I started indulging before remembering to snap a photo.

Barneys

Last weekend I had the opportunity to escape my daily childcare regime and spend some time with friends in LA. It was the last weekend of the Barneys warehouse sale, so we spent a couple of hours digging through what was left over and had lunch at the famous bakery and cafe, Bottega Louie. I have never seen such beautiful pastries, and found it difficult to pick from the vast assortment. We ended up bringing home some macaroons, cupcakes, and beignets. I highly recommend checking this place out, and the Bianco pizza with arugula is to die for!

scored these bad boys at the sale, at about 75% off retail!!

some people collect stamps... I collect shoes.

Organic Tree Juice Bar

Tim has been trying to get me on the juice bandwagon for years now... and I have finally been lured into the hype by a new juice bar in Dana Point. The Organic Tree Juice Bar has the most delicious juices, all made from local organic ingredients and beautifully served in glass jars. We've been going just about everyday since learning of it's existence through a friend of mine. What really got me hooked was the fact that the kids love it too. Adella and Nolan are now drinking beets, carrots, kale, ginger, etc!!! This is huge, as we struggle getting anything green in our kids other than avocado. Below is my current favorite, the "Dr. Oz" which includes kale, spinach, cucumber, lemon, apple, and ginger.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Organic-Tree-Juice-Bar/241180452623763#!/pages/Organic-Tree-Juice-Bar/241180452623763?sk=wall

Baking

Every year I spend a full day + baking an assortment of cookies to give out to friends and neighbors for Christmas. This year I had a little helper, who was actually quite helpful. We made butter cookies, mac nut cheesecake bars, tropical thumbprints, and gingerbread...

Christmas Craps

and cookies. Homemade gingerbread cookies!

Neighborhood Halloween Party

I was going to include these photo's on our Halloween post, but there were just too many. October is a big month for us, lot's of birthdays and Halloween! This year Adella wanted to be Annie, Nolan was Sandy and I was Miss Hannigan, naturally. Tim was scheduled to work on Halloween this year, so we didn't plan a costume for him (ahem, Rooster or Daddy Warbucks) but he ended up getting it off at the last minute, woohoo!

Our neighbors down the street throw a huge Halloween party every year. This year they had 2 bounce houses, a face painter, cotton candy machine :) hot dogs, snacks, AND a haunted house. They went all out between the decorations, dessert table and cupcake decorating. A lot of time went into designing and planning this party, and no detail went unnoticed!

The best part was the debut of this years Halloween costumes...

our neighbors are awesome.

Adella's 3rd Birthday!!

Adella is 3!!!

We hosted a small "Princess Party" for Adella and her best friends on her birthday this year. It was the first real birthday party that we've had for her, so we decided to make it as girly and pink as possible! Princess Cinderella was kind enough to celebrate with us and kept the kids entertained for almost 2 hours. She was bombarded by the kids upon entering, they were all so excited to see a REAL princess! Cinderella read them stories, sang to them (she had a BEAUTIFUL voice) taught them how to be princesses, and did their make-up. And she never once broke character, we were amazed!! Adella was thrilled with everything, and Nolan slept through most of it ;o). All of the parents who came enjoyed some light appetizers and.... a keg! I had a blast planning this party for her, and Tim supported all of my crazy idea's. Here are photo's of all the decorations, and a separate post of the kids will follow. Enjoy!