Surprise San Diego trip.

Last Thursday I flew to San Diego to surprise one of my best friends, Chelsea, for her birthday! I had been wanting to visit her in SD ever since she moved there a few years ago, but with school, moving, and all sorts of other things, I hadn't been able to. I saw her this past Christmas for like, 2 seconds, when I hadn't seen her in a year-and-a-half - the longest we've ever been apart :( Sad day. Around March or so my mom had got together with Chelsea's mom (they're friends too - isn't that cute?) and told me that her parents planned on visiting her for her birthday weekend. Then I thought, "How fun would it be if I went with them and surprised her??" So that's exactly what I did :) I booked my ticket in March and somehow kept it a secret, though there were a few times when I would talk to her that I just wanted to burst with my exciting news. It was well worth it to not tell her though, because she was seriously surprised. I went on the same flights as her parents to make it easier, and they had fun helping me surprise her, too :) Her parents are basically my second parents, and it was such a fun weekend spending time with both of them and Chelsea in absolutely beautiful weather. Chelsea lives in Pacific Beach and it is such a fun area - we walked around a bunch, shopped in some cute shops, visited Chelsea at the boat show when she had to work (she works for Marine Max, a company that sells boats/yachts), had a fun night out for her birthday, ate a ton, and relaxed even more. We even got to take a $1.2 million yacht out for a spin! I am also so glad I decided to surprise Chelsea because we really haven't gotten a lot of time together in the last couple of years, and I was so happy to be there for her birthday and just spend some quality girl time with her. I can't wait to visit again - hopefully sooner than later!

[So excited to be reunited!]

[Acai bowl with granola, banana, pineapple, mango, coconut, and honey. Basically the best thing ever]

[View of the Padres stadium from a rooftop bar in downtown San Diego]

[Just me in the master suite of the $1.2 million yacht]

[We decided we should go in on it together.....]

[Enjoying a bloody mary on a rooftop with a view of the ocean... perfection]

[Tod, the apartment complex cat, sporting one of my necklaces]

[Starting out birthday celebrations with a vodka red bull slushy... yikes]

[The morning after and the ultimate hangover breakfast.. also I'm a fatty. I really like breakfast, ok?!?!?]

[Wave House for Chelsea's birthday]

[Second family]

[Driving the yacht. I was terrified. I did not want to be the one responsible for crashing that thing hahaha]

[At Chelsea's birthday dinner at Il Fornaio]

[Last night]

[Delish ice cream sandwich from Baked Bear: a funfetti cookie and snickerdoodle cookie with strawberry ice cream in the middle. YUM]

[On our flight home we just happened to pick seats all together! It was fate]

Well, this is awkward.

Annnnnd here are a series of some really awkward outfit photos... sorrryboutcha.

[Ok, just let me get situated here]

[Or not... good angle!]

[Barbie arm?]

[Ok, no one actually holds their bag like that]

[Ok, didn't fix it, but hey, at least my face and the rest of me doesn't look awkward?]

[Theeeeere we go..... The Limited maxi worn as a skirt (sold out, but still have this skirt // The Limited sweater and jewelry (last year's) // Target belt // Sam & Libby Edelman for Target sandals // Kate Spade bag]

Yeah, this is what happens when Nick and I are trying to go somewhere and are in a hurry and I say I need outfit pictures. He kinda just rapid fires. Normally we end up with something that is good but today was not one of those days. Strugglin' over here. But you get the idea.

That's all I've got for today, folks.

Lately...

A random smattering of photos from my iPhone since we've been back in Oregon.

[Our welcome home lunch made by Nick's mom]

[Up close and personal with Bailey]

[Hangin' out with Bailers in the morning]

[Half off at Nordstrom - birthday shoes (Vince Camuto) to myself]

[Oh hey, it's Bailey again... I'm a crazy cat lady]

[Yard work time! Day 1]

[Yard work, day 2]

[Fresh strawberries from the yard]

[My first trip to the Trader Joe's in Salem]

[Kale with dates and arugula, goat cheese, and butternut squash pizza]

[A Rubinator and spicy tots from McMenamin's]

[Delicious "Hopricot" Cider from The Beer Mongers in SE Portland]

[Homemade Syrian bread!]

[Trying on my bridesmaid shoes for Michelle's wedding!]

[A day of baking - banana bread]

[A day of baking - Italian Cream Cake]