one of my favorite summer events in south orange county is the sawdust festival in laguna beach.  i make it a point to go at least once every summer to check out the vendors and artists.  there is always such a great collection of painters, photographers, sculptors, jewelry makers and even glass blowers!  this year was especially fun since my friend's band was performing!  what a fun way to celebrate summer and local artists!

explore orange county // anaheim packing district

a while back my friend and i went on an adventure to the anaheim packing district to explore and check out what all the talk was about. the packing district includes the restored packard building & former car showroom, farmers park and the restored citrus packing house, and the backyard, an outdoor event area with a fireplace and orange grove. the packing house features 20+ artisan eateries and they even have live music every weekend!  the vibe is laid back and modern, painted with different personalities deepening on which eatery or bar you are visiting.  it's a great place to get together with friends for happy hour, dinner, or even dessert!  i'm looking forward to heading back and getting to know the packing district a little better!!

taco asylum // the camp, costa mesa

one thing that i love most about southern california is the excessive amount of mexican food and the wonderful tradition that is taco tuesday.  what's better than delicious tacos at a discounted price just because it's tuesday?  it's like - hey! you made it through the first two days of this work week - let's celebrate!  i'm totally okay with celebrating the little things, like tacos, and tuesdays!

yesterday my friend and i ventured to taco asylum at the camp in costa mesa to see what their tacos are all about.  now, the camp is a pretty cool place on it's own.  the CAMP is a green gathering spot offering wellness and personal styling services, unique and purposeful shopping as well as healthy, local and international dining.  it's worth checking out, especially during one of their many special events.  

taco asylum is a cool little spot tucked in a corner at the camp.  it's open layout and modern rustic decor is inviting and casual.  since it was taco tuesday, classic tacos were $3 and they had deals on beer.  their beer selection features some awesome local craft beer, as well as more well known brews. i decided on a carne asada and a fish taco to go with my grapefruit sculpin ipa.  both tacos were delicious, but the fish took the win for me.  i'll definitely be back to explore more of their menu - especially some of their specialty tacos!  

disney day!

want to know my favorite perk about living in orange county? disneyland!  and when you and your best friend both have season passes, you go on a tuesday and take as many ridiculous selfies as possible, drink beer, skip through the park, and spend the entire day laughing your ass off.  

     

a true trifecta // a day at the del mar racetrack

back in november, the girls and i headed to the del mar racetrack for their food truck festival and to try our hands at betting on the horses.  typically, the race season is in the summer, but this year they brought it back in the fall for "bing crosby season."  this was my first time at the races and boy did we have a lot of fun.  we ate some delicious food truck food, had some beers and made some bets.  it was a great day at the races, for sure! 

san clemente, you're too good to me

i've said it before and i'll say it again, i love san clemente.  i mean, how can you not love this?  it's pretty much beach weather all year long and it really doesn't get much colder than 60', which is freezing, if you ask anyone from around here (ha!).  but lately, the weather has been cooling down and the skies are a little gloomier, so taking peaks at these pictures from the summer remind just how much this place rocks.  and as much as i love sweater weather, a little part of me misses summer in san clemente.  but until then, you can probably still find me on the beach; i'll just be a little bit more bundled up.

adventure // sawdust festival

the sawdust festival is one of my most favorite things to do each summer and this year, ashley came along with me!  beer, live music, arts & crafts, laguna beach and my best friend? is there a better way to spend a summer afternoon?  

eat in san diego // tin can and doods foods, bankers hill

nestled in a little dive bar a block from balboa park in san diego lies the tin can and doods foods.  a cool little spot with killer burgers and craft beer.  don't expect to get a draft beer here - all their beer is in cans - and it's all delicious!  the burgers? one of the best i've ever had.  my favorite is the california burgerito - a mix between a hamburger and a california burrito, topped with house made salsa and french fries! yum! the atmosphere is dark, the space is small, and it's the perfect place to escape the daylight and enjoy a killer burger and an ice cold beer.