Easter Recap, Dodger's Game & East Coast Plans!

This week, today is my Friday! Woo hoo!  Jeff and I have been so busy lately, always on the go.  Busy is fun, as long as I can have my coffee.  Last weekend, we headed up to Bakersfield to be with my family for Easter.  One of my best friends, Brooke, also came back with us.  We had a great time.  We arrived around 9:30am on Saturday morning and my mom made us fritters.  They were SO GOOD!  I haven't had them in years.  Then, we went to a couple of my favorite boutiques and headed to dinner at Benji's, one of my parent's favorite Basque restaurants, and to mass.  We went to a church that we don't normally attend, just because of the time frame that we were working with.  THEN, we headed out to a couple of bars to see my friends from high school that were in town for the weekend.  We woke up early Sunday morning to help set up for my family's arrival.  My parent's hosted both of their families, which is easily over 50 people.  It was so much fun.  We left around 5pm Sunday with our bellies full and fully exhausted!!

Jeff & I pretending that Tatum is ours!

Last night, we met up with my parents at the Dodger's game.  We had a great time, and they won!  We also got to see a couple of home runs.  My parent's have AMAZING seats (3rd row on 3rd base line), which also come with free food for the entire game..so needless to say, we had a cheat day.  I almost forgot how much I love Dodger Dogs!

We got home around  11pm last night and tried to pack because we are leaving tonight again!  We are heading to the East Coast to see Jeff's family early tomorrow morning, so we got a hotel room near the airport.  We are flying out of LAX, but back into Orange County, so we definitely didn't want to leave a car and have to drive all the way back to LAX to get it when we get home on Monday (especially since our flight arrives at 10:30 Monday night!).  I looked into taking a shuttle from Newport to LAX, but it would have to pick us up at 4:00 - 4:30 am to account for all of the stops...not gonna happen.  So we are staying at The Westin Los Angeles Airport, which is about 2 miles away from the airport and has a free shuttle service running every 15 minutes.  My parents always used to get a room by the airport for early morning flights when I was younger, so I think it will be fun :)  Now we won't have to leave until around 6-6:30am.  Much better.  Luckily, I sleep really easily on planes, so I am planning on catching up on some zzz's then!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

XO Nicci

5 on Friday!

Happy Good Friday!!!  Here are 5 things that I am currently LOVING!

-ONE-

I am so excited to head home for Easter this weekend.  Bakersfield is about a 2.5 hour drive from Newport, so we are leaving first thing tomorrow morning.  A friend whose family is in Arizona is also coming with us!  I am so excited to see my sweetie Tate and my fam!  I haven't seen my younger sister since Christmas, and it has been a couple of months since I have seen my parents!

-TWO-

David Yurman Petite Albion Ring

(Please excuse my 2 week old mani!)

I wanted this ring for a solid 2 years before Jeff got it for my for my 23rd birthday.  Well, about 2 months ago, it had a nasty run in the with the garbage disposal.  :(  I was devastated, it had gone through twice because Jeff didn't realize it was in there.  I took it into the David Yurman store at South Coast Plaza (where we purchased it) to see if there was any way they could repair it.  I honestly thought they would laugh in my face when they saw how mangled the ring was.  The center stone was okay, but the band was completely ruined about half of the diamonds had fallen out.  But, the sales woman said this wasn't the first time that something that this had happened!  She sent it out for repair and about 7 weeks later (yesterday!), I picked it up from the store.  They charged me $150, but for all of the work that they did to fix it, I thought that was definitely a fair price.  I am so happy to have it back!!

-THREE-

UNBELIEVABLE POPCORN!

A coworker of mine made this popcorn for our office.  I have been doing so good on my diet, but this popcorn finally got me to break!!! Find a great recipe here.  I think it is perfect to have sitting out when family is over for Easter to snack on.  I am planning on making some this afternoon to bring home with me to my parent's house.

-FOUR-

Oh Joy! Collection at Target

This new(ish) collection at available at Target is the cutest!  It makes me want to throw a party for no reason.  Perfect colors for a spring or summer get together!

-FIVE-

Scandal

Because of my love for Law & Order, Revenge, and basically any murder mysteries, many of my friends have recommended that I watch Scandal.  I started it last week, and have almost watched all 3 seasons in one week (I know, I'm obsessive!)  But, it is ridiculous!! There are so many things going on and it always keeps you on your feet.  The season finale for season 3 aired last night, and I'm only about 4 episodes behind.  I have no idea what I am going to do when I am fully caught up and have to wait an entire week between each episode!!

Hope everyone has a great Easter weekend and is able to celebrate with friends and family.

Hoppy Easter Every Bunny! (so tacky haha!)

XO Nicci

It's Friday, Friday!

Yayyy it's Friday!  My week really just raced by.  Jeff and I are heading out to my favorite Italian restaurant tomorrow night, Roman Cucina.  Can you say carb overload!?  I literally cannot wait for a pasta and wine night.  We definitely need it.  Is that weird that I base my weekends around what I am going to eat on my cheat day?  Oh well, it's what helps me stick to my diet all week long.  I'm also going to make these coconut macaroons that Shay from Mix & Match Mama posted about earlier this week!  Coconut is my fave.   Here are five things I am currently loving!

-ONE-

Make things happen!

I have been thinking a lot lately about what I see myself doing in the future.  I'm constantly praying for God's help to find my path and guide me.  I have finally decided to take a step forward and do something that I have always wanted to do.  I am still in the very early stages of everything, but am very, very excited about it.  More details to come, but I will say that I will be utilizing my business degree as well as my passion for weddings and brides!  Any words of encouragement, ideas, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

-TWO-

Bella Espresso Maker

I picked up this beauty from a Target run earlier this week.  I decided I am going to try to save time/money in the mornings by not hitting Starbucks so often.  This was only $39.99, and I usually spend about $20 every 2 weeks at Starbucks.  So, I am thinking that this little investment will really pay off!  I usually get an Americano, so I have been boiling the water with my teapot and making my own.  It is so quick and efficient and easy to clean.  I also picked up the Tazo Tea Chai Tea K Cups, because Chai Tea Lattes (with heavy cream instead of milk...no dairy on my diet) are my other go to.  Now I will have no reason to go.  Let's see how long I can last!

-THREE-

Target Swimsuit, duh!

I also came home from Target with this swimsuit top.  It is really more coral in color than orange.  I love mixing and matching my swimsuits, I plan on wearing this with my white bottoms. Can't beat $17.99!

-FOUR-

Yay for  a sunny weekend!! I can't wait to lay out by the pool this weekend for the first time since last summer.  This is perfect timing, because there aren't too many people out there already.  Since I'm from Bakersfield, I love the heat.  On an average summer day, the temps are 100+.  So low 70's is still a little chili for me, since my perfect summer weather is 90!

-FIVE-

I'm really trying to focus on this during lent!

Hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

XO Nicci